The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-08-25
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY IL. WEBB.
COUNTY, PA SATURDAY, AUGUST rs, 1885.


and then retired to sleep, assured and graft
fed that his charge had fled. The next
morning on awaking, he found the prisoner
lying with his head pillowed upon the pris-
on steps where he had sunk down from fa-
tgue. During the day and night the mis-
cradle man had been to visit his family, and
in going and returning had travelled dis
tance Of sixty miles. ~.
The time of his trial came on, and the
Sheriff made preparations to conduct him to
Springfield, where he was to be tried for
high treason before the council of Massa-
chusetts, at that time the supreme executive
OF the State. The prisoner assured him
that it was unnecessary to incur the trouble
and expense of journey, in order to take
him there, as he could go as well himself.
His word was taken without hesitation, and
he set out upon his melancholy journey, to
present himself for trial and certain con-
demnatioR. .........,
As he proceeded onward night overlook
him in a large wood; and coming to cross
road he was in doubt weither to direct his
steps. Fatigued with walking and full of
uncertainty, he sunk upon his knees and
poured forth his soul in agony of prayer,
until he was 1oused by the tramp of feet,
and on looking up beheld person on horse
back beside him. The stranger had heard
his pious petitions, and with kind solicitude
inquired into the nature of his journy,& all
the little particulars Of his history. He took
him to his home, and having entertained
him for the night, sent him to Springfield
in care of friend; The officer (for it was
an officer of justice in whose care the stran-
gesr gsu paGsd ace .b hi@ c99aga!ed him to sprng
The country was then struggling against
sea OF troubles, and compelled to restrain
, the agency of treason, by prompt and con-
, dign punishment. The crime of the pris.
oner was substantated by ample proof. He
: even admitted it himself, and was accord
ingly declared guilty. Before reading the
sentence, however, the President put the
: question whether pardon should be granted
: Scarcely had he ceased speaking, when
t member occupied the floor, and to that spiri
| which the temper ofthe times appeared tt
i demand, portrayed in glowing language, th
s aggressions of England, the unavailing sup
e plications & remonstrances of the colonies
d the slaughter of their bretheren in the street
9 of Lexington and Concord, and the confs
t grafton of Charlestown by the vandel torcl
f Of the invaders. He then spoke of the diff
n culties they had no encounter--of the pow
It er of the foe with whom they were crap
d pling and concluded by expressing hop
II that not member there would sacrifice tn
e great interests of the country by granting
t. impunity to the subtle and destructive agen
n cy of treason. Several speakers expresse
y similar sentiments, with equal warmth an
d. the unfortunate man ceased to indulge
If hope. For himself he dreaded not death
d but in the yearnings of nature, his hea
trembled for his wife and children, and COZ
n; cern for them clouded his manly feature
as with melancholy. -,s t,.. ,'t
ht He did not weep-he bent not his heaC
st but stood erect and pale as monument
ne marble, while his thoughts, distracted frol
id the things around him, were with his fan
n, lily, and with that God, who is the protec
r. or of the widow and the orphan. .,,t B..
ch q, AS the vote was about 10 be taken, II
k hasty tread of feet was heard, and Mr.. IA
ad wards, prominent member of the council
u made his appearance He desired the Pre-
n ident to forbear for a moment, and haViI
to recovered breath addressed the council
rn behalf of the prisoner. The condemned IL
,st mediately recognized the voice ofthe stra
nd ger who overlook him in the woods
he heard him speak of himself, but hall unco
er, scious, knew not what it was, nor to wh
nd ittended. yc.a