5th February 1817: Jeffrey Lockett sends a long letter to the Home Office about the Loughborough Job case

Loughbro’ Feby 4th: [1817]

Sir

I had the honour to receive your letter of the 17th Inst, giving me the welcome intelligence, that Lord Sidmouth had been pleased to recommend to the Treasury, the payment of the 500 [guineas], offered in the names of Messrs Heathcoat, and Boden, as a reward for the apprehension and conviction of James Towle; and I am now authorized by those gentlemen, to request that you will do them the favour, to present their most grateful thanks to His Lordship for his kind consideration of their case. Since my return from Holkar, I have consulted Mr. Mundy, and other magistrates of this county, and the magistrates of Nottingham, and have their approbation of the following distribution of the reward. It is proposed to give

To Benjamin Barnes, a Nottingham Police officer who apprehended James Towle, and gave important evidence on the trial, & has incurred great personal danger 150 [guineas]

To John Sherwin, and John Webster, two of Messrs Heathcoat and Bodens workmen, who gave information to Barnes, and afterwards identified the prisoner, and conducted themselves before the Magistrates, and on the trial, with great propriety, as witnesses, each 100 [guineas]

To James Lawson (a Nottm Police officer) who also gave evidence and is proscribed by the Luddites 50 [guineas]

To John Asher, Mrs Sylvester and Mrs Mackie who gave evidence each 20 [guineas]

To Henry Newton and Saml White, two Police officers, 15 [guineas] each

To Mr Enfields secret informer 10 [guineas]

[Total] 500 [guineas]

The money will be very acceptable to the parties, who are to receive it, and I shall be much obliged to you, if you will be pleased to inform me, when and in what manner it is to be paid.

On the 21st Ult. I addressed a letter to Mr Beckett from Holkar, in which I apprized him of my intended return to Derby on the 27th, and expressed a wish, that I might find a letter from him on my arrival, with an undertaking on the part of Government to indemnify Messrs Heathcoat and Boden, acquaint the defence of instigating the charges [against] the Luddites lately apprehended, and the prosecution of them. It might be owing to Mr Beckett's absence from town, that my request has not been complied with and that my letter remains unanswered. But after the assurance which I received from you, when I had the honour of seeing you in town, I did not hesitate to comply with Mr Mundys request, and repeated solicitations, whilst I was at Holkar— but proceeded without stopping in Derby on the 27th, two meet Mr Mundy here. From that day to the present hour, I have been incessantly engaged with him and other magistrates in the examinations of the prisoners,—searching after the offenders who are at large,—investigating the accounts given from time to time by those who are in custody,—tracing all their movements, as described by Blackburn, and endeavouring to procure evidence to confirm his information. When Mr Mundy transmitted to you the copy of Blackburns confession, he was not aware of Mr Rolleston not having sent you a copy of J Blackburns information, but ‘ere now you will have received one from him. The information was taken by Mr Rolleston; but I am now in possession of a much more particular, and satisfactory narrative which I took from his mouth, on Wednesday last at Nottm. As soon as I reach home, a copy of it, upon which I will make the confirmation which it will receive, shall be prepared for Lord Sidmouth and I entertain no doubt, but that his Lordship will be of opinion, that the evidence of the accomplice will be so confirmed, as to be entitled to full credit with the [illegible].

I met Mr Mundy and several other magistrates yesterday at Leicester, when the prisoners were finally examined. Thomas Savage, William Towle, Jos. Mitchell, William Withers, Samuel Cordwell, John Amos and John Crowder, and John Blackburn, on the information of Mr H. Boden, Mrs Silvester, John Blackburn; and William Burton, on the same information, and his own confession, were committed for trial for framebreaking, and shooting [at], or being present, and aiding in the shooting at John Asher, Mrs Silvester, and Mrs Rushworth, in the night of the 28th June last, at Loughbro’, and John Slater, who you will be recollect was tried at the last assizes, and James Towle, for shooting and aiding in the shooting at John Asher, was committed on the same information for framebreaking, and shooting at Mrs Silvester, and Mrs Rushworth.

I have the pleasure to add that Blackburn met his late confederates, and heard their denial of his charge—and their recrimination of him, with great firmness, and conducted himself [throughout] the examinations in a very becoming manner. I mention this, because it is possible that either from Mr Mundy or and Mr Enfield, Lord Sidmouth may have received a different account of this mans behaviour. There was a wish in him in his first examinations, to conceal certain parts of his own, and every thing relating to his brothers conduct in the Loughbro’ affair. He was offered, that if it was discovered, that he was the person who shot Asher, he [should] not be permitted to give evidence for the Crown. But on Wednesday, he disclosed this secret to me, and from that time his accounts have been consistent, and his general deportment materially improved.

