24th May 1814: The Reverend JT Becher writes to the Home Secretary with his views about the Framework-knitters Union

Southwell
24th May 1814

Dear Sir,

In conformity with our arrangements I have abstained from trespassing upon your attention until I found myself enabled to state some of the circumstances materially connected with the offences prevailing in the County of Nottingham.—

The Union Society, as it is styled, does not conceal its existence; altho the printed regulations with which I supplied you are no longer to be procured.—The principal leader is stated to be Grosvenor Henson,—the man alluded to by T. Large in his letter some time since addressed to me.—Henson does not now work at his trade, but is maintained by the association at a weekly allowance of about three guineas.—In connection with him are many desperate characters, who are strongly suspected of being the Frame-breakers and the Instruments of popular vengeance upon all who, in the language of the Society, are "denounced."—The names of the ruffians are very carefully concealed; and as their number is small I entertain little expectation of detecting them until they have been emboldened by success & impunity to the perpetration of more frequent or more tumultuous outrages.—It is not imagined that this Nottingham Gang has ever been broken by the prosecutions formerly instituted;—and the terror impressed upon the minds of the Manufacturers by the existence of such a daring conspiracy has placed the Masters in a state of almost unqualified submission to the demands of the workmen who dictate their own terms.— —Every branch of the Lace & Hosiery trades is represented by a set of delegates; and these Sub-committees hold a regular communication with the grand Executive Committee.—The subordinate Committees are but little acquainted with the application of the sums contributed; or the purposes of the Society: they merely profess that they expect to procure some beneficial changes on behalf of the working Mechanics.—Mr. Nixon ascribes the demolition of his frames to the modification of the Frame-breaking Bill by substituting transportation for life instead of capital punishment at the renewal of the Act; with which alteration I was not acquainted until he mentioned it.—However, altho I regret the mitigation of punishment I cannot entirely agree with Mr. Nixon since many of the machines have been destroyed under circumstances of disguise & violence amounting to a capital Felony.—He feels convinced that the order for demolishing his frames was issued by Henson; and that the evidence which he gave against the bill for regulating the Framework knitting trade & his non compliance with the exorbitant demands of his workmen other sources of provocation.—He has now been compelled to advance the prices of labor in defence of his property tho the Nottingham Hosiers are manufacturing at from 10 to 20 percent above those at Tewkesbury, and the rate of workmanship is such as to preclude the prospect of a successful competition with the foreign markets.—

In the Silk Stocking trade all the Workmen of Mr. Ray have struck because he rejected their application for an increase of wages.—

The Framesmiths have discounted their employments for similar reasons, and are collecting money to sustain themselves.—

The Bricklayers encouraged by the success of the journeymen in the Hosiery trade are endeavouring to affect their purposes by a conspiracy of this date same description.—I enclose one of the hand bills which they are now diligently circulating.—The Title & Style of the address as well as the Printer's name, testify clearly its origin.

Such an extensive system of subordination & terror will, I conceive, be deemed incompatible with the existence of our manufactures: and apprised as we are of the industry & success with which these principles are disseminated among mechanics of every description throughout the empire the expediency of some remedy will unquestionably be acknowledged.

To devise the means of prevention constitutes the difficulty.—Specific regulations between the Masters & the workmen appear to be utterly impracticable.—Labor must find its own value in the market—but the standard ought to be established by free competition, unrestricted by combination on either side.—With this view I have strenuously urged some of the manufacturers to prefer an application to Parliament.—They speak in very grateful terms the attention dedicated by Lord Sidmouth & yourself to their case; and will, I am assured, avail themselves of your countenance.

To render the Bill palatable the Masters as well as the Men should be prohibited from combinations; and to secure efficiency the existing punishments should be considerably augmented.—

For my own part I attribute the late as was as the present outrages to those jacobinical principles with which the Inferior orders have been sedulously inoculated by our Nottingham Reformers; who have, in many instances, become the object of that secret organization & malevolent confederacy which they fostered by their pernicious examples, their licentious harangues & their seditious press for the attainment of their fractious projects.—

Thus have the evils, of which I complain, been introduced & cherished until they have become intimately incorporated with the state of society in this and other manufacturing districts. I do not apprehend that the result will produce any general tumult but I forsee that the ferment will not subside without it be coerced by the interposition of the legislature.

