Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-12-04


and the disease still continues. Many persons
are inclined fs attribute the evil Ia the low ST.
tllatIon of the building, on the bank of the
Thames, and to the bad air arising from the
damp foundation, and il has been strongly re-
ported, that II WAS To be taken down, and the
conricts sent TO the hulks hut within these
lew days this report has been conlradcted"
CONFESSION OF JOHNSON.
NEW YORK, November 26.-John Johnson,
yesterday morning, confessed hims alfto have
been the murderer of Mr. James Murray, and
that no one assisted or was pri,y To The trans-
action, until after the deed was completed. 1t
appears from JohnsoD's statement according
To the Commercial Advertiser, that Murray
suppcd with the family that shortly after
he proposed te retire, stating that he wished
hrs trunk To be with him in his bed-ruOm--
Johnson told him, that his wife being absent
he should sleep with him, and took him with
the trunk into the brd-room. Johnson re-
manned with the two other buarders playing
At cards Tor some hours they retired, aud
Johnson said, he was then impressed with IA
desire Ia possess the money in the trunk of
Murray. He went into the bed room, found
him asleep, took from The vest pocket the
key, opened the trunk, aud touk gu, lwo bags
of dollars, which he threw into u corner. He
now became uneasy, aud after lapse of some
time he says "the devil" suggested 10 him la
Kill Murray In prevent detection of the rob-
berry. He went into the cellar, procured
hoichef, and went Ia Murray, who was ASLEEP
on his right side, struck him twice on the leit
temple, which completed the horrid deed
Johnson then bound around the head IA pair
OF drawers and bolster case, and took him
through trap door into the cellar. This was
on Thursday night; the body remained in the
nIur1f h,., -
10 thr place where IT Was found 10y the watch
man.
Alter he had committed the murder. he saws
he became most dreadiuy agitated, aud could
not sleep IN his own room hs went into that
wher" ms daughter slept, and IN the course ui
the night mentioned il To her, and the money
was given 10 his daughter Mary, wh" gave it
10 her brother, an apprentice in Maidrn-ane
The Keeper of the Brdewt states, thai
when johnson WAS first committed, he ap-
pearrd very indifferent, protesting his nnn-
cence, and declaring that his mind was quite
at ease. Mr.. Thorp Went into his room With
blankets, late in the evening, " hen lac had lain
hImseli down-but said be could not sleep in
consequence of not lying easy. On Monday
morning he also complained that he had not
been able TO sleep. Yesterday morning he sent
early Tor The keeper, and appeared in great IA
citation. He stated That h. passed horrible
night, and was resolved raihrr than 10 die with
Il liz IN his mouth, 10 confess the whole.
Alter the above confession, the sou ~ John
son was arraigned, aud stated tLat he bad bu-
RED the money on BROOKLYN Heights. and ac-
companIed The police officers Ia the spot
where about $50 dollars were found
The family of Johnson consists of his wife.
a daughter, and four sons. Johnson and his
daughter are in Bridrwr-the remainder of
the family are discharged from custody.
.Hrr I'D
COUNTERFEITERS-A letter from
gentleman in Niagara, Uppe Canada, dated
Slh November, to 4 gentleman in Albany
mentions that five gentlemen had volunteer
ed Their services to go in pursuit of several
counieriGIters. iaking with them as a guide,
fellow who had been convicted of the same
offence. They were conducted To swamp
about Is miles back of Kingston, where they
found several huts in one Of which, after ar
resting man and his wife, they found set % f
dies for coming dollars, aud others for don
blooms, together with sheets Of copper. thu
pales of silver, &c. Ia other huis they So
cured four more persons, aud numerous pie
css OF Unfinished melailor manufacturing gold
and silver coin. The chief workman, Elan
ders, from the vicinity of the Mohawk, had
escaped few days before 30 an island near
Prescott, where he had heated himself and
lamily. leaving The Others to follow DIS soon
as practicable, (tbey have since got him and
brought with them all the implements left by
him.
In addition to the above, several others had
been arrested.
The dollars coined are heavier and not per-
iecuy roUnd-they are not easily detected =.
ven 10y cutting in the side of them; the copper
Is IN the centre and cOntcx-tbpy contain two
thirds copper and one third silver They
are cut To CT The mould or die, and one boy
ur strike Of The siedge on a wcdg,. that is next
the dies, completes the dollar, except the
tcmpering them, which j. done in a few mi
nutes by another. They likewise have plates
On y number "f he banks of the United States.
aud banks of Canada, &c. for counterfeiting
their notes.
ILLINOIS.
The expedition destined to explore, select
and mark the route, Cor the Canal, which will
unite the waters of the Great lakes with fine