things taken, (as it too often is by ignorant or thoughtless people) but by the violent and inhuman assault on the person, in the king's highway, going about his lawful occasions, under the protection of the law; the fear and danger he may be thrown into, the wounds and bruises he may receive, or the loss of life, limb, health or time he may suffer, in consequence of such attacks, either in his own defence, or the recovery of his right, and the just and necessary prosecution of the offender, for the public safety; add to these, another aggravation, that these mischiefs too often arise from persons who probably are, or have been supported by their king and country for the defence of their fellow-subjects; and who should, in all reason, justice and gratitude to their country, as well as from considerations of self preservation, now turn their thoughts to the happy arts of peace; the exercise and improvement of trade, navigation, and colonies, for which so many new and hopeful prospects are opened.

The fact laid in the indictment was too probably but one out of many of the same kind, perpetrated by these and such like enemies of the public peace; it was too strongly proved to be denied or controverted with any appearance of truth. Besides the two criminals named in the indictment, a third, Joseph Mates< no role > , was concerned in this affair, but was admitted an evidence. They were all three sea-faring men ; they had been on that afternoon playing at skittles at Stepney till seven in the evening, they then walked through the Back-lane to the ship and star in East-Smithfield , drinking at several alehouses as they passed along, and there also till ten at night, when they went towards Tower-hill , and there attacked two officers in their way from the custom-house toward Iron-gate , about a quarter before eleven, but were repulsed. These two, Mr. Branson and Mr. Williams, appeared as witnesses against them. Quickly after they met with Thomas Smith< no role > the prosecutor, a baker , and an inhabitant of St. George's, Wapping , as he was going home, about eleven, near the Butcher-row , East-Smithfield . Dennison came behind and gave him a blow on the side with his stick, and took his hat; Ryley knocked him down, and took his wig; while he cried out, Murder! thieves! they laid on him the more violently. The cry having alarmed others, these ran away as fast as possible; but were pursued by several, and all soon taken, secured, and committed. At first they pretended not to know each other, but afterwards owned they came together from Stepney , and pleaded, in alleviation, that the prosecutor had his wig again. Neither of the convicts persisted to deny this fact, or any part of the evidence after sentence was passed; but Dennison often blamed his excessive drinking that evening, as the occasion of his being drawn into it.

When visited after conviction, it appeared that half of them professed to be of the church of Rome , and would not attend our chapel, except Ryley, who, at his own earnest request, was brought up to chapel on the first Sunday morning, desirous, as he himself expressly declared, to hear the word of God: he was commended and encouraged for this good desire, and instructed in common with the other four who belonged to us, viz. Dennison, Swift, Brown, and Smith otherwise Turner, without making any distinction; he seemed to give good attention, and be well affected, saying, he would be glad to continue to come up with these four. But it is observable,