The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-02-16 00:00:00

SOUTH AMERICA.

Some late numbers of the Lima Gazette, to the Ist of
Octooer, were on t'tatunlay received. The hallowing
Decree shewa that the Ex-President, Rica Aguero, still
held out against the authority of the existing Government
of Liana, and that the first task assigned to Bolivar, the
liberator, was to crush the rebellious party which he

" The constituent Congress of Pero, in consideration of the oh-
vinate resistance of the Ex-President, 1)on Josi. de la Rica
Ague's), by which, despising the generous offers of conciliation
which hare been made him tl.rotigh the mediation of the deliverer
(Bolivar), he endeavours to excite anarchy, figh:s against his
country, and thus prevents the body of the army ►rom combating
with the common enemy, has decreed as follows :-
1 " That the deliverer, in venue of the supreme power with which
the Col.l[Mil has entrusted him, may proceed in preference to attack
the proscribed Riva-Aguero, employing torte and all other mean■
that he might think effective, to extinguish altogether the Anarchy
thus existing.
" The Minister of War will see to the execution of this Decree.
" Signed by the President of the Congress and the President of
the Republic, " JOSE BERNARIX.),
" T.IGLE."

The same paper contains a despatch from General Santa
Cruz, dated Sepita, in Arequipa, August 28, claiming a
brilliant victory over the Spanish General Valdez on the
preceding day. By this success a great tract of country is
said to be frets' front the iron sceptre of flail?. Spanish ty-
rants ; and the loss of the rich provinces which composed
it, is described as a mortal blow to the Peninsular army,
hich they supplied with provisions and enriched with
treasure. The following is an abridgment of the despatch
in which Santa Cruz details his success :—Learning that
Valdez was approaching with 1,1400 men, be ordered Co-
lonel Cations, who was at Pomata, to fall back upon the
I)esaguatlero, and he himself procaasled thither from his
bead-quarters at Viacha, followed by the battalions of
chaaseurs, and by the conquerors of Pechincha, and a
squadron of hussars. Iht the 23e1 Santa Cruz arrived at
the bridge on the Dtsaguadero. where hr remained
on the defensive, till, on the 2tth and 25th, being
joined by the corps which he expected, and a column
of 1,300 men, of different arms, he marched to meet
the enemy, whom he expected to find at time town of Sepita,
which he occupied, leaving the bridge defended by two
pieces of cannon, and two companies of each battalion.
The van-gur.rd of Santa Cruz came up with the enemy
after two hours march, but owing to some delay in the ad-
I vance of the rest of die troops, he had time to retire. In
the neighbourhood of the town, the enemy waited the Pe-
ruvian force, and Santa Cruz determine) to attack hint,
though a third inferior as to numbers. The Peruvian line
Was exit nded on a plain, having the battalion of the Legion
on the right, the 4th on the centre, and the Chasseurs on
the left. The battalion " The Victors" formed the
reserve ; the third squadron covered the right, and the
second the left; and the two pieces occupying the centre,
kept up a well-conducted tire. The enemy withdrew his
cavalry, in number 404), to the rear, and placing his artil-
lery on an eminence, relied to ours. His infantry, 1,400
strong, extended on the declivities, where alone they thought
they could tight. IVben attacked by the Republicans in
these positions the Spaniards at first thought they had the
advantage, and descended into the plain, where they were
totally routed. The result of the victory was 100 Spaniards
and 181 taken prisoners, besides 240 muskets, 62
horses, &c. The Peruvians had only 28 killed and 84
wounded.

We have received from our correspondents in Lima, 11
advice' to the 4th October. After the battle of Sepita, the
vanquished forces under Valdez fell back upon those of,
La Serra, and both retired before General Santa Cruz,'
along the defile, between the lake of Chuquitos and the 1
Andes, towards Puno. But by the advance of General
Sucre to Puno, which place he had nearly reached, from
Arequipa, when the latest advicrs were received from him,',
it was expected that La Serna mid Valde would be en-
compassed by greatly superior forces, under circumstances,
and in a position, which scarcely allowed of any altcrua- 1
tive but to eur.vider or be destroyed.

‘"

HUNT'S CONFESSIOA.

