The National Register.
London, England, 1820-08-07 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF NESBETT.

MAIDSTOT4I, Monday. July 31.—This wretched crimi-
nal mirrendertd his lite to day to the outraged laws of his
country. From the complication of crimes of which lie
was convicted, and from the probability that the murder
of Mr. Parker and his housekeeper was not the first in-
stance in which lie had been Guilty of a violation of the
laws, great curiosity prevailed to witness his execution,
a the expectation that, if he had not previously made
any confession, he would in his last monicuts be induced
to reveal the particulars of his guilt.
It is gratifying to know, that in the interval which
elapsed between his condemnation and his execution a
considerable change took place in his frame of mind and
general deportment. On lesving the Court on Friday last,
after receiving sentence, he evinced the seine levity, the
same hardened ferocity of disposition, that had marked
big conduct during his confinement before the trial. So
Insensible was lie of his awful situation, that on being
placed in the cart which was to convey him back from
the court-house to the gaol, feeling himself annoyed by
the gaze of the spectators, he exclaimed in a peevish and
mirky tone of voice to the turnkey who had charge of
the cart, " DI ive away like hell, and let's get out of this
as quickly as possible!" But when replaced in his cell,
and allowed an opportunity of reflecting quietly on his
fate, be found It impossible to retain fiat indifference
which be had hitherto assumed. He became restless and
agitated, but still he evinced no symptoms of contrition.
Indeed, • circumstance which the vigilance of his keepers
detected, showed that at this very moment lie was medi-
tating on the means of adding ate other crime to the
black catalogue of his former offelnces, by anticipating
the sentence of the law. He had called fora pipe of to-
bacco, sad on a refusal, he repeated the request in so
urgent • manner that the suspicions of his attendants
were aroused. They accordingly began to animism the
cell in the first place, and in one of the corners they dis-
covered the handle of the saucepan in which his victuals
were initially brought to him. The tin tuhe forming the
handle of the putt had been taken off, and was perforated
near the lower end; and this instrument was immediately
suspected to have been constructed by the prisoner as a
rade, though certainly an ingenious, substitute for a pis-
tol. His person was instantly searched, when he thrust
Into the hand of the turnkey a quantity of gunpowder,
wrapped up in • paper, and a couple of marbles, which
bad been imaided to supply the place of ballets. Various
conjectures have been made as to the manner in which he
was supplied with the powderand marbles; a very general
suspicion attaches to his mother, who had seen him a short
time previous to his trial. It is most probable, however,
that the articles were conveyed to him by some person in
the Court, while lie stood iu the dock. 'Chose who have
bad the best means of knowing the character of the par-
ties certainly favour the former supposition ; and if out-
ward appearances formed a just criterion of moral char-
acter, one would be justified in concluding that the mo-
ther was a person capable of such an act. She is a wo-
man of almost gigantic tallness; of a perfectly upright
figure, though apparently more than 70 years of age:
her features are sharp, haggard, and of a peculiarly un-
salable expression. Upon the whole, her appearance
irresistibly forces on the mind the portrait which the
author of Gag Mannering has drawn of that wild and al-
most supernatural being Meg Merilies.
In consequence of this attempt to destroy himself.—
Neshett was stripped of the dress which lie had hitherto
worn, with the exception of shirt and stockings ; and on
being conveyed on the same evening to the same con-
demned cell, lie was furnished with a prison-dress, and
heavily ironed. During Friday night he was extremely
agitated, and was unable to sleep. In that state lie con-
tinued during Saturday, and the greater part of Sunday.
He joined in prayer with the Rev. Mr. Harker, the chap-
lain of the gaol, and professed to be sincere in his devo-
tions; butstill lie persisted in denying that he committed
the murder for which he was to suffer. About six o'clock
on Sunday evening his wife and children arrived front
Woolwich to take leave of him. The interview was dis-
tressing beyond description, and on this occasion he
evinced a greater degree of feeling than lie had previously
shown. lie wept much on embracing them ; and when
his wife implored him not to die with a falsehood on hie
lips, he promised to I the whole colitis guilt before he
died. Hie family consists of four daughters and two sons
—the eldest about 18 years, and the youngest only 10
months old.

After kis family bad taken leave of him, be made a full
confession of his guilt. Some cf the particulars which he
soestannieated are said to be very Important, and the
whole of his Statements, for the przsent, kept strictly
secret. Various rumours are, of course, in circulation
respecting the nature of his confession, to which it would
be equally improper to give publicity, whether they he
11l or well founded.

After his mind had been disburdened of the load of
guilt which had pressed so heavily on it, he became more
composed, and joined in the exercises of devotion with
more fixed attention, and apparently with a greaser
degree of intelligence, than lie had hitherto evinced. Oct
Sunday night he slept fur more than two hours and this
morning he was more tranquil than usual. The Rev. Mr.
Harker, whose buntline exertions in adminlsteting to him
the consolation of religion, have all along been unremitted,
attended him at six o'clock, and remained with him till
eight. He returned again at nine o'clock, to assist him
in preparing for the last awful trial of his fortitude.
At a quarter past eleven the unhappy culprit was placed
in a waggon, to be drawn to the place of execution, on
Pennenden-heath, aboat a mile front iklaidstote gaol.—
The executioner was placed by his side, and two officers
with loaded carabines were also seated in the waggon,
fronting the criminal. His dress was the same that he
had worn during his trial, consisting of a blue coat, a
yellow waistcoat, a white neckcloth, and top hoots.—
Before he left the prison lie had requested the turnkey to
give him a book : a prayer-book was accordingly offered
Lim, but at his request it was exchanged for a Bible ; this
Bible lie held in his hand when he appeared in :he wag-
on, and lie seemed to peruse it with great devotion.
His countenance was Noshed, and his manlier exiselliPly
agitated. As the pi ison-gate unfolded to allow the vlag•
gon to pass, he got the first view of the assembled erowc
that wet, waiting outside, and he was so strongly affected
by the sight that lie could not refrain from tears. On
each side of the waggon was placed a file of pikemen ;
the governor of the gaol, and a I sheriff's otficers,
rode immediately bebirwl; the chaplain and tie sheriff-
deputy followed in canines.

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