The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-01

l asked her II she could give me nights ludg-
ing. or tell me where could procure one, as
was without friends. &c. She took me into the
house. How I got in, do not know There
flight of stairs, hut I have no recollection of
going up those stairs. | remember nothing dis
tinctly that passed during the whole time till
was taken away, except that drank bur what
drank. or aow much, or how often, know Moth
ting. | have some idea that man came there
while was there, because felt afraid of him
have no recollection of going out at all, after
hrst went in on Friday evening, although it is
said that | was seen Saturday. evening.
nave no recollection either of going out or of COM
ing IN and II did it, | don't know how did il.
have no recollection of eating at ali, although
the woman told that did eat, and asked bless
ing, and also that prayed. | have no remem-
orance OF this. J d" not remember purchasing a
shirt, although had strange shirt me when
was taken away. The time that spent in
that place seems To me like horrible dream-a
nightmare, something that cannot describe.
have 81 little recollection Of what transpired,
that when | came out could not tell for INV life
how long | had been there, and was astounded
when | found that had been there SD long
/ When Mr.. Camp came into the house, / re-
member that felt as if relief had come, and
said TO him. " O take me away from this' I
felt glad that some one had come He asked me
. how came there2" ! told him man had
put something in glass of soda which had cray
ed me- lie asked me his name. | gave il To
MN as he gave 1t To me, near as can recol-
lect Another man came in with Mr. Camp then
Mr.. Hays came in and took me in a carriage TO
Mr.. HurbutS house, where received the kind
est care and attention, during the most severe
trial of bodily suffering and mental agony ever
experienced in my life During the whole ofiny
sickness did not call for liquor, nor dn remem-
bo1 that felt any desire craving for it,
I This is my statement; to The truth of which |
| am willing to stand through life, in the hour of
death, and the Judgment seat. In making this
statement. do II not TO paate or excuse myself
but To tell the truth. 1t would have been much
easier for me, if had gone voluntarily and DELHI
erately and drank, to have acknowledged it, and
asked the forgiveness of the public, and thrown
myself on their mercy. But the all seeing God
knows, and know. that il was not SO and my
position is peculiar one, because have no proof
that my statement is correct. Many will doubt
some will believe; and can say that those that
know me best, will believe me first
Ii has been said by some that used opium.
Now declare that never had particle of Opt
urn In my mouth in my life, to my knowledge |
never saw piece but to know what il was
and that was at Norwich, at Mr.. Breckenridges
store. lie showed me a piece because wished
to see 1t. With regard TO the man who asked me
to take the soda-he is man, | should Judge about
4O years of age, rather short, and, | noticed.
suspicious, took notice With regard
to the putting something in the glass, am as
confident that he did it as if l had seem him
though what II was, do not know The man
who attended the fountain, have not the slight
est idea knew any thing about it,
Who this Jonathan Williams is, / do not know
do not remember ever working with him, and
TOD him So know not whether that in his
right name. have my suspicious that he came
into The city the Same night that | did, and left
soon after the Friday that was found and that
the whole thing was arranged before he accosted
me. However it be, | feel that the whole matter
will yet be made plain that by come means or
other, in the providence of God, the truth of nv
statement respecting this man will be made as
clear as the sun. May God forgive him for Ike
wrong he has done me-
With regard to the house in which | was
found, 1t is said To be house of i'll fame | have
understood that 1t was not but be that as il NAV
had 1t been the most notorious house in the city,
and had seen one of its inmates, being in The
state was in when met this woman, I should
have gone with her. had no intention of going
To SUCH house All wanted was rest; and
have every reason to believe that should have
asked no questions, or made no objections TO any
place.
AND now IN view of the past, ] can say with
job, " For the thing which greatly feared has
come upon me, and that of which was afraid ia
come unto me-" have fallen, and keenIy feel
ing this, am willing to lie PROSTATE in the dust
where this fall has put me. | do not presume To
say that am not to blame. | was to blame to
go with stranger but when he spoke of nv be-
ing too proud, do not know but | would have
gone anywhere with him. But still was to blame.
may be considered also to blame for getting that
brandy, giving way to my desires for it but if
oIte tears of repentance, and earnest prayers for
forgiveness, for that Of which might have been
guilty under strong excitement, will avail through
the mercy of Christ, shall be forgiven.
10 the temperance friends am willing tn bow :;
am willing to be called the meanest of all engap-
ed IN the great cause ! am willing to bear with
meekness their censnre. To my brethren in the
church, am willing they should do with me, and
oy me, as they in their judgment may decide,
submitting TO them in all things as they will
. To those who may be prejudced against me,
blame you not for disbelievng my statement. I
blame you not for all that you may say against
me. BY Gods help will endeavor so to live
that you will respect me, and by more earnest
prayer and watchfulness, so to maintain my in
tegniy that shall win your confidence.
10 those editors of papers who have mention
ed my sad case NTH sympathy and consideration,
can say that gratitude is little word for nv
feeling towards Won In the bitter cuns tbere = 20