(Continued team last Monday's Briilai Pras.l

g

After dinner Probert said, " Hare you gm every thing yen *ant,
Jack ?" " No," answered John Thurtell, " We must send Joe
fur a six-bushel sack, • hank of cord, and the horse and chaise."
Pmbert said, " We must have amine punch, Jack, before you start,
and we must order it directly; because It will not do for you to keep
him waiting." It was agreed that J. Thurtell was to start first,
and Probert and me were to follow him in about three-quarters of
an hour. I wished to stop and take some punch, but Probers told
me I had better be off, and get the things toe Jack, and as we were
M remain for three-quarters of an hour, we could have some punch
towhee after he was gone. Besides these things, I was sent by
Thomas Thurtell to get a box-coat belonging to him, which was at
Mr. Cribb's, in Pantos-street ; and also with a note to the man who
was in possession at the Cock, for • coat and red 'heel of Jobe
Thurtell's, which were left in his room. This red shod was the
same which John Thurtell had round his head when he toteaded
to destroy Woods, in Manchester-buildings, and which was after-
wards found round the neck of Mr. Weave.
I went to Probates, the ttable-keeper, to hire a horse and chaise—
' they had no chaise but they lent me a horse, and I got a chaise at
Mr. Cross's. It Itid been previously mange(' that I should say
I was going to Dartford, and I did so. I then went to Bucking.
fan's, in Brondoitreet, and there bought a sack and • hank of
egad also to Cribb's, for the box.criat, but as he was not at home
I could not get it. I then went to the Cork, and on delivering the I
mite, got the great coat and red shawl, and drove to remelt's.
When I returned into the room, I found several persons who were
strAngers to me had joined the Thurtells and Probert ; I therefore'
called Probert and John Thurtell into the passage, and told them
every thing was ready, and showed them the sack, which Probert
examined anti said, " I am sure this is not a six-bushel sack—this
will not be large enough fur him, Jack." Thurtell answered,
Never mind, Bill, we must make shift with it ; we have no time
to lose." And he further remarked, " What a fool my
1 brother Tom is, to have a parcel of people here at a time like this.'
Probett said, it was a foolish thing, but he was sure Toni did not
expect any person, aod as they were come to serve him about his
bail, he could not well deny himself. Thurtell then said, " Walk
never mind, let them stop and be 4—d; I must be off. You go
into the room, Bill, and bring tee Tom's drab great coat." Pro.
hert went arid fetched it accordingly, John Ulundi ctnticored
shawl round his nett, mil the drub rag. Nat et, sod ' seedy
to marl. be abed l'tobset to ser.pisyllia %ha IW. which be Ist
him have to take up a bill a few dada before, out of the mow be
which I had sold a horse to a Mr. Nmeock; and Thurtell salt In
must have it or a pert of It, because be had no money. Praise
said, he would let him have part then, and the rest next week, but
he had no money himself, and must therefore borrow it of Cheeks
Tetuan, the landlord. Ile accordingly borrowed some money of
Mr. Tenuill, and gave it to ?lmen, but how much I cannot say.
Joh, Thurtell told Probort not to be long after him, and got into
the gig, aid drove off. After Thurtell was gone, Probert and my.
self weal into the room and had some punch, and in about three-
quarters of an hour Probert desired 3lr. Tetsall's son to bring his
horse and chaise to the door. He then left the room. and in *bon; I
live minutes returned, ing, " Hunt, the chaise is ready."
wished the company goodnight, got into the gig, Probert followed,
and we drove oft: In Oxfued.etreet, I gut out and bought a loin of
pork at the desire of Probert. We then went on to a Mr. Ilarding'x,
a publican in the Edgeware-road, where we had some brandy and
wata, and again started. On our getting near the Bald-faced
Stag, Probert wished that I should get out and walk on, saying that
he would soon overtake me. _ . _

