The Life, Travels, Exploits, Frauds and Robberies, of Charles Speckman, alias Brown

FOOTNOTES:

THE

LIFE

AND

WONDERFUL TRANSACTIONS

OF

Mr. Charles Speckman,
alias Browne, &c.

There is not perhaps in the world a more agreeable study than that of Biography; nor any thing sought after and read with greater avidity, than the lives of unfortunate men, and those who suffer under the hands of the executioner more than any. In this narration will be seen, the early propensity to acts of robbery, preying upon, and living in an absolute state of war with all mankind, the long series of years Mr. Speckman escaped punishment, in which time he committed more robberies than any person before him brought to publick shame; all of them related by the unhappy man himself, in the following plain and undisguised manner.

I think proper for the benefit of the public, and to make all possible attonement for the injuries I have done to my fellow creatures, in England, Scotland, Ireland, North-America, and the West-Indies, in all which countries I have committed acts of hostility and depredation innumerable; I have no interest at all in this, only to warn the unwary, how they shall in general avoid the falling a prey to thieves and sharpers, and make those who tread in my wretched paths, be sensible and be warned in time to sly evil courses, as too truly will they find verified, that the wages of sin is death; besides that of undergoing in their wicked career, what is worse than death, the stings and daggers of a guilty mind: so that let their race be as long as it will, and their illicit practices attended with continual success, yet not one hour of true and solid happiness is the consequence.

About sixteen years ago, to the best of my memory, my father who lived in good reputation in London, where I was born, put me to a boarding-school, and bestowed more money on my education, than on all the rest of my brothers and sisters, (I was the eldest of eighteen) for all which I never made any grateful return, which gives me great affliction, and the most pungent remorse, when added to my present load of trouble. To shew my early inclination to what has brought me to this deserved doom, I well remember, as I was standing by the side of Mr. Andrews, a waterman, in Charles-court in the Strand, my nurse being with me, I took a fancy to pull his watch out of his fob, at the same time laughing in his face; on detecting me, Mr. Andrews said, my dear, you begin betimes; the nurse, however, appeased him, so that no ill consequences followed: I mention this affair, as my friends rebuked me many times, by telling me of this deed, and my early inclination to what would, and indeed has proved my ruin.

I was put to board with a worthy clergyman, by my father, at thirty pounds a year, in order to inure me to what was good, and improve me in learning; but my delight was riding of horses at livery-stables, ran away from school; the wicked disobedient child, soon finds out evil courses. The first injury I plunged myself into, was robbing my parents of a suit of cloaths, and pawning them to go to Sadler’s-wells. Now every fraud that my fertile brain could device, I put in practice in my father’s name, and got various sums of money, which answered my present purpose very well; however, my father had me catch’d, carried home, and kept me naked in a room several days, till I found an opportunity to get my sister’s cloaths, and with them on, I escaped from the house. I have been often brought home from Covent-Garden playhouse, by the orange women, to whom my father gave two shillings each time for their trouble. I was at length taken up by my father, and put into Covent-Garden round-house; but through the hole the prisoners received their victuals at, I escaped, though it was so small, no one could have conceived it possible. I learned more wickedness here in one night, than in all my preceding excursions, and verily believe, it tended greatly to fix me in the determinate resolution of aspiring at every act of wickedness, my unfortunate life has since been so fruitful of; making it my daily study to defraud every one who came in my way, and rob every one I could conquer.

One day I and two other boys, went into a grocer’s shop in Drury-lane, for some sugar-candy, the grocer told me, he sold not small quantities, on which asking him, if he was above his business, and perceiving a watch hang up in the parlour, I rolled a halfpenny as by accident into the parlour before me, I got the poor grocer’s watch; in coming out, he asked me, how I dared to go there? he was answered by my throwing some powder sugar in his eyes, which was lying on the counter, and got off without any molestation.

Soon after this, coming from Westminster with my two companions, there was a man had a stand by the Horse-guards, to sell all sorts of handkerchiefs, muslin, lawn, stockings, and other things in the pedlery way; I made bold to take him on one side, to talk about what I was to buy of him, which he was told was to a considerable amount; whilst I was thus amusing him, my two comrades made off with the pedlar’s whole stock, to the amount of fourteen pounds, and upwards: I however resolved to leave my companions, being determined, for the future, not to keep company with any, but act entirely on my own bottom.

I now set out for Newmarket; and, on my return home, hired a horse, under pretence of going express for a certain lord, well known on the turf, and came full gallop to the Blue Boar inn in Whitechapel, where I instantly ordered twelve stalls for the horses of my lord, which was to be there that night; telling the landlord, I was going to Hyde-park-corner for a running horse, and my haste occasioned me to come from my lord, without a sufficiency of money to defray all expences, and therefore begged him to let me have twelve guineas, to pay the charges of the horse and servant, and let his own servant go with me, to assist in bringing to the Blue Boar the running horse this night; all this he readily complied with; but the inn-keeper’s servant I took French leave of in Piccadilly, put my horse up in the usual stable and then went home to my lodgings.

Shortly afterwards, I took upon me to go about the town in a genteel dress, with a green apron on, as a watch-maker, under pretence of buying pieces of handkerchiefs to send abroad to my friends; I commonly found fault with the thinness of them, holding them up with one hand, and putting a dozen, or a piece, with the other into my apron: generally in these expeditions, after a sufficient quantity was obtained, I went into the country, and what could not immediately be sold, were raffled for.——In practicing one of these tricks upon a good worthy woman, who kept shop in the Borough of Southwark, I was detected putting a piece into my apron; I immediately flattered the honest woman, that I was a weaver in Spitalfields, telling her, my uncle had a journeyman who had stole four pieces, and had sent me with that piece to match the other, upon information my uncle had, that the pieces were sold by his man at this shop; by this means I got clear off, the unsuspecting woman not knowing her own.

In genteel apparel I next went among the silver-smiths and jewellers, where my dexterity and success was so great, that I used among them in their respective branches, it is almost incredible what quantities of spoons, rings, buttons, buckles, stones, &c. I stole; the robberies of this kind are so numerous, that I cannot particularize them, but I made bold to borrow something from every silver-smith and jeweller in the bills of mortality, and not only in all these attempts had the good fortune to escape, but on many occasions, had the most lavish encomiums passed on me, for the honesty of my looks, and the humanity expressed in the lineaments of the countenance. Alas! how seldom is it, that the outward appearance corresponds with the inward disposition. I am a shocking instance that my face was the most deceitful in the world. Of this kind of fraud and robberies, I believe I have not perpetrated less than two hundred.

I went one day to Mr. Brogden, in Long-lane, West-smithfield, who lent out wearing apparel, of him I hired a suit fit for any little master in London; bought at the same time a satchel to put some books in, thus equipped, I went to Mr. Greg, a watch-maker in St. James’s street; on going into the shop, I perceived there was but one man therein; upon his being told my father had bespoken a watch for me, and I wanted to know if it was ready, he replied, as indeed well he might, that he knew nothing of the matter, but that Mr. Greg his master, being at the coffee-house, he would go to him, and ask the question; the minute he was gone, I fixed my eye on a gold watch, chain and seal, with which I marched off with all speed, took a hackney coach in Pall-mall, away to Holbourn, and sold the watch, though it was worth fifty-five, for seven guineas only, to Mary Keen, a woman who understood that business much better than myself. She has been transported four times.

At this time, and with this money, I went down to Reading in Berkshire, where I took great delight in going out with my gun; at length money falling short, I went to a milliner’s shop, under pretence of buying some lace, to go round a cap and handkerchief, for my sister; the milliner asked if I was not too young a man to be a judge of lace? I replied, being young I should hope for better usage, and left it entirely to her generosity to serve me of that which was best of the kind; at this moment I fixed my eye on a particular piece; pretending to have a bad cold, took my handkerchief out to wipe my nose, laid it down on this piece of lace, which repeating again, I took the lace up with my handkerchief, and put it in my pocket, and then told the milliner, I would stay till I was grown older; though it is clear I was too old for her now. I took my leave, and marched gravely off, without the least suspicion; and went directly to the Crown, the grand inn in Reading, hired a horse for Maidenhead, but pushed on for London, sold the horse in Smithfield for five pounds ten shillings, and the lace to a milliner at Charing-cross, at a very decent price; at the same time cheapening some of her lace, made bold to steal one piece.

Thus I found a method to deal among the milliners, without much danger of detection, women being less on their guard than men, and always delighted with any one who will hear them prate and chatter. Very few milliners escaped my dexterity, for my youth, simplicity of manners, and engaging behaviour, caused me always to pass without suspicion; nay, on many occasions, I have been treated with extraordinary marks of civility and politeness, and with the best the house afforded, even after I had robbed them, which sometimes has squeezed my heart a little, but I was too far gone in the road of perdition to think of returning back.

