Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-21

the sentence OF the Federal Court. the three Spa.
! nisrds, Pope, Couro and Felix executed on
Friday last The history OF the crimes for which
these men he'd been sentenced, has been already
published, as developed on their trials. Since they
we've convicted, they had, at times, evinced much
contriiisn, and Acknowledged the strociy OF their
guilt We have not been able TO learn he extent
of their communications TO those who visited. them
in prison, aud enabled to converse will; them
n the Spanish language but understand that
-ome details have been collected, that will probably
be given 10 the public.
They were taken from the jill Of IIenrco coun-
ty about O'Clock Several thousan nd per sous had
assembled about the jill. The Cove had order
ed out on the occasion the companies of Blues and
Artillery OF this city and the Public Guard. The
prisoners, clad in purple gowns, with hoods ccv-
ering their heads aud faces were seated in wagon
on their collins. Guarded by the military and at
tended by hrons of spectators, they were con
Quoted through the whole extent of the Main
to the gallows, which had been erected in The val
ley 10 the North Ess; of the Penitentiaty. The
hills by which it is surrounded, rise gradually from
tile narrow vale, ike spacious amphi' heatre.
they were already covered by a multitude of anX-
ious spectators. The procession, (for snch it ma
be caIled) through nearly the whole extent of our
ciiy the imposing appear ance of the military; the
ihrong That followed in the and crowded the
streets for great distance; the miserable appear
ance OF the Prisoners who continued TO read pray
ere aloud, the whole way, presented melancholy
scene that could not fail to awaken the sympatl Y
and commisseIa ion Of every bosom
On arriving at the galows, the criminals were
conducted up narrow flight of steps TO the plat
form on which they were TO stand. The gaovs
was OF novel constructions; consisting OF two per-
pendcuiar posts, connected by a horizontal bar at
top IN which were let in three strong staples about
three feet apart-To these staples the Grimm l.
were TO be fastened, and the platform upon which
they stood was 80 constructed open down
wards, after the fashion of folding door and leave
them all suspended at once. The convicis were
attended on the gaows in the first instance by the
Roman Catholic Priest, Mr.. HOFe, aud several
gentlemen who spoke the Spanish language; all of
whom bad kindly administered to the comfort and
consolation of these unhappy men while in prison,
and iorsook them not I" in the hour of theic utmost
need" They were deeply affected at the awful
tate to which their crimes had brought them; but
seemed prepared 10 meet it with irnness and resis-
nation II either appeared more agitated than the
rest, 1t was Pope. He exposed his face TO the
crowd more, said more, and prayed with more les
'ure aad apparent despair Felix and Couro
seemed more tranquil, but evidently labouring
under deep emotions. They, however enjoyed the
advantages of education. and derived consolation
from the hopes of Religion. Pope was illiterats and
seemed~to follow the example of his comrades in
MS devotional exercises. They prayed, alternately
knee.Ing and standing, and, far as we could
judge, according 20 the forms in the books they held
in their hands.
iiaVlnS ended Their devotons according TO the
forms OF their religion, the priest sprnked them
with Holy Waller, and after some conversation,
| DR.. Lemo-ey announced TO the multitude, that lie
was desired by the prisoners to say, that they &C
kno wledge1 themselves guilty OF she crimes for
which they had been condemned, and Of many 9th
"a; that they deserved the punishment they were
about TO suffer; but they asked the forgiveness o
The people, and begged that they would unite wiL
item in prayer for their salvation. Dr. L said he
was desired by them 10 say, that their diving re.
quest was, that when dead, their bodies should be
| inferred, and there he permitted to remain unmo-
Tested. Here The Deputy Marshal requested DIR
| l.. To say 10 them, for himself and the MarshaI
who present, that their bodies should be inter-
ed according TO their request, and that after thai
done, the officers ofthe u. States, having per.
formed their duty, would have farther aut6orit,
the subject.
( They then took leave of those who first went or
the platform with them;S, alter they had descended
several members of the gospel went VI. MIR
Kerr, OF The Baptist church. delivered an eloqrer
address TO the surrounding multitude and was fol
lowed by Mr.. Taylor, of the Presbyterian church
with an appropriate prayer. During this time tn
| prisoners continued on their knees at prayer
These gentlemen, before defending, aIyo tool
leave OF them Through one of the interpreter.
their readiness was then announced to The Marshal
| The Deputy Marshal and his assistants Immediate
y assembled TO execute their unpleasant Office The
ropes had been put about their recks, before the,
| "Sic Ieu'OFeu rom jan, ana nothing remained II
be done but to fasten them to the staples above
This operation soon performed, and the officer
took leave OF them & descended. This June uTe wa
Que Of painful anxiety. The brea,hles. suspens,
OF The immense mulliiude the duplicating attitnd
and audible prayers Of three human beings standin,
on the brink OF eternity, gave to the scene an a,s'
| ini solewniiy. The prop which sustained 10,
| doors oi the platform was suddenly removed
and they fell so PIeciptately that the ropes Gus
| pending Pope and Couro broke, and they fell
PROSTATE the ground, where they struggled for
| iew seconds apparently in great agony Peps
| soon rose on his feet, and threw himself in an AT
! iitude Of duplication TO Heaven. Couro remain
| ed on the ground, where after a few couyulsivt
! Struggle, he appeared 10 be feless Felix bsipe
lighter than either Of the others, remained suspend
ed, aud breatted his last in a few seconds. The De-
puty Msrshal, with pr1Dptitude and 6rmness had
be platform raieel again The legs Of FeliS
were placed upon 1t. his body remaining suspend
/ Ell, and 10 every appearance hielsss, Pepe wa,
lhen conducted TO the steps; lie mounted them with
/ apparent strength and stesdiDess and, placing him
sell under the staple 10 which he had been befor,
fastened, threw himself again in tie attitude Of
duplication and awaited his fate yi;h extrsordioa
| ~ composuFe and resignation o'hing like the
| convulsions OF fear were cbservable; not a ioipt
shook. The hood remained over bis face all tic
time 20 that his countenance could not be seen
| Couro had to be carried up, and appeared to b,
ilieless, until put upon his feet and The rope arair
fastened to the staple I, was ob.sfved then, ibs
he stood 5fu; for after the officers bad again Ics
eended, be did not bear on the rope The rOpe.
were so lied as 10 leave them but short space 60
al, end o. p-rmng The ioors Of the platform a.
gam TO descend they Teiaa sed suspended, snG d.
ter lew convnlsYe struggles, their suffering.
we're At an end.