Transportation of Prisoners

Despatch to Henry Fox, War Secretary and member of the Privy Council about the transportation of the rebel prisoners from Lancaster to Carlisle Gaol  (SP 41/17/f110).

Transcript

Copy Carlisle August 2nd 1746

Sir,

Yesterday arrived here from Lancaster forty nine Rebell Prisoners under an Escort of a Captain and sixty men with a subaltern [junior ranking soldier] and twenty Dragoons [soldiers who fight on horseback], I sent from hence, they are now confined in the County Goal, and the Worthless Corporation [town council] here and Magistrates would give me no assistance, for a place of Confinement for the French Prisoners I remov’d from thence, so that I was obliged to dispose of them the best way I could without having the least help from them, which at present I hope will do: And the Goal now will contain the rest of the Rebell prisoners as Expected.

I hear Lieutenant General Howard’s Regiment will be at Drumfries the 4th instant in their way hither to relieve the Dragoons. As the Town will be so greatly crowded in the time the Assizes [regular court sessions held in the counties for the trial of civil or criminal cases], I shall be obliged to Lodge, as many as I can of that Regiment in the Barracks upon their arrival and deliver them Beding out of the store, [Although] neither Fireing [fuel] or Utensils are provided for them.

To Execute the Office of Barrack Master on this occasion I shall Employ the Town Major, Cromwell Ward as formerly mentioned to you.

Unless the French Officers now here in Number about Thirty Eight are removed from hence to one of the Adjacent Villages, it will be Impossible for the Country Gentlemen who come to the Assizes to find Lodgings. I send this by the Express that carries Mr. Webb’s letters.

I am etc.

James Fleming

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