It was not at my desire, on account of the horse cloths, as Pro-
best stated at the inquest, for so far from my wishing to avoid the
people of the house, I on the following morning stopped there to
breakfast with Thomas Thurtell and Proberes boy. I had never
been at the house but once, and that was to a supper at the invita-
tion of Probert; and the cloths were not lent to me, hut borrowed
by Probert for a friend of mine named Morgan ; and I went away,
leaving John Thurtell and Probert there. While they were in this
house on that occasion, John Thurtell ibught with three country.
men, and they afterwards told me that in the confusion they robbed
one of the countrymen of his watch, which Diemen pawned for
twenty-five shillings somewhere in London, and they divided the
money between them.
At Edgewsre we stopped at a eornehandlees, and ?rotten got out
to purchase corn. While he was in the shop I saw Thurtell and
Weare pen. When Probers came nut, I told him they were gone
by, and we went on to Field's. the Artichoke, at lilstree, where we
waited in expectation of their passing us again, and had three or
four glasses of brandy and water. At last the chaise with Thine)!
and Wears passed the house, and Protect nudged met, and whis-
°them they go,-we must be after them.' Field, 'the
about this time, brought us another shilling's worth of
brandy and water, and, on my expressing say anxiety 10 be err
Probert Newer mind, we shall be time enough; for as their
horse is a hired horn, he must Ire nearly knocked up, and; asters
is fresh, we shall men overtake them" M'e linished our brandy
and wares, and then Probes set sent a gallop in the same threads*
they had gone, sod, en awning at a place where a road brmaihies
off; and which l now know te rear Mr. Phillimore's bodge; tut

which I wax then totally unacquainted with, as I had never ban
that road before, Probers acid—•• You get out here, and I yin go
on to the cottage, and fee if Jack is there. and if all ik right.
••
accordingly got out, and Probert went on with the hone and
chaise as hard as he could dawn the lane.

In our
was expo

down, Probers frequently alluded to the money that
to be found upon % sad his apprehensions leest
tt
---614-a4ll-14: loomoialt klejs4e Isinessiab Ado led&
"-Wiinow Jack ii a very determined wfow, sod is sure to des the
trick; but if he don't do the thing that is right by giving us our
share, we shall be sure to learn from the newspaper what amount
he takes, and we shall know how to act heeeafter. After an ab-
sence of near an hour, Probert comeback tie the spot where he had
left me, and directly he wan within hearing, he began singing
" Bright chanticleer proclaims the dawn, die.' and when I got
into the chaise, he said, " It is all over, Jack has killed him 1"
(meaning Thurtell had killed Wearm—" I have seen Jack, and
Jack has shown me the murdered satin's hunting watch." 1 said,
" Ile must have been at your place some time " Oh yes," re-
plied Pmhert, " at least an hour, for his horse and chaise are put
up, and the horse dressed ; but Jack tells me the man had not got
so much mor•ey as he expected."
On our arriving at the cottage, Thurtell was leaning against the
stable door, and l'robcrt's lad was cleaning down his horse. Pro-
ben sent me into the kitchen with the loin of pork, anti told me to
desire the cook to deers it for supper, while he went into the stable
to Thurtell. In about ten mutates they came to me in the kitchen,
and we all went into the parlour, where Probers introduced me to
his wife, saying, •• This is my friend Hunt, of whom you have so
often heard me speak as being so good a singer ; and I have
brought him down to entertain you.' After a little time had
passed, Prober told his wife that aline supper was getting ready,
it would be better fur us to get out of her wey,and we should there-
fore go to the stable and see to the putting up of the horses. We
accordingly went to the stable, and Probert sent the boy into the
kitchen, and told hint to stop here till he gave hint further orders.
Directly the boy left us together, Thurtell showed me the gold
watch and appendages, and then he, Probert and myself, took the
lanthorn from the stable, and went across a ploughed field, in order
to search for the body of the deceased. As we were proceeding to
the spot, J. Thurtell said that he had got AVenre'spurse which had
only two or three sovereigns in it, but that he did not have dme to
search thoroughly for the other money.
On mooing the ploughed field, we eansedirectly upon the body,
which was lying near the hedge on the inside, and there was a gap
in the hedge, which had evidently been made by dragging the body
through it. The head and face were covered with .fhursclrs red
shawl, which also appeared to be tied sound the neck of the de-
ceased. 1 held the lanthorn, and Peahen held up the body, under
the arms, while John Thurtell rifled the pockets. Nothing was
found while I was present, except four ii. beak notes, which were
taken by Thurtell from the trowsers pocket of the deceased :—these
were folded together carelessly, and not inclosed in any purse or
pocket-book. Thurtell and Probert expressed themselves as being
much disappointed. and I also joined in similar expressioas; but
1 hate now reason to believe thm either one or both of them must
have deceived me es to the money found on the deceased, because
it was not likely IlleWeare would hare brought so small a sum
down, considering the object he had in views nor was it probable
that he would carry his noise loam, when he had a silk note-case in
his possession. This note-ease bad bees taken by Thurtell from
the deceased before Probert and me arrived; and besides how
should he have been able to mil Preheat that the man had not so
mach money about him as he expected, unless he had then made a
complete search. lly opinion Is, that he had got the money, and
kept it in his own possession, except the 201. which he put into the
pocket as a blind to us; and I ant the more continued in this opi-
also because he afterwards hail plenty, of money, and has boasted
that he could give 24101. to get witnesses to clear him.
After the searching was finished, the body was put into the sack
I had purchased. and which Probert had brought from the chaise,
and when it was secured, we consulted as to how long it was to be
' left :here, lied it was arranged that the deceased wit- not to be ee-
lmoved until after the women should be gone to bed, and then the
horse wan to be taken to fetch the body to the garden ; so that it
might be thrown into the pond until a convenient opportunity offer-
ed to bury it.
The billowing is the account J. Thurtell gave us of the circum-
stances attending the actual commission of the murder:—
•• tin reaching Tyburn.ttimpike. I found Weare waiting for one
in the coach-sl saw his head lookim; rut of the window. As we
were going along the dark lane, IVeare said to me. • lit—n my eyes,
Jack, here's a pretty place to cut a man's throat, if you want to
get rid of him !' Presently after 1 said to hint, • I have missed the
Lodge gates-1 must have peered then.' rhen 1 turned the horse
about, and followed your advice Probert, by telling hint how nice
' the country looked that way;
. this induced him to turn in the direc-
tion I pointed, and I shot hi through the head, but I have had a
great deal of trouble to kill him. I :over had so notch trouble to
kill a man in all my life. tor at one time he had nearly got the best
of me ; for after I had discharged my pistol at hint he jumped out
of the gig and ran; I followed, and he fought with um till I
knocked him down with the pistol, and be then struggled with me
with great resolution. and &lustily got me undermost. While,
however, I was in this situation, I took out my penknife, and cut
his throat, and in so doing I broke the blade of my knife. The
blood rushed from hint in large quantities, and some got down my
throat and ueerly choked me: at lea when his strength failed him
by the loss of blood, I got up. }festal lay and groaned fora short
time, but I soon stopped that by tying my large red handkerchief
i wood the throat, and drawing him through the hedge. In
the struggle I have unfortunately lust my penknife and the onto!,
. and we must endeavour to find them, lest they should be picked up
; by somebody, and create an alarm."
Prober said it was no use to look for them that night, but he
would go early in the morning and find then ; and it would be
I better tOr him to look for them, because, as he was known to all the
people about, no suspicion would be created by his being in the
lane. and he could take the deg. out with him as an excuse.
' On sewn:trig to the ommge we bad some brandy, and thou John

