Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-09

ed; that he had nov no doubt If its reality, and
there, pointing to Stout, stands the Uery old SIN
ner Pleasant Taylor being also under exami-
nation, stated has firm belief in witchcraft, and
in proof asserted that he :. shot deer with its
right side towards him: that it fell at the crack
of the gun. and when he examined the carcase,
he found the ball had entered the left side, aud
lodged against the skin Of the right side. From
this circumstance he was convinced of the in6u-
ence Of some evil spirit. The case being argued
by learned counsel, the jury found Taylor guilty,
from which an appeal wss taken to the Circuit
Court, where the matter now rests.
Quebec Quarter Sessions-Ju,y Tenn, 1881.
A singular, and totally unprecedented cir
cumstance in this country, took place at these
quarter sessions. 4 man of the name OF Beck
ford, IAN American) was indicted for obtaining
money under false pretences, by pretending to be
a proprietor or agent OF the Steamboat Tow Com
pany, and receiving money from emtgrants Tor
their passage t. Montreal.
Mr.. Breckesby. shlp-chander, proved that
Rockford had come into his store, with another
paper, wrote something. which was understood to
be an order for the emigrant to have passage on
board the ST. Lawrence steamboat for which he
received sovereign. Some suspicion arising,
Mr.. B. sent For the Agent of the steamboat COM
pany, and it immediately appeared that Beckford
was an impostor, and he vas taken into custody,
and the sovereign returned, but the written order
could not be produced.
Mr.. Shaw, one Of the proprietors of the steam-
boat company, was called; but not having been
in Quebec, but at Montreal, at the time laid in
the indictment. could not swear whether the prl-
soner was or was not employed on board the
steamboat at the time.
The acting agent Of the company, who was ex-
pected to prove the guilt the prisoner to con-
victron, being sworn, Mr.. JOS Lagueux. coun-
sci for the prisoner, prayed leave to examine the
| witness on the uoire dire; on which he was ask
ed. " of what religion are your" Answer
What do you mean by that?" Question, Do
you believe in God?" Answer, a" No, do not. "
The witness added in explanation, that he did
not believe in the God of the Christians, nor the
God OF the Jews. Mr.. Lagueux then quoted
McNaly Oh Evidence, vol l. p. 90 "All wit
nesses, before they are examined in our courts OF
Justice, are required to take an oath by which
they appeal to the Supreme Being, for the truth
of the evidence they are about togive. Our law.
| like that Of most othe, civilized countries, re-
uulTeS u WltICSS W DtiicNc uIdt tlclS 10 q pOb'
and a future state of rewards and punishments.
and that by taking the oath, he imprecates the d.
vine vengeance on himself, if his evidence should
be false. Atheists aud such in6dels as profess
not any religion that can bind their ceuscences
to speak the truth, are excluded from being wit
nesses." Formerly it appears to have been the
opinion of the Judges that neither Jews nor Hea'
| thens could be admitted as witnesses in British,
Courts; but since the famous cause of Omichund
and Barker, it is received rule that infidels OF
any other country who believe in God, the sven-
ger Of falsehoOd, ought TO be received as witness
es. but in6dels who believe not that there is a
God, or future state of rewards and punish.
ment, cannot be admitted in any case.
Upon which the Court refused to hear the wit
ness upon his oath: and the delinquent was &C.
quilted for the want Of evidence.
Hamel for the prosecutions; Jos. Lagueux fol
the prisoner.