The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-07-18

Z ~es5 ~ mo SHdi tiCteF, UuL MS conversation
and appearance was that of young divine
When ne came to retire, he told me thai
: ne boarded at the Exchange and gave me
his card. After he had zone. Mrs. Jenks
asked me why did not ask hin,to preach
for me the next day-observing that he
probably expected an invitation To that &c
feet. | replied | hardly knew whv: but
being somewhat feeble in health and not
receiving so much assistance in nv clerical
labors as some of my profession, | sent a
note the next morning to Mr.. Weems of
the Exchange, informing him that should
be pleased to have him take dinner with
my family, and officiate for me in the af-
ternoon Accordingly he came in the
morning dressed like clergyman. 70
me his dress appeared to be remarkably
opposite. In the afternoon he read dis
course. The Introductory services were
performed by myself; and after the SER
mon, he offered up prayer, and then accom-
panied us to the house. He seemed to
very happily engage the attantion of the
audience; and from the beginning his dis
course, which was remarkably elegant in
composition, appeared to be fully under
I stood. His prayer / thought must have
been written and committed, from the care
with which every sentence was delivered.
About fortnight after he preached for me
there was meeting of clerical associa
ton at my house, when letter was read
respecting Mr.. Weems, by which it seem
ed that he was not regularly licensed
preacher. l had no suspicion of his being
! insane. Ills department was correct I
thought him to be well educated youny
gentleman. When he preached for me.
he took Tor his text the annunciation of the
Deity AM THAT AM" His subject
was the character of God, ana he expatiat
ed upon the evidences of revealed relirion.
Rev. Mr.. Flint, of Salem. Prisoner had
preached for him from the same text. He
remained in Salem about two months. At
first paid him considerable attention. but
having heard some stories concerning him.
cut his cquaintance.-Col. Hamilton, cal
led a second time. The prisoner always
conducted like a gentleman in my house.
L never knew him to gamble OR indulge in
drink. When first Showed him the pub
llcation by which the clergy denounced
him, he seemed to be greatly embarrassed.
lie said it was unkind in them; why they
had done it God only knew. | advised
him to clear the matter up, and he assured
me that he should. Up to this time his
conduct was upright and that of a gentle
man; afterwards the boarders declined as
soclating with him-his spirits were depres-
sed, and he gave himself up to vice and
proiiigacy. During the last session of the
legislature lost about $3.50 from the bar.
When Weems was arrested and in iail |
visited him and charged him with taking it.
| told him l did not wish him to DENY it or
acknowledge it, as | did not want to sink
him any lower than he was but | wanted
him to do what was Just between him and
me. He thanked me for nv frankness and
gave me his watch valued at $500. sayinr
that it would replace the money and paw
! the balance of his bill. When / saw him
in Jail told him that his counsel was 90
ing to set up plea of insanity. He said
he would rather be convicted, but that he
was considered by some as half crazv ::
that the malady was in his family; and
that they threatened to put him in the in
sane hospital, that he once set fire to his
mothers barn, &c.
Here Mr.. Dunlap observed, that he had
| pleaded insanity-not at the request Of the
prisoner, but from sense of duty-for he
had known the prisoner in better days
but for more than six months past had
avoided him, and declined inviting him to
his house, because he believed him to be
insane.
Rev. Mr.. Wisncr sworn. was slightly
acquainted with the prisoner. On meeting
him one day in the street, he told me he
had preached in Salem and several ether
places. asked him if he was licensed ;
he answered yes, by the Presbytery of
! Philadelphia. AS a duty to him and the
church, | was induced to write to some of
the members of the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia; and the answers received salts
fed me that he was not licenciate. l
read these answers at the meeting of the
association at Mr.. jerks, and was appoint
! ed one of the committee of investigation.
Afterwards 1 called upon the prisoner with
person who knew him at Andover; and
charged him with not being licenciate,
&c. He declared that he was, and told
me to write to the Presbytery at Philadel-
pia, sc. / told him had, and read to him
the answers had received. told him
was satisfied he was an impostor, and the
committee would publish him as such and
then left him.
| Several other witnesses were called
whose testimony did not differ materially
from that of the gentlemen above named.
Mr.. Dunlap closed ON the part of The
/ prisoner Ill very powerful manner; anC
was Immediately followed by Mr.. Austin
with his accustomed eloquence and effect
/ About seven O'Clock, His Honor Judge
Thacher addressed the Jury. He summed
up the evidence, and after laying it lucidly
and deliberately before them, committed
the case to the Jury.
At eight O'Clock, the Jury retired, and, IL
twenty minutes after, they agreed and sep
arated; and, at the opening of the Court
on Friday morning, returned a verdict o
Guilty
ABDUCTION
An extraordinary iuctapca Of ahd,,ct;o,