The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-18
The Grant Tragedy in New Kent
dercrs.
RREspospENcr OF THE mcHnovD DAILY DEgpAFoE
New kent C. H, Va, Feb. I6, 1855.

New kent C II, Va, Feb. 16, 1855.
4 court Of Oyer and Termiuor for the trial of
three slaves implicated Ia the murder OfJames c..
Grant, has been sitting four days. Owing TO a
very large number of witnesses sworn and exam
ined in this case, the Court has been unable 10
try more than two up to the time Of my writing,
namely, NaiOr Morris and Henry Bradley, who
have been convicted and sentenced to be executed
| on Friday, the 10th day Of March next. had de-
signed reporting all the evidence this trial. but
| u being of such youmnous character, deem
| 1t only requisite to give your readers the most
material facts which lead to the conviction OF
those unhappy culprIts.
lt appears from all the evidence that have been
able to CLEAN, that most Internal conspiracy had
been connected by this helish trio to destroy the
life Of Grant. Henry, not wishing TO be the
sin Of bis young master for fear of being detected,
agreed to give Major Norris, who lived in Henri
co. twenty five dollars TO perpetrate this atroCiOus
deed on the night OF the murder, Major
Morriss met Dick Bradley on some obscure
and remote part of Grants farm, and after
arranging all the preliminaries, proceeded in
in the direction of G.s house. This after tWi-
light After arriving within very short distance
of the house, they halted, and Dick Bradley assist
ed Major Morriss in pulling off his boots and left
| them IN the charge of Dick. He then repaired to
the house where he discovered g. sitting at the cup
per table near window. Major took unerring and
deliberate aim at the burr OF as ear. which was
toward the window the whole load Of a troopers
pist took effect in his head aud neck, which ter
minated the existence OF Grant before he could
one word to his mother aud sister, who were in the
same room at the time of the commission Of THE
bloody deed. Major then returned to the spot
where he had left Dick Bradley, and informed him
of the triumph of his mission Here they sepa.
rated, each going to his respective wife's house.
Henry Bradley, at the time this tragedy was
committed, Was removed two miles of at q neigh
boris. where his wife lived. When the utelIieence
of the death of his master reached him. he took
the precaution to call the attention of his friends
to the fact that he tllenry Bradley,) was then at
this ueighbors house, his object being, no doubt.
to prove an alb. The chief evidence adduced in
the trial of each of those unfortunate men. was
from negroes, and of the strongest aud most cor
roboratiye character, and established the guilt OF
the parties convicted beyond the shadow of Il
doubt.
Dick Bradley, after he had been arrested and in
Carcerated in the county jail in order TO escape
the legal punishment be justly merited, eude,l.
yored to erase from the minds of the jalor and
others everything that was calculated TO arouse
the least degree OF suspicion against him. lie
told them that Major NORRIS was the .perpetrator
of the crime, aud was to receive twenty-five dol
lars from Henry Bradley after the commission of
the murder. Dick Bradley swore to this in the
trial of Major MOrriss, and portion of his evil
dence WAS substantiated by other witnesses sew
eral OF whom Gepused that they saw Major Morriss
ia the ueighborhood of the murder a few hours
prior to its being committed. Dick Bradley also
swore that Henry (his brother had threatened to
kill his master more than once,
After hearing all the evidence. Mr.. Teltmachus
Taylor Appealed as counsel for the prisoners, and
Mr.. Richmond I. Lacy for the Commonwealth
Nr. Lacy commenced his remarks by reviewing the
many fragrant violations of the law which! had oc-
CURED within the limits Of the county in tho last
twelve months, and particularly the Que that had
r, suited In the death of Grant, which he portray
ed i'll the most vivid coiors, arguing that nothing
would go 50 far in restoring order aud tranquility
bringing the offenders OF the law before tribu.
hal and there iufctinS the severost penalty OF the
law upon th, NJ.
Mr.. Taylor, in behalf of the prisoners, spoke at
some length npon the testimony introduced, and
closed his remarks by making very pathetic
appeal Ia the Court
The Court, after hearing all the evidence and ar.
gument, pronounced them guilty, aud valued
them. They were then conducted 10 Jail to await
their execution.
Convicts having escaped from cur jail heretofore,
the Court deemed ii insecure appointed a guard,
consisting Of four men TO watch il until the 10Th
day of next March.
Yours, DYkE.
NEW KENT IT,, Va, Feb L, 1858
Siuca uritinU IN Nnu an Vastardav nick r.. 1Iav