Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-05

there are various opinions; we have, IN our own
mind, fixed upon the 18th Of next month as its
probable limit.
RICHMOND, JUNE Q.
A destructive fire occurred in Manchester last
night. II originated in the kitchen of Mr. Nc
Donald, between twelve and one o'clock, and
swept off near or quite thirty Buildings. before
its progress was arrested. Six OF the Buildings
DESTROYED were on the Main Street, 10 the centre
of the Town; the others OH cross-street, with
out.houses, connected with the principal build
ings The principal sufferers are John Tu' pin,
the Estate of VIM. Bottom, Mr.. Mcdonald,
Archibald Bot, Zacbariah Hall. Henry A.
Bridsewater, Beverly Sizcr, and WIN. w. Wei
sger.-NO satisfactory account of the origin OF
the fire can be obtained
The inhabitants Of Manchester were unpre.
pared with engines, &C., to subdue the lire
Our Fire Companies repaired to their assistance,
and did good service after they got to work.
Many of the Artillery also went over, and did
good service, in keeping order, and preventing
depredations.
A number of gentlemen of Manchester gave a
breakfast and refreshments to our Firemen, and
request Us to express their thanks to them for
their efficient and.
CLARxssuRo (Va.) May 25.
Previous to the rising of the Superior Court OF
this County, which was adjourned on Tuesday
last, after an usually long sessioD-M Mcdaniel and
Bennett, the two individuals found guilty OF shoot
ing with intent to kill, were sentenced by Judge
Taylor, according to the assessment OF the Jnries
BY which they were convicted, to two years I'm
prisonment in the PeniIentiarv, one twelfth OF
chat period in McDaniel's case, and one eighth
in that of Bennett, to be spent in solitary con-
fnement. The Judges in passing sentence adj
dressed the convicts in an appropriate manner.
On Thursday last the prisoners were taken from
the Jail and conducted, on their road to Rich
mond, under direction Of Samuel Hall. Esq.
High Sheriff of the County, accompanied BY a
strong guard. 1t had been previously whisper
ed that an attempt would be made by McD's
friends, some of whom are supposed to partake
of his own reckless spirit, TO rescue him on the
road, and stronger escort than usual was there
fore considered necessary. But we doubt whe-
Their any serious design had been formed to with
draw the prisoner from the punishment to which
he has been doomed. 'fhe departure of the pri-
soners caused considerable excitement, in cOnse-
quence of the rumor to which we have alluded.
On our first page brief summary of the tes-
timony IN the trial of Bennett is presented to our
readers. The atrOcitv Of the act OF which he
was found guilty, is aggravated by the relations
in which he stood to the man whose ASSASSINATION
he attempted Married to the only child Of Sill
man, treating her with uniform kindness. and
living on terms Of intimacy, and to all appear
ance, IN afectionate amity, with her parents and
other Notwithstanding an unsu'lied character,
without previous complaint against the intended
victim Of his deadly passions,-he deliberately
shoots him in broad day, almost on the threshold
of his dwelling! There was no sudden passion
40 provocauon: but parting as friend with
Sillman on one day, he steals upon him the next.
and with unerring aim, attempts his life. We
can scarcely conceive the perfdy of such an act,
and nothing but the irresistible clearness OF Mr..
Sillman's testimony, (Which proved him to pos.
sess extraordinary for,itude and presence OF
mind) could have overcome our doubt that under
all the circumstances of the case, Bennett could
have been the perpetrator OF crime SO abhOrent
to the feelings Of civilized man.
We have heard but one surmise OF the motives
BY which he was actuated to the deed-that the
property Of .Silman would. in the right Of his
wife. (the only child Of SIllman,) fall into his
hands. But here again the end seems scarcely
sufficient to authorize the means, even with the
most grasping mind. Sillman's possessions are
represented as being quite inconsiderabIe. con.
sisting only Of farm Of about fifty acres, and
its improvements.
There is an episode to the drama in which Ben.
nett has figured, possessing deep interest. His
wife was, from the first, convinced of his limo.
cence, and. as we have been told, under the ge
nervous deusion Of conjusal affection. considered
his arrest an unjust persecution. With this feel
Inc she refused to remain at her fathers house,
and resided until the latter part Of April at her
husbands fathers. Her health, delicate before,
gradually gave way under the burthen of her al
fictons; and after much suffering, she sent to
her parents, requesting that she might be brought
hume-to die. She was accordingly removed to
Her disease was broken heart. II is said that
Bennett. while il prison, although in general ex-
hibiting much obduracy, was overcome BY the