The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-01
From the n. Y. Journal of Commerce.
CONFESSION OF JOHN B. COUGH.

We present below the Confession of Mr. j B.
Cough, prepared early as his health and strength
would permit. It is direct and explicit and we
think will be generally believed by candid people
The statements are corroborated by other tesri-
mony, 80 tar as there ls ATTY, except as to the
manner of his getting to the house in Walker
street. which Mr.. Cough makes more unfavora-
BILE to himself than was represented by the women
at the house. and in a way much more likely To
be tme. The circumstances Ia which there are
no witnesses, are corroborated By the fact that
they are inst what Mr.. Cough has asserted in all
states of mind, from the time he was found
Mount PLEASANT, RoxBuRY. Mass.
September %. lS45.S
Although very weak, and worn with intense
suffering in body and mind. vet | will delay no
longer doing that which have ever intended as
soon as practicable to do, viz: tn give plain
statement of facts relative to the unhappy circuu-
stances in which have been placed within the
past few weeks. | left home on Monday the LIST
inst, in company with Dea. Grant. of Boston, and
Mr.. Cyrus f. Morse spoke in Wesboro' in the
evening; went the next day to Springfield, and ON
the Sd, attended convention at Blanford spoke
three times that day; spoke tw ice on the 4,h at
WeStfeld; took leave of Dea. Grant and lady,
and left in the morning for Springfield. in compa-
ny with Mr.. Morse-he to go to Boston, and to
take the cars for New York. | sent letter TO
an extract: a. hope 10 meet you on Monday eve
ming. III did not feel that the duty of finally
arranging matters for the winter demanded my
presence in New York, would come home with
Cyrus but hope TO spend pleasant and profta-
bile Sabbath in Brooklyn. | shall think of YOU"
&c. sc. NV reason for going TO New York wss
to make final arrangement for part Of my time,
and what part, this coming winter. was to be
in Montreal on the 18th inst. agreed to meet
my wife, and gentleman who was TO accompany
us to NJ. at Albany, on Monday evening, Sept
9Th. | arrived at New York al 6 or half past 6
on Friday, the 9th inst. left my baggage with
porter on board the boat, to bring after me, and
walked to the Croon Hotel took tea my bag
gage arrived procured room, went into it. ar
ranged my dress, told them there that was 90
ing to Brooklyn, and might not return that night
have always been made welcome at my friends,
in Brooklyn; and knew that if they were not
full, should be invited to stay all night. About
half past or 8 left the CroiOn, called at store
in Broadway and purchased watch guard
Went to the store of Messrs. Saxton g. Miles;
stayed there few minutes On coming out
had not gone dozen steps before was accosted
by man with g How do you do, Mr.. Cough ?'
Said |, q" You have the advantage of me am in
troduced to many, that it is difficult for me
sometimes to recognize them Said he, I" NV
name is Williams, Jonathan Williams / used TO
work in the same shop with you in this city
good many years ago" replied, 90 do not re-
member ii, ;" OF something to that effect
He then said, "you have got into new bust
ness. the temperance business do you find it
good business ?' 90 yes" told him, =" find it
a very good business" Some other conversation
ensued, during which time we were walking
slowly together, when he said, (" suppose you are
so pious now, and have got to be 50 proud, that
you would not drink glass of soda with an old
! shoPmate." 80 yes, | would drink glass of
soda with any body. / will drink glass with
you, if you will 90 in here" We were then OPP
poslle to Thomsons. There were, Il should think,
III or IL persons rOnnd the fountain when he said
we shall never get served here. know place
where we can get better soda than we can here. :"
We then crossed the street, and went down Cham
bers street to Chatham street. till we came to a
small shop. Having no suspicious, did not take
particular notice Of what kind of shop it was.
But saw confectionery, and pasteboard sign,
with Best Soda on it. There are two or
three of these establishments in that vicinity,
| lowing TO my weakness, | did not visit the place
previous to my leaving New York J but have
no doubt that ] can identify The shop among the
others. This man called for Soda, asked me
what syrup used )" said " he used Raspberry"
| q am pretty sure he said Raspberry ! said,
" would take some Of the same.''
| The syrup was poured ont and the soda poured
into it from the fountain (The fountain was a
dark color) This man took my glass, and hand
ed it 10 me with his hand over the top of the
| glass. q noticed his hand, because ] thought it
was not very gentlemany way OF banding a
! glass.) However. thought no more, but drank
| it. We then went into Chambers st. again. and
up TO Broadway, together, when he left me. Soon
after he left me- ! felt warm sensation about the
lungs and chest. with unusual exhieration, and
for the first time began to suspect that it was
not all right This feeling increased till fplt
completely bewildered, with desire for some
thing, I know not what. do not know that I
ever felt so strangely in my life before. | do not
know how long walked, but must have walked
some distance, as have some recollection Of see
ing the new white church at the upper end Of
Broadway. During this time, I went into
grocery store, and got some brandy: know not
where, nor whether J paid for il but recollect
drinking. I became after little while bewilder-
ed and stupid. and had wandered, did not know
where. When ] saw woman dressed in black.