11th February 1818: The Reverend C.W. Ethelston vouches for the anti-Luddite spy, Samuel Fleming

My Lord

Your Lordship’s letter of the 6th instt I had the honor of receiving on Sunday evening but delay’d my answer in expectation of being able to write more fully on the subject of the enquiries contain’d in it—Unfortunately our Deputy Constable, from whom I might have receiv’d accurate information as “to what extent & with what degree of utility Fleming was employ’d” in 1812, is absent from Manchester on a trial of some importance.

For that reason, my Lord, I can only speak to the point from memory. To the best of my recollection Fleming was an evidence against the Luddites, who were brought to trial before Baron Wood, but were not convicted on his Evidence—at the same time he was thought worthy of a remuneration & receiv’d it—To what amount I cannot speak with certainty—With regard to his services last year I must say that up to a particular period his Intelligence was faithful & important, for which according to the entrusted to my management he always receiv’d in my opinion an adequate compensation—In the expedition to Huddersfield for the discovery of arms conceal’d, he fail’d thro misconduct, but afterwards redeem’d his Character by some important Information relative to the Insurrection in March last.

Whether upon the whole Fleming has been sufficiently remunerated is not for me to determine. I can only say he has been constantly in the habit of receiving occasional supplies from me, ‘till very lately, since Jany 1817; but, as he only shar’d a limited Sum with several others, I will submit now to your Lordship’s judgment recommend him to your further notice.

I think he might be employ’d as a subordinate Agent in a Police Office but in no situation when Education is requir’d—The letter to your Lordship has evidently been written for him & his statement is exaggerated.

I have [etc]
C.W. Ethelston

Longsight
Manchr
Feby 11th 1818

[Written on reverse by Home Office clerk]
Answer to Enquiry whether
Fleming had any claim
for remuneration on
Government for his
Services

28th March 1817: A 'Mr. Richards' requests a meeting with the Home Secretary

Right Honourable
Sir

May it please your Lordship to have a private interview with a humble individual which may lead to some material information for your Lordship—consideration, and importance for the welfare and justice of this country

Your Lordship will have the goodness to excuse the Signature of name at present but the writer will wait for your Lordships answer as he is the Bearer of this himself will fully satisfy your Lordship as to the propriety of the greatest Secrecy at present

Fryday morng
28 March 1817

[On the reverse: "Mr Richards requesting an Interview"]

26th June 1816: Former Bolton spies appeal to the Home Secretary for financial aid

Lancashire
Bolton-le-Moors 26 June 1816

My Lord

It is with extreme reluctance that the following lines are offered to your Lordship’s notice, unaided as they are by any recommendations of persons of wealth or fulfilling the Offices of civil authority; the peculiarity of our situations however we trust will insure to us your Lordship’s pardon for the intrusion and obtain for us a due consideration of the contents of this letter—

We are three of those, we may say unfortunate persons, though very fortunate for this part of the country that some such men were to be found in it, who are the great hazard of our lives and to the detriment of our bodily health were mainly instrumental by the assistance of some others, in discovering and disclosing to the Magistracy of this Division all the horrible plots and designs of a set of disaffected men, calling themselves Luddites and illegally assembling at various hours in the nights and at various places in the vicinity of his town in the early part of the year 1812, with a view to promote in the end, nothing less than anarchy and confusion in the country and if possible, by their ill advice and example to excite in this kingdom open rebellion and overthrow of His Majesty's Government; we say such were their designs, however inefficient might be their means—With the sole view of obtaining information we attended numerous of the said meetings and disclosed immediately the proceedings thereof to the civil authorities as above stated and by means of an active magistracy and our exertions in the manner described, much rioting and disturbance in this neighbourhood, to say the least, was surely prevented—We afterwards attended at the Special and August assizes for this county in the said year 1812 to give evidence against several of ringleaders and abettors of the horrible plans we had used our endeavours to check most of whom were found guilty and sentenced to such punishments as the offended laws of their country warranted or prescribed—

We were fairly remunerated for the time we spent in these services by the Civil Authorities and we should never have appealed to your Lordship for any farther remuneration if all had ended with the destruction of the Ludding system; but as we from attending at the assizes necessarily became known pretty generally, as well as the services we are performed in the spirit of disaffection at that time running very high in this neighbourhood, popular opinion and prejudice became very strong against us and the losses we have since sustained in consequence had been very great and we are reduced to extreme necessity—

Your Lordship will easily conceive that we must have suffered grievously on being assured that owing to public prejudice, we sometimes have been unable to obtain any employment at all, and that at other periods we have been obliged to turn to such employment as has not suited our abilities or capacities, because it was not of that kind which we had been accustomed to or brought up in—One of us (Wm Orrell) through his wife became possessed of a moderate sum of money early in the year 1813, and at that time with the money he was possessed of, entered into the business of Public Victualler or Innkeeper, with a view as he thought of obtaining frizz numerous offspring a comfortable subsistence, but public prejudice was so strong against him, that with all proper exertion on his part, he has been obliged to retire from this situation, with his little capital lost and in great distress—Besides these disabilities which we have laboured under the insults offered us and the dangers to which we have been exposed have been serious and alarming, nay our lives have been plotted against and by chance alone have been prevented proving fatal to us.

