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-AUGUSTA CHRONICLE.
f , '*•; | * •
Vol. xx.] freedom of the pri?co _
- S S and TRIAL ar JURY shall remain ijjvidlate. [N*« 102/
AUGU S T A: (Gcrgia) Printed bt D. DRISCOL, near the market. 7. Hob. [3 A,.]
THE CONFESSION OF WILKS HILL ,
Who was hanged for ho He scaling, at or near
Lincoln Court. House, on the ad day of
May i So 6, taken the day before he was
executed.
“ IT was my adsforruae to be one of
those illegitimate children who feldotn have
any card tnfech to ihftruft them how to con
duct themfeives fe as to live quietly in a
civil government. I was born in that part
of Wilkes cvW which is how called Lin
coln, and when > ; ty I was taken by
AbraHma Bradly of tm> fame county, and
hy him brought up to nothing bp? keeping
iorfes for raC&Sfr and riding races, and this
'WSotwe iri.tr Hrff rs ««*Bo p ,
ft ,1„ I could not I* f ‘ £, -¥ ,f 1 ™ c , “J
any MSpaJ* tb:it ra i
went part with one fide or the c V * „
as gaming is full of cheating and diUi/* Ji '" *
i think. that was the reafen that I becac.'''’'
tliievifh in ray principle-*. I left Mr. Brad
iy before 1 was. grown to manhood, and
was governed by cny b<Vn principles, with
out nny person to control me—had I been
jjound to (rune honed farmer or mechanic,
that would have difebarged his doty faith
fully, perhaps I might have efcapcd the
lhameful death to which I am now sentenced ;
but while I was going on, regardlcfs of the
common principles ot honesty, and good
ritizcnfhip, I was sent for to go to the
house of a woman that I had contracted an
acquaintance with, who was known hy the
name ot Rebckah H.ifcl, and when X came
fhc told me that floe had to tell me fome
thinj that I mud keep fccrct } that if I
liked what Ihe would tell me, and would
join it, it would be to my advantage, and '
if 1 did not like it, I mull not tell it to any
prrfon ; and being anxious to hear it, (lie
informed me that there was a number of
men in that neighborhood that followed
dealing horses, and that they made a great
deal by it, and that her hr.'band was one
of the company, and that he was then con
cealed in the fettlcment, being affaid to be
teen publicly, hecaufe he had-stolen a horse
from Augusta fame time past, and fhc would
he glad that I would fee him, and talk with
hbu—Accordingly, a time and place was
appointed for oar meeting, and we met,
and he informed me of the difficulties of his
situation, in confluence of his dealing the
aforcfTid horse from Angufta, and told n»e
that he bad horses in South-Carolina that
wts good property, and as there was no
thing againd me, I could pass in fafety, and
fetch the horses to him, and afiift him to
move his family to some part of the world
where he could enjoy them in peace, and I
confirmed to go with him and allid him,
and we appointed a time for a second inter
view, and when vre met the second time,
he informed me who were his friends in these
parts, and some of them being present, i
found cut that the horses he said was good
property, belonged to a certain Mr. Cox
of Edgefield in South-Carolina—here I must
ftoo to inform you who thole men are, and
the part that they afl in this business, their
names are as follows :
Isaac Haws, of Edgefield diftriS South.
Carolina, James Picket, Benj. Runnalds,
2enj. Murray, Wm. Linville and Francis
Picket of Lincoln county, Georgia. 1 hefe
men are all united together to carry on the
trade of dealing horses, and every thing
eife that they can live on or make any thing
there!*) —and they take in every person that
they can, by any means whatever, and
make him what they call a circuit rider,
that is, one that is kept concealed t «ntil they
ileal a horse or direct him where thc.e .s
cac that they would wiih (hould be fto*cr)j
then they furnilh money and proviuons, in
order that the circuit rider may make h:s
escape, so that it is o r tcn the case that he
comes and goes concealed, and is farnilhea
with a horse and is gone before any peifort
but thole who concealed and furnilhed him
knew what he wr.s about —and he is so kept
irf'debt, or in other words, haih foch fm<dl
co that they are perpetually in debt
to their employers, so that they have a naid
time nf j t indeed —and now to my narrative.
