Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-27

me PROCESSION was formed in the following
order;
Officer of Police, mounted:
Mr. Sprague, Deputy Marshal, mounted
Messrs. billings aud Baldwin, mounted;
Surgeon, and Super't of Police, in carriage
Coroner Stevenson, mounted;
Marshal aud Sheriff, in carriage,
Two Constables with Badges;
aE:;::' :$:$::H :: :::: G.: s.'''
Two Constabies with Badges:
Cart with Collins;
Two Aids, mounted
At the time appointed by the Marshal ! mast
IL O'Clock, tie procession moved from the
Courthouse 10 the place of execution where
after prayer aud religious conversation until
near one o'clock, at that hour the prisontrs
were executed. The day was cold. but fair
very large c0ncourse of spectators were
assembled TO behold the awful ceremony. Mr.
Bell. who assisted the Marshal in his duties.
called upon the spectators, and read the fol-
lowing address
Ny Friends. 1.-The execution of the pains
ana pey hties annexed to the violation Of the
laws o' God and our country, is scene 20
awinI, that 1t must at ouce Danish every an
pearance OF levity and command our h;i,h,,
attention and consideration
AS the organ of the Marshal, whose iinpor
ta"t uutieS require MS uninterrupted attention
expect from this numerous assembly thaf
silence and decoru:n which this solemnity
- Nesd1 ask for your qniet attention, while.
as the munster Of Justice, he reads the warrant,
IN which he Is compelled to cousign to the
world of spirits. the trembling lropipy. dvsny
penitent nialefactorsi
-" Need solicit your silence VILE their Rev.
rastor addresses the Throne OF Grace tor
their pardon and peace!
No-yoar sense of propriety will ensure
in the other.
/" When the curtain drops which separate,
the coDvlcts firm terrestrial objects n,ae
every aspiration he prayer 10 the Throne Of
Grace for mercy Oh the Sufferers"
After this address, the Marshal read tl,e
Deaih warrant, aud concluded with ,lie fol.
lowing remarks:
have now read to you felsw citizens. the
rrecept, which, while it authorizes REQUIRES I
shon'd deprive these four unfortunate men of
;ueif eaithiy existence, and transport their
conhdes to HE a solemn authority and imuoses
an awful duty. And, fellow citizens. if their
crimes, since their fatal commits sion or their
sentence, MAY have made their beds, beds of
thorns, the delegation of this high authority
ana the requirement of discharge of this
RISES. rN" VI
-, J." But amid the multitude of thoughts which
nave encenpassed me, l have derived consoja
non from reelection, that the command ne
society Is ~ exact accordance with that high
oTder OF Heaven, which directs that" whose.
eyer shedJeti, mans blood, by man shall his
Whatever may be the motives which have
Dronght many of you 10 witness this sad scene
OF death, sure am, that il cannot bnt AWAKEN
~ every breast those pious and solemn feelings
80 justly due to the occasions and that while
as citizcns, you rally round the officers iu,rusted
WIN TIE execution of the laws, YOU will not
hesitate to look, witp piety and reverence to
nun VINO ~ above all ADD to join with fervency
and true devotion, the Minister of our HoIS
Religion, 10 imPloring tue God Of all grace and
shppiication, IN behalf of these unfortunate
men, nOAS abtat TO be ushered into the eternal
word. and the immediate presence Of their
Ooi, ahe 10 enter on the morning of eternity
hey are indeed strangers among us. lar
from KINDRED friends affectionate relatives
and ~ foreign land hut IL must he gratifyiby
To- YOU 20 kno~, that though the Stern hand Of
Justice hath overtaken them. its correctioss
have been administered with mildness and
sympathy as IL is a consolation also to believe
th"i IiOih every region there is pathway 10
t,inn'oftaity, and that the spirit which reli zion
has purified aud refined will when frssd
from the body, ind it's native country .u-tor
christianity has assured us, that God is no
reSp"cter OF persons-but of ever, marion s,ct
ava people; they who fear him and pententIy
confess aud repent of their sins and relv ON hiss
need" '" ~ '''''e VI
At the termination of this address. the Rev
Father LarIasey addressed the 1hron. Of
scene was closed. "
Aboutte minutes after they were executed.
tue Marshal read that part OF the warrant
Whlch oFdered their bodies to be delivered ,o
que surgeons II they were called for. Several
Surgeons appeared to take lhsIn
PnOiIc executions are nof frequent amonou,
ana when they do occur, considerable excite
inent is visible. Our people are Taught. FINN
thelr earliest childhood, tQ commiseTate Tho
WretCll VINO mas eomIntteda crime. while they
ebhoT has deed. Such is the seHsibility renef.
ally shewn towards those whose lives are for.
tSited by the laws. that IL there are any amelia
rating circumstances in the case, the power
whose prerosatIVe II IS to pardon is assaiIed
rem every quarter with humble Detit;ons and
tnirFatics for mercy. Many think this feeling
las been TOO much Indulgediu our co,ununify
aud that clemeucy has too often been shoxn to
criminals but we are not of THE opinion 80.
ID. NY te the wretched and guilty, these
strong feelings Of adherence al the fre1neucv
81 pubic executions, ave proofs of pubiie viz
Tue, tOf much otPatriOtism aud purity of morals
grow out Of the affections Strike dead the
sympdtnes OF he heart, and the head is bnt
hnti"nle gulde. Generous sentiments often
~ The abandoned, counterfeit erroueous rea'
sohlbS and prevent Dad deeds Whatever nav
be tte necessity of cutting of the offender tbe
I1OHcshouldneVcr BE- outraged bythe manner
i"e usHcAcy % pubic feeling should be pre-
eNiVed ~ almost aiy expense, and therefore M
unnecessary form Of iguOriiny or disgr,co
Fhouli accompany public execution Cor the
ntuu, diseusied vita brutality. turns will, nttv
lfoh me tate o. DE sufferer, and vents its in.
digndtOn az The wantonness and barb.t;t,, rs
phwer. There has not been an eVscns;oy,, 10
'"is conmog"ea.th for many wears thai The
pv"''N N4lS hdS hOf ceou so perfectly satisfied
WIN ."e justice OF the condemnation fl,at no
hv"Iy necessary. Every spectator felt az
- ~ "do "dt 90 Judgment npOn the offender.
a"d Was perfectly cUnvhced'tG at tba senio,'c.''
WIS just. Ne inufWnTinRs no htsSiues "a a
P'Diic execution even J.sgtaced Inc yeonIe