New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-24
THE TRIBUNE.

moor al d very early aS2, he supported himself ny
the sale OF candies. DC. in the streets Al twelve
wears of age he commenced keeping small shop
and by his strict attention his affairs and apiness
for trade, he was not only able 10 supper: himself,
bat also contributed largely to the support 0; his
mother aud several half brothers and sisters de
continued in trade in Troy until 1879, dealing in a
ANAL way, in almost every thing, and al that time
had accumulated about five thousand dollars soon
,e be was twen,y.one his mother then being dead he
veu, 10 Mobile, Ala. and commenced business In that
Mace on large scale In addition 10 merchandise he
soon entered largely into real estate and such has been
MIA success in his various specualions that mis- property
nj the present time is estimated by those who are well!
qualified 10 Judge as worth more than million Of
dollars Mr. Hunt spent part Of the Winter OF lsi5
IN the city Of Washington business connected with
hi. purchases OF real in the South and in the
Spring las, year went 10 Mobile, where he had large
amount Of property On his way Mobile he is said to
hive eynced sone and for the frat time indications OF
an uusound mind Mr. Hunt is said to have imagined
that be received sudden impulse by which be en-.
dowed with gi, OF music and that ne could sing and
play on various musical instruments remarkably we'll
when in fact he has very little knowledge OF music ana
his vocal powers quite limited.
While at Mobile he thought TO be somewhat wild
in speculation particularly in The purchase Of Cotton, of
which he bou gh, large amount end if success is any
evidence of sanity Mr. H. has the best of the argument
on this point; inasnuch he has realized large profit
IN his Cotton purchased that time. In March last ne
returned to this city, aud he seemed 10 be in exc
"a state of mind and his conduct thought to ind
cas ia the opinion OF tokens OF insanity he was
the reoues, of some gentlemen Of his acquant
and without consulting him placed under the charge OF
Dr. Delatield OF this city, and aerward some time IN
June last without any legal proceedings being h6d. he
Was Du, under the charge OF Dr. McDoGough. Flush
hg with whom be remained until some time in October
st when he went 10 Baltimore and voluntarily placed
Nmsefunder the charge OF Dr. stokes highly respect
able physcian OF that city with whom be remained
nl November last when again returned first New
ark n aud aerward 10 this city DR. Stokes con
.dered him pretecty when he left Baltimore and
rave him certificate TO that effect Alter his return,
mr. Hun, closed his with the Messrs Parish OF
this civ who paid over his private receipt. balance
Of Cash due him amounting TO thrtyeix thousand dol
hrs which he immediately deposited III Banks III this
city.
10 December he entered somewhat largely into the
purchase Of real estate aud at Chancery sae at the
Exchange the 10Th Of December bought lots on the
Second+avcnue and Eghth.sueet and near To Temp.
ns square for which he pay about $4,000, and
other sales the occasion lots to the amount
Of abou, $4,000; and again in December and January.
be purchased other property in Fulton. Arlington and
other streets and in different parts of the City the
amount OF about $4,000 more The most OF these pur-
hases are regarded by those well acquainted with the
property good investments. DIR. Hunt, when ques'
toad to these purchases stated that he held large
amount in stocks that in the even, of war his stocks
would deeriorae but invested in real estate he should
know where find his property alter the war was END
ed Ii also charged. evidence OF insanity That
Mr. Hunt had grown more careless in his dress and
his personal appearance than he was formerly ana
that he less particular i'll regard to the manner
keeping his papers.
IL appears Nr Hunt has never been married His
enly surviving relatives two half brothers and the
children Of OF his half brothers aud two sons oil de-
ceased half sister To his mother he was particularly
kind and attentive and he has ever manifested vey
interest for his brothers and sisters aud their families,
and in all the relations Of life has ever Sustained high
character honest and prompt merchant and cor
rect and good citizen Since the first OF January Mr. H.
has been boarding at highly respectable boarding house
IN this City, where there about inmates with
whom he has had daily intercourse aud of them
has been able to the least indication of insanity
though their attention has been directed TO him. as they
had heard the reports in circulation touching his sup
posed state of unsound mud before he ca,nc among
them
very large proportion of the persons with whom he
has had business transactions for the last Elk months
concur in saying, tha, he has manifested much Judgment
skill and discretion in the management OF his affairs aud
they have evidence II want OF prudence or
unsoundness of intellect.
