Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-09-10
(From the Wtllamsport Bannor.I

We are indebted 10 The poitenss. of gentleman of
ms place who was present yesterday the 9Th instant
DIT the execution OF Cox at Chdrestown, Va. (for the
murder OF Col Dunn late Superintendent of the Ar
mory at HatpeI's Ferry) Tor some notes from which
we are enabled 10 present to ou readers account,
necessarily mper feet, OF the awful scene
AT half past IL o'clock Captain Hunters Troop Of
Horse with Captain Stewards company OF Infantry re-
clved the Prisoner at the jail He walked short dis
anee, ana was then placed in barouchs in company
WI" Two hev, gentleman of the Catholic Church a
"e"rse containing his coffin being in the train The
procession moved to The place of execution, which
az pen lot, situated at the east end of the town. be
wt me HarPer's-Ferry and Shepherds town roads
"ne,, arrived at the gallows, the Military formed a
du"le around il, and the Prisoner, accompanied by the
oeIgy' ana the Sheriff, James L. Ransom, 20 ascend
eu the platform. After religious exercises were per.
tils Clergy descended and left the Sheriff alone
WIN the Prisoner. Cox, with much 6rmness, but with
% coh'1i'Ion and SORROW stood up and addressed
une multitude, amounting to between three aud four
'housahd persons. He warned young to guard
against cards, drunkenness and bad company; oh.
serve and pursue the saluary advice of their parents
nc said that total disregard Of parental Il aud
the Observance of advice had brought him to the
awful place on which he stood
After the address, which lasted several minutes the
Sheih adjusted the fatal cord and having taken af
eclonae and feeling adeu, he descended from the Mat
form There Standing on the threshold of eternity
Cos, directed his views H-avenward; raising his pin.
oaed hands az high possible he prayed audibly for
some une; and then lie threw his handkerchief
ed WIN many bitter tear, from his hand signal
to the officer that all ready-The drop descended;
'he arms oil the suspended criminal fell along either
side OF his body; convulsye motion of the chest was
Observed and the forfeiture life for life was paid
After the expiration OF twenty minutes, the corpse
was lowered ntoits cOn, and delivered to his frends
purpose was to remove il TO Loudoun county for
nterment.
On the night preceding the execution Cox took no
rest. The ministers OF God were with him. and he re-
ceiVed from their hands the holy sacrament both on
thursday evening aud Friday morning. III lett writ
ten confession, which he said he would be willing 10
seal with his blood in which he implicated seven other
men as advisers to the deed for which was his lot 10
suffer III IL said that those persons have abe nted the
selves In his address, from the scafol he male alu
sion 10 these evil advisers being the cause of his
dreadful late fortnight before his execution he adj
dressed letter to the widow of the amented Dunn
(Which however was never shewn to herr in which he
expressed The most heartfelt for his crime
ring that II he had millions and sacrifice could ef
feet IT, he would give all for the restoration of her hus
oand lie; and that II he possessed Millions he would
give all to her aud her OIsprng if indeed th could in
any degree repair their loss.
The conduct OF THE unfortunate being presents va
REQ and instructive view OF frai human nature. Sc
ven months ago, intgated by the most fiendsh pas
sions, in the open day, and within hearing of wife
and child he entered ths apartment of an estinable
man, and not only without provocaion, but without
moments warning, made him a corpse upon the
spot The hardness OF heart the bls.phcmv the cold.
blooded Indifference, which he manifested ON the &C
cason OF his apprehension, procured for him the de-
served epthet Of monster perfectly abandoned with.
out hope or desire Of mercy. A few weeks ago after
many months confinement in dreary prison with his
horrid de'd constantly in view. we heard Of him in The
hall Of Justice, with determined though a psnsiye
countenance, and very little Indication Of sofened feel
ing' The impressive tones OF his Ju :ge, when pro.
nouncng upon him the sentence of the law did how
him, and in secret he manifested The hvora
Bile eff-ets which produced. Ana in lis last act
the closing sesne, we beheld him, who ever scorned
advice giving counsel to his fellow creatures shsddng
tears OF peDience and grief on account of his situation
and Tor bic loles and his crimes, and mplorine the
mercies OF Heaven upon himself and all m m Volat
&c law demanded the forfeiture Of his life and Justly
paid Ch'iian charity has pleaded for him tefore that
August Tribunal TO which he has been FASTENED TO give
on account for all the deeds done in the body