"I Who has ben Called by the name of Isaac Cumbs Being Now Called to the place of Execution in the 39th year of my age, I Declare I was born at South hampton Long Island and am a Native of the said South hampton and my Right Name is John Peters and Leaving the said South hampton about 14 years ago, and comeing to St. Mertains Vineyard am Ben a traveller Eversince till I have Now arrived to this unhappy Place of Execution My advice is to all Spectators to Refrain from lying Stealing and all suchlike things But in particular Not to Break the Sabbath of the Lord or Game at Cerds or get Drunk as I have Don. this is My advice and more in particular to mixt coulard people and youths of Every Kind. May the Blessing of god Desend upon you all Amen." In the "Essex Gazette," Jan. 15, 1771, is an advertisement of a poem upon an execution. _To be sold at the Printing-Office_, Salem. A POEM on the Execution of _William Shaw_, at _Springfield_, December 13, 1770, for the Murder of _Edward East_, in _Springfield_ Gaol. We have seen an account of an execution where a sermon was preached at the prisoner's request. ------------------------- BOSTON COMMON AS A PLACE OF EXECUTION. Boston Common was formerly often used for such a purpose. Quakers were hanged there in the middle of the seventeenth century, and we find in the "Salem Mercury" for Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1787, that the previous Thursday one John Sheehan was executed for burglary in this noted locality. Sheehan was a native of Cork in Ireland. With its cows and its executions, the Common must have presented a somewhat different appearance in those days from what it does at this time. British convicts shipped to America in 1788. Last week arrived at Fisher's Island, the brig Nancy, belonging to this port, Capt. Robert W---- (a half-pay British officer) master, and landed his cargo, consisting of 140 convicts, taken out of the British jails. Capt. W. it is said, received 5l. sterling a head from government for this job; and, we hear, he is distributing them about the country. Stand to it, houses, stores, &c., these gentry are acquainted with the business. Quere, whether a suit of T---- and F---- should not be provided for Capt. W. as a suitable compliment for this piece of service done his country? _Salem Mercury_, July 15, 1788. ------------------------- From the "Salem Gazette," 1784. _July_ 30. During the long reign of Queen Elizabeth, it does not appear on record, that forty persons suffered death for crimes against the community, treason only excepted. ------------------------- BOSTON, September 16, 1784. At the Supreme Court held here on Thursday last, Direck Grout was tried for Burglary, and found guilty: sentence has not yet been passed upon him.