Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-24

MERGERS I have partly spoken and wionly add,
shat the name Of the murderer is Singleton Mercer.
for the past two or three years clerk in the store Of
ysers Of age fond Of society and the world The
murdered, Hutchinson Hebeiton, was the Of the
late DIR. Heberton. an estimoble man. and who died
possessed Of great wealth lie Is also related to the
Mossrs. Hebertons Merchants, Ma,her Newkrk and
numerous other wealthy and respectable citizens
He was about &c years Of age feet ten inches and
considered ono Of the handsomcst young men in
Philadelphia. He formerly wore a mus'sche, bu;
with his widowed mother, Ann Heberton, Ninth
street, near Arch, where his lifeless body was
veyed on Saturday afternoon about O'clock.
Young Mercer was taken by the Sheriff Of Glou-
ces,er county to the Woodbury. jail to await his trial
for the dreadful deed he has committed, about !
o'clock yesterday, accompanied by two cousins and
an attorney. He appeared perfectly calm and COL
lectcd.
There are various rumors anoat in connection with
this tragic occurrence and the reputation of the dead
Heberton but think have narrated oil that can
be OF Interest, and which believe is strictly correct
No exertion on my part, has been spared to ferret
out the whole affair; and where such universal ex-
element exists, as does both in this city where the
parties all belong, as in Camden, whose shore was the
scene Of the unfortunate event. IS impossible to de-
rive more authentic statement The verdict OF the
Coroncr's Jury has not yet been made public.
Heberton's funeral will take place tomorrow
(Monday) at o'clock P. M. from his mothers resi-
dence
II has been said tina, the above occurrence was one
Of awful re,ribution; and that it is such, oil who
know the parties will readily admit. Heberlon has
been proclaimed the seduccr Of young and virtuous
girl blasting her fair fame, end destroying the peace
and happiness Of q hitherto respectable family
This true though be, did not justify the shedding Of
his blood But the whole affair is one of awful ret
rbution' throughout.
The period has not been long since the very Of
fence for which Heherion has been violently sent
into eternity was actually committed by his murder
er, Singleton Hall Mercer, upon the person of poor
respected parents, but which. for the consideration
Of some three hundred dollars, was quietly hushed
up. Awful retribuon,' indeed! No outraged
brother appeared upon the stage in this case, to
avenge the wrongs Of poor and unprotected servant
girl. No sympathy was excited, no cry Of satisfac-
ton was raised, and the money usually cxncted by
the Guardians of the Poor for the maintenance of
ilegitimae children, was freely paid in the allu
ded to.
Thus you have the character of the parties plain.
ly stated, and if ever there was an awful reribuon,
it has been most fearully realized As have before
said, the parties are wenlthy-movc in the highest
crclc.-and altogether il is one Of The strangest and
boldest transactions that hive been recorded for
yenrs In making the above expose, I do nothing II,
what is publicly known and talked Of; far it from
me to inlet any farther wound upon the feelings oil
the already agonized relations Of the two parties bu,
do most earnestl invoke that justice be done 10 all
Let not anv mawkish and mistaken sympathy be
| enlisted on either side
| The verdict Of the Coroner's Jury was 'Wilfu
Murder and Singl ton Hall Mercer was accordingly
committed by Justice Harrison, OF Camden 10 an.
| swer the charge Of murder in the first degree. Du.
ring the examination OF the prisoner, Ferdinand w
Hubbell, Esq, of this city acted as his counsel.