stances in that City; he took Care to send me to School, and intended to qualify me for some genteel Calling or Occupation; but before I was full ten Years of Age, I ran away from my Father and Mother, and went to an Uncle in the Country, where I continued near a Twelve Month, and from thence to some other Friends, who lived but a little Distance from my Uncle's.

After this, my Uncle and other Friends, importun'd my Father to take me Home again; but I incurr'd his Displeasure so much, that he would not see me; bu at last he was prevailed upon to put me Apprentice to one Bannister, a Shoe-maker in Dublin , whom I serv'd about three Years; but he then failing, was obliged to shun Dublin for Debt, and went to the City of Cork , and Business not answering there for him, he was obliged to travel further into the Country: Under these Circumstances, I took a liking to loose Company, and leaving my Master, I became a Drumb-beater i Cork , where I continued for some time, and then meeting with a Recruiting Serjeant, who wanted Men for Gibraltar, I agreed with him and went to Gibraltar , where I remained in the King's Service four Years, and gain'd a great deal of Money at my Trade besides. Being bred a Roman Catholick , I took as many Opportunities as I could, of going to the Spanish Chapel by stealth to hear Mass; but being at last discover'd, I was severely Punished, and soon after I diserted; I took an Opportunity of stealing from off Guard in the Night, with two other Irishmen who were on Guard also; we had consulted together before, and concerted how we should get away. We put our Design into Execution, and left Rinchees (i. e.) Fellows who are coveous of Money, and do Duty sometimes for us in our Place, to answer when the Officer come to see if we were on Duty; but as we were going off, we were discovered, and fir'd at, but none of the Shot reached us, except one, that took me in the Skirt of my Coat without doing me any further Prejudice. I had eleven Otouches about me, all which I fir'd off in my own Defence before I got safe among the Spaniards, and brought my Piece with me.

We were receiv'd in the Spanish Watch-house (as all English Diserters are) and from thence we went directly to Cadiz , and I had the Luck to get a good Place in the English Consul's Service ; as I could speak English, he employed me in going with two Spaniards on Board the Ships that came in, to bring up the Captain's to the Governors, to pay the Premium they are obliged to pay for coming into that Port; I had not been long there, before I quarrelled with a Woman and beat her, and knowing the Punishment I must undergo (for striking a Woman, is there a very great Crime, and attended with the severest Punishment) I took to my Heels, and found an Opportunity of coming to London , and I brought with me about 400 Dollars.

When I came first to Town, which is about eight or nine Months ago, I took a Room in Fleet-street , and employed a Journeyman at my Trade; but I had not lived there long, before I was robb'd of what Money I had not laid out for Leather and other Utensils in my Trade, and all my Cloths, and even the Box they were in. Then I was obliged to go to Journey-work myself. As to the Fact for which I suffer, I do declare that I never had any Acquaintance with Cavenaugh, who was Evidence against me, 'till I happen'd to come with an Acquaintance of mine to see a Debtor in Newgate, a little before Christmas last, and Cavenaugh was then a Prisoner there with one Donnelly, for forging of Passes. He knowing I was a Countryman, complain'd to me of his being in a starving Condition, and I gave him a Shilling Some time after he was discharg'd, I met him unfortunately in Long-Acre , and he invited me to drink with him (as I had been civil to him in Goal) We went into an Alehouse, and before we drank one Pot of Beer, he asked me if I would not go with him, and some more of our Countrymen upon the Scamp; I did not understand what he meant by the Scamp, but he explained himself. I told him I could get my Bread at my Trade, and would not venture my Life on any such Account, and endeavoured to shun him ever since, where ever I met him; I acknowlege my self to have been guilty of several Crimes, for which I deserve Death, as well as for deserting from my Colours.

But when this Fact was committed, I was then so ill of a Stab in my Groin, that I was not able to assist in any robbery. But God forgive him, I freely forgive him and all the World, and dye an unworthy Member of the Church of Rome.

James Leonard< no role > .