National Republican., 1877-08-27
THE MEXICAN CLAIMS CASE.

FttUrUWN MORNING III Tue EOUCt NuuTt tut
case Of James NJ. Wilbur charged with feloni.
ously OBTAINING u number of Mexican claims
from Jasper W. johnson. was called. Mr.
Wilbur appeared with his counsel, MIR. Jesnp
Miller and Henry Wise Garnctt, and moved to
qnash the warrant pending agninst him on the
ground that there was no information in the
count upon which the warrant could be issued
or the prisoner held. In support Of the mo-
tion they read to the court the affidavit upon
which the warrant was issued, from which 1t
appeared that Jasper W, johnson had made oath
that Mr.. Wilbur was detaining from him cer-
tain papers, consisting Of claims, and that Mr..
Wilbur, according to Mr.. Johnson's belief, in
tended to convert the claims to his own use.
Mr. Wilburs counsel argued that the ALI
davit of Mr.. johnson wus radically defective;
it alleged no taking or larceny of the papers
whatever, and that the case was one where the
process of the Police Court had been prosti-
tutcd for the purpose Of attempting to obtain
from Mr.. Wilbur papers which were rightfully
| in his possession, and to which he had good.
| solid title; that no charge was made against
him which Criminal Court had any jurisdiC-
ton Of, and that if Mr.. johnson had any tit c
| to these papers tho civil courts were open for
him to prove his title; that II would be there
demonstrated at the proper time that he had
| no right to the possession OF the papers; that
| so plainly improper was the affidavit that the
clerk of the Police Court hcsitated to issue the
warrant until urged thereto by the attorney
for the United Statcs-Mr. Francis Miller
and 1t would be apparent to the court that the
whole case was gross abuse Of the process of
| the court
In reply Mr.. Francis Miller, for the Unite
States, stated that he hoped the court would
not discharge the prisoner that he expc It's
the afiinnt would be able to prove his case al
though he was not able to state what the evil
dcnce would he; that he would he ready to
| go on with the cass tomorrow morning.
The Court thcrcupon remarked that the
proper time for the motion would be when
the case was called for trial, and he would for
the present ovcrrule II.
The counsel for the prisoner then requested
that the trial proceed at once. hut OH the re-
quest Of Mr.. Miller and his statement that he
was not ready the court fixed the case for to-
morrow.
The statements made by the friends Of Mr.
Wilbur that that gentleman has been supply
Ing Mr.. johnson with money and paying hi
beard bills and other cxpcnses are stoutly de
MED by the friends Of Mr.. johnson. who asscr
that the boot is on the other foot, and tina
Wilbur owes johnson money, and Is indebted
to him for many favors.
TEN MEN PUMPING FOR LIFE.
) On the llth instant party of gentleme,
ieft this city for Cobbs Island, intending +
5 spend fifteen days For this purpose tn
schooner "Zoc," Of Alexandria, Capt. Nc
! Cracken commanding, was chartered. A goo,
{ supply of all things needful was placed o.
/ hoard, and all hands enjoyed their stay at tn
island. On the 2:,d instant the party set sal
) for home, and with the aid Of brisk south
east wind, soon found themselves abou
T twelve miles at sea off Ships Shoal, and mid
] way between the island and Cape Charles. A
this point water was discovered In the vesst
which increased very rapidly. A brief SUI
vey developed the fact that n plank abou
=, three and half feet long and four incht
: widc along the water line, had broken loose
2 The vessel was headed for the island, an
!, the boys took to the pumps. Although ever
Q effort was made to stop the leak and clear tn
: vessel by pumping II was found when abor
!, two miles from shore that 1t was sinking at tn
, rate of two inches in five minutes. Tho vess
i was bcachcd on the west side ofthe island, an
y when IT struck ground II was in n sinking col
l. ditiOn.
l. Captain Williams, In charge of the lfe.sa'
5 ing station, examined the vessel, and pr
Is nounced It ian old rotten craft" totally uni
y to go outside the mouth Of the Potomac.
Q The boys made their way home by way
y Chcrrystone, Fortress Monroe and BaltimOr
" They say that every attention was show
u them by the people residing on the island, a,
y they desire publicly to acknowledge the favO
l. bestowed.