The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-09-28
y, rSOyi0l I,ie,iIiiy

| Personal HeHiiiH
a case lately occurred in London, which
though ii may not sanction Phyrrhonism
or the system of universal doubling. should
teach witnesses 10 be careful how they
! testify, jurors how they convict, and
iudges how they pass sentence.
The prisoner was Uiitinm Romsdea
Robinson, IA youth of only IL years of age,
ofinteresting appearance, otirreprnaclable
character, having the full confidence of
his employer, "a respectable merchant
and possessed of an income above his
wants yet this young man did n number
| of persons endeal our 10 convict Of various
robberies.
The first indictment charged him with
Stealing two Albums, the property OF
Thomas Denham. Lucy Denham, The
daughter Of tue prosecutor, was So positive
that the prisoner was IA thief, that She col
Jared him in the street and the shopman
of II pawnbreker deposed In the prisoners
bringing book 10 has masters shop. Miss
Denhqm, when ia court, had, however, her
doubts as te the prisoner being the thief;
and il having been proved that person
closely resembling him in appearance, had
offered yarlnus articles mt pawnhrokers 5,
he was acquitted of this charge.
He was then Indicted for stealing twenty
printed books in the dwelling house of Il
Mr.. Smaacl Dolby. Mr.. ID alby gave evi
dence as 10 the alleged fact, which WAS
corroboratea by that Of his wife. The
prisoners brothrr and some other persons,
were called 10 prove an alibi, but did not
succeed t. the satisfaction Of the Jury, 4,
10 the great establishment of the. prisoner,
his counsel and friends, verdict was IT
turned of gtatty.
The thud indictment charged him with
having steien two razors, value lbs. the
property OF Henry Ciifion. Mrs. Clifton
" was T'itr sure the prisoner at the bal
WAS the nerson,--W certain she did not
labor under a Neutrality-suspicious. particular
notice ri bis person, and thought him Il.
gcntlcman,-w not generally very po-
siive woman,-- not know whether she
ever mistook person in her life yet
an oibi was satisfactorily proved, and the
jury, without leaving their box, brought
in verdict Of not gully.
The prisoner WAS again indicted For
stealing a seal and breach, value 4es. the
property OF Michael Marchant. Mrs.
Merchant was positive III tho person ri
the prisoner, but an aitdi "as again prov
ed, aud h was acquitted.
There were three other Indictments, all
which the prisoner counsel we're anxious
% have tried, to place lis innocence IN
the strongest light, but attei conference
with the lastiec, the counsel threw up Their
hrjeis, AID Nh Robinson retired from the
bar the prosecution being aband
Here we find different persons swearing
that a man hada various times and places
committed various theits, and $" positive
ae - the prisoner al the bar beng The
thief, that IL spit" Of the strongest pre-
auupiiye eA violence to the contrary. ard IN
spite Of positive trstimnny that a man
4 sev resembling The p i3oner MAS rohbn5
the LEG ubjects of Ills Majesty, the Jury,
on one indictment, returned him guilty
SO cenflent we're the prosecutors OF the
truth of what they testified, that even
after he lad been acquitted of three
charges ont of four, they believed, or al
least protcssed to believe him guilty but
so fully convinced was thr Gnnrt of his IN
nocence, thai the judge petitlnncd hs
majesty for pardon, IN which he was
joined by the jury, who expressed Their
full conviction that the condemnaiory 'ef-
dict they had given, WAS erroneous
lie is "A ward in chancery, heir to con
siderable property, and having an allow
ance OF 500 wear, which his guardians
d .cIared h aid he doubled on his request
ing it. A Stranger in London, hearing the
same resemblance 10 the real thief, aud
possessed Of fewer facilities for proving
character and aittiS, would have been
placed IN II most prrious situation.
--e%.9-
We observe the arrival in this country
Of person VINO deserves the particular
regard of Americans we mean Miss
Wright, the author Of we'll known work
on this county, in which onr national
character and oar institutions are exhibited
With the greatest warmth of friendship &
admiration. The feelings which she has
cherished towards the United States, and
the testimony WHICH she has horne IN Their
favor. have provoked TIC London Quar-
trrly Resiew, and other ministerial jour
nals of Great Britain, to heap the hlttcrest
and coarsest obl"quy upon her aud her
writings. She viii DOT, On this account.
| ne the less esteemed and distinguished
| here. tsNW' "dS'
! NOBLE EXAMPLE.
! PhILAnELpiA, Sept. 10.--Last evening
about six o'clocit, nj Chesilnt-atrret wharf,
man was near drowning. The alarm
reaching the ears Of the intrepid sid, Who
WAS con,er,ing viii friend in store
close AT haad, nc ran IN the scene vi us
irrss plunged in, seized Tile lh'or man ny
tar arm, and held him until the assistance
,l a boat came and took them IN.
Mr.. James L. Kid, the name ot this
noble youth, is mldshipman IN our navy,
!