I now thought of amusing myself in the country; accordingly set out for Bath, Bristol, &c. in the first of these cities I took a room for myself in a widow-gentlewoman’s house, who kept a shop in the drapery way; she had a daughter, a neat, pretty, genteel girl, whom I courted more for the sake of being free with her, than any real love; then the mother began to trust me, and place great confidence in me, upon her daughter’s account, which continued to the mutual satisfaction of us all, till I found an opportunity to make off with between twenty-five and thirty pounds-worth of goods, taken out of the shop, and retired to Bristol, where I dealt a little among the milliners: returned for London, but being taken ill on my journey thither, I stopt two or three days at the Castle at Marlborough, where I observed a great quantity of plate, and other things of value lie very carelessly about, I only borrowed a silver tankard, and six table spoons, to assist in defraying my expences on the road: at Brentford I sold the tankard and spoons for five pounds ten shillings, and stole two pair of silver paste buckles, proceeding directly for London. I committed about fifty other robberies in the small way, which, as being trifles, are not worthy of farther mention.

I have sometimes, for the sake of variety, gone to dyers and scourers shops, in the character of a gentleman; on seeing none but a woman there, I asked for my servant, who came there for my cloaths; being told there had been none, then on asking if my cloaths were done, (they not knowing but that I had some there) shewed me several suits, clean, and not clean, but I never took a cleaned suit, always pretending they should be wore once more before cleaned, desiring my servant might be sent home as soon as ever he came; so tying them up in a handkerchief, left the poor dyers and scourers to lament their folly and precipitation. I used to serve the hatters in the same manner, both in gold and silver laced hats, without being in the least suspected.

I waited on a mercer on Ludgate-hill to cheapen some silks for waistcoats, with sattins, and some for gowns; I requested of the mercer to make a bill of parcels, put them up, and send his servant with me to my lodgings in Pall-mall; which being done and come there, on opening the bundle, told the servant there wanted a piece of sattin, and sent him immediately home for it: The bill amounted to forty-three pounds, and the parcel heavy, yet I easily (in the interval of the servant’s departure and return) found means to walk off with all. I left an answer on the bill of parcels which was left upon the table, that my judgment was not sufficient for such a large sum, without advice whether I should pay him at his return, or never. I went directly to Mr. Howard’s, in Long-lane, Smithfield, and sold the whole parcel for eighteen pounds; telling me, any quantity brought to him he would buy. This gave me great encouragement to continue in the mercers business: I served several other mercers in the same manner.

Not long after this I went to a gentleman in Long-acre, hired a chariot and pair of horses, to go to Windsor, intending to stay a fortnight; accordingly I set off, and stayed pretty near the time agreed on; I sent my servant to Eton, with a view of defrauding my landlord, and for this purpose asked him for twenty guineas, with which he very readily complied; the pretext was to purchase a pair of horses: having thus succeeded, I slipped on one side, and set off for London, leaving the man, chariot and horses to come at their leisure. The next day I sent for a sword-cutler, to bring me half a dozen swords to my own lodgings in the Hay-market, that I might take my choice in variety, but brought never a cut and thrust, I sent him back for some; and when he was gone, I took a walk out with the half dozen swords, with an intention never more to return.

I then took lodgings in Duke’s court, St. Martin’s lane, where I had not been long, but I sent the servant of the house to a jeweller, to bring me a variety of rings, the jeweller immediately sent one of his servants with some of all sorts; no sooner were they under my eye but I fixed on two, set with diamonds; I told the man, as I was no judge of their value, he would give me leave to shew them to a friend at next door, he readily assented, and so left the honest servant for his own amusement in my new lodgings: for I used to take a lodging one day, and serve a tradesman in this manner, and leave it the next.

Soon after, I put on the dress of a gentleman’s servant, went to a very great milliner’s in Pall-mall, as from a lady in Grosvenor-square, lately come from abroad, who wanted some assortments of her best lace, and desired one of her people with me; according to my application it had the desired effect: I brought the servant to a house under some repair, that I had the knowledge of; I took the box of laces, went up stairs to shew my pretended lady, leaving the servant in the hall, to whom immediately returning, I told her my lady was in bed, and she must come again in an hour, but must leave the laces, with a bill of the rates or prices of each sort; she went away very contentedly, and I had the generosity to follow with the whole box, and made clear off. I thought it now high time to leave off dealing with the milliners. The garb of a gentleman’s servant in livery, I always found the best to deceive with at this time, and made use of it on divers occasions, with my two companions before mentioned, Abraham Crabb, and Campbell Hamilton, and being apprehended for a small theft, made myself an evidence against them both; Crabb was tried at the Old Bailey, in February 1749-50, in the mayoralty of Sir Samuel Pennant, for stealing a peruke, value twenty shillings, and John Beaumont for receiving, knowing it to be stolen. The evidence (as an accomplice) I gave was, that I was about fifteen years of age, and deposed that I had followed the business of thieving two years; the prisoners, however, were acquitted, there being no evidence to the fact but my own. Crabb was again indicted with Campbell Hamilton, for stealing on the 10th of December 1749, a silver watch, value four pounds, the property of Mr. Jonathan Scriven, in his dwelling house; and Catherine Hall, widow, for receiving it, knowing it to be stolen: my evidence was here also unsupported by any other; though what I swore upon this and the former trial was nothing but the truth, with respect to all the prisoners; the silver watch belonged to the grocer in Drury-lane, already mentioned. I resolved never to have companions in any of my exploits, judging that I might one day or another be detected by my associates, as I had done by them.

Many surprizing pranks have I used with all trades in London; but at last pursued by my evil genius, I went into the shop of Mr. Honychurch, under St. Dunstan’s church in Fleet-street, on the 5th of November 1750, and stole a silver watch, with which I got off, imprudently keeping it till the next day, I offered it pawn to Mr. Price on Snow-hill; it being advertised, he stopped me, sent for Mr. Honychurch, and carried me out of the city to justice Fielding, who committed me to New-prison, Clerkenwell, thence removed to Newgate, took my trial on the 10th of December 1750, in the mayoralty of Francis Cokayne, Esq; was capitally convicted, and received sentence of death with fifteen others, among whom were Mr. Baker, the sugar-baker; and Mr. Joshua West, a clerk of the Bank.

In the course of my trial, which is all fact as sworn against me, it proceeds thus: Mr. Honychurch deposed that the watch was taken with the prisoner on the 6th of November, was lost on the 5th, had his name and number on it, never had been sold, and by advertising it, by that means it was stopped. William Batersby, Mr. Honychurch’s servant, gave his testimony, that he was alone in the shop, the prisoner came in with a watch to have it cleaned, he then appeared in another complexion than now, he had on a laced hat, a waistcoat with either gold or silver button-holes; he desired his watch to be taken to pieces, while that was doing, he said that some of the work was dropt; adding, he was sure some of them were lost! I looked upon the ground, there were none down, but all right before me; then he was for taking it to show some other watch-maker, I said I must not take it to pieces and put it together again for nothing, he said, I will take and shew it to another man, and if he says there is nothing lost, I will bring it again; he took it not put together, also two new wheels, a third and contrite wheel away with him, which lay before me; when he stayed longer than I expected, I began to suspect him, and looking about saw a hook was empty, where a new watch hung just before he came in. I went to the watch-maker where I supposed he would go to, and asked for him; he told me no such person had been there. Then I told my master the affair, who told me by his book it was a watch he had made for a gentleman in Devonshire. When Mr. Price sent for my master, I went with him, and knew the prisoner. On being asked by the court, if there had been any person in the shop betwixt the time he last saw the watch, and the prisoner’s coming in; replied, not one person from opening the shop, till the watch was lost, but him.

James Bruin, servant to Mr. Price, declared, that between six and seven o’clock on the 6th of November in the evening, as he was sitting in the parlour, somebody came in and asked for Mr. Price; on going into the shop saw the prisoner, who was dressed in a silver laced hat, a green waistcoat with gold button holes, who said he wanted to see the master, if he was not engaged; on being told that he could do as well, he took a watch out of his pocket, and I saw it was the watch advertised that day, I went and told my master of it, who came down stairs, and told the prisoner he had stole it, which he denied. My master sent directly for Mr. Honychurch; his man came, and said the prisoner was the person that was at his shop yesterday morning. While our man was gone, the prisoner owned to my master and I, that he had stole it; we went before justice Fielding the next day, and the prisoner was committed. So far the trial, in which the fact was but too plainly fixed on me: however, in my defence I urged that all said of me was false; I did not deny but I carried the watch to be pawned; I was coming down Snow-hill, and a well dressed man asked me if I had mind to earn a shilling; I said yes, so carried it to pawn; then the young gentleman said, there was a watch stolen, so stopped me; but neither the judge nor jury paid any regard to such a pitiful come off. I put myself in a wretched habit, thinking that joined to my youth, might excite the pity of all parties.