It will be decided by the court of Kings Bench, probably in the present term, whether Lace frames are engines within the meaning of the act of the 52. Geo.3. C 130, as a case out of this county (Orgill [against] Smith) is before that court on this Question. If Lace frames are such engines, the demolition of Messrs Heathcote and Boden's frames, under the circumstances of that outrage; will subject all the prisoners to a capital charge under that statute; otherwise, it is to be feared that Slater will be indictable only for a transportable offence, as the shooting at Mrs Silvester, and Mrs Rushworth, appears to have done, more to intimidate than to murder them, or do them bodily harm. The rest of the party are clearly liable to the capital charge of having been present, and aided in shooting at John Asher.

Savage was inclined yesterday to confess. He took me apart, and said he could tell me of the three men who had collected money for the Loughbro’ Job,—and of the advice, as council men who had negotiated the [business] with him. I am perceiving that you are well acquainted with the Luddites system; the constituent branches of the conspiracy,—their mode of proceeding when an outrage is proposed;—and their method of effecting it. It would be of vast significance, to bring to capital punishment, a proposer, and a subscriber to an outrage—and an advice, or council man. The destruction of Messrs Heathcote and Boden's frames, was undoubtedly projected by men in their own, but principally in Mr Lacey's factory at this place, who have long been subscribers to the Luddite purse, and made a special subscription for this particular Job. Badder and other advice men from Nottm received their proposals, and planned the affair. Savage was introduced into the plot, as the General of the party, which he selected for the attack,—and he of course knows the whole, and every person—in any manner concerned with in it. If Blackburn had not anticipated him, Savage would have been the best witness for the Crown; but as the [business] now stands, it appears to Mr Mundy, and I am decidedly of the opinion, that no terms can be made with him.

The county, and other goals in Leicester, are already so crowded, that Blackburn and Burton, tho’ it was much wished to have kept them apart, were obliged to be lodged in the same cell;—and that, by no means a secure one, against nocturnal attack, notwithstanding the guard at the Prison. Lord Sidmouth will receive a representation upon this subject from some of the Magistrates.—I think it right also, that his Lordship should be informed, however absurd the [outcome] was, that an attack of the Leicester goal, with a view to the rescue of James Towle, at the last assizes, was certainly projected, by his Nottinghamshire associates. Cooperation was expected from Hinckley, and other towns in Leicestershire, and meetings were held in the night, in the fields near Leicester Abbey to consider the [business]. But sufficient numbers could not be collected; and a difference of opinion arose, between those who were assembled as to the mode of proceeding. The intended assassination of the Judge, which originated at Nottingham was also meant to have been perpetrated as he left Leicester. Men were actually prepared, and on the road to have effected it, but they were deterred by there being three carriages either with or men that of his Lordship.—I am fully aware, how absurd, and imporbable these designs must appear to those who are not well acquainted with the demoralized state of the town, and neighbourhood of Nottingham, and the audacity of this particular class of people.—Yet I have no doubt whatever as to the truth of the statements.

At Leicester, the High Sheriff informed the magistrates, that there are already thirty persons committed for trial on capital charges, at the next assizes, beside others for minor offences. The trial of Towle, and Slater at the last assizes occupied fourteen hours, only three of which were taken up by the prosecutors. But the prosecutors case upon the approaching trials, will be very long indeed, from the great extent of the confirmatory evidence,—and if each Luddite prisoner sets up a separate alibi, and character defence, according to their late practice, it will be impossible for one judge, to go thro’ the calendar in less than treble the time usually [adequate] for holding the assizes. I presume to make this observation, that it may be communicated to the Judge, if thought right, or other arrangements be made to meet the exigency.

Lord Sidmouth apprized, that the outrage at Loughbro’ was perpetrated by 17 Luddites, of whom one has been executed: ten are now in custody, and the remaining six are a large—That these 17 men are more than a majority of this branch of the conspiracy, and that they are the most active, and desperate of the whole party, is now ascertained; for there has not been an outrage of any importance since the year 1812, in which they have been sometimes not been the only parties, but always or the principal persons concerned. The execution of James Towle has been of infinite use,—and I entertain a confident hope, grounded on what I have just stated, that the successful termination of the trials which are now about to take place;—the severe punishment of such as may be convicted, and an act of parliament to make it a capital felony to break lace stocking frames or any other engines as such—in manufactories will completely extinguish Luddism.