We have often seen advertised in the public prints His Majesty's governments offering rewards to persons who should discover the authors or abettors of various felonious acts &c as was lately the case with respect to Norfolk, Suffolk &c & though we do not conceive that such voluntary offers of Govt. entitle us any more to claims beyond the just merits of our services and the awful predicament in which those services have thrown us, yet here we may remark that in consequence of our information and the evidence we bore against them at Lancaster, several were found guilty of felonious acts, and were accordingly transported, imprisoned &c—

Under all these circumstances we have determined to make an humble appeal through your Lordship as Secretary of State to the liberality of His Majesty's Government for some compensation for the losses we have sustained in consequence of, we trust meritorious, services in the cause of our country in the year 1812—We have long ago, finding ourselves so much injured meditated a memorial to your Lordship, whom we believe Julie appreciate our services and have a considerable time since applied to the magistracy to support it for us, but it never got done, they not seeming willing to encourage it Col Fletcher however one of the most active magistrates at the critical period alluded to best knows our services & circumstances and we have no doubt he would give every information in his power which your Lordship might wish & if your Lordship could wish any further particulars of our individual cases we should very willingly furnish them—

Humbly begging your Lordship will excuse the liberty we have taken and the favor of a reply addressed to Wm. Orrell on behalf of us all we beg to subscribe ourselves

My Lord

Your Lordships very
humble & Obed. Servants

Wm. Orrell
Ellis Schofield
William Hardman

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

Direct Willm. Orrell
Late Inn Keeper Greate Bolton..le..Moors—
Lancashire

8th December 1815: The Warwickshire JP, William Hamper, informs the Home Secretary about a man selling pamphlets about the Luddites

Birmingham, Decr 8th, 1815—

My Lord,

A Man named William Cooper, who appears to have been formerly a Grocer at Nottingham, is now travelling through this neighbourhood, under the pretence of offering for sale a Pamphlet of his writing containing some account of the Luddite Disturbances. He talks largely of being patronized by many of the Nobility, & in a List of Benefactors (whose donations amounted upwards of One Hundred & Forty Pounds) your Lordship’s Name is set down for 5£ in an handwriting which I shall now endeavour to give in Facsimile:

Lord Sidmouth . . . . . . . . 5

Some of the Signatures in his List appear to be genuine, but others have every appearance of being artfully fabricated for the purpose of deception; and I trust your Lordship will not consider me as overstepping my Duty in enquiring whether or not the Man has been a partaker of Your Lordship’s bounty.—I have detected so many Plunderers on public Benevolence, in Persons travelling with Petitions & false Certificates, that I make a point of thoroughly investigating every Case of that description which comes before me. I have the honour to remain, with the greatest Respect,

My Lord
Yr Lordship’s faithful Servant
Wm Hamper.
One of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the Counties of Warwick & Worcester

PS. From the colour of the Ink, it is not improbable that Your Lordship’s name was written a year or two ago.—

27th June 1815: George Coldham's informer sends his second report of the day about Nottinghamshire Luddites

27th June 1815.

I was at Seymour’s last night with Burton, Badder, John Slater Hill, John Mann & Holmes.—The journey to London was considered. They wanted me to go to London by myself.—Hill told me privately that Holmes had been heard to say it would be a casualty going there and they therefore did not think he was hearty in the cause and have not full confidence in him.—I objected going alone & alledged as a reason that one person only would not be so much noticed as 2 or more and that the person from Leicester might not be ready to go.—They have collected they said betn 30 & 40 [shillings] & put the same into John Mann's hands.—The Needlemn in Woolpack Lane I think his name is Stevens was to have furnished instructions to whom to go to in London & he came there but did not come into the Room amongst us on acct of there being some words about Homes whom they suspect – Burton and Hill have been to Sampson Walker as proposed & told him about the London Journey & that I was to go — He told them there was a Snake amongst them for the [Corporation] had got a List of 20 of their names & that some of these Names were at London before now — Hill urged my going — I told them Nottingham would be only a handful & that they would not act if they had not many more Towns to join them.—The London Journey is given up and I am going into Yorkshire, to Wakefield, Sheffield, Halifax and some other places were mentioned & I am to meet them again tomorrow night to have final instructions & be furnished with money .. Bigs the Tinman in Greyhound Yard is the man that went there before but they have a very bad conceit of him & say he would tell if taken on Suspicion.—They say he is frightened & tells them he dreams and talks in his sleep about what is going on — They are to go to him to day to get some information from him.—Hill & Slater said there was a Petition going on in the Town.—They wanted me to go to Sampson Walker to find out whose names the Corporation have got,—They talked about where the Arms are deposited but none of them could tell where they are — Slater said the way to find that out would be to seize some of the head Devils, they named [Aldermen] Swann & Mr Coldham the Town Clerk & put them in fear by threatening their lives if they would not tell whether arms are — As to Coldham they said they should not save him if he did tell for he was a Governmnt Spye & had £400 a yr — A great deal more like language was used, they said this [Corporation] was worse than Government — Slater told me privately he had been agaitwards with Dann to arnold & Dann had told him he had been taking a view yesterday of Mr Coldham’s house & that he means to lay wait for him — Dann is not to go to Leicester — He remains working at Gilberts Sandy Lane — They are to attempt to seize the arms of the militia stationed in Nottm.

27th June 1815: George Coldham's informer writes of a meeting with Gravenor Henson & talk of revolution in Nottingham

27th June 1815.

