16th May 1814: William Hay sends the spy John McDonald's memorial to the Home Secretary

No. 31 Clipstone Street 16th May 1814

My Lord,

At the request of the Magistrates at Manchester I have the honor to enclose a memorial from John Macdonald, petitioning for some compensation for his services during the disturbances in 1812. I understand that he was out between two and three months, and that his expences out of pocket were paid, but no recompense has been afforded him. Not being able to judge what might be considered as a proper sum for him, should Government think him entitled to the prayer of his memorial, I desired that the Magistrates would favor me with their opinion on that head; that opinion I take the Liberty of enclosing. Col. Silvester and Mr. Wright were present when the Commission was given by Genl. Maitland, and a promise made that the parties to be sent should be paid by Genl. Maitland. I heard of it immediately afterwards, and was present at the York Assizes when John McDonald gave his evidence – it appeared to me that he had been very active, and in situations at considerable peril—

I have [etc]
William Robert Hay

To
The Right Honourable
Lord Visct. Sidmouth
One of H. Ms principal Secretaries of State &c &c

12th May 1814: The Memorial of the spy, John McDonald

To The Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

The Humble Memorial of John MacDonald of Manchester in the County of Lancaster Labourer Sheweth that early in the year one thousand eight hundred and Twelve the Counties of Lancaster York and Chester were unhappily disturbed by Riots and Societies were formed for the administration of illegal Oaths and for purposes intended to subvert the order and Government of this County—

That Generals Maitland and Ackland on the third day of July one thousand eight hundred and Twelve with the concurrence of the magistrates for the district of Manchester employed your memorialist to go from Manchester into Yorkshire for the purpose of entering into the before mentioned unlawful societies with the view of detecting and suppressing the same and the mischiefs intended thereby and engaged that your memorialist should be handsomely rewarded for undertaking so dangerous a service—

That your memorialist accordingly went into Yorkshire and entered into a society in Halifax and had there an unlawful Oath administered to him and entered into the plans of the society and afterwards gave information to General Ackland and Prosecutions were carried on at York against several of the parties in which prosecutions your memorialist attended as a Witness and upon his evidence several the persons charged were convicted and transported—

That your memorial list is a poor man and engaged in the before mentioned undertaking which he knew to be exceedingly perilous for the purpose of serving his Country.

That he has not received any compensation for the services rendered on this occasion and he most humbly conceived that his case is entitled to consideration.

Your Memorialist therefore prays that the circumstances of this claim may be taken into consideration and that such measures may be adopted for making him some compensation as in your Lordships direction may seem [meet]

The + mark of John McDonald

We the undersigned Magistrates acting within the Division of Manchester do certify that the Facts stated the foregoing memorial are true—Witness our hands this twelfth Day of May 1814

WR Hay
M. A. Farrington
R. Wright
J. Silvester

20th February 1813: William Hay lauds informers and spies to General Acland

Ackworth 20th Feby 1813.

My dear Sir,

Sir Francis Wood (who is confined to his bed with the gout) yesterday evening sent me over your letter of the 25th instant, wishing that I would consider it. We feel much obliged by Genl Maitland's & your kind offer of continuing a detachment at Pontefract. I understand that there is at present a considerable Store of Ammunition there which it would not be adviseable to leave without guard. Some correspondence is carrying between Sir F. Wood & Lord Fitzwilliam on the subject of applying for a more regular Depôt than we now have: I therefore think, that for the present, it would be adviseable for the Riding to avail itself of the offer you have been so good as to make, assuring you that as soon as any thing is determined in respect of the new Depôt, or any change takes place respecting the deposit of Arms, you shall be informed.

The time of my journey from Manchr was so limited, that I was not able to call at Milnsbridge, as I had fully intended. What I heard at Huddersfield was certainly very encouraging and I should hope may be lasting. I understand that some attempt has been made in respect of Walker the Evidence. Surely he can never be so fool hardy as to continue in his Old neighbourhood! If he is impressed that he is safe, I should think most others will be so. We have a last closed with Fleming, the witness against the 38: he has been paid for his trouble &c and with liberty to settle with his family, wherever he pleases. His wishes were ridiculous – wanted an ensigns commission &c &c – but this being out of the question, a sum was paid him; & the public has done its duty fully. I suspect that he will remain in Manchester—It is quite delightful to those who witnessed the triumphant ground on which McDonald stood at York, to read the report of the case as it is now printed. He certainly rose powerfully in proportion as he found how weak Mr. Brougham was on his Cross Examination – I know that it will give you pleasure to hear that (unless some new cause has arisen) John is free of incarceration. I applied for a pardon as soon as I got to Manchester, and saw our friend in all apparent freedom – seemingly returned to his old Habits. He had no expectation of this – and when Dunstan told him that he had orders to Liberate him [Shan] was quite overcome, & would not believe it. I have only to add my best wishes. I expect to be at Wakefield soon, when I hope to be so fortunate as to meet with you. I am, Dr. Sir,

Your faithful & obedt humble servant
WR Hay

[To] Majr Genl Acland

8th January 1813: The trial of John Baines and others for administering an illegal oath

The last trial that took place on Friday 8th January was that of John Baines the elder (aged 66, a milliner), Charles Milnes (22, a cardmaker), John Baines the younger (34, a cobbler), William Blakeborough (22, a cobbler), George Duckworth (23, a cobbler) and Zachariah Baines (15, a labourer). John Baines the elder was charged with administering an illegal oath to John McDonald (an undercover agent) on 8th July 1812, whilst the others were charged with aiding & assisting him.

