Order authorizing payment to Jonathan Forward for transporting convicts to the American plantations : manuscript

Manuscript signed by the Prime Minister, Robert Walpole ordering George Earl of Halifax to arrange payment to the merchant Jonathan Forward, for transporting 66 convicts from Newgate Jail to His Majesties plantations in America aboard the ship Anne, Captain Thomas Wrangham, Commander. The transportation of British convicts to the colonies in America and the West Indies first began in 1617, having been authorised by James I in 1615, but ceased to function by the end of the 17th century due to objections by the colonies themselves and the plantation owners. Consequently, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1718 'for the more effectual transportation of felons'. In accordance with the Transportation Act 1717, Forward was contracted to transport felons from Newgate Prison and from numerous home counties. The ship Anne which was used for the transportation described in this document had originally been a slaver. Also signed by Charles Turney and R. Edgcumbe, this document orders the payment of 264 pounds to Forward, 'For the Allowance of Four Pounds per head for and upon sixty six Malefactors who were lately lying in Newgate in the City of London under Sentence of Transportation."