Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-08-20

E, act, which occasioned the dea,h Of John /;
while the father walking in great agitation
through the kitchen, related to the inqui-
rers, that he had done terrible act, that
be had knocked out bis sons brains while
be was asleep. that he killed him the first
blow. On being asked the reason. be said
he bad tor about three weeks before
thought that he was not his son; and that
he had killed that morning IN evil spirit,
or as he sometimes termed it, dragon
Both the prisoner and deceased some
months before this fatal accident happen
ed, hsdjoined the Methodists; and it ap-
peared that the prisoners mind had been
often deranged, from belief that his sins
were teo numerous to be pardoned. He
often exclaimed, that offers Of salvation
were made to him in bis youth, but that he
had refused and was long since past re-
demption. In consequence of this i'm
preston, he often attempted TO knock out
bis own brains against the wall and the
stove, and threatened to drown himself.-
Witnesses on behalf of the prisoner testi-
fed his arrangement until few hours be-
fore the commission of the fatal deed. 1t
will be readily discovered that insanity
was the only defence which the counsel
for the prisoner could make Such cir
cumstances, however, appeared to ac-
company the act, as to create belief on
the minds of the jury, that the prisoner
was fully conscious of it; yet by an inter-
position of their humanity they reduced the
offence to murder en- the second degree
We understand that the Court on Saturday
last, sentenced the pri oner to si1 gears
imprisonment In the Psnitent,ary.
Boston, august Is.
Brig George, 48 hours from Havana for
thi, port, was capsizcd July "a, at 8 P. N.
in heavy gale--he lanyards being cut a.
way, her masts went over, ripping up the
main deck-she afterwards lost her quar-.
ter deck, pumps, boats, &c. and filled with
water--the crew lashed themselves to the
wreck, where they remained until P. M.
next day, when they were all taken off,
Except one seaman, an Englishman by
birth, and who went by the name OF Rider
at great hazard, by schr. Philo, capt. Per-
cival, of this port. While the schooner
was beating up to the brig, she had settled
ie inches, and must have sunk shortly af.
ter being deserted. She remained on her
beam.ends. The George had a cargo Of
l50 bhds molasses, quantity Of sugar, spe.
Gle, &c. Not an article belonging to the
vessel or crew was saved. The man who
was left on the wreck, being deranged, it
was found impossible to save him. as the
brig could not be boarded, owing to the
heavy sea running. Several ropes were
thrown to him, but he refused to use the
means in his power 10 save himself. All
those taken from the wreck except Spa
nish sailor, were put on board ship Morn
ing Star, of Providence.
From the Quebec Mercury, July 80.
! Yesterday, at the Union hotel, Of this
city, was taken into custody on suspicion
Dr.. &c, Of Kingston, having in hi:
possession from 75oi. to 1oool. in dollar
bills of the Montreal Bank. of the numbers
Of those stolen from Mr.. Ridout. He has
given no account how he came by them.
He is in consequence committed. 1t u
supposed that the whole sum will be re.
covered.
With the doctor was taken into custody
an American gentleman who was found in
his company. Nothing, however appear
/ Ing against the latter, he was this morninl