The National Register.
London, England, 1817-03-17 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF JOHN CASHMAN.

The Recorder on his return from the Privy Council, on Sa-
turday, lust no time in communicating to the Rev. Mr. Cotton,
the Ordinal y of Newgate, the order fur execution, and that
gentleman as quickly proceeded to Cashman's cell, stated to
him the short time he had to remain in this world, and ex-
horted him to devote that period to making his peace with
God ! The unhappy Min reveived the information with much
calmness, Well, it' it must be so, I am ready to
die."

Among others who called to otTer the unhappy man conso-
lation, was an Irish gentleman, named UpLOll, who had been
on a former occasion the laildlord of his father. To this gen-
mall Cashman spoke unreservedly Of his affairs—he said lie
was entitled to 2001. wages and prize money, about the dis-
position of which he was very anxious. Mr. Upton, in order
to gratify his feelings, prepared, under his directions, a will,
by which he disposed of his property in various ways ; he
mainly left it, however, to purchase a boat for a brother of his
who had been a fisherman on the coast of Ireland ; to his mo-
ther, and tilt- the payment of his debts, about which lie ap-
peared particularly solicitous. This will be signed, and Mr.
Upton promised to do all ii. his power to see it executed.
In his cell his companions were, an Lishonan, named Quin-
land, emivirted of a burglary, but respited ; and a person
named Dowding, sentenced totwo imprisonment boils
of the Roman Catholic persuasion). To these persons he
spoke freely alibi situation; hot se oiled to regard death with
perfect inditierence. With respect to the offence imputed
to him, lie admitted that he had been in Mr. Beck witles shop,
and in alluding to the attack on that occasion, remarked, that
Mrs. Iteekwitri or some lady on the stairs, called on the tool)
to spare their live,. He denied that he was at all privy to the
tiring of the pistol at Mr. Platt, or was 41W411; of that circum-
stance; but admitti d dint lie asai-ted in rescuing vomit:. Wat-
son from the constable. He said he had been (loon to the
Admit-airs on the morning of the riots with a letter, and in his
way back was met by a brother sailor, a Warrant Officer,
a hose name he declined mentioning; but who had been often
after him before on the subject, and by whom he was per-
suaded to go to Spa-fields. la their way there, he pattook
of a considerable quantity of rum, „in, and beer, and having
had but little food for twa days before, it had a great 01111
upon him. He saw the colours pulled down lay the °direr,.
at the top of Coppice-row, and went to resist the attempt. but
in vain. He also repeated his story of having struck a fellow
who was doing some wanton mischief in the Poultry.
Mr. Deck with naturally felt desitous to remove the acetic
of death from his own door, and twice went to the Secretary
of State's office for the purpose of soliciting Lord Sidmotith •
on the snbject. His allAWar was, however, that the orders
already is•tied would not be altered. Mr. Sheri* IlrUlges,
who went on it similar errand, received the like answer.
The Lend Mayor and Sir Nathaniel Conant took the requi-
site precautions to prevent disturbance.
At eight o'clock on Tuesday evening Cashman was brought
from his cell up stairs to one, adjoining the Presslard, in
which lie was to pass the night. He seemed perfectly com-
posed, but exhibited a good deal of levity. In alluding to his
approaching death, lie said, " he had often laced the enemy
amidst a shower of halls, without shrinking, and dill not now
tear to face his God !"---As he passed through the Press_
yard. he exelaimed, with an oath, " I wish a pounder
would now come and cut the iu two, rather than I alimila go
into the hands of Jack Ketch!" In his cell he was joined lay
the Rev. Mr. ItcviaTux, Who endeavoured to south his :pirits
and prepare his mind for eternity. Occasionally. he was at,
but he t'requent4 launched find, into continents on the
nature of his past life, and talked of his fears of being drag-
ged like a vagrant through the streets. On being exhorted
to abandon (Iwo! noimplortant thoughts, and to resign
holly to futurity, he raid, " He had-no fear of he
wished the moment was then conic, for lie was ready to drop,
but lie did not like to be exposed like a common robber."—
Again Mr. Deverenx called to his recollection the wilful sa-
crifice Wade by our Redeemer fur the salvation of mankind,
and entreated idin in likemanner to offer himself meekly to
his Maker as an atimeniest for his sins—tic exclaimed, " i do
die willingly, and would co to the mast head now to reeve a
rope for my death, fur I know that my next voyage must be
to J.sek Ketch !" He accompanied this last remark with a
laneli. In this sort of corserse he remained till 20 minutes
afser ten, when air. Heats-ens took his departure.
On the departure of Mr. Devereux, Mr. Boyle a Catholic
accompanied lay two friends and Quint:and, to whom Cash.
man s•eined attached, enteral his cell, and sat up Sahli biro
the whole night. Every attempt Was made to ill% i.ken 14,11
to a sense of his s!tuation; but he z.til; scented bent art anis e.
talon ofliis supposed wrongs and former adventures.
At six o'clock yesterday 111011Oug one of the gentlemen v ho
sat up during the bight with hint, quitted Iris cell. This g.•n-
tletnati stated that .the wretched man, during, the early ,:set
of the night, indulged himself in a variety of observatioa • on
the hardship of his case, and the injustice with which It: had
been trcatctl by Ooverautrati bit that latterly be bad be-

