The New York Herald Newspaper, January 14, 1844, Page 2

NEW YORK HERALD. New York, Sunday, January 14, 1844. feb ac re a be Propaset Amendment of the Law of Copy- right. 4 bill has been introduced into the Honse of Representatives, by Mr. C. J. Ingersoll, for the amendment of the law relating to copyright, and as stated inthe preamble, “to afford greater protec- tian to literary works, music, avd sculpture, as well as to the arts of design, engraving, modelling, pat- ern making and paper staining.” The bill b: een read once aud referred to a select committee The fo lowing is an abstract of its provi ions:— Ciavse Ist Repeals the existing acts respecting copy- rights with a special reserve in case of proceedings at law under them at the passing of the uct. These acts ai three in number, the dates oaly of which are given, vi. May 1790, April 1692, and February 1831. 24 isan interpretation clause, defining the construc: tion of the word " book,” “ dramatic piece,” “ copyright,” ant other terms used in the act 41. Proposes that the copyright in every book published in the life time of the author, shall endure during his na- turallite, and for seven years after his death ; with the farther provision thatif the seren years shall expire before the endo forty-two years from the first publication, the copy right shall endave for such period of forty-two years Also, rat the copyrighy in every book pubiished after the death of the author shall endure for forty-two years 4th Enacts that the copyright in any book duly regis. tere | before the passing of the act, siaall be extended, and endure forthe full term provided in case of books pub- lished subsequent to its passing. Sth. Requires two copies of ail books, &c. published, as wellasany subsequent editions, to he delivered to the Clerk of the District Courts of the United States. one for the library of Congress, and the other for the library of the Secreiary of State. Gth, Register of books delivered to be kept by the Clerk of the District mats, which register may be inspected lence, copies of any entry in the Register to be deemed forgery and punishable accordingly 8th. Contain forms of entries of proprietorship in books heretofore published. th. Defines the daties of the Judge of the District Courts in cases of persons complaining of being aggrieved by any entry in the hooks of the Court. ioth. Gives minimum dainages of $500 against persons who infringe upon the copyright of any book. to be reco- vered by action at law, und empowers injunction to issue, to restrain such infringements according to the princi- ples of equity. Lith. In casesof actions on copyright, defendant to give plaintiff notice in writing, of the specific objections upon which he may rely. 12th. Reprints of copyright books not to be imported or sold in the United States, 13th, Imported or unlawful reprints of copyright books to be deemed the property of the owner of the copyright, who is authorized to sne for the recovery of the same. 14th, No proprietor pyright in any book, to main- tain any suit under this act unless the 6th and Sth sections have been complied with, loth. Copyright to be deemed personal property, and subject to the same laws of distribution 16th and 17th. Publishers of serial publications to have the same term of copyright as is given to the authors of books. 18th. In all suits under this act the defendant may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence. All actions to commence within [blank] calendar months after the alledged offence. 19th. No person to be entitled to copyright unless he be a citizen of the United States, or being an author or bona fide resident therein. We do notsee any great prospect of this bill pass- ing into a law, but atall events, no harm, but good, may result from the discussion of the proposal.— The tendency of the measure would, no doubt, be to encourage the rising literary talent of the coun- try, which at present may be said to be overpow- ered by the multifarious introduction of English publications. Next Prestpevcy—Important Lerrer FROM Mr. Rives.—Mr. Rives, of Virginia, has published in the Richmond papers a long letter hostile to Mr. Van Buren’s election to the next Presidency. It is also said that a letter in the same tune was to come from Mr. Calhoun. Really, it would seem that the elements are again assembling for collision in the shape of prominent men, public meetings, and small masses of the people all over the country. The probability 1s, that by the middle of next sum- mer, they will form such combinations as will de- feat Mr. Van Buren a second time. Indeed, his chances appear to be growing smaller and smaller every day. Tue Fourtrer Wnio Orcan has not said a word in reply to our remarks in its manifesto against the American Republicans. The reason,no doubt, is dread and alarm atthe abandonment ofthe whole rank and file of the party, before the next spring election. In the mean time the locofocos are in as bad a predicament. We should not be at all surprized if next April would reveal one of the most extraordinary political changes ever witnessed in this country, and exhibit both the old facticns re- duced to a mere ‘ rump.” News rrom Exaiann.—Early yesterday, the Adi- rondack, from Liverpool, was announced below. She was advertised to leave that port on the 12th, but probably did not sail till the 13th or 14th ult., tour or five days later. In consequence of a violent gale of wind, that blew all day and throughout last night, we may not get any papers from her till te- day. We hope that she has not been blown off. Tt is to be seen on reference to the marine head, that an extraordinary large fleet of square-rigged vessels anchored off the Hook when the gale came on. Many of them, besides the Adirondack, may have news, One, the Odin, brings ten to twenty days later intelligence from Montevideo. It is ex- pected that the western gale will blow off the coast a dozen or more of these vessels. TuearricaL ann Musicau.—The ‘Mysteries of Paris,” are announced as in preparation at the Al- bany Amphitheatre. There was a theatrical re- presentation, on Friday night, in the Museum of that city. At the New Orleans Amphitheatre some very popular pantomimes have been produced, whilst at the St. Charles and the American,the ordinary the- atricals have had the sway. Macready made his first appearance at Charles~ ton last Monday, as Hamlet, to a large, fashionable and intelligent audience. His Hamlet, says the Southern Patriot, “‘was a beautitul and effective performance, not merely characterized by chaste action and classical reading, but by a delicate dis- crimination and power over the passions that fully realized this difficult portraiture of the poec, one of he most trying in the whole range of his creations, to which none but the most gifted performer can give dramatic embodiment and a truthful persona- tion.” Dr. Lardner is lecturing at Washington, The Herren Arnold gave a grand concert at Au- gusta, Ga., on Wednesday last Mr. Henry Russell has been very successful in his concerts at Mobile, from whence he goes to New Orleans. On his return from that city he will give another series of concerts at Mobile. The Herculean Brothers are at Mobile. Ole Ball appeared again, with distinguished suc- cess, at the Charleston theatre, on Friday and Sa. turday last. Signor Casella gave a very attractive concert at the Musical Fund Hall, Philadelphia, on Friday. The Ellsler Brothers are playing at Baltimore, Trompson, who is well known, as a caterer, to everybody who dines down town, and Snedecor, whom everybody knows, have taken the ‘Phenix Exchange,” as will be seen by their advertisement in another column. As the proof of a pudding is in he eating, so We advise our nunierous readers who may be inwant of any refreshment for the inner man, to give them a call, and ascertain, by experi- ment, how their performance squares with their promise. Wratuer Here avo ExsewHere.