Report of Levi Ames, David Evans and Richard Vaughan, magistrates of Bristol on 1...

Report of Levi Ames, David Evans and Richard Vaughan, magistrates of Bristol on 1 collective petition (16 people of Bristol including clergy and church wardens) on behalf of William Morris, convicted at the Bristol Assizes[?] held on 16 October 1811 of stealing half a pound of tobacco, value 1/-property of his employers: John Langley, William Purnell and Benjamin Purnell, tobacconists on 28 August 1811. There are letters from: Richard Hart Davies of Walton Castle; a covering letter to the petition from James Clark of Bristol; the company of Purnell's, stating that Morris had probably been taking tobacco from them for 2 years and selling it, they will petition for mercy but only if the prisoner discloses the purchases of the stole tobacco and snuff. The letter also refers to recommendations from The Society of The Manufacturers of Tobacco and Snuff concerning pilfering by staff; a printed handbill of the Meeting of Manufacturers of Tobacco and Snuff held at the Talbot Tavern on 21 December 1810 detailing resolutions and a poster concerning the same resolutions. Grounds for clemency: the prisoner was given a good character at his trial, he has a wife and 2 children now suffering great privation and has already served a year of his sentence Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy. Annotated: 'Report unfavourable, not to be done.' Folios 205-218.