The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Advertiser

We concluded the extracts from this pamphlet in our last, with the departure of Mr. Sharp from his brother's residence, a short time before the entrance of Beauchamp to take the life of his intended victim. He proceeds—

"Then I had waited long enough as I supposed, for those who had been awakened by Bacon's coming for Dr. Sharp, I prepared to complete my purpose. I resolved to knock in the alley for fear those in Bass's room, which as well as Col. Sharp's door opened upon the porch, might not have fallen asleep. Besides, I knew I could easily lure Col Sharp quickly to me at the back door, by feigning myself Covington, as Col. Sharp and the Covingtons were extremely intimate. And if I could only lure him back into the alley I would have an opportunity to let him know, as he fell, by whose hand he received the stroke; for this I wished him exceedingly to know, and I would have risked a great deal to let him know who I was. I put on my mask with this design, that if a candle should be lit before Col. Sharp approached me, I would keep it on, and as he approached I would knock the candle out with one hand and stab him with the other. But if he approached me without a light, I intended to draw my mask as he approached, from over my face. For it was so constructed and fastened on as to be easily drawn away from the face or replaced over it again. There was no moonlight, but the stars gave light enough wherewithal to discern the face of an acquaintance on coming near him and closely noticing his face. I drew my dagger, and proceeded to the door—I knocked three times, loud and quick. Colonel Sharp said, "who's there?" "Covington," I replied. Quickly Col. Sharp's foot way heard upon the floor. I saw under the door he approached without a light. I drew my mask from my face, and immediately Col. Sharp opened the door, I advanced into the room, and with my left hand seized his right wrist, as with an iron hand. The violence of the grip made Col Sharp spring back, and trying to disengage his wrist, he said, "what Covington is this?" I replied, "John A Covington, sir." "I don't know you," said Col. Sharp. I knew John W. Covington."

"My name, said I, is John A. Covington"— and about the time I said that, Mrs. Sharp, whom I had seen enter the partition door. as I entered the outer door, disappeared. She had become alarmed, I imagine, by the little scuffle Col. Sharp made when he sprang back to get his wrist loose from my grasp. Seeing her disappear, I said to Col. Sharp in a tone as though I was deeply mortified at his not knowing me— "And did you not know me, sure enough?" "Not with your handkerchief about your face," said Col. Sharp. For the handkerchief with which I had confined my mask on my forehead, was still round my forehead. I then replied in a soft, conciliating persuasive tone of voice. "Come to the light Colonel, and you will know me." and pulling him by the arm, he came readily to the door. I stepped with one foot back upon the first step out at the door. and holding his wrist with my left hand, I stripped my hat and handkerchief from my head and forehead, and looked right up in Col. Sharp's face. He knew me the more readily. I imagine, by my long bushy curly suit of hair. He sprang back and exclaimed in the deepest tone of astonishment, dismay, and horror and despair I ever heard, "Great God! it's him!" And on saying that, he fell on his knees, after failing to jerk loose his wrist from my grasp. As he fell on his knees I let go his wrist and grasped him by the throat, and dashing him against the facing of the door, I choked him against it to keep him from holloing. and muttered in his face, "die, you villain," and as I said that, I plunged the dagger to his heart, letting him go at the moment I stabbed him; he threw his arms around my neck, saying— "pray Mr. Beauchamp," but as he said that I struck him in the face with my left hand, and knocked him his full length into the room.

By this time I saw the light approaching, and dashed a little way off and put on my mask.—I then came and squatted in the alley, near the door, to hear if he spoke. His wife talked.

