I HISTORY OF THE bjEtECTION, CONVICTION, LIFE AND DESIGNS of JOHIV A. MUREL, •the great western liAiVD PIRATE* tOQETHEB WITH HIS SYSTEM OF VILLAINY, AND PLAN OF EXCITING A And a catalogue op the names of four hundiied and fortt-fivk of »td MYSTIC CLAN, FELLOWS AND FOLLOWERS, AND THEIR efforts for the DESTRUCTION OF iSR. TIROII. A. STEWARTj THE TOUNO MAN WHO DETECTED HIM* TO T^THICH IS ADDED A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF IMER. VIRGIZ. A. STEWART. IbY AUGUSTUS Q. T^AI^TON, ESQ. RE-PUBUSHED BY GEORGE WHITE. PRIMTBD AT THK JOURNAL OFFICE. 'ENS, TENNESSEE, 1835. PREFACE. In presenting the history of the great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murel, and his to lowers lo the world, I have discharged the duty and trust committed to ray care by my much esteemed young friend Mr. Virgil A. Stewart ; and fulfilled th» promise which I made him at the time I took charge of his papers, documents and business, when it was thought he was on his dying bed with the ilhiess produced by a wound intiicted by the hand of an assassin. Even in this great extremity of pain and misery, his greatest concern was that his country should have his information on that subject. There is no country under the canopy of Heaven, which has in any other age of the world, produced so formidable a banditti, so extensive in its operations, and so scientific in its plans, as the North American Land Piracy, af which John A. Murel was the leader and masterspirit, who directed its operation* against community ; but it was the will of Heaven that this enemy of the human family, and destroyer of the lives and happiness of man should be stopped in his fiendish and destructive career ; and that be should be delivered into the iron grasp of the otfended laws of his country, to satisfy the demands of bleeding justice.— The marvellous circumstances attending his detection will be highly calculated to amuse and entertain the reader, while it shows the power and protection of our Creator to those who look to him lor support and defence ; and may be a warning to others, who are posting the road to misery and degradation, and convince thera of the final justice of their Creator, betbre their consciences are forever seared to his reproots, by progressive crimes, which must eventually end in the fate of John A. Murel. If any one individual should be reclaimed, whose conscience has be- gun to be seared by transgression and crime, I will consider my labor more than remunerated. It must be acknowledged that John A. Murel has never been surpassed in cold blooded murders, by any whose names have been recorded on the pages of history, and other villainous fwats have never been surpassed by any who have preceded him. He may justly claim the honor of reducing villainy to an organized system, and he may as justly claim the most important station among adepts in crime and iniquity of the blackest kind. The extent of the designs of John A. Murel and his fellows are awful to reflect on. The blood, carnage, confusion and universal devastation, which were meditated by that daring and presumptuous banditti against their country and fellow beings, without the least regard lor age or sex. This proves that their adamant hearts are cold to every emotion which swells in the bosom of humanity. Beings who can coolly and deliberately deprive an unoffend- ing human being of his life, and mangle his body with as little emotion or feeling as if he was a brute — and wjtiat is still more awful to the imagination, to think of seeing whole cities wrapped in smoke and flames, and houses and human beings together swallowed up by quirling sheets of fire ; and hear the desponding screams of innocent sufterers while in the agonies of death, without being moved to com- passion, or deterred from their awful purposes. As to the names given in Murel's mystic catalogue, there is no person responsi- ble but Murel himself, he being the person who gave them as his followers. There is a large portion of this publication given in John A. Murel's own lan- guage, some of which is quiie obscene, and presumptuously profane. There is likewise the language of Virgil A. Stewart given in many dialogues between himself and Murel ; and I would further remark, that I have given th« language of Mr. Stewart's own notes on many occasions. AUGUSTUS Q. WALTON. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. It has been a notorious fact, for a number of years past, that negroes and fine horses are frequently missing from the farms of planters and the citizens of the Mississippi Valley, and never ag'ain heard of by the unfortunate owners. These occurrences in many parts of the Southern and Western countnes are so frequent, that they have beconip a matter of the greatest concern to persons whose capital is invested in property of that kind, there being no security of its safety, as they do not know on what night their farms may be robbed of a part of their most valu- able horses and negroes. The number of detections for offences of this kind, have been inconsiderable, when compared with the great number of outrages which have been committed by a mysterious banditti, whose deep laid plans and well organized system of villainy has heretofore evaded every effort of the law to bring its vicious and destroying members to justice. There have been many imaginary suppositions concerning the means which were employed by this mysterious banditti in effecting so much destruction and distress to community. On the night of the 18th of January, 1834, Parson John Henning and his son, of Madison county, in the State of Tennessee, lost two negro men from their farm ; and it appears that Providence, in the wise dispensation of his mercies to the slave- holding States, used the outrage committed on the property of Parson Henning, as a blessing to the community, in developing an organized system of villainy, and exposing a piratical clan, and detecting the leader and master spirit, who directed its operations against society. It was in the investigation of this felony, that John A. Murel, the great Western Land Pirate, and his clan were detected, and their awful deeds exposed, and their more awful plans and designs defeated. HISTORY, &e. CHAPTER I. John A. Mure], the far-famed personage, who by reason of his distinguished acts of villainy has acquired the title of the Western Land Pirate, was born in the State of Tennessee, and at a very ten- der age he acquired considerable fame for his skill in the perform- ance of feats of villainy. His notoriety m his native county had become a matter of considerable inconvenience to his designs, and so he concluded to hunt a country better adapted to his profession. He selected a home in the western district of the State of Tennes- see, in Madison county ; in this new country, where society was not much refined, Murel expected to enjoy the profits of his skill and in- genuity in villainy in an uninterrupted state ; but a rich and fertile country, like the western district of Tennessee, held out too many inducements to the industrious and enterprising world to remain long in a state of rudeness. Wealth and fashion have superseded the rough fore-runner of the country, and the western district of Ten- nessee can now afford ample materials for Murel and his mystic clan to work on, which are negroes and fine horses. The infamous character which followed him from his native county, and his rava- ges in the adjoining neighborhood, soon taught the citizens of that vicinity to abhor and dread him. The frequent thefts which were committed in the adjoining counties and country, and the long trips and absence of Murel from home, which no person could account for, convinced community of his guilt ; though by his unparalleled skill and management, he still evaded the laws of his country ; and so paved the way to his acts of villainy that the law Mould not affect him should he be detected. The first grand detection of Murel, that was satisfactory to the community in the vicinity of his new home, of the baseness of his character, was the case of Mr. Long, of Madison county, Tennes- see. It appeared that Murel had decoyed three of Mr. Long's ne- gro men from his possession, and had harbored them in a rough wood near his house for a considerable time. Mr. Long believed they had run away, and were harbored by some negro in the neighbor- hood; but at length the time was drawing nigh for Murel to remove them and convert them to his own use. One of the negroes had left some of his clothing at home which he wanted, so he emerged from his lurking place that Murel had placed him in, and ventured home for his clothing. The overseer happened to discover and took him ; and extorted from this fellow where his fellow servants were, and the designs of Murel. Mr. Long gathered a company and went to the lurking wood and surrounded the negroes, having the one first taken for a pilot. The negroes told Mr. Long the time that Murel would come to feed them. Mr. Long told his slaves to ask Murel certain questions concerning his moving them, and then disposed his - company around the thick wood so as to hear Murel's answers to the interrogations of the negroes. At the time the negroes had said, Murel appeared in the wood with a basket of provisions on his arm. Mr. Long, after hearing the questions answered by Alurel, which he had directed his slaves to ask, give the signal for them to seize and hold him fast, which they did. When Mr. Long and his company advanced forward, Murel, with much plausibility, mformcd Mr. Long that he had found his black boys, and had been feeding them there so as to detain them there until he give him word where they were, but Mr. Long had heard his sentiments before in their purity. Mur- el was lodged in prison ; but his friends enabled him to give bail, and many thought he would not appear on the day of trial, but Murel ap- peared. On an investigation of the law against negro harboring, it was found to be a fineable offence, and not, as was supposed by ma- ny persons, a penitentiary crime ; and that it could not be brought under the penal code. Murel was fined several hundred dollars, and in case the amount could not be made out of his property, the decis- ion of the court was, that he should become Mr. Long's slave for five years. Murel made an appeal to the Supreme Court, and took exceptions to the constitutionality of the law against negro harboring. Every person appeared astonished that Murel had escaped the penitentia- ly ; and on an investigation of the law he was about to come clear, and overset the law entirely against that offence. Murel and his friends appeared much elated and became quite insolent and daring. DurTng'the trial for the ofl'ence against Mr. Long's property, all good men in the vicinity appeared to take some interest in the matter, to get rid of so dangerous a character. All of these Murel singled out as victims of his vengeance. He was not in the habit of stealing in his immediate neighborhood before. He worked at a distance ; but now his revengeful nature was excited against many persons in his immediate neighborhood ; among this number he had enrolled the good old Parson John Henning and his son, who on the night of the 18ih of January, 1834, lost two negro men from their farm in Madi- son county, Tennessee. Circumstances convinced them that their nejrroes were stolen, as soon as they were missing. The movements of "Murel were watched by persons appointed for that purpose. — Parson Henning believed that if Murel was the thief, he would be likely to go where the negroes were, so soon as suspicion against him had apparently subsided. Some time had elapsed, and all search for the negroes had ceased; but there was still a strict watch over the movements of Murel. He became very impatient to be off: but was too keen, and had too many friends, not to discover that suspi- cion rested upon him. The Parson determined that if he went off, he would try to ascertain where he went to, if it was possible to'fol- low his track. He thought that if he could not come up with his negroes, that he might get on the course that they were taken, so that he might follow them. The Parson's watch learned that Murel was going to start for Randolph, a little town on the Mississippi river. — Parson Henning solicited a young friend of his, who was at his house on a visit, to accompany his son on the expedition of following Mur- el. The Parson knew him to be of untiring perseverence, and well schooled in the disposition of man ; and possessed of an inordinate share of public spirit. The Parson insisted on remunerating him for his trouble ; but he refused pay for any services that he might ren- der on that occasion ; but parted with the Parson under the prom- ise to do all in his power to reclaim his property. This young man had lived in the neighborhood two years, not far from the Parson's, but had been gone from there nine months. He had seen Murel once in his life to know him ; but he was not close to him, and could not have a very