The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-11

The Execution az Joseph Clark To-day.
COMPUTATION OF THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN THE
CASE or JAMES sULLIvAN-LETTER FROM COVER
NOR SEYMOUR, IN REFERENCE TO THE EXECUTION
OF CRIMINALS.
Joseph Clark and James Sullivan were adudged 70 b
hanged in the prison yard the Tombs this day; tho
former for the murder Of policeman Gillespie and tho
latter for the murder of Edward Smith. In the Of
Sullivan the executive cemency has been extended and
his sentence commuted to that Of imprisonment for life
as will be seen by the following letter addressed to She
rif orser BY Governor Seymour yesterday
STATE OF NEW York, EXECUTIVE DrAKrxcu
John Orser, Esq., Sheriff of New York
70 co%matsa the punishment Of James SUM-
A6RATiio SEYMOUR.
turn mail
The Sheriff. the receipt Of the above communicated
the TO Sullivan who received the joyful news with
emotions of heartfelt gratitude for the executive OLE
mency. Joseph Clark whose fate is evidently sealed
congratulated Sullivan his lucky escape from the SCAT
fold and exclaimed that he himself had but little hope
and should meet his doom like man and Christian.
Early yesterday morning the two eonvicts were re-
moved from the cells they have occupied Tor the last
pied by saul and Hewlett Clark felt quite uncomfort-
able at the change and said he did not feel 10 much at
During the forenoon both the convcts were visited by
their friends Father Wt their spiritual adviser and
".
dinner with Clark and they both exhibited excellent
appetite-Clak, in particular who said he was right
hungry not having eaten anything since the night before.
in consequence Of many vsiers and friends calling to
see him Clark expressed himself sorry to part with
Sullivan as ne thought much Of him as brother
In reference TO the execution Of criminals the Sheriff
yesterday received the following letter from
seymoar in which the cites the law and gives
his own construction OF the aiming OF the statute:
STATE New YORK, EXECUTIVE DEPARrxCT
Albany February O. 1858,
JOHN oRsn, Esq Sheriff Of the City ahd County Of New
s have received your letter. and the statement Of the
District Attorney, respecting the attendance Of i'm
and Hewlett for murder learn with surprise and
greet that there prison the city of York under
the control of the sheriff where convts under sentence
Of death with safety and proprety be confined,
where they be withdrawn from association with other
criminals, from the intrusion Of those who allow q
morbid idle curiosity to disturb the last days Of
tunate men, who should be allowed opportunity Ia
prepare for the death inflicted by the laws Of the State.
The exhibition Of criminals under sentence Of death as
objects of curiosity has recently stimulated displays Of
reckessness and indifference their part of the most
painful and demoIasng character.
An application has been by the District Attorney
to those who control prisons in New York to place at
your disposal place of CONTINENT where those
der sentence Of death be visited by their relations
their religious and legal advisers without being disturbed
by intercourse with other criminals by the ntrusions
this request will be granted from regard to the cha-
racter city and to the cause ogood morals and ot
The following section of the Revised Statutes determines
the number and character Of those who allowed to
attend and witness the eIecaton Of criminals:-
der Sheriff OF the county t. be present at such execution,
and to invite the presence BY at least three days pre-
Surrogate Of said county together with physicians
and twelve reputable citizens to be selected BY said
Sheriff under Sheriff. And the said Sheriff or under
Sheriff SHALL at the request the criminal permit such
minister ministers Of the Gospel not exceeding two,
relatives Of ] tn
execution and also such officers Of the prison. deputies
and constabes said Sheriff under Sheriff shall deem
yant IN hAva hut tho~ A1~n.>
those herein mentioned shall be permitted present
at such execution; shall any person under age 10
You have right power to admit any other per-
than those above mentioned the Governor
directions Of the law The admission Of aav ons not
designated Is grave offence. When the public officers
are performing the solemn and painful duty of executing
criminals for violating the laws Of the State they must
not disregard the letter purpose Of the statutes under
which they are acting The sheri,s authorised to allow
the attendance Of deputies but this will not justify any
evasion Of the purpoe Of the law by making special de-
puties with view OF admitting persons to witness
TO prevent any interference with the ministers justices
but is not necessary nor proper that special deputies
should witness the execution As the only object q their
employment to train crowd that may collect
such occasions they should be stationed in and about
the prison. ana not in the yard where the criminals
executed.
thrust you win be able to make arrangements hereafter
which will enable you to comply with the directions Of
orm in proper the painful duties imposed upon
you by the laws Of the State.
Very respectfully, yours &c.
HORATIO SEYMOUR
Under the instructions given by the Governor Sheriff
Orter intends to conduct the execution strictly within
the meaning of the statute hundreds Of
applications have been made for permits to witness the
terrible 81 ectace.
The gallows erected yesterday afternoon and the
part adjusted in readiness to do its work
death. Clark will make the ninth criminal executed on
this same gallows during the last few years.
The first executed was negro named George Thomas,
for the murder of negro on the Five Points.
Mathew Wood for the murder of his wife by poison In
buckwheat cakes.
Aaron stockey for the murder of negro on the Five
Points.
douglass and Benson, for murder and piracy
Otto Grunzig, for the murder of his wife BY poison
saul and Hewlett for the murder of Charles Baxter:
and
Joseph Clark, for the murder of policeman Gillespie