Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-27
From the Ne,o York Mercantile .qireytiser.


There is so much sound sense and just feel
ing, in the annexed remarks Of the Philadelphia
National Gazette, in relation to the case Of the
assassin Beauchanp, and the female associate
Of his crimes, that we cannot but commend
them TO the perusal Of all our readers,
The tone in which they are written, is the
more valuable, from the contrast it exhibits TO
that of some other public journals, which, in
speaking of this tragic event, have made Beau.
champ the victim of sensibility, and the aban-
doned wretch who insligated his terocious re-
SENTIMENT an erring but unfortunate woman,
more entitled TO commisse-ation, nae, almost TO
admiration, than to adherence.
Embracing the whole history Of the case, it
NAV be declared one Of the most striking and
awful combinations of desperate revenge, har-
dened guilt, and fatal result, which have ever
been offered, whether i'll real life, the drama, or
the pages of romance, to the wonder and detes-
ration Of mankind. No poet, no novelist, has
conceived a story more narrowing, nor framed
lesson more powerful against the indulgence
of licentious passion.
The wretcred female, it appears, was orgi-
nallv corrupted by the person who was the first
sacrifice in the tragedy-a man OF elevated rank
in the profession of the law and the society Of
his State: the seducer found husband for her
in Beauchamp, and promised, as The culprts
affirmed, piece Of land in consideration Of
the marrage;-this promise, according to the
same testimony, was violated, and an attempt
made 10 deepen the womau's infamy, by charg-
ing her with having brought forth proof OF
prosser libcrtnism The rancour OF diSap-
pointment, the thirst of vengeance, exasperat-
ed her fierce spirit, and gave truly demonlaC
character TO her whole scheme oil existence
In Beauchamp, she seems to have had protil-
gate. indiscreet and congenial auxiliary, stung,
himself, by supposed wrong and contumely,
and susceptible of being rendered double
slave. He was, If we may Judge from his con-
duct on his trial, and the last scene, narrated
bv the clergyman, doatingly fond OF this evil
genius, that became the partner OF his bosom
only to consummaIe his rain and ignominy.-
She necessarily simulated him 10 shed the
blood of the object Of their common hate--ior
long time they mutually cherished and ma
tured the project; until, at length, by means Of
comDIicate machinaton and falsehood, he in
,roduced himself, at dead of night into the
dWellinS OF the ue'o'ea 'iI"'', ~" ~
from his bed, where he reposed with tender
and respectable wife, and dealt the mortal blow
lust as that wife approached, in alarm, to as
certain what meant the ominous dialogue which
she overheard.
Her frantic shrieks; her sad Prostrations on
the bleeding corpse; her Precipitate flight from
the apartment and rapid circuit around the
house; the glimpse which she had OF the muf-
fled assassin outside; his quick retreat; the IN
fatuation which led to his arrest; the tale which
he invented to burden another and innocent
person with the crime; the doubts which sha-
dowed all the accusations, for term, the mys-
terv which extended beyond the event to Its
causes and agents, and the nature OF the evl-
dence sdduced in court-all constitute body
of circumstances equal in rarity and interest 10
mos, of the terrific excuses OF malignant vice.