Star.
London, England, 1818-08-04 00:00:00

EXECUTION a OM/Ili:as EitiSSii",

On Saturday ttiorning Hussey became tranquil and
itesixned ; professing an ardent desire for the termi-
nation of life, as the comniencement of his happiness
in meeting his MAKER. The only interruption to
this state of composure and religious meditation oc-
curred in his taking leave of his friends and relations
on Saturday afternoon. His brothers and sisters
then visited his cell, to take their last farewell of him,
and to beseech him, as the only legacy of consola-
tion that he could leave them and society, for an
open confession of his guilt. The scene was over-
powering and heart-rending. He fell upon his
knees and embraced them all, protesting before them
and HEAVEN his innocence of the murders. He lay
with his head on the Lip of his sister for a considers=
ble time in the greatest agitation, the rest of the fa-
mily standing over him and her, and mingling their
tears with his. In these interesting moments, while
his soul was softened by affection and sorrow, they
implored him by the most solemn sanctions of reli-
gion, and by every tender endearment. of kindred, to
confess ; but he still persisted in his protestations of
innocence as to the murders, and only assumed more,
calmness and firmness in calling HEAVES to attest it.
Such declarations he continued till his friends were
torn from him ; adding, with great emphasis, thiar
whatever crimes he was guilty (and he allowed their
'e-xtent and enormity before Con) his hands were never
imbrued in blood. At partin,-, lie grasped the knees
and hands of his brothers and sisters, ki,sed them,
clung to them, blesied them, wept with them, anal
exhibited every symptom of tins most unquenchable
affection in the most overpowering distress ; but still
protested his innocence. After that last interview
with them, he remained cairn and resign( d. During
Saturday night and the whole of Sunday he was em-
ployed in religious exercises, exhibiting at times an
ecstatic rapture of devotion and hope. His mind, he
said, was filled with " hope, peace, and joy, in be-
lieving.' and he derived great consolatic n in the con-
sciousness of not having the weight < f blood upon
his soul, however guilty it might othcry isc appear to
the pure eyes of his Goo. His declarations of inno-
cence, when questioned of the murder, were not ut-
tered with a dejected countenance, or uith any marks
of hesitation, but in a smiling confides t manner that
might with less evidence against him fare bespoken
the truth of his statement. He has teen vac:. 1 y
reported to be a Roman Catholic; but there w is no
foundation for the report. Mr. ARGLES, the Ordi-
dinary of the jail, has attended him since his con-
demnation ; and the Rev. Mr. RUDGE, of Limehouse,
on a pressing invitation from himself, arrived on Sa-
turday at Maidstone to administer to him those con-
solations which, from a previous communication with
him, and his previous humane attentions to his spi-
ritual condition, he anticipated with satisfaction. lie
has been a careful reader es er since his apprehension
of the most esteemed religious publications ; and the
latter Rev. Gentleman supplied him with several
tracts, from which he professed to have derived in-
struction and consolation. He slept soundly fur the
la.st two nights, and took the ordinary sustenance al-
lowed him by the rules of the prison. His regular
and composed manner, his apparent peace of mind;
and friar poweiful sense of religion, excited the won
der and surprise of his attendants. In the course of
yesterday his most set-ions moments were embraced
to draw from him an acknowledgment ,f his guilt.
The reply was invariable in its substance, .111:1 always
uttered in the most emphatic manner, " I did not
commit the deed ; so help me GOD. In thought, deed,
and conscience, as to that, I am perfectly innocent:"
He acknowledged, however, • that he deserved death
for many crimes, but thanked HEAVEN that he had
nothing to do with the murder of Mr. bird.
At nine o'clock last night the Clergymen took
their leave of hint. Ile entreated that he might have
the satramen: at eight o'clock this morning, and this
arrangement being made, he proceedal to write sonic
farewel letters to his friends.
A short time before eight o'clock this morning the
Rev. Mr. A ROLES and Mr. Rome proceeded to visit
the unhappy man in his cell, and to adniini,.ter to
him the Holy Sacrament. He joined them fervently
in prayer before the solemn ceremony, and then de-
clared his perfect readiness to engage in it ; but be.
fore they proceeded, the latter Gentleman, in the most
impressive manner, thus addressed him :
" And now, Hussey, before you communicate with your
blessed SAVIOUR, I request you to declare as a king man, for
the satisfaction of the public in general, and of the inhabitsnts
of Greenwich in particular, did you or did you not perpetrate
this horrid murder? or, if you did not, do you know who did?.
Tell me as a matter of personal favour."
His Answer %vas :

" As Goo is my Judge, and as you are my witness, these up-
lifted hands w.:re never staincil with the blood of either Mr. Bird
or his servant. I have my suspicions, but—more presently !"
The two Reverend Gentlemen were with hint a c on-
siderable part of the morning, and left him final'y in
his cell a little before 11, to accompany the Sheriff in
his carriage to the place of execution. They paid
the utmost attention to his wishes and his feelings
during the whole of their melancholy attendance. At
a quarter before 11 the fatal waggon which was to
convey him to the place of execution arrived before
the prison door, followed by several constables and
headhoroughs on horseback, and attended on each
side by the Sheriff's javelin-men. Great crowds had
collected in King-street, but the utmost order and de-
corum prevailed. The prison-bell began to toll, and
the wretched culprit was ordered to prepare. As
eleven o'clock struck, the clanking of chains was
heard, and the unfortunate man was led forth to be
placed on the wagon. The gaoler mounted a horse,
with a black rod in his hand, and joined the peace-
officers behind the waggon. All eyes were turned
on the unfortunate man, who seemed to observe no-
thing. His drecs was nearly the same as on his trial ;
a black coat and waistcoat and grey pantaloons ; but
his person, his features, and general appearance, were
so altered, that he could scarcely be recognised as
the same person, mid instead of supposing him, as he
was represented to have been, resigned, one would
have conceived that his frame had been shaken by
some dreadful bodily or mental malady. He stept
forward with a feeble and tottering gait, and ap-
peared scarcely able to support his chains. His pale,
haggard, and emaciated countenance seemed to have
been a prey to the troubles of years, instead of the
anxieties of three days ; his eye was sunk and glassy,