IN the first place I will give an Account of my first Acquaintance with that Gentlewoman Mrs. Vauwick, for whom the World believes I committed this bloody inhumane Murther, and for which I now suffer.

About two years ago I was brought acquainted with her, being a Widdow, by a Gentlewoman of my Acquain­tance; and had not been above 2 or 3 times in her Com­pany, till I was Arrested for 40 l. at that time I having got a Commission for Cornet in my Lord Danbies Regi­ment; whereupon my Friend came to see me in Prison, and with her this Gentlewoman: I told them I was un­done; [Page 2] for I had but just got my Commission, and if my Lord should hear of it, I should lose it; and my Rela­tions would never do any thing for me, who were able to furnish me with such a Sum as was fitting for that Post. Whereupon this Gentlewoman took pity of that my mis­fortune, and trusting to my Honesty, became bound for that Debt, by means whereof I had my Liberty: But in a Months time the Regiment was quite off; and ever since I have been quite out of Employ. But after this I several times visited the Gentlewoman, and found her very Melancholy, I then not knowing any of her Con­cerns; but at last prevail'd with her to tell me the occa­sion, which was to this effect: (I will but hint just on the heads of those Matters that were her Ruin and my Death. I could have writ a whole Volume on this Sub­ject, had it not been at this time, which is precious to me, and ought to be employed in nothing else, but in Prayers to Almighty God for the forgiveness of my sins, and to prepare me for my latter end; but I hope God will forgive me, because I write nothing but Truth, to the best of my knowledg.)

This Gentlewoman had left her 500 l. to be laid out in a Purchase for her self during Life, and afterwards for the use of her Children. This money lying for some time dead in Dr. Edisburies hands, one of the Masters of Chan­cery, She applied her self to one Mr. Samuel Hartlib to find her out a Purchase for the said money. This Hart­lib, as I was informed, was a Man formerly of very good business and Credit, but at that time was very poor and needy. He brought her acquainted with one Mr. Row, and Mr. Edwards, who were the sole Actors of a Pur­chase of Houses in Buckingham-Court, tho there were se­veral concerned, as Mr. Royor, Mr. Royley, Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Bayley, who had Mortgages of the said 2 Houses. But in short, the purchase was made, and Mr. Row got in [Page 3] to be Trustee, by the help of his good Friends Mr. Hart­lib and Mr. Edwards, and was confirmed so by a Decree in Chancery. Pray observe, that this 500 l. was all this poor Woman had in the World; and the Purchase was made for 550 l. for which fifty pounds one of the said two Houses was Mortgaged to the said Mr. Chambers at that very time: But pray note, that before the Purchase, she told Mr. Row, that she had taken up 50 l. in Houshold Goods, and owed some 15 or 20 l. more, and unless she could have an Hundred Pounds more out of her own money, (to pay off her Debts) she would not meddle with it: They promised her faithfully that she should have it at the Sealing of the Writings, at which time the money was to be paid for the said Purchase. But pray now observe, Here was the immediate Ruin to the poor Widdow, and also had been to her 4 small Children, if her Relations had not taken them when they were just a going to the Parish, and in the long run is my unhappy End, God forgive them.

At the time of receiving the money, her Trustee Mr. Row, and Mr. Edwards his Confederate, and Mr. Royley, and some others, being at a Tavern, they seemingly quarrelled amongst themselves, insomuch, that she thought they would have fought; but it was about di­viding the money, which was over and above the real Value of the Purchase; and the poor Woman expecting still her Hundred Pounds according to the promise made her, she began to examine Mr. Row, on whom she relied, having put all she had in the World for her self and four Children to live upon, into his Trust, Where is my Hundred Pounds, that I may carry it home and pay my Debts? Whereupon Mr. Row said, Do you see Ma­dam what Rogues these are? they have received the money this Morning; Hang them, Hang them, never trouble your self, as I am your Trustee, I'le serve you, [Page 4] and indeed he has serv'd her, and me too, as you will find in the Sequel of this unhappy Paper. Says Row, Madam, I have Fifty Pounds in my Trunk which has not seen day this Seven Years, you shall have that to morrow; and my Credit can raise you Fifty or an Hundred Pound more in a day or two's time. This was about June or July 1690. but on what day I cannot tell, because I have not the Writings: But from the day of her paying the money, she could scarce ever see Mr. Row; but when she did, he made frivolous Excuses of paying away a great Sum of money, and such like; but that he was a raising money, which she should have this day, and the other day; but alas his Credit could not raise Five Pounds in the whole World at that time, as I was credibly informed; and as all persons that knew him do know to be true, he be­ing at the same time either a Prisoner at large in the Kings Bench, or a Soldier in one of the Companies of Kings-Guards for his Protection. This is most certainly true, when the Widdow, and others of her Acquaintance informed me of the truth of this, she then intreated, and begg'd of me with Tears and Prayers, to assist her in this her deplorable Condition. I could not refuse it her, considering the great Obligation she had first laid on me: Therefore out of Gratitude I could do no less than help her. Now for what past after, I can affirm to be Truth of my own Knowledg: As I am a dying Man I will not say any thing but what is Truth, to the best of my knowledg. Now she being deluded by him and his Confederate Mr. Edwards, and she not having the Hun­dred Pounds according to promise, out of her own money, she was presently ruined, lost her Credit with her Creditors, to whom she promised payment at that time when she made the Purchase, and so day after day, and week after week, as he promised her she should have it by his procurement, which he could not perform, by [Page 5] reason of his base dealing in the World. At this time she had a House very well furnished in the City, and was forced to absent her House, and leave her Children and Servants only there; and she was forced day after day to take Goods out of her House, to dispose of to main­tain her Children, and follow him up and down from Tavern to Tavern, in expectation of his raising her the Hundred Pounds, which she could not do her self, by reason the Estate in Law was in him: But now pray ob­serve, the two Houses were sold her as well Tenanted then at 40 l. per annum each House, out of which there was 30 l. per annum Ground-Rent to be paid; but no sooner was the Purchase money paid, but the Tenants left the Houses, being only Tenants at Will; so that the Houses lay empty all this while, and the Ground-Rent and Kings Taxes running on, she was head and ears up in Debt; and no body would take the Houses, because Mr. Row was concerned: So that she was forced to quit her House she then lived in in the City, and live in one of her own Houses.

