the flames.  Let even Fancy picture the scene,—­the pile, the stake, the victim!  The mind sickens, and sinks under the oppression of its own feelings.  What then must be the dread reality!  From some of the spectators we learn that it was a scene which transfixed in breathless horror almost every one who witnessed it.  As the flames approached him, the piercing shrieks of the unfortunate victim struck upon the heart with a fearful, painful vibration; but when the devouring element seized upon his body, all was hushed.  Yet the cry of agony still thrilled in the ear, and an involuntary and sympathetic shudder ran thro’ the crowd.  We hope that this awful dispensation of justice may be attended with such salutary effects as to forever preclude the necessity of its repetition.

    COMMUNICATION.

If any Massachusetts man can read the above without shuddering, and experiencing alternate emotions of horror and indignation, his heart must be harder than a millstone and colder than the ice of the poles.  We know not the particular circumstances of the crime for which this poor wretch suffered, but as far as we can learn from the public prints, it was for the murder of his Master.  The probability is there was some provocation; for such dire deeds are not perpetrated without a strong and powerful impulse.  It is however of no consequence; no matter what was his crime, such a punishment was abominable, and could not be inflicted, even if the laws permitted it, in our State.  If that monster who committed the Stoneham murder in cold blood, impelled solely by avarice, had not put an end to his own life, but had awaited his conviction, had been sentenced to such a punishment, although he would have merited, perhaps more than any other offender who has appeared in our times, the greatest sufferings, yet such a sentence could not be carried into effect.  The people would have risen at once, animated by one sentiment, and without the least previous concert have prevented it.  Every man in the Commonwealth, waiving all distinctions of condition or age, would have been seen, without consulting his neighbour or considering consequences, putting a new flint in his musket and girding on his sword.  Thank God! our feelings and love of order and obedience to proper authority can never be put to such a trial; for the moment we became free, and created our own political institutions, we made it a fundamental article of our Constitution of Government that “no magistrate or court of law shall inflict cruel or unusual punishment.”  In Georgia such a punishment would not be inflicted upon a white man for any crime; and in the name of Heaven, who deserves the greatest punishment for offences,—­the white man, who is instructed in the principles of religion and morality, and is therefore justly accountable for his actions, or the negro, who is kept by the policy of the laws and the power of public opinion in a state of absolute ignorance of his duties, lest he should obtain a knowledge of his rights?  D.

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Singular account from the “Salem Gazette,” April 13, 1824.