Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-23
Calcutta, May II.
From the Richmond Compiler.
MR.. WRIT.

MR.. WRIT.
Mr.. Coale, Of Baltimore, has published
pamphlet report Of the trials OF the Mail
Robbers, Hare, Alexander and Hare, in
May last. Mr.. Writ spoke twice on the
trials in chief; the first time on the case of
Joseph Thompson Hare; and next on that
Of John Alexander. His speeches were
not given in full-but, even in these brief
sketches, we meet with some passages
which interest US. They breathe the same
ease, simplicity, and beauty of expression,
which we were wont to admire in hi. more
finished exhibitions. The book is not in
every hand-and the following extracts
may therefore serve to arnuse many OF our
readers -
CASE or J. T. HARE.
"Mr. Writ admitted thathe had mista-
ken the gentleman. The popular indjgna-
planned so vehemently, was certainly very
natural, and he would add, very honorable.
II was the Indignation Of virtuous people
against most hsgitious and daring offence.
He hoped never TO see the day. when the
recital Of such crime would be heard with
composure by the American people. 1t
would be mournful proof that our moral
sensibility was gone. AT the same time,
he should regret. extremely. that the indig-
nation Of the Jury against the offence,
should mingle itself with their examination
OF the evidence against tire person here &C
cused for it did not by any means follow,
that because the offence was enormous, the
prisoner at the bar was the person guilty Of
it. He was TO be tried by the judgment.
not by the passions of the jury 1; he was to
he tried by the evidence, aud not by their
feelings, either of indignation or of mercy:
for mercy was not as the gentleman had al
leded, the prerogative of the jury; mercy
towards criminals was the prerogative Of
the President of the T. s.; to him under
our constitution, and to him alone, belongs
the power of reprieve and pardon. The
jury had sworn 10 try the cause according
to the evidence; TO whatever conclusion,
therefore, the evidence conducted them,
that conclusion was TO be their verdict they
had no alternative-they could make no
compromise with their consciences; they
had only TO discharge, with infeyible firm
ness, that duty which the laws Of their coun-
try con6ded TO them. and when the ques-
ton of mercy came before the President,
there could be no doubt, that he would dis
charge has with equal fidelity. When that
question shall come before him, il ever il
shall come, he will remember that mercy,
however amiable in itself. degenerates in
to weakness, and even into guilt. where it
is improperly directed. He will remem-
Der. that there is mercy due to society,
as well as 10 individuals; that the proper
object Of mercy is either suffering virtue,
or peniteni guilt: penitent guilt, ,ohich pre-
SCENTS a syeH, founded hope of reformation /;
he will remember that peniten!iary is not
always place Of repentance that there
have been persons who have been once.
twice, thrice and four times sentenced to
that species of confinement, TO whom il has
proved no school Of reform who have ap.
piled the hours Of their solitude to no other
purpose than to sharpen their wits in pro-
jecting new schemes Of rapine, and who
have come forth into society, only the more
hardened in guilt, and The better prepared
to carry on their depredations on broad
er, holder and more daring scale There
are such men--we do not say that the pri-
soner is one, but there are men, we all
know, so perfectly dead to every touch of
virtuous feeling, so obdurate and stubborn
in guilt, and so peverseIy proud Of the Sue
cess OF their crimes, as TO set at nought, all
obligations, human and divine. and 10 laugh
not only at the whip Of the law, but even al
the thunder OF Heaven. What mercy
would there be 10 the viptuos part of so.
ciety, in letting loose upon them, men (if
such monsters can deserve the name of
men) Of this description? These remarks,
he said, were drawn from him against his
purpose, by The unexpected course pur-
sued by the gentleman TO whom be was re.