The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-02-12
J. HoLcoMB.


| a al DUEL. eSteIudY noon, news
came tina! a man had been killed at Bla.
densburg, few miles from this, and in
the State OF Maryland, in a duel. AS
contradictory reports came, as to who the
man was, other than that his name was
Johnson l thought best 10 wait till TO day
before writing the account OF il. Now,
the facts are slated in substance as follows:
The deceased was a resident of Elizabeth
City, N. C.-was the family physician Of
man by the name Of Jones' and either
with or without cause, Jones accused John
son of taking improper liberties with Mrs
Jones' Both the combatants came 10 this
city, and as is asserted by some. for the
purpose OF deciding the right of the case,
in duel Jones was the challenger j.
arrangements were made TO meet on the
ground where Commodore Decatur died
as the fool dieth, on the road 10 Baltimore,
and three or four miles from the Capitol
of the Nation. The parties met in the
morning, and at the first fire, the ball from
Jones' pistol passed through the head of
Doct. Johnson which Ca used instant death
Jones and his second were Immediately
arrested, and the court Of inquiry refusing
bail the men were imprisoned. Report says
the second and physician of Johnson elud-
ed the search of the Police, and have not
yet been taken. A coffin was procured
in this city, yesterday afternoon, and about
IL o'clock last night, the corpse Of john
son was put on board of the Mail Seam
er, bound for North Carolina, 10 be for.
warded 10 his friends for in,erment in the
place where he had resided. This was
horrid transaction. am informed that
Johnson denied being guilty Of the crime
charged upon him; but, according 10 the
decision ofIhis "code of honor" he must
have been wrong! l hope | may not
have another such case 10 record during
my short stay here DR. Johnson is re-
ported to have had no wife.
NOVEL JUDICIAL QUESTION. A case
is on the Docket for decision at the United
States Supreme Court, involving many
other questions, and is as follows "A
man by the name Of Barry of Nova Sco>
tia, some few years since, married wo>
man in New York, and in consequence
of the pecuniary embarrassment of her ia.
ther, Mr. Barry made tina! place his tenn,
porary home. Subsequently, he judged
his interest required him 10 return to No
va Scotia, and on naming his plan TO Mrs
Barry, she refused to accompany him.
Mr. Barry went, but the wife remained 10
Now York. From the time Of the mar.
rage, to the departure of the husband two
or three children were born. The father
claimed the children, ard so did the moth
err. Mr. Barry claims that, as he was
British subject at the birth of the children,
and as he is the head of the family, he has
RICH! 10 take them where he may choose,
and there keep hem until they shall be-
come Of lawful age 10 act for themselves.
For the purpose of having the consi!u.
tionaily of this question decided, Mr. Bar
ny instituted suit, bringing the matter
before the U. S. Circuit Court for the
District Of New York, or before the Su-
preme Court Of that State, | think the
former. On the first trial, the case was
decided in his favor. Az appeal was
taken the decision reversed, and now is
10 come the final decision. MI Barry is
II lawyer, and says he designs making his
own clea before the Court. He came in
on the Baltimore train Of cars last even
ing; took lodgings at the House where
am tarrying, and from him | learned the
foregoing.
As may readily be seen, very Import
ant questions are involved in this pending
trial. If Mr. Barry has mol right 10 take
his children, it would hardly seem right
for them to heir his property.
Contrast IN WEATHER. Two weeks
ago yesterday morning the thermometer
at Brandon probably indicated, at 6 o'clk
A. NJ about II degrees below zero. Ga