Draft bill to amend the law "with respect to the treatment and punishment of certain offenders, the imprisonment of debtors, and the administration of justice" Annotated.

Letter from [? Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise, Chairman of the Prison Commission] (Home Office) to [WSC] concerning the rough draft of a Bill [in respect of prisons and the administration of justice] [see CHAR 12/1/10] Manuscript signed with initials.

Draft bill concerning punishment and the administration of justice to amend the law concerning "the treatment and punishment of certain offenders, the imprisonment of debtors, and the administration of justice in the courts of Summary Jurisdiction" See CHAR 12/1/9. Annotated with handwritten corrections [? by Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise, Chairman of the Prison Commission].

Letter from Jesse Collings (Exmouth, Devon) to WSC thanking him for a letter concerning the sentence of Maud Nankwell and saying that he is sorry that WSC consulted the Salvation Army over the matter as their "hideous theology" prevents them from appreciating the good side of human nature; that the magistrates should have considered the case "in the spirit of modern treatment" and in relation only to the crimes with which Maud Nankwell was charged. Signed manuscript.

Letter from Herbert Asquith (10 Downing Street) to WSC in which he advises that legal action should be taken over the assault on [Augustine] Birrell [by suffragettes on 22 November 1910] and over all cases of serious assault on the police. Manuscript signed with initials.

Letter from Sir Edward Grey (Balmoral Castle) to WSC concerning two capital cases and the execution of Pickman. He describes this aspect of WSC's post as "beastly" and says that he thought a great deal about the men who were to be hung. He ends by hoping that WSC is having a good time and adds a postscript "You: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very heaven". Signed manuscript.

Telegram from Sir Charles Mathews [Director of Public Prosecutions] (East Grinstead [East Sussex]) to WSC concerning a statement about habitual criminals which is due for publication in the press. He considers that one paragraph, which, if it were justified, would force his resignation, is a "misrepresentation of the facts" and urgently advises that it should not be included. Manuscript.

Letter from WSC ("in the train") to the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] enclosing a note on the libel against King George V published in the Liberator [see CHAR 12/8/2]. He adds that he thinks that action should be taken to clear the King's name "of such cruel and widely circulated aspersions". Signed manuscript.

Note by WSC on the libel against King George V published in the Liberator discussing the possible courses of legal action. He adds that the police are seeking evidence concerning the publisher of the libel, and that the King should decide whether action should be taken. Manuscript in the hand of WSC. Covering letter at CHAR 12/8/1.

Letter from Sir Frederick Ponsonby [later Lord Sysonby, Equerry and Assistant Private Secretary to King George V] (York Cottage, Sandringham, Norfolk) to Edward Marsh explaining that Sir Arthur Bigge [later Lord Stamfordham, Permanent Secretary to the King] will write about the Liberator case. He adds that this is desirable as he disagrees with the views of King George and [WSC]. Signed manuscript.

Telegram from [Sidney] Harris [Under Secretary of State, Home Office] to WSC informing him that [Sir Arthur] Bigge [later Lord Stamfordham, Permanent Secretary to King George V] has telegraphed to instruct WSC to proceed "as previously settled" [on the case of libel against the King], and that Guy Stephenson [Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions] is in charge of the "legal machinery". Manuscript.

Telegram from Sir Rufus Isaacs [later Lord Reading, Attorney General] to WSC undertaking to telephone a document through to the Lodge and appoint a judge [in the case of criminal libel against King George V]. Manuscript.

Letter from Sir Arthur Bigge [later Lord Stamfordham, Permanent Secretary to King George V] (Buckingham Palace) replying to WSC on behalf of the King. The King has decided that proceedings against [Edward] Mylius for criminal libel against him should continue despite the possibility that the libellous article published in the Liberator may be read aloud in Court. Signed manuscript.

Letter from Sir Arthur Bigge [later Lord Stamfordham, Permanent Secretary to King George V] (Buckingham Palace) to WSC thanking him on behalf of the King for keeping him informed of the progress of the case [against Edward Mylius for criminal libel against the King]. He adds that the King agrees that no public statement should be made and that the case should be "thrashed out in Court" and thanks him for his intention to attend the trial. Signed manuscript.