30th May 1816: William Evans informs the Home Secretary of nocturnal assemblies around Manchester

My Lord

I have observed in the Papers Reports that numerous Bodies of men assemble in the neighbourhood of Manchester—I have not been able to ascertain that the Reports are correct as far as applies to the immediate neighbourhood of Manchester further than that it is certainly true that a body of about 1000 Persons do assemble in the Evenings near Manchester and the Constables of this Place have endeavoured without effect to learn the Object of the meetings by sending Persons into the Crowd—There is a Disposition which requires to be kept in Check and the utmost Vigilance will be exerted in this neighbourhood —

I understand that a Communication has been made to your Lordship by the Magistrates at Bolton respecting the Situation of Things in that District which certainly have a less favourable appearance and I hope we may ascribe to affairs in this Place—

I have [etc]

Wm Evans

New Bailey Court House
Manchester 30 May 1816

5th May 1816: Anonymous letter warns of plots to 'destroy Manchester' and 'all its wealthy inhabitants'

Manchester 5th May 18 16

Mr James Ackers

Dear Sir

On the 23rd April 1812 I informed you by letter of the most horible conspiracy that was going on in Manchester and other places wch was a certain fact, And if the Soldiers had not reach the Town in time at that very period, their intention was to destroy it, and likewise all its wealthy Inhabitants in order to enrich themselves, Sir I have some suspicion that they are going on the same way at present,

For Gods sake – yourself and the Town’s safety, Send for two regiments at least as soon as possible for there is no other way to keep these wicked wretches quiet,

please to destroy this letter as soon as coppied and let not one person see it because the greatest secrecy is required

kind Sir I remain your most obt and
Hble Servt
A Friend

May 1816: Handbill poem titled “The Death of Calico Jack"

The Death of Calico Jack; or the

WEAVERS DOWNFALL.

Bad markets....Several tradesmen threatened with arrest, Oh! the effects of high living. Curse upon lewd women, and fie upon the foreign Company, they under sell us. For what reason? They have their goods made from good wool, we have ours from waste. They have their yarn spun for little or nothing, so have we. The merchants enjoy the juice of the grape, but we will be content with a little malt liquour. Oh! St. David’s Day, be thou like the days of job....let no sun shine upon it....and let it be blotted out from the other days of the year, and let every spinner and weaver of cotton tremble at the remembrance thereof, and let love and friendship be united and dated from this day, and handed down to the latest posterity. But find us the man whose foundation is not shaken at such unprecedented proceedings Quere, is this the way they mean to go to heaven? if so, God enlighten their dark understandings.

Sunday. The prayer of the congregation are desired for the cotton trade and let all the people say, Amen.

Tuesday. Dissected and examined by numbers of Anathamptists, and the Cotton Trade found to be wilfully murdered by persons well known, viz. absolutely choaked with waste.

Wednesday. The town in general disordered. The right honourable and most ignoble Lord Strut, chief president of the company of starve beggars, seduced by some means his fellow creatures to shut up their warehouses, workshops, &c. till such times trade mends or work for whatever they please to give them. Agreed nem con.

Thursday. The spinners and weavers agreed to weather out the storm, and support themselves by other means.

Saturday. Wages paid, shops shut, & a general fast & mouring proclaimed.

Sunday. The spinners and weavers agreed, let us eat and drink to-day, for tomorrow we die; and like the widow of Zarepah, die with a full stomach, flattering themselves they will not be the worse received in Heaven.

Monday. The Military arrived, some say to quell a riot, sed fulsum est, take nothing from nothing, and nothing remains: and every day since, the town has been rigidly strict in abserving Mourning and fasting, (particularly the poor distressed Spinners and weavers) and will for a long time.

Go to, ye great men, mourn and weep, for the time cometh when you must balance not only with your Merchants, but with one who will not take light gold, bad bills, nor blank securities—'tis hard for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle—when you die, which you certainly think you never must—you will not be asked how much money you possessed here.

The Funeral will be solemnized; the Trade interred in Oliver Cromwell’s Grave, near Lancashire Bridge, on Saturday by ten o’Clock

The Procession as follows: Evil to him who thinks on Evil, doodle doodle doo.

