I I - American Memory

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Bufinefs, and fet up a Viftualling-houfe in Neivtenor't-
Lane, where himfelf and other youn^ Apprentices re-
forted on Sundays, and at all other Opportunities. At
this Houfe began his Acquaintance with Edg-ivorth Befs,
his Sentiments being ftrangcly alter'd, and from an A-
verfion to thofe Prollitutes, he had a more favourable
Opinion, and even Converfation with them, till he con-
trafted an ill Diftemper, which as he faid, he cured
himfelf of by a Medicine of his own preparing.
He inveigh'd bitterly againft his Brother Thcmas for
putting him into the Information, for Mrs. Cook\ Rob-
bery, and pretended that all the Mifchiefs that attend-
ed him was owing to that Matter ; he acknowledged
that he was concern'd in that Faft, and that his laid
Brother broke into his Lodging?, and ftole from him all'
his Share and more of the acquir'd Booty.
He oftentimes averr'd, that William Field was no
Ways concern'd in Mr. Knecbone's Robbery, but that
being a Brotlier of the Quill, Bk'vjjkin and himfelf told
him the Particulars and manner of the Fafts, and that
all he fwore againft him at his Trial was falfe, and
that he had no other Authority for it, than what came
out of their [Sheppard and Bkvjjkin'i) Mouths, who
aftually committed the Fadt.
And moreover, that Field being acquainted with
their Ware-houfe (a Stable) near the Horfe-Ferry at
Weftminfter, which Sheppard had hir'd, and ufually re-
pofited therein the Goods he ftole. He came one Night
and broke open the fame, and carry'd off the beft Part
of the Effefts taken out of Mr. Kneelone's, Shop.
Sheppard faid, he thought this to be one of the great-
eft Villainies that could be afted, for another to come
and plunder them of Things for which they had fo
honourably ventur'd their Lives, and wifh'd that Field,
as well as bis Brother Tom might meet with Forgive-
nefs for it.
He declar'd himfelf frequently againft the Praftice of
Whidling, or impeaching, which he faid, had made
dreadful Havock among the Thieves, and much lamea-
ted