Now comes the dismal Story of the Hundred Pounds borrowed of Dr. Clinch, which was the occasion of her Ruine, and my unhappy Misfortune.

Row not performing his promise of supplying her with the Hundred Pounds, she applied her self to Dr. Clinch, who was her very good Friend, and her Husbands before her. He furnished her with the money, and paid it ho­nestly; but would not lend it, unless Mr. Row would joyn with her in a Lease or Mortgage of one of the two Houses, and be bound with her for the money, because she could make no Security her self; which he readily did, that he might the better defraud her. But at that time, Counsellor Fairbeard being out of Town at Tun­bridge, the Dr. would do nothing till his return, only in the mean time he supplied her with 30 l. at three several [Page 6] times, and paid it thus, 15 l. at one time, and 10 l. at another, and 5 l. at another; which Mr. Row received to redeem her Goods which she had pawned to supply her necessities. It is true, he did redeem some of her Goods, but she could not have any Account of the lay­ing out of her money, till at last Mr. Fairbeard coming to Town, and the Writings were drawn by him, and afterwards sealed, and this was not till November fol­lowing; the remainder of the money was paid by Dr. Clinch's Order at Sir Francis Child's Shop at Temple-Bar; but at the receiving of it, there a dispute arose betwixt Mr. Row and the Widdow, Mr. Row not permitting her to receive the money, unless he had 20 l. under pre­tence, that there was so much due to him by a Bill he de­livered her the Night before; which was a base, unrea­sonable Bill; and withall, that there was Monies rather due to the Widdow from Mr. Row, upon a fair Account betwixt them; but nevertheless the Widdow said in my hearing, Mr. Row take ten or fifteen pounds, and let us go to the next Tavern, and take you one, and I will take another, to adjust the Accounts betwixt us: No said Row, Madam you shall not receive a penny, unless I have 20 l. and then I will meet you at the Tavern, which he then had: So she and I went to the Tavern, Mr. Row pro­mised he would come to us to settle the Accounts, we stay'd two hours for him, and then he sent word, he had met with some persons about other business, and could not come, but would wait on her another time at her own House; but he never came at her, tho she sent for him several times, but kept out of the way, all her Concerns lying at Random; her hands being tyed so, that she could do nothing without him, as to the letting of the other House, and several other matters too tedious now to mention.

Now pray observe, That the Dr. at the time the Wri­tings [Page 7] were Sealed, or thereabouts, assigned over the same Security, or made some other Security, or Mortgage to Row of the said House; Row giving the Dr. Bond to see the Covenants performed in the Deeds made from Mr. Row (being Trustee) and the Widow, to Dr. Clinch; which Covenants were these, That the Dr. should be paid Quarterly 6 l. odd Money, and so continue till the Doctor's whole Money was paid, which would be in Five years time or thereabouts: Now pray also observe, That the last Money was but paid in November 1690, and the first quarterly Payment became due at Quarter-day next following. For the Dr. expected that quarterly Pay­ment, from the time he had lent the first 30l. at 15l. one time, 10l. another, and 5l. another; as I first mentioned: Tho the Case is intricate, I would make it as plain as I can, that the Truth may be understood: For Row several times said he had done that which would puzzle 20 Law­yers.

