The Sun.
London, England, 1820-05-02 00:00:00

THE•. EXECUTION.

We have already no, iced It preparations which
were made to prevent mischief from the assem-
blage of a great multitude. As early as four
o'clock in the morning persons began to asseni-
ble in front of the gaol, and to take their seats on
the tops and in the windows of houses %Odell
coniManded a view of the scaffold. For this ac-
commodation various prices were paid, from three
guineas to 2s. 6tl. Every place which cou!d ad-
mit of a spectator was filled. As the morning ad-
vtineed the crowd increased. Soon alter five,
Messrs. Wontner and..Browiv, the City Mar-
shals, arrived, and mustered the civil force which
was in attendance from all toe Wards, amounting
.t(i nearly seven handled men. The Lord Mayor,
Mr.-Sheriff Hothwell, Mr. Sheriff I)4lkins, Mr.
.Under Sheriff Turner, and Mr. Under Sheriff
Pullen.. subsequently reached the spot. The
Sheriff's entered . the . prison, and the Lord
Mayor immediately began to make arrangements
for securing gaud order during the day. The
crowd collected within the railings which bound-
the front of the gaol, were now driven back be-
hyond those barriers, and the whole area was kept
clear- of spectators, midi the exception of the
f.)eise officers:. This excited some dissatisfaction ;
but the orders of the, officers were immediately
obeyed, and tire greatest decorum prevailed.
Ar six o'clock, a party of •infantry, which bad
been stationed within rite gaol the whole of the
night, were marched across the area to some build-
ings opposite, %vhere they were hid limn public
view. Shorly afterwards, two troops of liorse
Guards arrived at each end of the Old Bailey, and
formed in litre ; that towards Ludgate- hill in front
of the people ; and that towards Sr. Sepulchre's
Church, nearly in the centre of t)ie c 1033 way,
with a vast Jiody of the people in front. •
DECAPITATION OF THE TRAITORS,

Exactly half an hour after they had beery firmed
,off, the order tuns given to cut
,the bodies down.
The executioner immediately ascended the scaffold,
and drew She legs of the Sufferers up, and placed
the dead men,. who were still, suspended, a sit-
ting position, with their feet towards Ludgate-
•Thii heingAlone, the platform was again put
up as befoie, and the culpaita :were, brought out.
He proceeded to cut Thistlewood.down and with
the aid of an'assistant, lifted-the:body into the first
co'filn,laying it on, the back, and placing the head
over the end Of the coffin so as to bring the neat
on the edge of the block. The rope teas then drawn
from the,neck, and the cap was removed from the
face. An'Ae teas placed on the scaffold, but this
Was' not - When the rOpe 'had been removed,
and the coat and waistcoat, forced down, so a. 3 to
leave the fleck expOied, is person wearing a black
mask, wbibh extended to his mouth, over which
a coloured handkerchief was tied, and his hat was
slonched down so as to eonceal‘part of the mask,
(wired in a bluejacket and trousers, mounted the
scaffold with a small knife in his hand, similar to
What. is well by surgeons in amputations, rand
advancing to the coffin, proceeded to sever the
head from the body. When the crowd per-
ceived the knife applied to time throat of This-
tlewoo4, they raised a about, in which exclama-
tions of horror and of reproach were mingled.
The tumult seemed to disconcert the person in
the mask for a moment, hut, upon the whole,
he performed the operation with dexterity, and
baying handed the head to the assistant exe-
cutioner, who waited to receive it, he imme-
diately retired, pursued by the homilies of the
with. The assistant executioner immediately ex-
!.ibited the head from the side of the scaffold
iieet est Nctvgame-street. person attended on
flee scictf,id, and dictated to the executioner what
he was to say, and he exclaimed with a loud
voice—" This is the head of Arthur Tliktlewood
—a traitor!" A thrilling sensation was produced
on the spectators by the display of this ghastly
object, and the hisqes and hootings of a Part of
;he n-ob were vehemently renewed.
The same ceremony was repeated in front of

