22nd October 1812: General Acland tells General Maitland he is 'pretty sure of hanging' Mellor, Thorpe & Smith

Huddersfield 22nd Octr 1812.

My dear Sir,

I send you a copy of Walker's Examination & also of William Hall's The first is full & conclusive against Mellor, Thorpe & Smith, & with the collected Evidence before we are pretty sure of hanging them—

Smith & Thorpe will be sent to York Castle to-morrow—

I sincerely congratulate you on the development of this business & also that we shall get into that of Cartwrights Mill, which you will see by the Evidence we are in a fair way of doing—

Colonel Clay writes that he takes it for granted the troops in Barracks at Manchester are to be consider’d on the footing as hitherto with request to Camp allowances — In reply I have told him, I was not prepared to give a decided answer, but would communicate with you—

In the mean time I have strongly recommended him not to [illegible] to be done, as I was confident it would not be allowed at the Horse Guards for the Camps having broken up there can be neither reason or necessity for doing so—

I have also desir’d to Hamilton to write to Captn Mackay on the subject.

In my anxiety to anticipate your wishes, I trust I have not err’d & that you will not disapprove what I have done.

Clay fears the late bad weather will be severely felt by the Berks & Louth on getting into quarters, but if their Commanding officers are attentive to the men I think we have nothing to apprehend

The Liverpool men return’d this day, after having been through the whole country from hence to Halifax, Rochdale, Manchester Stockport Ashton &c — every where they state people are not only shy of them as strangers, but of each other; they have gain’d no information of any consequence & every thing appears quiet as far as they can ascertain—

In consequence of this I have paid them up, with their expenses to Liverpool, & sent them back, as it is a very unnecessary expense detaining them—

I have now no one with me, for Richardson I hope will soon arrive, & then a communication will be open with the men here & at Wakefield. I have also desir’d the Guinea a week to Smith & Downes to be discontinued—notwithstanding this the charges will be heavy this Month, as there were many arrears to pay up—after this they will be scarce any thing

Wroth: P: Acland

[To] Lt General
The Rt Honble
T. Maitland

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This letter can be found at HO 40/2/8.