decease, or point out the channel through which access might be obtained to a collection of letters addressed to him by differeat eminent persons of his time, which, according to Dr. Kippis, was in the possession of the Miss Arbuthnots? Yours, &c. AL. HENDERSON. Mr. URBAN, ΠΟ Winchester, April 14. To those of your Readers especially who are in possession (and even to many who are not) of the "Memoirs of the late Wm. Stevens, esq. Treasurer of Queen Anne's Bounty,' dedicated to the Right Rev. Bishop Skinner, Aberdeen, by the Hon. Mr. Justice Park, it will be satisfactory to know, that, in consequence of the decease in the last year of that worthy Prelate, his friends have recently subscribed a few hundred pounds for the purpose of erecting a Statue to his memory in St. Andrew's Chapel in that city, over which congregation he presided so many years, as well as being Primate of the Scotch Episcopal Church, with so much credit to himself and advantage to that community. Mr. Flaxman, Royal Academician, and Professor of Sculpture, has undertaken the Work. AMICUS. Narrative of a Remarkable Escape from the Rebel Army in 1745. Toder Papers having recalled the HE recent publication of the Cul attention of the publick to the subject of the Rebellion in 1745-6, after its being become nearly obsolete otherwise than as a portion of General History; and it having fallen to my lot to be one of the very few now remaining who retain a pretty clear recollection, not only of the principal transactions, but also of many of the minor circumstances connected with that interesting event; I have been induced to look over some papers in my possession relating to it that had Jong lain unattended to. Among these a letter, giving an account of a remarkable escape from the Rebel army while at Derby, appeared to me to merit preservation; and I know of no repository so proper for that purpose as the Gentleman's Magazine, should the much-respected Edifor be of the same opinion. I believe it may be safely said that the Narrative has never yet appeared in print, further than a few particulars of the occurrence being inserted, rather incorrectly, in a small volume printedia a cheap form at Carlisle in 1755, entitled," A Compleat History of the Rebellion, from its first Rise in 1745, to its total suppression in April 1746. By James Ray, of Whiteha ven, Volunteer under his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland;" a publication which, notwithstanding its homely garb and style, is not inferior, as a record of facts, to some of much higher pretensions. The Writer of the Letter, which was probably addressed to his then late partner (who was very nearly related to me), but the directed cover has not been preserved, was well known as a very respectable wholesale linen draper in London. He retired from business rather early in life, by reason of delicate health; and, after waiting seve ral years, his reward for the hazards his loyalty had exposed him to, was a Receivership of the Land TaxI believe in Northumberland. The Letter not being written sooner after the transaction, was owing to the time it took him to recruit sufficiently to be able to form a connected Narrative, as well as to receive the attes tations referred to in the concluding part of it. A FRIEND TO ACCURACY. SIR, Manchester, Dec. 23, 1745. On Monday the 2nd day of December, 1745, about 6 o'clock in the evening, I left London and came post for Manchester, having received a letter that day from my father that the Rebels were there the Friday before. I came to Derby the next day, about 7 o'clock in the evening, where the Duke of Devonshire then was, to whom I imme diately sent an account by Mr. William Johnson, a Captain in his newraised regiment, that three troops of the Duke of Kingston's light house were that day come into Loughborough, and three more into Leicester. About midnight the Duke of Devonshire, with the new-raised forces then at Derby, marched for Notting ham, having received intelligence of the Rebels being at Ashbourae; and the Marquis of lartington's gentleman was ordered to wait in the road betwixt Ashbourne and Derby till be actually saw the Rebels. About 10 o'clock on Wednesday he returned to Derby with an account that the Rebels were within a few miles of the town. He did not stay to to light, but set out for Nottingham in company with Mr. Howe, the postmaster of Derby. I promised these gentlemen that I would stay in town, and take as particular an account of the Rebels as I was able, and would, if desired, send such account to the Duke of Devonshire at Nottingham: with which the Marquis's Gentleman seemed pleased, thanked me, and said it would be of service. Mr. Howe told me I might deliver such account to the servant he had left at his house, who would take proper care to forward it. Upon which I took leave of these gentlemen, and went to Mrs. Howe, and acquainted her with my design of staying in town, and desired she would give me a handfull of pease, by the help of which I thought I should execute my design with more certainty and less confusion than any other method I could think of; after which I took a walk to the end of the street which leads to Ashbourne, where I met with one Mr. Orreil, an old school-fellow, who lives at Findern, three miles from Derby. After a short conversation, he gave me to understand that his business there