Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-09-15


.alerandlG, Sspa. S, 1920.
from the Norfolk Hsrald, September IL
HORRIBLE CONFESSION.
Every body remembers indeed who can
forget ? the reart-rending calamity at Rich
mond, on the night of the 2eth of Decem-
her. 1911. when the walls of theatre, ex-
hibiting within them scene of gaiety and
pleasure, were suddenly transformed into a
nnausoleum Of inundated victims. II was
never suspected for moment that the hand
OF an incendisry had any agency in that
mournfuI occurrence-It was almost beyond
credibility. that demon, capable OF such
deed. could exhist in human sbape-lt was
nniyersall7 believed to have been the result
of accident-and such might ever have been
the conclusion but for the gratuitous comics
zion of an Individual that he performed the
hellish deed. The fact of his having made
this confession, is supported by the follow
ing certificates of two respectable masters OF
vessels 10 whom il was made--Capt. Block
is we'll known, and his standing IN society
such as to forbid doubt of the correctness
az his statement, which be will at any mo-
ment make oath to ii required.
This is to certify, That on the 9th OF
this month. was in company with Captain
Block, Of Richmond, and one - Hall;
that the said Hall, in the course OF our con-
.versation. said, Re used TO run vessel be-
tween Richmond. Norfolk and Charleston,
s Chat ne further said, that re recoi-
,ected well when the theatre at Richmond
was burnt. and said he burnt il with his own
hand. and boosted of it. Captain Block ask
cd him what he did it for ? His reply was,
that he had an inclination to destroy some
Of those Richmond gentry. He further tod
how he set fire to ii. The above am viii
Ing to attest to before any authority.
JOHN GAVIT.
Bermuda, .aagast 81, 1880.
This is to certify, that in conversation
with Captain John Gayit. of the sloop Us
prsy. of New Haven, at the Island of Bermu-
5a on the 9th day Of August last, Captain
Frederick Hall, who once commanded The
scbpr Plough. Boy which sailed as packet
between Norfolk and Charleston, and who
afterwards commanded the sIeop Expert
ment. which also sailed between those two
ports. was present-Captain Frederick Hail.
in the course of conversation, repeatedly
and boastingly declared, that he set on ire
the theatre of Richmond, which was burned
in The winter of eighteen hundred and ele-
ven. and assigned as his reason for SO dong,
that he wanted to destroy some OF those
Richmond gentry. The manner in which
he effected it vas, he declared, by being on
the stage behind the scenes and hosting the
chandelier with his own hand until the tire
communicated with the scenery and cur
fans. further certify that captain Gavlt
called with me several times at The consui's
=, Bermuda, TO depose to his certificate, but
that 10 consequence of indisposition he could
not attend to ii. WM. BLooh'
Norfolk, Sept 8. 1920.
A question naturally occurs on reading
these certificates IF man could be base
enough TO perpetrale SO horrible crime, is
il possible that he would, uninhuenced by
compunctions of conscience. and knowing
too that il must render him forever All outcast
from civilized society, make voluntary con-
fession OF his guilt? Nevertheless, that he
did make such confession there can be no
manner of doubt Again-if he did no; COM
NIT the crime, his boasting that he did COM
NIT il. is not less unaccounlable for TO say
nothing OF the savage brutality OF such con
duct, il must inevitably excite suspicious un-
favorable 10 his character, aud render him
detestable in the eyes Of all honorable uen.
We were the more shocked and surprised
atthis disclosure, from recollection OF the
fair standing which the individual implica-
ted in il maintained in the public estimation
while running packet betn cen this port and
Charleston, some 10 or Ii years ago. A,
thai tims his conduct and reputation were