Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-23
From The NJ Y. Conn .a5r Ell 70

The Plot DiTeiossd.-Tho recent award of iuJr-
ment upon a convicted ibeller was so extraordinary
so directly IN conflict with public expectation and
the demands OF justce-and tho manner or its piO
musntion was 90 peculiar and aside from the ordi-
nary course Of criminal adjudication, that suspicion
Of extraordinary and improper effect II was
universally awakened. Measures have therefore
bern taken 20 ascertain tho facts in connection with
this shameful proceeding, and wo proceed 10 10y
the result before our readers result at which tho
public generally, or at least Ill the better portion Of
It, will bc equally sstonished and indignant.
rs we are advised there have been personal and
political influences brought to bear upon this matter.
The defendants counsel n warm opponent Of thu
Wing party, contrlvct to give The affair n political
ASPECT, ami he found ready coadutors In several of
his po iical associates whose position enabled them
TO render assistance in the plot. The eminent
service, rendered by the Heralin its continued and
indignant attacks, not only upon tho Wang party
but upon the interests OF the Cou1iTy, and in its
unwoaricd enleavors 10 disturb and throw into con.
fusion the elements Of sociely, we're deemed worthy
ofrewafd and especially was il thought both iust
and expedent TO screen an ally faithful and Ell c.
two from the legal rctribuon to which he had
rendered himself subject From the FIRST therefore,
Il was determined that he should be acquitted, II
possible, and IN the event Of conviction, that his
punishment should DO made merely nominal. Now
to The way in which this foregono conclusion was
arrived NJ.
The first step was powerful appeal TO the good
nature and paenble disposition Of Judge Nosh-
which perhaps WIS unobjeciionaJlo enough 90 far
rs ths suggestfrs Of The appeal were concerned but
70 which many persons lent themselves who ought
70 have pursued very different course. Tho next
was an arrangement TO secure the pfosenco upon tho
bench OF two Tsmmnny aldermen and those two
having personal ns we'll as part m interest in
tho escape Of tho convict from merited punishment
But here arose difficulty. On consulting tho
roster il was found that Aldermen Purdy and Benz
son were in turn-thc latter Whig the former Of tho
Other party. In this dilemma resort wss had rs
wo nre assured, TO political friend Mr. Hallo,, tho
COX Of the Supreme Court, who readily undertook
tho business. Flo took occasion 10 ask Judge Kent
what alderman he would prefer for the coming term
OF tho Oyer and Terminer, and was answered by
the Judge that ho had preference, but, rs there
woro several important cnses on the cnlend1r. no
should like ono Of tho aldermen NJ least 10 be law.
yer This was unfortunate, for Aldermen Bcrson,
k imhaIl and Woodruff were tho only lawyers in
the board. Alderman Benson rad been not fed 10
serve; but il wos known that no inprC per Influence
in behalf Of tho dcfenant cOu'd upch him. and II
was resolved that he must be got rid Of
MIR Hailou therefore told judge Kent that Alder.
man Leo -ofiho samo political filth with Aiderman
Purdy-was DESTROYS 10 serve this term for which
somo plausible reason vos assigned, and the judge.
not knowing the object, resented 10 the change
Mr. Haott thon wrote 10 tho clerk Of the Ses.ions
that Judge Kent desired 10 have Alderman les
upon the bench-and thus the arrangement an far
was effected. Aldermen Purdy and Lee, two of the
0armest Tommany partiz1nS in the board, wero
assigned for the term, and 70 tho light sentence in
case OF conviction, was provided for.
Bot an absolute aequt,al was 10 be scored. IL
possblci and 10 this end some assislancs from the
| district attorney was necessary. How that gentle
man-and able, honest, and persevering officer, 20
noted Tor his zeal and determination in pressing for