Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-09-20
SENTENCE,
Pronounced By Judge Livingston, on Mon
day, h The Circuit Court. on
George BroCn

Pronounced By Judge Livingston, on Mon
day, h The Circuit Court. on
George Broom.
You have been convicted OF the murder
of John Lewis, and OH testimony which has
left no doubt OF your guilt. This crime, at
all times, one of the greatest which can
be committed, has been perpetrated by you,
under circumstances OF very peculiar ag-
gravation. The object of your violence
was master of vessel, in which he had
placed you second in command. In this
situation it was your indispensable duty,
not only to have abstained yourself from
every outrage against his person, but TO
have been foremost IN protecting hun from
that of others. But, designating the re-
Iation in which you STOOD, and violating the
confidence which had been reposedin you,
there is too much reason to believe, not
only that you were an active agent ID the
catastrophe which took place, but that you
contrived and advised, in part, the scheme
OF inquily, which was but too successfully
executed on the high seas The manner,
TOO, in which the horrid deed was execu-
led, is well calculated TO call forth feelings
of the most lively Indignation. Having
thrown the unfortunate victim OF your Gu
pldily into the sea, it was immediately dis
covered by his shrieks and repeated cries
for help, that he was still alive, notwlth-
standing the blow which you had inflicted
on him Here was not only most pathe-
tic appeal to your humanity and compass
siou, but an opportunity Afforded you by a
kind Providence for reflection, under cir
cumstances which ought TO have arrested
the most haruened offender in the career
OF guilt. But turning deal ear to the dy-
inc supplications OF man who had never
offended you, and who had so many claims
on your protection, you make not single
effort to assist him, but permit him to per-
ish, without being at all moved by the aw-
full scene which was passing before you.
For this act, at the bare relation OF which
humanity shudders, no palIiaiion whatever
is offered Oh your part. No injury had sv-
er been received by you from the deceased
no thirst of rerenge--no intemperance
of passion hurried you on, which although
they would have furnished no excuse moi
justification for so atrocious an act, might
have excited some commiseration for the
unhappy condition 10 which you have re.
duced yourself. But the murder is COM
mitted without provocation, in cold blood,
and in presence OF your whole crew, with
no other motive than that of obtaining pos
session, at the price Of human blood, OF a
valuable property which had been entrust.
ed to your care. almost as much as 10 that
OF the unfortunate man whose life, in all
probabiily would have been spared if he
had been base enough 10 have become an
associate with you in the crime and dis
grace OF running away with the vessel and
cargo of his owner. The only motive
which can be assigned for your conduct, Is
scarcely less criminal than the act for which
you are 10 suffer; nor have you any excuse
il any could be offered, for suffering your
self to he led away BY it, In the aFlms. of