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56 ANNUAL REGISTER For the YEAR 1772 57

had a very amiable niece, who was then at a boarding-school a few miles out of town, he proposed to his prisoner to obtain bail for him, and procure his liberty, on condition that he placed the young lady, to whom he was guardian, in B's hands. The unnatural uncle consented, and the unfortunate young lady was sacrificed to obtain her guardian's liberty. It is true, B. afterwords's married her, which we mention as only the act of justice we ever heard ascribed to him. 

He was soon after lodged in the Fleet, upon an action of debt, arising from malversation in the capacity of sheriff's officer, where he remained till an act of insolvency took place. 

Be released from his confinement, in which he had greatly improved his knowledge in the most extensive plan of chicane, he immediately put in practice what he had to deeply studied in theory.  He had at his nod a number of indigent tradesmen, who being his prisoners, out upon parole, were compelled to do all his dirty work in negotiating bills, and bailing at command.  This practice soon brought many of them to a prison, where they are now lodged probably for life.  Others were dispatched into different parts of the country, to execute orders upon the credit of those in town, and consign the goods to his house, then in [[Shirelane]].  Young fellows of a comely appearance, who fell into his clutches, obtained a temporary liberty, an elegant house, and an equipage, in order to defraud credulous tradesmen ; and by increasing his flock of furniture and plate, they increased their debts to such a pitch, that they became incapable ever after to extricate themselves. Several of these adventurers, who were flattered with the prospect, by our worthy hero, of making their fortunes by marriage, are now starving in the King's-bench, the Fleet, and even in Newgate.

After this general outline of Bolland's character, the following anecdotes, which serve still farther to illustrate his villainy, may certainly meet with credit.

Presently after he commenced sheriff's officer for Middlesex, he displayed his genius for chicane in a very extraordinary manner.  One Wilkinson, who kept a public-house in the Strand, and was at that time a man in good circumstances, going into the North for a short time, to visit his relations, B. Trumped up an imaginary debt against him, and in consequence of a fictitious bond and judgement, directed his myrmidons to enter his house and seize upon all his effects ; and when Wilkinson returned to town, he found himself not only dispossessed of the law in possession of all his property, and even his wife. In vain, Wilkinson had recourse to the law : they parried him with every possible subterfuge, and after having thus harassed him, compelled him to take refuge abroad, in order to qualify himself for the benefit of the late insolvent act. This was the person to whom Bolland addressed himself when he had just got into the cart, coming out of Newgate, when he intreated Wilkinson's mercy and forgiveness.

The forgery of which he was convicted is not the only fact for which he might have suffered capitually, had not felony been compounded.  Being some time since at a fair in Oxfordshire, he saw a horse that he thought would suit his purpose, and accordingly bid money for it ; but the farmer who was the proprietor of it, and B. could not agree about the price. However, the innkeeper, where it stood, having heard the transaction, B. came to him the next morning, and informed him that he and the farmer had agreed, and after it saddled, mounted it, and rode to town. The farmer coming for his horse, was informed that Mr. B. the purchaser, had gone off with it to town, and hearing that Jemmy was a man of property, judged that his money was safe.  Accordingly, when the farmer came to town, he called about B. in Shirelane, and requested the sum proposed for the horse ; but B. with his usual effrontery, laughed at him, asking him if he took him for a horse-stealer.  This nettled the farmer, who took out a warrant against B. for horse stealing, and after an examination before Justice Fielding, B. was committed for the fact to Tothill-fields bridewell.  Here he found means to persuade the farmer it was only a joke : at least the farmer, glad to receive double the value of the horse, declined any farther prosecuting him.

B. seems indeed to have had a very strong inclination for horse-stealing ; for it is not many months since he sent a note to a very reputable tradesman at a tavern in the city to borrow a horse he was possessed of, to go a short journey the next day : but the horse has never since been heard of. 'Tis true the gentleman's attorney dissuaded him from commencing an action, faying that probably it might put him to 40l. expense, and he might not recover his horse after all his trouble.

An Hibernian young gentleman, who, to the natural volatile disposition of one-and-twenty, added all the good-nature and generosity of his native land, having arrived in this metropolis with some good recommendations (besides his own personal merit) drew upon his banker, however, [[fo faft]], that he refused any longer credit till farther advice.  This circumstance necessitated him to create some trifling debts, till he could hear from his friends in Ireland.  A stranger in this city, without money, and no protectors, seldom escapes the annoyance of his creditors, and Mr. G--- was soon lodged in Shire-lane, to pay his compliments, in every sense, to Mr. Bolland.  After Mr. G--- had remained there a few days, B. finding he had some acquaintance who came to visit him, told him with that kind of good-nature which was as specious as it was imposing, "that it was a pity such a clever young fellow as Mr. G--- should be deprived of his liberty for so trifling a matter as 15. and that if he could draw for that sum upon any friend, he would release him."  This was spoken before an acquaintance then present ; to which Mr. G--- replying, "if he drew a note, his friends in Ireland would probably pay it."  Accordingly, B. approved of the measure ; but whist Mr. G--- was writing, observed that it would have a better appearance if he drew the note in favour of Mr. L---, his friend present. It was 

Transcription Notes:
I'm pretty sure the "f" in these words are actually "s" but I figured to make them f's because thats what they look like? ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 13:32:13 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-21 19:50:21 Change what may appear to be an "f" to an "s" where appropriate. This is a different style of print and cursive, not a different way of spelling words. I confirmed this with SI TC Staff on 5-19-23.