Report of Thomas Bayley on John Moreby (the magistrate had to obtain information...

Report of Thomas Bayley on John Moreby (the magistrate had to obtain information from James Taylor, of Leigh near Warrington, Deputy Clerk of the Peace for Lancashire) convicted at the Lancashire Quarter Sessions at Easter 1787, for stealing 2 pieces of linen cloth, valued at 4d each, property of Matthew Cuerdon[?]. The prisoner was also indicted for stealing a horse pistol, value 1d, property of the Duke of Buccleugh (Buccleuch); a horse pistol and another pistol, both valued at 1d, property of Thomas Cooper and a horse pistol and another pistol, value 1d each, property of persons unknown; all on 2 October 1786. Bayley comments on the judicial arrangements for Lancashire, 'so large and populous' and the way in which the sessions pass from Lancaster, to Preston, to Ormskirk or Wigan and then on to Manchester. Taylor's letter names the magistrates before whom the prisoner was tried and includes copies of the indictments. Taylor also mentions that some people thought that it was a malicious prosecution but this was not raised in court. Grounds for clemency: none made. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: none made.

Folios 414-416.