The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

MARTINSBURG, November 4.

The last Speech, Confession, and Dying Words of JAMES MCABE, Who was executed on the Commons near Winchester, on the 25th of October, 1793, for the murder of JAMES JOHNSTONE.

I JAMES MCABE, who was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, of reputable parents, who sent me to school until I was about nine years of age; at this period of my life they removed to the city of Cork, where they continued me at school until I was between 12 and 13 years of age. It so happened that I eloped from my loving parents, and continued in a state of exile until I was near the age of 15. The cause of my elopement was, that I would not obey their dictates, who wished to bring me up in the fear and under the patronage of my Creator. They however, wishing if possible, out of parental tenderness, to reclaim a hopeless son, procured my release from the army, into which I had enlisted. Notwithstanding this, from my perversity of temper, and the advice of some profligate companions, I refused to obey the admonitions of my loving parents, and enlisted again; at the age of between 15 and 16, I was reckoned capable of bearing arms, and therefore ordered to do the duty of a soldier. The only matter of consequence which occurred concerning me in this situation, was also owing to my stubbornness of temper—I took upon me to disobey the orders of one of my officers, for which I was tried and punished in conformity to the military law. For some time after this I did the duty of a soldier as well as I knew how: yet, for a supposed neglect, I was reproached by my officer. At this time I was a running centinel, and on the direct way to my post; he wished to send me another course, which I resented, by wounding the officer—I afterwards deserted, and shipped myself as soon as possible for America, where I earned my living by the tailoring business, which I had acquired a knowledge of in the British army.

I confess that I have been a wild youngster, yet a foe to none but myself, except one unhappy females, the seducing of whom I practised to my ruin. I was never legally married until I met with a certain Margaret White, in Berkeley county; by her I wished to act the part of a husband, and should undoubtedly have acted towards her much better than I did, had not my mind been confused and corrupted by the company I was introduced to, namely, the Conways, of said county, also the blood relations of my wife, and some of her relations by affinity. By their evil speaking of me, I became regardless of my own good.

As to the crime for which I am condemned to suffer, I own myself guilty so far as this—that I discharged the pistol at Johnstone, which unfortunately put a period to his existence: yet, I declare, it was in self defence, and that I had no malice in my heart against him; he followed me from his own house, on my way, and gave me very abusive language, which I, in some measure, retorted: he was so outrageous that he followed me with a club, and pursued me, as I thought, with a view to commit some violence on me: I ran, telling him as I ran to stand off, decline his pursuit, or I would shoot him; this precaution was not attended with the desired effect—he still pursued, and I dodged round a tree, unable to run much further: I then gave him the same warning I had done before, also adding, that I did not wish to have any thing to do with him, and presented a pistol loaded with two small pebbles; this did not intimidate him; I fled from him again, and some women, who were looking on, laughed at seeing me run, which raised my indignation so much, that I wished to hurt (not to kill) the man; James Conway asked me why I ran? I answered, that I did not wish to have any thing to do with the man, and asked him how he would have me to act? Conway replied, call witness, and knowing my pistol was loaded with pebbles, handed me his, saying it would not miss fire. Being enraged from the said Johnstone's treatment, and wishing to hurt or cripple him, I received the pistol from Conway, and again warned the deceased to keep off; he took up a stone, whereupon I fired, but, as I before observed, not with an intention of killing him. As soon as the smoke dispersed, I saw Johnstone running towards me, with a club in one hand, and a stone in the other: I also saw blood running from his neck. and James Conway took the pistol he had handed me, and asked me why I stood? told me to take to the woods, for that Johnstone was a dead man. I obeyed his directions, and went in the night to old Conway's for my clothes; I waked him out of bed, and we appointed a place in the woods for me to receive my clothes, as also a pistol and some ammunition, that I might defend myself against pursuers; but instead of furnishing me with necessaries agreed upon, his son James being taken in the interim, and imagining if I escaped he would be hanged, sent William Conway with a pistol and a posse of men to take me; I was therefore compelled to fly, without having it in my power to change my clothes.

There have been a number of things alleged against me, on account, I believe, of my residing at Conway's place, particularly of my being privy to the stealing some horses, but I solemnly declare myself innocent thereof, and that I never knew of the Conway's stealing horses, nor did I ever hear from them that they were at any time concerned in such crimes. Cyrus Saunders had old Conway taken and committed to prison for stealing a horse of his. and I was also put in the warrant, as an accomplice, but never stole, nor was I concerned in stealing any horse or negro.

It has been reported by some veterans, that I said I should never die contented until I had killed my wife: this is an absolute falsehood: I never even thought of such a thing, nor did I ever harbour malice against any person to such a degree as to wish to kill them.

I have been lately informed by my wife, that James Conway said, in public, that it was well I was found guilty, as I was determined, if I got out of prison, to kill my wife and her sister; this charge I utterly deny. I am also informed, that Conway said, after coming from my Clergyman, I told him that I had three wives, and that it was useless for me to conceal it from the world; this I also deny, and declare that I never said, or had cause to say so.

I hear he further said, that I did not shoot Johnstone with his pistol, but with a pistol of my own, which I bought of Abraham Houseworth; to contradict which, it is sufficient to say, that the pistol I bought from Houseworth was an iron barrelled one, and it was evidently proved in court, at my trial, that I shot the man with a brass barrelled pistol.

I do declare, that I think I should not have shot the man, if Conway had not handed me his pistol.

I think the evidence that swore against me, did not do me justice, and I am inwardly persuaded, that I had not a fair trial; yet I forgive my prosecutors, as also the Judge and Jury.

I hope my unhappy fate will be a warning to all unguarded youths, and prove a lesson to them to shun the company of evil men and women, especially the latter; may they hereby be instructed to avoid their allurements, and their speeches, for they are like oil, and will deceive.

I am destined to quit this earthly tabernacle in the 24th year of my age, and shall die an unworthy member of the Church of Rome, hoping, nevertheless, for the prayers of all good christians.

JAMES M'ABE.
Prison, Winchester, October 24, 1793.

He was attended to the fatal tree by some worthy ministers of the gospel, with whom he joined in prayers; and met his fate with apparent fortitude and christian resignation.