1st March 1817: William Sherbrooke writes to the Home Office about the plan to re-site the Assizes in Newark

County Hall Nottm March 1st 1817

My Lord

It is with considerable regret that we hear that His Majesty's Government have determined to adjourn the Assize usually held at the County Hall at the Town of Nottingham to Newark.—We apprehend that this measure will have a very bad effect upon the public mind, that it will be regarded by the Discontented and Disaffected as an acknowledgemt of the weakness of the Civil Power and be looked upon as an act of pusillanimity, at a moment when firmness and energy are peculiarly required.—We beg your Lordship to recollect that every attempt to break the Peace in this County has been instantly repulsed; and that although many nocturnal and secret Outrages have been committed, that no rising of a Mob, or attempt to resist the Civil Power, has taken place since the year 1812. We must also bring your Lordship’s mind, that although some disturbance was observed in the Court at the last Assizes, the Magistrates had no suspicion of any riotous proceedings being likely to take place: nor had they any notion that a Trial of so much interest or that the [illegible] in the Court, would have been proceeded upon in the night.

The Magistrates are now fully prepared; and if His Majesty's Ministers, upon mature consideration, should be induced to alter their determination, there have no doubt, in conjunction with the High Sheriff, of being able to preserve the peace,—and even of preventing any alarm during the ensuing Assizes for this County.

I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordships most obedt Servt

W: Sherbrooke

Chairman.—

[Home Office note on the reverse]

Lord Sidmouth

[Acquaint] Him that upon full [consideration] of the Representations [which] have been made to Lord [Sidmouth] from various [quarters]—it has been deemed Expedient that the approaching Assizes for the [County] of [Nottingham] [should] be held at the Town of [Nottingham] as heretofore:

18th January 1817: Charles Mundy informs the Home Office that he has issued 14 arrest warrants for Nottinghamshire Luddites

Burton January 18th, [1817]
near Loughborough
Leicestershire

My Lord

I take the liberty of applying to your Lordship in consequence of being informed by Mr. Pochin the High Sheriff of this County that the statements made by James Towle to him respecting the destruction of the Lace manufactory at Loughborough in June last were transmitted by him your Lordship. I understand from Mr. Pochin that there were several particulars of importance containd in that statement which Towle omitted in the conversation I had with him in the night previous to his execution, the only interview I had with him after his trial.—This statement may now be of great importance in furnishing circumstances from whence information, may be produced. The evidence of John Blackburn the person now in custody at Nottingham in consequence of whose confessions & of a letter which Mr. Rolleston a Nottinghamshire magistrate, informd me he had the honour of receiving from your Lordship on the subject, I have issued a number of warrants for the apprehending of a number of the Gang amounting to fourteen & am in Hourly expectation of the arrival of the Nottingham Police Officers with some, at least, of them in custody.

The nature of my application which I now take the liberty of making to your Lordship is, that you would be pleasd to order copies of the statement of James Towle transmitted to your Lordship by Mr. Pochin to be furnishd either to Mr. Rolleston or myself, or to Mr. Enfield the Town Clerk of Nottingham who officiates on behalf of Messrs Heathcote & Boden, the prosecutors, in the absence of their attorney Mr. Lockett of Derby.—

In addition to the information I thought it my duty to have the Honour of laying before your Lordship some days since I have now to add that another numerous Club, a branch of the Hampden Club establishd at Loughborough, is now found at Wimeswold a manufacturing Village in this County on the borders of Nottinghamshire.—

Wimeswold contains about two thousand inhabitants for the most part stocking makers out of employment, & of course dissatisfied.—

I have [etc]

Charles. G. Mundy

[To] The Rt Honble the Secretary of State
for the Home Department

6th January 1817: Charles Wylde reports magistrates cannot afford to raise a reward for the Kerry suspects

My Lord

I have laid your Lordship’s Letter before many of the County magistrates in this neighbourhood, in which your lordship recommends their coming forward to offer a Reward for the apprehension of the man who shot at Curry: but they wish me to inform your Lordship, that they are at this time subscribing so very largely through the County to the relief of the poor who are almost all out of employ & in the utmost distress, that under present circumstances they are not able to answer any other calls that may be made upon them.

I remain your Lordships
most Obedt Servt

Charles Wylde

Nottingham
Jany: 6th, 1817

11th November 1816: The Watch & Ward Act is extended to cover more places in Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire—At a Special Sessions of the Peace of our Sovereign Lord King holden by adjournment at the Shire Hall in Nottingham in and for the said County on the eleventh day of November in the fifty seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third And in the year of our Lord 1816 before William Sherbrooke Esquire The Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren Baronet Knight of the Bath the Reverend Charles Wylde and George Holcombe Doctors in Divinity Robert Padley Thomas Maltby William Fletcher Norton Norton Pendock Barry and Henry Crape Esquires The Reverend John Kirkby and Robert Lowe Clerks Justices of our said Lord the King assigned to keep the Peace in the said County and assembled in pursuance of an Act of Parliament Intitled "An Act for the more effectual preservation of the Peace by enforcing the Duties of Watching and Warding until the first day of March One thousand eight hundred and fourteen in places where disturbances prevail or are apprehended” (and which Act hath been revived and continued by subsequent Acts)—

