The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-07-22


steward of the Morning Star informed
me, that he is a tall stout man, with |
fair hair, and fresh complexion, of a
mild and gentle countenance, but that
he was one of the worst williams of the
whole piratical crew. believe he is
stated to be Frenchman.
Soto secured his admission to the
garrison by false pass, and took up
his residence at an inferior tavern in
narrow lane, which runs off the main
street Of Gibraltar, and is kept by
man of the name Of BassO. The APP
pearance of this house suits well with
the associations of the worthy Benito's
life. j have occasion TO pass the door
frequently at night, for our barrack (the
Casemate) is but "A few yards from it.
| never looked at the place without
feeling vivid and involuntary sensa-
ton of horror--the smoky and dirty
nooks-the distant groups of dark
Spaniards, Moors, and Jews, their sal
low countenances made yellow by The
light Of dim oil-lamps-thc unceiled
raiters Of the rooms above, seen
through unshuttered windows, and the
consciousness of their having covered
the atrocious Soto, combine this effect
upon me.
In this den the villain remained for
ii few weeks, and during this time
seemed to enjoy himself as if he had
never committed "a murder. The story
! he told Basso of his circumstances was,
that hc had come to Gibraltar on his
way to Cadiz from Malaga, and was
merely awaiting the arrival of Il friend.
lie dressed expcnsiycly-generally
wore white bat Of the best English
quaIity, silk stockings, white trowsers,
and blue irOck coat. His whlskers
were large and bushy, and his hair,
which was very black, proiusc, long and
naturally curicd, was much in the style
of IL London preacher Of prophetic and
anti-poetic notoriety. lie was deeply
and gait expressive of his bold, en-
Itcrprlsing, and desperate mind. In
deed, when saw him in his cell and
at his trial, although his frame was at
! tenuatcd almost TO ii skeleton, his face
! pale yellow, his eyes sunken, and his
hair closely shorn; he still exhibited
strong traces of hat hc had bcen--stll
retained his erect and fearless carriage,
his quick, fiery, aud malevoent eve,
his hurried and concise speech, and his
close and pertinent style of remark,
He appeared to me such man a.
would have made II hero in the ranks
of his country, had circumstances plac-
ed him IN the proper road to fame; but
ignorance and poverty turned into the
most tcrocious robbcr one who might
have rendered service and been an hon
our to his sunilcn country. l should
like to hear what the phrenologistS say
of his head; il appeared to ne to be the
most peculiar had ever seen, and Ger.
tainly, as far as the bumb of dcStrUc.
trcncSS went, bore the theory fully out
1t is rumourcd here that the skull ha,
been sent TO the saCanS of Edinburg; il
this he the ease, we shall no doubt b,
made acquainted with their sage opin.
ions upon the subject, and great con
querors will receive IA farther ASSURANCE
of how much they resemble in THEN
physical natures the greatest murde.
rcrs.
When visited the pirate in the
Moorish castle where he was confined
he was sitting in his cold, narrow, and
miserable cell, upon pallet of straw;
eating his coarse meal from tin plate,
Thought him more an object ofpity than
of vengeance; he looked so worn with
disease, SO crushed with suffering, yet
so allablc, frank, and kind in his adj
dress; for he happened TO be in COM
municatiye mood, that was by no
means common with him. He spoke
of his long confinement, till | thought
the tears were about to start from his
eyes, and alluded to his approaching
( trial with satisfaction; but his predom-
inant characteristic, ierocity, appear
ed IN his small piercing black eyes be-
fore | left him, as he alluded to his
keeper, the Provost, in such n way
that made me suspect his desire for
blood was not yet extinguished.
When he appeared in court on his tri-
nj, his demeanour was quite altered;
he seemed TO me to have suddenly ris-
Ell ont of tie wretch he was in his cell
to all the qualities ] had heard ofhim;
he stood erect andumemharassed; spoke
with II strong voice, attended closely
to tie proceedings, occasionally exam.
iued the witnesses, and at the conclu-
sion protested against the justice ofhi,
trial. He sometimes spoke to tn,
guards around him, and sometimes al,