33054-001881

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[centred] 32/2051

To His Excellency Major General Richard Bourke

Governor in Chief of New South Wales ... &c. ... &c. ... &c.

The humble Petition of Thomas O'Meara

Per Ship "Bencoolen," and now under "Sentence,"

of Life to Moreton Bay:

Most Respectfully Sheweth

That

Your Petitioner arrived at the Phoenix Hulk, February last, from Moreton Bay to prosecute John "Blower," who had attempted the Murder of your Petitioner at Morton Bay by cutting his Neck with a Razor, for such Offence "Blower" has been tried at the Criminal Court, and now lies under Sentence of Death: your Petitioner has received (by the infliction of a Wound Seven Inches in length, and of great depth,) material injury, and will never be in possession of his faculties again, the Wound occassioning [sic] a constant lightness in his head and contortion in his features: to add to which misfortune he is badly Ruptured and in a serious debilitated state:

Your Petitioner most humbly states that in consequence of his determination to prosecute "Blower" his Life was rendered truly miserable by the Conduct of his fellow Prisoners, who have threatened his Life in many instances, and begs to urge that his existence will be greatly endangered if sent again to a Penal Settlement:

Your Petitioner is induced to hope that your Excellency will be humanely disposed to ameliorate his sad Condition, by transferring

[on right] him

[marginalia, at top of page, in pencil, between two parallel lines] Moreton Bay

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to Port Macquarie among the "Invalids," your Petitioner being incapable of performing Manual Labor --- your humble Petitioner has already endured 6 Years [sic] confinement at Moreton Bay under the respective Commandantcy's [sic] of Captain Logan and Cap'n Clunie: your humble Petitioner is now upwards of 54 years of age, the early portion ^ [added above] (of his life) was spent in the Army - having served 15 years in the 58th Reg't, and been under the command of Lord Bentick, Sir John Murray and Sir Henry Clinton, - for his lengthened services under the King - his almost unparalelled [sic] suffering at Moreton Bay and the consequent infirmity he must always endure from the Sanguinary attack made on his life by "Blower," your petitioner is induced fervently to hope your Excellency may be graciously pleased to grant the prayer of his Petition and no subsequent period of his life shall ever shew that he is unmindful of your Excellencys [sic] Leniency --- and your humble

Petitioner as in duty bound will Ever pray -

[signed, on right] Thos. O'Meara

[on right] Per Ship "Bencoolen"

_____________

To /

His Excellency Major General Richard Bourke -

Governor in Chief of New South Wales

........... &c. ...... &c. .......... &c.

_______________

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[written in second-top fold of page, turned lengthwise]

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To His Excellency Major

General Richard Bourke

Governor in Chief of

New South Wales &c. &c. &c.

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[blank]

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The humble Petition

[centred] of

Thomas O'Meara, per

Ship "Bencolen [sic]," now on

Board the Phoenix Hulk

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[written on left, on last two folds of page, turned lengthwise]

To be sent to Port Macquarie with the special instruction to the Commandant.

March 16[th] 1832 ......... [initials, on right] RB

[in another hand]

The Sheriff ....

Mr Hely ........

Capt Smyth ... } 20 March 1832