Catalogue description Prisoner name: Andrew Stewart [Andrew Stuart]. Prisoner details: weaver, aged 24. Court...

Prisoner name: Andrew Stewart [Andrew Stuart].

Prisoner details: weaver, aged 24.

Court and date of trial: Circuit Court of Justiciary Glasgow, 27 September 1826.

Crime: Robbery on 27 August 1826 on or near Gallowgate, Glasgow of Filippo Testti [Philippo Testti], looking-glass manufacturer.

Initial sentence: Death, day of execution 1 November 1826.

Annotated: 'Inform the Justice Clerk that it is my decided opinion that the Law ought to take its course in the case of Andrew Stewart'. Robert Peel.

Petitioner(s): Andrew Stewart.

Grounds for clemency: Jury recommended mercy; respectable family; weak intellect; guilty only by majority votes; no property of victim found on Stewart; previous honest good character; can provide good testimonials.

Correspondence: Thomas Muir supporting Stewart's case; annotated by Peel that he 'cannot hold out any hope of commutation of the sentence.' Joseph Hume on behalf of Stewart and enclosing Muir's letter. Joseph Hume supporting Stewart and quoting 'the quality of mercy'. Joseph Hume asking Peel to change his mind. Robert Peel's reply.

Other papers: Printed criminal letters against James Dick. John Burnet transmitting petition and certificates. 13 certificates with a covering note for one. Copy certificates (Joseph Hume). Copy declarations of Dick, Buckley and Stewart. Notes of the evidence in the trial of Dick, Buckley and Stewart. Letter from D Boyle outlining the case and forwarding the indictment, declarations and the notes of the evidences to Robert Peel, recommending 'in reference to public safety the law should take its course.' Thomas Muir to Joseph Hume - Lord Justice Clerk's report.

Additional information: the prisoner was tried with James Dick, shoemaker and cotton piecer, aged 15 or 16, and George Buckley, a labourer, aged 20. Dick was sentenced to transportation for life and no charge was proven against Buckley.