AtAIWIT

come more composed, lour ing obtained two hours sound sleep.
Mr. Colton, the Ordinary, soon after entered the cell, and
endeavoured to rouse in 111111 a religious sense of his situation.
but he appeared incapable of revels ing any impression
that nature. his mind continually- wandering to tn. on n ;any,.
Nor were the humane arm is of Mr. Devereux more success.
fill. He evinced throughout an insensibility, which appeared
to proceed from a weakness of intellect. rather than front any
determined &pros ity. He WAS continually ads erting to his
exploits while in his Majesty's service, and lamenting that he
was not to die at his quarters, instead of being dragged to the
place of execution in a cart like a vagrant. lie asked if he
might not have a glass of grog. This of coarse was refuge('
but sonic tea and bread and butter were taken Otto the cell, of
which lie partook. During the whole of this time he was
pacing tip and down his cell in a very agitated manner. Quirt•
land seemed seemed to have the most influence over him.
They were left together for a few mina's's. On the door be-
ing opened for the purpose of rtmoy log Quitiland, Gaston:in
shook hands with him, sold said," Good bye, Qttiolatid,l sop.
pose I shall not see you again before I kirk the Locket ••
Quinlan(' was, however, permitted to remain in the ei Ii until
the approach of the fatal moment. Cashman shook hands
also with the Turnkey, stud requested that he would " gis e
his compliments to the other officers." Clean linen being
brought to him, he changed his shirt and drawers, 'tit* on it
sailor's blue jacket awl white trowaers, and tied uu rt black
silk handkerchief.—He then expressed his readiness to die,
and on the door of his cell opening for the tido li ll ion of !Mille-
one, he stepped forward with great alacrity, saying, " Ant I
to go now %" The Sheriff,. and one of the Under Sheriffs,
then entered the press yard. Cashman was then brought out,
and stood with much unconcern while his fetters were knock-,
ed off, looking at and assis;:og in the operation. His hands
were tied, and on hi, arms being IMMO behind with a cord,
he called out to the Sheriffs Officer in the sea phraseology—,
6' Haul it taut ; and again expressed his regret that he could
hot die at his quarters like a man. Mr. Cotton and Mr. De-
vereux once MOM attempted to 'milkier rt ligions consolation
to him, Ina in vain. --He evinced the utmost impatience.
exclaiming, " dont bother me—it's of no use : I know nothing
at all about the matter."—The subjects which at that awful
instant seemed marest his mind, were the mode of his death,
and the disposition of It is little property. On his expressing
his uneasiness on this last bead, the Sheriffs very benevoli
ly assured him that measures should be taken to carry into
effect his wishes with re!peet to it. This assurance appeared.
to be very satisfactory to him, and he said gratefully,.
"'thank you, Crentlemen." Every thing being in readiness.,
the toll of the prison bell gave the signal fur the procession to.
move.

