The New York herald., 1846-05-11
WASHINGTON, May 6, 1876


WASHINGTON, May 6, 1886.
Case Of the Unit,a States u.s. Francis Thon,as-A
Pla'" Statement Of the Case, as it aotc Stands,
with Certain L~ttTs by tcay Of Elucidation.
The case of Benton VS.. Thomas, is exciting uni
versal regret. 1t is dreadful case. The pro-
cecdings to-day in court assumed the aspect ofno
quarter upon either side. determination seems
to be the word of the prosecution and dcsper-
ate resolve to brave the worst the resolution of the
defendant Upon motion for the continuance,
General Waddy Thompson, Mr.. Fcndall and Mr..
Crittcnden, to-day argued to prove the incompe-
tency of Mrs. Linn as witness, from the conflict
ing character Of her statements already divulged,
and, therefore, that it was not incumbent to stay
the trial till next term on account of her non-ap-
pearancc at the present. The affidavit of Gov.
Thomas, on the other hand, sets forth that lie ex-
poets to prove by the widow of the late Senator
Linn, that Miss M'Dowell, before her marriage in
l84O to said Thomas, then member of the House
from Maryland, was guilty of improper associa-
tons with several gentlemen, and that Senator
Lnn's innocence was altogether the result of his
own high sense Of honor, or that otherwise the
approaches of the poor girl would have been ire
sstible. 1t has been argued by the prosecution
all along, that the testimony which Mrs. Linn
would be called upon TO give, if consistent with
her declarations heretofore, would unavOldably
criminate the late estimable Senator, at that time
the husband OF the witness in question The pro-
secution have used this assumption to show that
a woman whose extreme jealousy would thus dis
honor the grave other honored husband, was not
competent witness, nor her evidencescompetent
testimony.-especially when the whole life OF DR..
Linn IS held up as an example Of integrity, probi-
ty, discretion and Christian rectitude. This was
formidable point against the defence but Gen.
Jones met it and repelled it, showing that neither
in the affidavit of Governor Thomas nor in the
tad 1c r .,,,,x H..
thing involving the late Senator Linn in the al
legged criminal correspondence of the unfortunate
lady, lately the wife ofGov. Thomas, and still the
beloved daughter, as she should be, of Governor
M'DOwell, of Virginia, now member of the
House. Now it is known that Mrs. Linn in st.
Louis, heard lately of rllmor prevailing in
Washington, that her testimony would impeach
the character ofhe late husband, whose memory
is as dear to her as the light of day; and that, in
dignant at the report, she has addressed several
letters to her friends here, positively swearing to
the unspotted innocence Of DR.. Linn but as po-
sitvely expressing her belief in the indiscreet ad
vances of Miss M'Dowell.
Now, we have no apology to offer for the in
serton of the following letters, except that they
are already published to the world, and that the
whole case, by the assent of all parties, has been
introduced before public tribunal. We know
not who wrote the following letters. We extract
them from the " Statement of Francis Thomas, -
published in March, 1845.
-
To MISS SALLY McDowELL-
have been mnutey informed of the serious Irritation
would not condescendt to write you tho subject
were not for the sake of those to whom You
ous would to amd
most soemnly assure you that all intercourse between
you and - - must cease, or yon will be made to re-
Mcdowell saw you make of every art and blan-
dshment to force the attention of single gentlemen; and
finding you could not succeed you followed fattcrcd and
caressed married men, until you coerced their attentions
The first object Of your pursuit was Mr. -. Never can
a Ss one @ e
mighty glad to hear that his wife dead, that he
could offer you his hand Mr. = left Mr. -, and then
watch my husbands return from the ny out to meet
you him enter the house. seize both his hands, and if
you thought person waspresent him the most ex
was quite discult to keep you out Of his arms
whenever he met you. The morning Of the day first
len washington city last year with - when any per
husband and self desired to be alone to be
parated for some months came into our room and
most indelicate manner You followed down to the
cars, and a. ] was entering one of them after my
the me 10
preclude the possibility of my getting near him.
then Ind Indignantly told you that You had better
less edrontery that his place to OF with you
but why attempt o recsptula.e scenes that would fill
ton Mrs. Benton have the part Of your
levity Of conduct to call by the gentes name, and
they could not help thinking that you were most i'm
proper companion for their Interesting daughters Your
conduct last winter was such as to make you feel the
Few earth In the meridian of life, handsome and
ardent in their feelings like my good husband IS could
the prospects Of my death last winter when you heard
Of the dreadful malady which ragged in - Let
me tell you, Miss Mcdowell had ten thousand lives,
and was to lose them ALL would be of no benctto you
Had you the wealth Of worlds for your DOVER land did
nc &c, a%
marry you You have said that - promised you
that he would not take to Washington city this win
il was untruth.
Now, Miss Mcdowell, wish you to inform what
intend to let my husband It, and make another effort
to the many you have made in van to destroy our do.
s w ass ssT % c
let ali intercourse drop between you and my husband
hear Of this letter then and not until then
shall this subject be dropped forever You have rined
Young and lovely my angelic daughter you took
the greatest delight in wounding her feelings The very
@ u but cs snS sns % as
tunty Of annoying and di.ireisng that gentle being
made you feel your ttlencss although she but
old, and you had, at the least the appearance
nect well before you determine what do with this let
ter prepared for the worst and well know should
become public (Which most certainly shall be the case
IL hear Of third person seeing h) who will be
thought in the right ask Of you my husbands picture
his lock Of hair and that all intercourse shall cease be-
tween you. Comply with this, and will never even
mention your again. Refuse my request, and you
will soon find whatla - woman can do TO save o hus
band she fondly, dearly loves, from will not say
what - -.
LETTER ii.
To Mas. BESTor-
In reply to your note Just received must frankly say,
that - far your statements Of what you know Of
Miss McDowcs conduct the painful subject referred
to, have not doubt Miss Mcdowell was informed by
myself (which mentioned in my letter) that her great
freedom with my husband disagrcesble to me her
- Hrrrtt Al A.. 49,