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

THISTLEWOOD.

The following biographical account of Thistle-
wood is taken from a Morning Paper :—it differs
in some pal titulars from the statements already
published :
" Arthur Thistlewood is one of the sons of
the late Mr. John Thistlewood, of Tupholme, a
village about 12 miles distant from Lincoln.—
His lather was a respectable farmer and land-
surveyor, and for many years rented a consider-
able farm under Robert Vyner, Esq. Arthur
was not educated for the profession of medicine, as
some of the papers have stated. He had a brother,
who was apprenticed to a surgeon of Newark ;
bat Arthur was intended by his father for a land-
surveyor. From very early life, however, he
manifested idle and unsettled habits, and was a
bitril,.n an his friends, Upon the raising of the
Supplementary Militias, during the last war,
be ontained, through the interest of his family, a
Lieutenant's commission in the 3d or Supple-
mentary Regiment of Lincolnshire Militia, com-
mituderi by the father of the late Earl of Bucking-
ham,hire. He was then rather a handsome man,
and obtainer) introductions into better society
than he had betoral seen. Shortly after, entering
into the militia, be besieged with great assiduity,
and finally won, the heart of a lady some years
ohler than himself, of the name of Worsiey, re-
siding upon the COUthill, in Lincoln, and obtained
with tier a tortune of at least ten thousand
paluda. During the cite of Ibis lady he lived
in good style at liawtry, in Yorkshire ; but she
dying, about a year anti a halt attLr the marriage,
he returned to Lincoto, where he purchased a
mansion, a (1 lived in circumstances of greet
spectabiliry for about two years. An unfortunate
gaming transaction at cards doting the Lin-
coln races, about fifteen years ago, involved him
in difficulties which he found it impossible to twer,
and he fled, to avoid the imporruntiies ot his
more fortunate associates, This seems to have
been the decided breaking lip chat•acCri, and
he has been since known only as the proie,hed
gambler or the factious demagogue He has
lived principally London. ba: bas oecasionalj)
been in France alio other pars of the Con:ineot
and has visited America. A few years siuo,., he
married his present wife, who was the daughter
of a Mr, Wilkinson, an opulent butcher of Horn-
castle, in Lincolnshire, with whom he got
2,0001. The son, who is said to have lately taken
an affecting leave of him in prison, is not the off-
spring of the first marriage, as stated in some of
the papers, but is a natural child of Thistlewood's,
whom his present wife took under her care shortly
after her marriage, and to whom she has shown
great kindness. Thistlewood haS no issue by his
present wife."
•

GOTTINGEN, APRIL 14.—His Majesty, our
most gracious King GEORGE IV., has been pleased
to take upon himself the office of Rector of the
George Augustus University,and has issued a Re-
script, dated Carlton-house, 21st March, express-
ed in the most gracious terms respecting this
most honourable distinction which his Majesty bas
been pleased to confer on the University.

A very violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius has
recently taken place. The Hereditary Prince of
DtNMARK, who visited the mountain several
times, and made observations upon the eruption,
read a report of the several visits he made to
the mountain in one of the sittings of the
Academy of Sciences at Naples, of which the
Prince is a Member.

A letter hum Cod( mentions, that on the 17th
instant, the Castle Come cutter, Lieut. JOHN
ELWIN, captured, in the Sound of Inislitobol, the
very fine copper-bottomed American schooner
Sweep, laden with tobacco, of about 90001. va•
hie, together with her clew of ten men ; the cap-
tare was made by the boats, under the command
of the first Mate, Mr. THOMAS HARDY, at about
tk‘elye miles distance from the' cutter. This is
the second schooner the Castle Coute has taken
voithits these five =whs.,

THE EXECIMON OF THE TRAITORS.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE CONDUCT OF
THE PRISONERS, &c. &c. BEFORE ASCENDING
THE SCAFFOLD.

