I I - American Memory

[ 341 ]
lloe ConfeJJion of "William Bufti, alias Saun-
ders, alias Schooling.
HE was near 20 Years of Age, born at Hackney,
of honeft Parents, he was of no Trade, but
wrought at Labouring Work, in and about the
Town ; he had been a Foot Soldier, but had neglefted
his Duty for ferae Time before he was taken up ; he
faid he wrought carefully and induftrioufly for his Bread,
till about two or three Months before he was taken up,
when becoming acquainted with thefe Rogues, who
perfuaded him to accompany them in their unlawful
Expeditions. He only own'd his having been concern'd
in the robbing of Mr. Francis, and faid he did not en-
ter the Houfe, but having affifted in binding Mr. Fra//-
a's and his two Servants, he was one of them who Hood
Centinel over them while the reft rifled the Houfe, beat
and abufed the Miftrefs, her Daughter, and the Maid in
a moft barbarous manner, and then carry'd off every
Thing that was v'al'wbie.
They gave him what fmall Share of the Plunder they
pleafed, which was all he got in that wicked Way ; he
always attended in Chapel, and behaved decently, but
did not appear fo much afFefted as he ought to have
been, tho' fometimes he fhed Tears, which fome of the
reft could not, or ha.d not the Grace fo to do.
Bu/i broke out of ClerketinveU-Briileivell about three
Months agone, by knocking down the Woman v/ho
opens the Door at that Prifon, and taking from her the
Keys, let himfelf out, for he was to be confin'd there
to hard Labour, and fo- many Months Imprifonment foi*
an Affault by him committed. When he made his Ef-
cape, he endeavour'd to find out Wheeler the Evidence,
who as he faid v/as his School-fellow, which he did, and
when he had found him, ho propofed to him to go along
with him, and tiie reft of his Companions, upon thefe
dangerous and villainous Methods, which he readily conr
V 3 fentcd