17th November 1817: Henry Enfield send his bill for supporting Blackburn & Burton to the Home Office

Nottingham Novr. 17. 1817―

My Lord

I beg leave to enclose for to your Lordship the Bill of payments made by me relative to Blackburn & Burton―& to request that your Lordship will direct the Amount to be paid into the Bank of Messrs Smith Payne & Smiths, to my Credit in account with the Nottingham Bank―

I have [etc]

H Enfield

[To] The Rt Hble Lord Sidmouth

[Enfield enclosed a receipt for his payment to the Constable, Benjamin Barnes, who provided the following invoice of the costs he had incurred on Enfield's behalf]

Nottingham 26th September 1817

Mr Enfield

To Benj Barnes

1817
Sepr

Advanced to Burton at different times}
From 17th August to 25th September} £3 “ 0―0

22 Journey to Kettering to fetch Blackburn}
and Wife 3 Days} £3 “ 3―0
Coach Hire for self to Kettering ― £0 “ 17―0
Coachmen and Guard ― £0 “ 3―0

23 Chaise Hire from Kettering to Harboro’ £0 “ 18―0
Post Boy and Toll Bar £0 ― 4 ―0
Coach Hire from Harboro’ to Nottingham}
for self Blackburn Wife and Child} £1 “ 11―6
Coachmen and Guard £0 “ 6―0
Expences for self, Blackburn, Wife and}
Child three Days £1 “ 10 “ 6

25 Paid for Burton’s Wifes clothes our of Pledge £1 “ 4―10
Bonnet for Mrs Burton £0 “ 6―0
Two Petticoats and Skirt for Mrs Burton £0 “ 13  “ 6
Cloak and Bonnet for the Child £0 “ 8―6
Shoes for Mrs Burton £0 “ 6―0
Great Coat for Burton £1―5 “ 0
Shirt for Burton £0 “ 7―0
Hat for Burton £0 “ 7―6
Shoes for Burton £0 “ 9―0
Pelisse for Mrs Blackburn £1 “ 4―0
Bonnet for [ditto] £0 “ 6―0
Shoes for [ditto] £0 “ 6―0
Cloak and Bonnet for the Child £0 “ 8 “ 6
Pair of Breeches for Blackburn £0 “ 15 “ 0
Shoes for Blackburn £0 “ 9―0
Shirt for [ditto] £0 “ 7―0
Board and Lodging for Blackburn}
and Wife at Nottingham} £0 “ 12 “ 6
Attending with Burton and Blackburn in}
Nottingham} £0 “ 10 “ 6

[Total] £21―18 “ 10

26th September 1817: The informers, Blackburn & Burton, leave Nottingham forever, surrounded by an angry crowd

On Friday 26th September 1817, the Luddites turned informers John Blackburn & William Burton left Nottingham for London, their ultimate destination being Canada. The Leicester Chronicle of 4th October 1817 described the scene:

The noted John Blackborne and William Burton, the King's evidences on the trial of the Luddites at Leicester, at the last Lammas Assizes, and the latter of whom was the principal evidence against Daniel Diggle, hanged at Nottingham in April last, were recognised on the Hope coach, in Nottingham on Friday last. A concourse of people collected round the coach to see them, and bestowed some execrations upon them in a liberal manner.―It is understood both they and their wives and families, are gone off for America.

They were escorted by the Nottingham Police Officer, Benjamin Barnes, who carried the letter to the Home Secretary below, written by the Town Clerk, Henry Enfield:

Nottingham Sep. 26. 1817

Mr Lord

The Police Officer, Benjamin Barnes, will deliver this Letter to Your Lordship & inform you of his arrival in Town with Burton & Blackburn, their wives & Children―

I have [etc]

H Enfield

Town Clerk

[To] Rt Hble Lord Sidmouth

25th September 1817: Henry Enfield informs Lord Sidmouth of the arrangements for the informers Blackburn & Burton

Nottingham Sept. 25th 1817.

My Lord,

In consequence of Mr. Lockett’s communication to me of your Lordship’s arrangements relative to Burton and Blackburn and their families (whose several names and ages Mr. Lockett will have stated to you) I have sent for them from their hiding-places; and finding them all in good health and desirous of immediately proceeding to their destination, I shall send them to London by one of the Coaches in the course of to-day or to-morrow under the escort of the Police Officer Benjamin Barnes―

Barnes will attend at your Lordship’s Office to give Information of their arrival, and I will direct him to enquire for Mr. Noble, within whose Department, as I understand from Mr. Lockett, this business falls.―

I have the honor to be
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s hble Servt

H Enfield

P.S.
I take this opportunity of informing you that the Frameworkknitters are said to dropping in again to work―This is the case I believe with some – but he bulk still remain out – however there is no violence―

H.E.

[To: Lord Sidmouth]

22nd September 1817: Jeffery Lockett sends a description of the informers Blackburn & Burton to government

Derby September 22d 1817

Dear Sir

William Burton is 21 years of age, and his wife, Leah, also twenty one. They have but one child,―a daughter named Charlotte, only five months old:

John Blackburn is twenty three years of age,―and his wife, Ann Blackburn, only twenty. Their only child is a daughter named Mary, and one year & two months old.―

Both parents and Children are in very good health―and able to perform the journey.

Burton is in the neighbourhood of Nottm.―About a week ago, an attempt was made to assassinate him. He was walking out with his wife and child,―and was met by three men, who looked at him very attentively,―and afterwards shot at him, but he escaped.―When he got home he found two other men at his door,―and hearing one of them say “that is him”―he retreated―& went by another way into the town.

Blackburn is at his fathers at Kettering in Northamptonshire. A messanger is sent for him and he will be in Nottm. tomorrow or on Wednesday.

Mr. Enfield will do what is necessary to prepare them for their journey―and you will have the goodness to write to him on the [illegible]. It is hoped that they may sail on the first of October.

I am very sorry to inform you that a fever has attacked several prisoners in our County Gaol. The [prison] has been overcrowded of late:―The magistrates are making every possible exertion to stops its progress.―It is to be lamented that the order for the removal of the reprieved convicts at our last assizes has not been yet received here. I saw Mr. Justice Holroyd sign the [certificate] on Friday―and Mr. Hilditch assured me that it [should] be sent immediately to the Treasury & the order be applied for.

I am apprehensive that this [illegible] is not within your department, but under the pressing circumstances which I have mentioned I am sure you will excuse me for troubling you with it.

I am Dear Sir
Your most obed Servt

Wm Jeffery Lockett

[To: ‘Noble Esqr’]

13th September 1817: The Secretary for the Colonies authorises Blackburn & Burton's emigration to Canada

Downing Street 13th September 1817.

Mr Lord,

I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship’s letter recommending to my particular Consideration John Blackburn & William Burton who are desirous to become Settlers in His Majesty’s Provinces in North America, and I have in reply to acquaint your Lordship that I shall feel great pleasure in recommending them to the protection of the Governor General Sir John Sherbrooke in order that each of them may receive a Grant of one Hundred Acres of the Crown Reserves in Canada;―that being the most valuable portion of the Lands at the disposal of the Crown, & being therefore, in my opinion best calculated to mark the sense entertained of the merits which have procured for them your Lordship’s recommendation.

I shall further give directions for allowing them Rations during the first twelve months, until some part of the lands allotted to them shall be brought into Cultivation;―altho’ Government have not charged themselves with this expence in any of the recent Emigrations.

As the Season during which Settlers were forwarded to the Province by this Department has long since elapsed, I trust Your Lordship will take the necessary measures for providing messieurs Blackburn & Burton with a Conveyance.

I have [etc]

Bathurst

[To] Viscount Sidmouth
&c &c &c

29th August 1817: Charles Mundy updates the Home Office about the informers, Blackburn & Burton

Burton August 29th: 1817

Dear Sir

I have written to Mr. Lockett to ask if there is anything further material in Olivers statement that it is necessary for him to apply to me about & as soon as I receive his answer I will send the papers to you.―John Blackburn & Burton are not at all in the way of any one. Blackburn is with his father in Nottinghamshire Burton with his wives father near Nottingham. as they dare not go out to enquire for work or shew themselves. I have found it necessary to supply them with a weekly allowance for the support of themselves & families.―Blackburn comes late at night to me once a week for his subsistance & I have employd Barnes one of the Nottingham Police Officers to pay Burton his.―

The Wife of Samuel Caldwell otherwise Big. Sam who prevented by fits from taking his trial with Savage & the other Luddites at Leicester last spring & who was sentenced at the late assizes to be transported for Life has been to me to ask if it is possible for her to accompany her Husband to the place of his destination

the poor woman, who has a very good character, is an Irish woman without a friend in this country if such an indulgence is ever granted I really think this is a case for it. Caldwell never was considered a man of bad character till his connection with our friend John Blackburn & then has not appeared as a Leader or Contriver of the business.―they have one daughter about ten years old & I find the man has been a good Husband & father.―

I remain dear Sir
Ever yours faithfully

C.G. Mundy

[To] H. Hobhouse Esq

13th August 1817: Charles Mundy informs the Home Secretary of the whereabouts of John Hill & Christopher Blackburn