—From in- tense cold we have spring warmth. On Friday the thermometer was down nearly to zero; yesterday it was up to 40 or 50 degrees. At Worcester, Mass., last Tuesday, the mercury was 7 legrees below zero ; in Newark on’ Friday, 4 below ; at Albany on Thursday, 8 below ; and in Bosion 7 below In the south they have been flooded with rains A letter from the postmaster at Stephens, Wash- ngton county, Ala., of December 22d, says :— Since Sunday last, the road to Washington Cou House has been impassable, and hourly getting mor The river Tombigbee is rising rapidly ; four northern mais lying at this office from Mobile “It will be some before we caa get to Wa Ali the cotton tung of jt in this sectio 1 now pouring ten kei on the river is Jo country. T The Postma’ vi and indeed all rains have be Natones ¥ er under date of the 6th December, that it \t been Paining there incessantly for sim weeks ngron Court House or | POMEROY’S TRUNK. We yesterday published the full particulars of the discovery of this trunk, and the arrest and commit- tal of Lachner. The amount of available funds found is $46,701 42, while ull the letters are safe. Several of the packets were untouched, though many of the drafts are missing. However, the Mayor has every reason to believe that they have not been destroyed, as was reported in some of the papers. ‘The trunk and its contents have been de- posited in the vaults of the Bank of the State of New York, until the cashiers of the banks at Alba- ny, and the brokers, can arrive here to identify the several packages. The examination of Lachner has been postponed until Tuesday. His wife has been committed to prison to abide the result. She is charged as an accessory after the fact. Throughout the community there is but one opi- nion in relation to the robbery, and that is, that when Lachner stole the trunk, he was ignorant of its contents. He is but recently from Germany, and speaks the English language very imperfectly; he even denies that he can read it. This strength- ens the general belief, inasmuch as the name of Pomeroy § Co. on the trunk was”not erased, and it can scarcely be believed that a man, perfectly conversant with what the trunk contained, would have dared to carry it at early,morning through the Park on his shoulder, and actually pass by the Tombs on his way to Rivington street. He*took no pains to conceal it, and his subsequent conduct shows clearly that he either knew nothing of the reward offered for its discovery, or that he must have been a most egregious dunce to have suflered the trunk to remain on his premises, without in some way or other defacing it. But who is to receive the reward? There are already a dozen claimants—the Teller of the Mer- chants’ Bank—Messrs. Drew & Robinson—Mar- IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT. shal Clarke, who arrested the prisoner—a half do- zen police officers— Westchester, the Greek, and half a dozen steamboat runners. The matter will of course be submitted to Chancellor Kent, which is the only course to ensure a proper division. However the spoil may be divided, there is much praise to be given to Mayor Morris for the indefati- gable manner in which he has prosecutea the search. Now thatthe trath of this most strange robbery has been fairly presented, we are more than ever ata loss to understand the motive which could have prompted the circulation of the rumors impli- cating Messrs. Rush, Banks, and other gentlemen, whose character and integrity have ever been re- garded as beyond the breath of the slightest slan- der. That the information at firet_ came from the west, is beyond dispute. Buthowcame the charge on the following morning inthe Tribune, and more especially in the Courter and Enquirer? Who was the informant, and why is he screened from the public ?- The information came evidently from the same quarter, and with the same diabolical in- tent. We did not receive any such infoimation. What we published ywas taken from the Albany papers ; and at the time,we expressed most decided- ly and emphatically, our disbelief in the charges and insinuations then made. We knew the pa accused to be honorable and respectable citiz Mr. Rust we knew personally, und his character we knew to be unimpeachable, and we so declared our conviction of his innocence, and the malicious- ness of thearrest. But why hesitate in this mat- ter? Has the public no interest in exposing the concoctor of these damnable attacks upon men of character and standing in the community?’ Whois safe, if the slanderer can securely shield himself, while he hurls so deadly a blow against the honor, the virtue, the life, the reputation, the freedom of our fellow citizens? Let the Messrs. Howard call at once for the name of the individual or individuals upon whose authority such a slander has been is- sued by the Courter and Enquirer. If, as wasasserted in that paper, the information came from buciness men: let us know who these; business men aie, and let them abide rhe issue among their fellow business men. We know not what to attribute this attack to, unless it was done for the purpose of ex- torting money, or worse, for the purpose of revenge. In some quarter there exists a deep laid conspira- cy to ruin and destroy these persons; for we can- not think that the officers, upon mere rumor, would have proceeded to such lengths with men of the stauding and influence of Mr. Rust and Mr, Banks. Information must have come in some tan- gible shape, and we ask that this matter shall be cleared up fully. In the Madisonian of the 1th ult., there isa letter signed R., dated from this city on the 9th, which is evidently the work of the same hand as that inthe Courter: the writer there as- serts that he has good reasons for fearing that the individual referred to is guilty of the robbery! Cannot something be traced in this quarter? It is due to justice—it isdue to the community, that this matter should be sifted to its very core It isdue to the conductors oi the press that the men who could so grossly impose upon them to serve their own damnable purposes, should be exposed. We call upon the Messrs. Howard, Rust, Banks— upon the Mayor apd every right-minded citizen, to demand—to arrest—to bring to justice, the author of these most foul and extraordinary accusati Above we present a faithful wood cut of the race of the “ indefatigables,” headed by Justice Matsell, who came so near gaining possession of that trunk that he actually had hold of the handle ; but just as he was in the act of pulling it off the back of the flying German, Justice Taylor, who was cn his way to the Mayor's office with his staff, came in contact with him, and in the collision the handle came off and both went down. In the melee the staff of Bob Bowyer strikes Alderman Tillou in the mouth, ashe isin the act of declaiming against the inefficiency of the Police department. The Ger- man gainsin the confusion, and applying his thumb to his proboscis, points significantly to the sign post, which had been erected by a certain finan- cier who had ‘Gone to Texas,” but by the broad grin on the Dutchman’s face, is to be interpreted in this case, P’ve “got the trank.” In the distance is seen a grave countryman holding that basket of eggs, marked “ with care ” From Porto Rico.