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Xti An W% J g^ ..i^^u.y li^iT I TiJBii fi ^-Jki'-TnTf ^MJf^i^ri^HM^*- 1 ' -■'-•. r.-i. THE Mysterious Stranger ; OR MEMOIRS • OF HENRY MORE SMITH ; alias HENRY FREDERICK MOON ; alias WILLIAM NEWMAN : tTHO IS NOW CONFINED IN SIMSBURY AIINES, IN CONNECTICUT, FOR THE CRIME OF BURGLARY. Containing An account of his extraordinary conduct during his confinement in the gaol of King^s Coun- ty, Province of JVerv-BrunswickfTuhere he was under sentence of death : With a statement of his succeeding conduct, be ■ fore and since his confinement in Newgate By WALTER BATES, High Sheriff of Kings' Counly, New-Brunswick y^-< 01" b^ NEW-HAVEN: Published bi/ Mallbi;, Goldsmilh & Cu. T. G. Woodwardj rrinler. 1817. 1876. ^c Washi* itri"^^illii ;' i^' 'W^ B DISTRICT OF COJVJVECT/CCriP*, «». Tit remembered, That on the 25th ^ay of Janua- ^E It fe%'"77. ' ft „ea, of the Independence of "uS S^Tte'rjAmeric'a, Thomas G. Woodwa^ f .vi said District, hath deposited m this office the title j S jS2S. loXemenl in the C^ »r King. Connty, rr.rinc"T5.»^™»"'k. where he ».• ^^^'■ Slnl.rin"S, " An «cl for th. encoor,E.™ent «' ?„g the times therein m«.bon^d. ^ ^,^^^^09, Clerk of the District of Conneclicvt ■ ■■ •[■trl lt rritrn iiii iff ^- r A '*• ' V tng , "^ tke\ the nit the cho irrc Ah res for sid thii to I to bit res fro pu frc pit the thi JV- exi ch< g« pe va z^"^ ECTICVf, «s. he SSIhrlay of Janua- jf the Independence of homasG. Woodward, ed in this office the title laima as proprietor, in he Mysterious Stranger, h, aWas Henry Freder- n, who is now confined jt, for the crime of burg- his extraordinanr con- e Gaol of Kings County, hero he was under sen- t of his succeeding con- lement in Newgate, by County." Congress of the United the encouragement of I of maps, charts, and ietors of such copies, dur- n ■ W. EDWARDS, District of Conntclicvt- r 4 ADVERTISEMENT. ^ The extraordinct t ijjo cli detailed in th e foltott: * ■& tng narrative have in'dvct.J many persons te doubt "' their authenticity, lieporls have prevailed that the story is made vp by interested individuals, ait/i a view only to pecuniary emolument— -and the credibility oj the aiUhor has been questioned by some who are strangers to his pemon and his character. To remove every scruple on these trrounds, the publishers are able to slate, thai. Mr. Batks is well known to many of thi most respectable persons in this town, and in Stam- ford, his native place, where his connections re- side — who saw him here while the first edition of this work was progressing, and who can testify to his character as a man of probity and honour. to his station as an officer, and to his respecla- bility as a member of the community in which he resided. The original manuscript of the work, from the pen of Mr. B. is •» the hands of the publishers, witr<. other documents and papers from persons named in the narrative, who stand- pledged with him to substanaate its truth— ami the concurring testimony o/.S7icri^ Kossiter oJ this city, und Capt. Washburn, the Keeper of Newgate, affords the strongest evidence that wo exaggeration was necessary in delineating the character and conduct of this Mysterious Stran- ger — in short it is believed that all the facts, res- pecting him, as far as human testimony can pre- vail, are as susceptible of proof as any fad what ever. JVtw-Haven, Con. June 1817. ■id4Ki>. ■ « yrc W w»i « M .li$am nidrtiHtit^u §tm i it John ; but heard ■ by that name ever [it John, 1 informed E circumstance — he with the ideaof hav- f he had money or I taken and brought t at liberty — but it the country, his own He wished to apply I was atlisid to em- Esq. Attorney at St. lere was any way to d do it for him faith- liat offered, he wrote [:khouse at St. John, lis portmanteau, and and if sold, to apply ) Mr. Peters, his al- ight a genteel port- ots, leaving a small s of Mr. Peters, as a f his making up the f five guineas before pearcd perfectly sat- II bis clothes and oth- inteau, that he could ey. He gave me his bis portmanteau, and slothes. It contained with vests and panta- 15 . loons, silk stockings and g.ovcs, a s'JP'^'-f'^^.r " coat faced with black silk, and other articles, aUo the best cloth and latest fashion ; a neat pocket bible and prayer book, l^-^«» ^-^ ; leer Ready lUckonor, and some other valuable bo6ks fo a Uavcller-be had also a night and day spy § ass of the best kind, and a sma 1 magn - fyL glass in a turtle shell case, and .cveral o^hef ieful articles, without any th.ng - P- cious, which induced us to thmk, at least, he had been fitted out by careful parents, and was pos- sibly innocrnl of the charge. He soon commenced selling his clothes. &c. and any person who wished to speak to him, was Tern i"fed t> come to the wicket door, through vhkl he disposed of his articles, to raise mon- ey to retain his lawyer and to purchase neces- saries ; and many purchased out of compassion ;'h[s'situatio„.\mong other,, a young man who said he knew him while at Saint John, came once or twice to visit him ; and some of tL glass being broken, he found it conven.eut to Kth him'through Ihe grates at fbe window ; and the last lime took away the night and day Xss as he said, for a debt he was owing him , - &1 sus eel left an old watch in exchange The prisoner had complained of a bad cough, and pain from the ill »«»g'L"'^'^'^ '^\tf to Vm' .eived from Mr. Knox. He appeared to em- ;; bin self in reading his Wbje.aud behaved hiniself with great decency and propriety. have obfained from Mr. Knox for he pur- pose of these memoirs, the follQW.ng letter, giv I Ktu. lilflSh- 16 ing an account of the pursuit and apprehension ^ 9!" the prisoner : J^ortoH, King''s County, J^eie-Brunmick, October Wh, 1016. DSAn Sir, i received your letter yesterday, and shall willingly give you what information I have respecting Henry More Smith, from my pursuit and apprehension of him at Pic- tou, in Nova-Scotia, to the delivery of him into your custody. On the afternoon of tlie 20th of July, 1814, I missed a very fine horse out of my pasture, and from every cir- cumstance had reason to think he had been stolen the night before ; I therefore immediately went in pursuit of him, alone, on the Westmoreland road — I was quite a stranger that way, but finding that a man had gone that road oQ a horse answering exactly the description of mine, with a good saddle and bridle, I travelled all night. The thief having so much tlie start, with so good a horse, I did not gain much of him, but, procuring fresh horses, kept up the pursuit. I soon discovered the man who had my horse to be a most artful character— travelling day and night without rest, and not stopping more than an hour at any of the taverns, where he always behaved in the most iinperiou* munner, seldom finding any thing good enough for him- self—always taking great care of the horse, and feeding hira well— but not paying for what he got, promising to be back in a fortnight, and showing some doubloons which ciiher he did not wish, or they were unable to exchange. I believed he had accomplices, and detained oqe per- son whom I 8usj)ect,ed. I sat out totally uitprepared for a long journey, and soon found that it would cost me more than (he value of my horse, to obtain him, as he would probably be much hjured by forcina; through so extraordinary a journey, but as this was the first instance of horse-stealing I had heard ol in this country, where our property is so much exposed, I deemed it my duty to do my utmost to ap- prehend the thief, to prevent fike depredations in future. .J&. < He hor sell knc the dir elu we he Do hin wh in bri bl8 tat an er be for a long journey, and e more than the value of trould probably be much ixtraordinary a journey, 1 of horse-steahng I had our property is so much o do my utmost to ap- e depredations in future. eaS^d ■ ujum i ninjjpn i iijui i 17 On arrivine at Amherst, about 150 miles from home, I learnt lhat he had told a gentleman who ndmir ' the horse, thnt he was taking him to Halifax, where lu .:ould sell him for SOS. Further on, he appeared anxious to knov when tlie tide would be out to enable him to cross the head of the Bay of Fundy for Newport, a different direction. I also found he was exerting his ingenuity to elude a pursuit by changing his name, and l.e senerally went a different direction from what he professed where he stopped. He called his name Mtad, Coppigale, M - Dmiall and Hmry Moon. ! met with a man who saw him on the road, who knew him in Nova-hcotiii, and who informed me. he had committed several depredations in his neighborhood, but had baffled U.eiv exertions to i brinir him to justice. , ,i Just bef.ire my horse was stolen I had him shod by a blacksmith from the U. States, who, by my direction, made the heel of the thoes much broader than common, and I thought by this 1 should be able to discover wheth- er he had crossed the Bay. I theref.re examintd Uie beach, but could not observe the track of niy horse. I therefore c!ontinued on the road to Truro, a very neat and pleasant village, where the roads cross, leadmg to Halifax, I'ictou, &c. He did not stop here, but went by in the night, taking a piece of India cotton, wlucb had been hunc out to dry, which was afterwards recov- ered. I pursued on the road to Halifax, and had pro- ceeded but a few miles when I was overtaken by a boy who had come from I'ictou, and met a man dnying a horse, both answering the description 1 had leit l)i iind me. I returned to Truro, where I employed Mr. John rear^on, of i'ictou, who happened to be there, to pursue the thief, who arrived at I'ictou, 40 miles distant, on the 24th, wh»re he apprehended him the day after, as he was bargaining to sell the horse, for which he was to receive 401. and had him committed to prison. It appeared he arrived at Fictou on tiie 23d, a distance of 270 miles from where he took the horse, m .ittle bet- ter than three days. ..... u I proceeded to Pictou, and when I arrived there he .i,wiMijHi<«wv..'sa r-irt , 16 could h-.uSly l)elicve the owner of the horse was ^o (juji'li after him. He ilbclarcil his iiiiincince — mtiii hi- had piir- chawtl thu' horse, hut p;ave tlie fjuoUr 14 guincin to oiler iiic I'lir my truuhle if I vvouhl take the horte und let him ^'o. He i-cTtainlv fed the hornu well, and I did not tirid him much i'ljiirc^d — Thnse wlio accomftanied mo observ- ed that he a|ipr»red to know my voice imuiediulely. The mun was exumined, and ordered to be coiuhjuled to New-IJriincHiek for his trial. He now culled hiuivelf Henry Mure Smith., by which uuriic I shall 1; rcu' tor call hira. He vim (hen n^inanded to prison aud put in ir'iiis, when our prtiparaiioim beiiii; mude, we sut out on our re- turn. Smith WHS put on horseback. We had not pro- ceeded far when we discovered his Imndcutfs to be nearly cut in two, and thu crevice filKd v.ith bJack wax. I found it necessary to exert all my vi^tance to keep liim, us he induced many people to think he was an in- nocent man. He frecjuently pretended to be sick and unable to ride, hut when hu found I was determined to convey hira back, if in a cart, he would go on horseback. He made one attempt to escape, i\ hen within about ten mik's of Dorcliei^ter. In the dusk of the evening:, as w« were leaving a tavern where we had stopped to refresh, Smith was put on a smart hor?*?, which had been lent mc to pursue him, and thesheriir who had him in charge had occasion to 8te|> into the house for a nii>meut, when, I suppose, he thought my horse too fatigued to overtake hira, he started off on a full irallop till he arrived at a thicket, when? he threw himself off, and had nearly tuc- i;eedcd io getting away — I, however, came up « ith him, and the sherifl was with us in an instant. He had pre- viously used every persuasion to induce mo to release him, hut I had already found hfm too dan^'erous a cha- rac ter to be let loose upon society. We pursued our journey without any material occur- rence UHtil I placed him in your custody. On getting home. I found tliat the saddle and bridle which were taken with the horse at Pictou, and which I brought with n»«;, were advertised as stolen from the stable* of Major Kinj, of the 99th Rejiiucnt, then at St. .lohn bacl( Iha> Scot ney. froii (Jire two Aft€ nati tela a re: coui 1IE^ |iati< swe askc repl my i oil, i ken :iiid iviift '1 nr.Ei scvo All i of It TTTvmr if the liorse was ^o (jukk ictnce — muii he iiad pur- uoUt 14 guinea-, lo oilier u the hi)r*e und let him weli, and I did not find iccomftanied mo obscrv- vuice imuiedialely. orilered to bi- i.omliji.leil He now culk-d liiutvoU' liriiu I shall 1: reu' tor call ) |)ri!ut in ironi, lie, we »hl out on our re- ack. We had not pro- is Imndculfs to be acarlj ! with bidck wax. li my vi^laoce to keep s to think he was an in- stcnded to be tick and id I was detenuiiied to : would go on horfihack. , tviicn within about teu >k of the evening;, as wa 'lad Slopped to rffrcsli, ', which had bee.n lent ir who had him in charge jse for a nii>mL'Ut, when, too fatigued to overtake Hop till he arrived at a ofl', and had nearly tuc- evcr, came up « itli him, n intitunt. lie hctil pre- induce ino to rekase ^iii too dan^'erous a cha- nian of iearning and t.ilents, who for several years had been afflicted with that [)ain- ful infirmity the gravel, so that fur the most part of his time he uas confined to the liouso, and 1 J I* ii -^^mtaaUM »JiMU«u>«ito«HiJi)M»>«MiyMMHi 20. frequently to his room m the County-House. Tere h/taught a school, which, togetj- -^^ the fees and peniuisites of the gaol and Court- Housc. afforded a decent and comfortable living for his small family, which consisted of h.s w. e, a daughter, and a son about nineteen years old. named John Dibblee, who constantly assisted his father. Under these circumstances I baU hut seldom occasion to visit the prison, and, as I lived at the distance of half a mile, did not visit it oftener thanoi.ce a week, except on spe- cial occasions. 1 am therefore indebted to Mr Dibblee for some of the particulars related in the subsequent narration. Shortly alter his commitment, bmitti was vi- sited by Lieut. A. Baxter, an officer of the New- Brunswick Fencibles, then recruiting at Kin|s- toH, who proposed to him to enlist. He spufn- Pd the idea of heini; penr.itted to enlist to gel out of prison-He was, how«wr prevailed up- on to write to hi. attorney upfn the subject, and received for answer, in very short words, that it was inadmissible, and he advised him to con- tent himself and wait the issue of his rial. He appeared much dissatisfied with the shortness of his answor. and said he did not know what it meant ; that the attorney appeared very angry, and that he could not have much to expect from such a man. He was advised to rely v*ith con- fidence on Mr. Peters, and assured il a!^ thing could be done in his favour it would not be neg- lected. He never after enquired for Lis atlor- % ney (he I had larl his gro he waf to r the ver he it s que ed rd pla I'ir (ur coP tie ed de* am ing in «e.< fal his me till th Hiiwiiiiliiffr'^ ''■'-■ -4 ii. tho County-House, which, together with f the gaol and Court- ,nd comfortable living 1 consisted of bis wife, lit nineteen yeara old, constantly assisted circumstances i had sit the prison, and, as half a mile, did not 1 week, except on spe- refore indebted to Mr. ! particulars related in itmcnt, Smith was vi- ,anofticerofthe New- Mi recruiting at Kinjjs- to enlist. He spum- ir.itted to enlist to gel lowejier, prevailed up- y upon tin: subject, and lery short words, that he advised him tocon- j issue of his trial. He cd with the shortness of I did not know what it y appeared very angry, vc much to expect from Ivised to rely v^ithcon- lul assured if alfy thing our it would not be neg- • encjuired for his attor- ei noy, but Ik gan to put himself (o a trial to which Ihc procrs^ of law can show no |iar.ii%'l. lie continued to comp! liii of the ill ii'^ii'^e he had received on the roiid when taken, partini- lariyof a blow from Mr. Knox with a pistol in liis side, (as he said) which felled him to tlir ground like a dead man — that whiii be came to, he raised blood, and it was some time before he was able to brrathe rLj;iilar — that he continued to raise blood two or tlirte days on the road, and the pain had never left bim, but now increased very fast, owing to the cold he had taken — that he believed it was gathering on the iiiiide ; that it svrelled and was very painful ; and he fre- quently raised blood when roughing. He show- ed the bruised place in his side, which appear- ed black, swcllcil and ^orc, verifying his com- plaints. This was about (lie 7tb September.— Finding him so ill, wr repaired the stove pipes, jupplied him with fuel, and made the room comfortable. He appeared to complain as lit- tle as possible, but lost his appetile, ami requir- ed light food. His health ■^ecinrd gradually to dL>*iiy, and his complaints ro:;u!arly to increase — Pain in his head and eyes, will) dizziness, and sickness at the slomach ; puking and rais- ing blood, with great romplaints of the soreness in his side, and consetpient debility and weak- ^e»!i. On the 11th Sept. found him gradually falling away — Sent for a Doctor, who examined his side and other complaints," and gave him medicine. — The 12th he appeared to be some- thing better — 13th, at evening, grew worsd, *: n-iiirijinWi'JiMfe* " ^ ' i^y K ;, I* m ^2 pains' increased — 14tb, unable io walk, very high fever— 15(h, puking and raising blood — lUth, tlie Kev. Mr. Scovil visited the prisoner in the morning ; Ibuud him very ill ; sent him toast and nine, and other things for his comfort — At 3 P. M. the Doctor attended and gave him me- dicine — At 6 o'clock mucli the same ; unable to help himself— could eat nothing — puked up ct-' ery thing he took. — 18th, the piisonur appear- ed still to grow worse — Judge Pickett, with se- veral other neighbours, visited him ; asked him if he wanted any thing that he could take ; he said, nothing, unless it was an orange or a lemon. — 19th, appeared sensibly to decline and very lou — At "-Z o'clock the Doctor attended him ; said the man must be removed out of that room; that he was too ill to be kept there, and that it was of iiouse to ^;ive him medicine in that place. — 20th, in the mon-.ing, found him no better — At 10 o'clock Mr. Thaddcus Scribner and ot]j^rs went ii) to see the prisoner ; examined the room and found no dampness — 4 o'clock, the Uc». Mr. Scovil attended him as a clergymnn — Sfliith told him he had no hope that he should ev„rTe- covcr ; that he was l)orn in England ; that his parents were formerly of the persuasion of the Church of Engjand, but latterly had joined the Methodists ; that he came away on account ot the war, and expected his father ariu mothie* out. — 21st, tlie Kev. Mr. Scovil and other ot* the neighbors visited him — found him no better, but evidently falling aw » , and no hopes of hi" recovery. — 2'2d, the piiboucr very low, and \m ..A, .