28th November 1811: Attacks at Basford & Bobbers Mill

Frame-breaking continued at Basford for the 6th night, with 4 frames being destroyed, with the Nottingham Review noting that 'the woodworks were burnt'.

On the same night, 5 frames were destroyed at nearby Bobbers Mill.

28th November 1811: George Coldham, Town Clerk to Duke of Newcastle

Nottingham November 28 1811

My Lord Duke,

I stated in my Letter of yesterday to Your Lordship sent by an Orderly Dragoon of the 15th Regiment of Light Horse that I should have the honor by the first post of addressing myself to Your Grace – upon the Topick’s in Your Grace’s letter to me, to which the urgency of the business would not permit me to which give immediate attention.

The only enquiry distinctly made by Your Graces is as to the force at present in Nottingham and the Neighbourhood which consists of 2 Squadrons or 4 Troops of the 15th Dragoons, to this intelligence I ought in candour to add that the Magistrates have received advice from the General of the District that another Squadron of the same Regiment is to be immediately marched to the assistance of this District, this additional force was fairly in the contemplation of the Town and County Magistrates at the time they concurred in the proprietary of forwarding your Grace’s Letter to Colonel Sherbrooke.

As however the terms in which your Grace’s Letter are conceived seem to imply some doubt in your own mind as to the necessity of further aid and a desire to obtain Information as to the state in which this Town and Neighbourhood is placed, I am desirous of detailing to your Lordship our proceedings in the Town from the first period of which the Tendency to disorder in our Neighbourhood began again to manifest itself.

Since I have been resident at Nottingham we have had many dangerous and alarming Riots, some of which are of very short period, have assumed a more dangerous Character in the present state of the surrounding country exhibits, but I regard them all as having afforded infiniteless cause of serious alarm and permanant danger than the present – The state of the Manufacturers who are spread in every direction thro’ a wide extent of Country, and united by one common feeling of distress and one common desire of forcing upon the Hosiers, or the public some decisive measures for their relief; gives the present disturbances a most serious aspect.

On the 12th of the present month, the Magistrates of the Town in consequence of intelligence that one man at Bulwell well had been killed in the act of attacking a House with Frames in it, and that the very next day a great number of Frames were destroyed in the same village and that large assemblages of the people threatened to come to Nottingham for the same purpose and thought it their duty to meet together to take measures to securing the public tranquility.

They immediately called upon the Constables of the Town, and put them into a state of organization to keep a Watch at night, and appointed a place where every one might know where to resort for assistance, and in order that the Constables might be stimulated to a more vigilant discharge of their duty they called out 3 or 400 of the most respectable of the Inhabitants, and appointed them Special Constables, and again arranged them in classes and put a small number of them upon watch during the whole of every night.

The care of the Magistrates extended still further they enquired with the greatest anxiety into the Military force which they could command, and found that owing to the detachment from the 2nd Regiment of Horse Guards and the Demands made upon it by the County Magistrates, they could not mount above 10 or 12 men to come into the Market place, in case of danger from the Barracks, and that in case of any particular House or Factory or Deposit of Frames being threatened, we had not a single Infantry Soldier whom we could send to protect it from Outrage – They therefore wrote to the Secretary of State, the Secty at War and the Commanding Officer of the District, with the expressed concurrence of the County Magistrates stating that “they could not consider themselves in a Situation effectually to secure the public peace and tranquility in conjunction with the Magistrates for the County with whom they were in the habit of acting with the utmost cordiality without the Magistrates – could depend upon a least 3 efficient Troops of Mounted Cavalry. – They also thought that it was important to the efficiency of that force that a Regiment of English Infantry should be stationed at hand to prevent the Cavalry being broken in upon by detachments which are necessarily applied for from the Military to keep the peace of particular Villages in the Neighbourhood”

This was the opinion of the whole of the Magistrates of this District at the very commencement of their being compelled to act in putting down the present perturbed state of the District, and under the impression the Magistrates for the Town were for a year few days kept in a state of dreadful suspense as to the safety of the Town, – this was dissipated by the appearance of the 1st Regiment of Local Militia who amply supplied our then deficiency of Cavalry and placed the Town in a state of perfect Security.

