Richmond Enquirer

DOMESTIC.

CHARLESTON, May 13.—The Execution of George Clark and Henry Robert Wolf, convicted of acts of Piracy on board the Buenos Ayrean ship Louisa, fitted out at Baltimore, was carried into effect yesterday, at noon, agreeably to their sentence, on board the U. S. schooner Tartar, lying in the stream. James Griffin and Thomas Brailsford, who had also been convicted of Piracy on board of the same vessel, but recommended to mercy by the jury, have been respited by the President of the United States, for two months.

Preparations having been previously made on board the Tartar, at an early hour, a yellow flag, was displayed at the fore-top-mast head, the usual signal for an execution. A short time before eleven o'clock, the solemn procession moved from the jail. Morton A. Waring esq. whose province it was, as Marshal of the District, to put the execution in force, accompanied by Francis G. Delesseline, esq. the Sheriff of Charleston District, with their respective deputies, mounted on horseback, led the way, they were followed by the two prisoners, with halters about their necks, in a carriage in which also were the rev. Mr. Bachman, and the Rev. Mr. Munds —the coach being surrounded on all sides by the City Guard. The procession moved through some of the principal streets of the City on its way to the wharf: from whence the prisoners were conveyed in one of the Sullivan's Island packet boats on board the Tartar. Shortly after arriving on board, they mounted the stage fold, still attended by the rev. gentlemen before mentioned: when the Rev. Mr. Bachman, standing between the two wretched culprits, made a most eloquent and fervent prayer; the prisoners and all on board standing uncovered. The conduct of both the prisoners during this affecting scene, was firm and collected. Clark addressed them in a short speech, in which he solemnly denied ever having been guilty of the crime of murder, but admitted that he had, with others, been deluded into a service which eventuated in piracy—for which he was about to pay the forfeit of his life: while those who projected the scheme are now walking at large in the country, with impunity. He expressed a fervent hope that his sins would be forgiven: and declared that he forgave all his enemies, and died in peace with the world. Wolf, though he evinced much penitence, and resignation, both before and at the time of his execution, did not make any observations upon the subject during his last moments

These awful ceremonies having been finished, the hangman proceeded to make the halters fast to the rope which had been rove through blocks, at the yard arms; but evincing an ignorance of his business, the prisoners respectively with their own hands affixed them, their eyes then covered with their handkerchiefs—and at about ten minutes past 12, the fatal signal gun was fired, and they were run up to the respective yard arms, in the smoke. This operation was not performed as is frequently the case, by the seamen, but by heavy weights attached to the other ends of the ropes, by which they were suspended; these had been secured to the sides of the vessel, and on the signal being given, the lashings were cut away, and the weight sinking in the stream launched the prisoners into eternity.

It was an awful scene—and the mode of execution being entirely new to the great body of our citizens, together with the great interest excited by the nature of their crimes, drew together an immense concourse of people—the wharves, shipping and stores, within view, being filled with spectators; and the harbor covered with boats in all directions.

Justice has thus overtaken and punished two of those offenders, whose theatre of action has been the unprotected deep. If it behoves a man any where to respect the rights of his fellow men, it is on the ocean, where there is no tribunal to protect innocence, or to avenge wrong—where the same wave buries the victim and conceals the crime, and the noise of whose billows is so well calculated to drown the "still small voice" of conscience. Commerce has been represented as the golden bridge of the universe—and none but honest men should traverse it. It should be sacred to the valetudinarian, seeking for health—the scholar and the artist, in quest of learning and science—the merchant pursuing his honorable enterprise—and the exile, flying for happiness and liberty.

Our nation and our home are the offspring of commerce; and it behoves our legislators and our tribunals, to afford it all possible protection and security.

May the awful example of the sufferers yesterday, produce a deep and salutary impression on the public mind. May it serve to restrain the criminal cupidity of those, who, without the courage to undertake such deeds of guilt, will yet furnish the means for such piratical expeditions, and share in the plunder, tho wrested from the defenceless and unprotected, and in some instances, at the expense of the blood of their unfortunate victims,

Clark is believed to have been an Englishman by birth, but has served in our navy and was attached to one of the light armed vessels in our harbor, during the late war, as a petty officer. Wolf was a German, but has left a wife and several children in Liverpool, England, for whom he has left letters to be forwarded after his death.

After hanging for one hour, the bodies were lowered down, placed in coffins, and brought on shore for interment. [Courier.