Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-06-29
A Monster of Cruelty

George Lord Jefferies was born in Wales abort
the year 164S. He first studied the law, then he
became SERGEANT of the city of London: he next
stepped to the Recordership of the city; from
thence he became Chief Justice of the city Of
Chester; and in 1853 was made Lord Oh eff Jus
tice Of the Kings bench. In this as in all other
offices, be behaved most indecentlv, for, besides
his being seandalously vicious, he was almost
every day drunk, besides drunkenness of fury
ia his temper, by which he brought Lord Rus
sci and the famous Algernon Sidney unto their
ends. He also handled Mr.. Baxter and others
severely.
Blu, the most tragical story of his life fell out
in 1855. After Monmouth was defeated, and
himself and many of his little army taken, Jeife-
ries was sent by his master. hing James, TO the
West, as ordinary execut oner to try the pris-
oners; and here his behaviour was beyond any
thing ever heard of, in Christian nation. He
was perpetuaily after drink or in rage, more
like fury than Judge. Where no proof could
be had, he commanded the panels to plead guilty
if they desired mercy; and then if they confess
ed any thing, they were Immediately hung up.
In few towns in the west of England, he pro-
nounced sentence of death on some five or six
hundred persons--two hundred and ninety-two
received this sentence in an hours space; of
these six hundred, two hundred and fifty were
executed; others had the benefit of his avarice:
for pardons were by him sold from ten pounds to
fourteen thousand guneas. lie sentenced the
Lady Lesley for harboring stranger one night.
Miss Gauut was burnt. A poor man was hang
ed for selling three pence worth of hay for Mon
n THIS horse. Some were hanged at the
staunchions of windows; others had their bowels
burnt and their bodies boiled IN pitch, and hung
round the town. Bloody Kirk put in for part of
the honor. At Taunton he hanged nine with
out suffering them to take leave OF their wives
and children. At some places they cast off so
many with health to the King, and number
more with health to the Queen, drinking it at
every turn; aud perceiving the shaking OF their
legs in the agonies of death, they said they were
dancing, and called for music, and to every one
cast over, spring was played on pipes, haut-
boys, drums and trumpets, with huzza and
glass oil wine. Jefferies sentenced one Iutcain,
for changing his name, to seven years. imprison-
ment, and whipping through all the market towns
in the shire, which was once fortnight during
tina: time, which made Mr.. Tutchin petition the
King for death. Many other crueties We're then
committed, but the foregoing may suffice 4.
Jefferies returned TO London, where his mas
ter, James, for his good services, made him Lord
Chancellor. Being now above the reach or envy
Of the PEG lie, he set himself to assist his master
in bringing in opponents; but their mad hasty
zeal spoiled the project; and so, his master hay
ing to flee his dominons, Jcfferes, disguised in
seamaa's dress in a collier, essayed to escape
after and in imitation of his master, but was
taken and severely drubbed by the ropulace, and
then brought to the Lord Mayor. Jeferes, TO
be freed from the people, desired to be sent to
the. Tower, because they were waiting with
clubs upon him. The Mayor seeing this, and
the Chancellor in such a gloomy appearance,
was so struck that he fell into fits and soon died.
ieferies being sent to the Tower, continued with
few either to pity or supply him. At last bar
rel of oysters being sent him. he thanked God
he had yet some friends left; but when tumbled
out, with or without oysters, Strong cord hall
ter fell out, which made him change countenance
on the prospect of his future destiny. A distem-
per with gravel seized him, contracted through
hts former intemperate, wicked, bloody life, and
| the horrors of an awakened conscience, and at
last, whether nature wrought out ITSELF or if he
himself helped the fatal stroke (as is most like
ivy is uncertain, he died in 1859.