Burton August 13th
Near Lougborough

My Lord

I have the Honour to inform your Lordship that John Blackburn came to me a few days since to inform me that John Hill, one of those concerned with him in the outrage at Lougborough, was concealed in a House at Nottingham. I wrote to Mr. Lockett to know if he had rec.d any directions from your Lordship respecting those men against whom Bills were found by the Grand Jury at the last Lent Assizes at Leicester but who had not been apprehended  if this member John Hill is one.―as there will be no possibility of convicting any of them without the testimony of John Blackburn or William Burton I beg the favour of being instructed by your Lordship what steps to take concerning John Hill.―As I have received no answer from Mr. Lockett I presume he is from home.―John Blackburn also informed me that his Brother Christopher is working at the embankments in the Fens of Lincolnshire, the usual resort of those who are driven from this part of the Kingdom.―Would your Lordship think it advisable to endeavour to allure him to return & give Evidence against Frank Ward now in custody under your Lordships warrant on suspicion of treasonable practices? but against whom I apprehend we have no case whatever for a jury.―Savage & Joshua Mitchell both told me before their execution that the Loughborough Job was arranged between Frank Ward & Christopher Blackburn, if Ward could be convicted as an accessory before that Outrage it would be a most effectual blow against the revival of Ludding. How far Christopher Blackburns evidence might go or how far it might be possible to [confirm] him of course I can form no idea till without seeing him.―I am sorry to say things are not in a good footing between the workmen & the Hoziers.―there is plenty of work but the prices in general given are so low that no workmen can maintain a family. This has given rise to a sort of warfare between the parish Officers & the Hoziers. the former having proclaimed their intention of supporting the men without work whose masters will not give an advanced price. some of the Hoziers have adopted the advanced price, & I am assured by several very respectable Hoziers that it is no more than the trade can well afford to give. but many of the Hoziers, & those the most opulent & of the most extensive business still give the low price. they have also enlarged the size of the pieces making a yard of work to consist of forty two Inches instead of thirty six. but when the piece is sold to the shopkeeper the yard is only thirty six Inches. I fear those desperate may without close watching lead to dangerous combinations again on the part of the workmen who at present are very quiet

I have the Honour to remain
My Lord your Lordships most Obedient
Very Humble Servant
C. G. Mundy

4th August 1817: Charles Mundy sends an update on the Informers Blackburn & Burton to the Home Office

Burton August 4.th 1817
Near Loughborough

My dear Sir

Blackburn & Burton have both decided that they should like to go with their wives & families to America if any mode can be pointed out of their earning a living there. This decision was not finally made until a day or two immediately previous to Leicester assizes. the letter from the Gaoler informing me of it did not reach me so soon as it ought to have done owing to my being it at Derby in attendance to give evidence before the Grand Jury in the Reason Bills. & on my return home I found Mrs Charles Mundy whom I had left ill still so & all my three children in a state of the utmost danger. this prevented my attending the assizes at Leicester I wrote to Mr. Lockett who I knew was there to beg he would see Blackburn & Burton & tell them to remain quietly in Leicester Gaol till I rec.d directions from Lord Sidmouth respecting their wish of going to America.

unfortunately, Caldwell had having pleaded guilty & Lockett having no other business there he was gone home to derby before my servant got to Leicester with my letter.―In consequence of these accidental circumstances Blackburn & Burton heard nothing from me.

The undersheriff, (Mr. Miles) & some others I believe went to the men, and as they describe it told them some one thing & some another” & puzzled them till they did not know what to do―The High Sheriff went to Mr. Justice Bailey & stated that two men were in Gaol without any charge & commitment but justice Bailey conscientiously felt himself justified compelled to ordering them to be discharged the day he left the Town & at ten OClock at night they arrived at my House without money or place of refuge. I determined then after consulting with them what would  be best for them to do till I could hear from Lord Sidmouth respecting their going to America they determined that Blackburn should remain here all night & set out early in the morning for Kettering in Northamptonshire & stay with his father there and that Burton should go on in the dark to his Wives father at New Radford, Nottingham: this subjected to us thinking it a dangerous plan for Burton but he was bent upon it and said he would get there in the night & remain concealed till I send to him.

I gave them a pound note each for their present support but I own I feel nervous about them especially Burton. as soon as Lord Sidmouth determines in the mode of conveying & providing for them I shall be glad to be inform’d.―

Would Lord Sidmouth now think it worth while to set John Blackburn to work to find his Brother Christopher and try to persuade him to surrender & to give evidence against Frank Ward as an accessary before the fact of the Loughborough Job? Frank Ward is now in custody under Lord Sidmouths Warrant on suspicion of Treasonable practices but we have nothing to support any charge. he is such a rascal & so mischievous a fellow it would be a good thing to transport him.―

I remain dear Sir
Ever yours faithfully
C.G. Mundy

If the Sheriff & Mr. Justice Bailey would have been quiet the two men would have remained quietly in Gaol they had both signd their consent to remain there.

[To] H. Hobhouse Esq

26th April 1817: Jeffrey Lockett updates the Home Office about Christopher Blackburn & other wanted Luddites

Derby April 26th 1817

Sir

In confidence of your letter of yesterdays date, I have given directions for the immediate apprehension of Christopher Blackburn. It is supposed that Hudson Dakin and Hill also are in the neighborhood of Nottingham, and every exertion shall be made to take them also. Blackburn is the only one who is privy to the treasonable designs of Henson, Ward, & that party. There can be no doubt but that he will be ready to communicate all that he knows either of Luddism or treason, and think himself mercifully dealt with if he is only transported.

Mr Mundy called upon me immediately after my letter of the 23d was sent to the post office,—and I had a communication from him after his conference with Mr Allsopp and Mr Enfield. As he informs me that he has written fully on several subjects to Lord Sidmouth I presume that the further detention of John Blackburn and William Burton and the subsistence of them and their wives in the house of correction at Leicester—and the expediency of employing Mrs Wing or Woodward, and making [illegible] a small weekly allowance for his services, are topics upon which he has consulted his Lordship. I have apprized Mr Mundy of his Lordship’s wish that C. Blackburn [should] be taken.

I have [etc]

Wm Jeffery Lockett

[To] Rt Honble H. Addington

25th April 1817: Informer's report on a meeting with the notorious Nottingham Luddite, Benjamin Badder

25th April 1817.

I was with B. Badder last night and the night before—We were talking about the Ludds that were hung, when he said (after expressing his sorrow for them.) "But never mind and as to that damned Blackburn there is something preparing to strike level with them"—I told him I should like to have the pleasure of shooting him myself—He said "Oh! never mind you'll know when it is to be done and they thought they hanged them all because they had hanged Six but there were some left yet as good as those they had hung"–He said they died like men and would not be forgot, and that their persecutors would be struck level with yet as the Revolution was going on only in a different way not quite so public and he desired me to tell them at Bulwell to keep themselves in readiness to be called on at any hour as Nottm was riper than ever— I mentioned that I had heard [Christopher] Blackburn was taken he said he thought if he were he would not bring any body into a premunire about the money.—

16th April 1817: The GPO Surveyor, Gratian Hart, forwards the letter from John Blackburn to William Burton, to his superior

Nottingham 16 April 1817

Dear Sir

Among the letters from Leicester this Afternoon, was one, directed Mr. William Burton, Lambley, near Nottingham; the man's name, & the Village, are both of notoriety, & accordingly I have copied the Contents: I have no one at this moment to communicate with, Mr. Alsop being absent, nor is there in this Case an immediate necessity.

Blackburn was admitted Evidence—one expression in his letter requires explanation, before he regains his liberty: "My Master is settled with me for the Frames"—now it strikes me, Mr. Blackburn has received his remuneration for his work of Iniquity, breaking the Frames from his Master, who is the person just now exactly wanted.—If it strikes you in the same point of view, you will of course acquaint the Secretary of State.—

I am [etc]
(signed) Gratian Hart

[To] F. Freeling Esq
&c &c &c

11th April 1817: The Luddite-turned-informer, John Blackburn, writes to his fellow Luddite-turned-informer, William Burton

April 11

Dear frends.

I have the liberty of wrighting to you oping this will find you well in health. wich it leave us at this present time thank God for it Nancy is very well & the child & she desires to be remembered to you all you Must exused me getting into sutch a scrape as this for I had no more thoughts than flying In the hair last year but I thought It would do me good But thank God I have got over it—as I have my Master is settled with me for the frames but where we shall goto after whe get out of here I cant tell they tell I am quite at liberty so where I shall go to I can't tell

I have no more at present

John C. Blackburn

[To: William Burton, Lambley]

31st March 1817: The trial of the Luddite John Clarke (aka 'Little Sam') at Leicester Assizes

LEICESTER.

Trial of JOHN CLARKE, otherwise LITTLE SAM, FOR SHOOTING AT JOHN ASHER.

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1817.

This morning, at eight o'clock, the Hon. Sir Richard Richards, Knight, took his seat on the Bench. The Court was immensely crowded, and vast anxiety was evinced to obtain situations in the Hall.

Thomas Savage, William Withers, John Amos, John Crowder, Joshua Mitchell, Samuel Caldwell, James Watson, John Clarke were put to the bar, and arraigned on a charge of having, on the night of the 28th of June last, feloniously and maliciously shot that John Asher, with intent to kill and murder him. Another count charged them with aiding and abetting in shooting at John Asher, &c.

After twelve of the pannel had answered to their names, they were challenged on the part of the prisoners; and then another twelve, and so on, so that it was found impracticable to obtain a jury from the pannel, to try them altogether. A proposition was made to make up a Jury from by-standers in Court, but this was objected on the part of the Crown, and all but John Clarke were removed from the bar. An attempt was then made to obtain a Jury from the pannel, but as the Crown challenged some, the Counsel on behalf of Clarke, others, and some did not attend, only six could be found, and the residue were selected from by-standers in the Court. The whole number of challenges on behalf of the prisoner had been expended when nine jury-men were in the box. An hour and a half was occupied in this uninteresting business, and it was not till half past nine, that the Gentlemen of the Jury were sworn. Their names are as follows:—

John Leadbetter,

St. John Kirk,

John Lee,

John Chamberlain,

Humphrey Cartwright,

Thomas Ward,

Thomas ______

Joseph Dumelow,

William Robinson,

George Simpkin,

John Fowkes,

John Measures.

Serjeant Vaughan, in a very animated speech, stated the case to the Court and the Jury, and detailed to them the leading features of the evidence which would be produced.

A very neat model of the building, with some of the inside parts thereof, was exhibited upon the table.