correct idea of his features. The young man stayed all night at a friends house, not far from the Parson's, the night be- fore he was to start with the Parson's son. They agreed to meet in Denmark, a little county hamlet four miles from the Parson's the next morning. The young man was prompt in his attendance, but young Henning failed to attend. He waited for him several hours, and he still failed to come. The young man became impatient and started on, believing his friend had taken sick, as he was complaming when he parted with him. He had concluded to undertake the trip by himself. He left Denmark about ten o'clock, and proceeded to- wards Estanauly, a little hamlet on Hatchee river, seven miles from Denmark. The weather was very cold and the road much cut up with carriages, and then hard frozen, and covered with sleet. It was bad travelling, and he got on but slow. Both man and beast were every where housed, and nothing mov- ing but himself. His meditations were not interrupted, on the lone- ly road from Denmark to Estanauly, by the appearance of a human being. The smoke that rose from a group of small cabins thinly scattered along a little island of high ground near the Hatchee river, informed him that Estanauly was near at hand. There was nothing in this scene to inspire or animate. The smoke from the cabins had settled among the heavy timber of an extensive bottom in large black columns, and seemed to wrap all nature in deep mourning. Such a scene was calculated to impress the idea, that nature was weeping over the miseries of the inhabitants of so dreary a spot. He arriv- ed at the toll house and called the keeper to the door, and was en- quiring if Murel had passed, and whether his gates could be passed in the night without his knowledge ; and while he was making his en- quiries, the keeper turned round and observed, "yonder comes Mur- el now." The young man turned round but Murel was too near for him to reply. Murel rode up, paid his toll, and passed on without 8 any ceremony. The young man discovered that Mu"el did not know him. After Murel had passed by, the young man asked the keeper if he was certain that it was Murcl that passed. The keeper asserted that it was ; that he knew him well. The young man paid his toll, and started after him. CHAPTER II. Murel had not started at the time the Parson learned he would, and the young man was astonished to find himself ahead of the man whom he thought he was following. He had passed Murel in Den- mark. He had stopped at the house of one of his friends in that village ; and was engaged in writing a letter to young Henning. — His friends had given him intimation that young Henning intended to follow after him. These friends were plenty, and many of them respectable, so Murel had the advantage ; but no. person knew that this young friend of the. Parson's was going, for he did not know it himself until late in the evening, the day before he started. Murel wrote to young Henning that he had learned he charged him with taking his negroes, and if it was true he could whip him from the point of a dagger to the anchor of a ship, and made use of a variety of expressions highly charged with irony and sarcasm ; and then concluded by saying that if what he had heard was false, that he wished him to receive his epistle as a friendly letter ; and stated that he was going to Randolph on some private business, and desired young Henning to come and go with him, and satisfy himself that he was not on any dishonest bnsiness. This letter was immediately sent to Henning ; but Murel did not wait to see whether Henning would accept of his company or not, but pushed on ; in fact he did not wish his company ; but this was his artifice to prevent his follow- ing. While the young man was in Denmark there was not much passing. It was extremely cold, and all were closely housed, and around the fires, so he passed out of the place without seeing Murel, and travelled just before him all the way from Denmark to Estan- auly. After Murel had passed the young man at the toll house, there was no difficulty in getting on his track. The young man followed on behind Murel a short distance ; but it struck him that he would ven- ture a trick on him, and see if he could not impose himself as a horse hunter, and travel in company with him — so he rode on and over- took him. He spoke very politely to Murel, and Murel returned the civihty in equal address ; but glanced a severe look of enquiry and scrutiny at him, as his head turned away. When the following dia- logue ensued : Stranger. We have disagreeable travelling, sir. Murel. Extremely so, sir. S. The travelling and my business correspond very much. M. Pray sir, what can be your business, that you should com- pare it to travelling on such a road as this ? lace where I intended to count my companion's cash, I became very thirsty, and insisted on turning down a deep hollow, or dale, that headed near the road, to hunt some water. %Ve had followed down the dale for near four hundred yards, when I drew my pistol and shot iiim through. He fell dead. I commenced hunting for his cash, and opened his large pocket book that was stuffed vei y full, and when I began to open it, I thought it a treasure indeed ; but, Oh ! the contents of thai book ; it was tilled with the copies of songs, the forms of love letters, and some of his own composition — but no cash. I began to cut ofi" his clothing with my knife, and examine them for his money. I found four dollars and a half in change, in his pockets, and no more. And is this tlie amount for which twenty negroes sold, thought I. I re- collected his watch and jewelry, and 1 gathered them : his chain was rich and good, but it was swung to an old brass watch. He was a puff for true ; and I thought all such d d fools ought to die as soon as possible. I took his horse, and swapped him to an Indian native for four ponies, and sold them on the way home. I reached home, and spent a few weeks among the girls of my ac- quaintance, in all the enjoyments that money could afford. My next trip was through Georgia, South Carolina, North Caroli- na, Virginia and Maryland, and then back to South Carolina, and from there round by Florida and Alabama. I began to conduct the progress of my operations, and establish my emissaries over the country m every direction. After I turned for home from Alaba- ma, I was passing by where one of my friends lived, in company with three of my associates, ^vho were going home with me ; we stopped to sec how our friend was doing ; while wc were sitting out in his portico, there was a large drove of sheep came up to his blocks. H©. went out and examined them, and found them to be the flock of an old Baptist, who lived about six miles up the road from his house, and they had been gone from their owner for three months, and he could hear nothing of them. The old Baptist had accused my friend of having his sheep drove off to market, and abused hnn for stealing his sheep very much. My friend acquainted me with the circumstance, and I concluded to play a trick on the old jockey for his suspicions, so we gathered up all the flock, and drove ihem on before us, and got to the old Baptist's just after dark ; we called the old man out to the gate, and wanted to lodge with him all night ; but he refused to take us in, and urged as a reason, that his old woman was sick, and he could not accommodate us as he would wish. To these objections I told him that we could wait on ourselves — that I had three active young men with me, who could do all that was 45 wanting to be done. I told him that I had moved down below in the spring of the year, when my sheep was scattered, and I conclu- ded to leave them until fall; and that I had been up to my old place after them, and was going home : and complained of the hard drive I had made that day, as an excuse to stop with the old Baptist. I then told him I had a very fine wether that I wished to kill, as he was very unruly, and hard to drive, and what we did not use that night he was welcome to. Tlie old man shewed us a lot to pen our sheep, and the corn crib and stables, and told us that if we could wait on ourselves that we were welcome to stay. We soon fed our horses, and had the mutton dressed, and a large pot full cooking — The old man told us where to find meal, milk and butter ; and while my associates were cooking the sheep, I was conversing with the old Baptist on religion ; I told him I was a Baptist preacher. When news came that the sheep was done, I went into the kitchen, and we had a real feast of mution, at the expense ol the old Baptist. After supper we went in where the old lady was lying sick. The old man got his bible and hymn book, and invited me to go to duty. I used the books, and then prayed like hell for the recovery of the old lady. The next morning we were up before day-light, and had the sheep all on the road. We drove them about one mile, and scattered them in the woods, and left them. Weleftthe head of the wether that we killed lying in the lot where the old man conld see that it was his own mark. I arrived at home after a trip of six months. I have been going ever since from one place to another, directing and managing, but 1 have others now as good as myself to manage. This fellow, Phelps, that I was telling you of before, he is a noble fellow among the negroes, and he wants them all free ; and he knows how to excite them as well as any person: but he will not do for a robber, as he cannot kill a man unless he has received an injury from him first ; he is now in jail at Vicksburgh, and I fear will hang. I went to see him not long since : but he is so strictly watched, that nothing can be done. He has been in the habit of stopping men on the high-way and robbing them, and letting them goon; but that will never do for a robber : after I rob a man he will never give evidence against me ; and there is but one safe plan in the business, and that is to kill — If I could not aftbrd to kill a man I would not rob. I have often told Phelps he would be caught be- fore he knew it. I could raise men enough to go and tear down the jail, and take Phelps by force ; but that would endangeir all of our other plans. I have frequently had money enough to have set- tled myself rich ; but I have spent it as free as water in carrying on my designs. The last five years of my life have been spent in the .same way that 1 have been telling you, Hues : I have been from home the best part ot the time ; and I have let but few chances es- cape me, when I could rob, that I did not do it. It would take a week, Hues, to tell over all of my scrapes of that kind. You must 46 come and stay at my house the week befuie I start with them ne- groes to Irvin, and I will have time to tell over all my ups and downs for the last five years. I want you to go that trip with me. You can arrange your business in the nation in two weeks, and get to my house in Madison Conty. You will make more that trip than all your concerns are worth in the nation, so you had better give away what you have than to be confined to it." Night having come on, Murel and Hues began to look out for a house of entertainment; so Murel left ofl' lelhng the horrid deeds of his past life. They came to a house awhile alter night, where they stopped until morning. The next morning Murel and Hues proceeded on their journey ; but the time was now drawing near when Murel was to loose his young associate, as they had only ten miles to ride together, when they would reach Wesley, there they were to part/ Hues was to go on to the nation, as Murel thought, to arrange his affairs to join him ao-ain ; and Murel was to go on home to j)rocure the negroes which he had promised to deliver to Mr. Irvin, and have them ready by the time Hues was to be at his house, in Madison County. The following is the last conversation of those two mystic friends, which was enjoyed on the last ten miles. 