The Peterloo Massacre - Manchester 16th August 1819
TRANSCRIPTION OF : 'NOTES & OBSERVATIONS, Critical & Explanatory, on the Papers Relative to OFFICIAL Leamington, 28th August, 1819. My Lord, I have the honour to be, Viscount Sidmouth, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leeds, August 25th, 1819. My Lord, I deem it necessary to acquaint your Lordship, that I think I perceive a considerable change working among our reformers. On Thursday last in the evening, a body of people, to the amount of several thousands, met upon Hunslet Moor, to discuss the events at Manchester, simply upon a notice given by posting up a few written papers in two or three conspicuous situations in the town. Last evening another meeting took place by the appointment of the former, When, notwithstanding a heavy fall of rain, it is calculated full 3,000 persons were present; with the additional excitements of drums and bands of music, to which they marched from the adjoining townships. They dispersed quietly. I fear these circumstances, added to the frequent meeting, announce a growing confidence in themselves, and a determination on the part of their leaders to push matters to an extremity. They hold more violent language in their speeches, and dwell in exaggerated terms on the proceedings at Manchester; and Sherwin's Register of the 20th inst. of which l have found it difficult to obtain a copy, the whole being sold off, is a most diabolical production; he throws off all restraint, calls on the people to arm, states the impossibility of avoiding a revolution, or of subduing the people; and treats the idea of accommodation as ridiculous; surely it is time to attack the authors of such dangerous productions. l write this evening desiring Sir John Byng to order another troop of dragoons to Leeds. We have only one of thirty-two horses, which I think is too small a force to meet present appearances with. I have the honour to be, my Lord, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WE, the undersigned inhabitant householders of the town of Wakefield, do convene a public meeting to be held on Monday, 30th August, 1819, to take into consideration our unparalleled distress, (which we consider to have arisen from enormous taxation without representation,) and the most effectual and constitutional methods for the removal and prevention of the same occurring in future; RICHARD BROWN, Plumber and Glazier, Wvestgate. The chair to be taken precisely at four o'clock in the afternoon. Wakefield, August 23d. 1819 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wentworth, August 31, 1819. My Lord, I have the honour to be, Viscount Sidmouth, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Copy.) Halifax, August 27, 1819. My Lord, I have great reason to believe that the lower orders, in this part of the country, are very much irritated by the laudable conduct of the civil and military authorities at Manchester, and warmly espouse the cause of the Revolutionists; for such they are. Speaking entirely of the actual labouring class, I have not a doubt that a every great majority have the above feeling, and would act upon it, they dared, at this moment. Various assemblages have been held in this parish and Huddersfield, since the occurrences at Manchester. The object being (as there is great reason to believe) to determine as to the propriety of marching to Manchester to avenge themselves, which has not been thought prudent at present. These assemblies were called privately, and it is very difficult to obtain correct information; but though I do not apprehend any immediate danger, I am well convinced there is reason to fear that some violent attempt will be made by the disaffected, if very great precautionary measures are not adopted. It is quite certain the object is absolute Revolution; the attempt at which will cause much mischief. This parish has always been much quieter than Huddersfield; but the disposition lately evinced, has induced Colonel Dearden and myself to swear in about three hundred special Constables, and to call a meeting of the principal inhabitants. I intend to attempt to raise a troop of yeomanry cavalry here, and I have hopes of offering one to your Lordship. In the mean time I have stated to Lord Sidmouth, that it is necessary to society that one troop of regulars should be placed here. (m) I wish to add, that it was the opinion of all the Magitrates at Wakefield, amongst whom were Sir Francis Wood, Mr. Wortley, and Mr. Lowe, (with whom I coincide) that it is not by any means necessary your Lordship should hasten your return from Leamington at this moment. I have the honour to be, Earl Fitzwilliam, Footnotes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leeds, 27th August, 1819. My Lord, That I deemed it my duty to make this communication to my Lord Sidmouth, I think I omitted to mention to your Lordship, which you will have the goodness to attribute to the hurry under which I was obliged to write my letters on Wednesday evening. I am happy to say, the opinions I have formed, and the measures l have adopted, met the full approbation of my 89 I feel perfectly confident, with the military force which I shall have to-morrow at my disposal; and l sincerely hope the strong attitude we have taken in this respect, without hitherto interfering with the proceedings of the reformers, will have due weight with them, and deter them from going to the dangerous lengths they have in Lancashire; and which, I am quite satisfied, is the object of their leaders. I am most anxious to avoid any contact with them, until they commit themselves by some breach of the peace, when I might he warranted in a decisive interference. I have a strong objection, which I think it right to name to your Lordship, to make use of the Yeomanry, except as an auxiliary force, and in case only of emergency. I perceive a strong hatred exists against this force, which is carefully cherished by all the reformers; and if, unfortunately, We should require their services, the probability is, that in discharging their duty they would lay the foundation of perpetual heart-burnings and animosity. I have not yet heard of any day being fixed for another meeting here; there will be one at Wakefield on Monday next. If any thing further occurs worth communicating to your Lordship, I shall take the liberty to write to you. I have the honour to be, Earl Fitzwilliam, . ***************************************************************
'NOTES & OBSERVATIONS, Critical & Explanatory, on the Papers Relative to the Internal State of the Country, Recently Presented to Parliament; to which is appended, a REPLY to Mr. Francis Philips's 'Exposure of the Calumnies circulated by the Enemies of Social Order ...' Transcribed by Sheila Goodyear 2019 LINK to full .pdf document of 'Notes & Observations ...'
on the Internet Archive website to read or download. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 Peterloo Project Pages on our companion website, |