Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-10-27

treated as one who came TO spy out the weakness
OF campf Ii these actions are alike, have I,
learn my moral code anew
Hentiemen, officers, be il understood that all
no suPpiicant for mercy; THAT l ask only from
Cmnipotence-nOt from human beings. Justice il
All ciaim-that justice which is neither swayet
| oy prejudice, nor distorted by passion, but tina
winch iiows from honorable minds, directed by vir
'uous denominations hear, gentlemen, that m,
case is llkened to that OF Capt Hale i'm I775
have heard of him and his misfortunes. | wish
mat IN all that dgnifies man, that adorns and ele
Yates human nature, could be named with thai
accomplished but unfortunate officer. His fate was
hayward, and untimely was he cut off, vet Younger
IMAM now am He went out knowing that he
was assuming the character Of spy He took all
The liabilities into his hands, at the request of his
commander lie was ready to meet what he as
sumed and all its consequences. His death the
law oil nations sanctioned. II may be complimen
tary 10 compare me with him, still it would be un-
Just lie took his life in his hands when he assum-
ca the character and the disguise. l assumed no
disguise, nor took upon myself any other character
than that of British officer who had business tn
transact with an American officer.
III hhe, ask not even for Justice If You want
Vicuin u the names of those fallen untmely. |
may as well be that victim as another | have in
!he most undisguised manner given you every fact
'r ."e case. only rely on the proper construction
oi these facts. Let me be called any thinU bnt
spy. ! am not spy. have examined nothing :.
learned nothing. communicated nothing but nv de-
tenlon to Arnold, that he might escape fhe tbouuht
proper to do so. This was, as conceived. nv din
w.. hope the gallant officer who was then unsus
pclous OF his general will not be condemned for the
military error he committed,
farther state that Smith, who was the me,;um
oil communication, did not know any part of onr
conference, except that there was some necessity
lot secrecy lie was counsel in various matters for
general Arnold, and FROM all the interviews had
with him; and it was Smith who lent me this
oress coat OF crimson, on being told that did not
WISH TO be known by English or Americans do
not DeheVe that he had even superstition of nv
errahd; on me your wrath should fall, if on any
one know your affairs look gloomy; but that is
no reason why should be sacrificed. NV death
can do your cause no good. Millions of friends to
your struggle in England, you will lose ifyou con-
aemh me. say not this by way OF threat for
KNOW, KNOW brave men are not awed by them-nor will
oraVc men be vindlctive because they are despond-
ing. should not have said word had it not been
for the opinion of others, which am bound to re-
spect.
The sentence you this day pronounce will ro
down to posterity with exceeding great distinct
ness on the page of history and if humanity and
honor mark this days decision your names, each
and all OF you, will be remembered by both nations
when they have grown greater and more powerful
than they are now. But if misfortune befals me. I
shall IN time have all due honors paid to nv mem
DRY. The martyr is kept in remembrance when
the tribunal that condemned him is forgotten. I
trust tins honorable court will believe me when
say that what have spoken was from no idle fears
of coward. / have done.''