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


fervent manner this unfortunate man joined
in nrayer with Mr.. Cotton, for mercy attic
hands Of his Redeemer.
The awful hour now rapidly approached,
when thew were to quit this world. David
son continued to pray fervently to the mo-
ment Of his removal !; but the other prisoners
seemed totally unmoved by their approach
ing fate.
Each conversed freely with The officers who
had charge ofthem; severally and declared
that this morning was the happiest of their
lives. AT length, the moment arrived when
they were to prepare tor death. Mr.. sheriff
ROCKWELL and Mr.. sheriff Parking, accomPa-
MED by their under sherifs, Mr.. Turner. and
Mr.. Pullen, proceeded TO the press yard.
| followed by a group of gentlemen. among
! whom were Mr.. Alderman Wood and Mr..
Hurcombe.
M. Alderman Wood, on first coming rto
| Mr.. Browns office, on his arrival expressed
considerable indignation at his not being
suffered TO commune with the convicts when
he calledat Newgate yesterday, stating, that
the gaol was no longer under the direction
of the city, but under that OF lord Sidmou'h.
| Orders had been most properly issued from
| the secretary of states office to suffer 10 one
| to see these convcts, unless BY properly
authenticated order; and with this pruden-
| tial and very necessary precaution, the wor-
| thy alderman was much displeased, from
motives and objects which his subsequent
conduct most fully explaiued.
On the arrival oil the sherifs and their at
tendants, in the press yard the culprlls were
brought out, and from the desperation evln-
ced by the four HON we have already men
toned, It was deemed prudent their arms
should be pinioned in the usual way before
| their irons were struck of. This ceremony
was scarcely completed, and Thistlewood
had scarcely advanced to the block 10 have
the shackles which bound his legs struck Oft,
when he was addressed by MIR. Alderman
Wood, who thought fit at this awful moment
to stop the last Offices of justice, and to ask
him when be first became acquainted with
! Edwards %
Mr. sheriff Rolhwell, in mild and COM
placent tone, expressed his surprize that
| man like the worthy Alderman should thus
interrupt the awful proceedings that we're
then going on.
Mr.. alderman Wood persisted in his en-
deavor to interrogate Thistlewood, and pro-
duced written paper, on which ne said,
| were three questions which he wished to put
| TO him. He had come to the gao! TO do so
Yesterday, but he bad been Improperly pre-
vented from seeing the prisoners, which he
contended he had RIG hi TO do ; and he now
persisted in his interrogatories to Thistle
wood, alleging the propriety and rectitude
OF his conduct.
Mr.. Sheriff Rothwe)l again interposed, land
urged that it was highly improper and ex-
ceedingly indecorous that the mind OF tie
unfortunate man. when he was standing on
the brink of eternity, should be disturbed by
questions respecting worldly affairs. The
unhappy man was in fact dead in law, and
this attempt to extract from him in his last
moments any particular declarations, was
highly improper, and could be dictated only
by an improper design.
Mr. Alderman Wood again asserted his
right 10 interrogaie the prisoner and Mr.. She
riff Parkins, in pursuance OF his inclination
to oppose every measure of his colleague,
backed the Alderman and seconded the allie
ged right.
MIR. Alderman Wood then proceeded with
bis interroga in which, however, he
was interrupted by MIR. Sheriff RothwelI,
who continued TO remind him OF the extreme
improperly of such conduct The Alder
man proceeded. however. and again asked
Thistlewood when he first became acquaint.
ed with Edwards.
Thistlewood replied that he first saw him
in the early part of June last.
Mr.. Alderman Wood then asked him where
he first became acquainted with him.
Thistlewood replied in an ipdstnct tone,
and in rather an agitated manner, I" AT Pres
TONS" He was at first understood to mean
the town of Preston, in Lancashire, but, on
being asked TO explain, he said No, not
Preston, in Lancashire Preston's, the shoe