Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-04-17

with the greater facility. But with not
de,.an you my dear sir, with the frantic
rawlings Of a mind 81 perfectly killed with
care. The denoument approaches fast.
As the shipwreckcd mariner elings ts
the parting vessel, which he fondly hope
may contain sustenanee and strength e
nough 70 bear him to the shore; as tn
timid virgin, who is about TO be sacrifice,
to the man she hates, supp,icates the for
bearance of her father, and watches hi
-countenance as the ,doating wife who
in moment expectation ofbcing torn from
tho arms of a beloved husband, looks wild
ly round for the appearance ofsome pity
ing friend so did your unfortunate kins
man in this. trying hour. There we're tw'
gentlemen whom could not but THINK max
yet some friendship for me as had yer,
essentially served them both, more man
once, I therefore resolved to commit the
remainder of my property in trust, 10 tneir
good kesping, thar ! might have some
tbin,- To exist upon till could get my al
t..,;rs in train OF settlement. Those gen
xiemen bctrayed me, asd | was sent Iinme-
,iiateIvioto close confinement, where am
Iaoeuishing in i'll health, and suffering all
the horrors of want.
There are now insured within the
walls Of this drcary gael, Aixty-sevsn mi
SCRABBLE beings, of both sexes, OF all c'lors,
and from every country. The apart
menis are small, and unccnhior'aoie ana
there is no species of Filth from the hu-
man excremcnt to the common dust, ou'
what is daily seen in them. We are al
so deyoured by vermin OF every kind, an
noy;ngby obscene conversational nd some
Times left to s,arye, implied and unknown
Although the Sheriff is allowed i've hun
drsd dollars year for The domestic con-
yeu.ences of the prison, or for cleaning the
same, vet the very air we inhale, and espe-
cially in warm weather, Is alone sufficient
q und rhine the best constitution, and 20
break up and destroy that of the valctudi-
marian forever. The unfeeling disppsit...
ous of eaolers have long been proverbial I;
and whether ours took il for granted ghas
he should be called such or not, am UNI
able to say, but he certainly would not suf-
ferby acomparison with the worstcf them,
frora c., In his present excelieney.
Among the unfortunates who are con-
6ned in this filthy place, there are some
whose cases are truly hard, and who de-
serve the sympathy of every good man.
II nv creditors should not relent, and my
health will permit, viii at some future
day, furnish you with brief outline of
their history.
AS for YOU, my cid, honest, and true
friend, have no doubt | shall occupy
better piacein your memory and afecti-
ons than probably deserve. hope,
however that you viii not suffer any re-
sections upon my condition TO disturb
your quiet and that you will make no
cxeriiops, incompatible with your entire
safety, for my release. I feel an awful
pressee that my days are numbered, and
that shalt soon sink into oblivion, TO the
grave, and to rest,
Your unworthy friend,
PROTEUS LEDGER.
Now will bet the largest cheese upon
my shelf, ,hatthere are some hundreds of
others in all the great seaports of the Uni.
ted States who hare been Just about as
wise, as avaricious, and as unfortunate As
nv friend Proteus. | confess, Mr.. Edi-
tor, that I sometimes lose my temper
when reflea upon the folly and absurd.
~ of the great thirst for riches which 50
often actuate my counirymen. Expert
ence has long demonstrated that mankind
are not happy IN proportion to their wealth
or To their rank in the state then VIII
are they so ingenious AT inventing tor
mcpts for themselves But have no
time, at present. for reflections ever
reader will doubtless make them for him
self, and shall be content If he does bu
bare in mind this sterling maxim, I'll;
to err, is human TO forgive, divine"
I am, Mr.. Editor,
Your friend and servant,
J. PLAINWORTHY.
Translated for the Mercantile Advel
tieer