[PIRATES]. 3 page ALS describing botched pirate execution. Boston, 16 April 1819.

3 pages, 7 5/8 x 9 3/16 in., on bifolium. Creasing, with some separation to creases and crease intersections, staining and toning throughout. Addressed on integral leaf.

The writer first details his tour of a prison in Charleston in which there were housed 370 prisoners.

He then turns to a different experience entirely, writing: "On the 18th Feby. last I witnessed the Execution of the four Pirates the procession formed at the gaol [indecipherable] Prince on horseback Depy. & constables next, then the Prisoners and Clergyman (the Bishop of the Roman catholic church)with them - then a great number of officers an [sic] gards [sic] - then it was supposed about twenty five thousand spectators followed to a Place called the neck, a Remote part of the Town, when they came to the place there was a guard of Horse men with swords and Pistols to keep the crowd back then they went on to the first story of the Gallows accpd. by the Marshal with uniform on and a drawn Sor'd. The clergyman made a very able prare [sic] in behalf of the poor wretches. Then Marshal Prince Read the death warrant and delivered an address to the audience the prisoners appeared to be well reconciled to thire [sic] fate. Marshal P. took Williams by the and and led him up the stairs on to the trap. Williams addressed the Marshal and audience very handsomly [sic] then the others in Rotation after they were all on the trap they shook hands with each other and took a final farewell then the Ropes and caps put on - in a few moments the trap sprang and let them face about 18 inches. One by the name of Rog hung about 10 seconds, and the Rop [sic] slipted [sic] and let him fall about 10 feet to the Ground the Marshal immediately let the rop down to the sexton and he put around his neck again - and the Marshal and Depy. hoisted him again the same as a Main Sheet and the poor fellow after they got him up again did kick and struggle to an awful rate when he was on the ground he was intirely [sic] senseless they hung about 15 minutes and the Dr went on the Gallows and pronounced them dead - dead - dead. The Marshal was authorized by the President of the U.S. to deliver the body's [sic] to the Serjion's [sic] for dissection..."

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana, and Historical Documents