The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-28

lHE TRIAL OF You've MERCER We take the fol-
lowing from the Philadelphia Chronicle of yester-
DAY Ii Is sort of beginning to the trial of young
Mercer, and will, therefore, be read with nte-
rest -
From the Philadelphia Chronicle. March 27.l
We rode down to Woodbury., N. j., ON Saturday last
for the purpose of reporting the trial Of Mer
Ger, charged with numbering Hutchinson Heherton on
the 10th OF February last
On every hand we greeted with evident delight
Ihey were glad to see their friends in Philadelphia mani
Testing so much anxiety in the OF the important
case aboutto be tried There general very en-
we can do, we will the prevailing exclamation il
you will but clear Mr. Mercer" But said we in re-
ply, your state is proverbal for hanging" "Ah es
so is but this very different from any tried
Mr. Mercer was crazy at the modification OF the wrong
done to his sister and his family and he did kill him,
he was right for II was Of the most aggravated
we ever heard Of Every man, and woman too, in New
Jersey VIII interest themselves with the Governor for
he will never be hung in this county"
From the Court House we passed roun to the prison in
which Mr.. Mercer is confined.
The Sheriff, Mr.. Ware. with his family, occupy part
oil the prison. The lady of the Sheriff remarkably
kind We were ushered into the sitting and there
met other branches of the family. All the ladies, and
we think there were some six or eight appeared to be
much interested for Mr.. Mercer Were he bro
Their they could not be anxious for his welfare.
BY rule adopted there, person is allowed to visit
Mr. Mercer without previously sending in his name We
complied with this.
We assembled the staircase and found standing in the
large hall young gentleman in conversation with
much his senior, both in apparent good humer The
right hand of the young gentleman extended to
and In answer to our inquiry to Mr. Mercer, no
swered he was the person. and ushered into his
not cell-and we were then introduced to Doctor Lip
pncott, OF Woodbury., for whose attention during our
short stay we under obligations
After few moments, Mr.. Mercer joined us. He con-
xeI nSu freely upon matters in this city close
which are daily furnished to him by the good people Of
woodbury. Almost every thing was talked over excep-
ng the Important matter in ISSUE which only refer
red TO- In connexoE with some ISLANDERS published in a
few othe papers against him ALSO in relation to letters
which must have oeen miles from that place.
One OF the counsel retained tor the case present.
and talked more directly to the prospects Of the trial.
tetng Mr. M to nerve himself, as the time at
hand Mr. Mercer replied that he would behave ell
as possible He then stated that when called upon by
true bill by thu Grand Jury, he was taken by surprise
as he had expected some previous notice. and
quently nervous when he entered the court ROOM
Mr. Mercer, we were surprised to looking very
young He does not appear to be than eighteen
nineteen though he told us that he twenty old
last December There is but little color in his counte-
nance owing, probably to confinement In stature, he
is about feet 10 inches high is slimly built and has
gentemsnly bearing. The expression of his face is
remarkably good; clear brgh eyes, rather prominent
Roman nose, high forehead and mild features. He
and black silk cravat tied careessy about his neck.
We will here remark that he asked particular favor
Of the press not to have drawing of him taken and pub
The room which Mr.. Mercer occupies for he is not
confined to it, having the free Of the whole range of
the building and yard is about fifteen feet square,
corner of the building, at the first landinghas two IRON
barred windows Of which looks into the court yard
the other on an open field. 1t is not cell, but COM
Portable room could be desired, and reminded
Of ward in hospital than thing else. The floor Is
covered with ingram carpet Qhough not by the ladies Of
Woodbury. A feather bed occupies corner and
ry article necessary for comfort sthere Books papers,
&C., were strewed about on the table.
The trial will positively commence TO morrow, at two
NJ n w tina fhn amn fn0n tha
jury will begin II is feared that the whole venre will
be exhausted in challenging without obtaining juror
all Of them supposed to have expressed opinion
the case And the process of obtaining taesmen, also
considered doubtful, there not being in the
ty OF Gloucester, who has not committed himself. We
trust this prove untrue but OF thing are
nesday.
OF the large number of Witnesses who could be of use,
not more than half it thought will go down to tes
tiiy being optional not compulsory, with them There
will be- in all. about fifty witnesses present Miss Sarah
Mercer the sister of Mr. Mercer and the victim Of He
be1on will positively attend and testify the part of
the defence Mr.. M. regrets the meeting with her-he
has not her since the fatal and says
ing her will be the worst part Of the hole affair" He
has been visited every day since placed in the prison.
Of his relatives his married sister had been
to see him Saturday morning. and by her he had learn
ed from his family. Mr. Vandyke who in company
with Heberton at the time Of his deah will be the prin
epal witness the part of the Common ealh the char
coal man and several others who the boat, will
also appear and testify for the prosecution.