14th April 1813: A West Riding magistrate sends earl Fitzwilliam the confession of an absconded Luddite

Halifax 1813 April 14th

My Lord,

I did myself the Honor of writing to your Lordship a week ago, inclosing a full Description of the Forty one who had taken the Oath of Allegiance before me. I now write to you concerning Samuel Hill, an unfortunate Luddite, who yesterday confess’d before me, & took the oath. He is Brother to John Hill executed at York under the Authority of the late Special Commission — & whose Crimes were Burglary, & Stealing of Arms. You will naturally enquire, why have I taken his Oath & Confession as late in the Day. I answer, I was prevailed upon to do so by the strong Recommendation of Mr Dyson a very respectable Gentleman in my Parish. I told Mr D. that I could do nothing at all for the Man, but that I would lay the Case before your Lordship. The subject has occasion’d much Conversation between Mr D & me. The Substance of it, is contained in the enclosed Letter which he wrote to me. I also inclose the original Confession — On perusing it, along with Mr D's Letter, you will act as you think proper. The Cause of the delaying to take the Oath is explained in his Confession.

I have ventured to say thus far – that if your Lordship cou’d be assured of the Man's future good Behaviour, you might not be unwilling to interpose in his behalf. I strongly inculcated upon him the absolute Necessity of good & peaceable Conduct, for that his life was now at Stake. If I shou’d be honored with your Lordship's Answer in any Degree favorable to the poor Man's earnest Intreaties, he wou’d thereby be relieved from great Anxiety — Mr Dyson, if I may so say, will be his Surety.

Mr D. is a Gentleman living upon his Fortune, & has long been a Captain in our Halifax Militia – the Grenadiers.

I have [etc]
Hylom Coulthurst

[To] Rt. Honble Earl Fitzwilliam.

Samuel Hill of Northdean in Elland Farmer and Cotton Spinner was guilty of stealing Arms at Copley Gate in Skircoat in Company with Job Hey, John Hill, and Hartley all of whom were executed for that Offence. He the said Samuel Hill was also guilty of an attack upon Mr. Waterhouses Mill last winter in company with Job Hey, and others who compelled him by Terror to join them having threatened to shoot him, if he did not go with them—

Samuel Hill also says that he was at the Attack upon William Barker's House in Sowerby during the last Winter along with the aforesaid Job Hey, and Crowther and others, and joined them under the like Fear of his Life as before—These are all the Offences which he has committed during the late unhappy Tumults in the West Riding and the County of York—He has taken no unlawful Oath. The said Samuel Hill hath been induced to commit these crimes by reason of his living next Door Neighbour to the aforesaid Job Hey. The Reason of his not making this confession sooner, is this, On the Apprehension of his Brother John Hill who was afterwards executed, the said Samuel Hill fled to Sea and was there in the Merchant service and did not return from till the sixth of April instant, and took an early Opportunity of making this confession before the Reverend Doctor Coulthurst, and of taking the Oath of Allegiance—

Taken before me this thirteenth

Day of April one Thousand

Eight Hundred and thirteen

Samuel Hill

Hylom Coulthurst

At the same time he also took the Oath of Allegiance for me

14th March 1813: Captain Francis Raynes informs General Acland that William Cartwright wants to reduce the guard at Rawfolds Mill

Mill bridge 14th March
1813

Sir

Since I had last the Honor to report to you I have heard a good deal dissatisfaction express’d by those persons who have had their Arms stolen that the Oath of Allegiance should have been administer’d without the depredator declaring what had become of the Arms, or giving such information as might lead to a satisfactory account of the disposal of them — some have gone so far as to say, they will prosecute notwithstanding His Majesty's Pardon —

Would it be adviseable Sir, to ask Sir George Armytages permission to search the Kirklees Mill Dam? as it appears to be the general opinion some are there.

Mr Cartwright feels so much confidence in the alter’d disposition of the People, as to have desired me if I thought proper to reduce his Mill Guard to a Corporal and five Privates—

I have [etc]
Francis Raynes Captain
Stirlingshire &c militia

To,
Major General Acland.
&c — &c — &c

1st March 1813: General Acland updates General Maitland on the state of the West Riding

Wakefield 1 March 1813.

My dear Sir.