At this time I had many friends to make application for me in mitigation of my sentence, and had the happiness to be sent abroad in the summer of 1751, there to continue for fourteen years; I sailed from Gravesend in the ship Trial, captain Johnson, for Patomack river, in Virginia; there went on board this ship with me Mr. Joshua West, before mentioned, to be transported as well as myself. As soon as the ship arrived, intelligence thereof was sent to colonel Lee’s, that the convict servants were come from London; we dropped anchor on a Saturday, and the Wednesday following was sale-day, and the planters came on board to buy; there was one John Burgess, a native of the country, came to me, asking very civilly what I could do; I told him I could work, but not hard; I then asked him if there were any milliners, watch-makers, or such trades as I worked at in London, he turned his head and laughed; I told him I did not care, as my father had paid my passage, but the captain replied he had not, and I having no friends was forced to submit, and be sold as others were. My master took me on shore to an ordinary, and told me if I would be a good boy and work, I should want for nothing: I then asked him, if he and I were to go halves? he replied, in what? and I said in thieving: but on telling me I was come into a wrong country for that, and practising theft would soon bring him to ruin; I urged that would certainly be his portion if he did not let me go. He rejoiced much at his bargain, and I at his folly. We then set out for home on horse-back, I behind him, and had fifteen miles to ride; at length got home, and seeing my master’s palace, I took it for a pidgeon-house: being tired and hungry, they brought me some victuals called humeny and milk, which I thought very sweet and good. Next morning my master roused me by-times to grind my hoe, I looked very hard at him, and told him I was not used to that kind of work; he however took me to a field to shew me how to hill-up some corn; I told him the trade I was sent from London for, was much easier than this. In short, I could think of nothing but my old trade, and soon found means to break into a neighbour’s house, with an intent to rob them of what I could catch, with a fixed resolution to ruin myself and my master, for work did never agree with me; however, I got two gold rings, and some wearing apparel, which I brought to my mistress, knowing her to conceal other things for us, but she would have nothing to do with my prize: this caused me to run away, and make my case known to a justice of the peace, who had me apprehended, and sent for my master, upon my own discovery; I was sent to goal, but my master bailed me out till sessions, when I received sentence to be whipped and pilloried, which was rigourously executed: my master was obliged to make a fourfold gratification for the injury I had done the party robbed.

My servitude being very intollerable to me, I determined to make a trial of another escape, and for that purpose took one of my master’s horses, a suit of his cloaths, and other necessaries for my journey; but not considering the expence, the danger in crossing the rivers, and having no pass from a magistrate, I was soon taken up, and brought back to my master, who gave me a terrible whipping, he fleed me from neck to rump, so that I was obliged to lie on my belly for several days and nights; and when I was well enough to walk, he sold me into the back settlements of Virginia, I believe four hundred miles within land where I was, when general Braddock came with his troops from Alexandria in Virginia, on his way to the Ohio, in the year 1755, where he was defeated with great slaughter by the French; my master and his family removed for fear of the French and the scalping parties of Indians, which were scouring the country all round, and committing the most shocking and inhuman murders. I got acquainted with serjeant Campbell, of colonel Dunbar’s regiment, and begged of him to let me go to the battle; he granted my request, and I got clear of my master. After our defeat, on the 9th of July, we had a very long and tiresome march back from the field of battle, near Fort du Quesne, to Philadelphia, in Pensylvania; when there being bare of cloathing, and in want of money, being withal very hungry, I took up my London trade, and soon stole a whole piece of handkerchiefs, a dozen in number; I tarried in Philadelphia till I had got good stock of cloaths and money, meeting with continual success in defrauding the public, by my old and wicked proceedings.

I travelled with all possible diligence to New York, where I found a great many milliners; I thought of immediately touching them with my London mode; into one shop I went to practice in my usual way, but going to sell the lace, I was apprehended by one of the aldermen, upon suspicion of stealing it, and the owner hearing of the affair, came and claimed the lace, brought me to trial, and I was sentenced to be whipped behind a cart, at the corner of every street in the city, which was executed upon me, brought back again to the goal, and in a few days ordered out of the city, never more to return, on pain of having my sentence again repeated. I was passed twenty miles by constables, and then left to myself to proceed wherever my fancy led me: in walking about two miles farther, I fell into company with one Browne, a namesake and farmer; he asked me if I could work, I told him but a little, though very willing to learn. He took me home, used me very well; however, I had not been with him long, before he sold a plantation, and observing where he put the money and the key of the chest, took my opportunity to seize all his money in dollars and paper, amounting to one hundred and ten pounds, with a horse, saddle and bridle, made off directly for New York, where altering my dress, and proceeded direct for Philadelphia, there putting up at the sign of the Indian King, I was obliged to sell my horse and buy another, intending to get a little farther out of the way of enquiry, at least for the present.

For this purpose I continued my route to Winchester, in the back settlements of Virginia; when finding myself near my old master, made enquiry for him, found him out, and made him a present of a silver watch, besides some money which contented the old man very well. He then gave me up my conviction, and went with me to Winchester, where he procured a pass as a free man for me to go wherever I had a mind without molestation. From this place I went to Port-Tobacco, to see my first master, to let him know I had mended my fortune with other peoples gains; he wished my joy on the occasion, and in a few days took me leave of him, and steered my course for Charles Town, in South Carolina, bought a gun to amuse myself on the road, and had near nine or ten horses, I swapped, changed, and defrauded people of, under pretence of going with an express to Charles Town; where at length arriving, I met with my brother, that I had not seen for twelve years and upwards; he looked very cold and indifferent upon me, thinking I should bring him to disgrace and shame, as I had done in England. I got acquainted with one Joseph Warren, and hired myself to him, as an overseer of his Negroes. I had not been in this station long, before he sold me a horse at my own price, which I immediately sold in town, and went on board the Three Brothers, captain Holliday, bound for Antigua; the greatest reason for my retiring thus hastily from Charles Town, was, I had got acquainted with one Mrs. Broughton, a married woman; her husband swore he would cut my ears off, or take away my life, if I dared to continue any intercourse with his wife, he was extremely jealous of me, and indeed not without sufficient cause.

We proceeded on our voyage, and had got within two days sail of Antigua, when we fell in with four French privateers, after a stout resistance of sailing and plying our wooden guns, of which we had mounted twenty two, we were taken and carried into Martinico, there remained three weeks, till a cartel ship came and carried us to Antigua: in this island I assumed the character of a master painter, and got a job to paint the Duke of Cumberland privateer, belonging to George Walker, which having finished, I was paid. I now went to St. Christopher’s, in the packet, where I had not been long before I entered on board the Fox privateer, captain Woolford, for a six months cruize, but had no success, we returned to the same port: as I had been thus unfortunate at sea, was willing to try my luck by land, I went into the country to a gentleman, told him I was courting a young lady of fortune, and begg’d him to lend me a suit of his cloaths, he very willingly did; I took him into a house, where we had some punch, which having drank, I went out and left him to amuse himself with his own folly. I sold the cloaths, without the least probability of discovery; I secreted myself a few days, and went on board a vessel then ready to sail for Philadelphia.

After my arrival, I got acquainted with a recruiting officer, beating up for volunteers to go against the French fort on the Ohio. I enlisted with him for four years, and to be paid half the money down, I bought a horse to go with him to Carlisle, in the back settlements of Pensylvania. There I saw my captain, who was vastly pleased with me; our company was reviewed by the major of the light horse, he having the superiour command. I was pitched on for a light horse man, under the command of captain Thompson, our general Forbes being very ill, was obliged to be carried in a horse litter, between two horses; it wanted painting, I was ordered to Carlisle to buy some paint, for that service; I was ordered by one of the officers to bring his girl from Carlisle with me, which I did, and by the way, had the pleasure of giving her the compliment of a road relish; my committing such a rash action, made me imagine the whole camp might be set on fire by her; I thought nothing was so expedient for me as desertion, for fear of bad consequences, and went off the same night, being the 10th of July 1758, with my horse, regimentals, and accoutrements, and travelled for the back settlements of Virginia; in short, I went through many dangerous places, and almost insurmountable difficulties before I reached Williamsburg; where as soon as I arrived, sold my horse and regimentals, and put on the dress of a farmer, in order to buy corn; but notwithstanding this scheme succeeded so well as I expected, I thought of speedily shifting my quarters. For which purpose, I once more thought of paying a visit to Charles Town, where I entered into a regiment of Buffs, raised by the colony of South Carolina, to go against the Cherokee nation; I was made a serjeant, and being sent one day to change a ten pound bill for my captain, I had changed it at a Jew’s, who afterwards charged me with a bad bill of twenty pounds, of which I was entirely innocent; however, I was sent to Goal, and confined for two months, in as deplorable a condition, as ever poor man was. When released from prison, I was sent to the barracks, where I continued in a very bad state of health for some time. After my recovery, I became acquainted with a gentleman, he and I took to coining of bad money; which we carried on for some time with considerable success; but at length we parted good friends in the Country, and threw away our utensils. I took my course for New Bern, in North Carolina, in my way I married, and my wife’s father thinking me too great a rake, to be trusted with her portion, look’d very lightly on me; but I found means to bring him greatly in debt, and made off directly, leaving the old man, daughter and all, to please themselves in the folly of their Wisdom. I made free with one of my father’s horses, and made for a place called Brunswick, in the same province of North Carolina. Then I agreed with captain Wright, for my passage to Jamaica, we were weather-bound for three week. I then verily thought my wickedness was the cause of our delay, through the just vengeance of Almighty God. At last we had a fair wind, made sail, and had a very favourable passage to Port Royal; the next tide after our arrival here, we weighed anchor and made Kingston harbour.

