Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-08-06


nary expression Garrett not in the shop them but
was afterwards in tho yard.
Richard Williams. magistrate of the county. was
then called, 10 recite the substance Of Coxs voluntary
confession short time after his imprisonment Wit
ness called upon by Thos Grggs, Esq. the com
monwealhs attorney, to 10 the prison and receive
Cox's confession on oath went with Mr.. c. for that
purpose. Mr. Grggs informed Cox that his confession
musbe entirely voluntary, and adnonished him against
count OF any disclosures he might make Coxthen made
the following statement in substances That lie went TO
Mr. Dunn's office for the purpose of asking for
work, determined il his request should be grant
TO shoot Mr.. D. that making the application Mr..
d. refused him he then said TO him, $50 you de-
termined not TO give me work" 81 cannot give you
work. was the reply; whereupon Cox says he raised
the gun and pointed il to Mr.. DIS head Mr.. Dunn
jumped up. exclaimng, "My God" he then discharged
the gun at his breast and lett the full of smoke
that he could not whether the shot took effect or
not That part of his confession charging others as his
accompces, omitted, necessary TO the invos
CATION OF the case then pendHg1
Robert 4. Bro,cn, clerk of the court, was called
upon, and detailed similar confession made to him by
Cox previously TO making that above stated before the
Justice and the commemorative attorney The jailor
had informed MIR. b. of CoX's wish TO see him, stating
the latter i'm "bad way" Mr.. r. therefore,
went to the jail at CoXs request, who told him he had
some very bal feelings, and wished make dis
closures. He stated TO witness that he went TO MIR.
Dunns Office, and found him sitting by the fire; asked
him ii he meant to give him work Mr.. ID. said ono,
canno;' Cox asked his reasons "You know them al
ready" "You are then resolved to give me work."
al am" Cox then raised the gum intending to shoot
Mr.. ID. in the head; Mr.. d. exclaimed "My God ~
and sprung up from his seat, il to catch the gun,
when Cox discharged it at this breast and instantly left
the Office cnvelopcd in smoke
Mr.. Brown also present when Cox made the con-
fession as above stated by MIR. Williams.
The evidence being thus closed, the part cf h
commonw eal'h. and none being offered by the prison.
err the prosecutor briefly stated TO the jury the nature
Of their du les under Ill" law; that although the life Of
the pri.oner seemed TO be in their hands the simple in
qiry with the1, was ia hs guilty of the csms with
which he stands charged" With tie irfct Of he
that out c arlv. He would insult their understand.
iug Ey recsrua'ing tie evidence o. by suggesting to
them what effect IL ought to have upon their mind> 80
Independently OF the facts proved by he witnesses, LEY
had the most conducive testimony in The confe sion OF
the prisoner haself.
The jury then retired their room. and in fft,en
minutes, returned with verdict If GUILTY or
MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
The time occupied in procuring jury and cxamin.
ing Witnesses was "6out 1--WE hours. When the iH-y
returned from their chamber with the awful verdict
Cox this, all other occasions his I'M
dauned hrmness His cuun,euance was watch I'd with
the closest scrutiny by many, but not a muscle was
seen 10 move-lf any emotions were at any time wish
BILE. ticy exhibited their eft in no other way than by
diving an un'ua quantity of blood to the faces aud for
this coc sui mt may be found in The exec
sive heat OF the crowded room. 50 hat il impossible
70 say that any eye could dest ihs smat,t change
from that perfect lmnsss Which il to have been
h' pride to d sp'ay.
On Saturday last Cox again led TO the barr and it
having been reported that he intended this occasion
to address the court, an immense crowd filled the
men IL WAS demanded oil by the clerk 0grecahV
TO the usual form, whether he had any thing to say why
judgment should not be rendered against him he replied
with calm and firm voice. that he had nothing say.
Judge Parker then pronounced in most solemn and
impressive manner, the following
SENTENCE.
EBENEzER Cox: am about 10 perform very pain.
full duty, not rendered less by the absolute certainty
of your guilt, commiserate the unhappy situation OF
one so young and ia respects gifted, notwith
ing ii is the proper, natural, inevitable consequence
your own conduct; and If advert to the circumstance
Of your case, in terms of apprehension il
vindcae the just Of the law and from no feel
ing OF resentment towards you. The generous sympa
thies OF human nature rather apt 10 be excited in
favor Of than against fellow being, who may be consi
cred already dead the wOrld and under such circum
stances are too much disposed to forget the arociy
OF the offence, IN anticipating the punishment OF the Of
fender. 1t requires effort TO overcome this feel
ing and TO pronounce without reluctance, the stern yet
! righteous Judgment OK the law.
| An impartial jury of your country have said, upon
their oahs. that you are guilty of MURDER IN THE
FIRST DEGREE. The evidence justifying their YER
dict, Independent of your repeated, voluntary confes
sons, was sufficient for your conviction; and when
bined with them, full, conclusive, and Irresistible
1t has exhibited an instance of crime which, consider
ing all its circumstances, and comparing the diaboca
| act with the alleged motives, is almost without pan al
lei II seems hat hsving been dismissed from employ
ment in the armory at HapersFerry, by the predeces
sor OF the amiabe MIR. Dunn, you applied TO him be
reinstaed an application which for sufficient reasons
was rcuseltat for this provocaton alone YOU in con
cert you alledgc, with others similarly situated cool
y determined to revenge yourself, by taking his life
that having failed in attempt, you his Office
in the open day. under the pretence Of making secon,
| application, armed with nuske which you had pre-
viousy loaded for the puTpose-hat finding him alone
and closing the door alter you you repeated your appi
cation for work, AMI upon his telling you that he had
for you, you instantly and barbaousy and in the
hearing and almost in the presence Of his family, shot
him through the body before he had full time TO rise
from the chair in which he seated opportunity
make even appeal TO Heaven for mercy. This is
summary, OF your own free, and fear unconcerucd
disclosures, corobOrated Except TO the alcdged
spiracy) by the testimony of numerous witnesses; aud
proves that crime had all the ingredients Of Dl-
der IN the first degree. 1t wiilu, deliberate pre-
medatcd killing, under as slight provocation ever
iastgated human being TO a similar outrage; and the
act was as daring and desperate it malicious.
10 such an act so perperacd the law afxes tie pc
nalty OF DEATH in its most ignOInious FORM "Hc
who (nalciousy) sheddeth ans blood, by shall
his blood be she'd" This is the sentiment of all nations
civilized and savagea sentiment produced by Necessi-
ty approved by Reason, and sanctioned by the voice of
Heaven itself
Your days therefore numbered, and you must pre-
pare TO die Since the forms of the law have been
pulousy respected, and you have had upon your trial
every advantage its humanity grants; since your guilt
has been rendered manifest by unexcepdonable tes-
mony, acknowledged by yourself, and declared by the
unanimous voice Of twelve jurors free from all obec-
on you have nothing more TO expect TO hope from
MAN. IL pardon is to be obtained for such crime as
you have perpetrated il Is not from any EARTHLY tri-
bunal you must seek it, Whether by prayer and re-
pcnancc, you may obtaia it elsewhere, and thus avert
the damning conscq of guilt is not given
to us TO know. Oar dim views extend not beyond the
grave except that we assured, tho mercy Of God
is infinite But in reference to that assurance, could
hope TO make any impression upon who has hither-
to exhibited so little sensbility, would ADVISE exhort,
nay entreat you, by every affecting consideration to
pOy the few DAYS which remained YOU in this world
L in Linz q.