Report of Thomas Burton, of the Excise Office, on 3 collective petitions (20 people...

Report of Thomas Burton, of the Excise Office, on 3 collective petitions (20 people including the Mayor of Sudbury, Deputy Recorder of Sudbury and several aldermen; 55 people, from Castle Hedingham, Sible Hedingham, Ovington, Toppesfield [Topperfield], Otten Belchamps [Belchamp Otton], Walter Belchamp Belchamps Walter], Tilbury, Gestingthorpe and Foxearth in Essex; and 6 people, the prisoners) on behalf of Edward Ewer, tallow chandler, James Ray senior, farmer, James Ray junior, yeoman, William Jay, Robert Frost and Thomas Martin (latter 3 all labourers), convicted at 'the last Lent Assizes' [Suffolk Assizes], for burning and shooting at an effigy of an Excise Officer; James Leighton Acklom riding an ass. The prisoners believed Acklom had been dismissed from his position for misconduct. (Acklom was in fact subsequently dismissed for a 'misdemeanour'). The prisoners did not make the effigy but it came to their notice after dinner when they 'had been making merry together'. The prisoners claim that other than Ewer, none of their businesses are subject to the Laws of the Excise, and they meant nothing disrespectful. There is a covering letter to the petition from Sir John Cox Hippersley, Recorder of Sudbury. Grounds for clemency: Ewer has a sick wife who is pregnant and they have 6 children, all the prisoners are of previous good character and loyal to his 'Majesty's Person and Government'. Initial sentence: 'imprisonment for very short terms.' Edward Ewer, 6 months imprisonment; James May the elder, 3 months imprisonment: others sentenced to 1 months imprisonment each. Recommendation: strongly speaks against mercy. Folios 135-144.