Observe, That Mr. Row made it his Business both to the Widows Relations, and other People concerned with her, that I had ruined her, and spent all she had, when as you may find by this, that all she had was but 500l. and it was every Penny of it paid away for the Purchase; and that she only had Forty One Pounds Fifteen Shillings, most of which, was paid away at the receiving of it, to some of her Creditors. And that for 3 Months I sup­ported her and her Children, partly with my own Money, and by getting in Debts that were due to her, besides an endless Trouble I had in bringing Mr. Row to an Account, which is not yet done.

It is desired that her Relations will take notice, that at the time of the Purchase, and at the payment of the Mo­ney, after Mr. Row got in to be Trustee, he got her to sign a Deed, particularly a Covenant in the Deed was to this or like effect, That after the Death of Mrs. Vauricke [Page 8] and her 4 Children, the Estate to come to him and his Heirs. Upon which I often used to say, That he designed to break the Widdows Heart, and Starve the Children, that the Estate might come to him and his Son.

Now Row being Trustee, and also having a Deed from the Dr. for which he was glad; he domineered and ranted about, saying, That he had Houses in Buckingham Court, and kept the poor Woman under, that she durst not do any thing, neither could she, by reason of his being Trustee, and also having that Deed from the Dr. But now I knowing the abuses done the poor Woman, and that she could never get him to come to any Account, she applied her self to me again to right her, if I could by any means: Upon which I went to Mr. Fairbeard and told him what had past; and that Mr. Row was an ill man; and that we could never get him to come to any Account, as he promised he would do in his hearing at Sir Francis Child's Shop, he being then present: Mr. Fair­beard said he could not believe it, for Mr. Row was a man of Credit and Reputation; and as he told him, he was an Attorny of the Common-Pleas. I made answer, that he was no such man, but an Impostor and a Cheat: where­upon he advised me to go to Mr. Cooke the Prothono­tary at the Temple, and search whether he was an Attor­ney of the Common-Pleas or no; and if he was not, I should take a Summons from my Lord Chief Justice, and he would come and justifie he own'd himself to be an Attorney of the Common-Pleas, and so by that means have him turned out from being Trustee: Now I finding him not to be so, I did take out a Summons from my Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, and Mr. Row meet­ing me according to the Summons, desired me to let him alone, and he would come to an Account, and deliver up his Trust, and do any thing else I would have him; and this he promised before Mr. Hales of the Temple, an [Page 9] Attorny of the Common Pleas; but for 3 weeks or a month after, we could neither see nor hear of him, till one came and informed us that he was to be a Witness in Westminster-Hall, and there we had a Summons from my Lord Chief Justice Holt, to appear before him; which was done: And being before my Lord, we had a small hearing of the Cause, as I may call it; for we had there Mr. Lloyd of the Temple our Counsel, and my Lord hear­ing what was alledged against him, told him, that he was an ill man, and said thus to Row, You are a fine Fellow to be a Trustee. My Lord finding that he was a Trustee made in Chancery, advised us to make an end, and spoke thus to Mr. Lloyd, As you are her Counsel, let Mr. Row take another, and make an end; for the poor Woman will be ru­ined, or to this effect. Mr. Row readily answer'd he would, and that he would bring Mr. H. (any one may judge the meaning of that.)

The time and place being appointed, Mr. Lloyd, the Widow, and my self, went there, where we met Mr. Row, and 2 or 3 Fellows of his Gang, but no Mr. H. was there; Mr. Row said, what should I have Counsel, I can do my business my self; Mr. Lloyd told him, he was not to ar­gue the Case with him but Mr. H. and they two were to make an end, if they could agree; whereupon Mr. Lloyd was angry with him, and went away: So that he was then upon the Hide and Seek again, putting us every day to great Expences; for he did not care to part with his Trusteeship: And for us to come to my Lord Chief Ju­stice again, would put the Widow to more Charges, and that my Lord could do nothing in it, because he was a Trustee in Chancery.

