25th April 1817: Informer's report on a meeting with the notorious Nottingham Luddite, Benjamin Badder

25th April 1817.

I was with B. Badder last night and the night before—We were talking about the Ludds that were hung, when he said (after expressing his sorrow for them.) "But never mind and as to that damned Blackburn there is something preparing to strike level with them"—I told him I should like to have the pleasure of shooting him myself—He said "Oh! never mind you'll know when it is to be done and they thought they hanged them all because they had hanged Six but there were some left yet as good as those they had hung"–He said they died like men and would not be forgot, and that their persecutors would be struck level with yet as the Revolution was going on only in a different way not quite so public and he desired me to tell them at Bulwell to keep themselves in readiness to be called on at any hour as Nottm was riper than ever— I mentioned that I had heard [Christopher] Blackburn was taken he said he thought if he were he would not bring any body into a premunire about the money.—

25th April 1817: Charles Mundy writes to the Home Secretary about the wanted Luddite, Christopher Blackburn

Private

Burton April 25th 1817
near Loughborough

My Lord

I have the Honour to state in addition to what your Lordship will have received in a letter from Mr. Allsopp written while I was with him yesterday some circumstances of difficulty that we feel ourselves plaid in respect respecting Christopher Blackburn who it is ascertained is now in the neighbourhood of Nottingham.—I understand that while when John Blackburn was first taken in the attack on my Lord Middletons gamekeeper he was detained for some days at the House Lord Middletons House before he was removd to the House of Correction of Nottingham & that a promise was there made to him by Lord Middleton and Mr Rolleston that his brother should not be included in the consequences that might result from any discoveries he might be disposed to make.—I have always understood from Savage & John Blackburn that Christopher knew more of the planning of the Ludding mischief than any one else & that he was also privy to a great deal of political mischief.—There is no doubt but he might be made an evidence against Frank Ward, Frank White, Jewkes & Neale as accessaries to the Loughborough outrage & probably against Benjamin Badder also, who is as bad a character as any of the others. it is not impossible but he might furnish something against Gravener Henson. Withers, whose sister he married, told me he thought he was concerned in every thing, and John Blackburn says that Christopher was to have conducted the proposed attack on the barracks at Nottingham.—

The difficulty that we feel is this, if he is apprehended & it turns out that he cannot give the evidence we want that we cannot support him so as to give effect to his testimony, how shall we dispose of him so as to keep good faith with his brother? The Bill is found by the Grand jury against him as against the others for the Loughborough outrage.—I was not aware that he had been included in the Indictment till I was so informed by Mr. Lockett to whom I went on Wednesday last to ascertain that point. I had always understood he was to be left out.—It might possibly be the best way to try to open a communication with him & endeavour to persuade him to surrender himself voluntarily, this will be difficult as his brother John is too great a rascal to trust at large for such an Employ, added to which he would be afraid of going to Nottingham. It would be the greatest of all objects as far as the Ludding system goes to conflict Frank Ward & Badder and if White, Jewkes & Neale who have absconded could be discoverd & taken it would be a great object to convict them especially the two former. This with the punishment of some of the perjured Alibi witnesses following so close on the late Executions would bid fair to annihilate the system.—as White Jewkes & Neale have all friends & close connexions in and about Loughborough it is probable that if your Lordship thought it right to examine letters at the post office the place of their retreat might be discover’d.—I had much conversation with Mr. Alsopp on the subject of the statement made by Savage and as to the possibility of dealing with Burton of Sandy Lane as recommended in the last letter I had the Honour of receiving from your Lordship.—When Mr. Hooley returns, who is better acquainted with the [stocking] manufacturers than almost any body, the attempt must be set on foot. I find this Burton has been long in the habit of travelling the Country selling Political Books &c.—and is probably well acquainted with the members of Committees & the delegates or missionaries in different parts of the kingdom.—

I can I feel a strong desire to obtain by some means an interview with Christopher Blackburn if it could be arrang’d.—it is very probable he might furnish a Clue to more things than the mere concerns of Luddism.—

I believe Mr. Alsopp will have the Honour of waiting on your Lordship in few days.—The death of a near relation of Mrs Charles Mundy for whose widow & children I have much business to transact will compel me to leave Burton on Monday Morning next for a few days. should your Lordship have any Commands for me I will beg the favour of their being directed to Washenborough near Lincoln.—the distance from Nottingham is little more than thirty miles.—I hope to be at Burton again by the end of the week of which I will have the Honour of informing your Lordship.—I do not exactly know when Mr. Hooley is expected to return.—

I have [etc]

C. G. Mundy

[To] The Right Honourable
Viscount Sidmouth

23rd January 1817: Informer's report on Nottinghamshire Luddites

23d January 1817.—

On Sunday last 2 men whose names I dont came to my House and asked me if I had heard Nottingham that morning—This was just before dinner—I went out with them at their request and they told me that Jack Blackner (Blackburn) was telling all he knew and that 7 were taken that morning and conveyed off to Leicester in Chaises and he also, with the Constables—They desired me to let all know of this who had been with him on any Job or that he could tell of and they desired me to go to Hucknall—They told me the Committee had sent to Arnold—I met Barker of Bulwell on Monday and he told me they had made a damned smash at Nottingham and had taken 7 and Slater, that Burton of Basford and Badder were amongst them—He said Blackburn had been telling and had caused their apprehension but he thought he did not know him for he only saw him in the night and that he had only been with those Chaps at two Jobs viz at Loughbro’ and New Radford and that Blackburn was not at New Radford but that his brother Christopher was.—He stands his ground but is on the alert ready for a start in case he should see any one appear he may not like the sight of—I went to Hucknal on Sunday and told Benjamin Butler what I heard that he did not give me any information of any one who was concerned either in the Loughbro’ or any other affair—He undertook to let them Chaps know—I was with Badder last night and the night before at Parr’s and Scattergoods—He told me they had taken Rodney (viz Wm Towle) who was one concerned in the Felony at Chapman’s Tent on the Forest ([query] should not Towle be brought to Nottingham for this offence) Badder told me it was Blackburn (he called him Blackner) who had been telling that had caused the apprehension of them—He lamented very much the affair and said they were going to try to get the three Counties of Leicester, Derby and Nottm to join and rescue them from Prison and also Blackburn and put him to death and he said there was a man not at all connected with them who would give £200 to have him dispatched for his Treachery—I have heard many people exclaim very much against Blackner’s Treachery and declare he ought to die for it—Badder also told me they had got Watson of Basford away who was going to tell before about the Loughbro’ Job but he was dissuaded from it by Jesse Towle—Watson was there, as Badder, Barker and Lomas have told me—Barker told me there were 5 from Lambley but he did not tell me their names—Badder laments much about Slater and Mitchell being in custody and that he should like to die to rescue them.

9th December 1816: Henry Enfield suggests to the Home Office that the Luddites named by James Towle are arrested

Nottingham Decr. 9. 1816

Sir

Enclosed I transmit you, for the Information of Lord Sidmouth a copy of our last Secret Report

I thought that Lord Sidmouth had received thro’ Mr. Lockett a copy of the last Declarations of Towle—to-day I have given to my neighbour, Mr Allsopp, a copy of them—& he will I understand forward it to his Lordship—The re-perusal of it confirms the opinion of the great Advantages likely to result from apprehending at one & the same time all the persons there named as parties engaged in the Loughbro’ outrage—with the exception of course, of Slater & Badder

I have [etc]
H Enfield


[To] Rt Hble J. H. Addington

6th December 1816: Informer's report about Nottinghamshire Luddites

6th December 1816.

I was at Basford on Sunday & when I got home about nine I learnt that Badder & Adam had been to see me—I saw Badder at Scattergoods on Tuesday night & he told me he had been to my house to get me to assist them to do Braley’s Factory because he is paying weekly wages instead of paying by the piece & making them do as much for about 18 [shillings] as they should have 3 or 4 £ for, but he said the time had gone by that the Job was intended to be done—They intended to have done the Job about 6 in the morning of Monday or Tuesday but were prevented from attempting it on finding they were better guarded than was supposed—He said the Watch at the Factory continued on longer than they thought viz. till 6 in the morning & they thought of doing it after the Watch & Ward went off—He said the Rules of the Watch & Ward were to go on at 6 at night & continue till six in the morning but he said they went off at 4—He said they meant to shhot Brayley as he was the cause of hiring for wages he advised me to get rid of the Watch which I had of Young Jas Taylor about 12 months since for he was committed & was telling—He said Brayley’s Job must be done but there would be a Revolution before next Spring or before & then many in the Town would be struck level with—He mentioned the Magistrates & Constables as amongst the proscribed.—There is such strict order kept in Bulwell Basford & Arnold by the Watch & Ward nothing can be done there at present—They go on duty at 6 at night & stay till 6 in the morning & shut up the public houses at 10—Two have been convicted the suffering tipling after 10—Reed of Bulwell one of them about a fortnight ago & Robertson of Bulwell the other last Wednesday—Two were convicted on Wednesday for abusing the Watch & Ward—The Watch go to the public houses about 9 to see who are there & if any stranger be there one of the watch stop till he goes away.—When Badder & Adam were at the 3 Crowns, Gent’s, on Sunday night, they were watched till they went.

23rd November 1816: Henry Enfield suggests apprehending the men named in James Towle's confession to the Home Office

Nottingham Novr. 23d. 1816.

