When they were all three brought to one Ward near the Place of Execution, about four o’Clock that Morning, they expressed the greatest Affection and Sympathy for one another, each regretting the case of the other two more than his own; at the same time encouraged one another to Constancy of Mind, and a dutiful Resignation to the Hand of God.
Samuel M‘Pherson ordered three Coffins to be made of fifteen Shillings Value each, for which he paid; and Malcolm made a Will, which he deposited in the Hands of three of his own Name among the Highland Prisoners, some Days before their Execution.
These three were admitted to visit the Prisoners, who told them that they thanked God that they had got the better of the Fears of Death, and were prepared to embrace it chearfully; that they thought their Case better than that of their Fellows, as they were leaving this World in Hopes of Eternal Peace and Happiness, whilst they were to remain here exposed to new Temptations and new Troubles in distant and unknown Countries, where they would not enjoy Life, but a lingering Death. They applied by Petition to several Persons of Quality, of which the two following are true Copies.
To their Excellencies the Lords Justices.
The humble Petition of Samuel M‘Pherson, Malcolm M‘Pherson, and Farquar Shaw.
May it please your Lordships,
That, whereas your poor Petitioners lie under Sentence of Death for Mutiny and Desertion, and have nothing to hope (under the Almighty) but from your Lordships’ Favour on our Behalf, which we do most humbly intreat. And as we are sincerely sorry for our base Conduct and Misbehaviour, and it being our first Crime, we hope for your Lordships’ kind Indulgence, which should we be so happy as to obtain, we do sincerely promise to retrieve this our Misconduct by a steady Attachment to our most gracious Sovereign King George, by defending him and his Royal House with all our Power, where and in whatever manner we shall be directed.
Samuel M‘Pherson.
Malcolm M‘Pherson.
Farquar Shaw.
To her Grace the Dutchess of Richmond,
The humble Petition of Samuel M‘Pherson, Malcolm M‘Pherson, and Farquar Shaw.
May it please your Grace,
That, whereas your poor Petitioners lie under Sentence of Death for Mutiny and Desertion, and have nothing to hope (under the Almighty) but from your Grace’s charitable Intercession to the Lords Justices on our Behalf, we do most humbly intreat your Grace’s good Offices. And as we are sincerely sorry for our base Conduct and Misbehaviour, and it being our first Crime, we hope for your Grace’s kind Indulgence, which, should we be so happy as to obtain, we do sincerely promise to retrieve this our Misconduct by a steady Attachment to our most gracious Sovereign King George, by defending him and his Royal House with all our Power, where and in whatever manner we shall be directed.
Samuel M‘Pherson.
Malcolm M‘Pherson.
Farquar Shaw.
Upon the Monday Morning the Governor ordered them to put on their Shrouds below their Cloaths, which when done, they immediately began to pray, and continued in that Exercise very devoutly and fervently till six o’Clock, when they were called out to Execution. They walked to the Place close up to the Chapel in the Tower without expressing the least Horror or Despondency in their Gaite or Countenance, but with a Christian Composure and Resignation of Mind. Here Samuel M‘Pherson standing on the Plank which was appointed for them to kneel on, with an assured Countenance and in an audible Voice, in his own Language, addressed his Fellow-Prisoners that were drawn up round the Place of Execution, in this Manner: