January 1799. -

the Yard which is only 22. feet wide to which the Prisoners
alway's have access when out of their cells and where
they might alway's Dine; and I must further declare
That the whole of the Prison is perfectly Dry and Airy
and free from any bad or disagreeable smell.

John Soane< no role > .

Statement of John
Groves Esqr . One of the
Magistrates of the County
of Middlesex }

I went Yesterday into the Prison to Examine
it I visited the Cells and desired to see the Cell Colonel
Despard had been Confined in (No.. 2.) Mr. Webb the
Surgeon went with me, I found the cell as perfectly
Dry as any Room I ever was in, in my life, there
are 3 Steps up into the Cells of 7. Inches each above
the Paved Yard which Yard is at least three Yards
above the Walk round the outer Wall of the Prison
the foundation of the Prison is very Dry it is built
mostly on made Ground.

Jno.. Groves< no role > .

The Court adjourned the further Consideration
of this Matter until Tuesday the 22d.. day of January
1799.

At the General Quarter Session of the peace
for the County of Middlesex held (by adjt.) the
22d. day of January 1799 . Before William
Mainwaring,< no role > Esqr .. Sir Henry St.. John
Mildmay< no role > Bart. . Charles Churchill< no role > , John
Warner,< no role > John Groves< no role > , John Bond< no role > , Frederick
Mathew,< no role > John Bacon< no role > , Thomas Collins< no role > ,
Thomas Robinson< no role > , Hammond Crosse< no role > , William
Forssteen< no role > , Wm.. Marmuduke Sellon< no role > and John Soane< no role > [..]