Mrs. Putland, a widow lady, who, with her family
of several children, came passengers in the St. Anna,
being disappointed of her eldest son's protection to
town, through his being on active service, as an officer
in the navy, asked me to take his place, I, therefore,
remained the next day at Dover, as her coach and
luggage had to be landed and cleared; and I had
enough to do to answer inquiries made by friends of
numerous persons who had been so villanously en-
trapped. At six in the morning of the 12th of July
we left Dover, with four good horses, and travelling
post. About three miles before we reached Dart-
ford, owing to neglect of proper greasing of the
wheels on the continent, one of the front wheels
took fire, which by water from a road-side cottage I



186 FISHR8 AKD FISBHTG.
extiDguished, I sent the family on to Dartford in a
carriage which I desired the postilions to fetch ; also
a new wheel, and a smith, all which caused a con-
siderahle delay, so that when we arrived at "New
Gross, it was near half- past nine, and we were attacked
by a gang of luggage-stealers. By good management,
and showing a bold front, I saw the whole family safe
to their residence in Manchester Street, To gratify
the anxiety of the public, on the interesting subject
of the detenues, I sat down one night about ten
o'clock and wrote a little narrative on the subject,
which by eleven next morning was in the hands of a
publisher : the newspapers copied it, and had actions
commenced against them by him.
