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

TAWELL'S CONFESSION.  In consequence of the exclusion of the reporters we entirely depend on the liberty allowed to Mr.  Sheriff a stating what took place previous the execution.. Mr. Sheriff Las throughout shown the greatest courtesy to the gentlemen of 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, but said that he had 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. He 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, He also confessed that 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 ears of his wife. , The following brief statement of the manner in which Tawell conducted himself was handed to us by Mr. Sherriff—  " John Tawell passed the whole night with almost unabated firmness, only giving way to a few tears and emotion occasionally. He listened with becoming attention to many portions of Scripture, and read many himself, joining with propriety in observations arising from them, and not only did he listen to and unite in the prayers which were offered for him, but he several times retired into his sleeping cell, and, falling on his knees, prayed aloud and most fervently and penitently. His firmness never forsook him to the last."  Mr. Sherriff stated that the prisoner made a hearty tea last night with the chaplain. He took 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. He fell into a profound sleep, which lasted about half an hour. He then awoke, and dressed himself. He desired Mr. Sheriff to leave a few shillings to some of the prisoners, and made a few trifling memorandums. The following 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. Sherriff 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 bold hand it must have been written, fur the characters exhibited no weakness of nerve whatever.  " Aylesbury, March 28, 1845.  " Dear and worthy Friend, Mr. Sherriff—lt is not less 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 for 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 be accepted as the most grateful acknowledgment, both on account of myself and them. " I can, for myself, desire that the Divine blessing may largely rest on thyself, and Mrs. Sherriff, and your family ; and my own valuable family will lastingly hare to re-echo this poor but sincere benediction of thy faithful but afflicted friend,  "