Now what to do we could not tell, but we then peti­tioned the Lords Commissioners, and Mr. Serjeant Tre­mayne our Counsel: Upon hearing what was alledged against the said Mr. Row, the Lord Commissioner Raw­linson [Page 10] said, it was the most barbarous Case he ever heard. Pray note, That Row was to appear that day but durst not; knowing the Villany that he had committed, where­upon by an Order of Court, a Messenger was ordered to take Mr. Row into Custody; (the Petition and Orders ought to be inserted here, but that my little time I have to live ought to be otherwise employed.) Now after the Messenger was awarded against him, he absconded himself from his Dwelling-house, and all other places he then used; so that the Messenger of the Chancery Mr. Bush, and my self, daily hunting after him for near the space of a month, but could not take him. Pray observe here, that this was in April 1691. and also observe, that from Christmas before till that time, Mr. Row daily and hourly threatned to seise her Goods, and take possession; and she did leave her House for fear of it, for some little time, expecting to be relieved by the Lords Commissioners, but she left her Children and Maid in possession: Now Row by force entred, without any manner of Law; for he turned the Children out of Doors, and sold the Bed from under them, and took the rest of the Goods that were in the House. Now is the time that Dr. Clinch's Name comes to be mentioned, and I beg of you observe, I will make it as clear as I can, and speak nothing but the Truth to the best of my Knowledg, and as I hope to see God in Glory. Now when Mr. Row had turned the poor Fatherless Children out of Doors, &c. Then the Widow applied her self to the Dr. and told him what had past, and wondered why he would not keep the Se­curity in his own hands, but make it over to Row: Said she to the Dr. I dare trust you with all I have in the World. I am now using endeavours to get Row turned out of his Trusteeship, and bring him to an Account for the money he owes me, and the Goods he has wronged me of; for he twice robbed the House of the Locks, Keys [Page 11] and Bolts, under pretence of his being Trustee. I hope no body can call it any thing else but Robbery, when she owed him nothing, but he was in her Debt 50 l. or thereabouts, and she could not take the Law of him, because he was her Trustee. So that the Widow solicited the Dr. several times with a great many Prayers and Sup­plications, to stand her Friend till such time as he was righted in Chancery.

And now was the time that Row applied himself to the Dr. and insinuated himself so far into the Doctors favour as to make him believe that it was all false; and that he was the wronged man, and that she owed him a great deal of moneys, and withall told him, that it was not he that had ruined the Widow and Fatherless, but one Mr. Harrison, who was a Gamester, and spent and play'd away all her money; and so Mr. Row and his Agents made it their business to make him believe so, and every one else that was concerned, but more particularly her Re­lations, fearing lest they should undertake her just Cause, being monied People, and persons of great Note and Credit; and he did effect his design, for from that time till now her Relations would not look upon her, nor hear any thing of her, because he had so bespattered her concerning me.

Now was the time I told her, that I would use my en­deavours and interest with the Dr. who was my very good Friend, and for several years had known him; for he had been my Physitian; and many times when he saw me, told me he would come Day or Night to serve me, if I had need for him. Nay further than that, at the time the Duke of Norfolks Regiment was to be raised, he told me, if I would have a Commission in that Regiment, he had that Interest with the Duke, that he believed he could do any thing with him; but I told him I was engaged to a Person of Quality already. Now let the Reader [Page 12] judge, whether or no I had any reason to injure the Dr. or much more to Murder him. Now was the time also I solicited the Dr. upon the Widows Account, who al­ways shewed me Civility and Respect, and never an An­gry word past betwixt us. And also about this time the Dr. imploy'd one Mr. Johnson of Furnivals-Inn, to look after the business: Says the Dr. Mr. Harrison, I do not under­stand the Law, and besides that, I have a great deal of business otherwise, I cannot trouble my self; but I have left it all to Mr. Johnson: Upon this, I told the Widow what the Dr. had done, That he had left it all to one Mr. Johnson; whereupon she replied, That she was got out of the Frying-pan into the Fire, for her Relations knew who he was; but I was altogether a Stranger to Mr. Johnson. Now pray observe, that at that time all our Applications to the Dr. or Mr. Johnson, was to let her have a little more money, till she had made an end in Chancery, and got Row out from his Trusteeship; for she intended to undertake some Imploy to maintain her self and Children, and that the Dr. should have possessi­on of both the Houses for his Security; and we would endeavour to get a Decree in Chancery for that purpose. The Dr. and I many times argued the Case, and once or twice, computed the In-come of the Estate, and what might be lent upon it: The Dr. was sensible of the Wrongs done the Widow, and would have helped her in any thing, if Mr. Johnson had not prevented him. Now you must understand the Widow could do nothing to help her self as to raising of Mony, for these 2 Reasons: First, Because Row was Trustee, and not then turned out, nor is yet; as you will understand by the Sequel of the Story: So now to come back to Mr. Row, where I men­tioned him as to his absconding himself; that the Mes­senger could not take him, whereas by an other Order, made the Twenty Sixth day of May, 1691. It was or­dered [Page 13] one Mr. Royor and Royley, Mr. Edwards and Dr. Clinch, were to attend Sir John Hoskyns, about the Mat­ters in question; for you must know, that we had the wole Business on the Stage, as to all the Persons concern­ed in putting that Purchase upon her, and by what de­vices and means Mr. Row got in to be Trustee. Now this was the time that Dr. Clinch first began to be displeased, and so was Mr. Fairbeard his Counsel, and Mr. Johnson, for bringing his, Name in question, where so black a Case appeared to the Lords Commissioners, on Row's Account, saying, Have not I lent my Mony, and paid it honestly? Yes, Sir, I know it; but Row received the most of it, and the Widow cannot get an Account of it; and it was by our Counsel's Advice that we did it; for by the Dr's appearing before the Mr. in Chancery, all was made clear, how Mr. Row and his Confederates were the Persons that had ruined the Widow and her Children, as by the Re­port does appear, which ought to be inserted here. But no more of that. I hope now her Relations will have pity of her disconsolate condition, being the most wrong­ed Widow in the World, to whom I have ordered the Papers of the Proceedings of her Cause to be carefully delivered. Only thus much of the Report made by Sir John Hoskyns, which I shewed my Lord Chief Justice at my Tryal. But he told me, it would signifie nothing to my Tryal; which is thus verbatim. And as for Dr. Clinch his matter, I find that the said Dr. Clinch was desired by the said Mrs Vauwick and Mr. Row, presently after the said Purchase of the said 2 Houses, to lend the said Mrs. Vauwick an Hundred Pound to furnish one of the said Houses; and there being a Debt of 14 l. that was due to Dr. Clinch from the said Mrs. Vauwick's late Husband Deceased, and about 3 l. 17 s. for Interest thereof, the said Dr. Clinch did lend the said Mrs. Vauwick Two Gui­neas more, which made it up Twenty Pounds; and the [Page 14] said Mrs. Vauwick secured the said Twenty Pounds by her Bond; and the said Dr. Clinch at their, the said Row and Vauwick's Desire, did undertake to lend it, upon his be­ing secured the said 100 l. and the said 20 l. in all 120 l. by a Mortgage of one of the said Two Houses, to be paid at times in the Deeds for that purpose mentioned, the which 100 l. I find was paid, and disposed, and re­ceived thus, 41 l. 15 s. to the said Mrs. Vauwick, 5 l. to Mr. Fairbeard and his Clerk for Writings, 3 l. for the ensuring Mrs. Vauwick's Life, and 50 l. 5 s. to the said Mr. Row for the use of Mrs Vauwick.

