Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-02-13
Reported for the Salem Register.
Interesting Case Of Breach Of Promise.
FREE SOIL u:rSuS DEMOCRAT.

! FREE SOIL D:TSUS DEMOCRAT.
ims important case, recently on trial
before the General Court, has attracted
much attention on account Of the position
OF the parties concerned in it the peculiar
and strange development Of private affairs
and the eminent counsel retained on both
sides.
On the morning Of the trial the court
room was densely thronged, many, no
doubt, being attracted bycnriosity to see
the plaintiff, Miss Marcy Free Soil, who
is young and eomely lass, with regular
features, black eyes and hair, and skin Of
rather darki>h hue. She bore the scru,i-
nyot the multitude with much frmness al
though she would at times change color
during some Of the developements of the
trial.
Messrs Charles Sumner, Sam'l E. Sc
wall and Charles Francis Adams appeared
for the Plaintiff.
Messrs Hallett, Cushing and Rantoul
for Defendant.
1t was case Of damages, and the plain
! till, by her counsel, alleged that she had
been deeply injured, in her character and
prospects, by the defendant, Charles
Democrat, who had bestowed his attentions
and made promises OF a matrimonial ali-
ance by which she was deceived and her
good name forever lost, unless he would
fulfil his engagements, which he now ut
terly refused to do, but cruelty abandoned
her to the scorn and contempt Of the world.
In proof of these allegations, her CONN.,
sci introduced evidence by correspon-
dence, verbal declarations and positive
acts, to show that courtship had been
carried OH between the parties for some
time, and that Nancy had every reason to
believe it would end in matrimonial alli-
ance. The orrespondcnce on both sides
particularly on that OF the lady, was suf-
hclenlly warm in expression. containing
soft sentiments and sugared phrases, in
both prose and rhyme. The reading of
these love letters caused great mir,h in
the court room, by which Miss Nancy
seemed somewhat Disconnected, while
Charles sat stroking his nudge whisker>
withth utmost calmne>s and unconcern
| Abundant evidence was introduced to
show that the parties kept each Others
company at sea<onable and un<eas sonable
hours, and that every body, conversant
with their department toward each other
considered it match. The cross exami.
nation brought ont some instances Of fck-
leness and sharp retorts, but these were
only regarded by the counsel for the plain
tiif as lovers qnarrels, which ought TO
have no weight with the jury. 1t was al
soproved that the lovers often rode out
together in all sorts of vehicles, from
rail road car to sulky, and that, on one
occasion, they were seen going ,hro' Lynn
mounted on Bay Mayor.
Proof was also given that valuable pre-
sents had been in,erchanged, and par,icu-
lariy that Mr. Democrat had accepted from
Miss Free Soil that splendid Annual CAL
led the "Governor," as well as other TO-
kens of the affection Of his mistress.
The plaintiffs counsel also introduced
much testimony TO prove how much their
fair client lad been injured, in her feel
'ngs an! reputation, by the faithlessness
Of her former admirer. Mrs Candle and
Mrs Partinston testified most ieelngly on
matters relating 10 the various prepara-
'ions for Housekeeping and for an expec-
ted event. Their pathetic statements of
the disgrace and ruin caused by the false
one, were calculated to draw tears from
eyes nnused,o weep. Here rested the
case for the plaintiff.
The learned counsel for the defendant
produced evidence tending to show tina,
the plaintiff was mo better than she should
be'-tha', ,rrotessing extraordinary purity
OF principle, she made the first advances
and, in fact, did all the courtine. Her
whole past history exhibited continued
series of shameless flirtations, accom-
panied by loud professions of strict moral
rectItude. 1t was satisfactorily proved
that, previous to her connection with
Charles Democrat, she made the acquain.
tance Of one john Barnburncr, of New
York, and eloped with him to Buffalo, and
tha: he subsequently abandoned her. She
then received the attention Of a huge
mnlatto fellow, called Liberty, who has
followed her ever since. She is also
known 10 have set her cap for spruce
young spark, called Homestead Exemp-
ton. 1t also came out that previous to
her Hnison with Charles Democrat. she
sought the acquaintance of a respectable
gentleman, Mr. Geo. WEig, who checked
her advances by informing her that he was
already married and had large family.
and that he had no right nor inclination TO
dissolve the union, which would certainly
be the effect Of accepting her proposals.
Miss Nancy replied tina, this need not be
the case, that his marriage contract was
only creation Of human laws, and that
he might break his engagement by plead
ing the higher law. She then put on one
OF her blandest smiles, and asked Mr. w.
if he would take an excursion with her to
Buffalo. II is needless to say that Mr. w.
was proof against all her Establishments.
Her light and disrepntable behavior has
given great pain to her best friends, who
have used every endeavor to effect her
reformation. 1t wa. proved, by the evil
dence of Mr. John G.. Palfrey, that she
took no heed to his admoni,ions, but obsti-
nately persisted in her shameless course.
Another point. urged with great effect
by the defendant in mitigation of damages.
was the fact that Miss Free Soil is slight
" tinped with African blood, and seems