Whereas it appears to this Court that disturbances are apprehended in the several Parishes Townships or Places herein after mentioned and that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of the Peace and the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places respectively It is adjudged and declared that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of the Peace and for the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places And that every Man residing within such Townships Parish or Place above the age of 17 years and charged or assessed to the rates for the relief of the Poor therein shall be subject and liable to the duties of Watching by Night by and Warding by Day according to the Provisions of the Act of Parliament before mentioned And it is Ordered that the Powers and Provisions of the said Act be carried into Execution within the several Parishes Townships or Places following (viz.) Broughton Sulney—Holmepierrepont—Hickling—Cropwell Bishop—Cropwell Butler—Colston Bassett—Gamston—Kinolton—Owthorpe—Tythby—Clipstone and Saxondale—

Ordered

That the Clerk of the Peace do give Notice of the above Adjudications the Chief Constable of the Hundred in which the above places are situate and also give notice thereof to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department and also publish the same in the Nottingham Journal—

Upon application be made to this Court by and on behalf of the Inhabitants of the several Parishes of Mansfield and Normanton upon Soare It is Ordered that the powers and provisions of the aforementioned Act of Parliament be suspended within those respective Parishes until the second day of December next—

An application was made to this Court by and on behalf of the Inhabitants of the several Parishes or Townships of Bradmore—Bunny—Keyworth—Selston—Stapleford—East Leake—Rempstone—Costock—Tollerton and Barton to suspend the Powers and Provisions of the said Act of Parliament in those several Parishes or Townships respectively but such applications were on due consideration severally refused—

Adjourned to the Shire Hall in Nottingham to Monday the 2d day of December next at 10 o'Clock in the forenoon

By the Court
Godfrey
Clerk of the Peace

6th November 1816: West Riding Magistrates fear return to a 'Luddite System' following the murder of a gamekeeper

Kildwick Novr 6th 1816.

My Lord,

We the undersigned magistrates acting in & for the West Riding of Yorkshire beg leave to call your Lordship’s attention to the following statement of a most atrocious murder which took place on Friday Evening the 25th Octr last at Silsden a Village in this neighbourhood where the Earl of Thanet is Lord of the Manor & nearly sole Proprietor—a man of the name of Thomas Hanson who was employed to look after the Game within the manor & his whole crime appears to have been a zeal to do his Duty in that capacity by strictly looking after the Poachers (who are become very numerous in this part of the Country & a Terror to the peaceable Inhabitants) was diabolically assassinated by some villain or villains who fired at him thro’ the Kitchen Window of a Public House in the village where he had been about an hour in Company with some others of his Neighbours—the particulars will be laid before your Lordship in a Duplicate of the Depositions on the Coroners Inquest, which will be sent tomorrow—We are met for the purpose of further investigating this horrible plot, & we are unanimously of Opinion that if Government should think it is of sufficient importance to aid our exertions, by offering such a reward as they may think proper, together with a pardon to any accomplice, who would make discovery of the Offence except the Person who actually fired the Piece, it might have a powerful effect & we beg further to suggest that if an active & intelligent Bow Street Officer was sent down to the purpose for the purpose of Investigation, he would greatly assist our exertions for the People in general thro’ the whole neighbourhood are so panic struck with the apprehension of the return of the Luddite System, that they really dare not come forward in lending their assistance towards making any discoveries or taking any active part whatsoever in the business. We mean to adjourn from day to day & any communication, that your Lordship may be pleased to honour us with on this subject may be addressed to J.A. Busfield Esq:, Chairman of this Meeting at Cononley Hall near Skipton in Craven Yorkshire—

We have the honour to remain
Your Lordship’s most
obedt. humble Servts

J.A. Busfield
Matt: Wilson
Edwd Ferrand.
Walker Ferrand
Wm Rushcliffe
Anth: Lister

3rd November 1816: General Fane rejects William Sherbrooke's request for troops for Nottinghamshire

Litchfield 3d Novr 1816—

Sir

Maj Humphrey, commanding the 73d Regt at Nottingham, has laid before me a requisition signed by you, for a Corporal and six Soldiers to Garrison the Poor House at Radford, from sun set in the Evening of each day, untill the following morning; in consequence of some apprehensions which are entertained for its safety: and he has stated to me the manner in which he has complied with the requisition—

I feel it my duty to state to you and the Magistrates of Nottinghamshire who directed this requisition to be made, that the so employing his Majesty’s Troops does not at all accord with any of my ideas of what is right; or with what I conceive to be the intentions of the Secretary of State for the Home Department—

I hold that it is my duty as a Military Officer to support the Civil Authorities with all the means entrusted to my disposal; and they will even find me promptly ready to do so: but I feel it equally incumbent upon me to resist the employment of Military Power as a Substitution for the Civil: which I consider to be done in the instance before us.—The ground upon which I form this conclusion is that "the civil Authorities of Nottinghamshire cannot but be able to produce a force which shall be equal in efficacy to a Corporal and six Soldiers"—

This forms one strong reason of objection to the measure which has been adopted; but I have a second, equally strong, "in the situation in which it places the Soldiers so employed"

I would ask the Magistrates, supposing this garrison was to be attacked, What are the Soldiers to do? Are they to fire in their defence? If they were to do so, and to kill a man, would they not be guilty of Murder? And if they are not to fire, what could seven Men do against a Mob coming to attack this Poor House?—Is this then a situation to which such a Party of Soldiers ought to be reduced?