Now we having got this Report, all our business was done with Dr. Clinch, and this Report was Signed, 8th of August 1691. by Sir John Hoskyns. By this Report it appears, who wronged the Widow, as you will find also by a Petition here inserted, upon which the Widow was to have an Hearing. The Petition was thus ver­batim.

Now this Petition for a Hearing before the Lord's Commissioners was delivered to the Clerk of the Petiti­ons about a Week or Ten Days before Michaelmas Term last, but not having Mony, it was not Signed; and within few days after the Widow was Arrested by one Taylor an Upholsterer, who is an Acquaintance of Mr. Row's; but whether by the contrivance of Row or no, I dare not say, tho we suspected it, he dreading what would become of him when such a barbarous Case should be laid open. Now pray observe, that the Wi­dow was Arrested about Two Months, or thereabouts, before the Dr. was murdered, and not at his Suit. Pray take notice, and withal observe the part of the Report [Page 16] inserted here, relating to Dr. Clinch, and also the Petiti­on, and likewise who it is that was in the wrong, and who had ruined the Widow, whether Dr. Clinch or Row. And now to whom any Malice or Revenge ought to be done, whether to the Doctor, who had honestly paid the Mony, or to Row, who had not only, with his Con­federates, (the Persons formerly mentioned) cheated her above an Hundred Pounds in the Purchase, and also 2 Quarters Rents, as the rest of the Report makes out, and also as you find by the Report here, 50 l. 5 s.

