Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-22

tical SCRUTINY and examination that he could DC
persuaded of his identity.
He was arraigned this forenoon upon the three
convictions, and will probably he sentenced toan
imDrisonment Of five years at hard labor In the
State Prison for each offence
-ssgE7s~
From the .Neu York Commercial. Jan. l..
COURT OF SESSIONS.
Among those brought up 10 receive sentence
on Saturday, were several whose cases nave at
tracted attention. That Of Lace in particular,
of whose life we have been furnished with his
tory by the Superintendent of the House OF Re
fuge, exhibits one of those instances where the
propensity for stealing seems natural inflr'nlty,
which neither shame nor punishment, nor amoi-
ton, can control. Wecopy from contemporary
a notice of the life of Jackson, who has 1Ou1shed
in iniQuity of more daring character, and who,
it is to be hoped, has now been Withdrawn tor
ever from all opportunity of annoying the com
munity. Having been convicted on three indict-
ments, of several fnrseries IN the third degree,
he was adjudged to be imprisoned at Sing sing
at hard labor for the term of fifteen years Will
liam S. Bourdett, whose main crime was the de-
ception he practised upon the innocent woman
who was so unfortunate as to become his wife.
but who was righteously convicted of Grand Lar
ceny for stealing horse and gig, was thus adj
dressed by the Recorder upon being put to the
bar:
..You have been convicted of grand larceny.
You hired horse and gig, on pretence OF visiting
your wife's relations i'll Orange county. and there
availed yourself of an opportunity and sold the
gig. The question respecting your criminality
was submitted to Jury, who returned verdict
of guilty against you. This, however, is not
your only crime, nor the worst part OF your con-
duct. You formed an acquaintance with re-
spectacle young lady, won her affections, pre-
vailed upon her to become your wife. and then
abandoned her. And to talk as you have, Of
your respect for your parents, wher you have III
ficted so cruel a wound upon her peace and hap
piness, is idle. You have manifested throughout
the most unieeiug disregard towards her, and all
attempts to gam any information from you, have
proved fruitless 1t is high time that your cruel
and wanton career should be arrested, and our
Judgment is, that you, William s. Bourdet, be
imprisoned in the State Prison at Sing Sing. at
hard labor, for the term of five years"
The Journal of Commerce publishes the follow
Ing letter, addressed by Bourdett to the Recor-
der a few days since:
JANUARY, 1881.
- Hon. RICHARD RIKER.
Dear Slr-The time is fast approaching
when shall be called before the Honorable Co,ot
to receive the sentence of the law which now
awaits me. Sir, it is for you to pass that sentence
upon me, and it is also in your power, for to in
flict longer or shorter sentence, as you may
Judge proper. Sir, it is duty that owe to those
who gave me being to appeal to you for mercy
that mercy implore for various reasons.
81 have a Faher-fond. doating, generous,
and kind. have also Wife, whom have in
iured; yes. basely injured, and deceived her
friends, as well as planted thorn in the bosom
of her kind, honest, and industrious parents. |
saw her, loved her, and married her. And it
was the farthest from my thoughts to ever have
deceived her. l loved her almost to madness,
and was beloved by the whole family. knew
the match would never suit the expectations of
my parents, and that my marriage must be kept
secret from them. was young, wild, diss-
pated, and thoughtIess. and was addicted to play
ing at Billiards and RouIet. had flattered my
found nv means gone, | had not the courage to
see her suffer, and in despair and frenzy left
her TO the keenest want.
:. But as God is my Judge, it was the farthcst
from my thoughts to deceive her when married
her; and when got Mr. fuckers horse and gig
to 90 to her uncle's in Orange county, my inten-
ton was as honorable as any man under the Ca
nopy of Heaven.
ALAS! ] was ruined by vice that is too
prevalent in the higher circles of socety,-and
now it is duty owe to her, as well as to my
self, to make all the restitution in my power. 1t
was for that purpose that tried to see and come
to seine understanding last Spring. Yes, sir,
love her as fervently now as did at the moment
first called her mine. And all Of the restitu-
ton that can make is and shall be made. have
prepared papers for her, and fixed my business
as well as can in the situation am in, and If |
cannot undo this evil, can have the consolation
of doing all in my power to make atonement for
the rest.
But sir, when look to the future, all looks
drear and dark. My Parents as yet are unac-
quainted with the signs that have placed upon
an innocent and most respected family, andiit is
my sole study how to keep them from the knowl-
edge ofmy degraded situation, and think shall
succeed. AS long as they think me dead or aban.
doned,I am happy. But to have the name which
has been so long unsullled and honored, blight
ed-yes forever blasted-is too bitter reflection.
Let, let the grey hairs Of my honored father go
down to the grave in peace.
In OF ., 7 II.