The following EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE is extracted from the
    EUROPEAN MAGAZINE for 1787.

SAMUEL BURT, convicted of forgery a few sessions since, was put to the bar, and informed that his Majesty, in his royal clemency, had been graciously pleased to extend his mercy to him on condition that he should be transported during his natural life.  The prisoner bowed respectfully to the Court, and immediately addressed the Recorder with his “most humble and unfeigned thanks, for the kindness and humanity of the Recorder, the Sheriffs, and other gentlemen who had interested themselves in his favour, and who had so effectually represented his unhappy case to the throne, that his Majesty, whose humanity could only be equalled by his love of virtue, had extended his mercy; but however flattering the prospect of preserving life might be to a man in a different situation; yet that he, now he was sunk and degraded in society, was totally insensible of the blessing.  Life was no longer an object with him, as it was utterly impossible that he could be joined in union with the person who was dearer to him than life itself.  Under such circumstances, although he was truly sensible of his Majesty’s goodness and clemency, yet he must positively decline the terms offered him; preferring death to the prolongation of a life which could not be otherwise than truly miserable.”  The whole Court was astonished at his address; and after consultation, Mr. Recorder remanded the prisoner back to the jail, to be brought up again the first day of next session.

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The pillory appears to have been in use in Boston as lately as 1803; for we find in the “Chronicle” of that city that in March of that year Robert Pierpont, owner, and H.R.  Story, master, of the brigantine “Hannah,” for the crime of sinking the vessel at sea, and thus defrauding the underwriters (among whom were Joseph Taylor, Peter C. Brooks, Thomas Amory, David Greene, and Benjamin Bussey), were convicted before the Supreme Judicial Court, and the following sentence imposed:  “That they should stand one hour in the Pillory in State Street on two several days, be confined in Prison for the term of two years, and pay Costs of Prosecution.”  Considering the magnitude of the crime, this was a light sentence.  An underwriter in the “Chronicle” says:  “It is a transaction exceeding in infamy all that has hitherto appeared in the commerce of our country.”

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Wholesale execution of pirates in Newport, R.I., in July, 1723.

    CAPTURE OF PIRATES.