John Boden, the first witness called, was examined by Serjeant Copley. In June last, he was partner with Mr. Heathcoat, in a lace manufactory at Loughborough. In the early part of that month he was not at Loughborough, but came there on the 25th. The model on the table was a correct representation of the building where the manufacture was carried on. There were no less than fifty-five frames or machines in the place, finished and unfinished—twenty-three on the first floor, and thirty in the top story. The concern was at full work when he came to Loughborough on the 25th of June, and there had been an additional guard placed over the premises about two days before, in consequence of some unpleasant things which had come to their knowledge. They had always had one guard, John Ironman, who acted as watchman, but this had been increased to six regular guards, and some men were kept at work in the night. On Friday the 28th June, he had been in the factory, and left it about 11 in the evening; at that time, there were six regular guards, including Ironman, besides the men who were at work in the lace frames up stairs. The six guards were in the casting shop, which is a laying-to to the factory, and has an interior communication with the main building; one door leads to the setting-up room, and another into the street. The ground floor of the factory is called the setting-up shop; the laying-to is the casting shop; the first floor is called the lace shop, and the second floor the top shop; these two contained the machines. He left all safe that night, and did not return again to the factory till about five in the morning; he had been sending off to inform the Nottingham police-officers. When witness got to the factory, he found the frames broken, some entirely and some partially; they appeared to have been demolished by hammers and hatchets; some of the beams were cut—some of the lace on the frames was also cut; the whole of the lace on the machines was destroyed, some had been cut and some burnt, the windows were also broken, apparently with stones thrown from outside. John Asher, one of the workmen on guard that night, was wounded, witness saw him at his own (Asher’s) house that day, and found he had been shot at the back of his head, but the ball was then extracted.

John Asher (examined by Mr. Reader) deposed, that he was in the service of Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden on the 28th of June last, he was one of those who sat up as a watchman, along with Thomas Ironman, and John Webster; there were six appointed to watch, these three, and _____ Sylvester, John Barker, Thomas German, but the last three went out; they had three pistols and one or two guns, is not sure which; they sat in the casting shop, and had a good fire—about a quarter past twelve he heard a noise, as though two men were coming up the passage, the dog barked, and a pistol was fired. He saw three or four men come up to the casting-shop door with pistols, but one had an axe; he put his hand behind and laid hold of a pistol on the shelf, which he presented to the man and attempted to fire, but as it was not cocked it did not go off, several of the men presented their pistols at him immediately, and he turned his head aside, somebody then rushed into the shop, and shot him at the back of his head. He fell down and was insensible for a time, but when he came to himself, he found himself under the workbench, with Ironman and Webster, down beside of him, and two men stood over them with pistols, who threatened if they stirred, or offered to talk, to blow their brains out; they lay with their faces towards the ground, being desired to do so by the men over them. While he lay on the ground, he heard a great noise, as if the machines were breaking, he also heard loud swearing; some called out, "Ned, do your duty," others shouted, "Well done, Ned;" this was said, while, as he imagined, the men were breaking the frames; when he had lain about a quarter of an hour, bleeding very fast all the time, and afraid of bleeding to death, he requested that he might be permitted to go out, or else that they would fetch a doctor to him; to this request no answer was made. A man came into the yard soon after, and said, "How is that man that’s wounded?" but nobody answered him: the man then turning to witness said, How are you? I said I was very bad; he replied, can you do a bit longer? I told him I thought I could if they would make haste: the man said they would not be long—The noise of breaking the machines went on all the time. In about five minutes after, they all left the factory. When they were going out, one said he would shake hands with the wounded man, Webster put out his hand, but they said that was not the man. Mr. Palmer the surgeon was then sent for, and he was taken home.

The witness was cross-examined by Mr. Balguy at some length, but no material variation on on the matter was elicited.

Thomas Palmer, (examined by Mr. Reynolds,) was a surgeon at Loughborough, and was called up about twenty minutes past one on the morning of the 29th of June last; he reached the casting shop about half-past one; he found John Asher lying on his back in the centre of the casting shop, with a coat doubled up, and placed under his head as a pillow; he was faint, insensible, and bleeding, with a wound on the back part of his head, inclining to the right side, made by a ball or slug fired from some instrument. Witness ordered him to be carried home, and when he was put to bed, examined the wound more particularly, when he found that a ball or slug was lodged in the right side of his head. He extracted the ball at the time, and produced it at the last Assizes, but left it in Court, and had never seen it since. Asher was ill five weeks.

On his cross examination (by Mr. Denman,) Mr. P. stated, that the ball or slug passed between the cranium and the scalp, from the back part of the head to the right side. It had gone around, instead of penetrating.

