Monday, April 4th, 1757

Salisbury, March 28.

On Monday last the Earl of Pembroke's new Dog-Kennel, at Bishopston, which had been finished but a few Months, took Fire by some accident and was burnt down.

The same Day the Fore-Horse of a Team belonging to Farmer Thompson of Bemerton, coming to this City, with a Load of Hay, leap'd over the Middle of Fisherton Bridge, and hung by the Traces till they were cut asunder, and let him into the River, whence he was fortunately got out unhurt. On Tuesday, about Ten o'Clock in the Morning, were executed at Fisherton Gallows, pursuant to their Sentence at our last Assizes, Bernardo Varda, and John Phillips, for a Robbery on the Highway, and Daniel Swanborough, for House-breaking. They behav'd very calm and decent, as become Persons in their unhappy Circumstances, and went to the Place of Execution dress'd in their Shrouds. Varda, a genteel young Fellow, about 22 Years of Age, an Italian, died a Roman Catholick, and behaved with a remarkable Air of composure to the last. He had a fine Head of Hair, which in general he wore platted, but on this Occasion it was curl'd, hung loose over his Shoulders, and was powder'd to Excess. They neither of 'em at the Place of Execution deny'd, or so much as endeavoured to palliate the Crimes for which they suffer'd. Varda, whom Phillips had just taken his final Leave of with a Kiss, a few minutes before the Cart drew away address'd himself to the Spectators, but with a low Voice, and beg'd 'em to take Notice of his wretched End, and to let it be a Warning to all, especially those who are wickedly inclin'd, to shun his unhappy fate.

On Wednesday last Thomas Saunders the younger, of Stratton St.Margaret, Labourer, was committed to our County Goal, by Mr.Justice Freke, for breaking open the Dwelling-House of Bradford Page, of Stratton aforesaid, in the Night-Time, on the 2d Instant, and Stealing a Great-Coat, Hat, Shirts, Stockings, three loaves of Bread, and other Things, which upon Examination he confess'd.

---

To the PRINTER of the SALISBURY JOURNAL,

SIR,
On seeing a Paragraph in your Paper of the 14th Instant concerning William Plank, who was a Prisoner in Devizes Bridewell, and knowing the same to be a vile and scandalous Falsehood, (with Regard to his being ill treated in that Prison) and intended only to do me an Injury, I take this public method of vindicating myself, in which Relation I fine myself to Truth and Matter of Fact.
The said William Plank had but one Bazzle[?] on, which he found Means to saw-off, and then attempted to make his Escape through the Necessary-House, about the latter End of December, 1756; upon the Discovery of which, I thought it my Duty to load him with double Irons, by Way of Security (but did not confine him to any particular Place, as had been falsely reported). I then made it known to John Turner, Esq; one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this County, who ordered his removal to Fisherton Goal, where I carried him on the 17th of January last, in perfect Health, and with sound Limbs, as Mr.Holdaway the Keeper of the said Goal can and will testify; and during my Stay at Salisbury, which was four Days, I heard not the least Complaint from him or any other Person, and at the End of that Time I left the said William Plank in perfect Health. The above Relation I declare to be true, as Witness my Hand this 17th of March, 1757.
JOHN PHILLIPS, Keeper of Devizes Bridewell.
P.S. If the Truth of the above should be still a Matter in dispute, I am ready to produce many substantial Witnesses to corroborate it. I am inform'd, and to verily believe, that a Fever which he had at Fisherton Goal pitch'd in his Legs, and was the whole Cause of his Disorder.

---