I was with Sampson Walker yesterday morning about the [Corporation] having a list of the Ludd's names. He began to chastise me as soon as he saw me & advised me to have nothing to do with it. I told him I had nothing to do to do with it, & the Connection I had with these men was only just formed & they could not have my name. He said Lomax the Grocer told him the Corporation had had the names a month since & that there was no doubt they had gone up to Government & they might suspend the Habeas Corpus Act & put anyone into Prison without shewing why.―He told me by all means to drop the Connection as Revolution was not to be brought about by the means they proposed & he had told Burton to call again, but he should have nothing to do with it.—When I left Walker about 9 oClock I went to Stevens the Needlemaker in King Street, Woolpack Lane.―He began to talk to me about a Revolution & Gravenor Henson came in — Gravenor began to talk about getting money & he asked me if old Newton of Bullwell had not got a good bit of Gold.—I told him I understood he had but I did not know where it was.—He said ‘Oh damn that, we’ll soon find it when we get there, I asked him how we were to find it. He said ‘Oh damn that we would soon make him tell, by putting him in bodily fear by getting some hot water & pouring on his legs, hanging him up, or giving him a good hiding or some such way.—We talked about the Revolution. He said he could raise 25,000 men in 2 hours.—As for such fellows as Dr. Wylde & all those black gowned [Gentleman] he would send them to New South Wales where many a brave fellow had been sent — He said there were three men in Nottm. shd. die & nothing should save them.―I asked him who they were — He said one was Coldham the Town Clerk,—Stevens of Mansfield & Beecher of Southwell. These he said should have no mercy.—We had a deal of talk about a Revolution―Burton came & heard part of this Conversation.—He talked of the same method as before proposed by Slater of finding where the arms are by getting hold of some of the heads of the Town & making them tell where they are. — Remained with till about noon — Was with Burton, John Mann, Badder, Holmes, and John Slater to night at the Leather Bottle.—They called me out into the Street & told me they thought it would be better to lay aside the Yorkshire Journey a few days — The reasons they assigned were — their suspicion of John Greaves who was Secretary to the Committee of the late Petitioning.—They said he has a Cousin at Coldham's Office & he has been in the habit of going there sometimes. They did not say that he had told of anything that he had discovered anything on there but that Mr. Coldham had once said to him he had too much of Sir Francis Burdett in him, & they said that Mr. Coldham would not have said so to him unless he had been saying something to Mr. Coldham — Holmes swore if he found out, that any man was hunting his blood he would hunt his.—They agreed that John Greaves is to be told it had all dropped on account of this news & then they should get rid of him.―They agreed we were to meet next Sunday or Monday and if I had anything to communicate I might come to John Mann at the Leather Bottle & he would let them know, & I told them they might find me at Hollingworth's.

Dann is 5 f. 6 or 7 inches high.. has redish hair and wiskers largish palish complexion.―thin face rather long – a tooth out in front, think on the top jaw – is franfreckled – generally wears blue Framework Pantaloons, walks upright & quick off the Ground - has a fullish eye, color, blue.―Teeth rather yellow – longish nose aquiline or roman, mostly wears a Jacket, a kind of Fustian without laps, – looks cleanish mostly. —

When Gravenor Henson was talking about the means to be used to effect a Revolution he said the first thing to be done was to set fire to Lombard Street where all the Banks were & then when the Mail brought that intelligence it, must be the signal to begin every where else. The next thing London must be shoved out & we could go to thro the Country in 9 days.―He mentioned many Towns where there were arms & the People were ripe & what Towns would be of Service — He mentioned so many I cant remember them.—He spoke of many in Yorkshire & Lancashire & a Barracks where there were only 500 Soldiers and many arms. This place must be attacked & the Arms seized & it would strike a dread upon the Country.—He said a great deal that I cannot repeat about the means to be adopted & the measures to be pursued by the Revolutionists.

26th June 1815: George Coldham reports on plans to send his informer to London

Nottingham June 1815

Private

Dear Sir,

I inclose you a Copy of our last Report by which you will perceive the Statement made by our Informant of the Situation of Leicester. I did not I confess think these Men quite so dangerous as I was Disposed to imagine that but I still conceive their power of doing harm rendered expedient to know as much of them as we can. The Secret Committee have therefore Determined to let our Informant go to London if the Luddites can raise him a Companion & so much Money as to clear him of the Suspicion of being too forward If they can furnish the two Men £6 he will pretend to have got Subscriptions as far as £2 & will go [illegible] care to raise in the meantime some small Subscriptions where it will be reported to them. I have conferred with the Magistrates & if he goes they have Determined to send me Clerk Francis Wright with whom our Informant communicates here with an Introduction to you so that if it really appears that there is any channel of communication in London which it can be important for Government to know you & Lord Sidmouth will be put in possession of it. The Expenses attending this measure I have taken upon myself to be responsible for the Secret do not think it belongs to them & the Magistrates are aware that it may form a questionable Article in the County Rate Accounts & I hope you will think it is an Expense which Government will under the circumstances consider them bound to provide for. Nothing good or important may arise out of it or it may lead to useful Information but if the opportunity occurs I shall not think I Do my Duty without making the experiment. As by probability our Informant’s going may be Delayed somewhat longer I have shall be glad to hear from you on this subject by return of Post if you differ from me in Opinion. We hope we are in a [fair] [Train] of finding as the Person who wrote the private Letter to me respecting the Arms & that more Information may result from it. I think nothing at all of their means of any serious permanent mischief but I believe a few of them are mad & desperate enough for anything. At present they are very slow to believe in the Defeat of Bonaparte. I cannot close this Letter without congratulating Lord Sidmouth & yourself most sincerely & heartily upon the late glorious Victory which has placed Lord Wellington & this Country upon the very Pinnacle of Military Glory I devoutly hope that it may be immediately lead to consequences important & decisive of the best Interests of Britain & of Europe.

I am Dear Sir,
Your’s very truly
Geo. Coldham

[To] J. Beckett Esqr.

PS. Our Informant [returns] to communicate with us to morrow Afternoon where you shall hear if he can be safely permitted to go to London

7th June 1815: Informer's report about the activities of Nottingham Luddites

7th June 1815.

