Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-04-19
Baltimore, April IA.
EXECUTION.

EXECUTION.
Agreeably to appointment the awful SEN
tence of the law was performed upon JOHN
f. FRReusoN aud ISRAEL Denny, convicted
al late United States court OF the crime OF
piracy. The ceremonies on the occasion
were solemn and impressive-the terrible
anS gnominious end of the unfortunate men
who have thus expiated their crimes on the
scaffald must serve as striking example to
prevent the commission of similar offences.
They were attended in their last hours by
clergymen of the city, and were acccmpa-
MED TO the scafold by the Rev. Mr.. Wyatt
who, together with several gentlemen OF the
Methodist church, assisted in the last reli-
gious exercises. few moments before they
were launched into eternity, Ferguson made
a short address to those nearest the scaffold,
the substance Of which was that-there were
no doubt many who now expected to hear
from him disclosure of certain secrets con-
nected with his case which he had often
since his confinement expressed his determl-
n;ton to make. That determination, ne
added, had been founded in spirit OF re
yenge--but the grace OF the Almighty,
which he now felt in bis heart, had taught
him to forgive an6 70 abandon hs 6rrt inten
ton, He therefore declined saying any thing
more in relation TO the disclosure. Had any
one ;old him, added he, few days age that
lie could have met death with the fortitude
he now felt vi Thin him, he would have de-
clared it impossible. The spirit OF the Lord
now enabled him firmly to meet his sentence.
Al few minutes before noon, the plat
form dropped from under their feet. Fergu
son expired with scarcely struggle-but
Denny showed signs of life for some minutes
after be was suspended.
The conduct of both during the period
from their being brought from the goal until
they were executed was marked with de-
gree of fransss seldom witnessed on such
occasions.
Boston, ApriI l3.
SENTENCE OF DEATH ON MICHAEL 'PowARs.
Yesterday, at 10 o'clock. the court was
opened, and the prisoner, Michael Powars,
wa, brought to the bar.
The Attorney General rose and addressed
the Court as follows:
May il please your Honours-
Michael Powars, the prisoner at the bar,
has been indicted by the Grand Inquest for
,ba bod;os &C tl,o.a oo,,o.;o. oc.bo ..:s.o "a
wilful murder, committed on the body of
Timothy Kennedy. On this indictment he
has been arraigned at the bar OF this Court,
and on his arraignment, he pleaded that he
was not guilty sufficient time was allowed
him to prepare for his trial, and Counsel
learned in the law, of his own choice, were
assigned to aid him in his defence. A ira
verse jury of his own selection, from the We
nire returned, were sworn and impanneHed
to try the issue between the Commonwealth
and him. This jury, after hearing the egi-
dence produced on the part of the govern
ment, as well as that on he part of the pri-
soner, and the arguments of his counsel in
his defence, have returned their verdict, that
he is guilty and this verdict has been af.
Armed and recorded.
May tplease your HoDours,
By a statute Of the Commonwealth the
punishment aidxed TO the commission of this
offence is death. therefore move your no.
nours that the sentence of DEATH be now pas
sed upon the prisoner, as just ret.lbution
tor the crime, Of which he stands convicted
of record.
The Chief Justice then addressed the pri
soner, and told him that il he had any thing
to say before the sentence the court was
passed upon him, he might now say it.
The prisoner, in rapid, agitated, and an
CRY manner, said, think The court very
d'shonourable. lam not guilty. 1t has not
been proved that am guilty. If there was
one witness that proved that sm guilty, /
should be satisfied. May it please your Ho-
hours, am dissatisfied"
The Chief Justice then addressed The pri.
soner IN solemn anG impressive manner.
Alter noticing the circumstances of his CON-
vict'on after tair trial, being allowed all
the privileges which the law permits, the
and OF able counsel, who presented TO the
jury every consideration which could be urp.
ed IN his favor, he observed that the verdict
was the necessary result of the evidence