was to get the best intelligence he could of the Rebels, and offered to introduce me to a friend's house who lived just at the entrance of the town from Ashbourne, which I accepted; and so soon as we came into the house we were conducted up stairs into a chamber towards the street, where we staid from about one o'clock till five in the afternoon, in which time the first division of the Rebels, with their pretended Prince, came in; after which I went to Mr. Howe's, wrote, and delivered a letter for the Duke of Devonshire, with the account I had taken, to Mr. Howe's servant, as before agreed upon; and immediately returned to my friend, who carried me the same evening upon his horse to Findern; where, with great difficulty, he procured me a guide and two horses for Ut toxeter. two o'clock in the morning; rode immediately to the Duke of Cumberland's lodgings, and enquired for his secretary, to whom I was soon introduced. I informed him that the first division of the Rebels, consisting of 2300 foot, 450 horse, 75 baggage, and about 40 led horses, with their pretended Prince, got into Derby on Wednesday afternoon; and that the rear division, with their artillery and baggage, got into Ashbourne from Leek about three o'clock the same day; and, after halting there about half an hour, marched forward for Derby that night. This account the secretary immediately communicated to his Royal Highness, who was then in bed, and who by him returned me thanks for my intelligence; and said, that, if he had not been much fatigued the night before, he would have returned me thanks in person; and au express, in consequence of my intelligence, as I apprehend, was immediately dispatched to the commanding officer at Lichfield, and from thence to Nottingham. I was present when the orders were given to this messenger, and heard the secretary tell him, that he believed the Rebels would be at Nottingham before he would reach there. After I had staid for near the space of an hour with the secretary, and given him the best information I was able, I went to an inn in town, where, after having dismissed my guide and post horses, I accommodated myself as well as I could; but, as the town was quite full of the King's troops, I got little or no rest or refreshment. I made it my business so soon as it was light to enquire for a horse, and as soon as I could hire one set out for Uttoxeter, where I arrived on Thursday the 5th instant, about three o'clock in the afternoon; and being desircus of returning to Derby that night, in order to get some further intelligence, which I had promised, if material, to communicate to his Royal Highness's secretary, I applied to the postmaster at Uttoxeter for horses, I left Findern about eight o'clock who procured them for me, with the the same evening, and got to Ut- same guide I had the night before to toxeter soon after ten, where I was Stafford: and having heard the sein hopes of finding the Duke of Cum-cretary tell the messenger, whom, as I berland, but was informed there that he was at Stafford; whereupon I immediately applied to the postmaster, who procured me horses and a guide for Stafford, where I arrived before said before, he dispatched in my presence to Litchfield and Nottingham, that be thought the Rebels would be at Nottingham before he could arrive; and from the consideration of their forced march from Leek to Derby in one day, I had no suspicion of their halting there, and concluded the town would be rid of them before ny arrival. Therefore I set out with my old guide from Uttoxeter to Derby, about half an hour past four o'clock in the afternoon: it was past seven the same evening before I came to Derby. On my entrance into the town all seemed still, which confirmed me in my former belief, that the Rebels had left it. But I had not gone far before I was stopped and examined by their picquet guard, and, after a short examination, was, by a number of them, conveyed to the officer of the guard, who, after asking me a few questions, said I must go to his captain, who was likewise short in his examination of me, and said, that as I was a gentleman, the Prince (as he called him) would like to see me himself; so I and my guide were conducted to his lodgings at Lord Exeer's house, when, after about an bour's confinement in the guardhouse, I was called into a large parlour, where there were near 30 of their chiefs and superior officers, before whom I was examined by one Keys, who was called their deputy secretary. I persisted in the story I had told the officers by whom I had hefore been examined; and had not my guide, who was confined and examined in another room, discovered the chief thing I wanted to have concealed (I mean my being at Stafford, and at his Royal Highness's lodging) I might probably have been discharged. And indeed, if he had not been a very weak and cowardly felJow, the hints I had given him would have been a sufficient direction to him, and our examinations had been consistent, which I conclude they were not; for, after I had been examined in the parlour, I was ordered up into Keys's lodging-room, where 1 passed under a further and more strict examination. I was then immediately threatened with a halter, and used in such a manner as gave me a lively specimen of what night be expected from such wretches if in power; and awakened in me dismal apprehensions of the danger I was