The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-02 00:00:00

THE EXECUTION OF BOUSFIELD.

,Alderman SIDNEY said—My Lord Mayor, seeing the
sheriffs present, I beg to ask them whether there is any
truth in the statements that have appeared in the public
journals of this morning regarding the execution of a
criminal yesterday, at the Old Bailey ? It is reported
that a great deal of what was there seen arose from the
nervousness of the hangman, which was produced by a
threatening letter which he had previously received. I
think it a matter of public duty that we should inquire
into the whole of the circumstances attending this exe-
cution, in order that we may make a report as to the
blame, if any, that ought to fall upan any party con-
nected with it. (Hear.) I see, from several of this
morning's journals, there is a great feeling in the public
mind respecting it ; and certainly I have never in my
life read a more horrible account than the one which.de-
scribes the exhibition of yesterday. (Hear, bear.)
Alderman and Sheriff KENNEDY—The statement that
has appeared in the public pipers is a pretty faithful and
accurate account of what occurred at the execution at
the Old Bailey yesterday morning. What the hon. gen-
tleinen has jest mentioned did occur, namely, that the
executioner received a threatening letter, stating that he
would be ,hot at, which certainly a'armed the man. The
prisoner was in a state.of complete prostration—he was
apparently incapable of any exertion whatever. He was
dressed by the officers of the prison. He could not walk ;
he could not stand ; he was carried to the scaffold—he
was placed in a chair kir execution, and I believe it was
the feeling of the executioner, as it was of every one pre-
sent, that he was more dead than alive, and thoroughly
incapable of any exertion. With that feeling, I believe,
as well as under the alarm which he suffered, the execu-
tioner, the moment he had drawn the bolt, absolutely
ran away, and he was not to be seen—we did not know
what had become of him, and we had great difficulty to
gain him, and bring him back again. When the pri-
soner succeeded in placing convulsively his legs upon
the top of the drop, they were removed first by one of
the officers of the prison, It is a most lamentable oc-
currence ; but I do not know that any one can be to
blame. Of course, the complete prostration of the pri-
honer did not suggest an idea that he had that physical
power left that was capable of any struggle whatsoever.
I believe that no one was to blame, excepting it may be
said that the nervoes agitation and alarm under which
the executioner acted led to the lamentable occurrence.
(Hear, hear.) •

Alderman SIDNEY said he thought the Court had but
one duty to pursue—namely, to refer the matter to the
Gaol Committee, because, if the statement of the sheriff
were borne out-7-namely, that the executioner, in conse-
quence of having received a threatening letter, neglected
his duty, it was very important that the Court should
take cognisance of the fact. (Hear, hear.) Alderman
Sidney then moved—" Tint the statement made by
Alderman and Sheriff Kennedy, respecting the execu
tion of Bonifield, be referred to the Gaol Committee,
f thenvto inquire into thecircurastances, and to report
t s this Court:

Al lerman and Sheriff ROSE —My Lord Mayor, I se-
cond that motion, and for this reason : I should not feel
itisfied to carry out, another execution with the man
who officiated yesterday, if he Were unassisted, because
we were quite at his mercy. We depended .entirely on
him. It is not to be supposed that we could have the
gallows out and all tried and arranged beforehand.
(Hear, hear.) We depended entirely upon this man,
and at the last moment we found that he was utterly
and totally incapable of carrying out the duty that he.
hal undertaken. (Hear, hear.) Whether it arose from
his being frightened by this letter, or whether be de-
pended upon the prisoner being past all exertion, I do
not know ; but I could not gat him to some forward at
all.

Sir P. LAURIE thanked-the sheriffs for the pruderc-?"
with which they had si,tated! the case, and which he be-
lieved was not all exa-!gerated.
Alderman KEENEDY—Thire is no doubt dr the, fact
that such a letter was sent to -.tbe bangman. It way'
sent to the gaol. We saw. the letter.
'Sir C. MARSHALL said that, as one of the visiting
. . _
magistrates to. the City prisnnt:, it was his melancholy
dtity to be present at the ganVof Newgate on, Sunday.
and he could bear testim. oriy to the grktt -anxietY maoi-.
fester] I,y the governor, Mr. Weatherhesd, to do every-
thing that lay in• his poser iri order that the wretched
criminal might be supported and sustained till the hour
of his execution arriyed. .4e cTII,I assure the court
that not only the chap'ain and Medical- man, but also-
the gaol att,erriants, whose duty it was to sit un with
th° oris,,ner, had properly discharged their duty. (Hear.)
The motion was carried unanimously.- ..•
THE OFFICE OF CITY BROKER.
_

'Alderman SIDNEY moved, "That Mr. Solicitor do
lay before 0114 court, at it.; next sitting, a-statement in
wrting of the origin fon licensing brokers to act in the
City of Llndon ; whether: the same is based on custo-
mary usage, and recognised by statu'able enactments ;
and further, if this court can legally enforce payment of
any arrears of rent from persons licensed to act as
brokers, and has power to compel others ac.ing in a
like capacity to become duly licensed ; also, to report
upon the wordinif of the bond required to be entered
int,. by sworn brokers ; std if it be within the province
of this court to revise the same, by substituting any other
form 'in lieu thereof."

Sir P. LAURIE said be considered the court would
Rot be acting discreetly if it desired the City Solicitor to
furnish the information sought by the motion.
Alderman FINNIS, in seconiing the motion' said that
a very large number of his con,tituents were deeply in-
terested in the question, feeling thatlhey could. LO,
possibly conscientiously take the oath.
The motion was negatived.
The Court adjourned.