Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1847-03-12
END OF THE LIBEL CASE.


The case of Thomas H. Benton vs.. Francis
Thomas, for libel upon the wife of the latter, has
at last been settled. When it came up in the Cir
cult Court of Washington, on Monday last, the
following proceedings took place.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
WASHINGTON. March 8, 8, P. NJ.
Gen. JONES has just announced to the Circuit
Court as Senior counsel for Governor THOMAS,
the end of this deplorable controversy, and has
read a pape which the Court has recorded, signed
by the counsel for the defence, Messrs. Jones,
Maulsby, and Scott, declaring their belief of the
unfounded character of the offences imputed by
Gov. Thomas to his late wife; and also stating
the conviction of the learned counsel that their
client however sound his mind on other subjects,
in relation to the subject matter of this deporable
controversy labored under an unhappy and morbid
delusion.
The Hon. Mr.. PRESTON, after this paper had
been received in the Court, congratulated their
Honors upon the result of the case as announced
by the gentlemen on the other side, whom he COM
plimented for their honorable conduct in this most
disagreeable and distressing case. MIR. Preston
rendered paper subscribed by himself and Mr..
Fendal, explaining their views and conduct IN re-
lation to the prosecution.
The District Attorney, after reading paper
signed by Thomas Hart Benton explanatory OF
his course in relation to the controversy, which
paper he hoped the Court would receive, entered
'.Nole proseuui" The Court directed the papers
to be received and entered on the records.
Thus has this most deplorable and heart rend-
ing controversy ended.
The Court Room was densely crowded from
o'clock to quarter before 4, and while the learn
ed counsel were out of Court in deberatlon.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
The early completion of this work to the Ale
ghany Coal Fields is regarded in various quarters
with great interest-more especially so by the
citizens of Alexandria and of the river counties
of Virginia and Maryland The county of
Hampshire, particularly, may justly rejoice at the
prospect, developing as its will, its immense de-
postes of coal and iron.
We understand that only eighteen miles of the
canal remain incompete-its entire length from
Georgetown to Cumberland being about 10 miles
1t is ascertained that SI,lO0,OO0 will finish the
work. The company, or its contractors, have
made provision for 100000 of this amount, and
an application is now pending before the Virginia
Legislature to guarantee the bonds of the COM
pany for the residue. There is no possibility that
the State will ever be obliged TO pay one dollar
of the sum proposed to be guaranteed. The
Stdte Oh hdTyld IllESSlCu hOOhI SoAO3-
100000 in it, and being utterly unable to furnish
any more money, or to give guarantee which
would be available, has waived its liens on the
entire canal and its revenues, in favor OF the sum
to be borrowed for its completion. To say moth
ing of the anticipated profits of this immense i'm
misunderstanding in itself sufficient secu-
rity for the intended outlay-guaranties have been
given by corporations and individuals, that 1885,
600 tons, for five years succeeding the expiration
of six months after the completion of the canal,
shall be annually transported upon it. Thus the
interest and principal OF the preferred bonds will
be dischargedat an early day. When discharged,
the postponed debt of Maryland, and the stock
which Virginia holds in the work-S26l, III /
will become productive. Virginia. moreover,
has this session assumed about S370OOO of the
Stock of the Georgetown and Alexandria Canal
"a continuation of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal-which must continue to be unproductive
until the latter is finished
The Earrings having advanced some S500,OO0
ofthe necessary amount, it may be safely assumed
TO be as safe an investment as could be devised
The bill has passed the House by the decided
majority of Serenteen, and it will doubtless pass
the Senate to-day.-Rich. Eng. Of Monday last.