—We have advices from Na- guabo tothe 20th ult. Died, at Naguabo,on the 17th ult., Josiah Lorkhout, U.S. Vice Consnl for that port and of Hunuacac, He ind has left a young family to rnourn his loss. AnoTuer Srreer Assassination.—The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle of i areey last, states that on the preceding day Edward W. Collier, proprietor of the Rich. mond Hotel, wae assassinated in the street by a man named Robert Burns, a runner for another hotel Mr. Collier, it seems, was in waiting at the Depot of the Geor- cia Railroad for thetrain. On his arrival two passengers accompanied Mr. ©. towards his hotel, when Burns ran after them, to induce them them to go to the U.S. Hotel, for which he was a runner. Some words passing between him and Mr. Collier, Burns rushed upon the latter and stabbed him twice to the heart. Ofcourse the unfortu- nate man died instantly. The Mayor offers a reward of ‘$000 for the arrest and conviction of the offender, who is thus described: About 5 feet 10 inches high, between 36 and 43 years old, light blue eyes, inclining to grey, a little bald and thick set ” 4 APPoIntTMeNTs BY THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE. Jan. 4.—Ambrose Salisbury, canal appraiser, vice G. W Cuyler, declined, sth.—David Hamilton, canal appraiser, | vice Timothy Clowes was in his 40th year,| alarmed the workmen and others in their Murder of Amasa Sprague—Ureat Excite- ment in Providencc—1000 Dollars Reward —Confession of Mrs. Liech—Supposed Ar- rest of the Murderers—Sovernor Dorr— Rev. BE. K. Avery—Resignation of U. 8. Senators Simmons and Sprague. The steamer Narragansett, Captain Woolsey, due yesterday morning from Boston, arrived here last evening at 10 o’clock, having been detained at Stonington by dense fogs, and afterwards retarded in her progress through the Souud by a terrible gale of wind. We have received by her gallant commander the followigg important and interest- ing letter from one of our reporters, who we des- patched on Friday to the scene of the recent mur- der of Amasa Sprague, near Providence. It will be found to contain all the important facts up to the latest hour. The Narragansett leaves for Bos- | ton this morning at 9 o'clock. | She proved herself yesterday to be one of the best sea boats that sails out of this port, and her commander one of the best of seament. Wurrcomn’s FRanxitn Hous, } Provipence, K. L., Friday, 6 P. M. James Gorvon Bennett, Esq.— Dear Sin— Tarrived at this excellent hotel this morning at five o’clock, by the way of Stonington, in the sub- stantial and elegant steamboat Narragansett, Capt. Woolsey. The intense excitement relative to the horrible murder, cr butchery, of Amasa Sprague, | the extensive calico manufacturer, that took place on Sunday, the last day of December, on his own farm, still exists, and will continue while shrouded in mystery. After an excellent breakfast, and an | introduction to the gentlemanly host, I procured a | sleigh and horses, and drove to the place where the investigation was holding, which was in the | Warden’s office of tne county jail, which is here used for the quadruple purpose of jail, State prison, penitentiary and alms house. I there ascertained that the investigation had been held in secret, and would, in all probability, be so continued. I found that four persons were in prison, on alleged partici- pation, or knowledge of the murder, viz :—Nicholas G. Gordon, William Gordon, and John Gordon, who are brothers, and Michael O’Brian, one of | their intimate associates. The mother of the Gor- dons was also arrested, and another brother, named Robert, but have since been discharged. The ex- amination has already occupied two days; Nicho- las G. Gordon has resided in the immediate vicin- ity of the calico manufactory of Mr. Sprague for several years, and has acquired some property by keepinga sjore for the sale of articles to the work- men and others in the vieinity. John and William, his brothers, are recently from Ireland, whence they came in July last, with their sister, they being sent for by Nichoias The investigation has been held before the ex- amining wneiewate, H. L, Bowen, Esq.—counsel for the State, Albert C. Greene, Esq., who, until the present year, has been Attorney General of the State for nineteen successive years. It is under- stood that he is employed by Senator Sprague, brother of the deceased, thoroughly to investigate this brutal murder and endeavor to ferret out the perpetrators. ‘The prisoners are defended by Samuel Currey and John P. Knowles,Esqs. The first named gentle- man has been the counsel of Nicholas G. Gordon in recent suits between him and Mr. Sprague, the deceased, sleheuay he is said to be one of the most influential Anti-Dorrites in the state, of the same polities with the deceased, and opposed to his cli- ents,who have always acted on the otherside of the question. The above named are the. only persons who have been admitted before the investigation, xcept the witnesses; and |rarning that it was pro- bable that the same seclusion would be observed, I made the following communication to the presi- ding magistrate : “ Provipence, January 12, 1844. “To H. L. Bowsn, Esq.— Sin— “The undersigned, one of the corps of reporters of “The New York Herald,’ respectfully represents that the intense excitems tive to the brutal marder of Mr. Sprague, of this vi has extended to New York city, and consequently he has attended here to obtain such coi- rect information on that subject as will satisly public opi nion, and prevent the evils arising from the various er roneous and impradent rumors that are daily put in circu~ lation. ‘The cummunity expect information fsom the con- ductors of the public press, and failing to obtain such trom responsible sources, they are not only misled by ru- mor, but become the medium through which those actaa- ster motives may circulate false statements ng the public mind, and thus thwarting the ends of justice. “The undersigned, from long practical experience, has become satistied, that in the investigation of the crime of murder, when shrouded in smyatery, the more publicity given to every incident ofactual occurrence bearing upov the offence, the more rapid will be the developement of the secrecy that surrounds it. “To sustain this position he would cite the recent mur- der of Mrs Houseman and child on Staten Island, wherein the early publication of circumstantial evidence in the New York Herald, led to the almost immediate arrest of the supposed murderess and the elucidation of facts till then pertectly unknown, That court of investigation im- mediately opened their doors for the admission of one of the associates of the undersigned, ‘satisfied of te penefits resulting from publicity, He would also cite the beneli: cial resultof publican tn the cases of Colt in New York city, and Petct Robinson of New Brunswick, and others, }hex'tne recollection of your honor may serve. “phe crime of murder being ia its characterjso different from all others, appears