Sir

Herewith I transmit, for the Information of Lord Sidmouth, a Copy of the last Report of our Secret Agent—Its contents, as relating to Lawson & Barnes are very shocking—the name of Barnes here was yesterday chalked up on the Walls of the Streets here, with "Kill him" added—Last Monday night at 10 a person called upon Lawson & in most Secret Confidence told him that there was a determination to kill him & Barnes before Towle’s execution—Lawson & Barnes passed that night at the Police Office—& the next day the magistrates thought it right to send them out of Town—& they will remain away for some days longer. I think of advising the Sureties of the Peace being required from Badder & Slater by Barnes & Lawson, & having warrants out against them—they would not be able to find Sureties & must consequently go to Gaol—This would dispose of them for the winter—If Barnes & Lawson can safely do this upon Information not derived from our Source, it appears to me to be an adviseable Step—I should be greatly obliged by Lord Sidmouth’s Sentiments—

Mr. Lockett has written to me, stating that Towle made full confessions—& I am to meet Mr Lockett to-morrow—The particulars of the Confessions had been laid, I understand from Mr Lockett, before Lord Sidmouth—The Secret Committee wish me to request the immediate Consideration & Opinion of his Lordship, as to the expediency & propriety of apprehending at one time all the persons whom Towle has named mentioned to be implicated in the Loughbro’ outrage, or in any other, in order to [illegible] the Chance or from another of those miscreants impeaching – asking to be admitted Evidence &c—The Information upon which to assure the warrants might be made without difficulty by Heathcote & Boden—& if any would impeach, for instance against Josa. Mitchell, the (for the Loughbro’ affair) the Butcher & Shepherd might identify him at Aram’s Boat—& so, the Accomplice be corroborated—If the measure should not be thus successful, it would, at any Event, be the means of withdrawing during the winter the most notorious of the Set from the field of Action—The Secret Committee suggest this as the thought of the instant—& they submit the subject, without further reserve, to the Judgement of Lord Sidmouth & those whose high opinions his Lordship will probably take—

It has been a great satisfaction to the magistracy that Towles Execution & Funeral passed over without commotion—The strong measures proposed, operated very probably to prevent Tumult—

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most Obt Servt.
H Enfield

[To] Rt Hble JH Addington

I request you to send me a copy of this letter—I should lose the mail—

22nd November 1816: Informer's report about James Towle's funeral

22d Novr 1816

I was at Towle’s Funeral yesterday—A Schoolmaster I was told gave out the Hymns that were sung from his house to and at the Grave by Six young women.—Peter Green was there and joined in the singing—Many other men also sung—Badder was there with me—He said he felt uneasy because Barnes & Lawson were not come at before the body was put into the Grave—I and Badder went to Torr’s, The Shoulder of Mutton accompanied by Adam the Scotchman, Jos. Mitchell Chris and his Brother the man at whose house the Frames were last broke at Lambley, Glover who was tried at the last Assizes and Peter Green and many others who were at the supper at Scattergoods on the occasion of Badder and Slater’s acquittal whose names I dont know—Some of their wives were with them—I believe they were all Ludds or friends to them—There was a deal of muttering amongst them saying they would not give a penny for Barnes and Lawson's lives and that they must be done—Adam and Badder said they had slept at the Police Office for several nights and that they would be seen here no more and were going to London to be Police Officers where that damned Rogue Garton was but there would be a reckoning day there and they might be let on there—They said a deal about Garton being there for safety—Nothing was proposed to be done—Jos: Mitchell was chosen for a Bearer of Towle but he did not help to carry—I could only see two Bearers that I knew; Mellors of Dob Park Lane who keeps a Shop of Frames and Robinson who lives at this end of Basford—It was dusk when the Funeral was over—There was a great many men and women but most men, and a Soldier estimated them all together at 3000—Many men from Nottm, many of them I knew to be Ludds—I saw several from Arnold, Hucknall and many from Bulwell—There was a Star or Cross upon the Coffin lid which excited much conjecture what it could be for—Some said it was because he had died game, others because he had been hung, and some damned Dr. Wylde for not allowing the Funeral service to be read—Badder said the Parish Parson would have read the Service had not Dr. Wylde threatened to strip off his gown if he did it, but he said it did not signify to Jem for he wanted no Parson about him—We all came out of Torr’s together but Mitchell and Chris went to Towle’s mother’s and promised to overtake us before we got to Nottingham but they did not—On the way Badder said he wished we could meet Barnes and Lawson—Adam told him not to mind they would be met with tho’ they might go to London; as there had been meetings there of 40 or 50,000 and things were coming to a head and he should not mind being hung for shooting one of them but he should like to see a Revolution first and then he should die easy. I, Badder, Adam and the man of Lambley whose Frames were last broke, went by the Bowling Alley (Peter and the others left us on the Road and went by Radford) to Seymour’s and there we met Sam Slater—He said Jem had been damned ill used as he had sent a letter out of Prison to shoot Barnes that he might not give evidence against him and it would be a pity if he were not done now before he got to London and that Barnes would get £140 by the Job—Badder said they must lye still abit to which they acquiesced by silence.—

20th November 1816: James Towle makes a confession prior to his execution

Unlike most of the Luddites (or alleged Luddites) held prisoner, the notorious Nottinghamshire Luddite James Towle gave a confession prior to his execution. Of course, it is impossible to know the circumstances under which it was given and, at this point, Towle had been imprisoned for several months and had had his hopes raised and dashed by an unsuccessful appeal. E.P. Thompson considered that this confession 'may have been designed to throw his questioners off the scent' (1991; p.627), but it does contain names of men who were subsequently tried for Luddism. Either way, it is fascinating reading.

The end of the document also contains a commentary about Towle's behaviour before he was executed.

Statement made by Jas. Towle on the morning of his execution namely the 20th of November 1816 to Mr. Pochin, the High Sheriff and Mr C.G. Mundy.—

Towle said that he knew nothing of any plan to destroy Heathcoates Lace Factory at Loughbro’ until a few days or a week before it took place—that what he had said to Kilbourn, that something would take place on Friday night alluded to something that had been talked of among the Luddites to be done at Nottm but which did not take place.—That the first he heard of an intended Job at Loughbro’ was  from Mitchell who came to him a few days previous to the above Job & told him it was intended to go to Loughbro’ & to destroy Heathcoates Factory & that he, Towle, must make one of the party; Towle replied he thought he could not go as he had some work in his Frame to finish—Mitchell [said] he must go as it might be a strong Job & they were afraid of [being] short of hands & could not do without him—Towle then consented to go—Towle came by himself from Basford by way of Leek to Loughbro’—He did not stop at any house on the way, or meet any body he knew; he only [arrived] at Loughbro’ just before the attack on the Factory commenced—does not know whether the Gang assembled in Morley’s Barn or not; they were all in the Street [going] down to the Factory when he [arrived]—Towle knows none of the Loughbro’ men; but understood that Badder had been over to Loughbro’ to settle the [business] with some of Heathcoate’s hands & collect money & that all Lacey’s hands subscribed—Knows one Pounder a Lace hand of Heathcoates by sight, understood he was there, but did not see him—Saw Mitchell, Savage, Slater, Peter Green, two Blackburns, Hill, Amos Crowder, Wm. Towle, a man who goes by the name of Sheepshead Joe & a man who has been a Soldier & goes by the name of the Dragoon, neither of whose real names he knows—all these persons came the neighbourhood of Nottm—Slater carried an Axe—As the party entered the Gates of the Factory a large Dog barked—He (Towle) fired his Pistol at the Dog—That they made their way to the Casting house where the Factory Watch was.—He was not one of the Foremost of the Gang at entering the Casting house—A Pistol went off in the Casting House before he entered—that when he entered three or four men were lying in a heap under the Workbench with their faces close to the Ground & two of the Gang he does not know which standing guard & pointing their Pistols at them—He went on with the greater part of the Gang into the Ground floor or Setting up Shop and from thence up the Stairs to the next Story but positively declares he never went up to the top Shop at all—Says he saw Mitchell with a Gun and fixed Bayonet in his hand & that Slater has told him with while in Gaol that the Witnesses had mistaken Joss (meaning Mitchell) for him (Towle) as it was Joss that went first up the Staircase with the Gun and Bayonet, Towle says he thinks Slater said it was the Dragoon that went up next with 2 Pistols; Slater himself with his Axe was the third—Towle thinks it must have been one of the Blackburns that fired the Pistol in the Casting house & wounded Asher as he heard some of the Gang on their road home saying they should have nobody to thank but Blackburn if any of them got hanged—Some of the Gang wanted to carry the two fire locks that they found at the Factory home with them but that others said it might cause them to be discovered—one of the Firelocks was thrown into a Pond that is close to the Factory he cannot say whereabouts but he heard it all into the Water—Sheepshead Joe guided the party on their return from over the fields by Garrington Park—the other Firelock was thrown away somewhere in the fields—they crossed the Derby Road & made the best of their way, some walking some running to Aram’s ferry—The persons above named & 2 or 3 more besides himself crossed the Trent in Aram’s Boat—He heard one of the Gang (he thinks Savage) say the Boatman was to have 10 [shillings] to hold his Tongue—On getting out of the Boat he saw Morris (a Butcher of Chilwell) & another man waiting for the Boat, Morris could not know him as he had a handkerchief all over his face—He knows Morris.—He, Mitchell, Wm. Towle and one other, he is not sure which stopped for some refreshment at Chilwell at the house of a man who married Wm. Towle’s Sister does not know his name, after they had had some ale, they all set off together on their way home—that he being tired and lame owing to a pair of tight shoes which had pinched him the whole Journey, the other 3 outwalked him, which caused it to be alone when Barnes met him—Says he is sure Barnes must know Mitchell as well as he knew him, but that there is not a Police officer in Nottm that dare bring Mitchell into trouble as he is so great a favorite amongst the Luddites—That the Police Officer who appeared at Leicester Assizes to give evidence for Slater is connected with the Luddites; that one Lowater is an advice man among the Luddites—that Gladwin of New Basford is a thief but not a Luddite—that he and Lowater make it their business to loiter about the Police Office & to dodge the officers at public Houses & Buzz them with false tales—Towle is quite sure that if the Police Officers of Nottm chose they might detect the Luddites very shortly but that they know that if Ludding were put down there would be no occasion for so many of them—Says that they consider Barnes as their greatest enemy & he thinks he will be murdered, says that the conversation, which was overheard in Gaol between Slater, Badder & himself was misunderstood it was not as reported "We must remember the old Barn & get them out please God we get at liberty again" it was "We must remember old Barnes & get him out."—Says that Mitchell and Savage [appeared] to be the head men of the Loughbro’ Job—believes that Savage had been over to Loughbro’ as well as Badder to settle about it—the gang came in separate small parties into the neighbourhood of Loughbro’ in the course of the day preceding the Attack—Some came by the Coaches from Nottm—others took a large circuit and came into Loughbro’ on the Leicester side to avoid suspicion; heard some of them say that they had waited till dark at Needleys Inn which the public House about a mile out of Loughbro’ on the Leicester Road—Says Mitchell has been a leading man among the Luddites ever since the Ludding Business began which is about 5 years ago—that Slater & Savage have also been old hands at it—Believes that Slater has broke more frames in his time than any man in the County of Nottm—that if the hammer which was produced in Court could speak he would tell horrible tales—Slater told him in Gaol he thought he broke more than 20 of Heathcoates machines himself—that a worse man than Slater cannot exist—that he talks with the greatest pleasure of ale the mischief he has ever done and, Towle said "If you 2 Gentlemen who have never kept bad company could hear how Slater goes on in his talk it would make your hair stand on an end, he neither fears God nor Devil"—A few days before the Loughbro’ Job took place Mitchell & Towle went together to one Diggle a young man about 3 or 4 & 20 years of age then living at Basford to get him to join in the Job—Towle thinks Hill, went with them but is not sure—Diggle refused to join them saying he would have nothing more to do with them as they had only paid half what they had promised for the Radford Job—On taking leave and shaking hands with Mr. Mundy immediately before he was turned off Towle said "I have not told you a word of a lie it would be of no use to me now"—