Circumstances seem to require that the law be armed with more extensive powers, adapted to the emergency; and that some formidable examples of punishment be exhibited whenever an opportunity presented for bringing the Offenders to Justice. [For] until these Confedericies which are the source of all our mischief be suppressed we never can hope to close the scenes which have too long disgraced this County.—

I have requested Mr. Allsopp who is now in London to wait upon you.

I enclose the only two pieces information which he has hitherto been able to procure.—The "Minutes of the annual conference." seem to be drawn up with a design of giving something like a lawful appearance the objects of the Society.

I have [etc]

John T. Becher.


To
John Beckett Esq.—

8th July 1812: Incomplete letter from Thomas Large, probably to Thomas Roper, about progress with the Framework-knitters Bill

1812. July 8

London

Sir

You know we came to Town under an impression of coming to an understanding with the Hosiers at London The committee before I arrived had got a petition signed by most of the Respectable Hosiers in London praying our Bill might pass into a Law this Session—The Committee had also proposed a meeting at the Globe coffee house, on Monday morning Consisting [of] D P Coke Mr H Tracy J T Becher, and a Number of Hosiers of London—I attended this Meeting—and told them, the Deputation from Nottm. would meet us for the purpose of Altering those Clauses the most complained off. The Meeting thought we should send for them there, to have it Settled in their presence, I thought so too—so me and Henson went down to fetch them when they arrived what do you think they did—(but mind you Jackey Parker, and Nelson was with them—) Jackey Parker would would [sic] not Sit down till we had Quited the Room—they would not allow Even Mr Toplis to be present So all we know of the meeting is—they abused D P Coke without altering his opinion of our Cause This Meeting taking up so much time, our Bill was put of till Tuesday,—Tuesday in The afternoon we went down to the House—there we saw Nelson, Nixon Hooley and Parker Boning! all the members as they came—and we adopted the same plan—so whenever we saw them talking to a Gentn. we run up Instantly—Perticularly to Lord Newark and Mr Keck our Friend the Member for Leicestershire—My Dear Fellow hear we had a fair sitt to—they stated their Case—and we ours—they objected to the Schedules in toto—we would not give them up, tho Repeatedly urged to it by Newark—and Keck—we was wrangling here above an hour in the Lobby of the House—they had given Lord Newark their Petition—and he staying to hear us so Long he was to Late with his Petition for D P Coke while he was there—got the Blanks of our Bill fill'd up—and committed for the third reading on Fryday night—we thaught the poor Devils would have gone Mad!!! when they heard this—they Blow'd up D P Coke—said he was no better than a Villain—and Lord Newark 

[the rest is missing]

2nd July 1812: Gravenor Henson tells Thomas Large of the opposition to the Framework-knitter's Bill

[1812. July 2]

London Thursday 7 oClock—

Dr Sir

I have to inform you that I have just come from the House, Mr Hume opposed our Bill on Dr A Smiths grounds of letting Trade alone, Genl Tarlton moved the House to adjourn, there not being Forty Members present, they ran out of the House when our business came on like wild fire: A Letter has come from Mr Hooley of Nottm Hosier to D P. Coke protesting against our Bill, G Coldham Town Clerk is employed against us by the Hosiers of Nottm who have addressed a circular Letter to the Members, A Letter has come express, signed by Allen and Phillips and by a Dozen others to D P Coke, J Smith & Lord Newark signifying that they meant to be heard by Counsel against our Bill; It will be moved tomorrow night for Monday

G Henson.

[Addressed to:] Mr T Large . . . Nottingham.

30th June 1812: Gravenor Henson updates Nottingham on progress in London

1812. June 30

London . . .

