19th June 1812: Judge Dallas asks the Home Secretary's advice on the respited prisoners at Chester Castle

My Lord

I feel that I am going quite out of my province — but a Letter from the Constable of the Castle of Chester, expressed some anxiety, as to what is to be done with the three Convicts who were respited for ten days from the 15th should he not hear further – Your Lordship will excuse an excess of caution in my mentioning the circumstance

I have [etc]
Robt Dallas

Bedford Square
June 19th 1812

Will your Lordship have the goodness to direct the receipt of this note to be acknowledged by a line directed to me here?

Sidmouth replied the next day:

Whitehall 20 June 1812

My dear Sir,

Many thanks to you for your intimation — a further Respite for ten days of the three Convicts at Chester was sent by last night Post, and I have ordered that a duplicate Respite should be sent by that of tonight.—Let me beg the favour of you to make a Communication to this Effect to the Constable of the Castle of Chester.

I am
&c
Sidmouth

Robert Dallas Esqr
Bedford Square

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Both these letters can be found at HO 42/124.