Newspaper Page Text
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1
J
SOUTHERN
RECORDER.
VOL. I.
MILLEDGEVILLE, TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1320.
No. 21-V
Bi
PUBLISHED WEEKLY,
(ON TUESDAYS,)
BY S. GRA YTLA YD Sf R. M. ORME,
At three dollars, in advance, or
FOUR DOLLARS AT TIIE EXPIRATION
OF THE YEAR.
Advertisements conspicuously inser
ted ut the customury rates.
alone seemed to feel tint necessity of scclt inp,
consolation in religion, and, although he had
previously professed himself to he a Deist,
lie re
From the London Courier of May 1.
EXECUTION
OF THISTLE WOOD, INGS, BRUNT,
TIDD, AND DAVIDSON.
It being determined to make an early ex
ample of the conspirators who on Friday
last received Judgment of death, for the a-
trocious crimes of which they were found
guilty, an intimation was given to the Com
mon Serjeant, to make a special report to
his Majesty’s Council, without delay, of the
proceedings under the Commission. Oil Sa
turday a Privy Council was held at the King’s
Palace, Pall-mall, to receive the report in
question, at, which his Majesty and all thi
Cabinet Ministers were present; the Judge;
who tried the prisoners also attended. The
Common Serjeant, having read over his
notes, tiie Council, after two hours deliber,
tiori, resolved that the execution of Arthur
Thisllewood, John Thomas Brunt, James
lugs, William Davidson, and Richard Tidd
should take place this day, and that the re
maining six prisoners should he respited du
ring his majesty’s pleasure. Mr. Brown, the
Governor of Newgate, received the warrant
at seven o’clock in the. evening; and, accom
panied hy Mr. Pulled, the under sheriff to
Sheriff Parkins, immediately went to the
condemned room, in which were silting
those, who were Ordered for execution, at
tended by eight officers. When he entered
they rose in the most respectful manner.—
He held in his hand the Recorder’s warrant,
of the contents of which they appeared con
scious. A dead silence prevailed, hut there
was not the slightest agitation observable in
the countenances or manner of any one of
the prisoners.
Mr. Brown addressed them in the follow
ing words;—“ It is my painful duty to com
municate to you that I hold the Recorder’s
warrant, for the execution of you, Thistle-
wood, Ings, Brunt, Davidson, and Tidd, on
Monday morning. I hope and trust that the
short time you have to remain in this world
will he employed by you in making prepa
ration for that to which you arp going.”
Thistlewood immediately (and in the calm
est manner)—“The sooner we go, Sir, the
better. Our wish is to die as soon as possi
ble.” Tiie others expressed the same sen
timents.
Mr. Brown.—“ If any of yon wish to have
the assistance of a Clergyman of any persua
sion, let me know it, and 1 shall apply to the
authority hy which I am convined you will
Hot he refused.”
Not a word was uttered by any one of the
prisoners
Mr. Brown then said—“ Let me entreat
you with effect to give up your thoughts to
the contemplation of the change which you
are. about to undergo. Your time in this life
is very short; devote it to repentance, and
prayer to that Being who will not desert
you at the moment of fatal separation.”
The prisoners did not speak nor make any
* lf Mr. Brown then left the room, and the
miserable men turned to the conversation in
which they had been engaged before lie en
tered, without any reference to the tidings
they had just heard.
Upon going to the condemned room
where the six conspirators who pleaded guil
ty were confined, Mr. Brown observed a ve
ry striking contrast to the scene which he
had just quitted, as far as regarded Strange,
Bradburn, Cooper, a id Gilchrist. He enter
ed with the Recorder’s warrant in his hand,
Which contained cheering intelligence to
them. Strange, Bradburn, Cooper, and Gil
christ, seemed struck with consternation ;
Harrison and Wilson showed no symptoms
of agitation, but appeared rather to despise
than to pity the deplorable condition of their
companions, and uttered not a word expres
sive of hope or fear.
Mr. Brown then informed them, that mer
cy hail been extended to them, and that their
lives were spared.
Strange, Cooper, Bradburn, and Gilchrist,
immediately fell on their knees, and, after a
pause, gave utterance to incoherent and un
intelligible expressions of gratitude. Harri
son and Wilson were still silent, and appa
rently unmoved.