Dr Sir

Hitherto I have been so extremely busy that I have not been able to give you the result of my Journey to Dublin, nor can I now, I have been incessantly employed in Visits and making the necessary alterations in the Bill, I have not had time this Week nor has any of us to wait on Sir Thos Tyrwhit at Carlton House, to get him to present the Goods to the Prince Regent;—Large and me went to Carlton House on Saturday but Sir Thos was not at home, We have got a number of Circular Letters printed, and we mean to open a Subscription in London, among the Wholesale and Retail Hosiers. D.P. Coke Esqr gave us voluntery £5 " 0s " 0d this Morning : The Bill was read a second time last Night; It was opposed by Mr. D. Giddy and Mr W Smith (Norwich) for the Particulars of which see the Statesman of Wednesday, (at Nottm Thursday,) There seemed from the Cheering a great Majority in the House in favor of our Bill particularly the Ministerial Benches, cheered Mr Coke and Mr Smith in their Speeches; Mr Coke, Mr Smith and Mr Babington of Leicester, and Mr Toplis met this Morning to finally arrange our Bill and make the alterations and fill up the blanks for the third Reading; Mr Babington there informed Mr Coke and Mr Toplis he being called out to present a Petition from the Hosiers of Leicester against our Bill, Praying to be heard by Counsel next Session against it. Mr Toplis and Mr Coke has seen Mr Barbash the Solicitor and he says the Leicester Hosiers object to the Prohibition of Single Cotton and Cut up Goods to the Rack and to our Schedules, and that if we will give them up he will not present his Petition: It is signed by Thirty Hosiers of Leicester and will be presented by D. Giddy Esqr. Member for Bodmin in Cornwall this Night, the Third Reading of our Bill is tomorrow (Wednesday) night. We go to Davies Giddy in the Morning, we will get every Member we can to attend, Large, Latham and Bowler are gone now for that purpose, I am with Mr Toplis finishing the Clauses of the Bill ready for to morrow Night.—The London Committee are gone to the House to hear if D. Giddy says any thing in presenting the Petition: If the third Reading is carried the Incorporation Bill will be presented on Thursday Night. It will be considered a Private Bill for which wc must pay the Printing send up the Money by return of Post Fifty Pound at the least I have every reason to think that the Ministry will support the Bill, The Clause prohibiting the Payment in Goods, which clause it was that D Giddy opposed, was drawn up by Mr Vansittart himself, Lord Castlereagh has signified his approbation of the Bill, and so [has] Lord Sidmouth; We have some Reason to [think] the Prince Regent is also favorable. We have only Dr A Smiths Disciples to contend with, whose principles are execrated all over the Kingdom Mr Ainsworth of Manchester, a Merchant of great Fortune has been with us, and expresses his utmost detestation of his maxims, Mr Harrison the Government Solicitor, and the present Ministry are most of them of the same opinion, Dont fear! the Tewkesbury Hosiers have resolved to defend this Bill to the uttermost against the Leicestershire Hosiers they have wrote to Mr Tracey to that effect. If the business is concluded in time we shall waylay the Mail at Islington, that you may have the result on Thursday

Dont neglect to send us Money as it is the Sinews of War

I am Sir Yours sincerely
Gravener Henson.

[Addressed to:] Mr Thos Roper . . . Nottingham.

26th June 1812: Gravenor Henson & Thomas Large obtain an interview with the Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth

1812. June 26

London

Dr Sir

I have just recd your Letter, and thank you for the Cautions respecting the Items of the Expenditure, I have invariably found that impossible though I have made every effort particularly in travelling. The Expences in the midst of Business and Hurry are frequently forgot: And you are compell'd to reckon the gross Sum expended, Why does every Letter I receive contain complaints of the Murmurs of the Trade every thing goes on as well as can be expected and more than I can expect or ever did expect; The Bill was read a first time last Night, after 12 oClock when we had all left the House conceiving it would not be read from the lateness of the Hour, and the business before the House; Mr Vansittart and Lord Castlereagh are of opinion that Regulations should take place in our Trade The Bill will be read a Second time on Monday, we shall send you a Copy as soon as Printed, The Blanks are always filled up by a Committee of the whole House, and no otherwise on the third reading I mention this least the Bill should be misunderstood, The Members of the Committee will give their reasons for bringing in this Bill on Monday on the Second Reading, it being too late last Night

Large and me, in company with Mr Keck went to the Secy of States Office for the Home Department, and had an Interview with Lord Sidmouth, who assured us that it was the Inclination of the Prince Regent to give our Manufacture every encouragement in in his Power, that he had no Doubt that the Prince Regent, would wear our Stockings, Ornamented and give encouragement to that Fashion; Mind Lord Sidmouth requests that you would make him 6 Pair of Silk Hose for his Daughters the same Shamy as that made first, I mean the figured Shamy, that is the one with all Slit Holes, Mr Pages Shamy the same quality as those for the Prince make them Womens 26 Inches long, they will fit best, I cant explain the reasons why here. We shall go to Sir Thos Tyrwhit the Prince Regents blaster of Ceremonies to present the following Articles to the Prince in the Morning Viz

