Alexandria Gazette

Small Note Issues.

On Friday last, in the Richmond Circuit Court, before Judge Meredith, the presentments against Messrs. C. W. Purcell, Wm. N. Tinsley and Woodson, for issuing small notes in violation of the laws of the State, were called up, when Messrs. August and R. I. Daniel, for the defence, moved to quash the informations. These gentlemen sustained their motion with marked ability. Mr. Johnson, for the Commonwealth, opposed the motion in a very powerful argument, displaying great research. The Judge adjourned the case over until Monday, to take time to consider the questions raised. On that day, he decided to quash the informations, informing the Commonwealth's Attorney that he could have an opportunity of filing other informations, if he should decide to do so.

From what we have heard from legal gentlemen, it is quite probable that this matter will end here, as the informations which have already been quashed, were drawn with great care and precision, and are not likely to be improved upon by another effort of the attorney. And even supposing the motion to quash had been overruled, what would have been the result? Why, a jury, upon whose verdict the result would have depended, would certainly have dismissed the case as soon as it was handed to them, from the simple fact that ninety-nine men out of every hundred are in the habit of receiving and paying out, as money, individual issues, and could not, therefore, conscientiously convict others for publishing what they themselves circulated. -Richmond Dispatch.