Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Richmond. Dec. 13.

GENERAL COURT.

After a session of twenty-three judicial days, prolonged by a special act of the legislature on the first day of their session, this court adjourned last night.

The case of the Commonwealth against its late Treasurer, and his securities for the year 1819, (the last year of his administration of the Treasury) has occupied sixteen days of its term—a most extraordinary duration for a civil suit, and totally unexampled in the records of that court.

On Monday last, Mr. John Robertson, the Attorney General, closed the case on the part of the Commonwealth. On his conclusion, about 2 o'clock; the jury retired—and about sunset returned into court; intimating that they had not agreed in their verdict. The Court, however, wishing to give them further time for consideration, adjourned them over till ten o'clock yesterday morning.

Yesterday they had some explanations with the court, when they retired; and kept together, till about sundown, when they returned into court, with a verdict. Which being amended with the consent of the jury, read as follows:

"We of the Jury find for the plaintiff against the Defendant John Preston on the writ of enquiry, and against the other defendants on the issues joined, and assess the plaintiffs damages to $87,587 38 cts, being the principal sum due, with interest thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum, from the 31st day of January, 1820, till paid."

The jury avowed it to be their intention to hold the Securities for 1819 liable for this sum (being the sum which appears to have been due on the Treasurer's books, including errors and omissions)—and that the Commonwealth was to look for the further debt of $51,405 dollars 7 cts to John Preston, &c. but not to the securities of 1819. till paid.

Payment of between 23 and 44,000 dollars has been made some time since into the Treasury by the trustees for John Preston; which of course, will offset so much of the verdict of the jury or the $87,587 dollars, &c.—It is also well known that John Preston has conveyed a very large amount of property for the indemnification of these sureties of 1819. According to a valuation annexed to a schedule of this property, which accompanied the memorial of John Preston presented to the last Legislature, it was valued at about 197,000 dollars. It is calculated, by some that if this property be sold on a reasonable credit, it will not merely indemnify these sureties; but may contribute to pay the other sums for which he is delinquent, and which will not be charged on these sureties.

In discharging the jury, Judge White on behalf of all the Judges, returned their thanks for the patience and attention with which they had discharged their duties during this long and arduous cause.

(Compiler