2 Pair Silk Stockings
One Silk Veil, Pearl Edge, 2- 2- 0
Black Silk Press 5- 10- 0
Black Warp Handkerchief 4- 4- 0
[Total] 11- 16- 0

All of which has been purchased in Town Lord Sidmouth bought a Double Press Cotton Shawl of us for his Daughter he would buy it, though we would have willingly presented it. He said repeatedly Success to your "Manufacture" Therefore my Lads there's no opposition in the Lords

You must send us some Money immediately. My journey to Dublin cost £12- 10s- 0 I have not been able to give you the result It is very important Remember Lord Sidmouth

Yours G Henson
 T Latham W Bowler T Large.

Thus you will discover the manner in which we are employed, while we are busy pushing our Goods, into the first Circles, Latham and Bowler are pushing the Bill through the House.

[Addressed to:] Mr. Thos Roper . . . Nottingham.

17th June 1812: Thomas Large writes to Thomas Latham about the framework-knitters Bill

1812 June 17

Sir

I have just now Red a Letter from Mr. Roper Dated Mansfield, He says they are there, complaining of the Searchers—Its a most wonderfull thing that when theres a probability of getting the Bill there should be so much objection started perticularly on the Part of the workmen 

But my Dear fellow, I tell you a Secret, I will be Damned!!! if your Trade is incorperated this year, I am sorry, you, and I, Left London when we did, or that when we had Left it,—we did not Return sooner, I am sure if we had staid in Town, our bill would have been in the House a week ago, thats all!! they've been trying the old trick, of having it in this Session, and you know What!! I was Resolved not to stand it, and if the Trade could not be incorperated, what could be done was the Question, The whole Committee of the House [of] commons said—the best way would be, to have a prohibitory bill of Single press—2 course Hole Cut up goods single cotton above No 9—peace work, to be made by the Rack, and Stockings by Schedules,—and we are only know thinking Who is to be the Judges!!! Some think the Justices, and one person says 4 of the parties 2 of each theres a precedent for this, and I like [it] the best I am confident, a bill of this sort would have been obtained before now if we had have stuck to it—Keep this Still—I expect the bill, to go into the House on Friday night, oh! that we had staid in Town it would have been through the House by this. Don't be alarmed, at this alteration for I assure you. Its just what we [obscured] up for, at first, John Smith has again hinted his wish to subscribe, after I told the whole committee of my Lord Birons handsome subscription Lord I have a good heart on it yet and can only say again. Dam my Judgement for staying so Long at Nottm. when we knew them so well, Henson has not yet come, the turn [things] have taken Ren[dered ?] his journey unnecessary to Ireland, I visit them every Day—I opened the scene of Mr Sison and Co yesterday—I told a pretty story to Dan Coke, He says He never talked with him above 10 minutes on the subject—he came up to Town to get Mr Coke to ask for him to go the Bay, with his wife, which he Refused—so you see how it is, I told you it was so

I have heard a prettv tale about Sison—Lord what a character the London Committee give him, they have wrote to Henson of Basford about him I have heard My Lord Castlereaghs opinion about our bill, he says Something must be done Imediately

Good by till tomorrow
I shall write again
Yours Thos Large.

How things will here turn out, no man can tell
Tho—I am still in hopes, they'll turn out well
Adieu—

[Addressed to:] Thos Lathom . . . Nottingham.

