The Life, Trial, Confession and Execution of Albert W. Hicks / The Pirate and Murderer, Executed on Bedloe's Island, New York Bay, on the 13th of July, 1860, for the Murder of Capt. Burr, Smith and Oliver Watts, on Board the Oyster Sloop E. A. Johnson. Containing the History of His Life (Written by Himself) from Childhood Up to the Time of His Arrest. With a Full Account of His Piracies, Murders, Mutinies, High-way Robberies, etc., Comprising the Particulars of Nearly One Hundred Murders! to which is added the Account of His Arrest, Imprisonment, Trial and Execution. Also, His Phrenological Character, as described by L. N. Fowler.

by Albert W. Hicks

THE VERDICT.

Judge Smalley charged the jury. He instructed them that the case was clearly within the jurisdiction of the Court, the occurrence having taken place in the harbor. The jury retired at 10:36, and after having been out seven minutes, returned and announced that they had agreed upon a verdict. The prisoner was directed to stand up, which he did readily, exhibiting little or no emotion. In a scarcely audible voice the foreman then announced that the jury found him Guilty of the crime with which he was charged. Hicks appeared to be somewhat stupefied by the announcement, but resumed his seat again when the counsel told him to. The Court then remanded him for sentence, and he quietly held out his hands for the handcuffs. His counsel, Mr. Eagles, then asked the Court to set some time in which to make a motion for arrest of judgment. Judge Smalley designated 10 A.M. on Wednesday as the time for making such motion. Hicks was then conducted back to the Tombs by the officers having him in charge.

A motion for a new trial was afterward argued and denied. Immediately after decision, the sentence of DEATH was passed upon him, the day fixed for his execution being Friday, the 13th of July, on Bedloe’s Island.

THE
CONFESSION OF ALBERT W. HICKS,
PIRATE AND MURDERER.

Office U. S. Marshal, Southern District of New York.

I hereby certify that the within Confession of Albert W. Hicks was made by him to me, and that it is the only confession made by him.

Lorenzo de Angelis, Deputy U. S. Marshal.

July 9, 1860.

After his sentence, Hicks seemed to lose that firmness which he had hitherto manifested. His reckless indifference left him, and in place of the stolid look which had marked his face from the time of his arrest, an appearance of deep anxiety gave token that he had abandoned the hope which had supported him, and that dread of his approaching fate, if not remorse for his crimes, had taken possession of him.

He seemed to dread being left alone, and often besought his keeper and the warden of the prison to keep him company in his cell. He was frequently found in tears, and on being questioned as to the cause of his grief, expressed a deep anxiety in regard to the future of his wife and child, about fifteen months old.