The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-17 00:00:00

EXECUTION.

Since the warrant for the execution of the law upon Peter Nea-
don, William Leach, and William Jones, arrived at Newgate, the
moat indefatigable exertions have been made to obtain a communi-
tion of the dreadful sentence, both by the friends and prosecutors
of the culprits, it having been ascertained, almost beyond a doubt,
that the offences of which they had been convicted were the first
they had committed during their lives, and, up to the moment they
engaged in the desperate acts for which they were doomed to suffer,
that they bore irreproachable characters. The case of the unhappy
men, Neadon and Leach, is of a very peculiar nature. Neadon,
who was about 211 years of age, was by trade a painter and glazier,
and respectably connected. Ilia unfortunate companion, Leach,
was 24 years of age, and a very fine -youag man, by trade a carpen-
ter ; his friends have many years resided in Finchley and ita neigh-
bourhood, and are also respectable. It has been discovered that
although these wretched men actually committed the crime for
which they suffered (attacking and rubbing a grazier, in the
green lane between Finchley and Southgate, and leaving him for
dead), they were the dupes of two desperate London thieves, into
whose company they unfortunately fell on the night of the robbery,
which they concocted, but urged Neadon and Leach to'commit it,
alleging that they were too well known. After they had plundered
the grazier, these two men cot' their dupes, and having obtained
the whole of the booty, decamped without sharing it with them.
William Jones. the other unhappy culprit, also bore an excellent
character. It will be recollected, he was capitally convicted for
breaking and entering the house of the Hon. W. H. Stanhope.
This was Mao proved to be his first offence, and nothing can exceed
the exertions oC the Honourable prosecutor to save the life of the
unfortunate youth, in which lie was joined by his friends and
relatives. The Honourable Gentleman's endeavours were not in
vain ; his appeA reached the proper quarter, and the Royal cle-
mency was bestowed on the malefactor. A respite reached New-
gate on Monday evening about seven o'clock, but it was not corn.
munilated to the Wretched individual till yesterday morning, who,
on hearing This life bad been so humanely preserved, fell on his
knees, and offered up a prayer to his Saviour. lie was so overcome
at the intelligence that he could scarcely stand.
At about three o'clook on Monday afternoon the parents and
friends of Neadon and Leach were permitted to take a last farewell
of their unhappy relatives, The scene between Neadon and his
mother was heart-breaking indeed, as was also the meeting of Leach
with his mother. Upon their friends leas in them to meet their
doom. Leac'i burst into tears, and cried aloud, " This is hard in-
deed." On Monday night Ncadon orete two letters, one to his
mother, and the other to a respectable young female to whprn he
was about to be married.

Yesterday morning, about sia o'clock, the culprits were visited in
their cells by Mr. Baker. He found them both in earnest prayer,
and they appeared to be consoling each other. Ile remained with
them for some time, when the Rev. Gentleman was joioed by the
Rev. Mr. Cotton, the Ordinary of Newgnte, both of whom con-
tinued in prayer with them till seven, when the Sacrament was
administered. This ceremony scented to affect young Leach very
much indeed. Ile wept much, and wan obliged to be supported by
Ale Baker: after this he appeared more composed, and betook
blniself to prayer with hi, wretched companion.
About a quarter before eight o'clock, the Sheriffs, Messrs.
Crowder and Kelly, attended by their Under Sheriff's, arrived at
the prison, and were conducted by Mr. Wontner, the Governor,
into the convalescent room in the gaol. Every thing being ar-
ranged, the culprits here brought forth. Neadon came in tint,
led by the Tier. Orefinnry. Ile appeared very dejected. The
officers having seemed his wrists and arms, he was led to the
culprits•' form, where he sat till his companion, Leach. was
brought in. Ills entrance was announced by his loud sobbing,
which he continued the whole of the time of his being pinioned.
The awful preparations being completed, Neadcn walked up
first, whilst his companion remained below, in prayer with Mr.
Baker. In a few minutes after Leach went up the step firmly.
At the moment the bolt was drawn, Leach made an effort, as it
were, to save.himself, by placing one of his feet on the edge of the
drop, but he could not keep It there, and his body became sus.
pended. This act must certainly have caused him much torture,
as it brae his fall, and the two executioners were obliged to hang
to his legs for full five minutes before he ceased to struggle. Na.
don seemed to die instantly. The bodies remained hanging till
nine o'clock, wbm►.they woc• cut 4WD, ty4 dditttlted. to their
friends.