The Sun. — 1831-12-05 (London, England)

FURTHER PARTICULARS.) The Sheriffs are in possession of very important particulars relative to the conduct of the two culprits, which we understand it to be their intention immediately to publish. Among the murders which they have confessed to we understand is one of a little child, whom they found in a destitute condition in the street, and covered with filth and vermin. This poor child they inveigled to Bishop's house, and destroyed in a similar manner to that of the other unfortunate victims. This morning Williams stated that there was one circumstance which he had forgotten to mention before, and th it was that they had got two men into Bishop's bowie, whom they plied with rum and laudanum, intending to murder them; but the liquor did not effectually operate, and they were obliged to permit the men to depart ; an exceedingly happy and narrow escape for them. The respite in favour of May was communicated to him about five o'clock yesterday afternoon by Mr. Wontner, and the effect it produced upon him was almost indesribable, he became nearly lifeless, and it was a considerable time before, by the operation of restoratives, he could be restored to animation. He then became at one time frantic with joy, and at others sobbed aloud ; when he became somewhat calm, he returned his gratitude to the Almighty for his deliverance, as well as his thanks to those who had been instrumental in obtaining the respite. He added also; that it was no more than an act of justice towards him, for he sz,l4 innocent of the crime for which he was condemned, and wholly innocent of participating in any murder whatever, although be acknowledged that he was guilty of many ,tfences. Bishop and 'Williams yesterday afternoon parted with their wives for ever ! The scene was truly affecting. We believe Bishop's children have not been permitted to visit him in prison. Bishop, it will be recollected, was married to his stepmother, after the death of his father. Among the contributors to the fund for the relief of the widow, we understand was the Duchess of St.'Alban's, who, besides giving a large donation settled a small annuity upon her, which we are informed she has hitherto received. During the severe pressure of the crowd in the early part of the morning, some of the barricades which bad been • erected across the street, broke down, and we learn that a man and boy were killed, and nine others so severely in jurcd, that it was deemed necessary to take them to the hospital. The writer of this was on Ludgate-hill as St. Paul's clock struck the hour of eight—the fog was then too thick to admit a view of the scaffold ; but the solemn tones of the bell were recognized as a signal that, at that instant, in all probability, the murderers were paying the forfeit of their horrid crimes. It is a disgusting fact, that this really awful moment was seized by a gang of thieves at the above spot, for the purpose of taking advantage of the excitement of the moment to commit depredations—a strong rush was made, that caused much alarm and confu sion, and there can be little doubt that the callous ruffians succeeded in obtaining a considerable booty. Some of the manufacturers of "last dying speeches and confessions" had, as usual, provided a plentiful supply of those veracious sheets for the gratification of peripatetic curiosity, and, as usual, some of them were sold even before the execution took place ; but, unfortunately, the speculative typo not being aware that May had received a respite, included him among the dying penitents, and an elegant wood-cut at the head of the paper represented three culprits dangling from the gallows.