4. NATHANIEL HAWES< no role > This name instance is in set 3060. , was condemned, for Assaulting Richard Hall< no role > , in the Evening, on Finchly-Common , and robbing him of 4 s. biding him Dismount, that he might have his Horse, as well as that he might search his Pockets.

He said, he was not 20 Years old; was Born in Norfolk , but was mostly brought up in Hartfordshire . That his Father, was a wealthy Grazier, dying before he was a Year old, he had much less of his Portion than was left him. That he was put thereupon to an Upholsterer , served about 4 Years before he got into expensive Company, which put him upon Robbing his Master, but that he injured him several times before he was discover'd.

When first Condemn'd, he show'd a great Levity of Behaviour, insensible of the wretched State he was in. He then said, that his Behaviour at the Sessions House, was as became a Man of Courage and bold Spirit, and if the Court was so Uncivil as to deny him his own Cloths, he had no business to oblige the Court, in Pleading; That was he to act agen, he would say, (as before) That it used to be a Court of Justice, but was now a Place of Injustice; and that he doubted not but as severe a Judgment would light upon them, as they had pass'd upon him: He said also, that he doubted not but he should be able to leave the World as much like a Man, as he had liv'd in it.

But afterwards, being convinc'd, that Fool-hardiness was not Courage, nor Audaciousness any braveness of Spirit; he began to alter his Sentiments, and own, that to be Unconcern'd at his Disafters, was not a laudable Bravery, but a stupid Insensibility; acknowledging, that he bore on his Breast the 250 Pound weight, for 7 Minuts, not because he would have better Cloths to be hang'd in, than he appear'd with on his Trial, (as he said in the Court.) but to evince his Boldness, and to gain Applause among the Gentlemen of the Highway, as he said, for being so brave a Fellow; for he must allow the Clemency of the Court, in not letting him die, when before Condemned, for Robbing the Upholsterer.

He farther said, that one James and he, committed at least 18 Robberies in a Fortnights time. But that he especially repented of some Cruelties he acted towards those he robb'd; as particularly a Waggon, near a Park-Wall, going to Oxford ; a Quaker's Coach near Uxbridge ; in which and other Instances he pilliaged and spoil'd, without shewing any Mercy, that he hoped for Mercy from God.

He added, that he should not have broke out of New-Prison , if a Woman had not induc'd him thereto, who instructed him and another in the Means, and furnished them with Requisites; to whom he said they were so Grateful, that they first helped her over the Walls, and afterwards escaped themselves.

Sometime before he was Executed, he was more Grave and Serious in his Deportment; desirous to receive the Sacrament; and positive that thro' the Merits of Christ, he had duly prepared himself for it.