Letter from James Adair, Recorder of London, enclosing reports on 36 convicts. Adair...

Letter from James Adair, Recorder of London, enclosing reports on 36 convicts. Adair also states that he has just resigned ('the Court of Aldermen having this day accepted my resignation'). The letter is a response to a letter to Adair, Recorder of London, from Whitehall urgently requesting reports in response to 36 petitions [wanting] on behalf of 33 convicts tried at the Old Bailey. Some of the report requests had 'been made upwards of a year ago, no answer has been made to any of them'. The judge lists A. nos. 1 to 13 to be recommended for mercy, and B. 1-23 [HO 47/3/13] were spoken of as not recommended to mercy [however, some appear to have successful on earlier occasions: see B. 14, 15 and 18].

A.

1. James Jordan, convicted at the October sessions in 1785, for an assault with intent to rob James Stewart. Grounds for clemency: no violence in the offence and has served 4 years in Newgate and on the prison ships with good behaviour. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

2. Benjamin Colborne alias Coleman, convicted at the September sessions in 1784, for stealing a pair of stockings, property of John Smith. Grounds for clemency: served nearly 5 years with good behaviour. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

3. James Willis, convicted at the July sessions in 1784, for stealing a cotton gown, 2 counterpanes and several articles of wearing apparel, property of Mary Read, Mary Anne Read, Henry Read and Mary Dentry. Grounds for clemency: served nearly 5 years, and has been recommended by the Keeper of Newgate, the Ordinary and the sheriffs of 3 succeeding years. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

4. Caleb Onely, convicted at the January sessions in 1786, for stealing lead, property of Thomas Croker and Francis Jeffrey. Grounds for clemency: served over 3 years and his mother has offered to employ him. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

5. John Williams, convicted at the May sessions in 1787, for stealing a silver spoon, property of John Shark. Grounds for clemency: served over 2 years with good behaviour, admitted guilt and pleaded the extreme distress of his family. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: to give security for his good behaviour for 2 years.

6. William Maskall, convicted at the May sessions in 1788 for stealing a horse, property of Henry Heald[?]. Grounds for clemency: age (over 70 years), previous good character is attested to by many reputable people (magistrates and parish officers of Barnet), is poor, has served 1 years imprisonment and would probably die if sentence was carried out, and his parish have offered to maintain him if released. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: pardon.

7. Charlotte Marsh, convicted (with her mother) at the 'last' December sessions (1788), for stealing a piece of calico, value 20/-, property of Timothy Fisher. Grounds for clemency youth (age not given) and was probably coerced by her mother. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: to give security for good behaviour for 2 years.

8. Henry Holmes, convicted at the 'last' January sessions (1788), for stealing a horse and a mare, property of John and James Dally. Grounds for clemency: was respited following a report on his case and ought not to have been convicted of felony. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: free pardon.

9. John Bell, convicted at the September sessions in 1788, for stealing a watch and some wearing apparel, property of Joseph Keene, coachman. The judge regards him as a common thief. Grounds for clemency: mother pleas that he is sent to America instead of Botany Bay. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: that he transports himself for 7 years from date of conviction.

10. William Annand, convicted at the 'last' January Old Bailey sessions (1788), for receiving several parcels of goods, value £9, knowing them to be stolen by John Langford, property of John Welsford. Includes a certificate from Mr Simpson, Surgeon of Newgate. Grounds for clemency: aged over 60, is nearly blind and has rheumatism. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Recommendation: to transport himself for 14 years from date of conviction.

11. David Jones, convicted at the April sessions in 1786, for stealing a piece of woollen material, value 30/-, property of Messers Robins and Hotham. Grounds for clemency: served over 3 years, and mitigating facts given in a letter from Mr Howard [wanting]. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: free pardon.

12. Robert Watson, convicted at the January sessions in 1788, for stealing a horse, property of John Goddard. Grounds for clemency: has already been granted a free pardon following an earlier report, the theft had been a drunken frolic rather than a real attempt to steal the horse, and he ought not to have been convicted. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: free pardon.

13. William Jones, convicted at the July sessions in 1786, for stealing 6 melons in the night from a garden, property of Samuel Phillips. Grounds for clemency: has served 3 years on a hulk with good behaviour. Initial sentence: not given. Recommendation: would have suggested a free pardon but Lord Stanley has recommended he is sent to sea which may be the better option.

Folios 44-60. See also HO 47/9/13, folios 61-79.

See also HO 47/9/13, folios 61-79.