Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-04-17
THE VAIL ROBBERS.

/ =. THE VAIL ROBBERS.
Trenton, (N.J.l Apr,gIs.
On the lib inst. the trial Of Joseph Msu.
rice. Pierre Bertrand and A. L. Nublst O.
therwise called DR.. Henry, and Dr. De-.
zereau, for robbin- the mail Of the U
| States, on the FIRST Feb. last, 10 the county
Of Essex in this state, cane on befo,e ths
Circuit Court sitting in this place. The
| trial CONNIE need alto A. NJ. and con,iBu.
ed until 10 at night, when Judge Wash.
ington delivered the charge to the jury,
and they retired 10 deliberate and decide
upon their verdict. Between II and Io o..
clock the same night, the Jury returned,
finding the prisoners NOT guilty Of the count,
in the Indictment charging them with put
ting the life Of the carrier in jeopardy by
the use Of dangerous weapons, bu, guilty
of the counts, which charged them with
the robbery of the mail, not affecting life,
but subjecting them, under the act of Goa
gress, to ten years imprisonment.
From the charge of Judge Washington,
and also from his remarks the day follow
ing. when the prisoners were brought up
to receive sentence. It was evident, that in
the opinion ofthe court, the accused were
guilty of the offence, under the act Of con-
gress, suIjecting the whole to the punish
ment of death. The Jury, we understand.
were divided on the counts Of the indict.
ment found by the Grand Jury, but finally
agreed to verdict not involving life.
The poor criminals were very sensibly
affected with the merciful result of their
trial, and manifested their gratitude to the
counsel who defended them, ION the YER
dict Of the Jury being made known) by the
strongest expression. Of gratitude and al.
lection. The scene, Oh thi. occasion, Was
peculiarly affecting.
The counsel for the prisoners. Messrs
L. H. Stockton, Charles Ewing, and Gar
ret D. Wall, discharged their duty with
great zeal anil ability in behalf OF the IN.
happy men-and the prosecution on The
part of the United States, by the districta al.
torney, Joseph M'Ilvaine, Esq. was ably
supported.
About one halfof the jury was from the
county of Essex, the remainder from this
place and vicinity.
1t is a subject Of great satisfaction to ma.
ny that this trial has not resulted in ia.
king the lives Of these unhappy men, &C.
cordiug to the act'of congress, which would
probably have been carried into effect in
this vicinity. We hope never to see so mel
lancholy spectacle presented to our view.t
1t is probable that the Offenders, from thei:I
conduct and behaviour, sin e they were ap1
pretended, have not beer accustomed I'd
the commission Of crimes and We tIus
that the speedy detection and punishment
which has followed those who have been
engaged in robbing the mail in this part o.
the Union, will deter others from the lkd
offence.
The criminals are all Frencbmen, and
have all confessed since apprebended, thd
robbery with which they were charged
but deny any intention Of personal injury
In extenuation of their offence they havd
urged their forlom situation in foreign
land, destitute ofthe means Of subsistence.
and the failure Of their exertioas to obtain
employment to relieve their necessities
This, however,as observed BY Judge Washf
ington in his address to them, on passing
sentence, was no excuse. especially in thlf
country, as they were all young men, in ,tf
enjoyment Of health and strength, and b
labor at least, might have obtained tLf
means of a comfortable subsistence.
The prisoners are confined in the peni
Tertiary Of this state near this place.
lFederal:s.