The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-07-20
AN INTERVIEW WITH EPHRAIM X. AVERY

AN INTERVIEW WITH EPHRAIM X. AVERY.
Bristol, X. L., Juiy7, Is36.-Near the
place in which write stand two memora-
BILE monuments--the one being Mount
Hope, the original seat of Phillip, or Met
icom, or Metamora--the other being the
late abiding place of the Rev. Ephram X.
Avery, an individual who was at one time
famous as the supposed murderer of fe.
male named Maria Cornell. Avery is yet
in the ncighborhood of this place and, as
strange ms you may suppose, is yet a preach
er of tie gospel. 1t would he useless and
unnecessary to go ihlo an examination OF
the gull, or innocence of Avery; M0t is nm
affair that must be decided by tribunal
which man cannot approach"
/ recollect an incident that occurred to
me some three or four years ago, a short
time after Avery was tried and acquitted.
| was then in Bristol, and as Avery knew
that was associated with the public press,
he took the liberty to send for me, hoping,
as l suppose, that | could he induced to at
tempt the vindication of his fame, In COM
pliance with his wish, called. On enter
ing the apartment, Avery treated me with
all the courtesy he could command, and
hastily inquired, in n tone of suplicuiion,
Well, sir, and what says the world of
me z"
"Thc world speaks rudeIy Of you, sir"
said I " it believes you guilty of the crime
Of murder, and ifyou go abroad, public ven-
geancc may visit YOU"
"Do you think that violence would be
offered man who has been pronounced
guiltlcss by jury of his country =
ain your casc--and am sorry to say it
--thc verdict Of n jury has not been receiv-
ed by the populace as u record of innocence.
The world is satisfied of your guilt, and
the award of thousand juries would not
alter its opinion"
"And do you think me guilty 3--speak
plaiDly-I solicit you, for do not wish to
be deceived"
"Do l think you guilty The interroga-
tory need not have been propou,Wed But,
sir since you thought proper oblace me
in an attitude that calls my eandor in ques-
ton, / shall promptly reply, by saying that
] believe you to be as guilty rs the first
born Cain"
"And is it possible that any one can sup
pose that was the cowordly ruilian and
assassin TO seducc young and innocent
female, and then, to hide my guilt, add to
my deeds Of alrocity the crime of murder 7"
:" am sufficiently unfortunate to be in
duced to believe, sir, that you are guilty of
every thing the world has charged against
yon-it would afford me more satisfaction
to entertain n different opinion"
rhon o;r ,,ou hoIiavn mo uuiItx ~
doubtedly-deplorably, reckIessly,
guilty"
Then, sir, must be considered vii
lain by you 2"
Exactly"
"a bloody, abandoned murderer"
even so."
81 hope | may yet satisfy you and the
world of my innocence"
81 hope so with all my heart---but fear
your guilt is too firmly established"
INLAY God help your unbelief-shall I
pray with you-and ask my Heavenly Faith
er to give you to understand rightly 7"
81 require none of your prayers" re-
piled "nor would l listen to them. II
offered, they can scarcely be acceptable a.
the throne of mercy and Of grace. woulc
not listen to the madness and hardihood OF
villany-and therefore l must away"
The alleged assassin would have detain-
ed me with an effort to satisfy me of his in
nocence, but would not stay, and as de-
parted was amazed and coniounded as
reflected on the nonchaldnce of the mar
The night following the Rev. Ephraim X
Avery was hanged and burned in efiigy H.
at housand different places in Rhode Island
Phil Ing.
Brutal Omroge.-A most inhuman out.