The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-13
Circuit Court.
Rai0ra IudOa Kant

SATURDAY, Nov lI.-CRIM CoN-Van Cot rs ShdTD-
As soon as the jury had taken their seats had
swered to their the Court directed the counsel for
the defence to proceed in closing the Owing the
crush at the door, we could not gain in time
hear Mr. Jordans opening remarks, which learn
full of spirit and beauty We have commenced at the
point where he was when we could hear him.
Mr.. JoRDAs-Gentleman Of the Jury 1T now becomes
my lot to present to you the closing remarks which the
defence can offer to you upon the evidence presented
you by the witnesses examined that stand both on
our own behalf and the part of the plaintiff to sustain
his grave and momentsus charge against defendant in
TINS case. cannot rsnsack heaven and EARTH yet
Gull mowers from possy nor can bring to mind at will
my slender store Of classical ledge to adorn or to
about thrill this court or shake the dseo of
this noble edce by the power of my az the
learned deeply read counsel for the plaintiff who last sd
dressedyou No-Iener not the lists with him in oraory,
In beauty ofmeaphor in dignity of languagean hum
bier pah am content to tread and as walk, wish to
reason with you soberiy calmly and
my poor Judgment may not be brought into comparison
with the more able parts my learned adversary With
these remarks pass to my task imploring our pa.
tien attention while endeavor TO place before YOU nv
exposition OF tho testimony, its contradictions and
bearing tho point at issue Here then lat me introduce
you the parties in this suit they An action OF
GRIM Gen. Is OF peculiar nature unlike actions where
the piant seeks to recover back debt goods taken
away no matter how Indifferent his character may be-
yet his rights are unpreudiced his legal claim
But in Grim Con action he come into court with
impaired by vice and centiou.ness without the mpu
tauon Oh unhoiy prosecution olive to avenge his wound
"a honor seeking redress tor the alienation of the sec
ton OF MS VIE for tho loss Of the society of his fond
partner whose cherished love had blessed him in his
home in the esteemof his social CIRCLE and in that we'd
ded bliss which made his domestic hearth the centre Of
happiness OF conentmen and Of conugal Affection Such
must the man be- and such his only purpose in appealing
to jury OF his fellow men, In an action of this nature
Now let me introduce you the parties os they really
are-Sharp the defendant has but arrv ed
but short month passed since he attained
age OF tWentyone; boy in feelings. and In his know
ledge OF the dark workings of human nature early In
le the death of his father left him to the OF his
WIDOWED mother On infant, for but two summers had
passed in their brightness and beauty since his little eve
had seen the light of heaven the cradle was his bed
Of his orphaned infancy unwep, by that eye which has
since shed many bitter tear to his halowed memory
ne to reside with his widowed parent until tls
ege OF fourteen when he stepped from her Threshold
work, unaded his passage in this stormy world new
relation had sprang rnwelcomed into the place yet hal
lowed by the image of his lost parent for his mother
two years before, had chosen for herself u
secsnd husband.a young oneand for her chill
dren, step father, whose years were not suited
the disposition of that proud boy who spurned his
thory, his severity. He flung himself upon the mercies
of world, whose friendship cold aud bitter he preferred
to the heaess hospitality of the roof of this newly Sc
iected father He then sought employ ment and hired
himself OUT as once clerk to highly respectable Attor
know who that Attorney IS And he has told YOU that
better boy never was in Office. The very TACT
convincing proof that he faithful ste adv and trust.
worihy-and entitled to that high character which
now growing into manhood, and nineteen years the
number Of his growth. Around him he saw young men,
whose fortunate lot had enabled them
WIN the rch fruit OF the tree Of knowledge, and with
honorable impulse he resolved study the branches
education, that in time he mig be fitted fill
station among his compeers to which he felt himself
entitled In the spring succeeding leaving the office
| Oh MT EDWARDS, he became acquainted with young
| man named Strong, who was a clerk in hour rtore-s
respectable and worthy young man who introduced him
70 the house OF the plaintiff where he boarder
VI ms gentlemanly conduct have evidencethers is
before you proof OF his accommodating, kind and afec
Tomato disposition. Need point out to you any other
testimony than the letter of Van Colt himself written
the ear OF the husband by that black hearted but honest
lago DOCTOR Bailey Gentlemen, feel that il will take
s1e mere breath Of my learned adversary to
before you for your information this point We have
shown MIN to you ~ an honest industrious uAnsneor
AZ MIN you will challenge incredulty to doubt him.
