The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-06-06
.1fay 20, 1923.

NonroLK, May &c We under land from
good authority, that the Heazet, under the
command of 1t. BEVERLY kENNoS, For,
under the command of 1t. CONT VAL
LErrE, aud two barges underline command
of 1T w. II. WATSON, sailed from Key
West on che 18th May on a craze round
Cuba. The Pedcoch, captain CAssIS, had
aIso sailed on acrnse To the Spanish Mum
No captures had been made, but the mer-
chant vessels eilectuaily protected by the
judicious arrangement of the squadron ;
all the officers remained in good health
The reminder of the squadron continue in
] their erlllzing ground. Heratd.
! On Friday last a court of magistrates Of
/ Norfolk county, convened at Portsmouth,
for the trial Of negroes lewis and David,
who were committed few days previous
upon suspicion of having perpetrated the
murder of Mr., VIM. Walker, at the Great
Bridge, on henght Of Monday She 9th INST
David was first arraigned but as there was
no proof Of his having been IN any manner
accessory to the bloody deed, he WAS adj
initted AS n witness in behalf of the common
wealth against Lewis. David's testimony
stated that as he was passing near Mr.
|
cediug the period of the murder, Lewis
came suddenly upto him with gun in his
hand, and asked him if he had seen no.
thing :? David replied that he thought he
had seen the flash of a gun and smct pow
der. Lewis then told him he had taken
deliberate aim III MIR. Walker with his gun,
but the touch hole being foul, she missed
fire" Bu'," he coptinued, " | shall do his
business next Monday night" lie also
observed to David, that he bad a runaway
fellow named Jesse, for an acconlplice, and
| that should he miss his aim on Monday
night, Jesse would be ready to fire. David
! further stated, that few minutes before
| the murder was committed, he observed
| Lewis and Jesse lurking i'll tine rear of Mr.
| Walkers premises, both armed with guns.
! He was nj Mr.. Walkers Mt the time, where
he had wife belonging to Mr.. Walker !;
this woman was also examined by the
court, and she corroborated the latter part
of Dayid's testimony. Lewis wns a bred
negro in the employment of Mr.. Walker,
who although very kind and indulgcnt
MASTER had his patience so severely tried
by the fellows insocnce and disorderly
habits, rs to put him 10 the necessi Y of
infllcting an exemplary rhastisement upon
him This was the pretext for his imme-
date elopement and his subsequent com
mission of the crime Of murder But con
science which often times makes towards
OF the most daring, appears to have had a
powerful effect upon this wrctched orimi-
nal for il was only week after he had
ilnbrued his hands in the blood of his VIC
tim, that Mr.. Hugh McQuillnI, OF this town,
the confidential friend ef Mr.. Walker, re.
celved a mess &c from him, stating that he
wished to have some conversation with
him IN a retired part of the wood near the
Bridge, bat witheut the presence of third
person. Whatever danger there might be
IN the solicited interview, Mr.. NJ. resolved
Ia comply with the invitation and accor-
dmsly sought out the appointed spot
Lewis was there. He stated to MIR. NJ. that
, he could not bear the idea of being runa-
way, and therefore wished to go back to
I his work. That he was afraid TO do so
without his protection, as the people had
got it ABBOTT that he bad murdered Mr..
Walker, crime of which he persisted in
declaring his innocence. Mr.. NJ. was too
well satisfied Of his guilt TO pay any atten-
ton To hrs reservations of his innocence,
but suppressing his feelings, he rccommen-
dedf To him to return with him TO Mr.. Wal
ker's take his allowance of provisions and
so to work as If nothing had happen-
edo which proposal ne agreed. AS
soon, however, as he reached tire Bridge,
an officer was in waiting, who took him
into custody and lodged him ia the county
Jail.
The court upon hearing the evidence,
adF'dged him guilty of the murder, and
condemned him to suffer the punishment
of DEATH by hanging, on Friday the 9th
of the next month. We sincerely hope
that the fate of this diabolca wretch will
have salutary effect anon bis comnanions