The Weekly reports on the state of the Country receiv’d yesterday are most satisfactory, & I find from Lt Colonel Lang that Mr. Radcliffe wishes to have his Guard discontinued from this day—

Mr. Scott has administer’d the oath to about one Hundred in the whole — he writes Raynes that he has thoughts of making a further communication to Government & wishes to see him before he does so—

Thirty one have abjur’d &c before Dr. Colthurst at Halifax, but I have not heard if any more have been before Mr Armytage.

The Inhabitants of Elland have presented Lt Cooper with a Gold Snuff box, with an Inscription expressive of their gratitude for his exertions.

I have communicated with Sir Francis Wood & Hay about the Pontefract detachment, they wish it to remove for the present as there is a considerable Store of ammunition &c. They are much obliged by your having consulted them on the subject—

I have ordered the Troop of the Greys to be withdrawn to-morrow from Bradford & Halifax having a Serjt and twelve men at each station.

The Wiltshire Militia is mov’d to Carlisle, to be replaced by the Aberdeen at Liverpool.

I hope soon to hear from you & remain [illegible]

Wroth: P: Acland

Since I finish’d my letter I have heard from good authority that very few of the Arms that have been stolen about Huddersfield remain in possession of the persons that took them away—such as [any] remain have been render’d useless from different causes but the far greater part have been either thrown into the Mill Dam near Sir George Armytages or a hole in the neighbourhood

I am also confirm’d in my opinion about the depredators committed in Mr. Hagues & Horsfal’s plantations, & Mr. Horsfal has I [understand] express’d himself perfectly satisfied it has nothing to do with Luddism &c

WPA

[To] Lt General
The Rt Honble
T. Maitland
London

23rd February 1813: General Acland writes a summary of recent events for General Maitland

Wakefield 23rd Febry 1813.

My dear Sir.

I went this morning to Huddersfield & fortunately met Mr. Radcliffe, Scott & Armytage the magistrates also Lloyd & Alison, they all agree the temper & feeling of the country is totally changed, & that there is every [reported] prospect & expectation of all continuing quiet — Radcliffe & Mr Armytage without any allusion I me to the subject, stated that in their opinions the troops might be withdrawn leaving only one Regt of Cavalry & that the trial should be made to enable us to form a fair opinion as to its real state, as well as the true disposition of the people—Mr. Scott was not altogether in this mind, but thought a Regt of Infantry should be left also, so as to give a company or small detachment in each Town.

Radcliffe gave no hint about his guard being withdrawn but said soon after the troops were remov’d if the country was quiet he should go away for a month or two which I know he intended doing way before the commission at York took place – others whom I have conversed with since we (quartered at York) think also a Regt of Cavalry will be sufficient for this Riding.

Allison tells me the sentiments of all classes are changed, those who were known to be implicated in the late disturbances & when not proceeded against are truly sensible of the Lenity shewn them by our Government & many of those who were active promoters of the depredations & were entirely unknown or only partially so are much [gratified] & feel happy that no measures have been taken to detect or punish them.

About 60 have taken the oath of Allegiance before Mr. Scott about 5 or 6 of them appear to have taken the illegal oath, but they state it only bound them to promote petitions for peace & parliamentary reform & as far as Mr. Scott can ascertain these do not seem to have join’d in any of the depredations or plundering — Dean who was executed is stated by most of them to have been as active in all the disturbances as either Mellor or Thorpe

Mr. Armytage has administered the oath of Allegiance to about 20 - 15 of which have come in within the last three days.

Sir John Kaye has here been most active in gaining every information from his Tenantry about Dalton many of the Lower classes of these have have been implicated than he was before aware of but are here thoroughly sensible of their error and there is every appearance they will return to orderly & peaceable habits of Life.

In short all that I have conversed with seem to be of opinion that we have now such a Key to the character of most of the people in general that any thing that may occur again must be speedily broken into, but the recurrence of disturbance is not likely to happen again at least for some time.

I went to see the Plantations of Mr. Hague & Mr. Horsfall that was stated to have been destroy’d the former has about 250 or 300 young trees broken or cut down the latter about [80] though it appears to me to have proceeded from a very mischievous principle I have my doubts if it is connected with the system of Luddism & [illegible] do not believe it is—

I did not find Mr. Horsfall at home & could only find a Servant who knew little or nothing.