*J^ 23 22 '\ * , unable lo walk, very cing and raising blood — )vil visited the prisoner in ni very ill ; st-nt him toast tings for his comfort — At Itmled and gave him me- nucli the same ; unable to at nothing — puked up ev-' 3th, the piisonur appear- — Judge Pickett, with sc- , visited him ; asked him J that he could take ; he was an orange or a lemon. sil)lj^ to decline and very Doctor attended him ; said )ved out of that room; that ept there, and that it wps Diedicine in that place. — found him no better — At Icus Scribiier and ot|^rs jner ; examined the room ss — 4 o'clock, the Uc». m as a clergymnn — Saiith pe that he should ev„rTe- orn in England ; that his ' of the persuasion of the tut latterly had joined the came away on account ol [1 his father ariu mothSe* Mr. Scovil and other of liin — found him no b«;tlcT, iw ' , and no hopes of hi* Jiisoi'.cr very low, and hi-» complaints of the most fatal nitnrc ; violent tc- ver, accompanioJ with agues and chilis ; his feet and legs cold at turnj ; great pain, with inflam- mation in his bowels ; nothing but Ijlood had eome from him for two dajs ; his weakness in- creasing, was not able to help himself up or down, and had but Just strength cnou!;h to speak. above his breath — he feared he should die for want of medicsl assistance, as the Doctor had refused to attend him any more in that place — He had, from his decency and tlie inoffensive simplicity of his manners, excited the compas- sion of ail who visited him — At C o'clock the Rev. Mr. Sc >vil and a largr niJiiiijerofthe neigh- bours came in, and staid until iO , thr . did not think he would live till morning. — Friday, Sept. 23, went early to the gaol — found the prisoner lying naked on liie floor, and in great distress — had fallen through pain and dizziness (asiie said) and could not get himself up — was lifted into his bed almost expired — he continued to de- cline ; could take no nourishment ; and could speak with diflicully only to be heard, until 5 o'clock P. M. when he was supposed to be dy- ing — all signs of life were gone long enough to go to another room for a bottle of hartshorn, with which he seemed to revive — Called in the Rev. Mr. Scovil, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. (i. Ray- mond, neir neighbours, and Mr.yEddy, from St. John, who happened to be ther:», and all sup- posed him dying ; he, however, revived, and recovered his sensos — He was told that he had had a fit — He said he was sensible of it ; that it I^« 24 was a laniily infiimity ; (bat most of his con- neciioiis had died in that way, and Uial he could not survive another, which would probably come upon him about the same time next day ; that he should not recover, but God would have him ; and asked Mr. Scovil to go to prayer, which he did, and prayer was attended with solemnity by all present. He had had no regular watchers, but it was thought highly improper to leave him alone this night, and John Dibblee and Charles Chambeau were appointed by the sheriff to watch with liim ; and the following letter was written by the sheriff, and dispatched by Mr. Raymond, to Mr. Peters, the prisoner's attorney : " Df.ar Sir, — I fear we slmll be disappointed in our expectation oC (he trial ni' the prisoner, Mork Smith, at the approaching tourt, as 1 presuiuo he will be remo- ved by (l(>ath before that time, lie is dying in conse- quenci! oCa blow that he received (as he says) Crnm Mr. Knox, with a pistol, which he has rcsiularly complained oi' since lie ha» been in gad, anil is now thought past re- covery. As it will be a matter of inquiry, and new to rrie, will thank you to let me know by the bearer what will 1)6 the necessary steps for me to take — and not fail, as i have but little hopes of his continuing until mornin?. Yours, kc. W. HATES." The return of the bearer bhought the follow- ing answer : "SAt.\T JoHW, Sept. ei. "Dear Pii;. — Vour favour of yesterday I received this inoriiinir, a/id am snvrj tfi hear so dt spondiiig an ac- count of the unfortunate man in your custody. !t will be your duty, I <:onceive, immediately to have a Coro- ner's imiuest on the body, aiid llien cause it to be decently interred. With respect lo tl.u churjc of the cause of tli'o '* --■ii»aife».«^.i.^« ■ ■ M W ''■ r t ,-* ; that most of his con- »vay, and Uial he could ch would probably come ie time next day ; that ut God would have hirn ; go lu prayer, which he ittended with solemnity r watchers, but it was •to leave him alone this and Charles Chambeau sherifl' to watch with ; letter was written by led by Mr. Raymond, ler's attorney : shall be disappointed in our : prisoner, Moni? Smith, 1 presumo he. will be remo- nc. lie is dying in conse- ijved (as he says) from Mr. e has resiularly coniplaiiied nd is now thought past re- ttor of inquiry, and new to p know by the bearer what me to take — and not fail, continuing until nioniin?. W. HATES." rer brought the ibllow- Saiivt John, Sept. 'it. jr of yesterday [ received hear so tii spondiiig an ae- in your custody. !t will Tiediately to have a Coro- tlu'ri cause it to be decently L- charge of the cause of IIim 26 «J-ail., ti.ati.su cir.nm.tance which u,u,i „ aI nt.>,IIVci. the facU. 1. uny P|,y,|cian .'.dl attend hn... h-, hi^ he an cular u. takm.down iu writia, what ih.- ,uuu says " his l.ist momeuls as to the circnmslance'^-und if a Jus- tice should he prcf enl it would ii.,t be amiss. lu haste, Yours sintcrely, W. Bates, Esq." Saturday, Sept. 'JJtIi, the w,,lr,l,rr., icport'^d that he had passed a very reitless night, and but just survived the morning. The following note was then sent to the idiysidan who had attend- ed hiin : « n-. 1^ ." K'N03To.^, Sept. .M, 1814. Dear Doctor,— rs,„,(h, tl,e prisoner, says that he win"f^'T"'-l"",'^-"' "''"'♦'''i^'^'='»^i'''ai..e, w,d (hat vou xvill not attend him unless he can be removed into aXo- therroom, which cannot be permlttc.l, but li<; must fake •lis late, and il he, du s in iraol an iii(|.,iry will take ph.. e which may prove to your disadvantage. 1 must there- lore request your attention. 1 ain truly ycmrs, &c. w n Dr. A. Paduoc Kj Jun." " ' At this til! the compas.sion of the whole neighbourhoo. was very strongly excited, es- Jiecially that lu (he family of Mr, «covil, who sent hiin any ihinj; he wanted lor his comfort as did al.so Mr. Perkins' and Mr. Hayn.otidS tamilies. who were near. Mv. reikin,.^ vi,,,^^. him about 10 o'clock, and kindly oifered to watch with him that nit;ht. for wiiid. he aiioear- ed very thankful. About h o'clock the Doctor attended him, and gave him some medicine— I^uikI him so we.'k that he was obliged to have him lilted up to give him his medicin. , and to all. human ojipearance he was unable lo hclr< I ,•■■' 26 hiinfcllin the least ; but the Doctor suid he Jid not think him so near his end as to die belore morning, unless he went off in a fit. He was Ibon left to himself, with a probable expecta- tion that he would shortly be taken with ano- thtr fit. and would undoubtedly expire. About f! o'clock in the evening the Rev. Mr. Scovil obsorvod to his family that it was about the tune that Snu-.b had bis fit yesterday, that he thought it pn^bab'e he would die suddenly, and that he would waltv over to Mr. Dibbiee, at the gaol, and be rradv there at the time, as it would be un'ploar..ut to him to be alone. This so much raised the sensibility of Madam Scovil, s.ie could no* bear the rrllection that a child, perhaps, ot respL'i.Me narents, should lie so near to her, in a sUan-« countrv, and die upon a bed of straw _c,„ calling btr wench Jimy, here, ;«aid she, t-ko this feather bed and carry it to the gaol, a,ia tell your master I have sent it for Smith To uie on. Mr. bcovil had not been in the house and set down with Mr. Dibbiee but a few mi- nutes, when u noisQ was heard from Smith m the caol— John Dibbiee. who constantly attend- ed him, r..n i.i i-aste. unlocked the prison door, and found Smith expiring, his feet and legs cold to his knees, and in great pain— lile begged ot John to run and heat a brick that was near, to give one moment's relief while he ^^ as dying. John, of course, ran in haste from the gaol, round the stairway, through a passage that led to tlie kitchen, where was a large lire of coals, into Tvhich he put the brick, waited not more than "l^ 26 ul the Doctor Sitid he did his end as to die before ent off in a fit. He was ith a probable expecta- jrlly be taken with ano- loubtcdly expire. About ing the Rev. Mr. ScotiI lliat it was about the time rcsterday, that he thought die suddenly, and that he [r. Dibblee, at the gaol, I the time, as it would be be alone. This so much •t Madam Scovil, she could 1 that a child, perhaps, of should lie so near to her, ind die upon a bed of straw h fimy, here, L«aid she, and carry it to the gaol, I have sent it for Smith To had not been in the house Ir. Dibblee but a few ini- ivas heard from Smith in lee. who constantly attend- unlocked the prison door, liing, his feet and legs cold great pain— lile begged of [a brick that was near, to elief wiiile he xs as dying, nhasti; from the gaol, round h a passage that led to the a large lire of coals, into ick, waited not more than T. three mintilc.s, and returned with ii w.irnicd, but to his indescribable aslonislunent FOUND NO ONi: IN Till-: 1U:D. Ue TAn with the tidin;.;s to his father and the Rev. Mr. Scovil, (who.wcre silting in a room by which he !nu<:t have passed to go out) who could not believe the report, until they had examined and found that not only the man uas i^onc, but every thing ht had ill the room was taken mvoy with hiii,. — On going out and looking round the house for him, Mr. Scovil met Amy wilh the feather bed, who said to him, Misses send the bed for Smit — Her master told her to take it home, and tell her mistress Smith was gone. Amy ran home and told her mistress, M.issasay Smit gone ; he noj||ant cm bed — Ah ! exclaimed her mi>tress, poor man ! is he dead : Well, Amy, then you may run and carry over a shirt and a winding sheet to lay Smith out in. Amy ran over and told her master accordingly — Vou may take them back, said he, Smith is gone — Where he gone, massa ? I don't know, said he, without the devil has taken him oil' — So great was his astonishment at the deception. In the mean time the alarm spread in tlip neighborhood, and a Mr. Yandle, who hii['penvd to be passing, was senl wilh Ihe tidings lo the Sherifl", wliom he met on his way to tlie gaol, to see the last moinenis of Sinilii. being told (hat Smith was gone — roor f..;llow ! said he, I expected it ; what liino did lie die .' — But he is gone off' clear ! — It is i!npossil)le he cm be- far out of bed. Why, s.iij Mr. Vandle, on paoS ' g'yii'f'" a u ing, I saw them all out about the gaol lookini; for him, and no one could tell which way he had gone. Unparalleled and abominable de- ception ! — How did he get out •f gaol ? He be- lieved John Dibblee left the door open/ and while he was gone to heat a brick, Smith made his escape. This was our first introduction t<« the true character of Henry More Smith ; and it is impossible to express, or even to conceive, with what wonderful plausibility he imposed a feigned illness upon all who saw him as a pro- found reality. In order to explain his furl!ier progress the reader should have some knowledge of the coun- try. Kii\(iSTON is situated on a neck or tongullof land, formed by the long reach of the river St. .John and Bellisle Bay, running north east and south west, on the east side — and by the river Kennebeccacis running the same course on the west side, and emptying into the Grand Bay of the river St. John, about five miles from its mouth — leaving a tract ol land between the two rivers, of about five miles in width, and up- wards of thirty miles in length. The winter road by ice, from Frederickton (the seat of gov- ernment) to the city St. John, crosses the land to the Kennebeccacis, and is inhabited on both sides. This road is intersected in the centre by another, running north east, about seven miles, and 'hence branching easterly, crossing the Kennebeccacisat the distanceof thirty miles, Icadjno- through the conntv of Westmoreland, i >j | mt^ iip4 m - » ' ' "yjiW- the gaol luokin>; I wliich way he 1 abominable de- af gaol ? llfbe- ! door open/ and rick, Sniilii made t introduction to tfore Smith ; and even to conceive, ily he imposed a i\v him as a pro- her progress the ledge of the coun- eck or tonguilof li of the river St. ng north east and -and by the river ne course on tlic he Grand Bay of ve miles from its 1 between the two width, and up- jth. The winter 1 (the seat of gov- crosses the land inhabited on both ted in the centre ast, about seven easterly, crossing ice of thirty mile?, if Westmoreland, -■'.■'W '.?" 29 . I.r.yiiug the Lay of Fundy at Cumberland; am leading from thence, by dKTen.nt mads, to Halilax, I'ictou and every part of Nova-Siolia The western branch of ssid road runnins uorth- erly to (he head of L'.IJisle Bay. thence to the Wasliadamoac lake crossing the ferry, from thence to the. Jemsag Creek, and tlience to Fred- ericktolPby land, through MaUgerville, on the east side of the river St. John. At the inter- section of these roads, on an eminence, stand the Church and the Court-House, (under which IS the prison) fronting each other. There is also a road running north west, and south east, troin the gaol, leading westerly to Bellisle Bay crossing a ferry at the distance of five miles • thence to a short ferry at Tenant's Cove, thencJ to the ferry crossing the river St. John ; and Irom thence through Gagetown, on the west side the river, to Frederickton, distant sixty miles :— the said road leading southeasterly from the gaol" to the ferry over the Kennebecca- cis ; and troai tiieiice on the west side of the river to the city St. John. The house of Mr. t. Newman Perkins, stands northerly at the distance of ten rods from the gaol—at ^n equal oistance southerly, the iiouse of the Rev. E. Wil, and other houses in ditFereiit directions —the land all clear, and no shelter for a consid- erable distance, but fences. From this situation the prisoner escaped wilh- c'lt any track or trace of him being discovered. After searching the fences and fields, and /ind- itig nothing of him, it was conclu led tiut he ^ «iMta*^ J 30 had eonei-ithrr toward St. John, or on the roa J to Nova.Sco.i., by which he came According- ly men were sent to the ftrry. and on the road Saint John- -and myself, w,th Mr. Moses Fos- ter deputy ^icriii; pursued on the road toward No'va-Scotia, withal! speed ; setting watchers m different places, until we were «tns.ble we mus have passed him ; and arriving at a hdfte that he could not pass without coming very near, we wa ched fol him all night. At daybreak, "aring nothing of him I furnished Mr^Foster with money and sent him on the road, with di- ;« ol to"^ proceed to Mr. M'Leods tavern distant 40 miJes, and if he got "« .'"'«»'f "^^ there, to return. I returned to Kingston my- self, whore 1 was informed, toward evening that a man who answered his description, had crossed the ferry at Bellisle Bay, in great haste said he was going express to Frederickton. and mu^t he there by ten o'clock next morning ; and 1 had no doubt he was the man. ^It was now Sun- day evening : he had twenty-four hours start, ISpin. fo? life, had got out of the County, and no h..pcs remained with me of apprehend- in. him-l, however, forwarded advertise- „.cnls after hi:n. cf.eru.g a reward of t went) dollars, to ; uy one who would apprehend, and brln-' him back. „ Wondn- mor.int;. the 2Cth, Mr. Moses Fos- ter rHurncd, of course, without success; ami many tafavorable reports began to c.rculat respccn^ his e3cape-and I telt "'Pelf "«t^, Uttle chagrined with my situation. A Court oi ..jkijiik. •iiijiiJffir.M>iitei"i '• - Oyei bavii from Cour cial wholi cessa my reodi »ng. I viijaii ting bad c first r some BoyI« he la^ the d; going and n open eight pania cles ; sloppi house not gt dark- house be th( pursui the ro to OV( ) St. John, or on tlie roaJ ii he caiiif. According- ftrry, and on the road ;lf, with Mr. Moses Fos- ued on the road toward eed ; setting w atchers in e were sensible we must irriving at a hdfce that hout coming very near, night. At day-break, 1 furnished Mr. Foster m on the road, with di- ) Mr. M'Leod's tavern, r he got no intelligence urned to Kingston my- rmed, toward evening, ed his description, had lisle Bay, in great haste ; ess to Frederickton, and clock next morning ; and eman. ItwasnowSun- wenty-four hours start, got out of the County, I with me of apprehend- , forwiirded advertise- ijig a reward of twenty L> would apprehend, and e 26th, Mr. Moses Fos- e, without success; am! )orts began to circulate -and I felt myself not :i ly situation. A Court ol ^1 Oyer and Terminer ?nd General Gaol Deliv«:ry having been ordered, and the Jury summonjd from all parts of the County, to attend at the Cuurt-House on Tuesday following, for the spe- cial purpose of trying the horse stealer, my whole attention was roijuirtd to make the •:".- cessary preparations ; and addcd,not a little to my chagrin and disappointment — which was rendered still greater wlien, on Tuesday morn- ing, I was informed by Mr. E. Jones, that the villain, instead of escaping for his life, and get- ting out of my reach in the most secret manner, had only travelled abo«t ten or twelve miles the first night, and was seen next morning lyins; on some straw before the barn of Mr. Robert Boyle, on the road toward Gagclown ; and that he lay there until about twelve o'clock in the the day — and seeing Mr. Boyle and his wife, going from hoaie, leaving the door unlocked, and no person in the bouse, he went in, broi.e open a trunk, and carried off a silver watch, eight dollars in money, a now pair of velvet pantaloons atjd a pocket book, with other n''- ties ; that he then walked leisurely away, and slopped in at the next house, and at all tho houses that were hear upon the road, and did not get more than three or foar miles before •lark — when Mr. Boyle came home, found his house had been robbed, and suspected him (.> be the man. He alarmed his neighbours, who pursued him in great spirit, hearing of him on the road but little ahead of them, and expectinr^ to overtake him in a few mimics; but were '4 W f . ' ' taftr •"P" 32 ilisappointcd, as he disappparcd from the roncl, nnd no I'lirlln'i- track or infonnation could br foiiiul, !ind after the most diligent search nnd |iursuit as far as Gagetown, they returned the next day without any intelligence, leaving ad- vertisements at Gagetown and Frederickton, descrihing the man and the watch. Laic on Sunday night, a man came to Ihe house of Mr. Green, liting on an island, at the mouth of the Washedentoac lake, who said he was a Frenchman, goin:; to Fredtrckton after laud, and cann- in to intjuire the way — Mr. Green informed him he was on an island, and he might stay till mornmg. and then he would put him in his way ; made up a large fire, by which the man examined his pocket hook, and was seen to burn several papers, and at last, threw the book ii.to the fire and burned it up . which caused a strong suspicion in Mr. Green. it being in time of war, that he must be a bad character ; and in the morning he took hirn in his canoe, and paddled him directly to Justice Colwell. a ueighboring magistrate, to give ac- count of himself — where, on examination, he answered with so much simplicity, that the ju!^- tice could find nothing; that would justify di- taining him ; and appeared so inoffensive, that there could be no harm in him ; and in consc- quonce, let him go. He went to an Indiaw Cauip, and hired an Indian to take him, (as Ik said) to Frederickton ; — but crossing the river he went to Mr. Nathaniel Veal's tavern, ni. CrimrossNeck, nearly opposite Gagctowi, ant. tli< br til) o'« tC! Ml sin Wf At wi bri tra cai we Co ide ing stu Fr. the he( the fra wc lull coil the sus niv the MAI mUtm ' .^' ll < ,,i ; I., r-nil'g <''■<'>.% B j WHUi i ' WMj)Wf. i' Wn afWiiB~ -i i' vu ii » p j,i, i > ii'» m m. ' p pea red from the road, r iiifonnation could be est diligent pearrh and wn, they returned the ntelligencp, leavinj; ad- wn and Frederickton, the watch. lit, a man came to ihe ing on an island, at the ntoac lake, vho said he i;j to FredtT'ckton after in(|uire the nay — Mr. p was on an island, and ling, and then he would ade up a large fire, hj d his pocket hook, and rai papers, and at last. tire and burned it up . suspicion in Mr. Green. that he must be a bad morning lie took hirn in d him directly to Justice magistrate, to give ai- e. on examination, he simplicity, that the jus- tbat would justify dt;- ired so inoffensive, that in him ; and in consc- He went to an Indian Jian to take him, (as Ik — but crossing the river aniel Veal's tavern, ni. opposite Gagctown. ant^ 53 the wind blowing hard ahead, he called for breakfast for himsflf and his Indian ; staid some- time ; bad his In.ots cleaned ; and about eleven o'clock left t:iere, taking with him a set of silver tea-spoons, from a bye closet in the parlor of Mrs. Veal, and nothing hiid been heard of him since. Four men, with my advertisements, went in pursuit of him. About eleven o'clock, Tuesday morning, the Attorney General arrived from" Frederickton. with very unfavorable impressions on his mind ; bringing information, that the prisoner was still traversing along shore, stealing wherever he came, and was not apprehended. The Jury als.. were collecting from diilerent parishes in the County, and brought with them imfavorable ideas, from the reports in circulation, respect- ing the escape — Among which, was a report studiously circulated, that the prisoner was a Freemason, and it was believed by some that the Masons had contrived to let him escape, because he was one of their order — Mr. Dibblee, the gaoler, being a conspicuous member of that fraternity. The public mind became so prejudiced, that we could say nothing in our own justification, luit the (ilea of his deceptio,n, which no one could believe, except those who saw it, and as the prisoner escaped through the door, strong suspicion was entertained of a voluntary con- nivance at Jiis escape. Wilh such impression the Court assembled. His Honor Judge Chip- man presided. I Lad strtngly hoped and ex- '\ ^- 54 Bfctcd that tlin prisoner would be a|)pr<.'iicnd- ed, and biouKbt before Ibe Court, as be was jiursued in all directions. After tbe Grand Ju- ry were iuipannelled and sworn, tbe Court ad- journod until eleven o'clock next day, waiting tbe return of tbe prisoner— to liasten wbicb, 1 desp::tcb("d Mr. IJcnjamin Furnald, with a boat, and directions to pursue bim as far as be could hearof bini, until lie brouirbt bim back. Wednesday tbe Court met, and went toother business— beard nolliing: of the prisoner— In tbe afternoon, Mr. .