The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-05-05
EXECUTION OF PIRATES.

The following account of the execution
of eleven pirates, 10 translated for the New
York Posi-, trotn Porto Rico paper of the
5Oth March:
Between the hours Of eight and nine in
the morniag of yesterday, as had bero
announced, the eleven pirates were exccu
ted, aud eXpiated by their deaths the dread
iul and lnhuman crimes they had commit
ted, in dcprlylus of their lives and proprrt,
tie unhappy persons who had thc mi5ior
tune TO fail INTO their hands.
An immense concohrse of spectators
witnessed tins dreadful, bot necessary scene.
a strong detachment of the infantr, rcsi.
ment of Grenada, formed square to assist
at the execution and maintain good order
Every thing that humanity could suggest
to mitigate the sulerings of those unhappy
men, VAS lasishcd upon them with carr
aud generosity; from the moment of read
ing To them the terrible sentence that con
demned them tO cease TO exist, they were
booked upon Only as objects III compassion,
aud every one, while detrstlnS the crimes,
plticd the criminals. The most profound
silence prevailed among the numerous
assemhIaGe; each person feared to disturb
IN their last moments, the religious rxcrci
ses in which they were engaged, and the
fruits of the pnus soliCtude with which the
| respectable ministers of the holy religion
we're cndeasOfing TO take as 1t We're, bS the
hand, those unhappy souls To the mansion
"i the Creator, impionn6 with them thu
divine mercy by the means of edlfying
cXhortatious aud prayers. With the utmost
care aud prrcautlon, the most efirctual
measures had been taken to prevent them
from suffering, and that their death should
be- instantaneous, as WAS the case: upon a
silent signal previously agreed upon, and
while they were repeating tho pray ers that
the priests dictated to them, RAISING their
voices as they receded, that their distance
mig ut not be perceived, discharge from
til" file of soldiers appointed Tor the pur
pose, drove the whole eleven at one time
into eternity; single instant, and without
their observing the precise moment, trans
ferred them from the house Of the liz ing To
the darkness ofnoneXisteace.
In this manner were terminated the lives
Of Il set of criminals who have 50 long been
the terror of these seas and the scourGc of
these coasts. Their bloody corpsea now
notify him, who may have the misfortune
To suffer himself to be carried away by
ungos ernabe passions to violate the laws
of society, what destiny awaits him in the
faithful island Of Porto Rico. All nations
will allow that there is not a government
more Jealous, active aud energetic, in
performing IS duty, than that Of this island ;
nor people who more esteem virtue and
detest crime, and co operate with their
magistrates TO punish il, than the people of
Porto ltlco. Aud il any ore has doubted
this, because of the artfuInrss and precau
ton of the guilty, during some time esca
ped detection, he will doubtless acknoNlede
his mistake, and be obliged To acknowledge
that the government Of this island, assisted
by the fidelity Gifts natives, can and does
effect more than the great number Of yes
sells that were employed for the purpose
have hitherto been able 10 perfurm.--
The pirates taken in the Mona Passage,
those captured on the coast Of Caborojo
with boat, various Others unprecedented IN
the island, and the execution that has lust
taken place, will convince them that il is
only by co operating with the government
of the island, they can contribute to the
determination of piracy in its vicinity,
which is the ardent wish Of all feeling men.
lovers of good order and humanity.
Here follows proclamation of the Go
ternment of the Island of Porto Rico, ex
horting the inhabitants TO be vIcilan; in
detecting and Publishing p.Tacy.l