Mr Hague does not suspect any one he has always been to a certain degree popular with the Lower classes, & [attributes] the spirit that has now shewn itself to his having been very active recently in getting subscriptions for Mr. Cartwright, but many [illegible] think it proceeds from offence given in his being over tenacious in preserving his [illegible] & having been somewhat severe in doing it—

The Tenter that was destroy’d (& which may cost about 20£ to repair) belonged to one Drake who was a principal Evidence against the persons let out on bail.

Mr. Hague has offered a reward of 50£ for the detection of any one concerned & tells me he has spoken to Ratcliffe to write up to the Secretary of State to grant a pardon to any one who will impeach—

Allow me to [report] you my thanks for the kind manner in which you have supported me about Major Hawker I can only say it shall ever be as if always [illegible] my [study] & not as I think will give you satisfaction & to anticipate your wishes.

Will you consider about sending the Horse artillery & [illegible] they actively can be [well] spared. I believe Foy would be gratified in taking them back there previous to giving up the Command.

I am anxious to save the post & have therefore hurried myself in writing.

Wroth: P: Acland
M General

I shall be most anxious to learn from you what is to become of me, if it is possible to arrange it I shall be happy in return to Chelmsford

WPA

[To] Lt General
The Rt. Honble
T. Maitland
London

21st February 1813: Lieutenant Cooper reports an attack on the property of a relative of William Horsfall

Elland 21st February 1813—

Sir

I have the Honor to inform you that nothing of importance has occurred to me to report this week. To morrow morning one Serjeant and ten Privates of my Detachment will march for Wakefield agreeable to an order, received by me, through Major Garnham.

The destruction of some young Plantations belonging to Mr. Hague and Mr. Horsfall of Huddersfield, has of course been reported to you, I understand that the damage done them was to a large amount, the same Gentleman have had anonymous threatening letters sent them.

I am happy to inform you Sir, that many people of Elland have been before Mr. Scott the Magistrate to take the Oath of allegiance, I have not yet learnt the names of them, accepting one (William Harvey) who I had before Mr Radcliffe Several times but my evidence was not sufficient to convict him.

Allow me, Sir, to return you my thanks to the leave of absence that you have granted me

I have [etc]
Alf. Cooper Lt.
West Suffolk Militia.

[To] Major General Ackland,
&c. &c. &c.

14th February 1813: Francis Raynes reports a changed mood around Liversedge

Mills Bridge 14 Feby
1813

Sir,

I have the Honor to report the continued tranquillity of this part of the country—

I have much satisfaction in observing that a material alteration is taking place in the sentiments and disposition of the People, from various conversations which have been held in Public Houses, and repeated to me by persons whose information I can rely upon, I find many of those who were known to be most active in the late disturbances have been heard to say, they are sensible of folly of their conduct, and are sorry they ever had any thing to do with such a bad concern—

I am told about twenty have taken the Oath of Allegiance before Mr. Scott, I applied to him for information on the subject, which he has declined giving me, as he conceives himself bound to secrecy. I have the Honor to enclose Mr. Scotts reply to me.

I have [etc]
Francis Raynes Captn
Stirling &c Militia

To
Major General Acland
&c. &c. &c.

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

7th February 1813: The West Riding magistrate, Joseph Scott, writes to the Home Office about the Oath of Allegiance

Woodsome Feby 7th 1813

Sir

The Subject of this Letter is not, perhaps, of Importance enough to warrant a direct communication to Lord Sidmouth; yet I think that it may be gratifying to his Lordship and H.M’s Government to know that a considerable number of those deluded Persons, who have been engaged in Outrages in this Neighbourhood, have come to me, within the Course of the last Fortnight, for the purpose of taking the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty.

