Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-02-09

we C00'huihCdt3u ySS.S'u@J 49,
euIars of ,hs execution OF this young
fiicer. I. appears that since his con-
.emnation he had entertained no hopes
# pardon, and had taken SD little susie
rance as nearly to starve himself. Inc
is his speech upon his trials
DEFENCE.
Mr. President, and Gentlemen OF
this Honorable Court, |
at i. with the utmost poignancy OF
feeling, with the deepest bitterness and
regret, tina, l appear before you IN my
,resent awful and unfortunate situation.
10 the wretch hardened in crimes, and
growing grey in the pursuits OF vlliainy'
the recollection of having actually de-
prived felIow-creature OF existence,
the divine gift of the Creator, must ever
crowd his imagination with load OF the
most intolerable ideas.
How then can any power OF Ian,
guage express the multiplied pains OF
nv situation. the pangs ofremorse which
swell in my bosom with the most heart
rending sensations on the remembrance
Of the past, through an unHemeditated
and deeply lamented act, which has led
10 this investigation. An, God, could
year. Of Punishment and pain atone tor
the mania of a moment, could tears OF
blood, or sob. CT scutest grief recall the
flighted spirit, the scorpions sting that
now rankles in my bosom, might be re.
moved, and the fever of young man
be succeeded by peace OF mind and the
sweetness of content but alas! what
mortal power can rekindle the vital spark
or illuminate the faded eye: the aood
of affection and the human tear are in
vain; they rend my soul, but yield no
consolation to its wound.
d" Thus, though impressed with the
deepest contrition, my imagination re-
coils with horror and indignation at the
shocking i,nputa,ion of murder, though
the unfortunate man did indeed fall by
nv hand. the violent mutinous tenor of
his conduct, heightened by the mos: az.
gravated circumstances to me, his com.
manding officer, in the act of carrying
on the duties OF my situation, worked
me to phrenzy of passion, in the tenn
pest Of which he fell sad victim of his
own consummate obstinacy. OF very
different nature from the whirlwind of
rage by which he was swept from among
men, is the prepense malice of the de-
liberate and insidious murderer.
6" God Almighty knows, my heart
bleeds at the recital; bot it is duty l
owe to myself, and to the world. to draw
your attention to my situation as first
lieutenant, and the consequent provoca-
ton: and I fondly hope this honorable
court will accompany me IN my feelings
as an officer, and man. A complaint
had been made to me by the carpenter
of the ship, Of the deceased, who had
conducted himself in the most riotous
and disorderly manner to the said per
son: weighing the circumstances, /,
rith lenity natural to me, and which
I trust shall prove to have ever been
my character, from high evidence, or
dered him a slight punishment, too tri-
fling in its nature, and not unbecoming
MS situation as soldier, merely TO walk
the quarter deck with musket in his
hand, and to which l was induce d by
prepossession in his favor, and wish
10 preserve him from condigH punish
ment, which must have been the Cense-
quencc if the regular steps had been
taken. When, with lnsufferable con-
tempt, better expressed by the carriage
and demure CounteDanCs and eye tha;
by language, he impertinently refused
to submit: again and again command
ed further compliance. the same provo
cation was renewed, few to my wea.
pom; and here before God & my coun
try, I most solemnly disclaim any inter-
ton 10 endanger the life ofthe deceased,
md declare l meant simply to intirni-
date and thereby force obedience to my
orders Acting on this principle, Sc
veral times struck the musket, which
the deceased held in his hand, and de-
sired him to walk sbc9t-tbis seeming.
ly had the desired effect-he shouidered
rms, and my sword was returned in its
scabbard. But in the very same mo.
ment, my soul still glowing with indig- |
nation at his outrageous audacity OF air |
and aspect, he again refused compliance
and dared me to the fatal act. The i'm
posing attitude Of the man, The fierce
of his features. his high in.
gratitude add disdain working on my
already Infatuated by irri
ated evaporation, shot like fash of
lightning across my brain, reason for
seek its seat, raging madness usurped
he way. and my sword obeyins its bur.
lied mandate, was passed into his body.
Cruel! cruel most cruel sword -
which at once plunged him into eterni
v-to appear unprepared before his
Iod-and me into the deepest gloom OF