16th June 1812: Thomas Roper writes to Thomas Large about the situation in Nottinghamshire

1812. June 16

mansfield

Dear sir you will perhaps be surprised to hear from me hear but the subject is of that importance as silance on my part whould be crimanal a report is got in curcuiation and I suppose from our bitterist enymyes the men of no principels but the most sordid that the searchers is to search all houses at any time with out the consent or knowlidge of the Majerstrates which hath caused vearey grate allarme in the minds of the more respectable manufactvirers for one of them and a princeple one Declared to a frend of ours as I saw just before I mounted the Coach if it was so he would go up and enter his protest at the bar of of the house, I asured him it was not so in the bill but he prest me to write my sentyments uppon it which is that the serchers on information of goods being improperly manufactured or contrarey to the true meaning of this act should go and lay the information before a civil majerstrate and he grant a serch warrant to be executid in the presence of one or more peace officers for if iver that bullwark is broke down of every english mans hous being his Castil then that strong barrer is for iver broke that so many of our ancestors have bled for and in vain send a Coppy of the bill as soon as it is printed we receved a letter from Greensmith this morning from Sheffield he has Collected 15 "0 "0 sum od money pres the buisnes forwar as much as you can for delayes are Daingourus 1 am goin to start on an experdishion to morrow morning the collections last night was a bout £12 0s 0d Clear of expence remember to mention the 2 Needil work in your Letters

PS be vearey careful a bout the searching Clause in the act

I remain your frend
and humble servant Thos Roper

the mansfield Committee are surprised Mr Toplis has not Rote to them acording to promis.

[Addressed to] Mr Thos Large . . . London.

13th May 1812: Parliamentary Select Committee on the Framework-knitters Petition commences

On Wednesday 13th May, a Parliamentary Select Committee was convened at the Houses of Parliament in London to enquire into the state of the Framework-knitting trade, owing to the petitioning of Framework-knitters over the past few months. Framework-knitters, Hosiers and members of the United Committee of Framework-knitters would be interviewed by the Select Committee over the next 7 days.

The proceedings commenced by examining Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters.

Large attested that he had been a framework-knitter for 17 years, and was occupied solely in the plain silk branch of the trade, exclusively concerned with making stockings and gloves. He earned between half a guinea to 15 shillings a week. He told the committee that in 1807, the trade had been flourishing, with 1200 frames in use, but the decline had been so great that only 150 frames were now employed.

He considered that the loss of trade was the cause of 'fraudulent goods' - principally single-press lace that had been looped once rather than twice, and lost its shape after washing. Agreements preventing the manufacture of such lace had been broken, and the 'fraud' came about when some manufacturers had sold the single-press lace as the best type available, extracting huge profits and deceiving the consumer. Large considered that these practices had wrecked the trade, and also commented on the effect that the trade blockades of the Orders in Council and the American Non-Intercourse Act had had on the trade, and felt that their existence had in fact heralded the new practices of the Hosiers. Large stated that he felt that the prohibition of the production of single-press lace would greatly benefit the trade and also advocated the regulation of frame-rents, and the limitation of frames for rent, even though this would mean those employed by the trade would diminish.

Large also spoke of the practice of Colting (i.e. employment of non-apprenticed labour).

24th April 1812: Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters writes from Londons Large, Nottingham

[To] Thos Roper
Newtons Head
Nottingham

April 24, 1812

Sir

While we was writing to you the other day Mr Toplas was walking up Fleet street, near Temple bar, and was knocked down by the pole of a coach, as he was crossing the road, the horses trode upon his Breast and Leg—but we hope he will be able to attend to Business this afternoon, tho Henson has been to see how he is, and found him very very poorly, he cannot keep anything on his stomach, at present. In the mean time Henson (while I am writing this to you and to derby and Leicester and Godalming) has gone with two of the London Committee to the Hatten garden Magistrates Latham is gone to John Smith, and we are to have an interview with Mr Benson this afternoon. Mr Toplas thinks he can travel by water, we wish if you think it prudent, for you to have a general meeting of the Trade next Monday—and we will send you all the information we can by that time (Monday night) We have engaged the same Room, where the carpinter committee sat, when they brought on the late Trial on the sistem of colting. We have had an opportunity of speaking to them on the subject, they thought we possesed a fund on a permanent principle to answer any demand, at any time, and if that had been the case, would have Lent us two or three thousand pounds, (for there is £20,000 in the fund belonging that Trade) but When they understood our Trade kept no regular fund to support itself, Instead of Lending us money, Their noses underwent a Mechanical turn upwards, and each saluted the other with a significant stare, Ejaculating Lord bless us!!! what fools!!! they Richly deserve all they put! and ten times more !!! We always thought stockeners a sett of poor creatures! Fellows as wanting of spirit, as their pockets are of money, What would out Trade be, if we did not combine to gether? perhaps as poor as you are, at this day, Look at other Trades! they all combine, (the Spitalfeild weavers exepted, and what a Miserable condition are they in) see the Tailers, shoemakers, Bookbinders, Gold bearers, printers, Bricklayers, Coatmakers, Hatters Curriers, Masons, whitesmiths, none of these trades Receive Less than 30s/- a week, and from that to five guineas this is all done by combination, without it their Trades would be as bad as yours, even govt. cannot precent bad articles, if your hands are such fools to make them, these are the yours arguments made use of by persons who know nothing of our Trade - how far they are right I believe you can Judge

