designed to appear before her Majesty, should be signed by some respectable names, and sent directed for her Majesty, to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, office in Downing Street, as that is the proper channel by which it should be conveyed. The petitioner may then set forth every favourable circumstance, properly confirmed by the signature of some respectable names, in another petition to the Recorder, and to the Judge, as on their reports, if the petitioner is condemned to die, his fate will in a great measure depend.

PETITIONS.

From a Person under Sentence of Death for Murder.
To the Queen's most Excellent Majesty.
The humble petition of A. B,

Most respectfully sheweth,-That your Majesty's unfortunate petitioner was convicted, at the last* Old Bailey sessions, of the horrid crime of murder, and received sentence of death accordingly; yet he hopes, from your Majesty's humanity, as there are several circumstances in his favour, to partake of that royal clemency which delights in bringing blessings to the afflicted.

As it appeared upon his trial that he did not act by the influence of premeditated malice, but was carried away by sudden passion, he humbly hopes to obtain that indulgent consideration which he has no doubt but

It is proper to mention the particular sessions, as there are frequently many of the same name under confinement at the same time.

your Majesty's humane disposition will deem his unhappy case deserving of, that through your Majesty's benevolence, he may, during the probably brief remainder of his days, have leisure to repent, and by the submission and correctness of his life, make some reparation to society. All he asks is, that his life may be spared, and he will never cease to cherish a grateful sense of the royal clemency.

And

your

Majesty's humble petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

From a Person under Sentence of Death for a
Robbery or a Burglary.

Most respectfully sheweth,-That your Majesty's most unhappy petitioner was convicted in

sessions, for having committed a robbery or burglary, and received sentence of death accordingly; but from the known benevolence of your Majesty's disposition, he humbly presumes to throw himself at your feet, and hopes to experience that royal clemency which has so often been extended to dry the tears of distress. Want arove him to commit that act for which his conscience has never ceased to reproach him.

He is truly sensible of the enormity of his crimes,—a sincere penitent for having committed them,—and hopes, through your Majesty's humane consideration, to make amends for his past transgressions, by being a grateful subject,—an useful member of society,—a comfort to his friends,—and a credit to himself, in any part of your Majesty's dominions, which, in your royal wisdom, you may please to appoint.

Your Majesty's petitioner hath six children,* and a wife at present pregnant; he therefore humbly implores your Majesty's compassion to be extended to a miserable husband,--an unhappy father, and a penitent sinThis part, when requisite, to be omitted.

ner.

That your Majesty's life may be long spared, and that the blessing of those ready to perish may rest on

you,

Your Majesty's humble petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.*

From the Widow of a Military Officer, soliciting a

Pension.

To the Queen's most excellent Majesty.
The humble petition of B. C.

Sheweth,-That your petitioner is the widow of the deceased Major D—, of the regiment of foot. That your petitioner's late husband served your Majesty faithfully and loyally above thirty years; and, during that time, having nothing to subsist on but his pay, and a large family to bring up, he died a few months ago, and left your petitioner utterly unprovided for, and four infant daughters, exposed to great hardship. That your petitioner has already applied to some of your Majesty's ministers, without ever obtaining an answer; and being destitute of every comfort, and even necessary of life, has ventured to present her petition at the foot of the throne. Her own life has been spent in discharging her domestic duties, and her husband's in venturing his life in defence of your Majesty's person and government. From your Majesty's great goodness, she has every thing to hope, and to you, as the patron of the wretched, she looks up with the greatest anxiety, that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to order a small annuity for her support, and to enable her to bestow on her children an education suitable to the rank of one of your Majesty's military servants.

And your petitioner, as in duty bound,

shall ever pray.

With the alteration of a few words, the same petition will

serve for either sex

To the Right Honourable the First Lord Commissioner. of the Treasury, for a place in the Stamp-Office.

The humble petition of A. B.

Sheweth, That your petitioner has formerly enjoyed a decent competence, but through a variety of losses in trade, is reduced with his family to the lowest state of poverty, and destitute of the necessaries of life; and being desirous to discharge his duty as a husband and a father, he has presumed to address himself to your lordship, for one of the present vacant places of distributors in the Stamp-office, and for which he can make it appear he is properly qualified, and will produce people of reputation to his character, and who, if required, will give security for his fidelity. Being fully convinced of your lordship's readiness to relieve distressed merit, and your great humanity to every one in distress, he is filled with hope that his request will meet with a favourable reception, and your lordship will reflect with pleasure, that your bounty has rescued him from misery, and enabled his family to enjoy those comforts of life to which they have long been strangers.

And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

For a Tide-waiter's Place in the Custom-House. To the Right Honourable the First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.

The humble petition of A. B.

Sheweth,―That your petitioner had the misfortune to be brought up in a trade which at present is so bad that few hands are employed in it, and even these can scarce procure a subsistence. That your petitioner has sought for every opportunity to obtain employment in vain, and at present is left in a very distressed condition. That your petitioner being desirous to apply himself to some useful employment, and finding that some tide-waiters are at present wanting on the river, has,

with the greatest humility, presumed to beg of your lordship to be employed as one. He is ready to produce proofs of his ability to discharge the duties of that station, and if so happy as to seem worthy of your lordship's notice, he shall, on all occasions, observe the strictest fidelity, and make it appear to the world that he has not been unworthy of your favour.

And, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

For a Place in the Excise.

To the Right Honourable the First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.

The humble petition of A. B.

That your petitioner received a good mercantile education, but through no fault of his own, has been reduced to poverty. That your petitioner being out of all manner of employment, and having learned the whole art of guaging, he has presumed to address himself to your lordship, for one of the present vacant places of a common exciseman, in any part of the kingdom where your lordship shall think proper to order. His conduct has always been blameless, and his character will bear the strictest inquiry; and on all occasions he will make it his principal study to discharge every part of his duty with the utmost fidelity.

And, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

From a decayed Tradesman, to the President and Gover nors of Christ's Hospital, for the Admission of a Boy at the Foundation.

The humble petition of A. B.

Sheweth,-That your petitioner has lived many years in credit, but through long sickness, and many losses in trade, is unable to bestow upon his youngest son an education suitable to qualify him for an honest employment, by which he might become useful in society.