Sunday 17 June 2012

17th June 1812: The Manchester Magistrates send information about the Manchester 38 to the Home Office

[Copy]

Gent.

I am sorry to have occasion to transmit to you Informations &c against 38 Men who were assembled at a meeting on Thursday night the 11th Inst at a Public House a sign of the Prince Regents Arms in Ancoats Lane kept by one Brown = Nadin having Private Information of this Meeting, went with Military Assistance to the Place—surrounded the House and apprehended every Man at the Meeting—The Prisoners on their Examination which took place on Saturday last endeavoured to Shelter themselves under the pretence of being assembled for the purpose of preparing an address to the Prince Regent and a Petition to the House of Commons for Peace and some Papers to this effect were found in the Room—but I have no doubt this was a mere pretext, if there be any Truth in our Information the meeting was not for this but for the purpose of aiding and assisting in a most wicked conspiracy tending to overturn the Constitution and Government of this Country, you will see the Plot pretty fully explained by Samuel Fleming in this Information now sent to you, he gave Nadin notice of this meeting and was employed to attend the Meeting to be twisted in, which he accomplished and gave Information to the Magistrates—I trust he will be so far confirmed that by his Testimony these wicked Men will be brought to Justice—I do not know how the Witness is to be protected ‘till the Assizes, his Life no doubt is in danger and has been threatened, he has been obliged to fly from his House, and he, his Wife and three Children are now under our Protection. He and his House and little property are guarded by the Military—You will have the goodness to give us your directions how this Man and his Family shall be disposed of that we may have the benefit of his Testimony at the Assizes, and that he may be protected from Violence notwithstanding the great Vigilance and attention paid by the Magistrates to preserve the Peace, I am sorry to say things bear a very serious aspect in this, and the neighbouring Counties. Please to favour me with an Answer,

I am for self & Partners*

(JB)

(Signed) Nathanial Milne

Manchester
June 17th. 1812.

This letter can be found at HO 40/1/4.

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