My feeling is, that both the Laws and Constitution of our Country, and the wishes of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, forbid the Military being so employed; being employed at all excepting under the eye of a Magistrate, Unless the Civil Powers shall have found that they are no longer equal to executing the Law themselves—

These being my notions of what is right, I have to request the favour of you to submit what I have said to the Magistrates concerned—

I shall not, however, remove the Garrison from the Poor House at Radford until I have the honour to hear from you—

I am, Sir,
Your most obt Servt
H. Fane
Majr General

---

This letter can be found at HO 42/155.

29th October 1816: Nottinghamshire Special General Sessions enforces Watch & Ward Act

Newark—October 30th 1816—

My Lord

I the honor to transmit your Lordship a Copy of the Adjudication of the Justices of this County made at a Special General Sessions held at Nottingham yesterday, for enforcing the provisions of the Watch & Ward Act in several places therein mentioned.

I have the honor to be,

My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient
& very humble Servant
[Edward] Smith Godfrey
Clerk of the peace

[To] Lord Sidmouth—

[adjudication follows]

Nottinghamshire—At a Special General Sessions of the Peace of our Sovereign Lord King holden at the Shire Hall in Nottingham in and for the said County on the 29th day of October in the fifty seventh Year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third And in the Year of our Lord 1816—Before William Sherbrooke Esquire The Right Honorable Sir John Borlass Warren Baronet Knight of the Bath the Reverend George Holcombe Doctor in Divinity Robert Padley William Elliott Elliott and William Fletcher Norton Norton Esquires The Reverend Thomas Beaumont John Kirkby William [Claire] Samuel Francis Dashwood and Robert Lowe Clerks Justices of our said Lord the King assigned to keep the Peace in the said County and then in there convened and assembled to take into consideration and to determine upon the expediency of carrying into effect all or any of the Powers and Provisions of an Act of Parliament passed in the 52d Year of the reign of his present Majesty entitled "An Act for the more effectual preservation of the Peace by enforcing the duties of Watching and Warding until the first day of March One thousand eight hundred and fourteen in places where disturbances prevail or are apprehended" and which Act has been revived and continued by subsequent Acts.

Whereas it appears to this Court That disturbances are apprehended in the several Parishes Townships or Places hereinafter mentioned and that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of the Peace and for the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places respectively It is adjudged and declared that the Officers ordinarily appointed are insufficient for the preservation of Peace and for the protection of the Inhabitants and the security of the Property being or lying in such Parishes Townships or Places And that every Man residing within such Parish Township or Place above the age of Seventeen Years and charged or assessed to the rates for the relief of the Poor therein shall be subject and liable to the Duties of Watching by night and Warding by Day according to the Provisions of the Act of Parliament before mentioned And it is Ordered that the Powers and Provisions of the said Act be carried into Execution within the several Parishes Townships or Places following (viz) Annesley—Arnold—Basford—Bulwell—Felley—Hucknall Torkard—Hucknall under Huthwaite—Kirkby—Linby—Mansfield—Mansfield Woodhouse—Newstead—Papplewick—Skegby—Selston—Bagthorpe—Sutton in Ashfield—Tiversall—Beeston—Bilborough—Bramcote—Chilwell—Cossall— Eastwood—Greasley—Watnall Cantelupe—Watnall Chaworth—Newthorpe—Moorgreen—Kimberley—Brunsley—Lenton—Nuttall—Radford—Strelley—Stapleford—Trowell—Wollaton—East Bridgford—Orston—Whatton—Elton—Aslockton—Granby—Carcolston—Flintham—Hawksworth—Kneeton—Langar—Screveton—Scarrington—Thoroton—Cotgrave—Ratcliff on Trent—Shelford—Newton—Tollerton—Bunny—Barton—Bradmore—Clifton—Keyworth—Plumtree—Ruddington—Wilford—Costock—Gotham—East Leake—Normanton on Soar—Rempstone—Sutton Bonnington—Bulcote—Burton Joyce—Carlton—Caythorpe—Calverton—Colwick—Epperstone—Gonalstone—Gunthorpe—Gedling—Hoveringham—Lambley—Lowdham—Oxton—Stoke Bandolph—Snenton—Thurgarton and Woodborough—

By the Court
Godfrey
Clerk of the Peace

29th October 1816: William Sherbrooke tells the Home Secretary that martial law is needed in Nottingham

