Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-07-01
EXECUTION of the Negro Hawkins.

The negro William Henry Hawkins who
was convicted of the murder Of Capt. w, II.
Adams, OF the ship Lamerger. on the 29th
day ol September last was executed at the
rumbs, in New York city at twenty-five
minutes past one o'clock IN Friday after
noon.
William Henry Hawkins was apparently
II full-blooded negro, thirty live years OF aye,
and born in Providence Rhode Island In
early life he WAS engaged in farm labor but
he afterwards followed the sea. He is unit
suuly Intelligent and ambitious for one of
his race and during several year. held the
position of steward in Eastern towns, in New
York, and ON shpboard. He was never
married, and mad no near relations EXCEPT
brother and sister
In September of last year Hawkins be-
came steward of the ship l4amerger, which
was to proceed from London to Callao On
the 2sth Capt William IL. Adams, of the
ship, having previously found fault with his
performance of his duty as II steward, threw
u decanter at him and struck him with be
laying pin,
This occurred in the morning and quar-
rel took place ut noon when dinner was
lseryed Hawkins made several threats
against the captains life. Very early next
morning he borrowed hatchet from the
carpenter of the ship, with which, he said,
to open box OF eggs and nj seven o'clock
the captain was found in his room with his
skull cleaved and dying.
Hawkins was arrested on suspicion of
having committed the murder. The ship
was taken back to London and, on the re-
QUESTION Of the American consul he, with
sOmo of the crew us witnesses, was sent to
this country for trnl. lie was convicted of
the crime in the United States Circuit Court
New York city, and on the ith of April was
sentenced to be hung.
Hawkins at first steadily denied the cor.
rectness of the decision OF the Jury, and sta-
ted that he was the victim Of false swearing
and Of circumstances The proof against
him was all circumstantial but was deemed
too strong to admit of doubt that he was the
guilty man Still he claimed that an officer
on board the l.amergier had taken udvau-
tage OF circumstances which were against
him (the negro) To crafty u personal spite,
and had succeeded in getting him connected
in Il manner which made it impossible To
obtain reversal Of the Judgment.
The evidence it il proper to say was all
against this hypothesis Hawkins within
few weeks past has declined to say def.
nitey either that he did or did not commit
the murder.
Hawkins employed his last hours princi
pally in religious conversation with minis
ters Of the Gospel and in writing letters ia
his friends and acquaintances.
An hour before the time appointed for the
eXecutonhe talked with much flueney, and
without the least sign Of nervousness. liz
spoke wholly of religious matters and the
ministers who We're present afterwards ex-
pressed their surprise at his knowledge 0l
theological matters In the words of one ot
! them, he needed neither instruction nor
advice, but was fully cogni2ant of his ril.
cumstanccs, and confident OF the future"
AT one o'clock the marshal, who was
, , guided by respect to the arrangements fol
the final scene by the advice of the recog-
nized spiritual adviser Of the condemned
Mr.. Garrett proceeded, with one of his den
uiies to the reception room.
Hawkins expressed his readiness an,
I, without the exhibition of any fear or ever
tremulousness, took his place between III,
, officers of the law who supported him, an,
II proceeded around the prison yard to tn
II southeastern division, where the gallows wa
h erected.
?. The prisoner was conducted to Tie chai
8 under the fatal rope, and the marshal, in
e low and trembling voice, read the deaf
e warrant and order Of execution.
Il The marshal then asked the prisone
whether he had anything TO say
y Amidst studied silence he delivered
y speech.
"a The marshal and everybody around til
T. unhappy man were deeply affected.
in The prisoner then took leave Of the ma
i shal, and Rev. Mr. Garrett offered a feryer
~ prayer to the Throne of Grace, concludin
le with the benediction.
ie The prisoner repeated in IL loud voic
be the Lords Prayer, and prayed for the rulel
is of the country, the army and navy, and fC
IL SUPPRESSION Of the rebellion.
G. Every eye was now turned to the gallow
ly and the human form which so soon was
" be hurled into eternity. At % minut,
:. after o'clock the marshal drew his swor
US swung it through the air, dull sound W,
IN heard from inside the executioner's bo
ao ~ and in less than second the body of wi
/ liam Henry Hawkins was dangling in tb
in air, and the stern will of the law was obeve,
ed ---------ssass-