The Placer herald., 1857-09-12
A Singular Story.
A EVOLUTIONARY "REMINISCENCES.


While DR.. Deane was in Paris, stranger,
rather advanced in years, called to see him,
and requested to talk with him in private.
Deane surprised at such a request was rather
on his guard and interrogated the stranger
as to his business; but he could get nothing
from him until they should go into private
room. Deane suspected him as an emissary
from the British Ministry, but al length de-
termined to CRAFTY him. When alone, he
made many excuses for his errand, but finally
told him that he was an American citizen,
though Scotchman by birth; that he had
lived in Amboy, New Jersey, where he had
comfortable house; that while the British
were in possession of Amboy, they had sus-
pected his principles, and treated him very
i'll, in various ways, and finally burnt down
his house and gave him much personal insult;
that he had determined on killing king
George, for which purpose he had come to
Europe; that he had been to Eng land and laid
his plan, and was now ready to execute it;
but thought it his duty to make Mr.. Deane
acquainted with it, as the minister from his
country, and to take his advice; that he pas
sed by the name of John, the Painter. Mr.
Deane was much surprized at his communi-
cation, and at first thought him deranged.
He then suspected he might have been sent
as snare by the British Minister. After
talking with him little, and finding him
determined, he desired him to call again
The next day he returned, displaying as de-
termined resolution as ever Mr. Deane
reasoned with him that it was mean and
cowardly to assassnate man in cold blood,
who had never injured him personally. He
answered that his servants had insulted
abused, and finally ruined him; said he would
have revenge, and that no earthly considers
ton should prevent him. He developed his
whole plan, and DR.. Deane said he was sur
prised at the wisdom of it to accomplish
the end, as he seemed to have laid it in such
a manner as to render success certain. DR..
Deane told him that if he must have revenge,
he must have it in manly, generous way.
He should 90 into the American army, and
meet his enemy fairly in the tield-or, if he
could succeed in killing bis generals-it
would be Lawful; but the private assassination
of an innocent man, off his guard and sus-
pec,ing no III, would be abhorred by all man
kind. That he could not encourage or give
him aid in so wicked purpose; but must do
everything to dissuade him from it. On this
he left him. When he returned, he came in
frantic, saying: II confess it is unlawful to
lift my hand against the Lords anointe,'.
You have convinced me. But | am deter
mined to burn the naval stores at Ports
mouth" Deane answered that as that would
tend to weaken the enemy in carrying on the
war, if he could accomplish it, he should
have no objection, but would not aid him in
it. He said he could do it, and would 90
ever to England and reconnoiter the place.
Deane reminded him that il caught he would
assuredly lose his life. He said he should
not attempt to save it. He was an old man,
had no connections and whether he died
now or three or four years hence, it was
matter of little consequence to him; so that
he could but get revenge. He accordingly
went to Portsmouth, a d on his return to
Mr.. Deane his whole plan, with the instru-
ment made of tin, with which lie was to ac-
complsh it. The scheme was well laid and
promised success. Some days after, he came
again, and said: "Now I know you will
think me rascal; am come to borrow mo-
ney; | have expended all | had. want one
guinea to carry me to Portsmouth," Deane
told him that if that was all he wanted he
could have it, He gave it to him and went
off. Deane received the following account
of his roceedings from friend who attend
ed his examination before the privy council.
He arrived at Portsmouth and took up his
lodgings with very poor woman at the out
skirts of the town. Early next morning he
went out to reconnoiter The old woman,
anxious to know who or what her guest was,
had the curiosity to look into his bundle.
She found shirt and pair of stockings, with
tin machine which she could not COM
prehend. John, the Painter, wanted top
to his machine, and took it to tin man and
had one made. In the evening he accom-
pished his purpose and consumed nearly a
hundred thousand pounds worth OF stores
In the morning, every person in the town
was ordered to report If any stranger had
lodged there. The old woman reported john
the Painter, with the extra rdnary tin ma
chine; the tin-suan reported his making a top
lor it. John was fixed upon as the incendl
ary, and, it being taken for granted that he
WAS sent properly prepared for the purpose,
and relays of horses were prepared for his
escape, horsemen we're sent on every road,
and orders to pursue and take up every per-
son they found riding past. By dayl ght in
the morning John had taken up his bundle,
and trudged on foot to London. About
noon the horsemen sent on that road came
up with John and asked him if he had seen
any person on horseback riding past that
day. J,hn answered in the negative, and re-
ouested 10 know the reason for their inquiry.
They related the story of the fire. and that
thew we're in search Of the incendiary John
told them that they were wholly mistaken
in their pursuit, fer that he was the man
that had set fire to the stores. and gave them
his reason for doingit. At first they thought
he was crazy, but on his repeating it with