Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-29

S'he dlfcacs relied Oh Vas, that the
painuir had released him from his en-
gagement, by advising him to marry her
trend. AS evidence of this, but most
fatally for the defendant, and most unfor-
tuuately for his learned counsel, a letter
was introduced by him written by the
plaintiff 10 him. 1t was the last which
She had addressed to him, composed at a
time when her heart was wrung with the
painful conviction, that she had ceased TO
interest him, and when the more painful
intelligence was communicated, that he
was on the eve of being united TO another.
Under these truly affecting circumstances,
so trying TO the tender sensibilities OF the
female bosom-she addressed him-not
with harsh epithets of censure and re-
proach, but in the most tender and al
fectiouate language. In the spirit OF
grief she told him OF the information she
had received, requesting him TO inform
her without reserve, whether he was id-
deed about TO be united TO another; and
without evinciDg spark OF jealousy or
resentment, she offered the warmest tri-
butte of friendship and respect to The
amiable qualities of her friend-recom-
mending her as every way calculated to
make him happy, and if he had deter
mined to make her his wife, telling him 10
do SO without delay. As for herself, she
had become reconciled to her unhappy
situation, though language was made
uuate to describe the deep anguish which
had rent her bosom. The fair prospects
of connubial happiness which smiling hope
had held up to view, were blasted for
ever. That she considered marriage as
the sacred institution OF heaven, and ii
would be betraying the feelings of her
heart, if she ever bestowed her hand OH
another. She breathed forth pray ers for
his happiness, and wished him 10 remem.
Der her 10 his supplications to the throne
of grace There never was more pa
thetic and eloquent appeal TO the feelings
of an audience, or which called more
loudly for exemplary damages from jury.
The lear of sympathy stole from every
eye, the glow OF honest indignation flushed
every countenance. The counsel of the
defendant, by the introduction of this let
ter, we're truly heaping damages on the
head of their client. The letter of the
defendant evinced a mind highly cult
waited and refined, q heart possessing iii
an eminent degree the softness of her sex,
and composure and tranquility which
could alone be derived from religion and
virtue.
His honour the judge, 10 very feeling
and eloquent charge to the jury, after re.
marking on the rare occurrence of actions
of this nature, dBelt with much force on
the peculiar circumstances attending the
one before them. A lady of refined
manners and good education, alive to every
noble sentiment, and to add to the interest
which she excited, being in delicate health,
had been made to pine in solitude and con-
signed to celibacy, through the faithless
conduct of one who had gained her affec
tions, and solemnly promised to become
her companion and protector through life.
In summing up the evidence, he a6yerted
with much emotion, TO the letter of the
lady, to which he paid the highest tribute !;
observing at the same time, that SO far
from evincing disposition to release the
defendant from his engagement, it showed
the reverse it presented the defendant in
a more odious view, and exhibited the
brightest part Of the lady's character
That the receipt of such letter, written
under such circumstances, we're enough
to break the heart of any other man. He
told the jury that this was the most ag-
gravated case which had ever come before
him, and that it was their duty to lay
heavy hand on the defendant" To the
honour of a jury, composed of the honest
yeomanry of the country, be it said, they
returned to the bar. with verdict for
fhn nlnintiH of Eia,e Thnalcnnd DnNnra