Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-02-08
We MONT TELEGRAP


and settled in Wa,rickshalrs cases
To say that il will be better for the
prisoner, if he will confess, or worse if be
will not, is sufficient TO exclude his conse-
quent declaration, for the laU cannot meas
are the free ofhhe influence used, or decide
upon its effect upon the mind of the prison
err, and therefore excludes the declaration if
any degree of influence has been exerted
And where confession has once been in
duced by such means, all subsequent ad-
missions of the same, or of the like facts,
must be rejected, for they may have result
ed from the same influence
II only remains 10 me, on this point, to
make few reflections on the conduct Of
Mckenzie as connected with lie closing
scene Of this horrible tragedy. When the
question Of life or death TO the prisoners,
vas under examination by the petty officers,
Mckenzie imparientiy walked tie deck
-" eTceediagly ANXIOUS" as Lieut.. Canes
yourte testiies, so know the result of the
examination. He expressed IA wish that the
answer should be putin his hands immedi-
ateiu. handed ii to him and he gaze it
10 Spencer. T." -. -."":
This was before noon, and up to this pc
riod the prisoners had rested in The conf
dent assurance that they were going home
10 ho tr;ol h., ~, I,I,ye Of ,bair oo,,n,r,,
Com. Mckenzie had told them all, when
they were arrested, that this should be the
case. If, in the clear sunshine, a stroke of
lightning, or a thunderboit had descended
and torn the ship asunder, they could not
have been more amazed than they were
when he informed them, for the first time,
that DEATH would be their portion in ten
minutes :! -. ...
Ye who have children-ye who have par
ents; and ye who have brotl.ers, thiuk O.:
yo,r feelings ii those you held dear were
placed in like situation ." If you have
any word to send to your father, any salts
faction to express &c, you will have ten
minutes granted in which TO write it," Re
feet on this, We who believe that a whole
lifetime of three score is none too long TO
prepare for eternity. Ten minutes TO com
pose the mind-lo write TO your kind father
aud aff5ctiouate mother - taking leave OF
them and YOUR other friends on earth forev-
er. Ten miRuleS TO confess your numer-
Gus sins, repent and ask foroiveness-to
pray 10 God--in short 10 prepare The soul
for eternity. Aud all this to be accomplish
ed in the short space Of TEN MINUTEs---a
>horier time than would be required to write
one short letter, or even TO compose the
mind, under these awful circumstances, to
grant them in which TO behold the sun and
the clear blue sky once more for the last
time. Not an hour could be granted altho'
Spencer begged for it. But Mckenzie, il
seems, Snf, red the hour TO elapse in trying
TO accomplish his own wicked purposes
mol for any special benefit 10 the prisoners.
What horrible mockery and lou! hypoc.
risy is it for Mckenzie to set himself up as
the religious guide and teacher of Young
Spencer just before imbruing his hands in
his LIES blood At one moment, with
all the sanclity of saint be repeats 10 him
his catechism offers nim [a0tlhe Bible bu,I
the Eag!ish prayer book. At the neTI
we find him, with falsehood and deception
on his tongue, trying to infame the mInd
| of Spencer with deadly hate and reven g
against Cromwell and Cromwell aoains
Spencer. In this laudable business ht
suffers more than the ten minutes to elapse
A fine preparation this for eternity H,
is priest confessor and executioneF! Blu
if our graduated Clergy olthc present da!
enforce their doctrines with no better eX
ampies than this. [ say array ooiA them
|"l told him did forgive him most SIN
ccreiy and cordially" But mark the san
eerity Of this forgivness BY the act of hang
ing him at the yard arm in ten minutes a
forwards !!
q! called to his mind (says Mckensie
the thief on the cross ;''-As though Sper
Ger was "a sinner above all other sinners
and in danger of hell fire instantly with
GU, repentance. Now who was in th
: greatest danger, Spencer, or his murde
err who wished to gel rid of him"
Whose heart was nearest right2 NJ
Kenzie did not call Spencer I" fool;
but. with the blacklist and vilest falsehoo
/ AID deceit, he made him believe that III
innocent Cromwell had thus brande