to instantly call forth an inherent principle in the heart of every human being, to aid in the exposition of every circumstance, however trifling, that will tend to trace the offender. A spontaneous feeling of self defence is called into action, and consequently the public exposition of items of testimony that alone would appear of but little Kee ek or perhaps of no importance. attracts the attention of some one who has knowledge of some circumstance th: cords with it, and thus an im- portant link in the chain of testimony is obtained, that would be otherwise lust. “It is for this reason, as well as to give a correct tone to public opinion, that the undersigned desires the privilege of admtssion to the investigation now holding before you, considering himself in duty bound, if such request is granted, to abide by the direction of the Court in suppres- sing any testimony that from its character might be deem- ed inadvisable to publish. With great respect, yours, ENOCH E. CAMP, Reporter of the N. Y. Herald.” After a short delay, Iwas very respectfully in- formed by the warden of the prison, that the court had concvaled to adhere to their position of hold- ing the investigation in secret, and I accordingly prepared myself to make such investigation into the matter as my means would admit. Jimmediately gave the driver directions to con- vey me tothe scene of the murder. It is situated about three miles south of Providence, on a farm belonging to the deceased, half a mile below his calico manufactory and dwelling, on the banks of a beautiful little ‘stream called Pochaset Brook, which supplies his manufactory with water. A small ravine is here formed by_ surrounding hills, that entirely seclude observation from all the neighboring dwellings, except one onthe north- east, half a mile distant, occupied by Rodney Dyer. The residence of the uncle of deceased. is over the south-east hill, about a quarter of a mile distant, and that of Mrs Leech, who occupies a niche in this interesting affair, about the same dis- tance over the north western hill on the Johnston road. A by-road and pathway extend from the Cranston road near the factories of deceased, to the creek at the scene of the murder, where «a narrow foot-bridge crosses _ the stream. At the north western end of this bridge, on the bank of the gentle stream, is the appalling pot where the brutal outrage was committed. A slight snow had fallen the day previous to the mur- der, which aided in tracing the desperate conflict that must have taken place between the parties, as the deceased was one of the most athletic, ac- tive men of the vicinity, and such an one as would not part with life without a severe struggle. He was last seen alive about three o’clock on Sunday afternoon, passing by the house of his uncle, in the direction where his body was alterwards found, and it being a common practice for himto pass that way to examine his stock in the barn on Sun- day, no particular notice was taken of it. About five o’clock inthe afternoon, an Irishman in his employ, named Michael Coslow, crossed the brook for some purpose, and at the end'of the foot bridge, discovered the body of deceased lying on his back. He was so frightened, that he immediately left it without examination, and , ( r ir dwel- lings at the factory, who immediately repaired to the spot. The Coroner was immediately called, and upon examination of the body, it was found that the small bone of the right arm below the elbow, was broken by a ball, and numerous bruises inflicted upon the head and other parts ot the body, several of the former of which, given alone, would have produced death. The ground and snow for a space of fifteen or twenty yards around where the body was found, exhibited marks of a severe conflict; and the scattered drops ef blood in various posi tions, showed conelusiyely that he was first dis- abled by the wound in the arm, and then beaten to death by blows upon the head with some heavy in- strumert or club. On searching the spot a smal} loaded pistol was found at the north west end of the foot bridge within a few feet of the body, the cap of which had been exploded, and on the south east end,across {he brook, some twenty yards fron the body, a piece of the breech of a musket was? also picked up. The tracks of several persons were traced in the snow. and followed. to the~ Tanning in the game direction with the brook, through low marshy ground,round towards the fa tory of deceased, until they appeared to be lost in @ swamp scatteringly cor with low shrub- bery and cedars. Here a musket was found,which had been fired and broken into two pieces. ‘The piece of the breech found near the scene of the murder fits in its place on the stock of the musket, and therefore, there is no doubt that this gun was the instrument used to eflect the murder. A coat was also found in the swamp on which were spots of blood, but no trace of its ownership has yet been discovered. ‘The cock of the musket and the clasp that covered the trigger were found the following day, in the snow, immediately un- der where the body of deceased had laid. “It is thus evident that the conflict between the deceased, who was a yery strong active man, weighing near- y 260 pounds, ‘and his murderers, was severe in- deed, as it is presumed if he had not been disabled it would have been impossible for any two ordinary men to have mastered him The only trace of any thing found near the scene of the murder which identified the Gordons as the perpetrators of this act, is the gun, which Mr. Al- my, the auctioneer, says he thinks he sold to Mi- chael G. Gorden, before the civil troubles in the State. A colored man who left the gun with Mr Almy to sell, also identifies it, and it therefore will become necessary for Michael Gordou to either show that it is not, nor never was his gun, or else to explain how it left his possession. This is the only testimony that bears materially against him or his brothers, as nearly all the other stories put in circulation are unfounded, and the mere coinage of the brains that have given them publicity. | A feeling of hostility has existed for some time between Michael G. Gordon and the deceased. Gordon has occupied a small tenement in the im- mediate vicinity of the calico manufactory, and sold groceries, including ardent spirits. Mr.Sprague succeeded last spring in preventing him from ob- taining a license to sell liquor, but it is said that it was still continued, and he, therefore, gave orders to the men in his employ, numbering between one and two hundred, not to go into Gordon’s store, in fear of discharge from his employ. Michael O’- Brien, who is arrested with the Gordon’s, was 1n the employ of the deceased, a few months since, and violated this order. The deceased hearing ol it dismissed him, and told him to go to his book- keeper and obtain the pay due him. Instead of this, he went into the paatory Bad continued his work. The deceased seeing im there, ordered him out; and, as we understand, kicked him ashe was leaving the premises. This was about three months since, and O’Brien was afterwards heard to express feelings of revenge, for which, alone, he now stands arrested. e ‘ The most probable conclusion, if the Gordons were concerned in the murder, is, that they have been hunting or shooting at a mark, when they have accidentally met,the deceased, who has pro- bably ordered them off his