Report of Robert Graham on 1 individual petition (the prisoner of John Lowsky/John...

Report of Robert Graham on 1 individual petition (the prisoner of John Lowsky/John Koslovsky, a Russian ex-soldier (serving with the French in Spain, who was captured by the British), convicted at the Wiltshire Summer Assizes in 1811 of burglary, taking bread, apples, a knife and handkerchief from a dairy, Harry Reeves, farmer of Draycott Foliat [Draycott Foliott] on 24 September 1810. There is a letter from the Earl of Pembroke, he has taken an interest in the case, mentioning that 'Lady Pem [Lady Pembroke] is the only person in the neighbourhood [sic] who can communicate with him' [the prisoner]. Grounds for clemency: has been a prisoner on respite for a great length of time, the prisoner stole from want, is unable to speak English, no violence was used in the crime, he was captured by Mrs Reeves and her daughter, his military service started with the Russians from whom he deserted in Corfu to join the French, he was taken as a prisoner of war by the British and confined at the depot in Portsmouth from which he escaped in October 1810, the prisoner now offers to serve in the HM Navy if pardoned as he cannot return to Russia as he deserted the Russian land army. Initial sentence: death, respited (as the Judge expected a petition). Recommendation: mercy. Folios 184-188. See also HO 47/50/30, folios 191-192.