Wednesday 17 October 2012

17th October 1812: Benjamin Walker arrested for suspicion of being involved in the assassination of William Horsfall

In the evening of Saturday 17th October 1812, another person was arrested under suspicion of being involved in the assassination of William Horsfall. In a letter to General Maitland written the next day, General Acland explained what had happened:
Benjamin Walker was apprehended last night at the suggestion of Mr. Lloyd on suspicion of being implicated in the murder of Mr. Horsfall — he was to be examined by Lloyd this evening, & you shall have the result as soon as I know it—
 It is not clear why suspicion fell on Walker, although we do know that the manufacturer, Francis  Vickerman, had named him as a 'rebel' in his first letter to General Acland on 28th August, so it is possible that Lloyd was simply combing through all the suspects. His arrest was to prove highly significant in the coming days.

Acland's letter can be found at HO 40/2/8.

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