Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London on 1 collective petition (12 people,...

Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London on 1 collective petition (12 people, of Poole in Dorset including the mayor, 2 magistrates, and the sheriff) on behalf of John Biles, clerk to the prosecutor, convicted at the Old Bailey in February[?] 1797, for stealing a gold watch, value £20, and a chain, seal and key, value £2:15:0, property of Captain Alexander MacDonald, Regimental Officer, on 7 February 1797. Evidences supplied by Alexander Macdonald, George Purse, pawnbroker and John Revell, an officer. There is an annotated note referring to 'the application of Jno Jeffrey Esq Member for Poole', [correspondence wanting]. Grounds for clemency: youth (16 years), has already suffered during his imprisonment, previous good behaviour and the temptation to steal was the result of the prosecutor's carelessness. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: 2 years hard labour in the house of correction. Folios 122-124.