_From my Residence in Terra Australi incognito_.
_P.S._ Pray my Service to Mr. _Or---- di---- y_ and to Mr.
_App---- ee_.
On _Saturday_ the 10th of _October_, _Anthony Lamb_, and _Thomas
Sheppard_, with 95 other Felons were carried from _Newgate_ on
Shipboard, for Transportation to the Plantations; the last begg'd to
have an opportunity given him of taking his final Leave of his Brother
_John_; but this was not to be Granted, and the greatest Favour that
could be obtain'd, was that on the _Sunday_ before they had an Interview
at the _Chapel_, but at such a distance, that they neither saluted, or
shook Hands, and the Reason given for it, was that no Implements might
be convey'd to _Sheppard_ to assist him in making an Escape.
This, Caution seem'd to be absolutely necessary, for it appear'd soon
after that _Sheppard_ found Means to release himself from the Staples to
which he was Chain'd in the Castle, by unlocking a great Padlock with a
Nail, which he had pickt up on the Floor, and endeavour'd to pass up the
Chimney, but was prevented by the stout Iron Bars fix'd in his way, and
wanted nothing but the smallest File to have perfected his Liberty. When
the Assistants of the Prison, came as usual with his Victuals, they
began to examine his Irons; to their great Surprize they found them
loose, and ready to be taken off at Pleasure. Mr. _Pitt_ the Head
Keeper, and his Deputies were sent for, and _Sheppard_ finding this
Attempt entirely frustrated, discover'd to them by what means he had got
them off; and after they had search'd him, found nothing, and Lock'd
and Chain'd him down again; He took up the Nail and unlocked the Padlock
before their Faces; they were struck with the greatest Amazement as
having never heard, or beheld the like before. He was then Handcuff'd,
and more effectually Chain'd.
The next Day, the Reverend Mr. _Purney Ordinary_ of the Place came from
the Country to visit him, and complain'd of the sad Disposition he found
him in, as Meditateing on nothing, but Means to Escape, and declining
the great Duty incumbent upon him to prepare for his approaching Change.
He began to Relent, and said, that since his last Effort had prov'd not
Successful, he would entertain no more Thoughts of that Nature, but
entirely Dispose, and Resign himself to the Mercy of Almighty God, of
whom he hop'd to find forgiveness of his manifold Offences.
He said, that _Edgworth Bess_ and himself kept a little Brandy-shop
together in _Lewkenhors-Lane_, and once sav'd about Thirty Pounds; but
having such an universal Acquaintance amongst Theives, he had frequent
calls to go _Abroad_, and soon quitted that Business, and his Shop.
On _Friday_ the 2d, of _October_ his old Confederate _Joseph Blake_
alias _Blewskin_, was apprehended and taken at a House in St. _Giles's_
Parish by _Jonathan Wild_, and by Justice _Blackerby_ committed to
_Newgate_. _William Field_ who was at his liberty, appearing and making
Oath, that _Blewskin_ together with _John Sheppard_ and himself,
committed the Burglary and Felony in Mr. _Kneebone's_ House, for which
_Sheppard_ was Condemn'd.
The Sessions commencing at the _Old-Bailey_ on _Wednesday_ the 14th of
_October_ following, an Indictment was found against _Blewskin_ for the
same, and he was brought down from _Newgate_ to the _Old-Bailey_ to be
Arraign'd in order to his Tryal; and being in the Yard within the Gate
before the Court: Mr. _Wild_ being there Drinking a glass of Wine with
him, he said to Mr. _Wild_, _You may put in a word for me, as well as
for another Person?_ To which Mr. _Wild_ reply'd, I cannot do it. _You
are certainly a dead Man, and will be tuck'd up very speedily,_ or words
to that effect: Whereupon _Blewskin_ on a sudden seiz'd Mr. _Wild_ by
the Neck, and with a little Clasp Knife he was provided with he cut his
Throat in a very dangerous Manner; and had it not been for a _Muslin_
Stock twisted in several Plaits round his Neck, he had in all likelyhood
succeeded in his barbarous Design before _Ballard_ the Turnkey, who was
at Hand, could have time to lay hold of him; the Villain trumph'd
afterwards in what he had done, Swearing many bloody Oaths, that if he
had murder'd him, he should have died with Satisfaction, and that his
Intention was to have cut off his Head, and thrown it into the Sessions
House-Yard among the Rabble, and Curs'd both his Hand and the Knife for
not Executing it Effectually.
