Star.
London, England, 1823-01-04 00:00:00

EXEC:UTIO_V..

Thursday morning, Robert Hartley was executed
on Pennenden Heath, near Makktone, pursuant to I
his sentence at the Special Jail Delivery, holden at
Maid,tone, for the County of Kent, the 16th ultimo,
for wilfully stabbing Captain OWEN, of the Belitro-
phon convict ship, lying at Sheerness, on the 29th of
August last, where the prisoner was confined as a transport.—
From the time of his condemnation to Wednesday evening last,
the unhappy man behaved in the most hardened and impenitent
manner, stating his disbelief of a future state, and disregarding
the pious exhortations of the Rev. Mr. Worms, Chaplain to the
' Jail. Ile was wont to speak of his many heinous offences with
exultation; and since his trial has confessed to Mr. WINTRA up-
wards of two hundred burglaries and robberies committed by
him, from the age of ten years to the present time, sod which,
he said, were not all. Fur the present, we al:stain from making
public his confession.
On Sunday last, one of the turnkeys asked him if he was not
cold? he said—" No; but I shall be a d---d sight colder this
night week, or else hotter—l don't knosie which; but, I will
come back and let you know." On Monday, he said-64 If I
was to be set at liberty to-night. I should do something before
morning to get In again." -On Wednesday his time was chiefly
employed in melting ebservatioes which proved the depravity of
his heart: he requested one of the turnkeys to go to the Sur-
geon of the Jail, saying be wished to sell Ails body, for he was*
sure the Resurrection-meet would stick a knife into hint, and be-
might as well sell himself, as for them to take him • that she
knee*a girl at Chatham that he should like to give the modey,
to. At another time, he said to one of the prisoseas guarding
him.," I wish you were, going out to-morrow, for then I would
give... you my carcase; it would fetch two gutness, enti.that would
be of come service to you:" he ohm said,.ll* shMtkilihil toatop
at some public-house on the road and have half a pint of rum,
before be got on the heath tooviorrisiv. ). • ) :•'`
an the evening Mr, WINCES .wes.Witb, hit!, #61:341:414.
past eight o'clock, when he, for the first time, joi in prayer,
aid consented to receive the lateritheni. 4 the everniiig;• the:
Chaplain visited him et eight p'sincitc oclten he said lie .bad.slopt •
very well till about three o'clock, from which time he ayas
harassed with shocking a reinirk 4le receiVed: the 'iicratitetit,
and appeared much affected ; but upon being asked-hf -Mr. W.
whether, if he was discharged, he would lead an honest life? he
replied, 0 ;he should go on the same Way agbiti.n- About
ten minutes before be left the geol.• he recluirteed:te ac Oliver
and Lewis (two other Rritoners left for execution for a bur-
glary, at Chariton, but for whim Agar,'tbe CosolettelVbels
received a respite during bis -idujeity's pleasure). anf4.upondislir
being introduced to him, a scene truly heart-rending took Awe.
The two unhappy men, upon seeing Hartley; shOok hands w 1
him, They were greatly distressed—shed teareg—oad ejaculated

