The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-24
General Sessions.


, DC. 2s-1'isi Of Robert Gr6fh-At the opening o.
the Court the Recorder TO charge the Jury
empaneled IN the cause of this man. indicted for con
sPacy Tor obtaining money under false pretences The
testimony was concluded on Thursday evening Previous
to the charge Theron Rudd Esqr counsel Tor accused
presented several points Of law the consideration
the Court. which reviewed by the Recorder. The
Jury, without leaving their seats, returned verdict Of
guilty. and during the morning the Court sentenced him
10 the Penentiary for six months.
The Case Of Rope.-The case Of William Dingler, Ga
brel Hatfield ana John Underhill indicted for rape
Ann Murphy, at the Broadway Cottage was called up
but there being but twenyone Jurors of the panel
swerng to their names and being stated by counsel that
Attorney consented that should go oft for the term and
II was therefore put down for the first Wednesday in
January.
Sentence of William d. Gray.-Ths well known burg
lar and former companion Of Richard r. Robinson who
was tried for the murder CT Ellen Jewe was then ar
raigned for sentence on two convictions for burglary
one IN the third degree entering the clothing store vi
Whiteley and Co. Ann street. and another in the first
degree Tor attempting to the dwelling of William
sentence should not DO passed upon him. he and de-
hvered the following speech 10 the Court During Its
progress the prisoner times shed freely and
aed much eeng from the manner in which he delivered
certain passages =
In THE CouRr ov SEssroNs,l
City New YORK.
To THE Hon. JUpoEs, TALLMADoE AND LYNcH:-
My humble thanks due the Court for the privilege
they have allowed me oil preparing this communication
az large, prior to sentence being passed the
charges which 1 stand convicted. am fully aware
STATEMENTS Will De viewed as laseh0Ous,
but be they stamped they may since it my privilege
aud your honors granted hearing shall pro-
coed TO discharge what iconceve to be my bounden duty
both toward self and others whose will
these remarks II were TO enter into full detail of the
various causes that have tended bring where
stand should but capitulate the history oil many
thoughtess youth who has upon the world with
brilliant prospects buoy an spirits, and confdng generous
hearts think circumstances at present will justify me
IN referring to incidents that have long transpred
this CITY, and under any other than the pre-
sent should be unwilling to advert to them stand be-
fore this Court branded with that indelbe mark notor
ous-How this title happens to fix upon me- shall brief
ly explain.
In the year 1893 came to this city from the State
Ohiothe greater number OF my relatives being citizens
or residents Of that State. Not with whom had any
acquaintance at home (and it my good fortune then
to enjoy the confidence OF many Of the first men III the
Sate refused his introductory letter to his friend at
New York; and left my native state with every requi.
site commence and complete what might have ended in
useful had not forgotten to heed that useful and
wise admonition, "keep good company" My good char
acer maintained in this city with credit to
til certain Giro smsances about to narrae, occurred,
which swept from me my all-ior a clerk in this city
without character of the ptable objects that
can be imagined am sure am remembered (and per-
haps with sorrow)by many that looking upon
Gilbert +. Hays at my request to CRAFTY my curiosity,
in the month july ls4 led INTO one OF the store
rooms belonging to the police department. and unolded to
me the article then almost consumed by moth, which, in
connection with its owner and circumstances connected
with boh had the effect Of getting for the bad
now bear In the public prints The article to WHOM
refer the cloak said to have been by the murder
wrctched girl Helen Jewett had peculiar SEN
so much guilt and sadly thought too Of the unfair shut
fling off fthe consequences OF guilt punishment that
had been practised upon 1t is well known that my
name and also the of very many others in good
standing in this city at this day, compelled to appear
to the public before the trial OF the charged with
that most shameful OF crimes was terminated and many
still have cause to regret but none more or half
much unfortunate convict that addresses you
The pleasing OF Richard P. Robinson my
tenon; being boarder with him in the same house. his
apparent harmless gay and volatile charac and his
simplicity and correct moral traits far knew gained
Tor him my respect and admiration.
