suddenly left the court, and abandoned me to the mercy of my accusers; the goaler, seeing my distress, whispered me to address the court for an advocate; which I did; whereupon they granted my request. The landlord who apprehended me was one of the principal witnesses, but he was so altered that I scarcely knew him a deathlike paleness had overspread his cheeks, and as I was afterwards informed, he died soon after my trial. In about an hour, the testimony of the witnesses was all given in, and after my Counsel had ably and eloquently pleaded my case, the jury, having received their charge, retired, and after a few minutes conversation, returned with a verdict against me, accompanied with a strong recommendation for MERCY. This announcement filled me with alarm and terror; all my hopes were built upon the last words of the jury: "We recommend him for Mercy." "My lawyer observing my emotion, came to me at the bar, and told me I need apprehend no danger of suffering death, for said he, "the jury have done an act in recommending you for mercy, which will, in spite of all opposition, prove your salvation." He added, "you will no doubt receive sentence of death, but don't despond, for it will not be executed; but in the course of a short time you will be reprieved, and will probably have to suffer one or two years imprisonment, as the Governor may determine." He then offered me a few words of advice, and left me, having received my hearty thanks, which was all I had to bestow in return for his services. I was now remanded back to prison, to await the end of the session, which lasted several days on account of the number of commitments. The result of the proceedings of the court was, that nine were found guilty of capital crimes; when we were all brought up to receive our sentences. It is impossible for me to give a just description of that eventful day; then, every man's strength failed him; every countenance betrayed the secret workings of the heart; every fountain of sorrow was opened, and found vent in floods of tears; the stout hearted trembled, and wished he had never been born. The solemn scene began; when, not a word was heard, save those of the Judge; all was still as death. We were asked if we had any request to make; upon which we all fell upon our knees, and humbly begged for pardon; to which it was replied, "It cannot be granted you." The senior judge now pronounced sentence of death upon us, which ran as follows: "The sentence of this court is, that you shall be taken back to the place from whence you came, and from thence, in four weeks, be conveyed to the place of execution, there to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may God Almighty have mercy upon your souls." Notwithstanding I had but little apprehension about the putting of this sentence into execution, yet my sensations were peculiarly distressing; and although I affected indifference, yet my heart was sad; it was im possible to divest myself of fear and terror. We were now conducted back to prison, loaded with irons, and were thrust into the condemned room, a sorrowful, gloomy, and miserable apartment, to which none were admitted, save the clergy, and those who had business of importance with the prisoners. On the third day after my condemnation, my friend Mr. Weidenbecker, in company with another gentleman, came to visit me; they mentioned the expediency of petitioning His Excellency, the Earl of Dalhousie, the Governor, for my reprieve, and offered to prepare it, if I were willing. Of course I assented, and the next day Mr. W. returned with a petition, very ably drawn up for my signature. After signing it myself, he subscribed his own name, and having procured the signatures of the jurors of my trial, forwarded it to the Governor immediately. Such was the benevolence of this gentleman, and such his attachment towards me, that I shall never cease to remember his name with gratitude. His, was a love which approached nearest to disinterestedness of any thing I ever knew; he unexpectedly became my friend in my hour of extremity and danger, and his friendship remained inviolable, during my acquaintance with him. What acquisition is so precious as that of a friend? How strong the friendly heart controls, |