During nearly the whole of Sunday night the
wretched men slept sound, and were only awakened
by the unbarring of their cell doors to admit the
Reverend and very devout Ordinary, whose pious
zeal to convert them from their avowed tenets of
Deism, prompted him to visit the gaol in the dead
of the night. Here he found them in their sepa-
rate cells, and went to each, urging every pious
argument to reclaim them to the paths of Chris-
tianity. On Thistlewood, Tidd, logs, and Brunt,
however, his arguments were unavailing; but on
Davidson, his endeavours were crowned with suc-
cess, and, in the most fervent manner, this unfor-
tunate man joined in prayer with Mr. Cotton for
mercy at the hands of his -Redeemer. The cells
in which these delinquents were confined, though
separated by strong walls of stone, were not suf-
ficiently detached to prevent them from speaking
to each other, and lugs, speaking during the night
of the approaching awful exhibition they were to
make, remarked to another of his companions,
with savage disappointment, `4 That there would
be plenty of persons present, but d----n the --,
they had no pluck." Davidson had hitherto pre-
served the same obdurate tenets as his associates
in guilt ; but during Sunday, a manifest change
took place in his manner, and he requested the
spiritual consolation of the Rev. Mr. Cotton.
That Gentleman visited him immediately.; and, as
we have stated before, went to him in the night.
At five o'clock on Sunday morning Mr. Cotton
went again to the gaol, and -proceeded to the
condemned cells, wth the ballowed elements of
the Sacrament, which was administered to and.
received by Davidson with the utmost devotion.
The Reverend Gentleman offered it to the other
culprits, who, however, were immutable in their
infidelity. Brunt partook of the wine offered to
him, but only for the purpose of drinking the
King's health, which he appeared to do cordially.
Davidson also drank his Majesty's health, and
joined fervently in the prayer for the King and
the Royal Family, which is in the Established
Church Service.

The men breakfasted separately. After this
Davidson continued to pray fervently to the mo-
ment of his removal ; but the other prisoners
seemed totally unmoved by their approaching tate.
At about a quarter ()ran hour past 7 o'clock, the
Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, several young Noblemen,
and a number of Gentlemen ,walked in procession (as
is usual), through the vations passages in Newgate
till they arrived at the door of the condemned cells.
which comes into the Press-yard. The criminals,
since receiving sentence of death, have been con-
fined in the lower ward of the prison assigned to
capital convicts.—Thistlewood came out of the
condemned cell first ; he bowed to the Sheriffs and
Gentlemen present ;he looked very pale ; cast
up his eyes, and said, "it appears fine." He diS-
played uncommon firmness, and held out his hands
for the assistant executioner to tie them. He.
observed to the persons near him, that he never
felt in better spirits in the course of his life. He.
was attired its the same apparel that he wore dur-
ing his trial. He now advanced to the block to
have his irons knocked off, and while the turnkey
way in the act,

Mr. Alderman Wood advanced to Thistlewnod,
and said, Thistlewood, I wish you to give me an
answer to two or tbree questions--
Mr. sherilTßothwell—Mr. Alderman, I must interfere. I
am sure yon have had quite experience enough of magisterial
duties to know that on a solemn occasion of this kind, you
ought not to interfere with a prisoner on the point of death.
Mr. Alderman Wood.—You prevented me, Mr. Sheriff,
from entering Newgate yesterday, to obtain the information
lam now :iliont to seek. You have no authority to prevent
me from now having it, as the gaol is this day under the so-
perintendance of Lord Sidmouth, and I must persist in ob-
taining answers to my questions, if the prisoner chooses to
give them.
Mr. Sheriff Rotliwell—l cannot suffer you to disturb the
quiet of an unhappy watt's mind at this awful moment, Mr.
Alderman. I must, by virtue of my office, interfere, and pre-
vent you from d,ing any thing which can have a tendency to
distract the mind of a man in his awful situation—one who
is indeed dead in law _

•,lieriff Parkins—l must insist on the Worthy Alder-
MA"'s helot; permitted to put any question he pleases, unless
the prisoner objects. I now authorise Aldeiman Wood to
put ahaterer questions he wishes.
MI. Sheriff Itothwell—Well, I must again object—l think
it h hly improper.
Mr. Alderman Wood—l have the questions here written
down, and I'll put them to you Thistlewood.
Q. When did you first become acquainted with Edwards?

