The New Hampshire Gazette

The Southern mail of yesterday (says the National Intelligencer) brought us the Oxford, North-Carolina Examiner of the 15th instant, containing 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 ult. The accused pleaded 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 2 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 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 upon the Reverend 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."