The Power of Conscience, exemplified in the genuine and extraordinary confession of Thomas Bedworth: delivered to one of the principal officers of Newgate, the night before his execution on September 18, 1815, for the murder of Elizabeth Beesmore in Drury lane. Relating his horrible sufferings until compelled to surrender to public justice by the constant supernatural visitations of the murdered woman, and the frequent appearance of her apparition. From the original paper now in the possession oBedworth, Thomas
History
The Power of Conscience, exemplified in the genuine and extraordinary confession of Thomas Bedworth: delivered to one of the principal officers of Newgate, the night before his execution on September 18, 1815, for the murder of Elizabeth Beesmore in Drury lane. Relating his horrible sufferings until compelled to surrender to public justice by the constant supernatural visitations of the murdered woman, and the frequent appearance of her apparition. From the original paper now in the possession o
Bedworth, Thomas
Bedworth, Thomas, 1764-1815 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Beesmore, Elizabeth, -1815; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London
Possessed of his pass, _Bedworth_ set out for his native country. He
slept the first night in _Kentish Town_, and the next morning pursued his
journey towards _Coventry_, receiving at each town, through which he
went, the relief to which his pass entitled him. He arrived in
_Coventry_, on Monday, the 3d of July, and slept there the same night.
The following morning he pursued his route to _Meridan_, about twelve
miles from Coventry and six from Birmingham. From thence he _went back_
to _Coventry_, where he _again slept_, and, on the 5th arrived at
_Horseley_.
During these travels and retravels, conscience was still crying
vengeance, and though he, for a while, flattered himself, that he could
familiarise himself with the horrors of his mind, if not eventually
stifle them, he still anticipated the dreadful expiation of his life, for
the _murder_ he had committed. Terror, shame, and remorse were the
conflicting passions which accompanied him in his escape; but the
violence of these having in a great measure subsided, reflection assumed
a more rational seat in his breast, and now it was that he began to look
with a steadier eye upon the deed he had perpetrated.
From Horseley, _Bedworth_ once more _returned_, on the 5th July, _to
Coventry_, but his compunctions, while on his way to the latter place,
had become so alarming and irresistible, that he finally resolved to
_surrender himself to justice_.
For this purpose, on the morning of the 6th, he went before the _Mayor of
Coventry_, and made a full confession of his guilt. The candour and
ingenuousness with which he related his horrible tale, occasioned doubts
of its truth in the mind of the Magistrate, who, with much humanity,
supposed it might be the imagined story of a perverted intellect. He
was, however, put into confinement, and, proper enquiries being made, was
forwarded, in custody, to London, and arrived at the Bow Street Police
Office, on the 11th of July. Here he confessed, fully, before Mr. NARES,
the Magistrate, the murder of which he had been accused, and, in the
presence of others, signed his confession.
In concluding his narrative, which has been related with the strictest
accuracy, from his own lips, the unfortunate culprit added, “I have now
been most justly condemned, for this foul and barbarous murder, and after
surrendering my forfeited life to public justice, I have only to look to
that awful moment, when I shall meet my Heavenly Judge, whose merciful
pardon I hope for and implore, through the merits of Jesus Christ, the
Redeemer.—Amen!”
* * * * *
The TRIAL of _Thomas Bedworth_ took place on _Friday_ morning, the 15th
of September.—Mr. JUSTICE HEATH, Sir S. LE BLANC, Mr. JUSTICE BAILEY, and
the COMMON SERJEANT were on the Bench.
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