The Sun. — 1845-03-27 (London, England)

THE SALT-HILL MURDER.  AYLESBURY, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—Iii the course of yesterday evening, it was intimated to the condemned man, John Tawell, that the final event was close at hand. Upon being told that he may regard the remaining interim between himself and eternity more as hours than days, he seemed somewhat shocked, and an exclamation escaped him ; yet he did not inquire the precise day. There can be no doubt but that he clings to life in some degree, notwithstanding the resignation which he evinces. He certainly had not prepared himself for so early a day as Friday, but his self-command soon returned. Tawell has not at all maintained the character he assumed before his condemnation. Prior to his trial there was a degree of briskness, cheerfulness, and confidence about him, which has wholly departed since. The people about him term him " a wonderful man," consider him to possess excellent abilities, and admire his conduct. The behaviour which he has exhibited since his committal, and more especially subsequent to his conviction, is said to be more and more studiously correct, than while in the world. This morning the culprit's wife and her daughter, Miss Cutforth, together with the brother, Mr. W. Tawell, arrived to take their final farewell. The prisoner had prepared several memoranda for his wife. His wishes were committed to paper with great method and accuracy. Minute commissions were set down, and various small and outstanding accounts were mentioned. There is a chapel at Sydney upon which he has laid out 7001. or 8001., and to this he has given much attention. fie at one time resolved upon making this property a present to the Society of Friends; but he has now determined that they shall only use it rent free for a certain period, and upon condition of their keeping it in repair. This and other matters were all adjusted, and having mentioned a trifling debt or two, he congratulated himself upon not owing a penny, and remarked, that if anything further should come across his mind, he would commit it to paper. Upon this, as upon all former occasions, he never alluded to his crimes, nor in any of the numerous and long epistles which he has addressed to his wife, and to others of his family, has he mentioned the circumstances of the murder. The subject is one which he has always avoided. When pressed to reveal all that he knew concerning it, he always answered, "I am not prepared—l am not prepared ;" at the same time leaving an impression that something in the way of an explanation or confession would ultimately appear. Mr. Wilcox, of Berkhampstead, urged him to confess so earnestly, that after his departure he expressed a disinclination to see his reverend friend again. There is a reason for supposing that Tawell will write some kind of confession, if he has not done so already, and deliver it under seal to the chaplain, or the governor cf the gaol, to whom he is very gratefully attached. This gentleman will sit up with him all night previous to his execution, and every possible precaution will be observed in order to prevent his carrying out a design which is regarded as probable outside the prison only—that of his destroying himself. Within the gaol, no such notion has been for a moment entertained.  The latter part of the visit of Mrs. Tawell was spent in devotion. Her husband prayed earnestly and eloquently. Miss Cutforth was deeply affected, and wept nearly all the time. Mrs. Tawell was reluctant to abandon all hope or intenticn of seeing him again, having some vague expectation of a favourable communication from certain personages to whom petitions have been sent. This evening Tawell will be informed by the chaplain that Friday morning ends his earthly career. Independently of any confession of the murder, some extraordinary disclosures will be made relating to the fate of Jahn Tawell.  [We shall give full particulars of the execution (by Express) in our Afternoon Edition of to-morrow.]