The New York herald., 1862-02-07
THE CASE OF CAPTAIN GORDON.

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The Respite OF Captain Gordon for Three
Weeks-Warrsnt from the President OF
the United stares-NO Hope OF Further
Clemency.
FEB. s-This morning United states Marshal Murray
received the following Official despatch from the DEPART
ment Of State at Washington, granting temporary sus
pension Of the sentence Captain Gordon, convicted o.
dealing in the slave trade board the ship Erie-
DEPARTMENT Of STATE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1862
RoBERr MURRAY ESQ., Marshal of United States for the
Southern District Of New York.
SRI transmit herewith the Presidents warrant for
the RESPITE of the sentence of death imposed upon
Nathaniel Gordon, the receipt Of which you VIII be
pleased to acknowledge.
am sir your obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary Of State
Abraham Lincoln President of the United States
America.
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting
Whereas IL appears that Of the Circuit Court
of the United States of America for the Southern District
of New York. held in the month Of November A. d. 1861,
Nathaniel Gordon was indicted and convicted for being
engaged in the trade and was by the said COURT
sentenced to be put to death by hanging by the neck on
Friday, the seventh day Of February, A. D. 1852;
And whereas large number Of respectable citizens
have earnestly besought to commute the said SEN
tence of the Nathaniel Gordon to term Of mprson
fe which application have felt it my duty 10
refuse;
And whereas, it has seemed to me probable that the
unsuccessful application for the Communication Of his SEN
tence may have prevented the said Nathaniel Gordon
from making necessary preparations for the awful
change which awaits him;
Now therefore be il known that l. Abraham Lincoln,
President the United States Of America have granted
hereby grant unto him. the said Nathaniel Cor
don respite Of the above rected sentence until Friday
Eoh n hatuU
the hours OF O'Clock and three O'Clock in
afternoon of the said day. when the said sentence
shall be executed.
In granting this respite it becomes my painful duty
announce the prisoner that reinqushng all oxpeca
ton of pardon by human authority, he refer himself
alone the mercy Of the common God and Father OF all
In testimony whereof have hereunto signed my name
and caused the seal of the United States to be Affixed
Done at the Capitol Of washington, the 4th day Of
February 1862 and OF the independence OF the Unteo
States the S6th ABRAHAM LINCOLN
By the President WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary Of
State.
On receipt Of the foregoing the Marshal accompanied
by Moses H. Grinne and Simeon Draper, Esqrs, two OF
the Charities and Correction proceeded
convcts cell whore they found Gordon engaged IN
PRAYER with the Rev. Mr.. Camp Methodist clergyman.
The Marshal said, &c Good morning, Captain Gordon"
Good mernng, Marshal, sit down."
The Marshall have communication from the Pre-
Gordon said be expected It, The Marshal produced the
paper and read it to the unhappy man. and thon told him
not to the slightest hope Of ultimate pardon fur
ther Communication that the President had acted very
humanely in giving him (Gordon) time to meet his
Maker and prepare himself for another world.
The prisoner received the intelligence for which he
had been somewhat prepared, with calm dependency.
The Marshal told him that he had anything 10 say ne
would to hmVat any time. Gordon said he would
prefer to speak to him now.
Messrs Grinnen and Draper retired. Gordon tAen
spoke feengly his wife and child and felt deeply for
their condition.
The Marshal promised him that he would raise suf-
fcent sum in this city to place them beyond the imme
dae OF pecunary and begged OF him not 10
their necessities him now. -
The conversation lasted time, and the Marshal
LEFT the prisoner with his spiritual adviser