Of the six men; who are large, one (John Disney otherwise Sheepshead Jack, as, according to James Towles statement, Sheepshead Joe) is charged with being concerned with Crofts, now in the Leicester goal for a capital felony, and absconded three or four months ago.—It is said that he has left the Kingdom.—Another of them, called Little Sam, was taken up at Nottm about 4 months since, as a deserter from Artillery, by the name of John Smith, and, it is said, was sent to the Isle of Wight. He probably might readily be met with.—Respecting the remaining four, there is no certain information; tho’ from their want of money, and the support which will be given to them in this neighbourhood, it is most probable, that they are at no great distance. Whether any exertion should be made to find out, and take these men, is a proper subject for immediate consideration. I presume to give my opinion, that they should be advertized with the offer of a reward for the apprehension of each offender. Tho’ the direct object of the advertizement, might not be gained by it, it would at least shew the public, that there is no relaxation in the pursuit of these villains,—and if it does not lead to the detection and punishment of them, It will at least prevent their return to their remaining associates. But if this step is to be taken, it must be under Lord Sidmouths express directions. I have hitherto acted, and incurred considerable expence without any authority except from Mr Mundy and the other magistrates. My knowledge of the circumstances of Messrs Heathcote & Boden, excludes the expectation of pecuniary aid from that quarter—and if they were [sufferable] to bear the expence, it could hardly be expected that they or any other individuals should be charged with the expence of suffering Luddism, altho’ they are the principal sufferers from it. But tho’ it would have been satisfactory to me to have received an answer to my letter to Mr Beckett on this point, as I have before observed I feel entire confidence in the verbal assurance which I received from you, & upon which I have acted.

Long as my letter, and I ought to apologize to you on this account, there are yet many matters which have come to my knowledge, in the course of the late and the present investigations which I wish to represent to Lord Sidmouth, but it will probably be necessary for me, if the management of the prosecutions is committed to my charge, to confer with the Counsel for the Crown before they leave town for the circuits,—and I will take that or some other opportunity of introducing myself to his Lordship. I have only to add that in the part which I have taken throughout this [illegible] I have been influenced by no consideration of professional emolument, but from a desire to lend my feeble exertions toward the suppression of the Luddite system;—and that if any other solicitor, is proposed to succeed me in this office, I shall most cheerfully resign it,—and at the same time give him my gratuitous assistance.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedt humble Servt
Mr Jefferey Lockett

P.S. I have been so interrupted whilst I have been writing that I can could not finish my letter till this morning—& the mail has now left Loughbro’

Wednesday 5th Feby

12th January 1817: Jeffrey Lockett informs Lord Sidmouth that 'the Luddites are now principally engaged in politics, and poaching'

[Home Office note] This is for Lord Sth [illegible]—no promise was given—but the hope was expressed on a former occasion

Derby Jany 12th: 1817

I intrude upon you must reluctantly.—But indeed something must be determined upon, respecting the payment of the reward of 500 gs offered in the names of Messrs Heathcoat & Boden for the apprehension & conviction of Towle & his confederates,—or an action will be brought, and other unpleasant consequences result from the delay. Upon the consideration of the statement which I made in my last letter to you, I confidently that Lord Sidmouth will think it right, that the reward should be paid by the Treasury.

The name of S Fletcher appears in a list of the Luddites, mentioned by Towle in his confession to Mr. Pochin,—which I received from Mr. Lichfield.—He is disposed to become useful to me,—& I wish to know how far he has the power of being so. I have written to Mr. Lichfield for such information on this point, as may be disclosed in Towle’s confession.

One of the [Pownalls] is in custody upon a charge of being concerned in the late atrocious outrage, at the house of Lord Middletons gamekeeper—this rascal was very forward in the affair at Loughbro’. Mr. Mundy will visit him tomorrow.

The Luddites are now principally engaged in politics, and poaching. They are the principal bodies in the Hampden clubs, which are now formed in almost every village in the angle between Leicester, Derby, and Newark.—They are expanding into North Derbyshire. A meeting is to be held tomorrow at Chesterfield, which will be numerously attended by the Sheffield reformers. It is understood that petitions from every Club throughout the Kingdom are to be taken to town by deputies, soon after the meeting of parliament. The petitions are printed on paper to ensure their rejection, and there is to be a simultaneous movement in the country about the second of March.

I presume you have seen the political catechism—and litany, and other seditious publications issued from the Hampden Clubs.

There is nothing to apprehend here, except from our Nottinghamshire neighbours;—and hitherto their attempts to fraternize with the workmen of this place have been disappointed.

You will most particularly oblige me by your early successful attention to the first part of this note.

I am Sir your must obed Servt W. J. Lockett

6th January 1817: Charles Wylde reports magistrates cannot afford to raise a reward for the Kerry suspects

My Lord

I have laid your Lordship’s Letter before many of the County magistrates in this neighbourhood, in which your lordship recommends their coming forward to offer a Reward for the apprehension of the man who shot at Curry: but they wish me to inform your Lordship, that they are at this time subscribing so very largely through the County to the relief of the poor who are almost all out of employ & in the utmost distress, that under present circumstances they are not able to answer any other calls that may be made upon them.

