The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-14
THE EXECUTION OF DONNELLY FOR THE
MURDER OF MOSES.

DIR. James P. Donnelly, young man vel
known in this city, and where he has yet many
warm friends who believed him innocent to the
last, was hung on Friday last, at Freehold, N j.
on charge of the murder of Albert s. Moses al
the Seaview House in that State.
Donnelly was born in Warren street, New
York, of Irish parents. he is physician ano
surgeon by profession, and attended the Uni
versity of Georgetown, d. c., and the Hospital
at New York. During the prevalence of yellow
fever at Norfolk, Virginia, few years ago, be
volunteered his professional services in behalf
of the sufferers there from that epidemic BE
has spent considerable time in this city
moved in good society here, and was engaged
to be married to the daughter of one Of our
most estimable citizens. The day previous to
his death, he sent telegraphic messages to this
young lady, asking to see her prior to his execu
ton and she, with true womans devotion, was
most anxious to 60, but it was not deemed ad
visable by her friends. He further requested
that at all events some person from Washing
ton should see him before he died, and in &C
cordance with this wish a gentleman of this
city repaired to Freehold, and was with Donnel.
ly to the last.
Donnelly's escape on Saturday night was
doubtless effected by persons holding esponsi-
bic situations, and the matter is to be investi.
gated. On Tuesday, rumors we're aaoat of prep.
aration, on the part of Donnelly's friends in
New York, to advance in force upon the town,
attack the jail, and set the prisoner Free The
same schooner which was in readiness off Kew.
port at the time of Donnelly's escape, apparent.
ly for the purpose of conveying him beyond
the reach of the authorities, was said to be still
lowering on the coast, manned by q numerous
crew. The Sheriff received an anonymous
communication from New York, warning him
that large body of men were preparing to
proceed to Freehold and liberate Donnelly.
The Sheriff said he would place little reliance
in the letter, it not for the fact that it was
written in the same handwriting as another
which he received some time since, informing
him that Donnelly had a club and sum of
money concealed in his cell-information
which proved correct. Immediately on receipt
of this letter by the evening mail on Tuesday,
the Sheriff ordered out the military company
which Freehold boasts, and sent orders to the
commandants of companies in the vicinity, d.
recting them to assemble at Freehold. The
jail was guarded by the military on Tuesday
and Wednesday night.
On the night preceding the execution, the
following corps were ordered on duty: The
Monmouth Blues, Capt. j. R. Patterson, of
Freehold, 30 muskets the Monmouth Guards,
Capt d. j. Canine, of Blueballs, 80 muskets |;
the Ocean Rifles, Capt. Brown, of Long Branch,
as men and the Excelsior Guards, of Fresh
Pond, IS men. A company from Perth Am
boy were also ordered out.
On the same night, several men we're seen by
the sentinels prowling about he jail at late
hour. An Intellectual attempt was made to ar
rest them. Several close carriages, heavily
laden, passed through Freehold at l A. NJ,
coming from the direction of Keyport. Many
thought they were filled with men.
On Thursday, Donnelly was with Raw. Doc.
tors Cummings and Young, Catholic clergymen
of New York, his spiritual advisers. "Rei
gious rites have Just been administered to me"
said Donnelly, land what say now ought to
be believed, have been asked whether
would prefer to be hung inside the prison or
in the prison yard. / told them it made no
difference. 1t is only for my poor father and
sister that care. No man can say that Don
nelly is coward. Donnelly never meanly
skulked to kill q man. Tomorrow shall have
something to say. shall give clue to the
real murderer. l never would have done it
under any other circumstances; but now, for
the sake of my family, will let no nan, who
is my friend, doubt the truth of word shall
utter tomorrow. With hell on one side, and
heaven on the other, shall speak, and my
dying declaration ought to be believed" Don
nelly spoke of his escape az despe ra:e effort
for liberty.
The three sisters and other relatives and