The following is what Mr. Pochin has related to Mr. Mundy as substance of what has fallen from Towle, in various conversations he has had with him in addition to the above.—Mr. Pochin has Memorandums of it in writing with which he has promised to furnish Mr. Mundy.—

Towle never took an oath of secrecy or indeed of any kind nor ever heard of any being made use of among the Gang—that they have no particular fund of money for that when any Job is intended or wanted for any purpose—It is collected among the Stockingers or Lace hands who happen to be in work at the time, that the sum required of each is so small it is never refused—the Frames would be sure to be soon broken if it were refused—they have no Depot of Arms that many of the Gang have a Pistol or 2 concealed in their houses & that when a Job is intended they borrow them of each other—He believes Savage bought a Brace of Pistols at Derby on purpose for the Loughbro’ Job—He knows of no persons in the higher ranks of life that are connected with them—That when any Job is intended 3 or 4 of the principal people go about to collect hands for it among those who they know to be well inclined to Ludding—Mr. P. understood him to say that tho’ Badder had had a great hand in planning the Loughbro’ Job he was not himself at it—Towle said that it was the Dragoon that fired so random in the Street at Loughbro’—thinks Sheepshead Joe has lived at Lambley no long time since—as the Gang returned from Loughbro’ towards Aram’s ferry they passed a man in a white smock Frock with a Cart—Some of the Gang abused him & threatened to shoot him—this is the only person besides Morris the Butcher of Chilwell and his man that Towle remembers Meeting—Says that there are plenty of people in & about Nottm that know of their goings on that some are friendly towards them & others are afraid to speak—That generally speaking the Hosiers & master Manufacturers are so much disliked among the Common people that they would sooner see their property destroyed than not—That if any of the Stockeners are suspected of not being friendly to the Luddites they take every means of injuring them & plaguing them by destroying their Potatoe and Onion Beds in the night cutting up their Gooseberry & Currant bushes (in the night) if they have any and soforth—A very handsome Powder Flask was taken from Heathcoate’s Factory—Mr. P. has a [memorandum] of who took it—he could not recollect the name of the man who took it but will inform Mr. Mundy—Towle says that the Luddites have had no hand in any thing that he knows of beyond destroying Machinery—that he has heard some of them talk about going to London to alter the Government but considered this as random talk.—

Towle died penitent & seemed to have a right sense of religion, & bitterly regretted he had not availed himself of the opportunity offered him of making these discoveries in time to save his life—acknowledged that he had been a very bad one but thought that Mitchell, Slater & Savage were worse—thinks they never will be quiet till they get hanged, seemed to pride himself in the idea that tho’ he had been a Luddite he had never been a thief—Strongly suspected that Badder saved himself by having given some information against him.—He refused to see [several] people from Nottm & Basford who came to seem on the morning the execution & the day previous—Lowater among the rest—who called several times & was extremely pressing to see him—Towle would converse with nobody but Mr. Pochin & Mr. Mundy;—was removed from the Gaol to the new House of Correction where the Execution drop by night at his own request thinking it would agitate his mind to pass through the Crowd that would be assembled if he were removed by daylight & seemed very anxious that the removal of his body to Basford & his funeral should be as private & as quiet as possible—His great anxiety seemed to be about the future fate of his wife & Children & was very anxious that they should go to reside with his mother & expressed great gratitude towards the High Sheriff & the Gaoler for the treatment he had experienced since his condemnation adding that his long [imprisonment] had been of great service in bringing his mind to the calm state of Resignation it was in & of which he frequently spoke with the greatest comfort & satisfaction—the crowd was immense, some say 20,000, but Mr. C. Mundy thinks there were not more than 10,000—The Troop of the 15th Huzzars that are quartered at Leicester were ordered to remain in readiness at their Stables but the Civil power were alone present at the Execution—Every thing was perfectly quiet & orderly—He declined making any address to the Spectators.—

30th October 1816: Informer's report on Nottinghamshire Luddites

30th October 1816.—

I went to the Kingstone's Arms last Saturday according to appointment saw Fell, Joe Gelsthorpe and Peter Green there—Fell said he had asked Holbrook and Beef Smith to go to Bulwell and they both refused.—He had not seen Shaw or Abel Smith.—He meant to see them and let me know the next night, but he did not come and I went to Mansfield on Monday morning and staid there till last night.—I have heard that Shaw went to my house on Monday night but have not learnt for what.—This morning I was with John Lomas Junr, and said to him, why these chaps have not done the job as they should of done (alluding to the Frames broke at Bulwell on Monday night) He said "Oh they were only Basford chaps and only 14 of them"–They broke into a House where there were no Frames and I asked him how that happened.—He said they were told better but made a mistake and got the wrong end of the row.—He said they intended coming again with more strength as there were 5 or 6 Basford Chaps that did not come as was expected.—They shot at Carnall's Window he said—He told me that one of the went into Carnall's bed room and threatened to shoot him and he  begged of them not to hurt him as he had no Frames there and told them where they were and to go and use their pleasure, and one of them said "Damn you give me the Pistol and if you wont shoot him I will" but the man having the Pistol refused to do it saying we’ll only break his Frames—I have not learnt who were there except, Lomas (I believe) was one from what he told me.—Joseph West told me this morning that they meant to come again from Basford last night but were put off but that they would be there again this week—I have heard nothing more about the House of Industry at Basford—This afternoon I saw Badder at the Goat and we had some talk about the Job done a Bulwell.—He said he was glad to hear of its being done as it would take the attention off of Nottm and we should get 2 or 3 of our jobs done.—On Sunday he and Slater and Peter Green came to my house and told me to get my arms out of the house as there was a Police Officer coming down from London to search for and seize all Arms to prevent a Revolution.—

I can give Information to Hollingworth if I should know before hand when the intended Job at the House of Industry is to be done.—

It was stated to night at the Fox that there has been a serious riot at Birmingham that some Soldiers had been shot, when a Soldier with the 73d said they were damned fools for shooting at the Soldiers for they were ready to help them if there was an opportunity and they would soon see which side the soldiers were for if they would all rise together—This was spoken openly in a large Company.—

Badder, Adam & Winrow were there.—

The proceedings of G. Henson are approved of.*

*This alludes to the prosecutions against Hosiers for paying their Workmen otherwise than in money—H.E. [i.e. Henry Enfield - a note added to the report]