^ohn I'.'^arson, witness against the prisoner, arriw d from Nova-Scolia, a dis- tance of aCOmii.s— 'I'ovrrd evening, rcport.s began to circulate that the horse stealer bad evaded all his pursuers, and had dis:ip['e..red. No account could he heard [lom him up the river St. John, and slroiij; suspicion was bad, that he was making liis way hack for Nova-Scotia — and it was also reported that a man had been seen crossing the AVaslic denioac to liellisle Bay with an Indian ; hut nothing to be relied on. The Court rdjourned until next morning at ten o'- clock. • Notbiii >re was heard until Thursday, early in the n-orning, whcaMr. B. Furnald n-turiied> find reported,' that he got tncU of the prisoner, nnd pursued him through Maugerville ; that he lodged the night before be arrived at Mr. Solo- mon Fcarley's, and stole a pair of new hoots; had olTered the £[)0()ns for sale to Mr. Pearley ; that be then walked upas far as Mr. Hailey'* tavern, wbon^ he stopped so»i«. time, and from tf C( d ]i %' h< ir b ol g tl K ti ir o tl P tl \t( w tl S h tl t( c tl b r( ti c S irould be apprchcnii- e Court, as lie was After the Grand Ju- vvorn, the Court aJ- k. next day, waiting -to hasten which, 1 I'-urnald, with a boat, iin as far as he could it him back, pt, atid wt be detained .; but if ses and make himself icurred by his deten- ction to stop till he kton — otherwise, he welve days, and by isfied, and he would eturn. He appeared erned, and talked so ing one sign of guilt, kept the watch as a gh the settlement of tp the road that leads tt ; being near night, of whom he inquired , as he could tiut get the distance being 12 d gone on before him, I States, and he fear- in the morning, and short time afttr they ,39 parted, that two young men arrived there from the settlement ; being asTicd if they met two men on the road, ttiey stid no. It was then susp'xt- ed that Smith was a deserter. They turned a- bout and pursued after him to the American side, but found nothing of him. The day fol- lowing, Mr. Foster and Mr. Deforest arrived at Woodstock, and went on to the American settle- ment, but could hear nothing of him. They in- formed the inhabitants of the character of Smith, described him, and offered a reward of £-0. The people seemed well disposed, and promis- ed, if Le caiiii^ ilia! way, to aecuic Iiiiii. Messrs. F. and D. then returned to the river St. John, and again got track of the prisoner — found he had crossed the river, stopped at sev- eral houses for refreshment, and called himself Bond ; enquired after a thief that had broke gaol at Kingston ; said he was a notorious vil- lain, that he would certainly be hanged, if tak- en, an(' that he was in pursuit of him. They traced him down the river to an Indian camp, where they found he had agreed with an Indian to pilot him through the woods to the U. States by the way of Ell River, a rout frequently tra- velled, and had finally escaped ; upon which they thought proper to return, and make their, report. It appeared afterwards, that the Indian, after travelling a day or two on his rout through the woods, piobably finding that his jouiney would not be very profitable, and discovering Smith to have a pistol, began to*be jealous of him, re- I ^mmiii 4 40 fused to pilot liim any further, gave him back part of his money, and returned. Smith, of course, was obliged fo return wiih him, and try his chance the other way, by the American set- tlement, where ht arrived about the 10th of October, in the morning, said he was in pursuit of a deserter, and wanted some refreshment — While his breakfast was preparing, notice was given among the inhabitants, when Dr. Rice, a principal character ther'!, caused him to beta- ken and secured. The clothes he had^ stolen from Mr. Ingrabam he had oh, except the pan- taloons, which he had exchanged for a pistol- He said he purchased the clothes, very cheap, of a man who, he believed, was a Yankey. — He was then placed in charge of Mr. A. Putnam and a Mr. Watson of Woodstock, and ordered back to Frederickton. On their way they stop- ped with the prisoner at the Attorney -General's, about three miles from Frederickton, and then proceeded into town, where the Supreme Court was then sitting. He was brought before the Court, and u large number of spectators. The Hon. Judge Sanders asked him his name — he sail!, Smilli. Are you the man that escaped from the gaol at Kingston ? — Yes. He was theu ordered to prison. Being asked how he made his escape, he said, the gaoler opened the door, and the priest prayed him out. The day fol- lowing he was remanded to Kingston gaol Putnam and Watson sat out with him in an In- dian bark canoe, one sitting at each end — He was haiidcuSTecl, pinioned, and tied.to a bar of the ( to V they site watc toK Boy] iiig I; befoi and J sone to S( side leav( thef to th gott any his a holdi tliey seize his h the I his on. T rrad( ingi atK with Job I "Wn WJf l ^-l l H.' - rther, gave him back returned. Smith, of turn wi^h him, and try , by the American sei- zed about the lOtb of said he was in pursuit d some refreshment — preparing, noticu was ints, when Dr. Rice, a , caused him to be ta- clotfaes he had^ stolen id OH, except the paa- icchanged for a pistol — '■ B clothes, very cheap, ved, was a Yankey. — large of Mr. A. Putnam jodstock, and ordered 3a their way they stop- he Attorney -General's, i'rederickton, and then icrc the Supreme Court as brought before the er of spectators. The sked him his name — he the man that escaped 1 ? — Fes. He was theu ng asked bow he made gaoler opened the door, 'm out. The day fol- d to Kingston gaol' - out with him in an In- itting at each end — He i, and tied, to a bar of 41 the canoe, in the centre. They were obliged to watch l)im the first night. The next day they arrived at the house of Mr. Boyle, oppo- site Spoon Island, where he had stolen the watch, &.C. It was near night, and the passage to Kingston difficult — They being strangers, Mr. Boyle told them if they would stop till morn- ing he would pilot then* down — They accord- ingly stopped, and having been up all the night before, Mr. B. said they had better lie down and get some rest, and he would watch the pri- soner with bis family. Smith enquired the way to St. John, if there were any ferries on this side the river, &,c. and asked for a blanket and luav»i to lie down — Mrs. B. made him a bed on the floor — He then said he had occasion to go to the door — and Mr. B. awaked Watson, who got up to attend him — Smith told him, if he had any apprehensions, he had better tie a rope to his arm, which he did, above the handcull's, and holding the other end wound round his hand, they went out — In an unwary moment, Smith seized the opportunity, knocked him down with his handcufls, and wen^ off, leaving the rope in the hand of Watson, having slipped it off from his own hand, tied the same as it was put on. The night being very dark, no discovery was rrade which way he escaped. The next morn- ing was rainy — Mr. Putnam came to tlie sheriff at Kingston with the report, who supplied him with money, and he went in pursuit toward St, John by theLpng p.each. The sheriff, with 4 1 -smam 4e ttvo men, proceeded to Boyles'— found lie had taken the rout toward Frederickton — had cross- ed the Oaknabock Lake the first ni<;ht in haste ; jaid he was going to purchase land, and had ai^reed wfth Putnam and Watson, who had gone to Kingston uith the tisf, to take him up in their canoe on their return, and was to meet tiiem at the intervale above early next morning. We had then no doubt he was making his way to the Oromucto. the only remaining passage to the United States. Watson had gone in pursuit that way. Being informed that a canoe had been taken fiom the shore above where he had ■ crossed the Lake, and was found on the shore of the Bellisle, it was again suggested that he had made his way toward Nova-Scotia on that rout, as if was thought he would not return to Fred- erickton, where he was known. Pursuit -m'ss xnadc that way, but we found no trace of him. Nothing more was heard of our adv 'jret until about the 26th of October, when n was found that, instead of going off, he had made his way direct to Frederickton. The first day after his escape, being wet and cold, he came to a small house, in a bye place, where no one lived. An old man. named Wicks, and his son, were there at work, repairing the house and get- ting in some potatoes. He came in, wet, cold and hungry. Wicks told him he did not lodge there, but if he would go with him to the next house he could stay all night. He replied that he must go 8 or 10 miles further tliat night, and went away, as did Wicks and his son. The next I back wood seen t ton. Mr. V and f sprint whole manii dcnso ry his Withi Pattei or ho himse hay, iiig t! into t crty. CO nun he de Gcnei acqua He ai ninsj, boldlj pany' mil h Ins re (if v.h coats. and o » Boyles'— found lie had ''rederickton — had cross- e the first ni<;ht in hasto ; purchase land, and had d Watson, who had gone lif, to take him up in (turn, and was to meet bove early next mornin;;, he was making his way nly remaining passsige to atson had gone in pursuit rmed that a canoe had lore above where he had was found on the shore of in suggested that he had Nova-Scotia on that rout, ould not return to Fred- as known. Pursuit -Mas \ found no trace of him. heard of our adv 'jrev of October, when ii was going off, he had made lerickton. The first day 5 wet and cold, he came )ye place, where no one amed Wicks, and his son, pairing the house and get- He came in, wet, cold old him he did not lodge I go with him to the next I night. He replied that es further tliat night, and Vicks and his son. The next morning t was found Smith had turned back and staid ail night ; had liirnt all the wood ; roasted a parcel of potatot-s, and was seen at day light, travelling low.rd Frederick- ton. The next night he came to rlie house of a Mr. Wilmot, where, it appeared, he went in, and finding a washing of linen clothes, just sprinkled Tor ironing, he made seizure of the whole, together with a coat belonging to a young man in the bouse, and finding them rather bur- densome, took a horse, saddle and bridle, to car- ry his load, and proceeded on his journey. Within two miles of Fredcrickton lived Jack Patterson, a mulatto man, who had a barrack or hovel full of Hay — Here Smith concealed himself and his booty, giving his horse some hay, and letting him run upon the common dur- ing the day, at night catching him and riding into town in the full fruition of unrestrained lib- erty. Thus he continued for several days, committing frequent depredations. At length he determined to pay a visit to the Attorney- General, about three miles above, where he was acquainted, iMving stopt there on his way down. He arrived between 8 and 9 o'clock in the eve- ninsj, and knowing the form of the house, went boldly into the hall. There being much com- pany in at the lime, his modc^ v would not per- mit him to intrude amongst tliem, but he paid Ins respects to their loose garments, the whole {if v.hich he carried otf, consisting of five great- coats, three plaid cloaks, tippets, comforters, Slid otiier articles. He returned through th« M<" W H M y i i pW ' lJl W 'I .i^ < » «, «W I . .-Wf W ■ I fll^ J 'IRJHW' '(- 44 town to liis Joposit. Having made a fine booty at the Attorney General's, he ga\ e his horse a lar^e allowance of hay, that he might the more willingly stay by him for the next night's ser- vice ; but, unfortunately for him, his generosi- ty to his horse, led to his discovery. The ne- gro seeing the hay lying in an unusual manner out of Ihe window of bis barrack, supposed that some person had been in to sleep ; and going in, found Smith lying in the hay, with a white comforter or tippet about his neck, and seeing him a stranger, asked him where he came from : he said, from the Kennebeccasis, and was go- ing after land, had got belated, and bad slept in his hay ; he hoped it was no harm — but on the negro going to the house. Smith slipped out of the window and made toward the woods — The mulatto supposing him a deserter, called for iielp, and soon apprehended him, as ho did not appear to make much exertion to escape. It was soon discovered who he was, and he was committed to gaol at Frederickton. The mulat- to not finding the tippet with him that he saw about his neck, was induced to look in the bay for it, and thus discovered Ihe secret deposit, , which contained* all the articles mentioned, and many more, which the owners had Ihe good for- tune to recover, JJe gave them no satisfaction ; said a soldier brought them there in the night, and rode a little black horse, and lelt the saddle and bridle. He was then ordered to be taken by the Sheriff of York, and safely delivered to the ID an on fa; hii tei on ho ha oa ini mi tk< po UK thi th< thi in wl COi tlu fvc S's \\\ no ma he ce; Fn t -f-"^ '- J l I l i !» MH aving made a fine booty il's, he ga\ e his horse a thnt he might the more for the next night's scr- f for him, his generosi- is discovery. The ne- ; in an unusual manner 1 barrack, supposed that in to sleep ; and going I the hay, with a white It his neck, and seeing m where he came from : sbeccasis, and was go- slated, and had slept in as no harm — but on the I, Smith slipped out ot oward the woods — The a deserter, called for ided him, as ho did not exertion to escape. It o he was, and he was derickton. The mulat- wilh him that he saw need to look in the bay ;red the secret deposit, articles mentioned, and wners had liie s^ood for- ve them no satisfaction ; lem there in the night, jfse, and left the saddle (d to 1)6 taken by the afely delivered to the id Sheriff in the gaol of King's County. Accord- ingly, the Sheriff prepared for his safe convey- ance, an iron collar made of a tiat bar of iron, one inch and a half wide, with a hinge and claspv fastened with a padlock, which be put around his neck, with a chain about ten feet long fas- tened to it ; put a strong pair of handcuffs up- on his han^s ; and with the negro Patterson holding the chain (^after $earching to tee that he had no saw* or other in$trvmentt about him,) sat off with him on board a sloop, and the wind be- ing favorable, arrived safe at Kingston, sixty miles distant, about 12 o'clock, on the night of tie 30th October, 1814. He appeared as com- posed as if nothing bad happened. The next morning we took him to the gaol, where he was the first man that entered, knowing perfectly the way. The room had been swept clean of every thing, and searched' closely after his escape ; in doi^iyirhich, we found the remains of several wheelsWa watch, the barrel in particular, that contained the main-spring, which convinced us thai he had procured it while he w

'=^lV''"^i;tilV until a Court would be^of|»red for tis trial, without any material difficulty. On the twelfth day, alter his confinement, was informed that Mr. Newm.n Perkins heard I (I amigimiiimmimk ».||'r«ii»ii«»%i •t^ota dua 48 a strangr noise in the ni^hJ, wl.iel. induced him 'o believe that Smith was at work at thegra^" -On enqu.ry, Mrs. Pericins said she had C a no,se.|ilce rubhing or filing late „ the nil, "•ought she drscovered it to be at the saol «^l..ch appeared to me altogether in.probaWe ^^possibility of his having any thing to work w tb. I went immediately to the gaSl-MoTos Dih T' '"^K '^»^°'°"«, wliieii induced him at work at tlie grates ins said siie had beard ing late in the night. It of the window, she ' to be at the gaol ; Ojielher improbable, he prisoner, and the ; any thing to work ' to the gaol — Mosos Allen Baston, Mr. rith me— it was then r three candles — the went in, and found lained, just as I left '. you have not got not q. ite. [ then ;rates, as strictly as one present, again sfied the alarm must 5 quiet, answering J I'im. Mr. Allen searching theinner rved by all, a small >t bars of the outer n there accidental- satisfied in viewing led him to reach on one of the outer erceived it to hang rther examination, r the grate cut one h the feather edge 49 of tile chip, which .istonishcil all present, know- ing it could not be done without fintt getting through the inner grates ; on proving tvhicli, we soon found that he had so neatly cut one of the bars, that he could take it out and replace it, n\ his pleasure, and conceal it in such a way, that it could not be observed ; and would undoubt- edly have completed his escape in two or three nights more. I then asked him what he cut the grate with ; he answered with indi^ercncc, with this saw and thisjile ; and without any hesi- tation, handed to me out of his birth, a case knife, steel blade, cut in fine teeth very neatly, and a common hand-saw file. 1 then .-* cl him how he got to the grates, and whetin ihe had slipped the shackle off his foot — He said No, he had cut the chain ; and calmly shewed me where be had cut the chain in the joint of the links, where it could not be readily discovered. ( tlii:n asked him where he got his tools — he said he left them when he went away from here ; and that they were all the tools he had — but we perceived from the shape of Ihe knife, lining so much thicker on the back than the edge, tliat the bars were qever cut so nicely without some other tool ; and on a strict search, we found in a broken place of the wall, near the .<;r.ites, a neat watch-spring saw, with a string at one end. I asked bim who gave him those tools ; with great indifierence he answered, yoti need not auk me that agaifi,for I never mil tell you. ^ I then rynewcd the chain to his leg, put the 4 ' "•^- •'•■'• -^- *ft^i r ■"-Uriai "*•»*■ ',:'»?^,' m [ lion collar about his neck, and stapled the chain to the lloor, with a heavy pair of handcuffs, with 7-H bolt, on his wrists, all of which he re- ceived very willingly. After searching his bed. and clothes, we le#t him, on Saturday niglit about eleven o'clock. Sunday, at four o'clock, I was at the gaol; the gaoler informed me he was lying in his birth, with all his irons on, had been enquiring if the Sheriflf was not coming to examin9.his chains. About twelve '>'<:lock the same night, I was alarmed by a n... i sent by the gaoler, informing me, that Smith had got loose from all his irons, had got through the in- ner grate, was clotting the outer grate, and bail nearly escaped. By the vigilance and attention of Mr. Dibblee, the gaoler, be was discove»ed to be at work, about ten o'clock at night ; who, by silently moving towards the prison, got to the dooru,idiscovered, and with a candle at the end of a stick of a yard long, in an instant open- ed the wicket doer and shoved the light itlto the gaol, while Smith was yet at work ; the gaoler ordered him to leave every thing, and go to his birth ; he very calmly complied ; but returned suddenly to the grates, which were in a situa- tion out of the sight of the gaoler, and then went quickly to the necessary, and threw something down, which the gaoler heard, and then w«otto lii& oed ; the gaoler watthing him until the Sher- iff came. On going into the gaol, I found he had extri- cated himself from all bis irons, had got through tlie inner grates, with all lis clothes, and was hai his Sni doi doi cai dh exi be re I joi loi ha ail sc toi da in en bi in w tr th re b( w hi h ,ifi#.A-i I !