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- TUOCLAMJlTIOffy
9y Jmv H Wars*, Mayor, of the city of Savannah
• Whereat, By an set of thngenenl assembly of the slate
«f Georgia, the Corporation of (he cit7 of Savannah, are
empowered to "establish a quarantine, “whenever they
■ball have reason to inspect that, any veaael or vessel*,
parson otperaont hasot havesailed, or come from any
port or place, infected, orsopposed to be infected with
aqr malignant or contagious, disorder-* . ,
'jind whereas, the corporation of said city has, by a re-
dulution passed this day, declared itto be expedient tha 1
the intei course between tlie city of Charleston, in the
state of South Carolina, and the city of Savannah its the
of Georgia, and alio between the porta and places,
Jn'iny of the West-tndies (Bermuda and Kew-Providence
■excepted) and the city of Savannah .should be subjected
to-quarantine regulations? *
Jt U therefore ordered. That all vessels, bound to this
port from the city of Charleston, and from any port or
place in the West Indie* (Birmudaand New Providence
—‘tpted) opon their arrival at thia po:t, do come to an.
tin Cockspur Hoads, or at suqh otlier place as may
be designated by the health officer,. Masters and com-
manor* of veaseft "ire hereby required, strictly to con.
‘ forma the directions ofthehcilth officer for the dean*
Jpgam pjtnfitartiqp of their.veaseUj and po person; who
shall live code from Charleston, or from any port or
place in any of the West Indie* (Bermuda and Nevr-Pror
vidence exoepfed) shall be aHowedlo enter the c.ity of
Savannah, until fifteen days,,after such person shall have
left the city of Charleston, or any port or place in the
West Indies (Bermuda arid New Providence excepted.)
All pilots and officers upon whom the execution of the
quarantine law* of-this state is enjoined, are hereby .re-
quired to perform tiieirduty,and every violation of the
lame will be punished conformably to the statute in such
case made and provided.
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
same, and affixed the seal of the city of Savannah, die
eleventh day of September, A. D. 1517, and in the forty
■ ceeond year of the independence of the United States.
[U p.J Jims. hi. Waive.
forensic.
.MR. PHILLIPS» SPEECH.
We are indebted to a friend for Garrick’s Dublin
Morning Post, of July 12, containing another specimen
of Irian eloquence in a spc. ch made by Mr. Puiluts,
. in a esse of .rim. eon. tried at the courj of common pleas
in Dublin on die 9iltcf July last. -The plaintiff was Mark
Btowne, esq. urul the defendant Martin Joseph Blake.—
' 'The action was brought for criminal conversation with
the plaintiff’s wife, ’l'he damages were laid at thirty
thousand pounds. Such scenes of high life were disclos
ed in the'conr: e. f the trial, which lasted two days, as to
diteuvt both c- urt and jury. After the counsel had
finished summing up, die judge, lord Norbunr, told tue
jury thst a verdict for either party would satisfy him, and
that they were at full liberty to find whatever verdict
they pleased. The jury retired for eight minutes, and
then returned into the court with a verdict of eix-petxe
costs for the defendant—JVew- fori Evening Pott.
* Mr. Pamirs, in stating the case ferthe plaintiff, spoke
to the following effect: •
Mt Lout UD Gimeus-I atn instructed by the
plaintiff to lay his case before you, and little do I wonder
at .he great interest which it, seems to have excited It
is one of those cases which come home to the “business
and the bosoms” of mankind—it is not confined to the indi-
.vitluali concerned—it visits every circle from thehigli-
est to the lowesti-it alarms (lie very heart of the commu
nity, and commands rite - whole social family to the - spot,
where human nature, prostrated at thebarof public jus
tice, CaUartOud forpity and protection! On my first ad,
drcisinga jhry upon a subject of this nature, I took the
high ground to wh'Ch I deemed myself entitled—1 stood
Upon lhe*|5urity of- the nstional character—1 relied up-
*-od thrtbluatity which centuries had made proverbial, and
almost drowned the cry of individual suffering in the
violated-reputation of the country. Humbled and abash-
■ed, l must resign the topic—indignation at the novelty
of the office has given way to horror at the frequency
- of its repetition—it is' now becoming almost fashionable
ainongkftB; we are impbrting the follies, and naturaliz
ing the vices of the continent; scarcely a term passes in
