1st May 1812: Government reward notice for Horsfall assassination

Whitehall, May 1, 1812.

Whereas it hath been humbly represented unto His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that, on Tuesday evening 28 April last, between the hours of six and seven o'clock, Mr William Horsfall, of Marsden, near Huddersfield, in the county of York, cloth-merchant, was shot at, as he was returning from Huddersfield market, by some one or more of four villains, who were seen lurking behind a wall in the plantation of Joseph Radcliffe, Esq, on Crosland Moor, and four slugs entered his body; since which the said Mr. Horsfall has died of the wounds he received;

His Royal Highness, for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the persons concerned in the said murder, is hereby pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to promise His Majesty's most gracious pardon to any one of them (except the person or persons who actually fired at the said Mr. Horsfall) who shall discover his or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof.

R.RYDER.

And, as a further encouragement, a reward of TWO THOUSAND POUNDS is hereby offered to any person making such discovery as aforesaid (except as is before excepted), to be paid on the conviction of any one or more of the offenders by Mr. John peace, of Huddersfield.

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This notice appeared in the London Gazette of 2nd May 1812. £2000 is equivalent to £99,300 (RPI) or £1.3 million (average earnings) at 2009 prices.