Virginia Argus

A Horrid Murder.

Capt. John Patterson, Inspector at Horsley's Warehouse in the town of Duguids-ville and county of Buckingham, was lately murdered in a cruel manner by Abram, a negro man slave, the property of the said Patterson.--The circumstances of this atrocious deed is in substance thus related by the wretch who perpetrated it being his confession at the time he was apprehended---repeated immediately after his trial and condemnation, and on the morning of his execution.--Says he--' In consequence of some punishment inflicted on me by my master for some misdemeanor of which I was guilty, a considerable time prior to the fatal catastrophe, I ever after meditated his destruction :-On the evening in which it was effected, my master directed me to set off home (about 7 miles distant from the warehouse, where I generally attended) and carry a hoe which we used at the place-- I set off, and was determined to dispatch him that night -after proceeding some distance I concluded to way-lay him-having the hoe in possession accordingly, I lay on, or behind a log, convenient to the road on which my master was to pass, and fell into a slumber--after waiting there a considerable time, I heard the trampling of horses' feet : I concluded therefore my master was near--I got up and walked forwards-my master soon overtook me, and asked me (it being then dark) who I was: I answered Abram; he said he thought I had been gone from town long enough to have been further advanced on the road: I said, I thought not: I spoke short to him, and did not care to irritate him-I walked on however; sometimes by the side of his horse and sometimes before him.-In the course of our travelling an altercation ensued : I raised my hoe two different times to strike him, as the circumstance of the places suited my purpose, but was intimidated-when I came to the bridge (across a small stream) I thought that place favorable to my views, but seeing a light, and some people at a house a little distant from thence, I resisted the impulse. When I came to the fatal spot, being most obscured by the loftiness of the trees, I turned to the side of the road ; my master observed it, and stopped; I then turned suddenly round, lifted my hoe, and struck him across the breast ; the stroke broke the handle of the hoe--he fell I repeated my blows : the handle of the hoe broke a second time--I heard dogs bark, at a house which we passed, at a small distance; I was alarmed, and ran a little way, and stood behind a tree,'till the barking ceased; in running, I tumbled and fell --I returned to finish the cruel I began, and on my way picked up a stone, which I hurled at his head face, &c. again and again, until I thought he was certainly dead--and then I went home'

The body was found next morning; the features so defaced, the body so mangled, that it was with difficulty his person could be recognized-a scene too shocking for human sight. Capt. Patterson was a man universally esteemed. He was a tender husband-an affectionate brother -a mild master-a kind neighbour-a faithful officer-- in short he possessed every quality that constitutes the good citizen, and an amiable member of society.

P. S. After the cruel monster, who sacrificed the life of so worthy a character to his revenge, was hanged, his head was struck off, and exhibited on a pole about 24 feet high, in view of the warehouse, where he was usually employed.

Buckingham, 19th August, 1800
On the Death of Capt. JOHN PATTESON.
By A YOUNG LADY.

If plain sincerity and manly worth,
Emblem of virtue now consigned to earth
Can claim the pity of each feeling heart,
A tale of truth to them I will impart.
A man whose firm integrity and truth
Was ne'er suspected from his earliest youth.
By a domestic was attacked and killed,
Revenge and sympathy each bosom filled.
The mangled body all deformed with gore
Shew'd such a sight as ne'er was seen before;
His relatives and friends lament around,
When they beheld him lifeless on the ground ;
His Countenance, which spoke a mind at ease.
The smile benignant which was sure to please
Is now defaced, a crimson glow alone,
Speaks to the gazer, tells him life is gone.
Lamented Patterson. how few will hear
Thy cruel death without compassion's tear ;
After a life of virtue so well spent,
Nature herself is shocked at such a scene :
No tender orphan left behind to mourn,
To grieve for him. who never can return ;
Still the fond partner of his life will shed
The tear of anguish for the husband dead :
The friend who knew his worth, will now impart
The grateful tribute of a feeling heart
Whilst his great soul forever wings its flight,
Enchanted with the scenes of everlasting light.
Angels themselves were witnesses to the deed,
They saw another Abel's blood and bleed,
By the descendant of the murderous Cain,
The hurt of murderers on the peaceful plain:
But justice, with her quick discerning eye,
Majestic maid, descended from the sky,
Avenger of such crimes, brings forth to view,
Rewards and punishments as she thinks due.
The guilty wretch, the forfeiture has paid,
Justice decreed it--all is right--she said--
While all with wonder marks her vast domain
Unsearchable to all--and yet so very plain.

Buckingham, 19th August, 1800.