The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-04-22
Fom tae N. 7. Post, l3M.
JefFsrds at the Tombs.

Jefferds at the Tombs.
Charles NJ. Jefferds, convicted of the
murder Of John w. Mathews, and SEN
fenced by Recorder Hoffman in the Court
Of General Sessions, 10 January, 1862, to
be executed nn the 10th day of February,
1863, still remains in the condemned
cells" Of the Tombs in this city, but will
soon be removed to the State prison, I'M
der the recent decision of the Court of
Appeals affirming the action of the Gene
raj Term of the Supreme Court of the
City and County Of New York, which had
approved the proceedings aud sentence of
the Recorder.
Jetferds received the intelligence of the
ruling Of the court of last resort, with
many indications of disappointment, for
he had been assured that the result must
almost of necessity he in bis favor. He
at once declared his readiness to be hang.
ed asserting, however, excitedly and We
hemently, that the blood of no man was
upon his hands, aud he could die with a
clear conscience. A moment afterwards
he became calmer, sud said comrosedly
that he did not fear to meet his Maker,
for he had accepted religion, aud it was to
him an unspeakable consolation. Indeed,
he was willing to believe that his incarce-
ration had proved the greatest blessing of
his life.
JEFFERDs AND HIS MOTHER.
The first meeting of Jefferds and his
mother Mrs Walton, after the decision
of the Court of Appeals became known,
took place on Saturday. She brought to
the prison some articles designed for his
comfort, and with much apparent sadness
passed them through the grated door of
the cell. There was Tor time no con-
versation between them. Afterwards,
however, they decided upon plan of pro.
ceeding, which embraces the production
of evidence which, they hold, will show
conclusively that Jefferds could not posi-
oily have been guilty of the murder of the
men Walton and Mathews.
Both Jefferds and his mcther-particu.
larly the atter-complain bitterly of the
circumstances connected with the trial.
Mrs. Walton will now, she declares, (hav-
ing by the fact of the decision of the
Court Of Appeals been released from her
promise to take no steps individually in
the case, at once seek to bring forward
in the form Of afiidavits, evidence that
was not produced on the trial, because it
was then ceemod unadvisabe by the de-
fence, which desired, she says, to procure
scientific acquittal," but the result,
she adds, was to place her son in danger
of scientific hanging With this evi.
dence she proposes to visit personally the
inhabitants Of this city, and does not be-
leve that any of our honest citizens, 10
the face of the facts she will present to
them, will decline to attach their names
to petition to the Governor for the par
don of her son. 49,
Mefe are differences of opinion as to
the measure of success she will meet with,
or ought to achieve, in these efforts, but
she undoubtedly possesses extraordinary
decision of character and if her present
determination is persevered in, the public
will soon hear from her.
WILL JEEFERDs BE HANGED.
The effect of the decision of the Court
of Appeals is not yet fully understood. -
The circumstances of this case are in many
respects peculiar; the day appointed for
the execution has passed; new law has
been adopted; the act under which Jefferds
was sentenced required an Imprisonment of
one year previous to the hanging, and then
the issue ola warrant BY the Governor; and
the question now arises, whether this sen
tence can be carried into effect. The full
copies Of the decision Of the judges, DOT
yet received here, will alone decide that
point.
The personal appearance of the prisoner
has improved of late; he has had much
medical care, aud all possible kindness is
extended to hiw by his keepers. He is,
however, impulsive, and sometimes not
very gentle iu his behavior.
Jeferds has already been in custody
and in prison nearly four years. He sur
rendered himself to the authorities on the
ID day of July, 1860, and will he says, if
he lives two or three months longer,
'sneUd his fifth 4th of Julv unier lo.k