Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-13

ses, Of Mr.. Stevenson, because he had taken coed
care to prevent any Of these foolish events from BE-
ing misunderstood in England. Ne American minis
ter in England enjoyed such substantial pops
iarty NJ Mr. Stevenson has dsne-snd this popularity
is not confined to the gov party- pervades all
parties with the sole exception of the abolition par
ty which 10 Of the biterest and sraziest in Eng
land. His popular manners-his ready sloqusnce-
his frank and manly conduct, have made him quite
faverite-so much SO, that on one occasion he was
offered by the city Of London the freedom OF that
corporation but the Constitution Of the United states
nterfered and he had to refuse the honor, although
the offer was equal TO the act.
Thus much for Mr.. Stevenson. II this negocia-
ton, now transferred to this country, be managed
with any ordinary skill promptitude and prudence,
we cannot fail to have FINAL settlement OF this
long vexed question: before the termination OF the
year If it be not settled, will be through
mismanagement, and nothing else.
SECULAR DEvELoPENEHTs-CAsSo or Samuel
L. GoUvERsEUR-In the course of the curious trial
of Samuel l.. Gouverneur, now geing on in the Y. >
Circuit Court several singular Developments have
come out as 10 the " fair business transactions and
operations of the Office holders Of the u, s. Govern
ment
The defe ndant had cited several witnesses to prove
that he ought to be allowed a commission of 5 per
cent all the extra official business he did for the
DepartmeRt-such negotiating accommodation
paper making loans borrowing, raising, mortgagng,
and other necdfu operations. One witness said he
thought per cent. a very reasonable allowance;
and being asked TO give his reasons, he said that
other persons ha6 received it; and then being called
by the Court to give instance, he said that Mr..
w. NJ Price received 1914 9Sl, his commission
on the purchase of sword and looking glass as
4 < AZ. Il.
cene instance was as good a thossand-for il would
establish precedent
In Of the letters, read evidence the part
of the government, written by Col. Reside in 1884,
when he under the examination Of the Committee
| of resignation, there passage that excited
quite a lively movement in the Court and audience
81 hope," writes the gallant Land Admiral, g to
get out Of the hands Of this damned lnquistion in
few days-then I'll be in New York. Sc" At this
the Court looked grave-Mr Southland smiled, and
Mr.. Butler turned ny the whites of his eyes.
The triad still proceeds and will probably occupy
several days Thus far il has been rather tedious
but it begins to be stng-so much so, that
the /" Courier and Enquirer thought proper, last
Saturday to anticipate the decision of the Jury by
long, rigmarole nconclusive article on
the subject. The Courier writer admits that Mr.
Gouverneur was good and efficient officer-yet he
thing vile for the very transactions which were
goclated by Mr. Gouverne1r. If these clandestine
negotiations were wrong, how Mr. G. be inno-
cent? He was at least particeps criminis.
Now we look upon these matters in a different as
pect. The Department wanted money! and was com-
PEELED TO employ agents to negotiate their drafts
There was no improperly in this-t is not a crime
10 be short Of noncy-sho~gh r~i.sort~ns, partica
larly if one is in Bristol, England, and has capias
hanging over him-but the wrong to refuse to paw
an honest debt when you have the the meney-and
this is what Mr.. Kendall is to be blamed for The
debts due Stockton and Stokes-due James Reside
due ;. l.. Gouverneur, &C., were all debts Of ho-
aor-honorably contracted TO relieve the embarrass
ments of the Department-and, though they are not
on the regular books Of the Office, yet they are not
| the less due, and ought to be paid.
Again, we confess we have yet seen no evidence
this trial to convince that the Post Oaiee De-
partment is SO deranged in its books as Mr. Matthew
l.. Davis endeavored to prove in his letters from
Washington last winter The Department owes
several large debts for money raised save its Gre
dit-it oaght to pay those debts-but that is all.
Neither we clearly the motive or the purpose
Of the long fanfaronade in the Courier of Saturday
in which the writer shows gross inconsistency in
his reasoning, n well entire ignorance OF the per-
sons and motives which at the bottom Of the
removal Of the dsposites. We could give little
light-but we don't choose at present.
CoURr OF ESaUrRy COMMODORE ELLIor-
spondent in Philadelphia, attending the trial
Of Com. Elliot, has very kindly furnished Ms with
leading portions of the evidence given in this
curious case. The part which we give today has re-
ference to the conduct Of the Commodore on the