Report of Thomas Burton, of the Excise Office, on 1 individual petition (prisoner)...

Report of Thomas Burton, of the Excise Office, on 1 individual petition (prisoner) on behalf of Christopher Parnall, smuggler, convicted at the Court of King's Bench, for an obstruction of an Excise Officer in execution of his duty, in the 'Hilary term.' There is also a later letter from the prisoner. The prisoner is stated to have considerable property and influence, both of which he has acquired by a long series of successful smuggling activities 'at the head of a number of inferior Smugglers, whom he regularly employed and commanded'. In his petition the prisoner states that he had already pointed out the lack of defence along a 300-mile stretch of Irish coastland, and if HM. Admiralty had listened to him no Frenchmen would have landed arms there. The prisoner has seen 'Pirates, thieves + felons of all descriptions' pardoned since he was imprisoned, but still he remains in the house of correction. There is a note of the forwarding of a letter to the Admiralty from Henry Dundas. The prisoner had offered money to provide 20 men to HM. Forces to stay the proceedings against him. Grounds for clemency: the prisoner's 'Business' is in ruins (his time in prison has cost him £300), suffers ill health and is willing to raise 10 men for HM. Navy for the duration of the war (the Admiralty doubt that he can afford this as he has already said his business is in ruins). Initial sentence: 12 months imprisonment in the Clerkenwell House of Correction, a £200 fine (paid) and to find sureties for his good behaviour for 5 years. Recommendation: no mercy. Folios 107-114.