February 21, 1862: Nathaniel Gordon is executed. He was the only American slave trader to be tried, convicted, and executed for being engaged in the Slave Trade in accordance with the Piracy Law of 1820. Gordon was born in Portland, Maine. He loaded 897 slaves aboard his ship Erie at Sharks Point, Congo River, West Africa on August 7, 1860, "of whom only 172 were men and 162 grown women. Gordon was one of those infamous characters who preferred to carry children because they could not rise up to avenge his cruelties." The Erie was captured by the USS Mohican 50 miles from port on August 8, 1860. After one hung jury and a new trial, Gordon was convicted on November 9, 1861 in the circuit court in New York City and sentenced to death by hanging on February 7, 1862. After Gordon's conviction, his supporters appealed to President Abraham Lincoln for a pardon. While Lincoln was well known for issuing many pardons during his presidency, he refused to consider one for Gordon, ev...