_Experience has confirm'd you in that everlasting_ Maxim, _that there is no other way to protect the_ Innocent, _but by Punishing the_ Guilty. _Crimes ever were, and ever must be unavoidably frequent in such populous Cities as yours are, being the necessary Consequences, either of the_ Wants, _or the Depravity, of the lowest part of the_ humane _Species_. _At this time the most flagrant Offences, as_ Burning of Dwellings; Burglaries, _and_ Highway Robberies _abound; and_ Frauds _common_ Felonies, _and_ Forgeries _are practic'd without Number; thus not only your Properties, but even your very Lives are every way struck at_. _The_ Legislative Power _has not been wanting in providing necessary and wholesome Laws against these_ Evils, _the executive part whereof (according to your great Privileges) is lodged in your own Hands: And the Administration hath at all times applyed proper Remedies and Regulations to the_ Defects _which have happen'd in the_ Magistracy _more immediately under their Jurisdiction_. _Through the just and salutary Severities of the Magistrates, publick excessive_ Gaming _has been in a manner Surpress'd; and some late Examples of divine Vengeance have overtaken certain of the most notorious lewd_ Prostitutes _of the Town, which together with the laudable endeavours of the great and worthy_ Societies, _has given no small check to that enormous and spreading_ Vice. _But here's a_ Criminal _bids Defiance to your_ Laws, _and _Justice _who declar'd and has manifested that the_ Bars _are not made that can either keep him_ Out, _or keep him_ In, _and accordingly hath a second time fled from the very_ Bosom Of Death. _His History will astonish! and is not compos'd of Fiction, Fable, or Stories plac'd at York_, Rome, _or_ Jamaica, _but_ Facts _done at your Doors_, Facts _unheard of, altogether new, Incredible, and yet Uncontestable_. _He is gone once more upon his wicked Range in the World. Restless Vengeance is pursuing, and_ Gentlemen '_tis to be hoped that she will be assisted by your Endeavours to bring to Justice this notorious Offender_. THE LIFE OF _JOHN SHEPPARD, &c._