31. "Well, Hues, we must part to-day ; and I am not half done talking, but 1 will quit telling what I have done, and tell what I am going to do. I have about forty negroes now engaged, that are waiting for me to run them, and the best of it is, they are the prop- erty of my enemies nearly entirely. I have a great many friends who have got in to be overseers : they are a strong support to my plan. I have a friend by the name of Nolin, my broihcr-in-law'a brother, who is overseeing in Alabama, for a man who is from home, Nolin has decoyed six likely negro men for me, I am to go within about ten niiles with a two horse cairyall, and stop at an appointed place. Nolin is to raise a sham charge against the negroes, and they are to run oft' and come to my waggon. I will put them into the waggon: and fasten down the curtams all round, and then throw fodder over them ; and have a striker to drive them to the Missis- sippi swamp for me, where there will be no danger. I will ride a few miles bcliind ; but never seem to notice the waggon. Noihi is to be driving the woods for the negroes, and reporting that he had seen them every day or two, until I have time to get clear out o( the country with them. 1 have eight more engaged in Alabama, at one Eason's, the fellow whom I was speaking of before. The re- mainder of the forty I get in my own country. You recollect the boat that I showed you in the bayou, on the other side of the jiver ? that boat I intend to fill with negroes for my own benefit. //. There is a fellow by the name of Bundles, or Burns, or some such a name, a negro trader, who lives in some part of the new part of Tennessee, who, I think, is as hard to cheat, as any man I have 47 ever seen in all my travels ; and if all the Tennesseeans are as sharp as I think he is, I do not want to deal with many of them. M. O ! I know who you are thinking of, his name is Byrn ; he does pass down through your country sometimes, and a hell of a fel- low he is ; he can cheat you to death, and make you think all the time he is putting you on the road to a fortune ; but d n him, I handled the cash that one of his negroes sold for. lie suspected me for running his negro, and offered me the chance of him, for three hundred dollars ; but I thought it was a d d poor business to give three hundred dollars for a thing I already had. Byrn is a hard hand, and I had as soon fall into the hands of the Devil as his. Hues spoke in this uncertain manner of the name of Mr. Byrn, to leave the impression on the mind of INIurel, that he had just bare- ly seen Mr. Byrn, and had only a faint conception of his name, ■without any acquaintance ; yet so descriptive, as to make him un- derstand whom he meant by his remarks. Hues knew that Byrn had lost a negro, and he wished to know whether Murel had stolen him or not ; and he took the above ingenious plan to get Murel on the subject, without exciting his suspicion. M. I can tell you another trick we have. Hues, to get horses. — Our friends examine the stray books regular, and whenever there is a stray horse of any value found on them, he goes and gets a de- scription of the horse and then writes for two of his friends, if none do pass, who are strangers in the country he lives in. He gives his friends a minute description of the horse ; and one will go and claim, and the other prove the property. I was in Arkansaw this fall, and there was a man who found a fine horse standing in the edge of the Mississippi river, which had by some means got off of some boat and swam to shore ; but could not get up the bank ; he dug the bank, and got out the horse. One of my friends heard of it, and went and examined the horse so that he could tell me all the flesh marks. I went and asked him if he had found ahorse of such a description, describing the horse in every particular. He said he had. I looked at the horse and claimed him. I gave the fellow five dollars for his trouble, and took the horse home, and have him yet. I have swam the Mississippi twice on that horse. H. We are not far from Wesley, where we will part, and you have not given me a list of the names of your friends as yet. M. Oh ! yes, yes. Have you any paper with you? you must have that before we part/' Hues took out the remainder of his blank book and pencil, which had not been used for a private record : When the following names were given, and recorded, as the friends and members of Murel's dan^ « ' 48 Catalogue of MvjUBii's Mystic Clan» Teyinessee, 2- — iWurels, S. Spires, S. Weathers, 2- — By rd songs, 1). Crenshaw, Col. Jarot, M. Dickson, 2— Nolins, V. Chism, Capt. Ruflln, K. Dickson, Ja. Hosskins, L. And/edford, 2- -Wilson's, 3 — Hunters', Capt. Morris, 2- — Gilberts^ G. Tucker, A. Brown, 3- -Glenns*, 4 — Yarber's, 2- Arkansaiv. -Harlins'. S. Pucket, G. Aker, 2 — Barneys', J. Simmons, 4— W. Ray, -Tuckers', I.. Good, 2— Loyds', ^ B. Norton, 3- — Shurlocks', J. Smith, 3- -Joneses', P. Billing, S. Coulter, L. 3/artin, C. .Jimcrson, A. Hooper, H. Petit, 6- — Serrils', W. Henderson, 3 — Bunches', 2- -Nowlins', 1 — Dartcss', 3- Kentucky. — Horton s'. 3- -Farrows', D. ilfugit, 2- —Pattersons*. 49 4- — Wards, 4 — Foresythes, S. Goin D. Clayton, Q. Brantley, R. Williamson., L. Potts, H. Haly, — Reese s'. H. Potter, 3 — Carters. Missouri. 3- -Whites, W. Aker, 2 — Herins, 2- — Garlins, 6 — Millers, S. Falcon, G. Poap, H. Warrin, R. Coward, 3 — Moaseways, D. Corkle, 3 — Johnsons, E. Boalin, Col. S. W. Alabama. Foreman. H. Write, W. Hickel, J. Homes, P. Miles, G. Sheridon, B. Corhoon, O. Moore, E. Nolin, 3 — Farmers, S. Baley, 2 — Glascocks, 4 — Sorils, G. Hammons, 3 — Martins, R. Cunagen, M. Hancock, H. Chance, Capt. Boin, D. Belfer, Esq. Malone. Georgia. H» Moris, 2— Heffils', D. Haris, D. Coalmon. 2 — Rameys', 4- — Reves', 4- — Cullins', 6 — Rosses', W. Johnson, Capt. Ashley, S. Gambel, Denson, Esq. 2- -Crenshaws', 2 — Lenits', South Carolina. 4 — Peakes'. 3- -Foarts*, W. Simpson, 2_Williams', E. Owin, O. Russet, 2 — Hookers', S. Pinkney, 3_Piles' 6_Woods', W. King, H. Black, N. Parsons, G. Hollier, F. Waters, 3 — Franklins, M. Ware, G. Gravit, 4 — Robertsons', B. Henry. North CaroUna. A. Fentres, J. Secel, 2 — Micklejohns', 3- -Hacks', D. Harhson, D, Barnet, M. Coopwocffl , S. Bulkes, R. Huiston, M. Johnson, 1 — Solomons', 7 B. Kelit, 90 J. Hackey, J. Haris, 4— Gilferds', R. Garrison, G. Derom, 3 — Merits', L. Wiseman, P. Hume, W. Wilbern. V. Miles, 3 — Perrys', K. Farmer, Virginia. J. Ferines, Kerkmon, 4 — Mathises', D. Hawks, E. Cockburn, S. Stogdon, L. Smith, W. Pariners. A. Beloach, S. Walker, W. Carnes, S. Washorn, F. Henderson, W. Gwins, M. Hains, G. Dortherd, A. Cuthbut, D. Hays, D. Read, S. M'Write, Maryland. 2 — Fishers', F. Smith, G. M' Waters, 3 — Morgans', S. Winston, H. M'Gleton, T. Goodin, Floi-ida„ H. Brown, C. Paron, L, Strawn, W. Leemon, -Hobses, M. CPConel, J. Wilkit. E. Carmefer, 2— M'Gilits, A. Sterling, J. Preston, G. Flush. C. Depont^ A. Pelkin, T. M'Nut, S. M'Carty, 3 — Hunts', T. Parker, J. Sims, S. Muret, C. Henderson, C. Winkle, W. Hargeret, S. Whipel, E. Foskew, J. Deark, B. Stafford, L. M'Guint, 3— Baggets* Louisiana. J. Johnson, A. Rhone, P. Read, W. Bryant, D. Cotton, S. Roberson, M. Blurcn, R. Miller, T. Ray, J. Bevley, D. Willis, H. Pelton, W. Moss, -Baleys', L. Duncan, G. Mury, G. Pase, -Deris', Transientiers, who travel ft om place to place. 2 — Hains', 2 — Jones', R. Haris, L, Taylor, G. Boalton. 3 — Levits', S. Cooper, Sparkes, P. Doddridge, 51 G. Hunter, H. Helley, G. Tucker, C. Moris, S. Skerlock, 3 — Rinins*, Soril Phelps. When the above catalogue was finished, M urel observed, "There is not paper to make a proper list, but when you come up to my house we will have time to make a complete one, and this will do until then, as you will not travel any until you go with me a few trips, and learn the routes ; and there is not near all the names on this list : but there is no more paper to write on. Hues, I want you to be with me at New Orleans, on the night that the negroes com- mence their ravages. I intend to head the company that attacks that city myself. I feel an ambition to demolish the city which was defended from the ravages of the British army, by the great Gene- ral Jackson." Murel and Hues arrived at Wesley, where they were to part. — Hues promised Murel that he would be ready to see him by three weeks or sooner. They took tjieir leave of each other and parted. So soon as Murel was out of sight, Hues turned round, and came back to Wesley, and remained there until Murel had time to be sev- eral miles ahead. Hues then took another route for Madison coun- ty, and made it so as to travel the last ten miles after night, so he might pass without the knowledge of any, only such as he was wil- ling should see him. Hues arrived at Mr. Henning's after midnight, and acquainted his old friend with his adventure, and Murel's con- fessions concerning his negroes. Mr. Henning collected some of the best citizens of the county, to assist in arresting Murel, a man who had become a pest and terror to the country. The next night after Hues arrived at Mr. Henning's, the guard was prepared, and they went out after Murel with as much interest as if they were going to rid the country of a thousand hostile sava- ges. Hues was one of the guard, and he requested all the guard to still call him by his assumed name. After Murel was arrested, the officer asked him who went with him to Arkansaw. Murel replied, "a young man by the name of Hues." The officer then asked him if he had ever seen the young man, before he went to Arkansaw. — Murel replied, that he had never seen the young man before he saw him at the bridge at Estanauley, where he got in his company. The officer then called Hues out from the company, into the presence of Murel. When Hues presented himself before him, Murel for the first time, as often as he had been arrested, lost his spirits and forti- tude. He appeared as though he would faint, and they gave him water several times before he recovered. It was the thought of having told so many of the black deeds of his hfe, and exposed his clan to a man whom he then saw was his enemy, and one of the armed guard to conduct him to justice, that griped the soul of Murel. He saw himself captured and out-gene- raled by the youth whom he but one moment before, thought lost by 52 the splendor of his horrid crimes, and won by the glittering trap- pings of infamous gain. These were the thoughts which wrung the flinty heart of Murel, and made his soul sicken at the prospect be- fore him. Hues was anxious that Murel should not be arrested, until he car- ried the negroes to Mr. Irvin, and take liim in that act; but the cit- zens were determined to secure him, while they could lay their hands on him. As the guard were taking Murel to the committing court, he enquired of one of the guard wlio this man Hues was, and whether he had many acquaintances in the country or not. The guard being anxious to hear JMurel's ideas, told him that Hues was a stranger. "Well," said Murel, "he had better remained a stran- ger : I have friends. I had much rather be in my condition than in his." The guard arrived at Jackson with Murel, and he was taken into a tavern, and guarded until a court could be formed. While they were in the tavern, many persons came in to see Murel and Hues ; and Hues being willing that Murel should then be undeceiv- ed in his name, met his friends as they came in, who called him by the name of Stewart, his real name. Murel now saw that he had been deceived in the name as well as the character of Mr. Stewart, and he saw that Mr. Stewart was universally known by all who en- tered the room. His spirits, which had a little revived at the idea of his man Hues being a stranger, now began to sink into a double dejection. Murel, though a mystic chief, was caught in a mystery he could not unfold. Murel was committed to prison in February, 1834, and his trial wa§ to be in the July following. CHAPTER YI. The efforts of John A. Murel and his friends for the destruction of the life and character of Mr. Virgil A. Stewart. After Murel was secure, Mr. Stewart and one of Mr. Henning's sons took a trip through the Yazoo country, in search of Mr. Hen- ning's negroes, as Murel had said that they would go to that market, if they could get through the Choctaw pass or bayou. Mr. Stewart was in hopes of intercepting the boat on the river, before the rob- bers left it, M'ith the negroes ; but on enquiring, boats could not go tlirough the bayou at that time ; so they had gone to some other market. Mr. Stewart was very desirous that the negroes should be found, as all the evidence depended on himself; and he neglected his own business, which demanded his presence, to go in search of the negroes. 53 Mr. Stewart had been trading among the Indians and new set- tlers of the Choctaw Purchase for about nine months, and intended to settle himself in that country, and had given his name to some of hisfriends as a candidate for county clerk, before he left there to vis- it his friends in Tennessee. The election came on while Mr. Stew- art was engaged in trying to find the negroes which Murel had stole from Mr. Henning. He passed through the Choctaw Purchase, while making his searches for the negroes, and his friends wanted him to stop and attend to the election : as it was a new country, and but few persons acquainted with each other, candidates were requi- red to mix with the people for an acquaintance ; but Mr. Stewart told his friends that if he was to neglect the business he was then on to electioneer, that he would not deserve an ofiice, or the confi- dence of community. After an unsuccessful search, Mr. Stewart returned to Tennes- see. Murel's friends were exerting themselves to screen their prince from the penitentiary ; and by this time they were all acquainted with the fact that Murel had given a list of their names to Mr. Stewart, and many of them. had stood fair in society, and they were desperately pestered. In short terms, all the land and boon of mys- tics were in trouble, a spy had visited their camps, and had broke their golden bowl, and carried off captive their chief. So. there was weeping among the pj-ofessors of villainy. 