The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-14 00:00:00

DEATH-WARRANTS.

There is scarcely any popular opinion more erroneous
than that which has obtained, almost universally, relating
to the mode in which the order is intde for the necutims
of criminals who are sentenced to death at the (lid Bailey
Sessions. It is generally believed that on these sad occasions
it is necessary that the King should aMx his sign-manual
to a death-warrant, as it is usually termed : that is met the
feet. Those who are better informed as to the laws of
their country, are aware that no such invidious duty de-
volves on the Sovereign—he signs pardons, but not death-
warrints: in truth, there is no such thing as a death-war-
rant, in the common acceptation of the term. The law of
the land swards the punishment of death upon those who
shall be guilty of certain crimes; and it is well known
that no report is made to the King, of prisoners capitally
convicted at the Assizes, unless the Judge thinks fit to do
so. In London and Middlesex it is otherwise, except on
convictions for murder ; and then the order of the Court
is sufficient warrant for the Sheriffs to execute. At a cer-
tain period after die termination of the Old Bailey Sessions,
it is the duty of the Recorder of London to pi:adult to the
Lord Chancellor a report of time capital c invicts, which•is
subsequently laid before the King in Calmed, and there
the respective cases are discussed and decided upon: the
result is communicated immediately to the Sheriffs, in an
order signed by the Recorder, and sealed with black wax,
setting forth the names of al! the prisoners, and ordering
the execution of certain individuals, and expressing that
the rest are respited during his Majesty's pleasure.—
Thus, in point of fact, the report is male foi the benevo-
lent purpose of affording the Sovereign an opportunity of
ascertaining how many of the lives of the wretched con-
victs can be saved, ecesistm ntly with the duty which he
owes to the welfare of society ; and not for the purpose
of his ordering what number of them shall suffer death.
1 here have been occasions wherein the personal feelings
of the King would have inclined him to spare the life of
an individual: but the genial sent-meat of the Privy
Council has been so decidedly adverse, as to discourage
the interposition of the Royal clemency. Au instance oc-
curred since the accession of hie present Majesty, when
exertions almost without a parallel were made on behalf of
• person under sentence of death for forgery, whose previous
character had been exemplary, and whose family and con-
nexions were highly respectable. Noblemen and gentle-
men of rank put forth their utmost powers of intercession.
Mr. —, a much respected member of Parliament, obtained
a private interview with the King, to whom his Majesty
observed, that he had never witnessed such interest as had.
been made in the case referred to, and that he was cordially
disposed to sive the unhappy man from an ignominious
death, but it could not be effete& fur there was not a
single hand in the Council held up in his favour ; thus the
law was left to take its caurse. His Majesty, under sub
circumstances, however humane his feelings. could not, as
a Constitutional King, consistently exercise his prerogative
of mercy in direct opposition to the unanimous opinion ot
his legal advisers.

EMPLOYMENT or THE POOL—The large sums of
mom y which are unemployed in this kingdom, and rho
small interest obtained for those invested, will, we hope,
suggs.st some undertaking before the ensuing winter th.:
will afford employment to the labouring classes. The im-
provement of the roads, by reducing hills, cutting oft el-
bows, and adding to their width where opportunity may
allow, will no doubt be resorted to, as there are but few
parishes where such objects do not prescnt thetuselves ;
but it is inland navigation, that vast source of wealth, which
we look up to with the ....remotest confidence. In this respect,
we arc most sanguine that if such an undertaking as an cm.-
' tension of the navigable canals were set on foot, it would
be supported by an immediate subscription of the sum re-
quired, and we exhort that class from whom the exampl.:
is expected not to lose sight of so important and effectual
an antidote for that quackery which is daily sent fortii
under the specious pretence of sympathy for the sufferings
of the poor, the sole Ojeet of the writers however be:ng
too frequently that of creating dissatisfaction.—Biths.:
Traveller.
GENERAL ELECTION.—The Tory interest of the county
of Bedford feel disposed to try another exertiott of th_ir
power, to counteract, if possible, the present existing Whig
influence, so far as affects one member at least. The town
also feels a similar inclination to emancipate themselves from
the control they have so long submitted to by the once pa-
pular family. We are fully satisfied nothing can shake the
Bedford interest for either s.-at. Mr. Pyin, front age, may
possibly decline any active and determined oppesition ;
but we shall be surprised if the county should make choice
of a gentleman, however rtspectable he might be, so little
known from property and less from fau.ily. The Tory
aristocracy, as well u the Whig party, can never submit
to such rum innovation upon the establishes' rule and prin-
ciples of county representation. We cannot trace on what
ground the gentleman urges his pretensions to this desired
honour. Whether it is his own merits, or the promised
support of a lou" dormant influence, we know but.
We have heard the person who Oren himself is a
Colonel NI-Queen, the present M. P. for List Loo,
hsrdly known in the county, anti we cannot but express
our doubts as to time fact of his offering himself a candi-
date. Though the report is actively circulated, and some
credit given to the rumour, much is to be attributed to the
want of proper conciliation and respect from that faintly,
once so deservedly popular. They have perhaps forgotten
that _ .

