Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-04
FROM PERNAMBUCo.

From our attentive correspondents
at Pernambuco, we have received let
tiers up to the date of the 9th April
An extract given below, will be read
with great interest. The details con-
corning the execution of Rodgers, with
whom many of the citizens Of n. York
I'D this place were acquainted, will at
least afford this consolation to his IA
mily and friends-that he died nobly,
protesting the same love OF freedom
and adherence Of tyranny, that had ev-
err marked his short, but gallant life.
"You may remember in one of my
letters, mentioned an American, by
the name of James Rodgers, of New
York, who l expected would lose his
life for taking an active par. with the
Revolutionists, and was condemned to
death and recommended to the mercy
of the Emperor, Joao Pedro the first.
The Emperor's answer arrived on the
I'd Of April, ordering that all that were
condemned should be executed as soon
as possible. This sealed the fate OF
this noble young man and two Of his
companions. The 18th inst. at eight
o'clock A. NJ. was the time appointed
for the execution Of the three. This
inhuman proceeding occasioned great
distress to all the Americans in the
place. His friends visited him on the
ilth inst. He was calm, pleasant; talk
ed on lively subjects made remarks
on people passing in the street; he
counted the time he had yet to live; 1t
was p hours; he said cit is very short
time; when it comes will die content
ed; aud my companions die in a glo-
rious cause. We do not die for muir
dering our fellow creatures, it is for
holding different opinion with the
Emperor; in that opinion | die"
Son the next morning, | went to see
the execution. They passed within
few Yards ct nie-they were dressed In
white gowns and walked Unbound
Rodgers walked with his arms folded
and his head raised extremely high
as il proud Of the glorious cause he
was going to die for;-they arrived at
the jplace Of execution about half past
7o'clock and held long conversation
with the Priests. At 8 O'Clock they
walked towards their seats. Rodgers
took the middle chair, Nicolou on the
right hand of him, and lie Mont On the
left, after sitting few minutes they
arose. Nicolou began and made
long and loud speech-Rodgers fol-
lowed, and then lie Mont. While one
was speaking, the others bowed their
heads TO affirm the truth of what was
said-their speeches occupied about
half an hour; they then took their seats.
Several times they arose, and pushed
their chairs into the sand to make them
stand 6rm-the executioner then tied
their wrists and ANGLES with a small
cord and drew caps over their eyes
Nicolou and Rodgers drew them back
and sat watching the motions Of the
soldiers; 81 were called out, loaded
their guns, and were going to fire,
when Rodgers cried out, stop and re-
quesied the captain to order his SOL
diers nearer. They halted within half
the former distance, say 3eyards. He
then gave the signal to fire, the drop OF
his handkerchief was the signal. They
all fired and Nicolou fell. The sight
was observation-disclosures sprang upon
his feet, cried out for God sake to kill
him quick, and taking hold Of his
gown, he held it up and showed the
multitude the bullet holes through 1t.
lie Mont kept his seat; they fired the
second round-Rodgers fell, and lie
Mont directly afterwards. The soldiers
then ran zap to the bodies and discharged
the third round into them.
"Their speeches were never publish
ed. They related principally to their
love Of freedom, advising the Pernam-
bucans to try their endeavors once
more, and conjuring them to beware Of
the Emperor;
"The day preceding the execution,
the American captains were advised
by the American Consul not to hoist
their colors half mast, on account Of
Rodgers, it being against the laws OF
the country. The American captains
acted contrary to those orders, and the
next morning hoisted them. During
their absence to see the execution, the
officers and sailors belonging to man
OF war lying in this harbor, went on
board, and cut them down. The same
day an American ship called the Com.
Perry, arrived off the port with her CO.
lorS at the mast head; the same ras-
Gals went on board of her, and ordered
them down, thus throwing no little DIS
grace on the american flag. English
colors, half mast, also were cut down.
The Patriots who are absent are all
condemned to death"