The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-04-28


LIBEIs AND LIBEL SGiTs-We see it stated in
some Of the papers, that some person by the
Of "Hunt" has been prosecuting the proprietor oil
the Nac York Herald tor an alleged Libel, contained
in police report published last summer, in which
his name was mentioned in come elton with some
facts Transporting at the Police Office II appears
that al err great ceal of expenditure and the EN-
| pIoymen of prodgious array of counsel, inclu
ding A l. jordan, Esq and Ex-Mayor Morris,
| (Nuiticaufs Morris) and some other lawyers, he
procured verdict Of fifty dollars damages against
| the Herald.
| On inquring into the facts of the case, we have
found, from our police reporter and lawyer, what
they really are, for the truth is, that for months after
| the suit was commenced we never knew what
these facts were, or who Mr.. Hunt was, or what
he had TO do in the Corporation. 1t appears, then,
that our reporter IN giving statement Of the pro-
ceedings at the Police Office, coupled with the
name Of this Hun. the epithet of 'informer, he hav-
ing given information to the municipal authorities
against certain hotel keepers who had, it was al
legged, contravened the ordinances Of the Corpora
ton, in selling spiri.uous liquors Sundays, or in
some other way. The whole gist of the libel was
contained in this .word, 'informer," and on this
point the judge (Ushoeffer) charged the jury, that
sense they must fad verdctfor the plaintiff. Ga
examining this case-the Judges charge to the
jury, and several other important ponts-we are
perfectly satisfied that the opinion. of the Judge,
and the verdict OF the jury, cannot be sustained
in law 1t is miserable aud contemplate
matter, for fifty dollars, to carry up a case Of
this kind to the Supreme Court bur we mean
to do SO, and if need be to bring it before
tkaH sc
because it is necessary, sort Of defence against
these petty suits, to ascertain precisely what the
law is, according to the decisions OF the highest
legal tribunal of the State, relation to police
ports, and the mode of expressing them, as car.
ried on by the newspapers. Towards Hunt, the
person who has sued US, or any other party occu.
pylng similar position. we can have no feeling,
either one way or the other. The only recollec-
ton that we have OF Hunt, his calling at our Office
long after the publication in question, and making
some complaint about it. We replied" Make
out statement Of your grievance asyou under.
stand it, and we will publish it with the greatest
pleasure in the world" Mr. Hunt, it seems, was
not satisfied with that assurance, but commenced
suit, and we are informed that there are eight or
ten perhaps fifteen sixteen, similar suits about to
be brought for police reports, against the propre
tOIS VI OtncC newspapers III PROVIDED
the case against the Herald succeeds.
Now here is the point on which we are prepared
to contest the matter. Having directed our coun-
sci to investigate the whole affair, we have every
belief that the charge of Judge UIshoeffer is not
sound in law, and that the verdict OF course, must
fall to the ground. Though we mean thus to rro-
secute this case iyct, if Mr.. Hunt had wanted $50
or 500, as a matter of charity, as would indeed
appear TO be the case from the pathetic appeal If
his LAWYER, ex-Mayor Morris, Multicar,is Mouis,)
we would have cheerfully contributed that sum
to aid fellow-being in distress. But while we
are ready to give for charity, we will not be init
Undated by law or lawyers. We do not believe
that the decision in the case can be sustained, and
we mean to test it before the Supreme Court, and
if necessary, the Court Of Errors.
IMPORTANT NAVAL MOVEMENT fleet or the
Gulf of Mexico has probably sailed from Norfolk.
We learn from the Norfolk Herald Of the 25ih inst
that Com. Stockton arrived there that morning
from Washington, and that the squadron was to
leave early the next morning with sealed orders
Annexed is list of the officers Of the Princeton.
Commodore II. F. SrocKror, Commanding; Ed r.
Thompson, LIST. Lieut.. and Executive Officer; w. w.
Blocker and dol Fabius Stanley, Sd dol j. A. w Nchol.
son. Acting Master; VIM. A. Christian, Purser John A.
Lockwood, Surgeon; j. H. Wright Passed Assistant Sur
James Cochrans, Isl Assts do; j. B. Rutherford N G.
Davis, and Assts do; Midshipnen, McCawley, Como.
yer. Lowry, sternss and English; Commodorss secre
Pursers Clerk, w. H. Parks; Masters Mate, Thomas
Tet; Acting Carpenter, Jas Coniey; Gunner Robert
King; ssilmsker, tChsrles A. Bartling.
The above feet consists of the
Steamer Princeton. 10 guns.
snip saratoga. ."..... ~
sup 0s ~