16th December 1812: John Beckett of the Home Office informs General Acland of the date for the York Special Commission

Whitehall
16 Decr. 1812

My Dear Sir

I trouble you with a line to mention that the Commission will be opened at York on the 2d Janry.—I shd fear the Cases of the late Robberies at Huddersfield will not be in a fit state to be tried by that time—If not, and I think you could ascertain the point—I should prefer the Men, of whose names I believe you know, been committed for further Examination — to some place of safe Custody, rather than committed finally to York Castle for Trial — wh has been too much the Practice already — perhaps you would be as good as to suggest Something of this sort to Mr. Radcliffe as from yourself if you shd find it necessary — If the Cases — & the Evidence to commit upon them were properly prepared & strong enough — there could be no Objection to their being tried at York — but this at present I hardly conceive to be possible — Do favor me with a Line —

I enclose you an Extra [Garnette] full of Russian triumphs

Yrs faithfully
J. Beckett

[To: General Acland]

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This letter can be found at HO 40/2/4.