Page:Account of the executions in Scotland for the past 200 years.pdf/8

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 * John Gibson, murder || May 12, 1814
 * Robert Scott, murder || Oct. 23, 28
 * James Rogers, murder || Oct. 20 31
 * M. Wilson, murder || Sep. 25, 49
 * }
 * James Rogers, murder || Oct. 20 31
 * M. Wilson, murder || Sep. 25, 49
 * }
 * }
 * }

In the reign of Henry VIII, according to Sharon Turner, there were executed 72,000 great and petty thieves, According to Hume, 2000 were executed annually during that reign, for theft and robbery only, besides other criminals. In the centuary from 1638 to 1738 there were 70,000 executions, or 700 per annum. From 1820 to 1824, the first inclusive and the last exclusive, or 93 a year. From 1828 to 1831, there were 230, or 574 a year. From 1832 to 1835, there were 155, or 387 a year but in the year 1836 there were only 17 executions. Which were reduced in number, considerably in the reign of George IV and William IV., and in the reign of her present Majesty, so great has been the santoration of our Criminal Code, that there are now only 9 offences punishable with death.

For the origin of this purification of our Statue Book from blood, we, are manly indebted to the late Sir Samuel Rowiney and the late Mr Whitbread.