Mr. _Wild_ instantly had the Assistance of three able Surgeons, _viz._
Mr. _Dobbins_, Mr. _Marten_ and Mr. _Coletheart_, who sew'd up the
Wound, and order'd him to his Bed, and he has continu'd ever since, but
in a doubtful State of Recovery.
The Felons on the Common Side of _Newgate_, also animated by
_Sheppard's_ Example, the Night before they were to be Shipt for
Transporation, had cut several Iron Bars assunder, and some of them had
saw'd off their Fetters, the rest Huzzaing, and making Noises, under
pretence of being Joyful that they were to be remov'd on the Morrow, to
prevent the Workmen being heard; and in two Hours time more, if their
Design had not been discover'd, near One Hundred Villians had been let
loose into the World, to have committed new Depredations; nothing was
wanted here but _Sheppard's_ great Judgment, who was by himself in the
strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, meditating his own Deliverance, which
he perfected in the manner following.
On _Thursday_ the 15th of this Instant _October_, at between One and Two
in the Afternoon, _William Austin_, an Assistant to the Keepers, a Man
reputed to be a very diligent, and faithful Servant, went to _Sheppard_
in the strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, with his Necessaries, as was
his Custom every Day. There went along with him Captain _Geary_, the
Keeper of _New Prison_, Mr. _Gough_, belonging to the _Gate-house_ in
_Westminster_, and two other Gentlemen, who had the Curiosity to see the
Prisoner, _Austin_ very strictly examined his Fetters, and his
Hand-Cuffs, and found them very Safe; he eat his Dinner and talk'd with
his usual Gayety to the Company: They took leave of him and wish'd him a
good Evening. The Court being sitting at the _Old-Bailey_, the Keepers
and most of their Servants were attending there with their Prisoners:
And _Sheppard_ was told that if he wanted any thing more, then was his
Time, because they could not come to him till the next Morning: He
thank'd them for their Kindness, and desir'd them to be as _early as
possible_.
The same Night, soon after 12 of the Clock Mr. _Bird_, who keeps a
Turners-shop adjoyning to _Newgate_, was disturb'd by the Watchman, who
found his Street Door open, and call'd up the Family, and they
concluding the Accident was owing to the Carelessness of some in the
House, shut their Doors, and went to Bed again.
The next Morning _Friday_, at about eight Mr. _Austin_ went up as usual
to wait on _Sheppard_, and having unlock'd and unbolted the double Doors
of the Castle, he beheld almost a Cart-load of Bricks and Rubbish about
the Room, and his Prisoner gone: The Man ready to sink, came trembling
down again, and was scarce able to Acquaint the People in the _Lodge_
with what had happen'd.
The whole Posse of the Prison ran up, and stood like Men depriv'd of
their Senses: Their surprize being over, they were in hopes that he
might not have yet entirely made his Escape, and got their Keys to open
all the strong Rooms adjacent to the _Castle_, in order to Trace him,
when to their farther Amazement, they found the Door ready open'd to
their Hands; and the strong Locks, Screws and Bolts broken in pieces,
and scatter'd about the Jayl. Six great Doors (one whereof having not
been open'd for seven Years past) were forc'd, and it appear'd that he
had Descended from the Leads of _Newgate_ by a Blanket (which he
fasten'd to the Wall by an Iron Spike he had taken from the Hatch of the
_Chapel_) on the House of Mr. _Bird_, and the Door on the Leads having
been left open, it is very reasonable to conclude he past directly to
the Street Door down the Stairs; Mr _Bird_ and his Wife hearing an odd
sort of a Noise on the Stairs as they lay in their Bed, a short time
before the Watchman alarm'd the Family.
Infinite Numbers of Citizens came to _Newgate_ to behold _Sheppard's_
Workmanship, and Mr. _Pitt_ and his Officers very readily Conducted them
up Stairs, that the World might be convinc'd there was not the least
room to suspect, either a Negligence, or Connivance in the Servants.
Every one express'd the greatest Surprize that has been known, and
declar'd themselves satisfy'd with the Measures they had taken for the
Security of their Prisoner.
One of the Sheriffs came in Person, and went up to the _Castle_ to be
satisfy'd of the Situation of the Place, _&c._ Attended by several of
the City Officers.