Now she being Arrested, and in the Compter Two Months before the Drs. Death, and not at his Suit, let all the World judge, whether or no the Dr. was murder­ed upon her Account or no. And I do protest in the Presence of Almighty God, and as I hope for Salvation, I had not spoken to the Dr. in 3 Months time before his Death, the last time being at his own House, to my best remembrance. And Dr. Clinch's own Coachman owned to me, That he believed it was about 3 Months. And pray let the Reader consider, that there was no Advan­tage could be had, and that it would be nothing in the Widows way, if it had pleased God that Dr. Clinch had died in his Bed. And also observe, that the Widow had not Five Shillings at that time, nor could not tell where to get one Guinea in the World, if it could have procu­red her Liberty: For at that time her Acquaintance were making a Purse for her, to bring her Habeas Cor­pus; for the Marshal told me, he would take my Word for her Liberty: Therefore you must know by this she had no Mony to give me to hire a Ruffian. Now it plea­sed God that Dr. Clinch was most barbarously murdered, on the 4th of January, betwixt 9 and 11 at Night. I need not mention the manner, because 'tis too well known. Now it being such a barbarous black Deed, startled all the Town. It seems, before the next Night it was [Page 17] given out that Mr. Row and my Self knew the 2 Ruffians that committed this Fact; but the next Day after it was done, being Tuesday, it was 2 a Clock before I heard of it, which was at Joe's Coffee House going into Salisbury-Court, where I was told of the Murther, and the man­mer of it, as they heard it was done: I remember very well what I said, These were the boldest daring Villains I ever heard of; What, to Murther a Man in the open Streets, and at that time of the Night, and carry him through the City in a Coach when all the Watch was set? And I do remember that I took Pen and Ink, and writ a Letter to the Widow in the Compter, which was to this or the like Effect: Madam, I just now have heard of the blackest inhuman Murther that ever was known; but before this I suppose you have heard of it, because it is all over the Town, if not, it's thus: Doctor Clinch was last Night barbarously Murthered in a Coach in Leaden Hall-street. And so writ, as I heard how it was done, &c. The same Night I was at one Clinch's Coffee-House in Mitre-Court, where every one was talking of it, for it was a general Discourse. The same Night I was to see for a Gentleman there who ow'd me Mony, and he came in whilst I was there, and told me, that he had received a Bill out of the Country, and desired me to meet him at the Sugar-Loaf in White Fryers, and dine with him the next Day; which Words were spoke publickly. Upon which, I suppose, the Constable was directed; for the next Day I came there, and enquired for the Gentleman, and they told me he was at Clinch's Coffee-House; and going there, I met the Constable, who as soon as he saw me, said thus, or to the like Effect; Mr. Harrison, I am sorry to meet with you, I have my Lord Chief Justice's Warrant against you: For what? said I. Go to the Sugar-Loaf and I'll tell you, said he; yes, with all my Heart. When we came there, several of Dr. Clinch's Friends [Page 18] were there; what past is not material: So they carried me to the Constable's House in Grays-Inn-Lane, where we staid about 2 Hours, because my Lord was busie there: We discoursed about Mr. Row, and the Business on which I have writ before, and I told them, I had not seen Mr. Row this long time, nor the Dr. to my Knowledg, for Row and I were perfect Enemies, not knowing then he was suspected to be one with me; but being brought before my Lord, Row was there; and he brought Witnesses where he was, and Bail with him: But now pray observe my failing, I being surprized, be­ing examin'd w [...]ere I was, I told my Lord; That I was at such a Place fhrom 7 or 8 or thereabouts, till 11 or thereabouts; but not having the Persons there to justifie it, I was sent to Newgate, and Row Bailed. Now pray observe, that Mr. Row and my self were suspected then to be the 2 persons; now I being committed, and a scandalous Libel coming out the next Day, made all the World believe I was the Man that committed it. I was almost Distracted, and I thank God that he did not give me over to Despair; but at last I was a little setled in my Mind, and began to consider, That it was for my Sins, my former Sins, he suffer'd this Judgment to come upon me, and I became calm and considered, and did, and ever since have, blessed be his Holy Name for this his Fatherly Chastisement; and he has ever since given me Patience under all my Sufferings, and supported me un­der all my Afflictions till this time; and I trust and firm­ly believe, he will not forsake me at the Hour of my Death. After a day or two being in Prison, I sent for the People of the House where I was, and desired them to recollect themselves what time I came there, and how long I staid there; and sent to those Persons that were in Company, to know certainly the time, for they were all partly Strangers to me: I had an Account given [Page 19] me, for I could not recollect every thing my self; but you will understand in my Case following: And when my Witnesses had given me the satisfaction, the Sessions coming on about 10 days after, I had all my Witnesses there, and Petitioned for my Tryal; but was put off, because the Coroner had not brought in his Inquest. Now pray observe, that the Coroner had been with me, and took my Examination, before that Sessions; and promised me he would let me have two days notice of my Tryal; but he did not: So that I tired my Friends with wait­ing, and my Witnesses being Strangers, that Expence was all lost. Now knowing my Innocency, and believ­ing that the Prosecutors desired nothing more than to find out the Truth, I frankly sent them a Copy of my Case, and also another to the Coroner; the doing of which was my ruin: And I told my Lord the same at my Tryal; and he made Answer, "I was to blame in that: And thus it was Verbatim.

