State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-09-26
EXECUTION OF A FEMALE IN PER.
STA
(By an Eye- Wiiness.J

by an Eye WiineSS.)
A considerable crowd had assembled
before ] arrived at the place of execution
In the centre was n brazen mortar placed
on small piece of rising ground match
communicating with the interior was at
some distance, and not far from it was a
lircband ready lighted. ] took my place
with heavy heart in the midst of the
crowd and chose it Mt that distance which
placed me ont of all probability of danger
Scarce had stopped, when | saw the
officers OF justice approach, for whom the
guards opened passage, with difficulty,
md not without dealing some blowsamongst
the thrOng. Isatween two of them udvan-
ced the condemned person.
From her head to her feet she was coy
cred with thick, black veil, to hide her
face. Her steps were firm, and her coun-
tenance seemed nnnioved. She often spoke
to an eunuch who accompanied her, but
the noise around prevented my hoalinga
word she uttered.
However, she drew near to the place of
punishment; the spectators became pro-
toundly silent and when she arrived ut
the mortar not n breath was heard. She
took the advantage of this silence to raise
her voice and address the multitude with a
precision and clcarness which excited uni
versal establishment.
But the officers perreiving tie impression
that she produced on the ISLANDERS by, soon
interrupted her. She made no effort to
continue, and suffered herself to be taken
close to the mortar her step was firm, she
did not speak, but appeared more resigned
than many men would be in the same stu
alton. She did not even shed tear.
She was told to kneel down, and lean her
breast against the mouth of the mortar. -
She oboyed. Her wrists were bound with
cord, and they were firmly tied to some
pickets that had been purposey placed
there. In the mean time she did not dis
cover the least emotion. She leaned her
head on the mortar, and awaited her fate
with that calmness that the brayest soldier
might envy.
AT length the signal was given. A man
armed with the liIehrand, bent it slowly to
the match, and lust as it was about to lake
fire, an universal shuddcr took place among
the crowd. The match was lighted: one
moment only had past deep groan issued
from every bosom the smoke disappeared:
there was no explosion, and the unhappy
creature raised her head to see what had
'"pf'iN'i' "a lui'hi vi Suol
across my breast; / thought it was meant
that she should he saved.
Scnrce had this idea entered my mind,
when another brand was lighted. The
victim raised her head second time, gave
a deep sigh as if her soul had just taken its
flight; this long, this dreadful sigh, was
scarcely finished, when the explosion took
place, and the smoke of the powder hid
every object from my sight.
The fatal cloud however, was soon dis
perscd; the explosion had finished all, all
was anlliilated, except a few shrcds OF her
garments, and the bones Of her arms. Two
women rushed forward at the fatal moment
towards the scene Of punishment, seized
these remnants, and hiding them with their
wells, hastily returned to their haren,, car
rying off those dreadful testimonies Of the
iuItilment of justice.