It was my full confession on my first imprisonment, that has made my offences capital. I have destroyed myself, otherwise no evidence could have condemned me.
I made that confession to prevent more dreadful mischief being done to this injured country from persons whom it least suspected; for God, who seeth in secret, only knows where the evil would have stopped. And, if possible, to make some small reparation for the violent wrongs I have myself been guilty of, I request the indulgence of the Court to suffer me to read over a list of such robberies as my accomplices and myself had determined to commit, had we not been timeously prevented.
- 1. On Dalgleish and Dickie, Watchmakers.
- 2. On White and Mitchell, Lottery Office keepers.
- 3. On a rich Baker near Brodie’s close,—the name forgot.
- 4. The Council Chamber, for the Mace.
- 5. The Chamberlain’s Office, for money.
- 6. Forrester and Co.’s, Jewellers.
- 7. Gilchrist and Co.’s, Linen-drapers.
[Besides these, and as depredations of greater magnitude,]
8. The Bank of Scotland (or Old Bank) was to have been broke into.
9. The Stirling Stage Coach, carrying a thousand pounds to pay the Carron workmen, was to have been stopped and robbed.
10. Mr. Latimer, Collector of Excise for the Dalkeith district, reported to have generally from one to two thousand pounds, was to have been robbed.
I do not here speak of those felonies which are set forth in my declarations, because some of them were made known by another.
With all humility, therefore, and a trembling heart, I urge the plea of having been the true cause—whatever may seem, or may be endeavoured to be proved to the contrary—of this wicked and dangerous confederacy being discovered and broken up, trusting my life to this one plea, and secure that it will have its full weight in the breasts of a discerning, unbiassed, and merciful Jury.
My most thankful acknowledgments are humbly returned to your Lordships for the appointment of such able and humane Counsel to plead for me. Forgive me for declining their kind help.