To be extended full length upon the bottom of a Coach or Chariot of some exalted Weaver or Barber covered with a plaid Paul to be 8 bearers

Major General Short Tongue

The Right Honorable Admiral Shifter,

Colonel Black Sam, and Captain Stewmug,

The Honorable Colonel Plowshare,

Captain Snuff,

And Brigadiers Shuffle and Cut, Esqrs.

To be drawn by thirty broken Tradesmen, in Second Mourning,

The distressed Spinners with scarfs and cockados of Waste Cotton, two and two.

Badgers, Butchers, Shopkeepers, Hucksters, and Ale-sellers, in full mourning, two and two.

Carding Engine, Jenny makers, and Loom makers, Spinners and Weavers, Wives and Children, two and two in ragged be-gowns, and old Shoes on. The Perpetrators of this Murder to be tarr’d and feathered.

A Funeral Sermon will be preached at the Tabernacle, from Isaiah xxiv. 10. 11. “The City of Confusion is broke down, Every House is shut up, that no Man come in. There is a cry for Wine in the Streets, All joy is darkened, and the mirth of the land is gone.”

29th December 1815: Manchester Magistrates request troops due to worries about Calico weavers

My Lord,

In the efforts recently made by the master calico printers in this neighbourhood to resist the unlawful combinations which have so long and so injuriously prevailed amongst the journeymen, we find, from respectable representations, some reason to apprehend the latter may resort to plans of intimidation, either by destroying machinery where it is employed, or by other outrages of a similar tendency. The printing establishments are chiefly in the immediate vicinity of Manchester, Bury, Burnley, Blackburne, Clitheroe, Chorley and Stockport―

It is naturally the wish of the masters to be enabled to repel with effect, any attempts of the above description, and as their works are all within the range of thirty miles from Manchester it is conceived a sufficient force (about four troops) of cavalry stationed at the barracks there, for a few weeks, would fully answer the end.

Circumstances may render it expedient due to dispatch a portion of the proposed military aid to situations where, no violent proceeding has actually taken place, but where it appears to be threatened or meditated, and we beg leave to submit the propriety of directions to the officer in command at the barracks that he may not hesitate in attending to the request of the magistrate in cases of this nature. When we are honored with your Lordship’s sentiments we can if necessary communicate the same to acting magistrates near the several establishments we have mentioned. We are informed that only one troop of horse is now left at the Manchester Barracks.

we have the honor to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most faithful obdt Servts

Ralph Wright
W Evans

New Bayley Court House
Manchr 29th Decr

To the Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth

4th March 1815: John Lee reports that the former spy, Joseph Taylor, has been sent to prison

Early in 1815, the tables had been turned against the former spy, Joseph Taylor, and a magistrate from reported his conviction to the Home Office:

Rochdale 4th March 1815

My Lord,

The King agt. Taylor.

I beg to transmit my Bill of Costs herein and when approved of I will send my receipt for the same.

Enclosed your Lordship will also receive Mr Haslam the Constables Account of his Expences accompanied by a recommendation of his Character and Services by the Magistrates here — To all these Papers I have no doubt of being honoured with your Lordship’s Answer as soon as convenient.

The Prisoner made no defence and the court sentenced him to Six Months further Imprisonment. He appeared to have suffered considerably already but every one thought his conduct deserved punishment to the Extent of the Law

I am [etc]
Jno Lee

31st December 1814: John Lee asks the Home Office if they support the prosecution of the former spy, Joseph Taylor

By the end of 1814, time had caught up with the former spy, Joseph Taylor, who had been caught out extorting money from the well-to-do in Lancashire, trading on his usefulness to the government as a spy.

My Lord,

In the Matter of Joseph Taylor.

I have the honour by the directions of the Magistrates here to transmit your Lordship a Statement accompanied by a Copy of the Papers referred to therein, of the Manner in which the above Person obtained divers Sums of Money from several of the Gentleman and Merchants of Rochdale and its Neighbourhood, in order that Government may if thought proper, direct him to be prosecuted at its Expence, conformably to the Wish of the Parties concerned.

I beg to observe to your Lordship that the Quarter Sessions at Manchester commence about the Middle of January next And therefore the Transaction I am now troubling your Lordship with &c demands immediate Attention. As soon as your Lordship shall have obtained the Determination of Government upon this Business I hope to be favoured therewith for the Information and Guidance of the Gentleman here. I trust your Lordship will think with me that Taylor ought not to go unpunished.