thes< courts; during which some unabashed adulterer or
sedu ler does notannounce himself improving on the odi-
cusn vs of his offence, by the profligacy of his justifies,
tion/and as it were, struggling to record, by crimes, the
P rogress of our barbarous civilization. Gen-
is be Buffered to continue, what hoirie shall
be safe, what hearth shall be sacred,what parent can, for
a moment, calculate on the possession of his child, what
childshall be secure against the orphanage that springs
from prostitution'; w hat solitary right, whether cf life or
jE,«» property in the land, shall survive amongst us,
(/.hallowed couch which modesty has veiled and
love eadeared and religion consecrated, is to be invaded
by a vulgar and promiscuous libertinum! A time there
was when that couch was inviolable“n Ireland—when
conjugal infidelity wa* deemed but an invention—when
marriage was considered as a sacrament of the heart, and
faith and affection s*nt a mingled (lame together from
the altar; are such times to dwindle into.a legend of tra
dition! are tjie dearest rights of man, and the holiest ordi
nance* of God, no more to be respected! Is the marriage
vow to become but the prelude to perjury and prostitu
tion! - Shall our enjoyments debase themselves into an
adulterous participation, and our children propagate an
incestuous Cutbfnur.it}! Hear the case which I am fated
to unfold, and then tell me w hether a single virtue is yet
to linger amongst us with impunity—whether honor,
friendship or hospitality, are to be sacred—whether that
endearing confidence by yhjph the bitterness of this life
is svreetentdvia Tb become the instrument of a perfidy be-
yondconceptiao; and whether the protection of the roof,
the ft.tpr.iity ■of the board, the obligation* of the altar,
•itul fh'gtfevotion of ihe heart, are to ne so many panders
to the hellish abomjijxtiors they should have purified—
Hear the case .which"' mute go forth to tbe'worlJ, but
which I trust in Godyour ^rdict will accompany, to tell
grid, thrt if there was vice enough amongst us to
le jSnvV'V.reis virtue enough to brand it with
hitpuni.uimer.t.
plain! ifljMr. Browne, it ia quite i jipossibTel but
you must E2rfrh«3«f'mt!cii—bV misfortune has given
him asadcejtbrity^aod; it Hoc* seem a peculiar incident
to such mSstoriune that the loss of happiness is almost in-
■varubly-saeieeded-by ttft deprivation of character, As
, "the less gtsiffy mnrdewr will hide the course.that may
lead to hadeteetion, so-does the adulterer, by pb; curing
the repnlstion of his victim, seek to diminish the moral
. responsibility behaxihtftrreil. Mr. Browne undoubtedly
fonnsrio exception to ttiissystem—betrayed by bis friend,
and abandoned by his wife, his too generous confidence,
bis too twderidus e has been slanderefisly perverted into
the soureesof his calamity—becanse he could not tyran
nise oyer her whom he adored, he was careless—because
he could not suspect him in whom lie trusted, he was
careless; qnd crime -uf the infatuation of its cunning found
itsj ustificuion even on the virtue* of its victim! 1 am
'*Tte, the Dot good to the wm fairy
jfone,nona on earth above her,
J» pm in thought at argil, ere.
So tee her. warlo love her/'
What years of tongueUss-transport might not her
happy 'husband have anticipate.!! . What ond addition
coulffher be.tities gtdn to render then! all perfect! In
the connubial rapture there was only' one, and she Was
blessed with it. A lovtly family of infant cli ldren give
her the.consecrated name of mother, and with it all tbit
lieaven can give of interest to this wb. Li’s worthlessness.
Can the miitd imagine a more delightful vision than that
of such a tnotiier; thus young, thus lovely, thus bclojed,
tic-sing a fmsband’s heart, basking in a world.’* smile; and
while sue breathed into her l.Mc ones’ the moral light,
shewing them that robed in slfthe light of beauty, it was
still possible for their virtues,to cast it intottieshodc.-
Vear after, year of happiness rolled on. and every year but
added to their love, a pledge to make ii happier than tin
former. Without ambition but her hit baud’s love, with
out one object but her children’* liappmess, this lovely
woman, circled in Iwr orbit, 'all ■ bright, all beauteous in
the pro.-perous hour, and if tliat hour e’er da. kenvd, on
ly beaming the brighter and lliie lovelier. Wliat human
hand could mar so pure a' picture!—What pur.ishmen;
could adt quately visit its violatidn!
"Ok happy love, ahere love like thit it found/’
Oh H lhtftU rupture/ bhtt beyond compare!"
