Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-02-16

these gentlemen supposed they were acting when
they opposed entrance into the church for such
purpose. They acted honestly, and if they have err
red, they have confidence to hope that their respon
sbilities equal to the emergency.
lam, sir respectfully yours.
A FRIEND OF THE CHURCH.
Woodbury., Feb'y 5, ls4s
SEDUCTION IN PHILADELPHIA.
Correspondence Of the ". Y. Tribune.
PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 10.
In one Of my regular letters, few days since, l
briefly alluded to The alleged seduction or ra her alb
ducton, as 1t then called - of young lady resi-
ding in Southwark, and stated at the time. that some
thng serious was likely to grow out Of the affair.
On Tuesday and Wednesday last, considerable
talk produced by the sudden disappearance OF a
young and handsome girl, aged about l6, named Sa.
rah Mercer, The daughter of Thomas Mercer, 80
Queen ST., one of the most wealthy and respectable
inhabitants OF Southwark young man of this city,
named Hutchinson Heberton, arrested on susp
zion OF being concerned in her abduction and taken
before Alderman MITCHELL at the instance OF the girls
brother who threatened him then with instant death
il he refused, but was discharged in consequence Of
the girls return to her parents on Wednesday eve
nlng. 1t was ascertainsd, however, That Heberon
had Ssduced the young GIRL and that she had gone to
house Of il.tame, in the neighhorhood Of Pine and
Twelfth sts., kept by Louisa o Neil, where he had
been in the habit of meeting her.
Mss MERGERS absence, as well as her return, &C.
cordlng TO all statements, was voluntary. The an.
gush of the family at The knowledge OF the dishonor
that had fallen upon the daughter, tongue can tell
nor pen describe 10 wipe out the stain SO tar as 1t
was possible 10 do, marrIa &c was proposed to the
seducer. This was declined on his part, and the
brother Of the seduced then challenged him. This
also declined The infuriate brother, stung al.
most madness, determined nor TO be banked IN his
revenge He wacaed the movements OF Heberton,
and having ascertalned that he was 10 leave the city,
on Friday afternoon or evening IN carnage, oy way
vi Camden, he managed TO discover the same in the
street, when he employed of Vanscvers vehicles,
driven by young man, to whom Mercer gave in.
structons, pointing out the carriage TO lose sight OF
condition, but keep close 10 1t. and wherever 1t
TO follow after it. In this carriage, in company
with Heberton, was seated his legal friend and advi
ser, Jas C. Vandyke, Esq. from whose Office the de-
ceased had e YIN the aGo%eG o.
After ring driven through several streets, the car
rage entered the ferry boat, John Fitcn, tying
Market 1t. wharf Mercer following after, leaped
from his vehicle unobserved, and concealed himself
behind box on board the boat. armed with one OF
Colts sx.barrelled pistols Shortly alter the carriage
Was driven on board with the blinds drawn up, and
when within few yards of the Jersey shore, Mr..
Vandyks got out OF tho same. walked around, 1t Is
presumed, to see that all was sate when Mercer aP-
preached the carriage. and fired four balls into II in
quick succession. One OF them proved fatal taking
effect under the left shoulder blade. and penetrating
the heart. HebertOn was conveyed TO Cakes tavern
in Camden, where he expired in a few minutes. The
person was found the pistol two barrels Of which still
retained their charge His conduct during The re-
mainder of the evening is represented having been
wild and frantic. evidently laborIng under the most
intense excitement.
Thus has the imprudent conduct o! once fond and
doating daughter hurled into misery the peace and
happiness Of aged and venerable parents When
Miss Sarah Mercer entered her father residence, at
ter leaving the abode OF niamy in Pine street, she
avowsd her determination not to remain - expressed
her attachment for the deceased-and It was only by
force that she compelled to. II 10 also said that
her brother had sworn that she, too who had disgra
ced her family, should fall the instant he laid eyes on
herr but fortunately he was not permitted to stain his
hands with double murder.
The parties in the above lamentable drama Of
the most wealthy and respectable character. OF the
MERGERS have partly spoken; and will only add, that
the name Of the murderer 10 singleton Mercer Tor the
past three years clerk in the store Of Carson
& Newbold South Wharves, not yet tsrsnfy years q
age, fond Of society and the world. The murdered,
Hutchinson Heberton was the son OF the late DIR. He
berton an esmable man. and who died possessed
of great wealth. He is also related TO the Messrs
He6sr,sns, merchants, Matthew Newhirk aud nu-
merous other wealthy and respectable citizens. lie
was about rs years of age, feet 10 inches. and con-
sidered one Of the handsomest young men in Pha.
delphia He formerly wore q mustache, but had il
shaved off on Wednesday last He resided with his
Arch, where his lifeless body was conveyed On Sa-
surday afternoon abou; 4 o'clock;
Young Mercer was taken by the Sheriff Of Glou.
ceser county 70 the woodbury. Ja 10 awah he una
o'clock yesterday, accompanied by two cousins and
an attorney He appeared perfectly calm and colec-
ted.
The period has not been long since the very offence
for which Heberon has been violently sent into eer
nifty. was actually committed by bis murderer, Sin
gston Hall Mercer, upon the person Of poor friend
less servant GIRL in the family Of his aged and respee
ted parents but which, for the consideration of some
three hundred dollars, quietly hushed up, 'Aw-
full retribution,' indeed! No outraged brother ap-
peared upon the stage in this case. to avenge the
wrongs Of poor and unprotected servant girl: No
sympathy was excited, cry Of satisfaction was
raised, and the money usually exacted by the Guar |
diana of the Poor for the maintenance OF iegtimate
children, was freely paid in the case alluded to-
Thus you have the character OF the parties plainly
stated, and il ever there awful refFbutlon
it has been most fearfuly realized. As have be-
fore said. the parties wealthy in the high
est circles and altogether it 10 Of the strangest
and boldest transactions that have been recorded for
years.
The verdict Of the Coroner's Jury was wful muir
der and Singleton Hall Mercer was accordingly
committed by Justice Harrison. Of Camden. to an
swer to the charge Of murder in the first degree
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