I am [etc]
Jno: Lee.
Rochdale Decr 31st 1814.

[To] The Right Honble
Lord Viscount Sidmouth
Secretary of State
&c. &c. &c.
London.

Although the papers are absent from the Home Office files, a cover note from a Home Office clerk to John Beckett of the Home Office written in the New Year follows with a description of the contents of John Lee's letter:

Letter and five Inclosures from Mr. Lee of Rochdale containing an account of Joseph Taylor who was useful during the Disturbances in the north West Districts – This man it appears has been obtaining various Sums of money by making unauthorized use of the name of Sir J Radcliffe &c—That he has imposed upon several reputable Individuals by false Stories & by producing Certificates fraudulently obtained & false lists of Subscriptions & by asserting that he never received any thing from Government for his Services – he has been committed by the magistrates, who wish to know whether Government will prosecute—Will Mr Beckett first send these papers privately to Mr. Hobhouse?

[Home Department] 3d Jany 1815.

John Beckett then forwarded the documents to Henry Hobhouse, the Solicitor to the Treasury, on the same day with the following note:

Private

Mr. Beckett presents his Compliments to Mr Hobhouse & is directed by Lord Sidmouth to transmit for his perusal the several accompanying papers relative to the Conduct of Joseph Taylor, the Person employed during the Disturbances. Mr. Beckett requests that Mr Hobhouse will return them with such remarks as he may see occasion to make.

Home Department
3d January [1815]

20th December 1814: Lancashire Calico Masters call for the disbanding of the Journeymen's Union

Dog-Tavern, Manchester, 20th Dec. 1814.

TO THE JOURNEYMAN CALICO PRINTERS, CUTTERS, AND DRAWERS.

AN ADDRESS from the MASTER CALICO PRINTERS in Lancashire and the Counties adjacent, approved of at a General Meeting held here this day.

THE Masters sincerely regret, that the conciliatory sentiments which they earnestly submitted to the Journeymen, by the printed Resolutions of the 22d March last, were not embraced; and, that the recent proceedings of the latter evince a determination to carry their unnatural system of controul to every possible extent.

If the blind selfishness of this spirit were not checked, the ruin of those who act upon it, as well as of their employers, must be the certain result — The trade itself would be forced into those countries where combinations do not exist, and where it will be left to the natural and genial influence of freedom.

It is notorious, that foreign competition is daily gaining ground; and if the English Printers remain inactive, or are not permitted the free exercise of their own discretion, they and the articifers they employ, with their numerous families, depending upon this branch of business, will inevitably become martyrs to the unlawful and extravagant claims and restrictions of the Journeyman, whilst others are enjoying the fruits of that ingenuity, and of those exertions, to which the establishment and improvement of the trade are so essentially indebted.

Under the increased and increasing pressure of these evils, the Masters were impelled to associate. They know that the interests of themselves and their servants are completely identified. They seek no reduction in the established rate of wages, and they are perfectly disposed to give employment to such of the Journeymen as are desirous of conducting themselves faithfully, and of submitting to the conditions which are indispensable to the well-being and prosperity of all trade. If any individuals yet obstinately refuse, their object will be decided, and they must sustain the consequence. The services of such men cannot be of any value, and they will not afterwards be accepted.

The CONDITIONS alluded to are these, viz.

They are to withdraw themselves entirely from all combinations to controul or restrict their employers, and engage not to be concerned in them for the future. They are to do all such work as may be offered to them in their several capacities, without attempting to interfere as to the kind or number of hands employed, or the machines used; they are to conform to the rules prescribed for the preservation of order and regularity in the works of their masters. They are to be subject to abatements for spoiled or imperfect work, not exceeding in any case the wages paid for the work done upon goods so damaged, except only in evident instances of malicious or wanton injury. And they are also, before they can be received, to sign a declaration in the form subjoined:

"I, A.B. do hereby declare, that I do not, nor will hereafter, belong to any combination, which has for its object the controul or restriction, in any way whatever, of my employers, in the free exercise or management of their business, nor will I, individually, attempt any such controul or restriction, but will, to the best of my ability, do such work as may be offered to me, in my capacity of <blank> during my service with <blank> and in all other respects conduct myself faithfully therein."