the scaffold, and on the side nearest Ludgate•
street.. The hei.d was then placed 'at the foot of
the coffin, while the body, before lifted up to bring
the neck on the block, was forced lower down,
and, this done, the head was again taken out and
put in its proper place, at the upper end of the
coffin, which was left open.
The block was then moved by the hangman,
and placed at the head of the second coffin. The
cap and rope were removed from the face and
neck of Tidd. The coat and waistcoat being pull-
ed down, the masked executioner again came for-
ward. He was received with groans and cries of
" Shoot that murderer"—" Bring out Edwards,"
&c. He seemed less disconcerted than at first,
and performed the operation with great expedi-
tion, awl having handed the head to the parson.
who had before received that of Thistlewood,t he
retired. The assistant executioner then advanced
to the side of the scaffold from which the former,
head was first exhibited, exclaiming, " This is
the head of Richard Tidd, the traitor." The same
words Were also repeated from the other two sides
of the scaffold, and the head was then deposited
with the holy in the second coffin.
The block was now removed to the third coffin;
and the body of logs being cut down,' was pieced
in it with the face upwards.' The person iu the
mask again cane forward, severed the head front
the hotly, end retired amidst' the bootiogs of the
crowd. The assistant. exctttiouer proceeded to
exhibit the head troth the three sides of 114 e scars.
told, exclaiming.* " This is the heat of James
logs, the traitor !" The head was then played in
the coffia.—The features of Ings were more dis-
tot ted titian those of the other culprits.
hloek being removed to the fourth coffin,
ihe body of Davidson was taken down fr M the
gallows, the noose taken - hoot about the neck,
and the cap removed 'rowthe face, His face re-
maitied in &nth, exactly what it had biu•n %%life
lie lived. The mouth vr.s a little opts, hut no
expression of 14;o:;y or Cliange of colour could be
remarked. The body was placed in ihe fourth
coffi', ;in,' the Man in the mask having twrformed
his part, the tead teas exhibited as the *hers hid
been, with the exciami ion, " This is the head
of ~t'illianh ILvid•ou, the traitor !" Little or no
blood had fallen from the other beads, but froth.
this it tell profusely. The hisses and groans of
the el ')Wil rre rep.eated on this occasion, while
the ht ad_ w%a deposited. in. the cottio, which con-
ittioeit the sofitrer's body.

The exectitiontr and his assistant now proceed-
ed to cut down.the last of -the ;offerers—Brunt.
'l'i►,e block' was placed at the head of the filth
coffin. The blood which had stained the block
was wiped off with the saw-dust, and the rope
being cut, they attempted to lift the body to the
place where the last part of the sentence was to
he executed, when it was found that in putting-
up the platform, part of his clothing had been
shut in with it, and it held him so tight
!hat a considerable effort was necessary to
disengage . the remains- of the wretched cul-
prit. He was placed in the fifth coffin His
miserable and cadaverous countenance presented
but a ghastly spectacle while he was else,-
.but dead, its. aspect was little less than terrific,
and the dark hair which overhung his forehead
came in frightful contrast with the purple hue
produced by the agonies of death. The masked exe-
cutioner, while performing, his duty, happened to
let the head fail front his hands on the saw-dust.
The howlings and groans of the spectators were
again heard at that moment, and amidst these the
operator retired, having first handed the disco
-
lout " tronkless ball" to the assistant execu-
tioner, who repeated the proclamation made in.
the other cases. His head was then placed in the!
coffin, and thus terminated the awful business of
this memorable day.
The execution occupied an hour and eight
minutes. It was at a quarter before eight when
Thistlewood walked up the-steps leading to the
fatal platform; and it unwed seven tniteutes to •
nine when the head of Brunt was placed in the '
coffin. .

From the manrrer in which the last part of the
execution was performed, very little blood was
seen on the scaffold. The bodies being placed
almost in a sitting attitude in their coffins, the
blood could not l)ow' copiously from them at the
moment their heads were taken off. 1 t Was not
.till they were laid in an horizontal position that
the vital stream could escape freely Rom the
heart.

, .
,The person wbo wore the tnask, and who per-
formed the decollations, is said to he the same
person, who beheaded Despoid and his ASSOCiates.
In performing his dreadful duty, the edge of the
first knife was turned by the vertebrae 01 Thisile-
wood, and two others berme necessary to enable
hint to finish his heart-appalling task.
The coffins containing the remains of the suf-
ferers were lett on the scaffold hut for a few mi-
nutes alter the sentence of the law had been car-
ried into effect. While Oleic., they continued open.
At nine o'clock they were conveyed into tbe pri-
son by the Debtors' door, and the crowd began
peaceably to separate.

The last act of grnnt was to take a pinch of
swig'. from a paper which he held in his baud. lie
'stooped to put it to his nose, and thi§fie was
only able to effect by piishiog tip the nightcap
which hung over his lace. He also threw off his.
shoes.

lags, when the handkerchief was lied over his
eyes, cried .not, " 1 hope, Mr. Cotton, you wil;
give me a good character !" Mr. Cotton howe►l
and smiled, Ings then commenced swinging about
in his hands an old night-cap, in the Most care-:
less manner.

