Traveller’s Club
                                                                                        Pall Mall
                                                                                          February 15  1837

My Lord,
              I deem it my duty to lay before your Lordship the accompanying letter which I have received on behalf of William Rook convicted at the last East Kent Quarter Sessions of Housebreaking & sentenced to Transportation for life – I have detained them for some time, in order to make enquiries into the facts of the case, & from all I can learn respecting Rook’s previous character, as well as from the known respectability of those who have signed the petition, I can venture to recommend his case as one to which mercy might be well extended by a commutation of the sentence of transportation for life to a period of imprisonment in the penitentiary.
                            I have the honour to remain
                                      My Lord
                         Your most obedient humble servant
                                       Mr Deedes
                                         Chairman East Kent Sessions