St James's March 12th 1777.
My Lords,
The Attorney & Sollicitor General having pursuant to His Majesty's Commands transmitted to me Draughts of Two Warrants, the one for confining certain Prisoners at Plymouth, the other at Portsmouth, I transmit Copies thereof to Your Lordships, & am to remark to You, that the Description of the Places specified in the Draughts being taken from Your Letter to me of the 6th Instt, the Accuracy & Sufficiency of that Description should be well considered before the Instruments are laid before His Majesty.
The Attorney & Sollicitor General have in their Letter to me expressed their Doubts as to the Safety or Propriety of allowing the large Airing Grounds mentioned in Your Lordships Letter to make Part of a Prison for High Treason & Felony, & have also declined,inserting any Clause for the Removal of the Prisoners to Hospitals.
1. PRO, State Papers, 42/50, 67.