Such an impression has long been entertained by those conversant with their pecuniary concerns, and when circumstances previously known are compared with some of the private, but imperfect, memoranda left by Mr. Pierson, the proof is as clear as could be desired, that there was indeed a combination of robbers who plundered them, though the evidence is not exactly such as can bring home the facts, in a legal form, to a court and jury. The loose papers just referred to, contain various entries of moneys advanced, or rather given, to these people. To one individual, on a certain occasion, he gave the sum of one thousand dollars, by direction, as he supposed, of the Holy Spirit, and with a promise from the same source that he should receive three fold in return. Pierson and Folger were likewise inveigled into various unfortunate speculations in patented inventions, by which many sums of money were lost. What some of these unlucky adventures were, the reader will discover by the following prayer, taken from the papers of the former :

Nov. 12th, 1833. Spirit of Truth! guide us into the right way concerning the globe stove, self-loading cart, [and] planing machine. Manifest thy mind concerning these things, that we may know and do thy pleasure.

I ask that the evil spirits may have no power to hinder the successful and beneficial operation of these things.

O Lord God, let not the enemies triumph over us, but send help, such as is needed.

We [I] consecrate the gain to the building of thy kingdom. Now, Lord God, hear this my prayer.

They likewise embarked to a considerable extent in speculations of real estate-always under the di

rection of the Holy Spirit-Mr. Pierson having the vision, and Mr. Folger making the purchases and sales. These were not all unsuccessful, but no very great profits were realized. And even had there been, the avails would have been swallowed up in the stock operations which Mr. Pierson supposed he was making by the same Divine direction. The following is a copy of one of his spiritual missives, to Mr. Folger, to purchase stock :

June 3, 1833. Wrote to B. H. Folger: "Now is the accepted time; buy three hundred shares. Let it be left with thee to sell, and I will direct. More than ten will be obtained for it. Cost, 105 per cent."

The stock was purchased, and a heavy loss was the consequence. But enough has been written upon this branch of the subject, and it is time to shift the scene.

CHAPTER IX.

Trial of Matthews before the Court of Oyer and Terminer in Westchester-First, as to the question of his sanity-Second, on the indictment for murder-Third, for the assault and battery upon his daughter, Mrs. Laisdell.

THE warrant upon which Matthews had been surrendered by the civil authorities of New-York to those of the county of Westchester, was issued upon information as to the circumstances attending Mr. Pierson's death, contained in the deposition of Mrs. Dratch-the female mentioned in the narrative of Mr. Folger, who came to their residence during the illness of the deceased, and remained there until his death. Mrs. Dratch, it will be recollected, came there for pecuniary assistance. The following is a copy of the deposition referred to:

"Mrs. Dratch testifies, that on the 11th of August, 1834, she came from New-York, with the intention of visiting Mr. Pierson, he having been many years her particular friend. When she reached his house, she saw Matthias, who appeared to he much excited, and told her that Mr. Pierson was sick, and that she could not then see him. But on repeating her request, was put off, and answered by Matthias, that when Mr. Pierson came from the bath, she might see him. When night came on, she was urged by Matthias to go to bed, which she did from fear, and slept but little, and in the morning was told that Mr. Pierson was dead, but no one could tell by what means; but she heard him utter several groans during the night, and in the morning, when she arose, was told by Matthias that he was

dead. No person in the house could tell how he came by his death, and she has the impression on her mind, that Matthias has, by some means, been instrumental in his death. And having seen the certificate of four respectable physicians, that some unwholesome or deadly substance was found in the stomach of Pierson, she founds her belief thereon that he has been poisoned, and therefore on this evidence the undersigned gave his warrant. "CHARLES YEO, Westchester county."

The reader would hardly suppose from the terms of this deposition, that the informant was on such apparently friendly terms with Matthews, during the illness of her friend and benefactor, as appeared to be the case while she was there. Still, upon such testimony, and from the evidence of the physicians who examined the body of the deceased,* the Grand Jury was unquestionably right in finding a bill.

Thursday the 16th of April, 1835, was assigned for the trial of Matthews on the indictment for the murder of Mr. Pierson, but on account of the absence of witnesses the case was deferred until the next day. On returning from the Court to the jail, he was asked how he felt, and answered, "I feel that the Lord is my stay, and will be my exceeding great reward-like gold seven times refined shall I come out of this fiery furnace; but as I have lost my dinner, I am now hungry and weak, and should like to have a bite of something." He refused to shake hands with any person, saying, “Know ye not that it is written, 'touch not the prophet of the Lord?"" A young man coming to the door of his cell expressed a wish "to have a peep at the old

* For the statement of Dr. Condit, written by himself for this work, see Appendix.

devil;" and Matthews sternly rebuked him, saying, "Young man, I wonder your tongue does not cleave to your mouth, thus to address the prophet of the Lord. But it is as in the time of Jesus of Nazareth, when they said he hath a devil." "

During his confinement he had issued a decree commanding all the farmers to lay aside their ploughs, declaring, "As I live, there shall be no more sowing in the earth until I, the twelfth and last of the apostles, am delivered out of the house of bondage." He also prophesied that if he were convicted, White Plains should be destroyed by an earthquake, and not an inhabitant be left to tell the tale of its destruction; and strange to say, men were not found wanting who believed in his absurd and blasphemous predictions.

Previous to his removal on the day above mentioned, he addressed the Court, although informed he must be silent and leave his cause in the hands of his counsel, vociferating in a loud voice, "I protest against the proceedings-I learn that evidence has been taken in secret before the Grand Jury-I object to all secret institutions, for they are cursed of God-cursed of God, and were dissolved five years ago." These last words were uttered in a loud voice, and with such extravagance of gesture that the Court ordered him to be removed; a command to which he submitted very readily, but, on reaching the door, burst forth at the utmost power of his loud, shrill voice, repeating, "Dissolved, dissolved, dissolved," until he was borne away.

There is some reason to suppose that he did not