Wednesday, 31 October 2012

31st October 1812: The Huddersfield Solicitor, John Allison, denies George Mellor has confessed & tells Acland of more arrests

Dear General

I have not heard of Mellors having made any confession of guilt, nor do I think it at all likely as I believe he will die as hardened a Villain as ever disgraced a Gallows

Eight were committed last night and are gone off to York this morning — Three will be remanded for further Examination — and two more are taken up — Two have fled & I think they are gone to Dublin — Can you Sir or General Maitland assist me in having sought for and secured in Dublin, or  must I send to Government?

I have the honor to remain General
Yours most faithfully

Jno. Allison
Huddersfield Saturday Morning [31st October 1812]

[To] M. General Acland &c. &c.

This letter can be found at HO 40/2/3. There is a letter from Captain Bullen to Acland, dated 30th October 1812 (also at HO 40/2/3), in which he says George Mellor had made a confession. However, as Allison says, there is no indication that Mellor ever made such a confession: indeed, there are no papers in the Home Office records or elsewhere that indicate he even consented to an examination. Mellor's vow of silence was absolute.

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