41-

Thurtell drew the watch and chain Portl his pocket, and took off
elle chain, and said to Mrs. Probert, " This belonged to a little
, Quahetes, a sweetheart of mine at Norwich ; but as I have turned
her up, I must beg of you to keep it for my sake." He then placed
the chain round her neck :—she received it very cordially, and pro-
mised never to part with it.
I omitted to mention a eirenmstunee communicated to me about
a month before Mt. Weare's murder, and which this allusion to j
the Quakeress brings to my recollection :—it is this, " I was, " said
John Thurtell, open terms of intimacy with a Quaker'sfamily
at Norwich, and privately pdid my addresses to the daughter, who
was, I believe, very fond of the, until • young man who was a
friend of the family, and a pretended friend of mine, told the
father that I was a profligate bad character, and ought not to be
permitted to visit at their house. The old gentleman told his
wife, and she communicated what passed to the daughter, and
the girl mentioned it to me. I soon after served him out for his
treachery; I took hint out with me in my boat, under pretence of
dishing, but I took care he was never afterwards heard of." But
to return to my narrative.
After we had finished our supper, and commenced taking our
grog or mixed liquor, Probers said to his wife, " You think me a
good singer, Betsy. but you must hear my friend Mr. Hunt. who
will sing you a song about Betsy, a favourite song of mine." They
repeatedly pressed me.'and I sung the song he wished : I afterwards
sung another—Probert a'so sung, and Thurtell endeavoured to
sing, but could not get through the song he attempted. About
twelve o'clock Mrs. Prohert was forward in liquor ; Prubert told
her that as he had me there, he intended to sit up and enjoy him.;
self. Miss Nora should therefore get us the glasses and another
bottle of rum, and they had better go to bed. :Hiss Noyes accoed-;
ingly went away with Mrs. Pmbert, who at the time she left the,
ron.tu, said, " I suppose you will make a drunken bout of it, and ,
I shan't disturb you. "r hurtell said, •• Yes, you may expect to
see your Billy come up to bed drunk enough.' In a little while
after the women w-re gone to bed, Thurtell said, "we may as
weal look and see is there is any chattel about the money, and he
examined the tour notes, but there were no marks upon them.
John Thurtell now produced • small silk note-ease, such as is
generally carried by sporting men, with different divisions in it for
their notes ; this was examined, but it contained only Mr. We're 's
shooting licence, and a few loose memorandums: these, together
with the memorandums, were burnt. He next brought out a
brawn silk purse, in which there were three sovereigns, and some
silver; this purse also was burnt, and likewise a small betting--
book.- l'he money was then divided between us, by Thurtell
giving Prubert and me a five pound note and a sovereign each,
and reserving the remainder to pay for the horse sad chaise, and
; the other expenses.
When Prober received his share he held out his hand, and Raid,
" This is a bad look out—this is hardly worth coming down for,
Jack."

