Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-13

where in 1925 almost every toast was in honor .,
the Hero, we do not observe in the proceedings 81
the Anniversary just passed, single toast given to
him personally.
Extract from q Letter TO the Editor, dated
"Phifadeiphia, JuIy Cd 1890
"The execution of Porter, the mail robber which
took place this morning, drew together an unpreco
dented concourse of people, hundreds of whom cam
from up and down the river, and from all adjacent
places in the country-upwards of three hundred
persons from Baltimore alone as mnnv from
Salem, and crowds from the neighborine viIlaees.-
1t was estimated by competent Judges that not less
than $4,000 individuals were witnesses to the horrd
spectacle. Among this dense mass of human BEINGS
at least three four thousand oonen and girls were
10 be seen, all waiting with intense anxety in hot
sun, the completion of the tragedy.
Ihe city, ever since the pardon of Wilson was
KNOWN was filled with ruUlors of an attempt be;nn
intended to rescue Porter from the gallows bv his
lariends the Irish population. : In consequence of
these reports several companies of volunteers and
corps OF the Marines were called i'll equison, and
the FORMER accompanied him to the gulows where
they were Joined by the litter The dissatisfaction of
the Irish was vented in strong language, at Porer's
oe'hg selected from three the only object of ven
geance. But, IT any attempt to arrest the execution
Oh the law was seriously intended, the arrny of bavo
nets which brlsted up around the gallows was s,ii
Client to repel 1t in its infancy No attempt was
made, and the most entire good order was observed
the painful, but certainly necessary scene
Porter declared his intention to di.. like man
and he did so. He fairly ran down the prison stems
Jumped over the gutter with light step, and noun
ing The cart with grent cheerulness. sat dopn aDoa
ms coJan with an air far removed from that of one
whose heart was daunted. He went I'D the LADDER
to the fatal drop with firm STEP and looked round
MIN from the awful height with unblenchiDp front
Strange, that in the very jaws of observation-disclosures
ana horrld death--the soul of so support it.
self! The prop which supported the drop on which
Porter Stood was KNOCKED away by disguised b4ag-
man, and the life of this unhappy man was closed
In this world forever!
= Phe gallows was made too locv, and the culprit
Ieil nearly out OF view of the crowd. I stood within
few feet of him, and saw the most minute nart.I,
lars His feet we're not tied together contrary to rem
nera' practice He did not struggle much, but fell
apparently dead on The instant. Still could dscov-
er the horrible contortions of the drcadu panvs of
SO appalling an exit. The cap was drawn down eny
to his nose, thus exposing all the lower parts of his
race saw the horrid egonies of suffocaton NAV a.
fouh1 ms mouth and mount up in his face-the deep
dreadful, unimaglnable pangs of the poor belnless
oody-the gasplng in vain for breath-the srong bpt
intellectual efforts of the hands to reach the fatal
rope and mitigate its killing horrors-tne dropppo of
.he same lmpotent members in agonised and helpless
despafr-wlth all the shocking terrible CONVERSIONS
OF the body Violently robbed OF its Immortal tenant
& quarter OF an hour had elapsed, and the heart Of
the wretched being had not ceased to beat. A
strong eonvulsve heaving of the breast was percep
tlble--but it nov lasted only few moments lonorr
lit was the last. awful soul-uppalling co-t of eSp
ring nature, and all sensation either Of fear OF main
had ceased With the life Of the convict.
fhe murmurs OF the dense crowd we're freely
expressed against the President orpardoning WILSON
without extending mercyto Porter Thew depoun-
ced Jackson in oaths and excavations declared he ne
yer should have their votes again, and expressed re-
greet at having ever voted for him. The same feel
ing ing s universally entertained throughout the CITY,
Every body egclaims against this most exroord;nars
pardon, and calls upon the President to know his rea-
sons The true reason is this; when Wilson vas ar
rested, pledge vas given that if he would confess
ne should not be hanged. Potect was afterwards
hor
witness, when Wilson's evidence would have been
quite as conclusive his; still this does not Justify
tie pardon, because Wilson was not convicted on his
CONFESSIONS but On Potee''s evidence.