Report of Archibald Macdonald on 1 individual petition (M H Erskines) and 1 collective...

Report of Archibald Macdonald on 1 individual petition (M H Erskines) and 1 collective petition (5 people, including Lord Petre and Lady Petre and the prosecutor) on behalf of Henry Edwards, officer's servant, convicted at the Surrey Assizes on 23 March 1809, for shooting at William Smith and others on the highway and the attempted robbery of Smith on Clapham Common, on 4 February 1809. Evidences supplied by William Smith, John Armon, John Smith, victim's son (10 or 11 years); Mary Smith, victim's wife; John Turtle, Jonathan Jones, relation of the prisoner; Captain Samson, 'commands an East India ship', the prisoner had been an officer's servant to him, and Robert Johnson, butler to Lady Petre, (the prisoner had a relation who had been a servant to Lady Petre [name not given]. Grounds for clemency: the prisoner and his mother's are of previous good character, youth (21 years), first offence and his parent and 'inconsoleable' in regard to their son. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: none given. Folios 180-185.