Sunday 1 July 2012

1st July 1812: The County Clerk of Nottingham presents the bill for the prosecution of Luddites to the Home Office

Rex v. Carnell and Maples
Same v Osborne
Same v Marshall
Same v Slaney

My Lord

I take the liberty of inclosing to your Lordship my Bills of Costs in the above prosecutions, which were directed to be carried on by and at the expence of his Majesty's Government; and shall be obliged by your Lordship giving the necessary directions the discharge of the Amount being £423: 17: 7 —

I am also directed by the Magistrates to transmit to your Lordship a Copy of the Depositions against William Godfrey another prisoner Committed for Trial at the next Assizes for framebreaking and to request that your Lordship will be pleased to communicate to and for their information, whether the Crown will think right to direct the prosecution against this prisoner also.

I beg the favor of an early Reply
And have [etc]
Geo. Sculthorpe
Nottm 1st July 1812.

[To] The Rt. Honble
The Secy of State—

[Henry Hobhouse replied 6 days later informing the Home Office that the Government would prosecute William Godfrey]

This letter can be found at HO 42/125. £423, 17 shillings and 7 pence is the modern equivalent of £284,000 in average earnings.

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