Report of William Mainwaring on 1individual petition (prisoner) on behalf of Elizabeth...

Report of William Mainwaring on 1individual petition (prisoner) on behalf of Elizabeth Harrell, a cook in the household of Mr and Mrs Boileau, convicted at the Westminster Quarter Sessions on 8 January 1796, for stealing, on 4 January 1796, satin ribbon, value 6d, property of Peter Boileau, husband of Elizabeth Boileau who runs a millinery business in Bruton Street, Berkeley Square, London. Evidence given by Mrs Boileau, also known as Madame Le Bruin, Charlotte Simms and Mary Taylor, both employees, Mary Louisa Petit/Maria Louisa Petit, principal manager, and John Peddington, constable. Harrell was found to be in possession of a key which opened ten out of twelve of Mrs Boileau's ribbon drawers, and a gold locket and ring property of Maria Petit, for which she was indicted separately - sentence respited. Grounds for clemency: prisoner had worked with good character as a servant for 20 years in respectable houses, her savings will be made forfeit, that she is unhealthy due to asthma and could not suffer transportation, that Mrs Boileau is a cruel person who has had servants transported before. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy. Folios 34-44.