The Sun. — 1846-07-07 (London, England)

JOHN TAWELL'S CONFESSION.  It will be recollected that John Tawell was executed for the murder of Sarah Hart, of Salt-hill, at Aylesbury, now nearly eighteen months ago, and that the subject of the confession of the murderer, which was placed in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Cox, the chaplain of the county gaol, just before his execution, and which the Rev. Gentleman has continually refused to lay before the magistrates of the county, has been brought before the bench at every subsequent quarter sessions. Various efforts have been made to induce Mr. Cox to lay the document in question before the magistrates, but without success. At the last Easter sessions the following resolution, upon the motion of Dr. Lee, seconded by Mr. J. P. Derrin, was carried by a majority of exactly two to one :—" That the chaplain be required to lay on the table at the next (Midsummer) quarter sessions, any written document received from John Tawell previously, to his execution." The chaplain, who was present ' during the discussion which then took place, admitted that a solemn promise had been made by him to John Tawell not to give up possession of the document in question; and further assured the magistrates that, " whatever the consequences might be, nothing on earth should ever induce him to part with the statement." At the Midsummer Sessions, which were held on Thursday last, the subject was again introduced, by Dr. Lee inquiring of Mr. Acton Tindal, the clerk of the peace for the county, if the Rev. Mr. Cox had laid the document upon the table, relating to John Tawell, agreeably to the resolution which was carried in April last. Mr. Tindal having replied in the negative, Dr. Lee strongly animadverted upon the uncourteous conduct of the chaplain, expressing his determination to propose a motion for the purpose of bringing the subject to a final issue at the next sessions. It having been elicited, however, that Mr. Tindal, as clerk to the magistrates, had not officially communicated the nature of the resolution to Mr. Cox, in consequence of instructions to that effect not having been given to him by the bench, Dr. Lee then gave notice that he should submit the following motion at the ensuing Michaelmas Sessions, in September next :—" That the clerk of the peace be instructed to communicate to the Rev. Mr. Cox the decision of the magistrates upon his conduct with reference to the statement delivered by John Tawell to Mr. Sheriff, the gaoler; and by Mr. Re of the gaol, that Rev. Sheriffthe magistratesto th the Rev. Mr.Rfetilviy expected Cog, chaplainthe tthe Mr. Cox would have delivered up this statemept: to them, in consequence of the request, or decision, to that effect, as made by the majority of the magistrates present atthe Easter Quarter-Sessions; and that they consider his conduct, in still withholding that document, has been uncourteous and even contumacious towards them." It is not expected that the Rev. Mr. Cox, who was not present on Thursday last, will consent to give up the document, after his determined and emphatic refusal to do so at the Easter county sessions, held in April last. Howesfer, thus the affair rests for the present.  ST.