farm, or otherwise com- menced acrimonious conversation, when, actuated by motives of revenge, they have shot at him, and the murder has then been consummated. It is true that the finding of the pistol and discharge of the cap, which, up to the present time, has not been identified, and the selection of the peculiar spot where the murder was committed, show strong evidence of premeditation; but nothing else evinces such a conclusion. It has been intimated that the pistol belonged to the deceased, and that he commenced assault with it, or fired it in self-de- fence; but no one identifies itas his, and as he owns a revolving one, itseemshardly probable that he would haye carried this with him. Hearing it mentioned, and seeing several publications re- ferring to some supposed intimacy between the de- ceased and a married woman residing on the farm where the murder was committed, from which a coublasion had been drawn that the feelings of an outraged husband might have prompted this horri- ble deed, I made enquiry for her residence, which I found to be but a short distance to the north- west of the scene of the murder, over a knoll of rising ground on the Johnston road. A rap at the door, and I was accosted by a married sister of the object of our search, who occupies the north end of the cottage. We asked for Mrs. Leech, who immediately rose from a seat near the stove, in her sister’s apartments; and upon our requesting a private interview, she ushered us into her apartment, at the otherend of the building. She is ayoung woman of abeut 22 years of age, of graceful form, brunette complexion, a large, dark hazle eye, very animated, and on our informing her that we were from New York, and had visited the scene of the murder; and also called upon her to obtain all information relative to it, she became very communicative, and chatted with as much ease as though we had been long acquainted. We told her that she must be gertainly aware that he name had been brought into this inatter, and thati! had been hinted that owing to visits of the deceased at her house her husband might have been induce to commit the act trom jea! Git and revenge. She replied that she did wot believe ne would have cou- rage enough to kill any thing, still less such a man as Mr. Sprague, and to justify her posi- tion remarke that during last summer a strange cat came to the house, which wa: troublesome, when she endeavoured to, get him to kill it, and he refused. She said she had not seen her husband since July last, when he went away, but she had been told b save bey sons that he passed by the house on Christmas day. She said that they had no quarrel on separating, but that he had become lazy and indolent, and went off of his own accord. That he had never expressed any feelings of jealousy towards the deceased, for whom he formerly worked, but had always appeared o thixk snuch of him, That since he had left she had supported herself as she had done before, by making clothing for persons engaged in the factory of deceased, which work was generally sent from the store connected with the factory. She saic that the deceased was in the habit of coming to the house almost every Sunday, and at other times in the week, and that oftentimes on Sunday he would stay an hour or two, as he was livley company, and liked to be among lively folks That she knew people had talked about it, and she told deceased of it once, when he laughed, and saic he conceived he had a right to go where he pleased, particularly on his own property. The house it which she lives is on the farm of decessed, where she said she had resided only about a year, but thai her married sister had occupied it for several year: with her husband, who has also been in the employ of deceased. She said the house was closed on the Sunday the murder was committed, as she and her sister were on a visit to the Phenix factory to spend the New Year. said that deceased was present at their house on the Sunday previous, when she told some one they were going to the Phenix on the follow- ing Sunday, so that he knew that she was not at home on the day of the murder. She first heard of the murder while at the Phenix, which she would not believe until she come and saw the body ~he said that the visits of the deceased were of + friendly character only—that sometimes he would pass by the house and not stop in, but when he did he would talk and joke the same as any body else. about matters and things in general, but nothing in particular. She appeared to regret his death very much, as she said Tre was @ very nice man, and then apologized for taking us into a cold room, she had not made a fire in it since the discovery of the murder. Her husband, ‘George Leech, is re presented as a small, indolent man, of little capa- city and no trait in hischaracter that would prompt him to the commission of such a murder as this has proved to be. ‘The examination of witnesses onthe part of the defence—the prosecution having closed—was con- tinued before the magistrate until about 2 o'clock on Friday, when they adjourned till Monday morn- ing next. n the meantime, the following hand bill has been issued by the friends of the deceased :— $1000 Rewanp. “The undersigned is authorised by the friends of the family to offer the above reward for such information as will lead to the conviction of the person or persons who were concerned in the murder of Amasa Sprague, of Cranston, on Sunday, Dec. ist, in the town of J ston. RO W. PATTER, Sheriff. “Providence, Jan, Ist, 1844.” The funeral of Mr. Sprague was solemnized on Friday of last week. A large concourse of relatives and friends from various towns of the county, were assembled to pay their last tribute to. his memory, and sympathise with his family, which comprises his wife, two sons and two daughters. A funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Tucker, poe is spoken of as peculiarly eloquent and af- fecting. The Hon. William Sprague, United States Sena- tor forthis State, and partner of the deceased in the extensive calico works, has been compelled tc withdraw from Washington to superintend his business here, and it is supposed vill therefore re- signhis seat. Senator James F. Simmons has not been in his seat this winter, owing to pecuniary difficulties, and the State is therefore at the present time Ha ce ai ala in the United States Senate, It is understood that they will both ten- der their resignations next wrek, and applicants, therefore, already begin to pour in,as the Legisla- ture is now in session at this plac A State Convention of the democracy was held here last week, in which John Tyler was most se- verely castigated in a resolution passed by the dele- fates, a majority of whom were the Triends Governor Dorr. ‘ The democrats here are divided among themselves, and the whigs haying formed « coalition with the “old hunkers,” with Governor Fenner at their head, who was formerly a demo- erat, bnt opposed to Dorr, thus maintain the ascen- dancy in the State. The friends of ‘Law and order,” or rather the Henry Clay whigs, meet at this place on Wednes- day to nominate candidates for ‘Governor and other State officers. T visited Governor Dorr thia morning. He i+ confined in the same building where the investiga- tion isheld, which as1 before stated, answers the d of il, mn, peni- tentiary and alms house. He is closeted, or caged might eay, in the range called