"Before I thought they could possibly have gotten word to the Doctor, he came running in. So soon as he entered the room he exclaimed, "Great God! Beauchamp has done this! I always expected it". The town was now alarmed, and the people began to crowd the house very fast. I still about the house to hear what would be sa". and I wished some one to see me, not in the light of the candle, so that they would take me for a negro with my black mask. At length, while I was endeavoring to peep in at a window Mrs. Sharp came on me from without the house behind and cried out to the company to run there saying she saw the murderer. But by the time they got out of the house, I was out of the lot—I stopped to listen if any one pursued me, and I saw the lot full of people running down after me, whereupon I dashed again, and went and got my coat and hat. and shoes, which I had hid down near the river. I then went a considerable way further down the river, and took the old hat and coat, in which I had done the murder and tying them in a bundle, with a rock. sunk them in the river. I also buried the knife near the river bank, and then dressing in my proper clothes and putting on my shoes, I came back into the town. I passed near Colonel Sharp's house to hear what was saying, but all was now whisper and silence. But I had heard, and indeed seen, that Col. Sharp had died without speaking before I left the house, which was my greatest anxiety. I then went to my room, creeping up stairs, as softly as a cat, so that I could not hear my own feet touch the floor. having slipped off my shoes at the door. I then lit my candle and burnt my mask, and washed my hands, which were dirty from burying the knife in the ground. I then laid down with the certain calculation of being arrested the next morning, so soon as Dr. Sharp should have inquiry made, and find I was in the town. But such were the happy feelings which pervaded me, and the perfect resignation which I felt to the will of Heaven, having accomplished my long set purpose, that in five minutes after I laid down, I fell fast asleep, and slept soundly till the stirring of the family waked me the next morning. I then listened, as a matter of course, for Mr. Scott to come and examine me, so soon as he should go to Colonel Sharp's and hear of Dr. Sharp's exclamation. that it was Beauchamp. For when Mr. Scott had lit me to bed, the over night. I said to him, I wonder if old uncle Beauchamp, of Washington, was in town? He said he did not know, and asked if Col. Beauchamp was an uncle of mine? I said he was. Mr. Scott said he was very well acquainted with Col. Beauchamp, and asked if my name was also Beauchamp. I told him it was.— Next morning I heard the news of Colonel Sharp's death told to Mr. Scott, and listened for his return to see me. For that name. Scott. now began to give me some uneasiness, as I heard Col. Sharp had married : Miss Scott, and I feared this might be a relation, as in fact he was. I listened for his return so soon as he should go to Colonel Sharp's and hear that Beauchamp was suspected; and sure enough, before I was done dressing. I heard Mr. Scott come stamping up stairs to my room. He opened my door and said, good morning Mr Beauchamp. I returned the salutation with a very pleasant politeness, but Mr. Scott abruptly said 'don't you think some man went to Sharp's last night and killed him.' I put on a face of great astonishment and replied, 'Great God, is it possible! what, Col. Sharp?' 'Yes,' said he, 'Col. Sharp is dead.' I then stood a moment, as though in mute astonishment, and then said, how did it happen, sir, in fight? Mr. Scott said 'no; some stranger called Col. Sharp to the door, and just stabbed him dead. And thereupon he turned to go out of the room, but I said, 'stay, sir. for (God's sake tell me something about this horrid matter.' Said he 'I can tell you nothing in the world about it, sir. further than Col. Sharp was called to the door from his bed and stabbed down dead upon the floor.' And with that he left the room. I did not like his abrupt manner, as he entered the room, but my manner. I saw quite removed for the moment his suspicions. I came down stairs, and being invited by Mrs Scott into the dining room, she told me of the horrid murder. 'I told her Mr. Scott had told me of it. and asked her if there were any suspicions entertained. of who could have been the assassin? She said 'none that she knew of.' After some little further conversation I started to do my business in the Register's office. This was my business. In April preceding, I had sent the plots and certificates of four surveys, together with the warrant they were made in, to the Register's office They had now, as I supposed, laid long enough for the patents to issue. I had also with me another plot and certificate, which I presented for registry in the first place; telling the register the warrant was filed.— He looked and could find no warrant or survey in the office in my name. I saw, therefore, at once, Thomas D. Beauchamp, by whom I sent my paper, had not filed them in the office. And behold here I was flat in Frankfort, without the least shadow of business! This frightened me very much, as I knew I should be arrested from what Dr. Sharp said on entering the room where his brother was dying. I thought if I could go off without being arrested, possibly they might not send for me, and this I the more hoped, if the diversion should be created should arise, from suspicions of Col. Sharp's having been murdered from political motives. I knew that there would be a great clamor of this kind raised, and knowing how weak and vain a man Dr. Sharp was, I had some hope he might be carried along with the current. Whereupon, I hastened to Mr Scott's and ordered my horse, to start home By this time, Mr. Scott again returned to his house; I began immediately as he entered the house, to ask him further questions about the murder. I saw from his manner, very evidently. he had his suspicions revived. I asked him if Col. Sharp had had any recent quarrel with any one, whence they could attach suspicion to that person? He said he had heard no quarrel between Col. Sharp with any one. Said he, Mr. Beauchamp, what profession are you of? I think you said you lived in Simpson county.' Yes. I told him, I lived in Simpson county—my profession was that of a lawyer. or at least. I had studied the law, but living in the country for the last eighteen months, I had not gone to the practice; but had continued my reading in the country. "'Well, sir, are you marry, Mr. Beauchamp?' said he. to that, his face, black as it is, turned even blacker still. I had seen this was the great point he wished to ascertain, but still I forbore to inquire why he asked me that question, and passed off the conversation as tho' I took the least notice of his impolite inquiry, had been quite in etiquette. Nor did I that my business at Frankfort was, but answered all his impertinent inquiries with a polite, cheerful frankness and truth, as tho' his questions had been a matter of course. Then taking leave of him, I set off from his house, when the sun was about half an hour high. When I spoke of riding, he asked if I had much to do so, but that the ensuing Sunday organized? I told him I should like very therefore was compelled to hurry home- had appointed to start to the Missouri, and besides, I said I had some relations in Bloomfield, with whom I was under promise to stay all night, that night, and therefore, I wished to set off early enough to get there."