John Blackborne, an accomplice, (examined by Serjeant Vaughan,) deposed, that he lived at Lambley, six miles from Nottingham, in the month of June last. He knew the prisoner at the bar about three weeks before the breaking of Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden’s machines at Loughbro’; the first time he had any concern with him was at the Radford job, about three weeks before the Loughbro’ job happened. Clarke generally went by the name of Little Sam. Witness saw him in company with William Withers about a week before the Loughbro’ job, and told him that Withers wanted the witness and two more men for a job. The prisoner asked where it was, and Withers told him at Loughborough, he had 18l. down then to buy tools or pistols with, for the purpose of attacking Heathcoat and Boden’s factory, and that 40l more was to be paid as soon as the work was done, 60l would be collected after, and distributed amongst the men engaged; the business was to be done on the Friday after the next Friday. Prisoner told him he would not go till he was paid for the Radford job, and witness also said that neither he nor the other chaps would go till then. Withers then assured them they should be paid for the Radford job before that day; he would settle with them himself. On a doubt being expressed as to the possibility of the execution of the enterprise, Withers told them there was only one sentry, and some were to scale the walls and seize him, while the others were breaking in in different places. Sam (the prisoner) then agreed to go when he was paid for the Radford job, and Withers said he would pay witness, who would then pay him. It was arranged that they were not to leave Lambley till the day on which the job was to happen at night. There was talk of Aaron Daykin going with them, but witness did not agree to it. Withers told him that Savage, Jack Disney, Little Sam, Slater, and most of the old Neds were to be of the party. By old Neds he understood, persons who had been out framebreaking before. It was agreed that he was to see Withers again at Mr. Scattergood’s, the Goats Head, in the Meadow plats, Nottingham, on Saturday, after he had taken in his work,—and was there to receive the money due to him, Little Sam, Big Sam, and Aaron Daykin, for the Radford job. He accordingly went to the Goat’s Head, and met Withers there, who gave him twenty-three shillings for himself, and the other three. He saw the prisoner in Big Sam's (Caldwell's) house on Sunday morning, when witness paid him five shillings, and they agreed to take a walk together after dinner. Big Sam lived with Long Bill, whose real name is Tom Woodward, but who went by the name of Wing—Woodward and his wife, who was called Mrs. Wing, lived on the ground-floor, and Caldwell or Big Sam, in the room above. When walking together after dinner in Lovatt’s close, Big Sam and Aaron Daykin joined them, the prisoner said, Jack, (Blackborne) Big Sam says he'll go. Big Sam immediately said, Damn your eyes, I’ll go, and Aaron Daykin said he’d go. Witness had been ordered to bring two besides himself to Nottingham, but this made three, however after some consideration, he determined to take the three with him. They directly proceeded to Nottingham, first to the sign of Sir Thomas White, the Burgess’s friend, and afterwards to Mr. Seymour is, at the Horse and Chaise, in Millstone-lane. They got to the latter place about five o'clock, and saw there in the course of the evening, Jack Slater, Benjamin Badder, and several persons he knew. Slater said to witness, Jack, there’ll be a fine crash this week; he answered he had heard so, but had come over to learn the particulars. Slater asked whether them three chaps (meaning, Little Sam, Big Sam, and Aaron Daykin) were come over to be at the job with  us; he told him they were, and Slater enquired if they would stand. Witness said yes they would, and Slater replied they are nice-looking chaps, have they ever been out before; he said yes, and Slater answered, that will do. Witness, prisoner, Big Sam, and Aaron Daykin slept at the Horse and Chaise that night, he in one bed, with Tom Seymour, the son of the landlord; the other three in another bed, in the same room. On Monday morning, they all set off to go to Savidges’s house, they stopped at the top of the street, but knew what he was going for; he went to learn at what time they were to go from Lambley to Loughborough, and also to ask for some money, as they had been living on their own up to that time; Savidge not being at home, they all went back again to Seymour's. Witness soon after went to his brother at Radford, and thence, along with Big Sam, to Lambley; they set off about eleven o'clock. He did not stay more than an hour in Lambley, and in the afternoon, by appointment, he, along with Big Sam, went to the King’s Head, Narrow marsh, Nottingham, where were sitting the prisoner and Aaron Daykin. Soon after, witness and Big Sam went out, but Big Sam returned, and witness found his brother, (Christopher Blackborne); his brother and himself went towards Savidge’s house, and met Withers, Savidge joined them, and they all went to the Milton's Head, in Parliament-street. The prisoner went part of the road, but never went to the Milton’s Head, witness told him he was going to Savidge’s for money, and he returned. When at this public-house, he received one pound from Savidge, which was for himself, Big Sam, Little Sam, and Aaron Daykin, to support themselves with till Wednesday. Savidge told him they had better be in the lower part of the town, to prevent suspicion, two in one house, and two in another; however they all slept at the Kings Head that night. The money was shared amongst them equally. After breakfast on Tuesday morning, they went from the Kings head, and started across the Meadows, along the Trent side, till they came to Beeston. It had been agreed they should sleep at two different places, and two of them went to the Durham Ox, the other two went to the New Inn, but as the people in the house seemed very cross, they left that place, and joined their Companions at the Durham Ox, where all four, that is Blackborne (the witness), Big Sam, Little Sam (the prisoner at the bar), and Aaron Daykin, supped and slept that night.—For supper they had beef stakes and cabbage; the stakes were bought at a butcher’s shop, Little Sam carried them home, and the servant lass cooked them. The next morning, (Wednesday,) witness and the prisoner set off by themselves, they went through Bramcote, and thence to Lord Middleton's park side, at the end of which, Savidge had promised to come or send to them, with more money. They went on till they came to the Rose and Crown in Lenton, where they went in, and as they sat there, saw Witness with his brother C. Blackborne, passing the window, he rapped, and they came in; after taking some refreshment, they all went back again, and when they had crossed the cut (canal) about 200 yards, Withers took out a pistol, and fired it off, saying he did so to try it. When they got under a tree by Lord Middleton’s wall, either Withers, or witness’s brother, he cannot say which, gave them a pound or guinea note, which was to be divided among the four. They also directed him to be at Loughborough the next day, where he was to meet Savidge, either at the Pack-horse, or the Duke of York; Aaron Daykin was to go to Sheepshead for Jack Disney, sometimes called Sheepshead Jack; Sheepshead is two or three miles out of the way, between Beeston and Loughborough. The prisoner and Big Sam were to go the next day to meet two men with three hatchet heads in a bag, which they were to get stailed somewhere on the road. Little Sam went to Nottingham, but came back that night, and joined the other three at the Durham Ox, where they all supped and slept on Wednesday night; they were waited on at supper by the same lass. On Thursday morning they all went out together, Big Sam and Little Sam turned back again; witness and Daykin went on to Hathern turn, where they parted, Daykin for Sheepshead, and witness for Loughbro’, he arrived at the Pack Horse, about three in the afternoon, where he found Savidge and some market folks; he had been desired to take no notice, but drink a cup of ale and go out, as a signal; he did so, and Savidge came out directly, and they went on the road to meet Daykin and Disney, at Tyler’s, the White Lion. The prisoner had desired him to tell Savidge that he wanted more money, he did so, and Savidge gave him 6 or 7s; he went and gave Big Sam and Little Sam the money at Hathern turn. Witness slept in a cart that night. The next day, by Savidge’s desire, he went to Hathern turn, to tell the prisoner and Big Sam not to bring the hatchets into Loughborough till it was dark; he saw there Big Sam, Little Sam, Daykin, and Disney, and he delivered his message, they told him they were not likely to bring them, for they had not money to release them; they shewed him where the hatchets were at a wheelwright’s, the man was working at the handles, and shaving them up. He left with them about watching one shilling in halfpence, which they said would do for them to drink till he came back with the money for the hatchets, and he returned towards Loughborough; witness had not proceeded far before he met Jack Amos and Savidge, they were coming to meet him on the road; he told Savidge that money was wanted to pay for the handles of the hatchets, and he gave him a three shilling piece to take to the men for that purpose, and six shillings more for the suppers of himself and Big Sam, Little Sam, Disney, and Daykin, and also give directions that when they went into Loughborough they should go separately, two to one house and three to another, and by no means bring the hatchets into the town before it was dark; witness and Big Sam were to go to Tyler’s, and prisoner, Daykin, and Disney to the Green Man. He accordingly went to give these directions to the men, but being tied, when he had walked part of the way, he lay down, and in about half an hour, they came up to him; as it was not dark, the hatchets were put in a dry sough in the lane; part of the them went to Tyler’s and part of the Green Man as directed; while witness, along with Big Sam, was at the former place, Savidge came in, and asked Mrs Tyler for a quart of rum, which she let him have, he paid for it and the bottle; Savidge then drank a glass of ale, the preconcerted signal for them to go out, for he was not to talk to them; they were just going to get their suppers, he however went out directly, the other did not follow of a quarter of an hour.—Bill Towle met witness in  the street, and told him they were to go together to fetch the hatchets from the sough; about eleven o'clock they started for that purpose, and in half an hour came back into Ashby-lane, about fifty yards from the turnpike  and two or three hundred yards from the factory.—The whole party were then assembled; he saw Bill Towle, Bill Burton, James Watson, Big Sam, Little Sam, Aaron Daykin, Sheepshead Jack, witness, his brother C. Blackborne, Savidge, Amos, Old Crowder, Jos Mitchell, Jack Hill, Slater, an Withers, and soon after saw Jem Towle, making seventeen in all. Savidge had got the quart of rum, Withers produced some fire-arms (pistols), but cannot say how many, Withers said they were all loaded, he had tried them before, and they had no need to try them again. The prisoner had a pistol given him. They began to disguise themselves, some put handkerchiefs over their faces, some tied them up to their noses, others over their heads; some changed clothes with each other, Jos. (Mitchell) had his coat turned inside out. Savidge produced the bottle of rum, and they all drank round, out of the bottle. They all saw the factory in the lane, and a good deal of conversation took place respecting the attack; some said it was a dead drop, they should get half killed before they got in. Slater, Bill Towle and Burton, carried the hatchets. They stood hesitating some time how to begin the attack, when witness said to them, damn it, will you stay here all night? some one replied, will you go first? he said he did not care, he’d show them the place. They all set off, he leading the way, but directly two or three of them ran past him, and seized a man who was going towards the factory, they put their pistols to his head, and threatened him with instant death if he did not let them in without giving any alarm, or attempting any resistance, the man knocked at the door, it flew open; a dog began to bark, and Bill Towle chopped at it with his hatchet, but missed it, the hatchet flew out of his hand. Jem Towle then shot it, and it barked no more; it was a great large dog. The cry was, brush forward lads, and he saw his brother and Watson in the casting shop; he went in and saw three men sitting on stools, they were ordered to lie down, instead of so doing, one of them took a pistol off the shelf, and aimed it at his brother Christopher Blackborne, witness immediately rushed by and fired at the man, and then ran out again, he saw the man fall before he ran out, the others then lay down under a bench, and a guard was set over them. The prisoner was fixed sentinel over a man at the door, but cannot how near prisoner was to witness when he (witness) fired the pistol; knows he came into the yard before the man was shot. Soon after he saw the prisoner in the setting-up shop, standing sentry over a man. Witness was placed as a guard walking the casting-shop to the Malt-Mill lane. Witness had his brother’s pistol, his brother was without one. The pistols were brought at Derby, by Savidge and Withers. Witness did not go up stairs; in about a quarter of an hour after he had been placed as a guard, he heard a cry of more hands wanted, Little Sam (the prisoner Clarke) told him to go up stairs; he did so, and went into the first floor, where he saw Slater, Bill Towle and several others, breaking the frames.―The prisoner at that time was sentinel over one of the factory men near the outer door in the setting-up shop. Savidge staid on guard in Malt-Mill-lane, where he had a woman in his care and custody; he heard a firing of one pistol on the outside, that against Malt-Mill-lane, where Savidge was. After the work was done, the pistols were fired off, some fired several times, it was customary to do so on such occasions; they also called their numbers over, and though only seventeen were there, they counted as high as about ninety, this was done in order to make folks believe there were more engaged in the business than there were in reality. They went away by the Ashby road again. Before they left the place, Big Sam told Slater, who had a hatchet, to hit a desk which was in the shop against the war, Slater hit it twice, and Big Sam took away two pistols which were in it. He saw Big Sam with a gun; Jos Mitchell had a musket in his hand. When they went away, they went by Garrendon park side; they all went together as far as the Trent, except Disney, who parted with them when they had gone about five miles. They brought the hatchets and pistols away with them, and Big Sam brought the musket and bayonet away. When they got to Zouch bridge, witness’s brother gave big Sam a pistol, and he then agreed to throw the musket into the cut; he did so; they then went on towards Ratcliffe, where they saw a man at a plough; it was getting daylight; they were straggling, though all in the same close, he did not see any body go up to the man. They went to the Trent side, and saw a boat, into which they got, but it could not take them over; they then got out, and went to Aram’s ferry, the boat was on their side and eleven or twelve got into it first and were taken over, the others were behind; four more came over in the boat after; Slater was in the first boat, and had a hatchet with him, almost all of them had pistols; Mitchell had his coat turned, and almost all had their faces covered. In the second boat, when the four came over, there were another hatchet; witness had flung the third into the Trent. Two men were on the other side of the river at the time they first came up. Savidge paid for the ferrying over of the whole; he gave the man one shilling first, but as the chap rather grumbled, he gave him more. When they had got across the Trent they undisguised themselves. They then separated, and witness went with Big Sam, Little Sam, and Aaron Daykin to Beeston, intending to go to the Durham Ox. Big Sam and Daykin went together before Little Sam and witness; as the windows of the house were not open, Big Sam and Daykin did not stop, but just as witness and prisoner came up, the girl was opening the windows, they two went in, and calling for a cup of ale, lay down on the settle and slept a bit. The lass said she thought they had been up all night. Witness and Clarke walked together as far as the Strugglers in Lenton, but Clarke was so knocked up he was obliged to leave him in the garden. Before they had got into the boat, Savidge had told them all to meet him at the Fox, in New Sneinton, at ten o'clock, when he would give them money. Witness went, and Little Sam (the prisoner at the bar), came in soon after.―Savidge gave witness two pound, and told him to give ten shillings a piece to Big and Little Sam and Daykin, he did so, and there was ten shillings left for himself. Witness saw Clarke the next day (Sunday) at Long Bills house.

Cross-examined by Mr. Balguy.―The party mustered in Ashby-lane about half-past eleven; there was a little pause, and it was he who moved on to lead them the way. Watson and witness’s brother were first in the casting-shop; witness was the third man, and all the others were behind; they were all on the premises, within the gate. Directly as he got into the casting-shop he saw a pistol presented to his brother; witness was alarmed for his safety and fired; it was done on the spur of the moment, it was the result of a sudden impulse to protect his brother. The next time he saw the prisoner was when on guard at the setting-up shop; this was the first time that he saw him after they all left the lane; it was two or three minutes after the pistol was fired. The door of the setting-up shop opens to the yard near a pool of water. Witness first saw the prisoner on the premises when he was at that door opposite the pool of water, he stood sentry over a lad in the inside. Witness was taken up on the 3d of January for poaching; that was all he went for, but he was also charged with firing into Cook’s house; he was then armed with a sword but not a pistol. He was taken in the fact. He knows Burton; was taken up a fortnight or three weeks after Burton; it was on being taken on a charge of firing at Cook’s house that he told, as he told the story for the purpose of saving his neck, for he knew he was taken on a charge that would hang him. Witness told before Burton did; it was a week or a fortnight after he was taken; he told directly of Lord Middleton's concern, but not of this till a week or fortnight after. It was his brother who walked before Cook’s door with a drawn sword; witness had had a gun, but he changing it with his brother for the sword. He began with the gun and ended with the sword. Witness never discharged the gun at all, and that he will swear.

