Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-15

brokers' shop. He had a horn to blow for assistance
from the passers by, when the ''blcody conspira-
tors to take his life several friendly SPIDERS
three copies of the papers containing the defalca-
tions of Price and Swartwout, (evidences the bad
ness of the bloody country, some sticks of wood,
once charged with gunpowder, with which he said
''the bloody rascals meant to blow me to hell"
la 1888 an attempt was made to prove lin insane
before Commissioner Jones and three Others but il
failed The following extracts from the evidence on
that occasion, more than any thing ese clearly show
the man and his character.
Commissioner Jones requested the Sheriff to inform
Mr.. Parkns that the testimony was gone through
and if he desired to appear, he could do so. In
short time Mr.. Parkins entered court accompanied
by the Sheriff He was 1ecently attired. and appear
ed in perfect health. As he approached the table
appropriated to the of COUNSEL he cast look of
defiance around him, and with scornul curl of the
lip and fix ed eye gazed sterny at the LAWYERS and
partc ulary at MIR. De. Lacy. Commss oner J ones
politely requested him to be seated, but he rudely
addressed him and each of the Commits 5 toner's in sue
cession. "What is your name sir - clones, sir"
81 w hat is your name, sirl'' Graham "What
is your name, sir?' ''Stearns." Oh. know YOU
sir, you took the liberty to come into my cell with
the Tailor, without letting me know who you were;
having done so, however, you met the reception you
deserved" What is your name, sir?" 50 Perkins"
He then looked atthe Jury arranged the seats be-
fore him made particular enquiry to who were
the Jury, and took glance at each of them he then
sat down.
Commissioner Jones very mildly addressed him
nearly thus: Mr.. Parkins, sitting here, sir,
as Commissioners, appointed by the Chancellor by
virtue ofa writ, to enquire whether you man of
sound mind and competent to the management OF
your affairs? You may if you wish, call wtnes-
SEES to -
Mr. Parkins, who had manifested much uneasiness
during its delivery, rose, and with violence of man
ner, said, Are you done, sir?
COMMISSIONS Jones-Go on, sir.
Mr.. Parkins-Are you done?
Commissioner Jones, raising his voice.-Go on,
sir.
Mr.. Parkins-If you are done, sir, will begin.
Whatever may be the powers delegated to you, |
know not, nor care not. know nothing of you, or
men. l have been disgraced in my character by a
set of base wretches and conspirators, who have
dared to commence these proceedings against me:
but that have the courage and the power to crush
them and their Vaccinations, will prove to you be-
fore am done.
Commissioner Jones enquired of Mr.. Parkins
what time he intended to get through with his de.
fence; it would be very desirable if he could finish
that evening; juryman, MIR. Wyckoff, had impor-
tant business out of the city, which would detan
him some time; for himself, he would sit till mid
night if Mr.. Parkins would get through in that
time; he believed this was the 9th or 9th sitting.
Mr. Parkins-Sir, you judging very errone-
ously, when you imagine l shall get through this
evening; no, sir, shall conclude tonight. Is it
not monstrous, | ask!-that after you have been
holding your nightly orgies here listening in detail
all these horrid charges against me- you want to
get rid of it,! 1t is not i who have brought you
here; mind that!-lt is entirely without my appro-
baton; is docking at the lawyers) the doings of
these men, who call themselves my friends and
yet ] am to be insuted by Mr. Wyckof ask
ing me to accommodate him. i have nothing
to do with suting the Jury's convenience
men, more than you possibly be. l have
now made myself acquainted with the whole Of
the eviaence against me, prior to which i could
not have supposed it possible you would have iden
such mass Of horrors; and when make an attempt
to rebut these calumnies, j am to be insulted by
iurymaa rising in his place asking to be excused
Gentlemen, am not an ignorant man. That fellow,
Jackson who has been paradpg through the
streets, has been called an ignorant man. Have you
proved him soil have been ill-treated by Jackson
and another
Commissioner Jones.-Sir I cannot
Mr.. Parkins, fercely-Don't interrupt me, sir.
Commissioner Jones-I will interrupt you, sir: j
cannot allow you to allude TO the President confine
yourself to the point, sir.
Mr.. Parkins-It is to the point, sir Ii is a mat
ter of importance TO me, sir Don't disgrace your
selves by refusing TO hear me. You have no right
to interfere with my property, even II was mad,
unless squandercd il away, or was dangerous to
society. Ii I had wife or children there night be
some apology but | am, thank God, unmarried
here is not the least excuse for that villainy.
Mr. p, Parsins suddenly STOPPED and looking fierce
ire staring about with their horrid countenances."
"My money which have obtained by the sweat
II my brow, have right to do what please with.
The King Of France has got off his horse to shake
me by the hand, without my being known to him,
cept by the standing had in the world. The French
Prime Minister, LATTE, paid me $50 900 which his
younger brother hadborrowed Of me in Africa some
years previous. He had been unable TO pay II. l
never communicated the matter to his brother-did
not think he knew it, and at party he put in my
hands check for the amount. Such men as these
merit MIR. Parkins's appreciation, but since came
TO this unfortunate country have lost fO0OO ah, II
had said i60,00 should he nearer the mark.
Property which ! have been robbed Of j, agcntlc-
man who has filed the exalted and important Office
Of sheriff Of London (not like your Sheriff here, no
is hardly worth S500) 5000 900 sterling passes
through the hands Of the Sheriff Of London. ]
elected to the Office unsolicited, and am to be dis
graccd and insulted in your unfortunate countryl'
"Ihe King Of England desired 10 be introduced 20
me- Yes, he desired the Duke OF York to tell me he
vishsd to be introduced 60 me. The Duke OF York
was an honest and an honorable man lie was duped
BY gamblers. He ought to have been pronounced
insane when the"
whsn came here, had funds and credit to the
lmount Of S3OOO,OOO. Spraguc also knows whom I
eft the Isle Of Wight 60 on board his ship, which
chose, from the opinion had ~ his stcal skill
For, although. gentlemen, am no navigator, am a
Toyagcr. All! when was leaving England IN his
hip, was surrounded by my friends. The Mar
luis of Anglesea and Sir William Curtis, shook me
" the hand, and said, Parlsins, why do you leave
- Why do you leave your native land, to 20 To
IN ina gnary landl In my early days was adopt |
d BY the Duke of Norfolk, who is Of the highest
Hood Of nobility in England. lie has nurscd me
will tell you act of this Captai, sPrague, to |
his discredit. NV servant, Taylor, who now sits
I Washington, taking notes {. reporter, went back
-