Never did spot darken his lair lame until conve.
pent Mt Of green ey ed jealousy pounced upon him its
The guilt OF the the guilt Mrs. Van
Colt is the daughter of highly respected widow resi-
Ding on Long Island not very poor yet very rich
You have seen her offspring before you and the quiet
spectaole honest countenances of Mrs Wells and MIR
smith prove that as parent that mother had faithfully
discharged her duty society in teaching and bringing
up the children which God blessed hsr with so as to
nj them Tor their walk in life She had another
ana ner you have before youMrs Van Cot ho shared
her tender care, until She rustfuy handed her while in
tender years to this helborn schemer who seek
ing TO destroy her She has been shown to you to be
MILD KIND and sfectionate. She made wife the
age oil heentaken as were, out of the bosom of that
mother to recne upon hat Of who should have
ami directed shielded herr whose plastic
hand should have form her both physically and morally
Inc plaintiff here, has been frivolous, indecent, and OBJ
scene more SO than has been known come into Court
OF Justice TO claim damages for any injury done his
honor You heard detailed here the history of his
ngs sooberings huggings, with every female who Wis.,
tied or resided In his house. in the of his
young and blooming wife VIII I'm he had to honor,
guide to protect and love. Need call your aen
ton to the testimony of Mrs Phebe Ann smi,h-of Par
dy OF fohemus ofAhi Smith, and to the other respec.a
ols and unprecedented witnesses have brought into this
Court to prove his conduct Yes for twelve years
past We have held him to you in the act oil kissing
Mrs Doctor Bailey Mrs. Plane, and host of other la.
dies, married and single. He not content with
throwing his around the neck of young lady but
be must introduce his delicate taper fingers into her bo
sonto pat and dande her budding globes OF snow, and
touch and triple up and down the red berries resting
rich contrast on their love inspiring SUBMITS Gentle
men, you doubt but that having far tried his seduc.
tive arts and enjoyed the luxury of this bosom freedom
he went farther, end INDUCED his base and unha ed
passion Answer me as men, as mortals. Again, Sun.
days, when he should have taken his young and
wife to place OF public worship, place where
moral conduct enforced, where do find him. and
howl Rompng in the kitchen kissing his female guests
and riding the backs Of his young girl boarders or
rolling with them upon the floor. Isnot this faithful
representation Of his conduct Is it what witness Of
be perfect goat He In this manner exposed his wife
The demerasing effects of such scenes AMI paved the
heart OF this kind hearted generous boy with bad and
unhoy passions Not content with this kind Of conduct
he was continually tormenting and tantaspg his unre
you that az one time he raised her coh
her knees and exposed to the gsze others
sn% you
endearng ephets which this paragon OF husbands as
shower down day after day upon that meek wife were
id b-h, wh-e, and such other gentle and deli
cate expressions You have in evidence how this
sought her sisters house in tears and planned Of the
harsh treatment OF her husband. You have heard
when endesvoring repuse him in his unmanly acts
accidentally thrust her finger in his eye he slapped
the cheek Already, have you heard too much OF
these dsgraceiu scenes that it should be necessary for
me to recsptuate them will only say, that may be
a'subject for your consideration 10 this case, whe
Their or not he has been guilty OF higher crimes
and mis1emeanors than already described Now lie,
US come back TO the case. ask you-I submit TO
your candid consideration, whether in this action for
criminal conversation the plaintiff has come before you
with clean hands, and pure motives and whether other
motives than desire to vndicate his honor-to seek
damages for the loss OF her society Has he not another
and an ultimate object3 The other side has studously
suarded against touching on this point-but hiss ii not
ence7 In discussing this matter two general questions
arise for consideration First is the defendant guilty
second, guilty what the proper Of ge
which he oughtto pay Now let me ask you to bear
with moment, while ask you, is there apv evi