William Burton, the other accomplice, (examined by Mr. Clarke) was at Loughborough on the 28th of June last, and knows Heathcoat and Boden’s factory. He was in a lane near there about twelve o’clock on that night, and many persons were with him; he had been in the lane about an hour before the hatchets were brought. There were present, himself, James Towle, William Towle, the prisoner Clarke orLittle

Sam, Big Sam, Jack Disney, Aaron Daykin, William Withers, J. Blackborne, C. Blackborne, Jos Mitchell, John Hill, Thomas Savidge, John Crowther, Amos, Watson, and Slater. They disguised themselves different ways, some turned their coats, some changed their cloaths, others put handkerchiefs about their heads and faces; they were armed with pistols and hatchets; witness had a hatchet. Savidge produced some rum, of which they all partook, it was handed round in a bottle out of which they drank. They were to attack the factory in three different places, the pistol men were to go first, the hatchets next, and those who had nothing were to be last. They advanced and saw a man, Christopher Blackborne laid hold of him, and threatened him with instant death if he did not take them into the factory without creating any alarm. A large dog barked as soon as they entered the yard; Bill Towle struck at him with his hatchet, but he missed  and the hatchet flew out of his hand; witness was going to chop at him, but Jem Towle pushed him away and shot the dog. He saw Slater at the door of the factory, within a yard of the casting-house door, he was threatening to knowck a man down with his axe,  if he did not go in; the man had not come out of the casting-shop, and instantly went back again. They were all within four or five 5 yards of the door when the pistol was fired. Witness went through the casting-shop to the setting-up shop, where he saw a boy, of whom he enquired how many men were up stairs; the boy said he would tell him their names, witness said he did not want their names, and at last lost the boy said there might be eleven or twelve. The lad was ordered to lie down, and the prisoner was set over him as a watch, with a pistol in his hand. Witness had not observed the prisoner do any thing before that. He (Burton) went up stairs into the first shop, where he broke some frames. After all was done the men came out of the factory. The whole did not last above forty minutes. Slater broke a desk open with his hatchet, at the desire of Big Sam, who took out two pistols and a powder flask. When they had done, they went into the turnpike-road, and numbers were called up to one hundred or thereabouts, to give the idea of greater strength than they really possessed. There were only seventeen present. Big Sam had a musket with a bayonet on it, which he took out of the factory. They directed their course through through the turnpike-gate, and along the side of a gentleman’s park. When they got to the Zouch bridge witness threw a hatchet into the river on the left hand side, and Big Sam threw the musket in on the right, but not the bayonet. They all went on together, till they came to the Trent, except Sheepshead Jack, (Disney) who had turned off for Sheepshead. They got into a boat in the river, but when about half way across the Trent, they were stopped by a wear, and Slater and another got out to set the boat at liberty that they might get back again. They landed on the same side of the Trent, and Big Sam produced the powder flask, which witness saw; it had a man with a gun and a dog painted on it, Big Sam said he had it out of the desk which Slater broke open. When they got to Aram’s ferry, twelve went over first and four after. They had the same disguises on as they had when they attacked the factory. Slater carried at hatchet in the first boat, and the other four who came after, had a hatchet with them. Savidge paid the ferryman for them all, one shilling in silver first, but as this did not satisfy him, he gave him fourpence in copper. When they had got over they altered their dresses. Slater had had Big Sam's smock-frock on. They separated then, and witness and Watson went home together.

Cross-examined by Mr. Denman—Witness came to Leicester Gaol before Blackborne did. He did not confess a word about the Loughborough job till he was charged with shooting at Kerry; he did not shoot at Kerry, though he was at Kerry's house with Diggle when Diggle shot at him. Was never charged with firing at Needham, of Lambley. It was witness who proposed going back to Kerry's house to break the frames, after he had been shot and left for dead. He thought if he told this story about the Loughborough job it might do him some good; it might keep his neck from the halter. He was sure he was present in the factory when the frames were broken.

Re-examined.—Witness did not know the story that Blackborne had told, for Blackborne was at Nottingham at the time when witness confessed.

Ann Woodward (examined by Mr. Copley) sometimes goes by the name of Wing; lived at Lambley in June last, and Caldwell (or Big Sam) lived in same house; she lived in the lower room, Caldwell above. Witness knew John Blackborne and Aaron Daykin, and saw them frequently together in the month of June last. On the Sunday before the frames were broken, the prisoner and Blackborne came there; Aaron Daykin joined them soon after. About one o'clock, after dinner, they went out together with Caldwell, and said they were going to Sutton and to Mansfield, but Caldwell did not come home that night. He came, however, between one and two in the afternoon of Monday, put on a clean shirt and handkerchief, staid about half an hour, and then went out again; he did not return that night, nor till the Saturday following, the day she heard the frames were broken. She had not seen either J. Blackborne, Daykin, nor Little Sam, in the mean time. Aaron Daykin came first, between five and six o'clock on the Saturday afternoon, and in about half an hour, Little Sam and Caldwell came; they all seemed very tired and foot sore. She saw J. Blackborne on Sunday at the public-house.

Thomas Seymour (examined by Mr. Reader,) deposed, that his brother kept the Horse and Chaise public-house, in Nottingham. He remembers John Blackborne coming there on a Sunday, but cannot say how long that was before the factory of Messrs. Heathcoat and Boden was demolished. Blackborne slept in the same bed as the witness, and three other men slept in another bed in the same room. He cannot say that such a circumstance ever occurred before.

Ann Blatherwick (by Mr. Reynolds) kept the Durham Ox public house in Beeston, in June last, and remembers that two persons came together, three days before the framebreaking at Loughborough, to her house; two more of them on the same day, and they all seemed well acquainted with each other. They supped on beef-steaks and cabbage, and slept there. John Blackborne was one of the four men, and she pointed out the prisoner as another of them.

Cross-examined—Witness never saw the prisoner before that night to her knowledge; she had seen him in prison, and knew him there; cannot say what she had to supper this day fortnight, though she remembers that in June last, these men had beef-steaks and cabbage.

Mary Sanson (examined by Serjeant Vaughan) lives at Oxton, but she lived at the Durham Ox, in Beeston, in June last. She well remembers that two persons came together into the house and asked if they could have a bed, on the Monday or Tuesday night before the frames were broken at Loughborough; two more soon came in, and they all slept there that might, they went away the next morning, and returned between six and seven in the evening; three came first and one after with some beef-steaks, which she cooked, and they all partook of them, they slept there that night, and went out the next morning. Is not certain whether they staid there two or three nights. On Saturday morning, when she was getting up, she saw two men pass by, and opened her window to look after them, and thought they were two of the four men who had slept there the night or two before; she turned her head, and saw the other two coming up against the wall; when she went down and was opening the shutters, the last two went into the house, they called for a cup of ale, which she let them have, and they lay down on the settle by the fire, and went to sleep; they appeared very fatigued. In about an hour, she wanted to scour down the settle, and she awoke them telling them she thought they had not been in bed that night, but they said they had; soon after that they went away. While they were asleep, Barnes, the constable, of Nottingham, came up to the door on horseback, and inquired for something to drink. The learned Sergeant asked witness to point out the man who was with Blackborne, for she knew Blackborne at the time. After some hesitation, she pointed to the prisoner; she thought that was him, but if it were, he was very much altered. After looking at him a little longer, she declared herself satisfied that it was the same man; was confident of it.

Cross-examined by Mr. Balguy—Witness had looked more at the prisoner and was confident that was the same man. She did not know whether she was going to be married to man of the name of Green or not. Does not know whether she will have any reward or not. When she appeared before in Court, she had her expenses paid; Mr. Enfield paid her for two days, and she expected to be paid for her time and expenses this time.

John Hanford (examined by Mr. Clarke) lives at Hathern, two miles and a half from Loughborough, on the road leading to Derby; he had three hatchets heads brought him in a bag to put stails into; but when they were brought he cannot tell; this he will swear; does not know whether it was before or after the frames broken at Loughborough; thinks it is about three quarters of a year ago, but cannot tell when. One man brought them. They were strong hatchets, such as were used for felling timber. Recollects asking the man whether he was going to a fall of timber, but the man gave an evasive answer. He was desired to put long long stalls in, and of a proportionate strength. Cannot say how long they were left at his house, it might be three or four hours; thinks he charged two shillings for each of them. Does not recollect putting stails into three such hatchets all at the same time, either before or since. By trade he is a plough-maker.

Jane Tyler (examined by Serjeant Copley,) stated, that her husband keeps the White Lion at Loughborough. J. Blackborne, along with another man came there, and brought some steaks to be cooked on the Friday evening that the attack was made on Heathcoat and Boden’s factory.—Another person came in, and asked for a bottle of rum, he had no bottle, she found him one, and he paid both for the rum and the bottle. He said he wanted to take the rum some miles out of town. When this man went out, Blackborne followed him. This was on the Friday night.

On her cross-examination, (by Mr Balguy,) she said she did not know Blackborne's name then; she had been taken to the gaol, where she saw him, and was told that his named was Blackborne.

Charles Young keep the Green Man at Loughborough. On the evening previous to the breaking of Heathcoat’s machines, two men came into his house between nine and ten o'clock; soon after a third man came in who joined their company. All three went out together—The prisoner was pointed out to him in Court, but he would not undertake to say that he was one of the men.

