The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BRISTOL, May 15.

The following Paragraph is a true and perfect Copy of part of the Confession of JONATHAN BRITAIN, the Evening before his Execution, in the Goal of Newgate. Bristol.

"I Declare now, that I know no more about the fire at Portsmouth than any other Person whatsoever; 'tis true I was apprehensive that I might be detected for some one or more of the several cheats and forgeries committed by me; on this account I wrote several treasonable letters to the King.---I follow'd his Majesty from St. James's to Buckingham-house, intruded myself close upon him, on purpose to be observed by him, on account of the treasonable letters (which I kept copies of) I expected a reward would be offered, for the sake of which I was prepared to swear any man's life away as the writer; tho' really wrote by myself. I, in fact, never meant to shoot or hurt the person of his Majesty. I never from my heart harboured so much as an intention towards it. True, I had a loaded pistol in my pocket at the time of following him, which my fears dictated as a guard to me, and for no other purpose. I have been guilty of no forgeries that would affect my life, but the four mentioned in the indictments at my trial. In London I laid the plan of my being concerned in the fire at Portsmouth. The pardon appeared in the Gazette the day I went to Reading, there I was taken up. I declare once more I had no accomplice. In prison I sent for the Gazette where the pardon was printed, I applied for it to the Secretaries of State; the Under-Secretaries came down, and brought with them the treasonable letters, of which I produced copies.---I gave them directions to go and take up two of my pretended accomplices, which they endeavoured doubtless; but there were no such to be found. Now it was that repeated letters in print, and by the post, all of my own writings came to me, offering rewards if I would do so and so. If I would hold my tongue and what not. By this means the whole kingdom was alarmed. The ministry slighted my information. Thus therefore I reasoned with myself; I shall now certainly be hanged, let the case be as it will; I will now try a deeper Scheme; I will write against the Ministry; I will accuse them of course, and spread it through the nation; thousands will receive it as true; and who can tell, thought I, but somebody or other may bail me out; and by that means I may save my life. Now what sort of satisfaction can I receive upon reflecting upon it! I most unjustly accused Lord Mansfield of being a traitor to his king and country, in the Whisperer and other inflammatory papers; I falsely accused Lord Halifax of receiving bribes; and Lord Falconbridge of being a catholic, of harbouring one of the supposed parties concerned in Portsmouth fire, Now the papers and the public can run with it like wild-fire one to another, which made me assiduous in my studies; for every night and every day was my tongue and pen employed in villifying, traducing and defaming the Ministry; for this particular circumstance, their taking Dudley and bringing him to a public hearing, and not me, for the fire at Portsmouth. This confirmed and increased the suspicions of the public; and from that time to this the reality of it hath remained a matter of doubt. "

The above Declaration was dictated and signed by Britain in presence of four credible Witnesses, who swore to the same after his execution before Henry Bright, Mayor.

Britain was in the 24th year of his age, and has left one Child, his Wife died some time ago at Reading.