The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-21

Presadang.
The local editor for the City OF Ports
mouth having returned with the Greys from
Charlestown yesterday, We shall hereafter
give our usual report of the proceedings Of
this Court, and our paper will again take its
usual stand as the earliest medium of local
intelligence for the people of our sister city.
There was nothing before his Honor this
morning of any importanc. The city was
quiet last night
COUNTY CoURr OF NORFOLK CoUNrY-An
Interesting Case.-The case of the Common
wealth against "Lamb," slave of VIM. Will
SON, Esq, Of Currituck County, was tried in
this Court on Monday last. The prisoner
was arraigned on charge ofsarson, or burn
ing a dwelling house and barn, the proper
ty of MIR. he's. Balentine of Norfolk Coun-
ty The testimony Of the several witnesses
consisted entirely of the free and vol untary
confession of the accused made to them few
weeks after the commission of the offence,
and was substantially as follows: On Thurs
day night, the Goth of October last barn
on the premises of Mr.. Ballentine was con-
sumed by fire, and on the ensuing Sunday
night an unoccupied house and kitchen met
the same fate Some of the witnesses sus-
pected that the prisoner who was at the time
in the employment of Samuel Barnard, a
carpenter, then at work for Mr.. Ballentine,
had some knowledge of the burning, but was
n rot suspected as the perpetrator of the dia-
boical outrage. He was thereupon examin-
ed by the witnesses, when, without hope of
reward or fear of punishment, he freely con-
fessed the deed, but that he had been insti
gated to the commission of the crime by the
percussion and threats of MIR. Barnard, the
carpenter, for whom he had been at work.
That Mr.. Barnard threatened him with Sc
we're whipping if he did not Immediately
comply with his directions, and with death
if he ever dared to divulge the secret.
That the prisoner at first refused to obey
but that Mr.. Barnard threatened him in
such manner as to leave him no alterna-
tive rbut submission to his commands. The
reason given by Barnard to the prisoner for
desiring the buildings to be destroyed, was
that Mr. Balcntine had employed other
carpenters to work for him, which would
interfere with his (Barnard's) operations
10 other words, it was his object to crafty
spite against Mr.. Balentine. The boy has
hith, rto borne an excellent character, and
was great tavorite with his masters falni-
ly. lie was very tractable, obedient to the
commands of his superiors, Of timid dis
position, and easily Influenced by threats to
do what his own conscience could rot ap-
prove.
During the trial Of the case, the Court
Room was filled with citizens of the County,
who manifested much interest in the pro-
ceedings, and listened with marked atten-
ton to the testimony Of the witnesses and
the speeches of the counsels. The case was
argued at considerable length by Mr. Goodwin
for the Commonwe 18th, and Mr.. Ellis for tb a
prisoner. The penalty annexed to the crime
with which the prisoner was charged, is
death, but the Court being satisfied that his
act was the result of coersion by threats of
bodily harm, COMMITTED the punishment to
sale and transportation beyond the limits Of
the U. States, anc assessed his value at the
sum OF twelve hundred dollars, to be paid
to Mr.. Wilson out of the State Treasury
Much excitement and indignation prevails
in the neighborhood Of the daring outrage,
and many citizens are actively engaged in
gathering evidence which it is thought may
lead to the conviction of the real criminal.
Whoever he may be. he will probably find
Norfolk County hot place to live in, before
the Investigation is terminated