Thistlewood—About June last. -
Q. Where did you become acquainted with him
Thictlewood—At Preston's.
Mr. Alderman Wood, who did not appear to have heard
the final letter, said; " At Preston, in Litneashire:'
Thistlewood—No, at Preston's, the shoemaker.
Q. Did he ever give you any money?
Thistlewood—Yes ; .I. had a little frOm him.
•
The Alderman wrote down with hii pencil the
answers be had received to his (locations.

This was the sum and s►►bstance of all that
passed, and the Alderman desisted from ftirther
questions, after Mr. sheriff Rothwell bad ex.
pressed bis determination to stop so improper au
interruption.

The irons of the culprits were then knocked off
in succession. Thistlewood requested Mr. Cotton
to speak to him, but for no other moiive than to
request he would observe his conduct bad been
manly, and to state that he was perfectly happy,
anti died in peace with God.

Even to the last moment, the humane attentions
of the Rev. Ordinary to the four men whom we
have pointed out, were unavailing ; to every re.
monstrance he offered, the only answer was, they
wanted no assistance of his, their minds were per-
fectly made np on religious subjects, and they be-
lieved they should receive mercy at the hands of
God.

The arrangements being completed, the proces-
sion advanced through the dark passages of the
gaol, led by the Sheriffs and Under Sheriffs. The
Rev. Air. Cotton came next, devoutly praying the
whole time, that the souls of the misguided men
might be received with mercy at the tribunal of
their God.

Thistlewood came next, with his eyes fixed, as
it were, in abstract thought, and apparently lost
to his situation. A vacant and unmeaning stare
pervaded his countenance, which seemed unmoved
by the devotions of the pious Ordinary.
'lidd walked next, and seemed somewhat affect-
ed by his aituatiou. He tried, however, to,absuine

an indifference to Lis fate, and was frequently re't-
lied by logs, for his depression.
logs -came next, and Approached his fate,
ing without reserve, and using every forced ears.
to subdue the better feelings of white, wi)ic.o
might remind him of hii awful situation. _

Brunt, in fixed and hardened obduracy of mind,
next advanced, and with a sullen and morose air
of indifference, surveyed the officers who were
conducting him to his fate. _

The unhappy Davidson came last, with clasped
hands and uplifted eyes, praying most devoutly;
and the officers of the gaol closed the procession.
On their arrival at the Lodge from which the
Debtors' door leads to the scaffold, a moment's
pause took place, while the dreadful paraphernalia
of death were adjusted-without. Thisilewood,
who stood first, closed his lips, and with a from)
surveyed from the door-way in which he stood
the awful preparations for his fate. In a moment
they were completed, and he left the gaol for ever.
While tie execotiouer was performing the last
offices without to this wretched man, the scene
within the Lodge was almost beyond the power
of description. Tile dreadful obdoracy of Brunt
and logs filled with hotror the small assemblage
of persons among whom they stood. logs, with
an indifference almost indescribable, sucked an
orange, with which Mr. Sheriff Parkins had pro-
vided him, as well as all the other prisoners, and
screamed in a discordant voice, "Oh gi.e toe
Death or Liberty !" Brunt rejoined, " Aye ! to
be sure. It is better to die tree than to live
slaves !"

A Gentleman in the Lo►!ge now admonished
them to consi►ler their approaching fate, and to
recollect the existence of a Deity, into whose
supreme presence a few minutes would usher
then,►.

Brunt exclaimed. " I know there is a God !"
and ins added, " Yes, to be sure ; and I hope
be will be more merciful to us than they are

here."

