little danger of the prisoners escaping, being in irons, and so weak and emaciated as to just be able to walk. They were then ordered to march forward, which they did, though slowly, as their ancles were still in irons. In this situation they were marched into a yard, walled round, and ordered upon their knees; fronted by the soldiers at a little distance with their muskets still aimed at them and ready to fire. Every moment the word fire was expected. Shortly appeared the interpreter, accompanied by one or two officers, and two or three Roman Catholick Those persons who were sentenced to Omoa, were principally officers and noncommissioned officers, under priests. The following persons being Miranda. Those sentenced to Porto called: Daniel Kemper, Francis Farquarson, "In the morning of to morrow, at six o'clock, you and each of you are sentenced to be hung by the neck until dead; after which your heads are to be severed from your bodies and placed upon poles, and distributed in publick parts of the country." The following persons were then called and sentenced to ten years imprisonment, at hard labour, in the castle of Omoa, near the Bay of Honduras, and after that time, to await the king's pleasure: John T. O'Sullivan, Henry Ingersoll, John H. Sherman, David Heckle & Son, John Moore, Thomas Gill, John Edsall, John Hays, Daniel M'Kay, Bennett B. Vegus, Peter Naulty. The following persons were sentenced to the same punishment, for the same length of time, at the castle of Porto Rico. Wm. W. Lippincott, Stephen Burtis, Frederick Riggus, Rico, were generally privates and mechanicks; and those sentenced to Bocca Chica, were generally sea men. On the morning of the 21st of July, about six o'clock, the prisoners were alarmed by the noise of an assemblage of Spanish soldiers at the door of the prison; when presently the door was thrown open, and discovered to their view about three hundred soldiers, with muskets loaded, bayonets fixed, and arrayed in two lines on the right and left of the prison door, facing inwards, and in a position of charged bayonets. The prisoners, after being ordered to put on what clothes they had (which were nothing more than a piece of shirt, and a pair of ragged pantaloons; some had not even those articles) they were lashed two together by the elbows, and placed in a line, between the soldiers, for marching. The ten prisoners to be executed were then brought out, and with their hands lashed fast before, and with white robes on, that extended from the lower part of their necks to their heels, and white caps upon their heads, were placed in front. In front of them, were placed the three catholick prisoners, attended by three priests, carrying in their hands the holy cross, and accompanied with attendants carrying the sacrament, wax candles, and other implements of the church. In this situation the prisoners, with their irons upon their feet, marched slowly along between the lines of soldiers, out of the walls of the castle, to the gallows. Castle St. Philip is situated upon a large, level space of ground, in the harbour of Porto Cavello, and sepa-rated from the town by a narrow arm of water. The walls are nearly a quarter of a mile in circumference; about fourteen feet high, and about thirteen feet thick, forming also the outward walls of the prison; mounted with about fifty pieces of large metal. Outside of the walls, and fronting the town is a large area, for the purpose of exercising the soldiers, &c. Upon this spot the gallows was erected, being about forty rods from the prison. The gallows was about twenty feet long and fifteen feet high, and separated in the middle by a post, making two divisions and two pair of steps, one for the Roman Catholick prisoners, as directed by the priests, and the other for the presbyterians, or hereticks, as they were called. Whence it appeared that they could separate their bodies, if they could not their souls afterwards. About half way up the middle post were placed Miranda's colours. Underneath them lay the instruments of war, taken from the schooners, together with the military coats, hats, and feathers of the officers. After the procession reached the gallows, those to be executed were taken to the front. The other prisoners were drawn up in the rear, so as to be in front of each other as they ascended the steps. Immediately round the prisoners were drawn up two or three companies of uniform soldiers, principally Old Spainers. In the rear of those were several companies of militia, the greater part of whom were natives of the country. At a little distance, in the rear of these, were drawn up several companies of artillery; and along the shore of the town of Porto Cavello, were stationed a number of companies of cavalry. From this extensive military force, brought to attend the execution, some concluded that an opposition was feared from persons friendly disposed to Miranda; but nothing of that kind was manifested. Being ready to proceed to the execution, the prisoners waited their fate with a composure of mind that seemed to evince a reconciled consci ence. Not the least intimidated, they discovered a firmness and resolution indicative of soldiers. Mr. Farquarson being first selected to meet his fate, was led to the steps of the gallows, by a negro slave, who acted as the jack ketch of the day, and for which he was promised his liberty. His irons were then knocked off. and he led up to the top of the scaffold, where he was seated, fronting his fellow prisoners. The ropes* being placed round his neck, he rose upon his feet and took a final farewell of his companions, wishing them a better fate. The negro then gave him a push from the top of the scaffold, and launched him into eternity. Immediately the negro let himself down upon the ropes, and seating himself upon the shoulders, with his feet hanging upon the breast, beat the breath out of the body with his heels; then jumping down, caught the body by the feet, and