Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-04-25
BALTtmoaE, April Is.

charged with the murder Of John Heaps
driver Of the Mail carriage, we're brought
up before the honourable judges of the
Baltimore County Court for the purpose
of arraignment. Previous to readins the
indictment tie. prisoners through John N
Tyson, Esq. their counsel, requested that
the period Of their arraignment might be
postponed. TWAS not for the purpose Of
AVOIDING the punishment due to their
crime, or eludiug justice, for they in
tended to plead gully to the indictment
fully sensible as they were Of their iniqui-
ty they were anxious to suffer the punish
ment of the law, and appreciated its ven
geance on their heads-tbeir object was
totally different-an object of in6nite i'm
portance 10 them al this moment, TO have
little more time allowed then in order
TO prepare for an awful eternity Towards
which they were Fastening. And further
by short delay they hoped to die amid
the commisseration instead OF the ven
geance Of the people, which was now just
ly alive against them.
The Court overruled this motion on
sutnclcnt grouuds.
The indictment was then read, to which
the prisoners severally pleaded CURRY.
The Court informed them of the conse-
quences of their plea--wished to know
whether it was voluntary or not---they
declared it vas. Their confessions in
writing before Judge Bland we're then
read, and the attendant circumstances de-
tailed by the Judge, by which it appears
that there was no force or fraud, promises
or threats held out to them to confess, but
that the whole was done voluntarily.
They were then remanded 10 await their
sentence.
Hutton is large, fine looking mar, abou,
six feet high and we'll proportioned. Hull
is small, active, very intelligent, and only
twenty years Of age.
April 10.
Sentence of The Mail Robbers. This
morning, P. Hutton, and Nj. N. 3. Hull,
convicted (upon their own voluntary con
fessious) of the murder of John Heaps,
were brought to the bar TO receive the
awful sentence of the law. Judge Dorsey
enquired of them respectively, whether
they had any thing to'urge why judgment
should not be passed. Hull replied,
have nothing to say why the sentence o.
the law should not be passed upon mel
am fully sensible of the enormity OF the
crime for which | am TO suffer, and ac-
knowledge the justice and legality Of Its
punishment. wish it was in my power
to make restitution to the woman | have
widowed and the children / have made
fatherless--I am prepared TO die--I ex-
pect no mercy in this world but hope to
receive it 10 another world; through the
mercies and merits Of my Saviour. hope
that the court will allow me some induI
gence in time, to prepare me better fol
my fate"
The above is literal copy Of Hull''
reply, which was taken down by gentle
man Of the bar, who politely furnished il
for publication. Hutton said nothing. Th,
prisoners appeared considerably moved
but evinced great fortitude and resigna
ton. Judge Dorsey addressed them il
the following pathetic strain; and thu
manly tears which trickled down hi
cheeks, were responded by majority o
the bar aud audience
I" Morris N. B. Hull and Peregrint
Hutton ~ You have been indicted for III,
wilful, deliberate, and premeditated muir
der Of John Heaps, and upon your ar
raignment you have confessed the . deer
Of dreadful note" IN this horrid transac
ton, no alternating circumstances can b.
found; the deceased never offered you
wrong, never did you injury. You felo
niously despoiled him Of the treasure, with
which he was entrusted as public agent
and you then plunged your daggers int
his heart to prevent the discovery Of your
crime. When you arrested him he pro
tested he knew you not: he offered yoi
the booty, he supplicated for mercy, in tn.
name Of his wife and children; the heart
rending appeal passed by UNDECIDED; yot
seized upon the spoil and deliberately sen
the victim Of your bloody hands to anoth
er and trust better world. Such is thu
tale Of your misdeeds! | mention not thes'
things to harrow up feelings perhaps al
ready agonized 10 the full extent Of human
suffering, but for the purpose Of impress
ing upon your minds the awful truth tina
the doors Of mercy 10 this world are bar
red sgainst you; but God be blessed
mercy may be found beyond the grave
for, we are instructed by divine authority