Tidd, who had stood in silence, was now sum-
moned to the scaffold: He shook hands with all
but Davidson, who bad separated himself from
tne rest.

logs again seized Tidd's hand at the moment
he was going out, and exclaimed, with a burst of
laughter, " Give us your hand ! Good bye !"
A tear stood in Tidd's eye, and his lips invo.
luntarily muttered, " My wife and -- !"
Ings proceeded—" Come, my old cock of wax,
keep up your spirits, it all will be over soon."
Tidd immediately squeezed his hand, and rushed
towards the stairs leading to the scaffold. In his
hurry, his foot caught the step, and he stambled.
He recovered himself however in an instant, and
rushed upon the scaffold, where he was imme.,
diately received with three cheers from the crowd,
in which he made a faint effort to join, but the
thoughts of his situation, we presume, seemed to
stop this ebullition of affected indifference.
In the interim, Davidson, who bad not yet
come.out, leaned with his back against a dresser
in the lodge, and continued with his hands clasp.
ed, praying in the most fervent manner, and call-
ing with unfeigned and unreserved piety for the
intervention of the Redeemer. Brunt and
however, continued the same hardihood that they
have manifested throughout, and continued vent..
ing their thoughts in unreserved ejaculations.
A humane individual - who stood by, remon•
strafed with Brunt again, and beseeched him to
ask pardon of God.
Brunt, with a fierce and savage air, surveyed
his adviser contemptuously, and exclaimed, " Wnat
have Udotte ? I have done nothing ! What should
I ask pardon for ?" The stranger rejoined, So
you say, Brunt ; but it you have ever injured any
man, or done any thing which your conscience
tells you is wrong, ask p:srdon of God, penitently
and sincerely, and you will, I have no doubt, ob-
tain mercy."—Brunt replied, I die with a per-
fectly clear conscience. I have made my penes
with God, and I never injured no m.n."—The
stranger proceeded, " Believe in 'he Lord Jesus
Christ I" Brunt surveyed his hittnAneatisis:r
and muttered, " My mind is made up "
" Well done, Bt P' exclaimed Ings, and was
again proceeding to sing,
" Oh ! give me death or liberty,"
when be was summoned to the scaffold. He
turned to Brunt, and with a smile on his counte•
nance, shook hands with him, and p, epared to go.
While the hatch was opening, he exclaimed, with
a loud voice, " Remember me to King George
the Fourth, God bless him, and may he have a
;long reigtv" He now recollected that he had
some clothes left behind, which be requested
might be given to his wife. The wretched man
had thrown off the clothes in which he had been
tried, Rad had put on an old butcher's jacket, de-
termining, as he said, " that Jack Ketch should
have no coat of

While he stood on the edge of the steps, at the
door of the gaol, he said to Davis, one of the
turnkeys, " Well, Mr. Davis, I am going to find
out this great secret," and then springing upon
the scaffold, exclaimed, " Good bye, Gentlemen.
Here goes the remains of an unfortunate man."
Brunt now stood by himself (as Davidson stood
away from him), and muttered about the iojto.-
tice of his fate. The persons around him re-
peatedly entreated him to alter his religious Creed
during the last few moments left, and to believe
in the Saviour of the World. Still immutable—
still hardened in iniquity, he listened not to the
remonstrances of sincere friends, who beseeched
him, for bii wife's sake, and for the sake of his
-son, to ask the protection of the Redeemer for
them ; but he appeared tired of these friendly
importunities, and wished to ascend the scaffold
next.

Davidson however was summoned before him,
and with a composed countenance and a firm step
Ire passed by his former companion in guilt to his
fate, without noticing him.

Brunt now appeared considerably irritated
" What," he exclaimed, " am I to be the last I
Why is this ? They can have my blood but once,
and why am Ito be kept to the last ? But I sup,
pose they are afraid I should say something to ti►e
people, because I spoke my mind on the trial.
However, 1 don't care."

Davidson had by this rime been tied up ; Brunt
ascended the scaffold next, and was loudly cheered
by the popttitice.
The composute of this man, particularly oa