Sessions Room Shire Hall Nottingham
29th Octr 1816

My Lord

The Magistrates conceive that the Orders under which the Military stationed in this District are acting, are perfectly constitutional and correct as far as regards common Riots and Commotions, and that the Military force should act in aid of the civil power, but never be substituted for it—The Magistrates beg to represent to your Lordship that the Outrages committed in this County are of a different nature from common riots, that persons meet together resembling an armed Banditti, rather than a Mob for the purpose of committing Felonies and Burglaries—

There are some villages within half a mile of the Barracks (near Nottingham) where Outrages of this nature are apprehended, and from the Orders that the Military now receive, they cannot move from the Barracks, altho’ the Felonies and Burglaries should be committing in their Sight unless a Magistrate is with them to give Orders, consequently the Property might all be destroyed and the Felons dispersed before the nearest Magistrate could possibly be present—

The Magistrates submit to your Lordship the expediency of extending the Orders of the military stationed in this District as far as the Laws of the Country will permit and the present state of the County may seem to require—

I have [etc]
W: Sherbrooke
Chairman

To
The Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth &c &c

28th October 1816: A Nottingham magistrate fears the Luddites set Belvoir Castle alight

Leamington Octr 28th 1816

Sir

I have inclosed you a Paragraph out of the Norwich paper which I have every reason to believe is perfectly correct in its statement: there is no doubt of such a Committee existing & also that the Corporation of the Town Nottingham are very well acquainted with the Individuals composing it—they set the Civil power completely at Defiance, and give directions to ill disposed Persons acting under them, to commit depredations, that are not only disgraceful to the Town, but County of Nottingham—under these circumstances as a Magistrate for the County, I have taken the liberty of Informing you of what is going forward & of requesting you will be so good as to acquaint in what manner Government would wish the magistrates to act against these persons, as something ought to be done & that without loss of time or there will be, I fear, very serious disturbances. This Post has just brought me a letter out of Nottinghamshire saying that part of Belvoir Castle was burnt last Saturday night & it is thought, was set on Fire by some wretches who have [threatened] his Grace of Rutland Lt Brownlow & several other Gentlemen & my House in the Vale of Belvoir, Wiverton was also [illegible]—would not long remain standing; the County magistrates have put in Force the Watch & Ward act & will I am certain, do every thing in their power to prevent the repetition of the disgraceful acts that have been committed, & may be & providing Government – will interfere so as to put a stop to this Committee, all will go on quietly

I am at this moment remaining at Leamington for my health, but I shall return into Notts early in the Following week & any Directions that you will send me, shall be immediately put into execution–

I have [etc]
John Chaworth

21st October 1816: Henry Enfield writes to the Home Secretary about criticism of Nottingham magistrates in the press

Nottingham October 21st 1816

My Lord

I am directed by the Magistrates of this Town to give Notice to your Lordship (according to the Requisition of the Act of parliament) that at the Special General Session of the peace held at the Guildhall this morning (pursuant to Adjournment in the Nottingham newspaper of last week) it was adjudged expedient to put in Execution the Act of Parliament passed in the 52d Year of his present Majesty, & revived in the last Sessions, for enforcing the Duties of Watching & Warding.—

The magistrates were occupied to-day by an appearance of Riot in the lower parts of the Town relative to Bread & Flour—but prompt Exertions Suppressed the Disturbance—I am desired to enclose for your Lordship’s perusal a Copy of a Placard posted this morning upon that part of the Town where the Tumult took place

The Magistrates beg to avail themselves of this opportunity of addressing your Lordship, to state their Regret at the Slanders which are just now passing upon the magistracy of Nottingham thro’ the medium of the public press—They have endeavoured to ascertain the grounds upon which these unwarranted Charges have been made—but they cannot obtain any precise Information upon which to found legal proceedings found legal proceedings, should such proceedings be deemed worth instituing—A prejudice appears to exist, in the minds of some persons, against the magistrates, both of the Town & the County, because they do not apprehend susspected Framebreakers, enter houses to seize the Books of Committees, take up persons said to be collecting Contributions &c &c.

The magistrates are aware of persons reputed to be Framebreakers, & they have their Eye constantly upon those persons to detect them in such Acts—& they are also aware that parties meet at public houses under Suspicious Circumstances, & also of their being Collecting made by persons under Suspicious Circumstances—circumstances connected, in all probability, with the Framebreakers—but all this is [reputation] & Conjecture—It is represented that there are now in this Town, & in the County, various Subscriptions from the Frameworkknitters—some, perhaps, for the immediate support of Framebreakers, others for the Defence and Support of persons apprehended & on Trial for Framebreaking, &, again, others, for defraying the Expences of prosecutions (just now very numerous) against some of the Trade, for paying their Workmen's Wages otherwise than in money—

The magistrates of Nottingham have occasionally exercised extreme Authority in apprehending reputed Framebreakers, & they did upon one occasion venture to break into a Committee room, & to seize the Books & papers—But the exercise of this power requires the material Discretion—its Exercise upon every Application, or Suggestion, would, the magistrates apprehend, be highly dangerous—They have every wish to adopt the most Strenuous measures—& they would actively direct their power against the persons & objects alluded to, if they could feel warranted in Law & found Discretion in so doing.—

Should your Lordship be pleased to favor the magistrates with some sentiments upon these important points, they will receive them with the most respectable Attention, & will feel themselves highly obliged—

I have [etc]
H Enfield
Town Clerk

[To] The Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth
Secretary of State for the Home Department

17th October 1816: William Sherbrooke tells the Home Secretary that the Poor Law system in Nottinghamshire is in danger of collapse

My Lord

The Letter which I have had the honor to sign as Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Nottingham & addressed to your Lordship was written in the hurry of business & though your Lordship will better understand the state to which the Parishes in this district are [illegible] to be reduced by a more detailed account.

