Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-07-12
Singular Case.

About the ]st of June a German Catholic
priest, named Theodore Lawrensen, was ar
rested in Pittsburg for stealing a watch while
intoxicated, and pleaded guilty to the charge
of grand larceny. Subsequently the venerable
appearance of the prisoner, and the unusual
circumstance Of one occupying his position IN
society being arraigned on such a charge, ex-
cited considerable interest, and eminent coun-
| sci volunteered in his behalf. On the 9th
ult. they moved the court to permit him to
| withdraw the pea of guilty, and Mr.. Fleming,
one of the counsel for the prisoner, stated that
Lawrenson was born near Dusseldorf, on the
Lower Rhine, studied in the Royal Gymnasium
| of Wcstphalia, graduated in the University Of
| Bonn, was set apart to the priesthood in Co.
logne, and installed parish priest and rector Of
the Gymnasium in the city Of Cleves.
Twenty years elapsed, in which he perform.
ed the duties of his vocation with fidelity and
with success, when he made a pilgrimage to
Rome. He carried with him letters OF recon-
mendation to the famous Cardinals Francisco
nj and Mezzofanti. His reception was fatter-
ing, and through the good wishes Of the Do
tary of the Roman Court, he had the honor OF
interviews with Plus TX. From Rome he
came to Lyons, where he oficiated as priest
and professor in a college.
Appointed by the Superior of the House Of
Missions in Paris to a station in Dubuque, in
this country, he stopped on his journey at st.
Louis. By the advice and direction Of the
Archbishop of st. Louis he accepted the Cure
of Il parish in the vicinity of that city. A dlttl-
Guilty occurring between him and the Archbish-
OPP, he refused to remain any longer under his
episcopal staff, and removed to the diocese Of
Chicago, where he conceived and partly execu-
ted the project of establishing a church, indie
pendent of p~relates. But the project was
short-liyed and Lawrensen left Missouri, thrust
from the bosom of the church, branded with
all the odium of apostacy, stung by reverses,
bruised in spirits, and on his arrival at Pittsburg
sought oblivion in drunkenness and committed
the crime Of which he is charged. The follow
ing is a translation of a letter which Lawren-
sen wrote in Latin and presented to the court:
Honorable and Venerable Judge-1n my
present most miserable condition. condition
law, agitated by the %profoundest grief, hum
road to Philadelphia when / did the act char
ged against me. My mind was disturbed and
perplexed. Had | been myself, J would not
have been a suppIicaut to-day. Ii is the first
act of the sort which can be imputed to me:
never nave peeh before Il JuuBe OF Deiole u
court. My testimonials, in every relation, are
the best, and my counsel is empowered to pro-
duce them. Most humbly, therefore and in a
spirit of the deepest penitence, I beseech the
court that they will regard, propitiously and
clemently, all the circumstances, and look upon
me, a stranger in the midst of strangers, igno-
rant Of their language, friendless and penniless,
more II pity than in severity.
Your most humble and ob't. ~serv't.,
.a- r. LAwRENsEN.
The court granted the withdrawal of the plea
Of guilty of larceny, and the substitution of
that Of guilty of petty larceny. The prisoner
was not sentenced.