The hnnes afor*faid, belonged to the
aforefaid Mr. CoX. i aS 3 jjj’
with direflions how 1 (hould find tkc wa > *
■nd know the place when I came to it, tor
I was a total danger ; but 1
well as to find the place .md the * -
that they told me of, and then I came bac
to the place where they had a?? 01 ” ,
to meet them, and informed them how the
horses were taken care of by tn« owne ,
and that they might be taken very ear
then immediately the aforefaid Bafcl set ou
to get them and the aforefaid aac ‘
of Edgefield, who lived near tbe aforefa d
Mr. Cox, brought them into Georgia, to
the place where they had appointed for
me to wait for them ; then I rec
, of the horses and Bafcl kept the other, and
[ we set out together- —time is so _
: 1 cannot relate the half of ray advcntu ft r *
I M:e it to fay that this was the firft ot
/v being concerned with ftoten _
I Me arrived with our horses fafe at Roger
I /ticen’s in Jackson county, *
neighbor of his by the name of William Gi.
deons, receives the circuit riders from the
different parts of America, and farnifhes
tnem in the fame manner, and on the fame
terms that the Lincoln company does ; also
Jacob Weft of Jeffarfon county, and John
Eaton of Washington county, receive the
circuit riders and lurnifh them in like
manner, and likewise Robert French of
Baldwin county, and Benjamin Davis and
Fhomas Smith of Columbia county, receive
in like manner, and furnifh them with large
quantities of coanterfeit ftlver ; I received
from Fiench fifteen counterfeit dollars, and
the said Basel received five hundred of the
fame quality ; and I law several men that
'verc citizens of South-Caroliua, at fsii
French’s, whofc names 1 have forgotten,
£nd fi'v them receive a large quantity ©f
counterfeit silver, to parchafc goods with at
Charleston, as they said ; (hough I never
received any from Davis and Smith of
v *”olumhia, yet to my knevvledge they do
civc out Brcat8 rcat T iaßf * r * cs » a;i d Davis prof
? , let me have of if, and infilled on
me n bke a' l "S e 1 "»•
incline to dj it-." 0 3. "O'” ? ff, 3
to you the mod meter. '* ?'«<“'• a “ l • ht > r
corduwS, that come within ® wn kmowv
ledge. But O, God, what were m7 t ‘ ,ou g“ r *
and feelings, when I found It was always
fa contrived that I had to trade off the
len horses; I then saw that I was taken in,
and that if I was taken to the. law I mull
die, while they would find means to efcapc ;
then all the wicked aflions of my life ap.
! peared dreadful to my vie w ; I then remem
bered the friendly advice that bad been
given to me by honed people ot my acquain
tance, and resolved to leave the connection,
but when I made it known, they were dis
pleased, and said that if I did, they would
inform against me and have me hanged,
and then to save my own life I rnuft go on \
IsutO, it is impassible to express the distress
of mi id, and bodily (offerings that I under
went. I was kept an underling by them,
and for my life dare not leave nor offend
them—O, what would I now have given
if I never had been born, that I were
dead, or that I had been brought up to
work like a negro, bat there was no alter
native bat to go an ; sometimes they would
flatter a»d sometimes threaten the, and I
was afraid to be seen where I «*m known,
unlcfs by the connexion, until 1 became so
hardened that I cared not what I did.—
Thus have I spent my time ftnee I joined
the connexion, which has been about fix
or eight months before 1 was tliken.
He appeared calmly composed under the gal
lows during divine worship, where two
sermons were delivered, and prayers made,
and exhortations given, and then declared
that what ke had related concerning (hose
nerfons, against whom he bad cenfeffed,
was the truth—-expressed a strong hope
of future happiness—gave an exhortation
to the fpeftators to repent and prepare for
death —and died according to his fen
tencc, with patience and firmnefs, afton
ilhing to the beholders.
Pvbl’jhcd at the request of the Criminal,
By WHEELER GRESHAM.
For the CHRONICLE.
WHEN the Supreme Legislature of this
country, and our best ftatcfmen, are attack
ed by men, who feel fore under the Idea,
that the United States are verging towards
prosperity, and that they will in time rival
old England, it is not at all mifterious, that
every aft, emanating from this government,
fiiould be execrated by them, and viewed
in a contemptuous light. —We have heard
much about 2 millions of dollars* which is in
reality, appropriated for the fair purchase
of the Florida# ; but they with to make the
people believe, to anfwcr,certain purposes,
that this sum had been given to Bonaparte,
to ouiet him for the present, until more in
another wav, can be furnifhed, in the form
of a tribute.—The federalifts have long fincc
been remarked for accuracy in calculation,
and they do affect, that the two millions of
dollars given to the French Emperor, as a
present, will load sixty waggons, which is
certainly a sum es no trifling value. I re
suming, that each loaded waggon upon the
common ratio, will require four good horses
-to draw it, in that case, if they arc cor
rcT which no one can doubt, it will take
2 ao horses to carry it to the (hip f«r traf
porration ! !-To throw a veil over truth,
and misrepresent every thing for the pubhc
eocd, is by (hes« men, considered fair play,
but Citizens, remember, to every account
there are two sides, a Deotor & Creditor,—
Kow. if we, by giving two millions at par.
