Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-02-21

Virginia Legislature.
IoUSE OF DELEGATES-Iuc FEBRUARY TO-


DIVORCES
Mr. Ghoson said for the first time in his life he rose TO
present petition for divorce. lie held in his hand the
petition OF William b. Williams for divorce from MiIrcd
his wife. This petition, with the accompanying docu
men's presented story OF the most character
~ shewed that the petitioner years since paid his
addresses to the lady who afterwards become his wife
and was then rejected by her-ha
cd by marked indications in the conduct of the LADY, of
favorable change I'm her sentiments towards him. he again
addressed her. accepted, about month since was
married to her-hat the marriage was accompanied by
the usual festivities, and demonstrations of joy-and that
on the second night after the wedding his murder was
attempted by his wife, by ingenious deyce-that Of
pouring molten lead into his Mr.. G.. was of opinion
ha all the facts being considered in this transaction il
presented case of scarcely pecepbe madness in which
the defect OF reason only developed by some great
excitement and which times broke out into acts Of am
exravagant mOnstrous nature IL such was The fact
and the lady was deranged before marriage that cream
stance was sufficient TO authorize divorce.
h1r Brodnax said, that IL customary TO discuss
he FACTS aud merits OF petitions their presentation and
he begged the House not to form hasty opinion which
might unusty PREJUDICE the of the unfortunate e-
male IN question MIR. b. had received a letter from an
intimate friend OF the ladys family which gave heart
rendng detail Of the circumstances Of this sad affair And
he thought il would shew concluvey that she was la
boring under bereavement of her mental faculties when
she made the attempt her husbands life and was in.
capable OF the ingenious device which his friend from
Brunswick seemed TO think she had premedtaied.
Mr. Gholson said he sorry the gentleman from Din.
widdie had not understood his remarks He had been in.
duced 10 ofer this petition contrary TO the he had
pursued during his whole public le-because il ne was
confident OF any thing which had come under his own
eye, he confident that this unfortunate woman as in
state oil mental alienation at the time she made tile AZ.
tempt on the life Of her husband He understood that il
was the ardent desire OF all parties, that his unhappy
marriage should be severed. II her arrangement was
caused by repugnance TO the connection she had formed
was clear that she would be restored to happiness
or reason until released from twhile II she was deran
ged before marriage, il sufficient cause in itself for
divorce "
Mr.. Brodnax explained. Tie had heard only part Of
the remarks Of Mr. Ghoson aud had placed an erroneous
construction upon them.
! The petition referred.
On motion OF Mr. Pegram report of the Committee of
Courts OF Justice, rejecting the petition OF Susan Bell
Tor divorce from her husband Fielding Bell was taken IN
Mr. Pegram moved to reverse the decision Of the Com.
mittce.
/ Mr.. Brodnax supported the notion and explained at
Iengh me dcls Of The case which appeared TO be one of
great interest The documents were read, by which
II was shewn that Fielding Bell was at the lime of his
marriage Baptist preacher that he was guilty Of MANY
imnoraues aud That Tor time he had abandoned his
Wie ana chd leading wandering life in various parts OF
this country and supposed finally TO have gone 10
6cece with no intention OF returning 10 his family
The report Of the Committee was supported by Messf
Gmer and Campbell mainly on the ground that no proof
was exhibited OF uDkind treatment Oh the part Of the bus
band but that he appeared have been compelled bv his
debts TO leave his iamilyand that his conduct
his vile had In this been worse than that Of every sb
sconding debtor. w
Mr. Surman also advocated the motion 10 reverse the
report. VIZ
The question was put and the House agreed 10 reverse
I the report.
fNsTR0oTfoHs TO sLrAToRs
Mr. hnoS rose according 10 previous nolee 10 present
ne 'oHoFing preamble snd resolution