Among the many Schemes laid by his Friends, for the preserving himself after his Escape, we were told of a most Remarkable one, propos’d by an ingenious Person, who advis’d, that he might be Expeditiously, and Secretly convey’d to the Palace at Windsor, and there to prostrate his Person, and his Case at the Feet of a most Gracious Prince, and his Case being so very singular and new, it might in great probability move the Royal Fountain of unbounded Clemency; but he declin’d this Advice, and follow’d the Judgment and Dictates of Butchers, which very speedily brought him very near the Door of the Slaughterhouse.

On the 4th of September, the Day as Joseph Ward, and Anthony Upton were Executed, there was publish’d a whimsical Letter, as from Sheppard, to Jack Ketch, which afforded Diversion to the Town, and Bread to the Author, which is as followeth, viz.

     SIR,

I Thank you for the Favour you intended me this day:  I am a Gentleman, and allow you to be the same, and I hope can forgive Injuries; fond Nature prompted, I obey’d, Oh, propitious Minute! and to show that I am in Charity, I am now drinking your Health, and a Bon Repo to poor Joseph and Anthony.  I am gone a few Days for the Air, but design speedily to embark; and this Night I am going upon a Mansion for a Supply; it’s a stout Fortification, but what Difficulties can’t I encounter, when, dear Jack, you find that Bars and Chains are but trifling Obstacles in the way of your Friend and Servant.

     JOHN SHEPPARD.

     From my Residence in Terra Australi incognito.

     P.S. Pray my Service to Mr. Or——­ di——­ y and to Mr.
     App——­ ee.

On Saturday the 10th of October, Anthony Lamb, and Thomas Sheppard, with 95 other Felons were carried from Newgate on Shipboard, for Transportation to the Plantations; the last begg’d to have an opportunity given him of taking his final Leave of his Brother John; but this was not to be Granted, and the greatest Favour that could be obtain’d, was that on the Sunday before they had an Interview at the Chapel, but at such a distance, that they neither saluted, or shook Hands, and the Reason given for it, was that no Implements might be convey’d to Sheppard to assist him in making an Escape.

This, Caution seem’d to be absolutely necessary, for it appear’d soon after that Sheppard found Means to release himself from the Staples to which he was Chain’d in the Castle, by unlocking a great Padlock with a Nail, which he had pickt up on the Floor, and endeavour’d to pass up the Chimney, but was prevented by the stout Iron Bars fix’d in his way, and wanted nothing but the smallest File to have perfected his Liberty.  When the Assistants of the Prison, came as usual with his Victuals, they