Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-08-07
Nroa, ne Ck1riestoa Courier
CRUEL PUNlSHMENTS.


A few weeks sgo, We admitted toto columns
perhaps unadvssdly-a communication touching the
execution Of Negro Slave near Cedar Spring, m
Abbeville District. TWAS written by friend whose
character and age. and standing in socicty, entitle
bis opinions to high respect In some papers that
have fhllen under notceand doubtless IN others
which we have not seen-a use has been made of
the article to the discred Of that part OF the country
where the event occurred, and much to tn. injury OF
the slave holding States The following official CON-
muncatton from member Of the Court. presents the
subject, we believe in lite true light; and trust
that every Editor who has given publicity color.
ing tothe article of our former correspondent, will
il act oflustce to CIRCULATE widely the
invarnished narrative of the crime for which the Nc
, gro suffered.
South Carolina, .aL5epiie District.
June 2sth, 1880.
Dear Sir,-Having noticed in your paper Ofthe 18th
inst: communication from gentleman of this dis
trict, under the signature of"Q u" on the sub
iec' of'Crust Psnishsents," deem 1t duty which
owe to the Court, and to the vicinity of Cedar
Spring, las the subject has been brought before tho
public to give full statement of the crimes. for
swhch the Negro Slave was condemned 10 suffer
wiai, acknoweda g, cruel punishment. And
,iereI would observe, that do not feel any thing
Ike opposition 10 the sentiments expressed by 20
Ut 10 qdite otherwise Would to God, the
lies OF barbarity, which bring reproach our land
~ more forms than by ipfIctng capital punishment
by hurning, were done away. But to proceeds The
person who fell victim to the savage cruelty of this
demon in human shape, respected virtuous
aad pous Lady, the wife ofa truly honorble citizen
who, by some circumsi ancc, prevented from re-
turning from Hamburg, WHITTIER he had gone TO
marker sntil sabbath morning the 18th April. Ii
appears from the evidence on the trial. that part
OF the family went TO meet the gentleman whom they
were then expecting. They were long gone
when the boy, (Uho was not more than II years
old) entered The whore the lady was adjusting
the beds, and took hold other, shelving ntma.is ION
of the most outrageous insult that female virtue and
delicacy arc ever subject to. She ordered him to
leave the roo which he refused 10 do, still persist
lug in his violent purpose. She then seized one of
the curtain stands aud attempted to knock him down,
but from his superior strength and actity, she was
easily prevented. However sfter long and severe
struggle she succeeded driving him from the house;
but alas! she rot long permitted to anjoy her ri
umph, for he soon entered again and took hold Of
her, threw her on he floor and commenced betting
her on the head with fiat iron, till she almost be-
came unable 10 struggle, but thinking as il is SUP
posed, his weapon not sufficient to execute his
horrd purpose. he left her aud went out to get
broad axe which lay in the yard. As soon as
Sire found herself relieved from his sewage grasp.
she mustered up all her remaining strength and
fled refuge towards u neighbors house which was
close by; but she had gone than iity or six
~ yards, before the blood hound eagerly shutting fer
his prey, overlook her with the weapon above nllu-
ded to, and ordered her back ani here-y soul sick
cns at the recta-he compelled the poor innocent
woman to walk back, before him o0e condemned
10 suffer the rack wilhs,andng her rea,es her
prayers tor mercy, and her that if he would
desist from further cruees she would no, diyuge
the outrage he had already committed. AS soon as
be had driven her into thu house, he commenced
cutting and best,ng her the head, until she fell
senseless before him. How long she remained in this
situation, it is not known, only by his own confession
He said, he thought she was dead and wen, out 10
wash the axe IN trough which was in he Yard but
hearing her still grooming, he back with knife
and was IN the act of eating into her brnins as he
said to admit the air into tht M which would put an
m ha rn,5 -
God at this critical moment, her isband and youDa
uiaa with him drove up 10 the gate, and hearing
means indicating DISTRESS TO the house; and yet
SO intent this deamon in The execution of bis
crime, thst ne heard them until they had hold
OF him; but from the agitation of the moment, he
made his escape. But justice soon to oyertakc
HIM hat saue eyenIn. he pursued and caught
and brought TO trial the next day and condemned
TO be, and accordingly burnt ashes And fit was
the province OF man to say what punishment was
duo 10 his crime for me- should say he did not re.
ceive hall his deserts | may here state that the Ia
dy notwn hstandng the very delicate situation which
she was IN, beng IN state of pregnancy has 90
far recovered, as to be thought out of danger-if il
be the VIII Of God to preserve her through the trial
which soon awaits her. In exhonerating the Court
must state that the criminal received as far trial
and human. treatment any criminal could receive
never even being threatened in order tn extort the
truth, and with regard to execution, there was no
pains spared 10 render 1t quick: render 1t easv was
impossible. He was chsned to a stake but nor sus-
the stat emcnt Of %. u"
Now although sincerely the barbsrous prac
tce OF nhcing death by FIRE. those forfeited the
lives YET think any crime, Of which MODERN even au
cen history Affords example, deserved cruel punishment
The enc in question dIdaOd especially when we es.
mat was The second Of the kind he rad committed Il neg
leed 20 state thai the criminal suspected from
oe TOO strong 70 admit OF doubt and aerward confessed The
murder OF si 10 or IL yeas Of age tits however was
10 the crime Tor winch he Jice, and therefore was
no brought before the Couu would ass my friend 80 o."
- ~hai age Of the word, page Of history 10 what
lection OF c;Suiy DO we Turn, behold crimes; aud
th ssh tan not maDand being SUCH fhe not avenge
0s wrongs Yes, mao all ages Of world and viii
smsn SUCH unt oid things away and all things be
= NJ new snd there Heaven and new earth Vince
~ 'eeih nsheoosnes. useless then appeal to msgs
te' OF Other Individual persons IL OF their DOVE,
enang- the current OF public sentiment For the in
curt OF the kind alluded TO- may TO have no more
man the foreman Of jury ordinary cases and VIVA,
an ne 90 o. what can private member dor Notfng-a ma
iy insists and pleads the example of long GUSTAV
a'ih che minority 10 Dfced yield point; Ana this viii
continue TO be The case UNTIL ~ the good providence Of God
m legislative body spleased change tie law Of our land
90 this particular should have your attention IN
shs imperfect scaTwl, only with view 10 put in exe,cse
ADLER aud wiser pens than mine bat hope you vii Indulge me
Ia two observations: Flrstthe law with regard 10 the
slaves,