The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-24

CURIOUS LIBEL CAsEs.-There is a libel case to
be tried against James w. Webb of the Z" Courier
and Enquirer" in November next, in Montgomery
county The libel is founded the publication
of criticism against the works of ]. Fennimore
Cooper, IN which some wrong sided compliments
are paid TO the authors motives in writing and pub
fishing certain books.
There is also libel 10 be tried against James c.
Bennett, of the New York Herald, in Pen Yam, Yates
County, sometime in November This libel con-
slss of a statement made against religious society,
calling il abolition, we beleve-also some general
comments on the commercial system of Pen Yam
in common with that of other towns-and condemn
ing It's mode of dong business-or of inducing the
farmers to buy goods. No individuals were men,
toned or alluded tot was merely general com
mentary on a system, which has ruined many banks
and towns in Western New York and other parts Of
the country for the last ten years. To bring il with
in the pale of the libel law, all the sore-ksepers of
Yates county, made separate afidavts that il meant
them. In every particular the thing resembles the
story told of DR.. Johnson, who in describing the
characters of curious club in the Rambler" was
threatened with libel suit, by set of men down in
Yorkshire, that he had never heard of before
The first case-that of Webb's-involves the very
can examine or censure a work, in connection with
the authors motives and personal history. The
other case, that of Bennett, involves the liberty of
discussion commercial topics-how far public
journalist can go in examining bank system-or
commercial system-or credit system-in any par
ticular town or country, without knowing or al
uding to individuals
If the discussion of literary or commercial subjects
,b,ta ia, 81.
Review of american Newspaper Literature"
written by Dickens, in which the principal writer's
of the press set down the greatest villains in
existence-charged with every crme-and treated
as perfect cut throats.
G5-JoHN JONES of the ''Madisonian, "now and then
makes his appearance in very funny habiliments.
During the last week, his paper has had leaders on
the policy of the President, very well and some
what powerfully Notwithstanding some We
ry curious doctrlnes-but generally right, as we
understand the constitution. In his last sheet he be-
gins to jest on Mr.. Webster, Secretary of State,
in such way as does not become an official organ
TO speak, unless the Secretary Is to be turned out
In the same sheet, he pours out flood of high
sounding compliments on Mike Walsh--cons,ders
him no ordinary man. =" a genius" &c. &c. But
Mr. Webster is compared to some loor blockhead in
Boston, called Weeks, and John very curousy re-
peats the question, (Which is right Weeks or
Webster!'-" which is right Weeks or Webster z"
All this is very droll and means something. We
want to have some light We want to know the
position of MI. Webster-he position of the 'Guard"
the position of Weeks--the position of Mike
Walsh-the position of John Jones. Really every
thing seems to be getting into confusion in these
latter days.
The Srous.-The following are among the fat