Elizabeth-Town gazette., 1819-06-01
From the New-York Daily Adyerti.er.

Il
pronounced by him upon the black woman
lately convicted of Arson in this city
N sRosE BUTLER: The crime for which
you are TO suffer is justly considered
among the most atrocious of human Of
Fences. In all civilized countries its pun
ishment has been marked with severity.
mo prudence or human foresight can pro-
feet us against the midnight incendiary.
# We can resist the highway man, and some
8 times defeat the attack Of the hired assas.
# sin; but in the hour of repose, when nature
has sunk TO rest, what guard can shield
"A us against the wicked purposes of those
a in whom we are obliged TO place conf
dence
Formerly, the crime Of arson was
d punishable with death; but when our
d criminal law became the subject of review,
the Legislature, tender of human life, and
n anxious to promote the reformation of The
\ criminal by every mean consistent with
the safety of society, substituted impris-
onment instead of the sanguinary code
4 which then prevailed.
"This system, with all its imperlections,
has on the whole, been consoling to the
friends OF humanity. From its adoption
until about the year 1918 arson was pun
ished hy imprisonment in the state prison.
At this time the Legislature distinguished
the case oil burning an inhabited dsoelting
house, by declaring that every person con-
victed of this offence should suffer death
for the same.
"Under this law you have been tried
and convicted. You had the benefit OF
counsel TO advise with you. and assist you
on your trial. The evidence of your
pguilt was clear and satisfactory-yourl
case has been submitted to this court, and
ingeniously argued. After the most mature
deliberation, we are of opinion that it falls |
within the statute under which you have
been convicted
Your crime originated in wicked
and depraved heart-you was servant |
in the famiiy-confidence was placed in |
you: you owed fidelity and obedience
their lives and property were in some
measure placed within your power-you
selected time best calculated to effect |
your purpose: in the hour of imaginary |
security you set fire to this dwelling
house. Tie fire took effective or three |
OF the kitchen stairs were consumed; a |
number OF persons were asleep at the time |
in the upper part Of the house; being
alarmed by the noise of fire, they awoke |
and extinguished it. You was offended
with one of them for having reprimanded
you, and for this cause determined on re- |
veDge. The remainder of the family had |
never injured you or given you the least
provocation, and yet you intended to in
volve all in one common destruction.
They retired to rest without suspicion
and had it not been for that mysterious
Providence which governs aud controls
the occurrences of time, and so often
brings TO naught the counsels of the wick
ed, they had been consumed. If you are
not completely hardened in guilt you can
not look back and reflect on your Conduct
without horror,
You appear TO be young. UNDER
stand you are quite intelligent, and have
had the benefit of instruction--yet it is
necessary that you be cut off from society,
and expiate your crimes by an ignominious
death. You are now to be sentenced by
human tribunal; but you must shortly
appear in the presence Of your Creator,
who possesses infinite purity and bound
less perfection who will by no means
clear the guilty. Death is but the COM
mencement OF being-a state of happiness
or misery awaits you beyond the grave.
You have but a short time to live-im-
proue that space to prepare to die. l know
not whether you have been religiously in
structed, but know that you live in a
country where the Christian religion is
acknowledged and revered-send for the
ministers Of this religion; they will not
deny yousthe benefit of their counsel, To-
struction and prayers. The Gospel of
Christ contains the plan Of salvation-one
of its divine features is, that it is adapted
to the meaDest capacity. The great essen
tials of the word of lite are plain and OBJ
vious-read and mediate on its truths
repent truly of your sins pray for the
illumination of The Holy Spirit; look to
the blood of Christ as alone sufficient to
purify you--as the fountain that is open
ed for sinners. To this recommend you
as the only foundation Of hope. Although
your sins are great you need not despair
if you cast yourself on the merits OF this
Saviour with confiding hope and humble
trust. &C If we confess and forsake our
sins, God is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins. and to cleanse US from all
iniquity."
II now remains that I discharge the
painful duty Of the Court in pronouncing
the sentence of the law. You are TO be
taken 10 the nlaca from ,Vhance Won came