I went with Badder last night to the Leather Bottle.―There were many there that I knew to be Ludds and well wishers to them.—They don't go to the Goat so much as they used to, because there is so much rabble and noise there by the Company gambling &c.—Sherwood was amongst them at the Leather Bottle and asked me when I should be ready to go into Yorkshire.―He said there was a man to go this morning who has some connections there.—I proposed to go with him and asked who he was.―He said he did not know his name, and you might not like any one to go with him, and he thought I had better stop till he came back which would be next Friday or Saturday and he said they would not take so much notice of one man as they would of 2 or 3, in a Company―I told him it would require about a fortnight to be to do any good and it would be a considerable expence and that I should like to have some money raised for me—He said I must get some goods and sell there, as money was very scarce and he told me there had been a man there but he came back sooner than was intended for want of money and that those he got amongst on learning he was a Nottingham Ludd were very fond of him.—He gave me the address of “John Holden Junr Bottom of Broad Lane Sheffield” which he wrote in my presence (and told me to mind and not get the old man) who would, introduce me to the persons I was to confer with & that he would not say much to me himself.―Some of the Company heard this discourse I joined in it and approved of the plan.—I was there from 7 till about ½ past 9. I then went with Badder to the Fox the bottom of Wood Street, stopped there about ½ an hour but as nothing was doing there we went to the Cricket players and there saw 4 or 5 I know by sight and to be Ludds or Friends to them.—One of them began to talk to Badder about the Revolution and said he hoped it would be while he lived and not long first.—He said he thought it would be very soon and said Hill (who used to be employed by Mr. Nunn as a Mechanic) told him it would be in a fortnight—Badder told him he must not mind what he said before he was a rogue and a madman and not to be trusted.—They don't mention any plan of operations to be acted upon to effect the Revolution and say there is somebody concerting a plan and will make it known in proper time but I cannot learn who these persons are and I think they don't know.

What they do know appears to come to them through Delegates.―There was a great deal of talk about the Revolution and they said there were somebody at work who we did not know of that they would not be known until the minds of the people were shown.—Badder says Hill talks too much and will be getting himself hanged and advised me not to trust him He asked me if I were at Heald’s last Monday where he said there was a Meeting and I think from what he said the man who is going into Yorkshire, is sent from there—He said Hill was there―He lives somewhere, in or about the Meadow Platts and works in Barker Gate between the Punch Bowl and Cricket Players on the same side.—Jack Dann (proper name Rand) was at my house last Sunday—A woman named Lomas at Bulwell, has been talking publicly about my being a Ludd and a man of Arnold has been doing the same as to Dann.―Dan told me he had been talking to Jack Slater about it,—He said they both agreed that it was necessary either to shoot them or do them some injury to deter them and others from the like practice―He swore he would take care Lomas’s Frames should be broke when I should be in Yorkshire and he asked me for a Pistol—I told him he should have one, in the course of a week.—He said Slater urged the shooting the woman (Lomas) I endeavoured to prevail upon him not to do anything on my account and told I thought I could settle Lomas a different way.—He said he always liked to be revenged and he should not have felt easy if he had not revenged Bamford's death at Garton before he came off the ground (He shot Kilby)—Badder told me they had sent Lincoln (a Ludd in the Gaol, for assaulting 2 Constables) a pound last Monday and that Peter Green had been sending for some money.—He said he had been rather neglected the last week and had been complaining—I think Peter was not at Bulwell when the man was shot at Hollingsworth's if he had I think he would have boasted of it as he always tells of his exploits—Peter's wife has been blowing up Badder and told him if she were Peter she would have somebody else there where he is—Badder said he damned her for a Fool and told her to get home.—I think Badder would tell if he knew there was any thing could be brought home to him. Peter's wife is a very industrious woman and wants the Ludds to see why he is detained and their not having done any thing to obtain his release has provoked her—Badder told me Peter was such a fool he had told her every thing and from what she had said he knew Peter had told her that he, Badder, was at Garton's.―

2nd June 1815: Informer's report about Nottinghamshire Luddites

2d June 1815.

I was with Rand yesterday morning at the top of Sandy Lane, He then told he should like to seek revenge upon any one that should interrupt us, and he had done more for Nottingham than any Chap in Nottm.—He said they had all turned their backs on doing that Job at Broad Lane Paddock at Harvey’s and he went the first in.—He works with Gilbert at the top of Sandy Lane, and that he was backward at paying his Journeymen but he always paid him regularly because he was with him at the Job at Harvey’s.—I don't know Gilbert.—He told me if I wanted him for any thing particular I must enquire for John Simpson nearly the Old Spot Red Hill.—He said the man he had worked with at Arnold had had a Warrant against him about the Frame he worked in.—He said the man told him the Frame was stopped when he only wanted to put another hand in it,—and then he, Rand required a fortnight’s rent on notice, and the master paid him a fortnights rent but had a Warrant against him for threatening his master's life but it was made up without going before the Magistrates.—This was about 3 weeks ago.—For this he should like to be revenged – not to have his Frames broke but to have his Furniture all destroyed.—Yesterday in the afternoon I went to Cook’s house and talked with him about the Revolution.—He said he should like me to go, to see how they were going on in Yorkshire, and that Gravenor Henson had been but he did not know any body there and could not get to do anything.—Cook said he had paid [3 shillings] towards the expence of Henson's journey — Sherwood was present in the Shop when this discourse was had and said if I went he could get me Information where to find somebody as could tell me where to meet with the Committee.—Sherwood has been in Leicestershire and he says they are not right enough there, they want Nottm to turn out first and he would have me decline going till there was a fresh Committee chose in Nottingham as there was something in Agitation and when I went he would have me take a bit of Lace or something of that kind for a blind.—I went with Cooke to the Dog and Drake in Chandler's Lane, where he said there was a party met sometimes.—He said there was a Militia Serjeant there the night before who declared he would be pulled to the top of the House by a Rope round is next to join Sir Francis Burdett sooner that he would miss joining him if he were at their head and he knew many more would do the same Cook said chief of the Dissenters would join but there was one thing which kept them from opposing the Government & that was the hush money paid by the Government to the Preachers but many did not know of that.—He said he knew one man who was not fit to get into a Pulpit who received £4 not long since of this hush money.—He said Robinson of Cambridge gave it the name of hush money.—He talked a great deal about the Revolution and that if Lancashire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire would turn out they would stop all the trade of the nation.—A man who stands at the door of the Theatre and take’s cheques was present at part of this conversation and expressed himself very warmly in favor of the Revolution, but that it would not happen this 2 or 3 years.—I said I wished it to be between now and Nottingham Races Cooke said he thought it would not be so soon.—Cooke did not say any thing to me about any communications from any other place.—I [tried] Rand if he knew Greaves in Gaol for Burglary but he did not appear to know him.—

