Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-09-13

his return. The sun sei--twilight set IN and
then darkress--and yet he came not. tie
waited ill a late hour. IN the evening, anu
then retired 10 sleep, assured and gratihed
,bot his charge had fled. The next morning
on awakening, ne found the prisoner y'ng
with his head pillowcd upon the prison steps,
where he had sunk from fatigue. Daring
the day and night the miserable man had been
10 visit his family, and in going and returning
had travelled distance of sixty miles.
The time of his trial came on and the Sfer-
iff made preparations to conduct bm to
Springfield, where he was TO be tried for high
treason before the council Of Massachusetts,
at that time the supreme executive OF the
State. The prisoner assured him that It was
unnecessary TO incur the trouble and expense
of a Journey, in order to take him there,as he
could 90 as we'll himself Ills word was ta-
ken without besitancy, and he set out upon
his mel lancholy journey to present himself for
trial and certain condemnation.
AS he proceeded onward, night overlook
him in n large wood and coming to cross
road he was in doubt whittier 10 direct his
steps. Fatigucd with walking, and full OF
uncertainty, he sank upon his knees and
poured forth his soul in agony OF prayer un-
ill he was aroused by the tramp Of feet, and
on looking up beheld person OH horseback
beside him. The stranger had heard hls pI-
Gus petitons,-and with kind sollcitude in
auired into the nature Of his Journey, and all
the little particulars of his history. iie took
linn TO his own home, ard having entertained
him for the night scnt him 10 Springfield in
care of q friend. The officer (ior it was an
officer Of Justice in whose care the stranger
placed him) conducted him to Springfield and
The trial began.
The county was then struggling against Il
sea of troubles, and compelled to restrain the
agency Of treason by prompt and condign
punishment. The crime Of the prisoner was
substantiotcd by ample proof He even NJ.
miited il himself aud was accordingly de-
clared guilty. Before reading the sentence.
however, the President put the question
whether n pardon should be granted.
Scarcely had he ceased speaking when n
me mber occupied the floor, and in that spirit
which the temper of the times appeared to
demand, portrayed in glowing language the
nggressons of England, the unavalling sup
plcations aud rcmonsiranccs of the Colonies,
The shughtA Of their brethren in the streets
OF Lexington and Concord, and the conilagra.
ton of Charlestown by the vandal torch OF the
invaders. lie then spoke Of the difficulties
they had TO encounter-oi the power of the
ioe with whom they were graphing; and con-
cluded by expressing hope that not mem.
Der there would sacrifice the great interests
of;be country by granting impunity 10 the
subtle and destructive agency of treason.-|
Several speaking oppressed similar sentiments
with equal warmih-and the unfortunate man
ceased 10 indulge a hope. For himself he
dreaded not death but in the yenrnings of
nature his heart trcmbled for his wife and
children, concern for them cloudcd his manly
features with melancholy.
lie did not weep, he bent not his head, but
stood erect and pale ms monumental marble,
while his thoughts distracted from the things
around him were with his family, and with
that God who is the protector Of the widow
and the orphan.
As the vote was about 10 be taken, the
hasty tread of feet was heard, and Mr.. Ed
wards, a prominent member Of the council,
made his appearance. lie desired the Pre-
sident to forbear for a moment, and having
recovered breath, addressed the council in
behalf of the prisoner. The condemned inn
med,tcly recognized the voice Of the stran-
ger who overlook him ia the woods hc heard
him speak Of himself, hut half unconscious.
knew not what it was, nor 10 what i, tended
The speaker drew a distinction between
the treason That results from sordidness of in
tional treason which is the result Of a mis-
conception Of duty and having in some
measure justified q dissent from the verdict,
he proceeded 10 give detail OF the private
character Of the prisoner, his scrupnlons ad-
hcrence 10 truth, his unexampled conduct
while IN confinement, his coming to trial un-
guarded and he concluded by saying that he
believed that il would be polite in The coun-
Gil TO pardon the offence, and that he for his
part must consider the sacrifice Of n man Of
so much Integrity and truth, as n stain not
upon the Colonies, but upon human nature.
Many heart warmed with sympathy and al
n,irntIon, as the character Of The simple |,
hearted cOnntryman was unioldcd and he |
was pardoned without n dissenting voice. i
AS his word had been sacredly kept they
consented to consider him as a prisoner on
parole, and permitted him to return TO his
children.
As the vote was reported, the acquitted
who had hitherto in the prospect of death, re-
strained himself, gave vent to his fcelings,a and
wcpt like chlld--then turning to thank his
delvercr, his eyes fell upon the pale, blood
less features of his wife, who, unnoticed had
gided into Court, and was standing behind
him, with an infant in her arms. As she
fastened TO meet him, the child fell from her
eHoTnct, anu oVcrppWercu WIN JOY, sne SUNK
insensible at the feet Of her husband.
On the 1lh of July in the following year
the Colonies declared themselves free and
independent, and then the hero of our tale !
comprehcnding his duty to his country and
taking up arms in her favor, rose to the rank
Of Captain in the American Army, and as
sisted IN gaining several battles.
The good old man lived to a green old age,
and has been permitted TO see his children
and children's children treading in his own
footsteps to honor aud prosperity.