the debtor's department, in a very comfort d Teom that covers a view of the river and city opposite, I found several of his old friends with him. He appeared to be us comfor:- able as such confinement could render him, but complained of the lack of ventilation of the premi- ses, as well as the fact that the many purposes for which the building is used, kad filled it with living and creeping things of all descriptions. His tal for treason, with others who are on bail, will take place at Newport, in March next. ‘The indictment was found there, as he supposes, because that por- tion of the State is more hostile to him than almost any other, and, therefore, his relentless persecu- tors can better succeed with their intended objects. lL heard but one opinion expressed relative to him here, and that was deep felt sympathy for his situ- ation. His incarceration appears to be prom ted on the part of his opponents, for the manufacture of political capital, and thus continuing the ama amation of the “law and oraer party,” otherwise frown as whigs, with the “old Hunkers” of the democratic. The effect of their course of conduct in this matter will be calculated to seriously injure their cause in some States, as hostility to universal -uflrage, and the right of the people to govern themselves by constitutional privileges, solely in- vested in them, must injure any party that sustains such bygone principles. a Strange as it may. appear, the whole military power of this State is in the hands of the whig party, which has thus been produced. In an at- tempt to reform the constitution by legislative enactment, and thus extend the right of suffrage, a law was passed granting that privilege to all who performed military duty. This was soon discover- ed to materially conflict with their former notions of government; and the consequence was a repeal of that section, and the substitute of one autho. rizing the incorporation of military companies and the payment of filty cents per annum by those who were enrolled, but who desired not to perform mi- litary duty. ‘The legislature being whig, no other all of other po- tizans receive incorporation an litical complexion are excluded by the votes, of members of the several incorporated companies. ‘The result is, that the whole miltary power is thus taken from one pollsindl bexty, which to anilieary men in other States would scarcely be believed, were it not thus so clearly established. The story relative to the death of the Rev. E. K. Avery, and his alleged confession of the murder of Miss Sarah Cornell, at Fall River, and two other females, is all humbug. We called upon the gen- tleman who it was reported had received the letter, and he disavowed all knowledge of it. r The Swartwout principle has extended itself to this city, and consequently a young man named Pierce, who has been using the funds of his em- ployer, Henry P. Yeomans, to the amount of about 1000, was arrested on Thursday and committed tor trial. He had covered his frauds by false en- tries in the cash book until his habits and dress at- tracted the attention of Mr. Yeomans, who soon detected him in his dishonesty. i This city is very dull, but sleighing is very fine, and the ladies, so far as I have had an opportunity of peeping at their faces, are very pretty. Yours, City Intelligence. Common Councir—Both Boards of Aldermen meet at five o'clock to-morrow afternoon, when it is expected that in the Senior Board a great discussion will take place in the matter of Police Reform. Inthe Junior Board the re-organization of the Alms House eprint will un doubtedly be a subject of debate. This latter seems re- isite, and should be acted upon as speedily as possible. As regards the former,lwe wait for Alderman Tillou’s re- port before venturing a word on the subject. Boarp or Surervisons.—This Board has a 5] ing on Tuesday. All applicants who have claims te ay, should be jon the alert to have their jited. Gxyenat Srsstons.—This Court meets again on Mon- day morning, when a very interesting trial will occupy the attention of a Jury; that of the female,AmeliaNorman, Packhe with attempting to take the life of young Bal- lard, her paramour, while he was standing on the steps of the Astor House, by plunging a knife into his side. ‘Tne Convicts ror the State Prison.—Thenewly ap pointed Deputy Sheriffof Sing Sing, did not proceed up the river with the convicts yesterday, as is customary, in consequence of the boat in which they were to be convey- edto their place of confinement declining to leave the wharf, so much ice running. The City Prison is encum- bered with nine persons who have been sentenced durin; the present term of the Court of General Sessions, an arrangements have since Saturday been made to remove them on Monday to Sing Sing. Police Office.—Jan. 13-—Axnest ror Consrinacy.— Officer Davis yesterday arrested P. A. Bigley, who resides in Walker street, and Nicholas Cassidy, of No. 509 Pear) street, for conspiring together to defraud John Hague, a pencil case manufacturer, of No. 12 Dutch street, on the doth of last August, of $160. Bigley, it appears, went to Hague’s store, and wished to make a purchase, stating that he was a fruiterer on a large scale, had lots in Har- lem, and was worth $3000 free, and tendered Hague a note at four months, drawn by one Andrew Peak, and endorsed by himself, for the amount to pay a bill he had made up of goods, stating at the same time that Peak, the drawer, was a man worth $4000 or $6000, lived in Hudson, and had mch property in Ponghkeeps , and to endorse which statements he referred him to Cassidy, A lad in Mr. ae’s employ was sent accordingly to Cassidy's, who the statements made by Bigley were true, and de- clared the note was perfectly g ‘The sequel.—On the note becoming due, it was protested, Bigley found to possess no property at Harlem, or having any assets; Cassidy merely kept o junk shop; that the drawer of the note, Peak, had no lots in Poughkeepsie, did not live in Hxdson, but was a laborer, driving a coal cart in this city. The parties are held to bail in the sum of $500 each to answer. Srpuction anv Anortion.—A scene took place yester- lay in the “Tombs,” that not only for its novelty, but for enormity, beggars description. “About four o'clock, a young Scotch female, named Costello, only 17 years ef age, appeared before the magistrates to prefer a complaint against one Jones, for having seduced her, and afterwards to hide his and her shame, caused her to take drags to sreate abortion. This latter desire was consummated ind premature birth was the consequence. It further ippeared that she worked with said Jones, a button mak- r, and while in his employ, he induced her to yield to hix ‘ell desire ; that finding that she war enceinte, he persuad- +1 her to take the medicine, to which she yielded, and \terwards promised to pay all expenses to send her to her parents, on the other side the Atlantic. For some ime she has been anxiously waiting for his promise to be ‘ulfilled, and was to meet him yesterday afternoon, to eceive $75, a8 a compromise for the loss of her virtue and yeace, and which money was to enable her to return to ier home; but, shame be it said, the selucer, without giv. ing the girl any notice of his intent, had instituted a civil «nit, for slander, and while she was at the police com: plaining, a deputy sheriff took her into custody, on the writ, and was about to convey her to jail, when an officer pays forward and become her bail, and she was allowed 0 depart. ny.