Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-24

Cork, dugust l0-T morrow will come on
the trial Of Stuart, who massscred the seven
men on board the Mary Russell. The circum
stance has excited most intense interest mere,
and the question Of his saniryis topic OF dis
cussion amongst all classes The more mode
rate and reasoning amongst US urge the extent
and horror Of the deed as the best proof Of Ills
madness, whilst those who are led by their
feelings insist that, though the madness be pro
we'd, the destroyer OF seven Of his fellow crea-
lures, and under such circumstances Of savage
ness as were detailed at The inquest, ought not
10 be suffered to live; that outraged humanity
requires sacrifice, and that even the formally
Of trial should not be granted 10 one so aoan-
doned to blood. AS usual on such occasions,
many other acts OF mystery and murder are at
trbuted 10 the prisoner; amongst the rest, II Is
rumored that he brought ship into Limerick
without soul on Board but himself, and re-
ceiyed handsome reward from the underwrI-
rers This story has gained such credence, aid
has been SO widely circulated, that 1t Is made
parsc uar object Of animadversion in his soil,
citor's brief. ThouSh-a very large number OF
iurymen are summoned for Tomorrow, II VIII
be difficult to find twelve men who can totally
divest themselves OF the prejudices which TO-
pic SO much discussed must necessarily excite.
The defence about to BE- set up, is madness, a.
nv, and the want Of rest attendant on such Ter.
rors Nothing is talked Of here but accounia-
bility;-where does il begin and where does II
end, or what is the distinct line which marks
madness from crime? Stuart himself speaks
more calmly on the subject than any other per
son have heard. was with his solicitor to
see him about an hour since. He is a lille be-
low the middle size, and, but for his strength OF
chest and back, may almost be called slight;
his step is ligb, bu, firm, and his every moves
ment denotes strength and agility; his hair is
sandy; his complexion fair, but not pale, neither
is it florid, but of that healthy hue Tor which
have heard no name. Anxiety does not appear
to have be al work upon il. His eyes, which
owing 10 the percussion of he lower part OF his
face, seem some what sunken, are OF light blue,
but full large pupil gives them more life and
qnickuess than that color usually indicates. He
had on black coat, white waistcoat and cravat,
blue pantaloons, shoes, and white stot kings.
He was very communicative, answered any
questions relative to the transaction quickly and
cooly, but denied the impu,aIion Of madness,
aud insisted that the destruct ton OF his victims
was an ACT OF duty, rendered imperative for the
protection Of the vessel, and his own personal
safety. He betrayed no emotion whatever, ex-
cepI in the relation Of wild vision, which
haunted him in the bridewell whe re he was first
lodged He thought he heard the walings Of
his wife and children and his uncle; that they
cried out for assistance against some persons
who were numbering them, and that he was
bound and could not come to their relief
Whilst in the agony he saw anaked lif.leSs boz
soh he 70 s q his Se
it, it increased in stature, life seemed TO re-
turn, and it assumed the fosTn of his uncle. He
then Saw his uncle massacre his wife and chil>
drrn before his face; and strongly did this
vision affect him, that, when his uncle called at
the prison, he refused to see him, and shudder-
ed TO hear his name mentioned. When he
spoke OF the massacre of his children, his face
became flushed, his voice was broken and hur>
rfed, his lips quisered, and the tears started 10
his eyes, but did not fall. This mood quickly
passed away, and he remained himself with
wonderful resolution. Some one mentioned his
bringing the unnamed vessel into Limerick; he
sneered deridingly at the improSabilily of the
story, said that some Of :he counsel retained for
the prosecution called 10 ask him conc erning il;
and insisted, with more warmth than he had
hitherto used, that he never got money from The
underwriters. He was once in Lime rick, but
rot under the circumstances alluded 10. For
the defence, strong testimony Of previous mad
ness can be adduced. On former voyage, be.
ing haunted with suspicion that some Of the
passengers intended TO give information Of his
having contraband goods on board, he showed
such marks Of excitemen, that every dangerous
instrument was obliged TO be put out Of his |
way, and the passengers took precautions 10
secure themselves at night. The interest which |
this trial excites has urged the press here 10
such exeriions, that fear cannot anticipate
its reports oil the Trial. There is nothing in the |
appearance Of Stuar. to indicate either susp. |
eious or ferocious character His compressed |
mouth and steady gaze write frmness on his
counlenance; the rest Of its expression is that |
OF one from whom you would expect benevo-
violence rather than malignity
IGNORANCE OF SURGEONS.