The Overseers of the Poor give the weekly allowance to the Paupers every Monday & it is probable that upon the very next Monday or some early succeeding one that the Overseer in one or more Parishes may be obliged to say to the persons who came to relief I have no money to pay you,

The smallest number who require relief in any Parish may be stated at three hundred, upon the refusal these persons go to a Magistrates he summons the Overseer who will say & say truly, I have with great difficulty collected the rates for many weeks past I have expended on my own money & I cannot collect any more in the Parish

The Magistrate orders distress upon the Occupiers of Land &c but a process is necessary to be gone through before the corn & other articles can be sold & this will take up many days & the three hundred Paupers say we cannot return to our homes without money to purchase bread for the subsistence of our Families

The Law says that the Magistrates may tax other persons of other Parishes in aid but this requires a longer process & the three hundred Paupers are still at the Magistrates door. No legal recourse resource that I am acquainted with remains. This is no fanciful statement my Lord it would actually have taken place in Sutton some week since had it not been prevented by the active benevolence of the Duke of Portland & I expect that it will take place in the Parish of Arnold & several others. I cannot my Lord contemplate the distress & confusion that must ensue from such an occurrence without feelings that are not to be revisited & I confidently rely upon a remedy being found by your Lordship & his Majesty's Ministers for an evil of such magnitude, it must be immediate to be of any use.

I have the Honor to be
Your Lordships most Obt Sert
W: Sherbrooke

Oxton
near Southwell
Oct: 17=1816

[To] The
Right Honble Lord Sidmouth

15th October 1816: William Sherbrooke writes to the Home Secretary about distress in Nottinghamshire

Nottingham 15th October 1816.

My Lord—

The Magistrates assembled at the Quarter Sessions for the County of Nottingham are induced by the present distressed State of the Country, which is daily increasing to request that your Lordship will lay before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent the humble Address, and the documents which accompany this letter—The Magistrates feel it an imperious duty to state to your Lordship the great danger to be apprehended, in a more advanced state of the Season, from the failure of Parochial Supplies which in some instances has already taken place, and they beg leave to call your Lordship’s attention to the probability of the People, through the wants they are now suffering applying to them very soon in large Bodies, when the overseers can no longer collect money from the Persons paying rates for the sustenance of the Poor—

Under all these circumstances the Magistrates trust your Lordship will call the attention of His Majesty's Government to such alteration in the existing Laws for the maintenance of the Poor as may appear calculated to meet every emergency—They likewise beg leave to communicate to your Lordship that from the disorders which have recently taken place, and which are hourly assuming a more serious Character, they have considered it their duty to take steps for carrying into effect the Provisions of the Watch and Ward Act in those Districts of the County where the greatest disposition to Outrage has been shewn—

The Magistrates also learn from authentic information that the greater part of the Malcontents are possessed of Arms, they consider it therefore proper to state your Lordship that the Military force now quartered in this County would probably not be found sufficient to support the Civil Power in the event of any great degree of Commotion; and as it was found peculiarly useful in 1812, when great Outrages took place, to distribute small detachments of the Military in different parts of the disturbed Districts in aid of the Civil Power, they beg leave to suggest the expediency of resorting to a similar measure at the present moment.

And they fully rely on your Lordship’s support in obtaining a pecuniary relief which may alleviate the suffering already described.

Signed by direction of the Magistrates
W: Sherbrooke
Chairman.

[To] The Right Honorable Lord Sidmouth
Secretary of State &c &c

[Magistrates' address to the Prince Regent follows]

To His Royal Highness the Prince Regent &c.

Sir,

The Magistrates assembled at the Michaelmas Quarter Sessions for the County of Nottingham, deeply impressed with the awful state of the Country, feel it an imperious duty humbly to represent to your Royal Highness, that several Parishes, comprising the whole of the extensive Manufacturing Districts of this County, are so overburdened with Paupers that it is with the greatest difficulty the rates have lately been collected to support the Poor, and as the Occupiers of Land have little to expect from the Harvest, a great part of the Corn being now perishing upon the Ground; there is the greatest reason to apprehend that Maintenance cannot long be found for the numerous applicants, under the existing regulations

The Magistrates find it extremely difficult, consistently with a sense of Justice, to tax other Parishes or Persons in aid of those now oppressed with the burden, and as the most alarming consequences are to be apprehended from the actual failure of the weekly revenue for the Poor, they dutifully submit to your Royal Highness the expediency of an early Parliamentary interference—The Magistrates are solely induced to make this unusual suggestion to your Royal Highness, by the alarming magnitude of the evil, which is more particularly forced upon their attention by daily practice, and upon the most mature consideration they are convinced that a remedy can alone be expected from the wisdom of all your Royal Highness and the other branches of the Legislature.

