Rhode Island American And Providence Gazette

Execution of the three Spaniards.—Yesterday being the day appointed for the execution of the three Spaniards, convicted of piracy and murder on board the brig Crawford, they were taken from prison about 11 o'clock, and conducted to the place of execution by the volunteer companies and the city guard, which were ordered out for the purpose, and a large concourse of persons. The scene which the progress of the procession presented, was truly imposing. Seated in the wagon, placed in the middle of a hollow square formed by the military, and which contained their coffins, their humiliating posture, frequent orisons, and appearance of devotion and suffering, exhibited them as objects, which, in spite of their crimes, did not fail to inspire pity. The gallows which had been erected in the valley near the Penitentiary afforded a distinct view to the spectators from the adjacent hills. The multitude which attended was immense. The criminals, from their dress, a blue robe, covering the head and extending to the feet, were conspicuous to the most distant spectator. They were attended by the Rev. Mr. Hore, a Catholic Priest, and several clergymen of other denominations.

When mounted on the scaffold, the Catholic Clergyman, and the Interpreter, Dr. Lemosy, also ascended and joined them in earnest supplication and prayer; at the conclusion of which, the Interpreter, addressing the public at the request of the prisoners, explained that the prisoners declared, that they were not only guilty of the crimes for which they were condemned, and now about to suffer punishment, but of many other crimes; that they begged pardon of the public, and asked them to join in their last prayer, which they were now about to address to the throne of mercy; and they declared, that their punishment was just, but still they hoped that their miserable bodies, after having been once interred, might be permitted to remain undisturbed in the grave, and as that was the last and the only request they could ever address to human beings, they hoped it would be granted. Their request, they were informed, would be complied with.

The prisoners then declared themselves ready to suffer the punishment—whereupon the Rev. Mr. Kerr addressed the assembled multitude, which by thousands lined the declivities contiguous to the place of execution, now in dense masses extending as far as the eye could reach, and here and there in clustering groups, stationed on various elevations for the purpose of having a better view of the scene. The ministers descended from the scaffold, after having first bid adieu to the prisoners.

The Marshal then, in discharge of his duty, adjusted the fatal cords, and descended from the scaffold, when at a given signal the support of the trap-fall was removed, and the cords by which Peje and Courro were suspended gave way, and the unfortunate wretches were precipitated to the ground.—The horror, which this occurrence occasioned, caused a rush among the crowd, and a press which was nearly fatal to a few persons. The coolness of the military however, instantly restored order, and the officers who officiated, and who regretted the occurrence, which they had endeavored to prevent, quickly repaired this accident, when the two prisoners were again suspended in less than five minutes, and after a few convulsive motions, which became fainter and fainter, finally expired.