Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-08-07
LITCHFIELD ENQUIRER
LITCHFTELD. Aug. Z. 1851.
From the New Haven Palladium.
The New York Execution.

ON Friday, of Douglas and Benson, for
the murder of Asa a. Have S, the mate OF
the bark Glenn, on her voyage from Val,
paraiso to New York, on the l7th OF
September, 1850. Both the criminals
had pious mothers, who were frequently
in prayer with their sons. after their sem
tence, until the night previous 10 til ir
execution, Benson's mother remained
with him all that night. Douglas was "a
native of Genesee county, State of New
York. He was born in January, 1928.
His parents afterwards removed to the
State of Michigan. About four years
since, his father went to California, and
as nothing has been since heard from him
he is supposed to be dead. The son left
the parental roof in 1874, in consequence
of the ill treatment of his father, and
united with the American army N Mex
leo, and was with the baggage train at
Buena Vista, where he was wounded by
the Mexican lancers. In July, 1850, he
shipped as carpenter on board the bark
Glenn. Benson was cook in the same
vessel.
The crew consisted of Captain, first
and second mate, and seven or eight men.
Whilst the Glenn freighted with a cargo
valued at 100000, was in the Pacific
Ocean, on her voyage from Valparaiso
to New York, and upwards of one thou.
sand miles from port, on the night If the
18th of September. 1850, a mutinv arose
during the watch of the second officer.
The captain and chief mate having
been aroused from their sleep came on
deck, where they encountered the mutt
neers, with fire arms, hachets and otker
deadly weapons but acting with ex,
ceeding bravery and presence tf mind
they secured the mutineers, and found
that Asa A. Havens, the second mate, Il
man of herculanean stature and Great
muscular power, had been murder ed
his body presented an awful. spectacle !;
with gunshot wound through the alb
| domen, IA | ayonet stab in the thigh, and
the back of his neck literally chopped
more than an inch deep with Ratchet
| or adze.
The three prisoners weras then put in
irons ard brought to New ork, where
they were tried before Judge Nelson and
Belts, in the United States circuit Court
and condemned to die.
The following affecting sketch of the
last interview between the parents and
their doomed children, is from the New
York Day Book !;
AS the time for closing the prison for
the night had arrived, Mr.. Edmonds. the
warden, was giving some instructions to
the keepers, when Benson requested to
see him. Mr.. Edmonds Immediately went
to him, when Benson said he had a re,
quest to make. He wanted consent for
his mother. whom he dearly loved, to re
main with him during the night. His
mother, who, although colored woman,
is remarka BILE for her intelligence and pi,
ETY., earnestly joined in the request, which
Mr.. Edmonds granted after telling Ben
son that he honored him for the love he
bore for his poor mother. This announce
men: rendered them both exceedingly
happy, and .hey retired to the solitude
of the prisoners cell, and KIN eeled down
and prayed most fervently.
Mr.. Edmonds now went to the cell Of
Douglass, who said that his mother bad
no desire to remain, but would leave in
about FIVE minutes, for which time they
desired to be alone. The door was then
closed, and the mother and son secretly
communed together. After some ten
minutes had elapsed, Mr.. Edmonds again
opened the door, when he beheid Doug
lass and his weeping mother upon their
knees at prayer, their faces buried in his
bed, and their arms tenderly laid across
each others neck-the scene was o-ho-
Iy and touching for interruption, and the
humane warden turned away and wept.
The parting scene between the mother
and son was deeply exciting, though digni-
fed and heroic. Mrs. Douglass is an extra
ordinary character,-pious, philosophical,
firm in a remarkable degree, and yet wo-
man, -gentIe and lady like, with her phys
ical energies entirely expended, and her
heart broken. Her son possessed her own
traits of character in an eminent degree,
whilst the expression and resemblance of
their faces were strkingly similar.
On her way TO the outer door of the pris-
on, Mrs. Douglass encountered the mother
Of Benson: upon approaching each other,
| they extended their hands, and burst into
tears. At length, Mrs. Benson, who is a
very genteel and remarkably fine booking
cnlOred woman, observed that this was a
terrible night for them, but that she was
able to rejoice in the fact that her boy would
soon commence glorious and bissful inn
mortality-that death to him was nothing.
for his victory over it was complets-that
this gloomy prison was but the gate OF heav-
en-. and Notwithstanding her deep affection
her heart was full of Joy and thanksgiving.
Young Benson then name forward and
taki1g the hand of Mrs, Doug lass, said he
was sorry to See her so unhappy, but hoped
that Ned was as well prepared for death as
he was. Mrs. Douglass, replied that she
had every assurance thai Edward was pre-
pared-that he had doubtless met with a
change Of heart. and that as the Styonpest