CONFESSION
OF
ICtHAEL MARTIN,
OR
CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT,
WHO WAS HUNG AT CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE YEAR 1821, FOR THE
ROBBERY OF MAJ. BRAY.
$  ava&$.  -
ALSO,
AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON,
WHO RECENTLY DIED AT BRATTLEBORO', VT., BELIEVED BY MANY TO BE THE
NOTORIOUS
CAPTAIN THUNDERBOLT.
BRATTLEBORO', VT.:
J. B. MINER, PUBLISHER
1850.








CONFESSION
OF
Mr ICHAEL MARTIN,
OR
CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT,
WHO WAS HUNG AT CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE YEAR 1821, FOR THE
ROBBERY OF MAJ. BRAY.
I
ALSO,
AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON,
WHO RIECE.NTLY DIED AT BRATTLEBORO', VT., BELIEVED BY MANY TO BE THE
NOTORIOUS
CAPTAIN TH I NDERBOLT.
BRATTLEBORO', VT.:
J. B. MINER, PUBLISHER.
1847.
~~vp~s~nr/~rwsm~oa~ruunruz   c~~*n~or~~~~-~ ulrn~~A/UI




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847.
BY JOHN B. MINER,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Dis1
trict of Vermont.




PREFACE.
THE public mind has, for some time past, been greatly excited by articles from the
press, more than intimating that the late Dr. John Wilson, of Brattleboro', Vt., was the
real Captain Thunderbolt, the celebrated highwayman, who disappeared from Scotland
and Ireland, the theatres of his daring exploits, about twenty-seven years since.
It has even been sent abroad, with great assurance, that that mysterious character was
identified in the person of Dr. Wilson; since the death of whom, a curiosity, nay, a
nervous excitement, has seized hold upon the public, to learn not only all the facts which
can be known with reference to this identity of the Doctor with Thunderbolt; but it has
also roused itself to an extensive inquiry after the confession of Captain Thunderbolt's
comlpanion in villany, Captain Lightfoot, or Michael Martin.
To gratify the public desire, so generally expressed, the compiler of this pamphlet has
thought it best to publish that confession in full. He has also deemed himself not only
justified, but in a solemn discharge of service due the public, in publishing a brief
account of the individual recently deceased at Brattleboro', embracing his first appearance in Vermont, and anecdotes tending to illustrate his character, together with such
facts, circumstances and coincidents as have induced many not simply to suspect, but
believe, that this identity does infact exist. And we must for ourselves be allowed to
say, that upon no other hypothesis can many events of his life be accounted for.
The compiler has spared no pains to possess himself of the facts he here offers the
i public. The frontispiece, he is happy to say, is an accurate view of the residence of
Dr. Wilson during the last ten years of his life.
It is no desire of ours to rudely invade the sanctuary of the dead, or shock the sensibilities of the living, that we send these pages abroad; but the public has a property in
the lives and acts of all its members-a property too of which the shades of the tomb
cannot divest it.
That public calls, and loudly calls; and. we respond only by the gift of what we sincerely believe to be undeniable facts.
--— ~~~~~~~~~~wf-10 140




Reproduction in facsimile
Published by
STEPHEN DAYE PRESS
Brattleboro, Vt.
for the
WINDHAM COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A ugust 1933




-                                                                  W
CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
I was born in the year of our Lord seventeen father. Some days elapsed, and I again met my
hundred and ninety-five, near Kilkenney, Ireland, cousin. I professed repentance and promised retand was the idol of my father's family. My father ormation. On this my cousin concluded to receive
was a Roman Catholic farmer — took particular me into the brewery, in order that I might learn
pains to instruct his children in the precepts of the trade. The first day I was bidden to pump a
Christianity. Unhappily, in the case of myself, quantity of spirits from one vat into another. Inthe seed was sown in an ungrateful soil. I was stead of' obeying my orders, I pumped the liquor
remarkable at school for my inattention to study. into the cellar, in such wise that a great deal was
At the age of fourteen I was bound as an appren- lost, and the building had well nigh been burned,
tice to my uncle, a brewer, and might have become for the whiskey flowed around the furnaces. Howa respectable man, had not my vicious propensities beit, my cousin was so thoroughly convinced the
completely gained the mastery over me. Being mischief was accidental, that he made good the
chastised for an offence by my uncle, I returned to loss from his own purse rather than I should be
my father's house. As neither threats nor persua. - discharged. This kindness made some impression
sion could induce me to return, my parents con- on my vicious habits, and for a year I was honest
sented that I should remain at home, on condition and industrious.
that 1 should go to school and behave well. I   But after this I became intimate with a gang of
promised; but, with me, promises were like pie- dissolute fellows, and spent my leisure hours with
crust-made to be broken. At the age of sixteen, them in the company of bad women and villains
I joined the Association of the United Irishmen, but of all descriptions.  Before my vicious courses
kept what I had done a secret from my family. were discovered, I gained fast the confidence of my
Nevertheless, my father suspected me; and to pre- kind cousin, who employed me to make fires in the
vent my frequenting such company used to lock room where the money was kept that belonged to
me up in my chamber. The precaution was vain; the establishment, in preference to any of the other
a rope sufficed to make it so, and I nightly galloped workmen. The trust was ill-requited, and I was
one of my father's horses to some meeting of the unable to withstand the temptation.  At first I
Ribbon Men, where the time was spent in discuss- only abstracted a few shillings at a time, but find,
ing the grievances of the land. Nor was this the ing they were not missed, I adventured more boldly,
worst - at such meetings the United Irishmen were and took twenty-four guineas at once. When this
drilled to the use of pike and musket, and when sum was gone, I took thirty guineas, which was
the better sort were gone the rest caroused till immediately missed by my cousin.  My cousin
morning. The perpetration of crime was foreign offered me four guineas if I would return the rest,
to the purposes of the Association, but many of the  but instead of complying, I affected indignation at
brotherhood were men of desperate fortunes, and the charge. My cousin then went for an officer to
this intercourse engendered robbery and other male- arrest me, but I put on such an appearance of innofactions. In such company my vicious propensities cence, that I was finally ordered to return to mygathleredstrength. About six months after I joined work, and no more was said of the matter. Neverthe society, my father discovered the connection  theless, the susp-cions of my cousin were not
and chastised me very severely. For this I re- entirely effaced, for he did not treat me so kindly
solved to fly from the paternal roof, never to return. as before, nor suffer me to have atcess to his apartThat I might not depart unavenged or ill-provided, ments.
I used a pick-lock, which had been made for me by   At this time, I engaged myself to three girls at
a dishonest smith, to open a trunk wherein my once, without the least intention to fulfil my promfather kept his money. I had taken small sums ises to either. One of them was a servant of the
therefrom before, without discovery; now I had  mayor of the city. This girl discovered my treachonly purloined five guineas, fearing to be pursued ery and laid a plan of revenge. She sent a letter
if I took more. With this sum I found my way to inviting me to visit her at midnight, at her window,
Dublin, when I called upon a Mr. O'Hanlan, my from which a rope was to descend, fastened to a
maternal uncle. I said to my uncle, that having bell within. I was to pull this rope to apprize her
been cruelly beaten by my father, I had come there of my coming. In fact, the rope was tied to the
to seek my fortune, and would gladly undertake covering of the mayor's bed. When I pulled, I
any' honest- employment.  My uncle knew my drew a parcel of bed-clothes out of the window, to
character, and refused to believe my story. My his infinite astonishment. WVhile I was pondering,
uncle said he doubted whether I had been badly the mayor put his head out of the casement and
treated by my father without a good cause, and cried "Thieves!"  I ran to the brewery, pursued
commanded me to be gone. I did not obey with- by the mayor's servants, one of whom fired a gun
out bestowing many abusive epithets on my uncle. at me while I was climbing in at a window. The
I had the good fortune, a few days after, to meet a ball struck close to me, but I got in and went to
cousin who held the respectable station of chief clerk bed. The next day the posse eomitatus arrived, and
and cashier to an extensive brewery and distillery. an examination of the workmen took place. I put
My cousin gave me no better reception than my on a grave face and escaped all suspicion.
uncle had done, and urged me to return to my   I resolved to be revenged on my inamorato for




6.CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
this stratagem. Accordingly, when, that very after- pered, and passionate; yet, at the same time, I
noon, I met her on the street, I treated her affec-  was not thoroughly initiated into the higher
tionately, and said I had mistaken the place where I branches of crime.  I was generous in my disI should have gone. In about a week I invited her  position, and although I had waded tolerably far in
to a dance, but she said she could not leave the iniquity, I do believe that if I had been kindly
house, unless secretly, after the family should have treated by my friends, and put out of the way of
retired to rest. I offered to come to the garden for vicious associates, I should have avoided the snares
her with a ladder, by the aid of which she might which have since encompassed me.
surmount the wall. She consented, and at the ap-  When I went to the inn I have before alluded to,
pointed time appeared dressed in all her finery. I was much fatigued, having walked a great disOn inquiring for the ladder, I said I had been tance in a warm summer day. I frankly told the
escape through the brewery warellouse, which some refreshment. He knew my father, and said
adjoined the garden. To this end I offered to climb that I should have as much as I desired to eat and
first to a window, and then draw her up after me drink. I sat some time in the bar-room; and in
$ with a rope. With much entreaty she suffered her- the evening found that all the company had retired
self to be persuaded, and I immediately put my excepting two men, who appeared before to wish
plan into execution. I entered, lowered the rope; themselves alone, and avoided all conversation
and tied it under her arms. When I had raised with the other people. They called for more liquor,
her half way from the ground, I made it fast, and and seeing me alone, invited me to partake. I
went off to the ball, where I danced all night with joined them, and we remained drinking and smoking, hanging, insensible, where I had left her. An before; but one of them very soon discovered that
inquiry was set on foot for the perpetrator of this he had known or heard of me.
brutality, and I, finding the business was likely to   We retired into another room, as soon as I had
be serious, left the city, though I had not a shilling joined them, and were alone during the night. I
in my pocket, and returned to my father's house. said that I had no money. They replied, "that
My parents received me, after an absence of two was no matter, I was their guest."  One of these
years, with great joy. I answered all inquiries by men, and the least talkative of the two, was a darksaying I had come home merely to make a short visaged, ill-looking fellow. I have never seen him
visit, and meant to return to Dublin. I was in- since that night, but have often heard of his deeds,
by the hope of inheriting a part of the property of elegant, fine proportioned man, betweenrthirty and
a sick and infirm uncle. However, my uncle died forty years of age, about six feet and an inch in f
and left all of his substance' to my brethren. I was height, with an uncommon appearance of muscle
so enraged at this, that I refused to attend the and strength. He had black eyes, witlh a wonderfuneral, and left'my father's house to pass the time ful expression; and his face rather strongly marked
in -my old places of resort, where I stayed till my than handsome.'He was dressed like a clergycredit was exhausted. MIy father endeavored to man, and during the evening talked as if he was a
induce me to return, but his entreaties were repaid Priest of the Church of England.
by insult.  My brother succeeded better —by   The name of this man was John Doherty. In
promising to pay all my tavern bills, he carried me the course of this conversation, I thought there was
back.  I was kindly received, and made many something rather mysterious  in his manner, alpromises of amendment, which I kept three weeks. though he appeared to me quite undisguised. But
I then visited a company of profligate persons, the he asked me many questions about my family,
relation of whose desperate violations of the laws myself, and'my manner of life which I thought it
to excel, them in dexterity and villany. Before was not so much surprised that aclergyman should
long my friends were convinced that if I coulr, I zit'p all night, and drink and carouse with any
would not become an honest man  My father was of the people, for this was no uncommon-thing with
now so well convinced of my depravity, that he the protestant clergy. They were in the habit of
dared not keep his money at home; but I indem-'spending their evenings in this manner in my pa:rt 
nified myself, for the want of opportunity to pur- of the country; and "the bigger part on  em
loin cash, by stealing the live stock off the farm, would drink like fishes." I knew also that it was
which I sold at low rates. In a short time my common for' these clergymen to seek out all places
condition was little better than that of an outlaw, where the Ribbon-men were accustomed to meet,
for no honest man of the neighborhood would have and. they were generally considered as the spies of
any communication with me. I began, too, to be government.
intemperate, but as yet I had not committed any   Doherty was very earnest in all his inquiries,
very enormous crimp. Perhaps a judicious course and was continually plying me with liquor. He.on the part of my family might have reclaimed asked me then if my name was not Martin - if I
me even then; but their treatment was as ill- was the young man just returned from Dublin, and
advised as might be. Sometimes I met with ex-  who had been obliged to run away from there.
cessive kindness, and sometimes extreme severity. " You are a wild fellow," said he, are you not?"
I found myself so uncomfortable that I resolved to I answered " Yes." " You-are very fond of spendleave my home, as soon as any feasible opportunity ing money 2 "' Y.es, when I can get it."  "You
should present itself. At this time I was about- don't much care how you come by it?"  " No, if
twenty years of age.                         it doesn't cost me much trouble."  He said it was
The important part of my history is now com- a shame that such a smart young fellow as I was
mencing. I was at this time little better than an should be at any time destitute of money. He at
outcast from my own family and from the honest length wormed himself into my confidence, and I
part of the community. I was vindictive, ill-tern- told him all the history of my past life.  After




CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                                  7
pumping me for some time, and finding out what that he will never give you a shilling."  He
sort of a disposition I had, and after we had got seemed to understand all my feelings, and- my
pretty warm with liquor, he threw off his disguise situation.  He then found me completely in his
f a clergyman, but did not then tell me who he was. -power, and revealed to me his real character and
He talked about robberies and religion, alternately; profession. He said he was a highwayman, and
and I was confused throughout the evening, not that he was CAPTAIN THuNDEaBOLT. I was astonbeing able to find out what was the real character ished and alarmed at this information; I had for
f the man. I questioned him as to his being a many years heard of the daring exploits of that 
United Irishman, and gave him all the secret signs man, and his name had for a long time been a
of that fraternity. In the first place, I asked him  terror to that part of the country. He had been
in Irish how many buttons he had on his coat?r often advertised, and but a few  ays before, I had 
This was the first great watch-word, and the most seen an advertisement offering a reward of five
understand the language, or the meaning of the dread at being left alone with a man of whom I had
question, when I put it to him in English. I then heard so many outrageous crimes, and was anxious
gave him the other sign, which was simplyputting to get out of the room. He took out two large 
the two fore-fingers of the left hand to the hat. pistols and laid them on the table, after, cocking
certain that he was not one of us.             me, I cannot part from so clever a fellow as you
$  Early in the morning, it was proposed that we are."  I then sat down again, and he urged me to
should separate. The third person went off on drink more. He then recounted many of his feats,
foot, after having conversed privately, and taken some of which were so amusing, and apparently
an affectionate farewell of Doherty. The latter so innocent, that I listened with. great delight to
called for his horse, paid the bill, and prepared to him. He touched my quality exactly. But above
ride off. He was mounted on a most splendid all, I was interested to find how he had accumublood horse; and his whole deportment and man- lated so much money, and with so little trouble.
ner commanded respect from those about the inn. He made a great display of his watches and jewels
He took me one side, and inquired which way I and money. He offered me his purse, saying that
should travel. I told him  directly towards my I was a lean pigeon, and that would help to oil my
) father's house. He said he was going the same nvings. I objected to receiving the whole of it, and
way, and should be glad of my company; if I took only six guineas.
was fatigued in walking I should take his horse.   I remained till near midnight, hearing him reSo we started off. I walked alongside of him, count his adventures, and he persuading me to
and he continually asking me questions about my embark with him. At about twelve o'clock, there
family, and the people in that part of the country. was a great tumult in the yard of the inn; he
When we had travelled a few miles, he proposed opened the shutters to see what was the matter:
stopping at an inn, for refreshment. I had rather he said it was a party of dragoons, probably in
declined. because I had no money; and also be- pursuit of him; told me to keep quiet, and meet
cause I was afraid he might be an Orangeman in him at a certain place which he designated, about
disguise; for I could not understand why he was three quarters of a mile off. He had scarcely
so much interested in my affairs. He insisted that made the arrangements, when I heard among the
we should go into the inn, and smash a bottle of confusion of voices in the lower room, (for we
brandy, before we separated. I said I wanted were in the second story,) the name of Captain
some sleep, for we had been up all night, and were Thunderbolt repeated by many of them. By this
but just recovering from the effects of the debauch. time, he had made his escape out of the Window.
"Pooh!" said he, "I can go eight days without   In a few minutes, a noise was made at the door
sleep; and if you want a few lessons, I can learn of the room, and a peremptory demand for admisyou in a very short time."  At length we went in, sion. I perceived the object of their pursuit, and
and he ordered a private room, with a large quan-  thought I might gain some time for my new friend
tity of brandy, porter, and pipes.             if I parleyed with them.' After keeping them for
In the course- of the day, he said he had under- some minutes on the outsidel and strenuously
stood that I was a great runner, and that I could denying that Captain Thunderbolt was in the
beat many horses. I acknowledged that I had room, they burst open the door, seized me, and
some skill in that way. He proposed that I should carried me down stairs, intending to detain me
try against him. This I considered easy enough, as an accomplice. I denied all knowledge of the
because he was so much more fleshy than myself. man, and fortunately, the landlord happened to
We had a number of races - I exerting myself with know me and my family; and through his exerall my minight, and he trying to draw me out, to tions I was liberated. After remaining some time,
see how much I could perform. He also put me and finding that they had missed their object, they
on his horse, to try my skill in riding, and leaping went away, and in a different direction from that
ditches and fences. We spent a great part of the which I was to take to meet Doherty. I moved
day in these experiments; and he expressed him- off immediately, and found him at the appointed
self much satisfied with my capacity. We went spot. I advised that he should go with me to my
into the house, and after dinner he ordered in as father's barn, which was but a few  miles off,
much liquor as would last us during the evening; where he might sleep in the hay-mow till morning.
desired that we should be alone, and fastened all He agreed to go, after extorting from me a solemn
the windows and doors.                         pledge of secrecy. I found no difficulty in getting
He began by asking me if I ever expected my into the barn and shewing him the way to bed. I
father would leave me any money. I said, " Yes, I gave  his horse a large quantity of etain and hay,
expect a child's share." -He replied, i You know  and told him that it would be best for him to be
better; you know that your father dislikes your off early in the morning, before the family were
conduct, that he knows you to be a bad man, and moving. I directed him to the ruins ofa monastery,




T 8                         CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
about a mile off, across the fields, where he would began the old topic of urging me to go with him;
be in no danger of interruption, and where I would recounted many other particulars of his life; and
meet him in the forenoon.                   said that I could never be taken while I kept with
This being arranged, I got into the house, through him, and followed 1is advice. He said it was his
a window, and went to bed. About 12 the next principle to make property equal in this world.
day I started to see him, and had much trouble in That he would get as much as he could from the
rocuring provisions from the house, to carry him. rich, but would never molest the poor —he would
I succeeded at last, in lifting something from the take money from those who had more than they
kitchen for him, and some grain from the stable knew how to use, but would never take life if he
for his horse. The night before, he had cautioned could avoid it. If there was any danger of detecme not to approach him, without giving a certain tion, or any strong opposition, he thought himself
whistle, which he instructed me in; for he was justified in taking life. These were the principles
armed, and might fire upon the first intruder. He which he laid down to me, and which I have genhad with him a fine pair of double-barrelled brass erally followed. He said, although he had been
pistols, a dirk, and in his portmanteau a blunder. the terror of Ireland and Scotland, and traversed
buss. When  I  arrived at the ruins, I saw his horse.Englad in pursuit of moneyt he had never taken
tied to a tree; and after reconnoitering, I saw him  away life; he had never maimed any one; and,
asleep in the ruins, upon some bushes which he with two or three exceptions only, had never
had gathered, and his blunderbuss alongside of drawn a drop of blood. He had been married five
him. I gave the signal, and he awoke instantly.  times- all his wives were then living; and from
We went out into the field, and sat down to eat some of them he had received considerable properthe food which I had brought him. He soon re- zy. But he had appeared under different characnewed the old subject, and urged me to become a ters and names - sometimes he was a priest, then
partner in his trade. He said that under his direc- a pedler, a quaker, and a soldier, a beggar, and a
tion I should get a good living, which I could do in huntsman. At this interview -I was induced to
no other manner. I replied, that I had no fear for i associate my fortunes with his; and it was agreed
myself; but, notwithstanding I had been treated so that we should commence the campaign on the folunkindly by my family, I did not wish to bring them  lowing morning.
into disgrace. He ridiculed all these notions - said   This eventful day was in the month of July,
that " his family were nothing to him; they had 1816. I was about twenty-one years of age - as
discarded him long ago; and -he was counted as smart as a steel-trap, and as strong as a bear.
the lost one." I held out for a long time, and Captain Thunderbolt gave me a long morning serpositively refused to go with him. He then pro- mon upon what I had to do and how I must act.
posed that we should have some liquor, and re- He initiated me into the order, by first throwing a
quested me to get some. I was rather afraid to go glass of brandy in my face, and calling me Captain
to the next tavern, as I had no smaller money than Lightfoot.  He then presented me a double-bar.
a guinea; the landlord knew my chalacter, and rel brass pistol —after having drawn the charge,
would either accuse me of having come by so and loaded it again with slugs. He told me to put
very plenty in those parts, or else he would take" observed his instructions, I should never be taken
the balance of it for some money which I owed i or die. I obeyed most willingly, for my whole soul
him. So I went back to my father's, and procured  was with this man, and I thought he would stand a
a small boy, who went to the inn and bought a pretty good tug with old Satan himself. I was not
quart of brandy, and returned the change. W'e sorry at leaving my father's house, where I was
drank this in the abbey. We spent three or four never welcomed with affection -but I never once
hours in this place; and as I was determined not thought that the treatment I had there received 
to join him, I advised him to go away, for I thought was the consequence of my own dissipation and I
they had watched me from my father's house.- I vice.
took a solemn oath that I would never divulge'We stalecd early in the morning — Doher.y on
what he had said to me, although I had then made an elegant bay horse, and I on foot. We took an
up my mind that I -would not become his partner. 3`opposite direction from my father's, and halted g
He said he should return again to see me, in a about five miles off, at an ordinary ale-house, for
week or a month, or perhaps never. It depended breakfast. He informed me that there was to be a g
upon the closeness of the pursuit, when he should great hunt a few miles off, and there he expected
meet me again. He gave me the signal, and we me to make my first dip. After breakfast he put
appointed the place of meeting. He would inform  me on his horse, which he said was -named Beefme by letter when he should come back, and so steaks, and he walked by my side for three or four
we parted. I thefn went home, and lounged about miles, when I gave up the horse to him. There
among my old acquaintances, and my family took was to be a grand assembling of all the nobility,
no notice of me.                           $ gentry, and officers in the neighborhood, at this
In about a week, I received a letter from Doher- 5 hunt, and Doherty had found out the place of meetty, informing me that he would be at the appointed ing. As we approached the spot, we met a numplace in three days; at which time I went, and ber of the country people and servants, with horses,
found him on the spot. At my first approach, I on the road-D. said they were not worth stop.
was much surprised, and doubted whether he was ping, for " we must shoot hi-her than that." His
the same man. But as soon as he had given the object was, to get me a goo[ horse, and another
signal, I knew him. His person was much changed dress, from some of the gentry, who he knew never
-he had put on quaker's clothes, with long gray went armed to these meetings. When he thought
hair, and his face painted quite pale —he had also it was time for the game to come along, he gave
another horse, and looked very simple, and appar- me my instructions; we shook hands, and swore
ently indisposed. I remained all night with him. to stand by each otner till death. When anything
in an old cabin that was unoccupied. He soon worth examining approached us, he was to sepal
God~L ZCUC~CAA_.~Mv~C\Nklt                    ~              AttT9 t(U~PC~ ~I~V




CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
ate from me, and stand by on the road-side, and,  was namned Down-the-banks by the captain, he pourwith nis quaker dress, pretend to be frightened, if ing some brandy into his ears
there should beany slight skirmish; but if it looked   The next morning we went towards Cashel,
serious, he was to step in.                  which was about thirty miles distant. We travAt length we met four men on elegant horses, elled very moderately, and stopped at a number of
having the appearance of great men; some dogs public houses; but we fell in with no game on the
with them. but no servants, atd riding very leis- -road.  This part of the country was too far out of
urely. "Now," says he to me, 4 I shall try your the way of the shining gentlemen, for we met with
pluck -- you must go up boldly to the outside one, none but petty farmers and old hens, who carried
present your pistol, and demand his money."  I no change about with them. Instead or taKing
rather doubted, thinking it rather too bold to en- from  these people, the captain frequently discounter four men. He said -" You must not be mounted at a cabin where he saw the appearance
afraid if there was an hundred - none of them are:of poverty and distress, and gave something to tnt
armed, and half of them are cowards —I know  inhabitants.
them all."  Immediately he took position in the  Betore we reached Cashel, Doherty changed his
ditch, by the side of the road. I went up resolute- clothes, for he always carried tfdree or four difierly, and presented toe pistol to one of them, who ent suits about with him. He nlow put on alr ordiproved to be Lord Powerscourt, and said, " Deliver mnary dress, and acted as my servant, for I hnad u,
me your moUey."  Three of them halted, but the a splendid gentleman's hunting dress; and unless
further one put, spurs to his horse, and was off like  I spoke much, as he told me, I might pass for as
lightning. Lord P. seemed rather frightened, and j good a gentleman as any of them - "For," said
-said he had but little money about him. I told he, "Lightfoot, only put on fine clothes, have a
him I had heard that he carried it under his sad-  plenty of money in your pocket, swagger a good
die, and that he must dismount and let me ex- deal, but say nothing, and you may pass through 
amine. He hesitated until I seized the reins, and -the world as a great man."  We went into the
drewr the horse round from the others - still keep- town of Cashel, I following his directions. He
ing my pistol near his body.  He then dismounted, told me to look big, and he would keep a watch
and I as quickly leaped into the saddle. I then whether anyt one was.n. pursuit. We went to a
ordered the other two to dismount, which they did private house, ordered the horses to be taken care 
instantly. I then presented the pistol to another, of, and went to bed early. We were off the Iietx, 
and demanded his purse, which he quickly gave morning at sunrise. After we had rode aboua $
up. All of them were somewhat intimidated, and twenty miles, we overtook a funeral of some poor
were watching the quaker, who was trembling in  peasant, and the people about lte corpse looked so
thele ditch, as itthey suspected him to be an accom- poor, that Doherty threw them some money, and:!
plice. One of them seemed to be a little more im- did the same. He proposed to dismount and assit;! 
pudent than the rest, and I went boldly to him, them, but he had scarcely spoken, wlen, looking
and toldhim to hand over his watch - he did so. I  back, he discovered a party of horsemen, their uni
then said to Lord P.,  I should like to exchange form shining through the bushes. "Now, Drorher,' 
coats and hats with you " —he handed his first, said he, "we must run the gauntlet, ior the red
and I retreated towards the quaker until I had coats are after us." It was a party of about twenty
taken off my own, still keeping the pistol pointed dragoons, that had tracked us all the wav, notwith
towards them. I handed them to him, but did not standing the change of clothes. He immediately
wait to put on his garments then. He asked me if leaped a ditch. and set forward over fields and
I was Captain Thunderbolt- I said, "No; I am  bushes. I followed him. The soldiers almost cut
his brother, Captain Lightfoot."  I then bid them  us off, and fired at us several times. They were
good imorning, and we rode off acioss the fields, got so near that one shot struck Thunderbolt's saddie.
into the woods, where we divided the spoii, and I However, as they bad but common dragoon horses,
rigged myself out in the huntsman's dress. The and ours were good hlunters, we soon distanced
quaker praised my bravery, and said " I had takena them.
the nirst brush like a true game chicken."  We'  We travelled very rapidly towards the city of f
then: moved off across the country, avoiding all Galway, and did not stop till night,  &ec then
public roads. He knew the whole country, and I halted at a small village, called Clonloghan  We I
trusted to his direction. Our horses were both went to a tavern; I ordered supper, and said my 
hunters, and we found no. difficulty in leaping servant would attend me, and eat after I had done. 
lences and ditches. We went with all possible We fastened the door, and sat drinking till late at
speed towards Dungatvan, a seaport- town inthe nightpecting that we should be pursued. Earl 
county of Cork, whidh was ubwards of forty miles  in the morning I ordered the horses and paid the
from -the place of our dtepariure. We halted in a bill. I wan informed that my norse was labce, and t
wood about a mile'from the town, early in the that he could not stand. I told the people to take
evening. We had found a place where we could be good care of him, and I would send my servanit
secure for the night; and Doherty sent me-into the -afte him in a few weeks, and would pay all extown to epocurt some refreshments.. He said it was $ peses. I said I should use my servant's horse 
Inecessay that the horse which I had taken should  that lie wauld walk part of the time, and i the resi 
be christened in due form, and therefore i.must till we reached home. The landlord said lee could
get some, liquor for thus purpose. I went into the procure me a good horse in the neighborhood. I
town, dressed as a huntsman — rode up to one of $ doubted whether any one would hire me a horse, as
the principal inns, and. without dismounting, called  I was a stranger, and had never been in that place
for a quart of brandy and some cold meat and before. He asked me where I was from. I a.nbread. All this was readily furnished, and I paid swered, from Galway —that we had been c it hurttthem well tor it — put spurs to my horse, and ing for some days, and that I had missed the rest
pushed off to join the captain. We went through of the company. He said there would be no d'ii- $
the regular ceremony of christening my horse - he culty in procuring me a horse, which I might keep
DA0X_/L8.s       w_                       -A   +~.~ Ei'...V ^-.




10                            CONFESSION OF MICHAEL NARTIN.
till mine was well. He then went off and brought told him my suspicions, and we started down stairs.
a handsome-looking horse, which I mounted, and As we were going out of the door, the landlord
* we rode off in an opposite direction from Galway.  attempted to stop the captain, and said, "You must
This horse was not equal to Thunderbolt's, and we  pay me the scot."  "I'll give you my note for it,"
were obliged to go slower than we could have said the captain, and immediately knocked him
wished, on that account. We went that day to a Fdown. We went off over the fields as fast as our
- village called Kilmallock, about thirty miles dis- legs would carry us. The soldiers pursued, and
tant. We stopped at a tavern, and called fobr a fired upon us; one ball struck the captain in the e
chamber to ourselves. I wished to have another calf of the leg, and impededhis running for some
only one in the place, and ordered a'suit to be made reach of the pursuers, and travelled over the counimmediately. He called all the boys and girls in try about ten miles; when he was so exhausted 
the neighborhood, and went to work. In about two that it was impossible for him to go any further.
days he had completed them, and I paid him well We concealed ourselves in a wood; he fell down f
for the clothes. During this time we kept quite on the ground, and, as I thought, was a dying man.
snug in the house, for we had heard of the adver- LHe had sense enough, after a few minutes' rest, to
tisement about us, and some of the pursuers actu- tell me that there was a small bottle in his pocket,
ally passed through the village while we were which he directed me to give him. He smelt of it,
there.                                         swalldwed a few drops from  it, and rubbed his
$  At daybreak the next morning we decamped. head with it. He was soon revived, and directed
i Thunderbolt thought it was best to avoid the part me to take out the ball from his leg with my penof the country where we had been before, and knife.  "Cut as near the lead," said he, "as you
therefore proposed that we should go towards Cork. can; I can afford to lose a little blood."  It was
$ There was a probability of picking up some game the first time that I had ever officiated as a surin that quarter. About two o'clock, that day, we geon; but I saw he was so resolute upon the subdrew up to an inn, where he discovered a number ject, that I cut it out without any fear. He bound 
of soldiers and constables. He immediately gave up the wound himself, and said we must remain in
me the signal, and' we wheeled off. They corn- that wood for somne time. I cut down a quantity of I
manded us to stop, and set out after us. Some of bushes to make a bed for the captain, and we
e them mounted their horses, which were standing remained in tiiis situation for about twenty-four I
at the door, and foUowed on. They fired at us hours, without meat or drink. The medicine that
three or four timeg  but we got out of- their reach he carried with him saved his life, for he had bled i
in a few minutes.  We travelled that day without profusely. The next night I left him to go in purrefreshment, and as, fast as our horses would carry suit of food. After some hours' search, Iwent as
us. That night we remained in an obscure cabin, a beggar to a gentleman's house; they were all
and the next day reached Cork. I was never at gone to bed, and when I awoke the servants, they
Cork before, and was ignorant of the people and refused to give me anything at that time of night.
-the city. Capt. Thunderbolt had been often there, I waited a little while, and then made a plunnge at
and thought we should be more secure in the out- his fowl house, and brought away a brace of turi skirts than in the city itself. So we rode through kies. With some difficulty I found my way back
the town, and took up our quarters at a small inn, tojmy companion. I made a fire by means of our
i about two miles out of the city, and put up our fire-arms, and roasted one of the turkies; I ate
horses at a large livery stable in the city. We very ravenously; but he abstained, although he said
staid at this place three days, drinking and carous- he was quite hungry.  "If he was at the most
ing, without venturing to show, ourselves in the splendid banquet in the world," he said, " he would
I city. My horse died the first night, from being neither eat nor drink. This abstinence was the
rode too hard. When we were about going off, shortest way of curing his wound."
Capt. Thunderbolt sent a boy to the stable with a   The next day I started again in pursuit of some
half guinea, to pay for the keeping of his horse;  provisions for myself, but the moment I was entering
he was afraid to go for him  himself. The boy a farm-house, I was hailed by a man who looked
returned, saying that the man would not give up like a bum-bailiff. I did not answer, but took to
the horse to any one but the person who came with my heels. He pursued, and raised an alarm; but
him. He then suspected that it was a trick to I outran all the people that he had summoned, and
entrap him, and proposed that we should clear out taking a round-about direction, arrived at the place
as fast as possible, which we did on foot, taking the where the captain lay, after an absence of five or
direction to Donerale, which was more than thirty  six hours.  Early the next morning we moved
miles distant. We arrived there that evening, and from the wood. He thought he should be able to
put up at a small inn. We went into a room by walk with my assistance; and if we only got one
ourselves, and ordered something to eat and drink. mile further, it would be the safer for us. We
Wespesnt that night there, one of us watching  travelled slowly all that day. He was acquainted
while the other slept. We had seen in the bar- with the country, and knew preciselywhat route to
room, an advertisement, offering a large reward take. He leaned upon my shoulder, and hobbled
sfor our apprehension, and describing us minutely. along all the day. When it was near night, we
i No one could be mistaken in Capt. Thunderbolt; had got near to a small village. He laid down in
and the landlord looked suspicious on our first the bushes, and directed me to go to an apotl*cary s
entrance; so we kept ourselves private. The neat shop for a certain medicine, which he knew would
brenoon, while he was asleep, I was sitting at the be serviceable, for he seemed to have studied physic,
}window in the back part of the house, and saw a as well as everything else but religion, and that. I
nurumber of people, perhaps about twenty, approach am sorry to say, he did not know much of, althc igb i
the house, ano.ng whom I could discern some sol-  *The individal who recently died at Brattleboro' had a
s, wit hu side-arms in thewir hands. I immedi- scar upon the calf of his leg, which had every appearance of 
ately plTlled Capt. Thunderbolt by the whiskers, having been caulsed by a bullet.




CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                              11
when occasion required, he could talk a great deal was, and other respectable people. We tried many
about it. I went to the shop, procured the plaster plans to liberate some of the convicts, bam  were'and other medicines, according to his directions, always defeated.  The judge had some strong
and got from a small shop something to eat and suspicions about Doherty, and cautioned the landdrink. We staid in this place the rest of the day, lord to be on his guard against both of us. We
and at night moved:again. After two or three found out this by the assistance of a girl in the
hours' walk, we came to a plantation where the house, and were determined to be revenged upon
grounds were-laid out in a- handsome style. The him. We remained here as snug as we could for
captain knew the place, and we went to a fox three days, until the assizes were over.
cover, where he was satisfied we might rest secure   The judge travelled in a coach and four, and
uatil his wound would allow him to travel faster. his servants were well armed.  We ascertained
The first time -I ventured rut in pursuit of pro- that he was to start early in the morning; and at
visions,.I met a number of men on horseback, who night we broke into the stable, and took out the
looked rather suspicious. I evaded them and re- linch-pins from the after wheels, and so disguised
turned to our retreat, where we remained nearly the place that the coachman could not suspect that
three days, without any refreshment but water. there was anything out of the way. In the: mornOn the third night I ventured out again, and after ing we moved on about two miles further, and
examining very cautiously, I came up to a small remained in a small grog-shop, waiting for the
farm-house, and asked for some food. They gave judge's coach. We had been there more than an
me some cold meat and some beer. The woman hour, when we saw the four horses coming by
of the house was preparing supper. I told her I most. furiously, with only the forward wheels of'was a poor traveller, and had no money to pay her the carriage. We immediately started bacl, and
for the food, of which I had already devoured a met all the servants in pursuit of the horses. We
large quantity.  She was making a quantity of went on to the place where the accident had
stir-about, (or, as it is here called, hasty-pudding.) happened, and found the carriage broken to pieces,
After she had poured it out into a large dish, she and all the neighbors gathered round it. We tried
went out of the room for some other purpose. I to lift something, but there were too many specta —
catched up the dish, and weht off with it to my  tors. No accident had happened to any one but
friend, who was by this time nearly exhausted.  the coachman, who had broken his leg; and we
This lasted us, with economy, two days. After contrived to slip a guinea a piece into his hand, and
which, T tried the like experiment at another farm- pushed off, sorry for his misfortune, but regretting
house, where I paid them for a quantity of the that we could get nothing from the judge.
same food. We were afraid to kindle any fire in   We then considered it best to take the sea coast
the woods; ant besides, the captain knew  it was towards Dublin, and to reach that city as soon as
best, for him to abstain from all animal food or possible. We travelled without any interruption
ardent spirits. We continued more than a fort- or suspicion for three days, and paid at the taverns
night in this place, during which time, I really felt for everything we called for.  Early the next
much sorrow for the course of life I had com- morning we met with a gemtleman and his servant,
menced. I used to cry frequently, and wish my- each on horseback, who we afterwards understood
self at home as an honest man.  Whenever I by the advertisement, was Sir William [the name
had these feelings of repentance, he would ridicule not remembered.] Captain Thunderbolt went up
me, and say,L Your hand is in now, and you may to him, and taking off his hat in the most respectas well play the game out; if you go back, you will fuat- manner, said, "4 I have a letter for you, your
be laughed at and disgraced; besides, you would honor."  He was then riding slowly, and reined in
not now leave me alone in this situation "  I was his horse. As soon as they had stopped, the captain
often determined to separate from him, and run put his hand in his pocket, came close to him, and
the risk of detection; but the idea of leaving him  drawing out one of his large pistols, said,'"I want
in his trouble, and the arguments which he used, your money and your watch."  He hesitated, and
determined me at last to stay. In an evil hour I asked some questions, when the captain seized the
renewed the former: oathl, that I would never part reins with his left hand, and said, "Quick, or you
from him if I could avoid it.                 are a dead man!"  During this dialogue, 1 had
At the end of a forthight, he was able to walk taken the opposite side, and presented my pistol
very Wtell, and we went off eight or ten miles to the servant, which kept him from interfering.
through the bogs, where we took up our abode in a Sir William handed over an elegant gold watch,
shanlty, for about a week.  On the road we fell and his purse, containing upwards of thirty pounds
in with a number of bog-trotters, who gave us in specie and bank notes. The servant, with great
provisions, and we paid them liberally for them; for, trepidation, took out his watch, which was an old
although we had many opportunities,'yet I believe silver one, and some small change, and offered
that both of us were too good-natured to steal a them to me. Itold him they were not worth taking,
farthing's'worth'from these poor creatures. We and if they were, I should not deprive a poor fellow
passed throaugh the country, soliciting charity from  like him of them. "No," said the captain, "we
the peasantry, till we came' to Clonm'ell, having are not in the habit of troubling any but gentlerested for one day only at Lismore.          men."  He told the gentleman that he was in need
At Clonmell there was a court in session. Thlere of small change to settle a few private accounts;
were about fifteen criminals on trial; some of them  that they need not be afraid of their lives, for
were United Irishmen, that I -had heard of before. although he had presented a pistol, he knew he
One of them gave me the sign, and I immediately could get what he wanted without drawing blood.
suggested to the captain that we might rescue one "'Iowever," said he, "we shall only put you to
or more ofthem. The greater part were sentenced the trouble of walking a few miles; so both of you
to be transported to Botany Bay, and two of them  will be good enough to dismount; we want those
to be executed. We took up our quarters at the fine horses of yours, and we shall'return them to
most celebrated inn at Clonmell, where the judge you when we have done with them."  They made




12                         CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
no attempts at resistance, but quietly dismounted, $elegant horses. Dohe, ty rode up, drew d pistol,
and we as quietly took their places, and bidding $ and said, " Gentlemen, we wish to exchange horses
them a pleasant walk, pushed off with all speed.   with you, so the soorer you dismounrt, the better
We travelled very rapidly in the night-time, and for your carcasses."  After they had dismounted,
laid by during the day, keeping the seaboard I demanded their watches and money. The captowards Dublin. We fell in with nothing that was tain said, "No, brother, we have got enough for
worth taking, and heard nothing of pursuers or the present," and rode off. He was so prudent,
advertisements. On the fifth day, near  -—, that he was afraid to wait long enough to take anyabout fifty miles from Dublin, having been so long thing, for fear that the other sportsmen would come
disappointed of game, we came up to a splendid up.
mansion-house, belonging, as the captain said, to a   We were now well mounted, and thought we
3Mr. Wilbrook. "Here," said he, "it is possible could get out of the way of anything. We had
we may nip something, for if we don't have some money enough, and if we could avoid pursuit, we
business soon, our hands will get rusty."  After expected to live well for a few weeks at least. We
telling me to follow him, and be as bold as he was, endeavored to avoid public roads, and made our
he led the way up the avenue at full speed, rode way across the country towards Waterford. The
up to the door, and asked if Sir John Barker lived second night, we put up at a small tavern in a
there. This was a fictitious name, and the servant village called Corquaan; ordered supper, and that
replied, "No, this is Mr. Wilbrook's place."  " Oh, our horses should be well taken care of. While
that is the gentleman I wished to see; is he at we were at supper, (as I found out afterwards,)
ho-ne? "  " No, sir, he has just gone out on a hunt." there came an advertisement of the last robbery,
" Are any of his family at home?"  " Nobody but describing us exactly. I knew nothing a bout this;
his two sisters and the servants."            and just as we were preparing to go to bed, I went
He then alighted, and, in great style, ordered the into the kitchen to have a little chat with the girls;
servant to take care of our horses. I followed him  leaving the captain alone in the front room. One
into the house.  He walked into the hall and of the girls told me that the landlordwas suspicious
ordered the servant to call the ladies. He ad- of us as being the great robbers, and that he had
dressed them in a most polite manner; said that he sent out for the constables and soldiers. Doherty
lived not far off, that he had been robbed the night was almost asleep, and thought that all this time I
before, and from the best evidence he could obtain, was upon the look-out. The girl had scarcely given
that a servant of Mr. Wilbrook had been con- me this information, when I heard a noise in the
cerned in it. He desired that he might just see entry; and going out to see what was the matter, I
them; and the ladies immediately ordered the saw a party of dragoons, headed by the landlord,
whole family to be assembled in the hall. They with an axe in his hand. I saw that my assistance
came in singly, he examining each of them, and would be of' no use to my friend, and thought it
saying, "That is not the one," till he had got them  best to provide for my own safety; so I leaped
all collected, when he opened the door of a small through a window, which happened to be closed.
room, and told them to walk in there.  At the This was the only means of escape. I had; and I
same moment, he drew two pistols, gave me the met with no other injury than cutting my face and
signal, I drew mine, and told them all to sit down hands a little with the glass. I. got into the garden,
in that room, that the first one that stirred should was pursued round the barn, and just as I was,be shot. I guarded the door, and he asked the mounting a high fence, two of the soldiers fired;
ladies to walk into the opposite room. He told I fell, although not at all injured, and laid still, on
them his trade, that he wished to do nothing to the other side of the fence. They considered they
them but what was gentlemanly, and would not had killed me, and came up with a lantern:. kept
take from them a farthing of property; but he had perfectly still, and they kicked  me about and
understood that there was valuable treasure in that examined me, at last went away, saying, "We
house, and they must shell out. He laid his pistols have killed one of them, let him wait there till
on the table, asked for a glass of brandy. They morning."  As soon as they liad gone back, "I
gave it to him in great fright, and he used every cleared oft like a rigger."  I believe that I must
means to prevent them  fiom  being alarmed. have run more than an hour, before I stopped a
After some time, they went up stairs and brought moment. I took an opposite track, and got into
down a gold watch, a pocket-book containing bank the main road, where I lay concealed for some
notes, and a purse with a quantity of specie in it. time in the bushes.  I had almost fallen asleep,
Doherty said that this was not all the treasure, - he when I heard a great noise of footsteps and conmust have more. They went again, and returned versation; I remained quiet, and presently a
with watches and jewels of their own. He said great crowd approached, some on horseback, and
that he would rather be burnt to death than take some on foot, with lanterns and fire-arms. In the
anything from a woman. He told me to lock the centre of the gang, I could discover Doherty apdoor. We took each of us a part of the spoil, parently tied to the horse, and a numeA  of
kissed the ladies, and bid them good-by. After soldiers on each side of him. He had a white
we had mounted our horses, I threw down the key sash round his hat, by which he could be more
of the room where the servants were confined; and easily known at night.
we took our. course across the country, avoiding the   After the procession had passed, I got up and
public roadcs. The amount we lifted at this house followed on, about three miles, to the magistrate's
was about one hundred and sixty guineas.      house. On the way I went into a small cabin
We then rode off towa-ds the hunting ground, which was deserted- the occupant having joined
and stopped at a tavern, where many of the hunts- in the tumult. There I disguised myself as well as I
men passed by. We saw three men coming down could, by blacking my face and altering my clothes.
the road, but before we could mount they were out I then made my way among the crowd, and witof our reach. We jogged along slowly over the nessed the examination at the magistrate's. The
fields till we crossed two gentlemen, mounted on captain's arms were tied behind him, and his feet




CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                              13
tied together.  After a short examination, the determined not to leave the spot unless I brought
]lstice was satisfied that he was. the notorious $one away. I succeeded in climbing up to a winThunderbolt; and as there was no jail in the neigh- dow, by means of a long pole which was lying in
borhood, he ordered him to be confined and guarded the yard, broke through the wmdow, and got up
- in his house, till the next morning. I went off into the hay-mow. While groping about In the
with the rest of the crowd, after having found out dark, I fell down through a rack among the horses,
what was the strength of the guards.         and broke the third finger upon my left hand, which
I concealed myself in the rear of the stable until I have never since had the use of. It was so dark
midnights and then, by the assistance of my that I foundmyself in danger of being trnd upon by
pistol, struck a light, and set fire to the stable. I the horses; nevertheless, I went round among them
then cried fire as stoutly as I could bawl. The and felt of them all. I at last pitched upon one
whole family were alarmed by the conflagration of that seemed the most restless, and by feeling of the
the hay, and most of the people who were guarding hoofs I found it was a young one, and had never
the captain came out to assist in extinguishing been shod.  After feeling round for a bridle or
the flames. I watched the opportunity, and found halter for a little while, I thought I heard a noise
out in what room he was confined. I went in, and of some person, as if snoring in their sleep. I kept
there were only three soldiers left to guard him. still for some time, and after all was quiet I put my
I found them sitting quietly alongside of him, pocket handkerchief round the neck of the horse,
their muskets placed in the corner of the room. and coming to a door which was fastened inside, I
I drew both my pistols, and swore that I would kill moved off with him. I soon rejoined Thunderbolt,
the first man that started. They seemed terrified, who said I ought not to use that horse, he was too
and offered no resistance. I took out my knife wild for me to manage. I insisted upon trying him
and cut the cords with which the captain was -took the saddle and bridle from his horse, and
bound, and gave him one of my pistols. When he mounted him. The horse set off like lightning,
was getting up one of the soldiers got up and and I had no power over him. He took the direcgrasped a musket; but before he had time to cock tion towards the house, and as we approached the
it and present, I fired my pistol and shot him in wicker gate I saw lights and people in the yard,
the leg. I did not intend to kill him, but as I was making a great bustle. The horse was about enso near him, I knew that I might wound himin tering the gate, when I put my right foot between
the leg, which would answer my purpose. He fell; his shoulder and body, which stopped him at once.
the rest were still more alarmed, and we pushed off He fell, and I brushed off, leaving the saddle and
on foot, leaving them to mend their legs and put bridle. The people pursued me instantly, and I
out their fires in the best manner they could. To took an opposite course from the place where I had
be sure we missed our horses, but we had no doubt left the captain.  I awas obliged to jump into a
that we should be mounted again before the next pond to avoid pursuit. There was so much mud
night.                                       that I could not swim; however, I waded through
We travelled the greater part of that night to- it, and in less than an hour joined my friend. When
wards Ballyhagen, in the easterly part of the county I carne up to him my voice was so much altered,
of Meath.  Towards morning, we rested in a by fatigue and fright, that he did not know the
nursery, or grove, of a gentleman farmer. About signal, and was upoq, the point of firing at me. I
nine o'clock we saw an elegant horse walking kept still some minutes, when I recovered my voice
slowly down the road, at some distance from us. and he knew me. He ewas obliged to leave his
As we approached we saw that it was a groom, horse behind, because I had lost the saddle and
who was training the horse. The captain went up bridle, and he left him tied to a tree. We set off on
i to him, and ordered him to stop, which he did. He foot. After we had gone rather slowly for an hour
told the groom that he wanted that horse, and he more we heard the sound of a water-fall. We went
must give him up'directly. The servant refused, to it; he told me to take off my clothes and we
saying that it was his master's favorite horse, and would wash the mud out of them. I stood naked
he should be punished if he lost him. Without any there for some time, till we had washed them and
more ceremony, the captain took hold of his- foot  wrung out all the water that we could. He said that
and pushed him over the other side.  He then I must put them on, that the heat of my body would
mounted the horse and told me to get up behind $dry thein. This was not very comfortable, but still
him. In this manner we rode for more than two I endured it through that night. In the morning
days, stopping only for slight refreshment, and fol- we went into an ordinary farm-house, got somelowing the sea-shore, to keep out of the way of thing to eat, went to bed, and moved of' as soon as
public roads. During this time we fell in with we awoke, which was about noon. By this time
nothing worth taking. We slept in the ruins of an my clothes were dry, and I could travel as fast as f
old building on the third night, and avoided all the captain. He was acquainted with all that part
public houses, for whenever we ventured to stop, of the country, and we staid that night at an old
we saw ourselves advertised.  The next night, comrade's of his, who lived in a very retired place,
being within about thirty miles of Dublin, the cap- not far from the Dublin road. Here we were well
tain told me he would put me in the way of mount- received, and thought it best to remain quiet for a
ing a good horse, for we were already fatigued day or two. But after the first day we thought the
with riding double. He pointed out the residence fellow acted' rather strangely. He talked about the
of a rich sportsman, named O'Brien, and said if I large rewards that were offered for us, and the
wrould venture into his stable I might find a good captain began to smell a rat, although this fellow
horse. I tried to enter a wicket gate, at the back had been under grant obligations to him. So he
part of the garden, but found it was fastened; I gave him some money to go out and buy some
tried the master-key, but it would not succeed. At whiskey, and as soon as he was out of sight we
length I burst it open, by running against it, and cleared out, taking the Dublin road.
went silently to the stable, which I found also   The next morning, as we were walking very
locked. I heard the noise of the horses, and was leisurely by the side of the road, we met two gentlel - f~~~                          I~    C ~ ~  I~~~M ~I




14                          coNEISSIoN OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
mwae ina dashing gig. We put in ourwatch-chains Iat this, until we saw- the minister and the excise
and pulled our hats over our faces. When they  officer approach te house. We.then went on, by
came. p Thunderbolt touched his hat and made a another road, about two miles,;expecting they
low bow. Theystopped. "Will your honor please -would return that ~vway immediately. I went' off
to giv me the time of day?" said he. The gen- about dark too a'farm-house', and got some protlevaan  who was d-iving then pulled out his watch. visions; but- not so far off that I was out of the
The captain immediately presented his pistol, and reach of his signal. We remnained in a; lime-kiln,
demanded their watches and-mloney. At the same- near by the road, all night. In the morning, about
timue I stood at the horvse's head, With my pistol, eight o'clock, we saw the old fellow approaching
and.threatened to shoot. the' horse if they dared to with the eXciseman, both montetAon good lookitg
move. They were both Englishmen, and one of horses. As soon as they came aupwith us we septhuemRwas an ofllcer in the army. I. think. I heard -arated taking opposite sides of the trod.d  I went
afterwards that his- name was Colonel Brierton;  p to the minister,dand said "I have a letter fbr
the othe oae looked like a nobleman.                   at the sametime offering a piece of blank
Thie oficer asked if we were really in want of paper, folded up. They halted, and the captainh 
onmqey. The. aptain replied  "-Yes, we are very i presented a pistol to him, anddemianded his money,
por, and you Englishmen have made us so.; you t thent matde the same request to the other maina.ad better e qttUik.".  One of them said,  We will- The parsonsaid he had no money about him  that
$i.v:au aUy we-have.  The other began to ask he was a poorman, "You lie!" said the captain,
some.questions, ar'd kept looking behind him.' He " ard you not ashamed of yourself'? it  did't kpow
askd if we meant to tale everything from them. that you pious protestant gey would lie so,;  I
Thunderbolt said, "Give me your watches first, know you have monby albout yoU, and that you
an -then I will be after- calling for'your purses to came by it improperli; so please to restore ite to
pay.the tatxes upon them."  The officer handed his its lawful owner."  The parson was very obstiwatch slowly, aid I observed that he was feeling nate, and prepared to make resistance..ie called
with bWislight.hiand for something behind -him. I upon the other to0 assist him; and he was -upon:ate t[ey: might be armed, and instantly ad-. the point of movmg, when I put my pistol close to
vanced:-towatrds them, and threw'my pistol at the his body and said I would kill him if he stirred a
ofer, wich btrack  hinij the head  he was sense-  limb. This kept him- quiet; bu the parson: was
lissor some time. The other- fell Ao  in the gig more  refractory, and somewat i t solent in his
a    g b  ged for his life. We both sprang inlto the language.  Doberty  fndig that I  e was -about
gwws qie.-'"                                                     ised them out. One of ten was quiet getting away, fire  his -pistol, which was loaded
_noBlan -4lterty- g ave the- other a blow onbis. with small shot and salt, and wounded him i the
ahd'wit-:~h::ththie,>st, Wthich settled him. We then thigh. He did not inteiio do'aything -more than. $Stpp  ltenrlofotheir money and their goldwatches. disable him for a few days. He fell from his hi0se,
Th/e noeaey ~aimountedl to about fifty guineas. They and the captain took from him the ame guineas that
hia p:-r-s "bovut them, of no; value to us, which he had given the poor-man the day before, together,* wolkdl nn take-; their money was our great with a few pieces of silver and.:is gold watch,
ob.c.t.                                       whicht he said, was enough for the -interest upoa
We- dr.e'-off.with' eat speed, but had not- got the sini-he had loaned. 7  ihoirses were not worth
fa.r whe  Doherty stopped the horse suddenly.' I -taking; so we made' the best ofur way toawtirds 
-sed  hat..was -the matter. He said he — hoped Dublin on foot, always avoiding large 1taiern ns Id
neithes:of those men were killed., We looked back the most.pblie roads. -We- went to the house.ofa
nd siaw one of themn' moving and trying to raise widow, where'we asked' for lodging; *:oberty pme, -
up, the other.'We waited till we saw that both tended to be very sick, and we staid at-this house
were able tQ stand, and' then drove of as fast as about a week;: it was retired, and  e. kJept out:of
thse'hrsewoud.raun. -We went about five miles; the way ofall p eron.s..and4 lthough it was early in the day, we: were:.  While We were at t}is house,.:we bheard.au
Safrid:to be: overtaken on. so public.a. road; so wAe':conversation About a rich widqw, who lived. ni the
fastened the horse to the'hedge, and started iito o neighborhood, by the naime of 1acbrisr. Shne was
the fieils.  We went to the house of another aC e.  presented to be a very weak and ignorant woman,
qtuaiatance of Doherty, and remained there for tor -yet lived  in great sqtye. She -had.ben a po I
nights, without any suspic'io.               country. girl,~ buiXt.ha4d ~i grird a rich old bathelorWhen  were about going away the next morn        - who lately did: -'ievi ag: re a handsome.estate. i
ing, we oftfered to pay for our s.upperi, &c. He lhadb'el   me-o inthimt tith-i t-:the'dahtets -   f
woutd receive nothing, he.said, fronm his friends: th.: poor w.o.  4.at-whose ho. se: we were staying,
but, he said if- we had any spare money, t wouid and.had promised  mait ge to one Q- them;  so~ 
be  god-e.   d to ssist- a. poor neigh.bori of; his, tha' inothing was sa.k be it heom, about ouQu r i nten
whos. stock and furaitur" were about being tkiren  ion'towards the: rich wido. However, the ep- 
fo tithes. We. nt to this man's house, and saw.:tm ha plann  it., that- we.sh.Q go off iSmedi- 
him and h'i~ large family.in  great distress,eP-Xect- ately to Dublin -thait  should gel the most elgat'
ing every moment to be turned out of doors. The -clothes, and return in geat: style, to court thI e
capt"in, asked him how much was demanded.'by widow  I.  obetd, because i kntew nothing abot 
the  inister. He1tsaid.. thcre.wa upwards of ~oty talking to  ei  and perhaps, should nor-ig:    w
aounts due, and he had no -means, of payri entt mnyself.rojry.   Tosease," sal  he.; ~':cn
"o'Supse,;" said he,' I lead.o'the smon  -. will.tell.wy tords eaough. in two i4iaues, tha i t-    l
oly~ be' to pa i4 t ian.,T whnitas                ur  u              QVt,  toAy  wozna
again? T'.ep   man    ght he, ishbul t:b.e  in lad. YoU are a. goodaoiokng telot, tarid
The apttain gave him; the money;.nd  refiuse t:o  ha e:got.. penty'of:oney.  and  o.wfll b  $
take. any nbte -fron im; bbut i told.ib    m'iust be:reeived, f yonu:nIy look bold, ania.tr  large "
sgre to take a receipt  frn tleainiter, -r.who'er:'onsented  mti nake the experiient,  and: h) gave.
else,:-e padi;e:m, e   to. We waited some time me a few lessons haw I Shoald behave,  We left
_1 ^ --  -MbIb           J~~U CTCULLJUMNYClrrMY




CONFESSION  OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                             ] 5
the poor woman's, paid her generously, and start- vant why his mistress was walking with that rasid for Dublif. We went into the inns on the road, cal? He told him my real name, and that I was a
very boldly; but generally heard something about notorious highwayman, and an accomplice of the
Captain Thunderbolt, and saw advertisements, de- famous Thunderbolt. As soon as the lady returnscribing both of us. Soon after we left the house, ed the whole camp was in confusion.  She was
where we had been secreted so many days, we met very outrageous, and sent off some servants for
a servant on a miserable horse, and stopped him,  the peace officers. I found that I was getting into
with any intention of robbing him.  He said he   I arrived in Dublin the next morning, and found
was a servant of a major; and that he was carry- that the captain had been watched very closely, so
ing his uniform from the encampment to the next we moved off to the suburbs of the city; and revillage, to have it repaired. It is the very thing I mained some days in a small tavern, regretting
want, said the captain, provided it will fit me. He the failure of my love adventure. We remained
ordered the fellow to hand it out. - He hesitated a housed, for ten days, when we heard that there was
little h but upon the captain's showing the muzzle to be a grand wuedding, not far from  the poor
of a pistol, he threw off the portmanteau.  The woman's house, where we had remained so long.
captain tried on the coat - it fitted.  He handed The captain said we had been still for a great
the uniform, and gave the servant two guineas in ding - that I should dress up in woman's clothes,
exchange, and told hitrm to push off, in the oppositeh and he would attend me. He said he could fix me
direction. He was then completely rigged out as out, and give me all proper instructions.  We
an officer; and we passed through the country started for the woman's house where we knew the
without much interruption. At the village of -, daughters could procure me proper garments. We
about fiftden miles from Dublin, we stopped at an gave them money, and they purchased the clothes
inn, to dinner, and remained there some hours, for me.  We went to the wedding, and found a
drinking at- a very extravagant rate.  They took great number of people entering the house; we
him to be an officer; and shortly after dinner, he joined in the crowd, and got in without any moleswent out to the stable, and in a very grand mIanner tation -nobody thought of asking whether we
ordered the hostler to saddle the two best horses in had an invitation or not.  I, passed off very well
the stable.  We paid our bill in the house, and for a woman, had a veil over my face, and said
when we returned to the stable, we found the horses but little. After the supper was over, a collection
ready for us.  No questions- were asked, and we was made, according to the custom in that part of
rode of  without any ceremony.  We reached the country, for the priests.  The captain put in
Dublin that night, and put up at a large inn, in the as liberally as any of them. We started off when
outskirts of the city. The next day,,we went to a the company began to disperse, and found out that
tailor's shop, and I purchased an elegant suit of the four priests had come there in a carriage, with. clothes, for the purpose of visiting the widow. Theonly one servant. We went on about half a mile,
captain got a suit of -black, and when he returned, and waited in ambush until the priests' carriage
laid by the uniform. In a few days, I had received came up.  We started out into the road, and the
sufficient instruction; and from the inquiries we captain seized hold of one the horses' bridles.  I
had made in her neighborhood, about her connex-  presented a pistol to the driver, and commanded
ions in Dublin, we had prepared forged letters of him  to get down -he obeyed.   The captain
recommendation; and I set out upon the expedi- opened the door of the carriage, and presenting
tion.  The -captain was to stay at Dublin, till I his pistol, demanded all the money and jewels that
returned.                                    they had.  They asked us if we were robbers.
I went back in great style, with a servant that I He answered that we had the honor of following
bad hired for a month. - Went to the house, and that trade. They gave us all the money they had
was well received.  I remained in the neighbor- about them; and while they were feeling for it,
hood more than- a fortnight, and we concluded a one of the priests talked about the impropriety and
bargain of marriage. I described myself as being sin of such conduct.  The captain told him that
very rich, and owning large estates in the vicinity was no time for'a sermon, -he would come to his
of Dublin.  She was prevailed upon to go with chapel and hear him preach some other tkne. We
me to visit my family in Dublin. She set out in lifted about sixty guineas in this adventure, ad 
her carriage, with three servantse and when we went off to the house where we had prepared for
arrived in Dublin, everything was prepared by the the wedding. I had left my own clothes there, but
captain for our reception.  He bad hired an elew was careful to take the money and watch with me.
gant house, and got together a number'of people,- As we approached the house, we saw it surrounded
who were to pass for my relations,- he was to'act by a large number of people, some of whom ap
the- part- of my father.  She remained there but peared to be soldiers. We immediately suspected
one day, when she was anxious to visit her friends that the girls had betrayed us, probably out of
in the city.  I madean effort to prevent this, be- revenge to me, because I had not fulfilled my
cause the whole scheme would have been blown promise of marrying one of them. We went very
up, so I prevailed upon her to return to her own cautiously towards the house, but as it was a
house. We went off, having got the consent of my moonlight night, they discovered us, and made an
pretended father and mother to our union.  I re- outcry.  We ran off through some bushes, and
mained at her house for four days, when one even- they pursued us very closely - fired one or two
ing a pedler came there, offering his goods for sale. guns, but didn't graze us. I ran fastest, and he
I was walking with the lady, and I knew his face took to the river.  Although I could swim very
at once. He had seen me at Kilkenny, and knew  well, I had rather trust to my feet. I lost sight of
my character. I made the best of my way bsack, Doherty at the river, and pushed on till I found
with an intention of bribing him to secrecy; but that nobody was following me, then laid down in
before I had come up he had asked the head ser- the woods to rest. About midnight I walked near




16                          CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN;.
a mile when I saw i light in a hovel, and went in was glad enough to get off, and I bid him good
there was a poor family, all asleep in the same morning.
room.  I said I had lost my way, having been   I got into the city without interruption, and
thrown out of a chaise in coming home from a went to a tavern in Little James Street, where I
party. They made no objection to my remaining staid during the day.  I beard much talk about
there; and in the morning cooked me a good break- the captain; and found out that he had been in
fast, and I pushed off. On the road I saw some the city lately, and had borrowed a purse from a
people at work in the fields; their jackets and hats nobleman, at the theatre, three nights before. I
were on the ground, not far from the road. I was went about the citythat night, to see if I could
anxious to get rid of my female dress, so I watched pick up anything, but avoided all that part of it
an opportunity to walk off with some of their where I was known. I saw an auction shop open,
clothes.  Fortunately, I had kept my pantaloons and went in out of curiosity. I saw a fine pair of
on, when I played the lady, so that a jacket and brass pistols hanging up —waited till they were
hat was all the additional dress I needed. I made for sale, and bid them off' I then went to a small
a selection of the best I could find, and this was shop in Thomas Street, bought a sufficient quan.
bad enough: however) they were of so much value tity of powder and ball, and went round to different
to the owner, that the men, seeing me remove them, inns, to findl out something about Thunderbolt.
set up a shout, and followed me. I had dropped a At one place, I heard them reading an advertisehalf guinea where I had taken the coat and hat, ment about him; and one or two observed that he
which was really good pay enough for the clothes. had been traced almost to Kilkenny. I listened
They did not overtake me.  I pulled my clothes very attentively to the conversation; stood in the
up above my knees, and was out of their sight in back-ground, drinking my liquor. Presently I saw
a short time. They gave up the chase, and I went some of them whispering, and their attention diinto the bushes; there changed my clothes, and rected towards me. However, I tried not to show
put my female dress into a bundle. I kept con- any embarrassment -paid for my liquor, and
cealed for more than two days, without anything walked out of the bar-room very deliberately.  As
to eat or drink, but water from a small brook.  soon as I had got into the entry, I heard expresAt last I came out of the wood and inquired of sions, saying, "That's his comrade;" "That's the
some poor peasants the road to Dublin. They gave other," &c.  I thought I should be followed, so I
me the direction, and I went on till I reached a ran up stairs with all speed, got out on top of the
small farm-house, where I went in to procure some house, and there loaded both of my pistols, which
refreshment. There was no one in the house hut I had concealed in my bosom.  I remained there
a young woman and a little child. She gave me more than an hour, ready to meet any one that
something to eat and some whiskey, which I paid should come. At length, I supposed that if they
her well for. I then showed her the bundle of had pursued, they had not examined the house,
clothes; she was very much pleased with them, and I ventured to descend.  I saw a light in the
and said she would buy them if she had money upper rooms, and was somewhat alarmed, till I
enough. I asked her if there were any men's saw that it was only a small girl, with a light in
clothes in the. house that would fit me. She said her hand.  She took nle to oe one of the family,
that one of her brothers had a suit nearly new, and I took the candlestick from he.r, saying I wantwhich would just do for me. She brought them —  ed it to go to bed.  She went down stairs without
I made the exchange -kissed her, and went ofl' suspicion.  I then pulled off my coat, and tied it
towards Dublin by the circular road. This was in up in a handkerchief. I saw a box in one of the
the summer of 1818.                          chambers, containing a quantity of meal or flour.
I changed my clothes, and gave away the old I put some of it on my hat, my clothes, and my
ones to a poor fellow that I met in a by-road. For head - then went down stairs, with a broom-stick
four days I remained quiet in a small taveria not in my hand for a cane. When I reached the lower
more than five miles from Dublin, and the next entry, I saw a number of people there. I pretendmorning went towards the city.  In a short time ed to walk very lame, and passed out of the door
I saw a gig coming towards me, with an old gen- boldly and without any suspicion on their part.
tleman and a boy in it. This was the first carriage I got into a retired street, and there put on my
I had met that morning.  I recollected his face, coat, and walked off towards Kilkenny. Towards.
and knew him to be a doctor that I had frequently morning I rested a few hours at an inn; and when
seen in Dublin.  I took up a large stone, catched I called for breakfast, was surprised to hear them
hold of the reins, and stopped the horse with my tell me, that they were not in the habit of enterleft hand.  I told him I should kill him with that loining highwaymen.  I suspected that they had
stone, if he did not quickly deliver up all the mon- traced me there, and as soon as I got out of the
ey that he had.  He was alarmed, and the little house, I walked very fast, and had not proceeded
boy cried.  He threw down his pocket-book on many yards, when, on looking back, I saw four or
the ground. I took the reins out of his hand, and five men running after me.  I then took to the
told him to sit still, that he should not be harmed, fields, and went off upon the full drive, for about
it was only his money that I was after. I opened two hours, till I was out of danger  I slept in the
the pocket-book, which contained a number of Roods that night; and in the morning was crosspapers; took out all the money I could find, ing the grounds of a rich landlord, when I met a
which was about nine pounds in bank notes.  I servant, who told me that his master did not suffer
then asked for the watch - he handed out an old any person to go over his grounds; he said he
silver one.  I told him it was not worth taking, was a surly old fellow, and if he met me he would
and handed it back to him, with his reins.  He shoot me. I did not much care for this; but had
asked me my name.  I told him it was David not proceeded more than a mile, when I was inBrimstone, and that I should burn him up if he terrupted by the man, who ordered me to go back
did n't whip up and brush off directly -" If you again. I said that I had business that way and
look back I shall throw this stone at you."  Iie must not be stopped. He lifted up his cane, and