James Alan Park spoke first for the prosecution to attempt to differentiate the actions of the spy McDonald from incitement, in that the prisoners were not innocents led to criminal acts by the spy. Park went on to relate what had happened on July 8th. Baron Thomson then summed up the case.

After McDonald gave evidence, he was cross-examined. A constable from Manchester, he had once been a weaver and was originally from Ireland. He was currently serving time in prison after being convicted of an assault, and had been brought to York by Habeus Corpus to give evidence. McDonald’s fellow constable who had been present with him for some of the time, John Gossling, also gave evidence in support.

The prisoners all gave evidence that they were elsewhere at the time alleged by McDonald and Gossling on the evening of the 8th July. They also called witnesses to back this up: John Thomas a master shoemaker from Luddinden in Midgley, employed John Baines the younger, and stated that they were together working on that day until 10 at night, after which they drank beer, with Baines staying the night. Another cobbler, Thomas Cockcroft, stated that he saw John Baines the younger at John Thomas’s the following morning.

William Longbottom, another cobbler, spoke for George Duckworth, stating that Duckworth had come with him on the 8th July to Ovenden before returning to Halifax and working together. They dined and went for a walk later, before returning to Duckworth’s, where Longbottom slept that night.

William Duckworth, George’s father, also spoke for him and confirmed Longbottom’s evidence.

Thomas Helwell, John Baines the elder’s son-in-law and a soldier in the 33rd Regiment, stated that he was with Baines on the evening of the 8th, and remained there until 2.00 a.m. the following morning.

Hannah Crowther spoke for William Blakeborough to say that she had accompanied him on the 8th July to Saddleworth to meet his brother, where they stayed that night and the following 10 days. John Blakeborough, the brother, spoke to confirm the evidence she had given.

The case was summed up by the Judges, and the Jury retired at 8.15 p.m. They returned 5 minutes later to find all of the prisoners Guilty, save for Zachariah Baines, who was found Not Guilty.

20th July 1812: General Maitland informs the Home Office that the tactics employed in Cheshire are working

Manchester
20th July 1812

My dear Sir

I some little time ago, stated, to Lord Sidmouth that I was trying the Experiment of keeping a small Bodies of the Military constantly moving about the most disturbed Parts of this Country, “to Wit” The corner of Cheshire between Stockport and Ashton.

I have not been deceived in my expectation of the result of this Measure for in a long conversation I had this morning with the Magistrates, I find that part of the Country is perfectly quiet, that confidence is proportionally increased, and that what has hitherto been the very want, has now become a very peaceable part of the Country.

I shall in future pursue the same line wherever there may be occasion, and I am convinced it will be attended with equally good effects.

I had this day, for the first time, a long conversation myself with Barrowclough; he is either a very deep, or a very shallow person indeed, in my own Mind, he appears to me to be decidedly the last, and I do not think we can ever expect, to get any important informations out of him.

In general, he persists extremely in his Story of the Arms, which were searched for without effect, and in his Story, of the four Men paying them Monthly.

I certainly believe there may be some truth in both statements, but by no means to the extent, he would wish to make out, all that I am perfectly convinced of, from his information is, that near Holmfirth, where he was seized, Numbers had been Twisted in, but if any thing from every information I am more and more convinced in the Opinion I have stated some time ago to Lord Sidmouth, that there is no Head in all this, that it is confined to the very lowest orders of the People, and that it will be got under, if the Magistrates will act with Vigour under the Provisions of the New Bill.

I have got two Men at Halifax apparently going on very well, if they will only be quiet, but they think they do a great deal if they can get Twisted in, whereas that is just the Commencement of their being of any real use, they were sworn in, by a Master Hatter, and I dare say in a Week, we shall hear more of them, they state that part of the Country to be very bad.

Buckley the Man I am particularly anxious to get hold of, has hitherto escaped, the last Accounts we had of him, was a Bradford, to which Place he was followed, but had gone off, as he said himself to Scotland.

Every thing here is perfectly quiet, they have just opened however Petitions for Peace and Parliamentary Reform, which are signing by those Notoriously connected, with the late disturbances.

I am[etc]

T Maitland

Turn over.

P.S.

In respect to the Person stated by Sir Charles Saxton as having worked at Millard’s Mill near Stockport, there is no such Mill & no such Person known, but there is an Idea, upon which I shall write you tomorrow, that he is a man of the name of Roonnie, who is known here, to the Police, and whose discription and Character I am now getting, when I have it, to save time, I shall take the liberty of writing to Dublin upon the Subject.