I believe I can safely assure your Lordship that the experience of their utility has established in the minds of the Magistrates a Conviction that they were originally correct in stating that a force of Infantry was essential to the complete protection of the Town, and altho’ less than a Regiment might suffice for that purpose the County Magistrates seem still to think that the District surrounding us if it continue disturbed can scarcely be secure without a whole Regiment being stationed here for the Winter.

Since the commencement of these disturbances the state of the surrounding Country has hitherto been progressively growing more serious – Great numbers of the people are armed, they act by Signals giving by the firing of Guns from Village to Village and collect considerable sums of money in the Country. – Anonymous threats and incendiary Letters have been addressed to numbers in the Town, and I am sorry to say not without effects having a Tendancy to encourage the efforts of the misguided populace.

Six or 8 Frames have also in the Town been lately destroyed, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the Magistrates who have always been upon the alert, and who have in Custody 2 persons resident in the Country who appear to have been concerned in these outrages. With a very short Interval occasioned by a temporary appearance of tranquility the Mayor and Aldermen have kept up their nocturnal watches and have every night seen a Military Guard posted so as to be at any moment ready to move for the protection of the public peace.

They have reason to fear that the spirit of disorder is not yet subsiding. – This conviction induced them to apply to your grace on the 26th Inst. for a further Reinforcement of Infantry and they felt themselves under the necessity from the same Conviction of publishing the hand Bill a copy of which I enclose for your Grace’s Information.

Their communications with the County Magistrates which are of the most confidential nature give them reason to know that those Gentm consider the state of the County more alarming than ever, and that they still continue decided in their opinion of the necessity of a Stationary force of infantry and are taking other measures for the more complete protection of the District.

I have [etc]

Geo. Coldham, Town Clerk

P.S. in order that your Grace may have some Idea of the extent of the mischief done since the first commencement of the system of Frame-breaking I understand that it is computed that about 600 have been broken of the value of £6,000 depreciated as this species of property is by the present dreadful state of the Manufactory, but of more than double that value if the Trade was in a prosperous state. –

28th November 1811: 'An Address from the Framework-Knitters to the Gentlemen Hosiers of the Town of Nottingham'

AN ADDRESS

FROM THE FRAME WORK-KNITTERS

TO THE

GENTLEMEN HOSIERS

OF

THE TOWN OF NOTTINGHAM.

GENTLEMEN,—At a time like the present, so big with Calamity and Distress, we think it right to solicit your Advice, Aid, and Direction, as we know no Reason why our Business, which is looked upon as the staple Trade, and principal Support of the Community at large, should be exposed to so many Evils, without any suitable means of defence; or if any, why not brought forward into exercise. As we have nothing in view but a reciprocal Advantage in the Trade, both for ourselves and you, and a mutual good Understanding in all our Actions, we solicit your Advice, Aid, Direction, and Support, in this time of our Calamity and Distress, and we think we have a humble Claim upon you for it. On account of the great rise of all the Necessaries of Life, a Man that has full employ, with all his industry, and a Woman, with all her care and economy, can by no means support a Family with any degree of Comfort. If this is the Case (which it really is) how deplorable must the situation of those be, that have but a small portion of Employ, and at very low Rates; but still worse, what must the situation of those be that have none at all, which is the Case with INCALCULABLE NUMBERS at this time.-Destitute of all the Comforts of Life, our only acquaintance is pinching Poverty and pining Want. We wish to live peaceably and honestly by our Labour, and to train up our Children in the paths of virtue and rectitude, but we cannot accomplish our wishes. Our Children, instead of being trained up by a regular course of Education, for social life, virtuous employments, and all the reciprocal advantages of mutual enjoyment, are scarce one remove from the Brute, are left to all the dangerous Evils attendant on an uncultivated Mind, and often fall dreadful Victims to that guilt, which Ignorance is the parent of. But, Gentlemen, we forbear, as we think it would be insulting both to your judgments and feelings, were we to attempt a description of all our Calamities, which you so well know, and which we so much experience. Our request, Gentlemen, is that you will favor us with your best Advice, respecting as Address to Parliament, for the better Regulation of our Trade, and means of defence against future Impositions. Being well assured that the most suitable means lie in the compass of your breasts, we wish to pay all deference to your superior judgments, and are now waiting for your decision, which we hope you will favor us with as soon as possible; that if it meets your views, the Business may be conducted peaceably and in good order, to our mutual Comfort and Advantage.