I remain your Lordships
most Obedt Servt

Charles Wylde

Nottingham
Jany: 6th, 1817

18th October 1816: Henry Hobhouse sends a furious response to Benjamin Walker's supporter

Hadspen
Oct. 18 1816

Dear Sir,

The inclosed Application on behalf of Benjm. Walker is not the first of the kind which has been addressed to the Secretary of State. He was one of the murderers of Mr. Horsfall, & deserved a Halter just as much as his Colleagues, who were executed at York in January 1813. But he had the good fortune to turn King’s Evidence, by which he saved his Neck. Thus the Promise held out to him by the Crown has been fulfilled. The pecuniary Reward was promised not by Government, but by an Anti-Luddite Committee, which then existed at Huddersfield: and if Walker were by the strict Letter of their Promise entitled to the Reward, it is to them, & not the Secretary of State, that he must look for payment; and certainly he has no merit, which calls for the Interference of Government on his behalf. But if I recollect rightly, Walker is not entitled to the Reward, because his Information was not given until after he & his fellow-murderers were apprehended upon other Evidence. I believe too I am correct in stating that Walker after the Trial was supplied with money through Mr. Lloyd of Stockport to enable him to find an Asylum in some distant part of the Kingdom, I believe in Wales.

I have [etc]
H. Hobhouse

15th October 1816: A man from London writes to the Home Secretary in support of the Luddite turned informer, Benjamin Walker

It was over 2 years since the former Luddite turned informer, Benjamin Walker, had himself written to the Prince Regent requesting payment of the reward who thought he was entitled to for turning King's Evidence against his former comrades in Huddersfield. Now, a man from London wrote in support of Walker's claim after having encountered him on the streets of London:

My Lord

I trust the subject upon which I now take the liberty of addressing your Lordship will plead my excuse for thus trespassing on your Lordship’s time

Some week since I will was accosted by miserable looking man who earnestly requested I would recommend him to an Attorney, and upon my desiring to know his motive he made the following statement to me

He say’d his name was Benjn Walker, that he served his apprenticeship to and afterwards worked at the shearing of woollen cloth near Huddersfield in yorkshire, previous and up to 1812. That he was one of the misguided men who suffered themselves about that period to be sworn in as a Luddite and mixed much in the dreadful occurrences that took place there at that time That during the disturbances a Gentlemen of the name of Horsfall was shot and great exertions were used to discover the murderers—That the Government and the magistrates and Gentlemen of Huddersfield and its neighbourhood joined in such exertions—the former by offering the Prince Regent’s pardon to any accomplice (except the actual murderer) who should be the means of convicting the others concerned &c., and the latter by forming themselves into a Society and individually subscribing certain sums (and particularly a part of the Family of Mr Horsfall the Gentleman who was shot subscribing £500) and constituted Mr Peace an Attorney of Huddersfield their Secretary and treasurer and annexed to the proclamation in the London Gazette of 1st May 1812 wherein the pardon before mentioned was inserted the following memorandum "And as a further encouragement a Reward of £2,000 will be paid to any person (except as excepted in the Gazette) who shall give such information as shall lead to the conviction of the murderers to be paid by Mr John Peace of Huddersfield" That he, Walker, together with a great many other persons were taken up on suspicion of being concerned in the many Outrages that time and were repeatedly examined by Mr. Ratcliff Mr. Lloyd and several other magistrates and Gentleman relative to such disturbances. That the reward of £2,000 as also the pardon were repeatedly mentioned and promised to him, Walker, and others if they would discover what they knew respecting the murder and other transactions it was suspected they were engaged in, but-that-no-discovery were then made and he, Walker, and many others were after such examinations liberated—That he was afterwards again taken up with a number of other persons and after repeated examinations as to his knowledge of the said murder and other crimes he was induced from the promised pardon and reward made to him, Walker, by the magistrates on such examinations to confess that he was one of the four persons present when Mr Horsfall was shot but was not the person who shot him. That immediately upon such confession and his naming his accomplices all other persons then in confinement on suspicion of the said murder was liberated and his three accomplices fully committed to York for trial and were afterwards upon his Walkers evidence corroborated by others whom he Walker produced tried convicted and executed—That from his having been the means of discovering and convicting his accomplices he has since then been unable to get any employment in his own trade or to remain with personal safety in that part of the Country—That he has made many applications to Mr Peace and those who promised him the reward to pay it him or to get him some employment but they refuse saying he was not the first informer—Altho they do not say who was nor have they yet pay’d the money, which he, Walker, understands is in the Treasurers hands as before mentioned, to any one—That he Walker can prove that he alone is entitled to their Reward and is only prevented from asserting his right to it by his present poverty.

The above therefore my Lord is the substance of Walkers statement and upon hearing which I caused an application to be made by a professional Gentleman to Mr peace of Huddersfield and the answer returned by that Gentleman was to the same effect as stated by Walker—Viz. that he Walker was not entitled not being the first informer this however my Lord from Walker’s evidence on the trial of his accomplices as also from the statement of several other persons referred to by Walker does not appear correct—and my Lord, from the enquiries I have made I am satisfied that his claim is just. Walker therefore requests that I will humbly implore of your Lordship that as he was induced through the faith of the promises of the before named Gentlemen backed by the proclamation and Reward offered in the London Gazette to give the required information whereby the discovery and conviction of his accomplices was affected, that, your Lordship will be pleased to refer him to some Gentleman who shall see that the Reward (if his due) shall be paid to him, or that some employment is provided for him to rescue him from the dreadful state of poverty and wretchedness he is now in arising from the before mentioned circumstances

