Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-15


assembled how he should perform public re.
sponsibls duty committed 10 his charge-or whe-
Their he has Justly exposed himself 10 the impu-
laon Of having acted without reasons, because
he has not submitted any for their special con-
sheraton and appreciation.
As the assembly aforesaid has thought proper
10 make this matter The subject OF an indignation
meeting, and BY general publication in all the
papers Of The Stale, 10 appeal 10 The whole Com
moaweallh against The imputed outrage OF The
Executive, / may be well that The public should
be iule more particularly informed of The facts
Of The case.
These ncgroes-;wo men and woman-were
convicted hy the County Couu Of Campbell OF
IN assault with intent 10 Kill their mistress, 4
lady oil the county Of Campbell. The assauI,
was v,oieDl and dangerous one, accompanied
with The inh:cion Of several wounds with
kBle, characterized by numerous intent, and
circumstances oil malignant elaboration and
/ atrociy No wonder then, tia, Inc people OF
Campbell should feel anxious thei the extreme
sentence oithe law should lie inflicted on the per-
pelraors OF such crime-and lust AS little 10 be
wondered n, il ley should, under the influence
ofth excitement, naturally attendant upon the
commission Of it, yield their belief of the gull, of
/ the persons accused On testimony, which might
mol be equally satisfactory 10 others more iavora
| big situated for Gspassionae examination
! That The Executive properly appreciated the
enormily o. The crime, and was not disposed. with
| out satisfactory reasons, 10 interfere with the
judgment OF the Court, is shown b. The fact, that
I as Ia one 81 he negroes who was undenably
/ guilty. The law was suffered 10 take lis course,
ard he was executed on the very day, and al The
place where The public meeting whose proceed
/ ings have been published, was held. A respite Of
one mehH was granted 10 the other Two by the
Lieutenant Governor, acting in Tie absence OF
the Governor II is understood, tia, in the order
oi respite, or in the letler in which it was enclosed,
| The Lieutenant Governor requested tie sheriff TO
/ admonish the condemned that they must not cal
cula,e on ultimate pardon in consequence Of this
respite This is the head and from, Of his offend
ing. No pardon has been given no reprievc for
transportation even ordered or promised. A re-
spite Tor one month is all Il is this which a
portion OF the good people Of Campbell in public
meeting assembled assume as ordered without
any good reasons, denoInce Is "uncalIed Tor and
unjustfablc," and which they wish 10 have put
in all he papers If The STATE, as thing which
'endaneers The lives Of themselves and their ia
miles"
What were the Precise views and reasons Of
the Executive for this interference, BY respite oil
one month"; is, Of course, not known, as the Exc
cuive has not given u The tailor or sheriff or
people OF Campbell or 10 the public his reasons
Tor 50 acting, ard it IS not TO be presumed or
expected that he will give them. Ii may, how.
ever fairly ard reasonably he presumed, not
withslaudine the denurcialory resolutions aiorc-
said, tha. as he has allowed the sentence 10 be
executed as 10 one Of The convcls, the evidence
Of whose guilt was clear, thai be would not have
InIerfsd as 10 The others, il The evidence OF their
guilt had been Sufficient ami satisfactory II
may be- thai as he thought The offence was one
%hich should be incxoraby punis ed when
proved, so il was especially proper that the iaci
Of guilt should be proved beyond reasonable
doubt and hy testimony which could be relied on
Ii is understood that The most material ey
dence against the two negroes who have beer
respiIed, was The testimony Of the negro, confess
edlv the principal who has been executed giver
on the eve OF his own tral-ar! il is now also IN
derslood, that short time before his execution
when he knew that his fate was sealed beyond
redemp on, he solcp,nip declared the testimony 7t
gar: against the others rps iaise.
'rlorS -ho I"ur---3 ,I.- ---.,;-S in Campbell
probably think this solemn declaration, made in
;ull view II he rcali;e, 81 eternity, unworthy Of
conf 'cGce--whiie they may think IL entirely III
hat Two human beings should be executed IN hot
basic. without pause or hreaihin. time-Iol
e:en The respite 81 4 nodlh ior reflection and in
Gairy-on Tie single testimony Of confessed
murderer, stimulated By The Obvious nc,ivc OF
exciting favor lnr himself by condemnihg others,
and recanted when all human hope Of benefit Ia
himself was gone. Whether this opinion is
sound and consistent with the rules OF evidence,
and the ordinary motives OF hu an action, il is
not worth while 10 discuss The Executive may
perhaps think differently; and, ifso, This conflict OF
opn MON between The Executive ard the good REQ
pie Of Campbell, in lie aforesaid meeting assem-
bled may safely BE- referred 10 lhe tribunal Of
public opinion, 10 which the latter has appealed
The lime q respite has not yet expired The
Execu i've will soon have 10 decide whether There
hall BE- = nr,herrsspiie or reprieve. OF whether
The sentence of death is to be executed. il will
doubtless perform this duty with all The solemn
elaboration which The case and all is circum
aLces call Tor, giving due weishto The encrmi-
" ofhe offence, The nature and force of the test
mony, the OPT ions OF all who know any Thing
the facts, and who may choose respectfully tt
indicate their opinions and wishes on The sub
ject and all things which may be brought 10 it
view, proper 10 be considered and calculated t'
aid lis judgement
II may be reasonably hoped, however, rs il
confidently believed ;ha', non2 The consideration
and circumstances which my he attended 10 b
IT, there will be no place given 10 Incorporate de
nnnc;aiors, or angry appeals 10 popular passion
These things, il is confidently expected. The EXecu
i've will allow 10 PISS by
"As The Idle wind which il respects not"