29th February 1812: Huddersfield magistrate Joseph Radcliffe writes to the Home Office about new attacks in the area

Sir

I had the honor to receive your letter of the 26 Inst.

The inclosed information was taken since I last wrote. The rioters assemble in the night, suddenly break the machines & depart.

On Wednesday a Troop of the Grays marched in from Leeds, & returned on Thursday, when a Squd of the 2d Dragn Gs came in frm york consisting of 100 men, an other Troop from Sheffield arrived yesterday.

Two Troops will be sufficient provided you will oblige us by ordering 100 Infantry, as we are under the necessity to quarter men in all the neighbouring Villages.—

A number of special Constables have been sworn in, & every exertion in the power of Mr. Armitage & Mr. Scott, my brother Magistrates, & I hav been made to discover the offenders. Guns are fired every night in various parts of the country, by the Luddites, to alarm & mislead.—

Could any power be given to make a general search for arms, it might lead to a discovery of the offenders

I have [etc]

(Signed) Joseph Radcliffe

Milnsbridge House

Feby. 29. 1812.

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This letter can be found at HO 40/1/1.