The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-26

The BRoTHERs MoNTEsQUIoU.-Ihs HoBsi-
Giles at st. LoUis.-The deplorable and almost in
comprehensive event which produced so much
sensation in the public mind at St. Louis few
weeks ago, and 50 much grief in several families,
seems to have excited equal sensation and grief ID
kTanee. The last steamer brings out from Nh.
tlIves, ogm Minister al PARIS letter 81 fs avn u
Senator Benton, with many eltefs and official
documents to himself, and others 10 Senator Ben
ton, Senator Cass, and Mr.. Winthrop, on the sub
ject Of this most melancholy occurrence. These
letters make known the fact that the father Of these
young gentlemen (the late Count Montesquou)
labored under insanity, and destroyed his own life
two years ago, and that their elder brother is now
insane in Paris and hence raise the irresistible in
ference that inherited insanity must have broken
out IN the two brothers at St Louis
All the letters speak Of them in the same terms
as being remarkable for the amiabilisy Of their
characters and their " mild and inohensive man
ners - that they came to the United States for in
formation and recreation and especially to see the
Western country, and with ample means and Gre
dit They descend from family in France not
only OF great historic name, but distinguished for
private virtues The celebrated Duke de Ia Roche
oueauld Liancourt, author of the Maximsn is
their grandfather the mothers side the present
Duke De la Rochefoucauld writes in their behalf as
his nephews The General Oudinot (Duke) Of
heggia, and General Alright, Duke) of Padua
also write in their behalf as relations The Count
Montesquiou himself belonged to the distinguished
anu dilduit lhlillly OF tnAl name. MANY AIlefl-
cans in Paris, among them Mr.. VIM. II. Aspin-
wall, Of New York, also write, and with all the
deep feeling which the view Of the agonized con-
dlhon OF the unhappy mother and relations so ma
turay inspires. These letters and official attesta-
tons all forwarded to ST. Louis, to have their
effect in explaining transaction which seemed to
be incompFehensble.
We believe the trial has not vet taken place at
st. Louis. These papers will show it to be a de-
plorable of inherited insanity breaking out in
strange land, and leading to a most calamitous
event. A calm and unparalleled trial is assured by
the character Of our population, and by the particu
lar conduct Of the inhabitants Of St Louis, the
time Of the dreadful occurrence and where the cir
cumstanoes were so exciting. Two amable young
men killed, two others wounded, all in their own
rooms, by strangers just arrived, and between
whom and themselves not even a look had ever been
exchanged the crowded hotel and the neighbor-
hood raised by the loud report Of the firearms, and
rushing to the CHASTITY scene yet the arrests were
made without violence, the unhappy strangers con-
Quoted to prison without harm; and, upon some
fear Of an attempt the prison, conducted to the
military barracks, fifteen miles distant and there
militarily guarded and protected. This was honor
able TO the population and to the character Of the
hotel-Barnum s-One Of the most respectable in
America, and whose proprietor was the uncle of one
OF the young men killed. This calmness, modera-
ration and regard to justice and decorum at the mo-
ment Of the catastrophe gives assurance Of an nm
prejudiced trial at the time it shall take place, and
that these unfortunate young gentlemen will be
dealt with precisely if they were our own citi-
zens.-Nati07lat IlteAkigenceT.