6th February 1812: Thomas Large & Gravenor Henson write to Earl Waldegrave

On the verge of a lull in the Luddite activities in Nottinghamshire, Gravenor Henson and Thomas Large, leading figures amongst the Framework-knitters in Nottingham, planned to launch a Parliamentary campaign to obtain legislation regulating the Hosiery and Lace Trades. They first wrote to Earl Waldegrave, a young peer in command of troops at Nottingham:

1812. February 6

Comittee Room, Feby 6, 1812 . . .

My Lord

Agreeable to your request the Committee of the Frame-work-knitters have awaited on the Gentlemen Manufacturers of their Trade and have recd the Cordial support and cooperation of several of the most respectable, Mr John Wright has kindly taken up our Business in the warmest manner being fully sensible of the goodness of our intentions, and the beneficial result that will accrue from our endeavors, We humbly trust, my Lord, from your well known generosity, that you will nobly assist any endeavor that will conduce to the Public Good

We remain my Lord
Your Lordships Obt. Servts.

T Large
G. Henson.

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This letter can be found in the Records of the Borough of Nottingham, vol.8, 1800-1835 (p.137).