24th October 1816: Informer's report on Nottinghamshire Luddites

24th October 1816

I went to Arnold last Thursday and saw Fell and Joe Gelthorpe and told them what Green had said, that the Arnold Chaps were expected to go to Bulwell and break the wife Frames there—Fell said he thought they could not get as many as would be necessary to do it as many of the Arnold Chaps would not go with Ned White, whom he said would go any time, but he said he would mention it to them—Gelsthorpe said he would go, and Fell said he would—I was there again yesterday morning and Fell and Gelsthorpe said they had mentioned it but could only get six to go, but that they had no Fire Arms and requested to be provided with some and they would go on Sunday night if they could have other assistance.—They said they could get plenty to go and smash every thing in the House of Industry, and that it had been agreed upon to be done, but the time not fixed.—I am to see Fell again on Saturday either at Nottingham at the Kingston's Arms, or at Arnold to know what assistance can be given them and what Arms can be furnished to them.—I was with Badder last Tuesday at the Goat—He said I expected a Job at your Town last night, that all the Frames were broke—that the Basford Chaps had fetched all the Tackle (viz. the Arms) to do it on Monday night and he could not think the reason why it was not done but it must between then and next Sunday night and he desired me to call upon Bradley and enquire.—I saw him again last night and then he told me they were [through] making Rattles at Nottingham and were going to Watch and Ward again but he'd be damned if they must not be shot—I told him that the Arnold Chaps had determined to destroy all the Frames and things in the House of Industry at Bulwell—He said it must be done but there was no such thing as giving them any assistance from Nottingham, on account of the Constables who were watching at nights and they (the Ludds) could not get back in the night undiscovered—We were together at the Unicorn last night till about 11 and then Badder went and I staid till 2 or 3 and 4 or 5 others playing at Whist in the parlour—The Constables came and knocked at the door several times, and asked for the door to be opened and said somebody were playing at Cards there—The Landlord denied it and said he had only his own family there and refused to open the door to any body—We went out at the Back door—Those that I played with were not Ludds—Two of them were Bakers—The Constables said the last time they came stopped an hour I think until we left some of them followed me down the Street but I ran and they did not get to speak to me—We should have stopped longer had not the Constables been so clamorous, and the Landlord began to be uneasy—I have not heard of any attempt to break into Churchill’s Warehouse last week nor of it being intended to be done—I dont know of any thing more intended to be done.—

11th August 1816: The solicitor, Jeffery Lockett, informs the Home Office of the outcome of Leicester Assizes

Leicester August 11th 1816

Sir

I have the honour to inform you, that, after a trial which began yesterday morning at seven 'clock, and lasted till half past nine at night, James Towle was convicted of shooting at John Asher, during outrage at Messrs Heathcoat & Bodens factory at Loughbro in June last, and Samuel Slater was acquitted. The counsel for the Crown did not think it adviseable to put Benjamin Badder on his defence.

An objection was made to the indictment and the learned Judge, tho’ he gave a strong opinion against it, said, that he would give it further consideration. In the opinion of the counsel for the Crown, it is of no weight, and it is anxiously hoped that it will neither prevent, nor delay the execution of the convict. I have stated the point, in a letter which I have addressed to Mr Hobhouse, who prepared the [indictment].

You have probably heard of an intended attack of Mr Justice Graham, Mr Clarke the barrister, and the Jury, at Nottingham, if the persons who were tried there for framebreaking, had been convicted.—The trial was protracted till two 'clock in the morning.—The court was filled with Luddites, and very inadequate preparation was made for the preservation of the peace.—The outrage was plotted whilst the Judge was summing up, and observing upon the evidence, and information from various sources, warrants the belief, that if a conviction had taken place, an attempt would have been made to assassinate his Lordship.—The horrid noise which was made in court, so intimidated the Jury, that they acquitted the prisoners against the summing up of the Judge, and the conviction of their own [understandings]. Here the best possible preparation was made by Mr Mansfield, the Mayor, for the protection of the court—The town has been literally filled with Nottingham people of the worst description, since Wednesday night, but not the least disturbance has happened—I [should] have been happy, if I could have added, that the attempts of the prisoners’ confederates to intimidate the Jury had been unsuccessful.—The prisoner Slater owes his acquittal to the intimidation of the Jury.

The prisoners gave in a list of fifty six witnesses to be examined in their defence.—They attempted to impeach the [credit] of the prosecutors witnesses by proving declarations made by them, in contradiction of their evidence given at the Bar;—and to shew, that they were at other places at the time of the outrage.—This part of their conspiracy is brought to a most alarming state of preparation;—for tho’ there was not one of the witnesses who were called, who was not prepared from the beginning to the end of his evidence, they resisted cross examination most successfully, and their evidence must have prevailed, but for the accounts given by the prisoners themselves in the course of their examination before the magistrates previous to their commitments.

The reward of 500gs offered in the Gazette will certainly be claimed.—The loss of Messrs Heathcoat and Boden from this outrage, cannot be less than £10,000;—further value of the demolished frames is at least £6000;—they have wages to pay to nearly one hundred men under contracts;—and they will lose six months profit from a valuable trade.—They will therefore consider their legal liability to pay their reward,—and the strict right of the claimants to demand it from them.—Considering that this is the first capital conviction of a Luddite,—that Towle has been a leader of the conspiracy from its first formation,—that much useful information has been acquired,—and that men have been found bold and honest enough to give information, & evidence which has led to the detection & conviction of the principal offender;—it may be hoped that Government will not suffer this disposition to be checked, but will pay the reward in consideration of Messrs Heathcoat & Boden. Upon this subject I must request the favor of an early communication from you;—and [illegible] also be pleased to inform me; whether any thing further is to be done towards the apprehension of the persons, concerned in the outrage. Many of them are known, but they have not been taken into custody, because we have had no evidence to convict them—but the conviction of Towle will probably lead to further discoveries.

I have to apologize for the hasty manner in which I have been obliged to address you on this occasion.

I am [etc]
Mr Jeffery Lockett

[To: J. Beckett Esqr]

10th August 1816: The trial of James Towle, Benjamin Badder & John Slater, for the 'Loughborough Job'

The Nottingham Review of 16th August 1816 carried the most complete version of the second trial of the most notorious figure in Midlands Luddism, James Towle, along with his co-accused, Benjamin Badder and John Slater:

LEICESTER.

Trial of Towle, Slater, and Badder.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1816.

About seven o'clock this morning, the trial of the above-named persons came on before the Hon. Baron Graham. The indictment charged James Towle with having, on the night of the 28th June, or early on the morning of the 29th of same month, entered the premises of John Heathcoat and John Boden, of Loughborough, and having discharged a pistol loaded with a ball or slugs at John Asher, with intent to kill him the said John Asher; and John Slater and Benjamin Badder, with being accessary thereto.

JOHN BODEN is partner with John Heathcoat in a bobbin-net lace manufactory, at Loughborough; left the factory at eleven o'clock on Friday night, the 28th June last, when all was safe—six framesmiths, besides men who were at work and three other men as guards, were on the premises when witness left; there were fifty-five frames upon three floors, viz. in setting-up shop, two unfinished; first floor, twenty-three; second ditto, thirty—was alarmed and apprised of the outrage at a little before two, but did not go to the factory till about five o'clock, when he found the whole of the machines and some of the windows broken—witness saw some blood in a box on the floor, and some splashed against the wall; the greater part of the lace upon the frames was quite destroyed; estimates the injury done at 7 or £8,000—have been prevented going on with their business ever since. Witness dispatched Benjamin Silvester, Joseph Sherwin, and Cumberland, the Loughborough Constable, to Nottingham Police-Office, that morning.

Cross-examined by Mr. Balguy.—When he left the place, about eleven o'clock, there might be eight or nine men in the factory besides the smith—did not take particular notice of the exact number, nor of the persons of the workmen who were then present; he only knew one or two of them.

ELIZABETH SILVESTER said, her husband was overlooker of the smiths at Heathcoat and Boden’s factory; went up stairs to bed; it was a quarter past twelve when she stepped into bed; lives in a house opposite and situate near, the factory, in Mill-street; she was alarmed "by a great muttering of talking," which was so loud, that it appeared to proceed from a considerable number of persons; her candle was not then put out; she got up, immediately opened the window, and looked out for a few moments, but saw nobody except a neighbour, (John Sour), who was standing at his own door, which is next to witness’s; he went towards the factory; shortly after witness heard the same noise, and a whistle, with a threat, that if she did not put out her light, her brains will be blown out, when, being very much frightened, she retreated towards where the candle was; witness did not see whence they came; when there was a whistle, they seem to come from all roads, in great numbers; heard a gun discharged at her window; in the mean time, heard them say, "All’s well!" and then whistled; thinks a gun was fired at Rushworth’s house, which is opposite witness’s, as she heard them threaten him in the same way as they did her; having left the house door unlocked, witness went down stairs to lock it, and being very much agitated, she fell down three steps; heard them say, "Fire through the key-hole," but did not hear them fire at her. Soon after, she heard the machines and some of the windows broken, and then a firing, which appeared to be at some distance. The frame-breaking did not continue more than half an hour by witness’s watch, after which there seemed to be great numbers pacing the street, occasionally exclaiming, "All’s well!" Heard somebody say, "Don't break windows, there is friend Kilburn’s there," and also, "That all was done, and one man was killed." Thinks their feet move towards the Ashby Road; heard firing six or seven times, when all was over.

JOHN ASHER—is a framesmith and was in the employ of Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden on the 28th of June—was on guard that night as a watchman to the premises—watch ought to have consisted of five or six smiths but two were gone out—Thomas Ironman, Webster, and witness, were on duty, and Silvester and German were out, they had three pistols and a musket with a fixed bayonet—is not sure whether there was more—witness sat opposite the door in casting shop—was first disturbed at a quarter past twelve with a noise, and footsteps coming up the yard to the door, by hearing the report of a pistol, and directly after seeing three of four men stand in the door-way—witness took a pistol off the shelf pointed it at them and turned his head another way—when some one ran into the shop, and witness was shot in the back of the head and fell down insensible, but soon recovered his recollection, and found himself on his face under a bench, with his head adjoining Webster’s shoulder and bleeding profusely—at this time heard them breaking machines—had one and sometimes two men placed over them as a guard, who threatened to blow their brains out if they looked up; after laying about twenty minutes, witness said, "I wish you would send for a doctor, or I shall bleed to death,"—there was no answer, but the man who guarded them, seemed to speak to another man on [illegible] [illegible]. In ten minutes or a quarter of an hour afterwards, a man came from the yard to know how the wounded man was—he said "How are you," "Very bad," I replied. He then asked me if I could do a bit longer. I told him I could if he would not be long—he said he would not,—five minutes after they left the premises;—as they were going, one said to another, "shake hands with the wounded man"—Webster put his hand out and shaked hands—another man said, "that's not the man."—He then said—"Put your hand out" and shook hands with witness, who thinks the hand was a small one—witness was three weeks before he was well of the wound.