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

29th March 1814: Forfarshire Miltia arrive in Liverpool after 15 months in Manchester

On Tuesday 29th March 1814, the Forfarshire Miltia began arriving in Liverpool, where they would soon leave for Ireland. They recently arrived from Manchester, where they had been stationed for the past 15 months.

26th March 1814: Joseph Nadin writes to the Home Office again about his expenses

Sir

Your Letter of the 3d. Instant was duly Received at this Office, but being at the Assizes has prevented me from writing you sooner, I hope you will excuse the Liberty I have taken being a total Stranger to you, and have to thank you for your endeavours to get my Account settled with the Treasury, I assure you that there is not one Item in my accounts that I have charged a penny more than it cost me, the Riots prevailed almost all round Manchester at the same Time, and not one Constable of those Townships would assist, I had no other Resource but the Military, I seldom went out with less than 26 to 30 of the Grays for nights together to apprehend those charged with Rioting, the number of Men Horses and Assistants Expenses were considerably more than I charged in my Bill, A Coach could not be obtained for the usual Sum and was very hard to get at any price, I can positively say that I paid more by sixty pounds than was charged in my Accounts. I treated the Greys with that Respect I thought they deserved, and I am sorry I had it not in my power to do more than I did for I cannot say too much in their praise, the Expences of witnesses at the Assizes when compared with others Bills I trust will be thought reasonable and all the other Sums were paid by order of the Magistrates with Respect to the Luddites tried at Derby warrants were specially directed to me and sent by Saml. Frith Esqr. of Bank near Chapel le Frith, one of his Majesty’s Justices of the peace for the County of Derby to desire me to apprehend them and that I should be handsomely paid for my Trouble, the County of Derby did allow me some of my Expences and for Loss of Time I could say I was nothing out of pocket, the Rewards and Tickets were received by Mr. Shaw the Solicitor who undertook the prosecution I never had one penny of the Rewards General Maitland desired me to send two Men over into yorkshire to get twisted in, McDonald and Goslin were sent by me and in a few days they were twisted in and five of the Men were transported at york special Commission, the General told me if the Men did their duty they should be liberally paid, I did pay them their Expences and something for Loss of Time but not as much as they could get at home by half a Guinea a week and they have been out of work Six Months since which is very hard for them. General Maitland told John Silvester Esqr. one of our Magistrates if we would find the Men he would find the money. I paid all in the first Instance and charged him with a part, I had to try Experiments in the neighbourhood of Manchester to get others twisted in where I paid Sums of Money amounting to 35£ which was never charged in any Account because I did not succeed, I do think if you was to ask the Solicitors of the Bank of England they will say that they have employed me for fifteen years and they never found any Fault with my Charges, they have entrusted me with all their secret Business here which has been very considerable and I flatter myself they will say I have given them general Satisfaction and they always have rewarded me accordingly, I think it my duty to apprise you that all Trades in the Manufactory of this neighbourhood again meet in different Societys But I believe they are forming Combinations against their Masters to raise their wages, the weavers met about 500 last Tuesday Evening at Shaw Brow near this Town, I shall be very much obliged if you will have the Goodness to say on whom I may draft the Amount of my Bill

I am
Sir
Your very Humble Servant
Joseph Nadin

Manchester
Police Office
March 26th 1814

17th February 1814: The Deputy Constable of Manchester writes to the Home Office about remuneration

Sir

I hope you will pardon the Liberty I have taken in addressing you Respecting the Money I have paid in taking the Rioters in this neighbourhood, and the witnesses going to Lancaster &c Mr. Haye has wrote to the Solicitor of the Treasury several Times and I have sent up Two Accounts and have never Received any Answer. The Reason I cannot tell but if you will peruse the annexed Account you will see if there has been any Business done and in Addition I went over to New Mills in Derbyshire and apprehended Ten took them to Derby, next Time I went I took up six and sent them to Derby, and I went to Middlewich in Cheshire two different Times and apprehended two, they were all of them tried before Sir Vickery Gibbs last Spring Assizes at Derby five out of the number were capitally convicted and three were hanged two transported for Life, I heard that this Gang had gone together to Rob John Drinkwater's House of Bugsworth in the County of Derby, no one in that neighbourhood durst take them, I took the Greys one of the Times and the Bays the other, I did get bare Expences but in that Case not one penny for Loss of Time or extra Duty, when the Riots existed peace Officers were scarce. I must either take the Dragoons or go myself, I have been a Servant to the public 25 years, and I do think myself very coolly treated. I again have to apologize for my troubling you and I do trust if in your power you will assist me in getting my Expences