[To] John Beckett Esqr.
&c &c &c
Whitehall

12th July 1812: John Baines warns the spies McDonald & Gossling about undercover Bow Street officers

On Sunday 12th July 1812, the two police spies from Manchester, Gossling and McDonald, were wandering about Halifax when they again met John Baines the elder, the republican hatter who had 'twisted-in' McDonald 4 nights before.

Baines looked worried and asked Mcdonald how he was - he then came closer and told the two men in a quiet voice that they must take care, as he had been informed that two Bow Street police officers were in the town.

The spies must have smiled inwardly at the irony of the  real truth of what the unwitting Baines had said.

10th July 1812: The spies McDonald & Gossling meet the old man John Baines in Halifax again

The spies John McDonald & John Gossling were milling around Halifax after McDonald had been 'twisted-in' by the old hatter John Baines the elder two nights before. They decided to pay him another visit and see what further conversation could reveal.

They went to Baines' shop and asked him if he would join them for a pot or two of ale at a local Inn. Baines agreed, and the three men went to the George Inn, where they were joined once again by Charles Milnes and William Blakeborough, as well as another hatter who worked in Baines' shop whom Baines said they could trust. They had a room to themselves and before long, McDonald pointed to Baines and announced to Gossling, "this is the old man that twisted me in": Baines was alarmed and put up his hands, warning McDonald to be cautious where and to whom he said this. He told the two men that he generally had nothing to do with people who were not acquainted with the words 'aristocracy' and 'democracy' and asked them if they knew what this meant? They gave their explanation, and Baines must have been satisfied, as the conversation continued.

A long conversation ensued over a few drinks, during which Baines unwittingly revealed his radical pedigree to the spies, commenting that "(his) eyes had been opened a great while, a matter of three and twenty years".

8th July 1812: A spy sent from Manchester is 'twisted-in' by an old man at Halifax

John McDonald and John Gossling were two assistant constables in Manchester. They had both been sent into West Yorkshire by the Manchester Deputy Constable, Joseph Nadin, with a view to infiltrate clandestine workers' organisations.

The spies arrived in Halifax at noon on Wednesday 8th July 1812 and headed straight for the first public house they could find, the Crispin Inn. After ordering and eating a meal, they left to find somewhere to stay, and having done so, returned in an hour or two. Before long, they were talking to locals, and were soon in conversation with a man called Charles Milnes. They talked generally about the state of the country, and Milnes began to open up about who he knew and what he had been up to; that he had stolen 60 rounds of ball cartridges from a soldier in the Cumberland Militia, but had been found out and had fled when the military searched him and tried to take him before an official. He subsequently hid out on Dean Moor for 3 weeks. He also told them he knew the two men killed at Rawfolds very well, and also another Luddite who had acted as an officer in the attack on the mill. Having gained Milnes confidence, McDonald tried to engage him in talk about how to become involved with the Luddites. Milnes made it clear that before conversation on that subject could go further, he would have to be twisted-in.

After a further discussion, McDonald agreed to the proposal. McDonald later swore that Milnes said "I will take you to a man who has been in the business nearly twenty years, and he will do it for you tonight".

Leaving Gosling behind, the two men made their way to the home of an elderly hatter called John Baines.  Milnes said to Baines "I have brought a friend here; he is a stranger, but he is a very good fellow, and he wishes to be a brother." McDonald noticed that Milnes had raised his voice slightly, and Baines had cupped his ear - the old man was hard of hearing.

"Then we must be handy," said Baines "for we shall have the watch and ward here soon; some of my neighbours have laid an information, and they are often searching my house."

McDonald looked around - 4 others were present, including a young boy, evidently the old man's son. They all sat down together and began to talk. Baines repeated his concerns about the Watch and Ward - McDonald said "I will go as soon as I have done."

The old man then produced a small book, which McDonald assumed was a bible, and bade them all to stand up. Baines' youngest son, the boy who was present & called Zachariah, stood with his back to the door of the house.

The old man Baines said "take the book" and held it out to McDonald, who complied. Baines asked him his name - McDonald lied and said "John Smith", and Baines said "John Smith, say after me;" and Baines administered the oath. Afterwards, Baines urged McDonald to kiss the book, and he complied.

McDonald offered to buy everyone a drink, but the old man Baines declined, owing to the Watch & Ward. Leaving Zachariah with his father, McDonald went out with the others present, they being the old man's other son, John Baines junior, William Blakeborough, George Duckworth, and Milnes. They headed back to the Crispin Inn, with Duckworth deciding to go home before they went in.

In the pub and in the presence of his three new contacts, the spy McDonald boasted openly to the other spy Gossling that he had got himself twisted-in, and Milnes told Gossling he had introduced him. The five men drank and talked more, before they all left the Crispin Inn between 12.00 - 1.00 a.m., with the three Halifax locals walking the spies to their lodgings, none the wiser about their new friend's real identities and intentions.