Cross-examined by Mr. Balguy.—Witness crawled home between two men—was much agitated when the men entered, so much so that he forgot to cock his pistol—is not certain who the person was that shook hands with him—nor can he say whether the person came from the yard or not.

MR. PALMER is a surgeon, at Loughborough; were sent for at twenty minutes past one—found Asher laying wounded on the floor in casting room; he had received a wound from a slug in back part of the head, which was afterwards extracted—[witness here produced it]—it had not penetrated the skull; Asher was three weeks or a month under his hands.

JOHN WEBSTER was a workman at Heathcoat and Boden’s factory on the 28th June—at a quarter-past twelve was in the casting-shop, along with Asher and Ironman, expected some of their fellow workmen's return; witness was not above the yard from the door—there was a blazing fire and a candle burning when the assailants entered; it was a short-eight candle; the casting-shop is a small room—three came first; one of them a little man, rather before the other; the little man had a pistol in his hand, and passed witness’s right hand, and went forward—witness attempted to escape from the premises, but was stopped at the door by several of the party, who surrounded him and presented pistols; three of them were put close to his head, while one man held an axe in the same position—the former saying, that if he moved, they would blow his brains out, and the latter, that he would knock them out—the man with the axe was a tall man; had light enough to see his face when looking up at the axe—is sure, quite sure, that Slater, the prisoner, is the man—hearing a pistol go off by witness’s head, he gave up and lay down on his face, thinking resistance unavailing—witness observed Towle’s features particularly, as he passed him—so much so, that he knew him again when he saw him—Towle passed as near to him as possible, so as not to touch him; he was only disguised by having a handkerchief over his chin, not so high as his mouth—did not particularly notice the third man, but he had some sort of the steel weapon in his hand—saw no firelock when first man entered, nor a long piece of any description, in any of their hands; there were two muskets at the far side of the shop, one with a fixed bayonet, the other without—thinks more than twenty persons entered—before "the business was done," heard somebody come from setting-up to casting-shop, and asked Asher, "if he was mortally wounded"—he replied—"he did not know, he was very weak"—he then required Asher to give him his hand; but witness, understanding he meant his, extended it for that purpose, and thought the hand a very small one for a man.

Cross-examined by Mr. Denman—Was not so much frightened until he heard the pistol fired; has seen Towle in custody, and at the gaol, several times; knew him again "directly he clapped his eyes upon him." Only saw Slater once in gaol, and never saw Towle from that night till he saw him in custody; witness picked Slater out of the three, on the Wednesday week after. Witness gave his evidence before he heard of the reward; saw a PART of the hand-bill the day after posted in Loughborough, "but not the FULL of it;" knew there was a reward of five hundred pounds, but thought it applied only to those concerned in the outrage. Witness described Towle before the magistrates. Does not know George Woollerton, but saw Mr. Ayres, his employer, on Saturday morning. Did not think it prudent to tell every body all he knew of the affair; never gave him any reason to suppose that they were disguised. Witness knows John King, and admits that he told him, and several others, that he could not recognise the prisoners; he was advised so to do by the magistrates, to avoid unnecessary questions daily put to him; witness did say that he thought he could swear to two voices; never said to Samuel Kilbourn that they were in disguise, and it was impossible to recognise them; he told William Burson, on Sunday morning, that he knew none of them.

Re-examined by Serjeant Vaughan.—Witness felt himself much injured, and would give himself no trouble to satisfy any body on the subject. He has no doubt of Towle being one of the men that entered the premises; he knew him when he first saw him in custody; and is equally confident as to Slater being another, he recognised him also when he first saw him after the outrage, which was at Leicester.

JOSEPH SHERWIN worked with Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden on the 28th June last, as a framesmith—he was in the top room, on the night in question, and was alarmed by pieces firing off—and soon after hearing somebody exclaim, "blow their brains out"—heard a "large muttering of talking outside the factory," and a noise in the room below, proceeding from breaking the frames—thinks he was got out of his frame at that time—looked for the fire arms, but did not find them—went down stairs and found a pike, but it was too long to use on the staircase—then procured a large file, and taking a candle out of the stick, went to the top of the stairs where somebody was chopping at the door check, and soon after observed the door open, and again put to—he then went down stairs, and forced it open with the file, but had scarcely done so, than a man presented a firelock at his breast, saying—"D**n your blood, stand fast, or I’ll blow your brains out," on which witness said—"Stop my friend, I can use a musket as well as you can,—when the man cried out, "Ned, come forward with those four blunderbusses, and directly came forth a man armed with two pistols, followed by another with an axe upon his shoulder, who turned his face back, and desired witness to go up stairs to the top shop, which he did, accompanied by three men, who commanded him and the other men at work, "to lay down on their faces, or they would blow their brains out," which summons the witness and his companions instantly obeyed—there was four lights with reflectors, burning at the time, which enabled witness to observe the faces of two men minutely; saw Towle first, he had an handkerchief on his face, which fell below his chin while witness was stooping; is "quite certain sure" the prisoner at the bar is the man, as he was only three or four yards from him; Towle had a musket in his hand. Saw Slater first in custody at the Anchor, in Loughborough; thinks he was one of the men, as there was a large limbed man, but cannot swear to his face. Supposes there were sixteen or seventeen men in the room at the time of breaking the machines. Heard some of them say, as he lay on the floor, "Blow their brains out, if they stir," and others said, "No! Do not hurt them," if they lay ten minutes and do not move. Having broke the machines, they set fire to the lace, when one said, "Ned, have you done your duty well?" "Yes," replied another, "we have;" then went towards the stair-case, but observing two other machines in another part, they said, "There are two more," and so broke them, and went away. About two hours after, witness was dispatched to Nottingham, in a post-chaise, and arrived there before six o'clock, and saw the police-officers, to whom he gave a description of all the three men he saw on the stairs.

Cross-examined by Mr. Balguy.—Four of the men were upstairs with him; Powell, Streets, Squires, and Smith—Trueman, Webster, and Asher were below,—the gun was not quite up to Towle’s shoulder—he had not a candle in one hand, and a musket in the other—he was about a quarter of a minute on the stair-case, but cannot swear how long—it might be longer than a minute—he saw part of that man’s face who had the axe, but not enough to know him again—when witness went from the top shop, he believes there were no lights but those in the frames,—the shiner or reflector is used to throw light on the works, but it does not make the room lighter—he could not take particular notice of the third man's face, but could swear to him if he were in the same dress. He cannot tell when he first heard of the reward—he never thought of it, when he was examined before the magistrates—he does not expect any of it to his knowledge—never thought of the reward till people told him he should have a part of it—he believes he shall have a part of it—does not know William Henshaw to his knowledge—Robinson married witness’s sister; he went to Robinson’s house soon after the frames were broken—his sister and Robinson were up—every body was talking about the frame-breaking—did not say that he did not know any body that came into the factory—does not remember saying any thing about the disguises—he never said any thing about the men having their coats turned—cannot say any thing at all about what he said about them having their faces blackened—cannot tell whether he said so or not. John Rose was in his company the same day at the Talbot, but witness never told him, that neither he nor any body else, could swear to any of them—acknowledged that he said to Bilson that he did not know any of them, but at that time his life was threatened—admits that he has said, "that he could not swear to any, but should like to swear to two, because they would have taken our lives, if it had not been for the other Ludds"—has been at Leicester several times—saw Badder in gaol; has also seen Towle in the gaol-yard several times; he attended on the examination of prisoners—Mr. Munday and Mr. Lockett told witness not to say any thing about what he knew.

ANN MACKIE is wife to -------- Mackie, who works for Heathcoat and Boden—she was held a prisoner by the Luddites a short distance from the factory, upwards of forty minutes; during which a man came up with an axe, and lifting it up over her head, said, "It will not do or us to let her escape we had better do for her,"—the man that guarded her replied, "No, if she will stand still her life shall be spared"—the man with the axe was a broad-set man—there was not light enough to see his face—he only remained a little time.

JAMES LAWSON, is a police-officer of Nottingham; has known Towle some time; recollects seeing him at a public-house in Nottingham on the Tuesday preceding the outrage at Loughborough, and had a deal of conversation with about his having been tried for frame-breaking, which Towle observed would have been a job with him, if they had found him guilty. Witness advised him to leave off that kind of life. A confusion arising in the house, witness and Towle went out together into the street, where they resumed their conversation. Towle said he was out of employment, and when he went round and was asked his name, they immediately said, "Oh! it is you that was tried for frame-breaking!" He said, "He was over-persuaded, and felt so much hurt, he hardly knew what to do with itself," many of their SET were doing well, while he was used ill, and he had a good mind to SPLIT upon them. Witness’s wife coming up at this time, he said, "He would be d----d if he would trust a woman with a secret," and so stopped speaking for a moment, and then resumed by saying, "There was something brewing, and there would be a job before it was long—it would happen next Friday night, unless put off, and then it would take place on Saturday night!"—"we then parted, and I bid him good night." Having communicated this intelligence to the Mayor, numbers were employed on the look-out in Nottingham; witness was one engaged on the occasion.

Cross-examined—Towle well knew that he was a Police officer.