10th May 1815: George Coldham summarises the report of an informer for the Home Office

Private and Confidential

Dear Sir,

I promised to Write to you soon when I had last the pleasure of seeing you and I determined to wait the next Report of our Informant and to set about acquiring Information as to the Steps taking in the County to prepare a Military Force in Case of Emergency, but I am sorry to be forced to state to you that I very much fear we are upon the Eve of some particular movement.―I am not, I hope, credulous, but I will state to you what Information I have received and I must say, that from two or three other quarters and by my own Eyesight the probability of its being true is rather confirmed that contradicted.—Our informant by a Report delivered this morning says that there were many persons who had seen the curious Proclamation, I read you, and approved of it.—On Sunday night at one of the private and confidential Meetings of the Sett, he was told by one of these Luddites "that there was something else agate that not above one or two in this Town knew of, and it would be plopped out all at once (meaning the Disclosure would be unexpectedly made) – He states that he was with another of these men yesterday (his name he states and residence) and went with him to his Garden, in Sneinton Field and shewed him the Sutton Proclamation. He said he rejoiced very much and was very glad something was going on somewhere else as the Corporation of Nottingham were the damnest set of Rascals in the Country and there was that dammed bull neck Coldham if he got a bit of Information he was off up to the Government with it.—He said he should like to take the lives of some of them—He said what they did was the fear of losing their places,—He stated, when speaking about the Proclamation, there would be something happen in a few weeks they were little aware of as the Soldiers would be then out of the Country—He asserted there had been some men over from Leicester last week and there they were quite ready to join the rest―He said he had seen a man from Birmingham, who told him they were ready there – He said there was somebody, in this Town who knew better than he did what was going on but he did not say who he was — This man is much acquainted with Gravenor Henson, and he thinks it is he is alluded to as knowing better than he did what was going on from his manner of talking – He said they know their friends and they would be all ready to act when called upon".—In stating to you that the substance of this Statement is confirmed by corroborating Accounts and in some degree by my own observation.—I have remarked since my return a more than ordinary knotting and gathering together in small parties of the Common People at night such as always attends and precedes any considerable popular movement.—From three different quarters it has been reported to me from respectable sources of Information that conversations have been overheard which evidently have allusion to some popular commotion.—In opposition to this expectation it is right and proper and consistent with the fact to reflect, that all people whose minds are inflamed, are in the constant habit of overrating their strength and force and the extent of the support which they imagine themselves to possess.—The numbers that will talk and give support by words bear no proportion to the diminished numbers of those who will proceed to Action and these latter must be again increased or diminished in a degree scarcely conceivable by the apparent difficulty or ease of the proposed enterprize.—

From these reflections I been induced to look at our situation as one of no danger or difficulty if we are properly supported not to be trifled with without incurring extreme danger – I believe we are yet safe as we have at present very decent force of Dragoons and a reasonable proportion of Infantry, but Lord Sidmouth taught me to expect we should ere long be compelled to depend upon calling in the County Troops of Yeomanry to our aid.—On this Account I determined to apply myself to learn what steps have been taken on this subject by the County Magistrates, I have accordingly applied to one of these Gentlemen and I learn from him in a manner that leaves not the least doubt of the fact (and I beg of you to state it to Lord Sidmouth for his information confidentially from me relying that neither Lord Sidmouth or yourself will quote me or make me responsible for the accuracy of my intelligence) that the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire or the Lord Lieutenant had already applied to one or two of these Corps stating that their Services would probably be wanted in the County without having had the pleasure of receiving any assurance that they would be forthcoming for that purpose if requested.—My Informant further stated to me that on a former occasion one or more of these Yeomanry Corps had been called out and that they had presented an Account of their expences to the County Magistrates which had amounted to £100 or £200 I doubt whether not £300 consisting of the Tavern Expences of Officers and privates at what these Gentlemen considered a very extravagant Rate.—That the consequence had been that these expences had been refused to be paid and it was believed they would be again refused to be paid by the Magistrates of the County of Nottingham both as they thought the extent of the charges on this account enormous and as the Magistrates considered it illegal altogether to pay a Military Force out of the County Rate Funds.—If indeed the King’s Troops were employed they should not regard giving them any compliment or remuneration for extra Services or refreshment or Provisions & prefer doing so to incurring the risk of encountering the extravagant demands of the Yeomanry – Let me not be mingled in any way in these questions, I have nothing to do with them but wait their results, which may leave us in absolute distress if not attended to.—We have no force but the Cambridge Militia which has been too long here & any Infantry want Barracks here to be effective for otherwise they are mixed up with the Mob, and cannot be kept in a state of regularity and discipline.—I strongly suspect that the People know well the disposition of these people and regard them as persons totally indisposed to be opposed to them.—The officers are well disposed & the Commanding Officer a personal Friend of mine but without Barracks they are unable to maintain Discipline and the constant state of Association with the Town’s People has had a very pernicious effect upon the spirit of the men if attempted to be brought into Action against the People. I would therefore strongly urge upon his Majesty's Government to judge whether it would not be expedient to provide us with Infantry Barracks here to some extent, but if they should do it I beg it may be done from their own Judgement on the subject arising out of the peculiar circumstances of the Town and Neighbourhood. In addition to the presence of a force, in Infantry which is still less essential than a force in Cavalry I beg to suggest to you whether it might not be practicable to make this a Depot of Cavalry by which there would be a constant force or the appearance of a regular force in Cavalry here available for the public Service.—

