The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-05

Es
The morning on which the Court Martial
was TO convene, was bright and beautiful. and
boats, with the officers IN full dress, who were
TO compose the couri, we're TO be seen putting
off from The different vessels in the harbor,
and all steering directly for one ship. In the
last boat that arrived was The miserable cul-
prt, ind numbers were collected in the gang
way TO take view of him as he came over
the side Of the ship Amongst nc rest, by
curiosity prompted, was myself. ! was me-
yer more surprised, than at the change which
few short days of mental suffering had
wrought in the appearance Of the youthful
homicide--he, who, but the week before, was
IN the full enjoyment Of robust health, looked
now the picture Of wan despair. The color
had fled from his cheek, his eye was sunken
deeper in his forehead, and his tightly com
pressed and bloodess lips but too plainly indi-
Gated that he was prepared for the worst, and
rather courted death than hoped repreye.-
lie was urgently advised by the humane
Judge Advocate TO put in the plea Of insanity,
but by no persuasion could he be prevailed on
so to do; and when the question Of guilty or
not guilty was put to him by the assembled
court, he strongly evinced his determination
10 die, by the manner 10 which he proclaimed
himself, gully! Efforts were made by diff
ferent members of the court TO save him, but
II was impossible so TO do. Drunkenness is
no excuse for crime, but rather an aggrsvation
oil the offence; and the mandate of the Al
mighty hath gone forth, that whatsoever she'd
deth mans blood by man shall his blood be
shed,"-a mandate, essential in my humble
opinion, to prevent the frequent repetition OF
murder. For three successive days the court
were engaged in sitting the minutest points
which might tend TO the prisoners advantage,
but there was nothing which would warrant
them IN finding otherwise than that of murder
IN the first degree. The criminal heard the
sentence OF death pronounced upon him with
the utmost indifference. A month was allow
ed HIM to prepare him self for the awful change
that awaited him, and he was put on board his
own ship, loaded with irons. Tn the dead
hour OF midnight, when all around him had
sunk in the silence Of sleep, the groan that
burst from his overcharged bosom would shake
the hammock in which his weary form was
stretched.
The morning Of the day on which we
were TO take our departure from Port Mahon
at length arrived. As all were fully pre-
pared, the four vessels, composing the squad
ron, were bowling gracefully to each other
in the Gull Of Lyons, on their course for
Toulon, before the sun had attained his me-
ridian. A week was passed at that port in
examining the dock yard, dry dock, shipping,
garrison, &c, of that greatest Naval Depot
Of LA belle France
When we again weighed anchor, we
steered for Genoa, the City of Palaces-The
home OF lovely women, who claim us as
their counirymen.
"And why should we not 2" said charm
ing belisima to me" Who was il but a
Genoese That discovered America? And I'm
inclined 10 think we have a prior claim to
that country" well, who disputes Angel
Mia 7" asked; Il should be too happy to
receive you, not only as countrywoman but
as a bosom friend"
| After leaving Genoa, we visited Leghorn
and other places ere the month expired.
Again the squadron was under weigh-not
point of land was visible from any quarter.
The day was cool and pleasant-,he gentle
breeze was just sufficient, TO keep the vessels
steady on their course, as they rose on the
undula,ing wave. That morn was the last
which dawned upon the unfortunate and i'll.
pended from the f,re-yard-arm narrow
stage was rugged out from the .top-galant.
fore-castle, the inner end of which rested on
the plankshear, the outer end was upheld by
a line leading through single block from the
fore-yard, the end Of which, together with that
Of the small line, supporting the slung shot,
which were TO run the body up to the yard,
were made fast to one behaving pin, so that
both lines could be cast off at one time, as
soon as all was arranged. About 8 o'clock
boat was seen putting Off from the Com
modore, heading directly for the ship on
board ofwhich these preparations were max
ing In her was the venerable chaplain OF
the frigate, whose pleasing duty it was to ad
minister consolation in the last hour. And
who that has ever performed that duty for a dy-
ing pentent will say, that it is mt u pleasure?
The holy calm which appears to have settled
on the soul Of him who has sincerely repent
ed, and feels full and implicit confidence
IN the bengnant mercy vouchsafed by his
Redeemer leaves lasting impression on the
minds OF all who have thus ofliciaed; such
was the case with him who was now about to
die A the hour approached he showed no
signs Of trepidauon, but calmly prayed 10 he
forgiven. Seven bells, were reported by the
quartermaster of the watch. On board the
Commodore's ship the sails hung in the brails.
On the quarterback of our own friga,e the
men were mustered aft, and the Captain d.
reoted his clerk to read the sentence of the
court after which he, in short address, com
mented on the evil consequences Of INDUCING
too freely in drinking the subtle poison which
is sure to make wreck Of mans every fa,ul-
" in the sequel.
The crew were then sent forward, and the
ho ord HE ntas warn hcord cnllipU.
:. all hands witness punishment" Eagerly
they crowded on the bowsprit, hammock net
tings, rigging, SC. to obtain view of the
proceedings, and breathlcss silence rcigned
throughout. The ship, with every thing pre-