The Arkansas banner., 1843-10-21
TRIAL oF aTaAT OLD COON.

The peoplc IS. The universal whig party"
 , aitas, that same old coon.'
 This suit was instituted in 1911, for in- demnity for losses sustained by violation of contract on the part of the defendants, and for the recovery of certain rights and immu- mites, obtained by them under false pre- tences, in l840. The prisoner was brought into court under writ of ha5eas corpts.- His physical appearance was haggard and emaclated in the extreme. His eyes rolled wildly, and the general contour of his coun- tenance exhibited guilt which no. affected innocence could conceal; restive spirit and dogged despair, which no assumed aoacba- taace could eaactually suppress. His habili- ments hung loosely, and in tattered fragments, about his person. His hat was somewhat an tique in its style-very much like those worn in the days of the elder Adams the :. black cockade" was still conspicuous. His linen was originally flannel, but now it was con siderably soiled. His coat was of "many colors, ? with strong preponderance of red, and ol cut so very peculiar that 1t could be worn either end up, or either side out. His " meXpressibles'' were also < indescribable,n 5 though by the prism of scrutiny they might be divided into as many elements at least as Parson Miller divides his beast He was barefoot, and his pedal extremities were con- siderably Iaceratcd by the thorns he has been travelling on for the last three years
 4 jury of 26 was empaunelled, when the prisoner was thus addressed by the court:
 < You OLD CooH-Y ou are arraigned be- fore the highest tribunal of your country, charged with the commission of some of the most fragrant offences under the cognzance of human law. Inaexible justice, ever iea- lops of her prerogatives, demands of us, her chosen instruments on earth, the strietest scrutiny into the truth of the enormous alle- gallons HOW resting upon you. Mercy, in her ethereal essence, even now hoyers over this august assemblage, and, in deepest com- miseration for your wo-begone aspect, pours forth her lachrymal flood in copious profu- sion.
 The quality of mercy's not resxained
 It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven
 Upon the place beneath
 Yet,
 sThough earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy tempers justce,'
 The majesty of human law will often require resistance 10 her pathetic pleadings, and sa- criliclal offering upon the altar of memorable justice
 "Hear, now, the indictment, which, though embracing many counts, may be summed up in this:
 "For riotous and disorderly proceedings against the peace of the State and the welfare of its citizens-for constructing, or causing to be constructed, many uuseenrly vehicles, and imparting thereto, by means of horses, mules, and jackasses, an unwonted and ex ceedingly unnatural locomotion-for singing unseemly and uproarious melodies, on divers occasions, to the infinite amusement of fools, and to the great annoyance of men of sense for breach of promise in instances too nume- rods to mention-fol vending, gi7ig. ssssaiy, and otherwise disposing of coon meat for roast beef-and for kicking up row ge- nefally.' EGmlty,' or aot gRilty,' to this will respond"
 The prisoner was heard feebly to answer, < not guilty.0
 Witnesses for the prosecution wero then introduced. John Smith, duly qualified.
 Question by the Court.-Do you know the prisoner at the barr
 Answer.-i do.
 Court-Y ou will proceed to state, as clear ly and correctly as possible, such knowledge of the prisoner's character and habits as you may possess.
 Wimess-The prisoner and myself were born about l760. Of the first Is years of our life 1t is not necessary to speak In 1776, in little difficulty we had with some of our he was sometimes found among the '' armed neutrality" However, he soon changed his name, and mounted the cockade you now see on his hat, as an emblem of his principles. In 1872, he was heard to say, it was unbecoming a moral and religious people to eoice at the victories of our arms" Since then, he has experienced many changes; and in l840, he passed the chrysalis, and ap- peared what you sec him now-the Univer- sal Whig party, alias that same Old Coon. was present when he played all the antics specified in the indictment; which believe to be strictly true.
 John Jones examined, (not John B. ))-I am farmer. l know the prisoner at the bar. He came into the field, where l was at WOfK. ana introduced nllllSeli as the lrlellG ol < the dear people," had never seen him before. lie left me several pamphlets, among which were 'ECiay's Treatise on the rise of Real Estate;" "aGall, on Bloodhounds ," < Bolts on Negro Testimony;'' and E'Ogle, on Gold Spoons,o read them all and for the sake of a change,' gave < three times three0 for "Tippeoanoe and Y, k tee. , But pretty soon found out l was "sucked hard times became harder; real es- tate depreciated produce fell almost to no- thing; seldom would sell for that, and never for cash. And further the witness knows not.
 Jack Wilson examined.-I am an old sai- Tor l know the prisoner, as well as any ' old salt" knows the fogs of Newfoundland, or the rocks of Scilly He gave me this book, more than two years ago. Here the book is produced, which proved to be A Dissertation on Verdant Tow-paths and Um- 6rageous Lakes, by Solitude Ewing, correct ed and improved by eopious notes, and im-