I am my Lord
your Lordships most
humble Servant

T Broughton

No 3 Philip Lane
London Wall
15th Octr. 1816

my Lord
Walker also stated that Mr. Justice park—whom at the trial of his accomplices was leading Counsel for the Crown as also Mr Baron Thompson who tried them would if applied to say he Walker was entitled to the Reward

24th July 1816: Francis Raynes thanks the Home Secretary for sending him £100

Newton near Newark upon Trent.
July 24th—1816

My Lord,

The favour conferred upon me by Your Lordship, in the pecuniary assistance afforded me, I find myself too much relieved by, to omit offering the acknowledgements I feel to be so greatly due from me to Your Lordship: that I did not return at the time I received the Hundred Pounds to express my thanks, I must beg Your Lordship to attribute to my fears of being troublesome, when I knew Your Lordship to be so deeply engaged in Public business.

Though relieved from the embarrassments which immediately pressed upon me, my situation is such, as to compel me, however reluctantly, to entreat the further continuance of Your Lordships consideration, and I trust I am not encroaching too much on Your Lordships goodness, in expressing the anxious hope I feel, that on the return of Sir Thomas Maitland, the means may be found of relieving me, from the principal state of suspense, I have so long endured.

Trusting your Lordship will pardon the liberty I have now taken, I have the Honour to subscribe myself, most respectfully

Your Lordships obedient Humble Servant

Francis Raynes

To.

The Right Honorable.
Lord Viscount Sidmouth
&c = &c = &c

6th July 1816: The Leicestershire MP, George Legh Keck, urges an increased reward & protection for informers

Stoughton Grange

My Lord

Since I last had the honor of addressing you I have been requested by The Magistrates now engaged in the Investigation carrying on relative to the late Outrage at Loughborough to enquire whether your Lordship would not feel the propriety of an Offer of [reward] on the part of Government for the discovery of The Offender. At present a reward of £500 is offered by Messrs Heathcote & Co, & a pardon by Government on discovery of The Offenders. It is believed by those who have the best local means of judging that if Government was to make some considerable addition & the previous Offer it would have the best effect; & though I am myself not so sanguine on this head I am convinced that as a proof of anxious exertion on the part of Government it would have a most salutary result.

I am however desired further to represent that in addition to any reward it would be especially necessary that an Informer should receive from Government such employment remote from his ordinary residence as should afford him the future means of Subsistence proportionate to his Character & Abilities, for we well know that his life here would be utterly forfeited. And I need not press this point with your Lordship who will recollect what has already occurred on a similar Occasion; & some employment in the Colonies or elsewhere would be well earned by such a service. & I shall have much satisfaction if by my own means of local Communication I can assist the Good Cause by the development of so dangerous a System of Proceedings.

Your Lordship will be good enough to instruct me as to the answer which will be given to the Magistrates at whose desire I have submitted these Considerations to your Lordship; & I can not conclude without repeating my thorough Conviction that a Cavalry force at Leicester is essentially necessary for the Publick Tranquillity of this district.

Would to God that the severe & general distress now experienced did not offer so wide a field to any mischievous & daring Individuals, but I feel it my duty to state the fact & your Lordship knows that I would not mislead you.

I have the honor to remain

My Lord

Your Ob. Hble. Servt.

[Legh Keck]

July 6th

2nd July 1816: Government Reward Notice for the 'Loughborough Job'

Whitehall, July 2, 1816.

Whereas it hath been humbly represented unto His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that about 12 o'clock on the night of Friday last, the 28th ultimo, a number of persons armed, with their faces blacked, entered the factory of Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden, at Loughborough, in the county of Leicester, Lace-Manufacturers, and after firing at and wounding one of the servants (a guard) in the said premises, they demolished every frame in the building, and destroyed all the lace, and did other damage the amount of ten thousand pounds;

His Royal Highness, for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the persons concerned in the said atrocious outrage, is hereby pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to promise His Majesty's most gracious pardon to any one of them (except the person who actually fired at and wounded the guard belonging to the said premises) who shall discover his, her, or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof.

SIDMOUTH.

And, as a further encouragement, a reward of FIVE HUNDRED GUINEAS is hereby offered to any person (except as is before excepted) who shall discover his, her, on their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof, or to any person or persons who shall apprehend and bring the said offenders, or any of them, to conviction, or cause them, or any of them, so to be apprehended and convicted as aforesaid; such reward to be paid by the said Messrs, Heathcoat and Boden.

18th May 1816: Arson at Dickleburgh, Norfolk

The Norfolk Chronicle of 25th May 1816 carried a brief report and reward notice regarding a case of apparent arson that occurred in the evening of Saturday 18th May 1816:

Saturday night last, a wheat-stack belonging to Robert Dover, Esq. of Dickleburgh, was wilfully set on fire and consumed—A reward of 100l. is offered on the conviction of the offender.—See Advt.

