29th January 1814: The informer, Benjamin Walker, writes to the Prince Regent to secure a reward

May it please your Royal Highness

To bear with one of the most Unworthy of all your Subjects who has already shared in your mercyfull Clemency for which I whish wish forever to be profoundly greatfull tho at the present I am A distrest object of Universal contempt and Disgrace – from April 28th to May 2nd 1812 the London Gazette Announced his Royal Highness the Prince Regent in behalf of His Majesty Promised to the person that would give information that would lead to the conviction of those fellons who in open day Malishously put an End to the life of Mr Wm Horsfall of Marsdin Near Huddersfield in the County of York cloth Merchant — The Kings most Gratious Pardon and A reward of Two Thousand pounds – I Benjamin Walker who to My Shame was one of the four fellons Voluntarily came forwards to divulge the awfull [evil] which did more than Convicted my fellows and Equals it was the first [illegible] leading to disclose the terable conspiricy which directed its forse against you and the tolerant Government under which we live but as yet I have not Got any reward I have apply’d to Mr Peace the Treasurer of the committee of Huddersfield and he has allways Evaded the demand I am at a loss now where to apply Except where the promise was made and the want of an Education and Qualified maners allmost confounds me and I umbly request your attention to my Case and sincearly pray you will overlook the Audatious offencis which may be seen in these times I have represented my Case in the Best way I can and would Umbly subscribe myself

Your most obedient
Servant
Benjn Walker

Newsom Near Huddersfield
Jany 29—1814 —

17th March 1813: Cases at the York Lent Assizes

The York Lent Assizes for 1813 concluded with sentencing on Wednesday 17th March, but by then, several cases connected with the Luddites had been before the Court.

Two teenagers from Huddersfield - Joseph Sykes, a 15 year-old cropper and John Thornton, a 14 year-old wool-sorter, had been accused of breaking into the house of Abraham Horsfall (most likely William Horsfall's father) in Huddersfield and stealing spirits and other articles. They were found Not Guilty.

Various manufacturers whose premises were attacked by Luddites had brought compensation claims against the local authority. The Leeds Intelligencer covered what happened:

Thirteen different actions were brought by manufacturers and others, against the Hundred or Wapentake of Agbrigg and Morley, to recover compensation for damages done to their machinery and buildings by the Luddites. The business was to have come on, on Tuesday, when Mr. Parke, counsel for the Plaintiffs, stated his objections to the court, against their proceeding. Five of the actions were ordered to stand over till the next assizes; and the records on the remaining eight were withdrawn, under the expectation that Government will make the requisite compensation to the sufferers.

Finally, a case left over from the York Special Commission was also heard. Again, the Leeds Intelligencer had the details:

James Starkie, who was held to bail, to appear at the present Assizes, on a charge of conspiring to affect the demolition of Rawfolds Mill, did not appear when called on. One of his bail said that Starkie had acted under the advice of his attorney.

Mr Parke said, the Defendant had been ill-advised; it was his duty to have appeared personally in Court to answer to this indictment, as it was impossible that he could know what course might have been adopted respecting him. But it was not his intention to insist upon his appearance. If the Defendant had been tried it late Special Assize, I should have thought it my duty, in the then state of the County, to have laid evidence before his Lordship and you on the subject; but, in consequence of the present happy and tranquil state of the County, the result of those severe but necessary examples which were made on a late occasion, I have determined to lay no evidence before you, and to consent to the acquittal of the Prisoner. And I hope this will be considered as a further proof that Government wish to do nothing oppressive to any of his Majesty's subjects, and that their only anxiety has been to restore tranquillity and good order.

The Jury of course acquitted the Prisoner.