Transcription
EXECUTION. A Full and Particular Account of the Execution of THOMAS BLACK, who was Executed at the Head of Libbertoo Wynd, Edinburgh, this morning, Wed- nesday the 10th December, 1823, for Housebreaking and Theft; and of his Behaviour since his Condem- nation, and at the Place of Execution. THIS unhappy young man was Tried at Edinburgh, before the High Court of Justiciary, on the 4th of November, 1823, along with another boy, John Reid, who has since been respited, for Breaking iuto the House at Summerfield, parish of South Leith, occupied by Mr Alexander White, Merchant, upon the morning of 25th July last, and stealing therefrom a great quantity of Silver Plate, Wearing Apparel, &c. aggravated by being habit and repute a Thief. After a full aud fair investigation, this unfortunate lad, and his neighbour, were, by an unanimous verdict of a respectable Jury, both found Guilty, in terms of the libel, but on account of youth strongly recommended to mercy. During the trial the unfortunate Thomas Black was perfectly composed, and maintained a careless indifference about his awful situation; but, soon after his condemnation, he evinced a most becoming sense of his melancholy situation, as well as the greatest contrition for his dissolute habits of life. So much so, that a few weeks before his execution, he requested to be indulged with a se- parate cell, as the society of his companions in misery led to con- versations on their former way of life, which served to interrupt his more serious reflections, and to divert his mind from those im- portant considerations which his awful situation was so powerfully calculated to excite. A respite for his fellow-sufferer, as stated above, was got fourteen days before, and it can be no impeachment of the generosity of the heart of Black, or of the sincerity of his repentance, to find that this act of mercy to another, awakened in him all that love of life which had seemingly been extinguished for ever. He sunk into a state of the most heartless despondency for some time, and could neither think of the present nor of the future, without the most agonizing feelings. Indeed, during two days he scarcely tasted any food. His mind, however, was latterly restored to its wonted tranquillity, and he expressed himself with calmness and resignation on the subject of his approaching fate, an event to which he had then looked forward as inevitable. Accordingly, he was early removed to the Lock-up-House, where he was waited on by several of his nearest relations, and the sepa- ration from some of them was most appaling to the most hardened feelings. The Clergy of the city, as well as the Chaplain of the Jail, and other good Christians in town, were most attentive and most earnest for his religious instruction and edification, which he himself repeatedly and sincerely acknowledged. He slept little or none on Tuesday evening, and the Clergyman and officiating Magistrates waited on him in the Hall of the Lock- up-house, a little before Eight o'Clock on Wednesday morning, when he joined most fervently in the devotional supplications put up on that occasion. After which his arms were pinioned, and the melancholy procession soon moved up, in a slow and solemn man- ner, to the head of Libberton Wynd, attended by a strong detach- ment of Police Officers. He appeared on the scaffold, decently dressed, about half past eight o'clock, where a psalm was sung, in which he joined, and a most impressive prayer put up for him to the throne of mercy, by one of the Clergymen present; during which he appeared most devout and attentive to what was so elo- quently urged in his behalf. Having taken a solemn farewell of those around him, he mounted the fatal drop, assisted by the Exe- cutioner, where he appeared most fervent in prayer, while the rope was adjusting round the beam. All things being prepared, and the Executioner taking farewell of him, he shortly dropt the signal, and was instantly launched into the world of spirits, a little before nine o'clock. We sincerely trust that the premature and shameful end of this young man, who was only about seventeen years of age, be a warn- ing to all who saw him, or heard of his awful fate. Edinburgh, Printed for R. Forrest, Price One Penny.
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Date published:
1823 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.74(335)
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