Con Men and Cutpurses: Scenes from the Hogarthian Underworld (Penguin Classics) by Lucy Moore

Author:Lucy Moore [Moore, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2004-04-29T05:00:00+00:00

JOHN LANCEY Convicted of arson, and hanged in 1754

From the 1764 Select Trials

Lancey was a pirate of an altogether more modern type, who connived to set fire to his ship in order to claim the insurance. His weakness is in contrast to the fierce individuality and freedom-loving ethos of pirates like Blackbeard, although his brave and dignified demeanour after his arrest testifies to his sincere repentance .

John Lancey, aged 27, was born at Biddeford, in the county of Devon, and descended from a reputable family in that neighbourhood. He was a young man of good parts and understanding, improved by an education suited to the course of life to which he was destined, which was the sea. He always behaved suitable to his station, with the utmost integrity, and to the satisfaction of all those with whom he was concerned. In short, he is allowed to have lived an unblemished life till he engaged in this iniquitous transaction, the occasion of which, he accounted for in the following manner.

He said, he had been upwards of ten years in the employment of Mr Benson, a gentleman of that country, of a very opulent fortune, and well esteemed; that he had married a relation of Mr Benson ’s, and having been so long in his service, master of different vessels belonging to the same owner, and experienced many instances of his friendship, he could not but consider him as the master of his fortune, and rested his whole dependence upon his favour.

After bringing home the ship Nightingale safe from a former voyage, he had a fit of illness, which reduced him in his circumstances pretty much. On his recovery, Benson sent for him, and proposed fitting out the same vessel; and then, for the first time, communicated his design of making a large insurance upon her, and having her destroyed. Lancey said the proposal startled him, but recollecting himself, replied, ‘Sir, I flatter myself you have never known me guilty of a bad action since I have been in your service, and surely your mention of this matter to me now, is only with a view of trying my integrity.’

Some time afterwards, Benson invited him with some other gentlemen to dine with him. Lancey went, and was very kindly received, and desired to stay till the rest of the company were gone: He did so, and as soon as they were by themselves, Benson walked with Lancey, to a pleasure-house in the garden, renewed his former proposal and urged him to a compliance with great earnestness; till at last Lancey plainly told him, that if such were the conditions of continuing in his service, he must seek out for business somewhere else, for he could not prevail with himself to come into such a scheme.

They had drank plentifully before, and Benson still plied him with more wine and more arguments; upon which he touched upon a tender string; his necessities, his wife, and two children. ‘Why will you, says Benson, stand so

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