The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-01-07
TFrOm the Neu York MirrOr.1

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.--A circumstance occur
red in this city, some four five years ago the de-
tails of which remarkable SO far they are
known, and have given rise to multitude of con-
lectures and hypothetical explanations of still
more startling and wonderful character. But few
of the leading facts in the have transpircd, and
these it must be confessed, are of such nature as
lead irresstibly to the belief that much yet re-
mains untold. The circumstances, so far they
have to knowledge, are briefly these: about
the time mentioned, young Englishman,, of sim
gulary elegant appearance and manners, arrived at
New York by one of the Liverpool packets His ap-
pointments indicated the possession of wealth, and
his department and language were highly accom-
plishcd. A few weeks after his arrival he was ar
rested for debt, the amount laid in the writ being
exceedingly large and committed to prison, where
being unable to give security for his appearance, he
remained in custody until within few months.
The plaintiff, at whose suit the action brought,
is said to have been the father of the defendant and
it is averrcd that no steps were taken behalf of
the prisoner to reduce the amount of the required
security or to obtain his release in the usual
ner-or, If such steps were taken, veil of secrecy
carefully thrown overthc whole transaction. The
department of the prisoner during his long in
carceration, cheerful, and, he submitted to the
priv ations of his lot with unshaken fOrtitude.
In the course of the past summer, several gentle
men of wealth and standing voluntarily came for
ward and made the required arrangements for his
liberation, upon the limits, and the captive emer-
ged from his Imprisonment of more than four
years. How his wants were supplied in prison is
not KNOWN except perhaps to one or two individuals
but whatever his means of support may have been
while there, it would seem that they were withdrawn
his liberation for after vainly attempting TO pro-
cure subsistence by the exercise of his literary at
tainments, the young Englishman embarked in an
humble branch of mechanical industry, in the pro-
secuon of which he was more successful A few
weeks since, while busly employed at his trade, he
received letter informing him of the death of his
father, estate of ten thousand pounds sterling pei
annum At the moment when this intelligence
reached him, he was engaged in fulfilling large
der in his line of business for country merchant
and it is said that without displaying any excitement
at his unexpected good fortune, he quietly put the
letter in his pocket on with his work, and un-
til the order was completed made no change in hi,
habits or arrangements. That done, however, hs
closed his shop, wound up, his corners methodical
y. called in all his debts, and we informed, il
now on his way to England, to possess himself o
his inheritance These are the facts of the case, $,
far as they have become known even to the few who
are at all acquainted with the matter. Other cir
cumstanccs ola still more extraordinary characte
are suggested in explanation of the mystery, but a
these however plausible, appear to rest only il
conlecture, we do not feel authorized to repca
them.