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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In London, Mr. Samson, a young man under 20, pleaded guilty to a crime and addressed the court begging for mercy, citing his role in saving over 200 lives. A nobleman reportedly interceded with the king on his behalf for saving a vessel bound for Ireland carrying baggage, domestics, and passengers.
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Before the unfortunate Mr. Samson received judgment, he addressed the Court as follows:
"My Lords.
After having voluntarily pleaded guilty, I humbly wait to receive Sentence of the Law. Great as my Crime is, his Majesty's Mercy is still greater; and if in my past Conduct any Circumstances have happily happened, by which I have (under God) been the Means of saving the Lives of any of his Majesty's Subjects (and with Truth I can say that I have saved above 200 from perishing) I hope those Circumstances will, in some Measure, recommend me, a truly sincere Penitent, to his Royal Mercy: and if it shall be his gracious Pleasure to save that forfeited Life, which before had been the Means of saving so many others; the Remainder Of it shall be spent in a Manner becoming the Situation of one sensible of that inestimable Blessing.
My Lords, I applied to the Court last Sessions to put off my Trial, in order that I might be able to lay many favourable Circumstances before this Court, that might incline your Lordships to Mercy; but, being advised that those Circumstances were more proper to be laid before his Royal Majesty, I confessed that Guilt, which in Conscience, I could not deny. Your Lordships are Men, you feel as Men, and, perhaps may now feel some Compassion for an unhappy Youth, truly penitent, and not yet twenty Years of Age: Permit me, my Lords, to add, that if your Lordships, who are now proceeding according to strict Law, shall be pleased to render me any compassionate Services, that Obligation to myself and my worthy Relations (now involved in my Sufferings, but not in my Guilt) will never be forgotten. But, my Lords, if after all, the bitter Cup of Justice is not to be removed from me, I humbly submit to thy Will, O God, in whom I trust."
It is confidently reported, that a Right Hon. Nobleman was pleased to intercede with his Majesty for Samson, on account of his being instrumental in saving the vessel that had part of his Excellency's baggage on board, some of his domestics; and a great number of other passengers, going to Ireland.
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Key Persons
Outcome
samson saved over 200 lives; intercession made for mercy due to saving a vessel with baggage, domestics, and passengers to ireland; judgment pending.
Event Details
Mr. Samson, under 20, pleaded guilty and addressed the court, requesting mercy based on his past acts of saving over 200 lives and expressing penitence. He had sought to delay trial to present favorable circumstances but confessed guilt. A nobleman interceded with the king for him due to his role in saving a vessel bound for Ireland.