Now let any one judge, whether it looks like as if I were guilty, to give my Adversaries an Account of my Witnesses, and what they could testifie for me: But my Design in this, was That when they had found what I said to be true, I was in hopes they would have suffer'd me to Bail: But instead of that it turned to my ruin; for Dr. Clinch's Coach man went to them, and abused them all, and every Body else that took my part; but however the second Sessions coming on, all my friends and Wit­nesses attended two Days in hopes of my Tryal; my Wit­nesses being in the same House where theirs was, and they seeing me so well provided, my Tryal was put off till the third Sessions, upon pretence that they had disco­vered something more. Now I being in Prison, and with­out Mony, and had given them all this trouble, and waiting two Sessions, all the time of the Sessions, they were very uneasie; besides being abused by Dr. Clinch's Coach­man, they would not trouble themselves any more. But this I had forgot, that most of them denied coming, be­cause they said they should be abused and vilified, be­cause the Murther was so black that was laid to my Charge. Whereupon I was forced to Petition the Lord Chief Justice for Subpoenas, which was granted me, which was both a great Charge and Trouble, I being confined, that I could not look after it my self; tho' I was promi­sed, I should either be Tryed or Balled; but instead of that I was more strictly confined. Now From the last [Page 22] Sessions till this, my Enemies were at work how to bring their Designs about; the first thing I heard was, That there was a Boy made away, and, as it was reported, by my Contrivance; and then he was put in the Gazette; but not being found out, at my Tryal his Examination was produced as an Evidence, which was allowed of as good, according to Law, and I believe it might be so, because my Lord Chief Justice said it was Law. Now I do protest I never heard of any Boy an Evidence against me, till it was told me in the Press-yard, That a Boy was made away that was an Evidence against me; whereup­on I answered, Why did they not try me last Sessions, for then they had the Boy? But I found there was no occasion for him this Sessions, considering the two young Maids this Sessions, one concerning the Handkerchief and the other seeing me in the Coach at Brownlowstreet-end, as you will hear anon; God forgive them and those that put them upon it. Now this Sessions coming on, I was forced to have Subpena's, and the same Charge and Trouble again as I had been at before: But now it was too late, for Mr. White and his Wife kept out of the way, and so that they could not be found, nor did appear: I know not the Reason, but God forgive them, I fear there was foul Dealing. Mrs. Whiple did not appear, and the Maid could not come, because the House could not be left alone. Now the Day of my Tryal being come they would have put it off again, but that my Lord Chief Justice would not suffer it, and I pressing for it, it was granted me; and I must own my Lord had all the Pati­ence imaginable, so that I can find no Fault with Judges or Jury. I will now mention the most remarkable Pas­sages that I can remember as to the Evidence against me. The first was, to satisfie the Court the occasion of my be­ing suspected to be one of the Persons that committed the Fact, about the Hundred and twenty Pounds lent by the [Page 23] Doctor to the Widow, my Acquaintance; but what he swore I cannot remember; but as I was informed, he was the Person that gave the first Suspicion of me to be the Man; if so, God forgive him, for I had not seen him in three Months before the Doctor was murthered. The next that swore (for I cannot remember every thing, but this Passage) That I came to his Chamber, and laid my Hand upon my Sword, and said, I would be reveng­ed on the Doctor: It is false, as I am a dying Man; for there was no Discourse of the Doctor, but Matters relating to himself; for the Doctor was always willing to do any thing for the Widow's Good, but was prevented by him. As for the two Witnesses at the Coffee-House, that swore that I said, That I should say, God D—him, he ought to have his Throat cut. And the Woman more particularly swore this, that I said, What, would he have a Woman of your Quality go to Service? G.D. him, he ought to have his Throat cut. Pray observe, this Woman comes to Newgate. I coming to her, said, Mrs. Joe, I wonder you can sleep in your Bed, knowing the Wrongs you have done me; she presently answered, Lord! Captain Harri­son, all I said was, That you said he ought to be hanged, but I believe it was in your Passion, and I really think you are as Innocent as I am: Which was the reason why I asked in Court, What she had for swearing that? This is true upon my Salvation.

I am sorry that I have not the Trial, and then I could better answer it: And I will not tell a Lye, now I am going out of the World, therefore would only hint at those things I am sure are false, and will not name any Person, but leave it to God to touch their Hearts in his due Time, for it cannot be expected I can remember all that was said in Court; I will only mention the particu­lar Sayings, and let them remember it after my Death. As to the Witness that said, I was at his Lodgings at nine [Page 24] a Clock exactly, and that I had a Gentleman staying be­low for me, and that I had urgent Business to do that Night, and several other Discourses about the poor Wo­man that Night: God forgive him for being positive to an Hour; I might have believed it might have been that Time he swore, if Circumstances relating to the Gown, which he may know (by reading the Account of my Defence before mentioned) must satisfie him to the contrary, though I fear the World cannot understand my Meaning; but I write this meerly for himself, that he may recollect himself of what he has done; when he knows in his Conscience my Business was another thing.

Now as to that Man in the Compter, who swore that the Night before the inhuman Murther was done, I was there, and being in Discourse with the Widow, he hearkned at the Door, and heard me say, G. D. me, I would have the Blood of Hinch or Clinch. This, or to the like effect, was what he swore; I never said, I would be the Death of Hinch or Clinch in my Life, as I must appear at the Judgment Seat of God to answer it. As to that poor Wo­man, I pity her, whose Evidence was, That I was at her House on S. Thomas Day last, and had on a Black Shabby Sute, I think, were her Words. Upon my Sal­vation it is false, for I have not had a Black Coat on in three Months Time, before the Doctor was murthered, as several can Testifie, nor never wore any Coat but that I had on when I was brought before my Lord Chief Ju­stice, which was the same I had on at my Tryal, in three Months Time before the Murther: I shall answer her Evidence no more.

