The Sun.
London, England, 1832-01-09 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF ELIZA Ros 4.

(THIS DAY.)

This wretched woman, Eliza Ross, alias Cook, who
was nn Friday convicted for the murder of Caroline Walsh,
wis executed in front of the Debtors'. door, at Newga'e.
During the night the new drop was placed in the front
of the Debtors'-door, and workmen were employed to
erect strong barricades at stated distances in the Old
B iiley. The crowd began to assemble between five and
six o'clock, but it increased so slowly that at eight o'clock,
when the unhappy culprit ceased to exist, there were not
more persons than generally assemble on the most ordi-
nary occasions. In fact, the novelty and interest that had
been created by the horrible crime of Burking seemed to
have much decreased, if we may judge by the paucity of
spectators both at the trial of this woman and at her exc.
cution.

After the trial and conviction of the wretched culprit,
and the acquittal of Cook, her paramour, they were con-
ducted from the dock to their several cells (Cook being de•
tained upon a charge of bring an accessary before the fact),
and she immediately complained to Cook of her sentence,
when Cook besought her to bear it with patience. She
declared to him her innocence, and began to abuse him
until they were separated by the turnkeys, when she
called out to Cook " You know that I am innocent,
and that you could clear me if you pleased." On
Saturday the Rev. Mr. Rolfe, a Roman Catholic Clergy-
man, was introduced to her, as it was generally imagined
she was—if of any religion at all, a Roman Catholic.—
She, however, declared that she was a Protestant, and
most unceremoniously, and rather abusively, dismissed
him. It was then that the Rev. Mr. Cotton, the Ordi-
nary, attended her, but with what success will be seen
below. Indeed on each occasion, when spoken to on the
subject of religion, and of the necessity of turning her
thoughts to a future state, she attempted to escape from
being pressed on such points. She was not visited
by any friend or relation ; indeed she declared that
the only persons she was desirous of seeing were her
son and husband, against whom she frequently in-
veighed in strong terms. Her desire of course was not
granted. It is believed th It although she has gone by
two names, viz.—Eliza Ross and Eliza Cook, that neither
is her real name. Her christian name was Betty, but her
surname remains a secret, at which she expressed herself
much pleased, as by that means her friends in Ireland
would not know her disgraceful end.
This morning the Sheriffs, on their arrival first, hod an
interview with Cook, who, however, still declares not only
his innocence of the murder, but also his ignorance of the
murder by his wretched wife as he still calls her.

At about half-past six o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Cotton,
the Ordinary, arrived at Newgate, and immediately pro-
ceeded to the cell in which the unhappy woman was con-
fined. The Rev. Gentleman had been, ever since the
trial, indefatigable in his exertions to induce her to con-
fess her crime, but she continued most strenuously to as-
sert her innocence of that for which she was about to suffer.
In fact, it was evident from her answers, and the little
attention she paid to the Clergyman's exhortations, that
she was entirely destitute and ignorant of all religious
feelings. The Sheriffs and Under Sheriffs arrived soon
after seven o'clock, and proceeded to her cell. At a quLr-
ter before eight o'clock she was brought by the Sheriffs
Yeomen, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Cotton, into what
is termed the bread-room ; as she entered, she looked
round and exclaimed, " Oh ! what am I going to be hung
for ?" She was then conducted to the top of the room to
undergo the process of pinioning. During that process,
she loudly and vehemently exclaimed against what she
called her persecution, She frequently declared her inno-
cence. "Oh !" said she " Why was I brought to this
country to be hanged ? Oh ! Alr.:Wontner, I thought you
were a more Christian gentleman than to hang an inno-
cent woman. I know nothing whatever about it. I left
the woman (meaning old Mrs. Walsh, time deceased) in the
room, at five o'clock, with my husband and my child, and
I declare to God I never saw her afterwards." The
Rev. Ordinary then besought her, as she was about to
enter into the presence of her Creator, who knew the
secrets of all hearts, to disclose the truth, and not to go out
of the world with a falsehood in her mouth ; she replied
that she was wholly innocent; that when she left the
room she left the old woman there, and that the old woman
was then as well and better in health than she was, and
that she never sass' her afterwards. Mr. Cotton then told
her that even if that declaration were true, she had other
sins that required a prayer for absolution. " That's very
true, Sir," .he replied, " but I declare before God and man
I am innocent of this, and I pray to God for forgiveness."
She declared that her child had been persuaded to swear
her life away, and that Cook and he knew all about
it. She made several other declarations of innocence, and
asked several times why they had not transpt rted her, or
locked her up in a cellar for life, rather than hang and
butcher her. She declared that she was being butchered.
In one of her sen•ences she made a pause, and begged of
the Sheriff.' yeomen not to tie her hands so tight, and
is hen her shawl was unpinned, and put down, to enable
the officers to tie her arms, she said carelessly, " Oh ! let
it lie there." She seemed to entertain no fear—was per-
fectly firm and collected throughout the whole of the awful
ceremonies, and seemed to evince the utmost fortitude.
At eight o'clock the melancholy procession moved from the
bread-room, along the dreary vaulted passages to the fatal
drop, the Sheriffs leading the way. On the road she anxiously
inquired " if she was to go out into the street." On reaching
the platform, the crowd loudly assailed her with cheers,
groans, hootings, and every discordant noise, which conti-
nued with little intermission until the drop fell. Even this
display of feeling did not cause her to evince any fear. All
the exhortations of the worthy Clergyman failed to induce
her to confess her guilt, and she was launched into eternity
strenuously asserting her innocence. She struggled dread-
fully for some minutes before life was wholly extinct.—
After hanging the usual time, the body was conveyed to a
house in Hosier-lane, and from thence will be given to one
of the hospitals for dissection.