pulled it towards one end of the gallows to make room for another. In the same manner they proceed. ed to execute Mr. Billopp, Kemper, Bergud, Hall, Johnson, and Ferris; after which they proceeded in a like manner to execute the three Roman Catholick prisoners, Gardner, Donohue, and George, who were constantly attended by their priests. They were taken to the other part of the gallows, where they again received * The Spaniards use two ropes in their manner of hanging: one something smaller than the other, and a few inches shorter, which serves to break the neck, while the other sustains the weight of the body. the sacrament, each one was accompanied to the top of the steps by his priest. All of them, except one, had a few words to address to their companions, by the way of taking leave of them. Bergud, a native of Poland, and a brave fellow, evinced a great contempt of death. After the ropes were round his neck, he observed: "Fellow prisoners, we have all suffered much, but my sufferings will soon end. I die innocent, and relief will come from that source [pointing to Miranda's colours.] Miranda's arms will rid you of your chains, and triumph over your oppressors. When that shall happen, remember to avenge my death." Then, without waiting for the executioner, he jumped from the scaffold, and ended his existence at once. Mr. Donohue, after his priest had left him, observed : "Fellow prisoners, I wish you a final adieu; [then pointing towards the Spaniards] these bloodhounds will pay ten-fold for this ere long." Every one evinced a similar firmness of mind, and met their fate with an unchanged countenance, except Mr. George,* a young man, and the last one executed; who, instead of acquiring resolution, by the examples of intrepidity, which had been set him by his companions, was disheartened by the shocking sight which was left after life was extinguished. He sunk under the weighty thought of encountering an unknown eternity. He fainted just as he was about to ascend the steps. After some exertion he was brought to his recollection, and taken immediately to the top of the scaffold, the ropes put round his * This young man was by birth a Portuguese. He left a wealthy and miserly parent, in consequence of being too severely restricted in pecuniary indulgence, and came to New York. After spending some time in a state of idleness, and being short of money, he embarked in Miranda's expedition, flushed with the idea of making a fortune at one stroke. VOL. 11. neck, and he swung off without saying a word. After they were all hung, the executioner began at the first one, cut the ropes and let him drop to the ground, and passed on in the same manner through the whole. The fall, being some distance from the ground, broke many of their limbs, which piercing through the flesh, presented a shocking sight to their Each body surviving countrymen. was then taken, and laid upon a bench, with the head upon a block. The negro, with a chopping knife, cut the heads from their shoulders, and taking them by the hair, held them up, bleeding, to the view of the specta tors. The rest were served in the same manner. After this scene of blood was finished, Miranda's colours were cut down and triumphantly carried to a little distance from the gallows, where were placed in one pile, the uniform coats and hats of the officers, their commissions, arms, and implements of war, together with Miranda's proclamations. Upon this pile the colours were placed, and then set fire to and burnt to ashes. Their heads afterwards were taken, agreeable to the sentence, and distributed to the different adjacent publick places. Three were put up at Laguira, two at Caraccas, two at Occomanus, two at Valentia, and one at Porto Cavello. They were put into iron cages, prepared for that purpose, placed upon poles, which were erected in conspicuous places, so as to strike the attention of the people. This horrid scene of death and butchery being over, after having lasted from six o'clock in the morning, till about one o'clock in the afternoon, the remainder of the prisoners, with heavy hearts, were returned to their respective prisons, there to remain until the Spaniards were ready to transport them to their respective places of servitude. After witnessing the execution of their ten companions, the prisoners remained in confinement without any alteration of their condition, except, from the heat of the weather, and the weight of their irons, their sufferings were more insupportable than they had been. They anxiously wished for the day when they were to be taken out for the purpose of being removed to their respective places of servitude; inasmuch as they cherished à hope, that some auspicious circumstance might favour an escape. The expected period arrived on the 7th of August, when they were all examined, their irons inspected, and more firmly rivetted upon them; and about four o'clock, P. M. taken out and carried on board of an armed merchant ship (the Prince of Peace) of ten guns, for the purpose of being conveyed to Carthagena, an extensive Spanish seaport town, situated on the Main, and about three hundred leagues from Porto Cavello. At the mouth of the harbour of this place, is situated Bocca Chica, whither a portion of the prisoners had been sentenced. At this place the remainder were to remain, until they could be conveniently transported to their destined places. means were necessary to be attempted. Just before the appointed time arrived, they were surprised to see the number of the guards about their persons increased, themselves examined, and their irons thoroughly inspected. This excited a suspicion, that some one of their number, whose heart failed him, had betrayed them. Two or three at a time had been permitted to go upon deck, during the day time, and remain an hour or two in the fresh air. These indul gences were attributed to the fear of the commander, of being captured by some English vessel with whom they