Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-02-20

t,cc Lehay, he had reason 10 believe that
Neitles had murdered his uncle, and de-
sired him TO apprehcnd him. This is the
taoper place 10 remark, that the little girl,
Dorothy, had told her cousin Geo. c'that
she saw Neitles killing her father, and
had taken him TO the spot and showed
him the blood and marks OF struggle
The Justice ordered the persons present
to apPrsheud Netlles, and,h scnt some
or them, with a constable and search
warrant, to search Netiles's house, where
they found, behind a chest, pair of over
ais, with the knees begrimed with dirt of
the same colos as the ground where Cam
non was murdered; and placed between
the feather bed and the natrass, on which
Nettes I>y, and q shirt and waislcoat.
with the breast stained with blood, and
woman's nearest garment, ia the same
state, and with the arms torn oil from it
ALI rolled uptogether.--Tbe pantaloons,
| shirt and wais,coat were proved 10 have
belonged to Ne,tles--lhe other to Mrs.
Cannon and all were exhibited in court:
and it was proved that Nettlcs wore his ON
the Gath, and had them on when going
into his bed chamber chat n.gh, but that,
When called IN the morning 10 go to the
house OF Mr.. Cannon, who was killed, he
called for clean clothes, and would not
come out OF his room, ,ilIhe had dressed
himsrifin them. The inference hepe was
manifesti
The circumstance Of the under cloath-
ing Of Mrs Cannon being fund wrapped
UP witt, those OF Nettles, was little OK.
traurdnary. Mrs. Cannon owned |; to~bs
hers, but her mother, Mrs. Campbell,
who, by the bye. Was housekceper 10 Net
ties, her daug hief's adulterer, swors that it
had been given TO her as Old linen 10 cut
up, she iaboring under some tlislempev
that rec1ired oh things. Indeed, The
Attorney General dr. TO, seem to (hink lt
necessaryto nsist upon it, as an ingredi-
ent towards the conviction of Mrs. Caa-
uons In evidences. however, something
Came out which thrcwsaray ofiight fIiot
positive, but circumstanciaI Lightly upon
the bringing of the body OF Cannon
back to his bed. On the oath, al night.
the murder took place; on the 25lh, the
Cofoner's Inquest made up their vefdicl,
on the 27th, Mrs. Cannon SEA, = message
by MIR. Mcbride, 10 Mr.. Justice Lshayto
go to hcr--he went. Mr. Lehay, Who
through Inc whole ct this dreaded BUSH
ness, displayed a degree OF discretion,
strengths of mind, cool dispassionate iudg-
ment, and conscientious integrity, that do.
him Infinite honor, abslain,s fi.,n speak,
ing TO her, till she should speak 70 him.
She desired 10 know if she might be all
lowed 10 Become evidence Tor the state 2
HE spilled that he did not know
She then asked him, whether she svosld
ger clear Of Ca'lnon's blood il she sonfessed .
al! she knew about tire numbering of iiimf
HE very discreetly and judiciously re-.
piIed, that it was too serious question:
for him 10 answer. She then related TO
him that she went out to the door, and saw
a certain person and another along with
h:ra, numbering Cannon tThe ,ulss of
evidence forbid the stating aoy thing which
the prisoner Cannon was heard TO say, as
evidence against tho prisoner NetIles.
The name of Netties was, therefore, nor
mentioned but it was, with the provision
that he should not be affS6ted by il, un-
derstood that he was the person who she !.
said murdefed Cannon.)--1hat size went
up and took hold of him By the arm that
he showed her off--and that she cried TO
aim, For Chrisl's sake, don't. don't -
Here j, IS to be observed thai Mrs. C. was,
AT the time OF this confession, in custody,
and under The persuasion that husband
being found dead in The bed of his vile,
the wife would be held guilty, if she did
not discover the murderers.
This is The general amount ofthe case;
and we have given il 70 the best Of our
Judgment with fidelity. IL we err, it's
not wilfully. We should, however, feel
that We did wrong, ii we left the matter.
here. The majority Of mankind arc prone
to decide by passion, rather than by rsa-,
son iews or rather none, but professional
men, are capable of distinguishing in all
cases, between legal and moral guilt and
thee are many, who on the bare state.
ment OF The above, will be surprised how
u should happonthai, under such circum-
stances, Elizabeth Cannon was found no,
guilty ITO such persons, we beg leave
TO say that, though the woman may have
deserved punishment, and though condne
such a. hers must ever meet with the ey.
ecralIon and adherence of all who arc not
as bad as herself: vet her acon;ftaf =.