The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-10-22
LOCAL MATTERS.

THE ExEcurroN-To-dsy il the time appointed
for the execution of the slaves John Williams and
Lucy Randoph-the first for gliding and abetting in
the murder of the Winston family the latter for the
murder CT her infant child
John will be executed at some hour alter 10
O'Clock, at the same place bis wife Jane recently
suffered the penalty of death the gallows for her
Anticipation in the barbarous deeds for which
Johns life is to pay the penalty, short distance
southeast Of the Poor House, near the Powder Ma
gazine. Although the duty OF telling the whole
truth in reference to the crime for which he 10 to
suffer death, has been urged upon him, from time
to time, since his conviction and confinement in jail
awaiting the dread sentence Of the law, yet he has
uniformly insisted that he has told the truth, and
knows nothing about the circumstances and actual
commission OF the murders. He attributes his pre-
awful situation to the crimes OF his wife, whom
he characteristics as having been "a bad woman"
What has been or will be the response of the
Governor to the petition of the Court who tried
Lucy Randolph, and the appeal OF others in her
behalf, still remains mystery, SO far as we
learn, and we have made dlgent enquiry upon the
subject. To-day, of course, the question must be
decided in some form or other. Many incline to
the OpiUIUu lIht d lS-k VI Ic" Weeks Will De
granted, before he sha! give his final judgment on
the delicate question Of life and death.
P.S.-Since the above was in type, we learn that
the Governor has granted respite to Lucy until
Friday, the 18th of November.
REsBIrED.-Governor Johnson, yesterday, res
pited Lucy, convicted of infanticde and sentenced
to be hung to day, from the execution CT said
tence, until the 18th day of November. At noon
Mr.. FERGUSON, Sergeant Of the city, received the
following communication from the Governor:
Whereas. Lucy, slave, the property of Judith
Fore was convicted of nianticide an sentenced by
the court OF Hastings tor the city of Richmond, to
be hung on Friday, the 22d inst Now, therefore,
|, Joseph Johnson, Governor Of the State of Vir.
ginia, have thought proper, for good to me,
to respite the said slave Lucy from the execution
of the said sentence, until the 9th day of Novem.
Der next. Given under my hand, Governor,
and under the lesser seal of the Commonwealth at
Richmond, this 2lst day of October, in the year
1852. Signed, JOSEPH JOHNSON.
We were much gratified at learning this decision
of the Governor, ana we believe that such is the
feeling ofthe community generally. The peculiar
circumstances attendant upon the commission Of
the deed b. Lucy-her previous good character
and extreme youth the mental and physical
element under which she was laboring the even
ing OF the childs BIRTH produced by the stimulan.s
she had taken, and the pains of nature and the de-
sire to hide her shame, all combined, present an
unanswerabe objection. to an extreme punishment.
We are confden: that our citizens generally, are in
favor OF communication ofLucy's punishment from
death by hanging; and earnestly hope that the
Governor, in the exercise of sound discretion,
will revoke entirely the sentence of death, and COM
mute it to more mild, just and appropriate