Stabbed in nine different parts

Wm. Williams, of Landovery, mercer, together with twelve other persons, disguised in waggoners' frocks, and armed with pistols, swords, cutlasses, and cased tucks, came to the dwelling house of William Powell, of Glatareth, in the county of Carmarthen, Esq. and knocked at the back door. Upon its being opened, William Williams, and two of the other villains, rushed into the parlour (whilst others stood sentry) where Mr. Powell was sitting with three of his neighbours, and immediately stabbed him in nine different parts of his body, till his bowels came out, cut off his nose, and almost one of his hands. The people who were with him were so frightened, that they made no resistance, but immediately ran out: the assassins then retreated, without attempting to hurt any other person.

The following day several persons followed their foot steps in the snow, and took particular notice of the impression and size of their shoes. The villains avoided all houses and paths, and went over bogs, morasses, and mountains, for about four computed miles, till they came to the house of one Charles David Morgan; but being tracked no farther, he was taken up, and brought before the coroner, where he gave a fair account of himself; but one of his shoes being taken off, and agreeing in size with one of the impressions taken notice of in the snow, he was committed on suspicion, and soon after confessed the fact, and discovered six of the accomplices; whereupon Sir William Mansel, Bart. and other gentlemen, immediately armed, and went with their servants in pursuit, and took five of them.

One of the villains confessed that they were thirteen in number; and they were all hired by Williams to murder Powell, and not to rob the house. This Williams, in August, 1768, went with Mr. Powell's wile, and took her and her children from the boarding-school to London; and Mr. Powell was obliged to apply to the court of King's-Bench for a habeas corpus to get at his children; and by the recommendation of the court, allowed her 100l. a year for a separate maintenance.

Williams laid several schemes in order to take away Mr. Powell's life, and attempted to shoot him several times. The villains met, on the 7th instant, in Charles David Morgan's house, and continued there till they went the following evening to murder Mr. Powell. One of the villains was dispatched by Williams that very night to inform Mr. Powell's brother with what was done, and ordering him to come and take possession of the estate. But Mr. Powell having made a will, and appointed guardians over his children, their scheme was defeated.