v < PREFACE. 



Were the unhappy culprits but for one moment to 

 reflecl:, they would themfelves acknowledge, that in the 

 cidminiftration of juftice mercy has not been forgotten ; 

 many of their lives had paid the forfeit of their crimes, 

 but for this timely interference of the lenity of that 

 country whofe laws they had defied, of that country 

 whofe difgrace and fcourge they had been ; and which, 

 in their extremity, had ftretched forth an arm to fave 

 them by a banifliment at once falutary to their fellow- 

 citizens and to themfelves. To have permitted them to 

 live, and to remain amid their former haunts, would 

 have been compelling them to live in guilt ; for in what 

 other manner, however well difpofed, could they pre- 

 ferve that life which, in this cafe, it would have been 

 inhumanity to have granted ? No ear would Men to, 

 no mind would credit, the tale of their repentance : with 

 every heart and every door clofed againft them, whither 

 could they turn, but to the felf-fame enormities which 

 had fubjefted them to this mockery of mercy ? From 

 exile, if they have any thing to lofe, they have much to 

 hope ; they are removed from temptation ; and with 

 the neceffaries of life they are provided, until fuch time 

 as they fhall prove that they are deferving of further 

 favour ; when no encouragement is withheld that can 

 contribute to their prefent comfort, or confirm them in 

 the path of rectitude. They are pointed out as exam- 

 ples 