November 28, 1811.

28th November 1811: Troop Movements

The 2nd Regiment of Nottinghamshire Local Militia arrives in Nottingham from Southwell after being called out by the Lord Lieutenant of the County (The Duke of Newcastle).

28th November 1811: John Beckett of the Home Office to Samuel Smith MP

Whitehall
28 Novr. 1811

Sir,

As Mr. Ryder happens to be very much engaged today, he has directed me to return you his best thanks for your letter of yesterday marked ‘Private’ relative to the disordered state of the neighbourhood of Nottingham. Mr. Ryder had flattered himself that the assemblage of the Military Force lately collected in that Quarter would have had the effect of overawing the fomentors of the disturbance you allude to, and he is much concerned to find from your letter that there is reason to believe that they are still using their efforts to continue them.

With respect to your suggestion of sending down Bow Street Officers, I am to inform you that it has not been usual to resort to this practice except in some particular cases attended with aggravated circumstances, where it appeared of importance that assistance should be afforded for the purpose of bringing an offender to Justice. In the present case, Mr. Ryder apprehends their duty would be of too general a nature to admit of his taking the officers away from their regular duty for an indefinite time. He hopes therefore that the Police of Nottingham, which you mention is on the alert, may eventually be able to discover the parties who have been most instrumental in the late riots, and that the Magistrates may be able to punish them as they deserve. You will no doubt have learnt during your stay at Nottingham that the General of the District at Lichfield has been desired to attend to any representations which he may receive from the Magistrates near Nottingham, and to afford them in case of need any assistance in his power.

I am [etc.]

J.S. Beckett

27th November 1811: 1 Frame broken at Carlton, 6 at Basford

One frame was broken at Carlton, and Luddites would have no doubt broken more, but Conant & Baker reported that a party of Dragoons disturbed them.

The destruction at Basford continued: 6 more frames were broken in the evening.

Earlier in the daytime, a party of the 15th Dragoons were escorting a number of Frames from Bulwell and Basford to Nottingham when Luddites mounted an attack at 12 noon at Redhill, near Arnold. One frame was broken, and the Nottingham Review noted that the soldiers "avoided proceeding to extremities, not having the power to obstruct the rioters in a determined purpose."

27th November 1811: Steps towards Martial Law in Nottinghamshire

On Wednesday 27th November 1811, the Commander of the 15th Light Dragoons, Major Lord Waldegrave, received the following order from the County Magistrates:

Notification from the Magistrates of the County of Nottingham, to the Troops employed in preserving the public Peace of the County.

"The Magistrates of the County of Nottingham, beg to inform the Officers and Soldiers now employed in the suppression of the riots and unlawful assemblies of persons to commit felony in the County, that the troops are of themselves, and without the presence of a Magistrate, authorised and empowered to disperse, or apprehend, any of the persons meeting for the purposes above-mentioned

(Signed) “GEORGE SCULTHORPE,
“Clerk to the County Magistrates.
“Nottingham, Nov. 27th, 1811.”

In this order, there is a recognition that given the nature of the Luddite tactics of mounting simultaneous actions in various places at the same time, that the legal authority usually required is too stretched to be able to cope. And so this delegation of authortity, which is a step towards martial law. It's not clear if this order was issued because of the failure of the troops to act to prevent frame-breaking that took place in front of them and in broad daylight on the same day at Red Hill.

