Report of William Robert Hay (dated 1809) on 1 individual petition (prisoner, dated...

Report of William Robert Hay (dated 1809) on 1 individual petition (prisoner, dated 1810) and 3 collective petitions (26 people [undated], 27 people (dated 1812) and 20 people (dated 1809), most trades given, most of Warrington, Lancashire) on behalf of James Dunbavand/James Donbavand, bargeman 'upon the Rivers Mersey and Irwell', tried (with Israel Irlam, master of the barge) and convicted at the Lancashire Quarter Sessions held in Manchester/Salford on 12 October 1808, for the theft of 43lbs of cotton wool, value £3:1:0, from the proprietors of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation. Evidence supplied by Gabriel Davis, ship's carpenter. There are letters from Peter Patten MP; John Hoskins and a covering letter to a petition from Daniel Mathias, curate, dated 1812. There is a character reference from John Hosckins, boatswain of the Voltigure [Voltiguer]. Grounds for clemency: previous good character, first offence, has a wife and 4 small children now dependent on the parish, petitioners in his favour and his parents are respectable, he was a regular church goer, has previous service in the HM Navy (served on the Voltigure) had 4 brothers who also served and died, he wishes to rejoin HM Navy, has worked as a sail maker, was allowed to be at large on bail for 2 months prior to conviction, is penitent, he fell into the 'bad practice' of others and had shown good behaviour whilst in confinement. Initial sentence: 7 years transportation. Recommendation: no mercy. Annotated: the reference 'precludes the [possibility] of recommending him for any mitigation of Sentence'. Folios 259-272.