Mr. Brown said, “ I have now to show
■you the dark side of the picture. V our un
fortunate miserable companions in crime,
who were tried, are ordered for execution
on Monday morning ; and you, Harrison,
Wilson, Cooper, Strange, and Bradburn, are
<to be transported for life.
Wilson, who before had appeared perfect-
lv callous, now exclaimed, “ Ah '• our poor
friends I am indeed sorry for them. Har
rison said nothing; the others were too much
occupied with the joy of their own escape to
n thought upon those who are tofor-
bestow a thought upon
f< M r!*Bro w n^aid, “ There is one of the most
remarkable circumstances attending your
case that ever took place upon any occasion;
and, if you have any feeling, it must make a
deoil fc indelible impression upon you. Those
u ” 8< > lives vour hands
very persons against whose lives y
were about to be raised, are the men by
whose intercession your lives have been sav-
L *Gilehrist has been respited, without men
tion of the commutation of punishment.
Each mail was then placed under the care
„ f . -vo persons who were engaged foi that
*> ftl " rpheRev. Mr Cotton, theOidi-
P “ r E ‘‘h« jail, had repeatedly communed
n! V|f» thl .; n in the course of the afternoon ;
but,*as*we ntated on Saturday, he was inca-
quested that lie might he permitted to
have the attendance of a Wesleyan minister.
Mr. Brown lost no time in attending to this
wish, and immediately sent for that persua
sion, who would, it was hoped, be enabled
to effect a change in his sentiments. David
son also begged to he allowed a pen and ink,
and a sheet of paper. This was granted, and
he wrote a letter to the Earl of Harrowhy,
which was delivered in the course of the
day.
The most heart-rending' scenes were yet to
he encountered. In the course of the morn
ing, the families of the different prisoners
were permitted tn enter their cells, and take
of them a final leave in this world. The
parting between Thistlewood and his son
was extremely affecting. They were both
plunged in the deepest anguish. The wives
and children of the other prisoners were
subsequently introduced, and it is hardly ne
cessary to say, that their sorrow was equal
ly deep. Ings still dung to the hope that
some event might yet occur which would
save him from his impending fate. Up to a
late hour last night, no alteration was visible
in the manner of any of the prisoners, except
Davidson, whose mind was evidently soften
ed after the interview with his family. Tidd
has from the very beginning preserved an
uniform and consistent.steadiness k solemni
ty, hut free from dejection or fear. Ings has
been as generally dejected; the rest perfect
ly indifferent, and even hardened. Not one,
except their family, has been allowed to see
them.
While these, occurrences were taking place
within the jail, the exhibition without was
not destitute of interest. Tile Sunday pa
pers had announced the period fixed for the
execution, and as this was accompnined by a
speculation that a scaffold was to he erected
on the top of the prison, upon which the ig
nominious sentence was to be performed,
thousands of persons flocked towards the
Old Bailey, and continued to do so during
the day, assembling in grmipes for informa
tion, and not unfrequently indulging in lan
guage disgraceful to themselves, and alarm
ing to those who felt anxious for the peace,
of the metropolis.
It appears that an intention did exist, in
the first instance, to erect a scaffold upon the
top of the jail; hut, upon reconsideration, it
was considered unnecessary to depart from
the ordinary practice, and it was therefore,
determined to execute the culprits at the u-
sual place, namely, in front of what is called
“ The Debtor’s Door”.—That part of the
sentence which directed that “they should
be drawn upon a hurdle to the place of exe
cution,” it was resolved, from the difficulilies
which would attend its observance, to dis
pense with. Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, and Mr.
Under Sheriff Turner, who attended at tin
Ollice of the Secretary of State, oh Satur
day, to receive their instructions, directed
one of tile surveyors of public buildings in
the. city, to make the necessary arrange
ments for resisting the pressure of the crowd
which was anticipated, and for enlarging tin
ordinary scaffold to such a size as would ad
mil of the performance of the more awful part
of the. ceremony that of decapitating tiie
criminals. To effect these works, a great
number of men were suddenly called into
requisition, and during the whole of yester
day they were actively engaged. There
were double rows of rails across the top of
the Old Bailey, across Ncvvgate-slreet, Gil-
tspnr-st. Skinner-st. Fleet-lane., and in fact
at the mouth of eveay other approach to the
prison.
in the course of the afternoon, one hun
dred men were ordered to proceed to the
jail of Newgate, ami a detachment of fifty
was quartered in Giltspur-strcet Compter.—
Other detachments were on duty at a short
distance from the prison. In fact, every pos
sible precaution was adopted to prevent dis
turbance or disorder.
