January 1799.

"The next Day Rance desired to be Discharged; That
"One of the Mutineers of the Name of Robert Harborough< no role >
"informed me of a Plan that had been laid destroy
"my Son who Locks the Prisoners up and Mr.. Webb
"the Surgeon that the means to be used were; One of
"the Prisoners was to pretend to hang himself and
"upon the Alarm being given by the others in Case the
"Doctor or my Son was to come they were imme-
"-diately to be destroyed that the attempt had been
"made by one of them Climbing to the Barrs and
"fastening a Rope apparently from his Neck to
"them but which was tied to some scraped Twine
"and the others gave the alarm but their
"Intentions were frustrated - the Governor
"declared it to be his Opinion that the Visits of Sir
"Francis Burdett< no role > had excited so turbulent a spirit
"among the Mutineers and others that he is appre-
"-hensive of great Danger that the Conduct of the
"Prisoners is much altered that he has no doubt
"such Alteration has taken place in Consequence of
"the visits of Sir Francis and his Communication
"with them

"Sir Francis and Lord Harvey came to Day
"about 12 oClock desired to see the Prisoners and
"produced an Order signed by Mr. Conant. I told
"them they could not be admitted without a
"Order from the Duke of Portland to which Lord
"Harvey replied they must apply to the Duke for
"One". -

And Your said Committee further Report
That they Resolved That when any Person or
Persons Should produce an Order in Writing to visit
the Prisoners or Inspect the Prisons belonging to