The national Republican., 1862-02-24
THE EXECUTION OF GoRDoN
seslss Iaslasat to Ne Last MsuAsils.
ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE BIZ
n TAKING STRYCHNINE

M F M
ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE BIZ
TAKING STRYCHNINE. =
On Friday last, Nathaniel Gordon, the slave
pirate, was executed at the Tombs, In New
York. Great efforts were made 10 save him,
aud when everything else failed, the President
was urged to commute his puniihment, but be
declined, and the law was enforced.
The story Of his last trip'to Africa may thu,
briefly be told: ~ -tl
In the Spring Of 1860, Gordon was in com
mani Of the ship Erie. He fitted her out In
Havana, with whisky, rice, farina and shocks,
aud sailed for the Congo River. He arrived
there early In August, loaded his chip, . little
one, with nearly Zine hundred wretched sav.
ages, faunted the American flag, and bore
away for Cuba. Had he reached the port Of
destination with the usual proportion Of living
negroes, an immense fortune would have been
made, and in that event. a. he declared, be
would have returned to the United States rich
and contented, with the prospect Of happy
shore-life before him. But It was ordained
otherwise. ia
The sloop.o war Mobicau interfered with
this little plan, fired shot across the Erie's
bows, boarded her, declared her a SLAYER, lib.
Grated the negroes, many Of whom had died,
and all Of whom were In uuimag ginable nasti
ness and agony, and brought Gordon home-to
felon's cell and felon's death.
PARTING SCENE WITH HIs MOTHER
On Thursday, bis mother called 10 see him,
and to take her farewell embrace. The mother,
q true hearted Christian woman, 10 q member Of
DR.. Chickering's Congregational Church, In
Portland, and availed herself Of this last oppor.
tunity 10 renew to her wsyward boy the Lessons
which, In his earlier years, she vainly endeav-
ored TO instil into his breast. He listened. OF
course, with patient attention, and assured her
that be was not afraid to die, and that, though
he was to be hanged, she might have the mourn
full consolation Of knowing that bis conscience
stood void of offence. Pressing ber guilty son
to her sorrowng heart, she commended his soul
to an all.wise and all lovirg Savior, and then,
with one long, tender embrace, she burst into
an agony Of grief and left the room.
PARTING SCENE WITH HIS WIFE.
The parting scene between Gordon and bis
wife was very painful. They had their last
interview on Thurtday. She Is quite young.
For while she cheered him, Us she has
always done, told him with mistaken kindness
that the President had not fully determined
upon the execution, and that there was yet
hope. During this interview, however, word
was brought from Judge Dean, word that he
hal repeatedly sent, that there was absolutely
NO uorE,
and that the condemned must for his own
sake, devo the rest OF his time to preparation
for the change which certainly awaited him
This announcement, which was not unexpected
by Gordon, struck On apparent, tangible
death-blow to the deceittul hope with which
his poor wife had deluded herself. For the first
time she seemed to realize the fact that her
husband, to her all on earth, kind, loving and
providing protector was to be snatched from hei
side and hurried to the land whose confines be
must approach alone. Overwhelmed with wha,
seemed new aud an unforeseen misfortune,
she fell faintipg at his feet. Reviving, she
gave way to the most agoniziDg cries, and
Slung to him with an intensity which seemed
to ray, never, never will l let you 60. The
scene became very painful, and In Its later
stages, so very acute seemed the suffsrings Of
his wife that Gordon himself gave way to an
unnatural expression of grief, and cried like a
child. Mrs Gordon revived bu. to swoon, and
tecam, so Violently hysteric us to need other
attention than such as her husband could ren-
der her. The final parting was In no way such
as he could have desired, as her nervous eys.
TEN, so long and so continuously worn by ex
citement, by hope aud fear. and final despair,
broke down, and after convulsive attempt at
q rational farewell, the poor creature tainted,
and was carried from the room.
lie POsONs HIasRDF.
During Thursday night, when not observed,
he took dose OF poison, which nearly accom-
plished It's work before the discovery was made.
lie was then piled with whisky, and was mort
dead than alive when taken out to be hanged
As be stood under the pallows, he taid, " Well
a man c,n't die but once I'm not afraid
Soon after the rope was cut, and he was sus.
pended in mid air, ard died without struggle