Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Morning Herald
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
On March 8, 1838, in the Court of Sessions, Lucy Simmons was tried for stealing clothing and books, including works by Byron, Shakespeare, and Milton, from her mistress Carr. The Recorder's questioning included racial humor, leading to a 12-month sentence of oakum picking.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Before the Recorder and Aldermen Taylor and Randall.
Lucy Simmons was put to the bar on her trial for stealing various articles from her mistress, named Carr.
The fact of the theft was proved upon her; amongst the articles stolen, were some flesh colored silk stockings, corsets, muslin handkerchiefs, valuable books, Byron, Shakspeare, Milton's Paradise Lost, &c.
Rec.—Lucy, why did you steal all these things.
Pris.—Well, some on 'em I wanted for my own use, and some on 'em I wanted to sell.
Rec.-Well, but you couldn't want books for your own use, for you can't read. What could you want of Shakspeare? You couldn't read the "Moor of Venice?" And "Byron ?" I am sure Byron must be beyond your comprehension. for I can hardly understand him myself. And by stealing "Milton's Paradise Lost," you're like Eve when she ate the apple; you've been tempted by Satan—you've given way to him, and now like her you'll be driven out of the Paradise of society-only Eve was white and you are black. And I suppose if we are to believe history. our mother Eve was much more handsome and seducing than you, Lucy. At least Milton says so, somewhere.
Pris.-I don' know nuffen about Eve-she warn't my mother. I did'nt want de books-only de clothes.
Rec.-But you couldn't want all those clothes for your own use; what could you want with cambric pocket handkerchiefs? why I don't use them myself. And then again you could have done without corsets as well as I could. Your figure can't be improved by tight lacing—you never could hope to rival the Venus de Medici, though you might come nearly up to the accounts we have of the Hottentot Venus. And it was preposterous for you to steal those pantalettes. What use has a colored girl for pantalettes? I don't know that it becomes white ladies to wear them, and I am sure colored ones can do without them. Oh, this stealing of these things is a high handed offence and we shall send you for the longest term that the law will allow-you'll have to pick oakum for twelve months.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Domestic News Details
Event Date
Thursday, March 8, 1838
Key Persons
Outcome
sentenced to twelve months picking oakum.
Event Details
Lucy Simmons tried for stealing articles including silk stockings, corsets, muslin handkerchiefs, and books by Byron, Shakespeare, and Milton from her mistress Carr. Theft proved; Recorder questioned her on motives with racial and humorous remarks; she claimed wanting some for use and sale, denied interest in books.