As the evening advanced, the throng in
front of the prison increased, and at Si o’clk,
the pressure was so great, that it required
the utmost exertions of the constables on
duty to prevent the interruption of the work
men. Thousands, of all ranks and ages, con
gregated in front of the jail. The scaffold
had"'been brought forth from the court yard,
ind the carpenters were busily employed in
erecting the additional platform, which was
ten feet square, and constructed with great
solidity. They continued their operations
by torch-light, which seemed as it were hut
to make “ darkness visible,” and considera
bly enhanced the solemnity of the scene.
Such was the. anxiety of some to witness
the execution, that they literally determined
to remain in the neighborhood all night, and
hundreds sacrificed their natural rest to the
gratification of their curiosity. The windows
commanding a view of the scaffold, were let
out at exorbitant prices. One. pound per
head was the lowest sum demanded, and e-
n at this price there was a superabundance
of applicants.
Lord Sid month, Mr. Hobhousc,and other
official persons connected with the adminis
tration of the afiairs of the Home Depart
ment, continued at Whitehall the whole of
(he day, for the purpose of adopting such
measures as the preservation of the public
peace might demand. This was the more
necessary, as several aqonymous letters were
received! hinting at a projected attack. The
Magistrates of the various police offices were
on the alert, and under their directions, the
constables of their respective districts were
ordered to he on duty. The firemen of tin
different Insurance companies, who have on
all occasions been found a diligent k. activ
body, were likewise called out in aid of th
civil force—and thus recourse was had to
the most praiseworthy precautions. The
snecial constables out, tinder the direction of
^ajnr^ras
Which, as a °- er ‘ e a.-af to .all
atgssr&TS-a-s'fe
♦heir disbelief in the divine origin of Christ,
be —
n • Vwterday morning the Rev. Mr.
S 6 ** 1 *: n Jthem a visit, and spent
lornc tuuti id
he City Marshals alone, amounted to 700.
The crowd which hud been very great i;
the course of the evening, diminished afte
midnight, but long before the first ray ui the
morning, a considerable number of persons
took up their stations close to the inner bar,
evidently with a determination of remaining
there till the close of the awlul business of
the day
sembling populace soon began to assume the
appearance of a crowd. They stood 8 or 10
deep by the. time the clock struck five. An
idea partially prevailed, that the area imme
diately without the rail which encompassed
the scaffold, where oil ordinary occasions
spectators are allowed to stand, would he
cleared out when the constables arrived, and
this induced many to take their stations be
yond the. first, barrier. This apprehension
fumed out to be well founded, and at a quar
ter past five, those who had been for hours
clinging to the inner rail, were obliged re
luctantly to abandon the situations in which
they had proposed to witness the execution.
A great quantity of saw dust was brought
out at an early hour, and deposited beneath
the scaffold on which the decollations were
to he performed. It was shortly afterwards
transferred to the top of it, and a! the same
time black cloth was brought, and the scaf
fold erected in i lie rear of the drop was com
pletely covered with it. The posts which
sustained the chains above it received the
same sahie attire ; and while these prepara
tions were ill progress, every avenue leading
into the Old Bailey was carefully secured hy
strong wooden rails fixed across, und guard
ed by constables.
Before 6 o’clock, the City Marshals, Foot
Guards, Constables, k,c. assembled in im
mense numbers, and the firemen from the
different insurance offices were among them.
Th»y were formed in several parties, and its
proper station was assigned to each. At this
time the Lord Mayor attended, and, accom
panied hy Mr. Wontner, superintended the
whole of the arrangements.
The tops of St. Sepulchre’s Church, of
Newgate, and of all the houses in the Old
Bailey, were occupied with numerous spec
tators. Every window was crowded, and
several hundreds took their places on the
wall which enclosed the yard.
During the lime occupied hy the prepara
tions above described, the conduct of the
countless thousands assembled on this aw
fully interesting occasion was peaceable in
the extreme.