As to the 2 Maids, I never heard of them as Evidences against me till I saw them in Court; therefore you will think I had a hard Task to go through; but God be thanked he supported me then, and believe he will con­tinue [Page 25] it to me, and also assist me at the Hour of my Death.

As to the first Maid or Girl, about fifteen or sixteen Years old, as I take her to be, she keeps her Mother's Apple-shop: Her Evidence was, I told her, That I was a Parliament Man, and that one Day being out of the Room, she saw a Handkerchief there, and went to the Maid below, and said, Can this be a Parliament Man, and have such a Handkerchief as this? of such a like Piece the Maid had an Apron, and they compared them toge­ther, and they were almost alike. Now the Handker­chief that was about the Doctors Neck, when he was Murthered, was produced in Court; and she swore that was the Hankerchief, or very like it: This was her Evi­dence. To the best of my Knowledg, or to the same Ef­fect, upon my Salvation, it is false, for I never in my Life said I was a Parliament Man: or ever had I such a Handkerchief in all my Life as that was, to the best of my Knowledg.

As to the other Maid who swore, That she saw me by the glimmering of a Lamp in the Coach, at the end of Brownlow Street, and heard me talk, and was with me in Prison, and heard my Voice before she came into the Room where I was, and said, That was the Voice that I heard in the Coach that Night when the Doctor was Murthered. And I asked, Why she did not declare it before? Which my Lord Chief Justice observed; but the Gentleman who was Council against me, as I take it, put into her Head, and said, it was Scruple of Con­science, and that her Mother, or some Body else, would not let her meddle in such a dangerous Business. God forgive her, she did my Business; and God forgive them that put her upon it.

As to that Person who swore I said I was but just come out of Kent, and had been out of Town a Fortnight or [Page 26] three Weeks: God forgive him, I leave it to his own Conscience, and pray to God that he would reform his Course of Life. I do not say this as a Reflection, God forbid I should, but rather as an Exhortation, that if he reads this, he may repent himself of the Wrongs done me.

And as for the Person who swore against me, of my being at his Lodgings exactly at 9 a Clock, which was the occasion of my unhappy Death, being false; for it was at 8, which I convinced him of in Prison upon Cir­cumstances. God Almighty pardon him, and lay it to his Heart, that he may truly repent himself; and withal let him remember the Bond: He knows my mean­ing.

I have writ these Remarks upon my Tryal, which will be insignificant to Strangers; for they will be scarcely understood by any but the Parties concerned, who have falsly sworn against me: And God in his due time touch their Hearts, that they may sincerely repent themselves; and I freely forgive them, as I hope God in his Infinite Mercy will do me at the last Day. Amen.

I have one thing to add, That after my Condemnation, the next day a most scandalous Pamphlet came out, En­tituled, An Impartial Account of the Notorious Wicked Life of Captain Harrison: One Passage in it I must take Notice of, which is this, My Rascally Behaviour towards the Duke of Monmouth, when he suffered on Tower Hill. I thank my God no one could be more sorry than my self for his unhappy end: As to the rest of it, being so scandalous, that all my Friends, Gentle­men and Acquaintance, know to the contrary: But it is hard that for the Lucre of a Penny, a Man dares write so many Lies; but God forgive them that did it; for he would have writ the same upon his own Brother upon the like Occasion.

[Page 27]I have writ this chiefly for my Relations, Friends and Acquaintance, who I do not fear but that they will be­lieve me: And as for the rest of the World I leave it to them to judge as they please, till it shall please God to bring to Light this black Deed of Darkness, which he certainly will at his good appointed time; Not our Will but his be done. And now to conclude, The greatest thing that grieves me, as to this World, is, My Relati­ons; but let this be their Comfort, as well as my Hap­piness, That I am Wronged, and that I am Innocent; and I do heartily beg of God to forgive those that falsly Swore against me; and more particularly that Person who was the first Author of the Suspicion: For I do bless the day wherein I was falsly Accused; for by that means I was brought to a sight of my former Sins, and do acknowledge it is God's Justice and just Judgment, for which I give Praise to his Holy Name, that I have this time to bewail, and repent my self of all my Sins, begging Pardon of all those I have any ways wrong'd, forgiving heartily every one that has wronged me; even those I do most heartily forgive who are the occasion of my Death; as I hope God will forgive me, and re­ceive me unto his Everlasting Kingdom, through the Me­rits and Mediation of Jesus Christ, his only Son, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.