That your petitioner was at great difficulty and expense by himself, his clerks, and other messengers and agents he employed in journeys to Liverpool and Shrewsbury, to hire an executioner; the convict being of Wales it was almost impossible to procure any of that country to undertake the execution. L s. d. Travelling and other expenses on that occasion 15 10 0 A man at Salop engaged to do this business. Gave him in part 5 5 0 Two men for conducting him, and for their search of him on his deserting from them on the road, and charges on inquiring for another executioner 4 10 0 After much trouble and expense, John Babington, a convict in the same prison with Edwards, was by means of his wife prevailed on to execute his fellow-prisoner. Gave to the wife 6 6 0 And to Babington 6 6 0 Paid for erecting a gallows, materials, and labour: a business very difficult to be done in this country 4 12 0 For the hire of a cart to convey the body, a coffin, and for the burial 2 10 0 And for other expenses, trouble, and petty expenses, on the occasion at least 5 0 0 ---------- Total L49 19 0 ========== Which humbly hope your lordships will please to allow your petitioner, who, etc. Feasting at funerals in past time was by no means uncommon in Great Britain, and perhaps still lingers in some of the remoter parts of the country. In Scotland until the commencement of the present century before or after executions, civic feasts were often held. After every execution, at Paisley, says the Rev. Charles Rogers, LL.D., the authorities had a municipal dinner. Thomas Potts was hanged at Paisley, 1797, at a cost to the town of L33 5s. 3-1/2d., of which the sum of L13 8s. 10d. was expended on a civic feast, and L1 14s. 3d. on the entertainment of the executioner and his assistants. At Edinburgh, the evening prior to an execution, the magistrates met at Paxton's Tavern, in the Exchange, and made their arrangements over liquor. These gatherings were known as "splicing the rope."[4]