The reward notice is below:

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. 

A Reward of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS will be given to any persons who shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be discovered and apprehended, the person or persons who set Fire to a Stack of Wheat, upon the premises of Robert Dover, Esq. in Dickleburgh, in the night of the 18th of May, 1816. 

This Reward to be paid upon conviction of the offender or offenders, by 

ROBERT DOVER

13th May 1816: Thomas Hall reports a recent case of arson to the Home Secretary & offers a reward

Saffron Walden 13th May 1816

My Lord

On Saturday the 4th Instant [between] the Hours of 11 & 12 at night a fire broke out in a barn belonging to Mr Thomas Nottage at Henham in this (Walden) division which raging with great fury shortly consumed all the Buildings & communicated to the dwelling House, at a Loss exceeding £1200. From the Situation of the Barn & the place where it broke out there can be no doubt but that it was set on fire:

An investigation has taken place before the magistrates & some Circumstances have been laid before them from which there is strong Reason to suspect that a Person now in Custody is the Offender & there being also some Reason to suppose that there are persons who are implicated & can give Evidence which may lead to conviction it has been considered desirable to obtain his Majesty's Pardon in the usual Manner for which purpose I have been directed to apply to your Lordship requesting the favor of your Sanction that an advertizement and Handbills of the nature of the inclosed may be published.

As it seems advisable to have them issued as soon as possible it will be esteemed a very particular favor if your Lordship will be pleased to give the Subject your Attention as early as you conveniently can

I have [etc]
Tho. Hall
Clerk to the magistrates of the
Walden Division

Hall enclosed the draft of a reward notice, which read:

Two Hundred Pounds Reward

Whereas on Saturday the 4th Instant between the Hours of 11 & 12 at Night a fire broke out in a barn belonging to Mr. Thomas Nottage of Henham in the County of Essex which raging with great Fury shortly consumed all the Outhouses are communicated to the Dwelling House and the same having been wilfully and maliciously set on fire by some Person or Persons unknown. In order for the better Discovery of the Offender or Offenders His Majesty has been most graciously pleased to Promise his Pardon to any person (except the Person who actually set the Premises on fire) who shall discover the Offender or Offenders so that he or they may be convicted.

And for further Encouragement if any Person (except as above) will give such Information as aforesaid he shall on Conviction of the Offender or Offenders receive a Reward of two hundred Pounds

This will be signed by the Proprietor or the agent of the Norwich Union Fire Office

13th May 1816.

7th May 1816: Government reward notice for arson at Drinkstone, Suffolk

200£.—PARDON.

WHITEHALL, 7th May, 1816.

WHEREAS it hath been humbly represented to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that on the Night of the 3d instant A BARN, belonging to Mr. GRIGBY, of Drinkston, near Woolpit. In the county of Suffolk, was WILFULLY SET ON FIRE by some evil-disposed person or persons:—His Royal Highness, for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the persons concerned in the said Felony, is hereby pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, to promise his Majesty’s most gracious Pardon to nay one of them (except the Person who actually set Fire to the said Barn) who shall discover his, her, or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they, may be apprehended and convicted thereof.

SIDMOUTH

And, as a further encouragement, a Reward of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS is hereby offered by the said Mr. Grigby to any person (expect as is before excepted who shall discover his, her and their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they, may be apprehended and convicted thereof; or to any person or persons who shall apprehend and bring the said offenders, or any of them, to conviction, or cause them, or any of them, so to be apprehended and convicted as aforesaid.

[From the London Gazette of May 7, 1816.]

SPRING GUNS are set on the Premises of Mr. Grigby, in Drinkston and Hesset.

3rd May 1816: Arson at Drinkstone, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 8th May 1816 carried a report and a reward advert about a case of arson that occurred on Friday 3rd May 1816:

On Friday night a barn at Drinkstone, the property of Joshua Grigby, Esq. was wilfully set on fire, and consumed.—A reward of 200l. is offered for the discovery of the incendiaries. See advt.

The advert read as follows:

TWO HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD. 

A BARN at DRINKSTONE, the Property of Mr. GRIGBY, was WILFULLY SET ON FIRE about Nine o'clock in the Night of the 3d of this Month. 

Mr. Grigby thinks he cannot so well perform his duty to the Public; or express his Thanks to his Neighbours for their kind assistance; as by using his utmost endeavours to detect the Incendiaries. 

He also promises a Reward of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS to the Person through whose means they shall be convicted.—May 4, 1816.

17th April 1816: Arson at Gedding leads to a £100 reward for information

The Bury & Norwich Post of 24th April 1816 carried the following report about a case of arson at Gedding in Suffolk, which occurred in the night of Wednesday 17th April 1816:

During the night of Wednesday last a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr. Samuel Hustler, of Gedding, which raged so furiously, that in a short time a barn, neat-house, and cart-lodge, together with 45 coombs of wheat, a quantity of straw some live stock, &c. were entirely consumed.—The premises were insured in the Suffolk Fire Office, and as there is strong suspicion they were wilfully set on fire, the Directors of the said Office have offered a reward of 100l. for the discovery of the offenders.—See advt.

