Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-08-23
From the .,ac York com,n.rciai .ilraii.er.

TosoSTo. Aug. g, lsjS.
SIXTEEN PERSONS SENTENCED To
DEATH.
Previous 10 the departure OF tho boat
on Saturday from Niagara. I had barely
ii.ne 10 inform you that sixteen Of the
state prisoners had been that morning
sentenced 10 death; four are Americans
and twelve subjects Of the Queen.
About half past one o'clock, the prison
ers came in Court. attended by a military
guard, and were seated in the jury box.
] was favored with very eligible seat,
being close both 20 the bench aud the pri-
soncrs. | was surprised TO find SO many
.oi The prisoners very young men-some
Of them were boys-3nd two or three
looked more deserving the ordinary chas-
tiscmcnt OF a parent. than the heavy pc
nal.y about 80 be adjudged them. Two
or three were handsome, ana with few
exceptions, nothing unfavorabl~ could be
drawn from their appearance. They
were all we'll Gresscd-Miler in black
suit. lie had been, you will rccollcct, a
law student at MaySviile, Chauiauque
county, and would probably have delend-
ed himself, had not his counsel offered, at
the outset, a plea OF insanity.
After the crier had made a proclama-
lion for all persons to keep silence while
his lordshiP, the queens Justice. pro.
nounced the sentence OF death, Mr.. Jus
:ice Jones called over The names of four
American citizens who bad been tried
under the act Of the last session Of the
provincial parliament. The first was Lii
nus Wilson Miller. After brief rcca-
piiulaiion Of the evidence, he asked whe.
Their he had any thing TO say Why sen.
tcnce Of death should not now be pro.
nounced on him. After pausing few
moments, lie spoke, ia fine melodious
voice as follows:
MY Lord
"YoUF Lordsaip has asked whether
have any thing 20 offer. Why sentence Of
death should not be pronounced against
me. .ball with permission OF your
lord,hip. offer few remarks, not howe
yer with belief that shall be able. 10y
any Ting that ! nigh, say, 90 turn aside
the impending fate that awaits me.
In reference To tho statute under
which | have been tried. ! am under the
foil conviction that Il {. unconstitutional.
and ia this opinion believe am sustain.
cd by some of the legal gentlemen now
present. am under the opinion that no
statute affecting the Life Of an individual
whether a subject or not. can be consi.
drrcd The law Of The lsnd Until IT shall have
received the sanction Of the sovereign
/ I know, my lord. that under this eel
other. have suffered, ADD have no reason
go suppose ihst NY pleading its unconsti.
.uiionality will be any bar TO the aw fui fat
which - about 10 fall from the lips Of youI
.oidship.
II SIN. indeed, asked. Vby sentence oil
death shall no, now be passed upon me
I II had done deed worthy Of death,
would say let Il come, but declare "a
your lordship, that according 10 the die.
iaies Of my own judgment, deserve nei.
iher death nor bonds.
Il have no, been guilty o. the death o
any one. have taken from no one thai
Which was not my own. I came not into
your country 10 destroy is form Of 90.
lvernment came not upon IT, borden
with arms IA my hands. Young and 10
Experienced Ss am, was led into ID,
vuor. for which nov stand convicted
BY The advice of others. Had truth ant
Justice prevailed. ! should not GOV b
called TO stand before your lordships ia
peril Of my life.
n gay stand eonvieied-but on VIA
evidence has my conviction been obtain.
ed ? Upon that of the pcrjured Doan
lwho has become an evidence Coz the