NICHOLAS.

_III.--Warrant for Committal of Mary Blandy._

Town of Henley upon Thames in the County of Oxford. To Wit, To the
Constables of the said town, and to each and every of them, and also
to the Keeper of his Majesty's Gaol, in and for the said county of
Oxford.

WHEREAS Mary Blandy, of Henley upon Thames, aforesaid, spinster,
stands charged upon oath before me, with a violent suspicion of
poisoning and murdering Francis Blandy, gentleman, her late father,
deceased: These are in his Majesty's name to require and command the
said Constables, that you, some or one of you, do forthwith convey the
said Mary Blandy to his Majesty's said gaol in and for the said
county, and deliver her to the Keeper thereof: Hereby also requiring
you the said Keeper to receive into the said gaol the body of the said
Mary Blandy, and her there safely to keep until she shall be from
thence discharged by due course of law, and hereof fail not at your
perils. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of August, 1751.

RICHARD MILES,
Mayor and Coroner.

APPENDIX II.

COPIES OF ORIGINAL LETTERS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM AND PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE, RELATING TO THE CASE OF MARY BLANDY.

(_Hitherto Unpublished._)

I. LORD HARDWICKE TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.

(B.M. Add. MS. 32,725, f. 216.)

Wimple, Sept. 27th, 1751.

My Dear Lord,--I received from Mr. Jones, by your Grace's
directions, the inclosed papers relating to the Murder of Mr. Blandy
of Henley. I apprehend, by his letter, that the Question, upon which
your Grace desires my Opinion is, whether it is proper that the
Prosecution should be carried on by the order, and at the expense,
of the Crown? Your Grace observes by Mr. Pauncefort's letter, who is
a Gentleman of Character & writes like a man of sense, that, as the
Relations of the Deceased (who must necessarily be also relations to
the Daughter) are circumstanced, & seem at present disposed, no
effectual Prosecution can be expected from them; and therefore I am
clearly of opinion that, if upon Examinations there appears
sufficient ground to proceed, it is necessary & will be for the
honour of the Government, that the Prosecution should be carried on
at the expense of the Crown, & that Mr. Sharpe should be forthwith
ordered to take the proper steps for that purpose under the
direction of Mr. Attorney General. There have been several Instances
of such flagrant offences having been pr