Report by David Boyle, Lord Justice Clerk on 1 individual petition (the prisoner)...

Report by David Boyle, Lord Justice Clerk on 1 individual petition (the prisoner) on behalf of James Hopson alias James Austin who was convicted at the Spring Assizes held at Ayr on 19 April 1827 of uttering two forged notes to Mary Robertson, stocking maker and John Campbell, grocer, on 29 December 1826. There is a copy of Archibald Alison's reasons as to why the 'pain of law' was not initially restricted in this case; a printed copy of the 'Indictment against James Ausin or Osten, alias Hopson or Hipsen'; a copy of notes of the trial; 'Declarations of James Austen alias James Hopson or Hepson'; a covering letter from Alexander Maconochie, [Lord Meadowbank] the trial judge; a copy of the respite from execution and a covering letter from Thomas Weir, writer of Ayr. Grounds for clemency: the accused pleaded guilty, his wife and children are in a state of starvation, no evidence that the prisoner was connected with the forgers, the prisoner has reformed and the punishment of death has not been passed on utterers for many years. Initial sentence: death, respited. Recommendation transportation either for 14 years or for life. Annotation: 'Pardon on condition of transportation for life, prepared 16 May'. AN 2. [Scot]