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File of thirteen letters and papers relating to the printer Francis Clifton: 1. John...

Catalogue reference: SP 35/24/75

What’s it about?

This record is about the File of thirteen letters and papers relating to the printer Francis Clifton: 1. John... dating from 1720-1721 in the series Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George I. It is held at The National Archives, Kew.

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Full description and record details

Reference
SP 35/24/75
Date
1720-1721
Description

File of thirteen letters and papers relating to the printer Francis Clifton:

1. John Lightbody to [unknown] accusing Clifton of being the author and printer of treasonable material. Dated at the Black and White Court, Old Bailey [London, City of London], 20 July 1720.

2. Petition from Clifton to Delafaye begging for compassion and assistance. Dated 1720.

3. Clifton to Delafaye thanking him for his support and discussing the continued sale of banned ballads and songs. Dated 1720.

4. John Clark, printer, to Townshend in support of Clifton. [?1721] [see also SP 35/27/33].

5. Clifton to Delafaye requesting his financial support. Dated 1720.

6. Clifton to Townshend promising that he will observe everything Clark has proposed and as surety of his good behaviour will give Townshend a bond of £10,000 to avoid prosecution.

7. Clark to Townshend requesting that the prosecution against Clifton be stopped and to instead use him to 'discover malicious and traitorous libels'. [?1721] [see number 4].

8. Clifton to Townshend begging for forgiveness and not to be prosecuted. Includes detailed breakdown of his case and argument for his innocence.

9. Clifton to Delafaye writing from the Fleet [Fleet Prison, London, City of London] requesting to be discharged because he can not find bail.

10. Clifton to Delafaye apologising that in his absence his wife should have done anything to incur the displeasure of the government. Requests that because 'I am in a few days to be tried for my life being falsely and maliciously accused by one Burridge' that his chief witness Ann Desternel be brought to court.

11. Clifton to Delafaye begging pardon and mercy. 1720.

12. Treasonous verse taken out of the chest of drawers in the chamber where Clifton lodged by Daniel Daniel Chandler. Dated 19 January 1721.

13. Verse entitled 'Sir James King's Key to Sir George Horn's Padlock' printed by Clifton, against the Four King's in the Old Bailey London, City of London]. Printed.

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Legal status
Public Record(s)
Closure status
Open Document, Open Description
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C15389414/

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Series information

SP 35

Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George I

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Catalogue hierarchy

Over 27 million records

This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

209,296 records

Within the department: SP

Records assembled by the State Paper Office, including papers of the Secretaries...

9,038 records

Within the series: SP 35

Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George I

104 records

Within the piece: SP 35/24

Letters and papers. (Described at item level).

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File of thirteen letters and papers relating to the printer Francis Clifton: 1. John...

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