The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-06-21
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VolCh Weo t<'e4 ifSscu w uiC NuCup
Court ofihe Ubiled States against M
liam Holmes, EGpnd Rosesuamf, and
7xor'as Harrington, ala, Thomas War-
yen EaWcett, for the crimes Of PIRACY
md. MURDER on board Prize
Schooner under the Patriot Flag-was
executed IN this town in the presence OF
large concoursc of spectators.
The vessel on board which these
crimes were committed, arrived many
months since Ut Sciiuate. within this
District. soon after they were perpetra-
ted, and. the Culpits were arrested,
bropght t0triai before the Circuit Court,
and cdnvicted On being brought up
to receive sentence. they moved an ar
rest of Judgment. prcdicated on doubt
ofthe Jurisdiction Of the Court where
-upvn the case was carried up to the Su.,
prcme Court at Washington; when, af-
ter the question was ably argued, the OLD.
xiections were ovcr-ruled, and the Con-
victs received sentence at the present
term Of the Circuit Court.
The Criminals were taken from pris-
ON by the Marshal, at 10 O'Clock, "A.
NJ and conducted to the place assigned
for their execution, which was nearly on
the spot where PowARs lately suffered.
They passed through State and India
streets, by Central wharfin view Of the
shipping. and thence by the Custom
house to and through the Souiherly
eSIain-strcct.
On arrival at the place Of punishment,
they assembled to the lower platform, OF
fsic' c'scaHold---and, silence being obtain
OH. the Marshal read their Death War
ra~t, and then addressed the spectators
rs follows: $500 s s,
MIR FELLow CirIzENs!
n Yodsperceivc il is again, and ON this
game scaHold, made my duty, as the ma
sionll executive officer (uuder the Presi,
dcnt} within this District, to cause to be
: inflicted thc highest Of all human pun
/. isbments, ON portion Of our fellow tnos.
,a,s, for the crimes Of Murder and Pira-
cy.
~ Although am solicitous to discharge
this duty with 6rmncss, trust it is moi
!. expected ! can, do il without betrayina
some emotion |; and the generous a'rd
the -humaDc. will not only excuse, bu
approve Il !: for to be the immediate q
gent, who is to transport three fellow be-
,ings, possessing full strength Of body
and vigor Of mind, from this, to !" Md
r,fisc6urred corrfry, from qphose bourH1
no traveller hath returned" will, ane
does excite feelings, which none bu
those who have been called by their OF
fee to perform so ungracious task ex
pcriencs: and, as they cannot fully.ex
press, so they cannot entirely contro
sthsm:--Yet at the moment OF raising
my hand(as the organ Of the nation) .
gainst these malefactors, is It not
source of consolation to us all, wher
.vour Officers can appeal land with con
fidcnce) to the scarcher Of all hearts.
that since they have been in the custody
of the law, the fair. the unsullied fame
Our beloved country, for humanity. an'
the virtues of civilization, has not bee
stained by any conduct OF theirs towar'
them ?--that every act Of tenderness
apd compassion (Which the public saiet
would 9ermit) for their comfort and con
yrnience in this world has been excrcis
Cd coward them, and all the counsel an
$ coDsolstio6 bestowed ON them, whic
might cherish their hopes, and briyhse
their prospects, in relation to that tutut
state, on which they arc soon TO enter
A sacrifice Of personal feeling o.
sensible, n du. on this occasion In
safety Of society requires offences so fo'
as those which these criminals ha'
committed should receive the awi'
punishmet that now awai,s them, an
though called a third time, = by my Q
fee, to cause an stor:ment to be mao
on the altar Of public justice for mys'e
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