Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-23

c~onvicts, was principally that oil an accomplce
and a witness of very little credibility. The
evidence, such as it was, proved that the said
William and Rachel were concerned only as ac-
completes in the crime, by giving some trifiing
aid to the principal who was engaged IN coun-
terfeiting the coin of the country. And that
they were induced to give this aid, by the cum
nlng and art Of an ingenious man.
They were sentenced 10 confinement Tor so
great a length of time, because it is the short
est allowed by the law, which ascertalns the
punishment of su-h offences.
1t seems to your Committee, that the SEVERE
ty of the punishment inflicted upon these per-
sons is much more than commensurate with
the degree Of guilt in which they seem TO have
been involved. There is great reason 10 believe
that the conviction of these persons could not
have been procured but for the extraordinary
excitement and prejudice which existed in the
county of Russell, at the time Of their trial, "a
gainst those who had in any manner been con-
cerned in counterfeiting the circulating medium
of the country. The youth Of the said William
and the sex Of the said Rachael Rarsenick, Pc
~culiarly recommend them to the mercy ofyour
Committee
Resolved thel efore, as the opinion Of your
Committee, That the said William Rarsenick
be pardoned, and forthwith discharged from
his confinement in the Penitentiary.
Resolved also, as the opinion OF this Com
mittee, That the said Rachael Ralsenick be
pardoned, and forthwith discharged from her
confinement in the Penitentiary.
The Cd resolution was first considered on
motion of MIR. Morris Of Wood, and was car
ried in the affirmative, ayes l35, noes 4S
Mr.. May then moved to amend the report
by inserting before the LIST resolution the fol-
lowing:
And it also appears that the said Rachael
Rarsenick is the mother OF eight children, that
her character previously, and that OF her hus-
band and family were respectable, and that the
conduct of the said Rachael and William since
their confinement, has been uniformly good.
This proposition was adopted, ayes l25,
noes 81.
Mr.. Carter Of Prince William, reported with
amendments, a bill "to alter and amend the Sc
veral acts authorizing a Lottery, for the inn
provement of the Navigation OF Quantico
Creek, in the county of Prince William; which
was received and laid upon the table.
Mr.. Patteson of Buckingham, from the Select
Committee, presented the following report:
Your committee to whom was referred so
much Of the letter Of the Superintendent OF
the Penitentiary as recommends Miss Brum-
mer, a convict in the Penitentiary to a pardon,
have, according TO order, had the same under
consideration, and have come 10 the following
report and resolution thereupon:
1t appears to your committee that Miss
Drummer, the person mentioned in said letter,
was tried in the Superior Court of Law for the
county of-at the Fall term Of said Court, in
the year 1921. That she was charged with
murder in The End degree. At the lime Of the
commission of said offence, She was unuer Sc
venteen wears of age, totally friendless and un-
protected. In this situation she was thrown in
the way of an artful and depravec man, who
not only seduced her from the paths Of chastity
but also had sufficient control over her TO pro.
cure her countenance to the commission OF the
crime BY him, the punishment Of which she is
now expiating, while he who has caused her
ruin has wholly escaped the sentence of the
law. Her conduct during her confinement has
been uniformly good. And during the whole
of four years she has been in confinement, she
has manifested great contrition and shame.
Itappears 20 your committee, that an only
brother who resides in the state of Ohio, is now
willing 10 take this unprotected female under
his protection; and if she is discharged, will
Immediately convey her out of the state Your
committee have reason to believe that the pun
ishment suffered by Miss Drummer is fully ad.
equate to the degree Of guilt in which she
seems to have been involved:
Resolved, therefore, as the opinion Of this
committee, That a full pardon be granted to
Miss Drummer, and that she be forthwith dis
charged from confinement in the Penitentiary,
and that the Superintendent be directed to dis
charge her therefrom.
This resolution was then amended by the
House, and agreed to
The engrossed bill "authorising Thomas
Jefferson to dispose Of his property by Lottery
was read Sd time, when Mr.. Blackburn NOV
ed to lay the bill on the table: which was lost,
ayes 43, noes l49.
The question then required upon the pas
sage Of the bill-It was opposed by Messrs.
Page of Gloucester, Booker, and Blackburn,
(the last in a very few words,) and supported
by Messrs, Loyal and Gordon-lt was carri-
ed in the affirmative, ayes rs, noes 60.
From the Boston GALAXY.
The following account Of an affair which
happened lately in this city is about as accu.
rate a Statement, of the facts as any that has