Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-17

prevent the utterance of personalities ],
that It would not, be thought prudent
perhaps to repeat out Of court. Y
Whilst the defendant was addressing
the court, the counsel calmly advanced
and taking a pinch of snuff, modestly
observed chat what he was doirg now
was in court, and what was to be done,
out OF court was not to be. talked of
heres Then pointing tie the defend
ant, and casting significant look up,
on him, he proceeded. $500
This unrighthsous man has by this
very movement of his cholsr justified
all that Lean ever say. IF he COM
plains Of personalities, he who is har-
dened Ia every gross abosey he-2whe-
lives reviling and reviled who might
cohstruct himself,a monument with no
materials but those records to which
he is party and in which he stands
enrolled as an offender. fine cannot.
sit still to hear his accusation. but calls
tor the protection 'of the court against
a counsel whose duty is to make his
crimes appear; how does she deserve
projection, whom he has driven to the
sad necessity of coming here to vim
dictate her.henof ftomrthose personal
ities which he has lavished on her
] Did not his opening counsel say be-
| fore you, that he could make the color
fade upon this lady's cheeks, and wish
that she might be in court to hear
him! regret that her own son was, not
here present to testify against her?
Twas not this monstrous personality?
And when it is considered that be-
tore this very cause drew near its
close, the other. counsel of this same
defendant rose and told you, that they
admitted her character it was spouess.
and for that reason thar no reproach
Was cast upon it, desire you 20 acuuit
their innocent client, who is a mere
historian, who never could have ma
lice, who was more ready to rectify
\ his errors than Others to observe
them. S
But it is well, and I am glad that I
was interrupted for the very evil ee-
I MUS that waits upon his life has here
tor once worked to an honest end.
For whilst nv voice was almost choak-
with crowding truths struggling for ut
\ terauce, and whilst the swell of honest
Indignation rose even to suffocation,
he came forward and pointed my at
I tention to that subject which first de-
served rebuke.
! had said that in the catalogue of
crimes, none could be found more
base than his. Not treason, for the
reasons have given. Not murder
forhe who murders life, murders all
sorrow with it; but he has doomed
this lady to days of sorrow and to In
gering death. The pirate meets his
Zoe or seeks his prey when death or
danger stare him in the face; and
when he falls before the sword of ius.
ticc, some sympathy may mingle with
hrs shame, and men regret that one so
brave In manly enterprise should fall
SO ignominiously. But here is an at.
tack upon a woman, far from her hus-
bands side, from friends and home,
whose infant sons are yet too tender to
avengc their mothers wrongs. The
| -~'SSh WIZ OountCfISlLS some 1QStfu.
ment to cheat you of your money, for
that crime spins out his wretched days
In hard captivity, in infamy and labor !:
will you compare his crime with that
OF one who by his fabricated histories.
fPilfers from helpless woman the only
precious jewel which she prizes, her
more than life, her all, her spotless no.
nor! That which the robber or
the thief purloins, may be retrieved,
or may be spared; but not the worth
OF twenty thousand beings such as this
libeller, were he worth twenty thou
sand times as much as ever he will be,
reform how he may, would pay the
twenty thousandth part of that which
he has taken.
| The hbeller, who writes against
abuse of Unjust power, who vindi-
Gates the cause of liberty and right.
] when ne exceeds through zeal for IL
berty or through the warmth of oppo.
sitlon, or even a stubborn spirit, is Of.
ten loved, and sometimes, though
found guilty, he still has friends that