It appears, from the Confessions of these people, that not one of them has taken that abominable Oath, which has been [jointly] generally used on the Borders of Lancashire and Cheshire, (termed twisting in) nor have they entered into any Engagement of a similar nature; I am disposed to give full Credit to this, for they have all been very communicative in their Accounts of nightly Expeditions to break Shearing=Frames.—Now it appears that the Benefit of the Prince Regent's Proclamation extends only to Cases of unlawful Oaths and the stealing of Arms, and, from the Circumstance, I have felt great Doubt, as to the propriety of administering the Oath of Allegiance to such as have been concerned in the Destruction of Machinery only: The Expressions of Contrition, however, have been such, as to induce me not to refuse giving the Oath of Allegiance in any Case; and I trust that in having done so, under such Circumstances, I shall be considered as having acted in Conformity to the mild Spirit of H:R:H’s Proclamation, altho it does appear that the Cases of Shear=breaking does not come within the strict Letter of it.—If I have erred in this Respect, I shall be glad to receive Instructions for my future proceedings.—

I have [etc]
Jos. Scott

[To] John Beckett Esqr
&c &c

6th February 1813: Lieutenant Cooper informs General Acland about his 'reluctant' Luddite

Elland 6th February 1813.

Sir.

I have the Honor to enclose a Letter that I have just received from John Mitchell, the man who was to have taken the Oath of allegiance before Mr Radcliffe and whom I wrote to you of a fortnight since. I am greatly disappointed at his not coming forward as I think his example would have had an excellent effect and have been followed by numbers.

Would you have me try to persuade him to come forward and take the Oath? representing to him that it will be beneficial to him as far as Luddism is concerned and assuring him that he will not be proceeded against for his other Crimes.

I believe the Country around me has been perfectly tranquil since my last Report, for I have heard of no depredations or outrage of any kind having been committed.

I have not yet, Sir, received the Proclamations you said in your last letter you would be so good as to send me.

I have [etc]
Alf. Cooper Lt.
West Suffolk Militia

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

2nd February 1813: A Luddite is reluctant to swear the Oath of Allegiance

Manchester Febr [2nd]

Sir I received a letter from my father desiring me to meet him at Mill Bridge on monday the first I was then near Nottingham and I return you many thanks for your benavelance and General Barnad and the love of Mrs Radcliffe in saying that I might have my freedom I was very glad to hear of it and was going to come but Master desired me not to be too hasty therefore I Went to anatorney and asked about it and he told me that the pardon only reached such as had not been charged and if I came I must sufer as the othershad done Therefore I ham going to leave the cuntry as soon as posable so I return you all thanks for yunr love to me and my father so no more at presant from yours

John Mitchell farewell

To Captain Cooper of
The Cumberland
Miltia Elland Near
Halifax yorkshire

31st January 1813: Captain Francis Raynes reports a manufacturer is still intimidated by Luddism

Mills Bridge 31st January
1813

Sir

I have great satisfaction in having the Honor to report to you the perfect tranquillity which has prevailed in this part of the Country since the Detachments were withdrawn, altho it is still too evident the turbulent spirit is not destroyed, yet it is sufficiently subdued if the Inhabitants would exert themselves to ensure future quiet and good order but tho’ they know they have nothing but their own vigilance to depend upon, they are relaxing most materially in their exertions for the preservation of the peace—In those places where Associations had been formed, during the last week several have been given up. I have convers’d with many people on the subject, and find them all agreed in one point, that it is fear causes their backwardness, but they say were they under proper regulations, well arm’d and could go out six or seven in a body, they would not be afraid of doing their duty—

Immediately on the Troops being withdrawn, I heard a report that Mr. Lindsey of Gildersome intended taking down his Shears, and to advertise that he had done so—I wrote a Note to enquire if this really was his intention, his answer I have the Honor to enclose, I have since been over to Gildersome, but did not offer any advice on the subject, I merely said, taking Shears down would shew too much fear of the Croppers, he acknowledged it would be cowardly and seems more determined to [keep] them going—

I am sorry to observe Sir, the people here [evince] no disposition to avail themselves of the Pardon offer’d by his Majesty on the contrary, one of the Proclamations was torn down a very little time after it was posted up

I have [etc]
Francis Raynes Captn
Stirling &c Militia

To
Major General Acland
&c. &c. &c.

24th January 1813: Lieutenant Cooper informs General Acland about a Luddite funeral and another wanting to take the oath of allegiance

Elland 24th January [1813.]

Sir.

I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 22d Instant and shall take care to follow your directions as they regard the diminution of the Detachment. I have already followed your directions as to patroling, which I received from you when at Wakefield.

I shall take pains to impress on the minds of the people of Elland and it’s neighbourhood the necessity of protecting themselves by their personal exertions Mr Dyson of Mr Cartledge have always been aware of it but though their exertions have been great they have not been generally supported.