_ .
a short prayer to the ALMIGHTY to have mercy .upon
sufferer. Hartley oleserirecl-kr"l.)6b4t-1144; mews ;'4lllllbit
nothing tiw matter ;" and, after taking leave eLtfigro, said, In 4
firm voice, "I am ready, now." At ten minutes after eleven
o'clock, the massive rates at the entrance of the gaol'Were
thrown open, and the wretched culprit appeared seated in a
waggon, guarded by the usual attendants. On arriving in the
midst of the crowd, he looked around him, and bowed and
smiled to several that be recognised- Ile was eating an orange,
and held in his_haod priyer-boolk; oo his way to the heath, he
repeatedly bovied to persons in the erdwd, arid shook hands with
two or three near the gaol; there were two women looking out
of a window at him; he turned round, and upon seeing them,
winked his eye and laughed.
On coming to.the brow of the Heath, where the gallows first
appeared to view, be looked towards it and smiled ; on ar-
riving at the fatal spot, the Chaplain read a very impressive and
appropriate prayer, to which the unhappy man appeared to pay
great attention ; at the conclusion of their devotions he ascended
the scaffold, and in a firm voice said-1' I beg you will excuse
all imperfections in my speech ; I hope you will all take warn-
ing by my fate; there are many persons in this assembled multi-1
tude whose faces I very well know, and whom I am afraid, if
they do not alter their wicked course of life, will be summoned
to appear before GOD with all their sins upon them ; whose
presence I shall shortly be. There are many of you that may
not, perhips, be guilty of all crimes—you may not lie nor swear,
but you have been guilty of many offences, for which you de-
serve to die in the manner lam about to do now." lie stopped
short—his feelings appeared to overcome him, and, after a short
pause, he said, " I must beg pardon, I cannot go any further."
—The unfortunate man then turned to the executioner, and
whilst he was putting the rope round the 'beam, said, " Be
not be long about it—let me feel what drop you have given me."
lie then lened forwards, to try the length of the rope, and said,'
" that will not do—the knot is too much under my jaw." The
executioner moved it towards his chin, when he said, " it is now
too much under my chin." When the rope was adjusted he.
said, " put on the cap now." When drawn over his face. he
said, " let me draw it off my mouth." When he had removed
the cap, he said, with a loud voice," Loan Jesus, into thy hand!
commit my spirit—pray let this be a warning to you all—l
wish you all a happy new year !" He was then launched into
I eternity: he was much convulsed, and struggled for ten minutes'
after the drop MI, Thus ended the life of a man who acknow-
ledged few had lived such a wicked life, and than whom, we
trust, few went out of the world with so little contrition for his
manifold sins. He said tie has e, tither, who keeps a public-
house near Hull. His body, after hanging, the usual time, was
taken down and buried in Maidstone burial-ground.

RZDUCTION lit SAE Puce Or SALT.—Yesterday, at the Man-
sion-House, the Logo Maws signed a reduces{ stale of prices,
at which it is ordered that talk 81011 be sold in the Metropolis;
after this week, under a penalty ot.oo. The following is the
list of pricest'
The Bushel, -from .€1 -0 shillings. ,
Half ditto - - 0 16 0 to three shillings.
Peck - - -r- Sr. ••lb Mu shiGing eoliAb: •
Half ditto - ii! ninejener. 1
Quarter ditto .4_ 1 3 • to. foUrpence-hilfpkff.
Two pounds • 113111,311h6- •to Mere-pence.- ,
Half-quarter peck • rho/1A 40, 17,‘ 40t1110Penne4:44entilt•
One pound - 11( 0 4 to three-halfpence.
Half a pound - '4l" it to thrfo-farthings.'
*tarter of &pound-, . 0 .14 to one halfpenny.
Fisa.--Monday Goosing, at about a Tarter before six, a fire
Was discovered to hail broketi Oat he the iseentiees otiittpled by
.11r. Baram4.6 WWI, in WOnter. Thilefe aocl4eaSsr.b4P4
was confined to the buildings contiguous to the place where it
Originated; The Propels-, citiedir ifestrnyed, ioWW•dliNtifesiti,
stable, piggery, lodge, and out-buildings occupied by 31r. BA eau
and some out.bousgsi ,mostly thatched, of spoor, but industrious
Sbamisamed Itlekterds,l-ifustener sajohnot. •1, -.4, C. -
• • • Yestraty an fluquestawan amid as Su ilirdfolon
(fie
tignettet4 c•t44l°Te 1.6=44
tabs* Lesclenlempat, 'and nostio ernidlidt, ifildra as auncia
4i04 ?is 4.44 ?.'ltlr‘t Aht.i4cig 14ti444 wl •
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