SD774. C.J. Doyle to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 328 (in part).
Kings House
11 July 1834
Sir
Referring to the subject of your letter of the 22d ulto I have the hour to acquaint you, that His Excellency the Governor immediately directed me to lodge a complaint with the Provost Marshal General against his Deputy at Saint Anns and requesting his dismissal in case of his not being able to give a satisfactory explanation of his conduct with respect to the case of Wm J Coombs.
In elucidation of the case, I have now the honor to transmit an Extract from Mr Lindo’s statement and two affidavits which His Excellency hopes you will think sufficiently explanatory.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
C. J. Doyle
Secy.
The Honorable
Samuel M Barrett
Custos of Saint Ann
Address, on cover sheet: The / Honble S. M. Barrett / Custos Saint Ann’s / Alexandria. P. O.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
Enclosure 1: (Copy) / Saint Ann’s Bay July 2nd 1834 / Sir / In regard to the complaint of His Honor the Custos of this Parish for want of due diligence in apprehending Mr Coombs, I hope to be able to justify my conduct by the following statement. / This man was sentenced to six-months’ Imprisonment in the County jail—and I in conformity sent him to Spa: Town from whence he made his escape. Shortly after he was taken and lodged in this jail; during my absence, being in Saint Mary’s at the time, he made his Escape. I waited on the Custos and requested the assistance of the Constabulary force to enable me to retake him & he sent me an authority for that purpose, I shewed Mr Drake the head Constable this & he most willingly agreed to go with me himself to endeavour to recapture him. Having received information from J. W. Davis Esqre that he was not at his old haunt but on the road to Pedros with his Mother in Law a distance of eleven miles from my residence, Mr Drake, my Deputy, self and three Slaves proceeded to the place and surrounded the dwelling which was carefully examined as also the adjoining provision grounds but without effect. I now suggested to Mr Drake the propriety of visiting next day his old haunt but he said he considered it advisable to let the matter rest for a few Days as his Mother in Law would of course advise him of our having been in search of him & that he would be upon his guard; by our adopting this measure he might lull himself into a state of fancied security and we should then be enabled to take him. My avocation calling me to Spanish Town to attend the Grand Court I gave full instructions to my Deputy to use his exertions to recapture Coombs & moreover Commissioned Mr Drake to offer a reward of five pounds to such person or persons that might take or would assist Mr Drake to take him & which Sum I have paid. On the 17th June he was captured & lodged in jail five days previous to the date of the Complaint of the Custos and I have now sent him to the County jail; this I should have done sooner but was waiting for an opportunity to send him by Water, being so desperate a Character, the Magistrates the time before when he was committed advised me to adopt that mode of Conveyance. / I beg leave to correct a mistake which has occurred in his Honor the Custos’ Letter of the 22nd June wherein he states that this person has twice escaped from my custody, whereas he only once escaped from me; our jail here is very insecure & prisoners unless put in Irons cannot well be prevented from escaping, this man even broke his cell in the Middlesex jail & made his escape thence. / I hope the statement I have made will soon prove satisfactory, & shew that I not only used my own exertions to recapture the man, but even offered a reward out of my own purse for his recaption[.] / I am X / (signed) Richard Lindo. / W. F. Clement Esq / Spa Town.
Enclosure 2: Copy / Jamaica’s / Saint Ann / Personally appeared before me Samuel Drake who being duly sworn maketh Oath and saith that Mr Lindo the Deputy Marshal having shewn him an Authority from His Honor the Custos for the Constabulary force to assist him in re-capturing a man named Coombs he this Deponent proceeded in Company with him his Deputy and three Slaves to the residence of the Mother in Law of the said Coombs where we had been informed he was harboured, diligent search was made throughout the House and adjoining provision grounds but he could not be found and Deponent verily believes Mr Lindo went for the sole purpose of endeavouring to re-take Coombs and used every exertion to effect this object he subsequently offered five Pounds reward for his apprehension which took place on the 17th June and which reward Deponent believes has been paid into the hands of William S. Harker to be distributed to the parties who were assisting in his recaption Deponent also further states that the said William J Coombs only escaped once from the Custody of the said Mr Lindo. / (Sigd) Saml Drake / Sworn before me this 2 day of July 1834 (sigd) W. S. Harker.
Enclosure 3: Copy / Jamaica’s / Saint Ann / Personally appeared before me James Foubister who being duly sworn maketh Oath and saith that Mr Lindo the Deputy Marshal having desired him to accompany him in search of one Coombs who had made his escape from this Jail he Deponent did so and in company with the said Mr Lindo Samuel Drake Head Constable and three Slaves proceeded to the place where we were informed the said Coombs was harboured, that every exertion was made by Mr Lindo jointly by Mr Drake and Self to recapture him, but on surrounding the House and after strict search had been made throughout the Residence and a[d]joining provision grounds he could not be found and deponent further swears that Mr Lindo on being compelled to go to Spanish Town to attend the Grand Court directed him as his Deputy to use his exertions to recapture the said Coombs and that he was lodged in this Jail on the 17th June. Deponent also swears that the said Coombs escaped but once from the Custody of Mr Lindo the Deputy Marshal / (sigd) James Foubister / Sworn before me this 2nd day of July 1834 / (signed) W. S. Harker.
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