The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-03-21
BRIEF SKETCH

BRIEF SKETCH
vi the life OF WILLIAM CRAWFORD. vol
was executed AT Washington, ON tbesols,
inst. for the murder of his son Herr, Craw.
ford. Compiled from the narrative OF hi,
| life.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD was born in
the parish OF kilealy, near Ennskillen Ire
iano, III l7t8, and spent his youth partly
III labor and IN attending fairs, horse races.
ne. III betting, gambling, aud in the sports
usual On such occasions. He traces his
FIRST guilt to lust and ayarice and warns
youth against seductive pleasures. He en-
listed IN his youth in the British service,
and came over to America in the Goth re-
gIment of infantry, and was at the battle of
Quebec, III which general Montgomery was
Killed, and Arnold repealed. He was also
IN the battle of Three Rivers aud after
/ partakIng ia the various events of Crown
Point, Ticonderoga, SC. Sc. was finally
made prisoner at Saratoga under General
Burgoyne. Crawford was taken to Able
marie IN virginia, prisoner. Here he
ana 80 Others elected their escape, by o.
verpowerns the sentinel, and obging him
to act us guide. After some time he was
Jail. From this jail he effected his escape,
by practising upon the aifeclaens of the jai-
Tors daughter, whom he married. Ila,ing
renowned the British service, and reconri-
led hmseIfio his wile's family and friends
he was appointed deputy sheriff and keep
er OF the Jail. by his father-n law. He
kept the Jail three years, and remained in
Martisburgh two years, working AS "A ma
son, and required some real property in
Martinsburgh. At The expiration of this
time, he returned 10 his old allegiance, and
was suspected of being engaged in cor
| respondence with the tories. On the in
formation of his iather-in law and wife.
who were strongly attached to the Amer
lcan cause, he was arrested and confined
in Berkeley JAIL but there being no proof
against him, and they not being able 10
eXtort his secret from him, he was rcleas-
cd
In consequence OF these proceedings, he
separated from his wife, and left with her
two children. He married another wife
| with the consent Of her parents, who knew
that his first wife was living. With this
latter wife and her children, he lived yer,
Internationally. There appears to have
been on the mind Of Crawford, a continual
apprehension of their having designs upon
his life. He ACCUSES Henry of 4 design 10
shoot him in the woods, aud with variety
of vcxatious proceedings towards him
calling him names, insulting his old grey
heirs, &c.
Under these circumstan4 es, he resolved
not 10 suffer any but friends to come to his
house aud he accordingly warned Henry
not 10 come, as he considered him an en-
lssary of his mother, who had deceived
hun, and MAS not his lawful wife. Henry
still persisted IN coming; and at the time
ni the iroIlck, came there with a view OF
piaSlnng him in the middle OF his FEAST
During that day when there was no onr in
the house, Henry came in, fell upon his IA
ther, knocked him down, and broke "A chair
over him. Soon after, Crawford loaded
his gun with slugs and shot Henry as he
sat upon alog in front of the house,
Crawford appears to have been man of
strong and ungoyernablc passions. He
describes himself as having lived happy
with his irst and only law ful wife and to
have paid attention at that time To the
forms OF religion, but acknow lodges himself
never 10 have been under its Influence or
power lie states that he dies without
fear, bat without hope. die like a sol
dler, but dare not die like Il saint" His
second marriage appears to have been the
fruitful source Of all his miserics-for he
describes his Intercourse with his family AS
coniinacd series of contention and warfare,
OF drunkenness, abuse aud pilfering.
.ilertUy.
NgierS.-We are already aware that an
outrage was committed on the American
Vice Consul at Algicrs, by dragging him
from his horse, and beating him unmerci-
fully, which WAS neither provoked, nor
can be justified. Our adyices from France
detail particulars OF the affail, which seems
to have been prem ditatrd, and requires the
prompt interference of government. 1t
will sometimes happen in the Barbary
States, that Consuls of impetuous temper,
unwilling to submit to the acknowledged
customs and ceremonies Of the court,
draw upon themselves occasional Insults /;
these, however, are Of personal nature,
and should be adjusted IN the best manner,
and corresponding with the standing and
temper Of the agent. X cannot be expec-
ted that the government is 10 be compro-
mitted in every dispute which the Consul
may have with the individual or individuals
administering the government. But it
must be rccollected that when these Bar
barry Powers mediate hostiIities against
any nation, an indication Of their intention
is manifested by some insult on the person
OF the Consul. and their mode Of issuing "A
manifesto corresponds with the genius and
disposition of the peopie--it is by making an