Preston Prisoners were Confin’d there about seven Years ago:  Three Screws are visibly taken off of the Lock, and the Doors as strong as Art could make them, forc’d open.  The Locks and Bolts, either wrench’d or Broke, and the Cases and other Irons made for their Security cut assunder:  An Iron Spike broke off from the Hatch in the Chapel, which he fix’d in the Wall and fasten’d his Blanket to it, to drop on the Leads of Mr. Bird’s House, his Stockings were found on the Leads of Newgate; ’tis question’d whether sixty Pounds will repair the Damage done to the Jayl.

It will perhaps be inquir’d how all this could be perform’d without his being heard by the Prisoners or the Keepers; ’tis well known that the Place of his Confinement is in the upper part of the Prison, none of the other Felons being Kept any where near him; and ’tis suppos’d that if any had heard him at Work, they would rather have facilitated, than frustrated his Endeavours.  In the Course of his Breaches he pass’d by a Door on his Left belonging to the Common-Side Felons, who have since Curs’d him heartily for his not giving them an opportunity to kiss his Hand, and lending them a favourable lift when his Hand was in; but that was not a Work proper for Mr. Sheppard to do in his then Circumstances.

His Fetters are not to be found any where about the Jayl, from whence ’tis concluded he has either thrown them down some Chimney, or carried them off on his Legs, the latter seems to be Impracticable, and would still render his Escaping in such Manner the more astonishing; and the only Answer that is given to the whole, at Newgate is, That the Devil came in Person and assisted him.

He undoubtedly perform’d most of these Wonders in the darkest part of the Night, and without the least Glimpse of a Candle; a word, he has actually done with his own Hands in a few Hours, what several of the most skilful Artists allow, could not have been acted by a number of Persons furnish’d with proper Implements, and all other Advantages in a full Day.

Never was there anything better Tim’d, the Keepers and all their Assistants being obliged to a strict Attendance on the Sessions at the Old Bailey, which held for about a Week; and Blewskin having confin’d Jonathan Wild to his Chamber, a more favourable opportunity could not have presented for Mr. Sheppard’s Purposes.

The Jaylors suffer’d much by the Opinion the ignorant Part of the People entertain’d of the Matter, and nothing would satisfie some, but that they not only Conniv’d at, but even assisted him in breaking their own Walls and Fences, and that for this Reason too, viz. That he should be at Liberty to instruct and train up others in his Method of House-Breaking; and replenish the Town with a new set of Rogues, to supply the Places of those Transported beyond Sea.

This is indeed a fine way of Judging, the well-known Characters of Mr. Pitt, and his Deputies, are sufficient to wipe of such ridiculous Imputations; and ’tis a most lamentable Truth, that they have often-times had in their Charge Villains of the deepest Die; Persons of Quality and great Worth, for whom no Entreaties, no Sums how large soever have been able to interfere between the doleful Prison, and the fatal Tree.