As a system of appeal, it looked pretty haphazard. The appeal for one John Allen, for example, seemed to rely on the fact that ‘he is a fine tall handsome young man’. But the key to success seemed to be who you knew, not who you were.

By late afternoon I was tired and my eyes were aching and dry. I hadn’t found any petitions on behalf of Solomon Wiseman. I had a nasty flat feeling of having wasted a whole day and given myself a headache for nothing.

The place didn’t close for another hour, though, and I’d never be back here again. I opened the book at random, flipped through a few. I found one the right way up and in an easy hand. An intensity of horror came flaming off the page at me:

My deare and loveing wife I write this hart brakeing letter to inform you the shameful and scandalous distress I have brought upon you and my poore unhappy children wich I am afraid in a few Days will be Fatherless and you a poor Unhappey Distressed Widdow by the unhappey death I am likely to bring upon myself; had I takin youre advice on the Sunday night not to go with Groombridge to Crawley Faire this shame would not have happened but now I must bare the Eshew of it be what it will the judge cast five for Deth out of Eight as went to Lewes from Horsham Gaol but repreived three before he left the town and left Groombridge and myself for execution and not to look for any mercy I should wish you to see Gen Watson witch I think by Petition I may git a Pardon and be comfortable with Family once more and as to my confinement & distress of mind will bring me to my Right Understanding so in the sum of looking upon it as Troubles I shall account it as given from the God above as a scourge for my past offences and after you have seen Gen Wattson and advised with him I make no doubt but he will give you a Coppy of a Petition I trust Gen Wattson to be my ondly friend to do his utmost as he knows more of distress than any man liveing I trust to him to be my friend in the name of the Lord I am to die I should wish to see you once to take my unhappy farewelle of you and my deare children if you can git Halls horse and Cart git Roles to come down with you and Jane the coach here is 6 or 7 shillings down so I think hors and Cart will be cheapest when you come down go to the Sine of the Crown W Howes and he will come to the gaol with you and can sleep that Night at Mr Howes If we are to be executed it will be on next Saturday fortnight My best wishes to G Wattson and his Family and all who ask after me From your unhappy distressed but loveing Husband