CONFESSION OF  XICHAEL MARTIN.                             17
wasabout striking me; I very quietly gave him a handed me out his pocket-book and purse:; I told
sinker, and went on, leaving him on the grotund.   him his watch would be no trouble.to me, and he
In two days I arrived at Castle Dermot, which handed that, likewise. There was about seventy
was about twenty miles from Kgilkenny. - I knew  pounds in the purse and pocket-book. Theservant
all that part of the country, and many people about was much frightened; and the captain came up to
there, so that I had no difficulty in keeping myself us, to see how I got on. The gentleman asked
secreted. In a few days I heard of Thunderbolt, him if he was not Captain Thunderbolt. " Yes,"
and was told that there had been a hot chase after said he, "I am  the very boy."  He asked me
him, and that he had robbed Sir William Morris, in a very polite manner, for his watch-that the
who was my father's landlord. I then went in money, he-should think, was enough for our purpursuit of him,itowards Kilkenny, but keeping out pose. I told him it was- rather too pretty for him,
of the way of my relations in that part of the and that my wife was in- need of such a one. I
county. I met a great many people who knew me, went towards the servant, and told him to get out
and called me by name, but I denied that I had of that saddle directly; I took possession of his
ever been there before. I had painted my face, horse, and he stood trembling by the road-side,
and put a patch over one eye, and changed the color begging for his life. I threw him some small
of my hair, at Castle Dermot; yet my voice and change, and said, that I never injured such fellows
walk betrayed me to many who had known my as him, and only requested that he should keep
tricks before. There wag, however, no attempt still. The captain very politely asked the gentlemade to arrest me, for, although they had thought man if he would be kind enough to dismount; you
me- a wild fellow, they would not believe that I are better able, said he, to ride in a stage-coach
was an accomplice of Captain Thunderbolt. At than we are. He obeyed, and we rode off.
almost every place I stopped, I met with some of   When we had got out: of reach of pursuit, we
the Association, so that I was sure of protection. buried our spare money and watches; -each one
In a day or two, I heard some people talking about keeping to himself, where he had'deposited his
the captain; I said I was a constable, and offered particular property. I have omitted to mention,
a large reward to anyi person who would tell me that we had done this two or three times before.
where he was. An oldl man, who sat quiet in a Some of this money we have taken; but a great
and gave me the old sign. He said he wanted no   Our object now was, to get to the north of Irereward, but believed he could show me that night, land; and if there' was nothing to be obtained
to the place where the captain was concealed. At there, we might gross over to Scotland, where we
night, during a violent storm, we went out, and should be out of the way of danger. We pushed
walked about three miles, to a small hut. He' on as hard as our horses would carry us, (and they 
went to the door, and after knocking some time, a were very excellent ones,) across the country,
man came armed with a blunderbuss. My con- avoiding Dublin. After about four days''travel,
ductor said something to him in a low voice, which we reached Lisburne, in the county of Antrim;
I did not hear, and began to be suspicious. At we made no attempt at robbery on'the road, belength I gave him the signal of the Ribbon-men, cause we had no time to spend in small matters.
and asked him in Irish, if Thunderbolt was there At Lisburne, we stayed but one day, as the landthat a friend of his wished to see him. Doherty lord suspected us, and intimated that we were
came to a window with his pistols in his hand, and rather of the doubtful order. To be revenged of
demanded who was there. I knew the voice, and him, we returned at night, and as our horses were 
gave him our watch-word immediately. I went rather worn down, we took the liberty of exehangin, and we all stayed there that night, carousing ing them for a fresh pair, in his stable.
and &inkingtill morning. We had been separated   The next morning, we borrowed a small purse
about five weeks, and he was very glad to see me. from an old fellow, who was riding alone, in a
He had been more successful than I had; for he miserable gig. The captain asked him the road
had borrowed upwards of six hundred pounds, in to Belfast.  He told him  to "find out by his
gold and paper, besides five gold watches.   knowledge."  This provoked me, and I immeIn the morning, we thought it best to clear-out. diately went up on the other side, and demanded
He said that he was well kn9wn in all that part of his money. The captain called me off, and said
the country, and that we ha/d better make our way that I should get myself into a scrape, by lifting
to the north of Ireland, and walk of with the first anything from  such a poor devil as that. So we
good horses we could find. If there was no game moved off, and he whipped up his horse, threatenin.the north, he said he should push off directly to ing that he would have a file of soldiers after us
Scotland, where he might find something; or, at any directly. I then put the spurs to my horse, and
rate, be out of danger. Our first object was to get followed on abort half a mile, before I overtook
well mounted, for we were both well armed..For him; I pulled out a pistol, and told him to. give 
two days we travelled,without success, and without up everythir.g he had. He protested for some
danger. We avoided the great road to Dublin, time, and 1,egged for his life. I then dismounted;
and meant to take the most private way to Bangor having'.aken out a knife, I cut his reins, and
or Belfast. On the third day, we saw a gentleman fastenced my horse to his gig. I was determined
on an elegant horse, and perceived no one near to strip the old fellow, on account of his insolence.
him. I walked up to him, with my pistol cocked, I jumped into his gig, took him by the throat, and
and told him to stop instantly. "For what pur- commanded him to shell out. He said that he had
pose t" said he. " I want to rob you; so you may only a small bag of gold, that he was carrying to
as well shell out." At that moment, a servant Lisburne, for another man. Upon examination, I
came driving up to us, and blustered pretty largely. found a considerable quantity of money, amountThe captain stopped him before he approached, $ing to one hundred and fifty pounds; with which I
and said, it If you advance another inch, you are a  made my way to the place where the captain was
dead man."  He halted at once. The master then waiting for me.
3




18                            CONFESSION oF MICHAEL MARTIN.
That night we got to Belfast, and wen vu a large could distinguish him, unless he was -on foot, a.d
inn. After we lad taken our soupr r, we went then he was afraid _that. his large figure would
round the town. n pursuit of gamn.  Fell in with betray him. One evening, at Queen's Ferry, there
nothing of con equence.  IJr  ne morring, the came in some persons who looked like spies. One
captain said wv  had bett" go over to Scotland, of them  asked another, if he had heard that
and try our  ick the —    We chartered a small Doherty had returned  to  Scotland —and they
vessel, theca tain A'd which agreed to land us at watched him very close. I pretended not to know
e any port on:e::iyde, that we should wish.  Ve him, and joined in the conversation - asked them
put our ho:s. on board, and embarked imme  if the person they were talking about, was the
diately. T' ere was a violent storm, and it was famous Captain Thunderbolt. I told them he bad
two days  cfore we crossed the North Channel. been hanged inIreland lately, for murder.  I made
We land Li at a small town called Presswick, and up so find a story about it, that they really believed
paid th man handsomely for our passage. We it; and the captain went out of the room, while
g staid rere quietly for some days, and then. the we were conversing; I followed in a few minutes,
capt a proposed we should try our luck again. and found him in the stable, with the horses ready.
f We vent towards Glasgow, and met nothing on We mounted, and made off as fast as possible.
the oad. He thought it best not to trouble any- He was inclined to go to Edinburgh, as he had at
b, for the present. At Glasgow, we passed our- first proposed, but although he had not been in
ves for Irish gentlemen, and offered to sell that part of Scotland for four years, yet he found
states in the county of Waterford. The captain that he was suspected. We took a circuitous rout
e-xhibited a number of deeds, and was very near to O!asgow. We first went to Linton, then to a
concluding several bargains.  Two persons, at small place called Crawford, near which, the capleast, he sent over to examine the lands, and gave tain was born. HeI went to the house of his sister,
them letters of introduction to —,  people in l who was a widow, where we remained secure for
the moon.  We swaggered a great deal, spent some days.  This sister knew  very well the
considerable money, and remained in Glasgow  captain's mode of life; but as he always supplied
$ about three weeks. One morning the captain saw  her liberally witi money she never said anything
a gentleman preparing to go out in a gig; he knew  about it. Our next journey was towards Glasgow.
I him, and said he was going to his country seat, The horses were refreshed, and we went very leisand no doubt had a considerable sum of money urely, examining almost everything that we met
about him.. We followed him some miles before on the road; but found nothing worth taking. We
there was an opportunity to stop him. The cap- remained but two days in Glasgow, and picked up
tain then rode up, and said he wanted to borrow a but a little change. It was growing too hot for
few shillings of him.  t Begone, you rascal," said the captain, and we started off towards the wouth
he.'Stand still, you rascal," said the captain,' or of the river Clyde.  We rme  with a party of
T will blow your head from your body," drawing a dragoons, who asked some questions, to which we e
"ge pistol at the same time.  The man was made 3no answer, and they suspected we were either
mawl -med, and asked how much would satisfy him. deserters or robbers. As we were moving off, they
"A  you naoe got," said I, coming up on the other ordered us to stand  but we had finishedall our
side. He gave up his purse. which contained only business with them, and bid them good morning.
about nine pounds, and %we could not stop to We set off at full speed, and they pursued us very
examin him particularly.                       closely for about five miles. We undertook to
As we were going away, he asked the captain if swim our horses over a small river, where the
his name  ts not John Doherty. He said it had current run very strong.  I got safely to the
been, but th   I had given him a new name, which opposite bank but Doherty's horse was about
was Captain  hunderbolt.  le was an old school- sinkinkg, for he was so heavy that the horse Could
mate of the cak'in's, Agn  advised him to abstain not swsin with him. Finding that the current was
from such a vic  is course of life. He said that carrying him fast down the river, he threw himself
he had heard of his  icks, but if he would let him  off the horse, and swam ashore. I followed down 
retain his watch, he w ald pledge his honor that he by the side of the river, and as soon as he came
would never expose L m. We suffered him  to ashore, he mounted behind me, and we set off
retain his watch, and pu. Ed off.               again.  We travelled  all that day and night,
We then steered tows is the Highlands, and stopping only once for slight refreshment.  The
were prowling about that part of the country for  horse was at length beat out, and we tied him to a
more than three weeks, an. met with nothing ofE tree by the side of the road, knowing that we could
any consequence. We fount that advertisements go faster on foot.  We made towards the river
had' reached this part of the ountry; and as we Dee, where lie hoped to find some better trade
were watched so close, it was  usihlered best to go' going on. At a small village, we bought a quan.
back again towards Glasgow   We patroled all tlty of medicines, and an old suit of clothes each
that part of the country, and di not meet with any he was to pass for a travelling physician, and 1 as
person who carried more than  guinea about him. his apprentice. In this disguise we travelled about
The captain was acquainted wt i all that part of the country, for seven or eight weeks; the catain
the country, and was often caL'1 by name in the had so much skill in medicine and surgery, that
public houses. He was Qbliged   assume different we picked up a good deal of money. He had a
disguises; and as I was not kan. vn, and could lie number of quack medicines, and having a good
tolerably well, we escaped dete ion, although we gift of the gab, he could pass them off very well
had run many narrow chances.' among the natives. He told them frequently, that
We then came to Queen's Fi rry, not far from' he "was a capital hand at bleeding, and that I was
Edinburgh, and did not atterr  to take anything just getting my education in the same art."
on the road. The captain wa disguised, becausel  This disguise keDt us out of
I he was well known in thes  parts. He had ai cion; and as it was a'.,llllln nt   traine,  
ivisor on, and long gray b r, so that very few  was sorry that wO,, not follow it through life.
S-~clh~V I~Y~ CM~~PIP~ro~P~/\~MNI~A~I\NY~rr              -V)VSM~rr~CU~CMA




CONFESSION OF MIIICHAEL MARTi.                             1-9
I said one day,to the captain, that I had rather go; near her. He laughed about thE trick I-ad played
on in this way, and would never take to the high- her, and said that she had been very near dying,
way again. He laughed at me, and said, " To be in consequence of hanging up to dry there all
sure we can get a living in this business; but night. We stayed at this house for four days, and
money is not worth much to us if we can't spend paid him well, not to let any one know that we
it. I want to lay up enough, so that I can get into were there. In the day-time we kept quiet; but at
some other country, and spend it like a gentleman. night we would go round the city, in search of
Besides, I like the fun of frightening the loons, and game. We found some good pickin.gs in this line,
taking from them what is of no use to them."  He and shared about one hundred and forty pounds
became tired of his profession of a physician, and each; the greater part of which, we buried in a
said it was time we had got into better business. grove, out of the city. On the-fifth day, as I was
So we started again for Glasgow. We arrived walking alone, by the Bank of Ireland, I saw an
there without committing any robbery, and went to extra stage for Kilfkenny, standing near the bank,
a house of ill-fame, where we remained four or and two or three packages brought out and put
five days, drinking and. spending a great deal of into the stage, which I supposed were of some
money. The captain then proposed that we should value. I went back to Doherty immediately, and
Scotland, for they were old fowls, and never overtake the stage, and we should probably, make
carried much treasure about with them.  The a grand haul. He objected, saying that it was too
evening that he proposed this, we met a gentleman hazardous an experiment; particularly in the dayin the streets of Glasgow, who looked. as if he time; that there were, no doubt, many passengers,
might have something to spare.  It was bright as also many travellers on the road. He refused
moonlight, and we saw his watch-chain glittering. so obstinately, and my mind was so much set
$ We followed him till he had got into a retired upon it, that I determined to set out alone. I wentstreet, and then demanded his money, both of us boi' on foot, and came up with the stage about four $
taking him by the throat. He was so frightened  miles from the city. There were not many people
that he could not stand. We very soon lightened passing on the road, but the stage was full of
him of his watch and purse; and seeing some passengers. I watched the dpportnnity, and as the
people approaching, made off. In the morning, back of the stage was closed, f had no difficulty in
there was a great alarm in the city, and advertise. cutting the straps which bound on the trunks bements that a man had been knocked down in such hind. There was a leather covering over them,
a street, by two men, nearly murdered, and robbed which I also cut, and pulled out one trunk, dropped
of a very large amount. We kept still all that it in the road; kept hold of the stage, and a little
day; and.at midnight went to the quays, in pur. further on pulled out another, and so on, until I
suit of a vessel that was bound to Ireland. After had got off four of them. I then went back and
a long search, we found one. There was a smack collected all of them; carried them into a field,
lying at one of the quays, with two men on board, and with my master-key, opened all of them. I
asleep. We awoke them, presented a pistol, and was much disappointed in the receipts of this adtold them they imust set sail for Bangor. They venture.; for out of these' four trunks, I only
said the owner of the vessel was not there, and gathered about nine pounds, in gold, silver, and
they were afraid to go without him. The captain paper. They were principally filled with ladies'
said that was no matter, and told me to go up, and and gentlemen's clothes and. papers. I selected a
cast off the fast. He ordered the men on deck, and genteel dress, and put it in a bundle. I then hung
to make sail directly.  They obeyed quietly. It out a red handkerchief on a tree, and distributed
was a bright night, and we had a good wind; the clothes and goods about. I wrote an advertisearrived safe at Bangor, and paid them well for ment, and posted it Pp on the tree, that those goods
their trouble.:Wre then made the best of our way were to be sold the next day at public auction. I
towards Dublin.  On the second night, we man. moved off over the fields, with my bundle on my
aged to get into the upper loft of a stable before it back, and passed for a pedler. I came to a large
was shut up; having previously made an examina- house, and a surly.looking man was standing at J
tion of the horses. When everything was quiet, the gate, who appeared to be the owner. I asked
we came down, and found two men asleep, with a him if he would give me some beer; le said I
lantern burning near them. We called to them in might go to the next ale-house and buy it. I then!
a low voice, and they awoke. We presented our asked him what auction that was, which was to be
pistols, and the captain told them if they said a in yonder field, to-morrow. He said he had not $
word they should die on the spot. One of them  heard of any. I told him what. I had seen, and he
was very much alarmed; and the captain told me did not believe me; at length I told him I would
to take care of him. I fastened him to one of the show him. HIe called one of his servants, and we
stalls, and tied up his mouth with his handkerchief. went along. lIe was, in a great passion when he
We made theother put on saddles and bridles to saw the fact, and swore a great deal about the
the two best horses in the stable, tied him in- the impudence of any person in advertising such an
same manner as the other, gave each of them a auction on his grounds, without his consent. He
guinea, and moved off.                       then, in great anger, began to throw the goods into
In three days we reached Dublin, taking the by- the street. I saw a number of people coming
roads, and robbing nobody  WVe went to the inn down the road, upon a full drive, and thought it
where I had been so much acquainted, when I best to get out of their reach. I left him at work,
lived in Dublin. The landlord was glad to see me, and made the best of my way to Dublin. Some
and had no suspicions that I was a bad fellow. I days after I had been there, I saw a servan' nf this
told him that I had been living at Kilkenny, ever man, who told me that a number of people had
since I left Dublin, and was in very good business. come back from the first tavern, where the stage
He told me that the lord mayor's girl was married, had stopped, in pursuit of the trunks. Seeing them
and lived near his. house; but I was afraid to go Slyiug in the road, and the owner of the grounds




T 20                        CONFESSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
busy. in examining the clothes, &c., they asked no other people were in sight. I concealed myself
~ him his name, and told him to deliver up the under the boughs of some laurel trees near the
money, and all the contents of the trunks. They pond, waiting for the servant to separate. The
quarrelled; and at last, the people took this man lord-lieutenant had a large gold-headed cane in his
into custody, tied him neck and heels, and carried hand; and in a few minutes he sat down on a
him off for examination, as the robber.  The bench, on the margin of the pond. The servant
magistrate, before whom he was taken, knew him, went round the other side, into some shrubbery;
and was satisfied that there must be some mistake. and I then came out of my hiding-place, went
He immediately discharged him, and he told them  boldly up to the master, presented my large doublethe whole story about my coming to him, which barrelled pistol, and demanded all the money he
caused them to set out in pursuit of me. I re- had about him. He looked at me for a few momained concealed in Dublin, for some days. ments, and then said, "Did you speak to me?"
When I came there, my first inquiry was for the i "Yes, please your honor."  "c What do you want,
captain. The landlord told me that he had gone, you impudent rascal? " said he; "get out of mv
out, and would soon be back. I went in pursuit presence, or I will have your skin taken off.'
of him, but he did not return that night.    " Please your honor," said I, " I must first skin your
I never saw John Doherty from this time. Since pockets; and if you offer to call for assistance, and
I have been in America, I received a letter from  do inot give over immediately, I shall take your
him, informing me, that he had found out my life."  He, seeing me so resolute, gave up his
departure from  Ireland for New York, the day purse, which was a pretty rich haul. He was then
after the vessel sailed; that he scoured the country about moving; I told him to wait a little while
for some weeks after, and being pressed very close, longer-that I had not half done with hin. I then
he had gathered up his treasures, and pushed off ordered him to hand out his watch, and the ring
to one of the West India islands, where he was upon his finger. He hesitated for some time, ana
comfortably settled; and, under a fictitious name, begged me not to take those from him, for they
transacting much business, in an honest manner. were worth more to him than their real value in
He directed to me in the name that I had agreed to money. I said they are so much the more valuable
take, in case of separation. It was sent to the care of to me. He offered to deposit any sum of money
5 the British consul, who advertised the letter, and I in any private place that I should name, if I would
sent for it. This man had a great many good let him retain them. I said, "You don't suppose
qualities; and although he was the cause of much that I should be fool enough to go after it, and be
trouble to me, yet I feel a strong affection for him; detected by your soldiers?"  At last, however, I
and trust that he will die a repentant and honest allowed him to keep the ring, and was upon the.
man.                                         point of leaving him;:'"As your honor," said I,
After searching in vain for the captain, I went "has been so obliging, will you just be kind:
to Donnybrook-Fair, in the neighborhood of the enough to give me a. pinch of snuff."  He imcity, and spent a great deal of money, in carousing mediately pulled out' his diamond snuff-box; and
and gambling. I entered into all the sports which as soon as he opened it, I snatched it out of his
are usual in that place of festivity and mirth. I hand, and put it in my pocket. I then told him
saw a jaunting-car and horse standing in the yard that I had milked him well enough, and that if he
of an inn; ordered the ostler to bring out my horse, talked loud about it, I should visit him again. He
which he did; I put two girls in it, and drove off told me he was sorry that such a likely young man
as boldly as if it was my own. We travelled as I appeared to be should be a robber; and'
round the country, for four days, until we had got advised me to do so no more. I answered, that- it
tired of each other's company. I put them into a was my trade, and that I only took what his conmstage for Dublin, and bid them good-by. I then trymen had robbed fromi the poor Irish. He asked
sold the horse and car, and walked back to Dublin; me my name; I said, " Captain Lightfoot, at your
robbing only one person on the road, of a small service."  "Ah," says he, "where is your comrade,
sum in paper, and a diamond breast-pin.      the notorious Thunderbolt?"  " He is gone out on
I went to visit an old friend and relation of business, but if you say much about this affair, I
mine, who was a gardener, in the service of the shall request hini to take supper with you this
lord-lieutenant. I saw a servant girl there, who evening."  He pressed me to. go into the house,
was very pretty, and I spent the. greater part of my and get some spirits, but I of course declined. I
time there for five days. I had then become quite saw some people at a distance, and retreated back.,
intimate with her, and wished to stay all night. wards, still holding my pistol towards him. I
She objected, saying that the lord-lieutenant would reached a part of the garden wall, which I thought
find it out —that he had a machine, by which he I could scale easily, and just as I mounted it, he
could see into any room in the house, by holding gave the alarm. All the servants bawled aloud,
it to the key-hole. I did not believe it; and as she and I had just time to get round the corner of the
was so much afraid of this machine, I was anxious first street.  I vrwalked slowly, and on looking
to see it, and get it away from him if possible. round, saw nobody in. pursuit. I then quickened my
She described it as an elegant gold snuff-box, the pace, and stopped not until I had reahed the cirtop of which was covered with diamonds. I found cular road. I swam the Liffey, at Chaped Izard.
out that he used to walk early in the morning, near The weather was quite cool, and as I was wet
a fish-pond at the extremity of his garden, and I through, I stopped at a small house, where I dried
immediately determined to put him under contribu- my clothes and got some refreshment. I remained
tion. The next twQmornings were rainy, and he till night, when I started for Kilkenny on foot, kept
did not go out; but bn the third morning, through out of the,a; pblic road, and reached- Kilkenny in
the! assistance of my friend, the gardener, I had four days. I went to a cousin's house, and reaccess to the garden, and took my post early in the mained until I found that there was a large reward
morning. About nine o'clock, I sawhis excellency offered for my detection, describing my person
approaching, with one servant walking after him; exactly. They probably foundd out my real name




