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 ... strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutor's apothecary [J. Marshall] ... With ... letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison / ... By John Watkins.

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 ... strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutor's apothecary [J. Marshall] ... With ... letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison / ... By John Watkins. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    243/268 (page 31)
    Penning, and to. their surprise she had not taken a single dose during their absence. On again reasoning and kindly remonstrating at the neglect, she repeated the same assurance of—u preferring death to life, ns the latter was of no consequence to her.’' “ JOHN MARSHALL, Surgeon. u HENRY OGILVY, Apothecary ,v [No Date. Ed.] ' J FROM THE OBSERVER, of Sunday, 6th August, 1815. n u lh a ferment occasioned by the execution of this unhappy girl, has, WE are happy to state, much subsided. There are still, however, rumours afloat, which tend lo keep alive, in the minds of somefeto per¬ sons, an opinion of her innocence. For ourselves WE have only to say, that WE do not think the subject one which admits of controversy, and shall, therefore, abstain altogether from entering the lists with those, who, for motives best knozon to themselves, are desirous of keeping up what WE cannot help thinking it is, a useless and, perhaps, mischievous contest. An affidavit has been published, which vve subjoin*, in contra¬ diction to that of Davis, the Turnkey of Newgate, by the father of Eli¬ zabeth Fenning, with a view of JUSTIFYING himself. As far as our opinion goes, WE are hy no means disposed to impugn this unhappy man’s intentions; on the contrary, WE believe, throughout the melan¬ choly scenes he had to encounter in the cell of his wretched daughter, he was actuated by the best motives, however questionably he might have expressed his feelings. He formerly believed that his daughter was innocent, having had her own declaration to that effect; and it was natural that he should, with a view to the gratification of his own feel¬ ings, entreat her to make that declaration in her dying moments* Those, however, who might be supposed to judge more dispassionately, and with a feeling less prejudiced, did think, and still do firmly believe, that she suffered deservedly. Among other persons endeavoured to be drawm into this contest, is the Rev. Mr. Cotton, the Ordinary ofNew- gate; but he has VERY PRUDENTLY refrained from answering such attacks; and indeed WE cannot but think that it would be extremely indecorous in him to take any steps whatever upon this subject, unless called upon by a proper tribunal, to state those facts and circumstances upon which his judgment is founded, and upon which he has unequi¬ vocally pronounced his opinion. From all WE have had an opportunity of witnessing of this gentleman’s conduct, WE believe no man could be better calculated to fill the arduous office in which he is placed than himself; and WE are happy to add, that he is sincerely respected by the most*miserable of his unfortunate flock. * See page 109. Q