The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-08-04 00:00:00

EXECUTIOV OF HUSSEY.

William Hazleton, the supposed accomplice of
Hussey in the murder of Mr. Bird and his house-
keeper, awl who still rem iined in custody, was on
Saturday put to the bar at M.aidstooe, amid formally
arraigned. Nu witnesses appearing against him he
was discharged by proclamation. Soon after the
apprehension of Homey, the Rev. Mr. Arglea. the
Ordinary of the prison, apprized lino of the fact;
Hazleton appeared struck with surpn►e, and jailor-
finitely broke forth into the following extraordinary
declaration " Hussey taken ! well, l mu sorry,
very sorry, that he should br b gilt into trouble,
but now that he is once taken, why it clears me."
Hazleton did not see Hussey on Saturday, nor since
his condemnation.

Hussey look leave of his Giver,' and ►elatidas on
the preceding afternoon. He at that time, on his
knees, embraced them all, and in this solemn atti-
tude, again and ag•iin avowed his innocence of the
murders. His unhappy brothers and sisters were
overwhelmed with anguish, and prostrating them-
selves. besought him to leave theta one legacy of
consolation, by making • Confe*lloll of his guilt.
Hussey, in reply, only assumed inure calmness and
fortitude, and directing his hands and eyes towards
heaven, proclaimed aloud his innocence. He con-
tinned to make declarations to this effect until his
friends were torn from him. Since that period he
has evinced the most perfect resignation, and ex-
pressed most anxiously a desire to meet his Maker.
The whole of his time was spent in dev,itionat
exe►cises, and he appeared enthusiastically reli-
gions. " Hope, peace, and joy," he said, "filled
his mind," and his countenance bespoke an inno-
cence which almost bid defiance to suspicion. The
Rev. Gentlemen who attended upon him closely.
declare, that in all their experience they neve► be-
held such an instance of resignation stud apparent
religious confidence.
Hussey, it is generally reported. was a Roman
Catholic, and that he was attended by a clergyman
of that profession. Such is not the fact. for he was
not only attended by the ordinary, Mr. Argles. and
by the Rev. Mr. Rudge, and others of the Eld:I•
Wished Church, but has been from the time of his
apprehension a studious reader of the most esteemed
spiritual publications, circulated among Protest-
ants and Dissenters. Howl appeared not only to
enjoy the cinisoletion of religion, but to live regu-
larly. He slept sound at night, took the ordinary
sustenance allowed him. and exitressed much grati.
tude. He was attended on Sunday by the two
Reverend Gentlemen already Honied, and their
opinion of him is that of wonder and surprise at
beholding such humility, such apparent peace of
mind, and so powerful a sense of religion. In the
course of the day the most serious moments were
embraced to draw from hint an acknowledgment of
his guilt. The reply was invariable and emphatic :
" I kuuw nothing of the deed, so help me God !
—in thoughts, deeds, and conscience, as to that. I
am perfectly innocent." He acknowledged, how.
ever, that he had been guilty of many crimes, and
well deserved death ; but thanked heaven, with the
murder of Mr. Bird he had nothing to do.
At eight o'clock on Sunday evening the Cler-
gymen took their leave of him. He entreated that
he might have the sacrament at eight o'clock on
Monday morning. and this arrangement being
made, he proceeded to write some farewell letters
to his friends.

MAIDSTOIII, Mauley, ate o'Clock, p. es.
Hussey, as we stated before, proceeded to write
some letters to his friends, and in this and the 'arr.
cive of prayer he spent nearly the whole of the
night. Shortly before eight o'clock this morning,
the Rev. Mr. Arglea and the Rev. Mr. Rudge
proceeded to visit him in his cell.• and administer
the sacrament. Previous to this he joined these
two Reverend Gentlemen fervently in prayer,
and declared that he was perfectly prepared to re-
ceive the Holy Sacrament. Immediately before
this was administered to him, the Reverend Mr.
Rudge, in the most solemn and impressive mon-
ster. thus addressed him Aud now, Hussey,
before you communicate with you► blessed Saviour,
as a dying man, and as a matter of satiafaction to
the public in general, and to the inhabitants of
Greenwich in particnlsr, I again repeat my Most
anxious inquiry. Did you, or did you not perpe-
trate this horrid murder ? or if you did not, do you
know who did Tell me as a matter of personal
favour." His answer was, ig As God is my judge,
and as you are my witness, these uplifted hands
were sever stained with the blood of either Mr.
Bird, or of his servant. I have my suspicions, but
no more."

