The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-18
Case OF John G. Colt.

| MARRiAeE.-ArTEMPrED BRIBERY.-The execution
OF Colt will in all probability take place this day.
The only prospect or hope OF respite is, that the
Chancellor, who is now at Albany, will grant a
writ of the second application of prisoner
counsel, backed by the opinion of Benjamin F.
Butler, Esq, and the Sherif's counsel Joseph c..
Hart, Esq messenger sent TO Albany on
Wednesday evening for that purpose, who will re-.
turn by the boat this morning 1t is supposed that
the Chancellor consents which is not very proba-
BILE, that Governor Seward will grant rsprieve, in
order TO allow the to come before the Court OF
Errors
The counsel of prisoner have presented to Sheriff
Hart protest against the legal competency of the
| Court of Oyer and Terminer, in which they deny
| the constitutional power of the Court with an Alder
man sitting one of the Judges. The Sheriff is a
Ministerial officer only, and must obey the order Of
the Court, without any discretion on his part as to
| consequences.
Colts Mistress Caroline Henshaw, visited him in
his cell yesterday for the first time since his
tence, and on Colts proposition, they were TO have
been married during the morning, but owing TO the
interposition of some of his friends, the ceremony
was not performed, although it is expected that it
| will take place this morning. Their child was not
l
She has recently resided in Philadelphia, where
| the child now remains
From rumors that have been quietly in circulation
in certain circles for the past few weeks, we have
| had reason TO believe that most extended system
of bribery had been in operation to effect the escape
of Colt and last evening ascertained that the sum
of $1,000 had been offered to each of three of the
deputy keepers of the City prison, provided
| ,ba tLa r ~ I.
ing him to dress himself in the clothes of Caroline
Henshaw, his mistress, who would be sent into his
cell for that purpose. 1t was this disclosure that
prompted Col Jones to place Colt in irons, and
which, on their being removed, induced the sheriff
to put him in charge of two Of his deputies. The
deputy keepers of the prison communicated the
proposition made them to the principal keeper as
| soon as the corrupt motive was made APPARENT
The whole affair, together with the authors of the
bribery, will be exposed after the execution
| 1t has been supposed by many that Colt would
commit suicide before the day of execution, and a
few days since he sent for DR. Macomb, physician
| OF the prison, and requested to borrow some medi-
| cal work on anatomy, which was refused He then
made number Of serious enquiries as to the loca-
ton of the large veins and arteries of the BODY evin-
cling disposition to ascertain at which particular
point death would be the most easy and efiectually
produced.
Since the decision ofthe Governor, as read to him
on Sunday, he has not evnced any of that dare
devil recklessness Of spirit that existed before, and
under the influence and counsel of the Rev. Dr.
Anthem, has appeared to have been partially re-
signed his fate, and given demonstrations of pre-
partitions for the future
The answer of Governor Seward to the appica-
ton of portion of the members of the New York
Bar, was first communicated to him yesterday NOR
ming, by DR.. Anthem, and afterwards confirmed by
the sheriff, accompanied by his counsel, Joseph c.
Hart, Esq. He evinced much feeling on the recep-
ton of the final decision of the Governor and
wept most bitterly. The last application of counsel
for wrll of error, the result of which will be made
known this morning, has not been communicated to
hm.and he therefore gave up all hopes of pardon or
respite when the decision of the Governor was COM
munlcated to him yesterday morning.
The gallows was taken into the prison yarG last
evening, and will be erected early this morning in
the rear avenue, and Immediately opposite the
window of the cell in which he is confined ~
He made request yesterday, that the execution
might be postponed until the last hour of day. as
Judge Kent had not specified any precise hours be-
tween which it should be carried into effect Should
the Sheriff comply with this request, he will not be
executed until four o'clock in the afternoon.
Deputy Sheriff Vultee, was selected by the Sheriff
to guard his cell last evening, in company with
deputy keeper Pierce. He remained in his cell
a,on. bic hro,her ,.o,,ro hin, hou, Jsl
"ion'' Ills oio'u'i ie"'iAs niii oooo' uoeA'
The preparations 10 preserve order and quiet about
tbe c;tv nr;son durro tho dow bovs hs.r MAD. h.
"' Wy p''oA r"''"s ".s uay, nav oeo" maui ny
that vigilant officer A. M. C. Smith, ESQ.,, who has
selected under the direction of the Sheriff tb;r,v
-, -, '' 'v
oncefs 10 ala MIN In thls arduous duty.
The following ia the Official oninion 8f Goverror
g .J LIL . CL:r RI.
oewalo auuresseo 10 Sherlh mart, In reply 10 the
application for respite of the members of the New
vorL par ,onvenod IN III. Srnsr;or c,,r. p oo,,, On
o'N D'i, 'o"'SA0" Ia '"' S"pe'i0' 0o"'' A'oo'i on
Tuesday last -
Executive DEPARTMENT,
Al