Stir nV, on taking leave of his wife, was of the
coo,l extraorilin,4ry description. in the interview
The had 'wits!' Lim on Somitty, be expressed
set in the most unmoved -manner, as perfectly
lesicned to 'his fate, and declared then, a* he has
Atone repeatedly since, that yesterday would he
-the happiest of his life The conduct of logs too,
Ni.l• fit sod haidened as it has been, was inter-
rupted bur once try any rhino like a feeling of na-
litre. On entering the Lodge, before he ascended
the scaffold, some person told him to be firm,
vvben he ejaculated, " Firm ! I am firm ; but we
have children, Sill"
Jr was generally reported, that the execution
would take place an hour before the usual time of
execution. At a quarter before seven, the per-,
=ons accommodlted at the top of the prison were
•ohsetved to retire from cite front of the building.
This, in consequence of the turnout just alluded
to, c,,used it to he generally slumber' that the
prisoners were about to he IrA out immediately.
The rut out was unfounded.
At set en o'clock tour boards to elevate the pla-
cards eau Arcre brought within the rail which en-
clotted the gAllovrs. Large hills ''ere immediately
rott;cti to them, routaltiln;:, the foiloaing words :
Rio' Act has hcen read. disptise istime-
diately." These were then laid dc.)evo on each
s;(11.• ot the 1)t blurs' Door. Ot course they wt te
trot exhibited to the populace, bring only ptepircd
In he wed in ciSP of lieurcsit y, that it unhappily
it should become the duty of rite Civil Authorities
to hire itro.ns, to so strong a measure, it might
be impossible for the multitude to be ignorant of
the petit to which they would -he exposed by
steglecting to yield prompt obedience to the man.
d a t e.

A party of the Horse Guards were stationed to-
wards the lower end of the Old Bailey, and a small
• detachment appeared at the end next 'Sepulchre's
Church. Ott ,a sodden a Irjud noise attracted the
attention of every one ; this was caused by the
awkward situation in which a person hail 1d aced
LirnseP, who, having got within the second bar,
bad clambered up agains, one of the houses, where
t! ,e constables, who felt it their duty to remove
him, could not get at hint. He was at length
pulled down by" the heels, amidst the boisterous
laughter of the Crowd, who in this 'manifested all
• the thonghtless levity of a common .mob---a levity
not unlike that described by the unfortunate Hoek."
loan, to have preceded the execution of Dr. Dodd.
Shortly atter seven o'clock the executioner niade
his appearance on the drop, and placed the steps'
by which he was to ascend to tie the sufferers to
the fatal beam. The sawdust, which had been
previously collected in two small heaps on- the
-second scaffold, was now spread over the boards.
elite coffins' were then brought out, and placed on
the sawdust, !lie toot of each being put so as
-nearly to touch the platform front which those
sett° were to fill them were to be launched into
eteinity. They had no lids on them. he per-
sons employed to bring the coffins then proceeded
to throw sawdust into them, that the blood of the
seff•rers might riot find its seay through. The
block was now bronght up, and placed by the
-bead of the fits' coffin. Most of the spectators
were surprised at the shape of the block, asi-ia-
stead •ot presentiog a flat surfate,• it -Win' diluted
off, Si) that the top of it was quite sharp'. • -
The Under Sheriff, Mr. Turner,-at this period'
stepped into the road from the Governor's house,
to asp, rtain how far the preprations had proceed-
ed. Every thing apPeared to be completely ar-'
ranged. A party of the Horse- Gerards 'seemed
about to pas, the barrier beyond Which• they had
previlosly been. stationed, Init they did tip( per-
severe, tar consequence of the diflieulty of- pent
trating the- crriwil. The persons who bad pre.
sion•ly retired from the front of thd•prison, flow,l
(at 20 minutes before eight) returned to their old
places on the top of it. This, witir the whercir-
ettrostattees just particulari.ed, annonticed that the
culprit; were about to be conducted' to the scaffold.
re-appearance of the' executioner', and -the
tolemn so-nd 'of the prison h 11, rumoved all &sulk
on the -ritiject. Every one felt that the awful
-moment ,was at hand ; and he assembled thonstilnls
stood uncovered in silent—breathless expectation.
Those -ppOsite the prison saw- in the next mo-
ment the procession from the interior of the prison
'reach the thinr," throogh which the culprits Weee
0 pass to expiate-their crimes with their blood.
Ordinary ascended the platform, and at 'a
quarter before eight Thistlewood made his appear-
ance on the scaffold. Ilia' step 'faltered a little as
lie mounted the platform, and his einnitenanee
was somewhat flushed' and disordered on being
coodneTed to the extremity of the drop. His: de'-'
portment was firm, and he looked round 'at the
ye multitude with perfect colonies's. hie hod' an
orange in his hand. On the cap being placed•oh
his head, he desired tIL:t it might nett' be putt over
his eyes. While the executioner-was putting the
rope town! his neck, a person from the'toP of
the honses.exclaiined '' God Almighty West you."
Ihistlewood nodded. The Rev• Cotton, by
-whom he was preceded, endeavaured to Obtain 'his
attention ; but Ire shook his heal, and said, " NO;
'no." He looked round repeatedly, 'as expecting
to recognise some one in the' sto'o'd, and appeared
,rather disconcerted at observing the distance to
which the populace were removed.
Tidd was brow ht up second. He ran "hastily
tip the ladder. An unusual flush overqread his
t :cc. lie bowed to the populace, alter looking
town?, and familiarly noddyd to some one whom
he recognised at a .window, with an air of cheer-
fulness. He also desired that the cap might not
be put over his eyes, but said nothing; he nodded
at different people in the windows; he likewise
ball an orange in his hand, which he continued to
'suck till the cap was flrawn over his face.
logs then Caine up; he was dressed in his
butcher-1s jacket ; on reaching the scaffold, he