On my going on shore here, being very poor and distressed, I began to think of something for my appearance in so fine a place; for this purpose I got acquainted with a taylor, and told him, I was come there to settle at my trade of a limner; by this expedient I got a very good suit of cloaths, and thought myself in a good situation. The next acquaintance I had, was one Mrs. Pembruge, who had several negroes, her own property, I thought this a fine fortune, and it was certainly so to me, though I soon found her to be a married woman, but parted according to law from her husband; she had a great many gallants, I found myself her principal favourite, and must confess, I got acquainted with one of her sparks; he told me, he had a much greater regard for her, than she had for him: and said, he had a chest at his master’s accompting-house, which he believed was full of dollars: I directly acquainted Mrs. Pembruge with this, who requested me to get it from him, if possible; I then made use of every means to get the prize into my possession; he came and gave me directions how and when to send for it; I procured a negroe, and sent him agreeable to my orders; every thing succeeded, and the chest was brought to me: I went to a certain private house, examined the contents, which proved to be cambricks and lawns, which I went directly and sold for fifteen pounds sterling, leaving out two pieces for a suit of linnen for Mrs. Pembruge, but gave the gallant nothing for his pains, telling him it was of no value.

After this, I became acquainted with Mr. Torries, a Jew, who told me he had an hundred pound bill at my service whenever I pleased, and for whatever use I had a mind to apply it: I went the next morning to a store, purchased goods to the amount of one hundred and twenty pounds, desiring the store-keeper to send them to my lodgings; he came with the goods himself; I then shewed him the hundred pound note, told him I had borrowed it, and was to give five pistoles to the lender for two months; on this he told me, I looked like a very honest gentleman, and would give me credit for the whole for three months; I was to have gone to him the next morning, but declined that. I run in debt with many other people upon the island, to a considerable amount: I sold all the goods to the Jew, who lent me the note for fifty pounds. Mrs. Pembruge and I made off for Spanish-town, in order to settle with her husband, and get her own slaves from him. At this time, the person who let me have the chest full of cambricks and lawns, followed us; she told him how great a fool he was to follow one who he knew full well had not the least regard for him, though he had lavished away all his own honest gains, and robbed others to support her; though she was kind to me, yet I think there never was a woman of a harder heart, or of a more cruel and ungrateful disposition in the world; those who shewed a more than ordinary regard for her, were sure of the worse treatment; now living in plenty, she forgot all former want and misery; and I do verily believe, she would have cut the throat of any man who should rescue her from want, or save her life.

She was a good looking woman, and to those who knew her not, appeared an angel, but in truth a devil. The old gallant being stung to the quick at Mrs. Pembruge’s base behaviour, went back to Kingston, and informed against us both, and we were taken into custody, and committed to Spanish-town goal, for the fraud of the linnen; in this prison we lay three months; at length the evidence was brought to the same goal, and the regard he had for this woman being still as great as ever, he wrote a letter to her, full of the most tender professions of esteem and love; begged her pardon for being the cause of her confinement; that he was sensible the charge against her and Charles Speckman was not just; nay, that he knew us both to be innocent, and that he would so swear upon the trial; and never could rest or have quiet of mind for taking this ungenerous step, to abuse and defame the character of the best woman in the world, and that of the worthy gentleman her companion. We were removed to Kingston, to take our trials at the assizes; in the interim the evidence broke goal, and made his escape, we were for want of prosecution discharged the second court-day.

Thinking it would not be so well to continue in Kingston, I left Mrs. Pembruge, and went towards Black-river, and Savannah la Mar, where I hired a horse, and proceeded to Montague-bay: there I met with a sister, who I had not seen before for twelve years. I soon got acquaintance in the neighbourhood, and especially with a daughter of colonel Savory’s; I was determined to settle here, and live in an honest way; all her family greatly caressed and loved me, and I found that I had no small interest with her friends; I found myself absolute master of the young lady’s heart, my happiness was compleat. In a short time we were married; four days before, she made me a present of one hundred pounds in cash, to get necessaries: the day we were married, all the negroes came to wish me joy, and hoped I would make them a good master; the sight of them in a state of slavery, affected me very much; I wished to have made presents to them all, and wished myself on an immediate voyage for London, I had not enjoyed the married-state long, till my wife was taken very ill, and soon after died; she was a very worthy woman, and her departure a great loss to me. It immediately unhinged the tranquillity of my mind, so that I determined to sell all off, and return to Kingston, and to my old practices again.

Where being arrived, I enquired for and soon found out Mrs. Pembruge, and entirely forgot my deceased wife: we lived together as usual, but money falling short, I fell into the immediate exercise of my old pranks. I bought up a great quantity of flour, getting as long credit as I could, but sold it all again directly for ready money. In like manner I got linnen and other things from different stores, and sold them as I had done the flour. One man I run pretty deeply in debt with, and promised him a good horse in part of payment; to accomplish this, I next morning hired a wherry to carry me to Passage Fort, where I hired a horse for Spanish-town, but instead of going there, returned to Kingston, and sold the horse to my merchant, and received some money in pocket. I confined myself during the remainder of my stay to my lodgings, being afraid to go out, my safety prompted me so to do, fearing the being detected, Kingston being but a small city, and not very populous; before I left the island I buried Mrs. Pembruge, and then bid adieu to Jamaica for ever.

I went privately on board the brigantine Betsey, captain Goodwin, bound for New York; at this time I pretended to be a doctor, and having two other ships in company, whose hands were very sickly, I was put on board one of them to bleed several of the men, which I performed though with much fear; and one of them that I gave a draught to, gave me four dollars for the service; soon after our own people were taken ill; them I served in the same manner; at length I was taken ill myself, and at our arrival at Sandy-hook, was carried on shore, put to bed, and grew so much worse during three weeks, that I was obliged to have the clergy by me, thinking my end at hand: happy had it been so, but God for worthy purposes, and for the good of the world, reserved me for an ignominious death. I had extraordinary good usage of every kind from the gentlemen of this city: indeed, throughout all America their generosity and hospitality are almost boundless, especially to English people. Though I was by these worthy citizens used in so kind a manner, I made them most ungrateful returns. As soon as well, I enlisted as a serjeant in captain Thompson’s company of rangers, for whom I enlisted several men, but cheated them of their advance money; and went to several[1] stores, took up linnen, and other effects, in the captain’s name, to the amount of twenty pounds. Then I hired a horse, and set off for Boston in New England; I had been no more than two days on my journey, till I was obliged to hire a chaise and harness, &c. to enable me to go through my long journey; this I did of an old gentlewoman in Connecticut, and took chaise and horse to the end of my journey, had the chaise new painted, and sold it to the best bidder; I also sold the horse and harness. My stay was but short at Boston, I went to Salem, about twenty miles from Boston, where I took lodgings, courted a widow-gentlewoman’s daughter, then took a shop, set up the business of painting, and got several considerable jobs, but all the while run very much in debt with every body. I got acquainted with a gamester in this town; he wanted improvement; we contrived to touch all we could, and then make off. We had great success, several horses, watches, and other things in trust, were the effect of our industry. The people of Salem, are not only the most unsuspicious, but the best dispositioned, humane and friendly, and the most agreeable in all respects, in the whole world. I hired a chaise at Salem, and a single horse, to carry me out for two days pleasure; I went directly to Newport in Rhode-island, sold the chaise, bought another horse, and with my companion, went as fast as we could for Philadelphia; when arrived, we directly went on the gambling scheme, and had very great luck; but not agreeing in sharing our booty, we parted. He wanted to aspire at my art of dealing; this I chose not to trust with any one, for reasons already mentioned. The gamester took his passage for the West-Indies; I resolved to continue in Philadelphia, and had thoughts of matrimony again, that I might the better be enabled to carry on my designs, get into debt, and in due time run away. I met with a young woman, she passed for a very good fortune, we were soon married, but fortune she had none; tho’ many rich and powerful relations, whose interest was for my wife, and of great service to me, I had credit every where; but being dissatisfied with my wife, I told her that I had urgent business at New York, to see a commander I expected from the West Indies; as my business lay all there, I desired her to put up in a large trunk, a pair of sheets, a pillow, and other necessaries that I thought would answer my purpose: I must confess, she was a compleat housewife, and very industrious. My inclination, however, led me for England, the first opportunity: accordingly I set out on my journey towards South Carolina, hired a servant, and on the road, took all my effects out of the trunk, filled it with combustables of a great weight, raised money on it, and left it in the care of my unsuspecting landlord; hired two horses, and went to Annapolis in Maryland; here I found out my wife’s real character, and that she had a child at nurse, which finding out, I bought some cloaths, and presented to her, in remembrance of her mother. The next morning I set out for Edenton, in North Carolina, where on my arrival, I met with some jovial company, that pleased me extremely well: I stayed three weeks with them, constantly gaming: I won more than one hundred and fifty pounds; with part of this money I bought a race horse, intending to run him as opportunity offered, on our journey to the south, which I did several times, and always won. My servant and I agreed very well, he was a trusty fellow, a good servant, kept my secrets inviolable, and without any fear. Before we reached Charles Town, we had got six or seven horses, and sold them about thirty miles from the places they were taken from. I used often to make a halt for necessaries for myself, and to the prejudice of the public.

