Danbury Times

Execution of Cardinal and Duquette.—

The Montreal Transcript of the 22d contains the following:

"At half past eight o'clock six companies, furnished from the several regiments in garrison, paraded at the New Jail. The 7th Hussars were also under orders to be ready to turn out, should any disorder arise. A new drop had been erected a few days previously, in front of the Jail, the platform of which was immediately over the main entrance door. A little before nine, the two prisoners made their appearance, Cardinal being dressed in a brown coat, and Duquette in his ordinary costume of the country. Both of them, but especially Cardinal, mounted the steps to the platform with a firm step. A priest of the Catholic church attended upon their last moments, and administered the consolation of religion, the only one of which their awful position admitted. At nine o'clock, the warrant for their execution having been read, and the caps drawn over their faces, the Provost Marshal gave the fated signal, by dropping a white handkerchief, and the drop instantly fell.

"The fate of Cardinal was accomplished. He could have suffered but little. Duquette, on the contrary, had, by some sudden movement, so displaced the rope, that no pressure could affect the jugular vein. It therefore became necessary to apply a second rope to his neck, in order to obviate his otherwise protracted misery, and this rope having been made fast to the beam the first rope was cut. The effect of this second descent, for his body fell full four feet from its previous elevation, quickly ended his suffering; although a convulsive motion, particularly of the hands, continued for some time."