gave three dice:a, and conducted himself with
great!, hardihood; he turned round several times
't&tite multilude, and smiled at them, and [Hen
Wag in a discordant voice---." Oh, give nie death
or lihery I'' Tie executioner having tied thf.
cap over his eyes, he exclaimed, " Let me see
long"as I can ;" he followed this by saying to
the crowd, Ilere we goes, my lads—here's the
last remains of James Ings
- • Thistlewood-now said to " We shall soon
!;low the last grand secret."
li.‘avidsorr ascended the scaffold with a firm step,
calm deportment, and undismayed countenance ;

be bowed to the crowd, bnt--bia conduct altoge-
tl►er was equally free from the Appearance of ter-
ror, and the uffectaticm of indifference ; when he
first came up be seemed engaged in prayer, and
was immediately joined by the Rev. Air. Cotton,
whose attentions were altogether rejected by the
others.

While the executioner was tying up Thistle-
wand he again spoke, and said (addressing a per-
son near him), " I have but a few moments to
live ; I Lope you will tell the world I died a sin-
cere friend to liberty."

lugs now addressed himself to a person in front
of the scaffold, who was taking notes, and said,
" 1 die an enemy to all tyrants. Recollect, put
that down!"

Brunt was the.last that came out ; he passed
hastily up the steps, assisted by one of the officers,
and advanced %vitt) a laugh: on his countenance ;
while the rope was being :adjusted, be looked to-
wards St. Sepulchre's choreic, and perceiving some
one with whom he had been acquainted, he nodded
several times, and then made an inclination of
the head towards the coffins, as if in decision of
the awful • display ; his conduct was tnalked by
the same irrational levity to the last ; when his
neckerchief was -taken off the stiff,!ner fell out,
and he kicked it sway, saying, " I shan't want
_that any more." •
Ings, who still kept looking about ty:th
firm-
ness, again spoke, and said. " I ant not afraid to
go before Cod anti matt. I loiow there a God,
and I hope he'll be merciful " He had a blue cap
on ills bead when he came up, which was imme-
diately removed by the executioner, and its place
supplied by a white one.
The executioner now - fcroceerled to pull their
caps civet their eyes and adjust the ropes. W 4 en
be came to lugs, the unhappy man said, " Now,
old Gentleman, finish :me tidily. Tie the hand-
kerchief t
.over my eyes. Pull the rope
tighter, it may slip."

11tvidsoo, who continued to pray with Mr,
Cotton, thinly pressed hi, hood.

The executioner then left the scaffold, and in a
few seconds, a+ six minutes atter eight, tire
.fa.al
signal was given, and, the drop instantly
Their sutlerings were brief. Thrstlewood never
Hooied a limb, not did Ire turn, but hung exactly
as he had previously stood. Jugs was much con.:
vulsed for some seconds-, but grille expiration of
three minutes all earthly suffering seemed to be at
an end.