We at length reached Charles Town, where I discharged my trusty servant; enquired after my old acquaintance Mrs. Broughton, found her, and let her know my intentions were for England; she smiled, and told me, she could not believe it, and set forth the danger and difficulty of such an enterprize from the enemy, together with the hazard of the seas. I enquired for her husband, but being told he was gone a voyage to the West Indies, this removed my fears; we drank some bottles of wine together, repeated our old scenes of action, though she had received many a hearty drubbing for what we had done before, which the husband was determined never to forgive; he was a very jealous man, but with great reason he was so; I knew that very well, and therefore was the more conscious of my own and her crimes.

My mind continued still to run upon England; I took a walk to the bay, and met with captain Sclater, bound for England, made a bargain for my passage, told him I had an estate fallen to me, and was going home to take possession of it; got all necessaries for the voyage, took leave of all my acquaintances, and in 1761, went on board; my servant, who still continued in town, begged to accompany me wherever I should go, but being at this time very sick, I was obliged to leave him behind me, tho’ very unwilling. After being on board about three weeks, I began to write; at the same time telling the captain, I had sent the most valuable of my papers home in the West India fleet. We had a long passage of nine weeks, and the day before we made Falmouth, a most terrible hurricane came on, the oldest person on board had never before seen the like: we resigned our selves to the mercy of God, and the mountains of waves; however, we at length put into Falmouth, in a shattered condition. Captain Sclater and I went directly on shore, I then told him my intention of going up to London by land. I had a negroe of his to sell, but could not get my price for him; the gentleman I applied to, knowing my friend, desired me to be perfectly easy, as I might have ten or twenty pounds to carry me to town; I took only ten guineas, and gave him my note for it. I also settled with the captain, and gave him a note for thirty-five pounds, for the payment of my passage, and other matters betwixt us.

I set out for London along with part of the guard that came with the money, brought over in the Lisbon packet; my friend at Falmouth lent me one of his horses; when we came to Exeter I took a post-chaise, but not before I had borrowed twenty guineas of the landlord, who really thought I was a sharer in this fine prize, and master of the packet. The whole sum was imagined to be seventy thousand pounds. I made a bold attempt, and got some of this money, and should have got much more, but for the want of a partner. I put this and the rest of my money into the seat of the chaise, suffered a man to ride behind to the next post town, where I quitted the chaise, put the money in a box, and had it sent to town by the next waggon, and which came very safely to my hands. I was vain enough to think with proper assistance, I could have got hold of the greatest part of this cargo of money. I set out post for town on horse-back; my behaviour all the way was such as gave every body satisfaction, from the genteel treatment they all had from me on the road; they gave me the greatest character, which I turned to the best advantage, and made several little sums by the way. On searching my pockets in London, I found myself possessed of more than one hundred pounds; but thought of having another push at the treasure, which was expected in town every hour; I went to the inn in Friday-street, told the book-keeper all the circumstances relating to the money, and where I had left them on the road, with other descriptions that gave him satisfaction; and that my concern in the cash was considerable; he told me, I should be heartily welcome to all the money he had, accordingly he brought me eight guineas; after expressing my concern for giving him so much trouble, I walked away from him.

I did not think of visiting him any more; but went to Mr. Lane’s in Drury-lane, where I hired a chariot, with a coachman and footman, in order to pay a visit to my father, whom I had not seen for fourteen years; my good father was glad to see me, I promised him to go again shortly, but never did more. The misfortunes I have undergone, has been, I am certain, intirely owing to the continual state of rebellion, that I lived in with my dear parents; and God for such unnatural practices, has been pleased to bring me to this most just and deserved punishment, I am now shortly to suffer. Oh! that from my sad fate, children would learn obedience to their parents, which will be attended with every desirable advantage on earth; be a blessing to themselves, and an honour to the human race; the enjoyment of peace and felicity in this world, and the sure and certain hope of enjoying the life which is to come. Were it known to the world, who my parents are, it could give them no satisfaction; I have been a disgrace to them, and would wish disobedient children to be warned from perpetrating those infamous actions, which may in the end work their own ruin; and such deeds, that their unfortunate parents, could neither foresee nor prevent. If children did but properly consider, the very fear of bringing their innocent parents to disgrace and shame, would prevent them from pursuing those wicked practices which end in being publickly exposed to a censorious world, and suffering an ignominious death.

I sought out all places of gaming and horse-races, till my money was all existed. I hired a post-chaise, with an intention of going to Dublin, and went in this manner to Birmingham, where I defrauded a great many tradesmen; and at my departure, hired a horse for Park-Gate, waiting some time for a fair wind, my money running very short; but at length a fair wind springing up, I went on board, and there passed for Maddocks the wire dancer’s brother, who had but lately been cast away in his passage from this port to Ireland. The passengers were much afraid least the same fate should attend us, as did him and his unfortunate companions; one of whom was Theophilus Cibber, the famous comedian. But God’s holy name be prais’d, we had a very fine passage, and arrived very safely in the port of Dublin.

I went on shore, and took me a lodging, and went the next night to the Play-House, in Crow-Street, where I made application to Mr. Barry, as the brother of Mr. Maddocks, and that I wanted to perform in my deceased brother’s way, though my real intention was only to borrow money of him. Mr. Barry told me he must see some of my performances first: well knowing my own inability in performances of that kind, without broken bones, I desisted from Mr. Barry and thought of making my market of Mr. Mossop; but he told me it was too late in the season to engage any performers. Meeting with these two rebuffs, I went to a Goldsmith, to cheapen some buckles; he sent his boy to my lodgings with two pair of Bristol-stone buckles, set in silver: I sent the boy back for two small rings; In his absence, I marched off with the buckles, and sold them at a Bagnio for my own price. The next day the buckles were advertised, and in a few days after I was taken at the same house by the master of the Bagnio; for they were fools enough to tell of their prize to several neighbours, that they had bought two fine pair of buckles very cheap, and found themselves now in danger of much trouble for their simplicity: but the good nature of the master, got me off from any other punishment than that of making them a recompence for their loss. I bought me a regimental suit of cloaths, and visited the milliners as an officer; at one shop I desired them to put up a box of the best sorts of their lace to shew a lady, and send the servant with me, with which the milliner most readily complied; we went directly to my lodgings, where I directly ordered her to go and fetch me some handkerchiefs; in the interval I pushed off with the laces, and sold them all the next morning. I was immediately advertised, and taken by a thief catcher, but at the earnest intercession of his wife, he let me go; I went for the country, and at Thomolin, I was again taken by the description in the same advertisement, and brought back to Dublin; but I made the people robbed, so easy with my flattering behaviour, they did not care much what came of me, so that I meditated, and accomplished my escape, after a good supper, and drinking plenty of wine.

Money was now low with me, so that I was obliged to step into a linnen-draper’s shop, and steal some handkerchiefs, made sale of them directly, and with the money paid for my passage to Park-Gate, where I found a ship bound to the Isle of Man, on which going directly on board, landed at Douglas, but I found nothing could be done here, the people being all as great thieves as myself. So in a little vessel bound for Scotland, I got on board, who landed me at Dumfries; where the moment I got on shore, I paid a visit to the merchants (the meanest shopkeeper is so here) the milliners and others, and picked up enough in defrauding them to support me tolerable. But the town being small, business promised but a short continuance. I made the best of my way to Edinburgh, the horse I brought with me, I sold to a drover for three pounds; and put up at one Browne’s, of whom I borrowed a clean shirt to go to the play, enquired for the manager of the house, which proved to be Mr. Digges; I wanted him to engage me on the same terms as I had made application to Messieurs Barry and Mossop, he said I should perform the next week, but that was too late for me. I then went to the Parliament-Close, to a silver-smith’s, cheapened some of his buckles, and according to my usual method, desired him to put up two pair and two rings, let his servant go with me to my lodgings; when I sent back for something more, then went out and sold them to Mrs. Japp, at a Bagnio, where I refreshed myself for two days: but by some accident, was taken and committed to the Talbooth-Goal, where I lay for three weeks, brought to my trial, and acquitted, but ordered to depart the city in three days. I must say I had very great favour shewn me, as any person could have, which was more than I either expected or deserved. On my being discharged, I hired a horse, and stole some handkerchiefs, and rode away for Berwick, where the horse was sold. I had no opportunity nor time to deal with the good people of Berwick, so went on board a ship bound for London, to which place we had a long and tedious passage: on our arrival, I thought proper to take with me, the bundle of one of the passengers, what suited me I kept, and the rest was sold.

