The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-03
WAsurseroS. August 81. Is4s,

WAsHrNGToN, August 81, IS4S.
Iuporant Decision 10 Bird steaiers and Bird owners-
"A Boat Rdce-7he Phiiosophic Woodsawyer, &c.
In the absence Of positive law, the decision Of Q
judge sometimes has the potency of statutory provi-
sion; and unless II be appealed from to higher court
and reversed it is in all time to come, quoted as pre-
cedent and respected like the Scriptures Before the
criminal court Of this county, which lately closed les
term, John Bell free negro convicted Of stealing
mockiDg birds and carrier pigeons-ths charge was
grand larceny When the jury rendered their verdict
a motion made by the counsel Of the defendant,
ID. Ratcliffe Esq, in arrest OF Judgement on the
ground that property Of that character , s Th
Court sustained the motion as the birds we're things
Of taste and within, and Of no intrinsic worth Judge
Crawford however remarked that II person we're In
dictpd for stealing beai squirral he should con-
slider il case of larceny as the animals were good to
eat and Of actual value. Judge Mason, formerly Of
this court had made Q decision that a dog was not
an object OF larceny. Acting upon this, We would
be glad il the makers from abroad would help
themselves ten twelve hundred Of the dogs which
ipfest our and have ostensble owners but
as for the BIRDS will instsnter make laws ourselves
the thieves be discovered In the act Of larceny
withstanding the decision Of the court II all things
Of "taste and whim,n should be taken from us,
would, indeed be comfortess-for Of such Is the major
part Of our existence made up The idea of thief
opening cage, wherever 1t may hang, and carrying
away sweet singer, with IMMUNITY, Is enough to drive
the owner Of the bird into open rebellion against the
entire legal code administered at the national
Yesterday, boat race took place on the Potomac
General Jackson" 1t not often that We have such
contests, and, therefore, the sport interesting
The former was built in New York. and won stake Of
a thousand dollar, for her owner-out- sailing bragg
boat on the Hudson. Major John p. Hess, Of the
w ashipgton Union, became the purchaser The Jack
oon was built in this city by Mr.. John Easily, and e
oWned by Mr. j. To~es Of the service, In this
nolghborhood. The"Jackson" SKINNED the Skinner"
upWards Of twenty yards from the Potomac bridge 70
Fort Washington, distance Of fifteen miles with free
sheets, and from the Fort back to the bridge beating
to the windward about two miles and half. Inere
money at issue the contest was merely one TOT
amusement.
J, Knox walker the Private Secretary Of the Pres-
dent has left the city for Virginia In the interim,
the duties Of his station are discharged by Major
Williams the naval storokeeper gentleman Of talent
and integrity p-,-
stls crscked in the windows Of his upper story has
besn edf ing citizens by street lectures on mat
trs nd things In general and General Taylor in par
ticnisr He takes his stand high mp on pump, and
there rpouts for three four hours He calls himself
tho -savyer and does saw wood for livelihood
He Is man Of education, and Of respectable talents
A an orator and studied both for the bar and the pal
pit He edited paper before he res0rted 70 the pro-
lsssion q the horse end saw. SEiAs