Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-09-03
SENTENCE OF JOHN FRANCIS KNAPP


SENTENCE OF JOHN FRANCIS KNAPP
This wreirhed Young man received his sentence Al
Salem en- Saturday. At o. A. M. he was placed at
me Bar The crowd was great al any 70 me
time 81 The tia. He remained gbont the So
Tenn cer.mony a. unconrernel ami mmovab'e a. ever
when asked by Judge Putnam if M bal ausht TO saw
why sentence Of death should not now be pronounced
upon him, he replied with great energy and 6rmness
81 have only to say, that am irnoc Of the charge
AMI now declare 10 the world, tn shall die inno-
cent OF the crime, for which am TO suffer-"
'uuge funam then rroceeded 10 pronounce the
hreadfnl sentence OF the Law in the following terms
JOHN FRANCIS KNAPP-You have been iadicted
Tor the crime Of Murler-an6 upoR your arraignmsn,
nave pleaded that you were not gnty-and put your
sell npnn God and your Country for trial. Able and
learned counsel have been at your request assign.
ed by the Court TO ASSET ycu in your defence Your
case has been committed 10 very int liigent and i'm
partial jnry selected by yourself who have for xix day.
patiently and ottenivey listened 10 the evi ence and
he arguments. All lha learning and industry fidqli-
~ and talents coul suggest, has been urged in vain
IN your defence. The truth has prsveiied-snI The
nry o. your country have esabli.h-d your guilt-he
Court "a SAT- fed with their verdict and you come now
to receive the Get tence If ihel,w
Before we proceed to that last most ra;nfu dnty we
are DESTROYS OF doing you all the gco in our povyer hy
awakening your mind 10 considers ion Of the awful
doom winch awai's You. Would TO Col that any thing
~ could FAY would have the effect Of softening yonr
heart AMI OF leading you to sincere conuion and re-.
prniance.
The horrbls murder Of which you have been con.
weed, stands in bold relief and sformity in the history
Of crime.
The victim Of your ferocitv, in f. years accord.
ing 10 the confss Of nature, would hsvs sunk into hi,
grave IN peas, but for The thirst for gain which rorsod-
ed The hearts of those who consirred against hi, life
lie MAS living in the mijst OF peaceful community
"a exists upon the earth surrounded by his relation.
and friends uron ON h. had svbed his bounty: In
the stiffness OF the night while he rested hi aged
limos upon thu bed-wll- he was In the ern, Of sic n
In hrs own oussn the centre f is pnpulous wi
ne Assassin OF your procureme MT committed the
Dsed OF Death while you. in the judgment Of the law
att Ia a.. "a
The frcum'tirces attending the consprscy r bibi
cool deliberate design 10 take the life Of the victim
merely Tor tn sakg Of gain There was no other
sion 10 he gta,ihsd
| The conspira'ors sll YOUNG Th,y were ron.
neetsd with respectable families. They were bern and
! ts'ieh and educated among us They had the mean,
The course Of honesty ard industry.
But they iorsske This course and resolved to cut
70 ~ TO fortune through blood and murder
Unr peaceful CITY stood aghast at this dreadful deed
Inc very foundation Of society seemed 10 be sha
'he shock was not confined 10 this vicinity or
S'ste' but extended throughou, Chis land
Snspcion' TOO horrible for utter rance were excited IL
me breasts OF rshtciirg The sense Of secvrty
which ths law inspires, was in great manner lost
NO mans house @a' considered a cafe casfI.-snd mon
seemed Tor lime disposed TO irus, 10 lhsr own arm,
Tather thAo 70 The protection OF the law for their safety
Tbui there ~ Pfoyidsuial wa'ch constantly over ~.
,sa. nurderers have been detected by means ss ev
! s,s,;o Try as their crimes suocious The A,
iahed by his own hands; aud he trsfoendou
Bo, ,bess ~ your crime !, about 70 fell upon you
,ytieL -. ,.hese awful events wARrfNe VOICE
with the round o. 400 e,pesslsiy to The young, NJ
which wahs the news - - 49,, :" every OIsez'
not the ways OF ruth, DG%os., T. ds,.y 1',ak'
TO honor and everlasting M e. H. "iIt IN 'eH'
prohigScy which lead 10 igaofhsv and dss,b . ""