Signed by direction of the Magistrates—
W: Sherbrooke
Chairman.

22nd July 1816: Hinckley Magistrates appeal again to the Home Secretary for help

[Sent to the Home Office on 22nd July 1816]

To the Right Honble Viscount Sidmouth His Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Home – Department.

My Lord

We, the undersigned, Visitor, Guardians, Church-Wardens, and Overseers of the Poor, of the Parish of Hinckley, in the County of Leicester;—beg leave, again to address your Lordship, and through you, his Majesty's Government; to inform you, that the Evils, which we anticipated, in our Letter to your Lordship, some weeks since, and now unhappily realised; & that it is totally out of our power to meet the difficulties, by which we are surrounded—

With a View to the Employment of the Poor, a Subscription was lately raised by the Inhabitants, amounting to upwards of 3000£, which will be exhausted, in a few days, from the heavy demands that have been made upon it.

At a Meeting of the Parishioners, held the 17th of this Month—It appeared that, on the lowest calculation, out of a population of six thousand Souls, about one half must have parochial relief; which, at the most scanty pittance, will far exceed 200£ per Week.!

During last month, Levies have been granted, at the rate of three shillings in the pound, which, it is impossible, to collect—And when the “Subscription for “the Employment of the Poor” is expended, which must very soon happen, between seven and eight hundred persons will be thrown out of Work!!!

The Parish of Hinckley contains about twelve hundred families; almost one half of which, it is believed, must have relief; and nearly a moiety of the remainder are, on account of their poverty excused paying the Poor rates; and the other three hundred families, that now pay them, are continually decreasing, from the Stagnation of Trade, & the great Pressure of the Payments.

It must be evident to your Lordship, from this Statement, that we live in a Situation of Painful Anxiety, and Fearful Apprehension of the probable Consequences of such a great number of Persons being without work, without bread, or, the usual means of obtaining it!!!

In this Awful and Appalling Crisis, your Lordship’s Advice is earnestly solicited, and will be esteemed a great favour, by your Lordship’s very obt and humble Servants

[John] Blakeley – Visitor
James Payne}
Samuel Goode} Guardians
Joseph Bassford}
Wm Metham} Overseers
John Ward.}
Wm Ashby} Churchwardens

Hinckley July 1816

20th July 1816: Derby Magistrates fear a Luddite raid on the local arms depot

Derby, July 20th, 1816.—

My Lord,

We addressed a letter to your Lordship, on the 15th of June last year, in which we represented our apprehensions of an attack upon the Government depot of arms, and military stores near this town, being meditated by the Luddites of Nottinghamshire.—We also expressed our opinion, that the ordinary guard, kept at the depot, was in insufficient for its defence, and that the building was insecure; and we took the liberty of suggesting, not only that the regular guard should be increased, but that the building should be further fortified.—

That the Luddites will attempt to possess themselves of the arms in the depot, is no longer a conjecture. Information to this effect (which in other respects has been proved to be true) has been given to the gentlemen, who are engaged in the investigation of the late outrage at Loughbro’: and we understand, that information to the same effect, but thro’ a different channel, has been conveyed to the magistrates of Nottingham.—

It has been seen, in the outrage at Loughbro’, with what facility, and success, the Luddite conspiracy, organized as it is, and comprizing many men, acquainted with the use of arms, and military discipline, can assemble a force, of from 120 to 150 men, and attack a building, of considerable strength, watched & guarded, close to a populous town,—and surrounded by houses. The depot is situated in a very retired situation, on a private road, at a distance of a mile from the town of Derby, and is wholly dependent, upon its own strength, for its security. From the representations which are made to us, it appears to be more easy of access,—and as incapable of effectual assistance, with its present means of defence, against attack, as the factory at Loughbro’.—

Considering the state of the Country, and our military establishment, to maintain a constant guard, by day and night, of sufficient strength to defend the depot against the threatened attack, may be attended with inconvenience to Government.—We therefore take the liberty of repeating our former suggestion, that the regular guard should be increased in a certain degree, and the building so far fortified, as to be rendered capable of resisting an attack, until an alarm can be given, and assistance be brought from the town of Derby.—

Whatever is to be done, should be done speedily.—We therefore most earnestly entreat the immediate attention of Your Lordship, to this most important subject.—

We have [etc]

Danl Parker Coke
J Balguy
Bache Heathcote

To the Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth
His Majesty's principal Secretary
of State for the home department—

12th June 1816: A Brandon magistrates responds to John Moseley's letter to the press the previous week

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BURY POST.

SIR,

AS the resident Magistrate in Brandon, I feel myself called upon to express my concern, that reports are not only industriously spread, but accredited, to fix the origin and existence of all the riots in this neighbourhood, and even in the more distant parts of Suffolk and the Isle of Ely, upon the inhabitants of this town, because they impute a neglect of duty to the Magistrate residing here.

