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Letter to Editor
December 21, 1815
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter from William & Mary College dated December 13, 1815, provides an account of an incident the previous evening where students protected a woman from abuse, leading to two students being shot by her husband. It aims to prevent misrepresentations and praises the students' general studiousness and correctness.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
To the Editor of the Enquirer.
"Wm. & Mary College, 13th December, 1815.
"Dear Sir--A most unfortunate occurrence having taken place here, I will be much obliged to you to publish the following account of it, in order to prevent misrepresentations :
"Two of the students passing on one of the back streets, about 8 o'clock yesterday evening, heard the cry of Murder! They went, of course, to see what was the matter, when a woman called out, and begged their protection. This, as she appeared to have been much abused, was granted; and she was conveyed to a place of safety.
"So far, all was well ; but the Brother of the woman, hearing what had happened, determined to inflict some chastisement on the man who had thus maltreated his Sister. Three of the younger students learning his intentions, from a very common though culpable curiosity, notwithstanding the remonstrances of their older and more discreet companions, would go to witness the transaction. The man, who had been beating his wife, expecting probably such a visit from his brother-in-law, had prepared himself with a gun, and seeing the students fired on them, as they approached when about 50 yards off. Two were wounded, neither dangerously, as the shot were small.
"These unfortunate youths were undoubtedly to blame; but their fault was a venial one, and they have paid severely for it. This impropriety, too, slight as it is, is the only one on the part of any of the students, which has come to the knowledge of the Professors, since the lectures commenced regularly. Among upwards of SIXTY YOUNG MEN. some trivial imprudences must be expected: but no seminary on the Continent can boast of Pupils more studious or more correct than those now attending the College of William and Mary."
TO THE EDITOR.
"Wm. & Mary College, 13th December, 1815.
"Dear Sir--A most unfortunate occurrence having taken place here, I will be much obliged to you to publish the following account of it, in order to prevent misrepresentations :
"Two of the students passing on one of the back streets, about 8 o'clock yesterday evening, heard the cry of Murder! They went, of course, to see what was the matter, when a woman called out, and begged their protection. This, as she appeared to have been much abused, was granted; and she was conveyed to a place of safety.
"So far, all was well ; but the Brother of the woman, hearing what had happened, determined to inflict some chastisement on the man who had thus maltreated his Sister. Three of the younger students learning his intentions, from a very common though culpable curiosity, notwithstanding the remonstrances of their older and more discreet companions, would go to witness the transaction. The man, who had been beating his wife, expecting probably such a visit from his brother-in-law, had prepared himself with a gun, and seeing the students fired on them, as they approached when about 50 yards off. Two were wounded, neither dangerously, as the shot were small.
"These unfortunate youths were undoubtedly to blame; but their fault was a venial one, and they have paid severely for it. This impropriety, too, slight as it is, is the only one on the part of any of the students, which has come to the knowledge of the Professors, since the lectures commenced regularly. Among upwards of SIXTY YOUNG MEN. some trivial imprudences must be expected: but no seminary on the Continent can boast of Pupils more studious or more correct than those now attending the College of William and Mary."
TO THE EDITOR.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Education
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
William And Mary College
Student Wounding
Domestic Abuse
Gunshot Incident
Youth Curiosity
What entities or persons were involved?
Editor Of The Enquirer
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Editor Of The Enquirer
Main Argument
publish this account of the incident at william & mary college to prevent misrepresentations; the students' involvement was minor and venial, and they are generally studious and correct.
Notable Details
Students Heard Cry Of 'Murder!' And Protected Abused Woman
Brother Sought To Chastise Abuser
Three Students Curiously Witnessed, Two Wounded By Gunshots From 50 Yards
Only Impropriety Known Among 60+ Students Since Lectures Began