The New Hampshire Gazette

By a gentleman from Philadelphia we are informed, that John Bruleman, who was executed there on the 8th Instant, for the Murder of Mr. Scull, as mentioned in a former paper, was by Trade a silversmith; which business he left and went into the army, where he was an officer in the Royal American regiment; but was discharged on being detected in counterfeiting, or uttering counterfeit money: He then returned to Philadelphia, and growing insupportable to himself, and yet being unwilling to put an end to his own life, he determined upon the commission of some crime, for which he might get hanged by the law. Having formed this design, he loaded his gun with a brace of balls, and asked his landlord to go a shooting with him, intending to murder him before his return. but his landlord not choosing to go, escaped the danger. He then went out alone, and on the way met a man, whom he was about to kill, but recollecting that there were no witnesses to prove him guilty, he let the man pass. He then went to a publick house, where he drank some Liquor, and hearing people at play at billiards, in a room above stairs; he went up and sat with them, and was talkative, facetious, and seemingly good humoured; after some time, he called to the landlord, and desired him to hand up the gun. Mr. Scull, who was at play, having struck his antagonist's balls into one of the pockets, Bruleman said to him,-- "Sir you are a good marksman,--and now I'll show you a fine stroke:" He immediately levelled his piece, and took aim at Mr. Scull, (who imagined him in jest) and shot both the balls through his body.---He then went up to Mr. Scull (who did not expire nor lose his senses, till a considerable time after) and said to him,-- "Sir, I had no malice nor Ill will against you, for I never saw you before, but I was determined to kill some body, that I might be hanged, and you happen to be the man, and as you are a very likely young man, I am very sorry for your misfortune."--Mr. Scull had time to send for his Friends, and make his will. He forgave his murderer, and if it could be done, desired he might be pardoned.