January 1799.

The Examination
of Thomas Nicholson< no role >
Clerk to the House of
Correction}

The First time Sir Francis Burdett< no role > came to
the Prison I went round with him Mr.. Courtney and
Another Gentleman were with him, I believe Mr.. Bosville
I did not know Sir Francis. Sir Francis was very
inquisitive, they went towards the Infirmary, Sir
Francis asked where they were going. I sayed to the
Infirmary he sayd, I suppose we shall find a Stench
there, I say'd you had better not go in then, when
he came in he said, "What is this the Infirmary.
Smith the Person Committed by the Kings Bench
was there, he had an Asthmatic Complaint & Cough
Sir Francis and Mr.. Courtney knew him they both
spoke to him Mr.. Courtney said Smith you dont look
so well as you did the last time I saw you at your
House, Smith sayd I'm pretty well, I have got a
Cold and the Doctor has Ordered me up here, I am
better than I was, There were at that time only Two
Men besides Smith in the Infirmary, Sir Francis wanted
to hold a Conversation with him, I said Sir you must
Excuse me, We never suffer any body who visits the
place to hold Conversation with the Prisoners, they
would have been all Day going round the Prison
if I had let them ask Questions as they were going
on, they spoke to the Felons asked them questions
the Felons all behaved very well and they say'd they
were very well off and Contented. The Prisoners were
going to have their Dinner, I shewed the Gentlemen
the Meat and broth, Mr.. Courtney said it looked
very well, Sir Francis said it smelt very well, and
neither Sir Francis nor Mr.. Courtney or Mr.. Bosville
ever saw the Cell Colonel Despard was Confined in
(No.. 2.) there were no Prisoners in that Yard at the time
they were there and they never asked to see that Cell
I said in going round, when we see one Cell you see the