0ON&ESBION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                           21
froa the gardener, who was'my retion, for I saw  diers that came from the fort were one or two of my
him when I was scaling the wall. I staid but-two' countrymen. We conversed in' Irish, and they
nights at Kilkenny; and seeing an advertisement agreed to help some of us to get off. They came
of a vessel at Waterford -that was to sail: imme. in a boa/t one night, and we were prepared to go,
diately for New York, I started off to take passage but the guard discovered us.' The abot was along.
-in her. That night I bliried the extra watches and side, and — i advanced first to the gangway. The
all the money which I did not immediately want;' guard stopped me, and I knocked -him down  ithsewed up the rest in. the waistband of my panta. out ceremony. The soldiers were then afraid to
loaons, -and changed my dress to the most Shabby take us, and rowed'off; so that we were obliged to
and ragged one that I could find; I painted'my stay until we were suffered to come up to town.
face, put a bandage on onek-e", -and a pack of old At'Salem I saw a number of gentlemen who wished
-clothes on m  back. I walked in this mannersfo  to, hire"Servants, -or laborers. I pretended to beone day, and at night-went into a stable aftd bor- foolish, -spoke only-in Irish, and-looked as silly as
rowed-a horse, which-:carried me very comfortably I could. Some of them were engaed as laborers,
to: Waterfotr.                              and some of them - went off to New York. I reI immediately entered my name as a passenger mained in Salem, frolicking and carousing, until I
in the brig -Maria, Captain Coridin, which  waS hin:spent&all my money. I had -a companion,
bound direct for: New'York, and. w  -a appointed- to James Manny, -and when his money was all gone
sail the next day. I called myself then Michael we b-egan- to look about for work. It was many
<O';Hatnlan..        -  days before we could get any employment; the
On the 12th of April, 1819,  went on boardfhav. people did -not like our appearance. They asked
ing kept myself concealed till that -time.- The ves- me if I could reap, or sow, ordig. I said  "No, bt
seliald dropped down the harbor, and was all:ready,;  L was -a good farmer." Th/is was the first bul that -!E.waiting_ for me and fite others. As soon as we -mimde in- America. We at -last went to E. HI.
came ona board she got under way, with a fine stiff Derby, Esq., who agreed to take us on trial. We
bree.   and " then: I Wouldn't all the - King of went- to work making hay. James' was not fit for
EngandImyrbrother.' -There were about one hdn- anything, and staid -. only a week; got sick, and at
disd-and  twenty passengers, men, women, and lastwa  obliged to be sent to the' pootfhouse.. I
children, on board. We hadvery- rough weather, worked very willingly for -some time, and very in.
pariiularly, when approaching the coast of -Amer- dustriously.  I remained with Mr. Derby about
ica. Our provisions and water were nearly ex  fourteen months,- during which time X labored
hausted,. and we-were all put upon Short allowance harder than I ever did before in my life. I believe
The captain said he should put into the first port; Mr.' D. was generally satisfied with me; but I
and one morning said that -he should go into St. would sometimes get drunk and neglect my work.
John's, (New rBrunswick,) r Halifax; I did not' Whenever I received any money, I woud go to 
like this plan; for I did not wish to-go into any of Salem, and have a great blow out, and then would
the British dominions.:So I excited some- ten or be very inattentive and quarrelsome.: After having
twelve.f the crew, who were anxious to'"go to the given m e'many warninmgs, Mr. D.: was compelled
United States to assist me, and we would force the to dismiss me. During my stay there IFwas treated
captain to go there. The mate was an American with much kindness and attention- by Mr. Derby'
sad a clever feUow  and although he did not wish and his- family, and might: have remained there,
to intefete, we plainly found that he would assist hone'stly and quietly,.if it had not been for my disus. He told -us, from day-to day, the latitude and positiorr to intemperance and riot. Inevere:stole
longitude, and said that -we.might easily get to anything while I was there, nor wronged Mr. Derby
some-port in the United States.. We had made a of a sixpence. When I left him I wrandered about
domplete mutiny, and'a committee went to the cap- until I -had.squandered away all my "money; and
tain desiring him to steer for the first port in the not being- able to get- employment, I-tried to get
United States. - He swore he wout1 not; that he back to Ireland, but had -no means of paying.for
would-put into St. John's-or Halifax.: We remon- my passage.
strated, and insisted that-he had agreed to catryus   During my residence in Salem, I came to Boston
to New York,.and that -we might reTach'there, or only once. This was on Snnday, and I went to the
some:orthern   port, without. much-difficulty. He Catholic chuch, which was the only time I went
went dovr: in the cabin'with'his son, and'they into a' church while I was in America:   I had
came on deck, both armed:- " He.ordered us. below  habitutdly neglected this duty in my own country;
and-.we then threatened to take command of the and although born a Roman Catholic, I had never 
v Bessel.`He -coked his pistol; -Inimmediatelysprun r  been a member of that communion. not having
at him, seized him by the throat-, and took his pis- been confirmed.
tl —f imo- him. IHis son was comi atme, and I   When I went to Mr. Derby's I pretended:to be
Iknocked him down.'iSone-of the crew came up to -ver~ ignorant, and that I cild neithe read' nor
rescaue the captain, and'therewas  a' gnetal en.  One day when le as w* king in the field,
gageleat for-a few minutes. I- said, unless.he h e he brought me a letter foin Ireland, directed to his
would agree bto.make the first port in the United care.. I opened it, and inmmediately burst out with
States, we would put-the mate in command of the.in-exelamation of true sorrow, saying that my
brig, and. confine him below.- He'at -last con- father was dead. -'I hadil written to my father in
seated;-and we.arrived in Salem on the 17th of IRteland, soon after:I had engaged myself with Mr.
June, 1819.                                 D., stating-my situation, my'repentance for the
[Many of the passengers were sick, and someof erimes which- forced ~me to leave -reland, and my
them had-didd on the pasage,. In conseqitence-of determinationitoa.L  an honest life.  This letter
this' theessel was deiained at quarantine. I was was from one of-my brothers, and Mr. D. was asperfectly wel, and-was canxiots- to come on shore, tonishedl-tha- I shoUld understand it, as he. ad
as were most othe other-passengers,    Th eyplseed always supposed that I could not write or read.
4 guard on board-to prevent this. Among the sol' He asked me to account or this,- and why I should




22                           CONFESSION OF  UTCHAEL HART.l
have known so quickly after opening the letter that hand in, I lifted about seventy dollars in. Vermont,
my father was dead. I made some excuse for it, from a Connecticut pedler. He tried to resist me,
which satisfied him at the time- I forget what it and I knocked him from his cart. I took it for
was —perhaps it was the black seal. However, granted that he had been cheating some innocent
he read the letter, and was convinced of the fact.  people out of this money, and that it would be
After leaving Mr. Derby's I roved about in dis- -much better inmy keeping than in his. With this
sipation and idleness for some weeks, when I found exception, I did not attempt to rob any one, or to
that it was necessary to attempt some means to get stop at any place longer than was necessary, until
a decent living. I might then have taken to my I reached Quebec., This was in the beginning of
Qold trade of robbery; but I had made up my mind June last.
to be as honest as I could. I engaged myself to a   I went to a respectable tavern in Quebec, called
brewer in Salem, and worked tolerably well for a myself Joseph Hendley, and as I was well dressed,
few weeks, laving no other vices to reproach my- I suppose I passed for a gentleman. The chaise
self with during this time, than intemperance and which I brought with me I sold for twenty pounds,
gambling. When I left the brewery, through the Canada currency; a few days after, sold the horse
advice of some of my countrymen, I went to Potts- at auction for sixty-three dollars. - I then bought a
mouth, (N. H. ) and loitered about there some weeks suit of- quaker's clothes, of the first quality, and a
without any business. While there, an Irishman large broad-brimmed hat. The first day I came to
at Salem wrote me that a letter had come from  Quebec I purchased a sword-cane. I had brought
home for me, in the charge of a Capt. Wilson, with me two pistols, one of which I had got in
which probably contained a sum of money. I went Portsmouth, and the other was the old friend I had
to Salem and obtained the letter. It was from my used in Ireland. I had a plenty of money, kIie*.
eldest brother, who was the executorof my father's nobody in Canada, and cared for noboly.  I Ie- $
estate, and he enclosed me a bill of exchange for mained about ten days in Quebec, durihg which
about four hundred dollars, which sum my father time I had made all proper inquiries ttbout the
had bequeathed to me. I received the money for roads and distances. After paying my bill at the
the bill, returned to Portsmouth and after spending tavern, and as soon as my new dress was coma week or more in dissipation and gambling, I con- pleted, I started from Quebec early in the evening,
eluded to embark in some business. I had then with my bundle in my hand. After traveUling a
more than five hundred dollars in money. I heard few miles, I put:on the quaker clothes, and faced
there was a small brewery vacant, belonging to for Three Rivers. - The next day I found the heat
Adams, Esq., which had recently been occu- rather uncomfortable, and my clithes too tight;
pied by Peter King. I took a lease of the whole but my hat was of good service to keep off the sun
establishment, and determined to go to work indus- That night I lodged at a Frenchman's house, and
triously. I hired my workmnen, put the house in was so kindly treated that I would not attempt-any
repair, and paid cash for the grain, &c., necessary robbery from him.  I was quite sick from -the
to begin the business. All that winter and spring fatigue of the day, and his family paid every atten.
I carried on the trade industriously. I sold con- tion to me. I remained here two days, and then
Siderable quantities of beer and porter, and might set out on my journey. In the forenoon of the
have made money out of it, if I had known enough next day, being then- about twenty-five miles from f
of the people with whomr I had to. de/al. But they Quebec, I met two well-dressed gentlemen in- a
were too sharp for me; and I grew dissatisfied, re- calash, riding slowly. I halted in the road - when
turned to my old habits of intemperance, and got they came up and reined in their horse. i said 
myself involved in debt. iMy property was at- "Will thee please give me the time of day?" i
mtced, and I owed more than I was able to pay. had previously put the chain of my watch out of
It was in May, 1821, when I failed. I had made sight. One of these men spoke broken English,
many bad debts, and I tried in vain to collect them,; but the one nearest me seemed to be an Irishman.
but still I had reserved money enough to save me This one; nmediately pulled -out an elegant gold
from immediate distress.                       watch. Idrew my large pistol, cockedit, and toldhim
After idling about for a fortnight, I went to Mr  to give it up to me instantly. He did so. I then said
Stacy Hall, to hire a horse and chaise for the pur- to the other, You must deliver up your watch and
pose of going about the country to collect what was money. He seemed frightened, muttered in broken
due me. He had no hesitation in accommodating -English, and pretended not to understand me. I
me, for my character was not so bad in Portsmouth  then snatched the reins out of the hands of the
as' to make him suspicious. I travelled about all other, and. said, violently, "I You vSll both lose your
that day, and could not collect more than about lives unless you shell out directly."  They talked
sixty dollars. At night I came to Greenland, to a few moments in French, and then, seeing me so
pay a vihit to a young girl with whom I had been determined, they handed over -their pocket-books
very intimate, and who I had promised to marry.  and purses. The Frenchman's watch was an- old
I remained with her till midnight. I told her silver one; I told him he might have that, for it
frankly my situation -that I was not able to marry was not worth the trouble of carrying about. I
her, but proposed to her that she should go to Can- then gave back the reins and bid them goodW-b.
ada with me; that I had money enoughl to bear The amount I received: this time was about forty
expenses there, and that I had many friends and dollars in paper, and about twenty in specie. They
relations in the neighborhood of Montreal. I told drove away fast, and as soon as they were out of
her that I could no doubt get into good business sight, I turned out of the road into the fields —
there, and then we would live happily together for stopped at a small house for some refreshment, inlife. But all my entreaties would ot prevail; She quired about the road arad then pushed into the
would not elope from her friends; and I set off for woods, where I slept all night. In the morning I
Canada about midnight.  I travolled as fast as crossed over again into the Three Rivers road and
possible. There were no incidents worth record- travelled as fast as possible all that day, without
mg on this journey. For the sake of keeping my attempting to stop any one. Towards evening I




CONFESSION OF MICHAEL 1%IARTIN.                            23
met-an old gentleman on horseback. I told him, He took off his ornaments, and gave me about
in a loud voice, to stop - presented the pistol to $65 in specie and paper. He then said, if I would
his breast, and said, "' Give me up every-dollar you throw down my pistol, he would fight me, and he
have about you."   He gave me his pocket-book:  could easily get back his money.  I tried to make
in great terror.  I examined it hastily, and took him understand that it was not my way of fighting
out about thirty-five dollars in paper, and then re- — that in my country, we made use of the shilleturned it:to him.  That night I went into a small lah. He understood this word; and immediately
house, oat of the road, wthere I remained quiet, said, " Ah! you-Irishman then t - I fight you so."
pretending to 1be sick, all the next - day and night. I told him, if he would wait till I went into the
I had not proceeded farj the next day, when I woods and cut a stick, I would throw away my
met-a young Frenchman on e handsome bay horse. pistol; and fight him.  He agreed.  I pushed off
I drew my sword, and told him I should run him  into the bushes, and put the spurs to my horse.
through, if he did not give up his money. He He suspected that I was trying to get away from
took out an old pocket-book - it contained about him, and he got out of the calash and pursued me.
three dollars; which I said was not enough for my He ran nearly as fast as my horse; set up the In.
purpose.  I dropped my sword-cane and bundle, dian halloo, and in a few moments, there were as
pulled out a pistol, and told him  to dismount. many as twenty Indians in pursuit of me. HowHe hesitated —saying that the horse was a bor- ever, I outran them, and came to a river, where
rowed one, and he should lose his character, if he the current was too rapid for me to cross. While
did not return it.  I told him that I wanted to I was resting on the bank, I saw the Indian coming
borrow it too; and that it was better for him to through the woods.  He came up to me before I
0loe his character than his life.  He turned his had time to mount my horse.  He had a large
horse's head, and was going off- I fired my pistol stone in his hand, which he threw at me with great
over him, without any intention of shooting him, violence, and then stooped to pick up another. I
or hurting:the horse. -He imagined himself killed, thought there might be more Indians behind, and
and fell from the horse.  I ran after him, and for the preservation of my own life, I thought I
snatched the bridle out of his hand.  He soon re- was justified in taking his.  As he approached, I
covered from his fright,- and begged for his life. I fired my pistol, and he fell.  This is the only
told him not to be alarmed, that I only wanted to time in my life that I ever intended to take the
take a short ride on his horse - he might have him  life of a fellow-being.  I am afraid that I killed
again in a few days.  I then told him to go back him; but yet I trust that he was only wounded.
for my bundle and cane.  When he came with   I did not wait long, but set off with full speed. I
them I demanded his spurs.  He took them off, kept my course by the banks of the river, and did
and put them on my feet.  I tied my bundle to not -discover that I was pursued. I met.with some
the saddle — gave the poor fellow a dollar for his Indians, who weie very civil to me, and gave me
trouble, and rode off with all speed.         some provisions.  I came to St. John's, without
In the day-time I laid by, at a small hut, and at any interruption, and rested for two days. From
night took the main road.  The horse was a good thence, I went to Isle Noir.  On my way there, I
one, and I made him travel rapidly. The next day met a poor woman in a small cabin, who solicited
after this last affair, I went into the woods, and: charity.  I gave her all the money I could spare,
took off my-quaker clothes, and put them into a and she directed me to Isle Noir.  I staid there a
small portmanteau, which I had tought in the few days; but found there was nothing of any
morning, from a farmer. I heard of many inqui- consequence to be had, and that I was no safer
ries for a quaker, and saw many people in pursuit there than in Montreal.  I then returned, with an
of him; but as my other clothes made me- look so intention of going to Kingston, for- I was appre.
much like a gentleman, there was no suspicion of hensive that I should be pursued. I carried with
me.  I took the road to Montreal, and generally me a bottle of liquor and some provisions, as also
travelled at night -- resting in the day-time, at a bag of corn for the horse. I was two days in the
small huts, out of the public road.           woods, without meeting with any human creature,
I arrived at Montreal, and put up at the Man- except an old Indian, who gave m  the proper direc- sion House, where I passed for a gentleman, and tion to Kingston.  Soon after I had got out of the
staid there eight days- which time was spent in woods I stopped at a small tavern and rested, for
dissipation and intemperance,  I had no chance my horse was almost tired out. In the evening, a
to take anything, although I made many at- blustering fellow, in the king's uniform, came to
tempts.  I inquired the way to Kingston, Upper the house on horseback.  He behaved so impertlCanada; and set out early in the morning, having nently, that I was determined to- have a cut at him.
paid a large bill at the tavern.  I stopped at an I askedhim the road to Kingston; and his answer
Indian village, called Cogunawognah, about 15 was, "Get out, you vagabond —how dare you be
miles from lMontreal, where I remained that night. so familiar with his majesty's officers!"  I was
Although I could not understand either Indian or disgusted with this man's conduct. VWe were
French, I was hospitably received, and remained alone, in the room of a tavern, and my only object
there for two days.  After riding about twenty was to have some innocent conversation with him;
miles onthe road to Kingston I met with an Indian  not expecting to be treated so contemptuously.
chief, alone in a calash.  Hie was well dressed, To be sure, my appearance might have been
and had many ornaments about himir, of gold and against me.  My beard was long, and my clothes
silver. I rode up to him, presented a pistol, and much soiled, but not ragged.  I found out from
told him to Stop instantly. - He asked me, in broken the landlord, that this fellow was going about four
English, what I wanted. I replied, all your money miles Iurther, that night; and I went off on foot,
and jewels. He hesitated, and made a grasp at in the direction be was to take.  When he came
the pistol.  I snatched the reins out of his hand, up, it was after dark.  I cried out, " Stop! " in a
and cocked my pistol, saying that I would kill him  loudvoice. He obeyed-I went up, seized the reins
on the-spot, if he did not deliver up all his money. of his horse, presented my pistol, and said, "Mr.




O24A                        COFSSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.
Lobster, get off directly."  He trembled, and dis, over his-moulth. -I then locked him in, and went
mounted.  I told him to give up all his money. down stairs, to the son. I walked very deliberateHe had only a small quantity of specie, which I ly about for some time, told him I was waiting for
took, and threw away.  He begged for his life,. his father, who iwas out in the stable. I requested
There was a pistol in his holster; I asked him  him to order my horse, and after he had called
why he did not defend himself with that.  He some time, for a servant, he went out himself to
said, very humbly, that he never fired at gentle. bring the horse. In the mean time, I went-into
men; and again begged that I would spare his the other room, openedan old desk withmy masterlife. I ordered  him to take off his coat and cap, key, and took out a bag, which, I found afterwards,
which he did instantly; still begging me not to contained about ~170 in gold and silver. I had
hurt him.  I then told him to tie the horse to a some trouble in getting all of this into my different
tree by the side of the road. ~ I took off his cravat, pockets, before the son-brought the horse.  When
and with that and his pocket handkerchief, I tied he came, I told him that I was going a few miles,
his hands behind him, and fastened him to a tree; for an attorney to make the deeds, and should retelling him that I was the person he had behaved turn in the afternoon.  I told him his father had
so uncivilly to, at the tavern, and that this was the just gone. up stairs, and wanted to see him.  I
reward for him.  I told him  if he opened his mounted my horse, and cleared out like a white head.
mouth, till I was out of sight, I should come back   I then got into the woods, changed my dress, and
and blow his brains out. He promised to be quiet, put on my quaker clothes.  On the road to Monand I mounted his horse and rode off, leaving my treal, I met with no trouble, although I saw many
own in the stable.  As mine was almost worn advertisements, describing my person and horse.
down by hard riding, I thought I should get on One day I fell in with a company of m..n, womene,
better with his. I rode all that night. At the first and children, who proved to be emigrants from
stream of water I came to, I took the red coat, put Ireland, and were going to Kingston, for etnploysome stones into it, and sunk it.            meat, or land. They were travelling on foot, and
After riding for two days, and stopping only for seemed to be in great distress.  I conversed with
refreshment, I had lost my way.  I met no person them for some hours, and found that one or two
that morning, on the road, and saw no house where had come from my part of the country, and had
I could get any information. At last, I overtook a heard of me. In the course of my inquiries, they
man on horseback, and although he looked like a answered that Captain Lightfoot was hanged in
gentleman, I rather chose to find out the road, than Dublin; and that they were happy that his poor
to rob him. I accosted him politely, and he gave father and mother did not live to see him come to
me all necessary information.  We rode on in such an end.  I did not discover myself, but givcompany, for a few miles, and having received his ing them all the money I could spare, I separated
instructions, Iarrived at Kingston.  I remained from them, and came to Montreal again, without
here four days, at a respectable inn; and having any molestation. I remained here but two days. On
brushed up a little, I passed without suspicion. the. second night, I was in company with a number
Once or twice, I tried to start some game, but of high fellows, some of whom were black-legs. I
without success; so that I thought it best to go showed a quantity of money, and they were ver
back again to Montreal, which ups about 150 miles anxious that I should play cards with them.   Ye 
distant. On the second night, I stopped at a decent sat down, and I lost for. some time, because I.did
farmer's house, to rest, because I had rode all the not understand the game; but in the course of the
night before, and I wished to give the horse some night, I found out a way of cheating, so that when
good food.' In the course of the evening, I asked they had lost all their money, I had won upwards
the farmer if there was any land for sale in his of 200 dollars of them.  I told them I must go to
neighborhood, and pretended that I wished to bed, and we would play again to-morrow.  I said,
purchase some.  He said there was an old gentle- that I did not want their money, and that I would
man about five miles off,'who was very rich, and treat them handsomely. I called the landlord, and
owned large tracts of land.  In the morning he ordered the best dinner that he could provide, for..directed me to the house. I found an old gentle- the next day, and requested them to invite all their
man and his son in the parlor. I told him that I had friends. When they had all retired, I paid my bill,
lately come over from England, with a number of and ordered my horse, intending -to get out of theit
emigrants, and that I wished to purchase a good company as soon as possible. My intention wasi
tract of land.  We conversed for two or three to come back again to the States, and I took the
hours, most of which time he was describing the road to Lake Champlain.  I threw aside the qualands that he had for sale.  He showed me about ker dress, and; gave it to an old woman, on the
his grounds, house, &c. I found out that his men road, who furnished me with a night's lodging.
were all to work in the fields, and that only his At almost every tavern, I saw advertisements after
son and himself were near the house.  His son me, and heard of people who were in puisuit) from
we left writing in the parlor; and when -he had Kingston - so I made as little delay as possible. 
taken me into an upper room, to show me the fine I buried all the money that I had no use for, and
prospect in the rear of his house, I drew my pistol, three watches. I had already left a considerable
and said I should take his life, unless lie told me sum in possession of some friends at Montreal. I
where his money was. He said he had no money, then crossed over to Grand Isle, on the American
but what was in a small purse, which he handed side, where I remained for three days. I was
me. I told him I did not believe him, and was so standing at the door of the tavern one forenoon,
resolute with him, that he at last said he had some and a man drove up with some  advertisements in
in a desk, in the next room to that one where his his hand. He asked me if I was the tavern-keepson was. I then told him to lay down on the bed, er.  I said yes.  He then handed me one of the
and not to say a word. He was so frightened that advertisements, and requested me to have it stuck
he obeyed instantly.  I tore the sheet into small up. He said that it was for one of the most notoristrips, bound his arms and legs, and put a bandage ous rascals that had ever been known. I invited him




