New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal

SINGULAR OUTRAGE. A brutal and disgraceful main, the particulars of which must remain "unwritten," was perpetrated recently in North Carolina, upon two gentlemen—the one a young man, and the other an elderly clergyman—by a member of Congress from that State. The story runs, that a member became jealous of his wife—and that the "green eyed monster" fixed upon two individuals—one a young gentleman, and the other a clergyman of mature years. The husband invited the young man to take a ride with him a short distance. When they reached the woods, the husband dismounted, took his Abelard from the gig, bound him to a tree, and perpetrated the outrage on the spot. He immediately returned, and under the same pretence, inveigled the clergyman into the same snare. Great excitement has been produced by the awful act—and what adds to the disagreeable nature of the crime, is the fact, that the perpetrator has since been convinced that his suspicions were utterly groundless. He was immediately examined and committed to prison.

The Oxford (N. C.) Examiner of the 15th ult. corroborates the above, and contains an account of the trial of ROBERT POTTER (a representative elect to Congress) upon an indictment for wilfully maiming Lewis K. Willie, "a youth of tender age" on Sunday, the 28th August. The details of the evidence, &c. do not appear to us to be suited for general publication, and we therefore withhold them. The accused plead GUILTY to the indictment, and the evidence was examined only as it might establish the degree of criminality. The following are the concluding paragraphs of the account of the trial.

"The Court proceeded to deliver its opinion.—His Honor said that he found himself in a most unpleasant situation, but it was one in which the Courts of this State were frequently placed. He stated that his mind was not fixed and satisfied as to the point of law, but he should pronounce sentence according to the present leaning of his mind. He felt himself bound to believe that the offence came under the second section of the act of '91, in relation to unlawful maiming, &c. Therefore the Court had no discretion as to the imprisonment, which was prescribed in that act—he said that were his opinion different upon this point of law, he would certainly have imprisoned the offender for two years, &c. His honor stated that he had great confidence in the testimony of young Willie: that on the part of the defendant not a shadow of proof had been offered, which could be received by the Court in extenuation of the charge—not even an action or gesture, a wink or smile, was proven to indicate any misconduct on the part of the prisoner's wife; that he must believe that the prisoner's suspicion was caused by some strange misconception, &c. &c. His honor sentenced Robert Potter to pay a fine of One Thousand Dollars, and costs of prosecution, and be imprisoned for six calendar months, and thereafter until the said fine and costs be paid."

The trial was attended by a crowd of spectators, whose feelings appeared to be in a state of great excitement.

In conclusion we will state that Mr. Potter is indicted for maiming, in the same manner, on the same day, the Rev. Lewis Taylor of this county, and also stabbing him in the head and thigh. As this indictment will be tried at the Spring Term of the Superior Court, we will not remark upon it, further than to say, that, immediately after the commission of the offence for which he was tried as above, he proceeded to the meeting house where Mr. Taylor performed divine worship on that day, and prevailed on the Rev. Gentleman to accompany him home; he on the way haltered him and maimed and stabbed him as stated. He then carried Mr. Taylor to his house and sent for a physician.—Mr. Taylor is now, we learn, in a fair way to recover, although he has been considered very dangerous. We are done with this matter at least until the trial on the other indictment shall be over.