Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-11-27


Upon the oprnirg Of the Court This morning, William
Stewart the individual tried few days since, for the
murder OF his father, aud convicted OF murder in The
ccnG degree, was placed at the bar to receive his sen
lrnce, which was pronounced by Judge Nesbit, as ol-
lows:
WV SrEwaRr:-You Rre now broush, into Court to
receive that sentence which the law imposes on the
crime of which You have been foumd gn!lly After a
trial proracted 10 the very unusual length Of ten days
after defence by able counsel exhibiting unexamp!ed
patience, aci7ty and zeal, during which every advan
tag- which the rules Of law would permit afforded
yuu aud after a patient deliberate and impartial in.
vesgaon Of your case by jury Of your country, you
have been found guilty of murder in the second degree:
und tha, murder perpe'aed The body Of your own ia
Their ParIcide Al offence horrible and requiring for
lis preparation such utter destitution OF the strong
est and holy Of oic,ons that it is with Ci.
Guilty believe ii possible, that such crime could be
committed. An offence, against which the most dis
tmguished 'awgvers, in most nations, have made no
aws experimenting Impossible that could he guilty
of so shocking and unnatural barbarty IN offence, 10
the honor Of the State Of Maryland far as | am in
formed. not known in our annals Of crime. The tesii
muny Of so decisive character, and go clearly de-
monsrated the Geiibefat"n and presentation win
wlr! this murder committed, that il would have
justified and indeed, seemed 10 require, verdict Tor
murder in the FIRST degree by which you would have Tor.
ed your lie to the offended laws of your country But
the Jury Influenced probably By of those unfounded
scrupes about The effect u ciIcunsantia testimony,
however clear and conclusive have, by what 10 geneT
ally denominaed pioUS fraud, saved your lie, and
effort has been made By your counsel, not upon their
own responsibility but, as we understand, by yonr eX.
press ~ quest obtain for you trial. The motion
has been refused by the Court upon what they conceive
TO be the settled and established rules of law. IT, how
ever the Court had considered that they could legally
grant you trial. they would not, with their vie NJ
Of The conclusive nature Of the testimony against you,
have consented 10 place your life again IN Jeopardy,
even nj your request, when you had been acquit
ted of the highest degree Of homicide, by the finding
of which alone your life could be forfeited. The pain
ful duty now remains for the Court to impose the
,ence Of the law, and will ask you if you have any
thing TO say why that sentence should not now be
passed:
roncr seemed somewhat affected, and, in reply 10 the
question contained in the last clause handed 10 the Court
written paper which being read by the Court, 10
the following effect
Before the Court proceeds TO pass upon me the
ence Of the law beg TO declare in It's presence, and
before GoD and man, that am innocent OF The murder
Of my father.
T. whole course and tenor Of my life and character
the affection bore him while living, and the sorrow
with hch mourn his cruel and untimely death, ske
rcptl the suspicion and crime for " hich have been
tried aud forbid the circumstances by which
rounded ought 10 be construed into evidence of my
guilt It is however the will Of an nscrutab!e Prov
dence that should be tus situated, and here call to
witness all no present, and this honorable Court,
which is about TO sentence that the blood of my "a
thst not shed by ne, and that AIN innocent and
gui'tless Of the dreadful deed.
| bow with broken spirit, but conscious innocence,
To nv doom, in the Iervent hope, that time and
ruling God, will make my innocence manifest to the
world WIN. STEWART
The Court remarked that the declaration made here
late to prevent sentence being passed; and they
then sentenced the prisoner 10 confinement in the PeB-
Tertiary, unit; the Goth Cay Of August, lo5G-thc Goth
part Ct that time 10 be passed in solitary confinement
BAH (hyuuiri,