The Court being sat at the _Sessions-House_, the Keepers were sent for
and Examin'd, and the Magistrates were in great Consternation, that so
horrid a Wretch had escap'd their Justice. It being intended that he
should have been brought down to the Court the last Day of the
_Sessions_, and order'd for Execution in two or three Days after; if it
appear'd that he was the Person Condemn'd for the breaking Mr.
_Kneebone's_ House, and included in the Warrant for Execution, _&c._
Many of the Methods by which this miraculous Escape was effected, remain
as yet a Secret, there are some indeed too Evident, the most reasonable
Conjecture that has hierto been made, is, that the first Act was his
twisting and breaking assunder by the strength of his Hands a small Iron
Chain, which together with a great Horse Padlock, (as went from the
heavy Fetters about his Legs to the staples) confin'd him to the Floor,
and with a Nail open'd the Padlock and set himself at Liberty about the
Room: A large flat Iron Bar appears to have been taken out of the
Chimney, with the Assistance thereof 'tis plain he broke thro' a Wall of
many Foot in Thickness, and made his way from the _Castle_ into another
strong Room Contiguous, the Door of it not having been open'd since
several of the _Preston_ Prisoners were Confin'd there about seven Years
ago: Three Screws are visibly taken off of the Lock, and the Doors as
strong as Art could make them, forc'd open. The Locks and Bolts, either
wrench'd or Broke, and the Cases and other Irons made for their Security
cut assunder: An Iron Spike broke off from the Hatch in the _Chapel_,
which he fix'd in the Wall and fasten'd his Blanket to it, to drop on
the Leads of Mr. _Bird_'s House, his Stockings were found on the Leads
of _Newgate_; 'tis question'd whether sixty Pounds will repair the
Damage done to the Jayl.
It will perhaps be inquir'd how all this could be perform'd without his
being heard by the Prisoners or the Keepers; 'tis well known that the
Place of his Confinement is in the upper part of the Prison, none of the
other Felons being Kept any where near him; and 'tis suppos'd that if
any had heard him at Work, they would rather have facilitated, than
frustrated his Endeavours. In the Course of his Breaches he pass'd by a
Door on his Left belonging to the _Common-Side_ Felons, who have since
Curs'd him heartily for his not giving them an opportunity to kiss his
Hand, and lending them a favourable lift when his Hand was in; but that
was not a Work proper for Mr. _Sheppard_ to do in his then
Circumstances.
His Fetters are not to be found any where about the Jayl, from whence
'tis concluded he has either thrown them down some Chimney, or carried
them off on his Legs, the latter seems to be Impracticable, and would
still render his Escaping in such Manner the more astonishing; and the
only Answer that is given to the whole, at _Newgate_ is, _That the_
Devil _came in Person and assisted him_.
He undoubtedly perform'd most of these Wonders in the darkest part of
the Night, and without the least Glimpse of a Candle; a word, he has
actually done with his own Hands in a few Hours, what several of the
most skilful Artists allow, could not have been acted by a number of
Persons furnish'd with proper Implements, and all other Advantages in a
full Day.
Never was there anything better Tim'd, the Keepers and all their
Assistants being obliged to a strict Attendance on the Sessions at the
_Old Bailey_, which held for about a Week; and _Blewskin_ having
confin'd _Jonathan Wild_ to his Chamber, a more favourable opportunity
could not have presented for Mr. _Sheppard's_ Purposes.
The Jaylors suffer'd much by the Opinion the ignorant Part of the People
entertain'd of the Matter, and nothing would satisfie some, but that
they not only Conniv'd at, but even assisted him in breaking their own
Walls and Fences, and that for this Reason too, _viz._ That he should be
at Liberty to instruct and train up others in his Method of
House-Breaking; and replenish the Town with a new set of Rogues, to
supply the Places of those Transported beyond Sea.
This is indeed a fine way of Judging, the well-known Characters of Mr.
_Pitt_, and his Deputies, are sufficient to wipe of such ridiculous
Imputations; and 'tis a most lamentable Truth, that they have
often-times had in their Charge Villains of the deepest Die; Persons of
Quality and great Worth, for whom no Entreaties, no Sums how large
soever have been able to interfere between the doleful Prison, and the
fatal Tree.
The Officers have done their Duty, they are but Men, and have had to
deal with a Creature something more than Man, a _Protoeus_,
Supernatural, Words cannot describe him, his Actions and Workmanship
which are too visible, best testifie him.
