The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-12

CURIOUS REVOLUTIONARY DocuMENT.-We give
the following very curious document-the COMES
sion of an English Tory-as afiording specimen
of the character Of many of the men who filled the
English ranks during our strugglesfor independence.
1t is now believe printed for the first time, and
will be read with Interest," -
The Life Confession and Last Dying Words Of Capt VII
liam cunningham, formerly British Proros Marshal IN me
City Of Nep York. tcho erecufed IN London the 10Th
.7ugust l19l
|, WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, was born in Dublin Barracks
in the year 1885, My father trumpcter in the Blue
Dragoons and at the age of eight was placed with
officer his servant in which station continued I'M
til was sixteen, and being great proficient in horsema
Ship taken assistant to the riding master oil the
troop and in the l76l was made sergeant ofdragoons
but the peace coming the year following was disoanded
Being bred to no profession took up with woman who
kept gin shop in blind alley the Cole Quay but
the house being searched for stolen goods and my doxy
taken to Newgate thought it most prudent to decamp;
accordingly set of Cor the north and arrived at Droghe-
da where in few months after married the daughter
of an excise-man by whom had three sons
commenced the profession Of caw-banker which that
Of enticng mechanics and country people to ship them
selves for America promise Of then
arfuly getting indenture upon them in consequence
OF which, their arrival in America they sold or
obliged to term of years for their passage en-
barkedat Newery in the ship Needham, fol New York,
and arrived that port the fourth day Of August 774
with ndented servants kidnapped in reland but
they liberated in New York on account Of the bad
usage they received from during the passage In that
city used the profession of breaking the horses and
teaching ladies and gentlemen to rides but rendering my
self obnoxious to the citizens in their infant struggle
for freedom, was obliged to fly board the Asia man.
ofwar and from thence to Boston, where own OPPOSE
ton to the measures pursued by the Americans in sup
port of their rights was the first thing that recommended
to the notice Of General Cages and when the war CON-
menced, appointed ost-Marshal to the royal
army, which placed me in situation TO wreak my ven
geance the Americans shudder to think of the muir
ders have been accessory to- both with and without Or
ders from government, especially while in New York,
during which time there were more than thousand
prisoners starved in the different churches by stopping
their rations which sold. tr.
There also two hundred and seventy fveAmerican
prisoners and obnoxious persons executed out ofa which
number there only about one dozen public execu-
ons which chiefly consisted of British and Hessan de-
seres The mode for private executions was thus con.
duced guard dispatched from the Provost, about
hapast twelve at night the barrack street. and the
Of the upper barracks to order the people to
shut their window shutters and put out their Lights for
bidding them at the same time to presume to look out Of
unfortunate prisoners conducted gagged just behind
the upper barracks, and hung without ceremony and
there buried by the black pioneer OF the Provost
At the end Of the war returned to England with the
army and settled in Wales being cheaper place OF
living than in any OF the popuous cities but being at
length persuaded to 60 to London entered SO warmly
into the designations Of that capital that soon found my
circumstances much embarrassed to relieve which mort
expended forged draft for three hundred pounds ster
ling the Board of Ordnance but being detected in pre-
senng i for acceptance was apprehended tried and
convicted and for that offence here to suffer an gno
mniens death.
beg the of all good christians and also pardon
and forgiveness Of God for the many horrd murders
have been accessory to. q.f WIN. CUNNINGHAM.
| This is, indeed remarkable document Its Pc
rusa cannot fail awaken, all patriotic breasts,
feelings of the profoundest gratitude to the valiant
contenders for the liberties whichwe now enjoy.
1t reminds of the price paid for that inheritance
of freedom, and exhibits in bold relief the charac-
ter of the instrument which tyranny employed in its
unsuccessful efforts to enslave the people of the
| colonies.