Folios 25 and 27. Letter from Jno [John] Sharpe to [Newcastle], concerning six rebel...

Folios 25 and 27. Letter from Jno [John] Sharpe to [Newcastle], concerning six rebel [Jacobite] prisoners in New Gaol, Southwark [Surrey]: Allan McDonald; John McKinnon the elder; John McKinnon of Elgol, Skye [Inverness-shire]; Francis Gibbon; John Caw; James Stewart. Apprehended by military in Scotland, only committed to gaol by magistrate on 24 April 1747. Imprisoned after 1 January 1747, therefore cannot be tried under Special Commission, sitting 28 May for possibly final time, to pass judgement against Lord McLeod. Cases against five other rebels: witnesses can prove Ronald McDonald of Garifleuch [Inverness-shire] guilty; lack of evidence against: Malcolm McLeod of?Terr in Rasa [Raasay, Inverness-shire]; James McDonald, Baillie of Canna [Inverness-shire]; Roger McNeal of Barra [Inverness-shire]; Edward Hodgston. Enclosure:

1. Folio 26. Copy of opinion of D [Dudley] Ryder, Attorney General and W [William] Murray, Solicitor General, on military custody of rebel prisoners. Includes text of [Treason Act 1745]. Only applies to prisoners committed to gaol before 1 January 1747. Allan McDonald, John McKinnon the elder, John McKinnon of Elgol in Skye, Francis Gibbon, John Caw and James Stewart committed 24 April 1747; Cannot be tried at St Margaret's Hill Sessions; must be tried in counties where treason committed. Dated 4 May 1747.