Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-22

SENTENCE UPON THE PIRATEs-The Circuit
Court of the United States assembled on Tues
day at Boston to decide upon the motion for a
new trial, made in behalf of the persons found
guilty Of piracy in the case Of tie Mexican.
Two points were discussed by the Court in
the delivery of its opinion, the reading OF which
occupied about two hours The first was the
competency of the Court to grant a new trial.
This was decided in the negative, and for rea-
sons which We can easily conceive, must have
been perfectly conclusive to the mind OF any
man at all oonversant with the principles OF Ju-
dical proceedings.
The second point related to the objections
that had been taken by the prisoners counsel to
the conduct Of the Court during the trial. This
also was overruled, and its conduct indicated
in manner equally satisfactory and conclusive.
The counsel for the prisoners then rendered a
bill OF exceptions but were informed by the
Court that although they would readily sign it,
if, after advisement they found themselves au.
thorzed to do so yet it could not he done until
after sentence had been pronounced upon the
prisoners.
The District Attorney then rose and stated
that it was his duty to move that the sentence OF
the law be pronounced upon the prisoners The
Court then directed the Clerk TO put to them Sc
verally the usual question, whether they had any
thing to offer why the sentence Of the law should
not be pronounced upon them. Hereupon Cap
tain Gilbert presented to his counsel a written
paper, containing a long account Of the voyage
of the Panda, and attributing his present condi-
ton to the misconduct Of Captain Trotter, OF
the British brig of war Curlew, who captured
him unlawfully and unjusily, and to cover which
injustice, these false charges had been made
against him and his companions in suffering.
De Soto, the Lieutenant, also presented ST.
milar paper containing the like accusations a
gainst Capt. Trotter.
The other prisoners likewise presented writ
ten papers confirmatory Of the declarations Of
the Captain.
JUDGE Story then passed sentence Of death in
the usual form upon Pedro Gilbert, Barnardo de
Soto. Francisco Ruiz, Manuel Boyga, Manuel
| Castillo Angel Garcia, Juan Montenegro. other
| wise called Jose Basio de Castro, and designa
| ted AMI prescribed the 18th day of March next
| ensuing as the day Of their execution. After the
solemn sentence Of the law had been pronounc
ed, his Honor addressed them in the following
| terms:-
| earnestly recommend to each of you to EN-
ploy the intermediate period in sober reflections
upon your past life and conduct, and by pray
ers. and penitence, and religious exercises, to
| seek the favor and forgiveness ofAlmighty God
| for any sins ard crimes which you may have
committeeman for this purpose, earnestly re-
commend to you, and each OF you, to seek the
aid and assistance of the Ministers OF our holy
Religion, Of the denomination Of Christians to
which you severally beong:-And in bidding
you, so far as can presume to know, an eter-
| nal farewell, offer up my earnest prayers thai
Almighty God may, in his infinite goodness
have mercy on your souls.