Capital crimes.- Ollyffe (George) An Essay humbly offer'd, for an Act of Parliament to prevent capital crimes, and the loss of many lives; and to promote a desirable improvement and blessing in the nation, second edition, woodcut head-piece and decorative initial, 1p. advertisements at end, water-stained at head, occasional spotting, lightly browned, 20th century marbled wrappers, 8vo, Printed for J. Downing, in Bartholomew-Close near West-Smithfield, 1731.

⁂ Rare in commerce. Ollyffe believed that contemporary methods of capital punishment were of little deterrent to criminals. He suggests that a reduction in such offences could be brought about by 'greater severity of execution', like 'breaking upon the wheel', or by transportation to the American plantations, chained and 'sold for slaves to pay their freight'.