I believe the Assize Calendars will not shew more crimes to have been committed in the town of Brandon of late, than in any other parishes in the county.—But the strongest refutation of those reports, injurious to the Magistrate and the principal Inhabitants of the parish, is, that although charges are brought generally against the inhabitants of Brandon, for instigating and abetting the pre-existing and subsequent riots, and although I have used every means in my power to investigate and ascertain the truth of the reports, no proof has yet been substantiated before me, or information yet laid, against any individual of this town, which might on conviction of such offender, have led to the suppression of the riots in other places, and the prevention of them in the town of Brandon, by the immediate application and exercise of the Civil Authorities.

I am, Sir, your obedient humble Servant,

J. R. BURCH.

Brandon, June 7th, 1816.

8th June 1816: A Clerk to Norfolk magistrates has concerns that risings are still being planned in East Anglia

My Lord [Suffield]

Mr. Robert Harvey a Farmer & Miller of respectability and considerable property called upon the late this evening to communicate the intelligence which he had been able to collect during the day in Suffolk, considering himself as a marked man if any riot should take place, of which he seems persuaded of the probability. The restlessness is I believe that present confined to the Suffolk side of the Waveney. His Mills are on the river, and it appears to be highly expedient to take measures both the defence of Mr. Harvey's premises and to prevent the mischief from spreading in Norfolk. The same information which I send your Lordship will be communicated early tomorrow morning to Mr. Lee at Dicklebury who is a magistrate for Suffolk and I write my this nights post to Col: Nelthorpe in Norwich to request a detachment of Dragoons if possible to be sent to Harleston as the information which Mr. Harvey has detailed to me more at length than is assembled in a short affidavit which I requested him to write down hastily, bespeaks a degree of regular organization on the border of Suffolk too dangerous to be trifled with. I expect that some of the principal yeoman will arm themselves and be ready to unite if necessary for their mutual Defence, but having no corps means as we shall hardly be able to resist a mob with effect, and therefore I [request] your Lordship to sanction my application for military aid to take such measures for maintaining the peace of the County as your Lordship may think better adapted to the purpose

I have [etc]
John Oldenshaw

Harleston June 8th 1816.—

[affidavit follows]

Norfolk to wit

Robert C Harvey at Aldburgh County Norfolk informs me John Oldenshaw Clerk that he has this day had information from Mr. Gower of Metfield & Mr. Chambers of St James's in Suffolk, that a party of Men about 100 assembled between Nine & Eleven OClk last Thursday [evening] upon a Common call’d Greazy Green—& in their way there did press such poor Men as they met with, telling them if they refused to join them, that their Houses should immediately be destroy’d & that both Mr. Gower & Mr. Chambers had [received] information from those pressed Men, that the Party was headed by two Men arm’d on Horse back & that they met the purpose of fixing upon the Time of Meeting again to destroy the Premises of such People as are obnoxious to them, & that they are determined to destroy the premises of those who do not accompany them, whether Farmers or poor Men, & R. Harvey has had further information, that those Men have sent out Men to different Villages to tempt the Labourers to join them & that Monday evening is the time fix’d for their next Meeting at which it is fear’d they will proceed to carry their threats into execution.—

R. C. Harvey further declares upon his Oath that he believes Mr. Gower & Mr. Chambers to be most respectable Farmers & fully entitled to credit

Robert Harvey

Sworn before me
June 8th 1816
John Oldenshaw—

5th June 1816: A Suffolk magistrates expresses concerns about the legal implications of John Moseley's letter to the press

My Lord;

I call your Lordship’s attention to a letter, I this day see published in the County of Suffolk Bury Newspaper, from Mr Mosely of Tofts in Norfolk, to the Duke of Grafton.

If Mr. Mosely is correct in his assertions as to the people of Brandon remaining quiet & that they dispersed upon the riot act being read, (which if I recollect does not appear by the depositions we had the honor to submit to your Lordship by our clerk Mr Wootton Isaacson), I take the liberty of putting it to your Lordship whether or not Mr. Mosely does not remove the felonious part of the charge against the persons committed to Gaol.

I wish your Lordship to understand I by no means want to lessen your confidence in the depositions you have seen upon this subject, but merely to inform you of every particular relating to it at comes within my knowledge. Had I a Bury newspaper I would have forwarded it to you

I have [etc]

J Barker

Newmarket 5 June 1816

5th June 1816: Lord Suffield sends a report about the disturbed Hundreds of Suffolk to Lord Sidmouth

Gunton June 5
1816

My Lord

I beg now to lay before your Lordship the result of the communications that have been made to me by the Magistrates acting for the several Hundreds within this county. Of Thirty Three Hundreds Twenty Eight have remained in a state of tranquillity.—

