The New York herald., 1851-09-12

lfrcm lhe re"DuiyPoft hSfaI
In addition to the accounts which we give below,
brought by the Empire City, We have the following
letter from one Of our own citizens, q we'll known
merebant, who was present Ut the execution o.
Lopez
This morning Gen. Lopez was executed as a
criminal The scene was imposing, although aw
ful All the military in the city we're formed IN
large hollow square in the middle was the machine
OF death, on platform raised ten feet from the
ground on posts, with railing round, and wide
steps from the ground in front. On the platform
the garrote, an iron seat or chair, with the
back one piece, extending highe, tnan the person
sitting on the seat. On this back, even with the
head, is the apparatus OF death consisting OF iron
clasps which to ft the sides Of the head, And
clasp to pass round the throat. From bshiad is
long iron bar attached ID a screw, which, put in
motion by the hangman giving one turn, draws the
side and throat pieces tight, and, at the same IN
stant sends an iron into the spinal marrow OF the
neck, from behind, which causes instantaneous
death. such was the machine for Gen Lopez. tie
behaved Ike a brave mau, Throughout. the aw!al
moments. He walked, surrounded by guard,
from the Puna tort 10 the steps OF the garrote, as
cool, apparently, a. il he was al the head OF an
amy.
He vas dressed in long white gown, aud white
cap: has wrists were tied in front and above his
elbows behind, with the cords held by soldiers. tie
ascsnGed the steps With two civilians, t;ienIs, no
priest as common in such ca ies He faced round
aud seemed to take good look m the soldiers, and
the immense thTong OF pie outside otthe square,
and then TUNED round anu knelt In prayer Tor ABOUT
ore minute. lie then rose and turned towards the
front, and in cear manly voice, and 10 tone5loid
enough 10 be heard by the thousands pr sent. (for
it was as still night,) spoke Us follows-"Coan-
trymen. most solemn y, in this last awful monent
Of my life, ask your par3on for any injury have
caused you. IL was not my wish TO injure any one.
my object was your freedom and happiness here
be vas interrupted by the commanding oicer in
front ION horseback). He concluded ky say ing,
''my intention good. and my hope is Ia God"
He the n bowed and turned round and took his seat
apparently with much coolnsss as If he had taken
a chair in q room with friends.
he placed hs head back, between the iron
grssps, the negro hangmau then adjuste the Iron
throat clap aad tied his feet 20 bolts each side
Of the seat. During this preparation, Lopez was
in conyersation with his friend The tan negro
hangmsn, who il kept as public executioner, then
TOOK his place a, the iron bar behind Lopez kissed
the cross handed 20 him by mis- friend: the negro
then gave one turn Of the wrench and Lopez died
instantly without The least struggle. This was
precisely as the clock struck seven. The military
at once returned to the city, toe band playing
quick step; the thousands dispersed with little or
no Loise. some Of the rabble tried to get up row
but Il would not 20. There was a solemnity Ia the
whole scene which struck isto the hearts OF tae mob
which but few days previous were In wild ec.tacy
Of joy at a brutal xeeu.ion Of fifty human beings.
on HhcEe eOrpses they could glut savage revenge,
by con mitting the most inhumln Of inaig gliIies.