THE Bloody Murderers EXECUTED; OR, News from Fleetstreet.  
Being the Last Speech and Confessions OF The Two Persons Executed there On Friday the 22 of October, 1675.  
With an exact Account of all the Circumstances of their Murdering the Knight, Sir R. S. in White-Fryers. The Manner of their being Apprehended, and their Deportment in Newgate, from the time of their Condemnation, to their Execution.  
They were Removed to Hang in Irons, one on Finchly-Common, and the other on Sanford Hills, on Saturday the 23d. of Octob. 1675.  
With Allowance.  
Printed for William Powel. 1675.   

An account of the crime and confession of the two Persons hanged in Fleetstreet.  
THere is nothing more false or extravagant than common fame; and therefore to prevent the further spreading of untrue Reports concerning this unhappy accident, it is now thought fit to make public a more Impartial and perfect account thereof then has yet been exposed to general view.  
The fact itself was of that Nature as scarce admits of any Extenuation, much less Apology, Murder being a Crime most heinons and abominable, not to be expiated, where wilfully Committed by any thing but the life of the offender: All Laws both Divine and humane centring in this most Just result, That he that sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed:  
The Gentleman upon whom this assassination was committed was a person of good worth, a handsome noble Estate, young in years, and likely to have proved very useful and serviceable to his Country and Generation, his Family being so well known that I do not think it fit to slain his name by inferring it in a pamphlet; Let it suffice to say; That as he was a Knight by Title and quality so he was of that clear courage and generosity, that he deserved a braver fate than to be thus clean destinely killed by surprise; The occasion of which was thus.  
This Knight and a friend of his being accidentally in company at a Tavern in Fleetstreet, these two Persons whose lives have now paid for their insolency, intruded into their room, and one of them creates a quarrel with the Knight's Friend, pretending forty shillings due to him from his Brother as won of him at play, which he very rudely demanded of this stranger, who refusing to gratify so unreasonable a request, high and very rough words arose from the overswelling of their mutual passions, from Words, as too often is usual in such cases, the heat of their Spirit brought them to blows, wherein yet little harm was done on either side; they being quickly parted in the fray by the people of the house and others that there interposed.  
Hereupon these two persons now to suffer went way, but as it sadly appears, not being satisfied resolved to waylay them, more particularly to be revenged on this Knight, whose appearing resolutely in his friend's behalf had defeated them of their expectations; and accordingly waited in the street till the others came forth, they followed them towards the back Gate of the Temple in whitefriars, and then both of them with as little generosity, as piety or regard to the Laws of God or Man, fell on the Knight on a sudden sheathing both their Swords in his body, and pursuing their thrusts even after he was down: he not having opportunity by reason of the unexpected surprise so much as to draw his sword.  
Leaving him dead there upon the place, the two Criminals considering what they had done, betook themselves to flight, and as is said immediately crossed over the Water, but thinking themselves not secure about London, concluded to take their journey for refuge, yet wanting Horses and other conveniences for that purpose, and not daring to be seen abroad to provide any they were forced to make use of a friend, who 'tis probable knew nothing of the particulars of their danger to get such necessaries for them; It happened that Gentleman that very day had a Trial to be in Guild-Hall, and being plaintiff came in the morning to his Attorney, desiring of him to put off the Trial, because he had two friends in a little danger that he must that day help to get out of the Town; The honest Attorney being called upon by the other side to proceed to Trial, acquainted them with what his Client said, and the particular occasion which kept him absent, not imagining it to be any matter of secrecy. But by chance shall I say or rather providence, one that stood by and had been well acquainted with the murdered Gentleman overhearing him, inquired who his Client was, suspecting these two persons to be the same they afterwards proved; and it appearing so upon the examination of the Client, and that they were gone towards Barnet, pursuit was made after them, who crossed the Country, and Rid by-roads, but yet not so secretly but still the hue and cry had notice of their motion, till at last they lodged them in a village, where getting of a Constable and coming with store of company to apprehend them, these seemingly unconcerned Gentlemen themselves looked out at a Window, and asked the people what the matter was; and being told it was to apprehend persons suspected for the murder of a Knight at London they stood upon their guard, but being apprehended, and committed, and thence by due process of Law brought to London, and arraigned at the Old Bailie, at the Sessions, the 13 of October 1675. where they insisted that the Fact was done le defendendo, and afterwards that it was only Chance medley, or Manslaughter, being acted in heat of Blood upon a sudden fray or Rancounter; but the several circumstances before mentioned being distinctly and fully proved against them, and that they made the second assault a good considerable time after the first quarrel, the jury brought them in guilty of murder, and accordingly they received Sentence of death, as in such cases is usual, only because it might be a more a Warning, and make the greater impressions on the spirits of the wild Hectorian Gentlemen, wherewith this age and City too much abounds; it was thought fit by authority, that they should be hanged in Fleetstreet as near as conveniently might be to the place where they did the fact.  
There were several addresses (as 'tis said) made for obtaining a pardon or reprieve for them, but the heinousness of the crime, the quality of the person killed, and many other circumstances prevented that indulgence.  
After Sentence they behaved themselves in Newgate with much moderation and seeming (I hope hearty and sincere] repentance; The Ordinary and other godly Ministers often attending them with Christian admonitions and exhortations for the eternal good of their souls.  
The Day of Execution for the common prisoners was on Wednesday the 20. of October, at which time five ' condemned last Sessions for Housebreaking Robbery and the like crimes suffered death at Tyburn; but these two persons had the date of their lives extended until Friday the 22 of this instant October, and then suffered in Fleetstreet; where vast multitudes of people were assembled to be spectators of the difmal spectacle.  
Some time before their death in prison they acknowledged great sorrow for their ill spent lives, and particularly for the crime for which they were to die; they confessed from the time of the fray at the Tavern they had a murderous intention against the Knight, but protested they had no malice against him before.  
At the place of Execution they Desired very passionately all young Gentlemen to take Warning by their unhappy end of such rash actions, and in particular reckoned up neglect of the Sabbath and Gaming as the main Original Sins that brought them to this ruin.  
Particularly Mr. S. was Noted to be very Penitent, often Admonishing Young Men to beware of a Debauched and Desalute way of Living, too much addicted to by the youth of this Town: He said he was never in his Life before concerned either as Accessary or Principal in any such Fact, though he had been in many Broils, and Quarrels, yet thanked God that he alwayys Escaped without Blood shed until this unhappy business: He was very earnest in Prayer, and with Three Ministers, Mr. F. Mr. P. and Mr.— And also prayed hearty by himself.  
Mr. J. was a Person which seemed more Cheerful and undaunted in his condition, though it is said he hath behaved himself very Christianlike since his Condemnation, until his Execution, before which he said little or nothing to the People.  
And so after certain Prayers and private discourse with some friends, they were executed according to Law. Mr. S. first, and Mr. J. about half an hour after.  
FINIS.