'Tis usual for such unhappy Wretches as my self am now become, to say something at their going out [Page 4]of the World; I know I have but a very little time, I would not mispend it; 'tis from God alone I can expect Mercy, and to him wholly I desire to direct my thoughts, yet since something will be expected, I must tell you, that though I suffer justly, yet I had no such design of Blood. or premeditated intention of Murder as some have reported: I confess I had Rage and Passion in my heart, a kind of Malice you may call it, but it never reacht so far as design to take away his Life. I had a grudge against him, and was prompt on by a crafty Fellow to be reveng'd on him, but not to kill him, God is my Witness; and I do confess I waited my opportunity, and following him out of the Rose Tavern, I struck him over the Head with a stick I had in my hand; whereupon he drew upon me, and askt why I would strike when I had a Sword by my side; at which retreating back, I bethought my self that he would think me a Cow­ard, if I did not engage him; and so I drew, and, as I thought, he run himself upon my Sword. Perceiving I had sorely wounded him, yet not imagining it mortal, for I did not see him fall, I was much troubled, and putting up my Weapon went away, and forthwith conveyed my self into the Country, travelling three­score Miles in the space of three Days, having an in­tention to transport my self beyond the Seas, hoping to have got an opportunity of passage with some Souldiers, but afterwards fearing I might be disco­vered amongst them, and having not Money to carry me over in the Pacquet-Boat as I first intended, be­ing perplexed with a thousand tormenting thoughts, destitute of Money or Friends, and without any [Page 5]prospect of hope or safety, not knowing what to do, I came back again to London, where I was in the same distress as before.

When I was come to Town I repaired to a Friend's House, and enquired of the Woman for her Husband, there being some small matter of Money due to me from him, then she told me of Mr. Dalisons Murder, and I protest it was then that I was first assured that he was dead: After some discourse she went forth to call her Husband, but lockt the outward door after her; upon which having a dread upon my Spirits, I did not think fit to wait her return, but made my escape backwards over a Brick-wall, and, it being late, made to Jewen-street, where having an acquaintance, hop­ing he would have kept me secret, I knocked him up, and desired him for God's sake to secure me; but he told me he durst not do it, for he had heard I had committed a Murder and acquainted me that who­soever should take me might have 10l. reward; and that if he should entertain me, it might cost him his life, and therefore desired me to shift for my self; upon which I took my leave of him and made away, only telling him, that I intended as speedily as possi­bly I could to transport my self beyond the Seas and there to repent of what I had done, which I do pro­test was my serious resolution: But this person, who I must acknowledge did nothing therein, but what became an honest man, and I do declare I do not har­bour the least ill will against him, or any other person that I know of in the World; this Man, I say, as soon as I was parted from him, followed me without ei­ther [Page 6]Stockings or Breeches; and when he came near the Watch laid hold on me, and cryed out, A Mur­therer! this is the Man that kill'd Lieutenant Dali­son: I confess I did endeavour to get from him, and had not Providence order'd it otherwise, 'tis possible I might have done it, for I shook him like a Dish-clout, but he hang'd still about me like a Cat, till the Watch came up, and then just as I was getting away, one of them thrusting his Holbert between my Leggs flung me down, and then I yielded to them.

But I must declare that I did not tell the French-Woman that I kill'd the Man, although she appeared against me as a witness; though I believe she did not say it out of any ill will to me, but through want of a right understanding of English to know what I said to her, and what the Court demanded of her; that the Gentleman dyed by my hand I shall not deny; but I had no design before to kill him, but that All­seeing Eye, who accounts a wanton Eye Adultery, has been pleased to punnish my unbridled Rage and Anger against him in the same degree, as if I had premeditated the Fact: The Lord forgive me, I con­fess I righteously deserve this, and a thousand deaths, but through the merits of my Saviour, I trust he will pardon me, not only that but all other my Sins.

My Life has been very ill, I have nothing to say to ex­cuse my self; I wish my sad Example may warn others from the like mischiefs: Pride first made Devils, I am sure by woful experience it made me the Devil's Servant and brought me to ruine. When I should have been at work, or about God's Service, my [Page 7]mind was chiefly imployed either on Objects of De­bauchery, or thoughts how to get Money to supply my Extravagances. Blood, Oh Blood, is a crying Sin; I do assure you I suffer'd more by the Tortures or Con­science before I was taken, than the Inconveniences of a Prison, or thoughts of Death could inflict upon me: Oh! what madness is it for a Man to salve his Reputation to wound his Soul: To hazard his Life to gratifie his Humour, or rather the Humours of o­thers: I hope people will take warning by me not to draw their Swords on such small trifling pretences; Nay if it were a thousand times greater Affronts, were it not better to put them up, than to require Sa­tisfaction: Alas! Gentlemen, I pray look up [casting his Eye upwards towards the Gallows] this is my Satis­faction, even the Gallows: What madness is it to think to secure ones Reputation by an Action that will certainly bring one to an ignominious shameful end, and be justly condemned and detested of all Mankind. God preserve every Man from desiring such satisfacti­on, and from Blood-guiltiness, even in any degree: Deliver me, O Lord, I am a vile sinner, I have no­thing to plead, but the merits of my Saviour, and to him alone I recommend my self.

There was one came to me in Prison, and with insinuating words endeavoured to possess me with a good opinion of him, at last asking me what Reli­gion I would dye in, to which I answered a Prote­stant, though most unworthy, having in all things neglected both the pure Doctrine and most useful Discipline of the most Reformed Church in the [Page 8]World. This Stranger told me he was of that mind once, but now he understood better, perswading me to turn Roman Catholick, but I denyed and withstood his Temptations; and there are those that can relate what I said more at large. I am an unworthy Pro­testant, a Prodigal that deserves to feed on Husks with Swine, but that by the alone merits of Christ (no­thing of my own) I hope for salvation. The Lord bless this Land, and sanctifie the Example of my death to all present; I desire the Prayers of all good Christians for me: I have but a step between me and Eternity. The Lord look in mercy upon me a mise­rable sinner. Good People pray for me.