-> >-JL PJJUfK'ip^' i, and stapled the chain ,vy pair of handcuffs, sts, all of which he re- After searching his bed. n, on Saturday night unday, at four o'clock, aoler informed me he th all his irons on, had eriflf was not coming to out twelve o'clock the ned by a n... i sent by ;, that Smith had got had got through the in- le outer grate, and had vigilance and attention ler, be was discove»ed o'clock at night ; who, irds the prison, got to nd with a candle at the ong, in an instant open- hoved the light into the et at work ; the gaoler ery thing, and go to his omplied ; but returned which were in a situa- e gaoler, and then went , and threw something heard, and then went to ;hing him until the Sher- 1, 1 found he had extri- i irons, had got thiough ill liis clothes, and wa» 51 in the act of cutting the outer grates, which he had cut two thirds off, and would have effected his escape before day light. I said to him, Smith, you keep at work ; he said that he had done work now ; and that ^11 his tools were down the neceisary— which, by letting down a" candle, was strictly seaiched, but nothing was discovered. He was then stript of every rag of clothing, except his shirt, which were searched,gfevery hem and seam ; his birth knocked all in^ieces. removed out of the gaol, and searched in every- joint and tplit, and the room swept critically, "for watch-spring saws, which we suspected he had ; but discovered none — We then replaced all bis chains with padlocks, put on a pair of screw handcuffs, wliich confined his hands c^e together ; and left him, at foHr o'clock on flJoS- day morning. ; On Monday, Mr. John Jarvis, blacksmith, "^d mended the grates, and came to put them in. We found.Smith lying on the floor, appar- ently in the same situation that we had left him ; but ou examining his handcuffs, found them cut in two, and that he could put them oR and ou when he pleased. Being asked why he des- troyed his handcuffs ; he said they were so stiff thatjgpbody could wear them. No dp^bt then remained that be must have saws concjealed a- bout his body. Doctor Paddock being present, was requested to examine him. He stript off his clothes without any reluctance, and on tak- ing off his shirt, Jhe Doctor discovered a mus- "«'ty .i .«5 iK. . ^J» 4.*^ J. :j..., r».»i K tiriTir>IM»»l>» II lii > II IHII 52 Jill strip, tied about his thigh, close to his bod^r, so hard that it could not be discoversfd by rub- bing the hand over it, w^hich concealed on the inside of hiaP" left thigh, a fine steel saw plate, two inches wide, and ten inches long, with teeth *tut on both edges ; no doubt of his own make. After this discovery, wc put on him a light pair of handcuffs, and secured his chains with pad- locks, and set four men to watch him the whole night% ThOThext day Tbad the inner grate secured with bard bricks, filling the squares of the grates, and wedging them hehind ; and the space be- tween the grates was filled !ioIid with brick, 'line and sand, leaving only one aperture at the :ipper corner, five by four inches, with a square o||ttiss plastered with lime iA -!.►. .niddle, there bflhg glass also in the sash without, which pre- vented all possible conveyance to him undiscov- ired. This aperture through a wall three fe< thick, conveyed little or no light, and left tU, com a complete dungeon, so that he could not oe discovered from the door at any time of day without a candle ; and we never afier went in- to the gaol without two candles, and three or four men. On the 13th Nov. I addressed a letter to Judge Chiproan, and received the folloniuff^an- swer ! * W r*^ „ , , Sr. JoHH, Niv. 14, 1814. UBAii hi«— I have receivedjrour letter of yesteldny'A f»te, relating to the new attempt of H. M. Si„ith to iA "ftPC-^J have forwarded the »amc to Frrdcrirkton. f soon I '•IlinfC Nova bfifon eilant liim; itythi pose. \ w< and f the pi bad b to hat he w would shouli I t as pos well cbai :hain hack! lis hai 11 le H ithou he b them, j to be will h; and be plied, < pvt it Jk% 2 high, close to his Lod^r, t be discover^] by rub- v,hich con<:eaied on the a fine steel saw plate, ti inches long, with teeth doubt of his own make. put on him a light pair d his chains with pad- to watch him the whole :he inner grate secured he squares of the grates, nd ; and the space be- (illed yolid with brick, )nly one aperture at the jr inches, with a square me iA -n», .niddle, there ish without, which pre- ;yance to hira undiscov- rough a wall three fe^ no light, and left t 1, so that he could no? loor at any time of day ve never after went in- candles, and three or addressed a letter to eived the followiiuran- r. JoHw, Niv. 14, 1814. sd your letter of jestetdaj'* impt of H. M. Si«ith to tA »aiBC to Frrderirkton. 1' 53 ^rj"-***"** l"^""'-*^'" be ordered for hiHriaJ ,, ,r. rr ^^ '''■^':«^»ble from vouldfl.ake It smoke before he left it, and wa should see it. , a.u nv I then determined to confine him as rigidly as poS8ibl6,.and procured a pair of steel fetters «'ell case-hardened, about ten inches Ion/, with 1 cTiain from the middle stapled to the floor • a bam from the neck collar to the fetters : the hackles around both his legs well riveted ; and "3 handcuffs riveted to the chain from his neck. U.e whole of the irons and chains he received ithout showing the least reluctance or concern, the blacksmith, after he had finished riveline hem,sai*tohim, " Smith, I would advise you to be quirt after this, for if y^ are not you will have an iron band put rouWd your bodv and be stalled fast to the floor"— He calmly re' plied, Old man, ij you are not satisfied, yo»^nau put It on nora—l do not regard it— if you will i *^i^' I » m^ 1 Ut m have my hands loose, you may put on as much iron as you please. n tuH situation, loaded with irons w.thout any thing to sit or lie upon but the naked floo , h/was m.t the least humbled, hut gre«r exceed- in. noisy and vicious. 8«ein.ngly very sp.tcfu! ^theg3oler, who. .n return hav.ne had o Such trouble with him. showed h.pi t.ut l.ttle Svour or compassion. • He soon began to roar and "rave with madness, and would take ht le or no notice of any thing said to h.m. somet.„,es hallooing, praying and repeating texts of scrip ture, till at l/nglh he appeared to g.ve h,„ self up to despair-his boasted strength and .n eenuity seemed now to fail him, when, with a fremendou. voice, he would cry ut m a stran. like the following : O thou cruel devils ! »hou murderers ! man- slavers ! thou to^nentors of man '. How I burnf o beTevenged ! Help I help ! help ! Lord help me to be tvengedof these devils -help mej Sat 1 may -ar up this place I that I may tun it upside down ! that the re may not be one stic of it left ! My hair shall not be shorn, nor n\ nails cut, till I grow as strong as Sampsoir then will 1 be avenged of all my tnem.es ! Help helD '. O Lord help me to destroy these tormen tors •. these murderers of roan I tormenting mc in chains and 4»rkness ! (Hallooing and shout- ing^ Darkness! Darkness'. O darkn^s !-Not liltit to read the word of God ! Not^ne word •ot- comfort from any one '. All is, you rogue, you thief, you villain ! you deserve to be h nge.l \ -No darl ble hav for sus hov fen anc — ] sou sid tro unl the wi! mj is CO an de fc: lif N. et (^ til 64 loose, you may put on as oaded with irons, without . upon but the naked floor, liumbkd, but grew exceed- , seemingly very spiteful 13 return, having had so im, showed hijn but little I. - He soon began to roar ss, and would take little or ig said to him, sometimes !»d repeating texts of scrip- lie appeared to give him- lis boasted strength and in- r to fail him, when, with a e would cry ut in a strain ils ! »hou murderers ! man ;nt(n-s of man '. How 1 burn elp 1 help ! help ! Lord help of these devils ! help me, this place ! that 1 may turc at the re may not be one stick shall not be shorn, nor mj DW as strong as Sampsorir, ;ed of all my enemies ! Help I me to destroy these tormen rers of man I tormenting nu- nes8 ! (Hallooing and shout- arkness ! O darkni^ '.—Not word of God I Not^ne word f one '. All is, you rogue, you you deserve to be h-ngt-d I ■i:»'/r»5iaj!PffT- 55 ^o pity — not one woid of consolation 1 AW darkness ! All trouble ! (singing) Trouble, trou- ble; trouble, trouble O God ! help me, and have mercy on ftie ! 1 fear there is no mercy for mt ! Yes ! thfiiH! is mercy ! It is in Je- sus, whose arms stand open to receive me ! but how shall I dare to look to him whom I have of- fended ! Then he would call upon his parents, and deprecate his wicked life ; then rave again —Murderers! Tormentors! Consider you have souls to lose as well as I, a poor prisoner ! Con- sider you have children that may be brought ta trouble as well as ne ! Consider I have par- ents ! If they knew my situation it would kill them !— My wife ! Begone from my sight ! why ,vill you tcrment me ! It is for you I sUflfcr al my sorrow ! It is for you my heart bleeds ! It is for you only is all my trouble !— Not a fncnil comes to see me ; nothing before mc but pain and sorrow, chains and darkness, misery and death : O wretched me ! how long am I to,auf- for in this place of torment ! Am I to hnger a life of pain and sorrow in chains and misery . Ko ! I will cut the thread of life, and be reliev- ed from this place of darkness and trouble J fsiiii!;ine) trouble, trouble, trouble, a thousand tin.es rcpentt;d. He continued in this strain a considerable time, and would no* answer when spoken to, or take the least notice of any one p(r8^ent, unl' he grew very hoarse, and at last he lekoff aj'tokivs at all, on any occasion. ' The weather growing cold, I allowed him his uunk agniri, aii-.l made him a comlbit*blc bed. ^ **,' 66 He made one attempt to hang himstlf, by mak^ ing a rope out of his blankets, which were taken from him. He then attempted, for three or four days, to starve himself, but gave that over. — He lay in his bed most of the lime, day and night,, without committing any act of violence, until the 16th of December, when, on going into the prison, I found he had broken the iron col- lar from his neck, and drr dn the staple f«6m the timber, returning it sligl.ily to its place, so that it would not be readily discovered. On the 17th, 1 put a chain about lais necii and stapled him to the floor, in a situation to prevent him from reaching either of the staples. In this situation, his wrists being galled by his.jprevi- ous exertions, and very much swelled apd sore, he remained more quiet, hallooing occasionally, until January 15th— The weather being very cold at this season, and having no fire, he was in danger of freezing. I took off all his ifcns except his fetters and handcutTs, fo«, which relief he showed not the least thankfulness or acknowl- edgement, but grew more noisy and trouble- some, especially at nignt, so much so that no sleep could be had for the strange noises he would make— not like the human voice, but by such tremendous screeches anvl bowlings as were never, heard before, without uttering a word. In this uianner he continued five months, conmiilting many outrages upon hitpself and*hi'* chains, doing laany curious and astonishing acts, as will be related, and during all which lime he couhl 7ievm k:^provol-cd or rurprlrcrl In speaL 5iJ » a a 1 ii ^ C b o it ii si e b ai F a b o a: 8t h ii ai w P a w c n 56 to hang himsfclf, by mak* lankets, which were taken (tempted, for three or four If, but gave that over. — ost of the litne, iay and itting any act of violence, mber, when, on going into had broken the iron col- I drr >n the staple ftpm the; ligl.rly to its place, so that dily difccovered. On the, iljout his necii and stapled 1 situation to prevent him of the staples. In this being galled by his previ- •y much swelled and sore, iet, hallooing occasionally, -The weather being very md having no fire, he was . I took off all his irons handcuffs, foi^ which relief Bt IhankfulHcssoracknowl- more noisy and trouble- nigut, so much so that no for the strange noises he ;e tlie human voice, but by reechcs an>l bowlings as »efore, without uttering a iT he continued five months, Lrages upon hiipself and*bis uiious and -.istonishing acts, all which lime and during; i!o/:ec? or Pitrprlrcd t 67 rnie word, and took no notice of any person, or any thing done or said to him, any' more than a dumb or senseless creature. He had the New Testament, wliich be kept by him, and a leaf in it was observed to be turned down ; on ex- ii^rnalion it proved to be at the 3d chapter of Corinthians, beginning in these words. ".']»»//, brethren, covld not speak tintoyou,'' «S-r. The weather being extremely cold liirouj^h- out the month of January, fear? won; enlf-r iained that he must perish without lirp, presum- ing that no man r.ould keep from freezing in his situation. I visited him almost every d;iy, and examined his hands and feet, but never found bimc^Jd. He kept in bis bunk night and day, and his chains ain ays felt warm. He made no more attempts to escape until February, wlien the weather ? ecin to moderate a little, and h« became more restlp«'S and trou- blesome. Early in the month he lip^nn to (ear off the lime wall and latbin kini,' very loud wilh.»t!||i )iis irons. 1 wish you would come up ea^bj^^ what is best. W. DlB] On going into tlie gaol, I found his irons on 1 Ml fet to his handcuffs, and left Inin. On Sunday, • he lOtli, two gentlemen from Nova-Scotia, who bad been requested by his wife to make some enquiry after him, called upon me. 1 pqiiua ded Ihem to go with me to the gaol, he would speak, or take any notice of any thing they might say to him from hi|trtfe They said a great deal to him— told 1jim his wife wished to know his situation, and if be wished her to come to him ; what she should dft with a colt he had left ; if he would have him sold, that he would fetch 200 dollhrs, Lc. but all made no impression on him any more than if lie was a dead man, which convinced us a41 that if he should be hanged he would go to the gallows without speaking a^rd, or clian;,Mnj: his countenance. The week following he grew more restle?s and vicious, and the next Sunday, on going isito the gaol with Mr. Sinoffson and Mr. Griffith from Woodstock, founil Ssnilth had broken up part ci, bis birth ; hadHbrofceijklhe chain from his hand- ciifli, leaving on4Tli3|po the staple, the part- (i if** '" lin sto coi tha but boa the aga dro his pari iarg tlie I till putt stap tbei N to re weat effec that to ex ofThi timb( done, flat b edges a pie very swelli ■.^HkS Et me know what he is, ii II the day time, and when at night, lie yi lis so as not of thanks for tiiking old" l:is can by ytlBnf •SDtJjM-i niu- ry lomi witb.i»t!l|%iat o£ Mir-%»^advi« owe up eBK^*i«^adv il, I found his iiGns on prcvept him fir&||sing d a chain froailS fet- lefl him. On Sunday, from Nova-Scotia, nho is wife to make some 1 upon me. 1 pa«ua-. ■ to the gaol, t^Pe if*** any notice of flHi or ' to him from hi|trtfc. to him — told 1jim his* is situation, and if he I) ; what she should do if he would have him h 200 dollhrs, Lc. but on him any more than vhich convinced us a4l ed he would go to the u; aWbrd, or clian;^iuj; lie grew more rcstlcps Sunday, on going into jnand Sir. Griffith from had broken uj) part ci. i chain from his hand- tho "-taple, the pari^^t! f • 59 links secreted ; torn up part of his beddinj;, anJ i-toppcd .ho funnel of the necessary so ,h, t "t coKld nut easily be cleared. It appeared aNo that h»|u4.t«|pn at the grates, hul how he ^^ %""^-'^"T'y^''' the chains to his Je^s but he had.»v,^ently been there, as some of the boardmg was brol^en and piece, of pine Idt in tl'o.b^ijfs. We^hen raise.I the M.ple, on' I again put on th^ chAin to the hanJcuirs and drove the staple in another place, more ^at of ^^rZr^- .^'* ""* 'iay found he had again parted the Cham from his hands, and torn offa . arge|^t,on of the lathing and pla.ter.ng fron, ;1 !«"■'"• ""^ 'loor covered with rul.bis^. 1 theinrtempled to confine him more closelv, putt.V,g« Cham from his k.A around his neck stapled o the floor, and h.s handcmJs secured to the middle of the chain. Notwithstanding every exertion 1 could moke to restram hnn, J was stil^ foarful that, as the weather grew warmer, be would find means to eirect his escape, as he had already done tbinc^s hat seemed to require more than human power to execute; especially in getting the ir«n collar off h.s neck, and drafting the staple from the timber, ,vh,ch two yoke of oxen could not have done. 1 he iron collar, which was made of a Hat bar ot iron, one and a half inch wide, the edges only rounded, he twisted- the same as if a piece of leather, and brol^ it in two. We very often found him blood&.^vcf his wrists swelled and sore by his exenmis, hut he never -A i* i o- i (i ftm > ■ -iiwiir -'i i^Jitb^^i GO done orexhibitcU aii> iCa-" or '•o'n''''-*; i i„,„ ,he ?aol at evening efte^t tan l..>rui> astonislied at Every one P^^\^'' '^^^^ V; .? per.uaded the like 511, of M..C1,. "he. 1 look „« l"l"y":»,"|'^.°^;S |,i„, » .k,n .hirt- e. '•"»-;;'• ,,"7, '1, hi, c„.„l, hi. hair, »h.Ji Uil iiol Dtt" « boa liiir the at'd wo I J i"« blL-( vitn sex .T'wcpt the room clean. At ni^lri I added anoth- er chain from his fottors to his neck, and sla- ple mind his sr^'cral es- I tojustif'y liimself with ivliich says : — " When rsarj/ totlictnttgistratc, give diNgcnce thai thou him, lest he hale thee Jo 1 deliver thee to the of- thee into priso^t." S. id Mr. Held were prcs- ced many more of the discovered an urfcom- d ingenuity, more than ;r and Terminer, and ad been summoned, to the 28th day of April, tealer, but was put off eld on the 4th of May, naining unusually late will appear from the John, April 5th, 1815. eived your letter detail- Dduct of tlie culprit in your a mystery in this man's unfathomable, and I fear culty withhiro at the trial. s of course must not be rc- be done, I dicpatched your ttorney General, that they :rs, any puch measures as for the further safeguard Vi. CHIPMAN. fllfH 1 1 1 1 'Si ii n»' " 67 « n Q ,. "^"'*»A*. Jeth April, 1816. r "'^EA'iSm,-! have just received l.^ a. express from Fredencton, a letter from the Attorney Genera ! stating that from the state of the river, it will be imprac ' ticable (or huu t« be at Kin-ston by the 20th : ami as he has hitherto taken (he whole burthen of the prosecu- imn upon b.mselt, the trial cannot well go on without tuns. Jrom this circumstance therefore, and m the present state of the travelling would probably rend.-r it dangerous to my father's health, (who is not now very to put ,t off un Thursday, the AUi of May, for which day he w, shcs you to Mimmon your Jurips, and to proclaim this additional trouble, but it must be attributed to the extraordinary backwardness of the season, wlmn. was lheS^"n ' Jr"^!!" T'^"!! '' r"' '•«c'"'"'ncnd«dto hold the Court on the 20th April. I have not time to forward a new precept by tins couvc -ince, but 1 will forward one j 11 time or the one you luive may be altered. This can be easily arranged when we go up to the Court. \ours, truly, W. BAT.., E.,.» ^- ^'^-'^'^^^' •'""• On the 30th day of April 1 informed the pris- oner that on Thursday next, th« fourth day of iVlay, he must have his trial before the Court for his life, and that Mr. Pearson, from I'ictou, had come to witness against him. He paid no attontionto what I said, any m6re than if I had not spoken to him. May 2d, Mr. Pearson came to see him— told him that his wife was coming to see him, but he took no more notice of him than if hg could not either see or hear, or had no sense. The third day found he had been at work at the wall ; his face bruised and bloody ; told him thcXr the next day he would be brought ■ run, f. E 68 before the Court for his trial. He paid no at- tention, ale hastily, patled his hands, ha looed, appeared very lively, sang much, and acted the lunatic or fool to perfection— sang and beat the floor with his chains most of the night. the fourth day of May, the day appointed for the trial ot this mysterious character, being now arrived, the Court began to assemble at Kings- ton, with numerous spectators from the distant parts of the country,— early in the mcrning. About 11 o'clock his Honor Judge Sanders, and the Attorney General, arrived at my houst; .roni Frederickton ; the attorneys and officers ot Court having previously arrived. About one o'clock, the whole went to the Court-House ,n ^"Afte'r opening the Court in the usual form, tb.