Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-05
CLOUGH'S CONFESSION.

l
life was 40 recently an Offering to offended justice,
nu,sued. unchecked a career Of evil for years,
and succeeded by the aid Of q prepossess'ng ex'
terror. and a considerable degree OF assurance
in throwing veil over his general condaet, which
deceived even those who were most intimately
acquainted with him. He was not suddenly ar
rested BY crime Of fearful and appalling Tag
nitude without previously being initiated into acts
Of wckedness, by which his feelings were mar
dened and his heart corrupted. No man DE-
comes suddenly and desperately wicked. lhe
Roman poet long ago said, '"Facis descensus
Averni''-ss the descent to hell is easy"-and
such it has ever been found by the needless and
unthnking youth, who despising parental 10.
struction hardens his neck against reproof-.
Clough was young man Of good address, aud
we'll calculated to WIN his way into the esteem
and confidence Of the unwary and unsusPectns.
The principle Of evil, to whose dominion he SUD.
mitted, was the more dangerous aud prejudicni
to the interests OF society, because Of the suotety
in which it moved. Clough was ambitious oil the
character of gentleman; and SO far as his exte.
rior-bis deportment-his address were concern
ed. he m,eht pass for one: but he had not the es.
sential qualites;-He was spirit OF evil, and
when circumstances came into collision with
some favorite object, some cherished plan, he
stood on no ceremony, was inundated by no
fears, and dsheartened by no difficulties. These
were but the goads to awaken his spirit. and
arouse him to deeds Of desperate and feariul
achievement; but he is gone-and the pity which
could flow in strains Of lamentation or regret
for the murderer Of innocence, the heartIess as
| sassin of youth and beauty. springs from NOR
bid and saeamish sensiblty, which would flow
as strong for the murderer on the highway or the
buccaneer on the seas, under similar circunstan.
ces. CIough was hardened villain. lost to
sense Of moral worth, and was incapable Of love:
1t ives not love which prompted him to The act OF
destru ction, or rather We should say, the act was
not the consequence Of his attachment;-analyse
his mind, and it will be found to be pride, wound.
ed self Lore, he had never been taught to curb
his feelings; or il he had, instruction was lost on
him.
Mr. Desilver, in Walnut street, has published
his life, from which we will make the following
extract. This as fair specimen Of CIough's
style, and lasting and striking monument OF
the evil which he nourished. and which finally
overwhelmed him. We have seen the original
in the hand writing of Clough himself, and can
therefore answer for its authenticity.
(Phl Chron.
81 remained in the state Of New York for
some time; not being engaged in any particular
y
playing cards. and acting dishonesty while SO
engaged, either by taking advantage Of the ig.
norance of those whom was playing with, and
cheating others in the best way could.
"While in the village Of r.. went frequent.
ly IN company. and soon formed an intimacy
with female Of that village. She was young
and handsome, and enjoying reasonable share
of the happiness of this world, with q respecta-
BILE and wealthy aunt-having lost both her IA.
! ther and mother. Our intimacy soon grew into
a strong attachment, particularly OH her part
On seeing this, took advantage Of her conf
dence, and misIed her; ruined her By false
VOWS, and lying protestations Of love;- and have
often prayed to my God to forgive me for
this blacklist act of.villainy.-I saw her situa.
ton. and fed from the plaee-and shortly al.
ter heard of her death. She died in giving
birth to the fruits Of my vilainy. | went to
Bristol. Pennsylvania. and engaged IN contract
with Morris and Dorrance, to build an squedu ct
of the Pennsylvania Canal. | completed this
contract to the entire satisfaction Of Messrs |
Morris and Dorranee. While engaged 10 Bris
tol INDUCED in all kinds of dissipation, except
that Of intemperance; almost every night play.
ing cards or some other games for money-act.
ing in the most dishonest manner, cheating and
dsfrauding whenever proper opportunity Offer
ed. Upon one occasion, while at this place. in
changing money for an old gentleman. | passed
on him two counterfeit five dollar bills Of the
..Camden Bank, which had but a few days
before purchased for fifty cents.
:.
81 retired to my room, and threw myself on
the bed. About ten o'clock Mrs Longstreth and
Mrs. Hamilton, as they were going to their lodg.
ing room, stopped at my door and inquired if l
would have any thing thanked them, and an
swered wanted nothing. They retired TO their
bed. arose aud went down stairs Was gone
about fifteen minutes. returned to my room,
unlocked my trunk, and from it took Dirk.
unsheathed it. l held il before my eyes. Fa.
tai instrument II was present from Mrs.
HamiIton-the property Of her deceased hus-
band. and given to me at a time when supposed
she loved me, and when was anticipating every
happiness. Iexamined it again and again. I
recoIlected when she gave me that fataI instru.
ment she also gave me a lock Of her hair.
sought her hair and found it. examined il al.
and after Ion0 harrihIe denonliks roa q. t;on |