Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-11-28
THE LATE COURT EDITOR

For good while, the graves, dabt. las every body
prevailed IN Washington, whsher the name affixed
" ~ ''''''nah as mat oi it, editr merely assi-
''u' OF rs' designation. Some commended that John
Jones as simple aaonyme: that there might To be sur
oc 'on'ses-as walter, OF Caiesby Ap, or Sir William
that were real pcrsonages b that in general n WINS Tho
most suspicious OF Proper Nas and had ever since the
aays VI r''ugs Tom Jones' bean consocrated ms sort
a'ids of those who had existence or chose
to Turk. Tom and Bill Jones (hey n,oin,,,n,n mean,
man at largc-some undcsgnaied ,.rsonag,-, aor, Of
genoralizcd idea OF the human entity: b., RI. - 4,
was clear was deliberately intended convey the ;d, of
just nobody" or at most nobody's younger brother
We remember that certain ingenious young an friend
Of ours in Washington, who named James Vaudeville
and much read in Legal Antiquities las indeed in amos
every thing ese) assured that he had been Obliged i'm
suit OF which he had management to attempt to
blish the identity OF certain John Joneses but that after
very learned argument the Supreme Court Justice Story
prcsiding) pronounced against h-tat John Jones must
be held TO be designation vague for the Law To allow
To be made the ground Of that il was like ss-
ainng claim set for horse, under instrument de-
scribing the aforesaid horse quadrpcd having ail
that the Court had long been moescd with apple atoms
the most vexatons and contradictory by person styling
himself John Jones; and that they had, time coun
enanced various claims of his but that recurring nj Inst
to their Records they found the proofs
the Incompatible claims and allegations of all sorts there
urged in behalf of the aforesaid John Jones' that he was
egni contradiction and -entity-a fiction like
those elder iica personngcs of the Law John
Doe and Richard Roe: that Law is the perfection of
Reason generally, so is the Common Law the perfection
OF Law itse wherein hath been held that Certain
~ the mother of Justice and the DESPATCH that
the Court looks upon Doc and Roe the only ideal per.
whom the wisdom Of the Law can counenance:
and that hereby DEGREES that for the future motion for
Nonsuii shall lie, Of course against any one bringing
all action in the name of John Jones.
This opinion was, understand, pronounced by Jus.
nce Story, the other members of the Court concung and
may be found in the last volume of Peterss Reports. a
page 1896
Sorry however, perceive that the very teeth
OF this decision Judge in Texas has actually permitted the
Editor OF the Modsonian be arragned some capital
offence convicted and sentenced without his rights of
either clergy idealiy We make no doubt, hnwever
that John will, in spite OF the galows go ON Just as be-
FORE and edit the Court Paper usual n manner which
will leave the earth Just uncertain ever whether he
is substance shadow.
The Texas case to which refer, is the following:
COMPASSION or JUDeE.-A very learned and compass
sonnte Judge in Texas passing sentence on one John
Jones, who had been convicted of murder, concluded
remarks ns follows 1.-THE fact il, Jones' that Court
did not intend Ia order be executed before
but the weather is coldour jail unfortunately is in
very bad condition-nuch Of the glass in windows il
brokenhe chmneys in such a dilapidated state thar
fire be nnde render your apartments comfort HE
besides owing TO the great number of prisoners more
hnn one blanket can be allowed eachto sleep sound
y and comfortably, therefore, will be the question
In consideration OF these circumstances and wishing to
lessen sufferns much possible the Court in the
exercise of its humanity and compassion hereby order
you To be executed Tomorrow morning. break
fast as may be convenient the Sheriff and agreeable TO
you"