I made but a short stay in London, hired a horse for Bristol, sold him there, and bought a stallion, with which I went to Cowbridge in Glamorganshire, there sold him, and stole a silver watch, besides some small parcels of laces. I did not like this of all the places I had ever been at; and set off directly for London, where I sojourned but a few days, went down to Portsmouth, took lodgings at a very creditable house, told my landlady I was a dealer in lace, desiring she would recommend me, which she did to several shops, where I got several pieces, went over to Gosport among the silver-smiths, and got some small booty there. I hired a horse in Portsmouth for London: within four miles of Kingston, I came up with two seamen, stopp’d, and demanded their money and watches, they gave me four guineas, and a silver watch; I left them, wishing them safety to London. Between Wandsworth and Vaux-Hall, I stopped a gentleman and lady in a post-chaise, robbed them of thirteen guineas, the post-boy got off his horse and ran away; but after I had secured the money, I rode after him, brought him back, and gave him a hearty flogging: the gentleman then returned me thanks in a very kind and hearty manner, and I wished him and his lady a good night. I went that night to Vaux-Hall, and between the hours of eleven and twelve, I stopped the Portsmouth machine, for which I was apprehended, and carried before the sitting justices in the Borough, where they searched me, but found nothing, yet my pistols were in my breeches pockets; I was discharged as they had no proof of any thing I had done amiss: I called for my horse, and mounted, crying out to them, if any one could ride that horse better than I, they might follow me; I went directly into London, and was taken very bad, so that I was obliged to go through a salivation for one month. I then began to be short of money, and was obliged to go a thieving again; accordingly I took a hackney coach, being still very weak, and not able to walk, I went to a milliner’s, or lace shop, near the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill, and stole twelve yards of point lace, to the value of thirty-six pounds, which I sold. I began to get strength daily, so one day took a walk to the Park, and so to Chelsea, where I hired a horse to ride about a little while, being tired with walking; I put my horse up at the Horse and Groom, in order to regale myself over a pint of mull’d wine: and seeing there a fine grey mare, with new bridle and saddle, I made enquiry of the owner’s name in the house, and found it was Simpson; in a short time, desired the ostler to put the bridle and saddle on the mare, as I thought Mr. Simpson stayed longer than he promised; the man without the least suspicion brought the mare out, I mounted and rode into London, and at the end of Fleet-Market, was stopped by the owner, he asked if I had not that mare at Chelsea; I very frankly assured him I had, and was going on a very hasty message from the master of the Horse and Groom, into Bishopsgate-Street, and was to return with all speed; he said it was very well, and left me to proceed where I would. I went into the Borough, and left the mare in pawn for six guineas. I went the next morning to Hyde-Park-Corner, and hired a Spanish Mare to go to Hounslow, went round the country to Epping, robbed two milliners of some lace, came back to town, and left the mare in pawn for four guineas with the landlord of the Catherine-Wheel Inn, in Bishopsgate-Street. I went out again in a few days, and at the upper end of Tyburn-Road, I hired another horse to take an airing, but went only round to Whitechapel, and left him in pawn at the Chaise and Horses there, for four pounds. A great number more horses I hired in like manner, my method was always to get the names of the stable-keepers, and of all the gentlemen’s horses that stood with them, that I possibly could. I always called them familiarly by their names, thought I might have the knowledge of them, and their mentioning some gentleman that the acquaintance might arise from, I immediately joined with them, in affirming that it was so. I do think I have been advertised near a hundred times, for horses hired in this manner. As I had hitherto escaped, I thought it now high time to leave off dealing with the stable-keepers, and turn my hand to other branches, in which I had not been less successful.

I went into Leicester-fields to take lodgings, and the gentlewoman of the house dealt very largely in lace, which I did not know of before; I told her I was just come from the West Indies; she took me for a gentleman of distinction, as I had a servant in livery along with me. I told her, I should be glad to see some of her lace to make me ruffles; she shewed me some point, at four pounds ten shillings: I stole one piece, containing twelve yards; I sold six yards, and sent the other six to pawn: the person I sent it to, stopped it, although she had taken in pawn many pieces that she knew to be stolen by me before. This event grieved me very much, as I was under the necessity of turning out again. I went to a watch-maker’s in the Strand, and finding the master out, I asked his wife, if my watch was done? she not knowing but I had bespoke one, shewed me a great many; I stole a fine gold watch in this time, and went away: I met, just there, with one Smith, a bailiff’s follower, to whom I sold the watch. I went into another watch-maker’s, being short of money, finding only a woman in the house, she shewed me three watches, one of which I took by force, ran out of the shop with it, and got clear off. This was in the morning. I went to a pawnbroker’s and pledged it for two guineas.

I soon heard of a particular milliner’s shop at Charing-cross, Mrs. Moore, where business might be done; agreeable to this information, I hired a woman servant, sent her to Mrs. Moore’s, and desired she would tell the milliner, I was lately come from abroad, and wanted some shirts, neckcloths, and other things, to the amount of eighty pounds, all of which were brought to me; but there being no black neckcloths, I requested Mrs. Moore to go back for some, and soon after sent the maid to desire her to bring two dozen; in this interval, I made off into the country, and sold all, pretending to be a dealer in lace myself. I came back to London in a few days, and paid a visit to Mr. Snow, on Ludgate-hill as one just come from Portsmouth, where I had landed from the West Indies; I desired him to shew me some handsome rings, to shew to a young lady; as I told him, he put up two that I had chosen, at six and seven guineas price; he sent his boy with me to a tavern at Temple-bar, where on our arrival, I sent the boy back for two rings, that his master had forgot; he went very readily his way, and I also with my booty. I pawned these rings to a certain man, F—— Pr——, near Covent-garden, for three guineas and a half. I have pawned a great many things with this man, that I am very certain he knew to be stolen; he always received every thing from me without any hesitation, reluctance, or denial, although he is a pretended honest man.

I then took my horse that I had standing by Covent-garden, and rid to the George at Hounslow; where sitting over a pint of wine, I resolved within myself that I would rob the first man I met. Going over the heath, I met with one Mr. Simpson, a dealer in lace, as he told me; him I robbed of fifteen pounds in money, and his silver watch; then I pushed off for Henley on Thames, and meeting with the master of the Crown inn in that town, I robbed him of a gold watch, and thirty-five shillings; afterwards went to Henley, had a pint of wine, and then returned to London. The very next night I went out again, and near the turnpike by Battle-bridge wells, I robbed two post-chaises, one of thirteen pounds, and the other of somewhat less; I came into town directly, put up my horse as usual by Covent-garden, and refreshed myself. I then fell ill, I believe from a fall from my horse; I made application to a doctor, and soon got well. I paid a visit to Vauxhall: going over Westminster-bridge, I robbed two gentlemen of their watches, and thirty shillings in silver, which was all they had, having left the remainder of their money with Mr. Tyre, at Vauxhall. I made directly for Covent-garden, put up my horse, and lay at a bagnio that night: I got up the next morning early, and set out for the last Ascot-heath races, where I lost a good deal of money; in short the chances run against me. In returning home, I was obliged to leave my horse in pawn at Hounslow, being short of money.

I turned out on Tuesday the 27th of September last, I took coach and paid a visit to Mrs. Dixon, a milliner, in Broad-street, Carnaby-market; the last and fatal place for me, and for which fact I am most deservedly to die. I asked her for a pair of minionet ruffles, but at this time she not having any thing to suit me (though she seemed vastly desirous to serve me) for ruffles, which I pretended to want, she very politely begged I would come again the next day; which in full expectation of bettering myself, I determined not to rob her now, which with ease I could have done, as she was intirely unsuspecting, and treated me with vast gentility and politeness; declaring, that if I would come the next day, she would shew me some very fine patterns of lace and ruffles. Mrs. Dixon undoubtedly took me for a gentleman; and in this she was no farther deceived than hundreds of people had been before her. Mrs. Dixon described what passed betwixt us very exactly upon my trial; that I tossed the pieces of lace about, pretending they were not fine enough, as indeed, for my purpose, they were not: according to my old custom, I clapped my hand to my head, as if not well, and had I found any lace I approved, to have taken my handkerchief out to cover it as usual. Mrs. Dixon asked me, if I was not well, and I answered her in the affirmative; and as I had been telling her before of my buying ruffles in Jamaica, she said very smartly, sir, perhaps the air of England does not agree with you, and you may not intend to return again; to which I replied, that I certainly should, having not only a ship, but other property of great consequence there; then I took my leave of her, promising to come on the morrow, and bring a lady along with me: I accordingly went, and all things were ready for my reception; many pieces of lace were shewn me, all of them very fine indeed; I fixed my eye on a genteel and well fancied piece, began to examine my handkerchief, according to art; but two pair of eyes being too many for me, under pretence of my wanting some lace for a cravat, Mrs. Dixon sent her maid out for them; I instantly grasped my prize, slid it into my pocket, and went away, without buying any thing. Undoubtedly Mrs. Dixon was heartily vexed, to see herself so dexterously slung; but however, her prudence now began to rouze itself; for she made use of the most probable means either to regain the lace, discover the thief, or both. Upon some occasions, it is certainly not amiss to set a thief to catch a thief; but be that as it may, I am pretty certain, had not Mrs. Dixon taken the expedient of having her lace advertised at a pawnbroker’s, she would never have seen thief or lace more. A pawnbroker is a most villainous employment: they not only exist by griping and grinding the faces of the poor, but are places of refuge for things stolen, few of them ever making enquiry how the party came by what they offer in pledge, and the less sum of money is demanded, the less is their desire to have it redeemed, or take notice of any advertisement; on seeing any such, they can directly make away with the matters in dispute, or send it amongst the Jews stolen cargoes to Holland.