I am
Sir
your Humble Servant
Joseph Nadin

Manchester
police Office
Feby 17th 1814

2nd February 1813: A Luddite is reluctant to swear the Oath of Allegiance

Manchester Febr [2nd]

Sir I received a letter from my father desiring me to meet him at Mill Bridge on monday the first I was then near Nottingham and I return you many thanks for your benavelance and General Barnad and the love of Mrs Radcliffe in saying that I might have my freedom I was very glad to hear of it and was going to come but Master desired me not to be too hasty therefore I Went to anatorney and asked about it and he told me that the pardon only reached such as had not been charged and if I came I must sufer as the othershad done Therefore I ham going to leave the cuntry as soon as posable so I return you all thanks for yunr love to me and my father so no more at presant from yours

John Mitchell farewell

To Captain Cooper of
The Cumberland
Miltia Elland Near
Halifax yorkshire

11th October 1812: The Deputy Constable of Manchester, Joseph Nadin, writes to Acland about matters in Manchester

Sir

I am obliged by yours of the 10th instant of inform you that Randle Judson was one of the 37 I apprehended at the prince Regents Arms he is a handsome looking man 22 years of age 5-11 high slender made, fresh looking, lightish Hair, lives at Audenshaw 5 miles from Manchester, is by Trade a warper and works of Messrs Bentley & Wilkinson — I shall always be happy to give you every Information in my power. I am happy to inform you that I am upon the look out after a Gang of Rascals and the apprehension will not take place of a Fortnight of which I will inform you, they are not Luddites, I think General Ludd has left this neighbourhood we are very quiet only I often get a delightful Letter threatening to blow out my Brains – you will recollect that I always told you that the Sir Sidney Smith in port Street and the Wheat Sheaf High Street were Twisting in Shops, their Licences are suspended till next Wednesday Morning when I hear that Mr. Farrington intends to give the Landlord of the Wheat Sheaf his Licence. I hope you will write to him to prevent it as it is a notorious Shop for twisting in – it was a worse House than the prince Regents Arms.

I am [etc]
Josh Nadin

Manchester
Police Office
Octr 11th, 1812

[To: General Acland]

22nd September 1812: Illegal Oaths Handbill posted in Manchester

13th September 1812: Mancunian Luddites start to take the oath of Allegiance to the King

Didsbury near Manchester
Septr. 13th 1812

My Lord

I have to report your Lordship that 56 men living in Manchester, have in the course of Friday and yesterday, attended, & taken the oath of Allegiance before me. I have the more pleasure in giving your Lordship this Information, because until now, no persons within the Town have taken the benefit of the wise, salutary, & humane act of Parliament passed for this purpose. Various reports have been circulated, (perhaps by evil designing persons) calculated to claim the minds of those who had taken the illegal oath, & were desirous of tab during it. Means have been taken to dissipate their Fears, & I hope the example now set, & which shall be generally known, will have the effect of inducing many to profit by it.

I have gained very little Information from these men. They express Sorrow & complain heavily of the misery they have endured in their minds, since they took the Oath in April or May last. They profess that in some cases, motives of curiosity to know the Secret attached to it, in many Fear & Terror from the threatenings made use of, & in others persuasion, have cause them to err, but in all no information was given to them, as to what must be done but they were told, “to be ready when called upon”. It appears that the men who administered the Oath to these people, Weaver Strangers or men who have left this part of the Country.

I think the Numbers twisted in are very considerable, however we are all quiet at present, & the principal agitators have either removed from hence, or suspended their operations.

I am [etc]
R. A. Farrington.

[To] Rt Honble Viscount Sidmouth
&c &c &c

31st August 1812: Handbill offering Pardon of Illegal Oaths posted in Manchester area

15th August 1812: General Maitland posts placards about the Illegal Oaths Act around Lancashire

[15th August 1812]

My dear Sir,

I received your Letter the night before last, and yesterday published all over the County the Handbills of which the enclosed is a Copy.

