1 individual petition (from Elizabeth Drayton, prisoner's wife, West Cowes, Isle...

HO 17/1/6

1820 Mar 18

1 individual petition (from Elizabeth Drayton, prisoner's wife, West Cowes, Isle of Wight) on behalf of Thomas Drayton, seafaring man, captured while smuggling kegs of spirits a mile off High Cliff, Christ Church on 19/20 October [1817]. It is asked if the £100 [fine] to be paid can be reduced to £25 as per an act of parliament, which money his wife was able to raise. There is also a letter on behalf of the Treasury Commissioners recommending a pardon, a printed 'General Letter' from the Excise Office setting out the procedure for dealing with smugglers, a letter from the Commissioners of Excise that James Johnson, William Early, John Woodnall, Thomas Drayton and James Seymour be moved from Winchester gaol to a ship of war. There is also a letter from John White, Winchester Gaol Governor, stating copies of the following letters are true:

• Warrant from William Smith, magistrate, to Samuel Pittard, special constable, to deliver the prisoner to Winchester Gaol
• Warrant to the Winchester Gaol Governor to move James Johnson, Edward Woodnot, Thomas Drayton and James Seymour to a ship of war to be impressed into HM. Navy.
• Note signed by Lieutenant Blight that the men were received.

There is also an information/complaint of Robert Weatherhead stating that Drayton and Seymoor were on the boat on 20 October 1819 and on board were about 100 gallons or more of foreign spirits. Also noted here by William Smith, is that Thomas Jarvis, Excise Officer, had taken the prisoners in. Grounds for clemency: he was put on board the Queen Charlotte prior to any trial or conviction, wife is very distressed, first offence against the revenue laws and the prisoner will sign a bond stating he will never engage in smuggling again.

Public Record(s)

English

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