Catalogue description Report of Newman Knowles, Common Sergeant of London on 1 individual petition (Richard...

Report of Newman Knowles, Common Sergeant of London on 1 individual petition (Richard Walthew, solicitor for the parish of Egham, Surrey) and 2 collective petitions (the prisoners; 20 people, comprising the prisoners, the prosecutor and inhabitants of Egham and Staines [Surrey]) on behalf of John Davis, private in the 8th company of 77th Regiment of Foot and Walter McTaggart, soldier in the 71st Regiment of Foot, convicted at the Surrey Assizes held at Guildford on 11 August 1814 for the assault in July 1814 of Mary Crompton, with intent to rape and rob her. There are letters from Captain Henry Fletcher; Newman Knowlys; W Walker, keeper of Surrey County Gaol; J Beckett and a request for a report to be made signed on behalf of the Duke of York, Commander in Chief and a letter from a member of the Duchess of York's staff at Oaklands. John Davis had returned to England as part of a detachment in charge of French prisoners of war. Grounds for clemency: the prisoners were young and both had served in the Napoleonic military campaigns, Davis has been given a good character report by the non-commissioned officers and has served in the past as a servant to officers in the regiment. Initial sentence: death. Recommendation: mercy on condition of military service in the West Indies or Africa for life or transportation for life to New South Wales. Folios 365-386.