Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-06-24
of the peace has no jurisdiction in any ease
in which an executor or administrator is
party.
London, .aprii2S.
SANGUINARY PUNISHMENT.
EXECUTION OF GEORGE WARDEN.

afternoon, George Warden, convicted OF
abstracting money from letters while Clerk
in the Post Office of Aberdeen, underwent
the awful sent.n nee of the law, on tempo
rory gibbet, erected al the head of Liber-
teens Wynd, nearly opposite TO the Bank
of Scotland. An immense multitude was
collected to witness the execution. The
behaviour of the unfortunate young man
has been most pious and resigned since his
condemnation, and he was so deeply aiiec-
ted by his melancholy fate, that great weak
ness of bodily strength was the conse-
quence. About halt past two the unhappy
prisoner, attended by the magistrates and
officers, assembled the platform. supported
by the Rev. DR.. Bronton and Mr.. Por,eus,
who had all along assisted him in his de-
| votions. After singing the 9th hymn, DR..
Brunton delivered most impressive pray
err, during which the criminal seemed much
affected. AT its conclusion he prepared
for his fate, and, with apparent flrmness,
took an affectionate leave of the ministers
anc magistrates.
The instant he assembled the drop, to
which he was assisted by two men, burst
OF sorrow rose from the crowd 1t seeing a
genieel young man in such melancholy
situation. He appeared TO feel with all its
force the pity thus expressed, for his conn
dence torsook him, and it was with some
difficulty that the two persons upheld him
while the execu,ioner was performing his
necessary duties. On their descending to
| the platform, and leaving the unfortunate
culprit alone, he was so week that 1t IS
probable he tainted, for he was quite una
BILE to stand and while in this awful situa-
ton, moving backwards and forwards, pre-
vented solely from falling by the rope, he
dropped the handkerchief 20 Or 30 seconds
before the executioner threw the fatal bolt.
An instantaneous expression OF horror burst
from the multitude at this scene fortunate
ly nothing DISTRACTED the drop, otherwise
the consequences might have been most
serious from the interest and sympathy
hich was so universally felt for the unhap-
py criminal. Why the two men did not
remain with him until the executioner was
perfectly ready to perform his office, we
are at a loss to conceive; Tor II was per-
fectly ready to perform his office, we are al
a oss TO conceive tor 1t was quite apparent
tnot the young man was unable to stand,
anu therefore, that he as not supported
till all the preparations were completed,
was very reprehensibe.
The follow ing was transmitted 70 con-
temporary journal, as the Dying declara-
ton of the unhappy young mani
Edinburgh .iprIl3.
Gin order that the truth nay hereafter be
Investigated, and that injustice may be pre-
vented TO the young men, clerks, III the dis-
ferent Post-Otfies, and that they may not
be tempted by poverty, or the oppression
OF their superiors, 10 break their trust, and
like me TO expiate their guilt on gai!ows,
deem that it may be OF use that l leave
behind me ON record a declaration OF the
truth as to the actual amount OF my allow
ance from the Post Office OF Aberdeen,
which was only 4Oi. am by no means
actuated, in this my last declaration, by "a
ny feeling OF malice or revenge against The
person of Mr.. Dingwall but do SO with
with the hope OF saving Others IRON beng
in any way under the necessity 81 Commit
ting similar crime, because han been
paid the salary allo" ed by Government
the temptation in my power would mol nave
been ayailed OF. At the same time re-
turn my sincere thanks to tine Clergymen
and others, for their kindness in visiting
me while under sentence; and, in JUSTICE
cannot ornl; to mention the klnd treatment
| received from the Governor, Mr.. olbald'
in making me as comfortable as my si'ua-
ton would admit of. die IN peace with
all men, and in the humble hope OF pardon
from God, for my SINS and offences against
thrtpublic.
GEORGE WARDEN"
Robert Smith, Bale.
"Alex, Brunlon, Minister.
"P. ST. have to contradict the printed
poem that was sold through the city OF
Edinburgh, as it vas never written by ne.
| also deny that ever distracted but 81.
from letters coming through the Post Office