Catalogue description Prisoner name(s): William Whittle of Langton, Dorset. Prisoner age: 23. Court and date...

Prisoner name(s): William Whittle of Langton, Dorset.

Prisoner age: 23.

Court and date of trial: Dorset Lent Assizes 12 March 1835.

Crime: Assembling with others armed to land foreign spirits etc September 1834 (smuggling).

Initial sentence: [Death] sentence commuted to 10 years transportation.

Gaoler's report: Character not known.

Petitioner(s): 110 inhabitants of Dorchester; 296 inhabitants of Weymouth and vicinity; 173 people of the island of Portland; 335 people; The convict, William Whittle; William Devenish; Thomas Margrie, secretary to the Bridport Shipping Company; William White; Thomas Margrie, secretary to the petitioners.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): His youth; served as a merchant sea man for 6 years; excellent character; he was involved with others in an affray with customs officers and assaulted on officer; is deeply contrite; it is urged that he be required to serve on a man of war to restore his good name; prisoner has behaved well in New South Wales.

Other papers: Character reference from Captain Howe and Arthur William Hughes Junior; Mr Sturt - note about the case; letter from C Scovell transmitting copy of Robert Roe, Comptroller General of the Coastguard's letter urging the authorities not to be influenced by petitions being organised,- if the sentence was altered 'we should be in more danger than ever from prisoner Whittle's gang'; letter from J Stewart enclosing copies of Whittle's petition; letter from J Stewart enclosing petition of inhabitants of Dorchester; visiting card of Mr Cecil Weld Forester, Royal Horse Guards.