Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-10-02

An incident occurred some years since ir
this city, which strongly illustrates this view
We received the facts from gentleman o.
uniInpeachable veracity, and the reader may
rely with confidence upon their truth.
i A very young gentleman entered the Of
fee of former Mayor and asked for pri.
vate audience. 1t was granted him without
out hesitation. He then represented himself
as a Mr.. A. of Newly York, the son of one oi
the most respectable citizens OF that city
He had visited Philadelphia, he said, for the
purpose of delivering lectures in support OF
Fanny Wright. During his sojourn in this
city, he had fallen into indiscretions, which
he hoped his youth would excuse; and on the
preceding night when in company with an a
bandoned female, he was robbed of all his
money. lie said that he would have entered
no complaint but that he was left pennyless.
and dared not, under the circumstances, ap-
ply to his father for relief. The ingenious
manner, genteel appearance, and address,
and the refinement and talent displayed in his
language, gained tor him ready credence.
The Mayor preferred his services to relieve
him, and instantly issued warrant for the
apprehension of the girl, who was brought up
and committed to prison.
At the examination, the girls attorney
boldly plead not guilty; and alleged that the
statement so far as related to the robbery,
was a fabrication, intended to force money
from the defendant. Mr.. A. was rendered
highly indignant at this assertion, and de-
manded full investigation Of the clrcum-
stances. This took place, and throughout
the whole of it, Mr.. A. exhibited great calm
ness, modesty, and an ability which would
have done credit to any gentleman at the bar.
He was, however, unable to sustain his
charge; and the girl preferred against him an
accusation Of false Imprisonment. The ta-
bles were now turned he was taken to pris-
on.
He shortly after dropped note to the May
or, depicting in eloquent language his melan-
choly situation, and asking the favor of an in
terview. The benevolent magistrate hasten
ed to the prison. Mr.. A. was so affected
with his kindness that he wept. He nplor-
ed his visiter to believe him innocent-refer-
red with great feeling to his parents, and
begged him to assist him in procuring a re-
lease. The Mayor readily promised to do all
in his power; and inquired if he had not some
friends in the city who would become his
bail. The prisoner gave him the names Of
the Wright school, who had encouraged and
applauded him IN the delivery Of his Atheis-
sire to serve him. The Mayor hastened to
them. The answer from each was uniform.
They declined becoming his security. They
corroborated all his statements; represented
him as moral, refined, gifted with more than
the most respectable families in New York.
Still they could not place in him the slight
dependence which could warrant them in be-
coming security, that he would not be fugi-
tive from Justice. Why were they thus dis !
trustful?. They knew that the only sure pill
lar Of principle in the human breast, had been
in his, ovcrthrown.
Still, the interest which the youth, appear
ance and manner of Mr.. A. had raised in the
bosom of the benevolent mag gistrate, was not
removed. He persevered in his exertions-'
and with great difficulty had the charge with
drawn, and the young gentleman released.
The next day Mr.. A. waited upon him..
He was greatly agitated. lie expressed his
gratitude with great fervor, and begged the
Mayor to believe, that though he might have
been imprudent, he was incapable Of being
guilty; and that he would thereafter give him
reason to believe his disinterested and noble
benevolence had not been thrown away
The Mayor, in addition to his former services,
now offered him his purse to assist him to re-
turn to New-York, and after few words of
paterDal advice, bade him farewell.
Several months had elapsed. The Mayor,
who had become cognizant to some facts, i'm
portant to criminal trial, pending in New
York, proceeded thither as witness. He
was invited to take a seat upon the bench,
and from that elevation looked down upon the
mass that crowded the state house.
A call was heard from the officers: snake
way for the prisoners;" and the wretched be-
lngs entered. Among them was youthful,
and elegantly made figure; he raised his face,
and cast hurried glance OH the crowd. The
Started-it pds Mr.. A. He was
charged with an attempt to commit robbery
md murder. i
The facts as subsequently developed in the
rial we're as follows: Mr.. A. whose heart ap-
,ears to have been wholly cankered by his
principles met, at a hotel, young merchant,
md discovered that he had large amount OF
money about him. He instantly conceived
he fiendish design Of numbering and robbng
The youth. lie entered into conversation
and by his superior talents, soon fascinated
his victim. After protracted conversation,
he proposed, the afternoon being fine, that
hey should take skiff and visit an island in
he neighborhood Of the city, for the purpose
,f bathing. The merchant gladly assented.
The plan of the young, but hardened miscre-
INT was to strangle his victim in the water:
,ut the place was SO crowded with bathers
hat he could not effect his object there.
They remained at the island until near sun
'et, when the merchant, who had an engage
nent before night-fall, insisted upon return
ng. They entered the skif, and A., on the /
'retence Of being acquainted with the cur
ent, took the oars. He rowed for some time
n silence, but his companion finding night
approaching, and the skif no nearer the city,
'ecame alarmed, took the oars, and pulled /
igorously for New-York. 1t was now dark.
4 was in the stern of the boat This was