Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition (prisoner)...

Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition (prisoner) on behalf of Henry Stephens, apprentice stone mason, convicted at the Old Bailey in January 1790, for stealing 260 yards (266 yards in the petition) of printed calico, value £30, property of Thomas Zenoble, wholesale linen draper in Milk Street, London. There are offers to stand security from 'Jane Hunter and Son' and an offer of employment from Charles Phelps Mason. Evidences supplied by ---- Richardson, servant to Zenoble; Benjamin Dixon, constable and the prisoner. Grounds for clemency: youth (19 years), previous good character testified by respectable witnesses, brought up by respectable and honest parents, was duped by another person (a 'Vicious' person), evidence shows he was carrying the goods rather than he had stolen them, his master has offered him an apprenticeship and others are willing to pay any sureties. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: to find security to enter into his master's service, to serve the remainder of his apprenticeship and for good behaviour equal to the remainder of sentence un-expired.

Folios 134-136.