18th April 1817: Gratian Hart suspects a 'nest of refugee Luddites at Calais'

Friday Morng. [18th April 1817]

I have long some days, suspected there was a nest of refugee Luddites in Calais; the enclosed Letter appears to confirm it: it may be of great use, in fact, in my Opinion this Letter is important, and some one should come down and take them up this Writer; who could explain his meaning.

Your faithful
Obedient Servt
Gratian Hart

[To] Francis Freeling Esqr
&c &c &c

16th April 1817: The GPO Surveyor, Gratian Hart, forwards the letter from John Blackburn to William Burton, to his superior

Nottingham 16 April 1817

Dear Sir

Among the letters from Leicester this Afternoon, was one, directed Mr. William Burton, Lambley, near Nottingham; the man's name, & the Village, are both of notoriety, & accordingly I have copied the Contents: I have no one at this moment to communicate with, Mr. Alsop being absent, nor is there in this Case an immediate necessity.

Blackburn was admitted Evidence—one expression in his letter requires explanation, before he regains his liberty: "My Master is settled with me for the Frames"—now it strikes me, Mr. Blackburn has received his remuneration for his work of Iniquity, breaking the Frames from his Master, who is the person just now exactly wanted.—If it strikes you in the same point of view, you will of course acquaint the Secretary of State.—

I am [etc]
(signed) Gratian Hart

[To] F. Freeling Esq
&c &c &c

13th April 1817: The GPO Surveyor, Gratian Hart, reports that news of Gravenor Henson's arrest has not brought any reaction

Nottingham
April 13. 1817

Dear Sir

Mr Allsop had prepared me for the arrest of Grosvenor Henson in Town, when, we expected, the intelligence of this event, would be communicated by the first Posts, to Manchester and other Places: I have attended the Office at Night, and perceive nothing like any political or rather, Seditious communication: I shall continue on the Alert.

I am [etc]

Gratian Hart

[To] Francis Freeling Esqr.
&c &c &c

12th April 1817: Louis Allsopp updates the Home Secretary on the plot against Gravenor Henson

Nottingham
12 [April] 1817.

My Lord.

I sent to your Lordship herewith a Copy of a Letter I made from one written by Henson, & which I have obtained from a person, who has not the least Idea of what is doing; by this letter I conclude your Lordship will have had the Honor of a Visit from him—

I hear Lord Middleton is anxious to get Savage off, he is one of the worst—Mitchells Friends are very respectable & loyal—& I know some of them, but with my feelings on the necessity of an Example being made, I would not venture to express a Wish to your Lordship, I [should] feel that I was forfeiting any good opinion your Lordship might please to entertain of me—& I know it [would] be useless after the firm way in which your Lordship condescended to speak to me on this business.

I am favored with Mr Beckett's letter & very happy to hear that the business is done—I immediately put the messenger in the Way of taking possession of Henson's papers, & he is now at the house; I am under the necessity of going a few miles into the Country to see an elderly Gentleman on business, but I shall return in the Morning—

Mr Hart, the Surveyor, is engaged at the post office by some of Mrs. Raynors Friends, upon which subject we must trouble your Lordship hereafter, for it will never do to have the post office of such a place as this in the hands of our Enemies.

I have [etc]

L Allsopp

Mr Hart is fully
alive to your
Lordships
commands respecting
the Letters.

[To] The Lord Visct Sidmouth