The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

ALBANY (N. Y.) November 7.

Execution of James Hamilton.

The unhappy, the unfortunate Hamilton has expiated his congregated iniquities by a Christian penance, and an ignominious death. The untimely fate of the gallant Birdsall; called down deserved imprecations upon the head of his assassin, but his untoward and unprotected situation, has extorted sympathy from every feeling bosom. Illegitimate, and abandoned as he was, by his natural parents, he passed through a career of open and undisguised vice, without an anxious mother to cultivate a barren mind and inculcate the governing principles of youthful virtue, or a watchful father, to regulate and restrict a heated and impetuous temper. From his youth upwards, to the fatal act which terminated his career, he has been involved in an uninterrupted scene of vice; the first principles of which were imbibed in the city of New-York, and progressed till finally matured into the most hardened depravity while in the army.

The crime which has now hurried him into another world, we are thoroughly persuaded; notwithstanding former appearances, was the impulse of an angry moment, and not deliberate, premeditated murder. He loaded his rifle for the purpose of shooting a coloured man, with whom he had quarrelled, through the legs, which he declares was his intention, had the man not avoided him. That while thus enraged, with his temper inflamed by intoxication, he was called on parade and in his way, presenting himself before Major Birdsall, who ordered him to his duty;—his burning passions baulked by the escape of the person who enraged them, they became ungovernable, and his revenge was insensibly wreaked upon the innocent Birdsall. This account he affirmed with every appearance of truth, and with all the emphasis of Christian penitence, on the morning of his execution.

For the first few days of his confinement, he remained in a state of complete phrenzy, without either reflecting upon the horrid crime he had perpetrated, or realizing the still more horrid fate which awaited him, and after recovering the use of his intellects, he fell into a state of stupid insensibility, waiting composedly for annihilation; an irrational opinion he had previously embraced, and for some time after, tenaciously adhered to. The arguments and persuasions of the Clergy who visited him, were urged in vain for many weeks. Some weeks before his execution, a remarkable revolution in his opinions and feelings was discovered—he read the Bible almost incessantly. The enormity of his crimes was brought to his view in their most appalling character. His anguish was bitter in the extreme; and we are justified in saying he drank the cup of remorse to the very dregs. He sent for the Clergy and implored their prayers and instructions, and we have his own authority, that his three last days were the happiest of his whole life.

Directly after his conviction, he sent for his Counsel, and gave a minute and candid history of his truly-chequered life. This catalogue of crimes was put into a pamphlet, and is before the publick. His mind was never stored with any principles of morality, and he declares no good motive ever actuated him, after excepting a rigid respect and veneration which he always cherished for old age.—He was, while in the army, remarkable for cleanliness, and even the last suit of clothes was made to his own taste, he giving very particular directions for each garment. The day before the execution he spoke of the Judge, the Jury, the Attorney General and District Attorney, in terms of approbation, and took an affectionate farewell of the latter gentleman, remarking that he had done his duty, and that he (H.) ought and was willing to die.

On the morning of the execution, the unfortunate man was visited by the Reverend Messrs. Stansbury, Cumming, Bradly, and Chester. Mr. Stansbury passed two hours in pious exhortation, immediately after daylight. He was calm and possessed an unshaken hope of redemption. Mr. Cumming administered Christian consolation by prayer and instruction. His cell resounded with devout supplications and animated praises from the dawn of day to the moment he left it for the place of execution. The scene was irresistibly affecting, and drew tears from every eye. The man who had braved death in its most appalling forms without a tremor, equally regardless of human and Heavenly laws, was now humbled to the very dust—passive as the lamb, and although on the verge of eternity, serene, resigned, and happy beyond expression.

He dressed himself about 10 o'clock, and requested permission to visit the criminals in other apartments, with the intention of admonishing them to shun the vices which had brought him to an untimely end, but found himself too much overcome to proceed, and confided his wishes to Mr. Stansbury, who addressed a few feeling remarks to them. He returned and conversed without any restraint or concern. He requested with much earnestness that his body might have a decent burial. He answered with much intelligence, many important questions put by the Clergy, and gave satisfactory assurances of having a correct view what he relied upon for future happiness.

About 12 o'clock, he informed the Sheriff was ready and wished to go. At halfpast 12. he left the prison, and having particularly requested to walk, with a firm and soldier-like precision kept exact time with the death-march to his place of execution.—And here a scene awaited him and many thousand spectators which any attempt to portray would but weaken. Here a trial awaited the ill-fated Hamilton which masters description, and from which he must have inevitably recoiled, had he not been buoyed up with the divine assurance, that for him 'to die was gain.'

Hamilton ascended the ladder to the scaffold with the most perfect composure and resignation. The Sheriff stood on the scaffold, on one side, and Mr. Stansbury on the other. A psalm was read and sung. Hamilton surveyed attentively the multitude which surrounded him. After a fervent and animated appeal to the Fountain of mercy, he requested Mr. Stansbury to address the spectators in his behalf, saying he was incapable of explaining his belief, or expressing his sentiments in proper language. Mr. Stansbury addressed glowing and emphatick appeal to the spectators in an audible and commanding voice.