Rhode Island American, Statesman And Providence Gazette

Marriage Extra.—The late extraordinary marriage of Mr. Foote, a lawyer, of Decatur, DeKalb County, Geo, to a little girl of the same county, has been made a subject of legal discussion at Athens, where the parties were brought before Judge Clayton, on the second inst. by virtue of a writ of Habeas Corpus.—

The girl, at the time of the marriage, was aged 10 years, 1 month, and 17 days; weighing only 52 pounds, and fully as childish in her manners, as is customary at her age. It appeared in the evidence, as reported to us, that the family, which is respectable, but humble, consists of the girl, her mother, and a brother, he probably of age, or nearly so. The father had left a small property, part of which, probably two or three negroes, is the portion of the girl. The mother is rather a weak minded woman, and Foote had obtained such an influence over her mind, as to induce her to believe that her son was disposed to waste and destroy the property, to turn him out of doors, and to marry her daughter to him, (Foote,) as the only means of protecting the property. The marriage was determined upon, without the knowledge of the daughter, on one night, and took place the next. The clergyman and magistrate of the neighborhood, both refused to perform the ceremony, and the magistrate who officiated, was brought from a distance,—The license stated the age of the girl to be over 12 years. When the girl was informed, on the arrival of the magistrate, that she was to be married, she positively refused, and for a long time resisted, by clinging to the bed post; and when the ceremony was performed she sat in a chair, refusing to stand up. She went home with Foote reluctantly, and slept with him two nights, after which she was taken away from him by the neighbors. On being asked by the Judge, if she said yes to the usual question, she said she did, but did so from fear of her mother, and when asked by him, if she wished to live with Foote she replied, with much warmth, that she did not, and never would; and that she hated him, and did not wish to hear his name mentioned to her. Foote is said to be in needy circumstances, and sued for his board. The Judge decided that the girl should be kept from Foote, under charge of a guardian, till she closes her twelfth year, when she is to become his wife, or not, as she herself may determine.

Much indignation was evinced against Foote in Athens, which it was feared, would end in violence. A message was sent to him at his lodgings, at night, requesting him to walk out to some one who wished to see him; but, at the advice of others, he declined going.—Augusta (Geo.) Chronicle.