1 here were but two alternatives : they must either destroy the character of Mr. Stewart, or he would destroy them. Mr. Stewart's life woukl save their chief from the penitentiary ; but that would not restore the lost character of those whom he had disclosed on ; it would only fix their guilt, sealed with his blood, unless they could disgrace him, with dishonor, which would discredit his word. They soon had several charges, and preferments, afloat against Mr. Stewart, but they all soon disproved themselves, or were con- futed by him. Mr. Stewart returned to the Choctaw Purchase, to prepare some buildings, to settle himself in business. Mr. Stewart had left seve- ral trunks of property with a man by the name of Vess, to take care of while he was gone to Tennessee ; but he remained in Tennessee rather longer than what he had expected ; and there being several rumors in the country, that men were seen passing through the country enquiring for Mr. Stewart, bearing arms, and rather suspi- cious characters, Vess and his wife began to be in hopes that Mr. Stewart was actually murdered, as he had no relations in that coun- try, and left several hundred dollars worth of property in their care, which they intended to hold by fraud; and began to speak of ad- ministering on Mr. Stewart's estate, and said that they held a con- siderable account against him. They had become so certain of his death, that they began to pick his locks, to examine the contents which they considered as already won ; and among the rest, they examined a purse of silver that they 54 found in one of the chests they opened ; they found it containing^ fifty dollars, but left it with only forty-one : nine dollars sticking fast to their fingers. When Mr. Stewart came home, Vess and his wife were despe- rately confused. They calculated that Mr. Stewart would hear of their saying that they held an account agauist him, which they knew was false ; and they knew that Mr. Stewart would miss his silver out of his chest. When Mr. Stewart began to unlock his chests, Vess and his wile looked very wild and confused ; and when he missed his money, he asked them if they had opened his chest? — They both denied opening his chest; but said that Mr. Clanton had opened it. Mr. Stewart knew that Mr. Clanton's keys would un- lock his locks, and that Mr. Clanton was in (he habit of opening his chests and trunks, whenever he wanted any thing that was in them, as they were very intimate, and lived nearly as one family ; but Mr. Stewart did not believe that Mr. Clanton had taken his money. — Mr. Stewart concluded to say nothing about his money, as it would hurt the feelings of Mr. Clanton, as he was in the habit of opening his locks; and Mr. Stewart was satisfied how his money went : but he was determined to quit boarding with Vess, so soon as he could get another boarding h(.>use. Several weeks had passed off, and Mr. Stewart had still got no other place to board. When one evening he staid out until after supper was over, so they put supper by for him until he came in ; after he had drank one cup of coffee he was taken violently sick, and commenced vomiting. Mr. Stewart was then suspicious that he had drank a dose of poison. Mr. Stewart rode out the next day to look at a tract of land : and in the evening as he was returning home, he was overtaken by a man who had a holster of pistols be- fore him. Mr. Stewart was naturally on his guard against all stran- gers ; and his friends had cautioned him very much to be on his watch, and to go armed, as they calculated, from the threats which had been made, that the friends of Murel would endeavor to kill Mr. Stewart, to dispense with his evidence agamst Murel ; but Mr. Stewart was not armed on that evening, which was a very uncom- mon thing with him when he rode out. The man who had overta- ken him, enquired if he was acquainted in the country about Troy, and began to make several enquiries about the people of that coun- try, and among others he enquired for a family of the Glens, whom Stewart knew to be of Murel's clan ; Stewart began to suspect him, and put himself on his guard. The stranger asked Stewart if he was acquainted with a man in that country by the name of V. A. Stewart. When the following dialogue ensued. ''Mr. Stewart, Yes, sir, just as well as I would wish to be with ;all such fellows. Stranger, What, do you not like him ! sir ? Mr. S. I have seen people I like as well. S. Have you any particular objection to this fellow, Stewart ? 55 Mr. S. O ! yes, many. *S. If you have no objection to telling your objections to this fel- low, Stewart, I should like to hear them, as I dislike him very much myself. Mr. S. O ! he is too smart. Interferes with things which do not concern him. He had no right to take the advantage he did of a man by the name of Murel. -S. Do you understand this ? [giving his hand a flirt. Mr. S. an- swered the sign with the flirt of the hand] O ! yes, you are up to it. I am glad to see you sir, what is your name ? [shaking hands.] Mr. S. I have several names ; but whenever I wish to be very smart, or successful in speculation and trade, I go by the name of Tom Goodin. I discover that you are a master of mystic signs — what is your name, sir ? S. My name is George Aker, sir ! and am on a mission from our council to stop the wind of that d d Stewart. Can you give me any assistance in that matter ? Goodin. O ! yes, sir, I am the very man to assist you in that mat- ter. I did not know that there had been a meeting on the subject ; but so soon as I heard of the misfortune, and heard where Stewart lived, I was soon in his neighborhood waiting for a good opportuni- ty. I have been very cautious and still. I have managed to get acquainted with Stewart, and have had some tolerable good chan- ces ; but have been waiting for a better. He thinks me a very clev- er fellow and I have been waiting to get him off" by ourselves. Aker. We collected and consulted on what plan to pursue to destroy that d d rascal, and restore the character of those whom he has disclosed on. We have got him in a d d close box. He is living with his enemies, and the friends of some of the men whom he has disclosed on. We will give him hell before we quit him ; our plan is to get Murel out of prison, and let him go off until court, and after he is gone from prison, get a charge against Stewart, that will destroy his character before the world, and when court comes on Murel will appear for trial, which will convince the world that he is innocent ot the charge ; and should Stewart even appear, no per- son will believe him, for we will prove him to be one of d est rascals that lives. Murel will be acquitted, and the character of those who have been disclosed on will be restored ; but we never intend for Stewart to live until court, we will kill him and disgrace him too. We have it all fixed — the fellow with whom he lives is a good friend to some of our clan, and we have agreed to give him one thousand dollars to raise a charge against Stewart ; and he is a big fish, and things he says will be believed ; you know we have some big Bugs among us. I am told that he is a confidential friend of Stewart's, and that they have done business for each other. You know that it will be an easy matter for him to make a plausible ac- cusation ; but he will not agree to make the charge against Stewart, until after he is killed as they have always been very friendly, and m he wants no investigation by the young tartar. We sent one fellow before, who engaged with an old man and his wife to poison him, for one hundred dollars ; but they have not done it from some cause, and we are tired of waiting on tliem, so they made up two hundred dollars forme, and sent me to despatch the d d traitor; and if I can get no chance at him this time, before I leave the purchase, we intend to bring men Irom Arkansaw, with an accusation against him for passing counterfeit money to them ; and in this way get the d d traitor into our power, and when we get him back into the Mississippi morass we will give him hell ; we will give him some- thing to do besides acting the spy. We will speechify him next time : but I am told that Stewart has managed to get a company to take up strangers who come into the neighborhood after his scalp. G. Yes, but his company will not be in our way, for I know all his customs, where he walks, and where he sleeps, just as well as he does, and I am not the least suspected by any person, so you know that I can fix him. A. O ! yes, 1 count him mine now ; and I will give you one hundred dollars to help me get his scalp. I have no doubt, but the company that went on to get out Murel, has got him out more than a week ago. Where do you live Goodin. G. I am a little like a stray dog, sir, I have neither home nor master, and stay longest where there are the best speculations to be had ; though I stay mostly in the neighborhood of Commerce at present, and sometimes work to- prevent being suspected. I play off occasionally. The people think me a good sort of a fellow, only a little wild. I have still been looking out for every chance that might ot^'er for this fellow Stewart ; 1 have a choice scatter gun, and one fine pistol, which 1 keep for the purpose of saving his scalp ; I want it very much. Have you ever been in this country before ? A, O I yes ; frequently, though 1 have not been much seen. I generally come into the neighborhood of an evening, and leave it the next morning before daylight, which you know is the usual mode of visiting among mystics. I had a chance to have seen that d d curse some time back, at an election at Troy, but there was another fellow who had undertaken to despatch him then, so I let the oppor- tunity pass without improving it. I have never heard the Glens speak of you in this country ; did you not know that they were spec- ulators ? G. O! yes, but I never go among them. You know that it is necessary to have some respectable fellows ; and you know that it would not do for me to be among them, as they are suspected, if I wish to play the deep game ; and to be more certain of victory I have never made myself known to any of the Glens, or any of the speculators of this country. If you examine the list you will find my name. I have been looking out for Stewart. Wo have as much right to play tricks as they have ; but I dislike to run too 57 great a risk for his scalp ; I would like to have a good chance ; and you know there is getting away to be thought of. A. Do you think you can kill Stewa-t to-night, and meet me to- rnorrow at Glen's, to let me hear the news? you are acquainted in the settlement and are not suspected ; but 1 am a stranger, and 1 had rather not be seen by any but my friends, as this company might catch me. G. I will meet you in the morning, on the path which leads froni Glen's to Commerce, at a pile of house logs. Glen can tell you how to go; but you must not let any person come with you in the morning, or say any thing to Glen, or any person else about what is going on. We aie enough to know it, as it will be at very during act. I will act for the best. A. I will be at the place soon in the morning. Here is one hundred dollars. That is not all you will get, if you are successful in stopping the d d villain's wind. You say you have a good scatter gun. If you can get no other chance, shoot him as he sit* by the fire ; you can get oft" without being seen, and we will make our escape to Arkansaw together. We can do nothing lintil he is killed, as we can get no clew at his character until then. G. That will be a daring project ; but I enter into it with a de- termined mind ; and I am of opinion that you had better not go to Glen's but go with me to a respectable house of my acquaintance, where we will go to bed, and in the night I will get my gun and go to where Stewart boards, and do what I can for liim and return to bed before day ; and I have a friend whom I wish to go with us to Arkansaw. We can then leave his house the next morning, and I and my friend can leaVe the neighborhood without being suspected for the crinie. A. I have some particular business with Glen, relative to some instructions ; and they must be left with him, as he will have the best ppportunity of forwarding matters. You go to your acquaint- ance's and do as you have said ; but 1 had rather not be seen by any but my friends, as a stranger would be suspected much sooner than you. I will go to Glen's, but I will not mention your ria,me to a liv- mg soul, as you are playing the same sort of game upon hirai that he played lipph us. We will keep it all to ourselves, until sill is over, and that d d villain is finished, as you have never made yourself known to the other speculators of this country. Your plan is a good one, and the best of it is to have him beat in his own way. Aker and Goodin having arrived at the place ot separation, Aker remarked : — "Well Goodin, I wish you great success. We meet in the morning at the appointed place." They parted apparently un- der fellow feeling and sentiments. Mr. Stewart began