^ prisoner was called to the bar, and placed m the criminals bos ; the gaoler, with four or fi' e constables to attend him. He made no resist- ance, but took no notice of the Court-played a thousand monkey actions, pulled oft his shoes and socks, tore his shirt, ha-ha'd a little, pattin;; his hands, snapping his fingers as usual, and act- in" the fool. The Court was crowded with spectators, and every eye was fixed upon the ' prisoner witn astonishment. Now became a period of gr^at expectation. The Attorney General having read his Indictment, the Judge asked him if he plead to the indictment, GmlUj. or JVot Guilty— He stood mute ; took no kind ol notice of what was said to him. The Judge *' then admonished him, that if he stood mute '^^^ m of de up tei he tir ini thi re m( pr iti be ev th tii m di Pl er jo or as to w nt q' w si ei rt h trial. He paid no at- <1 his hands, hallooed, g much, and acted the [)», — sang and beat the of the night. the day appointed for IS character, being now to assemble at Kings- [atoTS from the distant early in the mcrning. or Judge Sanders, and •rived at my houst; .Voni )rneys and ojficers ol Y arrived. About one to the Court -House n jrt in the usual form, tbi^ the bar, and placed ii» Taoler, with four or fi' e L He made no resiit- e of the Court— played ons, pulled off his shoes , ha-ha'd a little, patting fingers as usual, and act- )urt was crowded with eye was fixed upon the ament. Now became a ctation. The Attorney is Indictment, the Judge lo the indictment, Guilty. oAmute; took no kind ot lid to him. The JuJge that if he stood mute '.^l of obstinacy, his trial would go on, and he be deprived of the opportunity of putting himsc'lf upon his country for his defence, and that sen- tence would be passed against him — therefore he advised him to plead Not Guilty. He con- tinued mute, acting the fool, without discover- ing the least sense, or change in his countenance, that could be observed. The Judge then di- rected the Sheriff *o impannel a Jury of twelve men, to enquire into the cause, whether tlis prisoner at the bar stood mute wilfully and ob- stinately, or by the visitation of God. The Jury being impannelled and sworn, after hearing the evidence, that he had appeared in that state for three months pieceding, &c. — soon returned their verdict, that the prisoner at Hie bar stood mute, by the visitation of Gcd. The Judge then directed, that the Attorney General enter the plea of Not Guilty ; and counsel for the prison- er was admitted. The Court was then ad- journed until next morning, at icp o'clock, in order for his trial. Friday morning, 1 1 o'clock, the Court being assembled, and the house crowded with specta- tors, the prisoner was again brought to the bar, with all the constables to attend him. He took no kind of notice of any one, but sat himself quietly down in the criminals box. Every eye was fixed on him for a few minutes in perfect silence. Tiie Judge observed that the prison- er appeared more calm this morning, and di- rected that the Court proceed to his trial. The Jury being sworn, and the witnesses .called, the G n '^r lw8^ifcfcte<|^"fc lii'WWI 'liidWi, __J fa erisoner al the bar was entered to stj^nd up for his defence. He took m notice of what was said— The constabK s wuie then ordered to hold him upon his feet— he tbucrht them, and Jerked from them, so that they oould not manage to do any thing with him. Sent for a rope and pin- ioned his arms, but to no purpose ; then lashed the rope from his arms back to the railing ot the box. He continued fiiihtin!;, and reaching the banisters before him, brok^ them out as last as the constables could fake iliem frow. hira. bent for another rope, and tied his hraids together, secunng them to the railing each way. lie then fell to kicking the railing, and soon demol- ished all the bannisters and raiimj- m (r-nt ot the criminals box, in spite of all ii-.e co-tab.es could do to prevent him— Was obliged to gft another strong rope and bind his feet together, securing the rope each w..y, to the posts of the box— U then took two or three constables to hold him. ^ • i After thus securing him, the Court proceeded on his trial. The Attorney General read his declaration, charging the prisoner at the bar, with having feloniously stolen a certain l>ay horse< the property of Wilhs Fr-denck Knox, Ksq. of the value of £35 ; that he was taken in the manner, and produced his witnesses. iVlr. Knox being sworn, stated the circumstances ol his pursuit after the prisoner, as lar as 1 ruro, where he employed Mr. Pearson to pursue on to Pictou ; being informed that the prisoner was «oing to sell the l...se at that place. Mr. Vc- L cred to stand up for notice of what was then ordered to hold ;ht them, and jerked jid not manage to do for a rope and pin- )ur|K)se ; then lashed k to the railing of the g, and reaching the i them out as fast as iiem froiii him. Sent I ins hr.iids together, ling each way. He ling» and soon deniol- iiid railing in fr-tnt of i of all ii-.e co-°tal)!'JS —Was ohiiged to get ind his feet together, y, to the posts of the r three constables to , the Court proceeded ey General read his prisoner at the bar, stolen a certain hay tV/iS Fr-derick Knox, ; that he was taken in d his witnesses. Mr. I the circumstances of »ner, as far as Truro, Pearson to pursue on d that the prisoner was \ that place. Mr. Fc- n tcrs, counsel for the prisoner, asked the witness, how he wrott.' hisclirislian name — Wilis or Willis — to which lie replied, " I was christened after my god-fa Hiers, Lord North and the Ear! of Wiltsborongli — and never write my name Willis." Mr. Peters then produced authorities to show, that one letter in a man's name had quashed an indictment ; and moved that the prisoner he discharged. This was overruled by the Court, but reserved for a question. Mr. Pearson deposed, that be pursued from Pictou after the thief the whole night, and ear- ly next morning, was shown the prisoner, nnd look him. He seemed but little surprised ; the witness told hiru, the owner of the horse would be there soon — He said that he came hon- estly by the horse — The witness asked him where the horse was ? He said at tiiat house ; pointing over the creek where there was but one. He then took the prisoner before a Jus- tice, ard thence to the gaol at Pictou. Ht; af- terward took the horse, returned about ten 'iiiles, and met Mr. Knox, who knew the horse and called him Briton. The circumstances hgainst the prisoner were, that he gave contradictt-ry accounts how he came by the horse ; at one time saying th^t he bought him of a pedlar ; at another, of ^ French- man ; again, thai he swaptd for him, and at Amherst produced a receipt for money paid in exchange. The counsel for the prisoner, in cross-examining, asked Mr. Knox, did you ever see the prisoner in possession of the horse ? i j i eii.'i. W i J '"m i .Jjl^ ^'V^it^^ ^-....'^p.*^ 72 • . ■ ,* No but he acknowleds^ed it.— Did you ever hear him acknowledge that he was in possession of the horse in any other way, than with saying he came honestly by him ? No. Mr. Pearson wan cross-examined in the same words, and an- swered the same, no. Mr. Peters, in defence o the prisoner, produced authorities to show, that by the evidence, the prisoner at the bar was not taken in the mmner, as stated in the declara- tion • and thot it was sufficient for him to pro^e in a general way, how became in possession ot the horse, which he was able to do, by a receipt which he produced for the money paid in ex- change-the best general evidence tbat can be eiven. as such is the common way of dealing in horses. He acknowledged if the prisoner had been taken on the back of the horse, he would then have been taken in the manner, as stated by the Attorney General; and consequently bound to prove how he came in fossesnon ; but in the present case, he himself, or any one pres- ent, might be in this unfortunate prisoner s situ- ation ; dragged to prison to court, and to th*. gallows, because he could not produce the per- son who had actually sold him the horse. The prosecutor had not produced any evidence ot [he horse ever being in the possession ot the prisoner, only by bis own confession; and he trusted that the Jury would not hesitate to find that the prisoner at the bar was not taken in the manner, as stated in the declaration ! J>"' «0"'d pronounce him, by their verdict, JSot Guilty. The Judge, in his charge to the Jury, overruled [ 73 red it. — Did you eyet liat he was in possession r way, than with saying Ti ? No. Mr. Pearson lie same words, and an- Ir. Peters, in defence of luthorities to show, that isoner at the bar was not s stated in the declara- Lifficient for him to prove he came in possession of sable to do, by a receipt the money paid in cx- iral evidence tbat can be mmon way of dealing in [lj;cd if the prisoner had k of the horse, he would in the manner, as stated eral; and consequently ! came in possession ; hut himself, or any one pres- nfortunate prisoner's situ- ion, to court, and to the 3uld not produce the per- 3old him the horse. The roduced any evidence of ia the possession of the own confession ; and he wcMild not hesitate to find 5 bar was not taken in the he declaration ; but would heir verdict, JV'ot Guilty. iri'e to the Jury, overruled the plea, by stating to the Jury, that his being taken in the manner, was proved by the varioui accounts he gave of his getting possession of the borse, thus rendering himself liable to prove how he came by him ; or to stand guilty of fe- loniously taking him, as stated in the indict- ment — That they had heard the witnesses, and if. from the evidence and circumstances before them, thty were fully satisfied that the prisoner at the bar had taken the horse feloniously, as stated in the indictment, they would find him Guilty ; and if they had any doubts, that, lean- ing to mercy, they would find him JS'ot Guilty. While the Jury were out, 1 invited the Court and other gentlemen to visit the gaol, where I shewed them his irons and chains, and the situ- ation in which he was placed. The Judge ob- served, it "■':> fortunate thtt he was sent to Kingston gaol, as no other gaol in the Province would have kept him. The Jury, after being out about two hours, returned with their verdict — Guilty. The prisoner did not show the least sign of sensibility that could be perceived while the Judge pronounced upon him the ^gntence of the. law. Death, without benejit of clergy — but coft- tinued shouting and hallooing. Tlie Court asked the counsel for the prisoner if he had any thing to offer in arrest of Judgment, or why the sentence of Death should not be ex- ecuted upon him. Mr. Peters th^p rose, and pro- duced authorities to show that the present law that took away the benefit of clergy for horse G 2 V- M'titiMamiP^^'' *i f- I i n stealinz, was not in force in this Colony, and that it could not be construed to be in iorce un- til decided m the Higiier Court, where he hoped to have tlie honor to discuss it. The Judge gave his opinion against him, but admitted the ^ The prisoner was returned to gaol, where he received his chains-wilh willingness and appar- ent satisfaction, and the Court adjourned with- out day. The Attorney General, hovvever, gave me to understand that he would not be ex- ecuted very speedily, and requested that 1 would observe his behaviour, and inform him by letter the particulars of his conduct. 1 he next mornine I visited him— found him as usual— in- formed him he was Bow under sentence ot Death, and that he would be allowed but one pound of bread, a«W water once a day, for the short time he had to live-that as soon as his Death Warrant was signed by the President, he would be executed, and but little time was lelt him to prepare for the dreadful event. Ue paid no attention, patted his hands, sang, and acted the fool as usual. One of the spect.itors being surprised at his conduct, observed to him, «' Smith, it \i too late for you to deceive any more ; your fate is fixed now, and you had bet- ter employ your little time in making your peace with God, than to act the fool any longer, — which occasioned the following :— On going into the gaol, observing his book opened, and looK- ine at it, found a leaf turned, pointing to the iol- lowing passage :-" // any m«H among you tWtLtS^- ^4 ircc in this Colony, and istrued to be in force un- ;r Court, where lie hoped discuss it. The Judge St him, but admitted the •turned to gaol, where he th willingness andappar- le Court adjourned with- rncy General, however, that he would not be cx- f, and requested that I aviour, and inform him by of his conduct. The next —found him as usual — in- Bow under sentence of ould be allowed but one water once a day, for the live — that as soon as his igned by ibe President, he ind but little time was left • dreadful event. JtJe paid tiis hands, sang, and acted (nu of the spectators being nduct, observed to him, te for you to deceive any ixed now, and you had bet- ; time in making your peace ,ct the fool any longer," — e following :— On going into lis book opened, and look- f turned, pointing to the fol- " // any m«;t uiiiong yov 75 jeeiiielli to be wise, let him become a fool, that lit may be wise.''' In tliis situation I kept him nine days on bread and water, once j day reminding him of his fate. He continued in the same state, and in that time had torn oil' every stitch of clothing, leaving him- self naked, lie never shewed any penitence, or any sign of hunger more than when fed with four times his allowance. I then allowed him other provisions, and his succeeding conduct is briefly stated in the following letter to the At« torney General : From the Royal Gazette of July 11, 181,0. Copy of a Letter from the High Sheriff' of King^s County, Kingston. June 20, 1815. My dear Sir, — Having heard nothing from you since the late Gaol Delivery at King's County, I beg leave briefly to Jtate to you some circumstances of the conduct of the criminal Henry More Smith, since his trial and sen- tence. After securing him with strong chains on his neck and legs, and with handcuffs, he continued beating the floor, hallooing day and night with little intermission, making different sounds ; sometimes with jinking his chains, and sometimes without, apparently in different parts of the gaol, insomuch that the gaoler freque^it- ]y sent for me, supposing he must be loose from his chains, which I conceived, and frequently observed was impossible ; being far beyond the power of human strength or invention, in his sit- uation ; — but on the !24th of May, going int» I I / It U,c eaol curly in the morning, (after haying ex- amined I i. cha.ns at two o'clock the day be- C) I found three link, of his heav.cst c ^m Separated, and iyinj; on the floor being par of he cl a1n\vithoul the staple. He cunUnued m hesmtway until the 2d of June, when wo •ounT the / Jge. ckain parted a6o«M e rM and tied with a string ; which cl...rly pro es S irons and chains are no security for h,m^ 1 then put on hin. a light chain, with wh.ch he Iia4 li(!en ever since. ., . 1 never discovered him at work at any thmg. but he frequently produced effigies or likeness^ e" very iiriking, representing h.s wife. He now produc.-d an effigy of a man m perfec Shane, with his features painted, and Joints to all h mnhs, and dressed him in clothes that he had .n" de' in ,ood shape -d f-'^'-'""* "^. ^ clothes that he had torn off himself, (being now This he would put sometimes in one position an so netimes ill another, and seemed toamu e mself with it, without taking the least notice ' of any thing else ; continuing in b'^ old way hallooing, without any alteration until the 13th. tL the gaoler informed me that he refused.to • : nd no doubt was sick. I went to see h.m 'very day-found he did not eat-all the bread and other provisions conveyed to h.m he gave to his effigy, strung on a string and put into his ral-le lay perfectly still day and mght Lnd took no notice of any thing-would dnr|k (eaor wilk, which 1 gave him twice a day for fo ea ve m th or III I bt ch d( th T T til ai ej ol pi Pi di Bt til a! St g' fl( ii tl 13 G riling, (after having ex- vo o'clock the day be- ks of his heaviest chain ) the floor, being part of tapie. He continued in e 2d of June, when we I parted about the middle r ; which clearly proves are no security for him. ;ht chain, with which he him at work at any thing, luced fcftigics or likeness- ire?enting liis wife. He iigy of a man in perfect ■s painted, and joints to all Bd him in clothes that he pe and fashion, out of the rn off himself, (being now .dmired for its ingenuity, sometimes in one position ither, and seemed to amuse lout taking the least notice continuing in bis old way y alteration, until the 13th, rmed me that he refused.to js sick. I went to see him ; did not eat— all the bread conveyed to him he gave to n a string and put into his ectly still day and night, >f any thing— would drink 1 gave him twice a day for • '- It five days ; he then refused to drink any thing for two days, which made seven days he had eaten nothing. In that time he began to speak — would ask (lucstion.*, but would hold no con- versation. Hut the most extraonlinaiy, the most wonderful and mysterious of all is, that in this time he had prepared, undiscovered, and at once exhibited the most strikinij picture of gc« nius, art, taste and invention that ever was, and I presume ever will be produced by ,iny liuiiiart being placed in his situation, in a dark room, chained and handcuffed, under sentence of death, without so much as a nail or any kind of thing to work with but his hands ; and n»kcd. The exhibition is far beyond my pen to describe. To give you some faint idea, permit me to say that it consists of ten characters, men, women, and children — all made and painted in tho most expressive manner, with all the limbs am' joints ot the human frame — each performing ihllTorent parts ; their features, shape and form, all ex- press their different offi;;es and characters ; thoir dress is of different fashions, and suitable to the stations in which they act. To view them in their situation they appear as perfect as though alive, with all the air and gaiety of actors on the stage. Smith sits in his bed by the side of the gaol — his exhibition begins about a foot from the floor, and compasses the whole space of the ceil- ing. The uppermost is a man whom he calls the tamborine player, or sometimes Doctor Blunt, standing with all the pride and appear- jnc? of a master nm?ician ; his left hand akiui* 1 I ■f fa bo his right hand on his lamhorine, drpssed in su°\ab eSlorm. Next him, below, .s a ady, ten eelly dressed, gracefully sitting m a hand- fome swing ; at her left hand stands a man nej-t- Wdre sed'in the character of a -rvant ho d^ 4 the side of the swing w.th Ins "gb j J.s 'e^rt 1. 1 ^r, i,i« hin in an easy posture, waiting tne t"y's m o'P" On her ri^ft hand stands a man lenteclTy dressed, in the character oi agai/au' fn a graceful posture for dancing, beneath Eese a ee turves sits a young man and a yomy Sri (apparently about 14,) in a posture of tut- S. at each end of a hoard, decently dressed^ Dfrectly under these stands one whom he calls IZmril or sometimes the father of h.s fam - fy be stands erect; his features prom.nen ii'cheeks red ; his-teeth wh.te, set m order lis gums and lips red ; h.s .u,«e shaded black representing the nostrils ; h.s d.