Isaac Beeby keeps the Pack Horse public-house at Loughborough. On the night previous to the robbery, Savidge and Blackborne came into his house and staid two hours.

John North deposed, that he was employed at the factory at the time the frames were broken; he was a lace-hand, and was appointed to be one of those who staid all night at work for the defence of the building. He had been to get his supper, and when he was returning, and had got to the end of the factory, he heard a noise of footsteps, he expected it was some of the factory men; but they laid hold of him; he asked what was their meaning, and they clapped a pistol to his head, threatening to blow his brains out if you do not lead them the way without giving any alarm.

William Walton lives at Zouch Mills. On the 23d of Aug. last, he was mowing some weeds in the river Soar, and found a musket on the right hand side of the bridge. He gave it to Thomas Foreman. It had no bayonet on at the time. It was loaded four fingers deep.

Thomas Foreman is a smith at Zouch mills. The musket was given to him on the 22d August by last witness. He examined and found it was loaded with two bullets, but the powder was decayed. This witness produced the musket.

Benjamin Sylvester was in the service of Messrs Heathcoat and Boden, at the time of the demolition of their factory at Loughborough. He was foreman of the guard, and loaded the musket produced by the last witness, on the 28th of June, with two small musket balls. This gun had a bayonet on, and was taken from the setting-up shop. A desk in which kept his books and other things, was quite smashed to pieces, and two pistols and powder flask were taken out. The powder flask was painted with a man and dog and gun on round side.

Joseph Shepherd is a labourer and lives at Beeston. About a quarter before five o'clock on the Saturday morning, the same day that he heard of the frames being broken, he was at Aram's boat, and saw thirteen or fourteen men go over; they were disguised, some having their coats turned, and some their handkerchiefs tied about their faces. Four more went over afterwards, and one man in the first boat paid for all. In the first boat he saw one man with a large axe, and another axe was in the last boat. He also saw the butt end of a pistol.

Charles Godfrey Mundy, Esq. who sat on the bench, near to the Judge, was sworn. He is a magistrate; John Blackborne had made a confession of the transaction, which had been reduced to writing, and on the prisoner being taken, Mr Mundy read over the deposition of Blackborne; when he had finished, prisoner burst into tears, and said it was all true, and afterwards the prisoner voluntarily signed it. This was done without any promise being made to him, or any inducement being held out by Mr. M.

Mr. Balguy wished the constable to be called, who took the prisoner to the magistrate, to ask whether the constable had not told him it would be better to confess; but this was over-ruled.

The information or deposition of John Blackborne, was put in, and read over. It was a very long document, but the substance of it is contained in Blackborne’s evidence as given above. It had the mark of the prisoner affixed to a declaration made by him that it was all true as far as he knew.

Mr. Balguy took a legal objection, which was decidedly over-ruled by the learned Judge.

No evidence was called on the part of the prisoner, either to facts or to character; and which was a very remarkable circumstance, we believe the prisoner was never called upon for his defence. This we conceive, was owing to the great attention paid by his Lordship to the arguments of the learned counsel on the objection which had been taken; and we are quite convinced that it was not an intentional omission, but an oversight. We have heard the omission remarked, and this induces us to offer our opinion of the cause thereof.

His Lordship proceeded to sum up the evidence, which he did with the utmost impartiality and clearness; particularly impressing upon the minds of the Jury, the jealousy with which they should receive the evidence of accomplices, unless confirmed by unexceptionable witnesses. In about three minutes, a verdict of guilty was returned.

This was nearly six o'clock, and the Court adjourned to the next morning.

16th March 1817: Louis Allsopp accuses the frameworkknitter union leader, Gravenor Henson, of being the 'chief instigator' of the Hampden Clubs

(Private)—

Nottingham
16. March 1817.—

My Lord—

I  have had a Communication since my return with Mr Hooley, who is prepared to state his firm Belief & Conviction; that G. Henson is the chief Instigator of the Hampden Clubs here, tho’ not known to be a member of any one Club; that prior to the Establishment of Hampden Clubs Henson had the Charge of the Books & papers belonging to the Society of the associated Counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire, whose object was to overthrow the [Government] & effect a Revolution; & that these books & papers are in the possession of G Henson. at a Meeting of the Deputies from the different Counties in December at his house; that it was determined at this meeting that it was then too early to make any attempts, but that they [should] wait till the Spring, by which time the Country would be irritated by the Rejection of the Petitions in the mean time to be presented, & would be ripe for the purpose & a Revolution might be effected; that as soon as Parliament evinced a determination to support the measures brought forward by yr Lordship, Henson concealed, or destroyed these books & papers, & no Traces can be obtained of them, nor any Evidence of their contents procured; that Henson avoids appearing openly, & is too cautious to commit himself to any but a few he thinks he can confide in;—that tho he may appear to be quiet, yet that all his attention & Views are directed for his favorite objects of a Revolution; that in these Views he is assisted by a man of the name of [Matthew] Atkin, who is also a very shy & cautious man—Mr Hooley has obtained his Information from a person to whom Atkin has communicated these matters, & though he can take upon himself to swear to the his firm belief & Conviction in these Circumstances & that Henson & Atkin entertain at this time Views of a most dangerous & treasonable nature, yet as no conviction [could] take place without further Evidence, & as there is little or no probability of getting at any of the papers, Mr Hooley entertains an opinion that no good would be derived from an arrest of these men or either of them; they would be considered as Martyrs & only comfortable from their Confinement hereafter, possessed of more influence and Consequence than they now know, & that by waiting there is a Chance they may become bolden, & their papers may be got at—At the same time as yr Lordship possesses much more general Information of what is going on here & elsewhere, Mr Hooley & myself have thought it right to transmit these points to yr Lordships Consideration with this an observation, that we shall most readily adopt any measures your Lordship may advise—G.Henson is a most skilful man, he has quiet Caution & Command of himself—

every thing is going on with Spirit & Courage all will, I understand, be quiet—Your Lordship will of course have heard of the Conduct of the Prisoners at Leicester, I have no doubt the Magistrates there will do their duty—

Mr Hooley has made a sacred promise to the person who gave him the Information not to divulge  his name, but he has the greatest [illegible] in his Veracity.

I have [etc]

L. P. Allsopp

PS – I have this morning seen Blackburn & Burton who were brought over Yesterday from Leicester to give Evidence—The former says G.Henson has now nothing whatever to do with Luddism, only with politics—but there is a man of the name of Ward (whom I know) who is a very bad fellow in every respect, he was the person who suggested & instigated the men to the murder of the Judge—

15th March 1817: Charles Mundy informs the Home Office that Blackburn & Burton have been moved to Nottingham under escort

Burton March 15th 1817
near Loughborough

My Lord

I have the Honour to inform your Lordship that I have made arrangements with the commanding Officer at Leicester & the High Sheriff for the County Nottingham for the removal of the two prisoners Blackburn & Burton from Leicester to Nottingham and under an escort of the 15th Light Dragoons this day. I anticipate that they will return on Tuesday or Wednesday.

I have [etc]

C. G. Mundy

[To: Lord Sidmouth]

8th March 1817: Charles Mundy is concerned for the safety of the Luddites-turned-infomers, Blackburn & Burton

Burton March 8th 1817
near Loughborough

My Lord.

I take the liberty of addressing your Lordship on account of the uneasiness I feel for the safety of the two prisoners John Blackburn and William Burton who are as your Lordship is perfectly aware the mainspring of the case against the Luddites now in the Gaol of this County. I find that both those persons will be necessary as Kings Evidence at Nottingham assizes the former in the prosecution for the attack on my Lord Middleton's gamekeeper the latter in the attack on one Kerry’s House & shooting at him & wounding him in the Head. As Nottingham assizes unfortunately take place previous to those at Leicester there is every possible inducement for such of the Gang as are at large & their very numerous friends to attempt the lives of those men, for if they were disposed of the whole case for the prosecution for the outrage at Loughborough falls to the ground with the exception of one prisoner (Thomas Savage) The removal of these persons from Leicester to Nottingham will be attended with danger as will also their appearance in Court at the latter place. I should hope the High Sheriff & the magistrates for that County will take ample precautions and that the police of the Town will likewise be called into service on the occasion. If I might venture to offer an opinion I should suggest that a very large number of Special Constables should be appointed, & selected from the most respectable classes & well arm’d. I will say to your Lordship (privately) that I fear they are hardly sufficiently alive to the danger and that a jealousy of acknowledging the justice of the bad character the population of the Town & neighbourhood have acquired induces them to under rate the probability of any attempt of the kind I allude to.—Respecting the mode of conveying these two men from Leicester to Nottingham I conceive that best mode will be to take them in chaises under an escort of dragoons two troops of the 15th Lt [Dragoons] are at Leicester but I believe none at Nottingham the distance from Leicester to Nottingham is twenty five miles. In my opinion the best method would be to bring send an escort from Leicester to Loughborough the day before the men set out which would be ready, with their Horses fresh, to take charge of them from the escort which brings them from Leicester & convey them to Nottingham and remain in the Barracks (which are out of the limits of the Town) to convey the men back again, the Escort which brought them to Loughborough remaining there to receive & convey them to Leicester. This arrangement will of course require all your Lordships interference respecting the escort. I should think sixteen men would be sufficient—probably infinitely less would be sufficient for real security but the terror of the two men especially Blackburn, is so great that I am sure you Lordship will see the necessity of inspiring them with confidence. I should hope either a Military Guard or a strong party of well armed Constables will be retaind in the County Gaol at Nottingham during the time these men are there. If this plan should be adopted by your Lordship I would order chaises from Nottingham to meet them at my House which is in the most direct road from Leicester to Nottingham; some distance would be sav’d & the Town of Loughborough avoided. The escort from Loughborough would take charge of them here with less tumult than at Loughborough.—An attempt at a correspondence between Savage & some friends at Nottingham has been discovered to the Gaoler through the means of a prisoner charged with sheepstealing. the Object of it is that a party from Nottingham are to be ready in the vicinity of the Gaol on a certain night the prisoners at Locking up time are to rush on the two Turnkeys & either murder them or force them into one of the Cells & lock them in while others secure the Gaoler & get possession of the keys. Let themselves out into the street where their friends are to be ready with tools to take off their irons & a change of Cloaths to facilitate escape. I have procured a Guard of the 15th [Light Dragoons] every night from Locking up time till after they are let out of the cells in the morning.