to reflect on the dangerous condition he was in ; he saw himself surrounded by enemies who were plotting against his life. He was then satisfied that he had drank a dose of poison the night before, and had just parted with a nriurderous vil- 8 5S lain, who was an agent to destroy his life. Tie reHected on the prospect before hini in a deep melancholy, and thought of the devo- ted friendship which he liad borne to Clanton, and his interest, and then reflected on the fell treatment which he was receiving, widi the deepest regret. lie returned home, but instead of going to his boar- ding house for his supper, he walked over to a Mr. Sander's, an old gentleman of an amiable disposition, with whom be had spent many of his spare hours : after he had taken supper with Mr, Sanders, he went to his boarding house ; Mrs. Vess set supper for hrm, but he refused to take any, telling her that he had supped ; she insisted very much on his drinking a cup of coffee, but he refused. He walked out and got under a cart bed which was leaning against the house, where he couTd watch the manoeuvres, and listen to the conversation of Vess and his wife. The coffee which was intended for him to drink, was carried to the door and thrown out ; when he saw that, his blood began to boil with revenge. Mr. Stewart was on the road the next morning by sunrise, with his gun, to meet his intended murderer ; he reached the appointed pile of logs, but no Aker appeared. Mr. Stewart waited for Aker until ten o'clock but he never appeared : Mr. Stewart concluded that Aker had, by some means, learned his mistake from his friends and disappeared. Mr. Stewart has never left any thing, from which a conclusion could be drawn, as to the manner he intended to treat the infamous villain who had engaged him to destroy his own life, more than ho ^vent to the appointed plane of meeting well armed. Stewart cer- tainly saved his life by the ingenious deception he practised on that rapacious assassin, for had he told his real name, he would have been shot in an instant ; for he had no arms to make any defence, ■while Aker was well armed ; and there is no doubt but a sense of his perilous situation sharpened his wits, and prompted him to resort to the ingenious stratagem he practised, when, if he had been arm- ed, he would have pursued a different course ; but the kind protec- tion of Providence was ffuarding the safety of Stewart, and let man leam from the history of this transaction the protection of Heaven. Stewart returned home in trouble and disquietude ; he had com- menced building to settle himself, and was anxious to commence business j but he saw it would not do for him to settle at that place wh^re he was surrounded with his enemies. He concluded to finish the house which he had commenced, and then leave the country until after the trial of John A. Murel, so as to evade the operations of his enemies. He was troubled to think that Mr. Matthew Clanton could be hired to do him an injury, or that he would take sides with such infamous villains. He studied on it for several days, and sometimes he would reproach himself for beheving that Clanton could be hired for so base a purpose ; and then he would recollect that Clanton would never join the company which was formed to keep those suspicious characters out of the 59 neighborhood ; which Was very important to his safety. Stewart intended to move his boarding to Mr. Sanders', so soon as he could. He never would eat at Vess' any more, only when all were eating together, and he tried them seveial nights; when supper would be prepared for just himself, the coffee was always thrown out after he walked out of the house. A few days had passed off very dull with Mr. Stewart, when one morning he received a letter from a friend in Tennessee, which informed hiin of John A. Murel's escape from prison. This intelli- gence revived all that had passed with him and George Aker, and seemed to be a warning to leave the dangerous place which he then occupied. Before Mr. Stewart had left the purchase, to visit his friends in Teruaessee at the time he was solicited to follow J(jhn A. IMurel, he had taken the care of Matthew Clanton's business for about six weeks, until Clanton could go into Tennessee after his family, as Clanton had no clerk, and wanted to go after his family, Stewart consented to attend to his business until he returned; although his own business suffered for the want of his attention during the time ; Clanton and Stewart had been very friendly from their first ac- quaintance, and they had been acquainted with each other over ic Tennessee, before they moved into the Purchase ; and Stewart is one of those kind of young men who will neglect his own business, to. befriend or oblige a friend. He is entirely devoted in matters of friendship. Clanton's business was a rough concern, with but little regularity in the way it was managed ; it consisted of remnantg, and old goods, and such things as could be sold to the Indians, and new settlers of that country. He had a day book in v/hich he set down the running accounts of those whom he ci'edited, and a ledg- er in which they were posted, and a drawer in the writing desk, in which he put all the cash that was received for goods, or any thing which was sold, but no cash book, and when an article was sold for cash, the money was deposited in the drawer, and no further notice was taken of it. Stewart raised but one new account on Clanton's books while he attended to his business, and that was against him- self, for a man by the name of Smith; that is, the goods were for Smith; but Stewart assumed the payment of the debt as he was owing Smith on a running account for corn. The two accounts were open, and whenever Smith wanted an article from the store it was charged, and when Stewart wanted corn he got it from Smith. Stewart could have paid Smith the money for his corn, just as easily as he could pay Clanton for his goods ; but he bartered with Smith to throw the money into the hands of Clanton : whom he believed to be his friend. So when Stewart wanted any thing from the store himself, he paid the money into the drawer, as he had one running account on the books for Smith. During the six weeks, Stewart had got five or six dollars worth of articles for himself, and took in more than ninety dollars from others, for spirits and different arti- 60 cles. This amount was thrown into the drawer in one common pile, as it was received by Httles ; but when a regular customer paid his account on the book, the receipt of the amount was entered un- der the account. Clanton returned home and received his business from the hands of Stewart, and was highly pleased with the way Stewart had man- aged his business during his absence. Stewart settled the account he had raised for Smith with Clanton, and paid over all the money which he had collected, and what he had received for goods sold. — Clanton was so pleased with the way Stewart had attended to his business during his absence, that he complimented him with a lot in a little place which he had laid oft' for a town ; but lie had not been offered a large bribe at that time, to traduce the character of Stew- art, or perhaps we would then have heard a different story from Clanton, as to the honor of Stewart. Though at that time Slew- art had not interfered with the proceedings of villains : no mystic lords had then been exposed by Stewart, whose fate depended on his destruction. Clanton then had no inducements to act dishonest ; and he could then believe Stewart an honorable young man. Stewart having acquitted himself of Clanton's business, he left the Purchase for Tennessee, in January 1834, on private business, where he was solicited by his friend, Mr. Henning, to follow John A. Murel, and try to regain his negroes which had been stolen from his possession. Stewart quit Clanton's business in January 1834, and the May following Clantop took exceptions to the way Stewart had mana- ged his business, by charging him with dishonor, and said that he had not paid for the goods which he had got for himself from the store, while he had attended to his business. This accusation was made by Clanton, about one nionth after Stewart had returned homo from Tennessee, and the second day after he had heard that John A. Murel had made his escape from prison. The only reason that Clanton could advance for his accusation against Stewart was, that he had not made an account of the articles >vhich he had got for himself, instead of paying for them : recollect that Stewart had one running account on the books for Smith, and he did not \vish to have a complexed account, for that reason he paid for the articles which hp got for himself. Stewart is not acquainted with the rules and customs of clerks, neither did he consider himself Clanton's clerk ; he considered himself his agent, and attended to all his business as an agent. Stewart could see no difference in paying for ?in article, and using it himself, or sejling it to another man ; and there is no difference with an honest man. Clanton could, with equal proprie- ty, demanded an account of every article which was sold for cash by Stewart, which is contrary to his mode of doing business ; for Clanton used no cash book in his establishment. If Clanton was honest in his accusation against Stewart's honor, why this delay of five months before he made his accusation ? He had time to examine 61 his business before he received it from the hands of Stewart, and after Stewart was gone to Tennessee, Clanton opened his trunks and chests whenever he wanted any of his tools, instruments, books or any thing he had; this was a hberty that Stewart allowed him, and thought it nothing more than a mark of confiding friendship ; and we see Stewart loosmg nine dollars from his chest, and saying nothing about it, because Clanton was in the habit of unlocking it ; this he done to save the feelings of Clanton, because he believed Clanton to be an honest man: and he believed that Vess and his wife had taken his money from the chest ; and would then put Clan- ton under censure to save themselves. Clanton had every opportu- nity to examine the articles which Stewart had got from his store for four months; and if he believed that Stewart had not paid for them, why would he wait until May before he disclosed it? The reason why Clanton delayed his accusation until so late a period was, he had not been offered a bribe of one thousand dollars to tra- duce the character of Stewart until then : and so soon as this was the case, his imagination was very fertile in framing accusations against the honor of Stewart. When Clanton made his accusation against Stewart, he affected to be sorry, and whenever he spoke of it, he dissembled regret : — this was his stratagem to give effect to his base accusation. Yes, he could have wept over Stewart and shed a flood of crocodile tears for a tew dollars. Stewart was then convinced that Clanton was the man whom George Aker had alluded to, for the matter had then been fairly demonstrated by the charge made. Stewart re- turned the town lot which he had been complimented with by Clan- ton ; and told him that he would not receive any thing from the hands of a man who would charge him with dishonor. Stewart was advised by a friend, (whose experience enabled him to discover the base treatment he was receiving.) to settle his business in the Purchase, and go out of the influence and power of his enemies. — Stewart knowing that his life was in danger so long as he remained where he was, concluded to go to Lexington, Kentucky, and prCr pare the publication of John A. Murel's confessions and plans agamst community, together with their plans against his life and character. The former he considered due to his country, and the latter due to himself and friends. He selected Lexington, because he had pri- vate business at that place, and he considered that he would be as secure from the operations of his enemies in that city, as any other. In a few days Stewart had his business so arranged that he could leave it : and when he was prepared to start, he told Clanton that whenever he was convinced that he had acted dishonorable towards him, to pubHsh it to the world; but cautioned him of the bad conse- quences of being too premature in his conclusions and engagements. Stewart left the Purchase for Lexington, Kentucky: he passed through his old neighborhood in Tennessee, and spent a few days with his friends, and the community for whom he had risked so 6S much, and enthralled himself in so many dangers and difliculties ; and incurred the never dying hatred of a host of spirits, who are more wicked and revengeful than the Prince of Darkness ; but Stewart looked on his lah^^rs as hjst, and himself injured, for Murei had escaped from prison, and left hin) nothing lor his dangerous ad- ventures only the information which Murel had given. Stewart was no company for his friends, neither were there enjoyments in those objects around him with which he was once delighted : he is one of those noble