The only Funeral in the neighbourhood of Elland was that of John Hill and no disturbance occurred but what was the consequence of the Methodist Parson refusing to read the service over the body, which was not of sufficient importance to notice.

I am happy to inform you that a man, of the name of Mitchell, who lives at Sowerby and whose son I had a Warrant against but was prevented serving by his leaving the Country, came to me this morning to ask me whether his son could be allowed to take the benifit of the Prince Regent's Proclamation for he was willing to go to Mr Radcliffe to take the Oath of Allegiance. I desired him to come to me again on tuesday I hope to hear from you under what circumstances such an indulgence may be granted. I had no information of his being concerned in any crimes beyond stealing Arms at the time I applied for the warrant, but I have reason to apprehend, from subsequent information, that he has been engaged in depredations when money or other property was stolen.

I have [etc]
Alf. Cooper Lieut.
West Suffolk 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

24th September 1812: General Acland tells General Maitland that Luddites taking the Oath of Allegiance may not be serious

Huddersfield 24th September 1812

My dear Sir

Two women were examined last night before Mr. Ratcliffe, they both depos’d that Joshua Haigh when he absconded & went to Ireland deliver’d to each of them, that he was one of the four men who shot at Mr. Horsfall—

Clegg & Smith were bound over to appear at the Sessions at Wakefield.

Nadin writes me from Manchester that the men who went to Mr. Farrington to be untwisted, have in general said they did so only to save themselves, but their Hearts remain’d the same — he says there have been several Meetings during the last week in the public houses at Manchester & some of the 38 attended each, & are very active—

Capt. McDougal came over here yesterday & reports that several of those who were untwisted in his neighbourhood, still associate with the Luddites, & are not looked upon with much suspicion —

On further enquiry it seems advisable he should not attempt any search for arms without more perfect information—

I send you a letter receiv’d from Nottingham, which I open’d supposing it might be on [district] business, but finding it was from Robert Fisher, I did not read it – I shall continue to write daily till I hear of your return

Wroth P Acland

[To] Lt General
The Rt Honorable
T. Maitland

22nd September 1812: Illegal Oaths Handbill posted in Manchester

13th September 1812: Mancunian Luddites start to take the oath of Allegiance to the King

Didsbury near Manchester
Septr. 13th 1812

My Lord

I have to report your Lordship that 56 men living in Manchester, have in the course of Friday and yesterday, attended, & taken the oath of Allegiance before me. I have the more pleasure in giving your Lordship this Information, because until now, no persons within the Town have taken the benefit of the wise, salutary, & humane act of Parliament passed for this purpose. Various reports have been circulated, (perhaps by evil designing persons) calculated to claim the minds of those who had taken the illegal oath, & were desirous of tab during it. Means have been taken to dissipate their Fears, & I hope the example now set, & which shall be generally known, will have the effect of inducing many to profit by it.

I have gained very little Information from these men. They express Sorrow & complain heavily of the misery they have endured in their minds, since they took the Oath in April or May last. They profess that in some cases, motives of curiosity to know the Secret attached to it, in many Fear & Terror from the threatenings made use of, & in others persuasion, have cause them to err, but in all no information was given to them, as to what must be done but they were told, “to be ready when called upon”. It appears that the men who administered the Oath to these people, Weaver Strangers or men who have left this part of the Country.

I think the Numbers twisted in are very considerable, however we are all quiet at present, & the principal agitators have either removed from hence, or suspended their operations.

I am [etc]
R. A. Farrington.

[To] Rt Honble Viscount Sidmouth
&c &c &c

3rd September 1812: General Maitland updates the Home Office about the situation in the North

Wakefield
3rd September
1812

My dear Sir

I yesterday received Your’s, of the 31st, and when I originally got Mr. Park's Opinion, it accorded so perfectly with the Fact, of what the Magistrates had done, I did not send it to them, but now having the Attorney and Solicitor Generals Opinion, I will transmit it to them this day, as it must prove satisfactory to their Feelings.—

In addition to what I have heretofore stated, I have only to say, that I believe they are still coming in, where they started, and shall send you the Return when made up to the end of the Week.

