The return records that Lord George Gordon was committed into Walker’s custody on 8 Dec. 1787 by Francis Buller, before whom he had been brought by virtue of a warrant (recited) dated on the 5th. See the note on the item on f. 57r.
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Transcript
[…] {1} I James Walker Esquire Marshall of the Marshalsea of our Sovereign Lord the King before the King himself Do most humbly return that before the coming of the Kings Writ of Habeas Corpus to me directed and which is hereunto annexed George Gordon Esquire commonly called Lord George Gordon in the said Writ named was committed into my Custody on the Eighth day of December One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty seven by the Hon’ble Francis Buller Esqr: The said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon having been brought before him by Virtue of the Warrant hereunder setforth and having no sufficient Sureties as thereby required I was commanded to receive into my Custody the Body of the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon charged as by the said Warrant is mentioned and him safely to keep until he should be from thence discharged by due Course
[In the margin:] England to wit
Whereas it is Certified unto me that an Information is filed in the Court of Kings Bench by his Majesty’s Attorney General against George Gordon late of London Esquire commonly called Lord George Gordon for certain Trespasses Contempts and Misdemeanors in Publishing a Scandalous Libell To which Information the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon appeared in Hilary Term last and in Easter Term last past pleaded Not Guilty whereupon Issue was joined which Issue was Tried at the Sitting of Nisi Prius held after last Easter Term in and for the City of London upon which Trial the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon was found Guilty and in Trinity Term last past Judgment was signed against him and thereupon a Writ of Capias ad satisfaciendum issued to which Writ the Sheriffs returned that the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon was not found in their Bailiwick And it is further Certified that the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon has not appeared in Court to receive the Judgment of the said Court for the Offences whereof he is impeached and convicted as aforesaid nor is he under any Recognizance so to do
These are therefore to will and require and in his Majesty’s Name strictly to charge and command You on Sight hereof to apprehend and take the Body of the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon and bring him before me or one other of the Judges of his Majesty’s Court of Kings Bench if taken in or near the Cities of London or Westminster if elsewhere before some Justice of the Peace near to the Place where he shall be herewith taken to the end the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon may become bound with sufficient Sureties for his Personal appearance in his Majestys Court of Kings Bench at Westminster on the first day of next Hilary Term to abide the Judgment of the said Court And hereof fail not at Your Peril Given under My Hand and Seal the fifth day of December in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven.
[In the margin:] (L: S:) {2} F Buller
To William Roger, my Tipstaff and to all other Tipstaffs of the Court of Kings Bench and to all Chief and Petty Constables Headboroughs Tythingmen and all others whom it may concern: […] {3}
And for this Ct: […] {3}
[Endorsement:] {4}
[The wi]thinnamed George Gordon commonly called Lord George [Gordon] being brought before me by virtue of the writ of habeas corpus [within] mentioned is committed (at the prayer of his Majesty’s Attorney [General] on the behalf of his said Majesty) to his Majesty’s gaol of Newgate. Receive therefore into your custody the body of the said George Gordon commonly called Lord George Gordon charged with the offence within mentioned; and him safely keep until he shall be discharged by due course of law. Given under my hand and seal the thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven.
To the Sheriffs of the county and city of London, and Keeper of the gaol of Newgate.
F: Buller
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A parchment document. The writing around the central fold is worn and some letters are indistinct, but there is little doubt as to the intended words.
{1} The top left-hand corner has been cut away.
{2} ‘L: S:’ (locus sigilli) within a circle.
{3} A section of parchment, probably containing a signature, has been cut away.
{4} The beginnings of the first four lines are missing, owing to the loss mentioned in the previous note.
