Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

London, April 28.

SANGUINARY PUNISHMENT.

EXECUTION OF GEORGE WARDEN.

On Wednesday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, George Warden, convicted of abstracting money from letters while Clerk in the Post office of Aberdeen, underwent the awful sentence of the law, on a temporary gibbet, erected at the head of Libberton's Wynd, nearly opposite to the Bank of Scotland. An immense multitude was collected to witness the execution. The behaviour of the unfortunate young man has been most pious and resigned since his condemnation, and he was so deeply affected by his melancholy fate, that great weakness of bodily strength was the consequence. About half past two the unhappy prisoner, attended by the magistrates and officers, ascended the platform, supported by the Rev. Dr. Brunton and Mr. Porteous, who had all along assisted him in his devotions. After singing the 5th hymn, Dr. Brunton delivered a most impressive prayer, during which the criminal seemed much affected. At its conclusion he prepared for his fate, and, with apparent firmness took an affectionate leave of the ministers and magistrates.

The instant he ascended the drop, to which he was assisted by two men, a burst of sorrow rose from the crowd at seeing a genteel young man in such a melancholy situation. He appeared to feel with all its force the pity thus expressed, for his confidence forsook him, and it was with some difficulty that the two persons upheld him while the executioner was performing his necessary duties. On their descending to the platform, and leaving the unfortunate culprit alone, he was so weak that it is probable he fainted. for he was quite unable to stand : and while in this awful situation, moving backwards and forwards, prevented solely from falling by the rope, he dropped the handkerchief 20 or 30 seconds before the executioner threw the fatal bolt. An instantaneous expression of horror burst from the multitude at this scene; fortunately, nothing obstructed the drop, otherwise the consequences might have been most serious from the interest and sympathy which was so universally felt for the unhappy criminal. Why the two men did not remain with him until the executioner was perfectly ready to perform his office, we are at a loss to conceive; for it was quite apparent that the young man was unable to stand, and therefore, that he was not supported till all the preparations were completed. was very reprehensible.

The following was transmitted to a contemporary journal, as the dying declaration of the unhappy young man :—

Edinburgh April 13.

In order that the truth may hereafter be investigated, and that injustice may be prevented to the young men, clerks, in the different Post-Offices, and that they may not be tempted by poverty, or the oppression of their superiors, to break their trust, and like me to expiate their guilt on a gallows, I deem that it may be of use that I leave behind me on record a declaration of the truth as to the actual amount of my allowance from the Post Office of Aberdeen, which was only 40l. I am by no means actuated, in this my last declaration, by any feeling of malice or revenge against the person of Mr. Dingwall; but I do so with the hope of saving others from being in any way under the necessity of committing a similar crime, because had I been paid the salary allotted by Government, the temptation in my power would not have been availed of. At the same time I return my sincere thanks to the Clergymen and others, for their kindness in visiting me while under sentence; and, in justice, I cannot omit to mention the kind treatment I received from the Governor, Mr. Sibbald, in making me as comfortable as my situation would admit of. I die in peace with all men, and in the humble hope of pardon from God, for my sins and offences against the public.

GEORGE WARDEN.

"Robert Smith, Baillie.
" Alex. Brunton, Minister.

P. S.—I have to contradict the printed poem that was sold through the city of Edinburgh, as it was never written by me. I also deny that I ever abstracted but 5l. from letters coming through the Post Office of Aberdeen.

GEORGE WARDEN.