chafe money, for what is ailt&liy worm
double that sum, we then have to ourselves,
two millions »f clear money, and who w
there among us, that will fay, that toe
contrail to thelc states is not a good one ?
t. i s glfo aflerted for the vile purpofc of de
ception to the oninftrmed, that the Amen
can Government .under Jeffcrfoa, has loft
if? energy, impint. ardits * ,
tlat was treat—if the feds were to lay* thac
J t’.py had entirely loft their fondnefs for re .
publics, they would be nearer the truth than
they have yet been,
it i» from such round and unfounded after*
tiona as these, that they expeft (but in
vain) to regain their loft power, at the
ficrificc of every thing that is just. During
the four years of Adams’ administration,
you were heavily taxed, a provisional army
railed at an enormous expence, and ten
millions of dollars (tided to the national
debt, which, would require 500 waggons
to hold, and i,aoo horses to draw it.
We will for the fake of further illuftra*
tihn, take a (quint at Jefferfon's adminiftra.
tion ; for the firft four years and fix months,
we find, during this period, that the odious
tastes laid on by John, have been taken o(T
Ly Tom, by which (aving you have been
enabled to do much mare for your families,
than orherwife could have been done—what
I now fay is no prattle, it may be found
upon record—Jefterfon, inftcad of having
increased the debt as'dic found if, has actu
ally paid oft’ more than 20 millions of dollars
towards its difeharge, which according to
the polite mode of counting money, would
require 600 waggons to held, and 2,400
horses to draw it!!!—The f#ds have taught
o« Arithmetic, and I trust, we (hall improve
thereby. *
It is felf evident, by the change of men,
tfqd maafures, that we have gained much in
a pecuniary sense, but move in the (a?nation
of our form of government. I address my
fklf to that class of men to which | belong,
planters, who are in faft, the support of
all. —If after this, you will not diferimi
nate between your friends, and enemies, at
the cleftion table, and thereby lose yoor
pride as freemen ; remember, that you have
« fold the pass (as the Germans did in Penn,
fylvania) to Thermopile.”
PLANTER.
lasKsanae rr~tr~‘}im tctb
(By Authority.)
f Aft ACT
fa prohibit the importation of certain goods,
<l wares end merchandizes,
BE it enaiied by the Senate and Htufe of
Rc'pvefeutatives of the United Stales of
America, in cougre/s ajfembled. That from
and after tha fifteenth day of November
next, it lhall lawful to import into
the United States*, or the territories thereof,
from any port or place fuuattd in Great-
Britain or Ireland, or in any of the colonies
or dependencies, of Great-Britain, any
goods, wares or merchandize; of the fol
lowing dcfciiption, that is to fay:—
All articles of which leather is the materi
al of chief value;
All articles of which silk is the material
of chief value ;
All articles of which hemp or flax is the
material of chief value ;
All articles of which tin orbrafs is the
material of chief value, tin in (beets cx.
ccptcd.
Woollen cloths whose invoice prices (hall
exceed five (hillings (lerling per fquarc yard j
Woolen hosiery of all kinds ;
Window glass, and all other immufaftures
of glass;
Silver and plated wares;
Paper ofevery description;
Nails and spikes ;
Hats;
Clothing ready made ;
Millinary of all kinds ;
Playing cards; '
Beer, ale and porter, and piftures and
prints.
Nor (hall it be lawful to import into the
United States or the territories thereof,
from any foreign port or place whatever, a
ny of the above mentioned goods, wares,
or merchandize, being of the growth,
produce, or manufafture ot Great-
Britain or Ireland, or any of the colo
nics or dependencies of Gieat Britain;
Provided, however, that no articles which
(hall within fifteen months after the parting of
this aft be imported from any place beyoad
the Cape of Good Hope, on board any ves
sel cleared out before the pafling of this aft,
from any port within the U. States, or the
territories thereof, for the said Cape of Good
Hope, or any place beyond the fame, (hall
be fubjeft to the prohibition aforefaid.
