of the prisoner that an attempt should be made
by bribery to soften down the resolution of these two men. As they were
retiring, a snuff-box was put into the hands of one of them by a
gentleman, with the observation that he and his friend would probably
find a pinch of snuff agreeable after so long a trial. The snuff-box
contained bank notes to the amount of 2,500 dollars (500 pounds
sterling). The snuff-box and its contents were not returned, and the
prisoner was acquitted.

The unwillingness to take away life is a very remarkable feature in
America, and were it not carried to such an extreme length, would be a
very commendable one. An instance of this occurred just before my
arrival at New York. A young man by the name of Robinson, who was a
clerk in an importing house, had formed a connection with a young woman
on the town, of the name of Ellen Jewitt. Not having the means to meet
her demands upon his purse, he had for many months embezzled from the
store goods to a very large amount, which she had sold to supply her
wants or wishes. At last, Robinson, probably no longer caring for the
girl, and aware that he was in her power, determined upon murdering her.
Such accumulated crime can hardly be conceived! He went to sleep with
her, made her drunk with champagne before they retired to bed, and then
as she lay in bed murdered her with an axe, which he had brought with
him from his master's store. The house of ill-fame in which he visited
her was at that time full of other people of both sexes, who had retired
to rest--it is said nearly one hundred were there on that night,
thoughtless of the danger to which they were exposed, fearful that the
murder of the young woman would be discovered and brought home to him,
the miscreant resolved to set fire to the house, and by thus sending
unprepared into the next world so many of his fellow creatures, escape
the punishment which he deserved. He set fire to the bed upon which his
unfortunate victim laid, and having satisfied himself that his work was
securely done, locked the door of the room, and quitted the premises. A
merciful Providence, however, directed otherwise; the fire was
discovered, and the flames extinguished, and his crime made manifest.
The evidence in an English court would have been more than sufficient to
convict him; but in America, such is the feeling against taking life
that, strange to say, Robinson was acquitted, and permitted to leave for
Texas,