Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1841-02-13

MY CONFESSION.

AENHf
MY CONFESSION.
Confessions mad. At the galiows, and profess
ions Of penilance under similar circumstances,
are neither to be relied on. The one IS made
II after CONVICTION Of CRIME, related with cfcum.
! stances of eKageration, calculated to excite the
wonder of the populace, by The number, boldaeSs
and daring Of the exploits whilst The other, is in
tended to excite the commseration Of the sympa.
lbising they ale both nude under restraint, and
are Intended to excite popular feeling.
Such IS not the object ofthe confession shall
record, nor Of The professions Of repentance
shall make. Although deeply stained with the
blood Of innocence, am not suspected ; my re.
pentsnce is voluntary, and neither the one, nor
The other shall ever meet the public eye. A no.
bier purpose actuaes me--the admiration, nor the
sympalhIes otrhe public have no influence on me-
It's TO soothe a wounded conscience, TO unburden
a heavy heart, and ior my own improvement, TINT
make record Of inlquilies committed, aud Of my
deep and sincere repentance. Ii had faith IN the
,nvloablity of human pledges, this sheet should
not be inlrusled with my avowa aud humidity
But feelings like mine are soolhed by comTunl
cation, and want Of confidence in human pledges
obhges me TO adopt this mode To assuage the an
cush ola heart, oppressed with crime, to sOolhe
conscience whose pangs are not less severe
than the lortures Of The stake Ii | we're al lib.
erty to make free ard full disclosure Of the cir
prefer II, bat these must suppress, tAey might
lead to an exposure and leopard my safety. My
repentance would be no shield az snsi the penal
ties OF the law. The fair tame now unwcrthy
possess would be tarnishcd the friendly salua.
lions and tbs grip Of companlnoship, which |
now daily receive, would be withheld on such
disclosure besides, a wsyiaring HE has taught
me- the uncertainty oil human eVenk, and admon
shed ne, that safety Is secure only, by the sever
| est ptecautIon.
My name, the State of my nativity, and my
age, must be omitted, and for similar reasons,
those of my parents mus, be suppressed. North
Mlasi->ippI, AID H. chief to~ns, VAS The scenes
of my tragic history. and the chelm Of that re-
glon, nay principal a->nc,sles, not III ctIme, bat
III the soc'abtss of life; uponshe streets o.
their principal city, in private ard N public. en-.
ioyed full fellowship with then. With hands po-
u,ed With thu blood Of innocence, and pockets
filled wh tie spos of capacity, have been, uu.
suspec,edIy, greeted Win familiarity, respect and
confidence.
My father possessed mere than an ordinary
share of intellect, without industry to Improve ii;
his morals we're but indifferent tho not affluen
his fortune was sufficient with proper manage.
ment, TO secure independence to his family. His
. property Vas Obtained by patrlmonIal lberaly
; acquired without labor, was wasted in rxpen
i sNe aud prod'gaI living. Careless in his owr
III uslS, he was not mote CAREFUL Of those OF hr
"hldren their wants were literally supplied, sn1
he gave them tho ordinary opportunities OF edu
e cation whether they Woited, gave HIN htIn
: anxiety. ! was an untoWard youth addicted I,
the wees OF my age, with hatred to schools
books and every exercise requreing application
: or cont, rment. Years roli'd around. and bruuch
y me TO the business age. served an apprentice
ship III city store tks placed mo on new
!; theatre new friendships, and wees we're contra
: ted, whilst my manners, and genea demranou
Y were both seemingly improved. obtained tn
o confidence ofmy employer, and was taken int
! partnership. Pride stimulated me for a time l.
lorbea'ance in wee, bnt familiarity with my ceya
V ton, relaxed my resolution. and again, becam
# the nocturnal associate OF the desolute, and III
|. GAquenIer Of the sbodes OF wee. Extrayaganc
e aud vice soon made their disclosures against me
+ bankruptcy. or dissolution with me, was the al
: tentative presented 10 my partner he determine
n upon the latter the business was closed, leavin
d me largely IN Arrears to the concern.
is During this time, my farther died in state {
'e embarrassment, leaving his estate mortgased e
+" more than It's available value, TO a ruthless an
' uncompromlsing creditor. In her affection, NJ
10 mother applied 10 me for relief penn,lrs- myse
4. had not the means OF assisting her she WI
stricken IN years, aud oppressed with grief VIII
" her body WAS evidently wasting with disease
y For the first time felt the force of tlial ohgu
D. ton. without the means Of fulfilling it, deter
e. mned 10 make an effort for her relief | MO
m cured horse, and lhr loan of small sum fine
,e ney, 10 deiiay the expense Of Journey, and wit
N heavy heart lei. my mother, with promise |
send her speedy relief ] was now thrown upo
Inc broad and penlons ocean of society. WI
pl clouds Of darkness inpendog over my fate. with
70 ouIchar or compass to dlrec, me; reckless Of con
sequences, resolved On adventure, however bot
" IN II, or perllous in It's pro.ecutlor. IN
u' ,lde OF emigration Satto the South It's weaLs
le and resources, and amplitude for adventure
sounded like the Snen's voice yielding toalil
senral Impulse, directed my course thi,her.
few days lIde threw me Into the company or
gentleman, uave ling to the State of Mississpr
lie was my elder IN years Of cheerful and a
tractive manners endowed with strong MN,
aud imposing IN his conversation. A shou a,
quainlanc' produced mutual confidence, and
disclosure of ON history and prospects. | ba
out one prevailing pnrposi; to relieve my n,nlhe
D., wants was my FIRST and ouly desire, to accompl,.
this, was rcady 10 enssge u any exned.nr. d.
NV companion Was fplu-nipr T. ~, =. ,,,,..