27th November 1811: Samuel Smith MP to Home Office

Nottingham
Nov. 27, 1811

Sir,

Having been staying at this place for a few Days, I take the liberty of troubling you with a few lines respecting the disordered state of the Neighbourhood. The destruction of Stocking Frames in the surrounding Villages is still going on in a secret crafty manner.

The Night before last some Frames were demolished at the Village of Basford within ten yards of the place where a Magistrate and a party of Dragoons were stationed and yet no one gave information. I mention this to show with what cunning and artifice these outrages are conducted.

This evil has prevailed about nine months, more or less, as I am informed, and yet no one person in custody for the offence, or any means devised to obtain evidence against the offenders.

Anonymous threatening letters are continually received by the Magistrates without detection, and the Military are likely to be harrassed by misinformation, and are themselves unequal to meet the evil, unless some collateral assistance can be afforded. Perhaps you might think it advisable to send down some Bow Street Officers who might act without suspicion and could possibly obtain evidence.

The Magistrates for the Town are much on the alert, and will it is to be hoped supress any gross violation of the public peace, but the County Magistrates acting for this District do not seem to proceed upon much system, and indeed when it is to be considered that they are so exposed to much private injury, it is no wonder they do not put themselves very forward in the performance of so arduous a duty.

No doubt, Sir, you have the best information from those in authority, and it may be considered as presumption in my offering an opinion, but I am persuaded you will receive it as intended, and consider it confidential.

I shall remain here till Monday next and have the Honor to be with sincere respects,

Sir, [etc.]

Saml. Smith

27th November 1811: 'Address of the Plain Silk Stocking-Makers to the Gentlemen Hosiers of Nottingham'

ADDRESS

OF THE PLAIN SILK STOCKING-MAKERS

TO

THE GENTLEMEN HOSIERS OF NOTTINGHAM,

WHO HAVE AGREED TO GIVE

An advance of Sixpence per Pair

FOR THE MAKING OF BLACK SILK HOSE.

GENTLEMEN,—Gratitude is an Attribute imprinted upon the Human Heart by Deity himself; and for us not to acknowledge your Favor on the present occasion, would render us unworthy of your future regard, and justly expose us to the scorn of every honest and humane Man, who might be made acquainted with attention to our interest. It is therefore with peculiar satisfaction return you our Thanks for your ready condescension in attending to the solicitations of those Persons that waited upon you, on our behalf, to obtain the advance above specified. Indeed, whoever contemplates for a moment the present situation of the Stocking-Makers, with the alarming price of every necessary of life staring them in the face, will sympathize with their sufferings, and the sufferings of the Families, and will readily join with them in giving Thanks to of their Employers, who attend to the amelioration of their piteous Condition.

Gentlemen,

Believe me your very humble and obedient Servant,

WILLIAM CRUMP, Secretary

In behalf of the Plain Silk Stocking-Makers.

Nottingham, Nov. 27, 1811.

N. B. The following is a List of those Gentlemen Hosiers, who have Signed the above Advance:—

Lawson and Sons
J. and I. Lawson
Brocksopp and Parker
E. Chatteris
Thos. Kelk
Beardsmore and Sons
T. Galloway
W. Meats and Sons
Barwick and Christian
N. and J. Cox and Co.
Simon Skidmore
For Mr. Eaton, Rich. Satterthwaite
Child, Cosens, and Co.
Saml. Clark
Scorer and Acomb
James and Neal
Saml. Barlow
G. and S. Nichols
Geo. Gibson and Son
Hancock and Wakefield
Hall, Northage, and Hardwick
Wilks and Armfield
Kewney and Richardson
Wm. Howitt
Berridge and Tarratt
For L. B. Mason, W Smith
J. Rawson
For Berridge and James, Rich Shaw
Radford and Stones
R. Hopper
Thos. Jackson
Turner and Smith
Geo. Carey
Edmund Wright and Co.
Strahan, Theaker and Co.
J. Billins
G. L. Cox and Son
W. Walker
Morley, Wilson, and Morley
Holmes, Edenborough, & Stenson
Trentham, Trentham, and Martin
G. and J. Ray
Geo Pickering
James Pritt and Co.
G. and J. Mills
R. and S. Cheetham
Pope and Co.
Green and Gill
J Lightfoot
Dove, Gill, and Co.
Thos. Jerram
Richd. Smith and Co.

