The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-07-07

On Saturday, the 18th of March, the day previous
to the day on which the depIorable event occurred
was taken sick, and remained bed all day; the next
morning Sunday l sent for neighbor, who came
and bed me; after which, feeling better, accompa-
nicd him to Mrs. Moore's; after remaining there a
short time, went to Mr.. Crenshaw's and took some
dinner; thence, in company with Chapman Moore, l
went to the river for the unhaowed purpose OF as
ssting him in repairing his batteau-which done, we
went to the fishery or fish house, the scene Of the
murder. This was about two hours by sun. Up to
this time, had not drank any thing, and my only
inducement in going there was drink and idle com
pany. After we had been there some short time,
Pickett the deceased, came accompanied by Abner
d. Johnson, Asa Crenshaw and believe some one
else not now recollectcd. He had been drinking,
but not much-was there but short time before he
offered me repeated and unprovokOd insults, both by
words and acts-calling me ncgro id negro,
&C., striking the house against which was leaning
for support, being weak,) near my head with frow
with which, together with pistol, he was armed
pushed the pistol against my car, took my sore arm
which was in sling, while was leaning against
the house, and pushed it violently and repeatedly a.
gainst the house. During all this time, which las
ted perhaps hour, not conscious OF saying or
doing any thing to provoke his insults. On the con-
trary, did hope to appoase him by silence and SUBJ
mission--ard this my disposition was induced by the
fact that was SICK weak, had arm in sling,
drunk and felt therefore perfectly unprcparcd and
indisposed to fight. The only words l utter
ed or the most offensive / used on the occasion,
wero "Tom, put up your pstol-there is no use,
for it among your friends" These words I used
when he pushed his pistol cooked it and let it down
repeatedly in my face After this he repeatedly
presented his pistol in my face lcvced it with my
ears, and showed mo in my breast with its muzzle,
his thumb at the same time the cock.
This continued until about, or a little after SUM-
set, when James Moore took out and confidential
y told ME that lie heard Picket say he would shoot
me before left the place: l replied, if he in
tends doing so, he must make sure shot, or then
he will never make another" We then went in
to the house, where Picket was, but without no.
ticing him, went 10 tho board and took a drink.
Picket Immediately STEPPED up took the tumbler, and
washed it, took his Pistol and laid it from behind
me, over my shoulder, on level WITH and very
near my ear, and at the same time observed IN an
ovcrbcaring and insulting way that when he drank,
he did so with white folks. pushed him from me,
observing, "et me alone Tom-go and sit down."
he replied, "you are not fit to talk with me, Cd
D-n you, shut up your jaw. He then turned
round, and walked off, but Immediately returned
with the Frow in his right hand in threatening
manner. 1 told him to let me alone, after which
left the house. This was about night fall. When
out, threw up being sick with the liquor on an
empty stomach as returned into the house
picked up stone in tho yard, with the sole view OF
repeng any insultsJ. Moore being in the yard,
and seeing me pick up the stone, he having light,
requested me never TO mind him, as VIC picket and
myself were drunk. l replied that if Picket in
suited me any more that night, would use il, or
strike him with il. As went into the house, l
met Picket with tho Frow and Pistol; having heard
my remarks TO Moore as suppose, for he advanced
OH me with the Frow raised in the act of striking,
then struck him, or intended TO strike him with
the stone, he almost simultaneously knocked INC
down with the Frow, jumped on me, and while
beating and gougng me, put my hand in my
pocket, took out my knife, and after calling out Sc
veral times to part u.s. in the act Of parting and
while yet on the ground, under the excitement of
The moment, stabbed him, and thus deprived
follow creature of life against whom, / most so.
lemnly protest, have not nor ever had tho least
malice; and done act which under any other cir
cums,ances, l would not have committed for ten
thousand worlds-which Immediately, OIL learning
his situation most deeply dePlored, and for which
now, and ever have most sincerely gricved.
1t was stated on the trial by one of the witness
cs, that expressed threats, that stated that had
como there to kill Picket, and that would do SO
before left the ground. To say the least, | must
say, with due respect for the witness, he was mis-
taken. My expressions to him, as have before
stated were: that if (Pickep intended to shoot me,
he must make sure shot or then lie would never
make another.
II was also stated by another witness that the
next morning, when 1 was tied and in custody,
/ confessed 10 him intended to kill the deceased.
This positively deny. AS was sober, in this,
cant be mistaken, and am only astonishcd how he
could have been. IF these witnesses made wllful
misrepresentation in order TO prejudice my cause
pray God to grant them repentance. 1t will be re-
collected too that according to the testimony be-
fore the Court, and the trial, l stabbed tho de-