MR. HENRY PEASE (York, N. R, Cleveland)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he had received a numerously signed petition, asking for a mitigation of the sentence passed upon James Wotton, of Skelton, in Cleveland, aged about 16 years, for 601 an assault upon a girl aged 13; and whether he is prepared to mitigate his term of imprisonment?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.Yes, Sir; I have received such a petition. I have examined the depositions in this case, and am unable to discover any grounds which would justify me in advising interference with the sentence, which is not, in my opinion, too severe.