BENJAMIN BARNES is Nottingham Police officer—saw Sherwin on the morning of the 29th June last—in consequence of his description of one of the men seen by him at the factory, he looked after James Towle that morning—about seven o'clock he set out towards Beeston through New Basford, where Towle lived, and having arrived about the middle of the former place, he observed prisoner coming from towards Loughborough—it was about eight o'clock in the morning—Towle seeing witness approach him, made a stop, and turned his face to the hedge, on noticing which witness rode on a little, and then turned again, and on overtaking him, he endeavoured to avoid letting witness recognize his face, by appearing to look at something over the hedge—witness however spoke to him, saying, "James, how are you, you seem very fatigued this morning?"—"Yes," he answered, "I am very unwell." Witness asked him if he would take a glass, to which he assented, and they went to a public house door, where Towle had a glass of gin, and they parted—his shoes seemed wet, and the dust had settled upon them. On Monday, July 1st, I had a warrant to apprehend him—"went to his house at New Basford and took him, handcuffed him to myself—on arriving at Nottingham, we went to a public house to until a chaise could be got ready—when there he wished to go in the yard, which I permitted him to do, handcuffed to White, a constable, from whom he contrived to escape, by slipping his hand out of the handcuffs, (which were the smallest sort to be met with,) but was re-taken soon after in the Market-place. When employed to take Towle to Leicester, he said to witness, in coming down Red-hill, (the place where criminals were formerly executed,) "Well, I shall have a ride as far back again as this hill, I suppose." On witness asking him "what he meant by that," he said," he was sure to be hung, and hoped witness would call upon his mother, and say, that he desired, in case he should be hung, that she should would beg his body, and let it be placed alongside Bamford, at Basford." Witness said, he would not deliver such a message; but he would take an note for him—Towle then observed, "it was through seeing him (Barnes) at Beeston, that he was apprehended. The axe was found at Badder’s, and a hammer at Slater’s, in the coal cupboard.

MR. DENMAN here observed, that the Counsel ought to make their election on which set of counts they mean to stand, Towle being charged both as a principal and accessary.

MR. BARON GRAHAM said, it was not a case of that description.

MR. DENMAN then took an objection to the wording of the indictment, owing to the word "feloniously" having been omitted before the words "entered the premises," &c. and contended, that such an omission must proved fatal to the indictment, since it was not according to the act of parliament, under which the prisoners were indicted.

SERJEANT VAUGHAN, on the other side, maintained, that as the words, "felony aforesaid" came shortly after, the omission complained of, was of little consequence, and therefore opposed the acquittal of the prisoners on that ground.

The Learned Judge observed, that it appeared to him at present, that there was no ground upon which the indictment could be done away; but if hereafter, it should appear otherwise, the prisoners should certainly have all the advantage of the omission; but he must say, he felt pretty confident at the present moment, that the objection could not be sustained.

The Learned Judge here called upon Towle and Slater for their defence; both observed, they left it to their Counsel. Budder was not called upon for his defence, upon which his Counsel requested he might have his irons taken off, but it was not allowed; he was permitted, however, to sit down.

JAMES POWELL, was employed as watchman to Heathcoat and Boden, on the night of the 28th of June last. [It being observed that this witness was in a state of intoxication, his evidence was not permitted to be taken, he was therefore ordered from the bar.]

SAMUEL STREET worked at Heathcoat and Boden’s factory on the night of the 28th June last—thinks thirty or forty men entered the upper shop—he counted them by their steps, as he lay down—could only see one distinctly.

SAMUEL KILBOURN asked John Webster if he knew the frame-breakers—he said he did not, they were so much disguised—he even did not know one of them.

JOHN ROSE knows Joseph Sherwin—he told him at two o'clock on the Saturday morning, he could not swear to any of the frame-breakers.

WILLIAM BILSON has conversed with Sherwin—he told it was impossible to know them—their coats wee turned.

JOHN RICHARDS lives at New Basford, within seventy or eighty yards of Towle’s—saw him at nine o'clock on Friday night, the 28th of June—he had a paper cap on, and was getting potatoes in his garden—witness spoke to him, and observed "what fine potatoes they are"—Towle answered, "Yes they are."

JOSEPH MELLOR, is a carpenter and builder, lives at New Basford; had been at a rearing supper at the Robin Hood and Little John, in Nottingham, on the 28th June last; left it after 11 o'clock—knows James Towle; saw him between eleven and twelve o'clock the night in question; there was a light in his house, saw prisoner come to his door, and throw something out—said, "Hallo, Towle!" and he replied, "Hello, Joseph, where have you been?" to a rearing, said witness, and then passed on—got home about twelve—heard of frame breaking at twelve next day—has no doubt of Towle’s person.

Cross-examined by Mr. Clarke—Lives half a mile from prisoner’s house—witnesses has known him since he was a child—is now twenty-one.

JOHN BRADLEY lives at Basford; remembers being at Towle’s house at half-past eleven o'clock on the Friday night; went to borrow a candle for his wife to seam stockings by, in order that he might set out early in the morning to Nottingham, in search of work—resides only a few yards from Towle’s—saw him soon after eleven in his (Towle’s) own house—witness went to bed at half-past eleven, or thereabouts; got up next morning about ten minutes past four, to go to Nottingham—saw Towle at work in his frame at half-past four—Basford is seventeen miles from Loughborough.

Cross-examined by Mr. Clarke.—Witness applied to Mr. Beardmore for work—saw him at half-past six—Towle was nursing his child at half-past eleven the night before—thinks he was stript.

PETER JENKINSON lives at Old Basford; is a paper-maker—he got up between three and four o'clock on Saturday morning the 29th June, to call up his fellow-wormen, that they might leave off an hour or two earlier in the afternoon—saw Towle at work in his frame between four and five o'clock as he passed by to call up Harrison—on his return, stopped and spoke to Towle for a minute.

Cross-examined by Mr. Clarke.—Witness lives half a mile from Harrison's—it struck four when he got up to give him the key.

Re-examined by Mr. Denman—It is a rule among his shop-mates the first up calls the rest.

THOMAS MELLOR is a butcher; got up at four o'clock on Saturday morning the 29th of June to go to his shop, which is behind Towle’s house; saw prisoners and his wife at work in the frame at half-past four o'clock.

GEORGE ARCHER knows Slater; he worked with him in June last; left him at work at eight o'clock on Friday night, at witness’s house; returned at nine, but he was gone; saw him the following morning at seven; he assisted him to get up work; always considered Slater as an honest and industrious man.

THOMAS PALMER lives in Nottingham; has a garden a short distance from the town; was returning from it on Friday night, the 28th of June, about half-past nine; observed Slater in his garden, which is near witness’s, and held half an hour's conversation with him, then went into town together, where they parted, one going to the right, the other to the left.

JOSEPH SMITH is a brass-cock maker, and lives in Narrow-marsh, Nottingham; remembers being at the Leg of Mutton public-house on Friday night, 28th of June last; on hearing the clock strike eleven, he were left the house, and as he was coming home he met with Slater, whom he has known more than two years, and spoke to him; he was a few paces from his own door, without his hat, and said, "How did you do, John?" he replied, "Very well." Witness thinks he was going towards the privy.

SAMUEL HAYNES lives at Nottingham; recollects leaving the Duke of Wellington public-house in company with S. Fletcher, about eleven o'clock on the Friday night; saw Slater standing beside his door, when passing his house with Fletcher.

SAM. FLETCHER, is a framework-knitter; was with the last witness at the Duke of Wellington public-house on the night of the 28th June last, and came away about eleven o'clock; parted with Haynes at his entry end; saw Slater at his own door, and had a few minutes conversation about the state of trade; met a person named Rhodes, and stood talking with him a few moments. Witness made no secret of having seen Slater.

DENNIS RHODES remembers seeing Slater on the Friday night, conversing with Samuel Haynes, and a another man, a stranger; they were standing at Slater’s door. Witness asked Haynes the news of the day; did not stop long, but went on.

THOMAS BEE, lives next door but one to Slater; has known him six years; he is a very honest and industrious man.

WILLIAM SHARP is a miller and baker in Nottingham; has known Slater nine years, "never knew his character to be impeached with dishonesty."

AARON BOWLER has known Slater a long time; believes him to be an honest and industrious man.

JOHN SMITH lives at New Basford; has known Towle fifteen years; never heard any particular harm of him; considers him to be a man of "tolerable character."

GEORGE BINGHAM lives in Millstone-lane, Nottingham; has known Slater seven years, sometimes worked with him; never knew of this character being any but a good one.

THOMAS SANDERS "is an independent gentleman," and lives at New Basford; has known Towle several years; he has been a quiet good character and neighbour.

MR LOCKET here produced the deposition made by Towle before the magistrates; from which it appeared, that the prisoner dined and supped at home on the Friday; that at half-past nine he was in his garden, getting a few potatoes for supper, and that in the morning he got up early and went to Long Eaton, from whence he returned the same morning.

The Learned Judge then recapitulated the evidence, impressing upon the Jury the importance of the matter submitted to their consideration, and calling upon them to weigh the different circumstances which had been detailed before them, with all that deliberate attention, which the subject required.

The Jury, after a few minutes consultation, gave their verdict—Towle, Guilty of aiding and abetting, but not of firing the pistol.—Slater and Badder, Not Guilty.

Counsel for the Prosecution—Serjeant Vaughan, Serjeant Copley, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Reader, and Mr. Reynolds.—Solicitor, Mr. Lockhart, of Derby.

Counsel for the Prisoner—Mr. Denman and Mr. Balguy.—Solicitor, Mr Wilkinson, of Nottingham.

