Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-09-19
Further Detail. Of the Execution Of DIR Webster.

Further Details Of the Execution Of DIR Webster.
From the correspondence ofthe New York Her.
aid we select the following highly interesting de-
tails OF the closing scene in the Boston tragedy:
During the night before the execution, Webster
conversed freely with the oicers and read the BIZ
ole aiiiigently and earnestly till about IL O'Clock,
when he felt wearied, and laid down on his cot to
take his last sleep. At about half past four in the
morning, he awoke and appeared much refreshed
by his repose. He then prayed audibly; and from
what have heard, there is no doubt that he was
extremely penitent and alluded to his approaching
execution. He ate light breakfast, and seemed
prepared to meet his fate. While conversing on
the subject of his execution, and during his meaito
tons, he exclaimed, in an impre ssive manner: ..If
It be possible, let this cup pass from me vet not nv
will, but Thine, . Lord, be done!, He smoked
cigar, too, 1heieve; but, lest any wrong mpres sion
should be formed from the Circumstance. will say
that he was addicted to the use of tobacco in that
form; and was not comfortable unless he had ci-
gar in his mouth, lighted or unlighted. At about
dusk in the evening, wagon, containing materials
for the scatid. entering the Jail yard and from the
close proximity OF the entrance to his CELL he mus.
Seren o'cioek--At7 O'Clock, l proceeded to the
Levere street Jail and arriving the re found the
carpenters employedin erecting the scatfod. There
were not more than two hundred persons in the
street opposite the Jail, more than fifty in the
Jail yard at that time. Among the latter were OFF,
GERS deputed to preserve orderand several attaches
of the press of Boston and other cities The noise
made by the mechanics in hammering the nails.
must have been heard by the unfortunate conde mn
ed. AS blow aftir blow was made, the countenanc-
es of all present became graver and perfect stiffness
was maintained by the spectators. If there was
sny conversation it was in whispers. The rope
nail was driven, and all the arrangements for the
execution were completed.
Eight o'ciock.-At this hour, the whole police
force selected for the occasion was in attendance
consisting of l24 men. Here and there in the ward
Iobserved deputy sherifis with their swords. ohe
handles Of which were covered with crape0 some
police officers and about 100 spectators. All ewes
were directed to the scafold in the centre of the
all yard,and particularly to the rope with the moose
at the end. The rear of the houses in Lowell street
looked into the Jail yard and the windows and roofs
of some of them were packed with per sons of both
sexes, and of all ages. 1t grieved to see ladies
and young girls manifest their morbid curiosity in
this cay. am happy in Being able to say, howev.
er that three of those houses were shut bv the oc
cupants, who went out of town rather than witness
the execution, or be in the vicinity of the place
where these solemn preparations were being made
and where fellow being was to cxpiate his crime
by violent death. III had had time would have
procured the number ofthose houses and the names
of their occupants, and inserted both in this repor
On the door of one of these houses bill was post
ed, to this eect-.snot at home; opposed to capital
punishment.
HAT past eisL o'clock The witnesses TO the ,x.
ecution, a certain number Of whom were summon
ed by the Sheriff, in accordance with the law. ar
rived. and took their seats the Office the iailor
The condemned and the Rev. DR. Putnam were at
this time conversing on religious subjects. The
number of spectators increased, and they momenta-
rily expected to the Professor come forth to be
executed.
quarter before nine.-The Sheriff and his aids
few minutes they would be called upon to charge
their sad duty. Prof. Webster informed them that
he was ready, and awaited their summons. He
kindness and attention extended to him during his
imprisonment.
Nine o'clocS.-Prof. Webster and the Rev. Mr.
Putnam in the cell of the condemned, engaged in
religious exercises.
Quarter past nine.-The Sheriff informed the wit
nesses above referred to, that their sad duty was
about to commence. and requested them to accom-
pany him to the Jail. They walked arm in arm fol-
lowed by the reporters for the land spectators
into the corridors of the Jail and to the door of Pro-
fessor Webster's cell which thrown open.-
The Rev. Mr. Putnam then, in the presence of all
assembled, offered the following prayer, Proes sor
Webster being on his knees:
ooh God! Now that brother man is about to
pass from US, to be removed from this world to a
better, we invoke for him Thy mercy and the spir-
it Of Thy charity. Oh God. accept his repentance
as sincere and effective in the sight ofthe searcher
of all hearts, and oh, thou God of all mercies take
him, forgiven and redeemed, to Thy bosom. Let
the humble hope which he entertains be realized.
Let the Saviour, whom he has humbly sought for
the sake ofhi soul, receive him and confess him
before his Father which is in Heaven. oh God .
accept now his heartfelt thanks for all the merces
vouchsafed to him. and for the support extended to
him in his lonely prison hours, when he humbly
addressed the Throne of Grace, and communed in
spirit with God, and found peace. We thank Thee,
for Thy goodness. Oh God we pray for those who
are near and dear to him. taa, they may have from
on High, strength and fortitude to bear the blow
which awaits them; and that his ardent prayer to
Heaven may be answered, that their days on earth
may be crowned with blessings, aud that spiritual
joys and blessings may be youchsafed to them; and
when their days shall pass, may God re-unite the
fond ties Of life, to be broken no more. We unite
with him in the prayer, that those connected with
him may have blessings from on High.
ssAnd, oh God! we pray FOR the ministers of the
law, who have now a solemn and sad Office TO per-
form; that they may do it with tender heart and
christian charity. We pray that all hearts, every
where, may be softened with brotherly kindness,
and fraterna sympathy towards their fellow sinner,
who is going to meet Him whom all must meet--
We pray that the lesson Of this hour NAV be sanct
fed to all who witness it. Oh, God be it our most
anxious desire to prepare for that great hour
Give us true repentance, for we are all Sinners
Grant us thy infinite mercy, for we do oil need it,
And now we commit our brother to Thee,and while
he bows submissive to human laws which he yio-
lated, aud the behests ofearhly Justice behold him
suppliant at the mercy seat of Him who knowe,h
who accepts the contrte in heart. Take him to