The whole Posse of the Prison ran up, and stood like Men depriv’d of their Senses:  Their surprize being over, they were in hopes that he might not have yet entirely made his Escape, and got their Keys to open all the strong Rooms adjacent to the Castle, in order to Trace him, when to their farther Amazement, they found the Door ready open’d to their Hands; and the strong Locks, Screws and Bolts broken in pieces, and scatter’d about the Jayl.  Six great Doors (one whereof having not been open’d for seven Years past) were forc’d, and it appear’d that he had Descended from the Leads of Newgate by a Blanket (which he fasten’d to the Wall by an Iron Spike he had taken from the Hatch of the Chapel) on the House of Mr. Bird, and the Door on the Leads having been left open, it is very reasonable to conclude he past directly to the Street Door down the Stairs; Mr Bird and his Wife hearing an odd sort of a Noise on the Stairs as they lay in their Bed, a short time before the Watchman alarm’d the Family.

Infinite Numbers of Citizens came to Newgate to behold Sheppard’s Workmanship, and Mr. Pitt and his Officers very readily Conducted them up Stairs, that the World might be convinc’d there was not the least room to suspect, either a Negligence, or Connivance in the Servants.  Every one express’d the greatest Surprize that has been known, and declar’d themselves satisfy’d with the Measures they had taken for the Security of their Prisoner.

One of the Sheriffs came in Person, and went up to the Castle to be satisfy’d of the Situation of the Place, _&c._ Attended by several of the City Officers.

The Court being sat at the Sessions-House, the Keepers were sent for and Examin’d, and the Magistrates were in great Consternation, that so horrid a Wretch had escap’d their Justice.  It being intended that he should have been brought down to the Court the last Day of the Sessions, and order’d for Execution in two or three Days after; if it appear’d that he was the Person Condemn’d for the breaking Mr. Kneebone’s House, and included in the Warrant for Execution, _&c._

Many of the Methods by which this miraculous Escape was effected, remain as yet a Secret, there are some indeed too Evident, the most reasonable Conjecture that has hierto been made, is, that the first Act was his twisting and breaking assunder by the strength of his Hands a small Iron Chain, which together with a great Horse Padlock, (as went from the heavy Fetters about his Legs to the staples) confin’d him to the Floor, and with a Nail open’d the Padlock and set himself at Liberty about the Room:  A large flat Iron Bar appears to have been taken out of the Chimney, with the Assistance thereof ‘tis plain he broke thro’ a Wall of many Foot in Thickness, and made his way from the Castle into another strong Room Contiguous, the Door of it not having been open’d since several of the