Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-13
From the Lees5urg Washingtonian.

I. WILLIAM F. HooE, in the 23d year oil my
age, now condemned TO death for the me'a .,
Of William Simpson, do IN the lear OIL ~
MIGHTY God, and in full view OF my approach
ing dissolution, without force or cons'raiht az
knowledge nv great sinfulness before my "a-
ker and Redeemer, and do most nearby pray
IN ALMIGHTY God, through Jesus Christ, TOR Inc
forgiveness of my sins, aud hope that alter my
unworthy body shall have been sacrihced 10
-,ss, The demands of violated law, that my TEL
low be;nps. and especially the relations OF the
unfortunate Simpson, will forgive IN their
hearts. what have done. And trust that my
rssnectable relations will not De condemned IN
the nublic mind, for the great offence have
committed -,
Although from the time of my arrest until
INV trial and condemnation, denied the act,
did this solely with hope OF being cleared, ana
was determined, if cleared, to live lille OF cor
rect department throughout the residue OF my
DAYS: but, condemned as am, acknowledge
the Justice OF the decision against me, and
die withou; malice against my prosecutors,
Judge, or jury. r
The crime for which die, was the hrst oil
any important magnitude, except that OF play
ing cards. -,
There have been two accusations iaid 10
nv charge, Of which | most solemnly declare
INV innocence, The first was the opening oil
mans trunk. whose name ] do not remember,
in Mr.. Drish's tavern This never dld.-Nor
did ever know in any way, by whom, or how
he lost his money. The second accusation is
that Of an intention to take the lie OF John Gio-
SON ESQ. after (as the accusation says having
seen him receive sum OF money in Warrenton.
do mos, solemnly declare that never did see
MIR. Gibson receive any money In Narrsnlon
or any where else. Nor did | ever see MI.
Gibson. 10 know him, until few minutes be-
fore he left the tavern, the day after bought
:he pistol from Mr.. Walden. When he was a
bout TO leave the tavern, some conversation
passed between him and me about the state OF
the roads; aud asked him which way he put>
posed TO travel When found he was not 60
eng nv way we ceased conversation; but never
intended TO offer any violence to that man IN
any wav whatever.
Nv dear relatives, and the friends oil suHel-
ing humanity, will probably wish 10 know win
what state Of mind am about to rush from time
into vast eternity. In speaking OF my mental
condition, am impressed that prudence anu
great caution must mark the course that l take,
because my crime has been so aggravated IN us
circumstances, as almost, in public estimation,
70 nrechde the possibility Of the mercy Of God
70 he extended 10 me- But in honor OF that
mercy have abused, and Of that God whose
laws have violated | will make free 10 say lit
lie. as in short Time shall cease TO speak or
10 have anv communication with my fellow be-
ings upon earth.
After received my sentence, and was re.
manded to prison, was greatly agita'ed, ana
suffered prea, agony OF mind. Several Chris-
,ian ministers visited me, according to my de-
sire: and they all spoke TO me OF the siniulnesS
OF sin, and pointed me TO the Saviour, the i-ora
Jcsus Christ. A, times have felt great hard
ness ofheart, and from that state have been Oh
ten relieved by tenderness and a softneSs oil con-
triton, by which, on my knees, have had pow
err TO weep, and to make uDfeigned confession
of nv sins TO Almighty God. And although
am deeply sensible that neither tears nor con-
fession can atone for any, the least oil my Often
ces. vet am assuredly impressed That the emo
tions have had, and the degree Of relief have
exnerienced. are gracious indications that God
has not abandoned me, and that he WILL Tor
the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on my
poor soul. -,
/ have. with as much attention as possible,
read the Holy Scriptures since my oondemna-
ton, especially the scriptures OF the New les-
lament NV mind is deeply impressed that
they are Of Divine origin, and reveal openly and
clearly, the plan of mans reconciliation with
God, through Jesus Christ. And am Sure
mad read these scriptures before, and been ad'
monished by their counsel, | should have been
prevented from bad company, and card playing,
which led me to the fatal evils for which my
life has been forfeited.
Since have been reading the scriptures, and
particularly those parts which exhibit the sui
ferings of Christ, feel as if saw him con-
stan,ly before me in the agonies Of his extrem-
est sufferings. And believe he suffered and
died for me; and ! have increasing hope
that the merit of his blood, and efficiency OF
his intercession, will avert the Divine displea-
sure. and blot out the great transgression which
/ have so injuriously committed and all my
other sins against my merciful G1d.
die without murmuring, and am resigned to
INV fate. Were this Jail filled with gold, and
ali at nv command, i can declare, according &c
my present convictions, could give It II oy Sc
doing, could bring back the life oil simpson
and al the same time sacrifice my own Tor INT
wrong have done to him, his family, my OWL
connexions, and society at large.
Fartar jail, June %, WM.F. HooE'