The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1826-01-24 (London, England)

CONFESSION OF A MURDERER.  James Reynolds, who was lately executed at New York for the murder of Captain West, made the following confession of his crime to a friend, whom he requested to visit him previous to his execution : I confess to you, in the presence of God anti his holy Angels, that lam a guilty man I murdered Captain West on Saturday morning before day-light. lle went to bed perfectly sober, and remained asleep during the night. About day-break I went into the cabin, took an axe in my hand, and struck him a blow on the head, which Instantly killed him. 1 was alone ; in all this there was no person with me, nor on board, when it was committed. I do also certify, that I was instigated to the whole of this by Townsend, • wicked man, and an old offender as I have been informed. Ile proposed the thing to me two or three times in &joking way, before a thought of the kind entered my heart ; he said, what an easy matter it would be to kill West, and get tall his money. Ile expected, no doubt, that he had a large sum about him, but he was mistaken ; for Capt. West told me that he hail left all he hail, pretty mach, in the hands of a grocer, whose name I do not recollect at present; I think the stun was four or live hundred dollars. I heard the grocer say lie would want to borrow part of it from the Captain. I took from Capt. West's pocket forty or fifty dollars, which was all the money he had with him. I then dragged the dead body on deck without assistance, where I tied a stone to his feet and a blanket around his head, and threw him overboard on Saturday morning. This was done without a moment's reflection.  The day previous I had no intention to kill him ; his money did not induce me to it ; for, first. I knew he had but little about him and, secondly, I did not stand in need of any, for I had enough and to spare ; thirdly, the Captain was very kind and friendly to me. Ile told me whenever I wanted money to call an him and I should have it ; so that it was a momentary temptation. and I gave way to it. I was but about two weeks in his employ when the murder took place, and this is the first crimeof the kind I have been guilty of; and when 1 tell you, sir, that it is scarcely one year since Iliad been led astray, 1 suppay you will be surprised. My poor mother Ire. (Lundy said tonic, when young, and when any person had been guilty of such a crime," my child, they are well guided whom Cod guides," but Uod was not in all my thoughts at this time. Had I taken her advice I should never have been where I now am ; but now it is too late. One year ago I went to church twice or three times every Sabbath, I shunned bail company, and evil of every kind ; but, unfortunately for me, I was led from one evil to another. until at length I tell in with Townsend, who was the means of my ruin, and the cause of an ignorant youth imbruing his hands in an innocent man's blood, and this when he was asleep and tinder my protection ; but I freely forgive him, and every man, as I hope to be forgiven by my Saviour. I first neglected going to church, profaned the holy Sabbath, fell in with wicked and bad company, who led me to 1;013es of ill-fame. and thence to the gallows. (Signed)