Tidd's lips were in motion just before he was
turned off, as if in prayer. Davidson was in the
most fervent prayer, and renied to feel his situa-
tion will) a becoming spirit.
In consequence of the pressure of persons con-
'gregated about the railings of. St. Sepulchre's
Chutch.-yard, some of the railings wereihrown
down, a.tid 16 persons were seriously injured.—
Two had their arms Inoken, and one person his.
leg. They were conveyed to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital.
conduct of the Horse Guards throughout the
morning way most coniniendable, althMlol expos-
ed to the abuse of a few lots ruflians, who seeinl
ed to think that they were entitled t 4 exert their

privilege of speech nnon this occasion, and wag
•
therefore heaping insult on men Woo were merely
acting in the discharge of a p4intol duty.
In addition to the other military arrangements
for the occasion, six pieces of artillery were
drawn up at an early hour, on the Surrey side of
Blackfri,irs Bridge. They were at first arranged.
on one side of the road, but when they received a
signal from the Horse Guards Bridge-street,
that the prisoners had mounted the scaffold, they
formed a crescent across the road. .

The crowd dispersed with great quietness.
deed such were the formidable preparations which
had been prudently adopted for the preservation
of the peace, that it would have been madness td
have indicated the slightest hostility. There was,
however, an angry spirit abroad, And ibis was
repeatedly evirced by the cries of " Murder"---*
Monument brought you to this," and similar
exclamat ions.

The follovvinz have b‘:en published as Letters
written by IngSZ--

To Ms rripd.

"My dear Celia--I hardly know how fo itegfn, a? what t 4
'say, for the lags of tyrants have parted us for ever. My dear,
this is the last time you will ever hear from me. I hope y(its
will perform your shay without delaY, which is for the benefit
of yourself and ,children, which I haves explained to you be-
fore. My dear, of the anxiety and regard I trace for you and
the children, I huow not . how to explain
.myself ; but I
must die according to law, and leave you in a land full oc
corruption, where justice and liberty has. taken their flight
from, to other distant shores. My dear, I hare heard nier
remark that they would not marry a widow, not without
husband. was hanged.—Now, me dear, I hope you Will hear its
1. mind that the cause of soy being consigned to the scaffold was
a pure motive.

" I thonglit I should have rendered an' starving fellow-
men, wom•en, and children a service; tend any w.sit.is, ,wha.sit
you make another choice, that this question will be put tee-
fore you ti,e the fatal knot. My dear, it is of no use for me I.°
make retreat-1;s respecting my ehildren. lam colavnaceA situ
will do youi duty as far as lies in your power. My de..r, your
leaving me hut. a few Iffiges before I wrote these few lines, -1
• have nothing more to say. Varewel, fareWel,-my dear wife
And chilnit n, for ever. Give •my love to your mother anal
Elizabeth. I conclude u constaut.lover to you and your chil-
dren, and all friends. I rill; the saute, but an enemy to all
tyrants. " JAMES INGS.
" P. S. Nlv dear wife, give isr lirse to my father and mo-
ther, brothel...3lld sisters,-and aunt Mary. and beg of diem t 4,
thank nothing of my unfortunate fate, for I am gone out of
rely troublesome world, and I hope you will let it pa,s like a
summer clonal over the earth. -
• " Newgate, 4 o'clock, Sunday afternoon, April gO, 1820."
Ti) tllS DAUGrITERS. -
"To my dear Daughters.—My dear little girls, receive oaf
kind lore and affection, once more, for ever, arid adhere to
these nay sincere wishes, and recollect-, t trongli' in 'a shrift
time you will hare nothing more of yopr father. Let. me en.
treat you to be loving, hind, and ohedient to Your poor rim,'
ther, and strive all In your bowels to comfort her, and asses:
her while you exist in
.this transitory world, and let your con-
duct throughout life be that of virloe, honesiy, and industry;
and endeavamr to avoid all lemptatioo, and at the same th'
a'n
put your trust in God. I hope unity, peace, aod'eoneord will
remain amongst you all. Farewel—farewel, my dear chil-
dren. Your.unfortunate father,
.• • . .
" JAMES INGS.
" To ‘Vm. S.lone bugs aild his Sisters.".

TO !HS SON:
"My little dear. Boy, Wm.-Stone Tugs, I hope yon will lire -
to read these few lines when the remains of yr. poor, tat her is
tuouldered,to dust... 4y Or. boy, ymt will he'll' lit "6"4
the unfotte. rand of yoar father, and tot place 'any cooridence
in any person or persons Whatever; for the deception, the
corruption,: and the ingenuity lit, man.l.nna at,a-tiiss to eolti•-
pretietoi-it is hey;-,:d all calculation. Aly clear lioy, I !,(.,ge.
you Kill" untie a lirgltt man in society; and it appEtis tnifUe
the mad yott ought pursue is, to lie liuue t, super.
iii alas'
-trions, aud upright hi ail your 4Jea:jags and to do onto all
men as yon-would. wish they should do unto you.,
boy, pot your trust in one (jud ; and be cautious of ever))
shrewd, desiguing,- dattevint tongue. My dear bay, bp it
good, -.liind,• and obedient.. child to .your poor; mother, awl
contfot t her, and .lie a loving
.brother to yonr. sisters. gf
dear boy, I sincerely hope and trust you wi)l regard these,-14
last- histructions.—ih.loning and unfarte. father,