Of the individuals present, Cashman was probably the o:!Iy
oue unappalled by the melancholy sound. He looked about
him with the most obdurate expression of countenance ; cried,
"God bids you all !" and marched firmly through the pas-
sages of the prison to the door, preceded by the Sheriffs, and
accompanied by the Ordinary and Mr. Devearnx.
It was about ten minutes before eight o'clock when the
culprit quitted the prison, and took his seat in the mewls
dreaded cart. The Executioner and his assistant sat on each
side of him. His firmness was unabated. During the short
time which elapsed while the Sheriffs Siete getting into their
carriages, a few persons collected about the cart shook hands
with him. Looking towards the prison dour, at a hick one of
the turnkeys stood, lie said, in a laughing manner, " Good
bye Bishop—God bless yon my Heat ty ;" and then adobes.
Mg himself to the others, be exclaimed, " this is not for
cowardice-1 am not brought to this for any robbery—l an.
going to die ; but I shall not shrink. If I was at my qmirters
I would not he killed in the smoke, I'd be iu the tire. I hate
done nothing against my King and any Country ; but fought
for them."

The melancholy procession then moved forward. As he
passed along he nodded to the crowd, and continued to in-
veigh against the injustice of his punishment.
As the Sheriffs advanced, the mob expressed strong feel-
ings of initignetion; groans and hisses burst lions all quarters
and attempts were made to rush for ward. The officers,
however, stood firm to their posts, and being aides! by the
barriers, succeed. 41 iii preventing an encroachment. This
conduct was frequently repeated before the cart had reach-
ed its destinati 4444 and Cashman joined his voice to the
shouts, raying ont, " Hurrah! my boys, I'll die like a man!"
On his mounting the scaffold, groans were redoubled ; he
seemed to enter into the spirit of the spectators, and joined
in their exclamation with a tenihe shout, lie repea,.:il his
former remarks on the supposed hardship of his ease. I iis
far e was placed towards Holborn-hill, but turned his head
on all sides, and greeted the moll with cries of " Hurrah, my
Hearties in the earise ! success !—cheer up !"
The Rev, Mr. Cotton and Mr. Devereitx now emleav
to bring the wretched man to a scour of his awful situation.
Their exertions, however, Nvere fruitless, lie appealed ear.
lons to all religious exhor to !inns, arid pushing them abide, (•\ •
" Don't bother me.—it's no use-1 want no no ivy
but from God !"

The Executioner then put the rope round his neck. This
operation excited fresh exclamations of disapprobation from
the crowd. On the cap being put °vet his face, he said,
—" For God's sake 1.4 me see to the last ; I want no tap !"
In thistle was indulged, and the cup was horned up. He now
looked towards Mr. Beckwith', !Raise in an angry manner;
and shaking his head, said, " be with you—there," mean-
perhaps, he would hatutt the house alter his (lab,
Again turning to the people, he cried—" 1 ten the last of seven
of them that fenght fur my King and ,country; 1 could nut
g"t illy own, and that loss brought me hers." The Evert,-
luts lug left the platform, the untintunate wretch ad-
dressed the crowd nearest him, and exclaimed—" Now, )ou
, give me three cheers when I trip, Harrah, you
And then calling to the executioner, he cried out —" Come.
Jack, yon let go the jib•sheet !'"rhe few irmaining.
deeonds ()ibis existruce he employed in similar addresses, and.
teas cheering, at the instant the fatal board fell from beneath!
its Met. The rap was then drawn fully over hie face, and
he died almost without a snuggle. A dead bilellee histatitlu
prevailed, which continued for a few moments,
At nine o'clock a shell was brought, and the hotly was
placed within it by the executioner. The populace oil ACC.
tug this done, uttered groans and hisses, and made an attempt
to get under the barriers at the western end of Snow-hid,
but wore successfully rearmed. The holly was taken to the
debtors' side of Neugate. and was afterwards claimed by a
nephew of the malefactor, but the Sheriff's refused to let film
have it nntil last evening, when it was conveyed to a bons°
where, acein iiin; to Irish custom, it is to be waked previous..
ly to internient.
The platform was then removed, and part of the crowd
broke through the barrier next Ilrilt•pur.street, and betrayed
an atixiety to upset it, but they were repulsed by the eon.
stables. The majoiity of the populace dispersed, butt nom,y
continued rouud Mr. Heekwith's house, uttering intlat.t.o.i