Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-10-03
ROBERT GIBSON.

ROBERT GIBSON.
The foIlowing.is given by the Richmond
Enquirer as the sentence delivered by
Judge Brockenbrough on Saturday last,
over this wretched man.-lf there be any
so infatuated as TO mediate the commits
sion of similar alrocity, let him read
this sentence, and tremble:
Robert Gibson alias Robert Carlton -
You stand before this court under circum-
stances of the most distressing character.
You have been charged with the murder OF
John N. Peutross, and three successive jul
ries have on their oaths declared That you
are guilty ofthis dreadful crime. Two new
trials have been granted TO you by the court
not indeed from belief that either of the
two verdicts which were rendered against
you were contrary 10 evidence, Tor the chain
of circumstances proved against you was
too strong and irresistible to leave doubt
of your guilt; nor from belief that there
was any unfairness in your trials: you were
on both occasions defended with great abil-
ty, and every thing that could be urged in
yorr behalf was ingeniously and strongly
pressed by the gentleman of the bar, who
volunteered their services for you. The
reasons for granting the new trials were
particularly expressed at the time, and
they were founded on the humane principle
that no man however guilty shall be con-
demned, unless the stricicst principles OF
the law shall be in all things complied
with.
You have been tried third tine. and a
third time convicted, and your last trial, as
well as the former, has been, believe,
perfectly impartial.
will not dwell on the enormity OF Your
offence. Twill leave you to your own re-
Elections, and TO the goadings of your own
conscience, when in the solitude of your
prison, You bring to your view, the dead
body of the murdered Peltross. When
you recall 10 your memory the dreadful
spectacle of youth who had not injured,
nor even provoked you, suddenly and vio-
lently deprived Of that life, which no man
codld rghtfully take away when you look
on your hands, and your garment dyed with
his blood, your mind will revolt with hor-
ror from the deed. 1T is not my purpose
10 wound, much less TO insult your feelings.
1t is my duty TO announce 10 you the pc
nalty which you have incurred, by violating
the FIRST law Of man, of nature, and of God.
This solemn duty affords me no pleasure.
Would TO God, the deed had never been
done! Would to Heaven you had been III
nocent OF this great crime!
lmperious necessity has obliged the law
TO declare, that whoever murders his fel-
low-man, shall himself die. The heart
which conceives such atroclous wickedness
must cease to beat the hand which exc
cutes it must be raised up no more. The
deliberate and cruc! murderer must be cut
of from society: His power OF destruction,
must itself be destroyed. But let it be for
ever remembered, that it is not for ven-
geance but for safety, that this law has been
made.
Such is your present situation. You have
she'd innocent blood ; your own will short
ly be poured out on the scaffold, by the
voice oi your country. After a few
more days shall have passed over you, it
will be your fate 70 be carried TO the gal
lows, there to expiatc your offence by your
death.-This world, and all its scenes
will close upon you. But there IS world
TO come, and though no living man is so
pure as to be able to meet the justice of his
God, yet is there none 50 stepped in crime,
who may not hope that the extended man.
lie of His mercy may protect him from
everlasting misery. Let me therefore urge
you, earnestly urge you, TO repent sincere
ly of your transgrcssions, and call for relief
and pardon from Him alone, who can grant
them TO you.
1t now only remains that ! should pro-
nounce the sentence of the law, which is,
that you be remanded TO the Jail from
whence you came, there 10 remain till the
day OF execution; that you be from thence