To the Rb. Honorable the Lord a Mayor, of London, the Judges, Recorder and Aldermen Etc.

The humble Petition of the Poor unhappy Prisoners for Debt on the Common side of Newgate

Sheweth and Complaineth of their following Grievances.

1

That whereas severall good and Charitable Christians have (out of a tender regard to unfortunate Traders that by great
losses are become Prisoners for Debt and confined in Newgate considering their miserable lase and to prevent their starveing
in a Christian County) bequeathed many benefits and Legacy to be paid Yearly, And whereas the Laws of the Land of the
Citty of London in order to same the same to the Prisoners for Debt in Newgate (according to the intention of the Donors) to
prevent their being Charted haveing granted them a Seal [..] the Prison wch was to be Lodged with the Prisoners and and
Scal'd to each receipt given for said Legacy's and now [..] sunlly kept by the Crisoners together with Rooks of Accompts
in a Strong (Rest for many Years till of late the Goulers combining with some of the Prisoners, forcibly enterd the Prisoners
Ward and carried away the said Strong Chest, Seal and Books of Accompts, by which they have and do hinder the poor
Prisoners of the greatest part of said Legacy's they not knowing when or where to demand the Same, And in particular
a Legacy of Sr. Thomas Grethamsford< no role > Ten Pounds P Ann altho the first in his Will has not been received for many
Years, Not withstanding it has been paid to all other Prisons mencond in said Will for many Years past, Therefore we
humbly beg Justice and relief conform to the Act of 22d. & 2 [..] of King Charles the Second.

2
3

That the Act of Parliament doth likewise ordain that a Take of Fees and just dues, shall be hung up in the most
Publick place of each prison, but for want thereof the Goalers have extorted dayly exorbitant Fees contrary to Law and
Justice. By the said Act it is provided that all Prisoners in Generall shall have liberty to bring in Victuals bedding &
other Necessary's without being hundred, prolong;d or paying for the Same, nevertheless we have Sufferd the contrary there
being no proper person or Turnkey's attending constantly the Prison Door as at other prison and when Bedding or
other necessarys comes to us, they the Turnkeys exact one Shilling for each parcell, notwith standing they are sometimes
detained and hour at the Grate before they an be admitted in and severall Charitable Per [..] le does go pray as well as our
friends and relations art kent govering any thing for want of Such admitta [..] ce by which we are great Sufferrers land in a Starring
condition The said Act does exp [..] ly forbed the lodo [..] eing of Fellons and honest Dab [..] in one Ra [..]