On my marching off with Mrs. Dixon’s lace, I took a chair, and went to Strand-Lane, not with any intention to dispose of what I had got, but falling into conversation with Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Rogers, asked them if I might dine there, and was answered in the affirmative, discharged the chair, and dined with them on Pig; they both to me were utterly unknown before. After dinner I pulled out the lace, shewed it to them, then pretended to be short of Money, and but just come from Jamaica; I prevailed on Mrs. Rogers to go and pledge part of it, but not to take notice to Davis, what she was gone about. As soon as she was gone, I sent Davis with the other pieces I cut of, with the same injunction, not to tell the other. Though the whole of my trial is in the main, true, yet with regard to the time, Davis who pledged, and Brooks the pawnbroker, are both wrong; for it was past one o’clock when I stole it, two when I got to Strand-Lane, and at least three, when Mrs. Rogers went out with the first, as she justly swore. I mention not this by way of reflection, but that witnesses should consider when upon oath, they are to speak the whole truth, and in this instance it is certainly a falsehood. I made a most pitiful and shuffling defence; as indeed who could do otherwise under the vast load of guilt, I had to sustain, being under a stupid infatuation, and certain that my race was run. I could very easily have escaped or eluded the most diligent search made after me, for I saw the advertisement, had information of Davis’s being in custody for pledging the lace, and warned if any thing was amiss, that I would immediately fly, for fear of the bad consequences which might ensue; but all this I slighted; indeed I saw destruction before me, yet determined to make use of no means to shun it: by the persuasion of a certain person who has been exceeding kind and serviceable to me under my troubles, I went to Goodman’s-fields, stayed all night, returned the next day which was Tuesday the 4th of October; on our return, I heard of the enquiry made after me at this house, by very suspicious persons; however, having bought the Beggar’s Opera, I was determined to go, and did, to see that play this evening: after the play was done, I returned to my lodging, and was told, two ill-looking fellows had been to see for me, and that they were at an alehouse just by; on this intelligence, I stood some time like one confounded or in a trance, and at length went into my room; where I had been scarce a quarter of an hour, till the constable and my old friend Mr. Fuller, the thief-catcher, burst the door open, and accosted me with, Oh, Captain, is it you! then took me with my friend to Covent-garden round-house, and the next day before Sir John Fielding, who committed me to New-prison, as before mentioned: I saw several of my old acquaintances about Sir John’s, and some who have deserved what I have met with; but they say they are now turned honest, though I greatly fear it is all a sham: but I was to them all unknown, at least with regard to my old pranks; they did think I dealt on the highway, and also in horses; but my old friend Mr. Fuller knew something of me with regard to horses, not much to his benefit: how can it possibly be so to people who have any concern with those of my unhappy profession?

During my long course of wickedness, I never was addicted to common or profane swearing, to excess in eating, drunkenness, and but little to women; to none of these I can charge the errors of my life, my faults are all my own seeking and doing, without the advice, privity, or solicitation of any person whatever: I never was fond of even conversing with thieves and robbers, though at accidental meetings I have met with several, who guessing I was of their profession, would set forth the advantage of associates, or appearing in company to rob and plunder the honest and unwary part of mankind. Pallister and Duplex, lately executed at Coventry, who called themselves family men, and the heads of a great gang, pressed me violently to go on the highway with them and their companions, but all they could say was in vain. I never would make use of, or indeed knew the flash or cant language, in which these two men were very expert. Of all my acquaintance, men or women, Benjamin Campbell Hamilton, and Mrs. Pembruge[2] were by far the worst; of the latter I have already given a particular relation; but of the former I neglected to mention, that after his being acquitted at the Old Bailey, (my evidence not being sufficient against him, or his mother Catherine Hall, in Newtoner’s lane) he soon went into foot-pad and street robberies, with other idle boys, committing a vast number in the fields and streets; he was with his companions taken, tried, and executed at Tyburn on the 16th of May, 1750, with Lewis, May, and Giddis, his associates, and behaved under sentence, on the way, and at the place of execution, with the utmost hardiness and unconcern, not at all forced or constrained, but talked to the mob, and his fellow sufferers in the cart, with as much disengaged ease, as if he had been going to a ball or merry-making, and continued so to within a few minutes of his death; for at the place of execution, his behaviour was most intolerably indecent, talking and laughing aloud as the executioner was tying them up; making use of most scandalous and blasphemous expressions, at the instant of his launching into eternity; and yet astonishing as it may seem, this active, wild and extravagant youth, had only lived seventeen years.

And now, O Lord God Almighty, who by thy powerful hand, and out-stretched arm, hast for the salvation of my soul, and the benefit of thy creatures, (to whom I can make no other reparation, than to make known to the public the injuries I have done) been pleased through a series of unexampled acts of injustice, brought me down to this most deserved sentence and doom; for my benefit, and that of thy most extensive mercy and goodness. Oh! that I could make recompence to the multitudes I have injured; but no means have I but this, by laying all my crimes, as red as crimson, before the world. To thee, O most merciful God, I most humbly prostrate myself: grant me in this world, knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.

C. S.

Transcriber’s Notes

I. Never place many different articles on the counter at one time; nor turn your back on the pretended customer, but let some other person put the different articles up, whilst you are intent upon the business before you.

II. It is in general to be suspected if a person pulls out a handkerchief, lays it down, and takes it up often, some ill is intended; this was my constant practice with milliners and others, in what lay in a small compass. It never failed of success.

III. The shopkeeper on seeing such methods as this made use of, should remove the handkerchief from off their goods; which will give the sharper reason to suspect his design is seen through.

IV. It is very common at haberdashers and other shops, which deal in small articles, for every one that is wanted to be paid for, the tradesman applies to his till for change; his eyes being fixed thereon, then is the time something the nearest at hand on the counter is moved off.

V. It is very easy to discover a thief or sharper from an honest person; for the sharper asks for fifty things, none of which will do, tosses them backwards and forwards, shuffles what can conveniently be done aside, and moves off with the prize, promising to come again.

VI. Watch-makers and silver-smiths are imposed on principally thus; in a morning or evening the sharper, well dressed, as a sea-officer, will go to their shops, look at watches, buckles, rings, &c. when a variety of these are laid on the counter, if opportunity offers, the handkerchief is made use of with great advantage: should that fail, then the goods are ordered to a tavern, coffee-house, or private house, as best suits for ellegance or honesty; then the person is instantly sent back for something omitted, whilst the prize is secured, and the sharper moved off another way. Though this is an old and stale trick, it is amazing how successful the practitioners in it still are.

VII. Watch-makers should be extremely careful of strangers in their shops; as many watches are always lying on the work-board, and others hanging up, they should never have their eyes off the person: the handkerchief is here made use of to great advantage; if the watch is hung up, it damps any sound or tattling that might be made, and screens it intirely from the sight of the owner.

VIII. There is something in the very aspect of a cheat and sharper, which may be easily seen through: I know from experience, he continually has his eyes fixed on the shopkeeper, or person he has to deal with; has his body always in motion, whether standing or sitting. The eye of a thief continually follows the person he intends to deal upon.

IX. Dyers, scourers, and other persons, who have the property of many in their possession, should not let the appearance of a sharper, be it as genteel as it will, ever be parted with, but first by enquiring the name, and looking in their books for it; and should they by chance hit on a name, be sure to send the things in question home to the owner’s house yourself, or send them with necessary cautions, not to part with them on any account, but to the right owner. Women and servants should never act on these occasions, in the absence of the master; or be against sending for him from a neighbouring tavern, coffee-house, &c.

X. Pickpockets are the most easily guarded against, of any kind of thieves; it is people’s carelessness makes so many of this kind of rogues; nor is there more of any kind detested than of these. Whether through pride or negligence, I cannot say, but if people will go with their coats loose, a good handkerchief hanging half way out of their pocket, or the pocket flap thrust within, so that the contents, as pocket-books, &c. may easily be seen, and as easily taken away. The fob made so wide, and the chain and seals hanging down so long, that the watch will draw out as easy as water run through a pipe. People who go into crowds, or frequent the publick offices, should have their pockets open on the inside of the coat, which can easily be done; or else, as is customary with many, to have them on each side the coat, breast high; and to have a small strong strap, to button over the watch-chain, on the waistband of the breeches, will effectually and for ever prevent picking of pockets, and the loss of things of so much value. The smaller way in cutting women’s pockets, &c. is but little practiced now; so that warning all people to take care, and be on their guard in churches and publick assemblies, and they will scarce have cause to complain.