These circumstances, connected with his standing in
society at that time led acquaintance and intimacy
on part precisely in the same way that others became
his friends. He it is known was apprehended and
charged with crime that in my humble views Of its
CITY, lar exceeds in enormy any other that stained
the annals ofDamy in this city, far my limited in
formation extends He was tried for this offence and ac
Quilted The public mimi that time i'll ease. and
still continues in some measure SO to be- in consequence
oil the result oil this trial In fact public indignation
so high in this matter that ready
itself; and add with truth did in So.
ua'e itself upon one whose weak helpless, and unsup
ported shoulders, little calculated to brave with
stand this mighty torrent That individual was the un.
worthy creature that now addresses you During this
excitement was taken from the Washington Hotel in
state Of stupor (Which by the bye do plead as an
excuse) and after an examination and commitment ION
charge that under any other circumstances would have
been overooked) was ascerained to be acquaintance
oil Robinsons This, connected with the discovery on
my person. OF notes. that had passed between u.s.
while was detained witness against him. soon had
the effect OF gaining tor me the name Of Robnson's
irend was tried, could not raise funds enough
III
son was disposed oil, and requires but half glance
from the dimmest perception, to perceive the wide differ
and the poor fool
With reference to those times could Justly erclaim in
the words ! have picked up somewhere,
Wealth makes the man-the want of il, the fellow,
The Court at that time in their wisdom thought pro.
per to visit upon me the EXTREMIST penalty they could
fict--and why1 Because my name became associated
with that Of rch land what shall beeve) gull
ty murderer, whose gold and erul friends bore him
through and out unwhipt Of earthly justiceI was con.
signed to that bourne from whence no traveller re-
turns who Is possessed Of sensitive feelings without
knowing in his heart that his msforunes have drawn
line oil demarkaon between him and his friends especial
y those friends amongst the rich and
requires such moral courage wipe eace
frankly acknowe ge could practice without such
tender sympathy in like my own is seldom felt
the world and can add also BY many that pretend
man that hears that enter right into the feelings
Of one whose foles has situated him that every face
that once met him with smile, frowns him with
contempt Or where is the man, be plain that from
the pure charity of his heart, would extend to his
hand one year ago. and say thou art brother, thou
hast ransgressed but forgive ysu, and with the past
is forgotten am the that will assist you in build.
ing up the wreck of ruined hopes and hint
way, this point will relate incident which occurred
with me in the OF lsi After the expiration ofmy
imprisonment was treated with uncommon tenderness
by the Chaplain, at Sing Sing, the Rev. John Lucky
aud the agent David L. Seymour both being that
what they profess to be- exemplary and phanthropic
Through their interpostion was brought in amongst
many Of my former friends One Of these friends an es
msbe man. merchant Of Pine sree fully admitted me
to the privileges Of his counting room. Through his
agency with some Of the lawyers in Wall street. OBJ.
ained considerable employing as copyist. occupied
one Of desks in office and began to atter myself
hat the foundation OF my retrieve laid In few
lays another gentleman stranger mel who belonged
o the concern returned from the country He noticed
stranger seated at OF the desks and inquired Of his
partner who it wasr He told by him. that was
ormerly one OF his clerks, that had been unfortunate
'ut that by kind treatment might be restored and that
ne had determined to help along in carry ing my
good resolutions and amongst other things mentioned
ny name.
This was enough When it known to him who
was, he objected Immediately to my occupying one OF
his desks, with the remark that how should he feel IL
Re had occasion to mention my before any Of his
riends, who knew my true history 2" These crcum-
tances became known to ard am the Court and
u who hear can to extent realize my
not related with any other motive than convey
possible faint idea of what Is to be undergone by one
hat has fallen by the way, have--and who may be
udeayoring TO raise himself to anuprght position have
ften in my own mind thought, that no enterprise in
which the humane lovers Of their fellow could en-
age more deserving their consideration than to adopt