Star.
London, England, 1826-10-26 00:00:00

DUMFRIES. Ocr. 24.

A serious affray occurred at Newtonstewart on Friday
last, the 20th inst. Robert M'Clurg, heckler there, had
been in the practice, for some time past, of using his
wife badly, in consequence of which Mrs. M'Clurg
swore the peace against him. Mr. John Stewart, writer
in Newtonstewart, who also acts as a messenger at
arms, proceeded on Friday to the house of M'Clurg, at
the head of a body of constables, in order to make him
prisoner; and as he was in the act of apprehending him,
*Cling siezed upon him, and with a hook which he
I had concealed behind his back, violently struck Mr. S.
on the back part of the head. The weapon penetrated
to the bone, and, had it been two or three inches lower,
.would in all likelihood have severed the head from the
body.; M'Clurg immediately aimed another blow,
which would, without doubt, have been fail, had not
Mr. Stewart at that moment shot him in the groin, from
which, it is feared, he will not recover. This affray has
caused great consternation in Newtonstewart, particu-
larly as so few disturbances take place in that peaceable
little town. Mr. Stewart's conduct on the occasion was
very heroic. He at present deeply laments the danger
which M'Clorg is in, and forgives him for the injury he
has sustained at his hands.
EXECUTION OF M'MANUS.
This unfortunate youth, who was convicted and con-
demned at our September Circuit, for assaulting and
robbing Mr. Snail, on the high road leading to Lock-
erby, closed his earthly career on Wednesday last. At
twelve o'clock a considerable number of persons avere
seen standing on both sides of the gaol ; but they behaved
very peaceably; pity for the fa'e of a fellow creature,
who could nut be much above 20 years of age, appeared
to pervade every mind ; though we were sorry to see so
many decently-dressed females present, and could not
help regretting that curiosity should have triumphed
over their better feelings. The '.Wagistrates assembled
in the Provost's house, and entered the gaol at or about
'two o'clock. The Rev, Mr. Lee, and two other Catholics
were at this time engaged with the prisoner, whose re-
spouses were uttered in so firm a voice,that they were dis-
tinctly heard by those who stood near the window of his
cell. At half-past two, the Rev. Dr. Scot ascended the
scaffold, accompanied by the Magistrates and some
other Gentlemen, and after a portion of the 27th Para-
phrase had been read and sung, he prayed for the space
of ten minutes, with so much fervency of manner and
spirit, as must have moved and affected all who heard
him. Public devotion was concluded by singing a
single verse of the 23d Psalm; alter which the Rev.
Gentleman immediately retired, apparently quite over-
come by his feelings. At this moment M'Manus was
brought up, closely followed by his spiritual adviser,
who had been unceasing in his efforts to guide him
aright ; and without pausing or looking round, both
ascended the fatal platform. His feelings at this time ap.
pear to have been wound up to the highest pitch; he was
anxious, if we may so express it, to die, and ran rather
than walked across the
.Court-yard. The prisoner's
face was a little flushed, and his frame, at times, slightly
convulsed; but his step was firm notwithstanding, and
altogether he displayed a high degree of fortitude.—.
Though his arms were pinioned, the continued motions
of his head and hands indicated what was passing within.
Everything being ready, the cap and rope were finally
adjusted, the signal given, the prop which supports the
drop withdrawn, and the prisoner was launched into
eternity. Almost simultaneously, the Rev. Mr. Lee
dropped on his knees, in which position he remained for
five or 6 minutes, his hands uplifted and his eyes closed: -
To all appearance, *Manus' sufferings were long and
severe. Being of a slender make, no dislocation of the
neck took place ; the noose shifted as the drop fell, and
rested on the lower part of his head; the rope in this
way was imperfectly tightened, and before strangulation
bad done its work, his frame was very violently con-
vulsed for the space of six or seven minutes. After hang-
ing the usual period, his body was cut down and given
to his relations; and by four o'clock in the afternoon
Buccleuch-street was nearly as clear of people as it had
been at the same hour in the morning.
M'Manus left behind him three letters, one of which
briefly expresses his thanks to the jailor and his wife,
and the Cotinsel and Agent who conducted his case; a
second is addressed to Margaret Rock. We have seen
the original, and copy it verbatim, with the exception of
a few slips in spelling.
Dumfries Jail, October 14, 1826.
MY MLR MAILOAILIT-4, with downcast eyes, and sore heart,
lift up my pen, according to your request, as you desire to have a
few lines in remembrance of me ; in memory I hope you will not
me bear; but lot me fall from your mind, as I fall dead to this
wretched world, never more to be seen by the eyes of mortal man.
I die an ignominious death, by disobeying the laws of my country,
or rather for disobeying the laws of Autumn, Goo, whom I have
sq often provoked to anger by rebellious and heinous depredations,
which makes me weep and mournfully cry under the chains ef re.
pentanes • but I hope the Lotto of Heaven and Earth will be ex-
tended wick mercy towards my poor soul. There is no hope upon
eartb,no mercy for me; but my confidence Is on hlgh,wbere I hope my
dear Margaret that your hopes will be perfected. 0 ! I hope that you
will refrain from evil, and See to what is lawful and right in the
sight of GOD. Be obedient to your poor mother; disobedience to
parents is the thing I lament sore. The sentence pronounced on an.
dutiful children is a shoat and sinful life, accompanied with untimely
death. 0 ! unhappy nun, that ever I was born to die on a tree
but I hope this is the handywork of my CAZATOI4 who has the
dispensing of his people as be thinks proper. I can say little more
on this subject; but I hope that the Leas will direct your mind to
the ways of righteousness. I send these few lines with my dying
love to you, and may the GOD of all peace be with you, and ending
my lines, I remain, dear Margaret, your once, but now no more
loving, and breaking-hearted. dying,
To bisques Itock. JAMES IiPMAN US.