might fall in during their voyage; when their severe treatment might be retaliated. The prisoners, finding they had failed in one scheme, had recourse to another. It was proposed and agreed to, that in case they should not hap pen to fall into the hands of the English, before they should reach Car thagena, one of them, at a time to be agreed upon, should descend into the magazine room, and by means of a lighted cigar, set fire to the powder, and put an end, at once, to their sufferings, by blowing themselves and the vessel out of existence. scheme met with the same ill success as the former. This The prisoners were all placed be tween the decks, and guarded by about fifty soldiers, placed on board, exclusive of the ship's crew, for that They were now arrived in sight of purpose. In consequence of this Carthagena, and all hopes of being guard, it was extremely difficult to captured or of escape were gone. put in execution any effectual plan Just as they were making the port, an for the purpose of regaining their li- English frigate hove in sight, and in berty, notwithstanding the extreme in- full chase after them-but she was dolence of the soldiers, who spent the too late. An uncommon fatality seem. greater part of their time either sleep-ed to attend all their prospects of reing or smoking. Several schemes lief. They arrived in Carthagena on were concerted, and all frustrated. the 17th of August 1806, after a voyPreparations were made at one time age of ten days. for ridding themselves of their irons, which was to be effected during the night; when they were to rise upon the guard, take command of the vessel, and carry her into some port where they might escape. Had this bold attempt been undertaken without success, several lives, no doubt, would have been lost. Their situation was desperate; and desperate On the next day they were all taken out and marched up through the gate of the walls of the town, and through the town to the prison, ready to receive them. The sorrowful ap pearance the prisoners made in marching along in their irons through the town (about 47 in num ber) not having any thing upon their heads, but exposed to the hot sun 1 without any thing upon their feet, and in rags, drew forth a multitude of Spaniards to behold them. Surrounded with men, women, and children, it was with difficulty they could make headway through them. The shabby appearance of a majority of the inhabitants showed, that the prisoners were not entirely out of fashion in their tattered dress. After arriving at the place of confinement, they were separated and put into three different rooms or holes, almost destitute of the light of the sun; cut off from the circulation of the air; hot, filthy, and with out any thing to rest their heads upon but the bare ground. Whilst reflecting upon these sorrowful regions of despair, they were comforted by the information from their keeper, that these were only temporary places of confinement until another one was fitted up. The prison which was fitted up to receive the prisoners was adjacent to, and formed a part of the walls of the town, or the walls of the town form ed the back walls of the prison-the front facing in upon the town. The walls were made of stone and lime, about 12 or 13 feet thick. The rooms or cells, in which the prisoners were to be confined, were about 90 feet long and about 30 wide. There were no windows or holes to let in light, except through the gratings of the door, where the guard was placeda few small air holes led through the back of the prison; and sentinels were placed upon the top of the prison walls. The floor of the prison was made of bricks, which formed the only pillows the prisoners had to lay their heads upon. To this prison all were removed after remaining several days in their temporary places of confinement, except those who were sentenced to labour at Bocca Chica. They were taken out and commenced their term of servitude, of which mention will be made afterwards. This prison, although of a similar make to the first, they were happy to find, afforded them more room, more air, and more light. ་ They were now reduced to the number of twenty-eight, who were all confined in one apartment. Their irons were examined and more strongly riveted upon them. Those irons consisted of two heavy clevises which were placed round the ancles, at the ends of which were holes, and through these ran an iron bolt, fas tening them upon the ancles and joining one ancle with the other, at about six inches apart, just enabling them to limp along, by hitching one foot before the other. These irons weighed about 20 or 25 pounds weight. At first their ancles became so galled by them, which continually fretted the flesh whenever they at tempted to exercise, that it was with difficulty they could walk about the floor of the prison. At length having grown lank and thin by the loss of flesh, they were enabled to raise the irons almost up to their knees, and by means of strings tied to the bolts and round their necks, kept them in that situation, by which they were much relieved in walking. Their keeper was an Old-Spainer, and a sergeant of the guards. He was intrusted with the superintendence of all the prisoners in confinement. He kept a kind of provision shop, near the prison, and was the purveyor of the prisoners, and supplied them, in behalf of the government, with food. The prisoners were served twice a day, with a sort of fare, consisting of boiled plantains, rice, and water, and sometimes a small piece of fish. About one pint of this pottage was served out to each, in the fore part of the day; and towards evening the same repeated. In some seasons of the year, when vegetables and food were not so plenty, they were scanted to a little rice and water, or a boiled plantain or two, scarcely sufficient to support nature. Their allowance was eighteen pence per day. This was paid to the old sergeant, who for one shilling a piece, supplied |