Folio(s) 450-453. Letter to [John Henry Capper, Home Office Clerk for Criminal Business,]...

Folio(s) 450-453. Letter to [John Henry Capper, Home Office Clerk for Criminal Business,] from B S Jones at Portsea [Hampshire] reporting the cause of death of a convict as determined by a coroner's jury as a 'visitation of God ... hastened by eating unwholesome provisions'. The verdict would be formally communicated by [coroner Stephen Barney] that evening. Jones was not surprised by the verdict as he was convinced that the jury had been misled.

He reports going on board the Laurel [hulk] accompanied by Mr Groundwater and Mr Poulden and interviewing five convicts: Charles Wright, Henry Spong, William Lloyd, Thomas Serle and Joseph Sparkes. They stated that, on the death of a convict, it was customary for other convicts to produce deliberately adulterated bread to the inquest. The sample sent for examination by Lord Kenyon had been so treated. The interviewed convicts were prepared to give evidence on oath but Barney would not admit their evidence without evidence being taken from all the convicts. The authorities were not prepared to allow this because, since Barney tells the convicts that they should have white bread and other improvements, they believe the men will commit perjury to obtain the better food. Lloyd and Wright appear to be decent men and are due for release in January [1802] and March [1802] respectively and so have little to gain.

The writer has seen the convicts going to work at the Dock Yard and reports that they are healthy and cheerful.

Another convict complaint is that their bread is made from salt water. This is admitted and, whilst not justifying it, the same practice is performed in making bread for the army, in the interests of saving money. If it is felt wrong it will be immediately stopped.

Jones feels that Barney should not be conducting investigations into convict complaints. He is the main cause of the complaints, is strongly prejudiced against those running the hulks, and refuses to listen to their evidence.