The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-05


ana never excited by any external cause physical or
moral Among these different classes of moral mania
TWO are mentioned oy writers homicdal monomania and
ArroRNEv GENEHAL-Is continual walking up and
down room rapidly, sitting down, sc. Sc any of in.
WITsEss.-It is no test-it may be a symptom were I
IN aouo. OF the insanity of person, they are not such
duct not inconsistent with free of reason.
attorney GESEnAL.-Is flushed contenance incon-
sistent with health or the use OF reason and is casual
rudeness test OF insanity
WtrsEss-No sir 1t may be symptom.
me ATTORNEY GENERAL here put several questions to
In all its phases and predicating Of this suPpon
ou person. all the facts and indications that have been
proved upon Singleton Mercer and asked the witness if
all these were In his opinion evidence OF insanity.
WrNEss.-No, Sir; don't know that should think Of
insanity at all in the should suppose that the
son was very highly excited To convince me that the
person was insane should require insane act
nected with delusion producing deerium, and other
pathological signs of diseased insanity. | should
also ssk how long the person had been sus-
pected of insanity and the history Of bodily symptoms
and variety Of other facts pertang to him before
sane. II found that he thought himself Jesus Christ
the governor of the and Sc Sc, should pro-
badly think him insane unless he eignng insanity
Miscallng blue or green ceiling was no evidence OF
insanity. would not Of insanity when he
assigned rational motive for his insanity The wild look
Of really insane is peculiar look aud not
very readily noticed by casual observer weuld re-
cure medical TO detect insanity in the look OF the
eye. The opinion Of persons not OF medical skill
CARDS insanity are not to be depended upon.
The ArrosSEr GENERAL here went on to relate the
testimony substantially of Captain Bennett, and asked
sane1
WIrNEss-I should not If any adequate cause could be
assigned for such conduct believe insanity to be dis
ease OF BRAIN originating in the brsn and connedto
the functions of the brain. Authors differ The best
agree with me. Insanity has four divsions:-l. Mania;
Q Monomania; 8. Demen ia; Moral Mania. The inco-
herent rawlings Of maniac are generally upon matters
more abstract than merely the ncoherent talk OF per-
son, first of his hat then Of his boots, &c
ArroRNEr GEsERAL.-Csn tie wiH ever become in
WIrNEss.-I never heard it said it could.
ATTORNEY GENERAL.--I have. [Alludng to the evil
dence it is supposed of Dr. Lippenco] constipation
WITNESS 1t is not. ! have persons who
excited passions rashly INDUCED may lead to insanity
have seen Singleton Mercer before to-day cav him
at Camden, over half an hour. was sent for to make
the post norton examination. noticed the conduct Of
the prisoner He was seated in chair leaning back
in the ehoir; one leg was crossed over the other;
his complexion seemed ford his manner was
collected; had never seen him before; ]
have never seen him since till to-day he is
paler than he then, otherwise his eye seems
much the same save that he now cass about then
he did them all heard him say was that his name was
singleton when one of the witnesses was asked and
did not know it, did not notice that he particularly
restless saw nothing in him then which would lead me
to the idea that Singleton Mercer was insane.
he had lectured in Philadelphia upon the subject of med
cal jurisprudence, and was engaged to lecture in
one of the colleges upon that subject.
Cross examined by one ofthe Defendants Counsel-Ex
joy may produce death possible that excess
slve anger may produce DEATH although they are very
if ever; would consider test of insanity be such
a symptom general fact would decide my opinion,
when in given it might be doubtful after consde
animation as pretty severe but the witness did not ap
pear confused or disconnected The witness stated that
his brother married cousin of the deceased
The Court here adjourned.
REcEss.-I take occasion to say here, the appear
ance, conduct, and uniform course of Mr.. Mercer,
senior, from the commencement of these agonizing
family difficulties, have been the theme not only
of appreciation, but of admiration by all parties not
excepting even those who are legally bound to ap-
pear against him He still continues to sit in Court
during the progress of the trial with that same
strllingy calm, anxious, meek, and patient look
which is enough to call tears to the eyes of any
He takes active part, so far appears publicly
in the trial : His work suppose was done when
the trial commenced Nor has he any occasion to
feel the slightest degree of anxiety in relation to
the management of the case, as long as Peter A.
Browne, Esq. stands at the helm, and guides the
vessel with his clear, penetrating, abundanty .ster
ed, and well disciplined mind He is fit COM
mander for such ship
Singleton Mercer still maintains the same gene
raj changing his position from time to
time-looking around-chews his tobacco-does
not look anxious-nor do think he wears the same
fixed and resolute look which he did some days
since. His continuance appears relaxed
AFrrRNooN SESSION,
Dr. VIM. RUSH, affirmed, (son of Benjamin Rush, who
signed the Declaration of IndependenceIa practising
physician in Philadelphia and have much of insane
persons was for five years attending physician in the
Pennsy lvana Hospital
Dyke in the testimony which he gave this morning
The Judges ruled against the Attorney General
2 WIrsEs'-I believe insanity to be mental disease
The disease implies an abnormal condition of the
Doctor in relation to the subject Of insanity much the
sape way ss the other witnesses have BEEN To dis
TIVE Sd Pso
ton could not determine by single test the state OF
insanity; would be by the aggregate Delusion, aber
The Attorney General here proceeded to ate the
substantially of s. Mercer supposton-in the midst
OF which OF defendants counsel stopped him with
objection, to which the Attorney General replied He
ultimately prevented from proceeding in this way, |
the ground that the witness should been present
and heard the testimony which the opinion of the wit
ness asked In answer to the Attorney General the
witness staed-Dr Rush vandyke is known to me to be
intimately acquainted with the subject of medical juris.
prudence; persons not competent judges Of
the various conditions of insanity
present person could not be regarded as nsane con-
slider delusion species Of nsanity-monomanis
JOHN EvARr sworn-I knew Mr.. Thomas Wright he |
lives in Burlington County, Chester Township, Pensan
guin Creek.
JAMES C. VArDvxE recalled was on board the boat
when the pistol fired; was in the where Mr.
Mercer was on that night most OF the time.
ATTORNEY GENERAL-What was the conduct Of Mr. |
Merceri
WITNEss-He behaved very quiet far as saw, and
more exhausted than otherwise
Express has come-4 O'Clock.
TREASURY NoTEs OUTSTANDING, April l, lS43-Amount |
outstanding issues prior the 3st August S42
recorded in the books OF this office, SS,6s6, l04 So
Notes issued under the act Of the 3lN Aug,
1912, 3,e25, 554 80 |
I'M $50 45 |
Deduct cancelled notes in the hands of the
Accounting Officers, including those is
sued under the act of the 3st August,
1912, 25272 90 |
$ll $50 3s7 As |
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Registers Office, Sd April, ls43