A Pledge of the same nature has been given by several other Hosiers, whose Names are not annexed.

27th November 1811: Troop movements

The 1st Regiment of Nottinghamshire Local Militia disbands after being on duty for a fortnight. This is the maximum period the law allows a Local Militia to be on duty for.

26th November 1811: More attacks in Basford & a description of an attack

The frame-breaking continued apace at Basford, with between 8 and 13 frames being broken. The Nottingham Review carried a description of an attack which is notable for its comment upon the apparent motivations of the Luddites at this time:

“One house that they went into, they had much trouble to obtain a light, and, while rummaging a cupboard the something with which to procure one, they discovered some plate and other valuables; but, having obtained a bit of paper, they shut to the cupboard door, nor touched any thing in the house but the frames, which were the object of their vengeance. In another house it was well understood, that from fifty to seventy golden guineas were kept by the master; but, having exercised their wrath upon the obnoxious IRON, they left the GOLD in quiet possession of the owner. At another house the master offered them a considerable portion of money if they would spare the frames; but their answer was, that they wanted not his money, but the destruction of those instruments which prevented them from obtaining a livelihood in an honest manner. One poor man begged of the rioters to spare two frames that had been the fruit of his industry for many years: his request was granted.”

26th November 1811: Public Notice from the Town Clerk of Nottingham

TOWN OF NOTTINGHAM.

THE Magistrates have observed with extreme regret, that the Spirit of Disorder, which has for some time past disgraced the County in the immediate Neighbourhood, has at length found means to proceed to the Destruction of Frames within the Town of Nottingham:—

I am therefore directed to give Notice,

That, the maintenance of the Public Peace, in order to enable them to give immediate Protection to the Property of their Fellow-Townsmen, the Magistrates have taken effectual means, by which an adequate Civil and Military Force can be assembled and brought the immediate Assistance of any Person or Persons, in the Town, whose Person or Property may be in Danger. And in order that every Individual may know, as well by Night as by Day, where to apply for Aid, I am further desired to state, for the information of the Public, that a Number of Constables will be kept in constant attendance at the POLICE OFFICE, to give immediate Information to the Magistrates, so long as they consider such Precautions necessary.

By Order of the Magistrates,

GEO. COLDHAM, Town Clerk.

Nottingham, 26th November, 1811.

26th November 1811: Duke of Newcastle to Home Office

Clumber
Nov. 26, 1811

Sir,

It is with my great satisfaction that l can now write to inform you that the late disagreeable disturbances in the County are entirely got under.

The disposition to riot in the neighbourhood of Nottingham was very speedily quelled, but a bad spirit was longer kept up in the villages near Mansfield where they are populous and the inhabitants in much distress at this moment from not being able to get work at their business — which consist principally of making stocking articles — as I mentioned also in a former letter the high price of every thing necessary for their subsistance presses now still heavier upon these poor people as they are out of employ. They certainly are very much to be pitied and when every thing is perfectly tranquil and that they find themselves subdued by being obliged to submit to the Laws I hope we may be able by some means to relieve them.

The Local Militia and Yeomanry of this County were a great deal more than necessary to keep the peace of the County.

As the whole four regiments of Local Militia have been called out on this occasion — I have written to the respective Colonels desiring them to send me returns of the number of day’s service which they have had, and which, when I obtain I will transmit to you.

I imagine the regular form on this occasion will be to request H.R.H. the Prince Regent’s approbation of the different regts. having been assembled for such a number of days. Should any other mode be necessary in order to make it more regular I shall be happy to receive your instructions on that head — as it will be a consideration with the Colonels to be able to draw for the pay and allowances for their men.

I have [etc.]

