The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

PORTSMOUTH.

To the PRINTER.

It is now high Time to make it more public, That Last Friday One of our Female Pilferers received a Flagellation at the Whipping-Post, who had a great Number of Spectators to see this good Work performed; and it is hoped that others, who as justly deserve it, will soon be brought to the same Place, to receive their Deserts. A Course of Thieving is the direct Road to the Gallows, tho' commonly attended thither by Way of the Whipping-Post and Pillory.

There is scarcely a Crime so mean, unnatural and disgraceful as Thievery---when once detected, they become the Contempt of Society, and forever after are branded with the odious, but true Proverb, (once a Thief, and always bang'd.) They are distrusted on all Occasions, and are seldom suffered to enjoy the innocent Freedom allowed to others---and so rigid is Prejudice towards them, that all they can possibly do to retrieve, will never erase the Stain on their lost Reputation. And if the Individuals of a Community, would discourage this Vice by an avowed Determination to expose and prosecute Offenders, they would not be so open in their Villainies.

Some are noted for rising early and supplying themselves with Firing from the nearest Pile, and because they have Families it is disagreeable to their Neighbours to expose them to public Shame, they therefore continue in their Stealing, and pass on with Impunity; but such can't expect their Neighbours Patience will always last, as they know not but this very Print may be the last Notice they may ever have; a public Whipping may be the Consequence soon, if not something worse, for such Traps will be (if not already) laid, that they will most assuredly be caught in.

The Ways and Means used by Thieves, are so many and various, that it would be endless to recount them, tho' not so secret but may be easily found out, if searched after in Time, especially in such Houses, or rather Nuances, which are the Receptacles of Negroes, who have of late behaved very insolently, especially when they come home half-Drunk: we may be assured the Circumstances of such People must be reduced, that would make their Dwellings Nurseries for thieving Negroes, encouraging them to steal Liquors, Provisions, &c. from their Masters Cellars, and in entertaining them in a riotous Manner, Dancing and Singing all Night, as has been lately the Case; it will not be improper to let such People know, that the next Time they ever entertain or keep these Negro Servants, a number of their Masters will prosecute and bring them to publick Punishment.

There are many Injuries suffered by the Inhabitants of this Town, that might easily be redressed, for it is only exposing Offenders; we know we have good Laws, and proper Gentlemen authorised to inflict such Punishments as shall suppress the growing Vices amongst us for the future.