-ess .s that ol the Harlequin ; in one hand he holds an .nfant wUh the 3tber'he plays or beats mus.c ; be ore him stand two children, apparently Ibre^e or iZ years old, holding each other by one hand Tthe act of playing or dancing, -h.ch. w.th a man dressed in fashion, who appear.' in the char Tcter of a steward, sometimes m one ^''"^J'^" and sometimes in another, makes "P tj^jj"^; all of which you have at one view. 1 hen com n^ences the performance. The first operaUon is from the tamborine player, or master, who giv : two or three single strokes on h.s tambo- fine, that may be heard in ^^V ;P^'' ^^'^' ^Ze. without moving hi* body. He then dances grac la ml time few inth two I bytl: whis whic danc actni the < an o star^ with ackr tliinj conti cont shov enl I chai edli sliov bch feric inve I a let I tin ingl plac '^mr, ■-« 8 is tamT:iorine, drrssed in t him, below, is a lady, lefully sitting in a hand- t hand stands amanne?t- acter of a servant, hold- ng with his right, his left easy posture, waiting the r riajht hand stands a man he diaracter of a gallant, for dancing, beneath a young man and a young t 14,) in a posture of tiit- joard. decently dressed, stands one whom he calls ries the father of his fami- his features prominent ; eeth white, set in order ; 1 ; his nose shaded black, ir'ils ; his dress is that of e hand he holds an mfant, ys or beats music ; before Iren, apparently three or ig each other by one hand or dancing, which, with a n, who appear.' in the char- sometimes in one situation other, makes up the show, eat one view. Then com- ance. The first operation ,e player, or master, who ingle strokes on his tambo- ard in any part of the house, : body. He then dances 79 gracefully a fow steps, without touching the lamborine ; the lady is thensvrung two or three times by the steward ; then the gallant takes a few steps ; theti the two below tilt a few times, in the most easy, pleasant manner; then the two children dance a little, holding each other by the hand ; — after this, Smith begjns to sing or whistle a tune, to which they are to dance, al; which, the tamborine strikes, and every one dances to the tune, with motion, ease and ex- actness not to be described. Many have been the observations of spectators ; amongst them an old German observed, that when he was starving,the seven days, he was making a league with the Devil, and that he helped him. AlH acknowledge with me, that it exceeds every tiling they ever saw or imagined. His whole conduct from the first, has been, and is, one continued scen'e of mystery. He has never shown any iJea or knowledge of his trial or pres- ent situation ; he seems happy ; his irons and chain: are no apparent inconvenience ; content- ed like a dog or a monkey, broke to his chain ; shows no more idea of any thine past, than if be had no recollection. He, in short, is a niys- ferious character, possessing a wonderful art of invention, beyond common capacity. 1 am almost ashamed 'o forward you so long a letter upon the subject, and so unintelligible ; I think, if I could have done justice in describ- ing the exhibition, it would have been worthy a place in the Royal Gazette, and bettor worth r ■v^^' 80 the attention of the public than all the Wax work ever exhibited in this province. 1 am, with atl due respect, dear hrt, vour very humble servant. .■, ^ ^ WALTER BATES. Thom'^s Wetmore, Esq. Attorney GenerA'. P S. Wednesday, the 28th. This morning 1 found he had added to his works a drummer placed at the left of his tamborine player, equnl Kpearance, and exceeding in performance ; leKe dvnr; with either hand, or both occa- sionally, in concert wi'h the tambonne, keep- ng time with perfect exactness, somet.mes t^ \L, at others standing or danc.ng. He bad nlso in a most striking manner, changed the po- bn of his scene. The lady above descrdoed o be sitting? gracefully in her sw.ng, with so nany attendants and admirers, .s now repre- sented swinging in a dejected I-^ "-' -\» J • f .,» ;•, lipr arms ' her ga ant lias leu vniino' iniant m ner arms , "ci g, Lr, and is taking the young girl before de.cr.- IZ about 14, by the hand, with an air of great ^aU^ntry" le'di.4 her and dancing to the tune S perfect exactness, representing more than Tan be desvribrd. 0« viewing this, an o > Scotchman observed, " some say he is mad oU,- ers he IS a fool; but I say he .s the sharpen ";n I ever met with, and 1 do not believe he was ever equalled by man" J»-«, -f "'"^^^ gentleman from Boston, haying heard the abou^ description, came to see the perlormance, an.! be, J ing mai not saic I ai tba and his drc He pea thn two IT i C( thr* of s hviv Tid nd ncx fani out 81 } iblic than all the Wax- Ihis province. le respect, dear Siri imbie servant. . WALTER BATES. Esq. iniey GeneiAl. be 28th. This morning to his works a drummer, tamborine player, equal ceedine; in performance ; ther hand, or both occa- •h the tamborine, kecp- xactncss, sometimes sit- ng or dancing. He had manner, changed the po- 'hc lady above described y in her swing, with so admirers, is now repre- dejected posture, with a rms ; her "gallant has left young girf before descri- hand, with an air of great r and dancing to the tune ss, representing more than o'u viewing this, an o'l" ^ " some say he is mad, otii- ^ I say he is the sharpi -I h and 1 do not believe he Y man," This evening a on, having heard the abovc^ ) see the performance, and dellare.« »he Court and having ascertained that ih. d. .nny of the prisoner vvould not be fata'., »/'' .' .ft\fter I :.ao!er informed mc that, l.e first u^:a after I fefl home, Smith bad dr.'vn 'he »..ple of the chain that had been about.- neck, and had concealed both the chain nm i -c staple so tl.a V ii„, .„. fminil 'il hssn the wall tliev cou d nL. oe louna. ►' '^= . ., w sbrok.n at the s- n.> Urtic, but he ch.m did ^J^outthatway. Astheoasiie giaos was whole. The r._om, .ud -very .hing m .t, had been strictly searched without discovering it, J; "t could^.ot be conce, ed how the glass was t,rA. ■« il was entirely out of hre reac :. On ..oiuv :ito the snol, he said U me that t..e De- "d loid his old^Drummer :f he d.d not put tha chain out of tde way he would cerla.nly get about his neck again; that h. hated -.and had murdered it, and put it under ^he ;3.--t-but he feared he should have no peace till he la. ed .. a.ain. i told hirn he must raise it, and that » dri a] &c foi ed en ou bi w w bi th h d stand upon her h«ai« 'he Court, hat tho d'snny of the ataU 1 r.:! jr,i.:d. The , tiie first li^'ht after I Irawn •he a'.H^Ae of the jcut i,''' neck, and had 1 iiikS (■■>« staple so that TV l-\ss in the wall V,mc, but he ch lin did s the c-Aiile giais was r! .ivery thing in it, had without discovering it, :e, ed how the ^lass was y out of hi^ read:. On said t( me, that tue De- ler if he did not put that f,e would certainly get it thathf hatc.i jt. and had t under the dl-t— but he no pe.ice till he raised it must raise it, and that ( 83 would not put it on him again if he behaved well, I then took off his handcuffs, gave him watex to wash himself, with a clean shirt and jjicket — A young mac gave him a black hand- kerchief, which he put about his neck, and seened pleased — wished he had a fiddle ; he would give his shirt for a fiddle, that he might play fpr his family to dance— He was offered a fife ; he said he believed he could learn to play — He then took the fifo, end would play any tune, either right or left handed. I told him if he would behave well, I would not put his handcuffs on that day— he said then he would have his family in good order ; but that when he sent one hand to do any thing, the other would follow it. Gave him sone materials that he wanted, and then left him. This was the 17th of July. On the 18th, found him at work at his chil- dren, preparing for improvements. Gave him a pen and paint, a.id many articles for clothing, &c. He had before used coal and his own blood for colouring. He appeared thankful, and talk- ed more coherently. To account for the brok- en glass, he said to me — My old Drummer cried out for more air, his family stood so thick about him^Well, said I, tell me how to get it and I will go to work at it. He told me to make a wisp of straw long enough to reach the glass and break it, which 1 did, and destroyed the wisp that it might not be discovered. He continued his employment, repairing and improving his ""amily, dressing theuj w»i\y, an4 84 Qaintiug their features all new ; anJ adding t» his exhibition, until he said they w^re all pres- ent that were coming. With the money that he had received from spectators, he supplied him- ' self with calico, and about the lOth of August, completed the show, which consisted of twenty four characters, men and women ; six beat mu- sic in concert with the fiddle, while sixteen danced to the tune. The other two were fight- ers ; Bonaparte with a sword, fighting an Irish- man with his shillaly. His musicians were dressed in uniforms ; some drummers, some tam- borine players, and some bell ringers, in the centre of his dancers stood his dancing-master, in a military dress, with hat and boots on, and gloves on his hands. ' A soldier in Scotch um- foi.1', at an advanced station, acted as a sentry, stepping regularly one foot beibre the other. Smith would sit before them and play a tune on kiie fiddle, to which they would all dance, and beat to the music in concert, one half on the Tight hand to one part of the tunc, and the other on the left hand to the other part, then all to- gether, dancing 'o the tune as regular and as liatural as if alive ; the dancing-master dancing with his right hand and foot with one part, and his left hand and foot with the other part, and then together with the whole, without any stop or hindrance, to any tune that he shoulc' play. The figures were set in motion by strings, or pul- lies, which he acted upon with his toes, while he played upon the violin — which, being done TTithout any violent exertion of his body, ani audi I wil we wo iih ali All tw col pa of up foi an th< gi( ph A a t wl foi cu uf ch mi Al ex sa nc nc w: th cr 85 new ; and adding ti> id tbey w^re all pres- ith the money that he ors, he supplied hiin- it the loth of August, :h consisted of twenty women ; six beat mu- fiddle, while sixteen > other two were fight- ord, fighting an Irish- His musicians were ; drummers, some tam- bell ringers. In the >d his dancing-master, hat and boots on, and soldier in Scotch uni- ion, acted as a sentry, oot before the other, em and play a tune on would ail dance, and ncert, one half on the the tune, and the other )tber part, then all to- uhe as regular and as ancing-aiaster dancing oot with one part, and ith the other part, and lole, without any stop e that he shouh' play, olion by strings, or pul- n with his toes, while n — which, being done tion of his body, and without disccverin* the me.>n3 by which they were made to act, tjave to tiie' whole an air of wonder, vvhitli struck the beholder with aston- fthiii;; effect. Ilis tighters, if they had beett alive, could not act and appear mure natural. All his figures wttre formed of straw, curiousi)' twisted and iriierwoven. The coal he used for colouring, he got from a burnt timber in the partition wall, and Iheir first clothing was made of the pieces of his garments which he had torn up. ' It is impossible for me to do it justice ; there- fore I shaMnot attempt any further description, and only add, that great numbers came to see the exhibition, and to view his person, from a great distance — among whom were several physicians, and ail expressed their astonishment. A gentleman from Pennsylvania, Doct. Prior, a man of learning, who told me hv. had spent his whole life travelling for foreign and literary in- formation, and had made it a point to view all curiosities and phenomena that he could hear of; having heard that I had an extraordinary character in prison, came to beg the favor of me to let him see him ; with which I complied. After viewing his person, and every part of his exhibition and performance, he was pleased to say, that he had travelled through all the Conti- nent of America, and part of Europe, but had never met with the equal of it — that lie was now writing memoirs of his own life and travels, and -^ that he should not fail to liil a page with a des- cription of this wonderful performance. H 2 86 With other spectators, a gentleman by the name of Doctor Couglvn, from Ireland, who had heen Surgeon in his Majesfy's service, both by sea and lar.t, a gentleman of accomplish^ nients and learning, came to see this new and extraordinary exhibition. Aftof^baving viewed the scene repeatedly for sevelH days that he tarried at Kingston, he declared that he had trav- elled through Europe, bad lived in England, Ireland and Scotland— at Hamburgh, and other places famous for such exhibitions, but that he Ld never met with any thing ot the kind that equalled the one befoi^^ him. # Aueust 13th~when the gaoler went into the gaol Smith said to him that he had been fishing, and bad caught a large fish, and wished him to cook it for him ; on looking, tlie gaoler saw the chain that had been missing, lying by him on the floor. r. After this. Smith began a new scene oi mys- tery, and commenced fortune-telling, m which, if he did not possess the power of divination, he was at least wonderfully successful. He told his fortune in his tea-cup; after looking in it some time he took the cup and kissed it, and told the gaoler that he was going away from this place, that he' was going over the water, and wanted a box to put his family in; that he saw there were three papers written and sent about him ; and that one was a large letter which he did not understand. In the evening 1 went in to see bun, and as aiy curiosity was greatly excited to knpw tjie . The word of God is plain : except ye forgive thy brother his trespasses, neither will your Heav- enly Father forgive you when you ask of him. The scripture says. Repent and pray, lest ye enter into temptation, I work and pray with my family continually — and except you repent, you will aJso perish in your sins ; you are a sin- ner as well as I am ; all men are sinners before God ; consider you have work to do as well as I ; you have a soul (o save as well as the poor prisoner — watch therefore and pray. 1 watch here, an Lieuten- ant in the army, but he was a Captain now ; if he could he would go to see her in England, where he had friends; that hn had an uncle in Liverpool, a merchant, and looking earnestly at me, said, my name is not Smith, my name is Henry Moon ; i^y father's name (I think he said) is Edward Moon ; I was educated at Cambridge College, in England, and under- stand English,' French and Latin, well, and can speak and write five different languages ; that he could write any hand, as handsome or as bad as I ever saw — but be had been a bad man, ind had suffered for it, and hoped to do better. Ho said he had five hundred pounds in the Bank of England, which was in the care of Mr. Tur- ij.»s»ible, some sense of his ! gaoler and all present to ut the door. irely recovered from his nor did he until after dis- fcdy, for similar reasons, 5 which first produced it, make some impression on stance to get him out of wing him that compassion ed to demand — and for ed him that 1 had receiv- Mr. Knox bad been dowo A2^ .VV. *«U "^^^ r!\. r ^;%*.Xa3 O ., %, ^o3^c IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / O ,v^' ij ^>?% .<$" 7i 1.0 Li ^- illM ■ 5 '""^^ Jim iiiii ||||20 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 .* 6" ► w.. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 S. ip' ,\ <> « ►% v.". %^ ^ v^- 6^ :f^mm^^^m.&^^s^^^^®^^Ximv^^m^;: CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductlons historlques i j i ,,ii i Lji, | j ' — ) "' ^- .1^!. ■'Hff!' !{.rj, :• !■ ■ ' ^A ' " ' -^i^-' •r^'^-w 91 to see him and had forgiven him all the injurie? he had done him ; that his Attorney had been his friend, and by petitioning the President and Council, stating that he was a young man. and, that this was the first instance of horse-stealing that had been before the Court in this Province, and prayins; that mercy might be extended to save his life, the President and Council had bpen graciously pleased to extend their mercy to him, and had respited the sentence pronoun- ced on him— and that I was now ready to re- lease him, on his entering into recognizance fc appear in the Supreme Court to plead his par- don, when called upon, reminding hiin at tli« same time, that he was not pardoned for any other crimes he might have heretofore commit- ted. The only notice he took of what I said, was " I wish you would bring me some pota- toes when you come again." I proceeded to may, that as soon as he was ready and would let me know where he wished to go, I would get him a passage, and help him away— that I woi Id get him some clothing, and give him time to put his family in good order, and give him a box to put them up in, as they might be the mean > o getting him a living any where, until he c juid find better employment, without being driven to the necessitv of stealing. Hesaid tome," haven t ynu got boy's aiul girls that want to see my fami- ly dance? Bring all your family to see them ; 1 will show them as much as they please tor pothins;, but others shall pay me, I am deter- „,i„eH/'-- without the least notice of, or appear- m i„ff to unJprstnnd «hat I had said keeping Up t"f.L" imposing rn.nnnr with wh.cl. he had ,...r rdsNvithout saying any more «„ the tul w'rt, during which time be proceeded otalfc ^n ib n the way he did the cven...g belore- Td a id we must watch and pray lest we en- r o temptation; he prayed w.thh.sfarn.ly ,hev could not pray fur themselves--lhat e n u^t he spiritually mindud-that to he sp.ntu- "ly minded was Hie, but to be carnally m.nd.d JrialS. Those who are sp.r.tual are m God-thosc who are carnal are in the world ; ^IgoIi was spirit, but took hum.n nature ,.pon ,i,, and c-ne down rom Heaven dclwelt anions£st us i« the Heih, tnat tii. un^," jr-hUdren ofthe spirit ; an^ began o repeat r,e Itions of thcS^cw Testament n. d.il.r- rnt Darts nearly who'e chapters, when he ob* TnlTy-Tsl\r..d^\-- bible without any book as well as others can with. 1 can read to vou almo'^ all or any chapter in the b.bie you fvill nTne, in the Old or New Testament, . ;L not nu,ch difference, in the dark as .a •r, in the light. Wv wile is a good little wo- ; a. e would re.d In the bible on Sunday, "n. ay to me, " Henry, come at down nnc bear n^^^ reAd in the bible,'V_h«t 1 would lau;.:h TU and ■'=11 1'-^ I -"''' ''■''■' ^:''''\tT1 n,c book than she could with, a.ul would ..o ut and look 1o n^y horse, or d-o any thn.g on buu- 92 ;.„ t I had said, keeping tip innrr willi whicli he had ; else. lie with him near an hour saying any more on the tiiue be proceeded lo talk Jid the evening before— ;ch and pray lest we en- le prayed with his family ; for themselves — that we indud— that to be spintu- but to be carnally minded who are spiritual arc in carnal are in the world ; ul took hum^n nature upon from Heaven, and dwelt ,h, that wo mij;ht become pirit ; an'! began to repeat New Testament in diilcr- o'e chapters, when he ob* •ead the bible without any -rs can with. 1 can read to ly chapter in the bible you Old or New Testament, it crence. in the dark as -well ]y wifii is a good little wo- nt In the bible on Sundays, lenry, come cit down and bible,"— but I would lau<:h I could read better without ouid with, and would s^o out sr, or d-o any thin^ »" ^""^ , a bad iVllow. Whenlw.is 93 in f.iii^Iand, I gave all my attr;n!Hjn fb reading the bible, and was a great Methodist, went to all their meetings, and could pray and exhort amongst them ; and finally took up preaching. I have preached in Brighton, North-Hampton, South-Hampton, and London ; and great num- bers came to hear me. i was sometiines aston- ished to sec how many followed to iiear me preach — but I did not follow that long, only n- i)out fifteen months, when I gave it up ; the reason was, I got amoiig«t the bad women in Lomlon, and got the bad disorder, and after that it would not do for me to preach among the good Methodists any longer, and I was obliged to come away — and that war. the reason I left England. 1 was a bad young man — I am young now, only 2,3, not 24 years oid yet. I did not know but I would preach again, bui I am now fpntented where I am, and do not wish to go in- fo the world any more. He never intended to leave this place, he was lietter off here than any where else, he would stiy hero until he died, and should like to die, \Vhen he was a proacii- er, he was spiritually minded, am! all was peace, all was Heaven to him ; but ever since he had been in tt e world, all wa.-, trouble an.d misery, and he never wished to go into the world again. August 15th, at noon, went lo the gaol, gave him a good dinner, and read his pardon to him. When I took it out of my pocket, he cried out, that looks like the paper 1 dreamed of about a month ago — I saw that paper, with two angel* • * I •* 94 anil a ship on it, and something that looked like snakes — i wish you would give it me ; I knew it was a coming. When reading it he paid no attention to ihe nature of it, but asked questions as foreign to the subject as possible. 