NC Journal 1792
NC Journal

DOBBS COUNTY, ll-21-1792

The following is the Confession of WILLIAM TOWE, who was lately executed at 
Suffolk in Virginia, for horse-stealing.

   I, WILLIAM TOWE, now in Suffolk jail, under sentence of death for the crime 
of horse-stealing, consider my present unhappy situation as the consequence of 
my own folly. I wish most earnestly that all young people may take warning by 
my fate, and consider in time what may be the conesquences of a life of sin. 
By idleness, and above all by bad company, youths beware of being led astray: 
be assured by me, whom had experience teachers, that one crime will lead to 
another, and at last may lead to a miserable fate like mine.  Had I heard and 
attended to the dictates of my conscience, I might never have enjoyed health, 
liberty and happiness, but God is just, and will not suffer sinners to go 
unpunished.
   I flatter myself with an interest in the mercies of Christ and hope to die 
in peace with all mankind and I most earnestly request all whom I have ever 
injured to forgive me, for Christ's sake. I have nothing more to trouble the 
world with, but again to beg sinners as they love the good of their salvation, 
to turn unto the arms of their merciful Redeemer, and endeavour to do justice, 
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. I hope none will be so ungenerous 
as to mention my disgraceful end, to hurt the feeling of my relations, and 
that those who owe me any debt accounts will honestly pay them to my widow. 
Committing my soul into the hand and care of that great and merciful Being, 
who first gave it me, I now resign my life into the hands of the Executioner. 
I must, however, before I go, request those gentlemen in Dobb's County, who 
follow unlawful practices, to quit them in time, before it is too late.
   I return Mr. More, Jailer, thanks for his humane ???age while under his 
charge, and to those Gentlemen and Ladies in Sulfork who interested 
themselves, in my behalf, though unsuccessfully.
                                                                               
                 WILLIAM TOWE.









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