I suspect they have some plan in agitation from which they expect success otherwise I cannot account for their encreased spirits & appearance of confidence knowing, as I do, that their [illegible] gives them no hopes of acquittal. As the assizes for the County of Nottingham are very fast approaching I have thought it right to lose no time in stating the circumstances to your Lordship.—I have the Honour to remain

My lord, your Lordships most Obedient very Humble Servant

C. G. Mundy

I should add that the prisoners now in the Gaol of this County for trial at the next assizes amount to no less than fifty four.—

[To] The Rt Honble Lord Sidmouth &c &c &c

5th February 1817: The fuller confession of John Blackburn.

The voluntary confession of John Blackburn of the town of Nottingham Framework knitter taken by me Lanct. Rolleston Esqr one of his Majestys Justices of the Peace to the County of Nottingham

Loughbro’ Job

About a week before the job at Loughbro’, one William Withers of the Town of Nottm Frameworkknitter, came to him, at that time living at Lambley, & said they, meaning the Luddites, wanted him & two more for a job, that he should have his expences paid, & there was £40 for it; it was to take place next friday night, & was to be at Loughbro’, that deponent in company with Aron Daykin, a man whose name he did not know, but called, little Sam, & now sent to the Isle of Wight as a deserter, & Samuel Caldwell, alias the Dragoon, alias big Sam, soon left Lambley & staid at different places; two nights they remained at the Kings Head, narrow marsh in Nottm they paid the landlord 6d each, the reason they went to the lower part of the town was because Savage told them they must not be seen in the upper part, thinks they had all been at the house before, but does not know that the landlord, named Barker, or any of his family knew them as they were all tramps; little Sam & Aron Daykin, remained in the kitchen all the [evening] but deponent & big Sam went out. staid two nights at a public house at Beeston, either the Durham Ox or next door to it, the landlady charged them nothing for lodging or only 2d, thinks little Sam must have been known at Beeston as he had worked at the town, & the others had been used to go to the house, thinks it was a widow who kept the house, she was a jolly woman; whilst we were at the public house at Beeston a man, called whistling Bobby, alias Robt Twigg who was serving the bricklayers in the town, & was working as a houserow man, came in & upon telling him there was going to be a job, he said he was glad of it, &, if it succeeded would give a quart of ale. The next day they parted, leaving big Sam & little Sam in Beeston, himself & Daykin, went together to Hathern, they got some ale at a house on the road, thinks it was the Anchor at Hathern, did not see the landlord, the ale was served by an old woman, they then parted, deponent went to Loughbro’, & Daykin according to Savages previous orders went to Sheepshead to fetch John Disney; alias Sheepshead Jack; it was on Thursday, the day before the job; he got to Loughbro’, & according to appointment met Savage at the sign of the Pack horse, the landlord served deponent with some ale, as soon as he had finished it he left the room, & Savage followed him, according to previous agreement; thinks Savage must have been known to the landlord, as he had been more than a week at Loughbro’; two or three days at the Pack horse, & sometime at the Duke of York; went from thence to Tom Tylers, the White Lion in Swan street, there met according to appointment, Sheepshead Jack, & Daykin; deponent knew the landlord who also knew him; he went out with Savage to buy some beef steaks & had part of them cooked at Tylers, did not stay to eat them as Savage told him it would not do to stay there as they might be noticed; he took him to the Duke of York public house & gave him a bottle of porter, & thinks the landlord knew Savage; he then, about 10 oclock by Savages directions went back to Tylers, & took Disney & Daykin with him to Mount Sorrel hill, where stone is got for the roads, & brought away with them a great hammer and about 30lb, two of about 12lb, & an iron crow; they then returned towards Loughbro’, leaving the tools in the dike just before they came to needless Inn; all three slept in a cart in the outskirts of the town; about 6 in the [morning] went into the Duke of York, found Savage there, breakfasted with him, but the other two Disney & Daykin, were sent to the White Lion, Tom Tylers; during the day took Savage to see the tools in the dike, but as two men appear’d to be watching had not time to look for them, as deponent & Savage run away & were pursued by them; thinks this was about 3 oclock P:M: they first went down a lane towards a windmill, crossed the canal at a bridge, & went towards Hoton, about a mile before they got to the Nottingham road they parted, Savage sent deponent to Hathern to meet little Sam & big Sam, who were coming from Beeston, & Disney & Daykin who had gone there during the day; he was to bring them to Loughbro’; they were not ready, as the hatchets they brought with them wanted new handles, which the ploughmaker at Hathern was doing for them, they had not money enough to pay for them, & deponent was sent back to Loughbro’ to get some from Savage; met him & Jack Amos about a mile before he got to the town, who went back nearly to Hathern, & then gave enough to pay for the hatchets & 3s between every two men for the expences during the night; deponent Savage & Amos came first towards Loughbro’ leaving big Sam, little Sam, Daykin & Disney near the town, meaning Hathern Daykin with either Disney little Sam sent & paid 3s for the hatchets, they were quite new & heard it said Will Withers had bought them but does not know where; when they got near Loughbro’ Savage told deponent he must not go into it as he was well known but must return to Hathern & tell the men there the tools not be brought into the Town till the job was ready; they hid them in a drain under the footpath; big Sam & I, then went to the White Lion & had some cold meat, Daykin, Disney & little Sam to the Green man & had either beef steaks or mutton chops; whilst at supper Savage & another, thinks Hill, came in & asked Tyler the landlord, for a quar of rum & to give him a bottle to put it in, but if he did not like to give it one, he would pay for it, thinks Tyler gave or lent him a bottle; Savage then went out, deponent followed, & was sent to the Green man to fetch those who were there at supper, in about a quarter of an hour they joined him in the road, it was between 11 & 12 o'clock; they were instructed by Savage to proceed on the Ashby road till they came to a house near the turnpike, & to turn down a lane, where they all assembled; the party then consisted of himself & his brother, big Sam, little Sam, Daykin, Disney, Savage, Hill, Jos. Mitchell, Jack Slater, John Amos, John Crowther, William Withers, Bill Burton, Bill Towle & James Towle; whilst in the lane, they disguised themselves in various ways, some by changing coats, some by turning them inside out, & all tied their handkerchiefs over their faces; Slater had big Sam's smock frock on, Mitchel his own coat turned & a handkerchief over his face—

Between Loughborough & Hathern when deponent first met Amos, he asked him, how long he had been there, he said not long; being asked who were coming, he said Jos. meaning Mitchel was with him on the coach, that they passed some on foot, thinks Bill Towle Bill Burton & Crowther; Slater walked, Hill came by the coach, Withers walked, James Towle walked; thinks some of them Bill Towle, Burton & Withers stopt at the ship at Rempstone, they had pistols in their inside great coat pockets, & heard some of the party often say, at a labouring man who saw them, fetched either his master or the landlord to look at them, he did so over a screen, he said something to them wishing to know, what their pistols were for; they left Rempstone & went to the Bell, Hoton, where Bill Towle was sick, is not certain whether this occurr’d at Rempstone or Hoton; Bill Towle had a great coat on—The above named persons went from the lane before mentioned directly towards the factory, they met a man going to it, & threatened if he did not get them quickly admitted, he should suffer for it, he got the door opened & they rushed in, a great dog flew at them James Towle fired at it; Bill Towle struck at it with a hatchet which flew out of his hand, the cry was brush forward; deponent stopped at the corner of the factory till he heard them in the room where the guard was placed, whilst entering the door a pistol went off, he wished to retreat, but one of them said he would blow his brains out if he did not go forward, which he then did, does not know who it was that fired; deponent place sentry at the door of the Factory; upon their going to the top shop, he was  placed sentry over three men in the first floor shop, whilst there, he saw them go up to the top shop, Hill arrived with pistols went first, Mitchel with pistols next, in the call to go up & went with an axe & broke some of the frames, Mitchel soon went down to see all was right, & returned with a gun & bayonet, he said, "Ned, have you done your work well," some one answer’d, yes, "its a Waterloo job by god;" Rodney alias Bill Towle, was going to pocket some lace, Hill said we are not come to rob, but for the good of the trade, if ever I see you up to that again I will blow your brains out, he took it away & burnt it on the floor, they all broke the frames in turn; on going out of the factory several of them went to shake hands with Asher who was shot, whilst deponent was guarding the outer door, he told them to be off, that he might have a doctor; when the pistols were fired at Rushforth's & Sylvesters house, deponent was in the factory but heard big Sam say he fired; & that a curtain was set on fire; as soon as they left the factory 20 or 30 pistols & guns were fired off, they set off home, they went by Garendon Park, knows little of the road till they came to Kingstone Village, which place he remembers from having asked for some water there some day before; a powder flask was taken by big Sam from the factory & carried home to Lambley, but Savage, Mitchel, & Hill saying it might lead to detection if it was found by any one & desiring they might have it, he would not give it up, but broke it to pieces, St if he might not keep it no one else should; and governments also taken from the factory thinks by big Sam, but it was thrown into a canal as they crossed it at a bridge, Sam threw it in; near Kingstone they saw a man at plough, who looked at them but was told to mind his business, he went on with his work; they then went down to the Trent found a boat, got into it, but it would not carry them over the wear; they then went further down the river, towards another boat, part being tired like behind, they crossed the river in two parties, deponent crossed with the first party; Savage paid for the whole, meaning both parties, as they were crossing the river he saw two men on the other side waiting to get over, he heard one of the party say, damn that fat fellow, I know him & he knows me, but he dare say nought, does not know which it was, when they had got over, they took off their disguises, and soon parted, deponent big Sam, little Sam & Daykin, went together, they were desired by Savage, to be at the Fox near Sneinton by ten oclock, & he should have some money for them; they went towards Beeston, before they got there big Sam & Daykin went on first, himself & little Sam stopt at their old house in that town & got a cup of ale, it was between 4 & 5 in the [morning]; they went forward to Lenton, stopt at the wrestlers a public house & had another cup of ale; there he left little Sam saying, if he did not come back in 3 hours, he was to come to him, to the Fox, he did so, big Sam & Daykin were there before them; big Sam said he & Daykin had met Barnes the police officer of Nottingham, he questioned them as to where they had been, told him they came Derby road; they remained at the Fox till dinner, being tired with waiting went to see Savage, met him near the house, he gave two shillings each, he does not know where he got the money but is almost certain at Loughbro’; being questioned for his reasons, he said he not only had heard so, but after his own, deponents, frames were broke at Lambley being out of work, Budder of Nottm desired him to go to one Pounder, one of Lacey’s hands at Loughbro’; saying that after his, Badders trial & acquittal at Leicester, Pounder had behaved well to him, & that as deponent had been at the Loughbro’ job he thought he would assist him too; accordingly he went but did not see Pounder. After he got the money, he went to Lambley with Daykin being taken in from excessive fatigue, he did not leave his house for nearly three weeks.

