18th April 1812: The Mayor of Leeds asks the Home Office to divert troops away from marching through the town

Borough of Leeds
in the
County of York

To the Right Honorable Richard Ryder Secretary of State for the Home Department

Sir,

At a meeting of the Magistrates for this Borough holden here this Day, it appeared that the Regiment of Local Militia for Upper Agbrigg commanded by Sir George Armytage Bart was expected to march through this Town on their way to York, about Thursday next; and, as there was a disagreeable disturbance betwixt some of the lower Class the People here, and the said Militia, when they formally passed through this populous trading Town, and as the Town is somewhat agitated at present, I am requested to inform you, that it would be very acceptable to the Magistrates, if he would be pleased to cause the said Regiment to march through Wakefield, or by some other Route to and from York.

Justice obliges to lay all the Blame upon our Town’s People, and none upon the Militia.

We have sent a copy of this letter to Sir George Armytage.

I have the Honour to be,
for myself of my Colleagues, Sir,
Your faithful hble Servt

Charles Brown Mayor

Leeds April 18th 1812.

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This document can be found at HO 42/122.