Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-12-12

brought by lady residing in caaajobaris,
against physician living al saratoga' Tor a
breach of promise Of marriagc.---The re-
spectability and sta.. ling Of the parties, tue
novelty of tie case, and the peculiar CIR
cumstances attending, engaged a more than
ordinary attention. On the part OF the PLAIN
tiff it was proved, that the defendant hat
payed his addresses to her, and cvcn y
cited the consent of her father 10 union,
which was given. A number OF letters
written by the defenda tito the plaintiff,
were read in evidence, which contained the
warmest professions Of friendship and es-
teen, and breathed in every line the soil
accents of love, This correspon ienee,
which had continued for considerable
length of time, was broken of by the deten-
dant.--From some pretended cause, his
heart became estranged from the former OBJ
ject of his love-he had met with anotlSer
young lady (the friend of the pla'ntiif)
whose giittering purse perhaps, dazzled his
! eye, and with magnetic power attracted
his wavering heart. He addressed her
gained her hear:-and added TO his faith
less conduct the sanction OF mofrmony,
leaving the former idol Of his affections a
/ prey TO tender anguish.
! The defence relied on was, that the plain
( tiff had released him from his engagement.
/ by advising him to marry her friend. AS
, evidence of this, but most fatally for the
defendant, and most unfortunately for his
learned counsel, a letter was introduced
written by the plaintiff to him. 1t was the
: last which SHE had addressed TO him, COM
posed al 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 ano-
Their. Under these truly affecting circum-
stances, so trying to the tender sensibilities
Of the female bo,om-she addressed him
not with harsh epiihe;s OF censure and re-
proach, but in the most tender and Affection
ate language. In ;ae spirit Of grief, she
told him Of the information which she had
received, requesting him to inform her with
out reserve, whether he was indeed about
20 be united to another; and without evin.
cling a spark Of jealousy or resentment, she
offered the warmest tribute of friendship
and respect to the amiable qualities Of her
F! friend-recommending her as every way
calculated 10 make him happy, and If he
had determined to make her his wife, tel
ling him to do so without delay. As for
herself, she had become reconciled TO her
unhappy situation, though language was in
adequate to describe the deep anguish
which had rent her bosom. The fair pros
poets of connubial happiness which smiling
hope had held up to her view, were bias
ted forever. That she considered marriage
as the sacred institution Of heaven, and il
would be betraying the feelings other heart
il she ever bestowed her hand on another.
She brealhed forth prayers for his happiness
and wished him 10 remember her in his sup
plications to the throne of grace! There
never was more pathetic and eloquent ap.
peal 10 the feelings Of all audience, Oh
which called more loudly for exemplary
damages from jury. The tear Of sympa-
thy stole from every eye, the glow Of hon.
est Indignation flushed every countenance.
The counsel of the defendant, by the intro
duction of this letter, were truly heaping
damages on the head Of their client. The
letter OF the lady evinced mind highly cul-
tiyated and refined, heart possessing in an
eminent degree the softnesS Of her sex, and
composure and tranquility which could
alone be derived from religion and virtue.
! His honor the judge, in very feeling
and eloquent charge to the jury, after re.
marking on the rare occurrence of actions
of this nature, dwelt with much force on the
peculiar circumstances attending the one
before them. A lady Of refined manners
and good education, alive 10 every noble
sentiment, and to add to the interest which
she excited, being in delicate health, had
been made TO pine in solitude, and consign'
ed 10 celibacy, through the faithless con-
due; of one who had gained her affect ons,
aud solemnly promised to be her compan-
ion and protector through life-ln sum-
J moning up the evidence. he adverted, with
much emotion, to the letter of the lady, to
which he paid the highest tribute; observ-
ing at@|he same time, that so far from e.