The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-09-01
KNAPp,s SENTENCE.

! crowd had assembled to witness the solemn
ceremony of passing sentence OF death upon
the prisoner. His name was called by the Clerk
when he rose and answered with usual COM
posture.
The Attorney General then rose and moved
that sentence of Death, cOnlormably to the Law
be now pronounced against the prisoner, as
just retributon for his crime.
I Judge Putnam then addressed the prisoner
in these words" Have you aught to say why
sentence of Death should not now be pronounc-
ed against you 2"
! He replied with great firmness and energy
as follows &c have only to say, that | am in
nocent of the charge which has been brought
against me-and now declare to the world,
that shall die innocent of the charge for which
am to suffer.
Judge Putnam then addressed him as follows:
john FRANCIS KNAPP,
You have been indicted for the crime of Muir
der-and upon your arraignment have pleaded
that you were not guty-and put yourself up
, on God and your Country for trial Able and
learned Counsel have been at your request as
signed by the Court to assist you in your de-
fence. Your case has been committed to
very intelligent and impartial jury, selected by
yourself, who have for six days patiently and
utteutfvety listened to the evidence and the ar
/ guments. All that learning and industry, idel-
ity and talents,- could suggest, has been urged
in vain in your defence. The truth has pre-
valed-and the jury of your country have es-
tablished your guilt-the Court is satisfied with
their verdict, and you-come now to receive the
sentence of the Law
Before we proceed to that last and painful
duty, we are DESTROYS of doing you all the good
in power, by awakening your mind TO
consideration OF the awful doom which awaits
, you. Would to God that any thing we could
/; say would have the effect of softeRing your
heart, and OF leading you to sincere contriton
| and repentance.
The horrid murder of which you have been
convicted, stands in bold relief and delormity
in the history of crime.
The victim of your ferocity, in a few years,
according to the course of nature, would have
sunk into his grave in peace, but for the thirst
F; for gain which corroded the hearts of those
l who consplred against his life. He was living
: IN the midst OF as peaceful a community ex-
lists upon the earth, surrounded by his relations
q and friends upon whom he had lavished his
bounty. In the stiffness of the night-while he
rested his aged limbs upon the bed-whie he
was in the arms of sleep-n his own house-in
the centre of this populous town-the Assassin
of your procurement committed the Deed of
: Death, while you, in the judgment of the Law,
= were present and aiding him in the fact
. The circumstances attending the conspiracy,
exhibit cool, deliberate design to take the
lie OF the victim, merely for the sake Of gain.
q There was no other passion to be gratifed.
= The conspirators were all young. They were
! connected with respectable families. They
were born, and reared and educated among us
. They had the means of living within their own
v control, if they had pursued the course of hon.
} esty and industry.
,, But they forsake This course and resolve 10
: cut their road to fortune through blood and
. murder.
y Our peaceful city stood aghast at this dread.
" full deed The very foundation of our society
n ka oh nx1A H. Il
y confined to this vicinity or state, but extended
throughout this land
;, Suspicious too horrible for utterance were
= excited In the breasts of rejecting men. The
:. sense of security which the law inspires, was
IN great manner lost. No mans house was
time to trust TO their own arms rs sffssefb s a5
= TO the protection of the law for their safety.
a But there Is Providential watch constantly
nj over u.s. The murderers have been detected
n ~ means as extraordinary as their crime was
n atroclous. The Assassin has persisted by his
q own hands-and the tremendous punishment
LOT your CRIME IS about to fall upon YOU
!. Gut there Is IN these awful events a WARN.
n ING VOICE, which speaks to ALL and especially
TO the young, as with the sound of the earth
r quake IN every breeze which watts the news
! OF this horrd tragedy" Forsake moi The w,vs
:, of truth and honest industry, which Iesd 70
honor and everlasting life, for the paths of vice
and profilgacy which lead to ignominy and
= DEATH" "'N
be not deceived by their enticinp appear
ances. AT their beginning, the rose buds of
nope and passion may appear, but they end in
y anguish, poverty and destruction
Our ierVent prayer for you is, that you may
n be prepared, by sincere repentance. 10 onnear
> before the Judge of all the earth. And we
u would urge you to apply to those pious men
whose duty 1t is to teach our holy religion. TO
nelP you with their prayers and instructions
> during the few remaining days which NAV be
allowed to you, and may God grant success 10
s their endeavors.
1t only remains for us to declare the sentence
OF the law-whch is, and this court doth ac.
3 cordinglY adjudge,
/; That you be carried from hence to the pris.
on from whence you came-and from thence
to the place of Execution-and there be hang.
. ed by the neck until you shall be dead And
may God of his infinite grace have mercy upon
your soul.
After pronounclng the last word, the auster
NY ana hrmness OF the Judge gave way to the
E feelings of the man he was most sensiblv oc
: Iec'ed LOT some moments he was absorbed in
tears, and his sobs were audible to those who
/ were near him. Many of the audience were
, equally anected. But the prisoner stood stead.
last and immoveable-there was not the sligb,.
est change OF CONFERENCE.-The tears-ana moi
I me least emotion. lie appeared like statue
Vi uuamaht. when about leaving the bar
where he had received the awful sentence
winch doomed him to death on the verv nexi
Time he would be permitted to leave his gloomy
dungeon ne took from his pocket his quid Otto.
oacco and placed it in his mouth, with as much
apparent nnconcern if no had been tho re-,
olsInterested spectator of the solemn scene. I
dhe prisoner was remanded, as soon as tho
sentence was pronounced, and the Court was
adjourned to the second Tuesday of November
next when the trial of Joseph J. Knapp. If
ana George Crowninsheld will take Mace
Palmer and Leighton, two of the most imnor.
.ant witnesses, were recognized to appear At
that time.-Esser Register. ~rp'"' ~
/ Auo BALTIMORE, Aug 90.