Of the remaining Five, the Town of Downham in the Hundred of Clacklose and bordering on Cambridgeshire, has been more seriously disturbed than any other in this County,—I understand that Mr. Dering, one of the Magistrates waited on your Lordship to acquaint you with the disorderly state of that neighbourhood, it is the opinion of Mr. Place one of the Magistrates acting for Downham and its vicinity that the riot was occasioned by the sudden increase of the price of Flour, and the inability of the Farmers to employ the Labourers. On the day the disturbance began the Magistrates had ordered the overseers of all the parishes to attend their Meeting at Downham.—

In the Hundred of South Greenhoe a considerable number of Labourers assembled on the 26th [or] 27th of May at Castleacre & Sporle, to obtain an advance of wages and a reduction in the price of Bread, no violence was offered by them, and conciliatory means being adopted, they dispersed quietly. The causes of dissatisfaction were, the lowness of wages, want of employment, and the high price of Bread—

In the Hundred of Grimshoe, the parish of Feltwell was in a very disorderly state for one day, but nothing very serious occurred—

In Hundred of Mayland, the Labourers of some of the Parishes assembled in bodies and shewed a disposition to be riotous but by the interference of the Revd. Mr. Barker of Caston they dispersed without doing any mischief.

In the Hundred of Happing on the day of a meeting of the Magistrates at the House of Industry, a number of people assembled demanding relief in a very disorderly manner but on the Magistrates remonstrating with them, and threatening to read the Riot Act, after a short time they went peaceably away.

In the Hundred of Shropham Four men were committed to the Castle at Norwich on the 27th of May for breaking a Threshing Machine a rescue was threatened, but was not attempted

I hope your lordship will excuse my troubling you so much at length, but I have had some reason to think that this County has been represented to your Lordship as more generally disturbed that has actually been the case. I am of the opinion that the inability of Farmers to employ their usual number of Labourers has been the chief cause of the late riotous proceedings, and which cause, I regret to say, still exists.—The sudden rise of the price of Wheat added much to the discontent.—

To the vigilance and activity shewn by the Magistrates throughout the County I conceived it to be owing, that the Evil has not been of greater magnitude, and I also feel it incumbent upon me to state that your lot to your Lordship, that much [illegible] is due to the different Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry, for there alacrity in assembling and their excellent conduct when called upon to assist the civil power—

I have [etc]

Suffield

[To] Viscount Sidmouth

&c &c &c

5th June 1816: A Norfolk magistrate writes to the press about his role in suppressing disturbances at Brandon

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BURY POST.

SIR,

Tofts Hall, June 2d, 1816.

AS the conduct of the Magistrates at Brandon has been censured by some of the public Newspapers, you will much oblige me by inserting in your next paper my letter to the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Suffolk; wherein are narrated all the transactions at Brandon, so far as they implicate the conduct of your obedient servant,

J. MOSELEY.

MY LORD DUKE,

Mr. Borton yesterday shewed your Grace’s Letter to me; and, as it refers to the reported conduct of the Magistrates, acting for Brandon, where my assistance, as a Magistrate for the county of Suffolk, is occasionally required; I here state all that was done by me towards suppressing the riot there on Thursday the 16th instant, till five o'clock on the following morning.—On Thursday evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, a constable of Brandon arrived in a chaise at Tofts, in order to convey Mr. Burch to the former place, to suppress a riot: which the constables were unable to subdue. I accompanied Mr. Burch to Brandon: on our arrival we swore in all the inhabitants, that we could collect, special constables; they (to the amount of about 25) reported themselves quite insufficient to quell the tumult, or to detain any rioter in custody. We went into the mob; read the King’s Proclamation, and explained the penalty; upon which the people dispersed.—At 10 o'clock we sent an express to Thetford for military aid; a Cornet and 11 men arrived about 5 or 6 hours afterwards. The town remained quiet; and between 5 and 6 o'clock of the morning I left it to return home, and to act for my own Hundred of Grimshoe, in which I am the only resident Magistrate; and where various disturbances have prevented my offering any further assistance to Mr. Burch; except by signing a letter, which Mr. Burch wrote on Saturday evening (18th inst.) at Tofts (by desire of the inhabitants of Brandon) to request that Lord Sidmouth would afford immediately a military force to support the Magistrates in Brandon and its vicinity. As the Hundred, which is peculiarly under my direction, is in Norfolk, it is unnecessary to trouble your Grace with the transactions therein; however it may be agreeable to you to learn, that with the assistance of the Yeomanry, tumult is for the present suppressed.

I have the honour to subscribe myself,
Your Grace’s most obedient and very humble servant,
JOHN MOSELEY.

To His Grace the Duke of Grafton, Lord
Lieutenant of the county of Suffolk, &c.

3rd June 1816: A Leicester magistrates anticipates trouble at Loughborough

My Lord

From the Information the Justices in the County of Leicester have repeatedly received they have just cause to [suspect] some reason threats were in agitation in consequence of which we wrote to the Commanding officer at the Barracks in Nottingham to send a Troop of Horse to Loughborough which have arrived this day, which I hope and flatter myself will prevent some serious consequences which wo’ld have happen’d. This Neighbourhood has been in a state of agitation for some time

I have the Honor to be
Yr. Lordships Hum Servt

P Story

Lockington
June th 3 1816