11th April 1816: Arson at Great Barton, Suffolk

The Bury & Norwich Post of 17th April 1816 reported on a case of arson at Great Barton, near to Bury St Edmunds, that took place in the early hours of Thursday 11th April 1816:

About one o'clock on Thursday morning the premises of John Phillips, Esq. at Great Barton, near this town, were discovered to be on fire. The alarm thereof was soon after given here, when many of the inhabitants immediately forsook their beds, and having procured four fire engines, went with the utmost promptitude, and by their timely assistance the fire, which had assumed a most destructive appearance, was most providentially subdued, though not until some outbuildings, a large cart-lodge, and a hay stack, were totally destroyed. From the situation where the fire commenced, being full in the wind, and other circumstances, strong suspicions are entertained it was wilfully occasioned: yet as Mr. Phillips and his family were universally respected in this neighbourhood, especially by the poor it seems difficult to account for such an act. The premises, which belong to Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. are believed be uninsured. Mr. Phillips's stock on his form was insured in the Pheonix Fire Office, and his furniture, &c. in the dwelling-house, in by the Suffolk Fire Office.—The paragraph in a neighbouring print, stating that a reward of 200l. was offered to any one who would discover the incendiary, is, we understand, without foundation, though, no doubt, any person making such discovery, would he amply rewarded by the Fire Offices, and the parties concerned.

17th January 1816: Cloth belonging to Wormald, Gott & Wormald damaged in Leeds

Some time in the evening of Wednesday 17th January 1816, some cloth upon the tenters at the Park Lane factory of Wormald, Gott & Wormald was cut and damaged. The subsequent reward notice gave more detail:

REWARD OF

One Hundred Guineas.

ASSOCIATION

For the PROSECUTION of FELONS.

Tenters Cut. 

WHEREAS, late last Night, or early this Morning, some Person or Persons, did wilfully and maliciously CUT TWO PIECES of COARSE MIXTURE CLOTH, in various Directions, on the Tenters in the Front of Mr. Gott's House, in Park-Lane, Leeds, the Property of Messrs. Wormald, Gott and Wormald, of Leeds, Merchants. 

F Whoever will give Information of the Offender or Offenders shall, upon Conviction, receive a Reward of NINETY GUINEAS from the said Messrs. Wormald, Gott and Wormald; and a further Reward of TEN GUINEAS, at Mr. Smith's Office, Trinity-Lane, Leeds. 

Leeds, 17th January, 1816.

14th December 1815: James Stevens of Mansfield blames an attack on Luddism

Mansfield Notts
Dec 14th 1815

My Lord—

By the advice of Col Need the acting magistrate of this place, I am again under the necessity of troubling your Lordship upon the subject of Ludism which I am sorry to inform you Lordship has again made its appearance in this neighbourhood

—On Tuesday night last a Woman was Shot at and severely wounded in the act of taking her work to the House of her employer―this took place as early as half past six in the Evening and the inhabitants feel alarmed—as a great quantity of the Work (which has I conceive occasioned this daring attack) is Manufactured in this place—a reward has been offered a Bill of which I have enclosed

I am most Respectfully
Your Lordships
Humble Servant
James Stevens

[The enclosed reward notice is reproduced below]

ATTEMPT AT 

MURDER.

200 Pounds 

Reward.

WHEREAS, 

LAST NIGHT, about HALF-PAST SIX O'CLOCK, MARY STAINSBY, Wife of THOMAS STAINSBY of his Town, was wilfully and maliciously SHOT AT, and SEVERELY WOUNDED, by TWO MEN, in Blind Lane, leading from the Church to Cockpit; the one a TALL Man in a Light Coloured Coat, and the other a SHORT Man in a Dark Coloured Coat.

WHOEVER will give such Information that they may be brought to Justice, shall receive the above Reward, on conviction of the Offenders: One Hundred Pounds of which will be paid by the INHABITANTS of MANSFIELD, the other Hundred Pounds by the ASSOCIATION of the HOSIERS for the protection of the Persons and Property of the Trade.

If the Person in company with the Man who actually Shot the Woman will impeach his Accomplice, he shall receive the above Reward, and every interest made to procure his Pardon.

Mansfield, December 13th, 1815.