XI. Footpads and street-robbers are neither to be guarded against, or prevented, in my opinion, but by the vigilance and continual care of the magistrates, in putting down bad houses, seizing suspected robbers, and clearing the streets of whores. None of this kind of thieves can expect to continue in their trade above a month or six weeks, and the greatest part of them not half so long.

XII. Highwaymen are also very easily detected, by the method made use of by Justice Fielding, for stable-keepers to fend an account to him of the suspected robber’s horse, and a necessary description of his person, especially if it answers that of the described robber. But the method of thief-taking rather increase than diminish the number of robbers. And large rewards for taking highwaymen, &c. is certainly wrong, as old robbers are left unpunished, or taken, and young raw thieves hanged in their stead. The former are thief-makers, and who furnish business for the thief-takers.

C. S.

The preceding narrative, with the hints and remarks, are the work of the unhappy sufferer himself. The Editor has been very faithful in adhering to the letter of the narration; and cannot help looking on it as the most extraordinary history of the kind, and of the greatest service to the public of any thing similar to it in the whole world. Unhappy for me, I knew nothing of the prisoner’s intentions till Tuesday morning the 22d of November, the day before he suffered, by one of Mr. Akerman’s servants; with some difficulty I got a sight of the manuscript, the reading of which filled me with amazement; and instantly determined as it would be for the publick benefit for it to be printed, and resolved to see the prisoner, and agree with him directly; the time was short, the copy to be read over betwixt us, and many questions to be asked. I went into the Press-yard to him, where I found a man of a genteel appearance, a likely person, thin narrow face, somewhat cloudy brow’d, about five feet nine inches high, of a spare slender make, his demeanour courteous and affable, and his countenance, though pale, carried the vestigia not only of serenity but innocence. On apprizing him of my business, he said, “Sir, I know you not; but trust and hope you are an honest man: my intentions in the publication, is much against the inclination of my relations; I do it to make all the satisfaction in my power, for the numberless injuries I have done to mankind, and to pay my funeral expences, the executioner, the servants and others, to whom I am indebted. It is worth a good deal of money, but I will leave to your generosity what I am to have for it: the Ordinary has hitherto refused me the Sacrament, under pretence of not being prepared, but in reality, to get from me an account of my life and transactions, for which he would not have given me one farthing, or his charity extended so far towards me, as to furnish me with a little food to keep soul and body together till the time of my death. That is no part of his business. I have been supported by a gentlewoman through my imprisonment in Newgate, in a most kind and christian manner; for which I trust God will bless and reward her a thousand-fold. What is farther wanted concerning me, the undertaker will inform you of himself, or let you know where the gentlewoman is to be found; who has got some other papers concerning me, and will deliver them to you.”

We had just finished our business, when Mr. Cruden, famous for being the author of a Concordance of the Sacred Scriptures, the best ever yet seen in the Christian world, and well known in the republic of letters, came into the prison, to pray with and comfort the five unfortunate men; who very cordially, and with great fervency, joined with him in prayer: Mr. Cruden adapted his whole prayer, which was delivered extempore, to their present deplorable condition, with great propriety and simplicity, to move them to a sense of their guilt, to a firm trust and affiance in God’s mercy, and the certain hope and expectation, on their sincere repentance, of enjoying a state of eternal bliss in the world to come, through the blood, merits, and intercession of Jesus Christ, the redeemer of all mankind: that their state of probation here, was intended to qualify them, for a much more high and happy state; and would be their own fault if they did not attain it. To die, was natural to all men; but the time when, or place where, not worthy a wise man or a Christian’s notice. Then most heartily recommending them to God, and the word of his grace, admonishing them to be chearful and resigned, he left them.

He had not been departed long, till Mr. Ordinary himself appeared; but alas! what a falling off was here! Instead of his presence being agreeable to them, as a Christian pastor should be, they looked upon him as come for nothing but his own advantage; and rather to disturb them with insignificant and impertinent questions, than to take care of their poor souls; besides being honoured with execrations from some of the bye-standers, for none but the Protestant prisoners were suffered to be in Mr. Ordinary’s room: Mr. Cruden, on the contrary, desired all present to join with him, and left the door open all the time of prayer. Speckman and Broughton had the better of master Ordinary, who was obliged to leave them without accomplishing the only end he visited them for; who on coming out of the room, and perhaps smelling a rat, came up to the Editor of this narrative, with an assurance and countenance that carried the true Shannon dip, asked what he came there for; and whether he wanted any thing with them there men; in which being answered in the negative, he vouchsafed to stalk away, blown up with his own sufficiency and consequence.

Mr. Akerman, the keeper, to his eternal honour be it said, all this time was busily employed in procuring food, at his own expence, for the poor naked and starving prisoners, who many of them were at the point of death with the goal distemper; but the Christian reader will not be frightened at this, when he is told this distemper was only hunger. On parting with Mr. Speckman, he solemnly declared, as he trusted in God’s mercies, that every part of his copy was strictly true; and now being satisfied of its publication, he should die without fear, and with perfect resignation. The Editor, on recollecting his person, and having seen him under sentence of death in the beginning of the year 1751, made enquiry of the authenticity of many robberies, &c. here related, and has found them all true in every respect.

The prisoner requested some person might come to him from me in the morning. I requested a worthy friend to do so; who went into the Press-Yard, and the prisoner speedily came down; who, on putting his leg up to have his setters taken off, lifted up his hands and eyes towards heaven, and said in a kind of extasy, This is the finest Morn, that ever I have seen. As soon as this was performed, he was taken on one side to be haltered and pinioned, which he suffered to be done with patience and resignation; praying with uncommon fervency all the time. And then going with this friend to the upper end of the Press-Yard, they read and prayed together for some time, and was then asked if he had any thing farther to say concerning his life; replied, It is all truth, but if Mr. S. finds any thing therein, which may be thought not for the public good, that may be left out if he pleases. At the conclusion of this he addressed himself to the people, requesting their prayers, for his happy entrance into eternity; declaring that he deserved to die, but had great consolation in his last moments; that he never had beat, ill treated, or murdered any one, save in one instance of the post-boy.

The friend was then desired to take some money out of his left breeches pocket, which proved to be eight-pennyworth of half-pence, and to give them to one of the servants who attended on him, desiring his acceptance of that and his wig, which he had ordered to be sent to him: Then wishing farewell to his friend, Mr. Melville a prisoner, and the persons about him; was led by the officer to the cart: which for the first time was hung in mourning, this added much to the solemnity of the occasion. On the way to, and at the place of execution, he was perfectly resigned to his irrevocable doom; and to the last carried himself with the greatest decency and devotion, in full expectation and hope of enjoying the life to come, in the blessed regions of eternal day.

His body was taken care of by his friends, put into a coach and carried to an Undertaker’s in Moorfields, where on searching his pockets, there was found a prayer copied by him from a printed one, two farthings, half a walnut-shell, into which was thrust a long narrow slip of paper, on which he had wrote, “I beg of you to let your trust be in God, for there is your trust, and in no man living;” intending it for the young woman before mentioned. His body was decently interred on Sunday evening the 27th of November, in Tindall’s Burying-ground, Bunhill-fields; aged 29 years: and the service of the church of England, at his own request when living, was there performed.

Since writing the above, I have seen the Ordinary’s Account of Speckman and the other criminals, and that he hath given what he calls the Life of Speckman; which if the reader will give himself the trouble of perusing, he will find nothing but absurdity and contradiction; and that the unhappy man, at the instant of his being turned off, told him was nothing but deceit, asked Master Ordinary forgiveness, whose truly Christian disposition was on this imminent occasion pleased to comply, and pray for the sufferer. This undoubtedly is a laudable act, though the Ordinary did no more than his duty, which I hope he’ll not think too much for him, to make his only rule and guide for the time to come: as a pastor of such a flock he hath much to do, and his constant presence and residence as near the scene of action as the keeper; the necessity and obligation of taking care of the souls of the prisoners, should go hand in hand with that of the care of their bodies.

Such a wretched paper as the public is drenched with every execution, it is hoped they will be no more bothered with, but if that should be the case, it is confounded hard to pay six-pence for two sheets of whited brown paper rubbed over in a very slovenly manner, but the writing itself is truly inimitable, none but himself can be his parallel; finally, should it ever fall in Mr. Ordinary’s way, to find any of his brother pastors neglecting their duty, he will recommend to them the following spirited admonition of a most famous poet on occasion of the corrupted state of our national clergy, and under the similitude of a shepherd; which cannot fail of bringing them back to their original purity and usefulness.

“Of other care they little reckoning make,
Than how to scramble at the shearers feast,
And shove away the worthy bidden guest;
Blind mouths! that scarce themselves know how to hold
A sheep-hook, or have learn’d aught else the least
That to the faithful herdman’s art belongs!
What recks it them? what need they? they are sped;
And when they lift their lean and flashy songs,
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw;
The hungry sheep look up, but are not fed,
But swol’n with wind, and the rank mist they draw,
Rot inwardly and foul contagion spread;
But that two handed engine at the door,
Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more.”

FINIS.