On _Saturday_ the 17th, _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskin_, came upon his
Tryal at the _Old Bailey_: _Field_ gave the same Evidence against him,
as he had formerly done against _Sheppard_; and the Prisoner making but
a triffling Defence, the Jury found him Guilty of Buglary and Felony.
The Criminal when the Verdict was brought in, made his Obeysances to the
Court, _and thank'd them for their Kindness_.
It will be necessary that we now return to the Behaviour of Mr.
_Sheppard_, some few Days before his last Flight.
Mr. _Figg_ the famous Prize Fighter comeing to see him, in _NEWGATE_,
there past some pleasant Raillery between them; and after Mr. _Figg_ was
gone, _Sheppard_ declared he had a Mind to send him a formal Challenge
to Fight him at all the Weapons in the strong Room; and that let the
Consequence be what it would, he should call at Mr. _Figg's_ House in
his way to Execution, and drink a merry Glass with him by way of
Reconciliation.
A young Woman an Acquaintance of his Mother, who wash'd his Linnen and
brought him Necessaries, having in an Affray, got her Eyes beaten Black
and Blue; says _Sheppard_ to her, _How long hast thou been Married_?
Replyes the Wench. _I wonder you can ask me such a Question, when you so
well know the Contrary_: Nay, says _Sheppard_ again, Sarah _don't deny
it, for you have gotten your Certificate in your Face_.
Mr. _Ireton_ a Bailiff in _Drury-Lane_ having pursued _Sheppard_ after
his Escape from the Condemn'd-Hold with uncommon Diligence; (for the
safety of that Neighbourhood which was the chief Scene of his
Villainies) _Sheppard_ when Re-taken, declared, he would be even with
him for it, and if ever he procur'd his Liberty again, _he would give
all his Prisoners an_ ACT OF GRACE. A Gentleman in a jocose way ask'd
him to come and take a Dinner with him, _Sheppard_ reply'd, _he accepted
of the Invitation, and perhaps might take an opportunity to wait on
him_; and there is great Reason to believe he has been as good as his
Word.
He would complain of his Nights, as saying, _It was dark with him from
Five in the Evening, till Seven in the Morning_; and being not permitted
to have either a Bed or Candle, his Circumstances were dismal; and that
he never slept but had some confus'd Doses, he said he consider'd all
this with the Temper of a Philosopher.
Neither his sad Circumstances, nor the solemn Exhortations of the
several Divines who visited him, were able to divert him from this
ludicrous way of Expression; he said, _They were all Ginger-bread
Fellows_, and came rather out of Curiosity, than Charity; and to form
_Papers_ and _Ballads_ out of his Behaviour.
A _Welch_ Clergyman who came pretty often, requested him in a
particularly Manner to refrain Drinking; (tho' indeed there was no
necessity for that Caution) _Sheppard_ says, Doctor, _You set an Example
and I'll follow_; this was a smart Satyr and Repartee upon the _Parson_,
some Circumstances consider'd.
When he was visited in the _Castle_ by the Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_, he
put on the Face only of a Preparation for his End, as appear'd by his
frequent Attempts made upon his Escape, and when he has been press'd to
Discover those who put him upon Means of Escaping, and furnish'd him
with Implements, he would passionately, and with a Motion of striking,
say, _ask me no such Questions, one File's worth all the Bibles in the
World_.
When ask'd if he had not put off all Thoughts of an Escape and
Entertain'd none but those of Death, would Answer by way of Question,
not directly, whether they thought it possible, or probable for him to
Effect his Release, when Manackled in the manner he was. When mov'd to
improve the few Minutes that seem'd to remain of his Life; he did indeed
listen to, but not regard the Design and Purport of his Admonition,
breaking in with something New of his own, either with respect to his
former Accomplices, or Actions, and all too with Pleasure and Gayety of
Expression.
When in _Chapel_, he would seemingly make his Responses with Devotion;
but would either Laugh, or force Expressions (when as an Auditor of the
Sermon) be of Contempt, either of the Preacher, or of his Discourse.
In fine, he behav'd so, in Word, and Action, (since retaken) that
demonstrated to the World, that his Escape was the utmost Employ of his
Thoughts, whatever Face of Penitence he put on when visited by the
Curious.
An Account of SHEPPARD'S Adventures of five Hours immediately
after his Escape from _Newgate_, in a Letter to his Friend.