Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-30
RIcHMoNp. August l

the execution OF the three SpanlardS,
convicted of piracy and murder OF board
the Brig Crawford, they were taken
from prison about IL O'Clock, and con
Quoted to the place of execution by the
volunteer companies and the city guard,
which were ordered out for the purpose,
and a large Of persons. The
scene whiSh the progress of the process
sion presented, was truly imposing
Seated in the wagon, placed in the
middle Of a hollow square formed by
the military, and which contained their
collins, their humiliating posture, fire.
queut prisons, and appearance Of devo-
ton and suffering, exhibited them as
objects, which, in spite of their crimes,
did not fail to inspire pity. The Gal
lows which had been erected in the val
ley near the PenitentIary afforded a dis.
tlnct view to the spectators from the ad-
j%acent hills. 1t was constructed for the
execution Of the three criminals at once;
a staple being let into the horizontal
piece at top for each, and a platform
made after the fashion Of folding doors
so as to open downwards at the signal,
and have them suspended. The multi
tUde which attended was immense. The
criminals, from their dress, "A blue robe,
covering the head and extending to the
feet, were conspicuous to the most dis
tant spectator, They were attended by
the Rev. Mr.. Hore, a Catholic Priest,
and several clergymen ofosher denomi-
nations.
When mouated on the scaffold, the
Catholic Clergyman, and the Interpre-
ter, DIR. Lemosy, also assembled, and
joined them in earnest supplication and
prayer; at the conclusion Of which, the
Interpreter, addressing the public at
the request OF the prisoners, explained
that the prisoners declared, that they
were not only guilty Of the crimes for
which they were condemned, and were
now about to suffer punishment, but of
many other crimes; that they begged
pardon of the public, and asked them to
join in their last prayer, which they
we're now about to address TO the throne
of mercy; and they declared, that their
punishment wasJust, but still they hop
ed that their miserable bodies, after
having been once inferred, might be
permitted to remain u~ndisturbed in the
| grave, and as that was the last and the
only request they could ever address to
human beings, they hoped it would be-
granted, Their request, they were in
formed, would be complied with. The
prisoner then declared themselves rea.
| dy to suffer the punishment whereup-
on the Rev. Mr.. Kerr addressed the as
sembled multitude, which by thousands
lined the decliyities contiguous to the
| place of execution, now in dense mass
eS extending as far as the eye could
reach, and here ana there in clustering
groups, stationed ON various elevations
for the purpose of having a better view
of the scene. The ministers descended
from the scaffold. after having first bid
adieu to the prisoners.
The Marshall then, IN discharge of
his duty, adjusted the fatal cords, aud
descended from the scahold, when at a
given signal the support of the trap fall
was removed, and the cords by which
Pepe and Couro were suspended gave
way, and the unfortunate wPetches.
were precipitated to the ground. The
horror, which this occurrence occa-
stoned, caused a rush among the crowd,
and a press which was nearly fatal to a
few persons. The GOODNESS of the mill
tary, however, instantly restored order,
and the officers who oficiated, and who
regretted the occurrence, which they
had endeavoured 10 prevent. quickly re-
paired this accident, when the too pri-
soners were again suspended in less than
five minutes, and after a few %conyul-
sive motions, which became fainter and
fainter, finally expired.
Thus did three fellow beings atone to
the world for their offences against man
kind, and it must be gratifying to the
public TO know, that they neither doom
with resignation; and with the consol-
ing belief. that though their offences
were manifold, and such as no human
tribunal ought to pardon, still they were
about to depart for another and a dt
ferent world, where through the mercy
of their Redeemer, and by their sincere
repentance aud devotion, they hoped to
obtain forgiveness.-Whig
At New Haven, iConn.) on the 10th