The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-29


extraordinary case of Singleton Mercer of Phila-
delphia.
From our Reporter
trial or Singleton Mercer for the Murder
OF Hutchinson HebertOn.
PHILADELPHIA, March n,
Monday Evening.
arrived in this city by due run of cars, little
before three O'Clock this afternoon MIR. Mollison,
the Attorney General for the State of New Jersey,
came on IN the same train of cars. From converse
ton with various individuals on board the cars,
ascertaned that there is all through this region of
country very strong feeling of sympathy for young
Mercer. And the Attorney General, who conducts
the cause for the prosecution, very evidently feels
that so far as public sympathy is concerned, he has
very hard case to contend with.
Since my arrival here have ascertained that a
pretty strong prejudice exists between the people of
Philadelphia on the one side of The river, and the
New Jersey people on the other. The PHILADELPHIA
ans are rather inclined to look down contempusus-
ly upon their neighbors, and it is said they have
even gone so far as to cross over the river and lay
waste great numbers of the Jersey watermelon
patches. Certain it is, however, they deny that
New Jersey is part of the United States and have
dubbed that stout and loyal State, with the outland
ish name of New Spain.
And when this murder was committed, the Phila-
delphians remarked that it was great pity it had
not been done where the Pennsylvania authorities
would have had jurisdiction, and the trial of it, for
IN that case Mercer would have got clear. " But
now these id Spaniards have got hold of it he'll
probably be hung" 1t will be recollected that in
the ease Of the commission of crimes on the Della
ware River, that State has jurisdiction OF the offence
which FIRST arrests the criminal. And as the MUIR
der of Heberton was near the Camden dock, where
too, Mercer was arrested, he will be tried in New
Jersey.
Here then was difficulty in the case in the very
outset on the Mercer side of the question: and well
has it been got over. For in the first place his
counse have taken every pains to express their conf
dence in the N Jersey administration of justice, and
that MERGERS chance OF acquittal is good in that
State, as it would have been in Pennsylvania. nd
in the next place, they have taken vitality Impor-
tant step in employing New Jersey lawyers almost
exclusively to defend him. The only Philadelphia
| lawyers employed, so far as learn are Peter A..
Browne, ESQ, and w S Price, Esq The former
triaD for his great subtilty and deep metaphysical
research in the matter of insanty-ichich is the only
defence that ,cN be set up TOR young Mercer. Among
the numerous New Jersey counsel are Garret D.
Mr. Browning, OF Camden; Ex-Governor Vroom,
r: X. Matlack, Esq, of Woodbury., and some
others
IF this array of talent does not succeed in inlu-
encng the Judge and jury, it is strongly hoped in the
last event that they may have influence. with the
Governor and his privy council-with whom con-
jointly the pardoning power in N Jersey is lodged
And have the impression that some of the MEM
bers of this prvy council IN J. Senate) are retain
ed as counsel for Mercer. This is certainly very
adroit and sagacious arrangement in employing
New Jersey counsel from all parts Of that State tor
although the motive cannot be concealed, yet 1t
fail to have its effect for the enthusiasm felt
for young Mercer BY the people OF New Jersey, and
particularly by the ladies, has run quite into ro-
nance. Some OF them have declared that no rope
shall ever be put around MERGERS neck unless it
circles theirs also. Many of the ladies of Wsodbu-
ry, as am told, including even the Sherf's wife,
have said that it Mercer is hung they will flee their
country give these simply as the rumors OF the
day, which however, like light straws, show how
the popular wind blows.
Since arriving in the city, have met with cor-
dial reception, and every attention from your
friends Messrs. Alexander and Scott, OF the Daily
Chronicle. Nor should omit, also, to notice the
like polite attention from Messrs Townsend and
Van Doren, the conductors Of the Railway Cars.
regret to find that much difficulty is likely to be
met with in running our express from Woodbury. TO
Camden, To meet the TO New York, on account
of the almost impossible state of that road.
Mr.. Mercer, am told, has great aversion to APP
pearing by woodcut in newspaper, and has
nearly or quite extorted pledge from the Philade-
pha papers TO let him of. He s, however, a
handsome fellow, and as there is very great
curiosity, both in Philadelphia and elsewhere, to
how he looks, think 1t pretty certain that his
portrait will, in the course of the trial. appear in
some of the papers have, therefore, engaged an
artist to go down to Woodbury. with me tomorrow,
and have no doubt shall be able to prevail on Mr..
Mercer to let the thing be done am fdH rather than
be botched. You may therefore expect likeness
both OF himself and OF his sister.
have Just procured the following particulars re-
spectng the two families now SO deeply involved in
this affair They may be relied on as correct
Mr.. Singleton Mercer Is young man In his 2lst
year of age. His sister Sarah the victim of II. He
berton, is about l6s years Of age. There are two
other sisters, both older than Sarah The eldest is
married to Mr.. Quinn, who is in the North Caro-
line business, which consists in the sale of Nsrth Ca.
roIna boards and naval stores. The other sisters
name is Mary; she is unmarried, and is about 10
years OF age. She is said TO be handsome. The
old gentleman's name is Thomas, native Of Ire
land. He is represented as a very clever man, ori-
ginay the keeper of grocery and tavern in this
city; but has latterly been engaged in the bust
ness as Mr. Quinn. He is also the owner of several
North Carolina packets He is reported to be worth
about $4,000. The whole family are well edu-
Gated, and move in good society, Young Mercer
himself has for some years been the principal clerl
in the house of. Messrs Carson & Newbold, in the
West India business IN this city.
Mrs. Mercer, the mother, took the whole matter
very much TO heart. 1t threw her upon bed of
Sickness where she was confined for several weeks.
She has been unable, both bodily and mentally, to
visit her son; nor has she seen hun since the muir
der, unless she has been down to-day
In relation TO Heberon, he Is the son OF highly
respectable widow lady, whose husband was ply
stefan, but has been dead many years He has an
elder brother engaged in the dry goods business,
under the finn of Heberton and Hiber very respect.
able merchants. The mother, one daughter, and
two sons, Gone now composed the family. Hutch
inson Heberton (who was shoD was well educated,
and had travelled considerably abroad. At home
he sported his dogs and his horses and lived gay
life, to say the least Of il.
The widowed mother was about being married
to gentleman by the name ofMa,thew Newkirk, q
retired merchant, living on his fortune. This un-
fortunate affair has delayed the marriage to some
future day
The daughter, Huchinson's sister, is said to be
an exceedingly handsome and lovely girl.
Hutchinson Heberton and Miss Sarah Mercer, com
menced, as nearly as can be ascertained, in this
way Mr.. Quinn, Singeton's brother-in law, some
time in the early part of last December, had social
narty hp WAY Of celebrating the birthday of Sin