dle. This being done, they searched the pockets of the deceased, in which they found about thirty guineas; with which, and the plate, they hastily decamped, leaving the street door open.

This shocking murder and robbery became the general subject of conversation, and no steps were left unattempted in order to apprehend the offenders, who were taken in a few days, when Peters having been admitted an evidence for the crown, Grace Tripp was convicted, sentenced to die, and accordingly execured at Tyburn, on the 17th of March, 1710, at the age of nineteen years.

In the proceedings against Grace Tripp there is evidently a flaw. It is she who should have been admitted as evidence for the crown, and not Peters, who was the actual murderer; though she undoubtedly deserved her fate: yet, as evidence was wanting to convict both, justice demanded the life of the GREATER criminal.

We shall conclude with a brief accout of the trial of GEORGE ROBERT FITZGERALD, ESQ., which came on at Castlebar, in Ireland, Friday, June 9, 1786, before Lord Chief Baron Yelverton, for being concerned with several others in the murder of Patrick Randall M'Donnell, Esq. and Mr. Charles Hipson.

The indictment set forth, that he, Fitzgerald, had procured Timothy Brecknock, Andrew Craig, alias Scots Andrew, James Foy, William Fulton, John Fulton, John Chapman, Wallis Kelley, John Cox, James Masterson, David Saltry, Philip Cox, Archibald Newing, John Berney, Henry George, Michael Brown, John Rehency, and William Robinson; and that he had incited them to murder Mr. M'Donnell and Mr. Hipson; which they accordingly did, on the 21st of February.

Mr.

Mr. Fitzgerald pleaded Not Guilty.

Mr. Gallagher was first called, and his evidence was to this effect.-That Mr. Fitzgerald had laid many plans to destroy Mr. M'Donnell, which had failed, till a shot from Fitzgerald's house, that wounded him as he passed it, seemed the prelude of the tragical event that followed. That, afterward, Fitzgerald procured a magistrate to take examinations against Mr. M'Donnell, Hipson, and himself (Gallagher), and prevailed on this magistrate to grant warrants against these gentlemen ; that Mr. M'Donnell, hearing of these transactions, quitted his house, and came to lodge in Castlebar for safety; that on the 20th of February M'Donnell, Hipson, and himself, went in company to M'Donnell's house, to give some directions, about. ten in the forenoon; of which Fitzgerald having information, he sent a party to take them into custody on the surreptitious warrants; and before the party arrived, the gentlemen had left the house on their return; but finding themselves pursued, took shelter in a house, which was soon surrounded by the party, who burst open the door; that the witness came out, and asked them the reason for this, attack; they answered, that they had warrants. against Mr. M'Donnell, Hipson, and himself. They then enquired for M'Donnell: Gallagher. told them he had rode off, having previously concealed him in a heap of malt, whence, however, they soon dragged him; and, having set him on horseback, conducted him, with Gallagher and. Hipson, whom they tied to each other, and brought them prisoners to Fitzgerald's house, where they were kept on pretext till next morning. In the morning, a guard was prepared to conduct them, when Fitzgerald gave directions to Andrew Craig,

if there was a rescue, to shoot them. That when they were about three hundred yards from the house, Andrew Craig called out, "A rescue!" On this, a shot was fired by one of the rear guard, which killed one of Fitzgerald's own men, and wounded three or four. They then fired at Hipson and Gallagher, who fell as if killed; and they afterwards followed M'Donnell, who, from one of the first shots, had been wounded in the arm, and his mare, taking fright, was running off with him; but he was stopped at the bridge by a man purposely posted there to prevent an escape; when Andrew Craig coming up, fired a shot in his body, and killed him.

Mr. Gallagher endeavoured to escape, while the party were in pursuit of the other two gentlemen, but was observed by them creeping behind a bush. He was taken to Fitzgerald's house, where he was soon after rescued by his friends.

From the deposition of Andrew Craig, who was admitted king's evidence, it appeared, that when the pretended rescue was concerted, only two of the assassins were let into the scheme; in which it was determined, in order to save appearances, to sacrifice some of his own men in the front.

When the evidence was closed, Mr. Fitzgerald spoke for three hours, with a degree of composure, astonishing, indeed, when it is considered what the human mind must feel at so awful a crisis.

The Chief Baron then gave an excellent charge to the jury, who withdrew for seven minutes, and returned a verdict-Guilty.

When the foreman of the jury pronounced the. word Guilty, a sudden gloom overspread Mr. Fitzgerald's countenance, which seemed unaffected before. After leaving the court, the counsel proposed to move an arrest of judgment.

On

On Saturday, June 10, John Fulton, William Fulton, Archibald Newing, or Ewing, John Reheny, or Renchy, and David Simpson, were also found guilty, upon two indictments, for the same murder; and James Foy, John Cox, James Masterson, David Saltry, otherwise Simpson, Philip Cox, John Berney, Humphrey George, Michael Bruen, William Robin, and Wallace Kelley, were acquitted.

After which, the attorney-general desired that the motion might be gone into. Mr. Fitzgerald's leading counsel said they saw no defect in the indictment; but Mr. Stanley declared that he had warm hopes he could shew a ground to arrest such judgment, if he were allowed time to consider the subject till Monday; which was granted.

On Monday, Timothy Brecknock was tried, and found guilty. After his conviction, the Chief Baron desired to know of Mr. Stanley whether he meant to make his motion in arrest of judgment. Mr. Stanley, on consideration, declined to make any motion in arrest of judgment.

Mr. Fitzgerald was then brought to the bar, and the Chief Baron, after a preface on the enormity of the crime, passed sentence upon him and Timothy Brecknock, with orders for their execution on that day.

Accordingly, they were executed the same day, together with John Fulton. John Reheny, Archibald Newing, William Fulton, and David Simp son, the other four convicts, were executed soon after.

NEWGATE,

Used as a common gaol for felons so early as the

year 1218. It was much damaged by the fire of London, and then rebuilt. In 1776, it was taken down, after another prison had been erected a little more to the south in the Old Bailey. The present building, though composed of stone, and uncommonly strong, was attacked and broken into by the infatuated mob of 1780, who actually let the prisoners loose, plundered the keeper's apartments, and set fire to the inside; nor, but for the interference of an armed force, is it probable they would have quitted the place before they made it a heap of ruins. The present building joins the sessionshouse; so that the prisoners may be conveyed from their prison to their trial, and back again, with. out being made a public spectacle in the street. Editor.

NEW SOUTH WALES. See BOTANY BAY.

OATHS.

There is a palpable contradiction between the laws and the natural sentiments of mankind in the case of oaths which are administered to a criminal to make him speak the truth, when the contrary is his greatest interest; as if a man could think himself obliged to contribute to his own destruction, and as if, when interest speaks, religion was not generally silent-religion, which, in all ages, hath, of all other things, been most commonly abused. And, indeed, upon what motive should it be respected by the wicked, when it has been thus violated by those who were esteemed the wisest of men? The motives which religion opposes to the fear of impending evil and the love of life are too weak, as they are too distant, to make any impression