Wakefield Sunday Evg May 4th—/17
Honoured Sir/
when I wrote to you last from Liverpool on the receipts of Both your letters I had Scarcely any time Prior to the post going out in consiquence of which I hope you will have the Kindness to Excuse all imperfections
M. has been very active every where Since he left London and so much so that I can scarcely get a moment to myself but when I retire to Bed his Circuit have been so very Extensive tho I adopt the most rigid Economy traveling Expincs are so very high and we have walked across the country many miles
at the meeting of last Sunday in the neighbourhood of Huddersfield I was introduced to many of the poor deluded people and among the rest one who calls himself a portrait painter a native of Hull who seems to have taken a very active part in inflameing the lines of the weak we mett him again on Tuesday last at Leeds at a large private meeting—on his way down to Hull his native place from where he was to Collect the State of the peoples mind of that place and send up a report Prior to the meeting that takes place tomorrow—as it seemed doubtfull case who he Should address too I thought it might be as well to address it to me whereby I Should be in possession of it myself—
it having just come to hand and do not consider it prudent to Expose it to any of them here I beg leave to inclose it for your perusal that you may be able to judge what steps might be prudent to watch his conduct at Hull this present time when mens minds seem so much inflamed by the political Pamphlets that is so industerously Circulated throghout the country and Strengthen much by the orratory of such men as those. I Should Observe the letter was to be destroyed as soon as the contents were made Known but as none of the party Knows of the receipt of it they will not now Know it
the interlineation in pencil is the Explanation of the meaning and the method they all adopting in corresponding with each other you will find it corresponds with pendrill letter to M. which was to introduce me first to him
M. residence with his family being a wife and Six Small Children in No. 3 Richmond row liverpool She principally maintains the Children by her own industry straw Bonnett making—P. was very much inclined to join M in his Persuits had I not prevaild on him to resist and seeing the account in the papers of thistlewood apprehention as well as the great neglect he mett with from his old assosiates in London of late he now considers them the mosst Contemptible of man Kind from his account he has been Severely persecuted by them he Entered very seriously into an Explanation and acknowledgement of all his past. conduct. which he now admits he was urged on to it by the adullation and flattery of men who he says was to cowerdly to be Seen to act themselves
I was sorry to hear such men names mentioned that have been guilty of Encouraging Such proceedings—the principles that I was introduced to at Manchester was whitworth young Knight—givens—grindrod—cannavan and two from Stockport whos names I did not learn we have not rested a day in a place Since we left London
if you and my Lord Sidmouth Should wish me to get M Secured after the meeting with any other principal after the Meeting and the result Known—with due Submission to you it would be well to Observe what Effect that might have on the minds of the others they are at present in a desperate state of mind and ready for any mischief they might be Encouraged to do.
the Manchester and Liverpool people Seems very much fireghtened at present even to be Seen in each others company Still they would not mind Encouraging others on to mischief—
I came thro leeds this morning to soon to See Mr. Beckett but I am to See him on Tuesday morng
I remain Honoured Sir/ with respect
Your faithfull Servant
WJ Richards
I See a very great necessity for Changeing the possition of the Army Immediately in this district they are to familiar with the people Birmingham in particular—
[To: J Beckett Esqr]
This letter can be found at HO 40/10. Once again, the underlining is likely to have been added by the Home Office after receipt.
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