Alexandria Daily Advertiser

A TORY CAUGHT!

During the revolutionary war, general Clinton, the British commander, issued a proclamation encouraging a trading intercourse with the farmers, and offering such as availed themselves of it, protection. Under this proclamation, a Mr. Ball, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, came to New York with produce, and having finished his business, returned from the enemy's lines to his native place, Elizabethtown. Returning he was seized at Bergen Point by Cornelius Hatfield, and a precious group of Tories. Hatfield, without trial and without delay conducted Mr. Ball to a tree, where he hung him!

At the peace, Hatfield fled to Nova Scotia, where he has remained until within a few weeks. It appears that some of the relations of Hatfield have lately died and left property, and that Hatfield, about two weeks ago returned from Nova Scotia to Newark to claim it. Apprehensive, however, for his safety, recollecting no doubt the crime of which he had been guilty, Hatfield, on his arrival at Newark, kept himself snug; but finding that he could not settle his affairs without going at large, he appeared in public, and was recognized by a daughter of Mr. Ball who applied to the proper authority and had him arrested. Hatfield is now in jail at Newark, charged with murdering Mr. Ball, and his trial will shortly take place.

The case is not a difficult one. Andre, who was confessedly a spy, went through the regular forms of trial and was executed by the sentence of a court martial. On the worst supposition Mr. Ball could not have been viewed in a light more odious than that of major Andre. But Ball had no trial; a few moments only elapsed between his being apprehended and executed. Hatfield was a Tory. He hanged Mr. Ball without hesitation, and robbed him when he was hung!

"Murder, though it have no tongue, will speak with most miraculous organ."

From the perpetration of the deed to the present time, many years have elapsed, but the villain is caught at last.