Was an Irishman, and a weaver by trade. He had been a robber in his own country. We know not what events induced him to seek a refuge in America, or what were his first adventures on this side of the Atlantic. We first find him in Philadelphia, ostensibly working at his trade, but in reality gaining his livelihood by dishonest practices. He had two accomplices, George Wilson and Abraham Poteet, weavers, who had learned their trade in the penitentiary. The former was but twenty-three years of age; yet, though his days were few, his iniquities were many. Poteet had been convicted at the Baltimore city court of stealing four handkerchiefs, for which he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. For a second theft he was sentenced to imprisonment. He had also been convicted of breaking prison, of attempting a stage robbery and wounding the driver, and of shooting at the keeper of the Baltimore penitentiary. He was a native of Baltimore, and Wilson also was an American. They became acquainted in the penitentiary, and were jointly concerned in the attempt to break out, in which the life of the keeper was endangered. Such were James Porter and his associates. Porter and Poteet became tired of stealing _wee things_, for so silver spoons were denominated by Porter, and resolved to rob the Reading mail, in order to make their fortune at once. To prepare for this exploit Porter and Wilson crossed the Schuylkill, on the 20th of November, 1829, and broke into the shop of Mr. Watt, a gunsmith. They took thence five pistols and two powder-flasks. After this the three companions repeatedly practised with their pistols to ascertain their qualities.