2d. Decr. 1715.

The Beadles and Porters man were also called before the Court
and charged by Mr president to keep the Hospital Gates Shutt on
Holydays and to give an account from time to time to the Trear
or Comittee of the House of the names of Such apprentices as they
See out of their Masters Houses on Holy days

At the Court holden according to the said Adjournment on
Wednesday the 9th day of Novemr. Atkins the Porters man being
examined Said that on the 20th of Octor. Last the Little Gate of
this Hospital was kept Shutt with a padlock upon it all the day &
about five o Clock in the afternoon he being with the Beadles under
the Great Gateway where they attended to prevent the apprentices
going out he heard a great many of them huzza and Seeing them
run towards the Little Gate he run thither and perceiving a great
Smock of Gun powder he pulled at the padlock and found it fast
whereupon he run back to the other Beadles at the Great Gate &
told them the Padlock was Safe but imediatetly after the Gate was
opened and Severall of the Boys were missing But deny'd he
Said any thing about the Quantity of Gun powder or that he
ever heard what quantity was put into the Lock or knew any-
thing of the Gunpowder but by the SmellBeing asked
how the Boys got out if the Lock was fast he fetched the
padlock and Shewed how the upper plate of the Lock was Started
with the powder which he did not discern when he pulled at the Lock
it being Dusk and beleives they then forced up the Bolt of the
Lock But he depending the Lock was fast did not mind ye Boys
nor See when they went outSaid he was not farther than
the Bull Alehouse at ye Hospital Gate all that day but did
not See the Boys when they went from thence up the Ditch
Side

The Beadles being examined Said they were all Except
Harris) under the Great Gate and did not know the Little
Gate was open till many of the Boys were gone out and then
they Stopt as many as they could