Sunday 8 April 2012

8th April 1812: Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters writes to Nottingham

Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters was continuing their campaign to petition Parliament, and had visited Leicester to solicit the support of Framework-knitters there:

Thos Latham
Sir Isaac Newtons
Glasshouse Lane
Nottm

April 8 1812
Leicester

Gent

This place is a thousand times Worse, than we expected to find it, there is not half a dozen good fellows in the Town those principally are composed of Sherwood Lads – If i had not been assisted by a fellow prentice, and some of his acquaintence we should never have got a meeting, and even then, I was compelled to pay the cryer, out of my pocket, the meeting did not exeed 100 men—there is 2300 frames in town. With much persuasion we raised a committee, they promise to do their best, and damned all the rest,—They have met this morning, and seem much heartyer in the Business, than Last Night. They can’t promise much money, but will do what they can for us. The Committee give us such a bad account of Hinkly, we think it prudent not to throw away time and expence after it, so have Resolved to Return by Sileby, Sison, Mountsorrel &c for we are told, they have £50 Left as a fund, Remaing at the Conclusion of the charter concern.

if we get but £45 of this fifty It will be better than nothing,—we also understand by a person just arrived from Melbourn, they are Surprised at not hearing from us, for the Letters We sent, have not been made public, And they wish to Contribute their mite to ours

Of all the places e’er my Eyes did see
Oh! Leicester, Leicester, none e’er equaled thee
They can’t step forward, don’t possess the means
Slaves in every sense, even Beans
Once their food, and filld the Lads with courage
Are Substituted by bad water portage
Here sock, and sandals, cut from top to Bottom
I’ll bring a sample, for by GOD! I've got ’em

Your fellow labourer and friend

Thos Large.

This letter can be found in the Records of the Borough of Nottingham, vol.8, 1800-1835 (p.141).

No comments:

Post a Comment