I I - American Memory

[ 220 ] i
The following. Account was written by himfelf
during his Confinement in the middle Stone-
Room, after his being re-taking in Drury-
Lane ; being a Defcriftion of the manner in
•which he perpetrated his fecond Kfcape from
the Caftle in Newgate, and the Methods
he afterwards took for his Security.
AS my laft Efcape from Neivgate out of the ftrong
Room called the Caftle, has made a greater Noile
in the World than any other Aiftion of my Life, I
fhall relate every minute Circumftance thereof, as far as
I am able to remember, intending thereby to fatisfy
the Curious, and do Juftice to the innocent.
After I had been made a publick Speftacle for many
Pays together, with my Legs chain'd together, loaded
with heavy Irons, and ftapled dov,'n to the Floor, I
thought it was not altogether imprafticable to efcape,
if I could but be furnifhed with proper Implements;
but as every Perfon that came near me was carefully
watch'd, there was no PofTibility of any fuch Affiftance,
till one Day in the Abfence of my Gaolers, being look-
ing about the Floor, I efpy'd a fmall Nail within Reach,
and with that, after a little Praftice, I found the great
Herfe Padlock that went from the Chain to the Staple
in the Floor might be unlock'd, which I did afterward
at Pleafure, and was frequently about the Room, and
have feveral Times fiept on the Barracks, when the
Keepers imagined I had not been out of my Chair.
But being unable to pafs up the Chimney, and void of
Tools, 1 remain'd but where I, was, till being detefted
in thefe Praftices by the Keepers, who furprized me
one Day before I could fix in^felf to the Staple in
ths