The return of the bearer brought the following:
St. John, Sept. 24th,—Dear Sir,—Your favor of yesterday I received this morning, and I am sorry to hear so desponding an account of the unfortunate man in your custody. It will be your duty, I conceive, to have a Coroner’s inquest on the body, and then have it decently interred. With respect to the cause of the death, that is a circumstance which must rest wholly on facts; if any physician shall attend him, let him be particular in taking down in writing what the man says in his last moments, as to the circumstances; and if a Justice should be then present, it would not be amiss.
In haste, yours, sincerely,
C. J. Peters.
Saturday, 24th.—The watchers reported that he had passed a very restless night, and but just survived the morning; that he complained for want of medical assistance. The following note was then sent to the doctor who had attended him:
Kingston, September 24th, 1814,—Dear Doctor: Smith, the prisoner, says that he is suffering for want of medical assistance, and that you will not attend him unless he is removed into another room, which cannot be permitted; he must take his fate where he now is, and if he dies in gaol, an enquiry will take place which may prove to your disadvantage. I must therefore request your attention.
I am yours, &c.,
Dr. A. Paddock, Jr. Walter Bates.
At this time the sympathy and compassion of the whole neighborhood was excited to the highest degree. The family of the Rev. Mr. Scovil, especially manifested deep concern for him, and sent him everything that they thought would either comfort or relieve him; as did also the family of Mr. Perkins, and that of Mr. Raymond; all these having been in the immediate neighborhood. But the prisoner used little or none of their cordials or delicacies. Mr. Perkins visited him about 10 o’clock, a.m., and kindly proposed to watch with him the ensuing night, for which he discovered much thankfulness. In the course of the day the doctor came, and gave him some medicine; but found him so weak, that he required to be lifted and supported while he was receiving it. The doctor acknowledged his low state, but did not think him so near his end, as to die before morning, unless he should go off in a fit. This, the patient said, was what he had reason to fear would be his fate before morning, and therefore wished to make his will.
All his clothes, at his death, he willed to John Dibble; and his money, about three pounds, which he always kept by him in his berth, he bequeathed to the jailor, for his kind attention to him in his sickness. The money Mr. Dibble proposed to take charge of; but Smith said it was safe where it was for the present.