Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-01
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES"

From the Hartford Times, We copy the fol-
lowing remarks, with no other view than of ex-
posing q cowardly, infamous and vile attempt,
to poison respectable and innocent class Of
| society, who, in accordance with their own
wishes. have Withdrawn themselves from the
world, and formed distinct community:
ATTEMPT TO PotsoN.-Some ~retch has
made bold attempt to poison ono Of the .fami-
lies Of Shakers, in the town of Enfield. From
the large quantity of Arsenic found ia the pump,
we should think. that Druggists might give in
| formation, 80 that the offender might be ferret
ed out. II behoves them, and ev1<l eood citi-
zen, to use their exertions TO bring TO punish
nent the perpetrators Of such an outrage
We agree with our worthy friend ofthe Times,
! that it becomes every good citizen to make On
exertion to bring the offenders to merted pun
shment; and we hope that their efforts will
not be unavailing. Accompanying the Edit
orial article in the Times, is an advertisement, :,
signed by Doctor William Hamilton, who thus
desc ribes the manner in which the poison was
administered, to the unsuspecting, and guiltcss
! Shakers:
VISITED man belonging to one Of the fam;.
| lies Of Shakers in Enfield Connecticut (consst-
ing of 81 pcrsons) suffering under all The direfu
effects of poison. This family have a we'll
! pump standing about feet from their cook
| room door, to which this man, as soon as day
| light appeared, went tor watei,. drank some,
found its taste disagrceablc, rinsed his cup and
took about pint, although it was very nau-
seous, got into the house, and the distressing
symptoms commenced. Immediately after lie
left the pump, another came for water for tea
and other purposes, which appearing in Il white
| or milky state, induced him to throw number
! Of pailfuls on the ground, during which time
number Of the family had collected, and hear
ing Of the effects which it had upon the man
who drank it, relmquished further hopes Of
using it. A great number Of palfuls were
thrown from it while was present, each con-
taining more than a teaspoonful of the undis-
solved poison; much Of the grass around the
wei was whi,oned similar to the effect Of lime
washing, yet, l knew it to he unadulierated
ARSENIC, from the unerring tests l used to
enough put into the pump to have destroyed
thousand persons! Alas! alas! what wrctched
hearts have MN in human shape, single mui-
der would have been crime, but of far less
magnitude
| This is not the first or second time, that the
grossest acts Of outrage have been committed
on that harmless, innocent and useful Society,
the Shakers, and we cannot but hope, that
through the vigilance Of the good people OF
Connecticut, the perpetrators Of the abhorrent
deed, to which we refer, will be brought to
speedy punishment.
Although there are many absurditios, con-
nec,ed with the creed Of the Shakers, at which
the intelligent mind revolts, and which are al
most ridiculous in their origin and practice, still
We know not why they have not as good right
to worship God, without molestation, and in
their own way, as any other class Of Chris
tans. If their creed, mode Of worship, snd
ordinances, do not suit the opinions Of others,
let those who object, keep away from them,
and thus avoid self offence.
Some years ago, 4 Society Of Shakers, re-
siding on the banks Of the Kentucky River,
were assai,ed by mob and severely mal-treat-
ed, because they had received into their So
ccty, a woman, who preferred their monastic
kind Of life, but whose parents we're vehement
ly opposed to il. For their injuries they ap.
pealcd to the laws Of the land, for they you'd
not take up arms in sclE-defcnce; ard NO. re
proud to say, that they obtained ample redress
The attacks that are made upon .so.-, -r7
made by towards, for none bat coward =.
raise his hand against man. s'c Ne - oer
| l. L Al l.
defence.
The Shakers, taken as a body, are IN il.no-
cent, Industrious, intelligent, useful, and p.rse
vering people; and as long us the institutions
Of this country, grant to every man the priv
lege of worshipping Almighty God according
to the dictates Of his conscience, they should
be protected. They build their towns with
great neatness, simplicity and elegance ;--aIe
hospitable and kind to all who visit them, and
are the decided advocates Of the extension OF
the sciences and literature. They have pre-
sented 10 the world innumerable specimens OF
ingenuity, and at least one excellent author.-
We allude to one Of their principal members,
now dead, Joseph Dunavey, man with WHOM,
we had the honor of an acquaintance, and
whose learning and talents we did not improp-
erly admire. His book, on the subject Of the
order to which he belonged, was written with
ease, elegance and pcrspicuty, and to a null
titudc Of sophisms, it added a rich fund Of orig
inality, ingenuity, and forciblc persuasion.-
Mr.. Dunlavey, was originally citizen Of New
Jersey, Clergyman, licensed to preach by the
Presbyterian Synod Of that State, but soon af-
l Al. -,