At five minutes before eleven o'clock precisely,
the Under Sheriff, the Clergymen, and the Surgeon,
of the prison entered a carriage, and immediately
after the unfortunate Hussey was led forth from the
pnson and placed in • waggon. He was dressed as
on his trial, in a decent suit of black. His arms
were pinioned. the cord with which he was to be
suspended was slung around him, and lUs neck was
open, without a handkerchief. He looked exceed•
ingly faint amid pale, and ascended the waggon with
considerable difficulty. The executioner sat close
by his side, and two of the gaoler's men were in
front, each with a loaded blunderbuss. Javelin
men on foot and horseback, beadburoughs, and
constables, formed before and behind the guard
in the procession. Hussey held in his band •
book, entitled, •' Visitation for the Prisoners,"
but this, although gazed at by him in one spot three
or four timer, *as evidently carried chiefly for the
purpose of obstructing his attention from the im.
mense multitude that followed. The unfortunate
man had scarcely seated himself in the waggon,
when 1119 whole countenance mid frame became
changed. Ati that confidence and firmness of wlaich
he boasted a few hours before, forsook hint, and he
fell into a stale of c plete exhaustion and stupor,
sometimes lie heaved a deep sigh ; sometimes lie
was seen muttering a suppressed ejaculation, end
then close Isis eyes upon his book, and seem td
fall into • deep sleep. As he proceeded onwards
to Penendeis Heath, his Misery seemed to increase,
and little doubt remained that he was labouring
under the most hitter anguish of mind. About a mile
from the gaol, hi. exhaustion became so gieiit, that
lie had nearly lidless backwants, and it was found
necessary to support him. When lie had arrived
near the place of execution, a fiiend of his lii the
crowd, anxious to bid him farewell, Called out hit
attune " Chailts" once or twice thsinictly. Hussey

d 2 riot raibe his head, his mouth appeared quite
dry, .and bill lips parched, and au apple was offered
him, but lie refused it. The awful procession, stir-
roundrd by thousands, reached Penendeis Heath
about ;twenty minutes before twelve o'clock.—
Herr Hussey exhibited a picture of human !niseiy
almost indescribable ; it was a pet fret decay of
nature. His eyes stink in his head, and his entire
frame seemed emaciated. The Clergymen, Mes.rs.
Argles and Rudge. now ascended the waggon. and
the former proceeded to read appropriate prayers.
To each of these, Hussey, with en anxious sigh,
exclaimed "Amen." Mr. Argles then, fur the last
time tinplored him to make a confession of his guilt,
or to declare who it was, if he knew it, that com-
mitted the murder. Hussey replied, G. lum inno-
cent ; I know of the rubbery, but not of the mur.
der." Mr. [Cadge next prayed with, and its the
same manner addressed hiM. but he again in low
but distinct terms re-asserted his innocence. He
then rose froth his knees, prayed a short time
to himself, and the fatal preparation. being made,
he took his farewell of the Clergymen by shaking
hands with theM, and exclaiming "God bless
you—the Lord bless you." Hr now ascended the
scaffold, the rope was adjusted about his neck, and
the cap drawn over his face, when he entreated Mr.
Rudge to be called to him again. This excited
deep and universal interest ; r confession was con-
fidently calculated upon. but the 'cotninuaication
was but another taking leave. and a last declaration
of his innocence of the murder. Precisely at half-
Past twelve o'clock he was launched into eternity;
and his body, after hanging one hoar. was cut down
and conveyed to the surgery of Messrs. Day and
Watinano Maidstone.

DISTURB/ACES AT hIiiNCHESTER.