chose to commit a Robbery or Burglary, which was sure way to get himself rid of the World by the Hands of another.

As to the murthering of his Uncle, he declared he never intended any such Thing; and if he spoke any Word to that Purpose, that he was certainly out of his Senses and knew nothing of it. Notwithstanding his pretended Weariness of Life, yet he often cried and wept like a Child when he saw he must die; and being asked the Reason, he could give no Account thereof, but that it was a terrible Thing to look Death in the Face. He behaved always very well in Chappel, and was apparently devout and serious; he owned that he had been a great Sinner in whoring, drinking, and Company-keeping, though not so desperately wicked, as commonly these abandon'd Wretches are: He declar'd that he believ'd in Jesus Christ his only Saviour; that he sincerely repented of all his Sins, and forgave all Injuries done him, as he expected Forgiveness from God.

5. Thomas Faxton< no role > and Thomas Smith< no role > of Hackney were indicted for assaulting William Davis< no role > on the Highway, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Hat, value 3 s. and 9 d. half-penny in Money, the 30th of January last .

Thomas Smith< no role > , 19 Years of Age, of honest Parents, his Father dying and leaving him young, the Mother Educated him at School, but he being a vicious, sensless and cross Boy, did little or no good that Way, only when he pleased, he sold any small Thing, or went about doing any little Matter for his Mother. When of Age, his Mother put him to a Stocking-Weaver , but he not liking that Trade, soon wearied of it, vex'd and teas'd his poor Mother and left it. Then she bound him to a Fish-monger , with him he stay'd for some Time, and then his Master dying, his Mistress resolv'd to turn him over to another, but he by no Means could be persuaded to engage with a second Master, but went to Sea on Board a Man of War, was in the Fleet at Spithead , and stay'd out about three Years, having serv'd with Approbation, till such Time as the Ship was discharg'd. Then coming home, he went no more Aboad but stay'd with his Mother, and went about the Streets with a Basket, selling Pololian Puddings or Sasuages , which the Mother made for Sale. This Way he got his Bread and might have done very well, till some more settl'd Business had presented, but being of a vicious Disposition, and in his straggling Way, meeting with all sorts of idle, wicked People, he could not be content, but though beholding the miserable Fate of vile Miscreants every Day, yet he resolv'd to forsake all industry and virtue, and to follow thieving, stealing and robbing on the Highway and Streets in the City. In Prosecution of this villainous Purpose, falling into the Company of Thomas Faxton< no role > new come from Sea, they contracted an intimacy,