When the court broke up, it was between nine and ten o'clock, the trial having lasted upwards of fourteen hours.

We cannot withhold that need of praise which is so justly due to C.W. Pochin, Esq. the High Sheriff, for his admirable precautions to prevent any kind of riot or disturbance, which at one time was seriously apprehended. Not being possessed with that military mania which is too prevalent in the present day, he proceeded in a truly constitutional manner, to collect together the civil power of the county, and as we are informed, upwards of 600 constables were in attendance; these proved themselves abundantly sufficient to preserve peace and tranquillity, in the midst of a greater multitude of people, than was ever before assembled together on one such occasion in Leicester. We should like such an example to be more generally followed, for in that case, we should not behold the military called in on every trifling occasion.

In it's report, The Tory Leicester Journal of 16th August 1816 gave the following on the composure of Towle:

[Towle] had a determined aspect throughout, and received sentence without any apparent emotion whatever.

10th August 1816: Leicester bourgeoisie turn out in force to protect the Assizes Judges

The 16th August 1816 edition of the (Tory) Leicester Journal described the scene early in the morning immediately prior to the commencement of the trial of James Towle and two others for frame-breaking at Loughborough:

Saturday morning presented a most interesting a grateful spectacle: the violent and disgraceful proceedings which are stated to have occurred during the late Assizes at Nottingham, and which were said to have intimidated the Jury, from a conscientious discharge of their duty, induced a large portion of the most respectable inhabitants of this town, to rally round the Constituted Authorities, and give their aid towards the faithful administration of Justice. At 6 o’clock between two and three hundred assembled at the Exchange, each receiving a white wand and a club, and headed by the Chief Magistrate, proceeded in fours to the Judges lodgings, where they formed on each side of the street, after the Judges had entered their carriage, they escorted them to the Castle, and the trials of the LUDDITES were immediately proceeded in.

9th August 1816: Informer's report on Nottinghamshire Luddites

9th August 1816

Last Friday but one Padley of Kimberley told F. Clarke Constable of Nottm that I was one that broke Frames along with Lanker or Langley of Kimberley 9 years since at Lanker’s house & some others. F. Clark took Padley before Dr. Wylde—Lanker came to me on the same day & told me that Padley (who is Lanker’s wife's brother) was gone to give [Information] against him & me & that they had quarrelled & something must be done to prevent us being taken. Padley was one concerned in the breaking of those Frames, and was the first went into Lanker’s & he now keeps a public House at Kimberley—Lanker told me that 2 boys then living with him saw Padley come in & break his Frame and that he should bring them forward, in case he was apprehended [against] Padley.—I told Peter Green what had taken place & he went to Padley and told him that Nottingham was alarmed at hearing he had impeached and that he would be in danger of going home if he did not deny what he had said & he prevailed upon it to go before Dr. Wylde again and contradict what he before stated.—F. Clarke afterwards saw Peter & Padley & Lanker's Brother together & he then said he saw plainly how it was, they were all alike.—Clarke has been enquiring for me at Scattergood's and I have been obliged to keep away in consequence more than I should have done.—

On Sunday Thos. Burton of Gregory's Buildings & another came to my house & told me I should have stopped the night before (I was at Scattergood's and the Leather Bottle) for they expected a Job.—He then told me if Chettle and Glover had been convicted they meant to have killed the Judge and rescued the Prisoners.—He said it was a sudden determination taken about 9 o'Clock when the men on their Trial & there were a many at the Hall then and they sallied out round the Town and fetched their forces in and they have sufficient forces to do the Job.—He said when the Judge was summing up many of them begun to grumble & one of them called the Judge a liar—He said there were 2000 ready to do the Job and it was not possible for him to escape and he would have lent a hand & went with that design.—[Village] told me last night that when F. Clarke was fixing Candles up in the outer Hall they meant to have broke his neck if they had had room to pull the ladder down he was upon.—Sherwood also told me last night that it would have been a nice Job if them Chaps (Chettle & Glover) had been convicted in the Judge killed—many others of the sets I have heard talk in the same way.—They say it was he that did them at Eley and he was dammed old Rogue and to put him to death was no more than he deserved—Burton's principal business to Bulwell was to form one of the political Societies that are in this Town—the Hampden Clubs—they have formed one at Basford but I don't know the House—There is not one at Bulwell yet.—

Mrs. Scattergood went off yesterday morning to Leicester to swear that Badder came to his house at 11 o'Clock on the 28th June.—I have heard that Towle has been identified in one instance by his Breeches & that a Pawnbroker is gone to give evidence that he had the same Breeches in pawn at the time the Job was done.—I have not heard whether they mean to kill the Judge at Leicester in case Towle, Slater & Badder should be convicted.—They think Slater will be convicted but Badder will get off, they say.—Towle also they are fearful will be convicted—last Sunday but one 2 Chaps came collecting to Bulwell,—one named John Allen lives about Coalpit lane the other Creswell lives somewhere in Parliament Street near Bunker’s Hill son of Creswell, Framesmith there, both [Framework-knitters]—Last Tuesday but one Isaac Sampson who works at Moore & Longmire's Factory told me they had collected a deal of money for them there—& he told me the Race week has been a very good one, at the beginning of the week they were £17 bad and on Sunday night following they had £120 good & £60 was collected one night.—I have heard that Wilkinson has had above £100 for the Nottingham & Loughboro’ Jobs and that men go to him and he gives them Instructions how to proceed.—Gravenor Henson & Lowater used to go to him but I think Lowater has not had anything to do with it this time & Henson has got ill will about a letter from Badder in Prison which he burnt for fear as he stated of its being found upon him.—

Crofts & Bain or Bryan who was in Gaol for Horsestealing a Pinmaker by Trade who used to work in Sheep Lane a large stout man came to me last Tuesday & wanted me to go with them 20 or 30 miles off to do some Job but they would not tell me what it was unless I would undertake to be of the party.—They said they would not be starving on the earth whilst there was anything and Bain said he would do what he could by himself without trusting to any one for he had seen so much deceit—He said if Jem (Crofts) had been done he would have got him out of Prison—He would have conveyed a little saw into Prison to him & he would have got into the Prison over Fellows’s Wall by a ladder and Jem said he had been in private talk with his wife for an hour together & Connor (the Turnkey of the County Gaol) was a Good fellow—Jem said he should go to Loughborough to his wife whose real husband is there—She goes by the name of Hallam—Bain frequents the Bird in the hand and the Peach Tree—Crofts expected being taken again about a Child he was neglected to pay to—Stevenson Constable, I think, knows about the Child—Crofts complained that I had not helped him more in Prison—I saw Jos: Mitchell at the Assizes but have not learnt whether he was at Loughborough He is friendly with me.—

9th August 1816: Baron Graham's charge to the Jury of the Leicester Assizes

Having opened the Leicester Summer Assizes the day before, on Friday 9th August 1816, Baron Graham delivered his charge to the Jury. Having recently been thoroughly intimidated by a pro-Luddite crowd at the recent Nottingham Assizes, Graham made the responsibilities of the Jury quite clear, along with the legal framework of what would be a hugely important trial of a notorious figure, James Towle. The Leicester Chronicle of 31st August carried a write-up of Graham's speech, apparently at the request of the Grand Jury:

SUBSTANCE OF THE CHARGE

Delivered by Mr. Baron GRAHAM, to the Grand Jury of the County of LEICESTER, at the Summer Assizes, on the Ninth of August, 1816.—[Published at the request of the Grand Jury.] 

Gentleman of the Grand Jury,
it is with great concern that I observe—indeed the public ear has already caught the alarm—that some commitments in the calendar attest the renewal of those outrages which aimed at the property and lives of individuals, endanger the great commercial interests of the country, the public peace and security, and the stability of all order and good government. 

It is in your recollection, that some a few years ago, the frequency and flagrancy of these offences drew from the Legislature a law, by which it was made a capital offence, "If any person should, by day or by night, enter, by force, into any house, shop, or place, with an intent to cut, or destroy, any framework-knitted pieces, stocking or lace, or other articles, being in the frame or machine, or to cut or destroy the frames or machines, or should wilfully and maliciously break, destroy, or damage, with intent to destroy any frames, or machines of the like description." But the Legislature has since given a decided proof of its clemency, by disarming that law of the capital part of its sanction. 

The Legislature thought, perhaps, and the country indulged the hope, that some examples of justice—a sense of the danger and criminality of outrages so intolerable—and the general indignation, had brought the mad and thoughtless back to their senses, and had awed the more malignant and determined into a prudent and cautious reserve and inactivity. 

That Act was, therefore, repealed, and the present Act of the 54th of the King was substituted in its place. 

By this act, the same offences described in the same terms, are made punishable by transportation for life, or for such term, not less than 7 years, as the Judge shall direct. 

The words of this act—"If any person or persons, by day, or by night, by force, enter into any house, &c. with intent"—to do that which is made a felony, seem to embrace the case of a constructive burglary; and though it might admit of that construction, yet the words of the act seem to take away, in these instances, the capital part of the punishment. It is not, therefore my wish or intention, nor, I believe, of those who are to advising in these prosecutions, to put any strained construction upon this act of Parliament. 

But, Gentleman, it has happened in the case which is to come before you—and happened almost as the inevitable consequence of these desperate enterprises—that the persons engaged in them have, in the prosecution of their purpose, fallen into the commission of a higher and more aggravated offence. 

