The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-21


tation in the community is increasing every moment
in relation to the mysterious ugge that was perpe
trated at the Egyptian Tombs on Friday last 10y
which the ends ofjusce were defeated, the majesty
of the law made miserable mockery of, and the
poor unfortunate wretch himself died more horrl-
bic, revolving and disgraceful death than even had
he persisted by the hands of the common hangman
The whole community, with one voice. cry
out " Shameful" "Di-graceful," in regard TO the
shocking negligence which brought about this dis
graceful result and they demsnd that those who
neglected violated their duty in the matter, should
be speedily and properly punished.
In this most revolving affair, from frs, TO last,
Judge Kent, Mr.. Whiting, the Jury who tried Colt
Governor Seward, the Judges of the Supreme
Court, the Chancellor and Colonel Jones, the
keeper of the City Prison. deserve great praise, and
will have the unceasng thanks and respect OF their
fellow citizens for therstern integrity and determl-
nation, nj all hazards, and under all influences, 10
support the integrity and majesty of the laws, and
the ends of Justice carried out. How does their
conduct contrast with that of Sheriff Hart Let
him walk round among his fellow citizens, and get
the answer; and hear the universal cry OF condem-
nation against him for gross negligence in not pre-
venting the prisoner from rushing into the presence
OF his Maker unbidden.
Disguise the matter as we may, he is morally an
accessory to the self.murder Of that poor wretch
If he believed, as he said, that Colt had made this
peace with God, was prepared TO die as Christian,
and felt of his eternal salvation. through the
atonement of the Savior of Men, whv, it was ten
fold more incumbent on him to watch Colt narrow
ly, and see that he did not condemn his soul TO
&c, h,,o
then, how did he act 2 He never searched Colts
cell-he never searched his person-he never nd
those persons searched who went in to see Colt.
hundred weapons of destruction might have been
given to Colt, on account OF the Sherifi's negli-
gence and yet under all these circumstances he was
left alone for one hour and twenty-five minutes be-
fore the hour he was TO be executed.
The Sheriff knew that Colt had meditated suicide
he knew (for it was published in this paper on
Thursday that Colt had ask ID to borrow works on
anatomy, for the express purpose of learning how to
kill himself quickly, and had asked the doctor of
the prison to point out those arteries which, when
cut would most readily destroy life He knew that
Colt or his friends were determined to prevent his
being hung, if any earthly means in their power
would prevent it he knew that they had attempted
to brlbe three deputy keepers, and even tried to
bride his own deputy sheriff, Vultee, with $500;
which, when he found Vutee incorruptble, he
gave to Caroline Henshaw with so much parade.
He knew that the prisoner at o'clock in the after
noon of that fatal day had begged him to refuse to
perform his duty, and let the hour pass by without
hanging him; even going far as to tell the She
riff that if the mob in their rage and vengeance
should tear down his house, that he would have an
other house given him, and be amply rernunerated
for all he might lose. And yet, in the face of all
this, he allows him to be alone for the last hour and
half whilst with the 30 persons in the Jail it was
common talk that Colt would never be hung, but
commit suicide. And the tone and temper of Colts
mind at hafpast two o'clock might easily be seen.
When the Sheriff and Hillyer went to see him, he
said angry, "I thought was to be left alone till
four; thought you pledged your word to me that
] should not be disturbed by any one on any pre-
tence, before four o'clock" And yet he was left
alone.
The violated majesty of the law, and the outraged
feelings of the public, demand full and thorough,
and impartial investigation of the whole affair." and
we trust that both the Common Council and the
Governor will enter upon the task without delay.