Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-30
EXECUTION OF CLOUGH.

Yesterday, the unhappy career Of Joel CIousb,
was terminated upon the scaffoId; and he has
suffered the last agones from which escape had
been forbidden. The solemn spectacle was
witnessed by an immense assemblage OF per.
sons, variously estimated from twelve to thirteen
Thousand.
On the evening previous to his execution,
CIough was attended by the Rev. Mr.. Wilmer,
and one or two other gentlemen, who were en-
gagged with him, in dlscoursing on his approach
Ing dissolution, and endeavoring to prepare his
mind for the awful change which awaited him.
They left him at about midnight; and when they
were gone, he addressed himself to his pallet,
and slept soundly for upwards Of three hours.
Between 10 aud o'clock. YESTERDAY, Cloush
left the Jail, in company with the sheriff, Bishop
| Doane. the Rev. Mr.. Wilmer. and other clerl'
cal gentlemen. They proceeded in dearborn
to the gaIows, around which battalion OF IN.
fantry, numbering about five hundred men, had
formed hollow square. The gallows was erec.
ted by the road sd., about two miles this side Of
Mount Holly. Around the place. in every d'rec-
ton, were the assembled multltudes-some 10
tents, and by wagons, engaged in gambling, and
other vices Of the sort in open day, unawed by
the dreadful sight that was soon to be presented.
| When the party 10 the dearborn arrived at the
galIows, Cloush stepped without help from the
vehicle, and after bidding adieu to several &C.
quaintanees. ~hom he met on aI,ghting. he as
cended the platform, and seated himself 10 q
chair Several cIergymen. Bishop Doane and
MIR. Wilmer, Of the Episcopal Church, Mr.. Ash.
ton of Philadelphia, a Methodist Minister OF
Pemberton, aud Mr. Shepherd Of Mount Holly.
assembled the platform with the prisoner Alter
the usual service for such occasions had been
read by Bishop Doane, a prayer was offered up
by Mr.. Wilmer. During the prayer, Clough
seemed to labor with the most intense mental
agony. He wrung his hands, and pressed the
chair which he held with convulsve energy; and
his wan and sunken countenance. betrayed the
wrestling anguish of his soul. After the prayer,
was sung the hymn:
when can read my title clear,
To mansion in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear.
And wipe my weeping eyes,
During the singing Of which, the unhappy crl.
mina leaned on the shoulder Of Bishop Doane.
| in state Of utter exhaustion.
| When the hymn was finished. he again took
his seat, and, at his request, his confessional
long but interesting recital-was read by the
Bishop to the assembled thousands. The pro-
duction is we'll written, and the amount of it
was, that he was devoted to Mrs. Hamilton,
FROM the frst Of their acquaintance, and took
every opportunity to evince the force and since.
rity Of his attachment; that at one time he flat
tered himself with the joyful idea, that his pas.
sion was reclprocated; but that afterwards Mrs.
Hamilton became cool and reserved towards him.
This rendered him desperate against her when
she was absent, though in her presence he was
overcome by unconquerabIe affection, and could
not harbor thought to harm her. Finding the
tO hoor ho hurrI N Ia
York, waere he plunged into dissipation, and for
q short time pursued a career Of mad indiffer.
ence, during which he wasted all his money, and
returned to Bordeutown, stepped TO the lips in
poverty and despair. He stated his case to Mrs.
Hamilton, and impored her to marry him. She
refused, but, with kindness almost angelic, o.
fered him any pecuniary consolation 10 her pow
err to bestow. She was moved by pity, but could
not con,pel her affections. The confession, in
this part, is full Of warm aud ardent language in
her praise.
The despair and desperation Of Cough, as he
declares, were only increased by these kindness.
es on the part of Mrs. Hamilton His pride was
humbled, while his burning regard was famed
into an intensrr flame. On the fatal day Of the
murder, his feelings had reached pitch Of poig-
nant anguish which besgars description, aud he
retired, sick and wearied, to bis chamber. He
says he did not call Mrs. Hamilton into the
room-that she came of her own accord, sup.
posing him i'll, and with the design to coun.
sci and console him. Feeling that her life was
in danger, he requested her to leave the apart.
ment; which she did. but returned again. He
was then overpowered with faintness, but was
sitting up. On recommendation from Mrs H.
that he should lie down again, 10 which she offer.
ed to assist him, he placed his left arm on her
shoulder for support, and then, as he declares,
all consciousness deserted him. He found that
he had stabbed her once; and then, with sudden.
" recovered senses, but under an irresistible
impulse. he repeated the deadly thrust, "agaiD,
again, and again"
10 conclusion, he said that he bowed to the sen.
tence of the law; that the trial was fair and i'm.
partial; and the Jury and Court were Just in ad.
judging him to Death.
After the confession was ended, a letter from
the prisoner to his disconsoate and venerable
mother, was produced and read by Bishop DoANE,
in a solemn and audible voice, to the assembled
congregation. A mournful sensation pervaded
the listening assembly. during the utterance OF