Sir
Having received enclose threatening letter I think it my duty to lay it before you on account of the peculiar circumstances of this Manufacturing Town, as well as on account of the unlawfulness of such letters, and the destructive consequences to the Stocking Manufactory in general, if the Frame-Work-Knitters thus commence in the approaching winter with impunity to the Writers who it is the opinion of other Hosiers, besides myself, whom I have consulted, will execute secretly what they threaten when the pressure of the season is felt.
My Partners will add One Hundred Pounds willingly to that sum which his Majesty's Government may think fit to offer the discovery of the Offenders, or add it to any private reward if that should be judged more effectual than public advertisement, which indeed might bring down some personal serious injury upon myself or property.
I have [etc]
Joshua Beardmore
To the Right Hon the Secretary of State
[Contemporary Home Office note written on reverse instructing clerk to reply as follows:]
JB—
Ld Sidmo: is Sorry to find from his letter and Inclosure that so mischievous a Spirit prevails in the town of Nottm—His Ld cannot with propriety offer a Reward on the part of Govt. in this [particular] Case—but he hopes that the Reward as is proposed to be offered by Mr. Beardmore & his partners may have the lead to a discovery of the Authors
This letter can be found at HO 42/128. Unfortunately, there is no trace of the enclosed letter in this division!
No comments:
Post a Comment