Thinks it was one of the Guards who took little Sam sometime after, before the magistrates as a deserter, who lived at the Lion & Lamb.

When they parted after crossing the river, James Towle Bill Towle, Mitchel & Hill went together towards Chilwell–

Radford job

A week or two before the job at Radford, Jack Slater met deponents as he was going in with his work, deponent asked him to go & drink, they went to Galloways public house down a yard in St. Ann’s St. Nottm Slater told him they were going to have a job, & that he thought they would want him, saying they, (meaning only the Nottm set) had intended doing it themselves, but had quarrelled, he did not know the time but would send word to him; the same day he met Badder who told him nearly the same thing; sometime after Badder told him to come the next Saturday & bring big Sam, little Sam, Daykin, Disney & Jack Plumb all of Lambley, they went accordingly, & met at Seymours the chaise & horse Sandy lane Nottm staid there till Badder & Slater came, about 10 or 11 went to Lammas closes; the party then consisted besides the Lambley set of James Towle Bill Towle, Jos. Mitchel & Hill, Thos Humphrey or Emphrey, & thinks the two Diggles & Bill Burton but is not certain as he did not know them at that time & cannot swear to them; there was also a club footed man of Basford, whose name he does not know. Staid in the lammas closes an hour or two; Slater & Badder left them, the rest then went direct to the houses of Mullins & Wright, met no one by the way; James Towle, Bill Towle, Mitchel, Hill & little Sam, were inside men; saw James Towle with an iron crow breaking the door, & Bill Towle with an hatchet, others were in the house does not know who; deponent knows but little of any thing particular that passed, having been placed sentry in Chapel street where he remained all the time watching; others were placed in West street & others down the sands; does not know the particular persons; the guard in WestsStreet told him, that several persons upon hearing the noise & particularly an old woman, were coming out of their houses, but they forced them to go in again; as soon as the job was over they all but Hill & Jos. Mitchell who he thinks went home, went to Red Lane & deliver’d up their arms to a man appointed to meet them there from Nottm they were put into two bags, & taken away; the Lambley set made the best of their way home, does not know the man who took the arms but he was old & a Nottm man as deponent understood; met no one on their way to Lambley.

The job in Woolpack Lane last Goose Fair

The day it happened he was at home & at work, a man from Mansfield, known to big Sam & sent by him, came to him saying big Sam wanted him & he must come directly, went with him to the Eclipse in Chapel lane in Nottm, met Jos. Mitchel & big Sam, both told him there was going to be a bit of a job & he must make one; this was one at oclock, they all staid there till about 6, they sat in the room fronting the street, drinking ale; Mitchel gave them 2s apiece as deponent said he would not go without; the ale was served sometime by the maid sometimes by a servant man & sometimes by the landlord, thinks Mitchel was well known there but deponent was never in the house before; thinks it is very likely their party was not particularly noticed as the house very full on account of the fair & every one very busy; saw no one particular who appeared to know Mitchel; after 6 oclock being dark & rainy, they went into a field, on the other side the Volunteer, the party then consisted of Jos. Mitchell, Hill, big Sam, the Mansfield man, Adam Slack, Willm Withers, Jack Plumb, Tom Daykin brother to Aron, & deponent, they all except Withers, Adam Slack, & deponent disguised themselves all having a smock frock on, Mitchel supplied some & big Sam brought two; at 7 oclock they went to the house, deponent did not know the persons name; deponent was placed sentry over a grocers shop at the next door, Mitchel, Hill, Tom Daykin & Jack Plumb went in, the Mansfield man was placed over the back door; as soon as they were in the house women and children made a great noise, which brought a crowd about the house, thinks more than 100 persons, they endeavour’d to keep those in the house from coming out but were prevented by big Sam, who run up the steps & pulled some of them from the door, Sam asked deponent what he should do, had he not better fire to alarm those in the house? he did so into the air; as soon as he had fired a man endeavoured to lay hold of Sam, but he pointed his gun at him & the man desisted, the crowd also gave way; Mitchel & the others immediately came out of the house, & they all, (except Adam Slack run away when the crowd was round the house) returned to the fields they met in; here deponent deliver’d up the pistol he had in his hand & went back to the Eclipse where he slept, leaving the others in the fields; saw nothing of any one except his own townsmen for three weeks or a month after—

The Attack upon Kerry near Aspley in the parish of Radford.—

It was for the purpose of breaking his frame that the attack was made, he was working cut up work; no previous intention of injuring him was entertained, & no violence would have been used had he not resisted; this job has long been talked of, the day before it happened, Tom Humphrey, or Emphrey, of Basford, came to deponent, said what was going to be done, & asked him to make one, he refused saying, he should get nothing by it, besides he should have to go & return thro’ Nottm & Radford, & thought he should be noticed, he has every reason to believe that Daniel & Joseph Mellors the men now in custody for shooting Lord Middleton's keepers, & Tom Humphrey, were the men; as the night they assembled for the purpose of attacking Cooks house, he heard Mellors telling Diggle his wife was a dam’d open mouthed bitch, & would get them hanged, or words to that effect; deponent knows Diggle’s wife has talked about it—

Various circumstances related by John Blackburn to Mr. Rolleston—

The circumstances which first led to his connection with the Luddites was a quarrel at a public house with some of the set, & thinking himself illused he applied to Jos. Mitchel whom he had previously known, for redress, when Mitchell saw the persons he had quarrelled with, he said they were good fellows, he advised him to make it up & join their party, which he agreed to; the first job he ever was at was about 4 or 5 years ago the last job that was done before the act passed, making the offence capital; they met in the fields at the back of Nottm near Sneinton, whilst there ale &c was brought by some of the party, & a quantity of arms, well remembers a great many swords, they proceeded to break the frames at New Sneinton, old Sneinton, & in Trumpet street Nottm; being the first time he was out, was alarmed, & remembers no particulars, except they were nearly shooting a man who would look at them, thinks he was called old Moore; Mitchel Savage, Badder, were of the party, also James Towle & Simpson (who have been executed) & Bamford who was shot at Basford,—At the time the 15th or 9th Lt. Dragoons had new accoutrements whilst quartered at Nott, their old swords were sold, & bought by a man living in the Long Row named Blackwell, & sold by him to a man named Jarratt, who was once a noncommissioned officer in the Nottm militia, who brought them to the Ludds when assembled near Sneinton, for the purpose of breaking the frames—

The Luddites have at this time no regular depot of arms, each man generally has his own which he keeps;

Does not know they are in any way connected with the members of the Hampden Clubs, deponent is not one;

Knows of no organised system for a general disturbance, never heard of such a thing, but some talk of a revolution, does not think any thing particular is meant, is certain he should know were it the case to any extent.

A committee of the Luddites is held at the Unicorn, Pannier close Nottm thinks their books & papers may be kept there, but does not know; thinks Ludding is not conducted with the same spirit it has been; money, which they cannot do without has been scarce, owing to the bad times; when a job was intended money was collected from any one that that would give; it would surprise you to know the many respectable shopkeepers in Nottm who had given money; does not know if they were reduced to do so by fear, or other motives; is certain of the fact; their funds are at this time exhausted; should the men now in custody be executed, is certain it will break up the Ludding system, as they are at this time, the leading men, particularly Savage, & Mitchel who is the most determined & desperate character he knows, Mitchel with either Bamford or Simpson were the persons who shot Mr Trentham; thinks it was Mitchel who fired.

Is certain every effort will be used for his destruction when it is known the part he has taken, a very large body of men can be collected at Nottm & altho’ the actual Ludds may not be so very numerous, yet he is sure in case of any desperate effort being intended, every disaffected or dissatisfied person would join them, & make their force very great; thinks a great effort is most likely to be made at the time he appears at the assizes at Nottm against the men committed for shooting at Cook; "you wont believe me, but I know for certain there are many who will risk their lives by shooting me in Court if they can, as they know if I appear against the men in custody all Ludding will be over & there are many who for money & the good of the trade will do any thing."

at the time Glover & Chettle were tried for the Radford job, there were a great many armed men ready to rescue them, should they have been convicted; at the time Towle was tried at Leicester he deponent was offer’d money to go & shoot the Judge, & rescue the business; he refused, but several went, but owing to the precaution taken, of having those who were not known searched, they dare not come into Court; about 2000 men were to have assembled in the meadows to have murder’d the Judge as he left the town, but as most of them were to come from Hinckley side, they did not arrive in time.

Before me
Lanct. Rolleston
Jany 9th & other days
1817

[On reverse] Blackburn’s full Confession to Mr Rolleston, inclosed in his letter of 5th Feby 1817.