heris is a shopman, Romanis cheapside, has got such tales about Ned Ludd, stuck in is window, and two stocking frames at work close to the shop door a large drawer full of guineas, half guineas, and seven shilling pieces in the window, all to attract notice, and he sells the damed’ist Rubbish of Framework, goods we ever saw in our Lives, he’s got Long armed Cotton gloves, selvages, marked to sell at sixpence per pair, single press, cut up, &c, shot down at his door, And shoveled in, the same as you shovel in coals at Nottm., his window is also full of songs about the amazing cheapness of his goods considering the price of Labour &c—

His mash, he sells for silk, and single press
For What it should be made, or rather Less,
And tells the Town, that he alone has gotton
Brown stockings, made of real india cotton
But when we Eyed them, soon we did disern
His india cotton, nought but single yarn
And others silks, this Roman doth declare
Are not his weight, by half an ounce a pair
Tho—what we saw, we viewed the window round
Would take full twenty pair to weight a pound
His pantaloons, what he calls double milled
A pound a pair, with twits, and burs and filld
And cotton Gloves, Long arms and Seemly fair
Hang in his window, marked sixpence a pair
Thus is this Villain, trading in the Trash
That was the cause of many a dreadful Smash
We hear he’s Likely, soon to be in the fleet
Pray god almighty send, that we may see it
Before we Leave this Town, for well we know
Goods Like his, has filld our Trade with Woe.

you will have the goodness to smiths anser to the circular Letter, and all the things that have been wrote for before, we shall write again to morrow

yours

Thos Large.

Mr. Fryers Tailer No 10 Leigh Street
red Lyon Square London
Give my Wife 12 shillings
Large

8th April 1812: Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters writes to Nottingham

Thomas Large of the United Committee of Framework-knitters was continuing their campaign to petition Parliament, and had visited Leicester to solicit the support of Framework-knitters there:

Thos Latham
Sir Isaac Newtons
Glasshouse Lane
Nottm

April 8 1812
Leicester

Gent

This place is a thousand times Worse, than we expected to find it, there is not half a dozen good fellows in the Town those principally are composed of Sherwood Lads – If i had not been assisted by a fellow prentice, and some of his acquaintence we should never have got a meeting, and even then, I was compelled to pay the cryer, out of my pocket, the meeting did not exeed 100 men—there is 2300 frames in town. With much persuasion we raised a committee, they promise to do their best, and damned all the rest,—They have met this morning, and seem much heartyer in the Business, than Last Night. They can’t promise much money, but will do what they can for us. The Committee give us such a bad account of Hinkly, we think it prudent not to throw away time and expence after it, so have Resolved to Return by Sileby, Sison, Mountsorrel &c for we are told, they have £50 Left as a fund, Remaing at the Conclusion of the charter concern.

if we get but £45 of this fifty It will be better than nothing,—we also understand by a person just arrived from Melbourn, they are Surprised at not hearing from us, for the Letters We sent, have not been made public, And they wish to Contribute their mite to ours

Of all the places e’er my Eyes did see
Oh! Leicester, Leicester, none e’er equaled thee
They can’t step forward, don’t possess the means
Slaves in every sense, even Beans
Once their food, and filld the Lads with courage
Are Substituted by bad water portage
Here sock, and sandals, cut from top to Bottom
I’ll bring a sample, for by GOD! I've got ’em

Your fellow labourer and friend

Thos Large.

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

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

1812. February 6

Comittee Room, Feby 6, 1812 . . .

My Lord

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

We remain my Lord
Your Lordships Obt. Servts.

T Large
G. Henson.