1 told him as soon as I could get him some clothes, I would 4;ive him the paper, in order to take it with him, and that I would help him away with his show, that he might not be driven to the necessity of stealing. August 16th, at evening, went with a tailor to take" measure of him for a coat. VVhen he saw the tailor with his measure, he said, I wish you would give me that ribbon in your hand — It is no ribbon, said the tailor, but a measure to measure you for a coat ; come, stand up — What! said he, do you think you are tailor I nough to make me a coat ?— Yes. But you don't look like it— Let me look at your harn^ and fingers— whicl^ he did — You are no tailoi^ said he, you look more like a blacksmith — you shall never make a coat for me ; I can make it better myself ; and would not be measured. August 17th — we found he had. improved lus Scotch sentry by giving him a carved wooden head, very complete, with the national features 6( an old Highlander. This was the first of his carved work. At evening he had also much im- proved his fighters— Bonaparte, by some un- lucky stroke, llatl killed the Irishman, taken off his head, and hung it up at his right band ; a brawny eld Scotchman had taken his place, and gave Bona a hard time, knocking hina dowu as fa hi XV ri ca n; 1r d( a se ai ]» sc w w ■a' IV Hi HI X( a Cl 1 I ir fi a ri 1( d I I II ■ iiwarf ethmg that looked like Id give it me ; I knew reading it he paid no it, but asked questions IS possible. 1 told him n some clothes, I would •der to take it with him, T\ away with his show, ven to the necessity of ing, went with a tailor for a coat. When he easui'c, he said, I wish ribbon in your hand — tailor, but a measure to it ; come, stand up — 1 think you are tailor :oat ? — Yes. But you me look at your han lid — You are no tailo like a blacksmith — you for me ; I can make it Id not be measured, nd he had. improved lu's him a carved wooden ith tlie national features This was the first of his ng he had also much im- onaparte, by some un- the Irishman, taken off up at his right band ; a liad taken his place, and , knocking hina dowu as 95 : . ^ '^ fast as he eould get up. I told him he must get his family ready to move, and left him. August li5th, at noon, went to see him ; he was fiddling remarkably well, and singing mer- rily ; but when I went in he was busily at work cart inp a head, which he said was to take Bo- naparte's place, as the old Scotchman would overpower him scon. He said carving was a trade in England ; that he did not think he could do so well at it till be tried, and remarked that a man did not know what he cculd do until he set himself about it ; that he never undertook any thing but he accomplished it; except that he was stopped in this place ; and he had been «o long here he had rather stay here than any where, and never enjoyed himself better. He wished I would give him a candle to work by ; «d he would make himself a waistcoat ; »aid need not be afraid he should (Jo any harm with it ; he would set it m the middle of the floor, and take care that his straw and chips did not get fire and burn up his family, which he xould not do without, as he could not labour for a living ; beside, said he, if I was disposed, I could burn up the house without a caudle, for 1 can make fire in one hour any time. When I was a boy, said he, every body took notice of me, and I had a license for shooting when 1 was fifteen. One day ! wasoutshooting, and killed a rabbit upon a farmer's land where I had no right. The old fellow came after mo, and 1 lold him if he came near me I would knock him down ; but he caught me, and tied iv^e fast to a ! ")W W l ir i ti; |i t|ff, |I LJ.LIJ I j\l^HHII I .»jiiil)WJ..- J^J. „y. | |. ti i iwy .1 I . I , 96 large slack of fasiffots. and went away ; wl.ilst he w-,s cone, 1 ma.'.c a fire and burnt up the whole, and went off ; but the old fanner never knew how his fa-nts took fire. You don't use fag< gors in %i. country, -id he ; they are l.tt e Sticks, tied up and sold in bunches, to bo.l tea- kettle with. If I would give hiin a candle, he Would find firo to li^ht it. ,, . , .■ 1 am aware that 1 .hall incur the imputation of weakness for narrating many parts ot these jnemoirs. but as every P'":* ^^ '"^^r^^^'.^P: neared to me equally astonishing, I shal relate he simple facts as they occurred, with the full- est consciousness that I am neither obstinately blind mn wilfully deceived. Me said he had told his fortune in hn tea-cup, and it came always alike. He could tell a great deal by dreams-The devil helped fortune-te^ line, but dreams were the inspiration of Ood«ir When the ho?s came toiee him he could tell u great deal by 'them. He could tell me any thing that had happened within a year past, or that would -happen in a year to coine. My neigh- bour, he said, had a black sow that had pigs some all black and some all white, and one with red spots before and behind, and by hem he learntagreafdeal. I knew that Mr rerk.nshad a black sow with young pigs and when I we away I had the curiosity to look at them, but they did not answer his' description, and 1 thought no more about it. August 19th, at evening, many people came to see him and his performance, and when they )6 ind went away ; whilst he eaiul burnt up the wliole, old farmer never knew fire. You don't use fag- said he ; they are little d in bunches, to boil tea- ild give him a candle, he t it. hall incur the imputation ting many parts of these ■y part of his conduct ap- astonishing, 1 shall relate y occurred, with the full- t I am neither obstinately eived. I bis fortune in hi 3 tea-cup, ike. He could tell a great J devil helped fortune-te" re the inspiration of Go( to see him he could tell n He could tell me any thing 'ithin a year past, or that ,-car to come. My neigh- black sow that had pigs, me all white, and one with behind, and by them he kn«w that Mr. Perkins had un" pigs, and when I went jsiry to li'ok at them, but er his' description, and I ut it. veniiig, nr\any people came 'rformance, and when they 97 were gone out, he saiiT'to me that he had carved a new figure of Bonaparte— lliat the first he made wa/after his own image, for he ^yas a man after his own htvirt ; but he had tallen— God made man out of the dust of the earth, hut hr made men out of the wood of the earth— Ood made Adam, but he soon fell, and did nothing very bad neither. He intended to carse out our Saviour on the cross, with the two thieves ;. one of the thieves was penitent, asked pardon, and was forgiven ; so one Apostle says— the others contradict it. Three Apostles wrote, but they do not a^rce throughout. We cannot believe every .thing; but we must believe or we cannot be saved. The scripture says, he that believeth shall be saved, but he that beiieveth Hot is condemned already. As 1 was going out, he said to me (without a «[)rd having passed relative to my examining e pigO the pis^s I told you of are not those youn^ uigs ; they a-c so«ie months old. I made RO rer.iy! knowin.^ that Mr. Scovil had a sow and pigs that answered his description in every particular. j i„, Sunday. Aus;. 20th, the gaoler carried b m bis brr;'fast, with tea. He told the gaoler ho could tell him any ihiug |.ast or to come ; and beinff asked to tell any cirtumslanccs that had happened, he said, some time since you rode a great way on my account, and carried letters and papers about mel and about others too- Acraiu, you went alter a man, and you had to go on the water before you found hun, and i aa» 12 I 1 ' m not sure but you found him on the water — while you was after him you saw a man at work in tiic mud, and enquired of him fi^r the man you wanted, he toldymi what you asked of him ; you was dry, and asKed him if there was any water near that you could drink ; he told you there was a place where he had drank, and you went to it, but found the water so bad you •could not drink it. You then went after the man you was in pursuit of, found him and brought him with you, and kept him in gaol two or three days, when his friends came and took him out. 7'he gaoler was astonished, knowing the facts to be true, in every particular, and had no re- collection of ever mentioning the circumstances to any living being. Perhaps all this was but the imagery of his fancy ; but how could his fancy picture out a tale so true ? He often pr dieted things beyond the power of human fon sight, which, repeated here, would seem ab- surd, but to my positive knowledge proved cor- rect. Many surprising facts of this nature could be related of him during his confinement, which it might be tedious to enumerate. One, |»owev- evefv that came particularly within my own ob- servation, I vvHI relate. He observed cue morn- ing that an English gentleman was coming to see him — he described his dress, ?.nd said he wore white top boots. In the course of the day, Mr. Knox called to see him, in the dress he had described — Smif|;i took but little notice of him^ I nd him on the water — 1 you snw a man at work cd ol' him fgr tho niuii 1 what you askfcd of him ; ed him if there was any uld drink ; be told you e he had drank, and you the water so bad you fou then went after the suit of, found him and and kept bim in gaol two is friends came and took ished, knowing the facts irticuiar, and had no re- iuning the circumstances 'erhaps all this was but icy ; but how could his so true ? He often pn le power of liuman fo 1 here, would seem ab- s knowledge proved cor- s of this nature could be lis confmement, which it umerate. One, jjiowev- lariy within my own ob- He observed cue morn- itkman was coming to 1 his dreus, ?.nd said he In the cours'j of the day, him, in the dress he bad but little notice of him^ %: 99 fcul as he was retiring, said to him, " call and see me again, when you piss this way" — inti- mating at the same time that he had sometiiing to communicate. 'J'owards evening I met with Jlr. Knox ^?Judgc PickettS, and invited him to go with itie again to the gaol — and he agreed to call at my liouse in a short time for tiiat pur- pose — On his way to my house, he stopped at Mr. Perkins', where he w;>s warmly urged fo stay to supper — and being informed that I was engaged in business, he concluded to s' f, and d at the Court-Housc in lizance required, his own 101 .trurity m fiftv pounds, to plead his parJnu when called for. After liberating him Irom his rhiins, and supplying him with decent clothln^, it wai with djiiculty 1 prevailed on him to leave the "aol. lirtook one of his rhildrrn in one l,,n(?and a pair of ^cifsars in the othc", and •vrntout ; after much exertion 1 got him up to the Jury room, where Judge Michoau read hi>i ivirJon to him. and explained the circumstances which produced it ; to which he paid not the Mi.allest attention, but looked about and talked •f something else. Judge Pickett then required his recognizance, and informed him that unless he immediately left the Province he would be taken and tried on two indictments pending a- Sainst him in the County of York. He took no notice of what hi said ; talked and danced, tola tlie Judge he looked like a tailor, and asked hiin to give him his shoe-strings. His pardon lying m the table, he caught h'dd of it, and before it could be taken from him clipped off the seal with his scissars ; he wanted, the ship on it to ca-ry him away with his family ; tore off the capo ol his coat, and cut it in pieces, as he did also his shoes. Finding we could do nothing witlf him, I returned him again to prison, where he said, for using him so kindly, for one shilling he would show us his whole performance. Judge Micheau handed him a half dollar piece, and said give me a quarter dollar in change, and you will have more than a shilling left. He took it, and said it was a nice pieco c" money, 102 and put It in his pocket ; but the Judge could by no means make him understand the nieaniug of change. He tiien performed his exhibition. When vve were going, he seerne(y||t of humour, and told Judge Pickett he hadtSf6wn stones at him, and he would burn his house ; and threat- ened that this place should be in flames before morning; he could make fire in half an hour, and wanted a light, and would have one, August 29th, early in the morning, I went to the gaol to prepare for his removal, but to my great vexation and surprize found it actually oii fire. 1 opened the door immediately, and with a bucket of water extinguished it. Found hini smoking his pipe, as unconcerned as ever. He had broken up the necessary, and with that and the chips of his carved work hfc had kindled a fire. He said fire was very comfortable, and he had not seen any before in a long time ; that he made it with' his own hands, and would make it again in ten minutes, as he could not do with- out some light. I shut him up in a suffocating smoke, which did not s^em to give him the least inconvenience, and called in some of the neigh- bours to assist me, and ordered him to put his show into the box ; he took no notice of it ; 1 took down Dne and laid it in the box, when he seemed pleased, said he would put them all in that box immediately, and began very actively t . take them down ; wanted no assistance from any one but leave him the light and he would joe'^all re;.'dy in half an hour. We left him the candle and went out. When I returned he was ^ .-H- 102 :ket ; but the Judge could m understand the meaning performed his exhibition. , he seerne(^lttt of humour, ;tt he had tl^wn stones at urn his house ; and threat- should be in flames before make fire in half an hour, md woulU have one. in the morning, I went to for his removal, but to roy jrprize found it actually on loor immediately, and with ctinguished it. Found him unconcerned as ever. He ccessary, and with that and ed work hfc had kindled a k'as very comfortable, and before in a long time ; that )wn hands, and would make es, as he could not do with- hut him up in a suffocating 3t s^-em to give him the least ;alied in some of the neigh- and ordered him to put his he took no notice of it ; 1 laid it in the box, when he J he would put them all in y, and began very actively wauled no assistance from him the light and he would fan hour. We left him the . When I returned he was 103 walking the gaol, with every tiling put up in the n^'atest manner ; it was a curiosity to see with wh.nt skill he had packed them : gave him a pair of shoes, and with his box on his shoulder, he marched ci£|o the boat i had prepared for his departure, at^ptvith (liree men to assist me we setoff for St. John. He prayed and pr(?ache(land sang Methodist hymns, with a most inimitable tone, all the way, at thi' ^nmc time acting hi.* crazy capers, tearing lii« clothes, &c. We made no stop on the passage, and arrived at St. John at 8 o'clock in the evening. He said he must have a hot supper with tea, and wished to be locked up in a strong room, for he must see all his family to night, or tliey would die in the box. When we arrived at the gaol I found all the rooms of the prison occupied, or undergoing re- pairs, and had no place to confine him. I im- mediately called on the Sheriff, who had no means to assist me, as he could not receive him into custody, nor suffer him to be put with otiier prisoners in the gaol ; and to add to my trouble, I learnt that thee was no vessel to sail for seve- ral days. 1 returned to the gaol, and found Smith at his supper. When he had drank lii"; [tea, he looked in his cyp, and iinniediately ?ni(! [he must not disturb his family that night, for he I saw the ship then at the wharf that was to take I him to his wife, and there would be crying. — [The gaoler cleared out a small room in the [house, with a grated window, where we secur- jed hint for the night. I had determined to send Ihim to Nova-Scotia, and going out early next. i 1 104 4 * morning, 1 met a friend of mine, who informed me that his schooner, then lying at the wharl. would sail for Nova-Scotia in half an hour, and 1 persuaded him to take Smith on board. 1 had him brought down immediately and at h.^li water she hauled off and -ot Oiifcr way with him, to the great satisfac.ion of p,11 beamd.— When the vessel arrived on the oppositt shore, he left her without taking any thing with him, was seen in the street a short time, and then suddenly disappeared. The first information I have ot this eKtraor- dinary person is as follows : In September. 1812, he came to Windsor, in Nova-Scotia, where he was met by Mr. Bond, a respectable farmer, of the town of Rawdon. He vyanted to *et employment in the country, and said he tvouJd do any thing. After some conversation. Mr Bond agreed with him to assist him on his farm, for one month, upon trial ; and he proved to be extremely steady, careful and industrious, and gained the confidence of the old gentleman, while at the same time he won the aflection ol his daughter. He called himself Henry Fred- vHICK MoON. - Mr. B ji J being a reli^ous man, he contorm- ed strictly to his principles ; was always punc- tual at evening and morning prayer, and seem- ed very devout and erious. In this way he continued ' fome time, when the attachment between him and the daughter was too close to be unobserved. He asked her hand m mar- riage but it did n«t gnit the old grntleman*- 104 4 ■• id of mine, who informe«| then lying at the wharf, cotia in half an hour, and ke Smith on board. I had mmftdiatelnn and at hi^h and -ot bK*' way with isfac.ion ofpll behind. — ved on the oppositt s-hore, taking any thing with him, et a short time, and then I. on I have ot this eKtraor- follows : In September. Windsor, in Nova-Scotia, y Mr. Bond, a respectable f Rawdon. He wanted to the country, and said he After some conversation. Ih him to assist him on his upon trial ; and he proved dy, careful and industrious, icnce of the old gentleman, me he won the affection ol ailed himself Henry Fred- reli^ous man, he conform- nciples ; was always punc- morning prayer, and seeni- I -erious. In this way he time, when the attachment e daughter was too close to e asked her hand in mar- ut suit the old gentleman*^ 106 views, and he would not give his consent. All l!ie persuasions of her friends were used in vain to wean her from him. but her affettiont were so str(g||||^fixed, that she left her father's house, and^ip^eu liim on the 12th of March, 1813. Her name was Elizabeth P. BoNft. He continued in Rawdon, and professed to b.o a tailor, but pursued no regular business. A letter from a gentleman in that town speaks ot him as follows : "He could sew complelelj, and cutout clothes very well, but in fact could do any thing he turned his hand (o. Me would frequently set out for Halifax in lh«j nfternoon, and be home in (he morning, always bringing with him a quantity of goods, and once was known to, bring jlj'M in ijold. Ho told Mr. Bond he was born in ScotJand, but had lived mostly in England. No person here knows more of him, except that ho always appeared decently dressed, \Gry affable, obliging and in- offensive. He was never known to be intoxicat- ed, never used bad language, and appeared to be addicted to no b;ul habits of any kind. Be- ing asked how he procured the articln that hfl' brougiit from Halifax,' he said he hlld a friend there by the name of Wilson, who furnished liim with every thing he wanted. At length ^ume suspicions were ciitertainei'"" jainst him, and a warrant was Kot out to ap,< jiid him. and getting information of il, in July 1314, he left Rawdon, and made his escape." During his confinement, the tollowing letter was received from his tvifc : K ■fcwn will 106 Rawdon, May 26lh, 181 5 > Uy dear HiTSiiANP -1 received your letter, dated know whether you was at Kingston IIPKot. i«y "ej^y death. Mr. H. F. M. S. Kingston. P. S.