And be it further enaSed, That whene
ver any article or articles, the importation
of which it prohibited by this aft, (hall af
ter the said fifteenth day of November next,
be imported into the United States or the
territories thereof, contrary to the true in
tent and meaning of this aft, or (hall, af.cr
' the said fifteenth day of November next, be
put on board any (hip or vcflll, boat, raft,
or carriage, with intention of importing t..e
fame into the United States cr the territo
ties thereof, all such articles, as well at ail
other articles on board th? fame (hip or ves
sel, boat, raft, or carriage, belonging to t:;c
1 owner of such prohibited articles, (hall be
t forfeited, and the owner thereof (kali more
-1 over forfeit and pay treble the value of such
t articles,
%
And be it further enaßed, That if any
article or articles, the importation of which
is prohibited by this ad, (hall, after the
said fifteenth day of November next, be
put on board any (hip or velfel, boar, raft,
or carriage, with intention to import the
fame into the United States or the territories
thersef, contrary to the true intent and
meaning of this ad, and with the knowledge
of the owner or matter of such (hip or vcflcJ,
boat, raft or carriage, such (hip or vessel,
boat, raft or carriage, (hail be forfeited,
and the owner and matter thereof (hall mote,
over each forfeit and pay treble the value of
such articles.
And be it further evaßtd, That if any
at tide or articles, the importation of which
is prohibited by this ad, and which (hall
nevertheless be on board any (hip, or vessel,
baat, raft or carrigc, arriving after the said
fifteenth day of November next, in the U,
State, or the territories thereof, (hall be o
mitted in the ma'nifett, report, or entry of
the matter or the perfbn having the charge
or command of such (hip or rcffcl, i)oat, raft
or carriage, or (hall be omitted in the entry of
the goods owned, by the owner consigned to
the consignee of such articles, or (hall be
imported, or landed, or attempted to be im
ported, or landed, without a permit, the
fame penalties, fines and forfeitures (hall be
incurred, and may be recovered, as in the
case of (imilar, oraiffion, or omifilons land,
ing, importation, or attempt to land or im
port, in relation to articles liable to dutiro
on their importation into the United Stater;
And be it further enaßed, That every
colleftor, naval officer, surveyor, or other
officer of the customs, (hall have the like
power and authority to seize goods, wares
and merchandize imported contrary to the
intent and meaning of this aft, to keep the
fame in cuttody until it (hall have been as.
certaiaed whether the fame have been for.
feited or not, and to enter any (hip or veil'd,
dwelling.houfe, (lores, building or other ,
place, for the purpose of searching for and
seizing any such goods, wares and merchan.
dife, which he or they now have by law, in
relation to goods, wares and merchandize
fubjeft to duty ; and if any person or per
funs (hall conceal or buy any goods, wares
or merchandize, knowing them to be liable
to seizure by this aft, such person or persons
(hall, on coviftion thereof, forfeit and pay
a sum double the amount or value of the
goods, wares and merchandize so concealed
or purobafed.
And be it furthtr enaditd , That the fol
lowing addition (hall be inserted to the oath
or affirmation taken by the matter or person
having the charge or command of any (hip
or vessel arriving at any port of the United
States or the territories thereof, after the
said fifteenth day of November next, viz.
» I further swear (or affirm) that there are
not, to the best of my knowledge and be
liefon board [infert the denomination and
name of the veffel] any goods, wares or mer
chandize, the importation of which into the
' United States or the territories thereof, is
prohibited by law : And 1 do further swear
(or affinr) that if 1 (hall hereafter difeover
or knew of any such goods, wares or mer
chandize, on board the said vessel, or which
(hall have been imported in tht fame, I will
immediately and without delay make due
report thereof to the colleftor of the port of
this diftrift.
And be it further enaßed, That the fol
lowing addition be inserted after the said
fifteenth day of November next, to the oath
or affirmation taken by importers* configneea
or agents, at the time of entering good* im
ported into the United States or the territo
ries thereof, viz. “ 1 also swear (or affirm)
that there are not to the best of ray know,
ledge and belief, amongst the said goods, wares
and merchandize, imported or consigned as
aferefaid, any goods, wares or mcrchandifc,
the importation of which into the United
States or the territories thereof, is prohibi
ted by law. And Ido further swear (or
affirm) that if 1 (hall hereafter difeover any
such goods, wares or merchandize, amongtt:
the said goods, wares and merchandize, im
ported or consigned as aforefaid, 1 will im
mediately and without delay, report the
fame to the colleftor of this diftrift.
And be it further mailed, That all pen
alties and forfeitures ariling under this aft,
may be distributed and accounted for in the
manner prefeiibed by the aft, entitled “An
aft to regulate the collfftion of duties on
imports and tonnage ; and such penalties
and forfeitures may be examined, mitigated
or remitted, in like manner, and under the
like conditions, regulations and reftriftions
as are preferibed, authored and ditefted by
the aft, entitled “ An aft to provide for
mitigating or remitting the forfeitures, pen
alties and disabilities accruing in certain
cases therein mentioned."
- NATH*. MACON,
Speaker of the Ihufe of Refre/er.t other,
S. SMITH,
Prefdent of the Senate, pfo tena.
Approved, April 18, 1806.
1 . TH; TEFFEKSOK-