Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-25
UpAM, Secretary.
From he B.,I,;more .,m.y;,or


! Perhaps no situation in which can be placed
Is more trying to the feelings, or requires greater
eXeron OF fortitude and resignation than that of
person under the sentence Of death, and the O:
execution, when he reflects that though he /, now a
being, enjoying health strength and the full exercise
or his faculties, he must, in few hours or minutes
become a seuseless and inanmate lump OF clay
his reputation assailed and prehaps blasted whether
he die q criminal or the martyr of his opinions The
world ceases to have any room interest in his
thoughts, and he now reflects with intenseness ON
eternity All the actions of his past life rush in quick
succession before his mind. and lie would give W ords
II many OF his deeds had been lett undone and though
his feelings are depressed. and his spirit torn and
agonized, he endeavours MAINTAIN hsef possession
and tortltude TO the last moment and generally sue
ceeds II be be person who torfeits his life by acting
according TO his own opinion of political matters
which Is often termed by the more powerful party,
.t-eason."
The writer Of this led to these reflections on
witnessing the execution of Col Mesa, who was shot
III the public Plaza of Bacnos Ayres on the 10Th Feb
uary 1929, having been tai en- in arms against the
present government. He was made prisoner in the
country and arrived in town Friday was tired and
condemned OH Saturday, aud executed ON Monday
On the morning of the execution, u double row of
troops surrounded part Of the Plaza, which was
thron5ed with people, and m the midst of which scat
fold had been previously erected. When the clock
of the Catiha struck ten, (the hour appointed for
the eXecuton) the roll of drum was heard from
the opposite sides of the troops, and in few min
headed entered the square and mounted the scaffold
attended by two or three of the military confessor
the cXecutioner and drummer. IIe>tvas q man ao-
Parenty about 10 years of age, of robust figure and
good countenance, soldier in appearance and stood
the scrutiny Of the bubble gaze without shrinking
or appearing TO taiter IN single nerve. They went
through the ceremony of dsgracng him. by puttinn
on ms Jacket and hat, bucklIng on his sword, and
again deprIving him OF them, telling him that he WIS
no longer worthy OF them, chat he had acted the part
of traitor, &c. which he must now expiate with
bis life. His nat was then placed OF his head to
protect him from the rays ofthe sum- which he adj
Justed 10 his own liking and essaysd to sneak: bur
his voice was drowned by roll of the drum on the
scatfod. He descended the steps with perfect firm
ness attended by the cOnfessor, was placed on seat
attached to one ofthe posts of the Plaza for the Dur
pose, adjusted the handkerchief TO his eyes and was
secured to the post; when, n signal from the ex-
ecutioner, he received the fire of four muskets
placed within yard Of his breast. gush of blood
was sent forth even TO stain the clothes of the sol
diers who fred; and not appearing perfectly dead
he was again fired into by four Others, when every
Spark OF lie was extingulshed. The troups were
marched by the dead body, which exposed 10 the
public gaze for at least half hour. The crowd dis
perscd--the blood stained ground was dug up, and
at noon no other vestge Of the execution re.
manned, than the seat on which tho unfortunate man
had met his fate.
Thus died Col. Mesa, man who had he been on
the right Tor rather the stronger side would prob
ably have been distinguished as hero; but being
tie weaker, he ytceiyed the doom of traitor and
a rebel.
RebelIion! foul disbonouring word
Whose wrongful blight oft has stained
The hottest cause that tongue OF sword
OF mortal ever lost gained;
IOv many spirit, bom To bless,
Hath sunk beneath tina, withenHg name
Which, but a days, an hours success
iadwafled 10 eternal hmc!