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husband's death; this I grant, but, when I refused him, urging the recent death of my husband, he declared that my husband, on his death bed, took his hand and desired him to be a father to his children, &c. this he told to Mr. Ash, as well as to me, and others.

When I urged him to desist his importunities, on account of disparity of years, telling him that such a union would be thought ridiculous in this part of the world, he said that the customs were very different in Mexico, and to that city, to his father and mother, he would immediately return with me and my children, if I would marry him; adding that his eldest sister, when but 20 years of age, was married to a gentleman who was 60 years of age. That it was honour, it was gratitude he owed my deceased husband, as well as myself, for kindnesses we had bestowed on him, that induced him to offer me his hand. Alas! the intrigue, the wiles of a demon, which he practised to decoy me, to gain my consent to marry him! He protested that he wished not to possess any of my property, and on this account, my sister and her husband, who resided in the state of New York, a distance of upwards of 400 miles, immediately came to reside at my place, having sold their own little property at home; thus was my dear sister's and her husband's happiness marred by leaving their own happy home, to go among strangers, and then to witness the ruin of myself and offspring!

Before my dear husband's sickness he always spoke of being on terms of great intimacy at your house, saying one day to myself and husband, with some degree of ostentation, that you had ordered a fine large carriage to be built for him, that he hoped soon to have the pleasure of seeing my husband and family ride in it; I think Mr. Ash heard him relate this likewise. I never heard him express a thought of returning to Mexico before my husband's death, but that he intended to reside several years in America.

Sir, I hope the goodness of your heart will incline you to forgive me for adding still more to my already too lengthy epistle; but I am anxious that you should know a few more particulars respecting the author of my ruin!

On

The day but one before Mr. Chapman was taken ill, Mina went to Philadelphia, returned late in the evening, bringing a letter from you to Mr. Chapman; the letter contained grateful acknowledgements for favours bestowed on your countryman, assuring him in a very respectful manner, that you intended very shortly to visit him, and make personal acknowledgements of the obligations you were under to Mr. Chapman. Such a letter as this, from your kind hand, was very pleasing to my poor dear husband, and served to ingratiate Mina more than ever in his favour. the Sunday following, Mina went to Philadelphia again, returned on Monday morn. ing, brought several lemons, a pine apple, and several dates, said your mother had sent them for Mr. Chapman, as he was then ill. This letter of yours, my sister and eldest daughter both saw; but since the death of my husband, and so much of his vilany has come to light, I have thought perhaps this letter was a forgery, and that perhaps he did not visit at your house at all.

When he left my house for Baltimore, he said he was going to receive several thousand dollars of his friend Carzanova, who was at that place; but when he returned, he said his friend had left for Mexico a few days before he arrived; so he was much disappointed; but said he had learned that a cousin of his was residing near Boston, who was very wealthy, that he would immediately go and obtain a large sum of money of him. It was on his return from Baltimore that I informed him of Mr. Watkinson's having suggested to me that you thought him an impostor; he very artfully replied that you were offended with him on account of his discontinuing his addresses to your sister Romania, with whom he declared he had corresponded ever since he first called on you, till Mr. Chapman's death: He likewise alledged that a reason, why he had not had returns from Mexico, was, he had learned, that you had broken open his letters, and not forwarded them; saying, in the presence of my sister, that "he would have you up for it." Being now ready to start for Boston in search of his cousin, he ingeniously urged me and my sister to write to our sisters by him, requesting, at the same time, that we would not mention his being married, saying that as soon as he received his money of his cousin, he would return and take me and the children to New England to visit my relations, and then he would acknowledge our marriage; we complied, not suspecting he had any evil design; but I have since learned that he was to have been married to the daughter of one of my sisters the next day after his arrest, he having persuaded both my sister

and her daughter to discontinue teaching school and return with him to Andalusia; what his intentions were respecting my sister and niece I know not, but surely he could not have tho't of bringing them to my house. Thus has this monster broken up the good order and peace, not only of my family, but of two of my sisters also. Thus far, worthy Sir, have I made statements to you, humbly believing, and imploring with sighs and tears, that you, Sir, your kind mother, and sisters will take an interest in my unparalleled misfortunes!

Ah! methinks you will, in the goodness of your heart, extend the hand of humanity, to save, if possible, her, who has been so barbarously treated by him, who so unworthily claimed the name of a Mexican. With the best respects to your worthy mother and sisters, I subscribe myself, kind Sir, your deeply afflicted, your heartbroken friend,

COL. CUESTOR.

LUCRETIA CHAPMAN.

ENDORSED, Col. Cuestor, Mexicon Consul, Philadelphia.

After I had read that letter, I showed it to my sister, telling her to see what Mrs. Chapman said about her. After she had read it, she said she was very sorry that Mrs. Chapman was mistaken; she was sure she never had told her that Mina was a rich man in his own country, because she could not say such a thing without knowing him. She recollected that when they were speaking in the parlour about Mina, as she had nothing else to talk about to Mrs. Chapman, she told her, in a complimentary way, that she was obliged to her for her kindness and hospitality to that person, supposing that he was a Mexican: and I did the same myself to Mrs. Chapman. My sister also remembered that she told Mrs. Chapman, that it was a pity to see a young man so unfortunate; as he represented himself to be rich in his own country.

As it was necessary to make a very long explanation in reply to the contents of her letter, because every thing that Mina had told her was not true, I thought that that was not the time to do so, and I was afraid my letter might fall into wrong hands, and have an influence against her. As she asked me to call on Mr. Campbell, her lawyer, I went myself to that gentleman's house, with the intention of informing him what Mrs. Chapman wished, and to pay him from my own purse, and do all that I could in her favour. But as I was informed that Mr. Campbell was not in town, and having heard that Mr. Brown was her counsel, I was very glad, because, although I had not the honour of knowing that gentleman, yet his fame had reached me; I therefore thought that it was prudent to reduce my answer to the terms of this letter. (Produced and read.)

No. XXV.

MRS. LUCRETIA CHAPMAN, Doylestown,

Philadelphia, 10th December, 1831.

Madam,-A few days since I had the honour to receive your communication, dated Erie, November 29th. I have perused it with interest, and very much regret the critical and unfortunate business in which you appear to be involved. I hope and truly wish that you are, as you say, innocent; and that you may be acquitted and liberated soon. According to your wishes I have called myself at Mr. Campbell's, the lawyer, who happens to be at Harrisburg; and was informed by one of the family that he had nothing to do with your business; having seen by the public prints that you had a very respectable and able counsellor, Mr. D. P. Brown, I have not the least doubt but that gentleman alone will see justice done to you; therefore, Madam, I have the honour to be,

(Es Copia.)

Very respectfully, your humble obt. servant,

ESTO. CUESTA.

After writing this letter I put it in my pocket, with the intention of putting it in the post office. While at dinner, I was told there was a lady in the parlour I who wished to see me. I went down, and found Mrs. Chapman there, and some person with her. I saluted her, but did not know who she was, until she told me; I then told her I was very glad to see her, that I had received her letter, and had also the answer ready in my pocket. I took it out and gave it to her; she read it, and put it into her reticule. I do not remember what she said to me; and I was so

sorry for her situation, that I would not speak with her about it. A few minutes after, she went away.

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I think this is all that ever passed between Mrs. Chapman and Mina and myself. As for the stories he has told, they are utterly false.

The counsel for the prosecution declined cross-examining Col. Cuesta.

LUCRETIA CHAPMAN, fourth witness for the defendant, being called to be sworn, Mr. Ross asked her the following questions.

How old are you?

Witness. Ten years old.

Do you know what you have come here for?

Witness (after a pause.) To swear to all I know.

What will become of you if you do not tell the truth?

Witness. I will be cast into hell-fire forever.

COURT. Let her be sworn. (She was thereupon sworn.)

I was at our house in Andalusia with my parents, at the time that Mina came there. He came in the evening, just as the candles were beginning to be lighted up. He had black clothes on. He came and knocked at the front door. Mr. Forman went to the door, and came back and told Pa there was a person there who wished to see the gentleman of the house. Pa said, "it is a beggar, I suppose— tell him to come in." Mr. Forman brought him in. He came up close to Pa and bowed, and solicited a night's lodging. He said he had been refused at the tavern below. Pa told him there was another tavern about half a mile above. Ma said the

to us.

carpenters had gone, and he might stay all night. Pa said, “ very well then." Lino then sat down. We were exercising on a grammar lesson, which Ma was explaining After we got through, he told his story-(my father was sitting in the rocking chair, nursing little John.) He said, he came from Mexico, and when he left, his father was Governor of California. He started from that country with a Doctor, who had relieved his grandfather; his grandfather had a skin growing over his lungs-the Doctor gave him something to make him sleep, and then cut open his side, took the skin off his lungs, and closed it up again. He went to France in company with this Doctor, and while there, the Doctor died suddenly in a church. He went to his boarding-house, and threw his watch and bracelets into a large trunk, which was lined with diamonds, and which his father had given him when he left home. He put on a common suit of clothes, and threw himself on the bed: when the officers came in, to seize the property. He said one of the trunks was his, but as he had on a common suit, they would not believe him, although his name was in full on the top of the trunk. They said he was but a slave of the Doctor's. Two young ladies came in and told them that the trunk was his-they would not believe them, but took the trunk. The ladies gave him $100 to return with ;-he heard he had a friend and relation in Boston, and as there was no ship going to sail for Mexico, he sailed for Boston. At that place he found that his relation had been lately! married, and had taken his wife to Mexico to see his relations. He heard there that he had a friend at Joseph Bonaparte's, and he was coming to see him, because he would help him. He said he had walked from Philadelphia that day. The day but one after that, Ma and Mr. Ash went with him to Bonaparte's at Pa's request. They got home early in the evening. A few days after, they went to Philadelphia with Mary Ann Palethorpe. I don't recollect when they came back-I think it was on the same day.-Pa wrote a letter to his father, and Ma wrote one to his mother. I don't recollect how long this was after he came On Sunday Ma went to Philadelphia with Lino, Mr. Ash, and William, and staid a day or two-they returned on Monday evening. I did not hear what my father said. Ellen Shaw then lived with us. Ellen was eating her dinner, and Pa called her away from the table to speak to her, but I don't know what he said. I don't recollect that Fanning was there—I think he was. I don't recollect that my mother ever was absent three days with Lino. I don't recollect what was said when they returned from town after they went on Sunday. I don't recollect that my mother ever went to town with Lino, without another person.-Lino came from town one day, I don't recollect what day it was; he came in crying, and went into the parlour, and sat down on the sofa. Pa came in and sat down on the sofa beside him, and tried to comfort him; repeating several scripture verses that he had committed to memory. When Ma came in, Lino told her he would go to town on Sunday, (I think it was Saturday he came home.) He

went on Sunday with Ma, and William, and Mr. Ash. This was the same I mentioned before. I do not remember my father ordering Mina a black suit. Father and Mina were very friendly. I never knew them to quarrel or disagree. I do not know how long it was after this that Ellen went away. It was on Friday evening that Pa was taken sick. Before that, I one day went out to the barn; Lino stood leaning against the barn, crying. Pa was there, and asked him what the matter was. He said he was distressed, because he did not know where he could make his home, until he received letters and money from his father. Pa told him he could stay with him until that time. A short time after, Lino was walking behind the shed. The next morning he told, that as he was walking there, he heard a voice saying, "Linetto-Linetto-Linetto!" He said it sounded like his mother's and youngest sister's voices-their voices were very much alike; and in a short time he should hear of one of their deaths. This was before he came home with the news of his youngest sister's death. In a short time after this story, Lino went, I think, to Philadelphia, (after he had got his black suit,) and when he returned he said he had heard his sister was not dead, as a friend of his from Mexico had seen the family, and they were all well.

My father took sick on Friday evening. At dinner (that day) we had veal, boiled pork, and green peas-I think the veal was baked. My father, mother, Lino, Mr. Forman, sister Mary and Mary Ann Palethorpe, were at dinner; I was not at the table myself, I was reading in the room where they ate. Lino had been to Philadelphia the day before; he went by the steamboat, and returned, bringing a letter from the Consul to Pa, stating that he and his mother and two sisters would be out there on Saturday. At supper (on Friday) Pa ate very heartily of smearcase and cold pork. I was sitting in the room, but not at the table. Ma and Pa, Mr. Forman, Mr. Ash, Lino, Miss Palethorpe and sister Mary were at the table. Pa handed the pork to each one of them, said it was nice, and told them to try it; they all refused. I woke up that night, a few minutes after Pa was taken sick-I was in the same room-I slept there. Ma went to get the peppermint, and she could not find it. My father puked violently by spells that night. On Saturday Ma would have sent for the Doctor, as Mr. Fanning was going that way, but Pa said that the Doctor would only give him medicine, and he had cholera morbus drops in the house, which he would take. Mina went on Sunday morning for Dr. Phillips before breakfast. The Doctor came not long after breakfast. I came in the room-he ordered chicken soup, and said that Pa could take a little chicken, not much. He said the soup would be good for him, he might eat plenty of it. On the same day (Sunday) Ma made him a little rice gruel-I helped to pound the rice in a marble mortar. I don't recollect who carried it up. On Monday, the chicken soup was made in the kitchen; the chicken was got at Mr. Boutcher's. I don't recollect when the chicken was got, I think on Monday. Mary carried the soup up to my father-I was with him at the time. Mary went down stairs again, and I staid with him. Pa tasted the gizzard, but it was tough-he used to be always very fond of the gizzard when he was well; he gave the rest to me, and I ate it. Pa soaked a cracker in the soup, and ate it with the chicken. He ate only a few spoonsful of the soup, but he ate very heartily of the chicken. I ate some of the soup myself. I carried it down stairs, chicken and soup both, and set it on the kitchen table. The neck, wing, and part of the back of the chicken was left. As I was going through the dining-room to the kitchen, Ma exclaimed, "How heartily your Pa has eaten of the chicken, and how little of the soup! I am afraid it will hurt him." I went back up stairs to stay with Pa till they had done dinner. I don't recollect that Pa was ever left alone when he was sick. Mary and I took turns attending on him while he was sick. Mr. Bishop attended part of the time. Ma also attended on him. There was a bell in the room. I think Ann Bantom was there on Monday. I don't recollect whether Julianne was gone away or not. I do not remember seeing Ann Bantom in my father's room. I don't remember the day on which my father died. I don't remember the day Mr. Fanning came there. I don't remember the day Mr. Forman went away.