spirited youths who regards his honor and character as beinjj all that are worth livinij for, and the least infriiiffcment on ei- ther is calculated to render him unha|)py; and he saw himself sur- rounded with a legion of devils and slanderers, whose fate depended on his destruction. Their plan of operation he had learned from one of their clan, and that they were operating, he could have no doubts; under such rellections as these, there were nothing but the thunders of slander continually roaring in his ears : their designs against his life had become a small matter with him, when compar- ed with their designs for the destruction of his character. In a short time after Stewart had left the Purchase, Clanton and his agents had it circulated over the country, that Stewart had stolen a quantity of goods from Clanton and run away. Such reports were very mortifying to the feelings of Stewart ; and he started on to Lexington to prepare the publication, which he had designed for the public, so soon as the trial of John A. Murel was over ; but now that Murel had made his escape from piison before his trial, he deemed it his duly to lay before the world all the confessions and plans of John A. Murel and his clan against community ; and here we are led to pay a tribute of respect to the nobleness of heart, and magnanimous feelings of Stewart ; and even to a man whom he knew to be of the basest and most corrupt principles ; and agreea- ble to the confessions of his own tongue, his hands were often dyed in the blood of his fellow-beings. Yet we see Stewart withholding the horrid confessions, designs, and life of Murel, as given by him- self, from even his best friends, and divulging nothing on Murel be- fore his trial, only what was connected in some way with the crime for which he was then prosecuted, that he might have a fair trial, before legal representatives of his country, for the crime he was then to answer for. This Stewart done, that the minds of the peo- ple might not be prejudiced to unreasonableness against Murel, un- til after his trial, that law and justice might be administered. A short time after Stewart left his friends in Tennessee, for Lex- ington, John A. Murel was re-taken in Alabama, as was supposed, directing the operations of his plans ; and as Stewart was the only evidence on the part of the State, he w^as immediately followed by a young gentleman, to inform him of the re-capture of Murel. — Stewart returned to Madison county, and waited until Murel's trial, •which took place in July, 1834. After Murel was taken, his friends were the more industrious in trying to traduce the character of G3 Stewart, and they were disappointed in their favorite plan of getting Stewart into their power, by the false accusation of having passed counterfeit money to them in Arkansaw. AVhen Clanton first made liis accusation against Stewart, it was done to excite suspicion in the minds of Stewart's friends in the Purchase, so as to enable his accusers from Arkansaw to carry him off to Arkansaw, to answer to their accusations against him ; where they intended to torture hitn to death. Stewart had many warm friends in the Purchase, whose confidence it was necessary to shake before their designs could have been eifected, and that was their stratagem to accom- plish it ; and we have other corresponding evidence which agrees with the assertions of George Aker in that matter — which is a copy of a letter that w^as found in the possession of John A. Murel, by the Sheriff of Madison county, some short time after he was re-ta- ken.* This letter directed certain individuals of his clan how to proceed with their accusation from Arkansaw, against Stewart, but they were disappointed in their fiendish purposes, and Murel again in the iron grasp of the law, before their bloody designs against Stewart could be accomplished, and the time of trial drawing near, their hopes were all hung on the accusation which Clanton had made against Stewart's honor: — and Matthew Clanton and his agents began to discover, that all who were acquainted with Stew- art looked on his accusation w^ith contempt, so thsy saw the neces- sity of supporting his charge with more substantial reasons, and enlarging it. Stewart had been keeping house for several years be- fore he moved to the Choctaw Purchase, and when he started to move, he packed up all his china-ware, and table furniture in a chest, and carried it with him, as he expected to need it at some future day. All these things Clanton accused Stewart of getting from his store, notwithstanding they had been used for several years. This he done to make his charge of as much consequence as possible, by reporting that Stewart had fitted himself out for house keeping from his store, and had not accounted for it on the books ; but as Provi- dence would have it, Stewart was among his old neighbors, who knew that he had kept house, and some of them had assisted him in packing up his furniture to move, so the enlargement upon the ac- cusation was equally disrespected with the first. Stewart was very secluded after he returned to Madison county, until after the trial of John A. Murel was over, and his mind was alive to all the marvellous and strange circumstances which had attended him in his adveii- ture, from the commencement. He was led to believe, that he was directed and protected by a superior power, whose guardian protec- tion took up and unfolded every plan which was laid for his destruc- tion, and defeated his enemies in all their designs against him. — ■ * This letter was read in court as evidence against Murol, and is filed in the Clerk's office in Madison county. Tliis copy of the letter was retained by Murel to prefer*© uniformity in their conduct. I have no copy of the letter, or it would have been giv^ en in this for publication. 64 Stewart was never heard to express a harsh sentiment against Clanton, until he heard the enlargement of his accusation, as ho was not fully satisfied on the subject until then, as he did not know what management had been employed by Vess and his wife toeffecttheir designs with Clanton, for he looked on these two people as he would on two fiends of hell, who were prepared to commit the most hor- rid crimes that the imagination is capable of conceiving; although other circumstances were conclusive against Clanton, yet Stewart was loath to relinquish him, and whenever he spoke of Clanton, it was with allowance : and would observe, that he not only deserved Clanton's confidence, but that he deserved his eternal respect ; but when Stewart heard that Clanton had included all his furniture which he had been using for several years, his resentment was as obvious as Clanton's guilt was apparent, for that was a matter in which Clanton could not be misled, unless he wished to be. Stew- art is one of those young men who is devoted in his friendship, gen- erous in his sentiments, and true to his country ; and where he has once felt a particular icspect; his friendship is almost implacable. — Stewart was too well known, for their base machinations to eftect his testimony ; and too many had proved the honor of Stewart to believe that he was worth no more than five dollars, or that he would treat Clanton with injustice. The trial of John A. Murel came on, and the court house xvas crowded to overflowing, with the deeply anxious spectators, who crowded around to hear the mystic web of Murel's daring feats of villainy unravelled before the jury that were to decide this iniportant case, in which the community were so deeply interested. The wit- ness, Virgil A. Stewart, was called — he appeared before the cour( 'and waiting congregation, and was sworn: — he then commenced his evidence, by giving a narrative of his adventure, and developing all the circumstances and occurrences which led to the introduction and acquaintance with Murel and himself — frequently giving the subject of their conversation, and the language of the prisoner, as he expressed himself when in the company of the witness, and alt those feats of villainy, denominated and distinguished by the prison- er a-! the feats of this elder brother ; together with the nianner in ■which the prisoner made himself known to the witness, as bejng this elder brother himself. He gave the occurrences and subjects of conversation, as connected with the confessions of the prisoner, both before and after he made himself known as the elder brother; and the wonderful actor of those feats which he had related. The witness commenced his testimony in the afternoon, and was stopped at dark, and the next morning resumed his place before the court and finished the evidence. He was many hours engaged in making disclosures, and was then cross-examined by the prisoner's counsel, on the evidence he had given in on the preceding day. His answers were clear and satisfactory to all but the prisoner and his friends. The manner of iV/urcl's detection, having disclosed on hi% 65 friends, they were afraid to appear in court, for fear of being known, and dealt with as such ; this misfortune of Murel's had disarmed him ; for had it not been for that, he could have proved any thing that he wanted by his own clan ; but now that their names were on a list which were given to the witness by Mui-el himself, they would not dare to venture into court to his assistance. Murel and his clan, failing to destroy the evidence of Stewart, they endeavored to prove that he was interested in the conviction of Murel, and that Parson Henning had hired him to detect John A. Murel, and got a man by the name of Reuben McVey, who was an enemy to Stewart, to come into court and swear, that Stewart had told him the fact ; but he, like all other liars, was caught in his own net, not Stewart ; his story had so many contradictions in it, that it was no evidence. Stewart was prepared to prove that Mc- Vey had sworn to a lie ; but the prosecuting counsel considered his evidence had proved itself to be a lie. So far from Stewart being hired to undergo the danger which he has done, in this adventure, he would not even receive a present of a handsome suit of clothes which Parson Henning wished to purchase for him ; as he had spent more than a month in riding after his negroes. Parson Henning was anxious to make Stewart a handsome present, as a token of his gratitude, for the kindness of Stewart ; but he would not ac- cept it. A specimen of malignant hatred. McVey ruins himself, by tiy- ing to do Stewart an injury. Stewart never considered McVey a man of honor, and for that reason he would not associate with him, Which was the spleen. Stewart's evidence was supported by the first class of gentlemen that the country afforded. John A. Murel was found guilty of negro stealing and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years at hard labor. During the pleadings, a Mr. Brown, one of Murel's lawyers bore on the feelings of Stewart in an unwarrantable and dishonorable manner, for which Stewart was determined to give him a Stansber- ry reproof, so soon as he could meet him on the Street ; but he was prevented by his friends, who were old men, and he felt himself bound to respect their advice and request. Thus ended the trial and conviction of the great Western Land Pirate, who had reduced villainy to a system, and steeled his heart against all of the human family, except those who will consent to be as vile as himself, 9 ea CHAPTER VII. Some time after the trial of John A. Murel, Stewart left Madi- son county, for Lexington, Kentucky, with the intention of prepar- ing the pubHcation of the life, confessions, and designs of Murel and his clan against community, together with their base and horrid ef- forts, and designs, which had been made and employed against his life, and character ; which duty he considered due to his country and himself; and which he was determined to perform, notwithstanding the dangerous consequences attending it were fairly presented to him, in all the most hideous forms of danger and horror Avhich the imagination is capable of conceiving, by the private agents of the clan, who came in the garb of friends to Stewart. All such strata- gems as these have been employed with Stewart, to deter him from publishing to the world, their black and horrid deeds, awful designs, and unnatural purposes. Yet we see Stewart moving on with a firm nerve, to the performance of what he conceived to be his duty, undaunted by all the fictions of horror and death, which they were capable of presenting to his imagination. As Stewart was going on to Lexington, he turned off from the main road, and went into Perry county, to see a gentleman who had written to him concerning purchasing a tract of land which Stewart owned, in the State of Mississippi: as it was not much out of his way, ami he had been advised by his friends to go a circuitous route, to evade any efforts of his enemies that might be attempted, by fol- lowing or intercepting him on the way. Stewart attended to his business in Perry county, and intended to cross Tennessee river above