Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-31

| Jury beg also to express their nope, tnat
revision of the criminal code is in contem-
plation, and more particularly the law re-
specting forgery of bank notes; and, il they
may with propriety, they would suggest
SOME other mode of punishment than that
at present adopted, sucitas perpetual hard
labor and solitary imprisonment, which
would be more dreadful in the eye Of the
offender than the chance OF escaping CAPT
tal pusishmentby the Communication of death
for transportation. Signed on behalf ofthe
grand jury, by their foreman.
CHARLES Derrick"
From the Edinburgh Courant of Dec. 81,
EXECUTION OF ROBERT JOHNSTON AND HoR-
RIBLE OUTRAGE.
We have this day to record one of the
most disgraceful scenes that ever took place
in this city. We shall not at present enter
on the question as to the precaution which
might have been taken to insure the due
execution of the awful sentence OF the law,
but simply detail the horrible transactions
of yesterday, as far as they fell under our
own observations.
The unfortunate man was convicted and
sentenced TO die for robbing Mr.. Charles,
candle maker; bis two accomplices, Gal
loway and Lee, were sentenced, the Tor
mer to fourteen, and the latter 10 seven
years transportation.
Day light yesterday, exhibited the new
apparatus for the melancholy catastrophe
The place fixed upon was before the north
most window on the west side of the New
North Church, few yards from the High
street. Numerous groups of people con-
tinued to assemble about the fatal spot, to
examine the dreadful preparation, and as
the hour approached the croud was very
great.
The unhappy criminal walked from the
Lock-up-hoase to the scafold, which he as
cended with a firm step, at 90 minutes be-
fore three o'clock. After spending quar-
ter of an hour in prayer, he shook hands
with the Rev. Gentlemen, who attended
him, and mounted the platform with ferti-
tude.
The executoneroccupying longer time
in adjusting the rope than appeared to
great part of the Spectators to be necessary,
much disapprobation was expressed; the
platform sunk about minute before three.
Unfortunately the rope was too long, or the
height from the scaffold to the beam from
which the sufferer was suspended, INSULT
cient; in consequence Of one or other of
these causes, or both his toes rested on the
floor of the scaffold.- Just at that moment.
policeman in front, resisting the EN-
croachment of the crowd, pushed one with
bis batten, who cried out "Murder!" II is
probable those at distance imagined the
exclamation to be occasoned by the pitia-
bic situation of Johnston, and therefore
Joined in it. Stones began TO fy towards
the scaffold, (of which unluckiy the state
OF the ground afforded an ample supply
and the. magistrates and their attendants
were compelled to make precipitate re-
retreat 1t was well for the executioner
that he escaped at the same time, for at such
moment the consequences to him must
have been fatal ii he mob continued to
throw stones, some OF which struck the un-
happy object Of punishment, and others the
church windows At FIVE minutes past
three, person very deliberately stepped
from the crowd on the high street, leaped
on The scafold with knife ready open,
distinguishable from its brightness, Cor, as
we have been informed, surgical instru-
ment taken from the case on the Instant
cut the rope, and with seeming unconcern
returned to the crowd. The body fell with
the head 10 the front of the scaffold-a sight
narrowing to the feelings Of all possessed
of the least sensi5ility.
Missiles still continued 10 fly, chiefly d.
rected against the windows Of the church,
almost every pane of which were destroy
ed. One large stone struck the inanimate
head OF Johnston heavy blow. A lame
person, with crutch, next climbed the
scafold, and then general rush took place.
The body was raised up, and the rope I'M
loosed, with which the lame man exultingly
decended; the cap was taken off and
thrown among the crCwd-at the same mo-
ment cheer was given BIZ those around