_
Thurtell answered, " It cannot be helped ; I thought, Bill, we
should have had a hundred or two at the least, but we must now
make the best of it we can. This watch you must recollect, Bill,
will fetch twenty or thirty pourielad'—" Very true," said Prober.
" and the gun, if it is good for any thing, will fetch ten pounds ;
and then addressing me, he said, •, Go Hunt, and fetch the gun,
and all the other things, and leis see ;hat they are worth." I ac.'
cordingly went into the stable and brought the gun, a small box,
and a travelling hag. Prober looked at the gun, and said, •• This
is one of Manton a make ; it will bring at least 101." He then laid
hold of the box, and said to Thurtell. " This is the backgairinion
board you were speaking of, Jack."—" Yes," said Thurtell,
that is the board to pick ups flat with." Probcrt said. " Come, I
Jack, let's open the bag, there may be some money In that."
Thurtell then took out of his pocket a handsome penknife, which
he said he had taken from Mr. Weate's coat-pocket, and cut the
bag open while Probert held it up. The bag contained some linen,
several waistcoats, and a shooting dress; also, two pair of dice,
which I understood were loaded, and two or three packs of false
cards. One pack or the cards Probert kept, the others were put
again into the bag with the linen. Probert also took a yellow silk
handkerchief, which was marked with Mr. M'eare's name, and
Probert burnt out the mark over the candle. After this division, it
was proposed to go and fetch the body, and accordingly we all
three went to the stable, and the bridle being put on Thurtell's
horse, he and l'robert went across the ploughed field, while I re.
mained near the house to ace that all was quiet, and if I found any
one stirring, to give an alarm, and prevent their being seen on
their return. In a short time they came back, Thurtell leading
the hone, and Probert holding the body, so as to keep it across the
hone without falling. The horse was led into the garden near to
the pond, and the body was there thrown front the horse's back into
the green sward by the side of the pond, when Thurtell observed,
that the body would not sink unless some stones or something
heavy, was put into the sack whereupon Probert., said he would
get sane of the liege flints from his shrubbery, and he accordingly
went and brought several large stones, which were put into the sack,
and the body was thrown, with a tieing, by Thurtell and Probert,
into the pond. Before the body was thrown in Probert said the
feet would probably rise up, unless something was done to keep
them under water, and to prevent it he tied one end of a string to
the dead man's legs, and kept the other on the bank, and when the
body was sunk he drew the string so as to keep the legs down, and
fastened the end to a particular spot by the pond side, where he
said he could readily find it, and draw the body ashore whenever
he wished.
After the body was thus disposed of we returned into the par-
lour, and Probert said he would go up stairs, and see if his old
woman was asleep.; ha remained absent a few piinutes, and on his:
return we entered Into conversation, and sat Molting until about 'I
twoo'cludt, when Probert left us and went to bed, lo the ;Qum.
Mr. Probett 11161d,"There casino( be a better
place in the world than this to get rid of that b—y thief, Holding ;
you know how he has robbed me, Jack, and it will be way tem.
bim here, and finish him is this parlour, and as you know I malt
soon leave this cottage, it roust be done quickly." Thurtell said,
" You have only to say the word, Bill, and it Is done." Tines
ends the hiNtory of this eventful night.