There is a most violent Petition signing to the Prince Regent against the War which is likely very much to heighten the present Inflammation of the public mind it is lying for signature at a private house the Mayor having his by his decided conduct respecting the public Meeting forced them to abandon all claim upon the public Rooms belonging to the Corporation for this purpose.—

I have written this letter with the full knowledge and approbation of the small private circle with whom I communicate who are the Mayor, my Brother Mr. Alderman Coldham and the Secret Committee.—I do not feel alarmed for myself but I am satisfied that if we have not at our command at all times a considerable effective Military Force, we ought at least to have such a force as would assume a formidable appearance.

Lord Sidmouth, I believe, thinks I entertain too strong a leaning against the Yeomanry Corps, but I confess I have no opinion they can be made equally effective in any tolerable degree in comparison with the Regulars.—I know that all the Farmers in this immediate Neighbourhood stand in awe of the Mob for fear of their damaging and setting fire to their Corn Stacks &c, and that this Feeling as materially as Mr. Justice Baile’ys Charge operated to the acquitted of Jas Towle.

Pray let me hear from you on the subject of this letter

Your’s very truly
Geo Coldham

Nottingham
10th May 1815

PS. The Report contains some of the Statements relating to the Operations of these Gentleman relating to the Trade & a Relation of some Threats of murdering or of a Desire to murder one Individual on Account of Circumstances connected therewith.

8th May 1815: George Coldham writes of sending a spy into Yorkshire

Dear Sir

I am favored with Lord Sidmouth’s letter in reply to my letter to him on the subject of Peter Green and have directed the enquiries therein suggested to be made and shall do myself pleasure of addressing myself again to his Lordship as soon as I learn the result:—

I am honored with his Lordship’s letter of yesterday in reply to the representation made by the Magistrates in favor of Jane Ward and Frances Shannon and am not at all surprized at the opinion expressed by Lord Sidmouth as I may now venture confidentially to inform you that the Representation made was communicated by me not as an act conformable to my own Judgement for I reasoned a good deal with those from whose instructions I acted before I obeyed them — the Mayor and my brother declined giving any personal sanction to the measure from the impression made upon them as well as myself that the nature and Character of the Offence and the circumstances attending scarcely admitted hopes of any further extension of the Royal mercy.—

I now transmit you the last Report of our Informant, received yesterday by which you will perceive that these Gentlemen still entertain hopes of affecting a Revolution altho’ they are not so sanguine as they were.—If there seems a fair and reasonable prospect of our Informant proceeding into Yorkshire as a Delegate from hence without the probability of exciting Suspicion we shall take care to enable him to do so in order to be enabled to communicate to you what information he may acquire.—The person whose address at Sheffield has spoken of his known to have been here and his Character corresponds to what they describe of him, his acquaintance here being amongst the most violent and hot headed.—Hill is well known to us and is precisely the Character he is portrayed by Badder, too bad that even Treatchery to trust.—We have been putting all the most notorious of these persons upon the lists of person summonsed for Nonpayment of Poor Rates and by that means have been enabled to take a pretty observant survey of their persons and countenances, 6 or 8 of them have in this way passed in review before the confidential Magistrates, one of the Secret Committee and myself, to day at the Guildhall

Your’s very truly.―
Geo. Coldham

Nottingham
8th May 1815

[To: John Beckett]

27th April 1815: George Coldham names a Luddite suspected of shootings in Nottinghamshire

Private.

Dear Sir

You will perceive by the inclosed Report, that the revolutionary Exchequer is not amply supplied as it cannot raise £6, and they have therefore been compelled to give up all Idea of communicating with their friends, in the Metropolis at present.—Our Informant will in consequence be sent into Yorkshire and go where such heavy sums need not be raised for the purpose.—The Secret Committee will supply his wants if they can understand that he can go with the probability of obtaining useful Information, and without the danger of incurring the suspicion of the Confederates by appearing too forward in a desperate business.—

The latter part of the Report relating to myself is not a very pleasant complexion, but I should entirely disregard it, did not the Character of Dann lead me to know him capable of any atrocious Act he being the man who shot Mr. Trentham of Nottm and killed Wm Kilby at New Basford.—I hope however that the current of the Intelligence from the Continent will soon put period to any possible expectation of a Revolution here.—In the mean time I will thank you to inform me whether any Cavalry are ordered to Nottingham in the room of the Green Horse as it would be much add to our Security altho’ I fear it may be impossible for Government to provide for us in the present emergency.—

I am [etc]
Geo Coldham

Nottingham
27 Apl 1815

[To] J.Beckett Esqr.

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

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

Rochdale 4th March 1815

My Lord,

The King agt. Taylor.

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

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

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

I am [etc]
Jno Lee

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

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

My Lord,

In the Matter of Joseph Taylor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Home Department] 3d Jany 1815.

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

Private

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

Home Department
3d January [1815]

11th November 1814: The Hosier William Woodcock reports to the Home Office about spies & informers amongst Framework-knitters & Luddites

Mansfield 11th November 1814.