I endeavoured to make it as simple and concise as possible and in addition I have this day directed it to be advertised thrice in all the County Newspapers, in the West riding, Cheshire & Lancashire.

Our search for arms has produced but little, but we are getting the population returns, and upon any information or suspicion will not fail to make active use of the bill.

I am very anxious to get into Yorkshire, but shall not be able to be there before the 20th, after which day I request you will be good enough to direct to me at Wakefield.

I am sorry to say from the reports I have received that the [burst] with America has again occasioned a very considerable stagnation, and that there is now nearly as great a Depression as there was antecedent to the repeal of the orders in Council—

I shall have the Honor to write Ld. Sidmouth the moment that I hear from Ld. Fitzwilliam

and have [etc]
T Maitland

[To] John Beckett Esqr.

5th August 1812: General Maitland updates the Home Secretary on the situation in the North

Manchester 5th August
1812

My dear Lord

I have written to Becket on the Subject of the New Bill, and therefore it will be unnecessary to trouble you on the occasion.

Speaking generally, every thing is here, extremely perfectly quiet, but I apprehend the same Spirit still to exist in the Quarter where it has always manifested itself.

In some degree however, it has assumed a new Shape, and the Meetings that were formerly concealed, and now held under the pretence of Petitioning for Peace and Parliamentary Reform, consisting of exactly the same Parties, and all of them we have reason to believe concerned in the administration of Illegal Oaths.

Their ostensible View at present is to raise Money for the defence of the Prisoners in Lancaster Goal, in which they have been in some degree successful.

The avowed intention of the whole is not to act at present, but to postpone whatever they may be at, till the short nights, and the general result of every thing I have been able to learn since I last wrote Your Lordship generally upon the Subject, leads me to believe that I am correct in my Opinion, they have no Head of any consequence; that they are not so numerous as they are frequently stated, but I must add I do not think the Spirit is in the smallest degree abated, though the Seizure of many of them in this Quarter has led them to be infinitely more cautious and wary in their proceedings may have hitherto been—

In respect of the West Riding, if my Information is correct, there is great difficulty in getting the Magistrates and Peace Officers to act in that Quarter and if this be true I know no remedy for this Evil but to dose it, for a time with a larger Body of Troops, and measure that I certainly would wish to carry into effect, and which I mean to propose to Lord Fitzwilliam should it meet with your Lordships approbation—

It may be necessary to inform your Lordship that I have stated my reasons for wishing it, to His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, and that he has consented to a pretty general change of the Quarters of the Troops in this Part.

I have no reason to believe they have succeeded to any extent, but I have no doubt very general attempts have been made to tamper with the Troops, which being the Case I am confident Your Lordship will agree with me that it would be most unwise to expose them to unnecessary temptation by permitting them to remain long in any Quarter, where they might form permanent connexions and attachments.—

I have [etc]
T Maitland
LG


Lord Viscount Sidmouth
&c &c &c

3rd August 1812: General Maitland shares concerns about the Peace Preservation Act with the Home Office

Manchester
3rd August
1812

My dear Sir

I received your letter of the 1st Inst. last night.

I have this moment seen all the Magistrates in this Neighbourhood on the Subject of the propriety of carrying into immediate and general effect, the Provisions of the 2nd Clause of the Peace Preservation Bill, and found them extremely disposed to concur in any Measure which they felt themselves authorized to adopt under that Clause.

A general doubt however seems to be entertained, whether in carrying it into legal effect, it would not be necessary to mention in the Body of the Warrant, either the Name, on Names of the Person, or Persons, or to particularize the House or Houses, and should this prove to be the real construction to be given to this Clause it naturally follows that in the Populous part of this Country it will be totally impossible to adopt any general Measure on the Subject and must be necessarily left to be executed as the discretion of Magistrates may [see] occasion

You will therefore under the circumstances oblige me, if you will send down with the shortest possible delay, their Opinion of the Crown Lawyers to the following Question.

Is it necessary that a Warrant under the 2nd Clause should state the Houses or Persons or is it to be understood that a more general Warrant, stating, say a Village, or a Township, may be legal under this Clause.

In stating this Case it may be necessary to add that no Measure will be adopted till the Answer arrives, and that the Magistrates are extremely anxious to carry the Provisions of the Bill into the fullest extent.

I am [etc]
T Maitland
John Beckett Esqr.
&c &c &c