Catalogue description 1 individual petition (the prisoner) on behalf of Alexander Borland, manufacturer from...

1 individual petition (the prisoner) on behalf of Alexander Borland, manufacturer from Paisley, Renfrewshire, convicted at the Edinburgh Assizes on 5 June 1826, for by means of fraudulent and felonious representations and false pretences obtained, opened and detained letters with no authority or permission addressed to Mrs Susanna Caldwell and George Caldwell of Paisley. A full account of the crime is given in the petition. The charge is stated in full in a report by D Boyle. There is a covering letter to the petition D Boyle. Petitioner feels his actions were just as he took letters to obtain evidence that John Caldwell, his partner had embezzled and rendered their company bankrupt and he passed letters on to public authorities. Caldwell has since absconded with prisoner's money and property. Petitioner wants sentence of 'legal infamy' quashed which excludes him from holding any office of trust or honour or of bearing testimony as attorney in or out of court. Grounds for clemency: has a wife and large family, previous good character, good conduct, he was morally if not legally justified, he did not act feloniously, already served most of his sentence and 'legal infamy' prevents him being a useful and honourable member of society and it is degrading. Initial sentence: to be taken to Tolbooth in Edinburgh, then to be sent from shire to shire until incarcerated in Tolbooth of Paisley for 6 weeks. Annotated: 'July 19, a Pardon, as to all the effects & consequences of the court except the [infamy?]. Rem. [Remittance] Prep [prepared] July 1826'. AK 16. [Scot]