Folios 1-2. Colonel John Ellis to [Delafaye]. ... when Mr. Hucks and I talked with...

Folios 1-2. Colonel John Ellis to [Delafaye]. ... when Mr. Hucks and I talked with you about [Mrs. Doyle's pardon] in the latter end of May last, it was agreed that it was not impossible but when her affair was made easy she might neglect doing what she had promised and the public might lose that benefit she was capable of doing and she have a pardon without meriting it. This you then thought to be a reasonable cause for delaying her pardon and this was the only reason of its being delayed. As to what you mention that it was easy for us to foresee that the persons accused would take this opportunity to prevent her endeavours to convict them, that we did foresee and prevent it, and should have so still, but from an unforeseen accident and that was this. It was not I think in a natural way of thinking to imagine that any person of any character or reputation would possibly appear in any such piece of management, but I have been deceived; for Jones our late high constable at the instigation of somebody goes to Mr. Midford, a Justice of Peace and obtains a warrant against this Mrs. Doyle for returning from transportation, both Mr. Jones and Mr. Midford knew the whole circumstances of her case as well as I do, and of consequence would not act in it any further than granting his warrant. She was taken up in my parish and by one of our constables on a Saturday night late ... She was immediately carried by our county constable and put into the Gatehouse in Westminster in order I suppose to prevent my hearing of it and on Sunday carried before Mr. Blakerby who knew nothing of the matter but who sent me word as I heard afterwards by my servant, but not being at home all day on Sunday she was committed to Newgate and then it was too late for me to do anything ... As to what you desire to know what consequence her evidence can be of as to the conviction of these criminals now to be tried, she was present at their dividing the booty and knew where the horses they rid on were hired,and on a parsint Richd. Blake was forced to quit his horse which is at this time in the custody of the Lord of the Manor and Blake paid the man he hired him of seven pounds or thereabouts for the loss of him, this would be a sufficient evidence with what they have in Berks. to convict him ... but the assizes there being over he is actually got off as I suppose. David Thompson the person now in Kent is to be tried for a robbery of a stage coach near Lewisham in Kent; she heard him own the fact, and is the only person that can procure evidence that were robbed, and he has been in gaol ever since the beginning of last May, but in the circumstances she now stands she cannot be a witness ... but the use at present I want to make of her is to find out the evidence and prepare things for a trial which only she is capable of doing, and in Newgate impossible of her to do .... I could tell you a thousand things more on this subject and when you can afford half an hour I believe it will surprise you .