CONFBSSION OF MICHAEL MARTIN.                            26
to come -n and get something to drink. I told him  dismount; that I wanted to see what money he had
that I had been robbed myself, by that minan, and under the saddle. He was very much agitated
that I would add twenty pounds, in addition to the when he got off, and begged hard for his life. I
reward for his apprehension. I asked him how told him that I should not hurt him, but that he
many hand-bills he had; he said about fifty; and must keep out of the way. I ordered him to stand
that he was going to Vermont to circulate them  back by the fence, and not open his'mouth. He
for perhaps the rascal might go that- way. I told obeyed instantly, and I cried, If John, take care of
him that I had intended to set out the next day, in this fellow," to malke him think that I had some
pursuit of him, and that I would take the hand- comrade in the rear. He was a stout fellow, and
gills, and distribute them about the country. He if he had shown spirit enough, might have given
readily gaveme up all his advertisements, and went me a good battle. He had a pretty good horse,
back, much obliged to me for taking the trouble with a brown surtout and a small bundle tied to
off his hands.                              the saddle. His name, I afterwards found by the
I crossed over to Burlington, with -my horse as advertisement, was Karr. I mounted, bade him
Isoon as I could get a conveyance, having  Arst good-night, and drove off. I did not make much
destroyed all the advertisements. I put up my stay in any place, till I reached Londonderry, where
horse at a large tavern in Burlington, and as I was I stopped some time to refresh myself. On Friday
going to bed, I saw an advertisement, describing morning, I overtook a man on horseback.  I
me exactly, and one or two people in the bar-room  inquired where he was going; he said to Newwatching me very closely. I walked about the buryport. I observed that T was going the same
room very quietly, for a few moments, and then way, and should be glad to keep in company with
went slowly out of the back door. As soon as I him. We jogged along together for some miles,
ascertained that no one was following me, I took and stopped once to drink.  The conversation
to my heels, through the woods, and did not stop turned upon the robbery at Boscawen. I said it
until I had ran for the space of an hour and a half. was a most daring thing, and wished I could detect
I judged it most prudent to leave my horse behind the robber. I expressed my fears at travelling
me. I avoided public roads as much as possible, alone, particularly as I had some money about me.
keeping near enough only, that I should not lose He said he would be afraid to travel at night; that
my way. I kept out of the way when I saw any he had been up the country, to collect money for a
one approaching; and by sleeping in barns, and man in Portsmouth, and although he had a pistol
eating m obscure houses, I arrived at Enfield, in with him, he should not consider himself safe, for
New Hampshire, without detection. Here I began he had heard that there was a gang of fifty of
to recover my courage, and determined to walk no these fellows around the country. We agreed to
more, if I could get well mounted. I moved on, stand by each other, if we were attacked. He
towards Concord, which was considered the most asked me my name, and I told him it was Morripublic road, and kept a bright look.out for a good son, that I belonged to Londonderry, and as there
horse. I     watched day and night, for some time, at were so many Irish there, he readily believed me.
the small                          taverns, but found nothing that  was   W hen we hadreacedasmall brook, we stopped
worth my acceptance; "the horses were as lean to let our horses drink. I then pulled out a pistol
as the owners' purses."  I went about the small and held it close to his head, and demanded that he
villages, to see if I could hook anything, and then should give up that money he had been at so much
determined to go to Boston, where I was satisfied trouble to collect. He asked what I meant. I
I could get something; and if I did not suceeed, I replied, (' Do you not remember the business at
could probably find an opportunity of embarking Boscawen?"  He trembled, and begged his life.
for the West Indies, to meet my old friend Thun- I told him that it was only his money that was of
derbolt.                                     any use to me. He handed over his pocket-book,
I was upon the look-out for a horse, but had which contained upwards of two hundred dollars.
money enough. On Thursday afternoon, in the I told him if he attempted to follow, or make an
beginning of August, I went into a farm-house for alarm, I should surely shoot him. He promised
refreshment. I got something to eat. They said nat to, andi rode off. As soon as I was out of his
the name of the town was Boscawen, and gave sight, I crossed over the fields, and lay concealed
me the directions for Boston.  I remained until for some time in the woods; then inquired the way
it was evening, and then set out on the road to to Newburyport; took the cross roads, and that
Concord. It was a fine moonlight night, and about night arrived in Salisbury. I was afraid to go into
eleven o'clock. I heard the tread of a' horse, be- any tavern or large house, so I turned the horse
hind me; I got into the bushes, and lay concealed. out in a field, and went into an old hut, where I
In a,few minutes, two men came up slowly on rested myself for a few hours.  At day-break I
horseback.'It was so light that one of them dis- started, and had some difficulty in catching my
covered me as I was crawling down in the bushes. horse. I was fatigued, riding so much on horseHe stopped, and the other rode on. The man back, and thought I would look round and pick up
looked for some time, and then drew closer. ~I a good chaise. Near Salisbury meeting-house, I
remained still. At length he said, " Who's there?" saw four or five good chaises i one or two of them
once or twice. I made him no answer. He then had harnesses to them. It was scarcelyday-break,
said, You must tell who you are. I stood up, and and no people were stirring  so I took the chaise,
drew my pistol, and said I would let him know who and brought it about hal    mile, to the field
I was - "I am the bold Doherty, from Scotland." where I had left the horse. I harnessed him in the
" Ahd what are you there after?" said he. "If chaise, and tied my saddle behind it. I then took
you'll stop a moment, I'll tell you;" and then ad- a round-about road, and reached Newburyport
anaced close to him, presented my pistol, and told about noon. I went to the stage tavern, baa my
him to give me his money, or I would have his horse taken care of, and ordered a good dinner. I
life. He gave me all the money, together with his heard some talk about the Bocawen robbery; but
poeet-book and papers. I then ordered him to nobody seemed to suspect me. The landlord knew. t,                         %-~~~r~~~UAI%




26                          CONFESSION OF M1ICHAEL MARTIN.
me when I was a brewer, in Portsmouth, and it was my property, and hsitated to make a
believed that I had just come from there-, In the bargain. Towards sundown, I Walked off a little
evening, I walked out, and found a girl that I was distance from the store, thinking it was about timr
acquainted with in Salem, and agreed to meet her for the gentry to pass by. I ought to have menat nine o'clock. I returned to the tavern, got my tioned before, that from some inquiries  had made
supper, and then went with the bar-keeper to a in Boston, from a countrynlat of mine, hao was a
lecture. I stayed a few minutes in the meeting- servant in a gentleman's family;, I found out that
house, and then slipped out, unknown to him. I there was a carriage, with three gentlemen, going'
walked about near the wharves, and in a narrow  out to the governor's; I intended to attack that, if
street or passage-way, met a well-dressed man. I I could fall in with it, as I supposed that, at night,
accosted him very politely, and asked him if he they would not be anxious to give fight, after
wtould be good enough to tell me what o'clock it having drank a few glasses of wine; besides, it
was.  He hesitated some time, and then said, was probable that I could make a better haul than
"A What the devil do you ask such questions for; upon a single person.
did you not just hear the clock strike?   "aYes,"    When I left the shop, I walked leisurely aboat
I said, " but I want to hear your watch strike, or I in the direction of the governor's house, which 
shall strike your head," at the same time holding was informed of at the tavern. I stood alongside
the pistol close to him. He gave me his watch, the fence some time, keeping a bright look-out. I
and a small pocket-book, containing about forty saw many people pass each way, but they were
dollars in bank bills. I then returned as rapidly not the quality that I was after. At last, I saw a
as possible to the tavern; ordered the boy to put genteel horse and chaise, with a lady and gentle.
my horse to the chaise, and did not pay the bill. I man in it. I thought something handsome might
said to the landlord, that it was so pleasant an even- be lifted there. As soon as the chaise had passed
ing, I wanted to take a srall ride round the town. me, I came back to the shop where I had left my
I then called for the girl, and she agreed to go to horse, mounted him, and set off at full speed, after
Salem with me. I gave her the watch I had lifted the chaise. As soon as the coast was clear, and I
from the man, that evening, having taken off the observed but few people on the road, I overtook the
chain. We set off for Salem, taking the old road; chaise, and commanded the gentleman (who I
stopped some time at the tavern in Ipswich, where have since found to be Major Bray) to stop. I
I heard much conversation about the Boscawen presented the pistol, and demanded his money or
robbery; so I thought it was not prudent to stay his life.
any longer, and drove off again. We reached a   I do most solemnly declare, that the pistol I
small tavern, near Beverly, late that night, and presented to Major Byray, rvas not loaded. It had
went to bed. Early in the morning, I told the girl been loaded for some weeks, and that morning, Od
that I had business to do in Boston, and would be the road from Salem, I wanted to.prove it, and ditabsent but three days, and hoped she would remain charged it at a cat on the turnpike. The pistol atB
there until I returned. I gave her about fifty not cocked, when I showed it to Major Bray.
dollars, and deposited some with the landlord for   The lady began to conceal her watch-Chaih. I
her expenses in my absence. I then drove to told her not to be uneasy, that I never robbed
Danvers, where I got breakfast.  I had some ladies. He took out his pocket-book, and handed
Acquaintances who worked in Crowninshield's me a small roll of bills, amounting to Vfelpe dollars,
factory, and I stayed with them some time; this and declared, upon his honor, it Was all the money
was on a Sunday morning. I left the chaise there, he had.  He begged of me that I would be so
and saddled the horse. We agreed to meet in honorable and generous, as to let him have the
Salem, and have a good blow out; we spent the notes and papers. t said they were of no use to
day and night, drinking and carousing, all at my me, and he might keep them. After he had put
expense. I had some clothes in Salem, and I up his pockethbook, I demanded his watch, which
changed my dress there. After breakfast, I left he delivered up instantly. The other circumstances
them and started for Boston, where I arrived about attending this robbery, were as related by Major
twelve o'clock. I found out some of my country- Bray, on the trial; "only he forgot to mention
men, in Broad Street, and walked about the town that he was very much frightened, and trembled
with them. I went on to the common to see the like a leaf."  I shook hands with him, and bid him
military parade, but there were too many people good-by.
there for my business. I returned to the Sun   After leaving him, I got off as fast as rpsible
Tavern, near Broad Street, where I dined.    taking an opposite direction from  Medford. I
In the afternoon, I mounted the horse, and rode -went into a field some distance from the road, where
out to take a view of the country, and to find out I remained out of the way of observation, fbr
what was going on out of town. I had understood nearly an hour; here I loaded the pistol that I had
that there was to be a large party at the gover- presented to Bray. I then came into the main
nor's, to dinner, and thought of course, there might road, and met a handsome chaise, with a large
be some fat ones among them; and "I thought I gray horse. It was nearly dark, and I could not
would make one among the company."  I went distinguish who was in it until t got close to it. I
over Cragie's bridge, and at the tavern, found out then perceived that it was a negro iman and wothe road to Medford. On the way there, I fell in man. I told him, in a loud voice, to stop. I then
with a countryman of mine, that I had known in asked, "Where is your master?"  He replied
Salem, and invited him to drink with me. We ",What the devil do you want?"  I said,'l will
went into a store, where we drank considerably. let you know, you black rascal."  I had the pistol
He soon separated from me, saying he must go to and reins in my left hand, and was about seizing
Boston; but he had no knowledge whatever of my him with the other; he cried out and begged me to
intentions. I offered to sell my horse to the man spare his life. I told him I should not hurt hirn,
who kept the store, as he was beaten out, and of and bid him go off.
very little use to me. He seemed to doubt whether   I then went back to Medford; I went to the




CQ0NF'IrSION QF  tIIeHAZIT LATIN.                            27N.
tavern; there was a great alarm about the robbery thinking that I was a suspicious fellow, he kept up.of Major Bray, and Is they seemed suspicious of a continual barking. he made so much noise 
me, I rode off slowly till I got out of their sight, that I was afraid I should be discovered; and after
a number of people collected; it was then so killed him on the spot. I had brought some corn
dark that they could not discern my face, and I in my pocket from one of the barns, and put in
pulled my hat over my eyes. One of them cried my hat, and took it to call the horse. After run- [
out,   Wh6 goes there?"  I made no answer. ning about some time for him, he came up, and I
t Two 9r three asked again, still following me. put on the saddle and bridle. It proved to be al
They then set up a shout of," Stop thief! " and I fine mare, and carried me very fast to Springfield.
pushed off as fast as the horse would go. I had I arrived there late in the evening, expecting to get
$ not proceeded far, before one of the stirrup-leathers up the next morning and get on to Canada, without
broke, and I fell from the horse. In the fall, I dis- molestation. At night I was awoke by -the landlocated my left shoulder. They were close upon lord, who came in with a sheriff, and a number of
me; but I managed to outrun them; I sheered into other persons, mnd surrounded the bed. There
a field, back of a brick-yard, got into the marshes, were so many,.a:..l the alarm was so sudden, that
and came towards Cambridge. I got into a small I hadl no chance foi:. resistance. But if they had
cluster of woods, and did not see that any one was given me fair warr:ig, I should never have been
in pursuit. I then dropped down from fatigue and taken alive. The horse had been traced to Springthe  pain in  my  shoulder.  After  resting a  few  field, and at that time they knew  nothing of the
minutes, I took off my suspenders and cravat, tied robbery of Major Bray. I was put in jail that
them together, fastened one end to a tree, and the night, and rigidly watched the whole time, until I
other to my wrist, and so pulled the shoulder back was committed to the jail at Lechmere Point,. to its place; still it was very painful. I rubbed it Cambridge, for the robbery of Major Bray. The
with my stocking. I was, however, able to run a circumstances related on my trial, by all the other
little, and kept on all that night, avoiding the witnesses, were strictly correct, and as that is
public roads. I stopped occasionally, to inquire already printed, there is no necessity for repeating
the road to Albany, or to Worcester.  At an them here.
apothecary's shop, the next morning, I bought   Here Martin's account of himself ends. It was
some medicine for my shoulder, and it was well in not considered necessary to take his detailed relaa few days. I did not take much rest or refresh- tion, as to any of the subsequent parts of his life, for
l ment, till I had got within about six miles of Hol- he had expressed a wish, on Friday, the seventh of
J liston. - I went into a tavern, called for a dinner, December, that the rest might be narrated by his
and got some brandy. While I was drinking, I biographer, in as favorable a point of view as
saw an  advertisement sticking up, offering a possible.
reward for me; it was a good description of my
person, and I thought it best to keep out of tee
way. I walked slowly out of the house, and as no   On the 9th day of October, 1821, the Supreme
-one seemed to observe me very closely, I went Judicial Court sat at Cambridge. On the same
round the house, crossed into the fields, and day the Grand Jury found a Bill of Indictment
pushed off with all my might without the dinner. against Michael Martin, otherwise called Joseph
In the afternoon, I came to Holliston; but was Hendley, for Highway Robbery, in the first degree.
afraid to show myself. It rained very hard, and On Friday, the 12th, he was tried and convicted.
I kept ia the fields and woods, until dark. In the His deportment throughout his trial was firm and
evening, I went into a school-house, through the decent. Some weeks before his trial, S. L. Knapp,
window, and there got a shelter from the weather. Esq., of Boston, was requested by Mlartin's friends,f
In my way there, I stopped at a small farm-house. to act as his counsel. He performed this duty 
I said I was a poor traveller from Canada; they with the greatest ability; and although the testigave me some milk and cold meat, and bread, I mony was uncommonly clear and precise, yet he
did not wait to eat, but carried it with me to the had the ingenuity and eloquence to create some
school-house. I slept here some time, and towards very strong doubts in the minds of the jury, as
morning I awoke, very much- refreshed.         to the propriety of convicting Martin capitally.
I began to be tired of going on foot,. and I MIartin always expressed his warmest gratitude for'
thought it was best to lift a horse, if I could find a the kindness and exertions of Mr. Knapp. He
good one. As soon as it was light enough to see, I said, that "he always expected to be convicted of
went off in search of a horse. There were a num- that charge, until he heard the argument of Mr.
ber in different fields; but the great difficulty was Knapp, and- then he almost thought- himself into procure a saddle and bridle. I went into a num- riocent of the crime."  Mr. Parker, of Charlesher of barns, and into their houses, but could find town, also labored with uncommon industry, in his
none. The second house I went to, I got into a behalf; but it wvas a hopeless cause. From  the
kitchen window, and in attempting to go out by loose manner in which the statute under which he
the door, I went into a room where a man and was convicted is expressed, many doubts in the
woman -were asleep. The man awoke, and asked construction of it might easily be raised. This,
who was there. I answered, " It is me, sir," in a too, being the first trial under that statute, and the
low tone, and he said no more.                  great point of defence, being connected with the
I went up  to a good-looking  house, (Mr. uncertain doctrine of mental intent, it was sup-,dams',) and after examining in his barn, for a posed that there might be some misgivings of comsaddle and bridle, I got into a back window, and passion on the part of the jury. But the testimony
saw a saddle and bridle hanging up in the kitchen. was so entire and unimpeachable, and the law
I took it off without any interruption or noise, and being laid down so distinctly by t-he court, that
went in pursuit of a horse, in his field. A large there was no possibility for his escape from the.dag had followed me from  another house, and verdict of guilty,
P~H~y~or~C~l*~8~~.'




328        OONFESSIO  OF MICHArEAL MARTI'.
nathe few days of delay necessarily caused by dampness of the vault would permit, which, ttaher
the motion on his behalf, he had strong hopes that with a straw-bed,:were: placed within his reach.'the opinion' of the court might be favorable to him; He was-very kindly attended, and his appetite-Vas
or at'any rate, that he should only be sentenced as always gratified through the humanity of the jailer,
gi, lty of highway robbery in the second  degree. ir. Train, and his assistant, Mr. Coolidge, He
More recently, however. he has expressed himself re. was forbidden nothing but ardent spirits, but had
- joiced, that he was not sentenced to the State Prison as much wine as was considered necessary for
for life;: and has often declared, that he had rather him.
die the next hour than to meet with such a punish-   On Saturday morning, December 8, the turnkey,
ment as perpetual incarceration in the State Prison. Mr. Coolidge, came in at the -usual hour, to mike
When the Chief Justice. had pronounced the decision his fire;he was attended by one or two tthers.
of the court upon the questions of law raised by Martin was then covered with a-large great-coat,
Martin's counsel, and he was asked the usual ques- was sitting in his chair and vomiting. He corn.
tion, if he' had anything to say why sentence of plained of having been very unwell during the
death should not then -be pronounced against him, night, and spoke in -a very languid tone. He rehe was calm, and answered nothing. The - Chief quested of Mr. C. to bring him some wine. He went
Justice then pronounced the awful sentence, pre- out, still fastening the door after him, and returned
facing it- with the eloquent -remarks which are pub- in a few minutes with the wine, attended as before.
lished in the trial. He stood unmoved, and when In about twenty minutes after this, Coolidge came
the sentence was pronounced, with the most perfect the third time, with his breakfast; He was then
nonchawee, took up his hat, saying, " Well, that unaccompanied by any other person. lartin was
is the worst you can do for me."             then standing up, with the great-coat over' his
During his confinement he had told all the offi- shollders,' trembling very much, and rattling his
cers about him that he should escape if he could, chains. Coolidge sat down hisbreakfast on a smali
and that he considered himself justified in -using table near him, and was about leaving the cell,
every meansto save his-life. In consequence-of his when Martin slyly pulled down a paper of tobacco,
repeated threats, together with some other suspi- which was on the table, and then said, in a feeblecious circumstances, lie was put in irons, about four voice, "M Tr. Coolidge, will you please to pick up:!'weeks after his condemnation. The sheriff con- that paper of tobacco; I am so weak that I can't
sidered the dungeon in which he was confined so stoop."  The other very kindly stooped for the
strong, and confided so much to the vigilance of purpose, and Martin at the same moment raised
his keepers, that he considered his escape from it,as the chain by which his hand was confined,'and
utterly impracticable. His good heart revolted at struck Coolidge a most violent blow over the head
the idea of loading a fellow-being with fetters, un- which brought him to the ground * he remrum'ne
less it was absolutely necessary.  Martin was insensible for some minutes. Marti then threw
always gay and cheerful; and although visited by off his coat, put on'his hat, and pushed out of the
many religious and pious people, and by the min- jail. He ran with great violence against a gate,
isters of the Roman Catholic Church, he never dis- which was about ten yards from the outer door of
covered any symptoms of radical penitence until the jail.  This gate was made of thick, double
he had found that he could not easily avoid his boards, placed transversely, and strongly nailed. It
fate. He has often said that lie did not care how. was'fastened on. the inside with a large padlock,
many ministers or other persons came to see him, attached to a very stout clasp and staple. Martin
for it.-would tend to throw the keepers off their threw'the whole force of his body against -it four
guard, and assist him better to effect his escape.  successive times, without success, running some
ber, he made a most desperate attempt for his lib. the jail, there was a young man in the jail-yard,
erty. OneFriday, at two o'clock, the writer of these  who immediately gave an alarm in the house.
pages left him in his dungeon. He was unusually   After the fourth attack upon the gate, he be.
earnest that I should return in the afternoon; but thought himself that he had made a great mistake
other business prevented. He was confined alone in not fastening Coolidge in the dungeon, and was
-in a lower room of the stone jail, at Lechmere returning for that purpose; but heheard the outcry
Point. The dungeon is about eight feet by ten, from the women and children in the house,  Mar.
having no wood work about it; with a thick iron tin's gone! Mlarin's gone!" and he then made his
door, fastened by two large bolts,'the handles last desperate leap at the gate. It yielded this
of which meet in the centre of the door, where they time, and everything was forced away, leeks,
are secured to each other by a large padlock, of hinges and all. At the same moment, Coolidge
-very peculiar construction. There was no light or had recovered himself, and came to the outer door,
air admitted to this cell but through three aper. just in time to see Martin break down the gate.
tures in the wall, each about four inches wide and The alarm had become feneral; and at that hdur
twenty long. The entrance was just about wide in the day, rendered his escape difficult; for it
enough for a common-sized man to enter, and is happened that a number of workmen were return-..within six feet of the massive outer door, which is ing from  their breakfast.  However, he went
of iron also. He was confinedto a ring-bolt in the through a barn-yard in the rear of the jail, over
centre of the cell, by a large chain, appended to the a fence into a -corn-field, where- he was overleft foot —the clasp on the ankle, to which it was powered by numbers, and taken, after knocking
attached, being very large and heavy. This chain down one or two of his pursuers.  He -had ran
was also connected with another, attached to- his about one hundred yards from the jail-yard. He
right hand, the links of both being about a half was securely tied, and brought back to another
inch in diameter. The chain was sufficiently long room, until stronger -fetters were forged for him.
to permit him to mnovaull round the room, except- He was here closely-guarded and hand-cuffed; and
ing to go near the door and windows. He had a displayed not the slightest degree of sorrow for
small stove, waieh'kept him as comfortable as the attempting to get away: but from that time to:the
WNT ~ ~ ~ ~   ~    ~    ~ ~ ~ ~ F~~~