At seven o’clock, four hoards to elevate
placards on were brought within the rail
which enclosed the gallows. Large hills
were immediately nailed to them containing
the following words:—“The riot act has
been read, disperse immediately.” These
were then laid down on each side ofthe debt
ors’door’ Of course they were not exhibi
ted to the populace-, being only prepared to
be. used in case of necessity, that, if unhappi
ly it should become the duty of the civ il au-
tjiorities to have recourse to so strung a mea
sure, it might, he impossible for the multi
tude to he. ignorant of the peril to which they
would he exposed hy neglecting to yield
prompt obedience to the mandate.
Shortly after seven o’clock, the execution
er made his appearance no the drop. The
coffins were then brought out, and placed on
the saw dust, the foot of each being put so
as nearly to touch the platform from which
those who were to fill them were to he
launched into eternity. The block was now
brought up, and placed by the head of the
first colfin. Most of the spectators were
surprised at the shape of the block, as, in
stead of presenting a fiat surface, it was slan
ted oil', so that the top of it was quite sliarj
Those opposite the prison saw in the next
moment the procession from the interior of
the prison roach the door, through which
the culprits were to pass to expiate their,
crimes with their blood. The Ordinary as
cended the platfurm, and at a quarter befori
eight, Thistlewood made, his appearance oi
the scaffold. His step. fauHered a little as he
mounted the platform, and his countcnanct
was somewhat flushed and disordered on
being conducted to the extremity ofthe drop
His deportment was firm, and lie looked
round at tiie multitude with calmness. He
had an orange in his hand. On the rap be
ing placed on his head, he desired that il
ig'it not he put over his eyes. While tlic
xecutioncr was putting the rope round his
neck, a person from the top of the houses,
exclaimed, “God Almighty bless von.”—
Thistlewood nodded. Tile Rev. Mr. Cot
ton, hy whom he was preceded, endeavored
o obtain his attention: hut he shook his
cad, und said “No; No.” He looked round
epeatedly, as expecting to recognize some
one in the crowd, and appeared rather dis
concerted us observing the distance to whir'
tin* populace were removed.
Tidil was brought up second, lie ran
hastily up the ladder. AJxunusual flush
vorspread his face. He lioWd to the popu
lace, after looking round,anmfcimiliarly null
ed to some one whom he recognized at ;i
ndow, with an air of cheerfulness. Il*
also desired that the cap might not he put o
ver his eyes, hut said nothing. He nodded
i different people in the windows. He like
rise had an orange, in his hand, which he
continued to suck till the cap was drawn o
cr his face.
lugs then c:une up ; he was dressed ill his
butcher’s jacket. ()u reaching the scaffold
uve three chairs, and conducted himself
with great hardihood. He turned round sc
:ral times to the. multitude, anil siuih;d at
cm, and thru sung in a discordant voice—
“Oil, give me Death nr Liberty!” The ei
ecutioner having tied the cap over his eye
h: exclaimed, ‘Let me see as long as I cui
He followed this hy saving to the crowd
1 Here we goes, my luds—here’s the last re
mains of James Ings!”
Thistlew ood now said to Tidd, “ We shall
soon know the last grand secret.”
Davidson ascended the scaffold with a
film step,calm deportment, mid undismay
ed countenance, lie bowed to the crowd,
hut his conduct altogether was equally free
from the appearance of terror, mid the. affec
tation of indifference. When lie first came
tip, lie seemed engaged in prayer—and was
immediately joined hy the Rev. Mr. Cotton,
whose attentions were altogether rejected
hy the others.
W bile the executioner was lying up This-
tlevvood, he again spoke, anil said, (address
ing a person near him,) “1 have hut a lew
on will tell the
passed hastily up tile steps, assisted hy one
of the officers, and advanced witli a laugh on
his countenance. While the rope was being
djusted, he looked towards St. Sepulchre’s
church, and perceiving some one w ith whom
he had been acquainted—he nodded several
times, and then made an inclination of the
head towards the coffins, as if in derision of
the awful display, llis conduct was marked
by the same irrational levity to the last.—
'Vhen his neckerchief was taken off, the stiff-
tier fell out, and he kicked it away, saying,
I shan’t want that any more.”
lags, who still kept looking about with
firmness, again spoke and said, “ I am not
afraid to go before God or man. 1 know
there is a God, arid I hope lie’ll be merciful.’
