Friday, 20 July 2012

20th July 1812: The Home Secretary confirms that General Maitland will be given military command of the West Riding

Private

Richmond Park
20 July 1812

My dear Sir,

I avail myself of a short interval of Leisure, afforded me this evening, to acknowledge your private Letters of the 14th & 18th of July.—Your suggestion respecting a Pardon to be proposed by Proclamation to those who have merely taken the illegal Oath (upon their coming in and confessing it) appears to me well worthy of consideration.—I am indeed inclined to think that a Proclamation (of which this offer would form a part) addressed to the Inhabitants of the disturbed Districts, and issued immediately after the Bill now before Parliament shall have passed, would have a good effect.

It is a great satisfaction to me, whilst I concur in all the sentiments you have expressed respecting the inconvenience, arising from the want of unity of Military Command in those Districts, to inform you that your suggestion has been anticipated, and that Yorkshire will very soon be comprehended under your Military Superintendance & Authority.—General Grey, who is on the point of being married, has requested leave of absence for three months, and it is agreed that his Command is to be transferred to you, and be consolidated with yours.—In the enlarged, as has been the case in the more limited, sphere of your Authority, you may be assured of the entire confidence, and decided support of Government, to which you have well entitled yourself by the whole of your Conduct, under circumstances the most delicate and difficult.

Believe me &c &c &c
Sidmouth

[To] The Rt Honble
Lt. Genl Maitland
&c &c &c
Buxton

This letter can be found at HO 42/125.

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