. It was indeed the summer, of their lives, and with it
came the swarm of summer friends, that revel in the sun
shine of the hour^and vanish, with its splendor. High and
honored in dial croud—most, gav..most cherished, most
professing, it tod the defendant, Mr. Blake He was the
plaintiff's dearest; fondest friend, to every pleasure call
ed, in et gry case consulted.-hindtfy'sChmpaiion, and In*
evening guest, his conttant,'trusted,, bosom confident,
and under guise of .iff oh human nat.ro! he was his
fellest, deadliest, final enemy Hare, on the authority of
this brief, do I arraign him, cf having wound lumstlf in
to my client's intimacy—of having encouragvd that in
timacy into friendship, of hiving counterfeited .a syrup,
athy m his joys and in briidfrtnvs; and u hen he seemed
too pure even for scepticism itself Vo doubt him, of hav
ing under the very sanctit of lii* roof, p.rpetruttd an
adultery tlie most unpriced i.trd and pemdious! If tlii-
be true, can tiie world’s we 1th deffay the penalty of such
turpitude ! Air. BtoVvne, entlemon, was ignorant of
every agricultural pursuit, aid, unfortunately adopting
tbetedvice of his-fathcr-in-l w, he cultivated the amuse-
rnents of Curragb. 1 say, t fortunately, for his own af-
faris.snd by ho mean* in r Terence to tlie pursuit itself.
It is nut for me to libel all < dcupatian which the highest,
and noble st, and moat dhisti ous throughout the empire,
countenance by their adopti m, which fasliion and virtue
graces by its attendance, a d in w hich peers and legis-
lators and princes are.not a Slanted to appear conspicu
ous. -But if the morality tliK Countenances it be doubt
ful, by what epithet shall w designate that which would
make it art’apology tor tin most profligate of offences?
Even if Mr..Browne’s pursuit., were ever so erroneous,
was ip_ for bis bosom fr endto take advw-tage of them to
ruin him? On this subject it is sufficient for me to re
mark, that under circumst nces uf prospcr.ty or vicissi
tudes, was their connubial happin.ss'ever even remotely
clouded? In fact, the’t aiiteff disregarded even the
amusements that deprived him of her society.—He tuok
a house for her in tlie vicir ty of Kildare, furnished it witli
all tliat luxury could requie, and afforded her tlie great-
est of all luxuries, that of. enjoying and enhancing his
most prodigal pffection. from the .hour of their mar
riage, up the unforfUnalh discovery, they lived on terms
of the utmost tenderness lot a word, except one of lovr;
not an act, except < t mutuvl endearment, passed between
them. Now, gentlemen, if this be. proved to y ou, here I
take my stand, and 1 say, under no earthly circumstances,
can a juslification of the adulterer be adduced. No mat
ter with what delinquent sophistry he may blaspheme
through its palliation, God; ordained, nature cemented,
happiness consecrated tliat celesta 1 union, and it is com
plicated treason against God and man, and society to in
tend its violation. The social compact, through every
fjbre trembles at its consequences;. not only policy but
law, .not only law but natere, not only nature but religion,
deprecate and denounce it—parent and offspring—youth
and age—the dead from the tombs—the child from its
cradle—creatures scarce alive, and creatures still unbi'rn;
the grandsire shivering on'tlie verge of death; the infant
quickening in the mother’s womb; all with one assent re
echo God. and execrate adultery!. I say. then, where it is
once proved tliat husband and .wife’ live together in a
state of happiness, no contingency on which the sun Can
shine, can warrant, any inan ni attempting their separa
tion. Did they dosbf That is imperatively foftr first
condderation. I only hope tln>t all the hearts religion
lias joined together, may have enjoyed tlie happiness that
they did.—Their married state, wa* one continued honeys
moon; and if ever Cloud arose to dim it, before love’s
sigh it lied, and left its orb the brighier. Prosperous and
wealthy, fortune had no charms for Mr. Browne, but as
it blessed the object of bis affections She made success
delightful; she gave his wealth its value. .The most splen-
did equipages—the most Costly luxuries, the richest re
tinue—all that vanity could invent to dazzle—all that af
fection could devise, to gratify, were her’s and thought
too vile for her enjoyment. Great as. his fortune was, hi*
love outshone it, and it seems as if fortune-tvas jealous of
the performance. Proverbially capricious, she withdrew
her smile, and left him shnm almost of evr»y thing ex
cept his love, and the fidelity that crowned ti.