Perryville, and to go by the way of Columbia and Nashville ; Ibut the determined perpetrators of crime and iniquity were too ea- ger to glut their never dying vengeance, by imbruing their hands in the blood of Stewart, (and they calculated to gain the possession t>f those hated documents, which had caused them so much unhap- piness and disquietude, with their victory over Stewart, which would greatly cRrich their conquest ; and double the value of their J)rize, as it would not only destroy the repugnant cause, but it would erase the more dreaded and heated effect, by preventing a publica- tion to which they felt such an aversion,) to suffer hin> to leave the country without their knowledge, notwithstanding his precaution in hot letting the time be known to even his best friends, until he was Jjrepared to start. Stewart had got on one of those long stretches, where there were no houses for several miles, on the road leading from Jackson to Patton's ferry on Tennessee river, in a broken hilly country; as he was descending one of those hills, he was suddenly stopped by three armed men, who had been concealed behind trees until he had arrived within a few rods of them. The man on his right ordered him to dismount from his horse, but Stewart refused. LofC 67 notwithstanding the superior number and arms which he saw around him, whose hostile vengeance were depicted in every countenance, as they stood with the instruments of death grasped in the wiUing hand, and expected every moment to feel the latal messenger of death, with his chilling power, cooling the warm fluids of life which flowed in his heart. He saw himself in the very jaws of death ; but the grim monster did not unarm the firm and resolute Stewart ; he was determined to sell his life as dear as possible, and die defend- ing the sacred gift, which he had received from his creator ; or at least to avoid the awful and cruel death of torture, which he knew the fiends, who had him in their power, would gladly inflict — and sport around the hideous altar with gay derision, glorying in the sacrifice they were offering to their Mystic Deity. Stewart was armed with nothing but a small pistol, which he had not more than two hours before taken from his portmanteau, and placed in his side pocket for convenience ; and a good strong dagger which he carri- ed in his bosom. The assassin on his right, who was within about two rods of Stewart, was armed with a large fowling piece, and the man on his left was armed with a good looking rifle, and the mon- ster who stood by a tree, which was nearest the road, placing him nearly in front, but at some distance before, was armed with a horseman's pistol. Thus displayed, forming a triangle, into which Stewart had entered. The assassin on his right appeared to be the commander, and after he had ordered Stewart to dismount several times, and still advancing until he was within eight or nine feet of him, he then halted and asked Stewart if he intended to dismonnt from his horse — to which inquiry he gave a negative answer. The assassin commenced levelling his piece on him, but Stewart being very expert in the use of a pistol, fired at the assassin's face, the ball struck him on the corner of his forehead, he fell back, apparently lifeless, and as he fell, his gun fired, but the muzzle had dropped nearly to the ground, and the contents struck the earth just after it passed under the belly of Stewart's horse. The assassin who was posted on his left, presented his rifle and fired without effect. The assassin who was stationed in front, with the horseman's pistol, see- ing that Stewart had drawn no other pistol, only the one which he had fired, concluded that Stewart was then unarmed, so he, to make a sure shot, advanced within a few feet of Stewart, and levelled his pistol at his breast ; but just as he was bearing on the trigger, Stew- art threw his empty pistol, with all his power, at the face of the as- sassin, and struck him over one eye, and across the nose — the assas- 6in*« pistol snapped, and fell from his hand. He spurred forward his horse, and made several strokes at the assassin ; but he could not get near enough to him for the full force of his strokes to be receiv- ed by the assassin : — while he was engaged in trying to kill this fel- low with his dagger, the other assassin, who had the rifle, gave him two blows with his heavy rifle — the last blow was received on the back part of the neck, just where the head and neck joins, which 6S camQ very near unjointing his neck, though it did not disengage him from his horse. He found that he was badly wounded, and betook himself to flight : and after he iiad gone thirty or forty yards from the scene of action, the horseman's pistol was fired at him ; one shot passed slightly through his left arm. Stewart had got about 3 miles from where he had received his wound, when he was compelled to dismount from his horse from excrutiating pain. He selected a thick wood, in a dale, under the brow of a steep hill, for a stopping place, as he hoped that its friendly protection would obscure him from the view of the merciless assassins ; as he was then too far ex- hausted to contend any longer ior his life. He remained in this wood until the next day, being unable to leave it. He had frequent fits of delirium during the night, and the next morning he began to reflect on his unhappy condition, and perhaps not in possession of his proper mind from his resolutions. He reflected on the dangers which surrounded him, until he came to the conclusion that it was his duty to leave America. His mind being fixed on its purpose of departure, he directed his course for Columbus, in the State of Mis- sissippi. His sufferings were great ; but he still travelled until he reached near the centre of the Chickasaw nation, where he was compelled to stop travelling for several days. He lay at the hut of an old Indian who treated him with great kindness. He continued his journey to Columbus as soon as he was able to ride, where he intended to take water for Mobile, at which city he intended to leave his documents and papers, in the hands of a friend, to prepare for the press ; but he was disappointed in getting a boat for Mobile. — So he concluded to take water from some point on the Mississippi river, but he was taken down before his journey was completed, with a return of the inflammatory effects of the wound in his head. And his travelling so long before he would give up, greatly augmen- ted the severe pain which he endured, but he was compelled to yield the giant resolutions of the mind to the weakness of a wound- ed and fainting body, that appeared to be relaxmg its power for a dissolution ; his fits of delirium became alarming, and he began to consider his recovery as very uncertain ; and made such arrange- ments as he wished, concerning himself and his aftairs. By his re- quest, I had engaged to perform his wishes, and take charge of all his business and papers. Stewart is recovering his health and mind, both of which have been greatly injured. BIO^RAFHICAI. SIIHTCH OF MR. VIRGIL. A. STEWART. He was born in Jackson county, in the State of Georgia, of re- spectable parentage, and was remarked for his steady habits while very young — a young man who is governed by high and honorable motives — of hberal and independent sentiments — honorable and correct in his dealings — grateful to his friends, and has many pecul- iar traits or character, lie is hated and dreaded by all villains — re- spected and esteemed in every country where he has lived, by its best citizens. The following declarations of sentiments are given for the satis- faction of those who are disposed to enquire into his merits. STATE OF GEORGIA— Jackson county. The undersigned, citizens of said State and county, do certify, that we have been acquainted with Mr. Virgil A. Stewart, former- ly of this county, now of Madison county, and State of Tennessee, for a number of years, (and some of us from his infancy) and that he has always supported a respectable and honorable character, and we take pleasure in recommending him to the confidence of the citi- zens of whatsoever county he may visit, assuring them that we en- tertain no fears, of his ever doing any act derogatory to his charac? ter as an American citizen, or in the least calculated to forfeit the confidence, to which he is herein recommended. Given under our hands, 15th Feb. A. D. 1S33. Wm. E. Jones, L. L. D. Giles Mitchell, L. L. D. George R. Grant, M. D. David Witt, Esq. Middleton Witt, L. L. D. H. Hemp. hill, John Appleby, George F. Adams, James I). Smith, Loyd W. Shackelford, E. C. Shackelford, Augustus J. Brown, Esq. Williani Cowan, Green R. Duke, E. A. K. Lowry, Wm. E. Davis, John Mackelnanon, John Carmicheal, Wm. N. Wood, Charles Bason, John Lindsley, Samuel Watson, Wm. H. Jones, Wm. Morgan, Jackson Bell, James Cunningham, Mr. D. A. C. Bacon, Lewis Chandler, Wm. Niblock, G. M, Lester, John Park, Maj. Williar^ Park, Samuel Barnet, Col. J. W. Glen, Esq. John Shackelford, James Nabers, James Orr, George Shaw, Maj. Wm. J). Martin, Esq. Charles Witt. GEORGIA — Jackson county. I, Sylvanus Ripley, Clerk of the Superior and Inferior Courts of said county, do hereby certify that I am acquamted with Mr. Stew- art, the person named in the above recommendation, and believe 70 him to be of good moral character ; and also with the persons whose names are signed to the same, as professionally connected, who are entitled to the same. Given under my hand and seal of office, the 27th day of Februa- ry, A. D. 1833. SYLVANUS RIPLEY, Clerk, [l. s.] GEORGIA — Jackson county. I, Edward Adams, one of the Judges, and Chairman of the Infe- rior Court for the county aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Sylvanus Ripley, who gave the above certificate, is. the Clerk of said Courts, and that his acts as such are entitled to all due faith and credit, and I further certify, that I am well acquainted with Mr. Virgil A. Stewart, and heartily accord with the sentiments expressed by the above respectable citizens of this county. Given under my hand and seal of office, the 27th day of Februa- ry, A. D. 1833. EDWARD ADAMS, J. I. C. [l. s.] STATE OF TENNESSEE— Madison county. The undersigned, citizens of said State and county, do certify that ive have been acquainted with Mr. ^ irgil A. Stewart, ever since fie emigrated from the State of Georgia to this country, and ihsit he pas supported a character of firmness and unsullied honor. Given under our hands, the 15th day of March, A. D. 1833. John Ilenning, William Long, Byrd Hill, Thomas Loftin, Wm. ^vens, Mathias Boon, John Givens, R. H. Byrn. The following is the declaration of sentiments expressed by the citizens of Madison county, and community, towards Mr. Virgil A. Stewart, foi his intrepidity in ferreting out the conduct, and captur- ing John A. Murel, the great Western Land Pirate, STATE OF TENNESSEE— Madison county. We, the undersigned, citizens of said State and county, feeling sensibly the obligation which we are under to Mr. Virgil A. Stew? art, for the many dangers which he has encountered with courage and intrepidity, in ferreting out the Land Pirate, John A. Murel, and bringing him to justice, present the amount annexed to our names 71 as a donation, and token of our gratitude, for the important and dangerous services rendered by Mr. Stewart, in capturing said Pi- rate : believing, as we do, that he is entitled to it, for the loss of time and expenses which were necessarily incurred by Mr. Stewart for the public good : — and we mean further : by this subscription and declaration of sentiment, to manifest to the world our approbation and applause, for the course pursued by Mr. Stewart, and not only appreciate his courage, but discountenance the odium which has been attempted at his character, in pursuing so disagreeable a course for the good of community — and we further consider, that he de- serves to be protected and upheld, by all society, in the course he has pursued. William Armour, Allen Deberry, A. Petton, B. W. Burrow. M. Chalmers, Labon Dodson, M. Deberry, M. Cartmel, Jacob Hill, William Taylor, C. T. Harris, James Voss, Gabriel Anderson, John Garrison, D. D. McDonald, B. W. Perry, Samuel Givens, F. C. Edwards, E. H. Childers, Samuel Hays, J. H. Rawlings, Mills Durdin, Thomas Campbell, R. H. Lake, Hazael Hewett, H. R. La- cy, John Sanford, Zebulon Jackson, G. Slayton, Alfred Sharp, S. Sypert, George Hicks, John Harrison, John Burrow, F. McKenzie, E. McKnight, A. Hutchens, G. Snider, John T. Porter, Philip Worlick, Mathias Boon, Thomas H. Shores, H. S. Ross. I, Mathias Deberry, do hereby certify, that I am, and have been, the Sheriff of the county aforesaid, for a number of years, and that I am personally acquainted with all the persons whose names ap- pear to the above declaration of sentiments, and take pleasure in testifying, to all whom it may concern, that they are of the most honorable and respectable class of citizens of our State ; and that the above declaration of sentiments towards Mr. Stewart, has bef^ft subscribed to by all the like characters who have had an opportuni- ty presented, as far as I have reason to believe ; and that the above subscription was unsolicited on the part of Mr. Stewart. Given under my hand, at Jackson, the 29th day of September, A. D. 1834. MATHL\S DEBERRY, Sheriff. The following is the copy of a letter, written by Mr. Virgil A. Stewart, to one of his friends, in which we are enabled to discover many traits of his character and disposition. Madison County, Sept. 15. 