10th May 1817: Letter from Wakefield

Wakefield Saturday Evg 10th May 1817

Honoured Sir/

this will most likely reach you nearly as soon as one sent by the Coach in a parcell last night but consider it nessesary to forward Every information as often as possible—I have been this day round to vissit the neighbouring Villages giving information of what has befell M. in hopes of Observing an alteration in their spirits but I am sorry to say it at present appears to Create it then otherwise and the Spirit of Discontent seems to have got deeply rooted in them.

I have had some Serious Conversation with Mr. Benj. Scholes of the Joiners Arms who seems to be very much looked up to by the inferior he being an Old pupil of Eastbournes I Consider a Second Evans Equally artfull in setting others to do what he dare not do himself and in those Kind of people the greatest Evil lays I find he has for years delighted himself in being as Obnoxious as can be to the majestrates have the neighbrood, whereever he can I am afraid there is many of the same disposition in this part and all the way up to nottingham Birmingham &c—he S. proposed to accompany me to the meeting that takes place tomorrow near mill Bridge they are first to Assemble at the Globe at that place and if nessesary to adjourn by degrees to Some more remote place—I have apprized both Mr. Haigh and Mr. Beckett of the meeting should they think proper to make some private observations of the individuals of their respective neighbrood—they are very still and quiet in all their proceedings and preparations—which Mr. Haigh has Observed himself of Late which he says he does not like—he has wrote a Genl. Byng for Some troops who has sent him for Answer. he will attend to in a fortnight of three weeks I am much afraid that will be to late—they are in possession of all the depots round the Country and about Leeds they regret very much the removal of the present troops which they speak highly of I am much afraid there is to good an understanding Existing between them Every where in this neighbrood Even down to liverpool. I trust I shall hear from you by return of post which further steps you should wish me to take—I remain Honoured Sir/

Your most faithfull Servant

WJ Richards

Mr Latchford letter was redirected this morng.

[To] J. Beckett Esqr

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This letter can be found at HO 40/10. Once more, the underlining was most likely added later by a Home Office clerk.