He had a blue cap on his head when lie
came up, w hich was immediately removed
hy the executioner, and its place supplied hy
white one.
The executioner now proceeded to pull
their cans over their eyes and adjust the
ropes, when he camclo Ings, the. unhappy
man said, “Now, old Gentleman, finish me
tidily. Tie the handkerchief tight over my
yes. Pull the rope tighter—it may slip.”
Davidson, who eontiniied to pray with
Mr. Cotton, firmly pressed his hand.
The executioner then left the scaffold, and
ilia few seconds,at six minutes after eight,
the fatal signal was given, and the drop in
stantly fell. Their sufferings were brief.—
Thistlewood never moved a limb, nor did lie
turn, hut hung exactly as lie had previously
stood, lugs was much convulsed for some
seconds, tint, at the expiration of three mi-
mites, all earthly suffering seemed to be at
in end.
DECAPITATION OP TUT TRAITORS.
Half an hour after they had been turned
id', the order was given to cut the bodies
down. The executioner immediately ascen-
*i‘d the scaffold, and drew the legs of the
ifferers up nod placed the dead men who
were still suspended, in a sitting position,
with their feet towards Ludgnte-hiU. This
icing dnne, the platform was again put up ns
fore, and the culprits were brought out.—
He proceeded to cut Thistlewood down ;und
with the aid of an assistant, lifted the body
into tile first coffin, laying it on the hack, and
placing the head over the end of the colfin
so as to bring the neck on the edge of the
block.—The rope was then drawn from the
neck and the cap was removed from the
face. The last convulsions ofthe traitor had
thrown a purple hue over his countenance,
which give it. a most ghastly anil appalling
appearance, hut no violent distortion of fea
ture had taken place. When the rope had
been removed and the rout and waistcoat
forced down, so as to leave the neck expos-
d, a person wearing a black mask, which
xtenaud to his mouth, over which u colored
handkerchief was tied, Si his hat was slouch-
d down so as to conceal part of the mask,
mounted the scaffold with a small knife in
hiS hand, similar to what is used hy surgeons
in amputation, and advancing to the coffin,
>ro<\ rded to sever the head from the body.
When the crowd perceived the knife applied
n the throat of Thistlewood, they raised a
ihout, in which exclamations of horror and
of reproach were, mingled. The tumult seem
ed to disconcert the person in the mask for
a moment, but upon the whole, he performed
the operation with dexterity, and having haii-
d the head to the assistant executioner,
who waited to receive it, he immediately re
tired, pursued hy the bootings of the innh.
The assistant executioner iinmdmtely exhi
bited the head, and exclaimed with a loud
voice—“ This is the head of Arthur Thistle-
wood—a traitor!” A thrilling sensation was
produced bn the spectators, hy the display
of this ghastly object, and the hisses and
huntings of a purl of the mob were vehem
ently renewed.
The head was (hen placed at file foot of
the coffin, while (he body, before lifted up to
bring the neck on the block, was forced lower
down, and, this done, the head was again
taken out and put in its proper place, at the
upper end ofthe. colfin, which was left open.
The Mock was then moved hy the haug-
an, and placed at tin* head of the second
coffin. The cap and rope were removed
from the face and neck of Tidd. The same
livid hue w hich overspread the countenance
of Thistlewood, was perceptilhle. The coat
and waistcoat being pulled down, tiie masked
executioner again came forward. He was
received n ith groans and cries of“ Shoot the
murderer”—“ Bring out Edwards,” Air. lie
seemed less disconcerted than at first, and
performed the operation with great expedi
tion, and having handed the head to the per
son who had before received that of Thistle-
wood, he retired. The assistant executioner
then advanced to the side of tlu* scaffold from
which the former head was first exhibited,
exclaiming, “This is the head of Richard
Tidd, the traitor.”
The block was how removed to the third
coffin, and the body of Ings being cut down,
Was placed ill it with the face upwards. The
person in the mask again came forward, se
vered the head from the bod)', and retired
amidst the bootings ofthe crowd. The ;
sistant executioner proceeded to exhibit the
head from tile, three sides ofthe scaffold, ex
claiming, “ This is the head of James Ings,
the traitor I” The head eyas then placed in
the. coffin. The features of lugs were more
distorted than those of the other culprits.
