Ordinary of Newgate Prison:
Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts

4th May 1763

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA176305046305040012

12th March 1763


voyage, going a shore to buy them, and forgetting to return to the ship.

Courage however of some kind, it is agreed, he had, which he would exert in any station. When ashore, and at leisure from duty, he would raise contributions on the road: - A practice which he must have begun (by his own confession) so early as at the age of 20. - Whether he took occasion to commit the first fact of this kind from resentment on seeing a younger officer of superior interest, promoted over his head, as some say, or whether from necessity, brought on by extravagance urged by his audacious and depraved disposition, is uncertain. This however is well known, that his temper and behaviour at school were such, and so incorrigible, that many of his school-fellows proverbially foretold his fate.

It appears from some of his latest ranting boasts, a few days before he suffered, that he valued himself much for well-laid schemes, to rob with safety and impunity. Of this kind was the following fact: Being recommended, above a year ago, to the lords of the admiralty for preferment; while he waited about town, he settled himself at the Bull ale-house in the Borough, from before dinner till midnight; he had bespoke a horse to be ready for him at 9 in the evening at the Spur-Inn , in the same neighbourhood. Between 8 and 9 he said to the people of the Bull, What have you got for supper? Whatever it was, he pretended not to like it, but would step to his own lodging and get somewhat he liked better. In this interval he rid out, robbed Sir T. H - y and son, in their coach going to Clapham , between Newington and Vauxhall , of cash and Bank-notes, to a considerable value; and quickly returned to the Bull . When tried for this fact, the people of that house swore he had been there on that day for 12 hours, one half hour excepted, in which the jury judging it next to impossible he could commit the robbery, acquitted him, tho' sworn to, both by the gentlemen and their servants. Soon after he was met by a friend and companion, who was glad to see him at large, and asked him, which side of the evidence was forsworn? he answered, neither: But he had got the bustle (meaning the cash) in his pocket.

When I heard of my old acquaintance, Lewis, being once more in custody at New Prison ; that there was strong evidence against him, and he had confessed enough before the justice to determine his fate; that he was dejected and low-spirited; I could not forbear to pay him a friendly visit, ex officio, thinking he would receive it kindly. He was just returned from his examination before Sir J. F, &c. I found I had caught a tartar; I did not perceive at first that he had taken a glass to enable him to confront the justices, or wash down his examination. I said to him, Ah Lewis! I am sorry to meet you here; had you taken my advice, you had escaped this. He was surrounded by a croud of curious spectators; and he was inclined to shew his talent of prophane ribaldry before them; " You, replied " he, murder men twice: I have a very bad opinion of you, and think you no better than a " Papist. You teach false doctrine." &c. Then, to palliate all, he said, " You see I am mad;" behaving himself in a manner which seemed to confirm it; to the diversion of the spectators. He added, " I am no Atheist, " I am a Christian every inch of me:" little thinking, or caring what a scandal he brought on that venerable name; and that an Atheist in practice is scarce to be distinguished from one in profession; but that he is the more inconsistent monster of the two. This was no time or place to refute him, he was only answered, "'tis to " be feared, all this will not save or excuse you!" Finding my visit misunderstood, and ill received, and that is was unseasonable to put a proper book into his hands, which I had carried with me for him; consisting of serious advice, and devotions fitted to his case: another opportunity was taken to send it to him; when it might be hoped he had recovered, and put on, the man at least, if not the penitent christian.

When he was moved to Newgate to take his trial, he now and then came up to the latter part of divine service, strutting and rattling his irons, as if proud of the cause in which he wore them. His voice was now and then exalted in a response, or an amen, in a loud and ludicrous tone; a practice in which he took a pride among the prisoners in his former confinements. And that he was proud of his fetters and chains, appeared an undoubted truth in the judgment of his keeper, who being affronted by him, generously said, "You r - l, I'll not treat you as " you deserve, because you are my prisoner; but " I have a mind to take off your irons, and I think " I can't mortify you more."

As he affected to be a real M'Heath, 'tis said he boasted to a visitor that he could, like that hero, buy off the Old Baily ; and merrily sang:

If gold from law can take out the sting, &c. - as in the Beggar's Opera.

These incidents happened before his trial. When being convicted he was brought to the bar to receive sentence, he was reminded, that it was but a short time since he was tried at the same bar before, that by his late facts he had now filled up the measure of his iniquity; and as his moments of life must now be very few, he was warned so to employ them as to prepare for his change; not to aggravate the reproach of his family, nor contribute yet more to bring down the grey hairs of a worthy father with sorrow to the grave.




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