The Sun. — 1845-03-28 (London, England)

TAW-ELI:8 CONFESSION. In consequence of the exclusion of the reporters we entirely depend on the liberty allu►ned to Mr.  Shc-riff of stating what took place previous to the execution. Mr. Sheriff Las throughout shown the greatest courtesy to the gentlemen cf the press, as far as the latitude allowed him extended, and the following particulars from him may be relied on. It appears that Tawell drew up a confession some days since, of which he made a copy at a quarter before five o'clock this morning. This statement he placed in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Cox, the chaplain, which he begged of that gentleman to keep, Lut said that he bad no objection to the substance of it being made known to the public. The statement will be so far satisfactory to the public that it takes away all doubt as to the guilt of the deceased. Ile confessed that he was guilty of the murder of Sarah Hart, and also that he was guilty of the attempt to murder her on the previous occasion, in September last, as stated on the trial, Ile also confessed tl at he did not commit the murder from, pecuniary motives, but from the dread that the relation in which he stood towards Sarah Hart would transpire and come to the cars of his wife. The following brief statement of the manner in which Tawell conducted himself was handed to us by Mr. Sherrill*— " John Tawell passed the whole night with almost unabated firmness, only giving way to a few tears and emotion occasionally. Ile listened Nith becoming attention to many pottions of Scripture, and read many himsylf, joining with propriety in observations ari,ing from them, and not only did he listen to and unite in the prayers which were offered for him, hut he several times retired into his sleeping cell, and, falling on his knees, prayed aloud and most fervently and penitently. llis firmness never forsook him to the last." Mr. Sherrill' stated that the prisoner made a hearty tea last night with the chaplain. Ho te,d, breakfast at three o'clock this morning; after which, he asked of Mr. Sherriff if he might go to bed for a short time, desiring, if he fell asleep, not to be allowed to continue in that state after five o'clock. Ile fell into a profound sleep, N 1 hich lasted about half an hour. Ile then awoke, and dre-sed himself. Ile desired Mr. Sheriff to leave a few shillings to some of the prisoners, and made a few trifling memorandums. The fullowing letter, addressed by the prisoner to Mr. Sheriff, will be read with interest, and is highly creditable to Mr. Sherriff. He had written it some days ago, but made a fresh copy, which he gave to Mr. Sherrill' at five o'clock this morning. The letter indicates a good deal of gratitude on the part of the prisoner, and though written only a few hours before his execution, it is astonishing with what a hold hand it must have been written, fa the chat acters cabs bited no weakness of nerve whatever. " Aylesbury, March 28, 1843. " Dear and worthy Friend, Mr. Sherriff—lt . .not lees my duty than great pleasure, as well as from feelings of deep and sincere gratitude, that I can thus offer my poor but unqualified thanks to both thyself and poor Mrs. Sherriff fur the continued and marked kind attention which has been shown so uniformly to myself and my dear and valuable family and friends since my unfortunate confinement in this prison, by allowing us all the access which urbanity and philanthrophy could suggest, under such circumstances, to the participators in this their severe affliction. "And now their deeply distressing probation is nearly concluded, I have to desire that this may he accepted as the most grateful acknowledgment, both on account of myself and them. " I can, fur myself, desire that the Divine blessing may largely rest on thyself, and Mrs. Sherriff, and your family; and my own valuable family will lastingly have to re-echo this poor but sincere benediction (I th 3 faithful but afflicted friend, "