The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

Then the Court Adjourn'd till Tuesday Four a Clock in the Afternoon: And then being met, the Proceedings were as followeth; that is to say, These following persons being called over by their Names; and being asked, Why Execution should not be awarded against them, for that they had been found Guilty of Death? they all, upon their respective Knees, pleaded Their Majesties King William and Queen Maries most Gracious Pardon , amounting to the number of Thirty Five.

The Names of those that were Freely Pardoned, are these:

  Elizabeth Fairbank

  William Reynolds ,

  Mary Ingle ,

 W - D .

  Mary Stretch ,

  Catherine Seymour ,

  William Jones ,

  Thomas Banks ,

  Robert Trumball ,

  Robert Adderton ,

  Elizabeth Clarke ,

  Matthias Browne ,

  John Ray, alias Rea ,

  Mary Hemingway .

Those to be Transported, are these,

  Margaret Beard ,

  Jane Williams ,

 K. - J.

  Mary Horspoole ,

  Thomas Exhall ,

  Robert Beneson ,

  Matthew Thomas ,

  Daniel Willcox ,

  William Gray ,

  John Strutton ,

  Matthew Earsall ,

  Elizabeth Jones ,

  Elizabeth Hancock ,

  Francis Bluck ,

  Charles Trivert ,

  John Friend ,

  Robert Chatfield ,

  Daniel Bransbury ,

  Thomas Mercy ,

  Richard Jackson , and   Martha Walters alias Wilson.

Then the Court was pleased to give them a most seasonable Exhortation, pertinent to the occasion, to this effect; telling them, That they were now in a good posture of submission, being bowed upon their Knees; hoping that they were also relenting in their Hearts, for that they had all been great Offenders, not only against the Laws of Man, but of an All-seeing God, who would call every one of them to a strict and particular Account for all their Actions, and therefore it behoved them to beg Pardon of both; and as they had obtained Mercy from the Goodness and Clemency of so Gracious a King and Queen, so they would endeavour to demonstrate their thankfulness for so great a Deliverance, by living in holy, humble, and honest life for the time to come, that being the least part of their Duty for such extraordinary Pity; putting them in mind how many notorious Offenders (in nature like to themselves) were gone before to the fatal tree yet They were spared: therefore it was now hoped, that such particular Indulgence to them would work such a thorow change upon their Hearts and Lives, that their whole Life should be dedicated to the Service of God, and that no temptation whatsoever should be able to draw them aside; remembring withal, That the shedding of a few Tears here, will not satisfie offended Justice, except they universally repent, and turn to God with all their Hearts and Souls, &c.

After this the Court was pleased to particularize some of their Offences to them, not any ways to upbraid their former dissolute Lives, but calmly to caution them, to take heed how they steer'd their Course for the future; that they might not split upon the same Rock, some of them being but young in Years, yet old Offenders; therefore it was hoped they would take heed of falling into the like Danger; for if they did, they must not expect to receive such Pardon, as now happly they had met withal: And furthermore, if they who were to be Transported should return into England, before Seven Years were expired, it would certainly prove a great detriment to them, even to the Loss of their Lives, if overtaken in such a desperate Adventure, &c.

Another amongst them was more particularly remarked, viz. John Ray, alias Red, who was condemned formerly for Clipping and Coyning the current Money of England: He receiving such Mercy as to be freely Pardoned, and not Transported (as he deserved) was told, That it was required of him (being more sensible than some others) to lay out his whole Interest for the Service of King William and Queen Mary: but if he thought to undermine the true Interest and Government of the Crown and Church of England (as it was to be feared his Religion might teach him) then he would certainly find himself to be mistaken; for upon this Rock have I built my Church, faith a much better than the best, &c.

The Conclusion was in the general to all of them, That notwithstanding their Crimes could not be particulary recounted, yet the Court hoped they would be all forwarned by this particular Grace, and distinguishing Favour, as never to offend any more in the like nature, but that they may have Grace to serve God for the time to come.