Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-02-04
CASE OF PETTY LARCENY.

L l.
Police Ofce-Before his Honor, the Mayor
The first case called this morning, was that
of John c. Calhoun, charged with stealing
some emo territory doctrine" the property Of
Henry Clay.
The prisoner, who was a seedy, lank, and
lantern jawed individual, denied the charge.
The first witness called was Mr.. Clay, who
deposed that he was the possessor of a parcel
of no-territory doctrine,"-the same used
against Mr.. Jefferson, when he proposed the
purchase of Louisiana; and afterwards against
Messrs Tyler and Polk, in the Texas bust
ness. 1t was in tolerably good condition. He
had observed the accused prowlmg about his
premises, on the evening of the loss, and had
kept his eye on him. Shortly after be disap-
peared, and on coming to look for his proper
ty, he (Mr. Clay) found it wasn't there. He
Immediately raised hue-and-cry, and found
the prisoner in the Senate Chamber, actually
offering the stolen property to the country,
under the name Of Resolutions"
Mr.. Colquitt, one of the police, stated that
he knew the prisoner at the bar, and was for
merly intimate with him. OF late the prison.
er's character had become so bad that he was
obliged to cut the prisoners acquaintance
This Calhoun had been getting worse and
worse, for some time, and had actually asso-
ciated himself with such people as Iulee and
Westcott. He had taken several things which
did not belong to him. before this, and was al
ways in some difficulty or other; but was gen.
orally supposed 10 be little cracked.
The prisoner, on being asked what he had
to say TO the charge, replied that he thought
he had right to the property. 1t evidently
was doing Mr. Clay deal of harm, and il
was an act of charity 10 put the means of self
destruction out of his reach. Mr. Clay was
himself, of unsound mind He had made q
speech at New Orleans, wherein he had spo
ken of the wrongs inflicted on us by Mexico
and had said he would like to Stay Mexican
and afterwards had made speech against the
war with Mexico. No sane man would dc
that In short, Mr.. Clay was decidedly ar
improper person TO be trusted with such dan
gerous property as the no-territory doctrine.
His Honor said tho! the prisoner was evi
IDENTIFY an ingenious rogue, as his defence pro
we'd, and not 10 be permitted to roam about do
ing mischief. He asked him what was hi
| business.
The prisoner replied, that he was turne
by profession, that is to say-he turned flip
| flaps for living. His last effort in that way
| from " War for the sake of Texas" 10 Peac
and NO indemnify" had attracted universal al
miration.
The prisoner was committed TO answer a
the next election.-John Donkey.
Mr. Powell. the artist employed by Congress
to fill the remaining vacant PANEL of the Ro
tunda of the Capitol with an historical paint
ing, has just left Washington, after exhibitn
his cartoon 10 the Library Committee and re
ceiving its approval. The Washington cor
respondent OF the Philadelphia North Amer
can says
The subject chosen by Mr.. Powell is no
BILE one-tke discovery Of the Mississippi b
De Scotland if he succeeds in transferring t
the canvass the sketch he has drawn. withou
imparing its spirit in the extension OF colorine
he will surpass the expectations OF his friend
} and win for himself an honorable niche in tn
temple of fame.
The point of time selected by the artist
: the moment when De Soto reached the hig
Chickasaw bluffs, in the vicinity of Natche.
which overlook the river and command an ea
; tended view of its windings