Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-09

insane; and, after a violent tumut and con-
W1versy with her on religion, had 1t arranged
10 call in physician to give an opinion as to her
sNuiy or insanity, and while in that state of
m'ni Packard obtained q certificate Of mental
excitement upon the subject of religion from
Weli known physician Of this city.
MIS- PACKARD is lady Of about forty-Hve, Of
nne mental endowments, and blessed with lib
erAl education. She is an original vigorous,
masculine thinker, and was it not for her superior
judgment combined with native modesty, she
Would rank rs 'strong-minded woman" As
1t rs, she eomRorts her conduct strictly to the
sphere usually occupied by woman She disikes
parade or show Of any kind. Her confidence
that right will prevail leads her too tamely to
submit 10 wrong She was educated in the same
religious belief of her husband, and during the
first twenty years of married life his labors we're
greatly relieved by the willing hand and able in-
tellect Of tho wife.
There are six children OF their in termarrage;
me eldest was eighteen years old when she was
Kidnapped aud transferred to jacksonville. The
youngest children have maintained a firm posi-
tion against lie abuse and persecution toward
their mother, but were of too tender age to
render her any material assistance.
Ihs question of her sanity or insanity was
tried by a jury. ordered by the Judge, and every
opportunity offered to produce all the testimony
on either side OF the case that would have a ten
dency to throw light on the question. The ply
siciaDs who maintained aud testified 10 her mono
mania were Drs. Kuott and Brown, Of this city
The evidence of Knott, however, was on the
presumption that all jealous advocates Of par
tlculAr tenet were monomaniacs on that question
Brown was very positive that she was insane
lio was sent there by Packard, and employed for
the purpose of granting certificate of insanity
to enable Packard to abduct her to Massachu-
sets, aud contine her in an asylum there; plan
very fast maturing when the writ Of babeas
corpus was Issued.
Brown gave II number of lucid reasons, care
lully written down, upon which he based bis
Judgment Of the insanity, and the first was that
she claimed to be in advance of the age 80 or 40
years.
Wise Brown Did it occur that you are that
much, or more behind the age?
q. That she disliked to be called insane.
d. That she pronounced me a Copperhead,
and did not prove the fact
4tl. An inooherency of thought. That she
failed to illuminate me and FIJI me with light.
9th. Her aversion to the doctrine of the total
depravity of man.
With Packard and Brown before her it will
be deemed remarkable that she did not believe
in the total depravity of mankind
9th. Her belief that some calamity would
! betall her, owing to my being there, and her
refusal TO shake hands with me when went
away.
7'h. Her viewing the subject of religion from
the ootsric stand point of Christian exegetcal
apelysis, and agluuoating the polsynthetcal
eotobasts of homogeneous asceticism.
All of which is about as intelligent as the
Jargon Of lllndoo. His view was supported by
the testimony Of two witnesses, relatives Of the
ReY Packard, one of whom swore upon the said
examination that it was strong evidence to his
miad Of insanity chat q person would offer to
leave the Presbyterian Church and join the Me-
lhodist."
The days Of bigotry and oppression are not yet
past ifAhree-fOurths of the people of the world
were Of the belief of ROy. Packard and his wit
ne3ses, the ether fourth would be burned at the
stake.
On tho defence the testimony of physicians
who had known her for number of years was
Introduced, together with her neiehbors and
a.51cin'es, all OF whom estifed that not only was
sba not insane, but was woman possessed of
fine meutal and educational endOwments, a GOOD
anI aitecNunate mother, aud a true ornament to
society. After nearing a mass of evidence which
ocoup ei five days, and the arguments Of the able
counsel WHO were retained in the case, upon q
retirement Of few moments the Jury returned
verdict that Mrs. b. P. W. Packard is a sane
woman.
the Rev. Mr.. Packard is described by the Gu
sefe as bru and tyrant in features Learning
that the case would go against him, he took his
carpet bag anl tramped for parts unknown.