-l enclose this letter to Mr. Levi Lockhart and have requested him to five it to yoursoU. You can .fv-^ou? answer to him and ! shull get .t safe." " Mr. LeviLockhart faithfully delivered the a- bove letter to Smith, hut could not make him un- derstand any thing, oreven look atth^wr.tmg; »,r. twisted it up and threw it away without giv- ing the least countenance to it. . • °N«t long after his discharge, I heard of h.m at Moose Island, and after that, a gentleman who knew him while in prison, saw hi.n in the street at Portland. From thence he proceeded to Boston, and on the 7th of Noven.ber, he ar- rived at NeW-Haven, in the Uoston stas^e^ by Ihe way of New-London, with a large trunk full ofclothi«g, a small portable desk, and tno.u^ i„ his pockets. He was dre.sed in a gentee frock coat, with breeches and laii-top boots, and remained several days at Mr. H. Butler's inn. Thus in little morn than two monthi irom tht. -«J5««llHmi»,a(.;(p|»in« I) nu )6 AWDON, May SSlb, 1815. received your letter, dated May. Vou say you have ; if you liavel never receiv- come ai^MjTOU, wlndi I he letter i^V, but did not t Kingston TPWlot. My dear, not conic to see you; ifynu me imu.edidtely, it my child • «he is very ficU, and 1 am th myself. My dear, as soon i,iav send me your answer, , do— BO no more at i)r.jspnf ; ■ and atrection.-vte wiie undl ' ELIZABETH T. M. S. ;ston. or to Mr. Levi Locklinrt, and "ive it to yourself. Von can „d 1 shall get it safe." faithfully delivered the a- ut could not make himun- r even look at the writing; brew it away without giv- nce to il. • . discharse, I heard of him d after that, a geutitman in prison, saw hiui in the Prom thence he proceeded ) 7th of November, he ar- ', in the Uoston sta^e^ hy don, with a large Irurik full )ortabie desk, and money was dressed in a genteel dies and fair-top boots, and j^sat Mr. H. Butler's inn. tlinn two monthi from thfi 107 time he was discliarijcd from my custody, jien- nyless and alnio.st naked, amongst strangers and without friend?, and in a time of war, he finds his #ay frwn one country's territory to anoth- er, appeagHwhe character of a gentleman- a'ld with his nHpist slipped from the halter, still strugsles iiitre cbace with " lanie-leggcd Jus- tice:" „ ., After his departure from New-Hayen, the following paragraph appeared in the Connecti- cut Journal, dated November 13th : " Another Phenomenon.— On T\\ms^ only of the scarcity of limber'lo complete the group. He had the ad- dress, by an irresistable flow of good humour aad cheerfulness, to make some believe he was K2 c'iii'T;mrr«iiriiteilllj in JL 110 quite an innocent and harmless, man, and excited sympathy enough in those who had the curiosi- ty to see him to obtain s«veray^atifications which prisoners do noftsually e^Pf- ^'^* •'"" deepness of his cunning was evinced in accom- plishing the means of his escape, which he et- tected by sawinj; a hole in his prison door, which is several inches inches thick, so neatly that the block could be taken out and replaced without showing any mark of violence. Through this hole he could thrust his arm, and by shoving back the bolts and wrenching off I wo strong pad- locks, found, at the hour of supper, when the person who waited on the prisoners was giving them their food, a free passage to the hall of the county-house, and thence to the street. 1 lie saw is supposed to bo one vised on board the Steam-Boat Fulton for cutting iron, which he stole on his transportation from Kew-York (where he was apprehended) to this place, and so artfully did he conceal it that, though re- peatedly searched before his confinement, and afterwards, at the suggestion of Capt. Bunker, to discover this very instrument, he was enabled to retain and use it lor his purposes." On his escape Newman adopted the same poli- cy he had pursued when he escaped frrom the gaol of Kind's County— He stopped a few miles from the city, in one of the adjacent towns, and made no haste to elude his pursuers— and not teing personally known, his apparent uncon- cern rendered him less liable to suspicion. At this time Mr. Butler happened to be in N- 110 harrales* man, and exciJed hose who had the curiosi- taiii SHvera^ralifications It iisually eJp'- Yet the ng was evinced in accom- bis escape, which he ef- le in his prison door, which es thick, so neatly that the out and replaced without f violence. Through this his arm, and by shoving enchingoflftwo strong pad- hour of supper, when the m the prisoners was giving 56 passage to the hall of the lience to the street. Tlie )c one vised on board the for cutting iron, which h& ortation from Kew-York jhended) to this place, and onceal it that, though re- efore his confinement, and uggestion of Capt. Bunker, instrument, he was enabled or his purposes." vman adopted the same poli- vheo lie escaped frrom the ty — He stopped a few miles e of the adjacent towns, and lude his pursuers — and not nown, his apparent uncon- ess liable to suspicion. Butler happened to be in N. Ill York, and on bis return by lap' a few miles from the city, met Mr. ]¥iliiam j.«amon, trav. elling leisurely on the road, who passed him with as inuc^an;^ froid as though he had noth- ing to apprt;hcnvith strong spikes. d taken up he l^arricaded ane '•ould enter — made a chain from his foot upon le room, smoking his pipe. 1 the door, he said this was ic should enter it without )ssiter finding him deler- : door, and having in vain jy other means, sent for a lim to make a IrSle in the divided the lower rooms, to enter, and the mason en Newman concluded to He Sheriff went in and se- lig he was more closely ad chains ; when he renew- yelling and screaming all up until his trial, which a ilace. 10 particulars of his trial ; •rally , that he was con- n the evidence of having I the house of Mr. H. But- idy was sleeping, and stoje 113 one of her ear-rings which l.iy upon the candle- stand by the side of her bed ; for which offence he was sentencnd to be conlintd in Newgate, (Simsbury Mines) for three j ears. In order tu%identify the person of William Newman as that of lienrij Alore Smith, I came | to New-Haven, whcro I obtained these particu- lars resp(!ctihj{ him. I had a curiosity to see him, and to know how he conducted in New- i;ate, and proceeded there for that purpose. 1 was treated, by Captain Washburn, the keeper, with politeness and attention. I inquired the conduct of IViltiam JVewman. Captain Wash- burn said he behaved very well ; that when he was brought here, he was told he was a bad fel- low, but he found he had so many worse ones, he did not think any tiling of Newman. I ask- ed wii2t occupation he had given him ; he said ho was a tailor if any thing, but he had not been put to wofk much, as h« was subject to fits, and unable to labour ; that his fits were fright- ful ; that in his distress he would whirl round on his head and shoulders like a top ; that he had galled and bruised himself with 1ms irons, aiid in his convulsive agonies had broken the shackJes on his legs, so that they now only put n shackle on one leg. This information was as convincing to me as sight. Capt. Washburn brought him before me in his quarters. On see- ing him, I recognized him instantly. I asked him if he had «^vcr seen ine before — He did not know but he Bad", atJVere-Hazcn. Where did ^•ou come from '.—Canada. What countryman i\ \ 114 are you ? Ji Frcnrhman, bom in Francr. Was you ever in Eiiglaiul ? Fie had been at London and Liverpool, but never at Brighton. Was you ever at Kingston or St. John, New-Bruns- wick ? He answered, A'o, he ilic^ot kmtwaihiire thai uui.1 ! with a countenance as finn and stea- dy as ilit had really been true. He appeared i-ather more fleshy than when at Kingston, hut still the same subtle and mysteriou? being. He is the tirst 1 believe that has succeeded to re- lieve hinisell' from labour in that prisonj by any pretence or deception. He keeps ffiniself clean and decent as usual, and amoni^st the wretched victims, (ilty-seven in number, daily disgorged from the horrid pit in which they are immured, and put to their daily labour in chains and fet- ters, William Newman appears like a distin- guished character. I have been impelled both by duty and jncli- • nation to publish these memoirs, because the facts are both curious and astonishing ; and be- cause, with the knowledge of (hem, I thought it iny duty to society toi-xpose them to the world, that all ifiiglit be better enabled to guard against the insidiou* approaches of an artful and de- signing villain. If 1 had felt competent to add such moral reflections as the subject would nat- urally inspire in a seriou.s and reflecting mind, the work would have been rendered more conducive to the propagation of good morals, and far more worthy oi public notice — but con- scious of my inability, 1 have been contented with a simple narrative of facts, which my repu- 114 man, born in France, Was 1 ? Me had hcun at London ncvir at Brighton. Was •11 or St. John, New-Bruns- ). A'o, he dicigiot knDXi) where )unteiiance as firm and stea- ly been true. He appeared than when at Kingston, but I and mysteriou? l)einj;. He u that has succeeded to re- ibour in that prisoni by any on. He keeps nimself clean !, and amons^st the wretched in number, daiiy disgorged in which they are itnmured, \y labour in chains and fct- nan a|)pears like a distin- lled both by duly and incli- • liese memoirs, because the LIS and astonishing ; and be- iwledge of them, 1 thought it to expose them to the world, tter enabled to guard against caches of an artful and de- 1 had felt competent to add )ns as the subject would nat- seriou.s and reflecting mind, have been rendered more propagation of good morals, y of public notice — but con- lity, 1 have been contented live of facts, which my repu- 113 lalion is pleuged to support, and which thnt re- putation is sulKcicnt to sub^-tanliate wherever I am known. To expose the drfiirmilU's of vice, and the coiiscquinres of a vicious life, must |M-o- duce the strongest incentives to virlcfc — and it would be tiie author's greatest pride to f«'el the assurance that the publication of tlie.-e memoirs should have drterred a single intiividual from falling into that unhappy course of life, whicU brough't the subject jl them to shame and dis- grace, audio the verge of a painful and igno- minious death. The following is a description of his person. He is about five feet nine inches high ; bis limbs straight and well proportioned; appears rather slender, but is large boned, close and well jointed ; his wrists large, and his fingers un- commonly long ; complexion light, but his skin a little of a sallow cast ; his hair dark brown, handsomely grown, and curls naturally in front ; his eyes light gray, 2 irst committed to New- irsue the same course of efoie so siiccessluUy put at first put to do the cutting and piling wood, t he was desirous of liv- , and in order to procure Gcpor. he feigned illness, its, of a most violent and , until hi;-! character be- loped, succeeded so far the block, and the appli- iry or regular employ- ion of the foregoing mc- lingofthe identity of his cd that he was imposing keepers, and means were n. t^evcral experiments period of his attacks to 5 ; but with a determina- an effect so imposing did that it was hard to beiipvt: I of such agonizing mock- of his former conduct t him, but the evidence of lost spoke conviction. [ kind denominated falling ion to convulsions, froth- he raised blood and com- in his lungs and a weak id sallow countenance ad- )ms of discafc, an almost 123 irresistible evidence of its reality. After he Lad carried on the farce for sonic lime, he dis- closed the deception to one of the prisoners, who was • mployed by the Keeper to endeavor to draw from him such facts as might lead to his detection in case he designed to escape, who, being furnished with ink and paper, communi- cated to Capt. Washburn, the substance of his communications with Nevvman. The facts communicated through this sourcft are briefly as follows : — That Newman is an Englishman ; born in Biighton, whore his par- ents reside ; bis name he has never disclosed ; his parents gave him a good education, and brought bini up in a style of life which, whca be came to maturer years, he found himself un- able to support. He was fond of sports and a- niusements, and passed all the rounds of dissi- pation and pleasure, till his resources failed ban, when, in concert with some of his gay coni- pani' IS, he began to resort to unlawful means to rei Senish his^dissipaled store. He had com- miticd several robberies, undetected, and had ceased to experience those " compunctious vis- itings" which the young offender cannot avoid, when an opportunity for plunder offered, so tempting to his cupidity that the enormity of the offence presented no barrier to its commis- sion. A gentleman of property, in the vicinity of Brighton, had gone on business to Loudon ; leaving only a young lady as housekeeper un- til his return. Newman, and two of his com- panions, resolved to plunder the house ; bciiij . 124 inmntes of the family, they conlrivetl to admin- ister laudanum to the lady, in the course of an evening's entertainment, whicli throwing her into a profound apalliy, they plundered the liouse of money and plate to the amount of twenty two hundred pounds, and departed. The young lady was afterwards found dead, and a reward of one thousand pounds sterling was offered for the detection of the perpetrators of this nefarious deed. His two companions fled, and fearful himself that some clue might be found to lead to his discovery and bring him to justice, he left England for America and arrived at Halifax. The history of his progress in this country, up to his confinement in Newgate it given in the narrative of Mr, Bates. The com- munications of Newman to his fellow prisoners, (none of whom have bacn permitted to see these memoirs,) fully confirm every thing that Las been stated — He has personally related the same facts, and boasted of the means by which he accomplished his deceptions. In one of the communications of his fellow prif^oner, after stating the nature of his first at- tempts in falling sickness, the writer says : — •' In addition to the former he succeeded in his last tumbling match. He thinks two more grand tragedies will seal the deception. The first is to take place when the Dostor is here, and he wishes me to give him notice when he comes into the gate, that he may take the opportunity without any apparent knowledge of his pres- ence. If he succeeds in deceiving the Doctor, 124 ', they conlrivetl to admiii- • lady, in the course of an lent, whicli throwing her illiy, they plundered the d plate to the amount of il pounds, and dfiparted. is afterwards found dead, a thousand pounds sterling Btection of the perpetrators ed. His two companioBs >clf that some clue might be discovery and bring him to nd for America and arrived itory of his progress in tfiis confinement in Newgate it e of Mr, Bates. The com- nan to his fellow prisoners, e bftcn permitted to see y confirm every thing that has personally related the ited of the means by which deceptions. nmunications of his fellow g the nature of his first at- ikness, the writer says : — former he succeeded in his He thinks two more grand the deception. The first is the Dostor is here, and he )im notice when he comes e may take the opportunity int knowledge of his pres- ds in deceiving the Doctor, 125 the nfcxf exhilntion i.-i to take pijcc in liie Cha pel on the Sabb.ilh, that he may have the audi- ence of the town* to witness his experiments in the ju^-iiii5 art, in expectation that they will commisserate his unfortunate situation, and he thinks by that time he will be (juile relieved from being put to the blink, which is his aim and full determination at present. He declares if he is put to a block he will heave his ham- mer fn a fit and kilt some one, if he cannot shun it in any other way. He -ays he did not think ot having fits until alter he came here — that Horton (one of the prisoners) suggested it to him, and said that he had succeeded in reliev- ing himself from labour by that means. " He has found an entire lu.w way of raising blood, which is by pounding brick to a powder^, putting it in a small rag, and chewing it in his mouth — Sometimes he pricks his gums, or sucks the blood from his teeth. He contrives to vary his pulse' by pounding |iis elbows, and other means of violence, and thus Micceeds in deceiving a physician. He tells me he cart take the flesh off himself in ten days, and has experimental knowledge of the mc;.ns~It is by sucking a copper cent in his mouth all night, and swallowing the saliva, which destroys "^fhu juices of the body, and produces premature de- cay. He is still apprehensive that be shall have lu * Divine service is performed cn-ry Sal.liulli .it the prison, in a room in ttio sjuard house, neatly fitted up ■«vhcre the inbubitants of the vicinity ii. ually ullcud <; j^ T 126 answer for the crime of murder — the reward of a thousand pounds (lie says) stands good against him now if he should be taken on that ground after his discharge from prison, and he is calcu- lating to be crazy during the last six months of his conhnqraent, to avoid justice. He says if he is taken back to England he is sure to be hang- •'!•" . .■ According to the information given in tins communication, when the Doctor visited the prison again Newman fell in a violent fit. Capt. Washburn ordered a pail of water to be brought, and with a pitcher he poured a small and con- tinued stream of water upon his nostrils, which prevented respiration, and obliged him to turn his head to procure breath, which he would not have done had the fits been real. The discovery, however, was not made known to Newman, and he continued to flatter himself that he was on " the full tide of successful experiment." A suitable opportunity soon offered to exhibit himself in the chapel, and accordingly just as the blessing was pronouncing by the officiating clergyman at the conclusion of the service, he fell into a fit. The sergeant of the guard, who was prepared for the event, ins.tantly stepped upon his breast, and ordered others to confine his legs and arms, by stepping upon them, which placed the unhappy patient in a most unpleasant predicament — and not liking the pre- scription, he was soon restored to h-s senses, without producing any other effect than fright- . ening the audience,- and hastening them away 126 f murder — the reward of says) stands good against be taken on that ground n prison, and he is calcu- ng the last six months of lid justice. He says if he ind he is sure to be hang- iformation given in this I the Doctor visited the fell in a violent fit. Capt. ail of water to be brought, poured a small and con- r upon his nostrils, which , and obliged him to turn reath, which he would not been real. The discovery, Ic known to Newman, and er himself that he was on iccessful experiment." A soon offered to exhibit I, and accordingly just as nouncing hy the officiating Delusion of the service, he sergeant of the guard, who ! event, insjantly stepped ordered others to confine by stepping upon them, mhappy patient in a most ent — and not liking the pre- oon restored to his senses, ny other effect than fright- ,- and hastening them away 127 with a little more precipitancy than th^y would otherwise have gone. After these circumstances had transpired, Newman was put into the workshop and confin- ed to the block in common with the other pris- oners, '.there he has continued ever since, con- duct 'ig himself well towards those whose duty it has been to watch him. He continues, how- ever, to have fits occasionally, but always pays dear for his temerity. He has never made any attempt to escape, and it is believed he has giv- en up any project of that kind, though he de- clared on being committed, that he would not remain there three months. Capt. Washburn, in reply to a letter address- ed by the publishers to him, after touching the foregoing particulars, observes : " 'liipre can- not exist a doubt that he is the man of whom Mr. Hates, the Sheriff of King's County, has written — Th^e arc many circumstances which tend to corroWrate his narrative. He acknowl- edges that he was in Canada. He has likewise made many puppets since he came to tliis place, niifch like thoso described hy Mr. liates — In short, the title he has given him, viz ; the Mys- terious Stranger, could hardly be so well suited to another. Should any thing hereafter come to my knowledge respecting him, worth the at- tention of the public, I will, with pleasure, give you the earliest information. J am, respectfully, yours, &c. CHAKLES VVASHDURN, Prison Keei'r.^^ * JJ