No sooner had I heard the witnesses for the
prosecution, than that hope died within me. A number of persons deposed,
that on the night in question they had seen me in the gambling-house;
but they were men of indifferent character, and not personally
acquainted with me. At last, with astonishment and horror I saw my
venerable friend, Mr. B----, put into the box, and heard him swear in
positive terms that he was present in the room, and saw me at play. My
defence availed nothing. The wretched old woman, whom I produced, as the
court and jury believed, to establish my defence by perjury, was
immediately discredited, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty. I
was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. My feelings I will not
attempt to describe.
During my confinement I made the most energetic attempts to reconcile
myself to my fatal destiny. I formed a plan for my future life, complete
in every particular. My character being destroyed, and most of my
friends alienated, I determined to convert my property into money, and
to seek a refuge in the United States.
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