QSR1818/667

Letter from Mr Robert Graham of Bedford Square, giving his opinion in the case of Richard Beardsley and W Wilshere's covering letter to Theed Pearse. NOT FIT FOR PRODUCTION

30 October 1818

From: 1818 To: 1818

'Dear Sir, I am not sure whether I am addressing my old & much respected acquaintance or his son but in either case I have an equal pleasure in a compliance with his request. Had this been an indictment for stealing young pidgeons in the Dovecote, nestlings or that had not forsaken their nests I shuold have had no doubt that the larceny was well charged. As it is the question seems to be whether pidgeons whilst roosting in the Dovecote are the subject of larceny. I cannot bring to mind any case which has decided this point, but as pidgeons in a dovecote are as much domesticated as their nature will admit, for tehy must have the means of ranging abroad and as they breed and feed in the dovecote or yard adjoining & as tehy roost there & consequently at all times have the habit of returning as to their home, I think, as at present advised, the old as well as the young pidgeons may be the subject of larceny, but I will turn this in my mind, & if within these few days, I should entertain a different opinion I will write again to you.' 'My dear sir, I will beg you to lay before the justices who may attend the adjoined session, which is I believe appointed for Monday next, the copy which I send of Baron Graham's answer on Beardsley's case as he asserts[?] to the possibility of a change in his opinion a further correspondence may take place & I will submit to the court the [?] of adjoining for a sufficient length of time to remove all doubt, perhaps the first Monday in December may not be thought an improper day'

UNFITunfit for production

item

Graham, Robert,
Beardsley, Richard,
Wilshere, W

theft, pigeons