By a salutary law of the 43d of the King, which bears the name of an illustrious character, and which experience has proved—it is enacted, amongst other things, that "If any person or persons shall wilfully, maliciously, and unlawfully shoot at any of his Majesty's subjects, or shall wilfully, &c. (even) present, point, or level, any kind of loaded fire arms at any of his Majesty's subjects, the person or persons so offending, their counsellors, aiders, and abettors, knowing of, and privy to such offence, are declared felons, and shall suffer death without benefit of clergy." 

For this offence the prisoners will probably be indicted; and though I would almost have been prepared to say that where many combine to effect, by force, an unlawful purpose, which leads to the disturbance of the public peace, or danger to the lives of individuals, and by stronger reason where the avowed, premeditated, and prepared purpose is, to kill the defenders of their lives and property, the act of violence of any one, though short, as by singular felicity in this case, of occasioning death, might justly be ascribed to all,—it is rendered clear of all doubt, by the express words of this act, involving, in the same degree of guilt, the counsellors, aiders, and abettors. 

There is, Gentleman, another offence in your calendar which calls for observation—a case unconnected, I believe, in the particular instance with the offences which I have mentioned, but deeply connected with them, as forming one of the principal elements of those despicable combinations by which the public peace has been so long disturbed, the safety of individuals so long endangered, and property to an immense amount consigned to destruction—I mean the offence of administering unlawful oaths. 

By the 37th Geo. III. Cap. 123, it is enacted—omit the preamble because it has been solemnly determined that the purview of the act goes beyond its preamble—that "If any person shall, in any manner or form, administer, or cause to be administered, or assist, on the present at, and consenting to the administering, or taking of, any oath, or engagement, purporting or intending, to bind the person taking the same, to engage in any routinous or seditious purpose, or to be of any association, society, or confederacy, formed that any such purpose, or (mark what follows) to obey the orders or commands of any committee, or body of men, not lawfully constituted, or of any leader or commander, or other person, not having authority by law for that purpose, or not to inform or give evidence against any associate, &c. shall, on conviction, be adjudged guilty of felony, and may be transported for a term not exceeding 7 years." 

You will have no difficulty in applying this act to the case before you, if the evidence supports the charge. 

But the act is more material, as it points to those offences which have so long spread terror over the manufacturing towns and places of this and a neighbouring county. 

Gentleman, it is high time that these dangerous and desperately wicked associations should be disgraced, discountenanced, and shamed out of the country; that the misguided members of them should be made to feel the irresistible force of the law, and to distrust the comparatively feeling efforts of combined wickedness and savage revenge of imaginary injuries, when opposed, not only to the union of every man of courage and virtue in the Kingdom, butt of every man who has sense enough to know the value of life and property. 

We may expect every difficulty to be thrown in the way of the due administration of justice—we may expect that personal danger will be threatened to the active Magistrate, and intimated even to the seat of justice—but these terrors are held out always I hope, sometimes I am sure, in vain:—or, if what might be, should befal the individual who stands, forwarded in the faithful and manly discharge of his his duty his duty, the head and heart of the Constitution would remain unshaken and intire, and the vengeance of the law would fall with greater force and certainty upon accumulated crimes. 

With law and justice on our side, and that high support which accompanies the honest discharge of import duties, we have nothing to fear from associations formed in the avowed contempt of law, of justice, of humanity, of religion; and should the secret springs of these combinations lie deeper than some suspect, we must unite our efforts to preserve that greatest of human blessings, and that which we enjoy above any nation upon earth, THE BLESSING OF A GOVERNMENT BY LAW by which we are all bound.

9th July 1816: A Nottingham Hosier writes to the solicitor Louis Allsop

Nottingham 9 July 1816

Dear Sir

I am favoured with yours the 6th Inst. and in consequence have made the inquiry (as private as possible) and have the satisfaction to inform you that I have every reason to believe our Luddites have no intention of petitioning the Prince Regent. However should such an event be in agitation in all probability I shall be informed of it—and will immediately communicate what may come to my knowledge—In the interim I would recommend that no notice should be taken of what the cole people have done—Altho the paragraphs you suggest might in some instances have a good effect yet there would not be wanting such men as Blackner and that would affirm that it was the work of government or their agents—& you well know how desirous they are to avail themselves of every opportunity that offers to decry the government.—If contrary to my expectation any stir should be made to petition &c I am most decidedly of opinion that the magistrates here are the proper authorities to put down a effort they may make to march in a body with such petition—& have no doubt but it may be effected.

Yesterday, being the election for the County, by some it was thought a good opportunity for a row; notwithstanding there were a great number of country people in the town all passed off very quiet.

You probably may have heard that Ben Badder & Jack Slater were taken up in the Loughboro business—this was in consequence of certain information given to Mr. Lockett (who is the Solicr on the occasion) who writes "I hope confidently hope & think one or both of them will be identified"—These two men are in the first class of our very bad set

I am
Dear Sir
Yours very sincerely
James Hooley

[To] Lewis Allsopp Esqr

PS
In your letter you say "I have written to you fully this morning on our private concerns"—no such letter has come to hand.

4th July 1816: Benjamin Badder & John Slater are committed to Leicester Gaol for the 'Loughborough Job'

On Thursday 4th July 1816 Benjamin Badder and John Slater were both committed to Leicester Gaol, charged under suspicion of being involved in the 'Loughborough Job' five days earlier.

Both men had been featured in numerous reports sent to the Town Clerk of Nottingham for some time, with the latest one suggesting they knew and were familiar with the men already arrested for the raid.

4th July 1816: Henry Enfield sends the latest informer's report to the Home Office

Private & confidential

Nottingham 4 July 1816

Sir

I beg to enclose you for the Information of Lord Sidmouth a Copy of the Last Report of our Secret Agent—which I should have transmitted two days ago, but that I have been from home & engaged upon the Subject of its Contents. Badder & Slater you will recognize as old & most Serious Offenders—the communication against them is most important—& I have had a private (secret) Interview & Subsequent Confidential Correspondence with Mr. Lockett (who is conducting for Messrs Heathcote & Boden the Enquiries after the destroyers of their property at the Loughbro’ Factory, & upon whom I can implicitly rely) & imparted to him the particulars of the present Report—they are confirmed by Circumstances which were previously in his possession in Evidence—& the Result will be that these two fellows will be committed for Trial at the Leicestershire Assizes. I have just received an express from Mr Lockett – He says "we are going on very well—Badder & Slater are Sent to Leicester—the wounded man has not yet seen them—but I hope & think that he will identify them—there is however, even without him, Evidence Sufficient to justify their Committment for Trial."

I trust that I shall be excused availing myself of this Letter to beg the Attention of Lord Sidmouth to the Depot of Arms at Derby—I am well informed that it is very far from being in a Sufficient State of Security. Upon a former Commotion here there was a Cry of "Now to the Arms."—The Arms were however placed in Safety – – Should there be any rising of the people on at this time, & they Should know of the weakness of the Depot, they might take measures, the Consequences of which might be dreadful to the Country — I again request to be forgiven for this Intrusion—

I remain
Sir
Your most obed Serv.
H Enfield

1st July 1816: Informer's report on the 'Loughborough Job'

1st July 1816

I was here about one o’Clock last night but found you in bed—I was to have been at Loughboro’, but the Job was done sooner than it was intended and there was not any other in Bulwell who had been fixed upon to be there but me and they did not send because they thought they could do without me.—I was at the Goat on Thursday about noon and it was not then determined to do the Job at Loughboro’ on Friday night—Yesterday I was with Badder and Jack Slater at the Goat – there Badder told me that he was at the Job at Loughboro’ and was one of the first that went in.—He also told me that Jack and he talked on the road how they should have liked me to have been there—In the course of the conversation that took place with them I learnt from them that Slater broke 20 of the Machines himself with an Ax 7lb weight—That upwards of 70 were broke he thought—that it was a glorious Job—that there was another Job to do.—Frost’s near the House of Correction – he did not say when – to get my sword in readiness. they expected resistance there.—could not learn when it would happen but I think it will not be long first for they are in such high spirits at their success at Loughboro’—Badder said there were one or two good lads at Loughboro’—This was all secret talk—There was a good deal of open conversation in the company about it and in that conversation Badder said—"I'll be damned if I could not travel 40 miles of a night yet"—Don't know whether Peter Green was at Loughboro’—Badder said Peter had had money given to him—John Crowder was at the Goat—He collects money & I have seen him pay money for them for liquor at the Goat, Glasses round, Badder and Slater also paid for Glasses round—I don't know whether Mitchell or Towle were at Loughboro’—have not heard of the man in custody—Badder said the Arnold Chaps came forward but Hucknall did not—Don't know whether any went from Derby or Beeston, nor how many were there—Badder said they had ten short. He also said that yesterday he & Slater & Crowder were at the Rose, in Nottm and a Constable came and fetched 2 or 3 other constables, one named Wright as I understood, and that he Badder, suspecting they were come to take Slater, said to them "Damn you know you are come to the Straight=down=Coat (Slater) but if you do, it shall be such a taking as you never had in your life" and he told me he had then 2 Pistols in his pockets. We went to the Horse and Chaise and there had Brandy & Gin and Ale, and a woman came and asked Badder to go to Amos's house, which is facing the fields, where there was a set drinking, and Badder Slater Crowder and a little Black Chap whose name I don't know all went away about eleven o'Clock desiring me to call for what I liked and they would pay for it & leaving a full Tankard of Ale & Gin. I went & found the House – listened at the Window and learnt from what I heard that Amos's wife was timid. He told her to hold her foolish noise—There might be about 10 men there—thought I heard Slater & Badder—Don't know who lays the plans. They mentioned another place or two besides Frosts when we were at the Goat. Don't know how many arms they had nor where they are, nor whether any went from Basford.—