Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-08-24

There they rematneu, unSneiteleu from the
burning rays of an almost vertical Sun. and appar-
entity unconscious, certainly regardless of its ineD
sty, until about half past 2, straining their eyes TO
their utmost tension to catch glimpse ot the untor
tuua,e victim of the law. as he should emerge from
the gloomy cell in which for the last 10 months he
has been incarcerat ed-and during oil Which time we
are assured by the Jaor he has conducted himself
with great propriey
AT length, the "tiptoc curiosity of the immense
multitude was grat6ed. Preceded by the officers
of justice, and followed by the ministers of our Holy
Religion, the prisoner came forth, handsomely
dressedi a suit of blue broudcloth.. His counte-
nance betrayed no symptom of fear anxiety; but
calm and unrufled though he had been
released from his dungeon only to be reunited to his
friends and to society His step, too was firm and
clastic-and his movements were free and uncon-
strained Having assembled the cart and taken his
seat the procession preceded byCaPt. Narves com.
pany OF artillery and Capt. Ayress company of Rifle
Grays) moved forvardto the place of execution,
situated about hnf mile from the Jail ravine
rounded by slight emnences. Here also, crowd
had collected, and it with difficulty that
the wedged mass could be broken, so as to open
passage to the gallows The prisoner acrompa-
MED in the cart by the Rev Chas. Gala way, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. William
Holcombe of the Associated Methodists, and the
Rev E. l. Russell of the second PresbyteriaDs.
About half after o'clock. the Rev. Mr.. Galloway
commenced the religious services usual such
casions, by singing and praying and afterwards, IN
compliance with special request of the prisoner, he
preached all animated feeling and appropriate SER
He was followed by DR. Holcombe, in pa
thetic exhortaton, Which drew tears from many eyes,
'abet unused to the melting mood" His exhorta-
ton was followed by singing hymn, and by earn
prayer the Throne of Grace in beha r. not only
of HIM who stood the Threshold of eternity,
about tn launch his bark that vast and untried
ocean, unseen by mortal eye" but also of the crowd
of spectators who stood around, gazing some with
Indifference, others with hsartless evity, but the
great majority with evident interest, the thrilling
before them
The religious services concluded, the prisoner
shook hands with he Rev Clergy, and with many
of his old acQuantunces who pressed around the cart
for the purpose of bidding him last farewell, and
then taking his seat, appeared to be deeply absorbed
for few moments in prayer to the Father of Spirits.
About 3 o'clock, he sIgnifed to the Town Sergeant
his readiness for the last of the affecting tragedy
His hands and feet were then, is customary tied
together the former behind him, and the rope adus
ted to the transverse beam ofthe gaows; when, With
a calmness and indifference, equalied only by its
frmess, he pulled off his shoes, stripped off his coat
partially unbuttoned his vest. and unastened the
collar of his shir-and then, with an mistaken STEP
mounted the scaffold While the cap was BEING pre-
pared to conceal his face when the agony of death
should convulse his features, he engaged, With
upitted eyes, and with great earnesness, in audible
prayer, winch continued until his vlsage almost
entirely hidden from view AS an instance of his
calm, heroic fortitude, may relate circumstance
which now iook place The Sergeant had turned off,
for the purpose of letting the drop fall when Jones
called to hun. and with manner and tone which
one would nave used under the most indifferent
cumstances, asked him to draw the cap lower,
to conceal his mouth more effectually!-Every thing
being now ready, the drop fell, and the rope broke!
On the instant rush was made by the spectators
towards the spot where the poor fellow lay but they
were soon checked; and, after few moments, Jones
again raised on his feet a chair was handed to
him, IN which he sat down, drew the cap from his
face, mot muscle of which, even It's color was
changed and asked for drink of water, which, ha
wing drank, the rope again adjusted and, altho'
his feet and hands tied, he reascended the scat
fold with very little assistance. a minute clap
ssd the drop again felland Jones ceased to exist
He struggled scarcely inst ant The only evidence
of mortal agony which we behed, land we were with
in very few feet OF him. were exhibited from two
to nInuces after he had been suspended, in the
twl ching and contractons of his legs, and the quiv
ering of his feet. We learn that bis neck was not
broken, and he was therefore permitted hang
within a few minutes of hour. When his
body was cut down, it delivered into the
hands of his friends, who had carried to the spot
the abiliments of the grave, coffin and hearse 81
they moved off Immediately with the body, we pre-
sumo TO the residence of his father 90 or 80 miles
trern this place.
We know not that we can better conclude this
notice OF the execution, (aready too long and pro
badly too minute,) than by quoting the following
extract from the description given in late French
paper of the execution of soldier in that kingdom:
-" Thus termina ed tho career of endowe
With the most unquestIonable heroIsm, with a rood
understanding, and those who knew him say, not
outstanding his crime, with feeling heart. Phat
be committed that crime while laboring under par
tIa insanity, of some species other, we have not
much doubt. His ead offered a remarkable contrast
to those of most persons who executed. Il dis
played, along with the utmost Indifference for death,
the truest pety and resgnation,--qualtes which OBJ
liberated for the moment all recollection of his crime"
We again express decided conviction that the
penalty of deah though denounced upon transgres-
sors by the Jewish law, ought not to be inflicted in
this enlightened age, among civilized and merciful
people, any more than that other Hebrew canon,
IAN eye for an eye, and tooth for TOOTH As
punishment OF he criminal, it carries less terror
with 1t than imprisonment for life; while, as tOa,
ing to Others, it is than worthless. But, if
blood must be shed for blood, lot it be done 10 the
solitude of the prison Collect no such crowds to
gether, as we here on Monday last, and as are
seen wherever there is to be executions the GER
tam consequence Of which is the preparation of
hundred fold more vice and crime than is expated
by the death of the maefactor, which they assemble
to behold.-The number of persons at the gallows
has been varlously estimated-We think there were
a6out 5000 persons preseDt--others estimate the