rought to Justice, unless His Majesty will
further be graciously pleased to offer by Proclamation a proper
Reward for apprehending Mr. William Henry Cranstoun formerly a
Lieutenant of Marines, but now an Officer in a Scotch Regiment in
the Service of the States General; And we Earnestly request Your
Grace to recommend to His Majesty the Issueing out such a
Proclamation. We are with the greatest respect,

Your Grace's Most Obedient And Most Humble Servants.

MACCLESFIELD.[17] GISM. COOPER.
CADOGAN.[18] EDWD. PAUNCEFORT.
JAMES LAMBORN, Mayor. FRANCIS MASON.
THO. PARKER. RICHD. MILES.
GEO. LANE PARKER. EDWD. PRASSEY.
JOHN FREEMAN. JOHN CLARKE.
SAMBROOKE FREEMAN. THOS. HALL.
WILLIAM STOCKWOOD, Rectr.

[Annexed to this petition is a copy of the same, with the names of the
petitioners, also copied, and underneath them is written--]

Mr. Sharpe received this additional paper from the Duke of Newcastle
with directions from His Grace to lay the same before Mr. Attorney
General and to desire his opinion.

_Qu._ Whether it may be advisable to Issue a Proclamation with the
Offer of a Reward for apprehending Lieut. Cranstoun.

This is a matter of mere discretion in His Majesty, and as there is
no objection in point of Law to the Issueing such a Proclamation, so
if there is any prospect of success in apprehending Cranstoun by
that means I should think it an advisable measure. But as he has
certainly notice of an Intent to apprehend him it is probable he may
be gone beyond sea, to his service. If so the most probable means
would be to get him seized by the order of the States General or any
other State where he may be found to be.

D. RYDER, 14 Oct., 1751.

[Endorsed] The Noblemen & Gentlemen in the Neighbourhood of Henley
upon Thames, and the Mayor & principal Magistrates of that Town to
the Duke of Newcastle.

Oct. 14th, 1751.

For your Opinion hereon.

Mr. Attorney General.

3 Gs. Sharpe.

V. LORD HARDWICKE TO THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.

(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 259.)

Wimple, Oct. 9th, 1751. 4 o'clock p.m.

Dear Cousin,-- ... I enclose the Representation of the Noblemen
etc., in the Neighbourhood of Henley relating to the issueing a
Proclamation for the apprehending of Lieut. Cranstoun. It is
impossible for me to judge whether this is a proper Case for