Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 3 individual petitions (Duke...

Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 3 individual petitions (Duke of Kensington: this is really an enclosure letter to Jolliffe's and the collective petition but acts as a petition in its own right; William Jolliffe and the prisoner) and 1 collective petition (15 people, from Soho and Bloomsbury area in Middlesex and London) on behalf of Thomas Witfield/Whitfield, victualler, convicted at the Old Bailey in October 1787, for stealing one half guinea, property of Thomas Clay alias Holly alias Holby, vintner. Evidences supplied by Thomas Clay and the prisoner. Grounds for clemency: previous good character, has an aged mother and 2 motherless children, first offence, was prompted into crime by 'Extreme Poverty', has already served 'near 3 years' is now ill on board the Stanislaus hulk at Woolwich, the judge thought him not 'an Old Offender', and the petition was signed by many respectable people. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: if he is a seaman to enlist in HM. Navy until he obtain a discharge and find security for so doing; if not to provide securities for the remainder of sentence.

Folios 123-129.