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Auction: 5011 - Stamps & Covers of the World
Lot: 701

Crime and Punishment Punishment Transportation 1802 (24 May) entire letter from the Earl of Worcester in London to Chepstow (the address panel signed as was usual for the ´free franking´ privilege but without postal markings – presumably carried privately), the letter refers to the addressee´s petition on behalf of a man named John Ansley, a convicted felon, who had been sentenced to 14 years ´Transportation B.S.´ (the ´B.S.´ indicated ´Beyond the Seas´), however Ansley served nine years of the sentence on the Prison Hulk ´Portland´ which was moored in Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, before being granted a free pardon in 1811. No reference is made to his exact crime and intriguingly the Earl states only ´but the Crime of which this poor man has been convicted has occurred so frequently lately that Justice must take its course´. Interestingly written-up with associated notes/photos Estimate £ 120-150

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