—Notwithstanding the preventive police. yargt sare Ugg § oe, place in ourcity. The iwelling of Mr. John H. Shepherd, jr., No. 104 Wooster itreet, was broken open on Friday night, and five tab <poons,two finger rings, two pairs of silver spectacles, and sther property stolen. ‘The premises were entered by the low being forced. Two spoons were engraved J. H. 8., and one of the rings had six stones in it, and the other five stones. Police officers, look out! Curistorner Licey.—This individual, brought down from hon de? a constable named Elias P, Hale, was seen walking round the city, yesterday, with great nonchai :nce, in company with Hale. He has not, at present, &, en placed in prison, but, onthe contrary,’on Friday ‘nigat, slept on down in aprivate house, in the city. ‘This Albe constable is, ifanything, a more tender hearted man than our New York constables. Coroner's Office.—Disp Supprenty.—A female nam- ed Bridget McGee, died suddenly, at No. 479 Cherry street. She was a married woman, born in Ireland, aged 35 years, one of which she died in bed on Fri- day night. Epilepsy was the cause of death, and the cor- oner’s jury so recorded it. Augusta. (Correspondence of the Herald.) Avausra, Gro,Jan, 9th, 1844. Shocking State of Society—Another Assassination Great Excitement. Mr. Bennetrt— Dear Sir— Yesserday morning our city was again thrown into a perfect tornado of excitement by the astound- ing intelligence of a desperate, cold-blooded and barbarous murder committed by Robert Burns upon the person of Capt. Edward Collier, between the hours of 3 and 4’o’clock, while returning from the depot of the Georgia railroad, at the time ofthe ar rival of the cars, at which place these men were acf customed to meet in the vocation of runners soli- citing passengers to the public houses. A dispute arose between them, and Burns, being possessed ofan extraordinary, ungovernable and irritable temper, drew a kuife and stabbed Mr. Collier to the heart—he expired immediately. Burns left the city, and up to this time no trace of his where- ihouts is ascertained. The Mayor has offered $500 reward for his apprehension. A large num- ber of tae smilie and citizens are onthe sharp look out in all directions to arrest the murderer, with other means taken to ferret him ont. Several have been put on trail, and said, will accomplish the desired purpose.— Burns has previously Nag a the unenvia- ble reputation of being a bold and desperate character, cool, calculating and fearless in all his movements. It is said he killed a man before this out in Arkansas, where they grow desperadoes and ruffian out-laws, and State prison birds. Mr. Collier was a highly me stable man,beloved by all who knew him. He has left a family and nume- rous friends to mourn his sudden and unfortunate death. Thus we go from one extreme ot despera- tion, ruin and death, to another and still another. God only knows what will come next. The times are fraught Jwith deep and damning mysteries. Where is justice? Who's the next victim? n haste. S.A. P.S.—The funeral and burial of Mr. Collier took place this afternoon; there was a large attendance, notwithstanding it rained quite hard all the time News has just been received that Burne has been | arrested in'a swamp four miles from this city, and | has been lodged in jail to await trial New York CompesronpDENCE.—A_ new species of literature has recently made its appear. ance amongst us. We allude to the curious ort of gossip published in the National Intelligencer, and some other papers “ in the provinces,” under the caption of “ New York Correspendence,” at the rate of five dollars a column, payable in the first month of the milleniam, and rewarded also by the privilege of puffing ad libitum, half-a-dozen oyster-cellars every week, These epistles, as might be expected, smell considerably of tobacco-smoke, gas, and the delectable atmosphere of the green- room. Here is a specimen which we have sube jected to a fumigatory process, and may therefere possibly be examined without greatly offending the senses—it is from the National Intelligencer :— , ‘Toxspay, Jan, 9, 1943. There is a considerable outbreak lately in the way of equipeges in New York. Several four-borse vehicles have made cheir appearance, driven 'by the young men who ownthem, Ihave noticed also ® new curricle in beauti- ful taste, (driven with a steel bar over the horses’ backs,) and atilbury with two servants in livery, one on the seat with his master, and another on horseback, following as an outrider, We are to have a masked ball this evening, and a steeple-chase is to come off on the 20th, (Viscount Bertrand one of the riders, and each competitor entering a thousand-dollar stake for the winner.) I shull be at the ball, not at the steeple-chase—for a horse must have iron legs to run over frozen ploughed fields, and aman must less use for his life than 1, who would risk a fall up- on # surface like broken stones. ‘The Viscount has won several steeple-chases in England, and has had some h riding after the Arabs in Algiers—so I would bet on bi ‘unless there happened to be a fox-hunting Irishman amon; the competitors. There are six riders, ig understand, an: one of them will win six thousand dollars, of ceuree, and meen: mx_ horses will be ruined and one or two necks ken. Fortunately, there is a superfluity of horses and young men," The Lee | ‘oes that “there is askeleton in every man’s closet,” ere is, of course, (in a country as indepen- dent aa ours is of les prestizes )'a phantom following every man whois conspicuous and pointing at his drawback. The drawback to any elaborate novelty of luxury is at once read legibly in Broadway. Seemg a new and very costly equipage in England, you merely know that the owner had money enough to buy it. The contrivance of it, the fitting of the harness, the matching and breaking in of the horses, are matters attended to by those who make these details their profession. The turn-out is brought perfect to the owner's door, and he pays, simply, money for it. In this country, on the contrary, the pur- chaser and driver of such a vehicle pays for it money, contrivance, constant thought, and tlmoct his entire at- tention. The classes are yet wanting who purvey for luxuries out of the ordinary course. is no head. groom whose business it is to save his master from all thought and trouble aa to his turn-out. The New York “Glaucus” must go every day for a’month to the couch- maker’s, to superintend the finishing of his new “drag.” He must hurry his breakfast to go to the stable and look after his irresponsible grooms. He spends hours at the harness maker's. He'racks his thought te contrive com- pact working room for his wheelers, yale theright pull on his leaders. He becomes learned in harness blacking and wheel grease, horse shoes and horse physic, and, in short, entirely occupies what philosophers are pleased to call immortal mind” in the one matter of a vehicle to drive. (He could be conveyed, of course, the same dis- tance each day in an omnibus for sixpence—but he does not believe the old satire of “aliguis in omnibus, nihil in singulis.” Quite the contrary !) A man who is ‘not con- tent, in this country, 1o be provided for with the masses and like the masses, becomes his own provider—like a man who, to have a coat different from