" The angry Barge* boards his tale,
Till that bteued year when whn vote may raiL"
There is something so impolitic and offensive in the negle4
and indifference felt by their former political friends, that
thy are determined to resent this want of attention. We
cannot however avoid expressing our deep concern at this
acknowletl;.;ed hostility, wising front inconsiderate inattsn-
lion, and hope that it may not be teo late to ITC3TiT their
former popularity, by prudent conciliation, and that proper
means are yet to b: adopted, to prevent all the unpleasatt
consequences of a contested election. Let the party act
promptly, and all may yet be secure in their favour.—
Evening Paper. •
SHOPLIFTING.—At pollee-office yesterday,
two Lame, named Hartnett and Early, were ober/ .1
with an attempt at shoplifting. One of the city patrol
stated, that about eight o'clock in the morning, he saw the
prisoners lurking about the shop window of Mr. Wire, a
hairdresser and perfumer in Newgate-street ; he watched
them, and after several minutes they went away ; on going
to the window the winters found a piece of glass eat out,
and he acquainted Mr. B.err of the circumstance, hut it
appeared that nothing was missing ; they had endeavoured
to get out a large tortoise-shell comb, but the hole in eie
glass was too small. The witness then followed the pri-
soners along Chcspside, and on their way they tried several
shop windows, hut did not succeed in their intentions ; ha
took them into custody when they got as far as the Man-
sion-house, and on searching them there was found on
Early a small steel instrument, used by shoplifters in cut-
ting panes of glass. The prisoners were remanded.
(hi Tuesday looming, about ten o'clock, as John May.
nard, a Custom-house waterinau, about sixty years of
age, was rowing his wherry under London-aritt,te, a
barge, which was passing at the time, ran foul of the
wherry and upset it; Maynard was drowned. •
On *Friday last, a woman, apparently in great distress,
applied to the stable-keeper of sir. Webb, of this town, to
allow her to rest herself in the stable, and that he would
procure her a little water ; he, good-naturedly pitying her
case, accordingly allowed her to sit down, and humanely
went foe the water, but to his great eurprise, on his return,
he found the woman had decamped. Now, our friend, the
borsekeeper, had a hubby of his own, and while others
sport their hobbies in large whiskers, eurplusses. Bolchet
handkerchiefs, anal the like distinguishing 'narks of the
stable, he swelled a smart blue plush waistcoat, elegantly
studded with silver sixpences of the new •chool. fur buttons.
These buttons, it appears, had excit,sl the wouran's
cupidity; for our friend the housekeeper, on going to the
pocket of his smart plush waistcoat shortly after for his
knife, discovered that the ungrateful guest, (thinking, per-
haps, that sixpences on a waistcoat were waste sixpences)
hail, " with that ere very knife cut oh-three of theta Mere
very identical buttons, and then, knife' buttons, and all.
had cat his acquaintance and walked off. lie. however,
after some difficulty, succeeded in tracing the delinquent.
and regained his knife, two of his buttons, and the slunk
of the other, which had nu doubt been restored to that eir..
culation for which it was coincd.—Soutkinspton Ifrrcild.

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