Sir

Several months elapsed after your Communication of the eighteenth of February last before I could engage a fit Person to ascertain the facts pointed out in your Letter. I discovered that there was only one Society at mansfield and at length procured a Copy of their Rules which had no essential variance from the printed Rules of the Nottingham Societies before obtained by me I found also that the Society had ten pounds deposited in the mansfield Bank in the names of two of their numbers and that their Secretary had in his hands about six pounds more the six pounds has since been sent to two of the Societies at Nottingham and the mansfield numbers have divided the six Pounds amongst themselves at this time they were gradually putting [off] from the Society which has now altogether ceased to meet. The weekly Collection of money from the Journeyman (whether members or not of the Societies) is also discontinued.

In the year 1811 and man who had been guilty of many acts of framebreaking confessed those to me in order to procure his protection. I took his Confession before a magistrate and have ever since been in correspondence with him – finding that Nottingham and its immediate neighbourhood was likely to be the Scene of Depredation I recommended him to get better acquainted with the Framebreakers there which he did – but as he informed me that the Call made by these men on their Companions to the Commission of any mischief was frequently very sudden allowing no time to give me notice I made him known to Mr Coldham of Nottingham and am glad to find that he gave Mr Coldham notice of the late atrocity at New Basford when he was of the Party. I have seen this man a few days since – he says some of the Nottingham Framebreakers have proposed destroying Frames at Mansfield

I shall have notice of their Attempts and further Situation of the objectionable Frames I trust there will be little Chance of the Depredators escaping.

I am
Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
Wm Woodcock

[To] J. Beckett Esq.

16th May 1814: William Hay sends the spy John McDonald's memorial to the Home Secretary

No. 31 Clipstone Street 16th May 1814

My Lord,

At the request of the Magistrates at Manchester I have the honor to enclose a memorial from John Macdonald, petitioning for some compensation for his services during the disturbances in 1812. I understand that he was out between two and three months, and that his expences out of pocket were paid, but no recompense has been afforded him. Not being able to judge what might be considered as a proper sum for him, should Government think him entitled to the prayer of his memorial, I desired that the Magistrates would favor me with their opinion on that head; that opinion I take the Liberty of enclosing. Col. Silvester and Mr. Wright were present when the Commission was given by Genl. Maitland, and a promise made that the parties to be sent should be paid by Genl. Maitland. I heard of it immediately afterwards, and was present at the York Assizes when John McDonald gave his evidence – it appeared to me that he had been very active, and in situations at considerable peril—

I have [etc]
William Robert Hay

To
The Right Honourable
Lord Visct. Sidmouth
One of H. Ms principal Secretaries of State &c &c

[After 11th] May 1814: George Coldham proposes suspending licenses for Public Houses to disrupt FWK Union meetings

Confidential.

Dear Sir.

I have written to Lord Sidmouth by the Direction of the Magistrates of Nottingham by this Post on the Subject of their proposed procedure in relation to the General Annual Renewal of the Licences. On Tuesday it had been nearly Detemined that we should on the Wednesday commence by an Examination of every Victualler as to the Clubs &c kept at his House & there appeared a very unanimous Opinion that the Good to arise from such a mode of procedure would over balance the Inconvenience. Previous to our Meeting on Wednesday I called upon Mr Alsopp thinking by no means an improper subject upon which to have the advantage of his Judgement. Mr Alsopp seemed decidedly unimpressed with the notion that we were in Danger by this line of acting of exciting a Terror on the part of the Associates which would or might render them so far to change their places of meeting as to render useless the Degree of Information on this subject of which we are at present possessed & that if it is Drove them from the Publick to private it would be more likely to veil their future proceedings from us—I communicated this opinion to Mr Ashwell & my Brothers & upon in consequence we agreed to suspend the Licences for a week in order to have an opportunity of obtaining in the meantime Lord Sidmouth’s Judgement upon this point & with a Determination to be regulated thereby. I since understand from Alderman Ashwell that Mr Alsopp has considered softened in the Degree at least of his objection to this measure if he has not changed it into one which is confined to the mode & manner in which the Investigation should be conducted. But I think it not impossible that Lord Sidmouth may hear from this on the subject. I think that I can procure Information here from a Frameworknitter if I can be authorized to pass him so much as would nearly support him here in Nottingham. He can be Depended upon & I therefore wish you to counsell Lord Sidmouth & to learn from him if I may look to remuneration as to any Sums of Money I can expend in this way I am also embarked in an Expence with two of our confidential Constables here in some matters from which I expect very important & favourable results in obtaining Information I will thank you to let me know whether I may expect to be repaid what I may pay them on this Account. I am sure that from their Connection with me none can command their Services so effectually or at a more reasonable rates of compensation

I am Dear Sir
Your’s most faithfully & obedly
Geo Coldham

[To John Beckett]

12th May 1814: The Memorial of the spy, John McDonald

To The Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

The Humble Memorial of John MacDonald of Manchester in the County of Lancaster Labourer Sheweth that early in the year one thousand eight hundred and Twelve the Counties of Lancaster York and Chester were unhappily disturbed by Riots and Societies were formed for the administration of illegal Oaths and for purposes intended to subvert the order and Government of this County—

That Generals Maitland and Ackland on the third day of July one thousand eight hundred and Twelve with the concurrence of the magistrates for the district of Manchester employed your memorialist to go from Manchester into Yorkshire for the purpose of entering into the before mentioned unlawful societies with the view of detecting and suppressing the same and the mischiefs intended thereby and engaged that your memorialist should be handsomely rewarded for undertaking so dangerous a service—

That your memorialist accordingly went into Yorkshire and entered into a society in Halifax and had there an unlawful Oath administered to him and entered into the plans of the society and afterwards gave information to General Ackland and Prosecutions were carried on at York against several of the parties in which prosecutions your memorialist attended as a Witness and upon his evidence several the persons charged were convicted and transported—

That your memorial list is a poor man and engaged in the before mentioned undertaking which he knew to be exceedingly perilous for the purpose of serving his Country.

