Middlesex and
City and Liberty
of Westminster
to Wit

{
The Information of Robert Stephenson< no role >
one of the Watchmen of the Parish of Saint James in
the Liberty of Westminster Taken before us two of
his Majestys Justices of the Peace in and for the said
County City and Liberty.

Who being upon his Oath saith that as he was walking up
Argyll Buildings in the above Parish about two O'Clock of the Morning
of the 1st. of November Instant he saw Mr. John Gascoigne< no role > one of his
Majesty's officers of Excise come out of the House of the Right Honble
Lord Vane in Argyll Buildings aforesaid (being where the said Mr.
Gascoign lives. That this Informant and the said Mr. Gascoign being
in Conversation together. This Informant observed three men come out
of the House of Mr. Winford being the next house to Lord Vanes. That
immediately thereupon this Informant said to the said Mr. Gascoign
there are three men this Moment gone out of this house) meaning the
(Cause of the said Mrs. Winford) That as soon as the said three Men
were got out of the said House this Informant saw them run Very
fast and this Informant and the said Mr. Gascoign< no role > immediately
Pursued them, but Mr. Gascoign being Nimbler than this Informant
over took one of the said Men in Carnaby Street , But could neither
hear or see either of the other two men That soon after Mr. Gascoign
had so overtaken one of the said men (who calls himself Joseph Browne< no role > ).
This Informant came up to the said Mr. Gascoign who was endeavouring
with one John Curtis< no role > a Watchman of the above Parish & in Carnaby
Street to Secure him which they did That as they were bringing
or Conveying him to Mrs. Winfords House) the door of which the
said three men had left open) the said Browne endeavoured to
make his Escape and in so doing the said Joseph Browne< no role > Mr.
Gascoign and this Informant were all upon the Ground together
when and at which time the said Mr. Gascoigne cried out and said
Watchman Knock him (meaning Browne) down for I am stabbed
and cut all to PiecesSome Persons now coming to their
Assistance the said Joseph Browne< no role > was secured and taken to the
House of Mrs. Winford in Argyll Buildings aforesaid from whence
he was Conveyed to Saint James's round house Saith he verily believes
neither of the above three men at the time they came out of Mrs. Winfords
House had any shoes on And lastly saith that some time after the
said Browne was so secured as aforesaid he and Mr. Gascoign went
to the Place where the said Browne had attempted to Escape; and in
looking about, the said Mr. Gascoign Picked up a Knife which he verily
believes was the same with which the said Joseph Browne< no role > so cut and
wounded the said Mr. Gascoign as also two Coats of this Informant which
he had on at that time which were likewise Cut through.

Sworn before us this Fourth
day of November 1769 John Lane< no role > .}
Jno Spinnage< no role >

Robert Stephenson< no role >