By the Court. I don't recollect that they used any copper saucepans about the

house.

Cross-examined by Commonwealth's counsel.

I have told this story to lawyer Brown and to Aunt Green-no one else. I have not told it to Aunt Green this week. I talked to her about it yesterday-Mary was by, part of the time. Aunt Green asked me about it. I have not talked to my

mother about it. Aunt Green asked me when Dr. Phillips first came to Andalusia, I told her it was on Sunday. She asked me how long Pa was sick. I told her five days. She did not ask me about taking up the soup-she asked me who brought it down; I told her it was I. I don't recollect that she asked me how much my father had eaten of it. I don't recollect that she asked me whether I had eaten of it. It was in a blue quart bowl; the soup and chicken were taken up together; the chicken was on a plate, I think. The chicken was whole. Mary brought up a knife and fork with it-Pa cut it himself. It was while the rest of the family were at dinner. 'Mary brought the chicken and soup up stairs. Mother was not in the room while Pa was eating. I don't recollect who cooked the chicken. Father appeared rather better that morning; he was vomiting a little-not much. He was not vomiting when the soup was taken up. He was able to sit in the rocking chair, while his bed was making. He did not set up any more during the day, to my recollection. Mother was eating her dinner when the chicken was taken up. We dined about one o'clock, I think. My father got worse after eating the chicken. He did not get bad very fast. I don't recollect seeing Mina that morning. I don't recollect whether he was sick that day. When I carried down the soup, Mr. Forman, Mr. Ash, Mary Ann Palethorpe, Mary, and Ma were there. Nobody was in the kitchen when I took it down. Ma had not then finished dinner., Mary staid with him at breakfast. Mary and I staid with him to wait upon him while Ma was busy. Ma' was up there several times that day, part of the time waiting upon him, and part of the time sewing. My father was very fond of pork-I think he always ate it when it was on the table. I don't recollect any quarrel between Pa and Ma about the carriage. On Saturday evening, after father was taken sick, my bed was moved to the next room. I recollect, before Mina came, my father leaving his bedroom and going into another to sleep. I don't recollect why he did it.

I went to Philadelphia with Mina after Pa's death-he left me at Mrs. Le Brun's all day. I was going to Baltimore with him to see his friend Casanova, who was very sick. I did not go, because he had a letter that his friend was dead.

I went back to my father's room after taking down the chicken, and staid five or six minutes with him. He had not begun to puke when I left him. I think Ma went up when I left him. I saw him again a short time after I had done my dinner; he was not puking then. I saw him that night; he puked once while I was in the room. I don't recollect that Lino had a fit that night. I saw my father on Tuesday; I staid with him at breakfast. I don't recollect seeing him after that day. I understood he died of cholera morbus-I heard Dr. Phillips say so on Sunday.—I saw the letter from the Consul on Friday morning. I heard Ma read it to Pa. No one has told me what Ann Bantom, or any of the witnesses said in Court. My Aunt Green did not put her questions in writing. After father's death, mother slept in the spare bedchamber; it was not the room in which my father was in the habit of sleeping. We all slept together-my truckle bed was moved to that room. All the family slept there. My father made his bed sometimes with my help, when Ma was from home or unwell. I never heard Ma say he must make it. Ma commonly made it. The dining room adjoins the kitchen-they dined in that room. that day.

Ma told us she was going to New York, when she went (to be married)—she did not tell us what she was going for. After she came from Albany, she talked of going to Mexico, I believe.

LEVI V. VANDEGRIFT, fifth witness for defendant, being called to be sworn, was objected to by the counsel of Commonwealth, on the ground that he had infringed the order of the Court, by being present during the trial.

After an examination into the fact, and some desultory argument, the Court said, there was some doubt whether this witness was not the individual who was expressly excepted from the operation of that rule; and he was accordingly sworn. I live within 300 yards of Mr. Chapman's; they were my nearest neighbours. They lived there three or four years. Mrs. Chapman was the active person of the establishment. We had a good deal of intercourse. They lived in perfect harmony so far as my knowledge extends. I live on a farm. I was there once during Mr. C.'s sickness. It was on the Sunday afternoon before his death. I was passing by; Mrs. Chapman hailed me-I rode up, and went in to see him. I inquired after his health, he told me he was better. He said he called me, to state to me, that in case of his death, he did not wish his brother John Chapman's family to be made ac

M