Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-05-24


place confidence
Formerly, the crime Of arson was pu-
nishable with death; but when Our crImi-
nal law became the subject of review,
the Legislature, tender Of human life, and
| anxious to promote the reformation OF the
criminal by every mean consistent with the
safety of society, substituted imprisonment
instead Of the sanguinary code which then
prevailed.
"This system. with all its imperfections
has, on the whole. been consoling to the
friends Of humanity. From its adoption
until about the year 1913, arson was pun
ished by Imprisonment in the state pri-
son.-At this time the Legislature distin-
guished the case of Burning an inhabited
Dwelling house, by declaring that every
person convicted of this offence should suf-
fer death tor 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 vour
trial. The evidence Of your guilt was clear
and satisfactory-your case has been SUBJ
mitted to this Court and ingeniously argu-
ed. After the most mature deliberation,
we are of opinion that it falls within the
statute under which you have been convict.
ed.
'Your crime originated in wicked and
depraved heart-you was servant in the
family-con6dence wasplaced in you; you
owed fidelity and obedience-their lives
and property were in some measure, pla-
ced within your power-you selected a
time best calculated to effect your purpose;
in the hour of imaginary security you set
, fire to this dwelling house. The 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 extnguished it. You was
offended with one of them for having re-
prilnanded you, and for this cause deter
mined on revenge. The remainder Of the
family had never injured you or given you
the least provocation, and yetyou intended
to involve all in one common destruction.
They retired to rest without suspicion and
had it not been for. that mysterious Provi
dence which governs and controls the oc-
currences of time, and so often brings to
nought the counsels of TIE wicked, they had
been consumed. Iiyou are not complete
ly hardened in guilt, you cannot look back
and reflect on it without horror.
you appear to be young. understand
you are quite intelligent, and have had the
benefit of nsruction-yet it is necessary
that you be cut off from society, and expl-
ate 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 posses
ses infinite purity and boundiesss perfec.
ticn who will by no means clear the glil-
ty. Death is but the commencement OF
beng--a state Of happiness or misery a.
waits you beyond the grave. You have
but short time TO live-improve that tn'e
to prepare 10 die, know not whether you
have been religiously instructed, but know
that you live in country where the Chris
tan religion is acknowledged and revered
-sen0 for the ministers of this religion
they will not deny you the benefit of their
counsel, instruction and prayers. The Cos
pei of Christ contains The plan Of salvation
One of its divine features is, that it is a
dapted to the meanest capacity. The
great essentials Of the word OF life are plain
and otyious-read and mediate on its
truths repent truly Of your sins pray Tor
the illumination of the Holy Sprit--look 10
II e blood of Christ as alone sufficient TO pu.
rify you--as the fountain that is opened for
sinners. To this recommend you as the
only foundation of hope. Although your sins
are great, you need not despair il you cast
yourself on the merits of this Saviour with
confding hope and humble trust--"lf we
confess and forsake our sins, God is faithful
and just to forgiveus our sins, and to Cleanse
US from all iniquity.'
"lt now remains that discharge The
| painful duty of the Court in pronouncing
the sentence Of the law. You are to be ia
ken to the place from whence you came,
and from thence on the llth day of June