Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition (Sir Matthew...

Report of John William Rose, Recorder of London, on 1 individual petition (Sir Matthew Bloxham) and 2 collective petitions (12 members of the jury, and 3 officials at the Bank of England) on behalf of William Benstable, convicted at the Old Bailey, for the theft of 2 gown sleeves, a gown body and other articles, value £1:8:0, property of John Bolland, on 16 December 1802. Evidences supplied by the prosecutor's wife [name not given]; the brother of the prosecutor [name not given]. Grounds for clemency: the crime was not 'of a very black dye' [not very serious], previous good character, is contrite, and had a dependent wife and child, had been recommended for mercy by the prosecutor and jury, a respectable gentleman had offered to take him into his service. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: that a pardon be granted on condition of his giving security for his good behaviour for a term equal to the remainder of his sentence. Folios 229-235.