I I - American Memory

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The Joy the People of Newgate conceiv'd on this
Occafion was inexpreflible, Te Deum was fung in the
Lodge, and nothing but Smiles and Bumpers were feen
there for many Days together ; but Jonathan Wild un-
fortunately happen'd to be gone upon a wrong Scent
after him to Sturhridge, and loft a Share of the Glory.
The Reverend Mr. VFagfiaff, who ofiiciated in the
Abfence of the Ordinary, renew'd his former Acquain-
tance with Mr. Sheppard, and examin'd him in a par-
ticular manner concerninji his Efcape from the Con-
demri'd-Hld; he entirely difown'd that all, or any be-
longing to the Prifon were privy thereto, but related it
as it li^s been defcrib'd. He deciar'd that Edg'worth Befi,
who had hitherto pafled for his Wife, was not really
fo, this was by fome thought to be bafe and ungenerous
in him, as flie had contributed towards his Efcape, and
was in Cuftody on that Account, it might render her
more liable to Punilhment than iffhe had been thought
his Wife ; but he endeavour'd to acquit himfelf, by
faying, that fhe was the fole Author of all his Misfor-
tunes, that (he betrayed him to Jonathan Wild at the
Time when he was taken in Rofemary-Latie, and that
when he was contriving his Efcape, fhe difobey'd his
Orders, as when being required to attend at the Door
©f the Condemn'd-Hold by nine or ten in the Morning,
to facilitate his Endeavours, flie came not till the Eve-
ning, which he faid, was an ungrateful Return for the
Care he had taken in fetting her at Liberty from Neiu-
Prifon, and thus juftified himfelf in what he had done,
and faid he cared not what became of her.
He was continually meditating a fecond Efcape, as
appeared by his own hardinefs, and the Inftruments
found upon him, on Saturday the i zth, and Wednef-
day the 16th of September; the firft Time a fmall File
was found concealed in his Bible, and the fecond Time
two Files, a Chiffel, and a Hammer, being hid in the
Rufhes of a Chair; and whenever a Queftion was
mov'd to him, when, or by what Means thofe Imple-
ments came to his Hands, he would paffionately fly
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