The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-25 00:00:00

7HE SICKLES TRAGEDY.

The New York Heraldof the 13th inst. is occu-
pied over some two-and-thirty columns of its space
with a verbatim report of the Sickles trial. It con-
tains but little that would interest English readers,
but few of whom, we apprehend, would have the
patience to wade through a tenth part of it. The
speech of the counsel for Mr. Sickles occupies no
less than eight closely-printed columns of the paper.
The learned gentleman in the course of his exces-
sively verbose address indulges the court with some
very copious extracts from the Old Testament, the ob-
ject of which, we presume, was to show that adultery
is in opposition to the Divine command. Judging
from the abundant use the counsel for the defence
makes of the sacred text, we are led to infer that
the Bible is not a popular book in the States. The
jury doubtless derived a great moral lesson from the
reading of the Ten Commandments and certain
chapters from the Old Testament with which they
were kindly favoured; but as the greater parts
of
the extracts were not necessary to the. case, it is
not easy to see the advantage of reading them,
Without attempting to convey even an idea of the
evidence given, the chief facts of which, relating to
the attack upon the deceased Key, we have already
published on previous occasions, it will be sufficient
to subjoin the following upon the facts contained
in which the provocation to the crime may at once
be found :

" THE CONFESSION OF MRS. SICKLES.
" The following is Mrs. Sickles's written confession,
which was offered in evidence :

" I have been in a house in Fifteenth-street with Mr.
Key. How many times I don't know. I believe the house
belongs to a coloured man. The house is unoccupied. Com-
menced going there the latter part of January. Have been
in alone and with Mr. Key. Usually stayed an hour or
more. There was a bed in the second storey. I did what
is usual for a wicked woman to do. The intimacy com-
menced this winter, when I came from New York, in that
house—an intimacy of an improper kind. Have met half-
a-dozen times or more, at different hours of the day. On
Monday of this week, and Wednesday also. Would arrange
meetings when we met in the street and at parties. Never
would speak to him when Mr. Sickles was at home, because
I know he did not like me to speak to him. Did not see
Mr. Key for some days after I got hero. He then told me
he had hired the house as a place where he and I could
meet. I agreed to it. Had nothing to eat or drink there.
The room is warmed by a, wood fire. Mr. Key generally
goes first. Have walked there together say four times—
Ido not think more. Was there on Wednesday last, be-
tween two and three. I went there alone. Laura was at
Mrs. Hoover's. Mr. Key took and left her there at
my request. From there I went to Fifteenth-street to
meet Mr. Key; from there to the milkwoman's. Imme-
diately after Mr. Key left Laura at Mrs. Hoover's, I met
him in Fifteenth-street. Went in by the back gate. Went
in the same bed-room, and there an improper interview was
had. I undressed myself. Mr. Key, undressed also. This
occurred on Wednesday; February 23, 1859. Mr. Key has
kissed me in this house a number of times. Ido not deny
that we have had connection in this house last spring, a
year ago, in the parlour, on the sofa. Mr. Sickles
was sometimes out of town, and sometimes in the
Capitol. I think the intimacy commenced in April or
May, 1858. I did not think it safe to meet him in
this house, because there are servants who might suspect
something. As a general thing, have worn a black and
white woollen plaid dress, and beaver hat trimmed with
black velvet. Have worn a black silk dress, there also, also
a plaid silk dress, black velvet cloak trimmed with lace, and
black velvet shawl trimmed with fringe. On Wednesday I
either had on my brown dress, or black and white woollen
dress, beaver hat, and woollen shawl. I arranged with Mr.
Key to go in the back way after leaving Laura at Mrs.
Hoover's. He met me at Mr. Douglas's. The arrangement
to go in the back way was either made in the street or at Mr.
Douglas's, as we would be less likely to be seen. The house is
in Fifteenth-street, between K and L streets, on the left hand
inltewrlewt finortliVeedfronensdat
door;
;thiet
sstiteeotf, the
tehwinaky,;
Monday.oanrran
was open; occupied the saint room ; undressed myself, and
;arranged
the
he also ; went to bed together. Mr. Key has ridden in Mr.
Sickles' carriage, and has called at his house without Mr.
Sickles' knowledge, and after my being told not to invite
him to do so, and against Mr. Sickles' repeated request.
" TERESA BAGIOLI.
" This is a true statement, written by myself, without
any inducement held out by Sickles of forgiveness or
reward, and without any menace from him. This I have
written with my bed-room door_ open, and my maid and
child in the adjoining room, at half-past eight o'clock in
the evening. Miss Ridgeley is in the house, within call.
" TERESA BAGIOLI.'
" Lafayette. square, Washington, D.C., Feb. 26, 1859.
" Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton dined here two weeks ago
last Thursday, with a large party. Mr. Key was also here,
her brother, and at my suggestion he was invited, because
he lived in the same house, and also because he had invited
Mr. Sickles to dine with him, and Mr. Sickles wished to in-
vite all those from whom he had received invitations ; and
Mr. Sickles said, ' Do as you choose.'
" TERESA. BAGIOLL
" Written and signed in presence of C. M. Ridgeley
and Bridget Ditty, Feb. 26t 1859.' "
" The whole of the confession is in Mrs. Sickles' hand-
writing. It is plainly and distinctly written, and bears
little if any evidence of the nervousness and trepidation
natural to the penning of such a paper.
" Mr. Bradley was in court to-day, sitting beside and
occasionally conferring with the counsel for the prosecu-
tion."