Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-28

M. jameson Cor, testified that from al he
had seen or heard of the prisoner ne did not mink
he would harm any one.
After having heard ali the evidence, the Rec
order discharged the prisoner. -.
The very instant that Matthias was discharged,
a police officer arrested him. and he was imme-
diately carried before Mr.. Justice Lownds' upon
the following affidavit.
CITY and County Of New York.-Thos. M:
Hooker, Of the city of New York, merchant, and
Alexis L. Dias. Of the sane place, merchant, be-
ing severally sworn, depose and say, that the
said Robert Matthias. in their presence Ard hear
ing. on or about the Goth Sept. inst. uttered the
following blasphemous words, in substance, and
as nearly as they can recollect-viz. that the
SAID Robert Matthias. ordered Levi Andrews
Mills to leave the house No. 50 Franklin street
in the said city, in the name OF God Almighty.
and that he, the said Robert Matthias was God
Almighty. And these deponents further say.
that the language which the said Robert Matthias
10 in the habit Of using. under the pretence OF
being Messenger of God, is profane IN the
extreme. These deponents verify believe, anu
such Is the opinion of many respectable persons.
from the general course Of conduct OF the said
Matthias, that he is an impostrr and not ia.
natic, rim any wise mentally deranged. And
thias has assumed the character Of Messenger
from God. and fur sometime past has practised a
system oil pretension and hypocrisy for the pur.
pose Of defrauding, and that the said Matthias
has for several months procured his subsistence
thereby. Signed,
THOS. NJ. HOOKER.
A. L. DIAS.
Sworn this cath day Of Sept. 1882
before me- a. NJ LowNDs
Mr.. Bucklin. the counsel for the prisoner be.
fore the Recorder, also appeared on his behalf
before the Police. After hearing the charges
preferred. Mr.. Buckin asked If the trial On the
affidavit was tn take place here. Justice Lownds
answered in the negative: that there was sufh
Gent evidence to commit him for trial. and such
would be the course he would pursue. His cause
would doubtless 60 before the next Grand Jury,
the charge of blasphemy "a system Of hypocrisy,
and living in that manner. Upon the application
Of Mr.. Bucklin, the prisoner was admitted to
bail, under the penalty of $500. Walter Hun,
Daniel Beemen, and ID. w. Bucklin, were his
securities.
1t is strange that 10 Christian and intelligent
community. such people as Matthias can play up
ON the feelings of citizens-can induce them &c
share their houses and purses with hm-and even
turn the brains of men, who before were sane
aud useful To their families. Many such people
have appeared before Dow-in our day, Mrs. Blu
chan, Joannah >outhcOte, &c. have had their dis
ciples-but they are past, and with them their
adherents. These things tend more to injure the
holy religion Of our fathers, than all the sophist
ry Of sceDtics. If Matthias be mad, "there i:
.asthod in his madness" as vas exemplihed in
many Of his answers to the Recorder after the
evidence in the case was heard: these answers
we have deemed it unnecessary to report. A
we have no intention to prejudice tho cause ol
Matthias, for he is in the hands Of the law await
ing his trial. we shall abstain from further re.
marks at present.