Transcription
EXECUTION. A Full and Particular ACCOUNT of the Execution of DAVID HAGGART, who was Hanged at Edin- burgh, this morning Wednesday 18th July 1821, for the Murder of THOMAS MORRIN, under Jailor at Dumfries, on the, 10th of October last, and his Body given to the Professor of Anatomy for Dissection, together with his Behaviour at the place of Execution. THIS unfortunate young man, DAVID HAGGART, was tried at Edinburgh, before the High Court of Justiciary and a re- spectable Jury, on Monday the 11th of June last, and found guilty art and part, of the Murder of Thomas Morrin, then under Turn- key of the Jail of Dumfries, on Tuesday the 10th of October last, by fracturing his skull with a stone in a bag, when he made his escape from that prison. He was of a genteel and prepossessing appearance, and his trial excited great interest, the court being crowded to excess. Before pronouncing the awful sentence of the law upon the pris- oner, the Lord Justice Clerk said, that the common penalty due to the unnatural crime of Murder the pannel could not hope to escape ; but that there were circumstances in his case which pointed him out especially for a public example; and that all Scotland might know that the law would most decidedly avenge the violence done to keepers of his Majesty's prisons, the court had doomed the pris- oner to expiate his crime in the city of Edinburgh. His Lordship strongly recommended him to call in the assistance of the ministers of religion, cautioning him that, if he did not prepare himself by prayer at the footstool of mercy, and by repentance of all his sins, there was another and a more terrible day of reckoning reserved for him in that state upon which he was about to enter. The sen- tence of the Court was, that the prisoner be executed on Wednes- day the 18th day of July, between the hour's of 8 and 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and his body to be delivered up to the professors of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh. The unfortunate prisoner preserved a steady composure throughout the whole trial, and appeared at one time to be much moved during the passing of this judgment. The greatest part of his time since his condemnation has been employed in reading and perusing the scriptures, in which he has been continually assisted by the Chaplain of the Jail, the Reverend Mr Porteous, by several others of the Reverend Clergymen of this- city, and occasianolly by private individuals, to whose instructions and admonitions he was very attentive. It is also said, that he had caused a Sketch of his Life to be written, which will soon be pub- lished, and which contains a great many curious incidents for so short a period. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and behaved with great propriety during his last confinement, always appearing penitent and grateful for any kindness or attention at any time shown to him. The meeting with his father, on Tuesday eight lays, who called on him at the Jail, was truly affecting. His mo- ther is dead some time ago. Late on Tuesday evening last, he was removed from the Calton Jail to the Lock-up-House, where he spent the greater part of the night in prayer and meditation, assisted by several friends. He slept but very little, for a few hours, and was early waited on by the Clergymen, who prayed, and also assisted him in his devotions. About eight o'clock the two officiating magistrates, in their robes, and with their rods of office in their hands, came into the Hall, where one of the Clergymen again prayed fervently for a short time, the unhappy man all the while appearing perfectly calm and resigned. The Magistrates and the Clergymen, after the proper ar- rangements were then made, accompanied him up Libberton Wynd, attended by the City Officers, executioner, and a strong detachment of Police officers, to the Scaffold. Thus attended, he appeared on the platform, decently dressed, about 20 minutes past eight, where a psalm was sung, in which he appeared to join, and one of the Clergymen prayed for a short time. He then bade farewell to those around him, and mounted the fatal drop; while the executioner was adjusting the rope round his neck, he was distinctly heard praying fervently for several minutes, when he dropt the signal, and was instantly launched into the world of spirits, a few minutes before nine o'clock, in presence of a great multitude of spectators. After hanging about half an hour, the body was cut down, and returned to the Lock-up-House, to be given for Dissection. PRICE ONE PENNY.
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Date of publication:
1821 shelfmark: Ry.III.a.2(17)
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