The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2Griffiths, Arthur
History
The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2
Griffiths, Arthur
Criminals -- Great Britain; Newgate (Prison : London, England); Prisons -- England; Punishment -- Great Britain
the field.”[95]
For long there was nothing among them but “flaunting apparel, venison
pasties, hams, chickens, and other costly meats.” But soon all their
jollity came abruptly to an end. The news of the sad fate of the two
peers Derwentwater and Kenmure, who had been brought to trial and
executed upon Tower Hill, “abated their gaiety.” They were yet more
unmistakably reminded of their perilous position by the notice which now
came to them to provide themselves with counsel and witnesses for their
own defence. Fresh committals too were made to Newgate; prisoners were
sent in from the Tower and the Fleet. Among them were Mr. Howard,
brother to the Duke of Norfolk, the Master of Nairn, Mr. Baird
Hamilton, “a gentleman who behaved with wonderful gallantry at the
action of Preston;” Mr. Charles Radcliffe, Lord Derwentwater’s brother,
“a youth of extraordinary courage;” Mr. Charles and Mr. Peregrine
Widdington, “two gentlemen of diversion and pleasure, both papists;” the
two Mr. Cottons, father and son, “nonjurant protestants, and of great
estate in Huntingdonshire;” Mr. Thomas Errington, “a gentleman that had
been in the French service, ... with the laird of Macintosh, Colonel
McIntosh, and Major McIntosh, together with other Scotch gentlemen.”
Brought thus face to face with their very pressing danger, all more or
less cast about them for some means of escape. Several desperate
attempts were made to break prison. Thus on the 14th March it was
discovered that several had tried to get out by breaking through the
press-yard wall, “from which they were to be let down by a rope, instead
of being tucked up by one at Tyburn.” For this several were placed in
irons. Some time later Mr. Forster got clean away,[96] as did Brigadier
Macintosh and eight others. Mr. George Budden, formerly an upholsterer
near Fleet bridge, also effected his escape; and last, but not least,
Mr. Charles Radcliffe, Lord Derwentwater’s brother. After Mr. Forster’s
escape the Government took greater precautions, and a lieutenant with
thirty men of the Foot Guards was ordered to do constant duty at
Newgate. Mr. Pitt, the keeper, was strongly suspected of collusion, and
was attached on a charge of high treason, being after arrest committed
to the custody of one Wilcox, a messenger, “who used him in a barbarous
manner, contrary no doubt to the instruction of the noble lord that
issued the warrant for his confinement.” The city authorities, no doubt
exercised at the insecurity of their gaol, also roused themselves “to
look better after their prison of Newgate,” and instead of leaving Mr.
Rouse chief turnkey in charge of the whole place, specially appointed
Mr. Carleton Smith, an officer of the Lord Mayor’s, and with him Mr.
Russell, to take care of the rebels in the press-yard. These new
officials “performed their part so well,” it is said, “by examining all
the visitors, debarring entrance to all riding hoods, cloaks, and arms,
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