Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Winchester, Ky. Sept. 26.

I witnessed in this place, on yesterday, one of the most interesting trials that has ever come under my notice, the circumstances and issue of which are not only important to the parties concerned, but to society. It was a suit for the breach of a marriage contract, brought by Rachel Patton, of Paris, against John L. Martin, of the same place, and removed to this court by change of venue. As the circumstances are somewhat peculiar, besides the usual interest, which would naturally be excited by such a case, not well as it is in the jurisprudence of this country, a large number of citizens collected to hear the evidence and decision. The engagement between the parties was clearly proven to have existed some years previous to the unfortunate affair which finally induced the defendant to withdraw his addresses, and refuse to comply with his contract, and which overwhelmed the plaintiff with shame and misery. The defendant attempted to justify his non-compliance by throwing the guilt of the transaction upon the brother in law of the plaintiff. It appeared, however, that for nine months previous to the unfortunate occurrence, this gentleman did not visit the house of Mr. Patton more than two or three times, owing to a misunderstanding existing between him and Miss Patton, from the circumstance of his having cautioned her against Martin. Every step taken by the defendant, although ably supported by his counsel, seemed to mark the transaction with a deeper die of deception. The brother-in law of the plaintiff was fully exculpated from the charges which had been circulated against him—and much sympathy was excited in behalf of the unfortunate plaintiff, whose character, previously, was proved by many witnesses to have been of the fairest kind; who had been raised by exemplary and pious parents, and had moved in the first circles.

Mr. Bledsoe concluded the case on the part of the plaintiff in an eloquent and appropriate address to the jury, in which every feeling of honor and humanity was aroused. He concluded with the eloquent quotation from Goldsmith:

"When lovely woman stoops to folly.
And finds too late that men betray;
What charm can soothe her melancholy,
What art can wash her guilt away?
The only art her guilt to cover,
To hide her shame from ev'ry eye;
To give repentance to her lover,
And wring his bosom—'tis to die."

It was near ten o'clock before the jury left the box, and in a few minutes returned with a verdict of three thousand dollars damages.

We believe there are but two other cases of this sort on record in this state. In both exemplary damages were given; $10,000 in one instance.

[Reporter.