Sir PULTENEY MALCOLM arrived at Fal-
mouth last week on a visit, and continued for a few days.
We understand that the object of his visit was to examine
into the state of the Packet Establishment, and we are
informed that he expressed his gratification at the good
order and discipline which prevailed. He also stated that
it was the intention of Government to place vessels of a
larger class in the room of those now employed. Be also
expressed a high opinion of the harbour, and stated, that
he should recommend Government to send a hulk to con-
tain coals, and to establish a depot for the repair of steam.
vessels, which in future are to take the Lisbon as well as
the Mediterranean mails, that they might not, as hereto-
fore, be compelled to leave this port to be repaired. Sir
PULTENEY, during his stay, visited some of the mines in
the neighbourhood, and was delighted with the perfection
of the machinery. We are informed that an estimate of
the expence of erecting an establishment for the outfit of
steamers has been furnished him by Mr. THOMAS WARD,
of this town. We understand that a powerful steamer is
now building at Greenock, to ply between Penzince, Fal-
mouth, Plymouth, and the i,lands of Jersey and Guernsey,
under the direction of Captain WARD, late of the Sir
Francis Drake. She will be built on the same principle
as tbat fine vessel the Herald.—Fahnouth Packet.

DR. BREWSTER.—This eminent philosopher
hae just experienced an accident which had nigh deprived
him of his sight.. In prosecuting one of his optical expe-
riments, from which very important results were expected,
a tube containing yellow nitrous acid, unfortunately burst,
and greatly injured his eyelids, face, and one hand.
Happily the noxious liquid did not get access to the eye
itself, although great fears were at first entertained, and
we are glad to learn that Dr. BREWSTER expects soon to
resume his studies.—Caledonian Mercury.
Prince TALLEYRAND and the Duchess de
DINo returned to their residence i❑ Hanover-square on
Friday, from a visit to the Earl and Countess Cowper, at
Pansanger. It appears that there is no foundation for the
report so often propagated that General Count FLAHAUT
(husband of Viscountess KEITH) was to supersede Prince
TALLETRAND as Ambassador to the Court of London.
ELECTION OF AN ALDERMAN FOP? BRIDGE
WARD.—A meeting of the Ward of Bridge took place on
Saturday, for the purpose of electing an Alderman, in the
room of JOHN GARRATT, Esq., who has, to the great re-
gret of the Ward, resigned. Mr. WRENCH (of Thames-
street), proposed Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL as a candidate
for the gown.—(Loud cheers.)—Mr. CHILD seconded the
proposition. Sir CHAPMAN MARSHALL was then unani-
mously elected. Sir CHAPMAN rose amidst loud acclama-
tions. He felt deeply grateful for the honour conferred
upon hint in so unequivocal a manner by his fellow-citi-
zens. No one could tell to what vicissitudes men of trade
were subjected to in such times as these. It was difficult
to speak confidently of the stability of publie men, when
the public were in the habit of seeing some of the largest
houses fall to the ground.—(Cheers.) He had only to
declare to the electors, that if, by any calamity, he should
become disqualified to represent them, be would at once
yield up to them the office with which they now invested
him—(Long continued acelamations)—but he trusted
that his long-established habits of industry and activity
would be his protection. A vote of thanks to the late
Alderman was moved, as also one to the LORD MAYOR.
They were carried by acclamation, and the Wardmote was
dissolved.