1834. Dear Sir — I received your kind letter of the lOtli. lam truly grateful for the many tokens of friendship which you have manifest- ed towards me, and your advice, which your age and experience ■would compel me to respect, exclusively of the deep interest which, I have every reason to believe, you have long felt in my welfare 72 and happiness. You manifested some fears that I would endeavor to avenge myself on the person of Matthew Clanton ; but be assur- ed, sir, that I have no such intentions ; notwithstanding I consider he deserves my greatest abhorrence, yet I had much rather he should live to enjoy the tortures of a reproaching conscience, and the rich infamy for which he bartered iiis principles, than t;) stain my hands and character With his blood. Vengeance belongs to our Creator alone, under whose guardian protection I look for ample support in that matter. I will unfold his infamous conduct, and pre- sent things to the world as they are, and let an enlightened world judge between me and Matthew Clanton. So long as I was doubt- ful on the point of his being misled by others, I framed as many ex- cuses for him as I could, and examined all my conduct, to see if it was calculated in the least to excite suspicion. I was also cautious of speaking derogatory of his character ; for so long as 1 could have had the least shadow of belief that Matthew Clanton was honest in his charge against me, and that any imprudent conduct in me had been calculated to excite his suspicion of my honor, I would sooner have sought refuge from the unjust reproach of the world, among the savage haunts of the forest, where the track of civilized man has never yet been made, than to have uttered one word that would have been the least calculated to injure his character. Yes, sir, I had rather spend my days among savage haunts, where there is no sound but that of beasts of prey and savage yells to be heard, with peace of conscience, than to enjoy all the plaudits and honors of an admiring world, with the bitter reflection, that my enjoyment had cost the destruction of the happiness or character of one inno- cent fellow-being. Be assured, sir, that I will never resort to vio- lence and rashness, unless it is provoked, and I could resort to such a course only while in the heat of a passion, which I shall never en- courage. I will endeavor to be governed by more laudible princi- ples. I feel the truest pleasure in seeing and knowing that my friends and community, resent the dishonorable treatment I received from Mr. Brown, in his sophistical pleadings. And I would here remark, that the assumed privilege of abuse and calumny, and sarcasm on witnesses (when supported in it by good evidence,) by the gentle- man of the bar, is calculated, in the highest degree, to retard the op- eration of law and justice — and if all men were of my opinion on that subject, it would be relinquished by them, only when supported by unquestionable evidence. I wish to remind you of the unfair propositions, or rather syllo- gisms in the sallies of his pleading : Ut. He declared that I had acted with deception, and practised a falsehood on John A. Murel, in procuring his confidence, by repre- senting myself as a horse hunter, and a villain : and contended that he who will act a falsehood or practice a deception, will, or the next 73 step is to swear to it ; — and therefore I deserve no credit — and should not be credited, or respected by a human being, &c. 2d. He represented me as the friend of John A. Murel, and de- clared, that a man who would betray the confidence of his confiding friend was a villain, and that I had betrayed the confidence of my confiding friend, therefore I was a villain, &c. To the above dishonorable and unfair mode^f reasoning, (in a court of justice at least,) I thus reply to Mr. Brown. When I w^ent after John A. Murel, I was not after a friend, but an enemy to me, and all honest community, whose outrages were insufferable ; and whose systematical plans evaded all attempts of the law to bring him to justice. Thus lay the insulted dignity of our national institu- tions, which were erected and established for the protection of our lives, liberty and property, trampled under toot of that daring incen- diary and his practical legion, who gloried in the carnage they were making in our property ; and the disquietude they produced in the social hands of society, having for their end the destruction of both the former and the latter. In my opposition to this formidable ban- ditti, I honestly considered that I was authorized to imitate the acts of our great men of the nation, as the biography of great men are given as a pattern and guide for the youth of the rising generations, and to which I am indebted for the most of my little knowledge of man, and the physical world : — and whose o})inions and acts, we are bound to resjject in proportion to the renown of tke actor. As to the deceptions I practised on John A. Murel, in obtaining his confidence and disclosures, I refer you to the following in justifi- cation of my acts. Recollect the deception practised by Gen. Wasliington (at the time Major Andre, the British spy, was captured,) in trying to get Ar- nold, the traitor, back into his possession ; and recollect Washing- Ion's reasonings on that subject. Sir, they will sustain me, and cov- er Mr. Brown with shame and confusion. And again I refer you to the deception of Col. Washington, at Claremont. See his strata- gem, in causing the garrison to surrender by a deception he practiced upon them, in mounting the trunk of a pine tree on wagon wheels, so as to I'esemble a field piece, which caused them to surrender ; and has ever been considered a gallant act of Col. Washington. But because I dissembled the character of a villain, for the purpose of learning the conduct of many villains, and ridding a community of a craft that is destructive to the peace and happiness of all civil and honest society, Mr. Brown is not willing that I should ever wear any other character only the infamous one which I represented to John A. Murel ; and he professed to see no virtuous motives in my conduct which propelled me to action. No, Sir, as there were no large fees or some other selfish consideration to influence my ac- tions it was a mysterious matter with him, because his own narrow soul is too small to render the same services: — and for that very rea- son, all such men as Milton Brown have no right to express their 10 74 contracted views of me and my conduct : — and if expressed, enti- tled to no credit. I consider him, and all such men, nothing more than the organ through which the venom of a detestable and pirati- cal clan of villains was vented towards me, whose machinations and calumny were ignobly piled on my character by Mr. Brown, like another ignominious hireling in iniquity. Would Mr. Brown condenm the deceptions of either of the Mr. Washington's, as above related ; if he would not, he must sustain me, for the deceptions as above related, and mine with John A. Murel, are synonomousin principle, both having the same object in view, and would be the same at the bar of moral rectitude ; only the acts of the former are the acts of illustrious persons, and the latter the acts of an obscure young man. I entered into no oaths with John A. Murel and his clan, neither have 1 forfeited any promises. I complied with the only promise which I made to John A. Murel, which w as to visit him within three weeks or sooner from the time I parted with him at Wesley, which promise I complied with, or fulfilled in a few nights after we parted, for I visited him in company with the guard on the night that he was arrested, which visit saves my promise. Neither did 1 make any assertions of deception for which I ever expect to receive the disapprobation of my Creator. Yet Mr. Brown asserted that I had lied to serve my country, and that the next step was to swear to a lie — and will he say that General Washington lied to serve his country, and that the next step he would have sworn to a lie for the sake of getting the traitor Arnold into his power, because he resort- ed to a stratagem, to restore justice to his injured country. Sir, there is nothing more detestable to me than a vain sceptic. As to betraying the confidence of a friend, i consider that I have at least as much honor as Milton Brown, and I hope more love for my country, and less vanity for self aggrandizement — I feel the greatest contempt for Mr. Brown's calumny, and no man who cherishes correct principles could have so wantonly and so uncalled for, heaped abuse on the character of a man who had underwent the dangers and disagreeable trials which I was necessarily com-> pelled to undergo, in capturing John A. Murel ; and what makes his scepticism and abuse the more disgusting to good sense and feel-, ing, it was unsupported with even the shadow of evidence, and must have flowed from a desire to please a train of villains, and a pirati- cal clan of robbers, together with the hope of acquiring the charac- ter of a great criminal lawyer, without the least regard for truth, honor, justice or principle. It is the duty of a lawyer to see that his client has been legally dealt with, and that if he is convicted, he is convicted agreeable to law ; but he has no right to abuse the character of a witness, when he has no proof to sustain his abuse, merely because he is a witness. Sir, I do contend, that it was my duty to cane Mr. Brown, to teach him a lesson which he ought to learn, although I was governed in 75 that by the advice of my best friends. My evidence was support ^d by the best of characters, and there was no exceptions taken to my evidence, on the cross examination, and why that volley of abuse which I received from that son of vanity ? Mr. Brown resorted to barefaced lying in his pleadings. Recollect that part of my evi- dence where Murel turned off from the road to eat ; you know that I stated to the jury, that I asked Murel his reasons for going so far from the road to eat ? he replied that he would not be surprised if that d d old Methodist, whom he had been telling me of, was to have some person following him, knowing him to be a particular friend of those two young men of Madison county ; and that, if there was any person following him, he would much rather have them before him than behind him ; as he would know better how to man- age them. Therefore he went into the woods to eat, so as not to be seen by passengers who might pass while we were eating ; but mark the way that Mr. Brown tried to turn that part of my evi- dence in his pleadings. He contended, that I said that Murel told me to go on, that he had much rather have people who were follow- ing him, befoi-e than behind him. By this barefaced perversion of my evidence, he tried to prove that Murel knew that 1 was the man who was following him ; and as such, would not have made so ma- ny disclosures to me. Look at his shallow scheme : how could JViurel say to me, go on, when he was before me, and me following him — and when Mr. Brown was corrected by the Judge, he still contended obstinately that he was correct. Sir, please to indulge a few syllogisms of mine. Any attorney who will wantonly lie, and misrepresent evidence, for the sake of getting an opportunity to abuse a witness, to please a clan of vil- lains, or heap calumny and abuse on a witness when he is supported in it by evidedce, for the sake of acquiring the character of a great criminal lawyer, is a base, corrupt, and dishonoi'able man ; and should not be respected by a human being. Milton Brown has done all these things. Therefore he is a base, corrupt, and dishonorable jnan, and should not be respected by a human being on earth. I am determined never to let any thing that is said .of me, by mean men, render me the least unhappy. If I can escape violent hands, that is as much as I can reasonably look for, placed in my disagree- able situation ; I have every reason to believe, that the honest world are all my friends ; and I have every evidence of their respect, which I shall forever endeavor to deserve. I expect to start to Lexington in a few days. With great and sincere esteem, I am Your most obedient friend and servant, VIRGIL A. STEWART. The above letter is given, because it developes the views and sen- timents of Mr. Stewart, relative to his course of conduct with Mur- el and his friends, much better than we are able to describe them. LB D '04 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS I' 1 I'lil H "ilMIM lillil Hi I 014 611 986 4 i