Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-08-08
EXECUTION OF THE MUTlNEERS
OF THE SALADlN.

The Halifax Herald ofWednesday has
the following account of the execution OF
the mutineers of the Bark Saladin, which
took place in that city on Tuesday last.
During the previous night, or in tho
very earliest part OF The following morn.
ing. a galows was erected on the crown
orthe hlll on the South Common to the
West of the Catholic Cemetery. Tho
crowd began TO collect around the spot at
an early hour, and when we arrived Ia
bout half past nine, there could not have
been short of 1000 persons present. A
detachment Of the Troops arrived on the
ground shortly after, and formed circle
around the gallows, enclosing an area Of
about $50 feet IN diameter.
The prisoners arrived about ten O'Clock
in two coaches. The first contained
Jones and Hazelon accompanied by the
Rev. Messrs. O'Brien, Quinnan and Con-
molly; and Johnston and Anderson, ac-
companied by the Rev. Mr.. Cogswell,
came in the second. All OF them ascend
ed the scaffold with much firmness, and
their whole behaviour was decent and be-
coming; such as might be expected from
men in their awful circumstances, and
who, at the same time they were impress
ed with the solemnity of the occasion,
were not afraid TO die.
After ascending the scafiold, they re.
NAMED engaged in devotion with their
respective clergyman about half an hour.
The ropes were then adjusted round their
necks, and presented picture indeed pit.
liable 10 look upon. We could not but
contrast it with the scene that presented
itself TO their minds, baply when they left
Valparaiso. Then they were their own
free agents, happy in conscious innocence,
or at least without the weight of their late
crimes to press upon their minds, and
humble them to the dust-and each one
looking forward to the time when he
would again get a sight of the land o. his
childhood, and greet some loved friends
whom he might hope TO meet there
Nop what we're theyl condemned and
convicted felons--standing under the gal.
iows--their hands plnioned-ihe rope
round their necks, and the moment ar
rived to launch them into eternity! How
sadly altered was their state-and what
was the cause? We all know it; but each
and all of us should endeavor TO make it
unavailable, and not allow its moral les.
son 10 be lost.
The prisoners shook hands with each
other and with much piety took leave OF
their clergymen; and before their caps
were drawn down which was TO shut out
the light Of the sun, and the light of this
glorious creation from their eyes, Jones,
the wooden legged man, stepped pace
forward and addressing the crowd, said:
-"Good.bye, fellow-countrymen; ! am
brought TO this by my bad conduct, and
deserve my fate. am an Irishman, and
come from the county Of Clare. Good
bye, my countrymen." These were the
few words he uttered as near as we could
catch them. None OF the other prisoners
spoke a word after they assembled the
scaiFold, excep, what they said in low
voice TO their clergymen. The caps we're
then drawn over their faces, and mmedi.
ateIy after the drop fell. 1t would APP
pear that the suddenness OF the fall almost
Immediately destroyed their existence,
for they exhibited but little signs of suf-
ierng, and in very short time their souls
were in eternity.