grave decisions of tether* and of husband* and I ion. lore
of you.'** J«*U vahae the blessings nf your home, not to
eatmtenance.lhe calumny which solicits a' precedent to
excuse their-spoliation. At the close of th.e year U09,
the' death of my xKenl’sfaiher gave him tlie inheritance
pf an ample fartane. OfaS the jays his prosper.ty creat
ed, there was none but yielded to the extacy of sltarim-
it with her he loved, the daughter of his (other’s ancient
friend, the,tespretable proprietor of Oran Castle; She was
then in the very sprinrof life, and neverdid the sun of Hea
ven unfold a lovelier blossom—her look was beauty and
her breath was fragrance—the eye that s»w her caught alus-
tre from the vision; and all the virtues seemed to finger
round her, like so many spotless spirits enamoured of
bet loveliness. ‘
solved itevebia the bowl that hospitality liell-out to-
hrs' 1 ' They preten.l that-hc is innocent! Oh effrontery
ib't most unblushing! Cli vitest insult, added to the dead-
licit injori! Oh b».-.c, detestable; snd damnable hypocri
sy ! Of the tinai testimony it ia true enough their cunning
has deprived us; hoy ur.dcri Priividence, I shall pour up
on this ba-cncati sucli a Hood of light, that 1 will defy,
.tot the most honorable man merely, but the most chari
table sceptic, to touch tlie holy evangelists, and .say, by
their sane.by, it basnet been SMDnutted. Attend Upon
me, now, gentituien, stepdiy step, and witlime rejoice,
• iiat, no nr-teer how c..utious m»y be thyoiupiracies of
guitt, there is a power above te coufouno-andti) discov
er thipi.
On ihe 27th of last January. Mary Hines, one of tiic
domestic*, received direction., from Mrs. Browne, to
have breakfast ready very caily on the ensuing morning,
a* the def ridant, then on visit'at the house, expressed an
inclination to go out to hunt. She was accordingly
brushing down the stairs at a very early hqur, when she
observed the handle of the door stir, and fearing-the
noise had disturbed her, she ran hastily down stain to
avoid her divpressure. She remained below about three
quarters i f an hour, when her master’s bell ringing vio
lently she hastened to answer it. He asked her in some
alarm where her mistress was? Naturally enough aston
ished at such a question at such an hour, she said she.
knew not, but would go.down and see whether,«rhot
she was hi the parlor. Mr. Browne,however, had good
reason to be alanped, fur'she was so extremity indispos
ed going to bed at night that sn express stood actually
prepared to bring medical %d from Galway, unless she
appeared better. An unusual depression both of mind
nesses suborned? Let his army of counsel sift and tor
ture them. Can they prove it?— O yes, if itbc preye*-
ble. Let thcr. produce her brother—in our litjr.d*, »
damning proof to be sure; .but il,cu, tngltful, -affl;Cting
„ nn turel—in thtir’s,'the. most ccr.salatoiyaiid delight*
f u L the vindication of calumniated innocence, and tliat -
innocence the innocence of a sister. Such is the leading
outline of our eriSence—evidence' which you wul only
wonder is so convincing, in a case » ho'.*u ve^ nature
i.resumiosta the the m-st'cautious secrecy. Tne UW,
indeed. genStmen, duly estimating the difficulty of fins!
proof in tliis.species cfaction, has recognized,Uicvalidi-
{y of inferential evidence, but on that subject his lord
ship must direct you. . _ r
go, they rely.tiiott on.tlie grouna.of nrnocrncyr H v*ey
do, I submit to you on the authority of the law, that in
ferential evidence is quite sufficient; and on the authori
ty c f reason, tliat in this parttcwUr case, the uiferentnl
testimony amounts to demonstration. Amongtt the innu
merable calumnies ufluat. it has been hinted to toe indeed,
that they mean to rely upon what they denominate the
indiscretion of tiic husband. - The moment -they have
the hardihood to result to that, they, of course, abandon
ail denial of delinquency, and even were.il fully proved;
it is then worth your mest seriouscunsideration, whether
you will tolerate such a defence as that. It is in my
mind beyond all endurance, -that any man should dare
to come into acourt of justice, and on the shadowy pre
tence of what he may term carelesrinss, ground the
most substantial and irreparable injury. Aguinst^lie un
manly principle of .conjugal severity, in the name of ci
vilized society, 1 solemnly protest.. It is not fitted for
the meridian, and, 1 hope, will never amalgamate itself
and body preyed upon Mrs. Bl own* on the preceding uiffutLe manners of this country-—it is the most urge-
evening. al,e freuueuty burst into tears, threw her arm* nerous snd insulting suspicion, reduced into the most tin-
• • .jpsniy and despotic practice.