NEWCASTLE

25th November 1811: Further attacks in the town of Nottingham

During the daytime, some frames had been brought into Nottingham from Bulwell, and secured in an empty house in York Street, guarded by 3 or 4 men. At some point during the evening, the guards left the house, and the Luddites saw their chance and destroyed 6 frames. William Parkes & George Shaw were later apprehended with parts of the frames about their person.

25th November 1811: One frame-broken at Chilwell and multiple attacks across the Counties.

In the early hours of the morning, one stocking frames was broken at Chilwell "the wood-work of which was chopped to pieces with an axe" and allegedly burnt.

On the same night, Conant & Baker reported that attacks also took place at Hucknall Torkard, Bulwell, Dob Park & Eastwood, with the Nottingham Journal adding Cossall and Heanor in Derbyshire.

25th November 1811: More attacks at Basford

Basford continued to rage. Two waggons accompanied by a party of the 15th Dragoons were en route from Bulwell when they were attacked at 5 p.m. at Parson's Flat, near Basford by Luddites, who were then forced to retreat without achieving much. But the conflict brought more troops away from Basford itself, resulting in attacks on frames by other groups of Luddites, some in plain sight of the military.

The attacks continued through to 10 p.m., when the soldiers apprehended 3 men and took them to Nottingham under escort. But the absence of the military again gave the Luddites an opportunity, with more frame-breaking taking place after their departure.

24th November 1811: More frame-breaking at Basford

Saturday night's frame-breaking at Basford continued the next evening. Numbers vary, but between 30 and 38 frames were broken that night, with the Nottingham Journal furnishing a particularly vivid description:

"On Sunday night last a general attack was made by these depredators upon the stocking frames in various workshops in the town and parish of Basford, when upwards of 30 (some accounts say 38) were completely destroyed, & the ironwork broken to pieces & scattered in all directions. The operations were conducted with so much secrecy and dispatch, that the business was accomplished, long before any force could be collected to resist them. A party of hussars, of which two additional troops had arrived here on Sunday morning, under the command of the Earl of Waldegrave, immediately set out for the scene of action, but arrived too late to be of any essential service."

24th November 1811: Troop movements

2 more troops of the 15th Dragoons arrive in Nottingham after a march of nearly 40 miles.

23rd November 1811: Frame-breaking comes to Derbyshire & Luddites win concessions

Conant & Baker reported¹ that on Saturday 23rd Novmber, "one Frame was broken at Ilkeston in Derbyshire but further mischief was prevented by coercive and conciliatory measures being resorted to", but are entirely vague about what either of these measures were. Darvall² quotes a passage from Felkin³ as evidence that concessions were being offered to Luddites at this early stage:

It was in this last week of November, 1811, that the writer of these lines, then a youth of scarcely seventeen, was required by his masters to get into the saddle and make a long round, to convey the information that if their frames, of which they employed about 3000, were spared from the destruction with which they were threatened, one shilling per dozen advance would be paid the following Saturday, and be continued whether others paid it or not. It was a dreary afternoon with heavy rain and winter sleet. He rode hard, and at Basford, Bulwell, Eastwood, Heanor, Ilkiston, Smalley, Sawiey, Kegworth, Gotham and Ruddington, delivered to their head frame-work-knitters the joyful news of the offered advance. The wintry storm, though uncomfortable enough to the messenger, tended greatly to the success of his message. It prevented for that night the marauding parties employing themselves; these frames had been undoubtedly doomed, for an example, as belonging to one of the most influential houses in the trade. The promise made was faithfully performed; not one of their frames was injured, and no further fears were excited as to the safety of their property.

23rd November 1811: A week of frame-breaking begins at Basford

Whatever agreements had been reached between Framework-knitters and some of the Hosiers, there were still plenty unwilling to yield to the Luddites in Nottinghamshire. And so began 6 nights of frame-breaking in Basford on Saturday night 23rd November, as attacks were taking place elsewhere.

The Leeds Mercury tells us that 20 frames were destroyed that night by "an assemblage of rioters accompanied by 15 men in military uniforms". The same publication also said that frame-breaking had taken place at Bulwell, but gave no further information.