The block being removed to the fourth
coffin, the body of Davidson was taken down
from the gallows, and the cap removed from
the face.—11 is face remained in death, exact
ly what it had been while he lived. The
mouth was a little open, hut no expression of
agony or change of colour could lie remark
ed. The body was placed in the fourth cof
fin, and the man in the mask having perform
dark hair which overhung his foreheads
came, in frightful contrast with the purple
hue produced hy the agonies of death. The
masked executioner, while performing his
duty, happened to let the head full from his
hands in the sawdust. The bowlings and
groans ofthe spectators were again heard at
that moment, and amidst these the operator
retired, having first handed the discoloured
trunkless 1*11,” to the assistant executioner,
who, advancing as in each ofthe other cases,
first to the side of the scaffold neurest to Uilt-
siiur street, then to the front, und lastly to
tlm side looking towards the felons' door,
proclaimed aloud, “ This is the head of John
Thomas Brunt, the traitor.” His head was
then placed in tiie colfin, and thus termina
ted the awful business of this memorable
day.
The execution occupied an hour mid eight
minutes.
The person who wore the mask, and who
performed the decollations, is the same per
son who beheaded Dcspard ami his associa
tes. In performing this dreadful duty, the
edge was turned hythe vertebrae of i’liistlc-
wood, ami two others became necssury to
enable him to finish his heart apnlliug task.
Tile coffins containing the remains of (lie
sufferers were left on the scaffold but lor a
few minutes after the sentence of tin* law
had been carried into effect. While there,
they continued open. At It o’clock they
were conveyed into the prison hy the Debt
or’s door, und the crowd began peaceably to
separate.
In consequence of the pressure of the per
sons congregated about the railings of St.
Sepulcher's Cureh-yard, some ofthe railings
were thrown down, and sixteen persons were
seriously injured. Two had their arms bro
ken, and one person his leg.
CONDUCT OF THE PRISONERS
DURING THE NIGHT, AND PREVIOUS TO THEIR AS-
. CENDfNO THE SCAFFOLD.
During nearly the whole, of tile night, the
wretched men slept sound, und w ere only
awakened by the unbarring of their cell
doors to admit the Reverend mid very de-
»out Ordinary, whose pious zeal to con
vert them from their avowed tenets of De
ism, pmtnped him to visit the jail in the
dead of the night.—Here he found them in
their separate cells, and wont to each, urg-
_ every pious argument to reclaim them to
the paths of Christianity. On Thistlewood,
Tidd, Ings, and Brunt, however, his argu
ments were unavailing ; but on Davidson,
his endeavours were crow ned with success, Ik
in the most fervant maimer this unfortunate
man joined in prayer with Mr. Cotton, for
mercy at the hands of his Redeemer. Tin
cells in which these delinquents were con
fined; though separated hy strong walls oi
stone, were not sufficiently detached to pre
vent them speaking to each other, and lug's,
speaking during the night ofthe approach
ing awful exhibition they were to make, re
marked to maither of Ins companions, with
savage disappointment, “thatthere would he
plenty of persons present, hut d- n Liu
, they had no pluck.”
At five o’clock this morning, Mr. Cotton
came again to the jail, and proceeded to the
condemned cells, w ilh tile hallowed elements
ofthe sacrament, which was administered
and received hy Davidson with the utmost
devotion. The Reverend Gentleman offer
ed the same means of redemption to the
other culprits, who, however, seriously r<
to Interrogate Thistlewood, and produced »\
written paper, on which he Mid, were threw
questions which lie wished to put to him*—»
He had come to the jail to do so yesterday!
but lie had been improperly prevented from
isoners, which he contended ho
grrt to sum*, were immovable in their infldcl-
r*t partook of the. wine offered to
ity.—Br
him, but only for tin* purpose of drinking th
King’:- health, w hich lie appeared to do cur
dially.—Davidson also drank his Majesty’s
health, and joined fervently in the prayer
for the King mid the Koval Family, which
is in the established Church Service.
Atil o’clock, breakfast was ordered for the
wretched man, and all hut Davidson, express
ed a desire that they might be allowed to
breakfast together, it was known, however,
that they wished to arrange and mature w hat
each should say upon the scaffold, ami there
fore Mr. Brown most prudently refrained
from complying with this request.
