The Virginia Gazette

On Monday Evening Mr. George Kelly, formerly Secretary to the late Bishop of Rochester, who, with Plunket, was, by Act of Parliament, sentenced to be imprisoned for Life, for being concern'd with that unhappy Prelate in high Crimes and Misdemeanors against the State; found Means to make his Escape out of the Tower, after he had been confin'd there about Fourteen Years.

The Physicians having some Time ago, represented him in a dangerous State of Health, his Majesty, out of his most gracious Compassion and Tenderness, had given him Leave to go where he pleased within Ten Miles of London, under the Care however of one of the Officers of the Tower, and to return thither at Night. He had been out of the Tower just before he made his Escape, and came Home in a Coach in Company with one of the said Officers, who believing him safe, took his Leave of him; but he, instead of going into his House, as it is apprehended, made for the Sally-Port Stairs, which led into the Mint, met the same Coach which had just before set him down at Traitor's Gate, and in some Disguise or Change of Habit, escap'd in it unobserved out of the Gates, and so got away: This is believed to have been done between 7 and 8 o'Clock.

Expresses were sent, as soon as his Escape was discover'd, to Gravesend, and all the Ports to stop him; and her Majesty has been pleased to offer a Reward of 200 l. for retaking him.

On Tuesday Morning last, a Letter wrote by him, was brought to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, acknowledging his Majesty's past Goodness towards him, and excusing the Attempt he then had made to regain his Liberty. The same Morning a Letter, wrote likewise by him, came by the Penny-Post, to a Gentleman in the Tower, dated on Monday, assigning over to him all his Books, &c. at his Lodgings in the Tower.