other people, should make it himself, and, of course, be little except an amateur tailor. We shall have these supplementary links of society in time. There will be, itleas, the Class of thought-savers. But, until then, the same amount of thought that would serve a constituency in Congress will be employed in keepingla “slap-up turn-out,” and rich young men will at least have the credit, of choosing ber ween stable Lapis leg legislative ambition. By the way, luxury has become an etat, and wants ite organ. I was consulted the other day asto the expedien- cy of establishing a kind of court journal, to be called “The Aristocrat.” I thought that, if supercilious and clever enough, it would sell. The editor, however, should be strictly anonymous, and the price out of all reason. ‘The Masked Ball which is to come off to-night, is, I am told, got up by a party of literary ladies, to promote ease in conversation! I can hardly fancy any thing more easy than the ‘freedoms of the presa,” and, I am told, most of the gentlemen of the press are invited, myself among the number. A man isa block, of course, whe is uot open to gy ooh eng ‘here are two Mins Clarendons” in'the field,as well as sundry Madame Adolphes. I see by a morning paper that “Mise Clarendon is giving readings and Mestieioneto tes factory giris at Lowell.” The impulsive and beautiful ac- treas of that name is at present in New Orleans. The belle of the Olymplo, pretty Miss Taylor, could scarce have a better advertisement for attraction than the paragraph which announces today that she “has been robbed of six hundred dollars worth of jewelry,” and that “many heavy articles of plate, rich dresses, &e., were left undisturbed! I am inclined to think that this is a covert puff from Mitchell’s genins—for he ina genius, and quite capable of knowing that every body will go to havea look at an actress who had ‘“‘six:hundred dollars worth of jew elry and many heavy articles of plate left undisturbed!” People, like pictures, are made to ‘‘stand out” by a well- contrived background! Ah, you bright fellow, Mitchell! ‘One of your subscribers complained to me that I was “falling off” by growing lets gostipy. &ol have creme med one letter with the gossip I should probably prate, among other things, to the masked ladies at to-night's ball—in the hope of pleasing one of your patrons, at least. I will leave off before I grow grave, It would not be easy to find, in the same space, any where else, such a quantity of twaddle, non- sense, puerility, egotism, and bastard wit, as is pre- sented in thisepreciousepistle. Of twaddlers, there are plenty, and egregious enough, heaven knows, everwhere, but to this New York twaddler, no more to be compared than Hyperion to a Satyr. He is the very prince of twaddlers, being amongst that brotherhood,what Ole Bull is amongst fiddlers. He revels in twaddle—he lives, moves, and has his being in it. His is a perfect diarrhoea of twad- dle. Who is he? Was the prince of twaddlers aware that all at- tending the ‘‘ masked ball” were liable to be ar- rested for violation of the laws of this State? This highly moral and elegant and convenient amuse- ment was exceedingly fashionable in this city some years ago, and it was found necessary to interdict it by law. The law still remains very properly in force, and the masks, ladies and all, might have been trudged off to the Tombs. We doubt, how- ever, whether that would have saved us from the twaddler. The event would have given us a whole month of “ slip-slopperies.” Amusements, Cuataam Tueater.—Mr. Rice had last night a thumping benefit. His William Tell was a model of acting well worthy ofimitation by those of greater pre- ventions to — ability, than the hero of this occasion.— To-morrow will be produced for the first time, the effec tive scenic and mystic drama called the King of the Mist, which has heen for along time in preparation. ‘The p 2 been put upon the stage with all possible effect, and willdoubtless havea great run. It is now in possession of several of the first stages in Europe, and has been the chief attraction during the whole season past ina n boring city. The artist, Mr. Hielge, than whom the: not a better in the country, has been untiring in his torts, and the scenery he has produced, is really of t most magnificent order. Mr Stevens, the industrio stage manager, has day and night rendered rsonal ~attention,and to his efforts, in a great degree,will the piece be indebted for success. On Tuesday, ‘Ticket Night, and Weduesday, henefit of the artist. To-morrow 1s Gen. Tow aive*s last day, posi- tively, at the American Museum, a% he sails on Tuesdax. in the Yorkshire, for England\ And is there one in this city, who can fail of seeing hin previous to his departure? Why, he expe ts to see the Queen, the Royal Babies, Prince Alb ., when he ar: land, and surely every person in New York alook at him p1 y. His levees, will throughout the entire day and evening, witho: especially as there are splendid performances o'clock in the afternoon, and again at seven int ing, when the General appears on the stage ity danees, and living statues which have ever ‘st re- ceived with approbation and applause. reads og PRESERVE, YOUR TEETH, BY A FR) §USE of Sherman’s Orris Tooth Paste, which is one of talgymost delicious preparations ever used for sweetening the Breath removing the tarter from the teeth, and preventing them from decay. It contains no deleterious material to njure the teeth, is perfectly clean, and when you have onep used it we are certain you will not want any other dentifrice. Also, guard against drowsiness in Pease al using per. man’s Camphor Lozenges. They cure headache in # few minutes, and remove depression of spirits, nervous affec- itations and affections of the bowels, and are article you should always carry with you. Dr. Shermi warehouse is 106 Nassau street. Agents 110, 459 and 601 Broadway, Astor House, 227 Hucern , 188 Bowery, 77 East Broadway, 3 Ledger Buildings, iladelphia. “OR RICQHD'S PARISIAN ALTERATIVE ik. TURE—for the cure of primary or secondary syphilis, and all Ryd ay ta arising from mercury—guaranteed cure. Single bottle $1; in cases of half dozen $5—-pack ec and sent to all parts of the Union. Otlice of the College of Medicine end Pharmacy, 95 Nassau street. __W_8_RHARDSON, Agent. ATTENTION !—We'recommend all who want @ fine head of hair to use the Genuine Oldridge’s Balm of Columbia, The Indian Vegetable Elixir and Liniment willcure any case of Rheumatism or Gout, or no will be taken, COMSTOCK'S EXTRACT OF SAI SAPARILLA for purifying the Blood, &c. at 60 cents per bottle or $4 per dozen > OIL OF TANNIN, which keeps all Leather perféctly waterproof where it is used. Hay’s’Liniment is warrant ed to cure any case of Piles, or no pay will be taken Dr. Me} Acoustic will cure most any case of deafness. Also a splendid article of Lavender. Florida and Co- logne Water may be had at 21 Courtlandt street, cl er than ever before offered in this market, also at 2 North Sth street, Philadelphia, and 52 Cornhill, Boston, OG PROFESSOR VELPEAU’S SPECIFIC PILLS tor the permanent cnre of Gonorrhaa, Gleet, fluor albus, and all diseases ofthe urethra. These pills are warranted tocure the most protracted cases in a shorter time than any medicine at present known to the medical faculty— price $1 per box, W. §. RICHARDSON, Agent. | Office of the College of Medicine & Pharmacy Nassan of