Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-06-21

The Salem Msrder.-Richard Crowninshield
charged with the murder of Mr.. White, hanged
himself on Tuesday last, in his cell. The Boston
The following is one, from the correspondent of
the Boston Courier:
SALEM, JUNE 10.
Richard Crowninshield. Junshanged himselfi in
his cell this afternoon. Mr.. Brown, the gaoier,
at about a quarter after 2 O'Clock had occasion to
go to the cell to speak to him, and, ON looking in
to find him, saw him hanging. He Immediately
opened the door, and with the assistance of the
turnkey, cut him down, & with all possible speed
called several physicians:-they opened a vein,
and he bled freely; but all their efforts to revive
him were Intellectual. A CorOner's Inquest was
then held.
To accomplish his purpose he tied together
three handkerchiefs: after tying the knot about
his neck, and fastening the other end firmly to
the crate, he got into a chair, then tied his hands
behind his back, and then leaped of. His feet
just touched the floor.
In his cell were found two letters, just written,
one to his father, the other to his brother George,
bidding them adieu. In the letter to the latter,
he moraliZes on the Shorhness Of The career Of
Iice, however prospe, Gus 1t may at first appear,
and warns all yonng people to be admonished by
his fate, sc. SC.
He was 26 years If age.
Since the humanity of our laws requires that
the gaolers should enforce no other restraints on
prisoners kept for trial than such as are necessary
for safe custody, it is obviouslyin the power of the
prisoners to destroy their Own lives. After con-
viction only is il deemed humane to put them in
irons; and even then they contrive means Ct sui
eide.
1t is very probable that the recent discovery ola
quantity of stolen goods at Danvers, which had
Just been made known to him. convinced him that
proofs were thickcning of the dePravity Of his life,
and impelled him to attempt to escape from the
overwhelming disgrace and shame.
The Patriot mentions that the brother of this
desperately wicked man Twas confined in the adj
Joining cell, and they frequently talked to each
other overheard, of course by the guard in the
dialect common to persons of this stamp. The
understood Geoge to ask him when he was going,
to which he was understood to reply, he was about
to 20. Writing materials had been at his dispo-
sal, but it is quot known whether or not he left
any disclosures.
II Is said that some time since their father had
e%nquired if they wished a new suit OF clothes, be-
lore tne trlai: IeOrPe slSnlneu tnat he utu, anu
was measured; bat Richard declined.
tits supposed tha5 this is the result of a deep
laid plan on his part; and that as he was origi-
nally the only one Indicted as principal IN the
murder a new indictment must be made, in which
the late disclosures would implicate Joseph J.
Knapp, Jr. as principal, and prevent his being
taken as States evidence. and at the same time
give George a chance of escape"
1907
Mr. DorSey.-It is with great regret that we
heard that Nj. Dorsey, the Distinguished Repre-
sentative of the first Congressional District Of
Maryland, had declined a reelection to Congress.
We were perfectly aware of the sacrifice of pri-
vate interest which Mr.. Dorsey had made to the
public By suspending his ~exertion in a lucrative
profession, in which his rank vas eminent, and
his emolument great. But such men rs Mr.. Dor
sey cannot be spared from the national councils
at the present crisis. Nat. Jour.