" JAM- ti :Si 'NOS.
" Noegate, Sunday night, 8 o'clock,
,April Jo,
LETTP,R PROM DAV/Ds-W.4 To LORD ,HA,R,Htli,vily..
On Solid ay Davidson wrote the ,follotyi-ag Lots
ter, which was delivere4l to L0r0...1-I,ARitowar :
" My Noble Lord,-10 with, thy, grcolestplFalur.e.Lwrite
to inform" your Lordship of my
,innocenee of the charee
wherein I aur shortlyabout to sttil'dr Lor'il, Per-
mit me to inform your•Lurdshiph from_ the personal" knot-
ledge,l hate of your. Lord,F,hip's fancily, it is ionicissible.t
could he guilty of the slightest intention to harp) your
Lordship in artyAvay. My Lord; I have had the honour
of working at your Lordship's eat in Sontion Hall, Staf-
fordshire, wherein I worked for Mr.. Bullt.clz, of Putre•
hy, and would at any time lose my lite in your defence
than to be an accomplice to harm you, or any other loons
he his conditi,in eye'. so poor, much more so marry iiinar 'w%
persons, mod among them one I. brad So great a respect for.
front pet-tonal knowledge, as your Lordship. I declare nuts
to your Lordship, 'as I hope to be saved, that-NIT. tilwOrds
was the man who gave Ole the money to-'redecrittbe biun-
derbuss, which Ad trim carried away to Cato.strect ; i !art
it to lire, riot knowing of any tint ; and as I related to the
Privy 'Council, Mr Gould worthy met me in 'Jidin-Strect,
Portland-toad ; ht rate ine a sword to-folic to Cato4ti
and a bundle, wilier) contained belts. When I. found 1 was:
entrapped, I naturally attempted to escape, lint never fired.
I never had any pistols in my possession ; an,l in truth, 1,1
Lord, Mr. Edwards must know that I am not that. man'of CO-
lour that was in their parry, if he will do use the justice
say so."

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF KING'S BENCH, MAY, I.
•
THP: KING V. HUNT ANDOTIIERS.
This beirg the clay appointed for.4.varing Kr%
Hunt's motion for a• new trial, at the sitting a
WI Court,—

Mr Justice BAYLEY proceeded to read his notes
of the ck se. ins Lordship was Jo occupied nroit
one ii'clock, when the thief Justice left the Court
u;liold his Sittings at (ioildhall.
Ihe -case therefore was ortlereti to stand over
until to-inorro tint day).

• BIRTII: • ' .
On the 29th ult. Mrs..). Alt:11114, Mat)bosou4h.Cottage,
Brompton, of a soli.

On Sat n Haw, April sp, at Is.larylelione-chnrch, Captja
Wm. S. Macdonald, to MissSatnbltrn, of Pdrtmatp4flacFs
Paddington. •

DIED. •
On 'filet(lay evening, the 25th ult., at Boulogne-sur-Mer'
in Fiance, in the 51st year Of his age, the Hon. August°
Richard Butler Danvers, uncle to the Earl of I.,inesi/orougb•
On Tuesday last, at his hnose,•.latnes• street, tuekirigh3lll
Gate, P4tricli Colquhoun, LL.D.
cf
On the 95th instant, at Gedshill, in the King's CountY,ra
a consumption, anit in the 25th year of Ins age,' Ktcha
Edward Dighy, Esq. son. to the late Dean of Closifert,'in
laud.

-- - .
creat
:
LONDON: Printed by J. B. cAnsTAuts, of No. 29,
0r:11..0-street, Queen•stinare; and publishedS'.:l,s
SCRIPPS, .if No. 7, South Molton-street, at TNTNo. 112, Strand ; where Advt.! tiAententiti Ottler"
Letters, bit, (pust-paid) must he addrened.

.-7,

Nu

N
of
11.0 VAL
hlithed fi
31st \h
by Edtval
City, viz.

The 11

%lira's. c

4,1 Wedn

irscrs,'
the With

12th lost;
01

And N

Itttt
t)Ziitrv,
Ikettr tlrei

arNll
PrTEII
sa
z

„

ts wi,'
wlrl

Lao
r,,st c 4,
414, l C

.11,ry
.teYan

k;'L

411 (.1 a
YO
eastk
1041,
Petti,
'II j

procc

th,,„
Dews
Lltry

din,
(ion.

r.'vt

kcif
"lea
cure

Choi
11:190

44),)
Zp U
t

Afte
14„
tkt,