Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-22
From the HaEfar Nara Sc0tia', .4pr'l 20.
TRIAL OF AN INDIAN FUR MURDEh'

A novel and hiahly interesting scene was eAhi
bited in our Supreme Court on MONDAY last our
readers may remember, that ABOUT tne emu vi uie
year, an Indian named Peter Paul SHOT MS noun
in-law, near their camp at the lndian hi.er'
Hammond Plains. He subsequently gave MN
selfup to the civil authorities. staunS 'hat al
though he had succeeded in gaming tne "oods,
and might have made his escape-suii ne IUuiI
not fly from the feelings within; ana tnatEoa nau
directed him to come to town. ana meet unI pun
ishment of his crime. He was accordingly 1T
raigned at the bar of the Supreme Court on Mon
day, for capital offence; the prosecution was
conducted by the Solicitor General, with much
feeling and humanity, but with proper regard
to the nature and duties of his office; the prison.
ers's defence was managed by Messrs. Savers 4
DOYLE, who generously gave their professional
assistance. in order r.. ensure to the unhappy
man the fun advantage of those technical objec-
tons, and other little indslgencies, IN which
those more couversant with legal forms, or better
able to nroyide professional aid, can sometimes
find partial shelter from the seventies OF the law.
Two Indian women, daughters Of the deceased,
and sisters to the wife Of the prisoner, gave,
through the medium of an interpreter, full and
circumstantial account of the whole affair; which
was confirmed by the testimony o: j white woman.
the wife of a settler, near whose house the muir
der was committed, and who was an eye witness
of the transaction. 1t appeared from the testl.
mony, that the prisoner was somewhat jealous OF
his wife-that un the morning in which he COM
mitted the crime, he had packed up the contents
of his wipwam. and urged his wife TO bring their
children, two BOYS and girl, and leave the en-
campment. During these preparations his wife
and himself had very high words, and ne snapped
l.. l. hN Aft m
terfere. Having set out with his two boys ana
bundle of his baggage, he was overtaken ny some
of the women. who told him the bundle ne had lett
for his wife was too heavy for her to carry: he
accordingly went back to the camp, and while he
was zone, the two boys went off the road with
Young Indian-whether by accident, for the pur-
pose Of playing, or by design in order to prevent
his departure, did not very clearly appear. Find.
iDr his bows zone, he Immediately went in search
of them; beating about the sides of the road
searching the camp, and enquiring at the house Of
Mr.. Brunswick. In leaving the camp second
time, he was followed by his wife, her mother,
and one of the sisters, who either tor the purpose
of soliciting him to remain, or with a view to de-
tam him by force, were close upon his footsteps
in jumping over fence he stumbled, and onrisc
ing turned round and discharged the contents OF
who fell Immediately, and died in about half an
hour. One of the witnesses swore that she saw
him cock the gun after he had jumped the fence:
the other two testified that though he did not put
the gun to his shoulder he aimed it at the woman,
s. fired with his face towards her, He showed no
sign of sorrow or remorse after having done the
deed. but commenced reloading the gun; and
succeeded in making his escape, notwithstanding
shot was fired at him by one of the Indians, who
ran into Brunswick's house and procured mus
ket. The defence attempted to be set up by the
bearings cf the counsel's cross-examinatlons was,
that the prisoner was an excellent hunter, and BY
his industry and dexterity had been supporting
the greater part of his wife's family-that being
dissatisfied with this burden, and jealous of his
wife, he was DESTROYS to leave the camp, and seek
some other location, where he might have more
comfort and less risk of infdelity. That finding
his wife unwilling to 60, and her friends -ndea-
voring by opportunities and stratasem to detain
him-being excessively irritatcd by an alterca-
ton of nearly two hours, and doubtful of the in
tentions of the women, who were following close
upon him, he either fired the gun in his own de-
fence, or it went of by accident in his stumble
when he sprung over the wall. When asked if he
had any thing to say in extenuation or palliation
Of his conduct, he began in his own tongue for
NAL protestation of his general good conduct
The interpreter rendered his statement into En-
glish-and although his counsel found it advisa-
bic to check his prolixity, he began his defence
in manner worthy of a better orator, and more
practiced logician. To show his general charac-
ter for honesty, humanity, and amenity to the
laws, he stated that although he was fifty-six
years old. he had never shot man or woman be-
fore that ne had never assaulted any person; eth
er white man or Indian; and that although he had
shot moose, ducks, &c. whenever he met them,
he had ever killed domestic animals, nor ever
plundered from any person-relying at all times
on his own skill for the support of himself and his
family. To prove his fear Of the Deity and res
pect for religion, he affirmed that if he found a
Cross. either upon the road or in the woods, he
would never step over it or pass it irreigiously by
but would kneel down upon it, and offer up his
prayers. He did not attempt to say that the gun
went off by accident, but dwelt upon the provoca-
ton he had received.
The interpreter, Lewis Paul; testified as to his
pacific habits and general good character. This
man conducted himself throughout the whole tri-
| al with singular decprum rood feeling and pro-