Catalogue description Report of Beaumont Hotham on 1 collective petition (54 people of Ipswich, in Suffolk) on...

Report of Beaumont Hotham on 1 collective petition (54 people of Ipswich, in Suffolk) on behalf of William Ribbans, inn keeper, convicted at the 'last' Suffolk Assizes at Bury St Edmunds for receiving 3 trusses of hay (from Thomas Garnham, tried at the same time), knowing them to be stolen, on the 17 May 1799, the property of William Middleton. Evidences supplied by 2 brothers, only one named as one John Bernard Cotes (Mr Middleton's bailiff) and John Cobbold. Grounds for clemency: previous good character (where he has lived all his life), first offence, has a wife and 2 small children to support, first offence and he is willing to transport himself. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Recommendation: mercy, to transport himself. (Garnham: 7 years transportation). Folios 3-7. [Folios 1-2 are blank].