Monday 11 July 2016

11th July 1816: The Mayor of Leicester reports the arrest of more 'Loughborough Job' suspects & sends a handbill to the Home Office

Sir

I beg to acknowledge the favor of your letter of yesterday, and assure you that the directions it contained shall have every attention in case any circumstances occur to require them

It is very satisfactory to me to hear that Lord Sidmouth is about to send a Troop of Dragoons to be stationed here, and I doubt not his Lordship will participate in this feeling when informed that two Luddites from Nottm who were concerned in the late outrage at Loughborough, were yesterday fully committed to the County Gaol in this place. They belong to so desperate a party, and the weapons which they use for the purpose of mischief are so weighty, that in case of any external attack upon the Gaol might not be strong enough to resist them, and in the absence of Soldiers, the idea of a rescue might present itself

As a County magistrate I assisted at the examination and Committal of these two men, & I fully believe they will be convicted.

It is rather remarkable that their committal only took place yesterday afternoon, and very early this morning a written Hand Bill of which I inclose a Copy was found Posted on one of the walls in this place—It was in course pulled down as soon as the Police got intelligence of it, when a considerable number of Persons were found assembled about it

I have [etc]
Jno Mansfield
Mayor

Leicester 11 July 1816

[To] John Beckett Esq
&c &c &c

[Handbill posted in Leicester follows:]

(Copy)

Death to the Prince who regards not the distresses of his Subjects—Confusion to his Councels—An Axe for his Ministers—And a speedy overthrow of his Government—

Englishmen arouse and redress your Grievances—

Both the letter & handbill can be found at HO 42/152.

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