In one instance too, 32 Men being Colliers of the Duke of Bridgewaters, and not connected with the Mottram District have come in, but this is the solitary instance, as not a Man in Manchester, and all that immense Neighbourhood have stired.

I went to Sheffield as I stated, and yesterday Morning four Men composing a Secret Committee at Barnsley, were seized by Warrant from the Magistrates of Sheffield, they were examined by Stuart Wortley, and committed to Sheffield, for further examination on Friday. He believes the truth of the original information which will attach capitally to two of them, I think it is the strongest I have seen, but what I want to see, is the effect it has in bringing in others, on this I shall be able to inform you in a day or two.—

I am sorry to say at Huddersfield and in its Neighbourhood, there are still some instances of Nocturnal Plunder, particularly in the Arm Ways and that we get on very slow indeed for want of Information, a short time I hope will however let us into it, as we have got a good number of People now at Work.—

I am [etc]
T Maitland

[To] John Becket Esqr.
&c &c &c

2nd September 1812: John Becket of the Home Office writes to the Stockport solicitor John Lloyd

Copy
Private

Whitehall
2. Septr. 1812.

Dear Sir

I have received your several letters (3 in No) dated the 31st Ulto by this mornings post.

I had certainly been a little misled by your Statement respecting the Persons who had come in & taken the Oath of Allegiance at your office at Stockport concluding that they were from the immediate neighbourhood of that Place—this however does not appear to have been the case—I hope nevertheless the Example will be followed there in a short time.—

I hope the Clergyman at Holmfirth is a discreet man otherwise the Discretion you have entrusted him with to hold out the Expectation of a Pardon to any Person who will offer to make an ample disclosure of his Crimes may lead to some Embarrassment—The moment this is known every Scoundrel in the neighbourhood may come & claim the Benefit of this offer—& I don't see how a Pardon could be refused in any such case—Besides you are to recollect that the Legislature has not authorized such a Pardon to be granted. & it ought to depend & must depend upon the circumstances of a particular case Whether the Party should receive the Kings Pardon for any offence to Which it is not Extended by act of Parliament. I wish therefore you would write immediately to the Clergyman at Holmfirth and desire that for the present at least no previous general Engagement to grant a Pardon to Persons coming in & making disclosures be made, or the Expectation of it held out—it is not at all Clear that Persons who have taken an illegal Oath, will not readily take the opportunity afforded them by the Act of getting quit of the Penalties attached to that offence—Although they may be conscious of having been concerned in other outrages—It is also Possible that Persons with this Prospect of obtaining something like a General Pardon may come in & pretend they want Absolution from the Penalties they have incurred by taking an illegal Oath—While in point of fact their object is to procure a Pardon for other offences—they never having taken the Oath at all.—

You ask what you are to do with Yarwood. Upon this Point I will write to you again for the present let him remain in Custody—Bent also should remain unmolested—I have received information about him Which leads me to request you will take no notice of Him Whatever without writing to me first—You had better consult General Maitland about William Cooper Who you say was sent into Shropshire to be out of the way—if there is a Probability of his being made useful—it would be an easy matter to send for Him & employ him, I should doubt Whether [near] him not suspected—would not be the better Agents.—

I quite approve of your having urged a Commitment to York Castle in Scholefield's Case & you will acquaint Mr. Scott that He has adopted your suggestion very properly. Mr. Wood was not aware probably of all that you had passed respecting him—Which may account for his suggesting a previous communication with the Secretary of State—I trust that your Endeavours to procure Evidence against the other Parties Who were accomplices with Scholefield may prove successful—The case is so strong against Him that nothing should be said to Him Which can be construed into a promise of Mercy, by way of inducement to him to confess—if He proposes of Himself to say any thing let it be received—but I beg the Gaoler at York may be cautioned on this point, it is one of much Consequence. You will of course apprize me if you discover any thing from the Parties Whom you mention it is your intention to take to a distance—I see no great objection to this Step—provided you bear in mind the caution above mentioned respecting Scholefield—& apply it if possible to other Parties Who are implicated. It is not impossible that with care a conviction may be obtained against more than one.—

Please to send me back the intercepted letter signed J.B.—keeping a copy if you please—& send a copy to Ralph Fletcher Esqr. Bolton to Whom it may be [usefully] new Information against the 38 from Lancaster should be taken and sent up for consideration.

