| Content Description | Explains that he has been arrested and imprisoned by Mr John Cousons of Norton; protests that he has always followed Mr Cousons' orders as to the pilling and felling of wood; writes that the tenants told Mr Morley at Welbeck that Mr Cousons had ordered all their wood to be felled, but that Mr Morley said this had not been authorised by Lord Harley; alleges that Mr Cousons now claims that he never ordered Hankcock to proceed with the felling, but that many of the tenants heard him order just such a thing; asks to be freed as he has a family to support and has always been loyal; accuses Cousons of not returning his accounts, and protests that it is unfair to imprison him for doing the work he was told to do, even if it was not ordered by Lord Harley.
On the back: adds that all the tenants have asked Mr Cousons to free him, but that Mr Cousons demands payment of £5; states that he has not been allowed his wages and cannot afford the payment; adds that he has been in prison for six weeks. |