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THE MAIL ROBBED near COLNBROOK

by In Hawkins and Gov. Simpson.

Hence let us learn to admire the infcrutable mysteries of the providence of God, which, as they furpass our finite comprehenfion, should excite our wonder and our gratitude. Nothing can be hid from the all-seeing eye of heaven; and the man that commits a crime with the hope of concealing it, does but treasure up a fund of uneafinefs for his own mind: for even if the crime fhould be concealed from the public, he will be perpetually harraffed with the corroding ftings of a guilty confcience, and at all times carry with him a hell in his own bofom!

Narrative of the remarkable Actions of JOHN HAWKINS, and GEORGE SIMPSON, who were executed for robbing the Bristol Mail, and hung in Chains.

S the crime for which thefe malefactors

Afuffered is very pernicious in its own nature,

and their other tranfactions made a great noife in the world at the time they took place, we propofe to give a particular account of them.

JOHN HAWKINS was the fon of a poor farmer at Staines, who not being able to afford to educate him properly, he went into the fervice of a gentleman, which he foon quitted, and lived as a waiter at the Red Lion at Brentford; but leaving this place, he again engaged as a gentleman's fervant.

After living in different families, he became butler to Sir Dennis Dutry, and was diftinguished as a fervant of very creditable appearance. Indeed his perfon was uncommonly graceful, and he was remarkably vain of it. He used to fre

Nn 2

quent

quent gaming tables two or three nights in a week, a practice which led to that ruin which finally befel him.

*

About this time Sir Dennis had been robbed of a confiderable quantity of plate; and as Hawkins's mode of life was very expenfive, it was fufpected that he was the thief, for which reason he was difcharged without the advantage of a good character.

Being thus destitute of the means of subsistance he had recourfe to the highway, and his first expedition was to Hounflow-Heath, where he took eleven pounds from the paffengers in a coach; but fuch was his attachment to gaming, that he repaired directly to London, where he loft it all.

He continued to rob alone for fome time, lofing at the gaming houfes what he obtained at so much rifk; and he then engaged to rob with other highwaymen; but the fame fate ftill attended him he loft by gaming, what he got by thieving, and was frequently fo reduced as to dine at an eating-house, and then fneak off without paying his reckoning.

Several of Hawkins's old companions having met their deferts at the gallows, he became acquainted with one Wilfon, a youth of good education, who had been articled to a folicitor in chancery; but had neglected his business through an attachment to the gaming-tables. Thofe affociates having cominitted feveral robberies in conjunction, were tried for one of them; but acquitted for want of evidence; though Wilfon, in an account publifhed after Hawkins's condemnation, confeffes they were guilty.

Immediately after this Wilfon went down to his mother, who lived at Whitby in Yorkshire, and continued with her for about a year,

and

then

then coming to London, lived with a gentleman of the law: but having loft his money in gaming, renewed his acquaintance with Hawkins, who was now concerned with a new gang of villains; but one of these being apprehended, impeached the reft, which foon difperfed the gang, but not till fome of them had made their exit at Tyburn; on which Hawkins was obliged to conceal himself for a confiderable time; but at length he ventured to rob a gentleman on Finchley-Coinmon, and fhot one of the fervants fo that he died on the fpot.

His next attack was on the Earl of Burlington and Lord Bruce, in Richmond Lane, from whom they took about twenty pounds, two gold watches, and a fapphire ring. For this ring a reward of 100l. was offered to Jonathan Wild; but Hawkins failed to Holland with it, and there fold it for forty pounds.

Hawkins returning to England, joined his companions, of whom Wilfon was one, and robbed Sir David Dalrymple of about three pounds, a fnuff-box, and a pocket-book, for which laft Sir David offered 60l. reward to Wild; but the robbers having no connection with that execrable villain, who did not even know their perfons, they sent the book by a porter to Sir David, with

out expence.

Hawkins and his affociates next stoppedM r. Hide of Hackney in his coach, and robbed him of 10l. and his watch, but miffed 300l. which the gentleman then had in his poffeffion. After this they stopped the Earl of Weftmoreland's coach in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and robbed him of a fum of money, though there were three footmen behind the carriage. The footmen called the watch;

but

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