And he gives the following account of his arrival. (for we have not space to notice the occurrences on the way,) He returned home. Arrival.

She was walking down the grove, upon the road I was to come, anxiously expecting my arrival. So soon as I saw her thus elate, I hoisted my flag of victory. She ran to meet me, and as I alit from my horse, I gave her the flag, and she fell prostrate on her face before me. She then burst into tears and lifted her voice in gratitude to Heaven that he was revenged for all the misery a villain had brought on her family. Then clasping her arms about my knees, she called upon the spirits of her father, her brothers and her sister to bless me, and to interfere with a just Providence, to protect me from all harm for the righteous deed I had done. Then rising up in alarm, she said, "are you safe my husband!" I told her I was beyond the reach of all that mortals could do to me; because the villain who had injured her had fallen by my arm. But, said I, the avenger of blood is after me, I then called a servant to take my horse, and we walked to a more retired spot where we sat down, and I briefly recounted to her all the circumstances of the glorious deed.--And I can truly say, I do not believe there ever lived upon the earth, two more happy beings than we were; notwithstanding I told my wife I was confident persons were in pursuit of me and even calculated they would be there that very night.-But Col. Sharp had died by my hand!-This consoled us for all misfortunes, and made us perfectly regardless of danger. Then went to my house and set it in order for battle and defence. For my determination was, if Doctor Sharp should be of the party who pursued me, I would fight them; for no Sharp ever should have obtruded himself into my yard, without being shot, while I was in it alive. Indeed I hesitated a great deal, whether I would not shoot one or two of those who pursued me and then make my escape and leave the United States. And had those who pursued me, have come that night, I believe I should have fought them. But by the next day, I had calmly come to the resolution that I would rather die than fly my country.-And as they had no shadow of proof against me, I resolved to go quietly and cheerfully forward and submit to an investigation, should any one come for me. The night I got home there was a fellow by the name of John Lowe, called there on some business, and staid some time, reluctant as he must have seen I was to enter into any conversation with him. For I wanted to get him off as soon as possible, and while he staid, my wife and myself were retired, employed in my recitals of all the minutia of the murder; so that we had scarcely any thing whatever to say to Lowe. At length we got rid of him, and after I had prepared myself for battle, we went to bed. As I was not molested that night, my reflections had led me to risk all the evidence the Sharp family could get against me: little, ah! little thinking the whole treasury of the Commonwealth would be thrown open as a reward to villains to swear away my life. Next evening about an hour by sun, I saw four men ride up to my gate and call to me to come to the gate; I recognized the face of one of them, the moment I saw him, as being a man I had seen in Frankfort on Monday morning. I was satisfied at once, they were come to arrest me. But I walked out to them with all the cheerfulness imaginable, and one of them asked me if my name was Beauchamp. I said it was. He asked me if I had not lately been to Frankfort-I told him I had just returned from there the preceding evening. They all paused. I saw they were embarrassed. I had my rifle in my hand, for I was cleaning and loading it in my yard, when they rode up. At length one of the more frank and sensible of the men (Wm. Jackson,) said to me in a feeling manner, that I was suspected of the murder of Col. Sharp; and as a gentleman, I was called upon and requested only, to go to Frankfort and acquit myself. I put on a face of great astonishment, to find myself suspected, but promptly avowed my ready determination to go immediately to Frankfort, if there was any thing said there, prejudicial to my reputation.