and the less sum of money is demanded, the less is their desire to have it redeemed, or take notice of any advertisement; on seeing any such, they can directly make away with the matters in dispute, or send it amongst the Jews stolen cargoes to Holland. On my marching off with Mrs. Dixon’s lace, I took a chair, and went to Strand-Lane, not with any intention to dispose of what I had got, but falling into conversation with Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Rogers, asked them if I might dine there, and was answered in the affirmative, discharged the chair, and dined with them on Pig; they both to me were utterly unknown before. After dinner I pulled out the lace, shewed it to them, then pretended to be short of Money, and but just come from Jamaica; I prevailed on Mrs. Rogers to go and pledge part of it, but not to take notice to Davis, what she was gone about. As soon as she was gone, I sent Davis with the other pieces I cut of, with the same injunction, not to tell the other. Though the whole of my trial is in the main, true, yet with regard to the time, Davis who pledged, and Brooks the pawnbroker, are both wrong; for it was past one o’clock when I stole it, two when I got to Strand-Lane, and at least three, when Mrs. Rogers went out with the first, as she justly swore. I mention not this by way of reflection, but that witnesses should consider when upon oath, they are to speak the whole truth, and in this instance it is certainly a falsehood. I made a most pitiful and shuffling defence; as indeed who could do otherwise under the vast load of guilt, I had to sustain, being under a stupid infatuation, and certain that my race was run. I could very easily have escaped or eluded the most diligent search made after me, for I saw the advertisement, had information of Davis’s being in custody for pledging the lace, and warned if any thing was amiss, that I would immediately fly, for fear of the bad consequences which might ensue; but all this I slighted; indeed I saw destruction before me, yet determined to make use of no means to shun it: by the persuasion of a certain person who has been exceeding kind and serviceable to me under my troubles, I went to Goodman’s-fields, stayed all night, returned the next day which was Tuesday the 4th of October; on our return, I heard of the enquiry made after me at this house, by very suspicious persons; however, having bought the Beggar’s Opera, I was determined to go, and did, to see that play this evening: after the play was done, I returned to my lodging, and was told, two ill-looking fellows had been to see for me, and that they were at an alehouse just by; on this intelligence, I stood some time like one confounded or in a trance, and at length went into my room; where I had been scarce a quarter of an hour, till the constable and my old friend Mr. Fuller, the thief-catcher, burst the door open, and accosted me with, _Oh, Captain, is it you!_ then took me with my