From William Pollard (unpublished)
[c. 1786]
Sir

I do myself the honour to address you with a view solely for the benefit of the Community, who have lately been preyed upon by Robbers in a Manner and to a Degree hitherto unheard of since the settlement of these States; I conceive it my duty as a Magistrate to exert my self for their Relief by the best means I can devise, I have sometimes information from Goal, and sometimes from other Quarters, these People correspond with each other by Letter, and I now with great submission to your Honour’s better Judgement and Experience submitt to your consideration whether it is not expedient to stop and examine all Letters directed to any of the Persons in the Foregoing List, by the Post Master (Mr. Bryson) and my Self only and this under the strictest secrecy and a faithful promise or Oath on our Part, and also to forward any of such Letters after examination as tend to their Interest in an honest Way, I have mentioned this Matter to Mr. Bryson who will chearfully obey your Honours Commands in this Matter. I am with great Respect and Esteem your Honours most obedient and very humble Servant

Wm. Pollard

To the Honble. Benja: Franklin Esqr. President of the State of Pennsylvania
A List of Persons of Evil Fame most of whom have been convicted either of Burglary or Larceny and many of them oftener than once, several of them are now in Goal. Here, some at Baltimore, Some at New York, and some at large preying on the honest Citinens of these States. Viz:
Jno. McCrumCharls. Rider or Reade
Danl. CallahanJames alias Wm. Burgess or Buddell
Wm. LesleyJno. Morgan alias Simpson
Robt. WatermanWm. Lacey
Jno. SimpsonJames Phillips alias Stewart
Geo. GardnerBarney Creemen
Wm Stephen JonesJosh. Smith
Jno. BennetCaptn. Hughes
Philip James aliasBill Phillips
Charl. JonesNed Murphey
Alexr. CampbellJams. Reynolds
Jams. BrownThos. Rannals
Robt. JonesChristor. Dougan
Jacob KalePatrick Flemming alias McDermot
Ludwick KaleCharles Chevalier
Wm SmithArthur McGarnick
Captn. Lovell aliasHenry Burley
John KeanCharles Echard
Jno. PhillipsWm. Reade
Thosl ScottJams. Brannan alias McGlaughlin
Jno. McCleaneWm Mason
Wm. De GrayThos. Bayley
Charles Coxe &c: &c:
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