following epistle from Mr. Apple, my former comrade, who had obtained his discharge. Laprarie, Oct., 1823. MY DEAR FRIEND-Your unfortunate situation is a subject of the deepest concern to me. Nothing ever gave me more exquisite pain than the news of your being sentenced to death. But the fact that the jury plead for your life, upon the day of trial, is a subject the most interesting and cheering that I can conceive of; and I have no reason to doubt but that you will be pardoned. Indeed, I am impatiently waiting to hear the result of your case. Believe me, comrade, 1 feel for you as I should for a son, and would as soon fly to your relief. Let me advise you to endure your sufferings patiently. Don't be dispirited, but submit your case to the all-wise disposer of human events, who alone is able to sustain the afflicted, and make way for their escape. And, although your situation is apparently the most dismal that could well be imagined, yet, let me cheer your gloomy mind with the fond assurance that you may safely hope soon to receive pardon; for the circumstance I have mentioned, is proof that you cannot-will not suffer. Let my sym pathy, together with the little sum I send enclosed, cheer you, till you are more happily relieved. Did not the distance, and the pressure of business prevent, I should visit you You will therefore, kindly excuse me, and believe me to be your sincere friend. HENRY APPLE. This letter came to hand very opportunely, and had a happy effect upon my mind. My heart had begun to sink, at the sight of the misery and wretchedness the prisoners now began to evince, as the day of execution approached. Their solemn and intense prepararations to meet their fates; the perfect security under which we were confined; but above all, their deep groans in the night season, as they awoke from their terriffic dreams, were causes powerful enough to disturb the peace of one in the possession of liberty and prosperity; much more, of one who was by no means certain that he would not die a culprit's death. At length the gaoler visited our apartment, bringing me the cheering intelligence that the Governor had sent my reprieve, and told me I should be taken out of my irons the next day, and conveyed to another room. This intelligence made me rejoice beyond degree, and notwithstanding my irons, I paced the room with exultation, and felt as if I were light as a feather; nor did I envy the king on his throne. I was not permitted to pass the night in the dismal cell with the poor culprits, but was removed to one adjoining, whence I heard no more their dismal cries and groanings. I slept but little through the night for joy, and in the morning my irons were taken off, and I left my dreary dungeon, and took possession of my old apartment opposite the public street. My extacy of joy that I now felt was beyond language to describe. I felt relieved, yea, I almost felt as if I was libera ted, and returned to the endearing circles of social life. At this moment I feel sentiments of devotional gratitude arising to God for his goodness and mercy in delivering me from so horrible a fate! And may God grant,that what the dear young reader has seen of the evil of crime, may influence his conduct, that he may ever live and walk in the path of virtue, liberty, and happiness. ва CHAPTER IV. From the time he was reprieved, to his final escape from imprisonment-in which is manifest the providence and grace of God. My reprieve from death, and liberation from the room of the condemned, had a powerful effect upon their feelings; each looked anxiously and wishfully for the day when they should receive theirs also. But alas! some of them looked in vain; for in a few days a death warrant arrived for two of my companions, one of whom was the mulatto, the other was one of the Canadians. The rest of the prisoners were now brought into the room with myself to await the future pleasure of the Governor, where we rejoiced together with as much glee as if we had been entirely freed from all restraint. But while we were thus rejoicing in our deliverance, one of our number was in a moment snatched from his superabundant joy, and placed again in a state of deepest sorrow; for the day after his reprieve, the gaoler entered the room and informed him that his death warrant had arrived, and that he must be conducted back to the condemned cell to await his execution with the other two. What a sudden change was this! The poor fellow's countenance fell; he wrung his hands in agony, and gave vent to his feelings in piteous accents of deep despair. Every prisoner among us participated in his sufferings, and with many tears, bid him farewell. He was then conducted back to his old abode, to join his companions in death. The night previous to their execution, we were allowed to pay them a last visit. We found them all three chained and handcuffed, sitting on their iron bedsteads, engaged in acts of devotion. They talked feelingly and freely about their views and prospects; one of them observed he had been looking out at his grated window, watching the sun, and said he, "I have seen him set for the last time, and before his next setting, I shall be in eternity." "" He said further, "I am willing to suffer, for I have an evidence that my sins are all forgiven, and that through the merits of Jesus Christ I shall be saved." The mulatto was no less composed his mind was calm and tranquil he said but little except in answer to our questions. : They exhorted us to take warning from their example; to seek religion; refrain from sin; and live pious and virtuous lives; after which, we took them each by the hand, and with much difficulty pronounced the "good bye:" our hearts were so swolen with grief, that we could hardly command our feelings. Early the next morning the prison yards, and every adjacent spot were crowded with spectators, who came to witness the awful scene. At twelve o'clock the victims were brought from prison, and with tottering steps conveyed to the drop; the ropes were carefully adjusted round their necks, and after the offering up of prayer to God by the clergy, commending their souls to his infinite mercy, the drop fell; they struggled a few moments, and then all was still as death; they had gone to their reward. I viewed their death from a chink in the wall of my prison; and never, till that moment, did I experience such cold, chilling, heart rending emotions; and I pray God I may never again witness a similar scene. I cannot forbear just mentioning to my readers, the crimes for which these men suffered; two of them had been accomplices in breaking into a store; and the other had stolen some live stock which was found in his possession, and recovered again. These were the crimes for which they were hung; that their punishment was greater than their crimes is obvious; and all I need say is, that it is time such laws were abrogated by every nation professing the christian religion. I am, however, happy to state that the laws of my beloved country are annually becoming more lenient and merciful, and that death is now only inflicted for higher and more dangerous crimes. |