Litchfield Enquirer

The fate of Mrs. Alston. Our readers may remember that within a few months, a narrative was published in the Mobile Commercial Register, purporting to be the dying confession of a man who had resided near that city, and to give the particulars of the murder of that accomplished lady, whose fate has so long been enveloped in mystery. The story was positively contradicted by the Alabama Journal, and also by some northern papers; and this contradiction has elicited a statement from the physician who attended the dying man, which leaves no doubt as to the fact that such a confession was made; and this, taken in connexion with another fact mentioned by the physician, namely, that a corresponding account has twice before been given by individuals who, in their last moments, declared themselves to have been present and actors in the dreadful scene—one at Norfolk, many years ago, and the other in South Alabama affords strong reason to believe that the truth is at length disclosed. The following is the statement of the physician: Com. Advertiser.

The pirate who died, and the facts of whose case came into my possession, was by the name of Foster. He was without family, and kept a grog shop. He was taciturn and silent in his disposition. He for some time before his death grew gradually more intemperate. He often spoke of being a sailor, of having been much at sea, or as the phrase goes, of having "seen much service." He fell sick, and was confined for some time. His brain appeared disordered, and his mind at times haunted by strange impressions. He, on his death bed, confessed to a very worthy and respectable gentleman who stood by him, that he had been a pirate, and belonged to a piratical crew, who took the vessel in which Mrs. Alston had embarked. That after the crew and passengers of the captured vessel were all dispatched, she alone remained to be disposed of. Each man expressed an unwillingness to become her executioner. They finally drew lots, to see whose duty it should be to destroy her: that it unfortunately fell upon him. Upon learning her fate, she begged strongly and pathetically for her life; she entreated them to spare her. She told them she was Mrs. Alston, the daughter of Aaron Burr, who had been Vice President of the United States, and that he was awaiting her in New-York, where she was going on to join him, and to console him in his adversity—that he made her walk the plank—which, finding she could not avert, she finally did, with great firmness and composure!!! He was an illiterate man, and had probably never read any thing on the subject.

For some days previous to his death, he imagined her. Became haunted by her in his bed, would "There, there she is!" and would ask the by-standers if they did not see her. This delusion tormented him as long as he could make himself understood, when he died a most miserable death!

ALEXANDER JONES. M. D.

Mobile, Ala. July 19th, 1835.