Rev. William Alderson: "... one of our constables shewed me a letter on Tuesday which he had received from the govenor of the House of Correction at Chesterfield to inform him that the goose stealers ... would not be prosecuted although the clearest evidence of their guilt could have been produced ... such a proceeding may indeed shew the lenity of your county towards thieves, but not justice towards the public. It may indeed be of service to our part of Yorkshire, for I think all the rogues will discover that thefts may be committed in Derbyshire with impunity; consequently they will have a decided preference to proceed there for the purpose of committing their depredations ...". 28 March 1818