Chapter XVII: Appendix: VIII

LETTER FROM THE WAR OFFICE TO THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL, STRIKING CRANSTOUN'S NAME OFF THE HALF PAY LIST.

(From the original MS. in the possession of Mr. A.M. Broadley.)

War Office, 14th March, 1752.

Sir,--On Tuesday the 3d instant came on at Oxford, before the
Honble. Mr. Baron Legge & Mr. Baron Smythe, the Tryal of Miss Mary
Blandy for Poisoning her late Father; when first Lieutenant Wm.
Henry Cranstoune, a reduc'd first Lieut. of Sir Andrew Agnew's late
Regt. of Marines, now on the British Establishment of Half-Pay, was
charg'd with contriving the manner of sd. Miss Blandy's Poisoning
her Father and being an Abettor therein: And he having absconded
from the time of her being comitted for the above Fact:--I am
comanded to signify to you it is His Majesty's Pleasure that the sd.
Lieutenant Wm. Henry Cranstoune be struck off the sd. Establishment
of Half Pay, and that you do not issue any Moneys remaining in your
Hands, due to the sd. Lieut. Cranstoune.--I am,

Sr. your most obedient & most humble Servant,

H. FOX

Rt. Honble. Mr. Pitt, Paymaster-General.

[Endorsed] War Office, 14th March, 1752. Mr. Fox to Mr. Pitt directing the Half Pay of Lieut. Willm. Henry Cranstoun to be Stopt. Ent. No. 1 W.P. Fo. 11.