. : "Let l urbareut nariont nhote-.ihkuman hvo
It -mid detire, ferae at the tutu they feel;
The hour of adversity is woman’s hour—in the Tull
blaze of fortune’s rich meridian, her modest beam retres
from vulgar notice, but when the clouds of woe collect
around us, and shades and ilarkncs, dim the wanderer’s
path, tliat tha; te and lovely Iglit slant's forth to chet r him,
an emblem and an ’ emaiaiion of the heaven.-! It was
iheii her love, her value, and lit r power was visible. No,
it is ni t for thz. cheerfulness with which she bore the
change I prize her—it is not that without a sigh she sur
rendered all the baubles of prosperity—but that she pil
lowed her pour husband’s heart, welcomed adversity to
make him happy, held up her little children as the wealth
that no adversity could tale away; anil when she found
bisspirit broken and hiasoul dejected. With a more than
masculine understanding, retrieved, in some degree, his
desperate fortunes, at:d savrd the little wreck tliat solac
ed ttic.r retirement. Wliat was such a woman worth,
1 ask you? If you can stop -d estimate by dross the worth
»l such a creature, give me even a notary’s calculation,
and tell me then what was I'.c worth to him to whom
she had consecrated the blojm of her youth, the charm
of hi; innocence, tlie splenibr of her beauty, the wealth
of tier tenderness, the power of her genius, the treasure
of her fidelity? She, the mother of his children, the
pulse of his h-.art, tbe joy «f his prosperity, the sojsce
of Ins misfortunes—wliat wsl site worth to him? Fallen
as site is, you may st.lt estimate her; yon may see her
value even in her ruin. Thb gem is sullied—the dia
mond is shivered; but even ia its dust you may see the
magnificence of its material. After tiiis, they retired to
Itockville, their seat in tlie county ofGalway, where they
resided in tlie most domestic manner. On the remnant of
their once splendid establishmmt.'. 'The'.But'erllie* that
in their noon-tide fluttered round them, vanished at the
first breath of their adversity; but zinc early friend still
remained faithful and affectionate,'and that was the de
fendant. Mr. Blake is a young gentleman of about eight
andtwenty, of splendid-fortune, polished in his manners,
interesting in his appearance, with many qualities ta at
tach a friend, and every quality to fascinate a female.—
Most willingly do l pay tlie tribute which nature claims
for him; must bitterly do I Lament that he has been so
ungrateful to so prodigal a benefac-ress. The more Mr
Browne's fortunes accumulated, the more disinterested-
ly attached did Mr. Blake appear t > him. lie shared with
him his purse, he astisted him with bis counsel; in an
affair of honor lie placed his life and character in his
hands—he introduced his innocent sister, just arrived
from au English nunnery, into the family ot bis friend—
he encouraged every reciprocity of intercourse between
the females; and, to crown all, that no possible suspicion
might attach tu him, be seldom travelled without bis do
mestic diaplain! Now, if it sbal appear that all this was
only a screen for his adultery—that lie look advantage of
his friend’s misfortune to seduce the wife of his bosom—
tliat be affected confidence only to betray it—that be
perfected the wretchedness be pretended to console; and
that m the midst or poverty be has left k > victim, friend-
lew, hopeless, companiooless; a husbani without a wife
and a father without a cilikl. Gracioifc God! it it not
enough to turn mercy herself into an emeutioner! You
convict far murder—iere is the hand flat murdered in-
nopeuce! You convict for treason—her is the vilest dis
loyalty to friendship!—You convict forrobbery—here is'
one who plundered virtue of her dear at pearl, and dis-
arounii Her husband’s neck say lug that die was sure
er month would separate her fur. ever from him a
dear children. . It was no accident-! omen. -Too surely
the Warning of 1’rovidence was upon tier. When ihe
maid was going down, Mr. blake appeared at his door
totally undressed, anil in a tone of much confusion de
sired that his servaut should he sent tip to him* She went
uowu—as she was about to return from her ifieifictusl
search, she heard her master?* voice in the most violent
indigiialiun, and almost immediately after Mrs. Browne
rushed past'her into the parlor, arid hastily seizing iter
writing desk desired her instantly tu quit the apartment
Geotlui.en, 1 request that you will hear every syllable cf
