The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-30
EXECUTION OF THE THREE SPAN.
IARDS.

execution Of the three Spaniards convicted
of piracy and murder on board the brig
Crawford -
On yesterday the three Spanlards, Pepe,
Couro and Felix, were executed IN the VI.
cinty of this city in pursuance OF the SEN
tence Of the Federal Court. The public
are already IN possession OF the history OF
the atrocious crimes Of which they had
been guilty. They were taken from the
Jail Of llenrico County about eleven O'Clock,
and, under the escort Of the Blues and the
Artillery Companies, and the Public Guard,
they were conducted TO the gallows. A
multitude Of our citizens and others from
the country, attended them through the
streets. rhe procession for such 1t may
be termed, was imposing in It's appearance.
The three uniformed companies, the throng
Of citizens, both on foot and horseback,
the open carriage or Wagon, In which
were seated the criminals, clad IN purple
robes with hoods covering their heads and
! faces, all contributed to make the scene
solemn and impressive. Business seemed
to be suspended, and universal interest was
! felt in the soemnIties ofthe occasion. The
procession having arrived at the gallows,
which had been for some time crowded by
anxious spectators, the prisoners were con-
! Quoted to the platform on the gallows.
They were attended by the Roman Catho.
| lie Priest. MIR Hone, and two other citi-
zens who spoke the Spanish language, and
were disposed to offer their services and
! sympathes on the occasion. The conduct
OF these individuals in thus kindly minis.
| terlng 10 the consolation of the unhappy
and Wretchet' sufferers, was not confined
TO the solemnceremonle oftheir execution.
They had vlhted them in jail, and being a
niong the few who could converse with
them IN theSpaniob language, they had
not been unmndfll of what the precepts
OF humanltyBnd religion enlOned.
The prisoher5 appeafcd to be deeply af-
fected at thehwful fate that awaited them.
They, howefcr appeared TO be Resigned,
and mounted the platform of the gallows
with firm nd determined step. Ifeither
of the three appeared at this time more un-
manned than the rest, 1t was Pepc. But
his cXcitemont appeared 10 be mole the re
suit of his Conscious guilt, and Of ihe lgno-
mnlous endto which /, had brought him,
than the fearof dcoth. They were all sen.
slOly alive Ia the situation IN which they
were placed. They prayed with great fer
vour 10 the t(rOne of Grace, FIRST standing
aud then on her knees. In this situation,
attended by te Minister Of their religion,
and three geHlemen who spokethe Spanish
language, ths continued about three quar-
iers ofan hour. Having ended their dcvo-
tionS, they dfsired Doctor Lemosy 10 an
nounce 10 tie assembled multitude, that
llhey were giilty Of the crimes alleged a.
galust them aud OF many tbGt they de-
n served the tte that awaited them; that
they asked TIC forgiveness of the people,
and begged ha, they would join in prayer
tor thcr salfatioH.
The officers OF Justice were then inform
ed thot they were ready, Several Of the
Clergy cf lfs city then sscendcd the plat
form. Mr. 6aG Of the Baptist Church de-
hvered an eloqYIni address TO The surround
ing multitude ind was followed by an 0p
lproprlate prayer from mr.. Irg'Or Of tho
Presbyterian Clrrch. The Ministers u.
he Gospel. ana those who had bad any III
tercourSe with the prisoners, then took
their leave then. I'hey seemed 70 he re.
signed and parted with those who had Of
iCatCd on the odaslon with evident marks
Of grateful feeling. The officers then pio-
ceedCd To- the execution Of their unpleas-
ant duty.-The ,alows was 20 construct.
I'd that all three were to be fastened 10 as
many staples in Ge horizontal bnr above,
at once; and the platform, by meane nfhiag
cs, was 10 be suddenly removed from un.
Ter them. The iopes had been fastened
about their necksbefore the remotal from
the Jail, and only iequired TO be fastened to
The staples This was soon done by the
! Deputy Mafshals, who descended to with
draw the sUppo7, and allow the platform to
sink, and leave them suspended. During
the whole ofthis operation, (which required
several minutes, as all three had to be tas
tened TO the cross bar ut the same time,
the prisoners continued 20 prav aloud
When the prop was withdrawn. they fell
so suddenly, that the ropes by which Pepc
and Couro were suspended, broke, and they
fell TO the ground. Felix, being not so
heavy, renamed suspended. The others
were considerably injured by the fall, and
the pressure Of the cords around their
necks.-They struggled upon the gronnd
for n few seconds, apparently IN great PAIN.
Pepe soon rose upon his feet, and threw
himself IN the attitude of supplication to
| Heaven. Couro remained on the ground.
As soon as possible, the Deputy Marshals
had the platform again yascd. placing the
legs Of Felix (who, by this time was dead)
upon the top of II. his body remained still
suspended. Pepc was then again con
Quoted up, and osceuded the steps with APP
parent strength and resolution. Couro had
only the appearance Of life. and was carried
up. The ropes were again fixed-C Couro
was able to stand after being upon his feet.
Neither spoke e,and Pepe renamed in sup.
plicating sttpudc. The prop being again
removed. they were left suspended, and
soon bre tined thclr last.
Take the whole scene together, we have
never Witnessed one more SO emn and heart
| rendinp The moro rerpllpt tlons of tho