14th February 1813: Lt-Colonel Lang reports that Joseph Radcliffe remain unpopular

Huddersfield Feby 14th
1813

Sir

I have the honor to acquaint you nothing [intimidating] has occurred since my report of Sunday last. The Detachment at Bradley Mill discontinued – About forty persons have been with Mr. Scott & [untwisted] themselves of the Prince Regents proclamation, since published. One with Mr. Armitage none with Mr. Ratcliffe—

The town and neighbourhood perfectly quiet

I have [etc]
R Lang Lt Col
South Devon Regt.

[To] Major General Acland
&c &c &c

22nd January 1813: General Acland rebukes Lt Colonel Lang for providing a guard for Joseph Mellor

York 22nd January 1813.

Sir—

Your communication respecting Joseph Mellor dated yesterday has been forwarded to me here—It does not appear that the circumstances you have detail’d are of sufficient importance to authorize a Guard being placed in this man's house & I therefore desire you will withdraw it & that in future you will not furnish any additional Guards on such applications without a previous communication to Head Quarters & receiving permission for granting them.

If this is allow’d to be done on every application that may be made, & there can be little doubt but such will be very numerous arising out of the plans & apprehensions of the weak minded & timid, it will be impossible either General Maitland or myself can judge of the true spirit & feeling of the country, as the natural disposition of the greatest part of the Inhabitants is never to [fancy] themselves [illegible] without Military protection & as soon as this is granted they cease to exert themselves in organizing any Local Measures for their own security & protection which is the plan that ought generally to be adopted & on which they must ultimately rely for their safety, as the Military can only be at hand to afford General protection & not be [fritter’d] away in small & useless detachments which [harries] the efforts of [every] individual in the country as to any self exertion

I am &c &c
Wroth: P: Acland
M General

[To] Lt Colonel Lang
South Devon Militia
Huddersfield

22nd January 1813: Lt Colonel Lang reports the incident with Major Cartwright to General Acland

Huddersfield Jany 22nd 1813

Sir

I have the honor to acquaint you, Major Cartwright arrived at the George Inn last night about five, or six, oclock and sent for several of the most suspicious persons in the Town to join him, which was done — about ten oclock the watch and ward being apprehensive for the quiet of Huddersfield, from the discription of people who had met, thought it advisable to interfere, and finding printed papers in the room calculated to inflame the minds of the lower orders of the people, and Major Cartw right refusing a Copy to be taken, it was considered right to procure one by legal means which I presume will be forwarded this Day by Mr. Radcliff the Magistrate to the Secretary of State for his information.

I hear the Major is going this afternoon from hence to Wakefield—

And have the honor [etc]
R Lang Lt Col
South Devon Regt

[To] Major General Acland
&c &c &c
Wakefield

18th January 1813: Lt Colonel Lang reports the arrival of the bodies of Luddites in Huddersfield

Huddersfield Jany 18th
1813

Sir

I have the honor to acquaint you the Bodies of the Culprits arrived here last evening half past six oclock were attended by considerable number of people but perfectly quiet & orderly — their Bodies were taken to the Homes of their friends at Lockwood Longroid Bridge and in this Town after which the persons attending them went quietly about their business in the most satisfactory manner — the Bodies are not yet Interred —

Enclosed is an application for leave of absence for Lieut [illegible] of the North Devon—

I have [etc]
R Lang Lt Col
South Devon Regt

[To] Major General Acland
&c &c &c

The number of Subalterns present with the Regt - 8 — two absent with leave whom I expect to gain by the 24th Instant

16th January 1813: Lt Colonel Lang informs General Acland about preparations for the funerals of Luddite at Huddersfield

Huddersfield Jany 16th 1813

Sir

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential letter of this morning and to acquaint you that I have ordered the Dragoon [illegible] to be doubled, to patrole a certain distance from the town of Huddersfield on the Leeds road during the night and to report accordingly. I have also persons in disguise ready to attend the bodies from hence to the place of interment.

As the dispatch was brought to Huddersfield by a return orderly & as you directed to be informed if he saw any unusual number of people on his way further I have thought right to send a Dragoon from hence to report that he did not observe more persons than usual in the road

I have [etc]
R Lang Lt Col
South Devon Militia

[To] Major General Acland
&c &c &c
Wakefield

7th February 1813: Lt Colonel Lang reports that no-one has come to Joseph Radcliffe to take the Oath of Allegiance

Huddersfield [February] 7th
1813.

Sir

I have the honor to acquaint you all is been tranquil in the neighbourhood of Huddersfield since my last report, and that Mr. Atkinson is requested to have the Guard at Bradley Mill discontinued for the present.

I have further to state for your information Mr. Radcliffe the Magistrate has not been call’d on by any person to administer the oath of allegiance under the Prince Regent's late proclamation. Mr. Scott I understand has by six, or seven.

I have [etc]
R Lang Lt Col
South Devon Militia

[To] Major General Acland
&c &c &c