The Behaviour of the Prisoners under Sentence of Death.

PERHAPS there has not often been Men under Condemnation, of Minds naturally more Corrupt and Dead to the Sentiments of Humanity, than the most of Those who were Yesterday Executed; whether we consider their Behaviour at their Tryals, their indecent unconcern, and even Ridicule at time of their Sentence given, or their little Regard afterwards of what had been pass'd upon them. But tho' they appear'd so abandon'd at the first of their Condemnation, yet when they heard that the Warrant was come down for their speedy Execution; They then discover'd that they had something of the Rational remaining in them, and that 'tis perhaps impossible wholly to extinguish that Principle of Thinking aright, which God has put into our Breasts, tho' by an abandan'd Course of Life, Humanity may be so far obscur'd as to seem destroy'd. For tho' even Death at some distance could no Way shock them, in its nearer Approach it alarmed them sensibly; they furnish'd themselves at once with Bibles, Prayer-Books, and what else was necessary; they were changed at once from a careless to a grave Deportment, and the concern of their Hearts very manifestly appear'd; they were solicitous never to omit the publick Prayers, and assured me, they were as constant at their Devotions alone. They seem'd desirous of informing themselves in the Points most necessary to Salvation, and especially the Nature of the Sacrament.

1. John Meff< no role > , alias Merth< no role > ) was convicted of Returning without Lawful Cause, from his Majesty's Plantations in America , having been thither Transported among other Convicts from Newgate for the space of Seven Years. It appearing to the Court a Scruple whether the other fresh Crime which he was to have been Indicted for was not committed at such a Time, as to include the Offender within his Majesty's late Act of Grace, the Court thought it proper to set aside that Fact, and to try him upon the late Act of Parliament, for the more effectual Transportation of Felons, which fully appearing, he was found Guilty and Sentenc'd.

This Prisoner was about 40 Years of Age, Born in London , of French Parents, who fled for Protection, and the Sake of their Religion into England, when the Protestants were, by Lewis the XIV, extirpated out of France: But after a continuance of twelve Years in England, finding it difficult longer to maintain himself and Family, he went over to Holland; and this Prisoner said, it was a heavy Calamity to him that he could not see his Parents before he dy'd.

He said, that being put 'Prentice to a Weaver , his Master approv'd of him, as a diligent and careful Youth; and he added, that if he did not continue so when he was a Man, 'twas in a great Measure owing to his Trade, which was not a Maintenance for himself, and his first Wife and Children.

He also said, that when he was before Condemn'd for Breaking open a House, and got off thro' the Executioner's being Arrested, he