in. After they had tired themselves, I was ordered into their colonel's guardroom, which was a chamber in Lord Exeter's house looking into the garden, where I was kept, and continued under a strong guard until about seven o'clock the next morning, at which time there appeared an extraordinary hurry and bustle amongst my guard, who talked much of their Prince being got up; and one quitted the room after another, till at last I was left alone, and then I began to think of making my escape. The first thing I did in order to it was to try whether I could open the sashesone I found was nailed, the other I opened the shutter of, and raised the lower sash a little, but was interrupted by a person coming into the room, who, proving none of my guard, seemed to take little notice of me, and went out again; upon which I bolted the door on the inside, and made shift to get off my boots, and immediately after flung myself out of the window, under which was a gravel walk in Lord Exeter's garde: the height of the window from the walk was (as has been since computed) above seven yards. I was pretty much stunned with the fall, but soon recovered myself, and ran down the garden, which at the bottom is bounded by the River Darwent, and inclosed by high brick walls on each side, at the end of which, to the wa ter, long iron spikes were driven, to prevent, as I apprehend, the com munication betwixt that and the ad joining gardens. Notwithstanding which I got into the next garden without receiving any hurt, and af terwards ran across two more gardens, and passed, I know not how, all the fences till I came to Mr. Heathcote's, which I found to be a light brick wall. Upon laying hold of it at the lower end, part of the wall fell, and forced me into the river, which in that part is several yards deep: it was with great difficulty I got out of the wa ter into Mr. Heathcote's garden, where I concealed myself for a short time in a garden-house. When I made my escape out of the guard-room I had no hat with me, and my peruke being lost, and my clothes wet, I found myself very cold; which if I could have borne, I thought my situation far from safe, and therefore determined upon stripping off all my clothes, leaving them in the gardenhouse, and swimming down the river, which I accordingly did for the space of about 50 yards, till I came to the wear, 飽 wear, and from thence waded down the river for about 70 yards before I could land on the other side; which when I had done, I ran down, keeping close to the river side for near three miles, and then discovered Alvaston, a village not far distant from, but ou the other side the river; and being extremely cold and almost spent out, I resolved to make the best of my way thither, which obliged me to swim again across the river. It was with great difficulty I got to the town, where I went to the back door of the first house I came to, which proved to be one Mr. Rigley's, where I was received and behaved to with great humanity. They got me into a warm bed, where I had not lain long before I recollected that there were some women in the house who saw me when I came in; and not hearing them talk, I inquired what was become of them, and was told they were gone to Derby. Upon which I immediately got up, thinking I could not be long safe there, and requested Mr. Rigley's son-in-law, one Mr. Stenson, to accommodate me with some clothes, and direct me to some other house where I might be more concealed. Mr. Stenson lent me some clothes, after which I wanted a horse, which he could not then supply me with; and as I was utterly incapable of walking far on foot, he advised me to go to one Mr. Osborne's, who lived in the same town, and not far distant from him, which I accordingly did, and was received with a deal of civility; but before I had been there two hours, the news was brought me that some men from Derby were come in pursuit of me; upon which I made my escape out of a back door, and with all my might ran towards the river; but apprehending myself closely pursued, and being incapable of undergoing much more fatigue, I got behind a hedge, and lay upon the ground, till the cold had made such an impression upon me, as convinced me that if I continued there much longer I should be incapable of stirring, and accessary to my own death. I then attempted to go, or rather crawl upon my hands and knees, to Mr. Os borne's house, and got in again unobserved at the back door; but no sooner was I set down, than the men who were sent by Mr. Heathcote to search for and bring me to Derby came to Mr. Osborne's house; upon which I made my escape, leaping out of a parlour window. Soon after my pursuers came into the house; and with the greatest difficulty and danger I got to Elvaston, another village at about half a mile's distance from Alvaston, where one Mr. Franceway of Nottingham had left me his horse. I then borrowed some more clothes of a poor man, mounted Mr. Franceway's horse, and in dismal plight made the best of my way to Notting ham, where I arrived about four o'clock in the afternoon. What I have hitherto said are facts of my own knowledge; but what chiefly relates to Mr. Heathcote, and the part which he and his emissaries have acted, I could only have from the testimony of others; and therefore desired a friend to take the examinations of those who heard and observed the same, which he accordingly has