December 1791

before he escaped, Oxleys Wife was in the Lodge after he was gone and she
was kept there several hours, That the Ladder by which he escaped had
been at the Prison about 17 years, The Ladder used to be kept in Lodge
lately it has stood in the yard. - He was asked the following Question

In the Case of a Prisoner being sent for, is a Note sent from the
Magistrate or Clerk?

Answer, Witness don't remember any Writing being sent by
Magistrates for a Prisoner, A verbal Order from the Clerk or from
Persons attending that Office Would be attended to and Prisoner taken
accordingly - That the Witness never had any directions from the Magistrates
own Mouth relative to Oxley on the way in which he was to be Created
believes that Prisoner escaped by reason of Inner Gate not being locked
Woodward at that juncture of time was in care of the Prisoner and he
thought the Lock was spriing. - William Roberts< no role > is Inner Turnkey.

It appearing to this Court upon the best Information they
can obtain respecting the Escape of John Oxon otherwise Oxley that the
conduct of William Roberts< no role > and John Roberts< no role > two of the Servants
belonging to the Governor of the House of Correction at Clerkenwell is
highly reprehensible

Resolved that Mr Harwood the Governor of the said Gaol
be and he is hereby directed immediately to discharge them from his Service.

And it is Further Resolved and Ordered that the Keepers of the
Prisons under the directions of this Court do not attend to any Orders
given by the Magistrates Clerks respecting the confinement or treatment of
Prisoners in such Keepers Custody but that they receive Orders only from
the Magistrates in Person on by Order in Writing under their Hands.

Also, Resolved and Ordered that the said Keepers do not
convey or suffer any Prisoners in their Custody to be conveyed before any
Magistrate without a written Order under the Hand of the Magistrate for
that Purpose,