this scene in your ricolltctiui), but most particulaily the
anxiety about the writing desk. You will soon find that
there was a cogent -.Cason lor it.' Little was the wonder
that Mr Browne’s tone shouijl ‘ lc that ofviok-i.ee and
indignation. He had discovered his wife and friend tu-
taljy undressed, just a* they had .escaped from the guilty
bed side where they stood in all the shutr.e and horror
>if their situation! tie shouted .for her brother, and that
mise rable brother had the agony of witnessing his guilty
sister in the bed room of her pargmi ttr, both almost lit
erally in a stale of nudity, bloke! Blake! escloimed the
heart struck husband, is this the return you have made
for my hospitality? Oh, heavens! what a reproach w.s
there! It was not merely, you ;.ave dishonored my bed—
it was not merely, you naveCkacrificetl„iny happiness—it
-was not merely you hatte- widowed me in my youtl
and left me the father of an orphan family— if was not
merely, you have violated a compact to, ulnclt aff tlie
world swore a tacit veneration—but, j ou—you have done
it, my frieuil, my guest, under the very roof barbarians
reverence; where youenjoyedmy table,whereyoupledg
ed my happiness; whereyou saw her in all tlie luvehi ess
of her virtue, and at the very hour when our little help
less children, were wrapt in tliat repose of which you have
for ever robbed their miserable parents! I do confess
when I paused here in the perusal of these instructions,
the very life blood frnze.witliin my veins. What,-said
I, must liiot only reveal this guilt! must I,.not only ex
pose this perfidy! mustl not only brand the infidelity of
a wife and a mother, but must 1, amidst the agonies of
outraged nature, make tbe brother the- proof of the sis
ter’s prostitution! Thank God, gentlemen, I tnay not be
obliged to torture you and him and myself, by such in
strumentality. I think die proof is full without it, though
it must add another pang tu the soul of the poor plain
tiff’, because it must render it almost impossible that his
little infants are not the brood, of ibis adulterous deprav
ity. It will be distinctly proved to you by Honona
Brennan, another cf the servants^ .that one night, so fi-r
back as the May previous to the lost mentioned occur
rence, when she was in the act of arranging tlie beds,
she saw Mr. Blake xome up stairs, look cautiously
about him, go to Mrs. Browne’s bed-room door, and
tap at it; that immediately after Mrs. Browne went, with
no otlier diverting than her shiff, to Mr. Blake’s bed-
chan.her, where the guilty parties locked themat 1 v es.up
together. Terrified anil astonished, the maid retired to
the servants’ apartments, and in about a quarter of an
bouriiftsr, she. saw Mrs. Browne in the same habiliments
return from the bed-room of Blake into her husband’s —
Gentlemen, it was by one of those accidents which so of
ten accompany and occasion the developemeut of guilt,
that we have arrived at this evidence. It was viry nat
ural tliat she did not wish to reveal it; very natural -.at
she did not wish either to expose her mistress, or afflict
her unconscious master, witlwlie recital; very natural that
she did not desire to be the instrument of so frightful adis-
covery. However, when she found that concealment was
out of the question; that this netion was actually in pro-
gross, and that the guilty dvlinquent was publicly tri
umphing in the absence of proof, and through a herd of
slanderous dependants, cruelly vilifying the cliaracter of
l.is victim; the sent a friend to Mr. Browne, and in his
f iresence and that of two others, solemnly discovered
icp melancholy information. Gentlemen, I do entreat
of you to examine this woman, though she is an unedu
cated peasant; u:t!i all severity, because, -' she epeaks
the truth, 1 think you will agree with no, that so hor
rible a complication of iniquity never disgraced the an-
nsli of a court of justice. He had just risen from the
table of his friend—lie left his own brother ami that
friend behind him, anil even from the very board of his
hor-pitaUty, lie proceeded to the defilement of his btd!
Of mere adultery 1 had heard before. It was bad < noug).—
a broach of aillaw, religion and morality—bu—what shall
I call this?—hat seduced innocence—inruited misfortune
—betrayed friendship—violated hospitably—tore up the
very foundation of human nature, and hurled its frag
ments at the violated altar, as if tq bury religion beneath
the ruins uf society!! Oh, it is guilt might put a Daemon
to tbe blush!
