Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-10
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Tux HESRIco AFFAIR.-The presump,ions OF Innocence
90 generally entertained In regard the individuals who
are now on examination for the supposed murder
berry OF the strange In Henrico hnd no further war
rant In the assurances gathered from the Scottsvie pa
pers OF the accord In lillian Burns appearance With the
description given Of the stranger As noticed Mon.
day. constable Lewelen returned this city on Saturday
from Scottsve. having Burns In charge A, w. mr.. IN.
formed by Mr. Lewelen. Burns unhesitangly consented
70 accompany him. being anxious that tho suspicious in
Vo'ed his regard may be cleared up by his
before the cuprts "a propra persona The result was
prompt aequttaL Not even shadow OF suspicion ex.
sed to identify the with this mysterious
The case of the prisoners becomes exceedingly alb
struse and embarrassing Without single substantial
fact to sustain legal prosecution the extent tina,
they become amenable by their ntimidatng demeanor.
which induced tho stranger proer of dollars
to each condition OF his release the entire affair hin.
Scs upon the moral certainty of guilt We must say this
phase OF the proceeding has abiding susceptibility
belief from all tho circumstances AS detailed In evidence
IL will need than the proof of robbery being COM
United on board the packet boat remove the
impressions Of guilt applied these parties The apprc.
tensions felt by Mr. Absaom Blackburn as expressed in
evidence for the safety Of the stranger he departed
IN charge oil the three were certainly very significant
The character of the apprehension though admitted to
refer TO the robbery of the individual was capable of an
other and criminal bearing because of the doubtful
manner in which that confession ELECTED; namely his
cross examination and the leuient form in which the cues
ton was put. There is than one reason which in
duce us to believe that the approximations of Mr. Black
burn were presented with enent tendency. In the first
place. as could BIO naturally supposed he may desire
to volunteer expression of opinion adverse the inter
csts Of the all duterested witnesses
invariably do especially when the necessary compulson is
applied And that he would seek u evade that tes
mony is not improbable in view of the general censure
which he incur by OF his neglect extend due
protection to the stranger, and accompany him the Ma
gsrate in defiance of his serious mgivngs about his
sfety.
There was certainly every feature Of innocence in the
Conduct of the stranger. His willing leave his
money with Mrs Ford until the result Of the inquiry be
fore Nag stTate would be ascerained hi, lettering at
every public tavern he along and his open unre
served demeanor while Inconsistency alseh cd was
brought TO light his tale in each place where stopped
being the same-a orcby establish his innocence so FAR
as the most reasonable moral presumption can GO OF
course, will not be understood regard the inction
OF undue severity upon this individual ustable by his
guilt We merely indicate that the application of guilt
may be made preeHt to seize upOn and the
as they pleased.
But there another influence which we presume to
nave been more potent incentive to the commal
OF rash act than am yet det He'd II the party could
be supposed susceptible OF any sinister influence arising
from the possession Of few dollars which they had
seen the man have tho given by him that he
on his way from the gold mines would have readily
ured up exaggerated ideas OF his treasures and perhaps
led to evil consequence.
1t also appears strange, why if the packet boat had
been robbe!, publication given the matter after
the boat reached this city. much more trivial act
would certainly find medium for publication if not
the press the hundreds of busy mouths which like cleo
trcity pass every thing instant Yet there
was not whisper in regard to this affair.
There il thing certain that it will need considera-
lie weight Of rebung testimony the course
ou5c opinion in regard the positions OF the three
| iividuals in Jail