The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-22

salary. or at leas, rs much as would comfortably
support him and his family. His circumstances
should be such that lac would bc placed beyond
the reach Of temptation. a Speculation in famine
would not hesitate 10 give five hundred or thou
sand dollars 10 an operator, il he would consent
TO keep back Information OF the foreign markets,
or change it so as to produce a wrong impression
on the public mind. We have recently heard OF
one hundred dollars being offered in a case of this
kind.
The magnetic telegraph is being rapidly ex-
tended in This country and will continue to be,
until the United States are as one township or
one city.
The Plea OF INsANITY-LoosE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE LAw.-The wide and sipshod construction
OF the law relating to cases of alleged insanity and
the admission OF doubtful testimony to substanti-
ate or rebuff the plea, have damaged, and are da-
maging every day we live, to an immense extent
the cause OF human Justice A murderer dyes his
hand in the blood ofhis victim. The plea of insa
nifty is raised. Some characterless charlatans
who have the temerity to affx M. d. to their
names, visit him for the express purpose Of ma
king out of his dislonted conversation and well
simulated wildness Of manner a case ofinsanity;
and by the aid Of the flexible consciences or the
downright perjury Of these knaves, the felon goes
unwhipt of justice. We speak Of extreme cases.
Others arise where the medical man, though no.
nest and skilful, may yet be deceived by appear
ances, and in consequence Of being predsposed
by previous representations to believe in the in
sanity of the patient
! Medical testimony should be received with
great caution in courts of justice, and more espe-
cially in cases of so extremely delicate a nature
as those of alleged insanity. We have seen, in
the course of celebrated murder case tried in
this city few years since, two medical men of
distinguished reputation, give, under oath, dia.
metrically opposite opinions on simple ply
sloiogical question, the solution of which may
be arrived at III the daily practice of any medical
practitioner. Both these men were conscien-
tious; both enjoyed a large practice, and yet one
of them decidedly stated an untruth.
But questions OF insanity are much more diff
cult Of decision, and medical man must be not
only deep in the mysteries of the human heart,
but he must have made himself practically ac-
quainted with the various phases of character to
be met with the walks of every day life, as well
as with the minute and varied symptoms that in j..
dictate insanity.
Until recently, the law OF England relating to
insanity, was so loose to give rise to the gross
est outrages. The avarcious relatives of Il
wealthy person could, on procuring certificates
of such persons insanity from two physicians,
how disreputablc soever, incarcera.e their victim
in mad house, from which escape was imposs.
bic, and where, in nine cases out of ten, he was
at length driven to madness by the prosecutions
he endured. The progressive humanity of the
age has happily improved this horrible state of
things
The case Of Mrs. Patterson, the daughter of the
Rev MIR. Croes, of New Jersey, who sometime
since eloped with her fathers gardener, and who
has been declared insane by the verdict of Jury
rendered IN the Circuit Court, before Judge Ed
monds, has created great deal of interest and
feeling in this community. The case is one
which would necessarily give rise to conflicting
opinions,an we are not surprised that the medi-
cal men differed so much in their views as to the
young lady's sanity. With this conflicting tes.-
mony before them, the jury had great difficulty in
agreeing. They at length found the young lady
insane.
This matter is now being carried up before
superior court, and we feel indisposed to 20 into
its merits at all, it is at present in way to be
passed upon by high judicial tribunal but we
which is apparent in the case, and that is, that
the young lady was not allowed the benefit OF a
doubt, to which she was clearly entitled. We
have no hesitation in saying that every man who
has read the testimony, must have reasonable
doubt of the girls insanity.
The case is curious one, and further ana
lysis of it might lead us to say than we wish.
But we do hope our legislature will, at the
earliest moment, take into consideration the pre-
sent loose state of the law relating alleged
of insanity, and that they will devise some means
to put its construction within proper bounds and
limits.
Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMs.-Our readers will
he gratified to learn by the following extract from
the Boston advertiser Of yesterday, that this gem
teman is recovering from his recent indisposi-
ton:-"We are happy to state that the symptoms
which existed at the time of the attack OF Mr..
Adams, have materially improved since our yes
terday's notice. We have ascertained from his
! physician. DR.. Bgelow, that he has in great de.
gree recovered the power of articulation, and the
of the limbs of the affected side (he right and
not the left, as stated by us yesterday He is free
from pain, has the full use of his faculties, and
though feeble, is able TO sit up for short periods "
! MLITARY.-We understand that the first regi
snent of volunteers, under Col. Ward b. Burnett,
have been ordered to be mustered into the ser
vice of the United States, under the recent requi
stion from Washington upon the Governor of this
State. This regiment belongs to this city. The
lead quarters of the regiment are at Mercer Hall
corner of Broome and Mercer streets. We believe
that Col Burnett is an old soldier, and has served
in the regular army. If we mistake not, he wa.
| in the Black Hawk war.
Musical Intelligence.
sIvoRI-This chief of violinss has had brilliant
reer at Boston. On Friday night he took his benefit
the Howard Athenaum, where through the week. he ha
drawn crowded houses. Next Friday he gives concei
here, which will be- par ,zcsenee the concert of the