In January last application was made 10 the wee
Chancellor principally IN consequence OF his large pur'
chases OF real estate for Commissioner TO investigate
the facts as To whether Mr. Hunt is Of sound and dis
posing mind and capable OF taking care OF his estate
This application understand WAS principally under
taken by Francis Griffin Esq OF this city Mr. hunt
relatives being opposed 10 The proceedings aud tnink
ing that there WAS no necessity for II. The Com
mission granted upon the affidavit OF MI NcCrack-
en-. snd Messrs. Daniel Lord J {. ID. Golden ana Dr.
Wilkes were appointed Commissioners. ana Sher'
IFS Jury empanueled 20 try The question Messrs Fran
els Griffin and Thee Sedgwck r appeared IN support OF
the charges. and Mcssrs. Ogden hoffman. j. Prescott
dali and D. P. Hall for Mr.. Hunt The investigation
~aS closeG the seventeenth inst and the Jury, con-
n;!ng OF eighteen. nearly equally divided IN opn
oa on the question presented 10 them and therefore rs
Twelve agreed in opinion the will, pro5a.
by be reported back the Court Of ChHuccry for lar
Ter consideration.
During tnis investigation many who attended to thS
Course OF the examination thought there was manifested
On the part of Mr.. Lord the acting manager the
mission strong and marked bias against Mr.. Huats
oeng longer suffered 10 control his own affairs with evil
oenee that this commissioner. least, had prejudged
NE question IN The admission OF testimony some evil
oeDce offered be introduced .: The cOunse!
iof Mr. Hunt seemed 10 be oyergled. unless, wteE II
Cane within the srictcst legal rules ead on the other
eand, when testimony offered IN support OF the
Charges against him deemed unnecessary
opinion oi the commission to conhne the eXAniua-
hon any strict legal rules inasyuch the !nvestiga-
bon he SAID friendly inquiry instituted by the
GleEGs OF Mr. Hunt and solely for his benefit And
again IN summing up the case TO the Jury noticed
Gsttcsimony that favored the application was com.
Rented considerable length and placed its strong
est light whereas testimony that was OF opposite
Character read without note or comment. There
was ore point ruled By the commissioners which seem.
ed al least unusual and contrary 70 the practice in such
cases least this city and thai is, that the counsel
90 beth sides were precluded from summing up the
sie 10 tbs Jury leaving the jury 10 be enlightened solely
oyhe charge OF the leading Commissoner-thereoy
s'Tns the in the inquiry very unfair advantage
Tue charge itself deemed only lsboCed and high
Obnoxious the inputstion of partially but novel II
eaaSacier. The Commissioner is understood 10 have
VIC the Jury that il they should and ha. r Hunt had
aay time, during the last year aeoTed under any aoer
aaon OF intellect Snd If such state OF mind might be
Supposed 10 De liable return upon him. and the jury
oUc be o. the opinion that speculA,ons IN property
~ Tee tansactiug OF business would be likely 10 pro
see excitement Of mind and the OF the msiady
tne Jury should On iha, EVENT. find that ne WAS IN
-Snsound state OF iniad no9 ana that his property
ss 70 be pat under the charge Of Committee 10 ba
soahded and taken OF for him Upon this We Car
~ REMARK that Il such is the law OF the land and if i
ua De strictly contormed 10 n practice probably the
yum toy iun&cy would not for inhabitants.
5e'sHy were the rich sufficiently numerous 10 induce
Investigations. II is not intended TO mpugn the
'es OF Dir LORD, question the honesty OF mis- in
,Aooos; but 1t is not unusual for lawyers who have
oeen engaged in the active duties OF their profession
called or 70 act in Judicial Capacity 10 De
=. forget the advocate from this habit OF seeing but
700 aoe oil The case presented 10 them
oasdering the FAC, thai more than twenty respecta
@ Witnesses. who are well acquainted with Mr. Hum
-''e 'ssuned under oath tina. they deem him &c