Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-10-09
casE OF JAMES II. JuREY.



BY its becoming the theme Of news
paper discussion: Bot on Tuesday, Mr..
Jurey--heretofore esteemed esnmabie,
aud most es,imably connecsrd--confessed
the charge OF forgery against him, and
we copy from our neighDors OF the Star,
the following statement and feeling efii-
SION Of Mr.. r. g. Scnu. The penalty
is confinement ia the Peni,entary, but,
if there be power in the Government 10
shorten The term, We trust it msy be ex.
eFcised, as We feel assured II would be
mercy which would tend TO reformation
and the ALIENATION OF woe as bitter as il is
probable the misconduct OF loved one
can bring on those who love him:
"TuFspAY, Sept. 30th ls45.
".Jdmes H. Jsrey came forward to an
swer 10 The chare ofForgery. The pris-
oner looked much distressed, KEEP, his head
hanging very low througout the examina-
ton Of his case, seeming to notice TO one
around HIN, and presented one OF the sad.
desi pictures Of blighted hopes aud a
wrecked mind, thst i ever has BEEN our
misfortune TO behold. Indeed, We could
but feel deeply for his unenvlable siiua.
tion and we do trust that his case may
ever act as warning to all young men,
10 beware, lest they too, at some weak
moment, fall by like transg ression. AT
the opening of this case, Mr.. Scott came
forward, eud referring to bis motion .of a
continuance on Yesterday, disclosed The
reason oil that moton--wbich was: that
the prisoner had commanded hun as
Counsel to plead guilty 10 The charge,
and he desired tine TO reflect before he
assumed so fearful responsibility. MIR.
Scott then, in brief snd touching adj
dress, owned 10 behalf OF the prisoner. the
purpose of making no cuncealmeni Of his
guilt, but to submit almself, humbly and
perltenlly to the justice OF sha. law which
no had iniracted.
'sBut read the remarks oil Mr.. Scott,
which we here give, as addressed oy
himself to the Mayor:
when on yesterday, for The prisoner,
asked you to postpone The investigation
until To. day, then gave assurance thai
sough; the indulgence for considers.
lions, which, if were permitted to dis.
close, would be satisfactory to your judg
ment. You kindly and promptly granted
wha, asked; and viii now, | hope, show
that il was under no ordinary ciFeumstan
ces that requested the delay. Until
Saturday last the prisoner was to me d
stranger. On that day. and 10 this the
gloom and darkness Of his short life, be
solicited my professional services, and
has held counsel with me in regard tc
this most serious prosecution. In pro,
| fessional life OF more than thirty years
and some familiarity with scenes of dis.
| tress and desolatlon in human affairs, IN
which every sympathy OF the human
heart would be aroused i'll pity and com.
miseration for the humble sufferer and of.
| fender, | have never witnessed but one
other which has made so deep an lmpres.
SION on my own heart, as that the IN.
| fortunate young man whose case is now
to be investigated. Early in my inter.
views with hun, the first, the great, the
absorbing desire with hlm--one that seem.
ed fastened on bis conscience and his soul
which no human ingenuity, advice OIL
reasoning could shake--wes truihlully to
make known his error and promptly &c
submit tosuch punishment as the offended
laws Of his country denounced against
him.. FirDly, yet calmly, he was warn,
ed and admonishs3 Of the fearful conse.
/ quences, which the execution of such a
purpose would bring on him. Nothing
could shake him. Neither the fear Of
punishment, nor the hope Of escape from
/ this prosecution, made him hesitate OF
/ pause. have been commanded by the
prisoner, to arrest thisinvestigalion. With
a determination fixed ard aDaterable, on
Yesterday morning, he repeated to me
this command could not even then
obey. Such professional responsibility
I | had never before encountered --Suct
another, | pray Heaven, msy never
again have cause to meet. | asked ons
nights consde~ atom asked it for my
self, not for this unhappy young man.
am again commanded by the accused
possessed as he is with a full knowle dye
OF the awful import Of the admoaitioh, to
say to you, sir, that he confesseshi guilt
and that no witness need be called q
prove IL; and bows, in humble resignation
to the punishment by law prescribed fol
his crime.
pious christian, with fair character
many friends aud prospect for The
coming future bright and cheering, he, ii
a moment Of weakness, has fallen from
the ways OF honesty aud Of virtue. He
will not be tempted by any earthly hope
/ TO consent to add to his guilt, by falsely
denying that guilt. While ! thus speal
! by the command and under the authority
OF the prisoner, what terms can picture tn,
condition Of his Young, accomplished, de
voieG, now virtually widowed wife, ant
his not fatherless. yot worse than orphan
child! With this theme Cannot trus
myself
The scenes of woe and distress, which
no human tongue can describe, of yester
day and OF the Sabbath, spring agar
fresh before me. The approving cry o
that wife, TO her crushed and humbled hus
band yet sounds in my ears, Yes, hus
bad ,olI al conaaai ncfhtnu--rtve ~