That he has not received any compensation for the services rendered on this occasion and he most humbly conceived that his case is entitled to consideration.

Your Memorialist therefore prays that the circumstances of this claim may be taken into consideration and that such measures may be adopted for making him some compensation as in your Lordships direction may seem [meet]

The + mark of John McDonald

We the undersigned Magistrates acting within the Division of Manchester do certify that the Facts stated the foregoing memorial are true—Witness our hands this twelfth Day of May 1814

WR Hay
M. A. Farrington
R. Wright
J. Silvester

3rd May 1814: The solicitor Louis Allsop reports progress in spying on the FWK Union to the Home Office

Nottingham
3 May 1814

My Dr Sir,

The Post allows me only a few Minutes—I heard Yesterday that much useful Information might be obtained at Castle Donington from Orgill, who suspects Blackner to have been concerned, in the attack of his property; unconnected with the Magistracy I cannot openly set about this, You probably can direct someone You have confidence in; Orgill is a Jacobin and a Methodist, but now much irritated; I will institute an Inquiry but cannot answer for its result—

Hodgson has tried to get me a Sett of the Resolutions, but cannot; Simpson says they are all distributed; from the Enquiries they are become sly; I learnt that manuscripts was written on detached pieces of paper, was frequently altered during the printing, & was written in a very clear plain hand; Simpson the person communicating with Hodgson: if you can send me a Copy, I think it might be useful—Hodgson is about to finish a large Quantity of Receipts to be given for the Subscriptions by Simpson or the Treasurer—Simpson took away the detached part of the Sett of the Rules soon after they were printed, & a printed Copy which Hodgson kept was delivered by his Boy to some person without his knowledge. I shod not have troubled you with this were it not for Orgill.

L. Allsopp

[To Home Office]

28th April 1814: George Coldham sends more information about the stockingers Union to the Home Secretary

Nottingham 28th April 1814

My Lord,

I am very much gratified in being enabled to assure your Lordship that the Practice of Framebreaking has been to the present laid aside—The Magistrates are very much gratified to perceive by your Lordship’s last Letter that they were under an entire misapprehension respecting the expiration of the Revision of the Watch & Ward Act. Mr. Lewis Alsopp and Mr Alderman Ashwell my Brother Mr Alderman Coldham and myself within these last few Days had several Consultations on the subject of the present State of this District. All these Gentlemen were Members of the Committee appointed by the Corporation Nottm during the existence of the late Disturbances to assist the civil power in defence of the publick Peace & from former experience we are all of us disposed to repose the most entire confidence in each other’s Zeal and Discretion in the Service of the Publick. Considering the State of Parties here it is very important to those who watch over the Proceedings of the Societies respecting whom I have before communicated to your Lordship to have a Channel of Information connected with each of the political parties here open & accessible to them. We are all of us disposed to think that the great Arm of the United Society the executive Committee is here in Nottingham & if it be we have little hesitation in pointing out some if not all of its Members. We should be glad to have sent down to us one of the printed Constitutions of this Union. It is proper perhaps to inform your Lordship that the Secret Committee of this Corperation has closed its Accounts & is supposed by the Corperation to be fundus officio we who have been lately brought to act in concert on this subject are unanimous in our opinion that it would not be Desireable to have any avowed renewal of the Powers of that Committee because much mischief would arise from any Steps which would have a tendency to shew the persons connected with these Societies that they were under the vigilant Inspection of the Magistrates or the Police. The Bellman of this Town had my Directions some time ago to cry all Meetings of these Societies because I was persuaded in this way we should be more likely to come at the persons & their manner & time of meeting & he has at my request constantly endeavoured to watch over & make out what Information he could respecting them. With little variation he saw that almost all the Meetings are held at the Newton’s Head, Glasshouse Lane kept by one Rollet - that the Money in his Judgement is paid weekly there by the Members of the Society & that the Books containing the Accounts relating thereto are brought there for the purpose of keeping an Account thereof. We think Gravenor Henson Willm Simpson Willm. Latham John Lowater & one Savage are members of the executive [Meiney] or the Committee having the Charge of the Funds of the Society. He has seen all these men continually at Rollet’s but Willm. Simpson Savage & one Vale have been generally those who have given in Directions to give Notice of Meetings relating to the Trade—It is a most Difficult matter to find a Frameworknitter upon whom we can rely to obtain & give us Information Every constable as such is known & is more or less an object of suspicion. It is astonishing how clearly we can perceive that some of the leading Characters as we believe of these formidable Societys are engaged must continually in watching the movements of all Persons evidently acting in opposition to them. I have little Doubt that the late breaking of Frames were Directed by the executive Committee of the Union. In consequence of the more peaceable Demeanour of the People & understood order from the Societies not to break any more Frames the Magistrates have found themselves at liberty to Dispense with the Piquet Guard — which until this moment has been under orders to turn out at an Instants Notice to assist either the Constables or the military Guard of Infantry who in constant preparation for the same purpose as the Guard Recess in a centrical Situation in the Town. I beg to assure your Lordship that no Step shall be omitted to obtain Information & that you may Depend upon our being upon the alert & I am sure the Magistrates of the Town are most anxious that in any way which the Law will justify them in putting an End to this most dangerous & hitherto successful combination.

I am My Lord,
Your’s very obediently

Geo Coldham

[To] Lord Sidmouth