Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-09

sion pf participating in Tie eucharist, without
full and ueservcd declaration of the truth, could
not think Of him otherwise than guilty of aw-
ful degree of presumption which should exclude all
further hope of divine mercy. then asked him
whether, in the presence of God, and as he hoped
to be saved, he could say that he had told the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
He replied that as il respects the main facts he
had; that it was possible he might have forgotten
some uniInportant particulars; but that in res
pect had he wilfully deceived me. Feeling myself
then called upon in duty, and justified in my con-
science, administered to him the Holy Communion
He protested afterwards, to have received from i,
much comfort and support.
On the morning of the day of his execution, I
urged him gain, in consideration of his being so
soon to leave the world, to lay aside all guile,
and tell the whole truth He said he had told it to
inc, and was prepared to die with that story. Dur
ing melancholy ride to the place of execution,
frequently addressed him the awfulnCss of his
situation and the dreadful guilt of his going out of
the world n deceiver. At the foot of the gallows
after the religious exercises had been performed,
and as lie just ascending to the fatal PLATFORM
again addressed him, and begged him to say whe-
thcr, at that awful moment, he pcrsevcrcd i'll main
| tanning the truth of what he had told Hc re-
piled, that before God, he did. In few moments
| he was in the eternal world.
He said he had no last speech to make and should
make none, and that if any should appear in any
Since set in type the foregoing, u pamphlet
has been put into our hands, purportng to be "a
true account ftecon lessions and contra
ofJofn Johnson, &c. sc. by the Rerd John Stand
ford, Il. NJ; copy right duly secured according to
| law.
| The following is outline Of the story of the
Avengers Vow, or the Haunt of the Banditti," a
new dramatic Romance, by the author the drama
l is IN II
A nobeman journcying with his children and re-
inue from Madrid to his castle, some leagues dis
tant, is set upon by Bahditti and murdered. The
children are saved confidential servant also es-
capes slaughter, who binds himself by anoath the
most solemn, to avcnge the murder of his lord.-
Wandering in pursuit of this object, he j. captured
oy bandlti, and detained closely guarded prisoner
'or many years-thus his hopes and means of venge-
ance are despoycd-meantimc the murderer eniovs
the estate of his friend and knsman After the lapse
OF years, two young nobcmen, officers in the Span
ish army, returning from the Moorish vans are with
their servant, benightcd in the mountains. oyeraken
by storm, and find shelter in ruined ca stle The
Haunt OF the Banditti.-At this period the Drama
opens.
Inc avengcr, now one of the outlaws but in
whose mind the fulhlmen, of his oath is an ever liy-
ing anxiety, perceives their entrance and forms 4
PROJECT TO engage them in the Accomplishment of his
Vo"' lie lures these men of war, by what appears
To them supernatural means, to a spot where they
learn tile history OF the murder in most mysterious
ana romantic manner. The elder of the cavaliers
binds himself by the same awful oath with which,
the avenger is shackled to seek no other object hu
revenge upon the murderer. After night of dan
ger and fatigue they reach the ma nsion of a moody
man, AT some distance from the of their adven-
lure with the Bandit. and arc received by the daueh
ter in the absence of her father. He arrives short
~ after an introduction takes place, and the ment-
OH of his name creates instant suspicion in their
mr. IISfr nj ala l..
perturbation arising of this has in some measure
subsidized, they are invited to remain. He mean
while imagining himself betrayed, is On the rack of
guilt and terror. AT this the leader of the
Banditi, who has traced the cavaliers to their pre-
sent abode, and whom his employer has ina sii,ed to
be silent in the grave, suddenly appears before him.
and proposes a plan to quiet his fears forever At
Ter much surprise and upbrading on the one side
ana cold booded sneeriug on the other il is agreed
that the Bandit shall be conducted by private en-
trance at midnight to the apartment of the cavaliers
Ill order TO dispatch them while sleepipa-Tbis
scheme OF vilainy is frustrated by the unseen ayen-
ger. One of the cavaliers now departs conscious
that the murderer is found but first an ath is pass
ed between the noble youths, that neither will act
without the other. This concert of action however
seems impossible, as he who remains has imbibed
passion Tor the daughter of the gloomy Lord, who
on his part eagerly scizcs upon the hope of their uni
on as The only means of salvation TO his life and hon.
orhe urges his daughter TO accept the hand of the
youthful marquis--she refuses-his dark and iend
like passion then breaks through all bounds and he
is about to sacrifice her 10 his rage and fears when
the ministers ofte inquisiton burst into the hall and
bear HIM to prison.
The Marquis, who previous to these transactions
has left the castle, joins his friend. and both fall into
The hands of the lurking Bandits they, however,
ind means to escape, and reach Madrid where they
arc summoned before the dread tribunal of the in
QUESTION. The avenger, who has eluted the vigil
ancc OF the Bandtt, is the open cuser ON the trial
that now takes place, before the inquisitors. The
leader of the band of outlaws is also seized and
brought forward as partner in the foul deed TO.
which the cavaliers give evidence-the murderer
denies all knowledge of the crime-it is plainly prov
ed upon him, and he dies i'll despar--his co-mate in
guilt meets with aeserstbe children of the muir
dered lord are discovered by means Of the avenger
and the piece cnds-the result terror to evil do
ers and praise to them that do WE'LL Such is the
Slight and hasty outline of the story which power
fully filed up with incident, variety and interest
the serious part is relieved by humorous attendant
of the Marquis; by a waiting woman in the castle
OF the gloomy Don, and a page attendant OIL one of
the cavaliers. The whole is interspersed with n,u-
SIC and will be got up with scenery, dresses ard
dccorations.-Sfafcsnlan.