Title

Sly the forger. [Execution of engraver and convicted forger John Sly.]

Author

Australian (Sydney).

Source

Australian.

Details

31 December 1829, page 3, column 4.

Publication date

31 December 1829

Type

News

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Sly the forgerer, suffered death at last on Monday morning. Before the fatal warrant reached him in his condemned cell, now nearly a fortnight back, so long was he left to doubt and repentance, that the miserable man entertained confident hopes of a remission of sentence, nor were those hopes renounced even to the very morning of his execution, when he denied being guilty of the forgery he was convicted of, as stoutly as ever. Sunday and Sunday night the culprit passed chiefly in prayer. He slept well, and looked better the next morning, when his son and daughters took their leave of him, than ever he did in Sydney of late years, wen at liberty, and following his avocations, which he might had he chosen, have pursued with credit and comfort to himself and his family. But though an excellent engraver, Sly was an incorrigible drunkard, and felt quite contented on an average to work two days in the week only out of six. Sly could not be far short of 65, a time where there is “no dallying with life”. He is said to have executed a counterfeit plate of the bank of England so admirably, as almost to defy detection, and when transported to this country probably upwards of a score years ago, he obtained extra rations, and one other consideration’s for giving up the plate. He was a spare dark man, and seemed to be either very near or very dim sighted. On Monday morning he was attired in cleaner apparel than ordinary, in white trousers, shirt, and blue cloth waistcoat. He expressed a wish to see two or three persons, but on their calling had preferred to being left to his private meditation. For an hour or so he paced up and down his cell, the ponderous leg irons being struck off on the morning of execution, perusing a prayer book, and quite composed in his demeanour. The arrival of an officer’s guard, the congregating of spectators outside and inside the goal walls, and the low mysterious busy hum which buzzed through the execution yard, all announced the fatal moment to be approaching. At length about 9 the culprit made his appearance, attended by the Rev. W. Cowper and Dr. Lang, with the executioner and his assistants. Sly kneeling near his coffin, on a seat the Clergyman being accommodated with one piece, heard a long prayer from the Rev. Dr. Cowper, and an extempore one from the Rev. Dr. Lang, with deep attention; and on rising walked up to the drop with a firm and rather swift step. Some minutes of suspense ensued, during which the poor condemned individual put forth fervent ejaculations for mercy to the throne of the Almighty. At a given signal by the Under Sheriff, the spring sustaining the drop was withdrawn – the culprit fell to the length of the rope - and soon his convulsed frame ceased to exhibit signs of animation. The guard drew off – the spectators gradually followed – and the body, after being the sport of winds during the usual period, was lowered into the rude shell prepared for its interment.

Thus died John Sly, engraver. However his life may have been regulated, yet, in the closing scene of existence, he displayed a fortitude which would have become a philosopher, united to the decent devotion of a sincere Christian.

[Australian (Sydney), 31 December 1829, p.3, col.4.]