American telegraph., 1851-05-23
From the Lynchburg Virginian.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

y
A few nights ago Maj Lewellen, of Halifax
@. H., lodged at the Washington Hotel, in this
place, and, having large amount of money
with him, he was very particular, on retiring to
bed, to secure it about his person. On awaking
next morning, he discovered his pocket-books
were all in place, as well as the roll in which
most of the money was. In one of the pocket
books he had 5000, in another S57, into which
he had divided the money, for particular pur-
poses; but, having occasion to leave his room
in some haste, he had laid the two pocket-books
on the table. During his absence, Billy, a SER
want of the hotel, went into the room, and, dis
covering the pocket books exposed on the table,
took them and placed them under Maj Level
lens carpet-bag, and as soon as the latter came
IN, Billy informed him what he had done The
Major thanked him for his care, and put them
In his pocket, thinking no more of the matter.
Having no occason however, during the day
to open the wallet containing $57, to his as
tonishment he discovered the fifty y-dollar note
was missing. He Immediately repaired to
the hotel and acquainted the clerk with his
loss, and detailed the circumstances of the
morning as they occurred in his room. Regard
ing Billy as most trustworthy servant, the
clerk was completely astounded at the revela-
ton, and Immediately went to the private. resi-
dence of Col. Langhorne, the proprietor Of the
hotel, for instructions. how to proceed. On
learning that Mr.. Norris (the clerk) was at the
door waiting to see Col. Langhorne, Billy, til,
suspected servant, remarked to another, !" Mr.
Norris, l reckon, has come up to see about Mai
Jewellers pocket-book" thus indicating an
anxiety about the matter which confirmed the
suspicious of guilt that already existed against
him. Billy was taken back to the hotel, and,
in the examination to which he was subjected,
involved himself in repeated inconsistencies and
contradictions, all the while manifesting the
greatest confusion and uneasiness, but at the
same time protesting his innocence, and prom
lslng to raise the money out of his own means
If they would give him little time. AS soon
as he got an opportunity he made off to his
wifes house, ne says, in order to be the first to
break the sad news of the difficulty in which he
was involved, to "the partner of his BOSOM"
because he knew she would be distressed if she
heard it from any body else, and because he
knew she would credit his asseveration of inno-
cence; but everybody else thought Billy had
gone to hide OF. destroy the money.
The protracted and rigid examination, how
ever, disclosed no new facts, and the money
was given over as lost, and rendered by Colonel
Langhorne to Major Lewellen, who refused to
doubt as to Billy's guilt, but it was deemed
best to let the matter rest for a while and
with this understanding Major L. started home,
minus fifty dollars. Since his departure some
new facts have come TO light, which are dis
closed in the following letter:
CAMPBELL COURTHOUSE, May 5, 1851.
James Langhorne, esq.
DEAR SIN: 1t is with sincere pleasure l in
form you that Billy is entirely innocent Of TAX
ing my lost ffty-dollar note. delayed my
journey home this morning to see MIR. Dinwid-
die, hoping that by some mistake the fifty dol
lars was in his possession. On sight / asked
him whether had not the day before, paid to
him fifty dollars in two twenty-dolar bills and
one ten-dollar bin He replied that had done
so, and that he had not unroled the money
since its receipt. Then, taking out the roll Of
money, we found the lost fifty dollars attached
to the lower twenty-dolar note This equally
surprised us both; but my pleasure in relieving
Billy's character of all suspicion by this discov-
cry was much greater than that derived from
the recovery of my money. / trust that you
will make my humble apologies to Billy. ! de-
tailed to you all the circumstances which ex-
cited a suspicion Of Billy's guilt; and my con-
ISOLATION is that they were Of such character as,
hPPaIehuy, 70 point 70 Dllly only, VINO is nap
PLY relieved. Very respectfully, yours,
JNo. S. LEwELLES.
This is very happy and romantic termina-
ton of what the Major and Billy no doubt re-
garded as a very sad affair. When the above
letter was received at the hotel, Billy's wife, as
if by special arrangement of Providence, hap
pened to be passing by the door, when she was
called in and the letter read to her
and Billy at the same time by Mr. Norris, who
says he has seen happiness exhibited in various
degrees, but never to such an extent as the poor
negroes manifested 81 knowed you didn't
b'lieve | was guilty, Mary" said the happy
husband. "No, Billy, knowed you didn't
steal dat money; bless the Lord, Pm SO happy"
responded his overjoyed spouse.
The Bishon Of Rochester nm English naner