Docs our proof rest here? No; though the mind
must be sceptical that after this could doubt. A guilty
correspondence was carried on between the parties,and
though its contents were destroyed by Mrs. Browne, on
tbe morning of ihe discovery, st.ll, we shall authenticate
the fact beyond suspicion. A’otwshall hear it from the
very messengeh they entrusted—you shall hear it from
him too, that the wife and tlie adulterer both bound him
to tlie utmost secrecy, at once establishing Hit ir own
collusion and their victim’s ignorance, proving, by the
very anxiety for concealment, the impossibility of conniv
ance; -so'trae it is that the conviction of guiit wHl often-
proceed even from the stratagem fur its security. Docs
our proof rest here? No; you shall have from a gentle
man of unimpeachable veracity, tliat the defendant him
self confessed the discovery in his bed room—-I will
save him.” said he, “the trouble of proving it; she was
in her shift and I was in my shirt. 1 know very well a
f'lry .will award damegts against me; ask Browne will
lie agree to compromise it; he owes me some money,
and l will give him tiie overplus in horses'.-’ Can you
imagine any thing more abominafch ? He seduced from
iiis friend tiie idol of his soul, and the motlitr ofhischil
dren, and when he was writhing under the recent wound,
he deliberately offers him brutes in compensation! I will
not depreciate this cruelly by any comment; yet tiie very
brute ..e would barter for that unnatural mother, would
have lost his life rather titan desert its offs; ring. Now
gentlemen, what rational mind but must spurn the asse
veration of innocence after this? Why ike anxiety about
the writing de-k? Why' a clandestine correspondence
with her husband’s friend? Why remain at two differ
ent periods for a quarter of an hour together, in a gen
tleman’s bed chamber, with no other lab.Iirnent, »t one
time, than her ted dress, at another than her shift. D
tills C’lstomary with the married females of this country?
Is this to be a precedent for our wives ar^ daughters;
sanctioned too by you, their parents snd their husbands? fngtiful advance "of this calamity; it will be met now ««*
IWhy did he confess that a verdict for damages must go maiked with vengeance; ifit be not, farewell to the virtues o f
against him, and. make the offer of that unfeeling com- your countiy; farewell to all confidence between man and
promise?—Was.it because be was innocent? The very man; farewell to that unsuspicious and reciprocal tendcr-
loffer was a judgment by default, a distinct, undeniable ness, without which marriage is hut a consecrated curse: if
corroboration of his guilt. Was it that the female cha- oatlia are to be violated; laws disregardei
racier should not suffer? Could there be a more trump- trsyed; humanity trampled; national and
et-tongi^d proclamation of hercrinjinaltj? Are our wit- or stained; and that a jury of tethers and oj
Let Pattern tyrants, from the b'ght of J
Si elude their baton tluvet, meanly polluted
. '. Of a mere lift it violated form—
If h:le tho-e vhim l.ve enrols in holy faith, j
Md equal tnH.tpcft, free ct tuULre Hve, ’ 1
JJttduihing fear." '
But onccesiabtisli the principle of this moral and do
mestic cvncorsliip, and then tell me where is it to begin?
Where is it to end? Who siiall bound? Who shall pre
face it? By what hitherto umliscovcrable standard, Enall
we regulate the shades between solemnity and levity?
Will you permit tiiis impudent espionage Upon your
households; upon the hallowed privacy of your domes
tic hours and fur wliat purpose? Why-, that tike seduc
er and file adulterer may calculate the security of Lis
cold-blooded libertinism!—that .he may steal Eke an as
sassin upon your hours uf relaxation, and convert per
haps your confidence into the instrument of yourdoin!
If ibis be once permitted as • ground of justiffcatiotr,'We
may bid farewe‘1 at or.ce td all the delightful intercourse
of social life. Spurning as I do, at this odius system of
organized distrust, suppose the admission made, that my
client was careless, indiscreet, culpable if they will, la
his domestic ieguJ.tions, is it therefore to be endured,
that every .abandoned burglar should seduce his wife, or
'violate his daughter? . It is it to be endured, that Mr.
Blake of nil men should roly on.such an infamous and
Convenient extenuation! lie- bis friend; his guest, his
confident, he who introduced a spotless sister to this at
tainted intimacy; shall lie say, 1 associated with you hour
ly, I affected your familiarity fur many years; I accom
panied my, domesticated minister ot religion to your fa
mily; I almost naturalized tbe nearest female relative X
hod on caith, unsullied and unmarried os she Was, with
in your household: but—you tool—it was only to turn
it into a brothel!! Merciful God! will you endure bim
when he tells you thus, and be ia on the watch to prowl
upon the weakness of humanity, and audaciously solicits
your charter fur such libertinism?
