The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. : Also, numerous authentic documents; an argument on her case; a memorial to H.R.H. the Prince Regent; & strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutors' apothecary / by John Watkins, LL.D. ; With thirty original letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison; an appendix, and an appropriate dedication.

  • Watkins, John, active 1792-1831.
Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. : Also, numerous authentic documents; an argument on her case; a memorial to H.R.H. the Prince Regent; & strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutors' apothecary / by John Watkins, LL.D. ; With thirty original letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison; an appendix, and an appropriate dedication. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    tender their years, when any of the almost innumerable crimes, ren- dered capital hy our laws, should for the future be brought home to them. Hanging, then, is the best expedient which a Judge of England, in the year 1815, can devise for amending the morals of boys and girls of ten, twelve, and fourteen years of age! What will be thought of this hereafter ? The new Constitution of the Netherlands makes a provision against the habit of severity in judges, which may be contracted by the daily exercise of the practice of punishing.] “ What is the consequence of a legal conviction of innocence, when the error becomes apparent to the great mass of the community? Does it not unsettle its respect for the institutions, which it is most necessary . t should revere? Does it not violate its confidence in the wisdom of the judgment seats? May it not tend to lessen its respect for integrity itself, when it perceives it to be no safeguard ? How many heresies from orthodox humanity may be traced to the sad and sorrowful con- victions of error and neglect in the highest human tribunals ? To clothe law with all possible sanctity, at least in theory, has been the policy of every civilized nation, and in none more so than in our own. We are pompously called upon from the bar, the senate, the pulpit, and the throne, to respect the administrators'of the dictates of the. wisdom of ages—the sacred oracles of justice and the country. We obey, and are to be shocked not only bv their fallibility, but by the doctrine which declares it a bagatelle. Ifas an innocent person been executed ? —“ he died for the good of his country ’’—then why disturb the public mind ? All therms of law have been preserved—his conviction was legal ! What can we do more than Pilate did under similar circum- stances ?—wash our hands upon the accident of guilt or innocence, and go to dinner.” “ Mr. Examiner.—You have omitted four very important words in your report from the Sessions’ Papers, of the Trial of Eliza Penning: —You have omitted, “ TRIED BEFORE MR. RECORDER.” I will thank you, for reasons which shall hereafter be submitted to the Public, to correct this error. *«**»» “ This Trial, and its consequences, are of too much importance to the Public to be forgotten as one of the passing events of the day. It dues not require much sagacity to discover the whole of this mysterious case. I'think that, with a little patience and some perseverance, it will be developed:—I ask only for a suspension of judgment.” THE END. Printed by J. Moyes, Greville Street, Londpu.