Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-02
From the Bait. Morning Chroniels, .apr'' 20

was delivered us 10 by the unhappy man
himself for publication, with feelings OF no
ordinary sensibiliy. This paper will speak
for Itself it needs no comment OF our own ;
!, may be said to speak from the grave,
Which already opens for its victim ; and from
the evidence that we personally became &C
ouainted with, trom the lips OF this unfor-
tunate and guilty man, we have no doubt OF
its sincerity Could we add any thing to
the sentiments advanced by the writer, most
cordially and deeply would we join in his
supplication, that eur rising youth would
learn from this awful example, to reverence
the admonitions of their pious parents
Would to God that it would lead us all to re-
feet, that even murder is nearly allied 10
the indulgence of any known vice That
the same heneicent Redeemer, through
whose merits, not only this unhappy man.
but every son and daughter OF Adam, must
expect divine forgiveness, may have mercy
on him, is our fervent supplicatiou at the
throne Of divine grace.
Dear Fasher-I am daily and impatiently
expecting letter from you, and hope you
have before THIS time received my last. Ok
Wednesday received my awful sentence,
but, dear father, | acknowledged to the
court then, as did before to you. the strict
Justice OF it. Yes, know that my hands are
polluted with blood, and my conscience
oh II is burthened with the crime into which
| have been drawn. Little did expect
when left our happy home and an affection
ate father, THAT before couldsee you again
I should have incurred such guilt and be a
tenant Of this doleful cell. Would to God |
had rejected the first proposal, which was
that we should 60 on to get sum OF money.
which Hutton assured me he knew we could
get with ease and certainty. The plan was
not fully explained to me until we got to
Wilmingten-of the murder knew nothing
until we were returning from the place the
first night, and when my terror prevented the
execution of the plan. Then Hutton told
me, thai although he had not mentionedit TO
me, he meant to have put the man out Of the
way, lest his evidence should lead 10 our
conviction Oh If God had taken my life
the next day. and never allowed me to go out
a second time. Blu, then should have died
as | Observation-Disclosures rash and unprinci-
pied; and now, though have brought dis
grace and anguish upon you. yet my guilty
soul may be saved, because Jesus Christ
died Tor sinners, aud be has given me time
and hope TO repent When the poor man
begged for his life, told him we would, and
lmeant ii. Indeed pleaded for him, but
Hutton insisted we would be known, and
told me it was no time for pleading, and at
last told me either To shoot him or the orlTer,
and tben-oh my God forgive me.
Dear Father, do not write you this TO ex-
case my guilt--no. this is too, too bad |
have no, denied il before God or man. bat il
is to show you, that dreadiully as have "a
bused your CAFE, your tears and prayers were
not altogether thrown away ScaS not quate
abandoned Oh, my God, preserve my bro
Their from bad company, aud enable him 10
soothe heart which my wickedness has so
much tortured. Tue poor woman too--from
her have assisted to tear away her husband,
amd made her children orphans, If ! could
only work for them! but God will take care
Of them Dear father, this is atime of shame
aud sorrow with me, but may God so help
me 10 repent and be converted, that all my
sius may be forgiven me, and blotted out from
his. holy books read the Bible the greater
part of my time: | have several other book:
and tracts, but the Bible is worth to me al
that you used t. say it was worth. | learr
there that God is gracious, long suffering anc
merciful, aud forgiying sin TO the penitent
and takes delight 10 broken spirit for ht
says ia the scripture, :" broken and con
trte heart he will not despise )" be is abb,
to forgive the worst OF sinners and we read
q though your sins be as scarlet, they shall
be as snow though they be as crimson, ht
can make them white as wool" How often
my dear father have you told me these things
and yet worse than child, or brute, hav,
resisted and not pro6ted by your advice, ant
preferred the guilty advice of bad friends
| know that am inexcusable By my earthl,
father; and can NY God, my heavenly "a
Their, ever forgive me Oh, if it were no
Il