Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-09

+. ATKINS for the murder OF ARCHIBALD NC
D1ARM1D. Both, the prisoner, Mr.. ATKINS, and
the deceased, Mr. McD1ARM1D, were men OF
the highest standing and respectability-both
had large and influential connection in the
county of Cumberland-of which they were
citizens. On Wednesday, the 31st ult., the
case was taken up before his Honor Judge
BATTLE, and that and the following day were
occupied in the hearing of testimony. A large
number OF witnesses were called to the
stand, as we'll for the State as for the defence
The Hon. GEORGE E. BADGER, Judge ToomER
and WARREN WINsLow, Esq, appeared as
counsel for Mr.. ATKINS, and the prosecution
was conducted for the State by the Solicitor,
THOMAS S. AsHE, aided by the Hon. RoBT
STRANGE, who was employed by the prosecu-
tor, Mr. McD1ARMID's brother. The COM
munity at large are sufficiently we'll acquaint
ed with the circumstances connected with this
most unfortunate affair, to render any remarks
about the facts connected with it entirely unne-
cessary. Suffice it to say that we understand,
Mr.. ATKINS defence was placed upon the
ground that he was justified in the eyes of the
law, in killing Mr.. McDnRMID: The State in
sisted that he was not that the killing was
felonious homicide. After the fullest & fairest
investigation of all the testimony which could
in any wise bear upon the case; after the able
arguments, both for the State and the prison.
er, and the lucid and impartial charge of the
distinguished presiding Judge, the jury retir-
ed, and ere the lapse of an hour returned to
the Court House, and delivered their verdict
of " not guilty" Thus let the matter rest 1t
has been most unfortunate drama to both of
the chief actors in it. One of them, we have
the pleasure of being acquainted with foI sew
eral years, and there is no man, foT whose
character in all points, we would not sooner
vouch. We therefore cannot refrain from ex-
pressing our qualification that the severe ordeal
through which he has passed, has terminated
just as it has. We learn from those who were
present during the trial, that there never was
one conducted in the State of North Carolina
with more marked ability A glance at the
names of the counsel who appeared in it, is suf-
fcient evidence of this.
OPENING OF THE MEXICAN PORTS.
In the Union of the 1st inst, we find a cor
respondence between Mr.. Polk and the Secre-
,tary of the Treasury, consisting of letter
from each. The Presidents letter is dated 23d
March, and addressed to Mr. Walker After
stating as his reasons for the determination to
which he has come; that inasmuch as Mexico
has provoked us into war which she obsti-
nately persists in carrying on, causing the
United States to expend vast sums of money
in its pursuit, and inasmuch as she has refused
to listen to our overtures of peace, he (the
Presldent) states that he has concluded to
throw open all the ports of the Republic of
Mexico which are now in possession, or which
may come into the possession, of our land or
naval forces, to the commercial enterprise of
the citizens of the United States, and also of
the citizens Of the neutral powers of the world;
and also to impose such duties upon all goods,
wares and merchandise, imported into said
ports, as may be deemed expedient, for the
purpose of raising a revenue to aid in defray-
ing the expenses of the war. MIR. Polk al
lodges that this procedure is consistent with
the law of nations, and is highly expedient
under the present circumstances. For, in the
first place, it will bring money into our own
treasury, to pay the expenses of the war;
and in the second place it will make Mexico
feel more sensitively than ever the burdens OF
war, and thereby tend to produce return to
the councils of peace. Mr. Polk also, in this
letter, instructs the Secretary Of the Treasury
to examine the Mexican Tariff and prepare
such scale of duties as will best meet the
purposes OF the government in the contingency
In reply to this letter, the Secretary of the
Treasury, under date of the 3Oth March, fully
comedies with the views of Mr.. Polk, and en-.
tiers fully into the details of the tariff which
he thinks it would be expedient to impose up.
on the imports of Mexico We wish that oul
space would permit us to give these letters III
extenso 1t is the opinion of Mr.. Walker thai
quite handsome revenue may be raised from
this source The Mexican duties have hith
erto been very high-almost prohibitory-anc
it is believed that after a reduction of 100 pei
cent. the amount of goods imported would be
considerable, and consequently the revenue
derived of no paltry amount
For ourself we approve of this plan. W.
think it ought to have been adopted long ago
If Mexico will dance, let her pay the fiddler
We think that our army in the field ought t.
be entirely supported by her. If she don't like
this operation, let her make peace. We ar,
ready and willing.
Instructions OF THE SECRETARIES OF Wal
AND NAvY.-We find in the Union of the 81
and 4th instant, the letters of instruction sew
orally directed by the Secretaries of the Wa
and Navy Departments, to the Officers of tn
Navy and Army, who now are, or who may
be, in command of any Mexican ports
These instructions enjoin upon those to whom
they are directed, to cause rigidly to be en-
forced, the schedule of duties which the Sec
rotary of the Treasury has made out and tn
President has approved, to be collected upol
such goods as may be imported into any O
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