THE SPEECH OF James Bird, Gent. Who was Executed at TYBURN, on Friday the 18th Day of September, 1691. for the wilful Murder of his Wife Elizabeth Bird.  
Mr. Sheriff.  
I Know it hath been expected by this Company, that I should give some particular Account to the World of this Fact for which I die: It is from God alone from whom I must expect a Pardon, and God only knows how far I am concerned in it; so I shall not trouble myself with any Public Declaration of the matter here, but this far I take myself obliged to let the World know, That it hath been Deposed by Mr. Willis, That my Father should desire me to get my Wife made away; but I do protest, solemnly, and as ever I hope for Salvation in and through Christ's Merits, That my Parents were no ways concerned in it; nay, so far were they from knowing of it, that they did not know that I was Married to her, till I was carried before the Justice of Peace.  
It hath been also urged by several, That my Father's Severity had caused it, but those are altogether false Suggestions, for my Father hath been always a Kind and very Indulgent Father to me. Another thing is, That my Father had made away, or given his Estate from me; but that is not true, for I saw his Will, after he had Information given him of my Marriage, and I found that he had given his Estate to me, leaving but very small Portions to the rest.  
Mr. Sheriff, I shall not make any Reflections upon any Magistrate; I pray God that they may not deserve any.  
As for the Witnesses that swore against me, particularly, as to what Mr. holderness swore, I have so much Charity for him, as to believe that he did see such a Man walk up and down the Field in the Grass; and I must say, That they deposed nothing, as to that, but what was really true, And I must do Justice also to the Constable and my Father, that as I am a dying-man, the Crevat was the same that I was taken in, and there was not any Art or Skill used, (I dare say it upon my Salvation) to take out any Blood that was in it.  
Mr. Sheriff, I shall not Reflect upon the Judges of the Court, though perhaps they were a little hard; and as to any one else that was accessary to the Murder, I know of none: But Mr. Sheriff, Let not any one seek Vengeance, elsewhere, but let my Blood satisfy for it: And let the Queen and the Judges be satisfied in what I have said, as I hope they will; and that is all that I have to say, Mr. Sheriff, as to this matter, only I desire the Prayers of all good Christians.  
And Mr. Sheriff, If any thing be made public concerning me, I desire that you would do me Justice in it.  
Then he Prayed again for himself, and immediately after he was turned off.   

LONDON, Printed for W. Humphries. 1691.