uly 28, 1788.

_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
"Chronic