The awful hour now rapidly approached,
when they were to quit this world Pavid-
secing the prisoner,,
had a right to do; und he now presisted in hi*
interrogatories to Thistlewood, alleging tb%
propriety and rectitude of his conduct.
Mr. Sheriff Rothwell again interposed, ana
urged that it was highly improper and ex
ceedingly indecorous that the mind of the
unfortunate man, when he was standing on
the brink of eternity, should be disturbed by
questions respecting worldly affairs. The
unhappy man was in fact dead in law, and
this attempt to extract from him in his last
moment any particular declaration, was high
ly improper, and could be dictated only by an
improper motive.
Mr. Alderman Wood, again asserted his
right to interrogate the prisoner, and Mr.
Sheriff Parkins, in pursuance of his inclina
tion to oppose every measure of his colleague
backed the Alderman and seconded the al
leged right.
Mr. Alderman Wood then proceeded with
his interrogatories, in which, however, he
was Interrupted by Mr. Sheriff Rothwell,
w ho continued to remind him of the extreme
impropriety of such conduct. The Aider-
man proceeded, however, and again asked
Thisllewood when he first became acquaint
ed with Edwards.
Thistlewood replied that, lie first saw hint
in the early part of June last.
Mr. Alderman Wood then asked him
where he first became acquainted with him.
Thistlewood replied in an indistinct tone,
and in rather an agitated manner, “ At Pres
ton’s”— He was at first understood to mean
the tov.n of Preston, in Lancashier, hut. on
being asked to explain, he said “No, not
Preston in Lancashier ; Preston’s the Shoe
maker,” who, our readers will recollect, wa*
formerly indicted on a charge of high treason
with Watson, Thistlewood, and Hopper.
Mr. Alderman Wood then asked his third
question, which was, whether Edwin ■ had*
supplied him with any money P
Thistlewood answered, “a little inn j
one pound note at a time.”
This was the sum and substance of all tl.
passed, and the Alderman desisted from fur
ther questions, after Mr. Sheriff Rothwell
had expressed his determination to stop so
improper an interruption.
The irons of the culprits were then knock
ed off in succession. Thistlewood requested
Mr. Cotton to speak to him, but for no o-
ther motive than to request he would ob
serve tils conduct tiad been manly, and to
state that he was perfectly happy, and died
in peace with God.
The arrangements being completed, the
procession advanced through the dark pas
sages of the jail, led hy the Sheriffs and
Uiider-biieriffs. The Rev. Mr. Cotton came
next.
Thistlewood came next, with his eyes fix-
«d, as it were, in abstract thought, and ap
parently lost to his situation. A vucant and
unmeaning stare pervaded his countenance,
which seemed unmoved by the devotion of
the pious Ordinary.
Tidd walked next, and seemed somewhat
affected by Ids situation. He tried, howev
er, to assume ao indifference to his fate, and
was iicqucntly rallied by Ings, for Ids depres
sion.
lugs came next, and we must forever la
ment the hardihood with which lie approach
ed Ids fate, laughing without reserve, and u-
sing every forced effort to subdue the better
iVi'Iiugs of nature. which might ft mind him
of his awful situation.
Brunt, In fixed and hardened obduracy of
mind, next advanced, and with a sullen and
morose air of indifl’erenre, surveyed the of.
ficers who wen* conducting him to his fate.
The unhappy Davidson came last, with
clasped hands and uplifted eyes, praying
most dev outly ; and the officers of the" jail
closed tiie procession.
On their arrival at the lodge from which
the Debtor’s door leads to the scaffold, a
moment’s pause took place, w hile the dread
ful paraphernalia of death were adjusted
son continued to pray fervently to the mo- without. Thistlewood, who stood first clasp-
mrnt of his removal ; hut the other prison
rrs seemed totally unmoved hy their ap
proaching fate.
Each conversed freely with the officers
who had charge of them, severally and de-
arrd that this morning was the happiest of
their fives.—At length tile moment arrived
when they were to prepare for dentil, and
have the irons knocked off. Mr. sherift' Par
kins, itccoiiipincd hy their under sheriffs, Mr.
Turner ami Mr. Pullen, proceeded to the
pressyurd, following hy a group of gentle
men, among whom were Mr. Alderman
Wood and Mr. lhircombe.
