Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-19

can on his head when he camcnp, which
was Immediately removed by The exc
cu,ioner, aud its place supplied by a
white one. The executioner now pro
ceeded to pull their caps over their eyes
and adjust the ropes. When he came
TO Ings, the unhappy man said, "Now.
old Gentleman, finish me tidily: Tie
the handkerchief tight over my eyes,
Pull the rope tighter--itmay slip" ]
Davidson, who continued to pray
with Mr.. Cotton, firmly pressed his
hand.
The executioner then left the scaffoId
and in few seconds. at six minutes al
ter eight, the fatal signal was given, q
the drop instantly fell. Their suffer
ines we're brief. Thistlewood never
moved a limb, nor did he turn, but hung
exactly as he had previously stood. inss
was much conyulsed for some seconds,
but at the expiration Of three minutes,
all earthly suffering seemed to be at an
end.
While he stood on the edge OF the
steps at tho door Of the gaol, he said 10
Mr.. Davis, one of the turkeys, "Well
Mr.. Davis, | am geing to find out the
great secret and then springng upon.
the scaffold, exclaimed, "Good bye !!
gentlemen.-Here goes the remains OF
an unfortunate man."
Brunt now stood by himself, las la
wilson stood away from him, and NUT
tered about the injustice OF his fate
The persons round him repeatedly en-
treated him to alter his religious creed,
during the last few moments lett, ana
to believe in the Saviour OF the world.
Still immoyable hardened in mi
ouity, he listened not to the remon-
strances of his sincere friends, who be-
seeched him, for his wife's sake, and
for the sake Of his son, to ask the pro-
lection of the Redcemcr for them but
he appeared tired of these friendly in'-
portunities, and wished to ascend the
scaffold next.
Davidson, however, was summoned
before him, and with composed Conn
tenance, and firm step. he passed by
his former companion in guilt to his
fate, without noticing him.
Drunt now appeared considerably IT.
rita,ed. "What," he exclaimed, am
| to be the last Why is this? They
can have my blood but once, and why
ann to be kept to the last ! but | sup
pose they are afraid | should say some-
thing to the people, because spoke my
mind on the trial. However, don't
care"
Davidson had by this time been tied
up; Brunt assembled the scatfold next.
and was loudly cheered by the popuiace.
The composure of this man, particu
larly yesterday, on taking leave OF his
wife, was of the most extraordinary
description. In the interview she had
with him yesterday, he expressed him
self In the most unmoved manner AS
perfectly resigned to his fate; and de-
clared then a, he has done repeatedly
since, that this day would be the hap
piest of his life. The conduct of ings.
TOO, violent and hardened as it has been
was interrupted bat once by any thing
like feeling of nature. On entering
the Lodge, before he ascended the scat
fold, some person told him to be firm,
when be CALCULATED, "firm! | am firm;
but We have children, Sir y
pEcApITATIoN OF THE TRAITORS.
Half an hourafter they had been turned
of, the order was given to cut the bodies.
down. The executoner Immediately as
cended the scaffold, and drew the legs Of
the suff rers up and placed the dead men
Who were still suspended, in sitting posi-
ton, with their feet towards Ludsate-hill.-
This being done, the platform was again put
up as before, and The culprits were brought
out, He proceeded to cut Thistlewood
down; and with the aid of an assistant,
lifted the body into the FIRST coffin SO as to-
bring the neck on the edge Of the block
The rope was then drawn from the neck ard
the cap was removed from the face. The
last commissions OF the traitor bad thrown a
purple hue over his countenance, which
gave it a most CHASTITY and appalling appear
ance, but no violent distortion oiteature had
taken place. When the rope had been re-
moved and the coat and waist coat forced
down, so as to leave the neck exposed, a
4 Il.