done; and yesterday I received from him six examinations in writing, signed by the several parties; by which it appears, that Mr. Heathcole's servant was one of the four persons.who pursued me to Alvaston, and the others were three prisoners whom he had engaged and sent to assist in taking me; to whom (as they owned) he had given strict orders, which they in part pursued, by going first to the house of Mr. Rigley, insulting his wife, and declaring that the house, with the family, should or would be burnt or destroyed if I was not immediately delivered up to them; and particularly Mr. Heathcole's servant said he must have me, and durst not go without me. When they had entered in, and searched every corner of the house without finding me, they withdrew to an alehouse in the town, where they got intelligence of my removal from Mr. Rigley's to Mr. Osborne's; upon which they went immediately thither, searched Mr. Osborne's house, used several oaths and imprecations, and added such like threat as they had made use of at Mr. Rigley's, if I was not im mediately delivered up to them. One gentleman in his examination says, that Mr. Heathcote told him that he (Mr. Ileathcote) had sent word to the Rebels by one Mr. Francis of Derby, who from thence went after them to Ashbourne, that the person who had made made his escape out of his garden was at a house two miles from Derby; and Mr. Heathcote at the same time declared to this gentleman, that he verily believed that the Rebels who came into his house to enquire for me would have shot me through the bead if they had found me. In the above narrative and short abstract of the examinations, I have omitted several circumstances which concur in further shewing the pains Mr. Heathcote was at, and the extraordinary zeal he shewed, to have me taken; though at the same time he has confessed he verily believes I must immediately have fallen a sacrifice to the Rebels. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, . ELEAZAR BIRCH. Nottingham, Dec. 8, 1745. Mr. SAM HEATHCOTE, I imagine you are not apprehensive of the nature or consequence of your conduct respecting the gentleman whose clothes were left in your garden. Messengers, I understand, are dispatched to concert measures to obtain satisfaction from you, for the hazards he has run through, and the danger his life has been in, by the part you acted. I judge it a friendly part to let you know this, that you may speedily use your own prudence, and take the measures you judge proper to prevent the worst of conse quences; without which you'll find yourself, before you are aware, in a terrible scrape. If you choose to make any application to the gentleman, I can direct you where to find him, to-day, or perhaps to-morrow. Let me know something of your purpose by the bearer. I hope you'll receive this as kindly as I intend it. I am, Sir, yours, SEAGRAVE. Mr. SEAGRAVE, I am obliged to you for your faYour by this bearer. The affair mentioned by you is the most unfortunate that ever befel me. The gentleman coming into my garden occasioned my being threatened to bave my house blown up, and my servants were threatened to be shot if they did not immediately produce him. The Rebels told me that it was one of their own men who had deserted, and had endeavoured to steal one of the Pretender's horses; that they should soon be here again; and, if I did not make it appear that he was not in my house, I should immediately undergo military discipline. This was the reason, on my hearing of his being at Alvaston, of sending over to be satisfied about it; and if the persons whom I sent behaved otherwise than I intended they should, I am exceeding sorry for it: 1 intended him no harm, and I hope and believe he has received none on my account. I am now ill of the gout, and cannot travel far, otherwise I would have waited on the gentleman; and when he comes to hear my story, I am sure he would think that I and my family have been in as great hazard as he; therefore I must desire the favour of you to tell him. And as you seem to be concerned for him, I will agree to refer the matter to you, or to any others we can agree on; and the trouble and charge you are at shall be gratefully acknowledged by, Sir, your most humble servant, SAM. HEATHCOTE. Derby, 9th December, 1745. I desire you would do for me as I would do for you in the like case, and let me hear from you to-morrow. Had I known him to be any other than one of the Rebels, I never should have sent after him. Nottingham, 10th Dec. 1745. Mr. HEATHCOTE, Sir, You seem to mistake my letter; for I have not seen the gentleman, nor been applied to by him so much as for my advice, nor expect I shall. What measures are taking I know not; but hear, if something be not done to prevent it, you may soon find yourself in the hands of a mes senger. The gentleman, I hear, is not removed this morning, but will be gone so soon as he is able. As I could not readily get to speak with him, I scut your letter, and offered to wait on him at his own time to know his pleasure; but he absolutely refuses to have any thing to say to me in answer to your letter. In letting you know the gentleman was here, I did, in my own apprehen sion for you, what I should have been glad any one of the profession would have done for me, mutulis mu tandis; and now I can do nothing further; but remain, Sir, Yours, &c. SEAGRAVE. |