Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-08-07

estng letters from Iangler, narrateS the fol-
lowing incident:
Notwithstanding the peculiar laws of this
country, capital punishment are very rare
During the past fifteen years, three only have
taken place in the town of Tangier. On one
( of these occasions my informant was present
The occurrence was brought vividly to his
mind some two hours ago, as, on our way
home from hunting excursion, directed
his attention to number of eAquistely beau
tiful white lilies, on the left of the road which
grew within space of about four feet square.
Checking his horse as | spoke, and turning
half round in the saddle, he remarked, "there
is melancholy interest attached to that spot,
! for where grows the lily in such profusion, /
beheld a scene which has caused me many a
sleepless night-the like, / pray Heaven |
may never again look upon. | had risen at
break of day, and accompanied by friend,
had set out to shoot near the town in igno-
rance of the execution which was about to
take place, On reaching the principal gate,
we found it shut, which surprised us much,
knowing old Ben Khajjr, the porter, to be an
early riser We then proceeded to the castle
gate called Bah Marshen, which was also
shut, but Ben khaijr was there, with null
titude of people, who, like ourselves, were de-
srouS to leave the town.
"Why are you so late to-day" said to
the old porter. Ben Khaijr replied in enig-
mas: he had his orders not to let any Mus
sulman pass outside of the gate for the next
half hour
" Surely" said, ''your Instructions do not
extend to US. If there has been robbery in
the town-to which alone, can attribute this
unusual order-we are not likely to be the
persons"
"Well," said the old gatekeeper, as slip
ped into his hand small silver key, .'you
and your friend may pass, but no Moor can"
We sailed forth, wondering what could be
the cause of such a novel order This how
ever, was soon explained; for the first object
that caught our eye was a party of soldiers
moving slowly down this road. AS we has
tened towards the party, we perceived they
had two prisoners, who were secured with
ropes fastened around their arms and waists.
| recognized one of them to be a native of
Reef, who had formerly been gardener in
the service of one of my friends at Tangier.
He was fine tall, handsome youth, indica-
ting anything vicious or depraved Having
joined them, inquired of the Kaid of the sol
diers the cause of these men being led as
prisoners.
The Sultan-may God prolong his life -
said he, has ordered their heads 20 be cut
off; they have been carrying on a contraband
trade in oxen on the the coast of Reef with
the Infdel Spaniard.
This, indeed" / replied, 50 is severe
punishment for such crime; and if it be in
tended as warning to others, why prevent
the people of Tangier from-seeing it"
Reason not with me, Nazarene," said
the Kaid; /" | have my orders, and shall obey
them"
Here were we now stand was then the
Jewish slaughter-ground, and this COUGHING
with the muzzle of his gun the group of lilies
TO which had referred) had been selected as
the spot for the execution. Here we found a
epraved-looking Moor, dressed as butcher,
holding in his hand small knife about half
a foot in length. He was stranger, and
been hired to act on the occasion, for the Ma
homedan butchers of Tangier, who are the
person constrained to perform such service
when the eXecutioner cannot be found, had
taken refuge in the sanctuary of Mesmody;
and had it not been for this person offering
his services the authorities would have been
much perplexed 70 obey the mandate of the
Sultan.
A morbid curiosity chained me to the spot,
although fcresaw should have to behold a
scene of horror Some wranglng now en-
sued between the Kaid's soldiers and the ex-
ecutioner, as to the reward the latter was to
receive for decapitating the poor wretches,
who, all the the time, were standing by, COM
PEELED to listen to this bartering for their
blood. The butcher insisted that four dollars
had been offered him for one head alone, and
for like amount for the other.-
The Kaid unwillingly yielded the point, and
the first victim, who was already
half dead with terror, was thrown down on the
gronnd by the executioner, who kneeling on
his breast, put the knife to his throat
turned away, violent struggle ensued, and
| heard the executioner say, "Glve me an
other knife-mine won't cut" / looked a. +
round, the wretclied man was lying with his
throat half cut, his breast heaving, and every