{182} "The burning of malefactors is a punishment only resorted to when absolute necessity demands a signal example. It must be a horrid and appaling sight to see a human being consigned to the flames--let even fancy picture the scene--the pile--the stake--the victim, and the mind sickens and sinks under the oppression of its own feelings,--what then must be the dreadful 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 shriek 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 through the crowd." In consequence of the above, the following letter was addressed to the editor of the newspaper. "To Z. Poulson, "A Philadelphian in thy paper says, the burning of malefactors is a punishment never before resorted to in this country,--I wish the fact were so, but in the year 1800, the following was published, viz. "'Charlston, December 4, 1800. "'Yesterday was brought to trial, before Justices Johnson and Glover, Ben and Smart, two negro slaves, the property of Mr. Gregmiles, for the murder of Wm. Maxwell, ship carpenter.--The Magistrates and Freeholders were unanimous in bringing them in guilty: and further, from the circumstances of aggravation, that the punishment should be severe. They were accordingly sentenced--Ben to be carried between the hours of ten {183} and twelve this day, outside the tobacco inspection, and there to suffer death by being burned alive; the other, Smart, to be carried to the place where the murder was committed, between the hours of ten and four, and there to suffer the like punishment on Friday the 5th instant.'"[63] That such scenes have at some period disgraced the annals of most nations it must be acknowledged; for which even a faint shadow of excuse may be found in the madness of fanaticism: that they are now sanctioned by cold blooded sentences from a misnamed bench of justice, proves this new continent to be some centuries behind in civilization; a fact corroborated by several others, amongst the most glaring of which are the perpetuation of the institution of slavery, and the frequency and mode of conducting duel combat.