Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-11-17

saaited him, aud after recovering the use
OF his intelects, he fell into state OF
stupid insensibiIity, waiting compesedly
for annihildtion an irrational opinion ne
had previously embraced, and Tor some
time after tenaciously adhered to. The
arguments and persuasions oil the Clergy
who visited him, were urged In VAN LOT
many weeks. Some weeks before his ex"
ecution, remarkable revolution ~ his
opinions and feelings was discoyered-h
read the Bible almost necessarily. Inc
enormity of his crimes were brought 10
bis view IN their most appalling character,
His anguish was bitter 10 the extreme ana
we are justified in saying be drank the
cup of remorse to the very dregs. lie
sent for the Clergy and implored their
PRAYERS and instructions, aad we have ms
own authority, that bis three last days
were the happiest Of bis whole lille.
Directly after his conviction, ne sent
for his Counsel, and gave minute and
candid history of bis truly chequered life.
This catalogue of crimes was put into
pamphlet, and is before the public. His
mind was never stored with any principle
of morality, and he declares no good mo-
tive ever actuated him, after excepting a
rigid respect and veneration which he al
ways cherished for old age.-He was,
while in the army, remarkable for clean
illness, and even the last suit of clothes
was made to bis oGn taste, he giving very
particular directions for each garment.
The day before the execution he spoke OF
the Judge, the Jury, the Attorney Gen.
eraI and District Attorney, in terms Of
appreciation, and took an affectionate fare
we'll of the latter gentleman, remarking
that he had done his duty, and that he
(H.) ought and was willing to die.
On the morning of the execution, the
unfortunate man was visited by the Revs.
Stansbury, Cumming, Bradley and Ches-
ter. Mr.. Stansbury passed two hours ID
pious ezhortation Immediately after day
light. He was calm and possessed an I'M
shaken hope of redemption. Mr.. Cum
ming administered Christian consolation
by prayer and instruction. His cell re-
sounded with devout supplications and
animated praises from the dawn OF day TO
the moment he left it for the place of exc
cutiou. The scene was irresistibly affect
ing, and drew tears from every eye. The
man who had braved death in its most APP
palling forms without tremOr, equally
regardless of human and heavenly laws,
was now humbled to the very dust--pas-
sive as the lamb, and although on the
verge OF eternity, serene, resigned and
happy beyond expression.
He dressed himself about ten O'Clock,
and requested permission 10 visit the GRIM
inals in other apartments with the intention
of admonishing them to shun the vices
which had brought him to an untimely |
end, but found himself too much over
come to proceed, and confided his wishes
TO Mr.. Stansbury, who addressed a few
feeling remarks to them. He returned
and conversed without any restraint or
concern. He requested with much ear
nestDess that his body might have a de
cent burial. He answered with much in
telligence, many important questions put
by the clergy, and gave satisfactory as
surances Of having correct view of what
he relied upon for future happiness.
About IL o'clock he informed the Sher-
iff he was ready and wished to go. AT
half past IL he left the prison, and having
particularly requested to walk, with firm
and soldier-like precision kept exact time
with the dead march to his place Of exc
cution. And here a scene awaited him
and many thousand spectators which any
attempt to portray would but weaken.
Here trial awaited the Inflated Hamilton
which masters description, and from which
he must inevitably have recoiled had he
not been buoyed up with the divine as
surance that for him to die was gain"
Hamilton assembled the ladder to the
scaffold with the most perfect composure
and resignation. The Sheriff stood on
the scaffold on one side and Mr.. Stansbury
on the other. A psalm was read and
sung. Hamilton surveyed attentively the
multitude which surrounded him. After
a fervent and animated appeal to the foun-
tain of mercy, he requested Mr.. SLAMS
bury to address the spectators in his be-
half, saying he was incapable Of explain
ing his belief, or expressing his sentiments
In proper language.
Mr.. S. addressed a glowing aud en-
phatic appeal to the spectators 10 an audi
BILE and commanding voice. spoke Of
the unhallowed crimes Of the condemned
maIefactor, and the ignominious death
they had brought him to, with peculiar
force and feeling He gave an interesting
account Of the state Of his mind, and adj
verted to the cause of the uncommon Sc
renity and composure which accompanied
him 10 the shameful death Of the scafIold