COPsESSION- OF MICHAL MARTIN.                                  29
day of his death, always expressed his strong rna  ening the door of the cell upon Coolidge, forhe was
grt that he should have at all injured- Coolidge  the first man that came up to him; that it was nDand said to the last hour of his life, that he had possible for him to attempt an escape at night, beprayed the night before most earnestly,. that he cause there was a guard, -with loaded muskets and
might not kill C., but nly disable him, so that he bayonets, at the door of the. prison. The reasons
might prevent his pursuing him.                 he gave for the failure was, that he had been so
As soon as the narrator heard of the attempted long confined that he had not the perfect use of his
escape, he went over to the jail, and was left alone legs; that the clasp on the ankle, and the link apsome time with -Martin. He had refused to tell the pended to it, impeded his, progress. and prevented
officers or the sheriff the manner -in which. he un- him from running as fast as he used to do; besides
shackled himself, or the- true means. by which he which,he had to garry the chain on his hand, which
became possessed of the tools to effect the purpose. weighed about seventeen pounds. He was induced
fHe still insisted that he should do everything-in his to take this with him for purposes of defence, he
power to escape; and told them they must watch said, although he might have easily disencumbered
him very, sharply, or he should give them the slip himself of it.
again. He explained to me the manner of his   He was put back at evening, into his old cell,
escape. That before he was put in irons a good andbound down to the floor, with a much larger
friend of his* had thrown him a case -knife and a and stronger chain, besides being hand-cuffed; He
file into the window; that the knife was' of most said frequently to the keepers, that notwithstanding.
excellent temper, and that he had employed his they considered themselves sure of-him, yet if they
leisure moments in manufacturing it into a saw. would give hift a month longer he would have
Thisi he kept- concealed, sometimes about his per- another chase with them.
son, and sometimes in a crevice between the stones   From this time he was most closely guarded;
of ite floor, which he would cover over with a paste, the door of his cell was never opened without a
that passed very well for mortar, and evaded all number of attendants, and the utmost caution was
investigation. With this saw he cut off the second observedin the admissionof visitors to him. There
link from his ankle, taking out a pece about an was a sensible alteration in his manner and feelinch long. It was cut on both sides o the link, trans- ings, when he found that escape was impossible.
versely; and before it was quite sawed off it was He had formerly wished for the company of the
broken, so that it should be a little jagged and hold religious, and the clergymen of other denominainto the link, when he chose to rattle his chains. tions, who had, no doubt, from the best of motives,
He selected the second link because he supposed and with Christian feelings, solicited to visit him;
that the first one would be examined with more but lie now zealously expressed his wish to be visaccuracy than the rest. The key which confined ited only by those ministers of the church of which
the iron upon his wrist he had filed off in the first hie was born a member. He said one day, very
instance, and could take it out, and liberate his seriously, when I was alone with him, that he
nght hand at pleasure. It was so nicely done, and "really was sorry that lhe had not been a good
he had managed it so well, that the strictest exam- Catholic, and followed the religious and moral ininatiou could not discover that it had ever been structions that he had received in his youth; that
removed,  he had. neglected the ordinances and faith of his
3The chains were examined firquently, sometimes church; and reposed a full and implicit confidence
$ twice or thrice a day, by the sheriff, the keeper, in the directions and advice of Bishop Cheverus."
and a smith, and no fracture could be detected. On   At this time he spoke with great calmness, and
Wednesday preceding his escape, his chains were apparent sincerity, of the advice which he had recut off, and he was removed for the sake of secur- ceived trom the bishop; and said, with tears in his
ity, and to cleanse his dungeon, into an upper room. eyes, that if he " had been blessed with the direc$Yet throughout all this close investigation, there tions of such a man, when le was young, he should. was no suspicion that he could possibly break from  never have ended his days on a gallows."  He had
those irons. The smith pronounced them perfectly very serious moments, when he was left to himsafe, and he was recommitted to his cell at evening self, or was alone with his confidential friends;
with every belief in his security. He told tne that but he often regretted that when people who were
his chains were cut at the time they removed him  strangers to him, or those who were permitted to
into the upper room, and that the interstices in the  approach him, out of mere idle curiosity, would
link were filled up with a composition, which he draw him into conversation, that then his thoughts
had prepared of tallow and coal dust. This was so would be diverted from serious subjects. From the
ingeniously put in, and was so much of the color third clay after his attempted flight to his execution,
of the iron, that the strictest scrutiny was not able he had been trying, when he was left alone, to
to detect it. He observed that they did not under- make up his mind to die. He believed that it was
stand their business, or they would have either the best relief for him, and that an escape, or a
changed his irons every week, or else have struck commutation of punishment, would only subject
each link with a hammer, when they examined him to greater troubles. Whenever anything was
them. At this time he seemed to think that escape said to him by strangers about a reprieve, he would
was impossible; he knew they would guard him  oppose it. He said that his crime would be pun-! close, but he hoped he should not be treated cruelly ishable with death in his own country, and that he
in consequence of the attempt. He said that he was ready to meet it here; "the sooner the better."
- had made only one mistake, which was in not fast-   During the last ten days of his life lie exhibited
a wonderful degree of resignation and fortitude;
* We would here beg lenve to ansk the reader If it is a thing so much so as to appear romantic and unreal.  He
at all probable, that Captain Lightfoot, alias lichael liartln, Would converse with any one, most unreservedly,
at that time a atranger in this country, should have ind a who came to the prison; and it is to be regretted.friend so deeply interested in his welfare as to have furnished that there were so many who were permitted to
i rn such means of esape, unless that friend were the notorious
"Thunderbolt" himself, who was then resident in this country. approach him; for these frequent visits tended to
~ —--— ~Ur~Ur~ L~r~~LUr~Ulllllr.AR _




CONF-ESSION OF  XICHAEL -MARtIN.
astract his thougat  from more serious subjects. error, it was that he had not made his life as bad'He evinced the greatest calmness in conversing as:it really had been. This same friend, on the
aboUt his last hour, and often about his acceptance  Sunday previous to his execution, went into his
with God. But having it so often enjoined upon cell-he had not seen him since his c-mndemnation
him, that it was only by a sincere repentance that -he said to him,,, Michael, how does this world
hts sinmscould be pardoned — that he should die in seem to you now?"'(Oh!" said he,  like a colpeace =Ad charity with all mankind, and rely upon ums  of smoke over the city, which the first gust of
the promises and atonement of a Saviour - he then wind will drive away.>"
began to have a religious confidence. This was to   During the week of his execution he was very
the last moment, apparently, a sincere confidence. quiet and serious, excepting when his attention was
There was no whining or cant when he talked most called off by the curiosity and conversation of -those
seriously of death; and his conduct in the last who were permittted to enter the jail-yard. He-redays,.was as equally removed from levity and bra- ceived the unremitting attention and kindness of
Pado.                                       the Rev. Mr. McQuade, of the Roman Catholic
He seemed to be much affected at the distress Church, from the time of his imprisonment to the
which the news of his untimely end would give to moment of his death, with the exception of a few
his family in Ireland; and frequently expressed weeks, when the Rev. gentleman was obliged to
himself happy that his parents had -not lived to undertake a journey to Canada. His affection for
witness B  dis grace.  aHe was questioned most him was often feelingly expressed, and he endearstrictly, by several respectable gentlemen of Bos- ored to profit by his religious advice and friendly
ton, at different times, whether the detail of his life attention. He had also been most kindly attended
which he had given to me was correct. He at by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, and more particularly was
oftea avowed, in the most solemn manner, that he he thankful for the assiduous and paternal care of
had given to me nothing but truth, so far as his the bishop. On the Wednesday before his death,
memory served him.  He said once that "there the bishop administered to him the holy rite of
was no need of telling a lie at this time; it will confirmatlon, together with the last sacrament.
only help to keep me back from heaven," Indeed, From that moment he was tranquil and resigned
be cnae aidao a friend of his, that ifthere ia s any  in his mind, as his body is now quiet in the grave.












AN ACCOUNT
OF
Who renetly died in Brattleboro, believed by many to oe the 14toriout
" CAPT. TRUNXDERDOLT."
TEa feverish excitement, so widely pervading t+he public,-qind. as to theidentity of
the late DR. JOHN WILSON, of IBrattleboro, Vt., -vith the notorous Thmunderbolt,
mentioned in the pages of the foregoing Coiifession, as the fearless associate of (Japt.
LIGHTFOOT, is to us a matter of no surprise.  The career of those two daring bandits, beyond the seas, as detailed by Michael Martin, is one involving no ordina:
ry degree of guilt.  Resolute, unprincipled, and reckless of the means they used to
effect their purposes, they soon became the terror of the neighborhood, which they
had chosen as the scene of their depredations.  But the fulness of guilt itse  aPpreaches a crisis, beyond which its practice with any degree of safetybecomes impossible; and those in whom it has had its personification, either find themselves at last
the unhappy victims of the stern retributions of violated Law, or else, to escape the
force of the popular vengeance, which,'in the end, is sure to hunt them down, fly to
other, and, as they hope, less exposed fields of crime.
It is natural that the feeling of insecurity should cease with the removal of the
eatZses which awakened it.




2                    JAN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.
But around the individuals themselves, whose crimes rise far above the common
level of human depravity, there always lingers a sort of imperishable interest in the
public mind. This principle is one common to the exhibitions both of exalted virtues
and remarkable vices.  The philanthropy of HIoward will be remembered scarcely
longer than the piracy of Kidd; while in them both, the public has an indefeasible
property. The visitations of Lightfoot and Thunderbolt, if the Confession is to be
credited-and even without which, there is sufficient evidence of the ftct —carried
terror to the heart of the neighborhood of their exploits.  But that neighborhood did
not confine the reputtation of those bold highwaymen; that had gone abroad, and become a topic of interest in distant circles.  And scarcely had the daring robbery of
Major Bray been committed, when by the Confession of the criminal himself, the
country becomes at once excited by the recitals of that Confession.  Lightfoot and
Thunderbolt had been names, at the mention of which, Irish hearts had trembled.
Now Lightfoot and Thunderbolt were names that hung upon more than New England lips.
Lightfoot, to be sure, had expiated his guilt to the tull extent. which human tribunals could demand it, for individual security or social protection.
But Thunderbolt, for aught the public knew, was still abroad, ready to fall, as occasion might offer, with terrible power upon his defenceless and unsuspecting victims.
We deem it a matter of no wonder that the public mind was thrown into a high state
of nervous excitability; and one too, which, though it might be hushed for a time, was
nevertheless ready to arouse itself on the first appearance of any facts, or suspicions,
even, tending to prove the identity of any person, with that of a character so infamous as that of Thunderbolt. But these facts and suspicions have now made their
appearance. And the public either see, or seem to see indications, more or less
convincing, that could the earthly career of Thunderbolt, be traced from his disappearance from Scotland and Ireland to its close, it would be found to end in
a secluded dwelling, on the banks of the beautiful Connecticut, a very fine view
of which embellishes the title page of this pamphlet. It is not our purpose, however, nor would we undertake to settle for the public the question of this identity —a question, whose merits are involved in no small degree of obscurity, so far
as positive evidence may be required. But this is not the kind of testimony, upon
which those who believe this identity to exist, chiefly rely. But they draw it mainly
from the circumstances and events of the Doctor's life, and coincidences with Martin's Confession, the force and number of which, they say, is hardly less conclusive
than the strength of the most positive proof. A knowledge of these is what the publie now so anxiously demand.  It is with the view to meet this general demand, that
we have been induced to attempt a brief sketch of the life of the individual, who recently died at Brattleboro, and not from any desire to injure the living or the dead.
We propose in the following brief narrative, to offer the public, some account of
Dr. Wilson's life after his settlement in Vermont, so far as it may contain anything
of general interest, as well as to mention anecdotes and peculiarities of the man, illustrating his character; and also some of the points of coincidence, between the Doctor
and the character described as Thunderbolt, in the Confession of Lightfoot, and leave
the reader to arrive at his own conclusions, as in his judgment, the balance of evidence shall inline.




AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.                        3
But while on the one hand, we would acknowledge ourselves under solemn obligation faithfully and truly to sketch, as we best may, the more important events of
the life of him, who'is the subject of these pages-while we would not forget that the
silence of the grave reigns around the remains of him, who was but just now with
us —the grave whose voice comes upon us in stern, but faithful warning not to violate the treasures of its sacred trusts; yet, on the other hand, the public would justly pronounce us gatilty in the discharge of the duties, we have undertaken to per.
form, should we fail to record, without fear or favor, the facts and events of the Doetor's life, so far as known, as they pass. in review before us. For the character and
effect of these, we are not responsible.  When we have narrated them impartially,
our duty is done, and elsewhere must rest the consequences.
We must forewarn the reader, nowever, that in the life of Dr. John Wilson, the
country physician, he'must not look for any very striking' passages.  If the
bold and the terrible were mingled in the:.elements of his character, it wasin his
character of Thunderbolt, and not in that of Dr. Wilson. It was in the former Capacity, if ever, that he launched his fearful bolts, for as the hero of the lancet, or
sclpel,; e was never distinguished for any remarkable degree of courage.  But had
he been predisposed to the bolder and more vicious propensities of oar nature, those
tendencies would.have been repressed by the state of society -rond him.
it is impossible for any man, not to become more or less infused with the spirit of
the community, in which he himself acts.  Our modes of thinking and acting are
very much modified and determined, by the intellectual and moral atmosphere prevailing about us.'Turbulent and polemic natures becomeo quiet and: peaceful, when
brought within the attraction of pacific influences. John Wilson, however, even in
the retirement of country life, vwas a remarkable man.  ie was one of that enigmatical kind of men-about whom much:is said, and little known —abot whom- much is
guessed, and much suspected, but so long as hlie lived, ending only in guessings nd
suspicions.  No one could read him, and:no one could pretend fully to know him.
An impenetrable mystery hung around the history of some portion of his life, whlch
evln the most curious could not fathom.  Speculation tried, but speculation failed.
Any reference tohis formni history always seemed to excite uneasiness in the Doetor.
lie -always studiously avoided any  turn of conversation in that direction, and, when,
on one or two occasions, the subject of his identity with  Thunderbolt was named to
hi m,became highly excited.
PFrom scme fetv letters, left G his deccase,-the-most- part of wlhich, with many of
his private'papers are said to have been seised and concealed, or carried away by
intereted persons, Ptv'reasons best kown to themselves, before evenan admisator coulld be appointed, into Whose hands they shouldhave fallen;-we gathr that
John Wilson, the subject of these brief memolis,-was t. san of a piou and respectable blaksmith; of Muirkirk, Scotland.  Two of his sons, John and Rbert the only
children: of whom We. kow anything, came o, this country some years slnce. of whom
Ro'ber reslded for a while in BostmonMass: but subsequently removed to the State of
Conneticaut, where he still lives.  The other, John Wilson, Came to this cutry,
as near as we can'ascertain,'somretime in 181-9, and remained a year or tw, when
he rtturned o Entlgland again, and came back with a caro of roof slate; soon after
which, he settled ii Du nmerstn*r,. Vt.




4                    AN ACCOTUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON0
The reader will recollect the declaration of Lightfoot, that after his arrival in
America, he received a letter from Thunderbolt, announcing that "he had pushed
off to the West Indies," where under a fictitious name, he was doing business in an
honest manner.  Dr. Wilson claimed to have passed a short time there, previous to
his settlement in Vermont.
His personal appearance was naturally very elegant. His height was just six feet
and one.inch-precisely that of Thunderbolt, as mentioned, by Lighffoot-his shoulders broad, chest deep and expansive, indicating great physical power. He was a
man of fine florid complexion —dark eyes and hair-of high and commanding bearing.
The likeness, which we have placed upon the title page of these Memoirs, engraved by Mr. Thos. Chubbuck, from a Dagauerreotype, copied by 0. H.I Cooley, from a
portrait, taken in the meridian of life, has much merit for correctness, and will give
the reader a good idea of his fine and lofty bearing at that period of his age. On
his first coming to Vermont, his deportment was'that of a well bred gentleman.
whose manners had been polished and refined by long intercourse with the most
polite circles, It is hardly possible that he could have acquired so great urbanity of
address without familiarity with the best society in Europe.  Still he was a most singular man.  His peculiar habits, were matters of frequent observation and remark,
among the inlabitantsof the place and vicinity where he lived.  What the causes of
his dislike were nat then known. olut for some timtne after his coming to Dummerston,
he manifested a great aversion to Society, and seldom mingled in company. His
time was for the most part passed in seclusion and study. His first employment in
business after coming to Vermont, was in the occupation of a district school teacher, for
h'is success in which? he acquired considerable reputation. Meanwhile he was prose.
cating his medical studies, which we learn from some letters, found in dIis possession
at the time of his decease, he had not only prsuged at Edinburgh, in Scotland, but
had also practiced medicine in his native village.
Whether, or not, he had, in early life, passed regularly through all the steps of academical and professional Education, we are not advised; but he was a man of no
ordinary talents, which had been cultivated by liberal pursuits in -a Iigh degree.
Many regarded him as a person extensively acquainted with the sciences; while oth.
ers, especially, the members of his own profession, held contrary opinions.  But he
was unquestionably, a man of fine literary taste, as shown by the style and tenor of.
his conversations, with his most intimate friends, and from the character of his general
reading.  He was familiar with, and a most enthusiastic admirer of the best English poets, and had stored his memory with the. choicest selections from the works of many of
them, particularly of Shakspeare and his favorite Burns, whom he was want to style
his " own sweet poet."  And his recitals of their finest passages often not only
amused, but instructed the literary amateur.
The pamphlet, containing the Confession of Michael Martin, made its appearance
about the year 1822, which produced considerable excitement in the country, especially with regard to Thunderbolt, who was mentioned in the Confession, as having
abandoned the guilt and peril attending the adventures of a highwayman, for some
more honorable business.
It were idle, perhaps, to speculate upon what probable business, Thunderbolt would
follow, upon the event of forsaking his criminal career of lifae but it strikes us with




AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.
much force, thiat a man of his native and acquired abilities. with the knowledge of
medicine, which Lightfoot says he had, would be more likely to pursue the calling of
Dr. Wilson than any other; for the reader will bear in mind the statement of the
Confession, that he possessed considerable skill in medicine and surgery; and that at
one time, he made a very profitable speculation, by " passing himself off" as a travelling physician, accompanied by Lightfoot in the capacity of an apprentice.
When this Confession came out, suspicions, that he was the person named
therein as Thunderbolt, half uttered and half suppressed, passed about the neighborhood of the Doctor's residence.  On what these suspicions were then grounded, we are unable to say, unless upon his very singular habits, and the inscrutable
mystery, thrown around a portion of his life, which he never seemed inclined to reMlove.
After stopping two or three years in Dummerston, he removed to the town
of Newfane, where he soon established himself in business, as a physician, and gradually acquired a considerable practice, in that and the adjoining towns.  It is related of him, that being one day on a professional visit, his eye fell upon the pamphlet
of MIartin's Confession, and seizing it, he hurled it into the fire, What his reasons
were for so doing are not known.  But we have never heard qof any other person's
doiny the same thing in the saime mlanner.
In his practice, he came, by many, to be very much esteemed for his profissio'aal skill, and unremitting devotion to his patients.  And this devotion is said
to have grown mnore iutense, in proportion, not so much, to the prospect of a liberal reward, as to the amount of the fee previously advanced.  The interest which
the Doctor sometimes felt iln the welfare of his patients, mingled perhaps with some
little professional pride, may be illustrated by the following instance:  It was appa
reltly, a case of the pulmonary consumption, which had been abandoned as desperate
by the other physicians of the vicinity, and, when his advice was finally called, he
ilot only brought the resources of his skill to bear upon the disease, but even left his
own house, and passed most of his time for some months, with the patient, until a
restoration to health was effected.
It would seenm by (a letter, left by him, from a brother physician, residing near Edinburgh, inviting his presence to a consultation in an interesting and difficult case,
that his professional skill was there, also, very much respected.  IIl the year 1836
he removed from Newfane to Brattleboro, and built a dwelling house in a retired spot'
on the banks of the Connecticut, where he resided till the time of his death. He also
erected a mill for sawing timber, to which he applied steam as a motive power.  But
the imperfection of the machinery, and expens' attending its operation, finally comrn
pelled him to abandon the enterprise, after having sunk several thousand dollars, supposed to have been acquired by his professional industry. About this time he married a highly respectable young lady of Brattleboro, a daughter of one of our worthiest
citizens.  But the union was far from a happy one to the parties; and was dissolved a very few years after, by a bill of divorce, granted the wife, on the ground of
tyrannical treatment of the husband toward, her.  During the pendency of the bill
of divorce, she is represented to have said, that she would not live with him, for she
knew he had been a robber or sonice such infamous character, or words of similar
import.




AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.
The fruits of the marriage were one son, a lad now about telve years of age
The wife afterwards married again, but died some years since.
This divorce is a mystery.  The wife was a very excellent wM=an, and yet, it is
said, that from the very day of her marriage, she was subjected to the most cruel #ys.
temrn. of treatment.. She never violated her marriage vows, and yet she became the
unhappy object of his jealousy.  He was jealous; but not from any, even the least
improprieties on her part.  Wherefore, then this jealousy-this Mother of Cruety?
Her voice is still.  Even if his decease might have broken the seal, which fear, during her life, is believed to have placed upon'her lips, death has -now fixed his final
seal upon them, and no light can break from  her.  Can we believe that his treatment of her was-cruel, because the intimacy and confidence of connubial life had
revealed to her knowledge, facts and suspicions, which it was one great object with
him  to conceal?  Is it possible that it could have been the cruelty of a haunted
conscience, that can nowhere, in safety, lodge its terrible secrets, but is ever writhing under the fear, that its own guilty imagery is flashing out upon the keen vision
of other eyes?   Could it come from that
"' Brood of conscience, Spectres! which frequent
The bad rhan's restless walk, and haunt his bed?"
We say this divorce and its circumstances are mysterious. But let it once be settled, that the husband of that amiable woman was the dreaded Thunderbolt, of Lightfoot's Confession, and his conduct to her in the eye of reason, is no longer a mystery.
Among the peculiarities of the Doctor, he had a very great dread of law suits;
perhaps after all hot so very unreasonable.  We recollect one instance of considerable merriment, excited at his expense.  He had brought a suit against an individual
living some twenty miles distant, for medical services. The court day came.  The
Defendant with hi3 Counsel and witnesses was present, prepared to dispute the claim.
The Doctor came in, but on seeing the array of witnesses, and preparations to defend,
he immediately called for the bill of costs-drew his pocket-book —paid it-withdrew
the suit, and left the court-room, protesting that though the charges were just and unpaid, yet that was no place of justice for him; all, much to the gratification of the
bystanders.
Possibly the Doctor's aversion to the Law may have been the lesson of his previous experience, as he had we believe been involved in two suits before the one we name.
One was that of his wife's divorce, where after all his opposition, he was unable to
prevent her from  escaping from  the toils, in which she had been most unfortunately
snared.  The other was a sort of a serio-comic affair, the result of which was not
much to his credit.  This was an action of Book Account, where he was defendant.
The law of Vermont allows each party, in that form of action, to make oath to the
truth of his claim.  The Plaintiff had exhibited his account in court, and on oath tesr
tified to the various items. It then came the Doctor's turn Ito make an exhibit of his,
which he did by presenting his book, where the items were all very neatly and methodically arranged. And, after being sworn, he passed quite triumphantly through
his examination in chief.  But in the fire of the cross-examination, he got thoroughly
scorched.  The point raised by the opposing counsel was, whether hisitems chared,
viere entered in that sacnle book, and at the time they pltrported to be, to wit, fotr,




AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.                       7
five anad six years previous.  The Doctor declared that they were-and that he entered them at the time indicated by their respectivre dates.  But the eagle eye of
counsel detected some suspicious appearances about the book in question, which he
thought impeached the Doctor's veracity, and stepping immediately into a book
store near by, inquired if the Defendant had purchased such a book recently, describing the one produced in court. The book-seller replied that he had, about ten days
before-that the book was just from the bindery-was of a new pattern, and that
he should recognize it at sight.  He was immediately summoned into court.  But as
the counsel appeared with the witness at the door of the court-room, the Doctor at
once seeing the " fix" he was in, seized the book, rushed out of another door, and,
returning after a short absence, stoutly maintained, that he had not only not carried
the book away, but that he had not even seen it, after it first went into the hands of
the counsel.
We are not Dr. John Wilson's accuser, but in some sense his biographer, and impartial, as we believe. We do not charge him with intentional perjury, or the willful
violation of his solemn oath. But we are prepared to submit whether so gross a want
of moral principle, as such conduct exhibits, might not under other circumstances
have found its proper manifestation in the higher and bolder forms of crime? The
conduct here described, we admit, was that of cowardice-but not cowardice until
after the conscience was startled by the failure of the plot.
There are two kinds of character in respect of courage. The one is noble. It
stands firmly upon the power of principle, and is nerved by its invigorating and independent spirit. It is ever cool, yet warmed by the enthusiasm of true valor. It
sublimely prefers the sufferings —the ignominy —nay the glory of martyrdom, to the
cringing attitude of hypocritical confession. The other kind is but its sorry counterfeit, and, wanting its real elements, is arrogant in success, and servile in defeat.
Controlled by no fixed and elevated moral force, it changes with the tides.  Under
one set of circumstances, it assumes the appearance of true bravery, while under another, it takes the form of the meanest cowardice.
The old maxim very truthfully has it, that " extremes often meet." Exceptions
to this rule are readily granted. But which is the more likely to lie in ambush for
the innocent and defenceless, the real, or the mock Hero?
An apology for the Doctor's conduct has sometimes been attempted, on the ground
of his foreign birth and education, and not understanding fully the nature and spirit
of the Laws and Institutions of this country. But the reply is, that the recognition
of the principles of moral honesty, and the obligations of truth belonging to reason
and intelligence universally, have no necessary dependence upon the particular
character of local institutions. And he was a man of no ordinary intelligence.
It is related of him, that while living at Newfane, he associated quite freely with
the members of the bar, who were in attendance upon the Courts, which were holden
at that place-that he conversed very intelligently upon matters of general interest,
and appeared to be very familiar, not only with the laws and general politics of Great
Britain, but also of the Continental Powers.
Among the amnising incidents of the Doctor's life, we will mention the following,
wicKh occurrned during his residence at Dummerston-: In those days, quiltings were




8                    AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHN WILSON.
common occasions of pastime for the young.  He sometimes atterded those parties,
which always ended with the merry dance.  The Doctor was ever averse to dancing,
which only proved, as he said, that people's heads were ligthter than their heels.But he could not always abide his refusal, and would say in his own peculiar brogue,
" I cannae resist the bonnie lassie," and away he would go, adown the giddy whirl, led
by some smiling ILehe. But in attempting to cut a 1" piceon-\wing," which was the
fashionable flourish for the heels in those days, invariably got a tumble, to the no
small amusement of the ladies; the Doctor at the same time declaring, that his mishap only proved the truth of his assertion, that dancing addled mei's brains, while
the heads of the bonnie lassies were so sur charged with vanity, it had but little effect
on them.  These tumbles were undoubtedly owing to the effect of a cork-heel he wore,
which no one, to our knowledge, was aware of at the time.
He had unfortunately contracted habits of intemperance, which grew upon him as
age advanced; and during the latter part of his life, both his physical and intellectual vigor became essentially impaired. As the consequences of this habit, there followed the gradual loss of professional business in the vicinity of his residence, and
the gathering around him of a class of associates and retainers, with which, a mind
like his, that had been cultivated by liberal pursuits, naturally feels but little sym.
pathy. It was truly melancholy to witness a mind so qualified by natural endow.
ments, and the refinements of learning, to adorn any class of society it might have
selected, so completely shut out from the higher and more intelligent circles —and
that too, by faults mainly its own.
After his separation from his wife, he led a very solitary and singular mode of life.
His house was seldom entered by any, except himself and little son, whom he made
his constant companion, both at home and abroad.  Wherever you saw the Doctor,
you might know the lad was not far distant.  He employed no one to attend to his
household affairs, but did himself, whatever was done, toward the domestic comfort of
himself -and boy. Friends and relatives from abroad rarely visited his house; while
its location, somewhat apart from the village, and his mode of life, offered no great
inducement to his neighbors to frequent it. As might be expected, his personal appearance, and the furnishing of his wardrobe  for which in early life he was quite remarkable, became very much neglected.
At all seasons, in the warmest as well as the coldest days of the year, he might be'
seen with a large cravat, or cotton muffler, reaching to his ears, which he always took
great care to keep drawn up highon the neck. What the benefit, of such a singular
article of dress, could be in a hot summer's day, curiosity was unable to divine, while
he lived, It was also noticed as a peculiarity of his, that when m company, he usually selected a position, that would bring as many as possible of those present, in
front of him, as when for instance, he entered the sitting-room of a public house, it
was usual for him to choose a seat in the corner of the room. Perhaps like some
other persons of our times, he did not wish to leave his " rear unprotected." But a.f
ter his death, the mystery, both of the muffler and position, seemed to be revealed,
by the discovery of a large scar upon the back of the neck.
In the purchase of his boots and shoes, he always declined making trial of their
fit, at the shop or store, in the presence of others; but asked the privilege of takingt




A% AC,('CO'TNT OF DRt..JOIN WILSON.                   9
them home for trial at his leisure.  This also, is probably accounted ibr, by the defective foot", upon which lie wore the cork heel before named, the fact of which, he
wishedl to conceal.  iFe was, in many respects, no less that same strange and mysterious being, in the last hours of his life than he had been before.  And if concealmeent had been an abiding passion of his life, it was emphatically strong in the hour
of death.  The indifference, to temporal things, and confidential surrender of the person, into the care of fiienlds and nurses, which commonly attend the last hours of the
suffering, especially, where there is a consciousness of immediate dissolution, were
not witnessed in the case of Dr. Wilson.  But on the other hand, his anxiety, to prevent the exposure of his body to the eye of his attendants, seemed to grow more intense.  He refused to be undressed through his sickness, and, even in the last struggles of his life, continued to wear the same apparel, inwhich he was dressed at the
commencement of his illness.  Unnatural as it appears in the light of civilization,
nevertheless, by his own will 1he died with his clothes on.
After his death, there were taken off, among other things, his pantaloons, three
pair of drawers and a large muffler from the neck.
His age was probably sixty-three years.  We have the testimony of one of his
neighbors-a man of undoubted veracity, that in 1846, the Doctor told him, his
age was sixty-two, which would make him sixty-three in March 1847-the time of
his death.  Martin says Thunderbolt was between thirty and forty years of age in
1816; supposing him  to have been thirty-in 1847 he would have been sixtythree —just th&a of the Doctor.  The Doctor's brother, however, stated his age to be
twelve years less than his own, which was about seventy-a very equivocal mode of
stating it; besides, he had every appearance of having seen as many as 63 summers.
It has been very aptly said, that "the guilty soul is false to itself, or rather
it feels, an irresistable impulse of conscience, to be true to itself."  The very
effort it makes to hide its secrets, is itself prophetic of their existence. All is uncertain, and all unnatural. It is compelled to breathe an atmosphere uncongenial to its
proper life. The ever vigilant eye of reason-the stern resolve of fixed purpose,
may set their double guard along the avenues leading to its guilty chambers, and for
a while adjourn the revelations, which in the end, are sure to come to light.  But
when the watchful eye of reason grows dim, and the firm resolve relaxed by the force
of disease, the startling truth will flash out from its gloomy prison; and what before
was suspicion, becomes an awful certainty.
A gentleman,who attended-upon Dr. Wilson, almost constantly in his sickness,
says, that during the dreamy state of mind, into which he fell, a while previous to his
death, he dwelt upon the transactions narrated in Lightfoot's Confession, and,'after
going on for a time in such an audible strain, would suddenly rouse himself, much >x.
cited, and inquire of him what he had been saying!
The public will make their own comments.  Threatened prosecutions will not intimidate.  The appearance of his body, after his decease, seemed to reveal to many,
the reasons of much of his conduct before inexplicable, in the scars and defects
found on various parts of it.
The scar upon the back of his neck, which we have already had occasion to mention, was some inches in length.  Anather discovered upon the calf of one of his
2




!0                   AKN ACCOUN'T OF DR. JOHN WILON.
legs, was about the size of a cent, branching off in one direction nearly an inch.
This had all the appearance of having been caused by a musket ball, as described by
Lightfoot, in the case of Thunderbolt, which, he says, he extracted with his knife.
This leg was a little shorter than the other; also somewhat withered.  And, to avoid
limping, he had worn the cork heel, which enabled him to hide the defect by restoring the relative length of the limb.  Bandages and wadded cotton were wound around
this leg, to give it apparently the size of the other. The scar upon his leg is valiously accounted for.  The Doctor's brother, who, we think would be more likely to
be familiar with the cause of it, than any other person in this country-certainly if
it were the consequence -of disease-on his recent visit to Brattleboro, we are informed, gave, himself, different accounts of it.  To one person, on his inquiry, he replied,
it was, he believed, the effect of disease when John was about six years of age;
while to enquiries of other individuals, he gave other awd contradictory answers; all
very unsatisfactory.  But those, who believe this to be the very scar of Thunderbolt, as
named in the Confession, with much show of reason, ask, why, on this supposition,
was so much concern manifested to conceal it.  They say a blemish, occasioned
by  a disease is no disgrace; wherefore, then, the motives for concealment.
Suspicions of the Doctor's identity with Thunderbolt, were considerably strengtileled, by exhibitions made upon the examination of his house after his death —exhibibitions, which we must confess, were most remarkable for a citizen of the peaceful
village of Brattleboro.  Among other things, were found in his possession, three old
English, double barreled guns,-three pair of old English pistols, besides several odd
ones-a number of swords, one of them, a straight- sharp pointed blade, quite rusty,
the edge much hacked, with a basket hilt, for the protection of the hand.  It had the
appearance of having driven a brisk business sometime, but where and when it does
not say.  There were found some eight or ten old watches of antique pattern —some
of gold-others of silver; also a very large clasp knife, that might have answered a
good purpose for a cleaver.  We understand some of these guns were not only
charged at the time of his death, but that his custom was to keep them so, as a defence against the attacks of-what-conscience?  Ife surelv could be in no danger
of assault from any other quarter.
A diamond necklace- which the Doctor exhibited to a fiiend of his some years
since, has not been discovered, or if so, has not come to the knowledge of the public.
The circumstances, attending this singular exhibition, were as follows: The gentleman, to whom it was made, was-one of -the Doctor's'most intimate friends, whom he
had invited to a convivial entertainment, subsequent to the separation from his wife.
After some conversation with reference to her, he presented the necklace, saying,
"thank God! here is a nest-egg, she never discovered, worth seven thousand dollars,
which she would be proud to wear."  The question was asked, how he came in possession of such a treasure.  The Doctor replied it was his mother's.  Hits mother
was' te wife of an honest blacksmith.
Whatever the reader's ultimate conclusions may be, we think he -cannot fail to be
forcibly struck, with the singular points of coincidence, between the subject of this
brief sketch, and the highwayman as described by Michael Martin.  That two indi.
-iduals should bear a stregt resemblanee to each other, in one or two partienlars. is




AN ACCOUNT OF DR. JORN  WILSON.                      11
tot so very singular.  But when all proof tending to show that the real person eould
nct have acted, at another time, under another and assumed character, is not only
wanting, but collateral circumstances are of themselves sufficient to raise a presumption of identity between the two, then we say, as the number of these points of resemblance increases, the evidence rises from presumption into degrees of moral probability, and may- produce irresistable conviction.
John Wilson's height-personal appearance-time of coming w  this country-his
having been in the West Indies-age —secular profession-scar upon the leg, are seven
points of striking coincidence with the individual described as Capt. Thunderbolt. In
addition to these, and corroborative of the presumptiomrof identity, might be mentioned much of his conduct which is explicable on no other hypothesis.  His aversion to
society, sometime after his arrival here-his dread of Martin's Confession, as shown
by his destruction of the book-his treatment of his wife-style of dress, suited to
conceal his physical blemishes —mode of life-strange refusal to be undressed in his
final sickness-the wandering of his mind, in his last hours, amid the scenes of Lightfoot's Conlfession-the singular collection of articles, found in his possession-all these,
ewe apprehend, in the public mind, seem to point him out, as the companion of that
fearless bandit.
There is a principle of our common nature, the. operation of which, bears upon this
question. A sentiment, or feeling of pride is almost universally awakened, by the
reception of wounds in reputable service.  Sufferings borne-deeds of valor achieved, and scars, the abiding memorials of noble conduct, are themes upon which the
mind delights to dwell. Especially do they furnish topics of increasing interest as
age advances.  The most credulous, even, will not hasten to believe, that honorable
scars would seek a muffler for their protection, under the burning suns of July, or
demand concealment in the solemn hour of death! That corporal defects occasioned
by the ravages of disease, should crave a shelter, as if from public disgrace, is by no
means a common thin- g! The human milid is not ordinarily affected in this way.
We are now prepared to submit to the candid reader, on the showing already
made, not so much whether the public is entitled, solemnly to pronounce Dr. John
Wilson, late of Brattleboro, Vt., to bhe the John Doherty of the Confession, the
Thunderbolt of Irish memory; as w-hether there is not enough to justify the suspicions, and the wide spread excitement, which has so clearly and loudly called for the
grounds, on which these suspicions rest.  It has been our object to narrate suciinetlr
and truly, such events of the Doctor's life, subsequent to his coming to America, as
can furnish any guide to a knowledge of his character, or throw any light upon the
question about wahich the public is at present so much interested.  And we have the
fullest confidence, that whatever has been stated as matter of fact, is capable of the
most irrefragible proof.  We are not yet so far removed, in point of time, from the
occurrences, which constitute the body of this narrative, as to find ourselves lost amid
the mazes of doubt and uncertainty, Fancy, quickened and impelled by the marvelous, has not yet had time to weave its web of tradition, which so often usurps the
province of authentic history. The eyes that have seen, and the ears that have
heard these things are still with us.  The inferences, we have occasionally drawn,
which more than indicate our own opinions, are not designed to influence other




12                    AN A'('COUNT OF D1...1J01N WILS)ON.
rmids,, but were the irresistable deductions of our own reason, fiom the premises preSented us
There has been on our part, no wish. to fasten the character of a highwayman upon
one, who was but just now our fellow citizen.  Nor have we done so.  But if the
fair -and candid exhibition of truth should subject him to suchdisgrace, in the public
mind, let the responsefility fall where it belongs; upontllhat conduct and life, the sin
gular character of which, itself has invited this disgrace, if any there be; and not
on those, who only seek to preserve, at the public request, what a large portion of the
community already know.
The vileness of scandal forms no part of our object in these pages.  Nay; we
could most devoutly desire, that all, who pass from among us, down to the silence of
the grave, might descend in the fullness of honor, leaving behind them as a rich legacy, the reputation of an unsullied life; but, at all events, if scandal must liner after them, it might be the scandal of falsehood, and not of trauth!
The dead, we know are alike-insensible to the voice of praise or blame-to the injustice of false, or the more withering rebukes of veritable history. But, as we have already
hinted, every act, done in public by any of its members, becomes an integral part of
the property of the public; and society has the right, if it pleases, to a record-a stereotyped edition of it. What verdict the public will render upon the question of
identity, between Dr. John Wilson and the infamous Thunderbalt, is yet to be determined.  Legitimate evidence alone convinces the understanding.  When that is furDished in sufficient amount, belief is no- longer elective, but necessary and absolute.
We nowhere assert this identity.  We neither affirm nor deny, but leave a just and
discerning public to decide, as it shall find its judgment convinced, or not, from all
the facts in the case.




ADDENDA
The following is taken from Novels and iales, a series of pamphlets published in I847:
"The following letters, in confirmation of statements contained in the foregoing pages, are from a gentleman resident in
Brattleboro', Vt., and may be relied on as correct, he being well
acquainted with the deceased.
"Brattleboro, Vt., June 2, I847.
"Dear Sir: You desire me to send you something of the life
of Dr. John Wilson (by many supposed to be the individual
formerly known as "Thunderbolt") since he came to Vermont.
This I wilt do, but it will be in short hand, as his life, while among
us, has been but little varied, and without much romance.
"G. C. Hall, Esq., came in the stage with him from Boston,
on his first arrival from Scotland, and he says that if he rightly
recollects, it was in the year i 818. Wilson immediately went to
Dummerston, to reside with P-  W          who had some
connection with a relative of Wilson in the slate business. Hence
the reason of his taking up his residence with W. He remained
with W. some three of four years, and gradually grew into the
practice of medicine, keeping school during the winter season.
He was decidedly the finest looking man I ever saw; and this,
joined with his gentlemanly bearing, suavity of manners, extensive knowledge, ease and grace in conversation, mingled with
the Scottish brogue, rendered him extremely interesting. I
have listened for hours to his graphic descriptions of places and
scenery, all told so true to life that one would seem to be transported to the very place he was describing, and see the whole as
undoubtedly it was in reality.
"Still there was a mystery hanging about the man. No one
could learn much of his earlier life, and many supposed, for the
reason of his taking up his abode in that (then) out-of-the-way
place-he being a man of such superior acquirements-that
he was constrained to leave his native country; but why or
wherefore no one could tell. He was in the habit, while at
W  -'s, if any one knocked at the door suddenly, of instantly
leaving the room, and keeping out of sight until the person left,
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ADDENDA
or he had ascertained who it was. Still, no one thought much
of it at the time, supposing it, proceeded from some eccentricity
of character. "Quiltings" were at that time much in vogue,
and the Doctor, of course, must go. The ladies would persuade
him (though he was always very reluctant) to dance; and it would
almost always happen that he would fall to the floor before he got
through the twistings and turnings of a contradance. No one
ever knew, to my knowledge, that he was lame, or wore a "cork
heel." The cork heel, probably, was the cause of his tumbling
down; at least, it now satisfactorily accounts for it.
"He left Dummerston, and settled down in the town of Newfane, Windham county, as a physician and surgeon. In the first
he was eminently successful for a few years, when he took to
the "ardent," and fell, as most others fall who make a too free
use of it.
"Dr. Wilson came to Brattleboro', about a dozen years since,
and was afterwards married to a Miss Chamberlain, daughter
of Selah Chamberlain, but lived very unhappily-cause rum!
He separated from his wife in some two or three years after
marriage-his wife is since dead. He had one child, a son,
who is now living in this place, aged about twelve years.
"Some six or eight years since, it seems, he kept a sort of'mistress,' in a small house at the lower end of the village, belonging to him. The'rowdies' one night mobbed him, broke
his windows, smashed his furniture, etc., since which time he has
lived entirely alone with his little boy, doing his own cooking,
etc., and having meanwhile some considerable practice in his
profession, off at a distance. In short, although somewhat
talked against, he was considered rather respectable than
otherwise. But he was not the same Dr. John Wilson of earlier
days. He has said to me that he had lost since he came to this
place, some $6,ooo by building a steam sawmill and other machinery, which proved a total failure; but his administrator
says his estate will amount to between 6,ooo and 7,ooo dollars
-an amount, I should think, he never could have acquired in
his practice of physic. It is not true that he had an'immense
amount of jewelry packed away in saw dust' or that he'hired
two men to bury him in his clothes,' as has been stated in the
newspapers; but it is true that the calf of his leg was perishedthat he wore a cork heel-that he had been considerably wounded
97




ADDENDA
in the neck, as it was much scarified —and also true that he
would not suffer, in his last sickness, his clothes to be taken
off, save his coat —not even his handkerchief. I never, to my
recollection, saw him without a handkerchief about his neck,
and that, too, a large one. If the weather was ever so hot, a
thick heavy muffler was. invariably about his neck. His perished limb was kept out to the size of the other by wadding made
of paper. How he could have always concealed his lameness
from everybody, is odd enough; and why he should have concealed it, is somewhat of a puzzle-that is to say, if it came by
any of the diseases or accidents that'flesh is heir to,' and he
had been withal an innocent man. A relative of his, who resides in Connecticut, was here the other day. He told, on being
shown the cork heel, that Wilson had a sore on his leg, when
about six years of age, which caused his limb to perish. Another
person asked him afterwards a similar question, and he gave
quite a different answer.
"Among Dr. Wilson's effects were two double-barrelled guns,
two pairs horse pistols, two or three duelling pistols, a number
of swords, one of which had a steel network to secure the hand,
and was quite a curiosity; it might have been wielded, for aught
I know, by old Calum Dhu, of bow and arrow memory. He
also left some dozen walking canes, of all sorts and sizes. One
of them is odd enough-it contains inside a sort of ramrod, which,
by pointing the cane towards any one, and giving it a slight jerk,
would make a noise similar to the cocking of a gun. It was,
probably, only intended to frighten, being perfectly harmless,
except as far as noise is concerned. He also left quite a variety
of powder horns, shot bags, bullet pouches, etc. An excellent
Scottish bagpipe was found, by which he probably amused
himself in his solitary hours.
"I should be happy to give a further account of this individual,
but it is the best I can do, as there has been nothing of particular
incident in his life here to make much out of, unless one draws
largely on the imagination.
"Sometimes I think he was the "Thunderbolt," and sometimes I think he was not. But the opinion is gaining very rapidly in this place, that he was the veritable man.
"F9 —
98




ADDENDA
"Brattleboro', Vt., June 15, 1847.
"Dear Sir: Since I wrote you last, about Dr. John Wilson,
I have conversed with the man who took care of him in his last
sickness. He says the lower part of his leg was perished —that
there was a scar on the calf of his leg, about the size of a cent,
having the appearance of a knife or some sharp instrument run
into the same scar, and slitted out, making the whole scar some
two or three inches in length —that his heel was gone something
like this.
"The part below the dotted line was gone. Also, that a slash
some four or five inches long was on the side of his neck, commencing near the carotid artery, and running round towards
the back part; the scar being about one-half inch in width.
That his front teeth in the under jaw had the appearance of having been knocked in, but were still in the jaw, and a bit of cork
was insulated between the lip and the teeth. That he had on
four pairs of drawers, in addition to his pants, which were also
lined; the perished limb being stuffed out with paper, and bound
round with two silk handkerchiefs. The man says there mighhave been other marks, but he did not examine the body part
ticularly. I should have sent you this information in my other
letter, but the man was away.
"There is no mistake but the Doctor was something of a'bruiser' in his younger days; but how he could manage to keep
his scars a secret so long, is a problem difficult to be solved.
"Yours truly,
99F -