I have heard it asserted also, that they mean to arraign
the husband as a conspirator, because in the hour of
Confidence and mbfofiune he accepted a proffered pecan-
.ty assistance from the map he thoughtliisfriend. It if
giu- he did so; but so, I wilt say, criminally cartful was
he of his interests thst he gave him bis bond, and made
him tiller ujf judgement on that bond, and made him is
sue an execution ou that judgment, ready to be .levied
in a day, that in tiie wreck of all, the friend of bis bosom
should be at least indemnified. It was my im'pressioa
indeed, that under a lease cf this nature, amongst hon
orable'men, so far from any unwarrantable privilege
created, there was rattier a piCuliar delicacy incumbent
on the donor. I should have thought so still but for ft
frightful expression of one of the counsel on the motion*
by which they endeavored not to trust a Dublin jury
with this issue. What, exclaimed they, in all tbe pride
of their exetr.ible instructions, “a poor plaintiff and*
rich defendant! Is tin.re nothing in that?” . Mo, if tap
client’s shape does riot belie ids speiics, there is nothing
in that. 1 brav ed the aistrtiun as a'calumny on human
nature—1 call 1 on you, if such an allegation be repeated,
to visit it with vindictive and overwhelming damages? I
would appeal, not to this civilized assembly, but to an
horde of savages, whether it is possible for the most inhu
man monster thus to sacrifice to infamy, his character—
his w ife—his home—his children! In the name of possi
bility 1 deny it; in the name cf humanitv, I denounce it; in
the name of our common country, and our common na
ture, I implore of tiie learned counsel not to promulgate
such a slander upon both—but 'j need not do SO; if the
seal of advocacy should induce them to attempt, memo
ry would array tbeir happy hemes before them—their
little children would lisp its contradiction—their love—
their hearts—their instructive feelings as far hers and ait
husbands, would rebel within them, and wither up the
horrid blasphemy upon their lips.
They will find it difficult to pidUate such turpitude—
am sure I tied it difficult to aggravate It is in itself an
hypeibole cf wickedness, honor, innocence, religion,
friendship—all that is sanctified or lovely, or endearing
in creation—even that hallowed social, shall I not tay
■ndigenous virtue—that blessed hospitality—which for
eign envy could nut deny, or foreign rubber} despoil—
which when all .else had perished, .cast a hiuum on cur
desolation. Binging its rich foliage overthu .-ath r., i rule,
as if to hide tiie monument, while it gave a site Iter to the
mourner- tvtn that withered away before that.pesti
lence! But ubat <ln I sav! was virtue merely luc vie- ■
tim of this adulterer? Worse, worse—it u as his muni
ment—even on tiie broken tablet of the decalogue did
he whet the daggerforhis social assassination—what will
you say, when 1 inform you, that a few months before he
went deliberately to the baptismal fi.nt with- the waters
of jrfe to regenerate the infant that, too well could be
avouch it; had been bom in sin and he promised to teach
it Christianity! And he promised to guard it against
“the flesh!” And lest infinite mercy should overlook the
sins of its adulterous father, seeking to make his God hi*
pandor he tried to damn it even with the sacrament'.!— l
See then the horrible atrocity of this case as it touches tpe
defendant—but how can you Count its miseries as at-
jacking to the plaintiff! He has suffered a pang ihe most
agonizing to human sensibility—it has been inflicted by
his -friend, and inflicted beneath bis roof—it com
merces at .a period which easts a doubt on the
legitimacy of bis children, and to crown all, “upon
bim h son is bom” even since the separation, Upon whom
every shilling of his estates has entailed by settlement?—
Wh it compensation; can reprise so unparalleled a suffer
er. What solitary consolation is there in reserve for
him! b it love? Alas; there wss one whom he adored
with all the heart’s idolatry, and she deserted bus. b
it friendship? There was one of all tbe world whom he
trusted, and that one betrayed him. hit society? Tbe
smile of others' happiness appears but the epitaph of
his own. b it solitude? Can be be alone while memory,
striking on the sepulchre of his heart; calls into ex
istence the spectres* of the past? Shall be By for refuge
to his “sacred home?” Every object there is eloquent of
his'-niin! Shall be seek a mournful solace in lus chQ.
dren? Oh, be has no thildren—there is a little favor
ite that she nursed, and there—there—even on its guile
less features—there is the horrid smile of the adulterer!!
' Ogentlemen,amltkisdayonlythecounsdofmy client?'
no—no—I am the advocate of humanity—of yourselves
—yourhomes—yourwivea—yourfamilies—your little chil
dren; lam glad that this case exhibits such atrocity; un
marked as itisbyanymitigatory feature, it may stop the