Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1834-08-28
THE RIOT Ar CHARLEsTOwN.

The CharlestOwn Aurora Of the 18th fur. !
nishes the following interesting account Of the |
cause of the late mObs at CharlestOwn---of
the escape of the Nun aud her return to the |
Ursulioe Convent. Most Of the facts have
not before appeared in print -
We stated 10 our last paper our determine |
tiOn to lay before the public a full, complete
and accurate statement Of the escape Ofthe
Nun. Mary Harrison or Mary st. John Har-
TGson, from the UrsuIine Convent in this town.
and of the excitement growing out Of that
affair. The facts. in the case, as we are in
formed, are these the young lady referred to
belongs to New-YOrk, (where her father re-
sides) and she has brother at Boston, en-
pIOyed with Mr.. Bowen, engraver. She has
been an inmate Of the Convent. at Boston
aud after its removal to this town, for the
space ofthirteen gears. 1t appears that on the
afternoon Of Monday 28th Ilt. the young la
dy, who had previously been indispOsed aud
had been attended by DR.. Thompson. made
her escape to the house Of Mr.. Edward Gut
ter, near the Convent. SUon after entering
this house, she commenced running her Gn-
gers Over the Piano forte. She informed Mr..
Cutter that she had escaped from the Con-
vent; was unhappy in her situation, and wish
ed to he carried to the house Of Mr.. Getting,
Baker, in West Cambridge. who had two
to West Cambridge, by Mr.. John Runey. one
Ofthe Selectmen. who resides near the Nun-
merry, accompanied by his wife and the daugh-
ter Of MI Gutter. We do n0t understand
that she complained Of any bad treatment at
the Convent. but only that che was unhappy.
II is stated that the Superior notified the
Bishop Of the escape Of the Nun, being in
formed by Mr.. Runey Of the place Of her re-
fuge. This was at o'clock; at 10 o'clock,
the same evening, the Bishop visited the Nun
at West Cambridge. The next morning, the
Bishop and her brother repaired to West Cam
bridge, and to them, at this time. she express
sed her willingness to return, first requiring
the privilege Of room, free intercourse with
her friends, not to take again the black veil,
and at the expiration of three weeks, il she
desired it, was to have an honorable discharge.
1t is stated that she then returned to the Con-
vent, and was from that time cUntented, will
ling and DESTROYS TO stay.
The cause of her wishing to leave and of
her escape, is said TO be arrangement of mind
She was weakened by disease and the opera
ton Of medicine affected by recent misfor-
tunes Of her father; also by being limited,
with all the other inmates, TO one room, while
the interior of the building was being pain
ted; and under these complicated circum-
stances, it is said, that temporary alienation
~ uluO CuSuCVe 0Uu bCU ~ uCk
to escape.
There are said to be facts which gave rise
TO various reports 10 the community, general
ly incorrect or very much exaggerated and
colored. The general impression on the
minds Of the community, caused by these re-
ports. and very injudicious publication of
the Mercantile Journal, was that the young
lady had been badly treated; had been for
ced or ver-persuaded to return; was re-
strained in her liberty, and was 10 danger of
her life. 1t was further stated, as from her
own mouth, that if she did not come out at
the end OF three weeks, her friends must in
yestigate the case and search for her. TWAS
also reported that she was dead; that Messrs.
Gutter, Runey. and Others, had been refused
admission to the Convent. and that another
female had been substituted for her. These
reports, as may be well supposed, kept the
: cOmmunity for the remainder at the week, ia
state Of great excitement. more especially
at Boston. the Cambridges, MedfOrd, &c. &c.
where the facts were not known. On Friday
evening, the exciting paragraph appeared ia
the Journal, and on Saturday morning in the
other Boston papers. In the Transcript Of
the same evening, the story was commented
on. and statement from the Bishop intima-
ted or promised, the following Monday
This statement. however. unfortunately did
not appear on Monday morning as expected.
=. We may as we'll state here. that on the
Monday following the escape Of the Nun. at
the monthly meeting Of the Board of Select.
men, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Run
ey and Poor. was appointed to inquire into
the affair; take legal advice, rs to their pow
ers in the matter. and call meeting Of the
Board. if deemed necessary. This commit
tee required the advice of ESQ. Tufts, and
came to the conclusion that they had no au-
thority to interfere; and therefore did not call
the Board together. But on Saturday last.
one Of this committee, Mr.. Samuel Poor. at
the request Of Mr.. Runey, visited the Con.
vent. and went over and examined the whole
building, saw and c0nversed with the young
lady referred to. She assured him that she
was perfectly contented, entirely unrestrain-
ed. and had no wish to leave the Institution.
Mr.. Poor states that his prc)udices against
the Convent were very strong and that those
Prejudces were entirely removed by his in
tercourse with the Superior, and his axamina-
ton OF the establishment. He came away
convinced that no improper measures had
been taken with the Nun, and that her escape
must have been effected while in a deranged
state Of mind, as she declared that =. the whole
!, enalr seemed to her like dream" Mr..
Poor made an Arrangement with the Supari.
0rs,by which the whole Board Of Selectmen
were to visit the establishment on Monday
afternoon at s, r. Nj.
r On Monday morning, the Bishops state.
ment did not appear, as expected. Ia III.
evening paper u was stated that he had de-