Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-08-01

tense mental agony. He wrung his
hands, and pressed the chair which he
held with convulsivo energy; and his
wan and sunken countenance, betrayed
the wrestling anguish of his soul. After
the prayer, was sung the hymn:
",Vhen can read my ftle clear,
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell TO every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes,"
During the singing Of which, the uDhap-
py criminal leaned on the shoulders Of
Bishop Doane, in state of utter ex-
haustion.
When the hymn was finished, he again
took his seat, and at his request, his con-
fession,-a long but interesting recital,
was read by the Bishop to the assembled
thousands.
After the confession was ended, alet-
ter from the prisoner to his 6isconso'ate
and venerable mother, was produced Ind
read by Bishop Doane, in solemn and
audible voice, to the assembled conere-I
CATION. A mournful sensation pervaded
the listening assembly, during the ute
rance ofthe heart-stirring cpistle. Many
a manly bosom sweled with irrePressi-
bic emotion, and many an eye was filled
with the tears Of sympathy. The coun-
tenance Of the prisoner, at that time be-
tokcned a state Of mental suffering
stretched to the verge of human endu-
rance.
Only few minutes now remained for
the miserable criminal. He employed
them in taking a final and thoughtful
leave, of the clergy who had attended
him 10 the borders OF the eternal world.
This parting scene was long and painful.
Finally the clergy descended from the
platform, and Clough was left upon it
alone, with the Sheriff. Here he col
lectcd all his energies for the last strug-
gle he measured the rope, (Which had
been cooled round his neck at the PRISON.
with his arm; specified to the officer the
length which he desired to fall; had his
arms tied at the wrist; and after taking
last and eager look at the bright sky,
the earth, and the objects around, the
fatal cap was drawn over his forehead
and eyes, and he was launched into f.
ternity.
The drop was slipped so suddenly by
the Sheriff, and the fall of the wretched
man was so instantaneous and heavy,
that speedy end was put to his suffer
iDgs. A convulsive shiver Of the body,
and slight movement of the limbs,
marked the final moments of his dissolu-
tion, and then all was over.
The body was cut down and placed in
a coffin, after it had been suspended a.
bout thirty minutes. The large con-
course separated without any accident;
and before sunset, the place was com
paratively still and deserted.
\ Thus has terminated trial which has
awakened an almost unparalleled excite
ment; and which can scarcely pass with
out leaving an impressive warning a.
gainst those unrestraIned and unruly pas
sions, which war against the soul, and
poison the fountain of better sympathies,
with which, through self abandonment
and dissipation, they are permitted to
mingle.
The confession Of Clough written by
/ himself and read from The scafold, to the
surrounding multitude, in remarka ably
distinct, and impressive manner, by Bish
op Doane, embodied brief outline of hi
life, from his infancy, up to the period o
his Imprisonment. In reference to th
, crime for which he has suffered, h,
: made some disclosures which place tn
, subject in different light from that, il
: which it has been heretofore viewed.
He states after appealing to that Co
before whom he was about to appear, 70
the sincerity ofhis story, that Mrs. Ham
iton had made an engagement Of mar
riage with him. She subse quen ntly man
ifested change, and eventually declar
! cd it impossible for her to fulfil her prom
ise, and in various ways showed that he
affection had cooled.
r lie was exceedingly hurt and irrtate
> by her conduct, and declares that his oh
ject in visiting New ork, was to with
draw himself from her society, that afte
having been, while there led into som
discredtable scenes, which he locke
, upon as completing his disgrace, he re
turned to Bordentown, saw Mrs Hami
ton, and informed her of his misfortunes
! On learning that he had lost his money
! she offered to give him all she had in he
possession, and in addition to give hir
r her gold watch. These offers he declr
ed, but renewed the subject of their er
gagement, and told her that If she woul
consent to be his wife, all would be wei
r and that they should be happy. She re
fused, he says, to give him any encor
ragement, and in manner calculated I
: wound his feelings.
!, From that time, he observes, the ide
! OF destroying her, entered his mind. =
It He acknowledges that her death we
n Dremeditated. that h;s ;ntent;oo 49,.