I am &c

(Sigd) J. Beckett

[To] J. Lloyd Esqr—
Wakefield—

31st August 1812: General Maitland tells the Home Office that Fear is the key to success against the Luddites

Wakefield
31st August
1812

My dear Sir

I this morning received Your’s, Lloyd’s information is correct as to the fact of the Oaths of Allegiance taken at Stockport, but not one of them Stockport Men, they all came from the Country, and that part of the Country. I have so frequently alluded to, indeed it is most material there should be no misunderstanding upon this Subject.

The numbers that have come in have been induced by Fear, and Fear alone, in fact whenever we seized any of their Heads that moment they begin to come in, and not till then, and of this I have the most clear and distinct Proof. It is very difficult to get at them from the Magistrates Clerks, but the return of those coming in, who have already been sworn is fast increasing, in fact, in that part of the Country where there has been real Military Exertion the Thing it over, and if we can set it agoing here in the same Way we will soon get rid of it.

Upon this Head I am happy to tell you that I think tomorrow or next day we will be able to commence at Barnsley, and I have at present great hopes we shall be able to lay hold of at least 6 or 8 of the Ringleaders, if we succeed in this, it will be a great Thing.

Schofield is just committed, to York Jail for trial, and the information is complete as far as one unimpeachable Evidence goes.

I have just received this moment a letter from Lawson, he is to be at Liverpool the 3rd and I shall send Acland to see him.

I shall be at Sheffield tomorrow about the Barnsley business, and shall write to you.

Mr. Scott who committed Schofield had some previous communication with your department upon the Subject, but on thorough consideration he judged it right to commit at once, if any use can be made of him otherwise, it is of course still open should it be deemed expedient.

Ever
Your’s
T Maitland
LG

[To] John Becket Esqr.
&c &c &c

31st August 1812: The Stockport solicitor writes to the Home Office about his spies and informers & suspects John Bent

Wakefield
31st August 1812

Sir

I have to beg your pardon if not sooner answering yours of the 26th –

The people continue to flock to my Office to take the oath of allegiance but at the time I left home I understood from my Clerks that the Inhabitants of Stockport formed no part of what had then been; of course Genl Maitland will explain the mistake which seems to have been made — as to our correspondence — There is no doubt however of its becoming very general — & I will venture to promise that in a few days we set it a going at Huddersfield — for we have obtained abundance of materials to act upon.

Your request of having the Instances of persons returning to their allegiance made public was anticipated, for I wrote paragraphs, for the papers the day before your wishes were known to me and I find Genl Maitland has done the same —

(1) I find from talking with the Clergyman at Holmfirth yesterday that his opinion is that the Luddites are afraid to come forward under the Act of Grace (if I may so term it from the provision it contains) because they are not indemnified in respect to their stealing arms — but I endeavoured to remove the obstacle by desiring him to assure some one Individual of a pardon from Offences even of that nature so that he made an ample disclosure — & told him if the Delinquent informed of two capital felonies he wou’d be intitled to his Pardon — that the promise cou’d not be extended — and he must induce some one to embrace the offer as early as possible

Extract 2 (with respect to the Letter from Ireland it appears to have been written by James or Jno Bent whom Yarwood mentioned as Treasurer of the Disaffected and Knight appears to be a relation to Knight that is one of the 38 at Lancaster (the 38 bundles of Blue) immediately returned — I do not know whether Whitaker did not mention Bent also. They are J.B.is right about Yarwood being still at Middlewich. Pray what must I do with him, he is in prison he is no longer, I conceived, of any use — William Cooper alias Strapper, is a man whom I employed at Newton & he was instrumental in convicting Daniel Garside of being privy to an unlawful oath adminsd to Cooper, and in convicting Joseph Thomas Schofield of inciting a felony, for which the latter was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment — the former of course transported). I sent Cooper into Shropshire after the trials at Chester to be out of the way of their vengeance but I think such men wou’d be very useful here — not that they wou’d again trust a stranger — but still a stranger cou’d observe the motions. I am already making some of them useful —

Wou’d you have any thing done with Bent

Your faithful & obedient St

J Lloyd

[To] J.Beckett Esqre &c &c &c

[Written vertically in the: “there is evidence in my office to fix some of the 38 returned — I suppose it must be done"]