Mr. Aide rman Wood, on first coming into
Mr. Brown’s office, on his arrival expressed
considerable indignation at his not being stif
fen d to commune witli the convict* when tie
called at Newgate yesterday, stating, that
the jail was no longer under the direction of
the city hut under that of Lord Sidmontll.—
Orders had been liu st prupeily issued from
tiie secretary of state’s officeTo suffer no one
to see these convicts, unless hy a properly
authenticated order ; and with this pruden
tial k very necessary precaution, the worthy
Alderman was much displeased, from mo
tives and objects which his subsequent con
duct most fully explained.
On the arrival of the Sheriffs and their at
tendants, in the press yard, the culprits were
brought out, and from the dtsperation evin
ced by the four whom we have already men
tioned, it was deemed prudent their arms
linulil he pinioned in tin* usual way before
moments to |j vc ; I | u ,p„ y t
world I died a sincere friend to liberty.
c “ Uiw* e*a»»
was enclosed by
Ings now addressed himself to a person in
;tof thasciiffidd, who was taking notes,
Bv four o'clock, the bar which had previ-1 and said, “l 6iv.au enemy to all tyrants.”—
nuglv been bounded but by one rank of spec-1 Recollect put that down I”
tatou was enclosed by a second, amUlic as- Brunt Was the last that came out. Ik
ed his part, the head was exhibited as the their irons were struck oil'. This ceremony
others had been, with the exclamation, “ this j was scarcely completed, and Thistlewood
is the head of William Davidson, the trai-! had scarcely advanced to the block to have
tor.”—Little or no blood had fallen fiom ' the shackles which bound his legs struck off.
the other heads, hut from this it fell profuse-j vvt.en he was addressed hy Mr. Alderman
ly. Thu hisses and groans of the crowd Wood, who thought tit at this awful mo-
were repeated on this occasion, while the j ment, to stop the last offices of justice, and
head was deposited in the coffin, which con- j to ask him “ when he first became acqunint-
taiued the sufferer’s body. J cd with Edwards?’
The executioner and his assistant now Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, in a mild and corn-
proceeded to cut down the last of the suf- pluceul tone, expressed his surprize that a
ferers—Brunt.—He was placed in the fifth man tike the worthy Alderman should ihus
coffin. His countenance presented a ghaut- interrupt tiie awful proceedings that vv wt
ly spectacle, while he was alive: but dead,, then cuing on
i d liis lips, and with a frown surveyed from
the door-way in which he stood, the i win!
preparations for his fate. In a m< ment
they were completed, and he left the jail for
ever.
While the executioner was peiforming'hia
last offices without, to this wretched man,
tbe scene within the Lodge was almost be
yond the power of description. The dread
ful obduracy of Brunt and Ings filled with
horror the Email assemblage of persons, a-
mong whom they stood. Ings, with a har
dihood almost indiscribahle, sucked an or
ange, with which Mr. sheriff Parkins had
provided him, as well as all the other pris
oners, and screamed in a discordant voice,
“ Oh ! give me death or Liberty.” Brunt
rejoined “ aye ! to he sure. Itis better to
die free, than to live slaves
A gentleman in the Lodge, now admon.
ished them to consider their approaching
fate, and to recollect the existence of a Dei
ty, info whose supreme presence a few min
utes would usher them.
Brunt exclaimed, “ I know there is a
God!” and lugs added, “ Yes, to he sure; nnd
I hope lie will be more merciful to us than
they are here.”
Tidd, who had stood in silence, was now
summoned to the scaffold. He shook hands
with all hut Davidson, who had separated
himself from the rest.
Ings again seized Tidd’s hand at the mo
ment he was going out, and exclaimed, with
a burst ol laughter, “Give us your hand Good
bye ?”
A tear stood in Tidd’s rye, and his lips
involuntarily muttered, “ My wife and—!”
Ings proceeded—“Come my old cock of
wax keep up your spirits, it all will be ovet
soon.”
Tidd immediately squeezed his hand,
and rushed towards the stairs leading to the
scaffold. In his huradLthis foot caught the
bottom step, wdjtCltumbled. He reco
vered himself, in an instant, and
rushed upon the scaffold, where he was hn-
mediately received with three cheers from
the crowd, in vvFifth lie made a faint (
its aspect was little h** than terrific, and thij Alderman Wood persisted Ip his endeavor to join, but tbe thoughts of his situation, wft
