The following is a short but authentic account of the eighteen unhappy convicts, who were executed on Tuesday last, in the Old Bailey. On the Sunday preceding their death, they heard a sermon from the words (by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Chaplain to the intended Colony at Botany Bay), "But truly as the Lord liveth, and as the soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death;" Samuel 1st Book, the latter part of the 3d Verse.
This is historically significant, as we do not have much info about what Johnson was doing in the months before the First Fleet sailed, and he has been criticised for not spending more time ministering to the convicts. This report shows that he did have an active ministry during these months. You, gentle reader, have just witnessed a small piece of history being corrected...