12th December 1815: William Cartwright thanks the Home Secretary for the £300 reward sent to him

Rawfolds December 12. 1815

My Lord

I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of Three Hundred Pounds, convey’d to me, by your Lordships Directions, by Genl Wynyard, under Circumstances particularly grateful to my Feelings

To have been thought deserving of a Testimony by of the approbation of his Majesty's Government, I shall ever esteem, the highest Honor I could have receiv’d; & I trust, I scarcely need to add, that I feel confident no further Emergency will find me, hesitating to sacrifice every Private Convenience to a Sense of Duty. I have the Honor to be,

My Lord, very respectfully,
Your Lordships grateful
humble Servant
Wm Cartwright,

[To: Lord Sidmouth]

24th October 1814: The Nottinghamshire MP William Frank asks the Home Secretary to offer a reward for the attack on Thomas Garton

Kirklington near Southwell
October 24th 1814

My Lord

Your Lordship has no doubt heard of the Attack upon Mr. Gartons house at Basford near Nottingham

The account published in the Papers one of which I send, is I believe a fair statement. The Lord Lieutenant has with that Zeal & Liberality for which his Grace is so conspicuous desired a reward to any amount may be offered out of his private purse for the detection of the Offenders. I believe it will give great satisfaction to the magistrates and the Nottingham district if your Lordship should be Pleased that Government that Government should offer considerable Reward for the like desirable end

It is understood by the Chairman of the Nottingham Sessions that the watch & ward act has expired. I think your Lordship said that was not the Case

I intend to be in Town to meet the Parliament on the 8th of next month and shall do myself the honor to wait on you

I have [etc]
Frank Frank
MP for the County of Nottingham

22nd October 1814: Government reward notice for the attack on Thomas Garton

Whitehall, October 22, 1814.

Whereas it has been humbly represented to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that on the evening of Friday the 14th day of this instant October, the house of Thomas Garton, situated at New Basford, in the county of Nottingham, was broken into by a number of armed men in disguise, for the purpose of murdering the said Thomas Garton; and whereas it hath been further represented to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that the armed men in question, after forcing their way into the said Thomas Garton’s house, fired upon the constable and other persons therein assembled, by which firing John Kilby, of New Basford aforesaid, was killed, and ______ Garton, brother to the said Thomas Garton, and one of his men were wounded;

His Royal Highness, for the better apprehending and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this atrocious outrage and murder, is hereby pleased, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, to promise His Majesty’s most gracious pardon to any one of them (except the person or persons who actually fired as aforesaid), who shall discover his or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof.

SIDMOUTH.

And, as a further encouragement, a reward of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS is hereby offered to ay person (except as is before excepted) who shall discover his, her, or their accomplice or accomplices therein, so that he, she, or they may be apprehended and convicted thereof, or to any person or persons who shall apprehend and bring the said offenders, or any of them, to conviction, or cause them or any of them so to be apprehended and convicted as aforesaid.―Such reward of two hundred pounds to be paid by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury.

19th October 1814: George Coldham suggests that the government offers a reward for information about the attack on Garton

My Lord

On the part of the Secret Committee to whom I have the honor to be Secretary, I am desired to request that your Lordship will have the goodness to direct the immediate attention of the Government of the Prince Regent to the dreadful nature of the late Attack upon Thomas Garton with a deliberate and determined purpose to murder him and the cruel and wicked sacrifice of the life of John Kilby upon the same Occasion.—This Committee are determined to Reward the Constables engaged in this Service in the most liberal manner, they have directed me to give a most liberal Reward to the person from whom I derived my information.—Thomas Garton and his family must the present rest entirely upon them for support, and I calculate their immediate expences occasioned by these combined circumstances to exceed very much the sum of £100.—Under these circumstances, the Secret Committee feel themselves fully warranted to solicit from his Lordship and his Majesty's Government that they would be pleased to offer a reward of £200 or such further Reward as they may judge expedient to any person or persons who may give information of the persons who committed this murder or who were engaged in the Attack upon Mr. Garton’s house whether with the intention of murdering Mr. Garton or of breaking the Frames in his house and offering Pardon to any one or more of accomplices who may be disposed to give evidence against the principals concerned therein if such offer can be made consistently with the forms of Law and the course of conduct usual on such occasions.—The Secret Committee hope your Lordship will deem it no more than proper that under the peculiar circumstances of this Case these Rewards should be offered not only in the name but actually with the intention of being paid by his Majesty's Government.—The Secret Committee have already independent of the expences arising out of the present circumstances, expanding a much more considerable sum in the course of the execution of the duties entrusted to them and their Constituents and they have now the charge of two very heavy Prosecutions at the Assizes which must occasion a further expenditure to a very considerable extent.—I take the liberty of stating to your Lordship that the propriety of offering a Reward must be in a great measure determined by a view to the circumstances in which the Secret Committee is placed, and that it appears to me to be essential that it should be done quite independent of the expectation of any future good to arise out of it, because if worded judiciously it seems to me, that it would Operate as a Shield to our Informant which is admirably calculated admirably calculated to protect him from Suspicion whether the Eyes of these miscreants be fixed upon him with relation to the Past or the future.—I shall hope to hear your Lordship’s sentiments on this subject in order that I may as soon as possible communicate them to the Secret Committee for their Government.—

I am [etc]

Geo Coldham Ssecretary—

Nottingham
19 Octr 1814

[To] The Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth.