UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 FIRST REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 Committee of Secrecy, 
 
 v To whom the feveral PAPERS referred to 
 
 fN HIS MAJESTTs MESSAGE 
 
 OF THE I2TH OF MAY, 1794. 
 
 And which were presented (fealed up) to the HOUSE, by 
 
 MR. SECRETARY DUNDAS, . 
 
 Upon the nth and ijth Days of the faid Month, 
 BT HIS MAJESTr* COMMAND, 
 
 WERE REFERRED; 
 
 And. who were direfted to examine the Matters thereof, and report 
 the fame, as they fhould appear to them, to the Houfe; have pro- 
 ceeded, in Obedience to the Orders of the Houfe, to the Confideration 
 *f the Matters referred to them. 
 
 Ordered to he printed lyth M^y 1 794. 
 
 THIRD EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 RIKT1D FOIL J. DEBRETT, OPPOSITE BURLINGTON HOUSF, 
 
 PICCADILLY. 
 
 1794. 
 
 [Price One Shilling.]
 
 5<56 
 
 REPORT, 
 
 THEY find, on the Firfl Infpe&ion, that the 
 Books and Papers which they are directed to exa- 
 mine, contain a full and authentic account of certain 
 Jr proceedings of Two Societies, calling theinfelves The 
 ~ Society for Cbnftitiitional Information, and The Lon- 
 <x> don Correfponding Society, who appear to be clofely 
 3 connected with other Societies in many parts of Great 
 ' Britain, and in Ireland ; and the Committee alfo ob- 
 ferve, from recent circumftances, which have already 
 come under their obfervation, that thefe proceedings 
 appear to become every day more and more likely to 
 affect the internal peace and fecurity of thefe king- 
 doms, and to require, in the moil urgent manner, the 
 immediate and vigilant attention of Parliament. 
 
 The Committee have, therefore, thought it their 
 indifpenfable duty, in the firft inftance, to fubmit to 
 the Houfe the general view which they have been ena- 
 bled to form of thefe tranfaclions, referring a more 
 particular ftatement for a fubfequent Report. 
 
 In the book containing the proceedings of the So- 
 ciety for Conftitutional Information, which was found 
 in the cuftody of the perfon acting as Secretary to the 
 Society, there are regular entries of what paired on 
 a, each day of meeting, from the end of the year 1791 to 
 g the Qth of May in the prcfent year. 
 
 A 2 From 
 
 s 
 
 19
 
 Fforff fnHe'if aprJeafsj tWrdurihg almoft the whole 
 of that period, anu:\ti$ &?drt any confiderable inter- 
 val, except during "part *of the fummer in 1792 and 
 1793, this Society has, by a feries of Refolutions, Pub- 
 lications, and Correspondence, been uniformly and 
 fyltematically purfuing a fettled dengn* which appears 
 to your Committee to tend to the fubverlion of the efta- 
 bliihed Conftitution, and which has of late been more 
 openly avowed, and attempted to be carried into full 
 execution. 
 
 The principles on which this defign is founded are 
 Ilrongly and unequivocally proved, from Refolutions 
 formed as early as the iSth of May 1792, in which 
 the Society applaud the intention of publishing a cheap 
 edition of the Fhit and Second Part of The Rights of 
 Man ; and refolve, " That a copy of Mr. Paine's let- 
 " ter [informing them of this intention] together with 
 <f thefe Refolutions, be transmitted to all the AlTo- 
 " ciated Societies in Town and Country ; and that 
 " this Society do congratulate them on the firm as 
 te well as orderly fpirit and tranquil pcrfeverance ma- 
 " nifefted in all their proceedings, and exhort them 
 (c to a fteady continuance therein ;'* and alfo, " That 
 " 3000 copies of the Letter and Refolution fhould be 
 " printed for uie of the Society." This Single circum- 
 ilance would, in the judgement of your Committee, 
 leave little doubt of the real nature of the defigns en- 
 tertained by this Society. Their conduct in other re- 
 ipeels has correfponded with it. 
 
 On the nth of May in the fame year they vote an 
 addrefs, in terms of approbation and applaufe, to the 
 Society of Jacobins at Paris. 
 
 They adopt a iimilar meafure, under circumftances 
 {till more ftriking, by fending, on the 9th of Novem- 
 ber following, an Addrefs to the National Convention 
 of France, full of panegyric on the French Revolution, 
 and cxprcfling the ftrongeft wifhes for its progrefs and 
 fucceii. This Addrefs was actually prefented at the 
 Bar of the Convention by two perfons of the name of 
 
 Barlow
 
 t 5 1 
 
 Barlow and Froft ; and the anfwer of the PrefiJent 
 was read at the meeting of the Society on the 7th of 
 December 1792. 
 
 On the i Ath of the fame month a letter is re c eivcd 
 from perfons, calling thcmfelves the Friends of Liberty 
 and Equality, at Laon, capital of the Department de 
 L'Aifne f and referred by the Society to their Commit- 
 tee of Correfpondence. 
 
 On the 2 1 ft of the fame month, certain Members 
 are exprefsly appointed a Committee for Foreign Cor- 
 refpondence. 
 
 The Proceedings of this Committee are ordered to 
 be entered in a fcparate book ; and a letter received 
 that day from the Friends of Liberty and Equality at 
 Macon is referred to that Committee. 
 
 On the 25th of January, and on the ift of Febru- 
 ary i~93, (at the eve of the commencement of the 
 \\ar, and after the repeated Reprefentations which 
 had been made on the part of the Britilh Government, 
 complaining of the ccuduft of France) tho Citizens 
 Barrere and Roland (then leading Members of the 
 French Convention) arc admitted Aflbciated Honorary 
 Members of the Society ; and the fpeeches of Barrere 
 and St. Andre (alfo an Honorary Member of the So- 
 ciety) as given in the Moniteur of the 4th, 6th, and 
 7th of January, are directed to be inferred in the books 
 of the Society. 
 
 Subiequent to the Declaration of War, which in- 
 terrupted this fyflem of direct corrcfpondence and con- 
 cert with France, and down to the prefcrit time, the 
 Society have continued, on various occaiions, to ma- 
 nifelt their attachment to the cauie of the French Re- 
 volution ; and have affected to follow, in their pro- 
 ceedings and in their language, the forms and even the 
 phrafes which are adopted in that country. 
 
 The next leading circumftancc which has engaged 
 the attention of your Committee, is the unremitting 
 activity and diligence with which this Society have 
 . attempted to diilerninate their principles, both by Pub- 
 lications
 
 .[ 6 ] 
 
 locations and Resolutions induftrioufly and extenfively 
 circulated, and by endeavouring to eflablifh a general 
 correfpondence and concert among the other feditious 
 Societies in the Metropolis, and in different parts of 
 England and Scotland, as well as in Ireland. With 
 many of thefe, this Society appears itfelf to have car- 
 ried on an immediate correfpondence, particularly with 
 thofe at Sheffield, Norwich, and Manchefter, who 
 have, on all occaiions, taken the mort forward and 
 active part in thefe tranfacYions. In their correfpon- 
 dence with Norwich in particular, as early as the i 2th 
 of April 1793, there is a pallage which fo clearly 
 marks the real object which (whatever may have been 
 their pretexts) they, appear uniformly to have had in 
 view, that your Committee think it right here to in- 
 fert it : 
 
 " Extract of a Letter from the Secretary to the 
 *' Society for Coriftitutional Information, to 
 "the Secretary to the United Political So- 
 " cieties at Norwich ; dated i6th April, 
 " I 793- 
 
 " Where then are we to look for the remedy ? 
 " To that Parliament of which we complain ? 
 " To the Executive Power, which is implicitly 
 t( obeyed if not anticipated in that Parliament ; 
 " or to ourfeives, roprefcnted in forrie Meeting of 
 " Delegates for the efpecial purpoie of Reform* 
 " which we t uppofe yoti underftand by the Term 
 CONVENTION ? 
 
 " It is the end of each of thefc Propofltions 
 <4 that we ought to look to ; and as fucccis in a 
 '' good caufe muit be the effect of perfcverance 
 '' and the ri -Ing n^nbn of the time, let us deter- 
 " mine with coalnci'-. ! -r ie( us pcrfevere with 
 " deciiion. Ai to a Convention, we regard it as 
 " a plan the moft. dcflrab!^ and rnnfr practicable, 
 " fo ibon as the jri'eat bodv of the people fliall be 
 " courageous and virtuous enough to join n^ in 
 i the "
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 " the attempt. Hitherto \ve have no reafon to 
 <c believe that the moment is arrived for that jmr- 
 " pole. As to any petition to the Crown, we 
 " believe it hopclefs in its confequences. With 
 " refpect to the lair, of the propofals, we are at a 
 " lofs'to advife. If the event is looked to in the 
 tc vote which may be obtained from that body to 
 " whom this petition is to be addrefled, which of 
 " us can look to it without the profpect of an ab- 
 t( folute negative ? In this point of view, there- 
 11 fore, it cannot require a moment's confidera- 
 " tion. But if we regard the policy of fuch a 
 " petition, it may, in our apprehenlion, be well 
 " worth confidering as a warning voice to our 
 " prefent Legiflators, and as a lignal for imitation 
 " to the majority of the people. Should fuch a 
 " plan be vigoroufly and generally purfued, it 
 t( would hold out a certainty to our fellow coun- 
 " trymen that we are not a handful of individuals 
 (l unworthy of attention or coniideration, who 
 tc defire the reftoration of the antient Liberties of 
 t( England ; but, on the contrary, it might bring 
 " into light that hoft of w^ell-meaning men, who, 
 " in the different towns and counties of this 
 (f realm, are iilently but ferioufly anxious for 
 <( reformation in the Government. 
 
 " We exhort you with anxiety to purfue your 
 " laudable endeavours for the common good, and 
 " never to delpair of the public caufe." 
 But of all the Societies with which they correfpond- 
 d, the two of the greatell importance are, Tiie London 
 Correfponding Society (which has been already refer- 
 red to, and with whom, during this whole period, the 
 correfpondence appears to have been continually kept 
 up) and tjie affembly which called itfelf The Britiih 
 Convention at Edinburgh. The firft of thefe it will 
 be neceifary for the Committee to advert to particu- 
 larly. The proceedings of the fecond are already fuf- 
 ficiently notorious. It is therefore onlyncccffary hereto 
 
 add,
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 add, that on the meeting of the Conftitutional Society, 
 on the 25th of October laft, after their adjournment 
 for the ilunmer, a letter was read from the Secretary of 
 the Convention of the Friends of the People at Edin- 
 burgh, to the Secretary of the Correfponcling Society 
 in confequence of which it was refolved, that there 
 ^hould be a.n extraordinary general meeting, to conlider 
 of fending deli-gates to a convention of delegates of 
 the different S >:ieties in Great Britain, to be held at 
 Edinburgh, for the purpofe of obtaining a parliamen- 
 tary reform. 
 
 On the Monday following, the 28th of October, this 
 meeting took place. Two delegates were chofen, and 
 the following inltructions given them : 
 
 " The delegates are inftructcd, on the part of 
 " this Society, to aliiil in bringing forward and 
 " fupporting any conftitutional meafures for pro- 
 " curing a real reprclentation of the Commons of 
 ** Great Britain in Parliament. That in fpecify- 
 " icg the redrefs to be demanded of exilting 
 " abufes,*the delegates ought never to lofe fight 
 " of the two ellential principles General fuf- 
 " frage, and annual reprefentation, together with 
 ^ the unalienable right in the people to reform. 
 V And that a reafonable and known compenfa- 
 " tion ought to be made to the reprefentatives of 
 '* the Nation, by a national contribution. 
 
 " That the delegates do punchially correfpond 
 " with the fqciety, for the purpofe of communi- 
 < eating information, and of receiving fuch far- 
 *' ther inftru6tions as the exigency may require. 
 " And it was further refolved, 
 " That the fociety be delired to write to the 
 " diilcrent focieties with which this fociety is in 
 " correfpondence, informing them, that the Lon- 
 " don Correfponding Society, together with this 
 <c fcx:iety, have elected delegates to the Conven- 
 ** tion of Delegates to meet at Edinburgh on the
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 (< 2 pth inftant, and to requefl their concurrence 
 " in this important meafure." 
 
 The delegate appears, according to his inflruclions, 
 to have correiponded with the Secretary of the fo- 
 ciety ; but no refolutions are entered on the fubjecl, 
 till the 1 7th of January, fubfequent to the apprehen- 
 iion and trial of feveral of the members of the Conven- 
 tion at Edinburgh. On that day the fociety parTed the 
 following refolutions : 
 
 " Refolved, That law ceafes to be an object 
 ( * of obedience whenever it becomes an inftru- 
 " ment of oppreffion. 
 
 " Refolved, that we call to mind, -with the 
 " deepefl fatisfaction, the merited fate of the in- 
 " famous Jeffries, once Lord Chief Juftice of 
 f( England, who, at the aera of the glorious Re- 
 " volution, for the many iniquitous fentences 
 " which he had pafled, was torn to pieces by a 
 * f brave and injured people. 
 
 " Refolved, That thofe who imitate his exam- 
 *' pie deferve his fate. 
 
 " Refolved, That the Tweed, though it may 
 " divide countries, ought not, and does not make 
 " a feparation between thofe principles of com- 
 " mon feverity in which Englilhmen and Scotch- 
 " men are equally intereited; that injuftice in 
 " Scotland is injuftice in England ; and that the 
 " fafety of Engliflimen is endangered whenever 
 " their brethren in Scotland, for a conduct which 
 " entitles them to the approbation of all wife, 
 " and the fupport of all brave men, are fentenced 
 *< to Botany Bay; a punilhment hitherto infl idled 
 fc only on felons. 
 
 " Refolved, That we fee with regret, but we 
 fe fee without fear, that the period is fail approach- 
 " ing, when the liberties of Britons mult depend 
 ' not upon realbn, to which they have long ap- 
 " pealed, nor on their powers of expreliing it, 
 <( but on their firm and undaunted resolution to 
 B " oppofe
 
 oppofe tyranny by the fame means by which it; 
 " is exerciled. 
 
 *' Relblved, That we approve of the conduct 
 " of the Britifh Convention, who, though affailed 
 " by force, have not been anfwered by argu- 
 " ments ; and who, unlike the members , -of a 
 " certain aflerably, have no intercft diilinct from 
 Cf the common bo.dyof the people. 
 
 " Refolved, That a copy of the above re- 
 " folutious be tranfmitted to Citizen Skirving, 
 ' Secretary to the Britifh Convention, who is 
 " now imprifoned under colour of law in the 
 " Talbooth of Edinburgh.'-' 
 
 Subfequent to this period the books of the fociety 
 are full of repeated declarations of approbation and 
 attachment, addreffed to Muir, Palmer, Skirving, Mar- 
 garot, and Gtrrald, the perfons recently convicted of 
 ledition by the Court of JufHciary in Scotland; and of 
 the moil violent and inflammatory attacks on the 
 proceedings of that court. 
 
 Your Committee have thus far traced feparately 
 fome of the leading proceedings of this fociety, as 
 appearing from the entries in their own books. Before 
 they take notice of thofe of a more recent date, and 
 which are in the prefent moment of more immediate 
 importance, it becomes ncceilary to give an account of 
 the other fociety, called The London Correfponding 
 Society, bccaule the meaiurcs which have been adopted, 
 during the lalt lix weeks, appear to have been the re- 
 fult of a more particular and intimate concert between 
 the two focietie's. 
 
 It appears from the evidence before your Commit- 
 tee, that the London Correfponding Society meets 
 occalionally in a body, but that its ordinary meetings 
 are in leparate diviiions in difierent pails of the town ; 
 that the number of thefe diviiions has been gradually 
 increaling; and that there are now about thirty of 
 them eftablifhepl. That there is a fecretaryto each.di- 
 viiion, another to the whole body, and a general 'com- 
 mittee,
 
 r i i 
 
 mlltee formed from one member of each 
 That when the ibciety originally met (which is ftated 
 to have been in 1792) it corrfiited of about two hun^ 
 dred perfons, but that in about fix months it had con- 
 liderably increafed, and, it was agreed that it fhould 
 divide itfelf into teri different divifions ; that after- 
 Wards it was the plan, that when the numbers of any 
 divinon amounted to more than thirty, they fhould 
 divide themfelres again.- That this has riot been 
 ilri&ly adhered to; but iieverthelcfs, in foirie inftances, 
 feveral feparate divifions have been formed out of one. 
 One of thefe divilidns is faid now to confift of fii 
 hundred perfons, and the number of the others' to be 
 various. 
 
 It farther appears, that this ibciety has been in the 
 habit of cdrrefponding with the focieties in the coun- 
 try, particularly at Sheffield, Manchefter, Briftol, Co- 
 ventry, Nottingham, Derby, Leiceiler Norwich, Bir- 
 mingham, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Royftori, 
 York, Hereford, Edinburgh, and different focieties in 
 Scotland. 
 
 This fdciety appears likewife, in the courfe of the 
 year 1792, to have preferited an addrcfs to the French 
 Convention, of a nature iimilaf to that from the So- 
 ciety for Conititutional Information, and to have core- 
 municated it to this latter ibciety, in whole book it is 
 entered. 
 
 The Committee are not enabled to lay before the 
 Houfe a connected itatement of the proceedings of the 
 Corresponding Society, from the time of its inftitution, 
 as the Committee arc not in poifeflion of any regular 
 journal ofthern. But they think it right here to infert 
 a prtn ted paper, which was found in the cuftody of the 
 Secretary of the fociety, and contains an addreis'ftated 
 to have been agreed upon at a general meeting of this 
 fociety, on the 2oth of January lafL 
 
 following is a copy of the faid printed paper.] 
 B 2 "At
 
 t ' ] 
 
 " At a General Meeting of the London Cor- 
 " refponding Society, held at the Globe 
 " Tavern, btrand, on Monday the 2Oth 
 " Day of January, 1794, Citizen John Mar- 
 " tin in the Chair, the following Addrefs 
 " to the People of Great Britain and Ire- 
 " land was read and agreed to : 
 
 CITIZENS, 
 
 " We find the nation involved in a war, by 
 " which, in the courfe of ONE Campaign, im- 
 " menfe numbers of our countrymen have been 
 " flaughtered ; a vaft expence has been incur- 
 " red, our Trade, Commerce, and Manufactories 
 * f are almolt deflroyed, and many of our Manu- 
 " faclurers and Artilts are ruined, and their fa- 
 fl milies ftarving. 
 
 " To add to our affliction, we have reafon to 
 " expect, that other taxes will foon be added to 
 " the intolerable load of impoils and impolitions 
 ff with which we are already overwhelmed ; for 
 (( the purpofe of defraying the expenfes which 
 " have been incurred, in a fruitlefs crufade,to re- 
 (f eftablifh the odious defpotifm of France. 
 
 " When we contemplate the principles of this 
 (( war we confefs ourfelves to be unable to ap- 
 " prove of it, as a meafure, either of juilice or 
 " difcretion ; and if we are to form our calcula- 
 " tion of the refult, from what has already palled, 
 " we can only look forward to defeat, and the 
 " eternal difgrace of the Britifh name. 
 
 ' ' While we are thus engaged in an expenlive 
 " and ruinous foreign war, our ftate at home is 
 ft not lefs deplorable. 
 
 " We are every day told, by thofe perfons 
 " who are interefted in fupporting the Corruption 
 " Lrftj and an innumerable Hoft of Sinecure Place- 
 " men, that the Conftitution of England is the 
 " perfedion of human wiicfom ; that our laws 
 z " (wo
 
 [ '3 ] 
 
 * c {we fhould rather fay,, THEIR laws) are the per- 
 " fe&ion of jufcice ; and that their adminiftration 
 <f of thofe laws is fo impartial and fo ready, as to 
 " afford an equal remedy, both to the rich and 
 " to the poor ; by means of which, we are faid 
 < to be placed in a itate of abfolute freedom, and 
 " that our rights and liberties are fo well fecured 
 " to us as to render all invafion of them impof- 
 fible. 
 
 lf When we afk, how we enjoy thefe tranf- 
 " cendent privileges, we are refeiTed to MAG- 
 " NA CHARTA, and the BILL of RIGHTS; 
 and the glorious REVOLUTION, in the 
 *' year 1688, is held out to us,, as the bulwark of 
 " Britilh liberty. 
 
 " CITIZENS, 
 
 " We have referred to Magna Cbartj, to the 
 " Bill of Rights, and to the Revolution, and we 
 <f certainly do find that our anceftors did elta- 
 " blifh wile and wholefome laws: But we as 
 " certainly find, that, of the venerable Confti- 
 <c tution of our anceitors, hardly a veftige fc- 
 ic mains. 
 
 " The only Chapters of the Great Charier, , 
 <f which are now in legal exiftence, are the 
 *' 1 4th and 29th. 
 
 " The important provif.on of the I4th Chap- 
 "" ter runs thus : 
 
 " A Freeman fhall not be amerced for a fmall 
 " fault, but after the manner of the fault ; and 
 " for a great fault after the greatnefs thereof, 
 " iaving to him his contenement : and a mer- 
 " chant likewile, faving to him his merchandize ; 
 " and any other's villain than ours ihall be like- 
 " wife amerced, faving to him his wainage; 
 *' and none of the faid amerciaments fhall be 
 " aflefled, but by the oath of honcft and lawful 
 " men of the vicinage." . 
 
 But
 
 [ '4 ] 
 
 ' ^ut by the ilinrped power of the judges iri 
 
 < " _ :ncl what fines! !) in the" cafes 
 
 ff ' of mi {'demeanour, thir> glorious ri<rht of the lub- 
 
 ' ' it, of hciviiiff 'thcfo finr;? at?.Vlfed by a jury, 
 
 1 he only pofllble protection iY'.:n flavery and 
 
 pig vileft opprefiion) is uhjuftly and infamoufly 
 
 " ravifhed from us. 
 
 " The provinon of the 29th chapter runs thus : 
 " No freeman fhall be taken or impriibned, or' 
 " be difTeiled cf his freehold, or liberties, or free 
 " cu floras, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any 
 te otherwife deftroyed, nor we will not pafs upon 
 " upon him, nor condemn him, but by the law- 
 " ful judgement of his peers, or by the law of the 
 " land. We will fell to no man, we will not deny, 
 tl or defer to any man, either juilice or right." 
 
 " The various methods now in conftant prac- 
 tc tice by which the benefits of this provilion are 
 " totally defeated and deftroyed, miirht Induce 
 " us to fuppofe, that the GREAT CHARTER 
 *"' has beeii repealed ; if we did not allured Jy 
 *' know, that it i? the fundamental bafis of our 
 " conflitution ; v.'hich even the REAL repreferi- 
 tf tatives of the people (much Icfe the miierable 
 ci nominees of KELSTONE and OLD SA- 
 " RUM) have not the right, nor (as we iruft it 
 " will be found by experience) the POWER to 
 u repeal. Yet what do we find in practice ? Un- 
 " conflituiional and illegal INFORMATIONS 
 " -EX OFFICIO, that is, the arbitrary will of 
 " the King's Attorney General ufurping the of- 
 " fice of the ACCUSING jury ; and the inte- 
 *' refted oath of a vile common informer, with 
 (f the judgement of a^> vile a common trading or 
 4x1 penfumed juftice, fubilituted in the room of 
 " our birth-right, an impartial trial by out coun- 
 " try. 
 
 ""Add to this, that the exorbitant expenfe of 
 " judicial proeeedings 3 the novel practice of ar 
 
 " bitrarily
 
 [ '5 } 
 
 sl bitrarily and repeatedly annulling the verdicts 
 " of juries, and the dilatory practice of the courts, 
 
 ..-.-" moft openly and fhamefully contradict the 
 " clanfe which fqrhids the denial, the delay, an4 
 
 .;.- f^ r the fale of juftice. 
 
 " A man accuied of FELONY (for which by 
 " the common law of England, his life and goods 
 5< are forfeited) may be bailed on finding two 
 " fureties for forty pounds each ; but upon a 
 << charge of MISDEMEANOUR byword only, 
 bail 'to the amount of ONE THOUSAND 
 " POUNDS has been demanded. 
 
 " Upon conviction alfo, for fuch mifdemea- 
 <c nour, eno:7nou3 fines, long and cruel impri- 
 " fonments, unknown to our ancient laws, ancj 
 ff unfanctioned by any new itatutes, have of late 
 " (and but of late) been too frequently, and too 
 " oppreffively inflicted. And all this although 
 " by this bill of rights it is declared, that " ex- 
 " ceifive bail ihall not be demanded, nor cruel 
 " and unufual punifhments inflicted." 
 
 " If we look to IRELAND we flnd that ac- 
 f s knowledged privilege of the people, to meet 
 ? c for the fupport and protection of their rights 
 " and liberties, is attempted, by terror, to be 
 " taken away by a late infamous act of parlia n 
 " ment : whilft titles of honour no, but of dii% 
 11 honour are lavifhed ; and new fources of cor- 
 " ruption opened, to gratify the greedy proftitu 
 " tion of thofe, who are the inilruments of this 
 ie oppreffion. 
 
 " In SCOTLAND, the wicked hand of power 
 " has been impudently exerted, without even the 
 " wretched formality of an act of parliament. 
 " Magiftrates have forcibly intruded into the 
 *' peaceful and lawful meetings of freemen ; and, 
 '.' by force, (not only without law, but againft 
 f Jaw) have, under colour of magisterial office, 
 
 ' inter-.
 
 ' interrupted their deliberations,, and prevented 
 " their aifociatiqn. 
 
 " The wifdom and good conduct of the BRI-r 
 " TiSH CONVENTION at Edinburgh has been 
 " fuch, as to defy their bittereft enemies to name 
 ** the law which they have broken ; notwith- 
 " Handing which, their papers have been feizcd 
 " and made ufe of as evidence againit them, and 
 *' many virtuous and meritorious individuals 
 *' have been, as cruelly as unjuftly, for their vir- 
 " tuous actions difgraced and destroyed by infa- 
 " mous and illegal fentences of tranfportation. 
 " And thcie unjuft and wicked judgements have 
 " been executed with a rancour and malignity 
 " never before known in this land ; our refpec- 
 " table and beloved fellow Citizens have been 
 tf caft FETTERED into dungeons aniongft felons 
 " in the Hulks., to which they were not fen- 
 " tenced. 
 
 CITIZENS, 
 
 " We all approve the fentiments, and are daily 
 * f repeating the words, for which theie our re-. 
 " fpeclable and valuable brethren are thus un- 
 " juftly and inhumanly fuffering. We, too af- 
 " fociate in order to obtain a fair, free, and full 
 " reprefentation of the people in a houfe of real, 
 " national reprefentatives. Are we alio, willing 
 ". to be treated as FELONS, for claiming this our 
 " inherent right, which we arc determined never 
 " to forego b,ut with our lives, and which none 
 " but thieves and traitors can wifli to withholc^ 
 " from us ? Consider, it is one and the fame cor- 
 " rupt and corrupting influence which at tins 
 '* time domineers in Ireland, Scotland, and Eng- 
 " land. Can you believe, that tliofe who fend 
 " virtuous Irifhmen and Scotchmen fettered with 
 ' felons to Botany Bay, do not meditate, and 
 
 <* will
 
 ; ] 
 
 ef will not attempt to feize the furl moment to 
 lc fend us after them ? Or if we had not jiut caufe 
 " to apprehend the fame inhuman treatment ; if, 
 " inflead of the moft imminent danger, we were 
 " in perfect fafety from it, fhould we not difdairi 
 " to enjoy any liberty or privilege whatever, in 
 " which our honeft Irifh and Scotch brethren did 
 " not equally and as fully .participate with us ? 
 " Their caufe then arid ours is the fame. And it is 
 " both our duty and our ihtereft to ftand or fall 
 " together. The Irifh. Parliament and the Scotch 
 " Judges, actuated by the fame Englifh influence, 
 11 have brought us directly to the point. There 
 " is no farther flep beyond that which they have 
 " taken. We are at ifTue. We mufl now chufe 
 t( at once either liberty or flavery for ourfelves 
 " and our poflerity. Will you wait till BAR- 
 " RACKS are erected in every village, and till 
 " fubjldized Heflians and Hanoverians are upon 
 " us? 
 
 " You may afk, perhaps, by what means fliall 
 " we feck redrefs ? 
 
 " We anfwer, that men in a ftate of civilized 
 " fociety are bound to feek redrefs of the grie- 
 " vances frohi the laws, as long as any redrefs 
 " can be obtained by the laws. But our common 
 " Mafl er whom we ferve (whofe law is a law of 
 " liberty, and whofe fervice is perfect freedom) 
 " has taught us not to expect to gather grapes 
 " from thorns, nor figs from thiftles. We mufl 
 Cf have redrefs from our own laws and not from 
 " the laws of our plunderers, enemies, and op- 
 "' preflbrs. 
 
 THP:RE is NO REDRESS FOR A NA- 
 
 T'IpN CIRCUMSTANCED AS WE ARE, 
 BUT IN A PAIR, FREE, AND FULL RE- 
 " PRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE.'* 
 
 RESOLD
 
 MM 
 
 " RESOLVED, That during the enfuing &C- 
 tf fion of Parliament, the general committee of 
 " this fociety do meet daily, for the purpofe of 
 S! watching the proceedings of the parliament 
 " and of the adminiftration of the government 
 " of this country. And that upon the flrft in- 
 " troduclion of any bill, or motion inimical to 
 " the liherties of-the people, fuch as for LAND- 
 " ING FOREIGN TROOPS IN GREAT BRI- 
 " TAIN or IRELAND, for fufpending the HA- 
 " BEAS CORPUS ACT, for proclaiming MAR- 
 TIAL LAW, FOR PREVENTING THE 
 PEOPLE from MEETING IN SOCIETIES 
 " for CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION, 
 or any OTHER INNOVATION of a fimilar 
 " nature, that, on any of thefc emergencies, the 
 " general committee fhall iffue fummonfes to the 
 t{ delegates of each divilion, and alfo to the fe- 
 " cretaries of the different focieties affiliated and 
 " corresponding with this fociety, forthwith to 
 " call a GENERAL CONVENTION of the 
 " PEOPLE, to be held at fuch place and in 
 " fuch a manner as fhall be fpecified in -the liim- 
 " mons, for the purpofe of taking fuch meafures 
 " into their confi deration. 
 
 " Refolved, that the preceding addrefs and re- 
 " folution be figned by the Chairman, and printed 
 te and publifhed. 
 
 J. MARTIN, CHAIRMAN. 
 
 t( T. HARDY, SECRETARY." 
 
 COMA1ITTEE ROOM, January 23, 1794, 
 
 " RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY 
 (e That a hundred thoufand copies of the Ad- 
 <{ drefs to the people of Great Britain and Ireland, 
 " voted at the general meeting, be printed and 
 diftributed by the fociety. 
 
 " Refolved
 
 [ 19 ] 
 
 " Refolved unanimoufly, That the following 
 tf toafts, drank at the anniverfary dinner of the 
 " fociety, be printed at the end of the addrefs. 
 
 " I. THE RIGHTS OF MAN, and may Bri~ 
 ef tons never want fpirit to affcrt them. 
 
 " II. The Britifi Convention, lately held at Edin- 
 " burgh ; and fuccefs to the important objects it 
 66 had in view. 
 
 " III. Citizen William Skirvln, charged by the 
 " fentence of the Court of Jufticiary with the 
 " honour of being the caufe of calling that Con- 
 " vent ion. 
 
 " IV. The London Corresponding Society, and 
 " other patriotic Societies of Great Britain and 
 * f Ireland. 
 
 c< V. Citizen Maurice Margarot, the condemned 
 " Delegate of this Society ; and may his manly 
 " and patriotic conduct be rewarded by the at- 
 <( tachment of the people. 
 
 " Citizen Gerrald then arofe, and in a ftream 
 " of infpiring eloquence, pronounced the juft 
 " eulogium of this truly valuable Citizen, fo 
 " emphatically called by Citizen Aitckinfon (one of 
 " the witneffes on his trial) the SECOND SID- 
 " NEY. He concluded with wifhing we might 
 " rather die the laft of Briiif/j Freemen, than live 
 " the firjt of Slaves. 
 
 " VI. Citizen Jofepb Gerrald, the other Dele- 
 " gate of this Society, now under prpfecution ; 
 " and may his concluding fentiment be engraved 
 " upon every Britilh heart. 
 
 " VII. The tranfactions at Toulon. May Bri- 
 cf tons remember them as thsy ought, and profit 
 * e by dear-bought experience. 
 
 4< VIII. Citizen Hamilton Rowan, and the other 
 " true patriots of Ireland ; and may the authors 
 " of the Convention-bill find that they have com- 
 < ' mitted a bull. 
 
 C 2 IX. C//i-
 
 C > ] 
 
 <l IX. Citizens Muir and Palmer May their fen? 
 f* tence be fpeedily rcverfed, and BotanylBay be 
 *? peopled with a colony of real criminals. 
 
 " X Succefs to the arms of Freedom againft 
 <c whomfoever directed ; and confulion to Defpols 
 (t with whomfoever allied. 
 
 " XL ( All thjft is good in every conjtitution ; and 
 f f may we never be fuperftitious enough to reve- 
 " rence in any that which is good for nothing. 
 
 " XII. Citizen Thomas Paine May his virtue 
 ' rife fuperior to calumny and fufpicion, and his 
 " name itill be dear to Britons. 
 
 " XIII. Lord Loughborough, the Earl of Moira, 
 " Sir Gilbert Elliot, and the other apoflates from 
 <c Liberty ; and may they enjoy the profits of 
 " their apoftacy fo long as they live. 
 
 " XIV. A fpeedy and honourable peace with 
 66 the brave Republic of France. 
 
 " XV. The Jtarving manufaiu.rers and neglected 
 V peafantry of Great Britain and Ireland. 
 
 * XVI. Citizen John Froft ; and a fpeedy refto- 
 " ration of that health which he loft in the dun- 
 <f geons of Newgate. 
 
 " XVII. The virtuous andfpirited Citizens, now 
 " in confinement for matters of opinion : and may 
 <e we fhew them by our conda6t, that they are 
 L C not forgotten." 
 
 On this paper it appears unnecefTary to offer any 
 pomment, or to do more than call the attention of the 
 Houle tq-the concluding RefoJution. 
 
 On the 27th of March the Society fent a Letter to 
 the Society for Coniftitutional Information, to which 
 the Committee alfo feel it right to call the attention of 
 the Houfe, as it led to the particular concert Already 
 taken notice of, between the two Societies, and to the 
 recent meafures founded thereupon, which now remain 
 to be- taken notice of.
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 This Letter and the Refohitions of the two Societies 
 in confequeiiLC, are luted in a printed paper, which was 
 like wile found in the cuitody of the Secretary of the 
 Society, a copy of which is here fubjoined. They arc 
 alfo entered in the book of the Society for Conititu- 
 fional Information. 
 
 " March ijfh, 1794. 
 
 * c To the Secretary of the Society for Conftitu- 
 " tional Information. 
 " CITIZEN, 
 
 Cf I am directed by the London Correfponding 
 " Society to tranlinit the following Relblutions 
 " to the Society .for Conilitutional Information, 
 *' and to requeil the fentiments of that Society re- 
 " fpecling the important meafures which the pre- 
 " lent juncture of affairs feems to require. The 
 * c London Correfponding Society conceives,, that 
 " the moment is arrived when a full and explicit 
 -" declaration is neceilary from all the Friends of 
 *' Freedom. Whether the late illegal and un- 
 <f heard-of profccutions and fentences fhall deter- 
 " mine us to abandon our caufe, or fhall excite 
 '' us to purfue a radical Reform with an ardour 
 " proportioned to the magnitude of the object, 
 f f and with a zeal as dilHnguifhed on our parts 
 tf as the treachery of others in the fame glorious 
 " caufe is notorious. The Society for Conftitu- 
 " tional Information is therefore required to de- 
 <f termine whether or no they will be ready, when 
 " called upon, to acl: in conjunction with this and 
 ** other Societies to obtain a fair reprefentation of 
 " the people. Whether they concur \vith us in 
 " feeing the neccfiity of a fpeedy convention, for 
 " the purpofe of obtaining, in a conititutional 
 " and legal method, a redrefs of thofe grievances 
 <c under which we at prefent labour, and which can 
 <l only be effectually removed by a full and fair 
 {< reprefenfation of the people of Great Britain. 
 <f The London Correfponding Society cannot but 
 j " remind
 
 [ 3 
 
 tf remind their friends, tliat the prefcnt criiis 
 44 demands all the prudence, unanimity, and 
 " vigour, that ever was or can be exerted by 
 44 men or Britons ; nor do they doubt but that 
 " manly firmnefs and coniiilency will finally, 
 * fc and they believe fhortly, terminate in the fall 
 *" accompli fhment of all their \vilhes. 
 " I am, Fellow Citizen, 
 
 " (In my humble meafure) 
 " A friend to the Rights of Man, 
 
 " T. HARDY, Secretary. 1 * 
 
 sc Rcfolved Unanimoufly ; 
 
 " I. That dear as Jultice and Liberty are to 
 " Britons, yet the value of them is comparatively 
 *' tmall without a dependence on their perma- 
 " nency ; and there can be no fccurity for the 
 6i continaance of any right but in equal laws. 
 
 " II. That equal laws can never be expected 
 " but by a full and fair Reprefentation of the 
 '* People. To obtain which, in the way pointed 
 " out by the Conftitution, has been and is the 
 " fole object of this Society. For this we are 
 i{ ready to hazard every thing, and never, but 
 " with our lives, will we relinquish an objecl 
 " which involves the happinefs, or even the po- 
 , *' liiical exiftence of ourfelves and pofterity. 
 
 " III. That it is the decided opinion of this 
 " Society, that to iecurc ourfelves from future il- 
 <l leg;al and fcandalous proiecations, to prevent a 
 " re}>etition of wicked and unjuft fentences, and 
 ** to recal thole \vife and wholefome laws that 
 " liave been wreitcd from us, and of which 
 " fcarccly a vcffiirc remains, there ought to be 
 " immediately a Convention of the People, by 
 " Delegates deputed for that purpofe from the 
 ' different Societies of the Friends of Freedom 
 " allcmbled in the various parts of this nation. 
 " And we pledge ourfelves to the public to purfue 
 
 ^ every
 
 
 
 tc every legal method fpeedily to accompli fK ib <le- 
 tf iirable a purpofe. 
 
 " It was rcfolvcd by tlie Society for Conititn- 
 " tional Information, That their Secretary fhould 
 t( allure the London Corresponding Society, that 
 " they heartily approved of their intentions, and 
 * ( would co-operate with them in obtaining an 
 " object of fo much importance to the peace and 
 ** happinefs of Society. And that he atfo requcft 
 *' the London Correlponding Society to fend a 
 " Delegation of its Members to confer upon the 
 ** fubjec't, with an equal number of the Society 
 " for Conftitutional Information." 
 
 A Meeting of the Delegate? from the Two 
 ic Societies being held, they came to the follow- 
 " ing Rcfol at ions : 
 Refolved, 
 
 " Firft ? That it appears to this Committee very 
 <f deiirable, that a Convention or General Mect- 
 " ing of the Friends of Liberty fhould be called, 
 *' for the purpofe of taking into confideration the 
 " proper methods of obtaining a full and fair Re- 
 " presentation of the People. 
 
 " Second, That it be recommended to the So- 
 <{ ciety for Constitutional Information, and Lon- 
 * don Corrcfponding Society, to inftitute a regu- 
 " lar and preffing coiTcfpondence with all thole 
 " parts of the country where iuch meafures may 
 " be likely to be promoted/ not only to inftigate 
 " the Societies already formed, but to endeavour 
 " alfo to produce fuch other AiTociations as may 
 " further the general object. 
 
 " Third, That it appears to this Committee, 
 " that the general object would be promoted if a 
 " a Standing Committee of Co-operation between 
 " the two Societies were eftabliihed, for the pur- 
 " pofe of holding perfonal communication with 
 t( fuch Members of iimilar Societies in other 
 " parts of the country, as may occafioually be in 
 
 " Lou-
 
 C ** 3 
 
 fe London, and who may be authorized by toeif 
 " relpeclive Societies to acl: with luch Committee. 
 " The above Refolutions being reported to the 
 " Society for Conftitutional Information, it was 
 " by them rcfolved, that the lame ihould be en- 
 " tered on their books as part of the proceedings 
 " of the Society ; and the Committee of Cor- 
 " refpondence was appointed to co-operate with 
 " the Committee of the London Corresponding 
 " Society, in conformity with the Third Refo- 
 " lution." 
 
 It further appears, from correfpondence of a recent date 
 between different Societies in the country and the Secre- 
 tary of the Correfponding Society, that fome time in the 
 courfe of a few weeks pafl, circular letters had actually 
 been fent to different parts of the kingdom, on the 
 fubjecl of affembling a Convention, and a printed paper 
 to this effect has been found in the cuftody of the se- 
 cretary to the Society ; which is here inferted, and 
 which your Committee have good reafon to believe is a 
 copy of the circular letter referred to. 
 
 [The following is a copy of the laid printed paper.] 
 
 CITIZENS ! 
 
 te The critical moment is arrived, and Britons 
 " mull either affert with zeal and firmneis their 
 " claims to liberty, or yield without refinance 
 " to the chains that minirterial usurpation is forg- 
 <c ing for them. Will you co-operate with us in 
 " the only peaceable meafure that now preients 
 " itfelf with any profpecl of fuccefs ? Vv'e need 
 <f not intimate to you that, notwithilanding the 
 " unparalleled audacity of a corrupt and' over- 
 * c bearing Faction, which at prefent tramples on 
 " the rights and liberties of the people, our mect- 
 f< ings cannot, in England, be interrupted with- 
 " out the previous adoption of a Convention Bill j 
 f< a meauire it is our duty to anticipate, that the 
 " ties of union may be more firmly drawn, and 
 
 " the
 
 C s ) 
 
 t( the fentimcnts and views of the different Socle- 
 * c ties throughout the nation be compared, while 
 * f it is yet in our power, fo as to guide and dire6t 
 " the future operations of the Friends of Free- 
 " dom. Route, then^ to one exertion more ; 
 " and let us fhew our confcioumefs of this im- 
 (f portant truth " If we are to be beaten down 
 ff with threats, profecutions, and illegal fen-. 
 " tences, we are" unworthy we are incapable of 
 " Liberty. We muft, however, be expeditious. 
 " Heffians and Auftrians are already among us ; 
 " and if we tamely fubmit, a cloud of thefe armed 
 " Barbarians may fhortly be poured in upon us. 
 " Let us form, then, another Britifh Conven- 
 " tion. We have a central iituation in our view, 
 ff which we believe would be moll convenient 
 " for the whole ifland ; but which we forbear to 
 " mention, (entreating your confidence in this 
 " particular) till we have the anfwer of the So- 
 *' cieties with which we are in correfpondence. Let 
 " us have your anfwer, then, by the 2,oth, at 
 * f farthcil, earlier if poffible, whether you ap- 
 " prove of the meafure, and how many Delegates 
 " you can fend, with the number alfo, if poffi- 
 " ble, of your Societies. 
 
 ( -\y e remain your's, 
 
 " in Civic afFe6tion, 
 
 " THE LONDON CORRESPONDING SOCIETY. 
 T. HARDY, Secretary. 
 
 " For the management of this bufinefs we 
 " have appointed a Secret Committee ; you will 
 " judge how far it is necelfary for you to do the 
 " fame." 
 
 Subfequent to the proceedings now ftated, there was 
 
 another general meeting of the Correfponding Society 
 
 held at Chalk Farm ; the proceedings of which are 
 
 ftated in a 1 < p'.- -in fed paper likewife found on the Secre- 
 
 D tary
 
 tary of the fociety, and which your Committee find 
 has been circulated by order of the fociety. 
 
 This paper is here infcrted (as follows) : 
 
 At a GENERAL MEETING of the 
 " London Corresponding Society, held on 
 " the Green at Chalk Farm, on Monday, 
 " the 1 4th of April, 1794, J. LOVETT 
 " in the chair, The following letters were 
 " read : 
 
 TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY OF 
 THE FRIENDS OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 v SIR, 
 
 " AT a crilis fo important as the prcfent, 
 " there needs no apology on the part of the Lon- 
 " don Corre/pon^ing Society, for addreffing itlelf 
 " to all other aifociated focieties, who have in 
 if view the fame object as themfelves. 
 
 " To the < Society of the Friends of the. People," 
 " arguments are not wanting to fhew the im- 
 " portance and abfolute neceffity of a full and 
 " fair reprefentation of the people of Great 
 " Britain. They have inveftigated the fubjec~l for 
 " themfelves ; they have expofcd to the world a 
 " feries of plain and indifputable facts, which 
 " muft excite in the mind of every man well 
 " difpofed to his country, appreheriiions of alarm 
 " for the fecurity of tlie few remaining veltiges 
 " of liberty, from which, as Britons, \ve derive' 
 " confolation. 
 
 " Deeply imprefTed with considerations of this 
 tc nature, the London Correfponding Society ear- 
 " neftly folicits, at this time, the concurrence 
 <( and afliftance of the Society of the Friends of the 
 " People, in afTembling, as fpeedily as the nature 
 " of the bufinefs will admit, a convention of the 
 " friends of freedom, for the purpoi'e of obtaining, 
 i " in
 
 t *7 ] 
 
 <c in a legal and conftitutional method, a full and 
 " effectual reprefentation. 
 
 " Oar requeft is not made from the impreffions 
 " of the moment, but after the matureft deli- 
 " berations on the value and importance of the 
 " object for which we are contending, and of the 
 " difficulties we may expect from thofe whofe 
 " prefent interefts render them hoftile to the 
 " welfare of their country. 
 
 " The oppolition of luch perfons is no fmall 
 <f argument for the goodnefs of our caufe ; and 
 (( their late conduct, when compared with their 
 " former profeffions, exhibits a depravity unparal- 
 te leled, we trull, on the page of hiftory. 
 
 " Under the aufpices of apoitate reformers, 
 " we have lately beheld ferious and alarming 
 f( encroachments on the liberties of the people, 
 
 " We have feen with indignation and horror 
 " men legally and peaceably aifembled difperfed 
 " by unconstitutional powers, and their papers 
 fs feized. 
 
 " We have feen fome of our moft virtuous 
 " brethren, whofe only crime has been an imita- 
 ic tion of Mr. PITT and his aflbciates, fentenced 
 <e to fourteen years tranfportation, without the 
 " fandtion of law, or even of precedent, of which 
 <( number, one was held up in the Britilh parlia- 
 " mcnt as convlfted and condemned, before he was 
 " even put upon his trial. 
 
 " The infidious attempts alfo to introduce 
 " foreign troops into this country, without the 
 " confent of Parliament, and the intended bill 
 " to embody foreigners into his Majefty's fervice, 
 fe are meafures fufficiently calculated to awaken 
 " our fears for the existence even of the name of 
 " liberty. Nor can we overlook that part of the 
 fs prefent fyftem of corruption which maintains, 
 * f out of the public plunder, a train of fpies, more 
 * ( dangerous to fociety than fo many aflaffins, 
 Da " whofe
 
 [ ,8 J 
 
 ({ whofe avowed bufinefs is to deftroy the friends 
 f( of the country one by one. 
 
 " Thefe are grievances which demand imme- 
 (t diate redrefs, and when added to thole evils 
 " which are neceffarily connected with every 
 " partial reprefentation of the people, call for 
 " the ftrenuous exertions of every lover of his 
 (f country. 
 
 " But we are told, that the prefent is not the 
 " time for reform, and that innovation may in- 
 " troduce difturbance. Are thofe perfons to 
 tl judge of the proper time to make a reform, 
 " who exift only by conniption ? Are the peo- 
 ft pie of Britain to endure every thing without 
 (( repining, without ardently feeking a radical 
 (( reform, becaufe difturbances may happen ? i 
 " Have the enemies to reform told us whence 
 " thefe diiturbances are to originate ? Has a 
 " lingle overt act been committed by the friends 
 " to freedom ? Have not all the riots, all the 
 " public difturbances, all the feditious afTemblies, 
 " been excited by the enemies to reform ? And 
 " do they mean to tell us, that they will ftill find 
 (e other inftruments for their wicked defigns ; 
 " that they have yet thofe who will act over 
 " again the outrages that have been perpetrated 
 '' in fome parts of Britain, and attempted" in 
 *' others ? 
 
 " If fuch is the determination of thofe per- 
 (( fons hqfik to a fair reprefentation, let them 
 << look to the confluences, but let them recollec~b 
 ^ that it has happened, and may happen again, 
 ^ that thofe who kindled the flames have perifhed 
 ^ by them. 
 
 " The friends to reform are friends to peace, 
 (6 their principles can be promoted only by 
 < peaceable means, they know of no other 
 " method of obtaining the object they delire. 
 f * But they will not be alarmed by the threats
 
 [ '9 J 
 
 *< of venal apoftates ; they will not draw back 
 " becauie they have ieen fome of their beft 
 i( friends doomed to exile ; they will purfue the 
 " cxmrle in which they have began, and turn 
 4 ( neither to the right nor to the left. 
 
 <; Convinced, as the London Correfponding 
 *' Society is, that there is no power which ought, 
 * { to there is no power which can finally with- 
 " iland the jufl and fteady demands of a people 
 " refolved to be Free; they will, therefore, look 
 " with confidence to the determination, and, they 
 " hope, to the co-operation of the " Society of the 
 tc Friends of the People," in the attainment of an 
 " object which involves the dearefl interefls of 
 <f fociety. 
 
 " Convinced alfo that their intentions are 
 (f of the purer! kind, they will never ftoop to 
 *' anfwer the calumnies of their enemies; but 
 *' will, at all times, and in all circumltances, 
 " endeavour, by firmnefs and perleverance, to 
 '' deferve the countenance and approbation of 
 <f the beft friends of their country, the friends 
 " of a fair reprefentation of the people of Great 
 fl Britain. 
 
 " I am, Sir, 
 
 <c For the London Correfponding Society, 
 f< April 4, 1794. THOMAS HARDY, Sec. 
 
 * COMMITTEE ROOMS. 
 
 FRITH STREET, April u, 1794. 
 " SIR, 
 
 " YOUR Letter of the 4th inftant, addrefTed 
 " to Mr. SHERIDAN, Chairman of the FRIENDS 
 " OF THE PEOPLE, was laid before that 
 " SOCIETY at their Meeting on Saturday laft ; 
 " and they infirucled their committee to thank 
 " the LONDON CORRESPONDING SO- 
 for their communication, and to ex- 
 
 " prefs
 
 I 3 J 
 
 *' prcfr the alarm they feel in common with every 
 
 * friend of liberty, at the late extraordinary pro- 
 ' ceedings of government, fo ably detailed, and 
 
 * lo julily reprobated by your foeiety. They 
 
 * affure you, that all the friends of reform 
 ' may ' look with confidence to the deter- 
 *' mination and co-operation' of this foeiety 
 Ai in every peaeeable and conititutional mea- 
 * e fure, which lhall appear to them calculated 
 " to promote the object of their inftitution j 
 " but they do not think that which is recom- 
 * c mended in your letter, is likely to ferve its 
 44 profeifed purpofe. They fear it will furnifh 
 ** the enemies of reform with the means of 
 *'' calumniating its advocates, and lo far from 
 *' forwarding the caufe, will deter many from 
 *' countenancing that which they approve. 
 
 * For theie realbns, the friends of the people 
 
 * muft decline to fend delegates to the Con- 
 ' vention propofecl by the London Correfponding 
 ' Society : At the fame time, they renew their 
 6 'affuranccs of good will, and defire of preferv- 
 
 * ing a proper underflanding and cordiality 
 
 * among all the friends of parliamentary reform, 
 
 * notwithstanding any difference of opinion that 
 
 * may occur as to the beft method of acconv 
 fc pliihing it. 
 
 " In Name, and bv Order of the Committee, 
 
 " (Signed) W. BRETON, Chairman. 
 To :Jr. T. HARDY, Secretary to the 
 London Correfponding Society. 
 
 *' ?be following RESOLUTIONS were then pajfed 
 ti unanlmoufly : 
 
 " Refolvetl Unan'tmoufly, 
 " I. THAT this Society have beheld with 
 ^ riling indignation, proportioned to the enor- 
 
 " mity
 
 * f mity of the evil, the late rapid advances of 
 " deipotifm in Britain; the invafion of public 
 *' fecurity ; the contempt of popular opinion ; 
 * ( and the violation of all thofe proviiions of the 
 " confutation intended to protect the people 
 " againft the encroachments of power and pre- 
 '* rogative. 
 
 " II. That our abhorrence and deteftation 
 e( have been particularly called forth by the 
 " late arbitrary and flagitious proceedings of 
 " the Court of Jufticiary in Scotland, where 
 " all the doctrines and practices of the Star 
 <( Chamber, in the times of Charles the Firft, 
 " have been revived and aggravated; and where 
 t( fentences have been pronounced in open viola- 
 " tion of all law and jufticCj which muit 
 <c Itrike deep into the heart of every man, the 
 " melancholy conviction that BRITONS ARE NO 
 " LONGER FREE. 
 
 '* III. That the whole Procee.dings of the 
 " late Britiih Convention of the People, at 
 " Edinburgh, are fuch as claim our approba- 
 " tion and applaufe. 
 
 " IV. That the conduct of Citizens MAR- 
 " GAROT and GERRALD in particular, by its 
 11 ftri6t conformity with our willies and inftruc- 
 " tions, and the ability, firmneis, and difin- 
 " terefled Patriotifm which it fo eminently dil- 
 " played, has infpired an enthuliaim of Zeal 
 " and Attachment which no time can oblite- 
 " rate, and no periecution remove; and that 
 " we will prefervc their names engraven ou 
 " our hearts till we have an opportunity to redrels 
 *' their wrongs. 
 
 " V. That any attempt to violate thoie yet 
 " remaining Laws, which were intended for the 
 " Security of Englifhmen againfl the Tyranny 
 " of Courts and Minifters, and the Corrup- 
 " tion of dependent Judges, by vefting in fuch 
 
 Judges
 
 t 3* j 
 
 " Judges a legiflative or arbitrary iWer (fucfa 
 " as has lately been exercifed by the Court of 
 " Justiciary in Scotland) ought to be confi- 
 t( dered as diflblving entirely the focial com- 
 " pact between the Englifh Nation and their 
 " Governors ; and driving them to an irame- 
 " diate appeal to that incontrovertible maxim 
 " of eternal Juftice, that the Safety of the People 
 fi is the SUPREME, and in Cafes of NeceJJity, the 
 " ONLY Law. 
 
 " VI. That the arming and difciplining 
 " in this Country, either with or without the 
 " Confent of Parliament, any Band of Enii- 
 ff grants and Foreigners, driven from their (nvri 
 f< country for their known Attachment to an INFA- 
 " MOUS DESPOTISM, is an outrageous attempt 
 *' to overazve and intimidate the free Spirit of 
 " Britons ; to iubjugate them to an AiTny of 
 *' mercenary Cut-throats, \vhofe views and in- 
 " tereji muft of neceffity be in direct oppoiition 
 " to thole of the Nation, and that no pretence 
 " whatever OUGHT to induce the people to fub- 
 " mit to fo unconftitutional a Meafure. 
 
 " VII. That the unconftitutional project of 
 
 " railing money and troops by forced bene- 
 
 '* volences (and no benevolences collected 
 
 " upon requifition from the King or his Mini- 
 
 " fters can ever in reality be voluntary) and 
 
 the equally unjuftinable Meafure of arming 
 
 one part of the People again ft the other, 
 
 brought Charles the Firft to the block, and 
 
 drove James the Second and his poilerity 
 
 from the Throne ; and that confcquently 
 
 Ministers in adviiing fuch Meafures, ought 
 
 to consider whether they are not guilty of 
 
 High Treafon. 
 
 " VIII. That this Society have beheld with 
 <c coniiclcrable plcafare tht; confijl ~ :t refpeft which 
 " the Houfc of Lords difplayed for tlieir own 
 
 " Confti--
 
 I 33 J 
 
 f( Conflitutional Rules and Orders, on the 
 " fourth of the prefent month, upon the mo- 
 " tion of Earl Stanhope, concerning the inter- 
 " ference of Minifters in the Internal Govern- 
 <<r ment of France ; and that it is the firm 
 " conviction of this Society, that this Circum- 
 " ftance, when properly detailed, will have a 
 " confiderable effect in convincing the country 
 " at large, of the true dignity and utility of 
 " that branch of HIS MAJESTY'S PAR- 
 " LIAMENT. 
 
 " IX. That the Thanks of this Meeting be 
 " given to EARL STANHOPE, for his manly and 
 " patriotic conduct during the prefent Setlion 
 " of Parliament ; a conduct which (unfupport- 
 " ed as it has been in the Senate, of which HE 
 " is fo truly honourable a Member) has, to- 
 " gether with the timely interference of cer- 
 " tain fpirited and patriotic AlTociations, been 
 " neverthelefs already productive of the falu- 
 " tary effecl: of chafing the Hem" an and Harro- 
 " verian Mercenaries from our Coafts ; who, 
 " but for thefe exertions, might have been 
 " marched perhaps, ere this, into the very 
 " heart of the Country, together with others of 
 " their Countrymen, to have peopled the 
 " BARRACKS, which every where intuit the 
 " Eyes of Britons. 
 
 " X. That it is the firm Convi&ion of this 
 {C Society, that a Heady Perfeverance in the 
 " fame bold and energetic fentiments which 
 " have lately been avowed by the Friends of 
 " PVeedom cannot fail of crowning with ulti- 
 " mate Triumph, the virtuous Caufe in which 
 * f we are engaged, fince whatever may be the 
 " interefted Opinion of Hereditary Senators, or 
 " packed Majorities of pretended Reprefenta- 
 i( tives, Truth and Liberty, in an age fo en- 
 JE lightened
 
 L 34 ] 
 
 u lightened as the prefent, muft be Invincible 
 " and Omnipotent.'* 
 
 " This Society laving already addrefjed M. 
 " Margarot, their Delegate, an ADDRESS 
 " to JOSEPH GERRALD was read as fol- 
 " lows, and carried unanimoujly. 
 
 To JOSEPH GERRALD, a prifontr 
 16 Sentenced by the High Court of Juf- 
 <( ticiary of Scotland, to Tranfporta- 
 " tion beyond tie Seas for FOUR- 
 " TEEN YEARS ! 
 
 " WE behold in you, our beloved and re- 
 " fpecled friend and fellow-citizen, a Mar- 
 " tyr to the Glorious Caufe of Equal Repre- 
 " fcntation, and we cannot permit you to leave 
 "this degraded country without expreffing the 
 " infinite obligations the people at large, and 
 " we in particular, owe to you for your very 
 " Ipirited exertions in that caufe upon every 
 " occaiion ; but upon none more confpicu- 
 t( oufly, than during the fitting of the BRI- 
 " TISH CONVENTION of the PEOPLE at Edin- 
 " burgh, and the confequent proceeding (we 
 <l will not call it trial) at the bar of the Court 
 " of Juiliciary. 
 
 " We know not which moft deferves our 
 <c admiration, the fplendid talents with which 
 (c you are fo eminently diflinguifhed ; the ex- 
 te altcd virtues by which they have been direct- 
 " ed ; the perfeverance and undaunted firm- 
 * e nefs which you fo nobly difplayed in refilling 
 " the wrongs of your infulted and oppreffed 
 tf country ; or your prefent manly and philo- 
 f( ibphical fufferiDg under an arbitrary) and till 
 2 " of
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 " of late unprecedented fentence : a fentence, 
 ** one of the moft vindictive and cruel that has 
 <e been pronounced lince the days of that mo ft, 
 " infamous and ever to-be detejled Court of Star 
 " Chamber, the enormous tyranny of which 
 tf cc-ft the iirit Charles his head. 
 
 " To you and to your aSibciateswe feel our- 
 " felves moft deeply indebted. For us it is that 
 " you are fuftering the fentence of tranfporta- 
 " tion with Felons, the vileft outcafts of So- 
 .*w;>V. ." ciety ! For us it is that you are doomed to the 
 tw v " *' ' inhofpitable fhores of New Holland ; where, 
 " however, we doubt not you will experience 
 " considerable alleviation by the remembrance 
 " of that VIRTUOUS CONDUCT for which it is 
 " impofed on you, and by the Sincere regard 
 * c and efteem of your Fellow Citizens. 
 
 " The Equal Laws of this Country have, 
 " for ages paft, been the boaft of its inhabitants: 
 (t But whither arc they now fled? We are ani- 
 " mated by the fame fentiments, are daily re- 
 " peating the fame words, and committing the 
 " fame actions for which you are thus infa- 
 f( moufly fentcnced ; and we will repeat and 
 " comrpit them until we have- obtained redrefs ; 
 " yet we are unpunished ! cither therefore the 
 " law is Unjuft towards you in inflicting Pu- 
 " nifoment on the Exertions of Virtue and Talents, 
 " or it ought not to deprive us of our foare iu 
 " the GLORY of the Martyrdom. 
 
 " We again, therefore, pledge ourfelves to you 
 " and to our country, never to ceafe demand- 
 (C ing our Rights from thofe who have ufurped 
 " them, until having obtaiccd an Equal Rcpre- 
 " fcntation of the People, we Shall be enabled to 
 " hail you once more with Triumph to your 
 
 " native country. We wifli you health and 
 
 happinefs; and^be aSTured vre ncver,^ never 
 
 E 2- "
 
 [ 3<5 ] 
 
 ill all forget your Name, your Virtues > nor YOUR 
 GREAT EXAMPLE. 
 
 " The London Correfponding Society. 
 
 " JOHN LOVETT, Chairman. 
 THOMAS HARDY, Secretary. 
 
 The 1 4th of April, 1794." 
 
 ({ If was alfo un&nlmoujly refolved, 
 
 " That the Committee of Correfpondence be 
 directed to convey the approbation of this So- 
 ciety I. To Archibald Hamilton Rowan, 
 prilbner in the Newgate of the city of Dublin, 
 for his unfhaken attachment to the people, 
 and for his fpirited aflertion of their rights. 
 " II. To John Philpot Curran for his admira- 
 ble and energetic defence of A. H. Rowan, and 
 the principles of Liberty, as well as for his 
 patriotic conduct in Parliament. 
 ' III. To the Society of "United Irifhmen in 
 Dublin, and to exhort them to perfevere in 
 their exertions to obtain juftice for the people 
 of Ireland. 
 
 " IV. To Skirving, Palmer and Muir, fuffer- 
 ing the fame iniquitous fentences, and in the 
 fame caufe with our Delegates. 
 " V. To John Clark, and Alexander Reid, for 
 their fo readily and dilintcreftedly giving bail 
 for our Delegates, infiigated thereto folely by 
 their attachment to Liberty, uninfluenced by 
 
 any perfonal conli deration. 
 " VI. To Adam Gillies, Malcolm Laing, and 
 James Gibfon, for their able affiflance given 
 to Jofcph Gerrald, at the bar of the High 
 
 Court of Jufticiary at Edinburgh. 
 <f VII. To felicitate Thomas Walker, of Man- 
 chefter, and the people at large, on the event 
 of liisj as well as feveral other late trials, and 
 
 " on
 
 C 37 ] 
 
 ** on the developement of the infamy of a fyftem 
 " of Spies and Informers. 
 
 " VIII. To Sir Jofcph Maw bey, for his manly 
 f( conduct at the late furreptitious Meeting held 
 " at Epfom in Surrey. 
 
 (( It was alfo unanimoufly Refolved, 
 " That two hundred thoufand copies of the 
 (C Proceedings and Resolutions of this Meeting 
 1 " be printed and published. 
 
 " J. LOVETT, Chairman. 
 " T. HARDY, Secretary. 
 "J' Refolved, 
 
 " That the thanks of this Meeting be given to 
 " the Chairman, for his manly and impartial 
 " conduct this day. 
 
 T. HARDY, Secretary." 
 
 From a Review of thcfe Tranfactions your Com- 
 mittee feel it impoffible not to conclude, that the mea- 
 fures which have been ftatcd are directed to the object 
 of afTembling a Meeting which, under the Name of a 
 General Convention, may take upon itfelf the Charac- 
 ter of a General Reprefentative of the People. How- 
 ever at different periods the term of Parliamentary 
 Reform may have been employed, it is obvious that 
 the prefent View of thefe Societies is not intended to 
 be profecuted by any application to Parliament, but, 
 on the contrary, by an open attempt to fuperfede the 
 Houfe of Commons in its Reprefentative Capacity, 
 and to afliime to itfelf all the functions and powers 
 of a National Legiilature. 
 
 This Object, as what is really intended to be at- 
 tained by aflembliiig a Convention, appears exprelslj* 
 and pointedly ftated, even as early as the 15th of 
 April 1793, in the Letter to the United Societies at 
 Norwich, already referred to; and the fame Letter 
 mfficiently explains the Policy in confequencc of 
 which, fubfequent to that Period, the Topic of Par- 
 liamentary
 
 [ .38 J 
 
 liamentary Reform has been flill oftenfibly brought 
 forward in fome of the Communications which have 
 been made public. As a further illuitration of this 
 obfervation, your Committee think it not immaterial 
 to remark, that in a Letter from Margarot, at Edin- 
 burgh, to the Secretary of the Society for Conftitu- 
 tional Information, in December 1793, it is particu- 
 larly recommended to him not to introduce Politics in 
 his Letter, or at lea ft nothing but what concerns Re- 
 form. Whatever Difguife, however, may have been 
 employed in an earlier period, feems in the later Pro- 
 ceedings to have been wholly relinquished. The Ob- 
 ject is iiill ftated to be a fair and equal Rcpreientatioii 
 of the People ; but a General Convention of the peo- 
 ple, to be chofen by the Delegates of the different So-* 
 cieties, is propoied for the purpofe of obtaining this; 
 end. No "mention is made of any application to Par- 
 liament, or of any amendment of the. Reprefentation 
 in Parliament. 
 
 The Circular Letter, infertcd in a former part of 
 .this Report, recommends forming another Britiih Con- 
 vention, to be held in a Central Situation moft con- 
 venient for the whole liland ; and ftates the appoint- 
 ment of a Secret Committee for that purpofe. 
 
 The Third Refolution paffed by the Correfponding 
 Society on the 2jth of March, and communicated to 
 the Society for Conftitutional Information, which was 
 the foundation of the fubfequent joint Proceedings of 
 the Two Societies, ftates the object of the Conven- 
 tion to be for the purpofe " of fecuring themlelves from 
 future illegal and fcandalous profecutions., to prevent 
 a repetition of wicked and unjuft Sentences, and to 
 recall thofe wife and wholcfome Laws which have 
 been wreited from them." Terms which appear to 
 your Committee to be material, not fo much on ac- 
 count of their general inflammatory Tendency, as 
 bccaule they evidently point at obtaining a RedreCs 
 of fuppofed grievances, not by application to Parlia,- 
 
 ment,
 
 [ 39 3 
 
 ment, but by Acts of Authority to be exercifed by 
 themfelves. 
 
 The Refolutions afterwards paffed on the i4th of 
 April, contain open attacks on all the brandies of the 
 Lcgifiature, and a direct invitation to the People to 
 reiiit Meafures then in the Contemplation of the Le- 
 giflature ; and cxprcfsly ftating that they ought equal- 
 ly to be rclifted, whether adopted with or without the 
 Confent of Parliament. 
 
 When, in addition to thcfe confiderations, the 
 Committee reflect on the leading Circumftances 
 which they have already flated, of the declared appro- 
 bation, at an early Period, of the Doctrine of the Rights 
 of Man, as flated in Paine's Publications ; of the con- 
 nection and intercourfe with French Societies, and 
 with the National Convention ; and, of the fubfequent 
 approbation of the French fyftem ; and coniider that 
 thefe are the principles which the promoters of a 
 Convention evidently make the foundation of all their 
 Proceedings ; they are latisfied that the defign now 
 openly proteffed and acted upon, aims at nothing lei's 
 than what is ftated in his Majeity's Meflage, and 
 mult be confidered as a Traitorous Conspiracy for the 
 Subversion of the eftablifhed Laws and Conftitution, 
 and the introduction of that fyftem of Anarchy and 
 Confufion which has fatally prevailed in France. 
 
 There ftill remains two points connected with what 
 has been already ftated, which your Committee have 
 not yet had the opportunity of invefligating as fully 
 as they wifh, but which appear too important to be 
 wholly paffed over. 
 
 It appears to your Committee, that in fome of the 
 Societies referred to Propofals have been received, and 
 that Mealurcs have recently been taken for providing 
 Arms to be dlftributed among the Members of the 
 Societies. 
 
 It alib appears, from fuch information as your Com- 
 mittee have hitherto had the opportunity of receiving, 
 that linee the apprehenfion of the peribns in whole 
 
 cuiiody
 
 [ 40 ] 
 
 cuftody the papers were found which have been re- 
 ferred to your Committee, there have been feveral 
 meetings of the Societies in different parts of the Me- 
 tropolis ; that the deiigns which were before enter- 
 tained have been by no means abandoned ; and that, 
 on the contrary, there have been fome indications of 
 a difpoiition to concert means for forcibly refifting fiich 
 meafures as may be taken for defeating their accom- 
 plifhment, or for bringing the authors and abettors of 
 them to juftice. 
 
 FINIS.
 
 THE 
 
 SECOND REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HOUSE OF COMMONS, 
 
 To whom the feveral Papers referred to in His Majefty's 
 Meflage of the i2th Day of May 1794, and which were 
 prefented (fealed up) to the Houfe, by Mr. Secretary 
 Dundas, upon the iath and I3th Days of the faid 
 Month, by his Majefty's command, were referred : 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 A P P E N D I X; 
 
 AND A 
 
 SUPPLEMENT AND AN APPENDIX : 
 
 THE FIRST AND SECOND REPORTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SECRET COMMITTEE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HOUSE OF LORDS; 
 WITH AN APPENDIX. 
 
 FOURTH EDITION. 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. DEBRETT, OPPOSITE BURLINGTON- ' 
 HOUSE, PICCADILLY. 
 
 1794.
 
 SECOND REPORT. 
 
 THE COMMITTEE to whom the feveral Papers re* 
 ferred to in his Majefly's MeiTage of the iath Day 
 of May, I794> and which were prefented (fealed up) 
 to the Houfe, by Mr. Secretary Dundas, upon the 
 i 2th and i 3th Days of the faid Month, by his Ma- 
 jefly's Command', were referred ; and who were di- 
 rected to examine the Matters thereof, and report the 
 fame, as they fhould appear to them, to the Houfe, 
 
 MAVE further proceeded in the examination of the books 
 and papers referred to them by the Houfe, and of fuch, 
 other information as they have fin'ce obtained. 
 
 The latter has cohfifted of a variety of examinations and de- 
 pofitions taken before the Privy Council, of papers found in, 
 the cuftody of different perfons who have been apprehended, 
 and of accounts received by the Secretary of State relative to 
 'difcoveries made at Edinburgh, and in different parts of Scot* 
 land ; aU which have been laid before your Committee. 
 
 The refult appears to your Committee ftrongly to confirm 
 all the proportions which they found it their duty, ori the out- 
 fet of their inquiry, to fubmit to the Houfe, and to leave no 
 doubt of the nature, extent, and malignity, of the extravagant 
 defigns which have been formed, of the regularity and fyltem 
 with which thefe defigns have been purfued, or of the rapid 
 progrefs of the meafures which had been taken in order to at- 
 tempt to carry them fpeedily into execution, 
 
 jBefore
 
 Before the Committee fubmit to the Houfe fuch further ce- 
 tails as appear necelfary to give a general and comprehenfive 
 view of the fubjec"l, and to (hew the origin and progrefs of the 
 plan which has been in agitation, they think it right to call 
 the attention of the Houfe to fome tranfaclions of a recent 
 date, and which appear to be of fo much importance as to de- 
 ferve a feparate Itatement. 
 
 The firft of thefe has already been fhortly referred to in the 
 former Report, and relates to the meafures taken for providing 
 arms to be distributed among the members of the feveral fo- 
 cieties, and for preparing the means of employing actual force 
 in the execution of their project. 
 
 The circumflance which firft came under the obfervation of 
 your Committee, containing a diftinct trace of meafures of 
 this defcription, was a letter from a perfon at Sheffield, by 
 profeffion a printer, (who has fince abfconded) which was thus 
 addrefled-p-" Citizen Hardy, Secretary of the London Cor- 
 refponding Society," and which was found in the pofleflion 
 of Hardy on the 1 2th day of May laft, when he was taken into 
 cuftody. 
 
 The letter is as follows : 
 
 11 Fellow Citizens, " Sheffield, April 24, 1/94. 
 
 " The barefaced ariftocracy of the prefent Adminiftra- 
 
 tion has made it neceflary that we mould be prepared to 
 
 ' aft on the defenfive againft any attack they may com- 
 
 ' mand their newly-armed minions to make upon us. A 
 
 < plan has been hit upon ; and if encouraged fufficiently 
 
 < will, no doubt, have the effect of furniihing a quantity 
 
 < of pikes to the patriots ; great enough to make them 
 ' formidable. The blades are made of fteel, tempered 
 and polimed after an improved form. They may be 
 " fixed into any ihafts ; but fir ones are recommended, of 
 " the girth of the accompanying hoops at the top end, 
 " and about an inch more at the bottom. The blades and 
 " hoops, more than which cannot be properly fent to any 
 " great diftance, will be charged one Ihilling. Money to 
 <c be fent with the order. As the inftitution is in its jn- 
 tc fancy, immediate encouragement is neceflary. 
 
 Struck through in -\ " Orders may be fent to the Secretary of 
 the original. J " the Sheffield Conftitutional Society. 
 
 5 s Signed.
 
 ( 3 1 
 
 c * To prevent poft fufpicion, dire& to" [Here follows, 
 in the original, the name of the perfon to whom the let- 
 ters were to be addrefled, and his refidence at Sheffield.] 
 
 This letter contained another inclofed, directed to the Secre- 
 tary of the Norwich Patriotic Societies, which was found in 
 the poffellion of the Secretary to the lyondon Correfponding 
 Society ; and which is as follows : 
 
 " Fellow Citizen, 
 
 " The barefaced ariftocracy of the prefent adminiftra- 
 *' tion has made it neceifery to prepare to al upon the 
 *< defenfive, in cafe of any attack upon the patriots. 
 
 " A plan has been formed for carrying into effeft this 
 " neceilary bufmefs. Pike blades are made with hoops 
 for the fhafts to fit the top ends ; the bottom end of the 
 " (hafts mould be about an inch thicker ; and fir is re- 
 " commended for the fhafts, fele&ed by perfons who are 
 " judges of wood. The blades and hoops wiU be fold at 
 " the rate of one Ihilling, properly tempered and polijhed, 
 if The money fent with the orders. 
 " Signed. 
 
 <f Direct to" [Here follows, in the original, the name 
 of the perfon to whom the letters were to be addrelTed, 
 and his refidence at Sheffield] " to prevent the poftmaf- 
 * e ter's fufpicion." 
 
 Your Committee foon after found, that by the different exa- 
 minations taken before the Privy Council it was fully eftablifh- 
 ed, that the general idea of procuring arms (either mufquets or 
 pikes to be distributed among the members, had of late been 
 frequently the fubjecl of converfation at different divifions 
 among the leading members of the Correfponding Society, and 
 among psrfons who have been moll: active in the meafures 
 lately taken j that although thefe converfations had frequently 
 taken place, they had generally been after the bufmefs of the 
 meetings was clofed, and when only a few perfons remained. 
 Jt appears indeed to have been, in a great meafure, agreed, that 
 this plan was not to be publicly mentioned at the divifions; par- 
 ticularly it was recommended by one of tiie molt active perfons 
 not to mentjon it tilt the new plan of cpnftitution for the So- 
 ciety was fettled. And it has appeared (in the courfe of this in- 
 veftigation) that the arming bufmefs was all done by private 
 s, and that it was held not fit to talk of the pikes but 
 B a ta
 
 to thofe who were to be trtifted ; that the general b-ifinefs was 
 ctcne by a committee of delegates, but there was a fecret com- 
 mittee of five perfons, who tranfacled what was not to be en- 
 trufted to the whole of the Correfponding Society ; that they 
 meet at private houfes, and that all the correfpondence comes 
 10 them, and what they think proper is laid before the Socictv. 
 But although this plan of precaution and concealment 'mult 
 have prevented the difcovery of a great part of this fyllem, in- 
 ilances have occurred of proceedings at fome of the divifions of 
 the Correfponding Society, relative to procuring arms, which 
 yOur Committee have been enabled to afcertain. As early as 
 November, 1793, at a meeting of a divifion of the Society, held 
 at a place named to the Committee, a violent fpeech was made 
 by a member of the Society, recommending that arms mould 
 be procured, and mentioning that they were provided with 
 arms and pikes at Sheffield ; and another member faid it would 
 be good to provide pikes at fix-pence each : afterwards, in the 
 month of February laft, at a meeting of one of the divifions 
 of the Coefponding Society named to the Committee, and 
 at a place afcertained to them, it was propofed to iflue new" 
 books, with the names and places of abode of the feveral mem- 
 bers, and that the names of thofe who lived in the fame neigh- 
 bourhood mould be placed together, that they might eafily be 
 afiembled upon any emergency, in cafe Government mould at- 
 tempt to difperfe their meetings ; and a refolution for this pur- 
 pofe was palled foon after at a fubfequent meeting. 
 
 At the fame meeting a member of another divifion attended, 
 and ftated to the chairman, that he came to make a report from 
 his divifion. He ftated a rumour, that the Habeas Corpus Act 
 would be foon fufpended. Xhis intelligence he was deputed 
 to give, that the Society at large might be prepared for the event : 
 upon this a fpeech was inade by a perfon, who was a member 
 of the committee mentioned in the former Report, in which 
 he recommended to each member to provide himfeif with arms 
 and ammunition, in order to defend hirhfelf againft any perfons 
 who might attack him, whether they mould be of this country, 
 Pruffians, Heffians, or Hanoverians. And in the beginning 
 of April laft, at the fame divifion, it appears that a report was- 
 made from the general committee, that an anfvver had been 
 received from the Society for Conftiunional Information, ex- 
 predive of their dcfire to co-operate with them in obtaining 
 their great end; and defiling a deputation might be* fent to 
 confnlt and deliberate with them. In confequence a certain 
 number of the committee were appointed ; and on this occafioii
 
 ( 5 J 
 
 one of the members recommended to the citizens not to fi{ 
 tamely filent and inactive, but to roufe themfelves, and, not 
 only with words, but arms, alTert their rights he faid, they 
 were on the eve of a general meeting, and they mould go with, 
 their mimis prepared to adopt a fyftem which might be reduced 
 to fpeedy practice, and refcue their fellow citizens (meaning the 
 Scotch delegates) from their degrading fituation. It alfo ap- 
 pears to your Committee, that a plan was in contemplation to 
 Subdivide each divifion into tythings, and to appoint tything 
 men to each, for the purpofe " of rendering themfelves ufeful 
 " in cafe of emergency ;" which was explained to mean, that 
 in cafe the fociety mould be interrupted by peace officers, or a 
 prefs gang, they mould refift any fuch interruption. As another 
 inftance of the meafures taken to inftigate the people to arm, 
 an account was given of a hand bill produced 'at one of the 
 meetings, which was to the following effect : 
 
 <l The Ins tell us we are danger of invafion from the 
 <{ French. . 
 
 " The Outs tell us that we are in danger from the Hef- 
 <* fians and Hanoverians. 
 
 " In either cafe we mould arm ourfelves. Get arms, 
 tc and learn how to ufe them." 
 
 Several copies of this hand bill were proved to have been pub- 
 licly produced at a meeting of one of the divifions, by a per- 
 fon who faid he had printed them for the purpofe of diftributing 
 as many as poffible. 
 
 In the progrefs of the inquiry, information was received 
 from a witnefs, whofe accuracy has fmce been confirmed in a 
 variety of finking inftances, that a perfon named in the in- 
 formation, an adtive promoter of thefe meafures, and a dele- 
 gate of one of the divifions, had mewn the witnefs a pike in his 
 poffellion, of which a minute defcription was given. The 
 witnefs flared this perfon to have given an account of the ufe to 
 which thefe pikes might be applied ; that it was fuppofed 
 no regiment of horfe could (land againft them ; that fuch pikes 
 were manufacturing at Sheffield ; and that he had received frOrn 
 the Secretary of the Correfponding Society the direction of the 
 perfon from whom he might procure them ; that the price was 
 to be one milling a-piece, and if they coft more, the overplus 
 would be paid by a perfon at Sheffield, who would be indemni- 
 fied by the Society. The witnefs alfo ftated the fame perfon to 
 have given an account of a meeting intended to be held at a 
 
 4 publi(i
 
 ( 6 > 
 
 public hcufe (which was named) on a day fpccified, for the 
 purpofe of fixing the number of pikes to be fent for. The 
 perfon ftated to have held this converfation, and another perfon 
 faid to have been prefent at it (who was alfo one of the moft 
 active members of the London Correfponding Society) were 
 ibon after apprehended, and a pike exactly anfwering to tjie 
 defcription given by the wjtnefs was found upon each of them. 
 In the fubfequent inveftigaiion of the buiinefs, your Com- 
 mittee have received ftrorig confirmation of the principal cir- 
 cumftances of the converfation ftated by the witncfs, refpecl- 
 ing the ufe to which the pikes might be applied, the iirection 
 given by the Secretary of the Correfponding Society in order 
 to procure them from Sheffield, the price to be paid for them, 
 and the intended meeting for the purpofe of lixing the num- 
 ber to be fent for, and of depofiting one fbilling a-piece for the 
 purchafe. One of the perfons fo apprehended, in explaining 
 the ufe to be made of the pikes from Sheffield, faid, the per- 
 fuafion was, and he himfelf believed, the Government were 
 confpiring again ft the people, and therefore fhould be refilled. 
 Another witnsfs has fince itated, that he had underftood from 
 one of the perfons apprehended, that his pike was to be ufed (in 
 <jafe the people were to rife) for the particular purpofe of keep- 
 ing off the cavalry. 
 
 Your Committee, in the courfe of this examination, ob- 
 ferved, that an account was given of fome fuppofed meeting 
 of military divificns, connected with the Correfponding So- 
 ciety, for the purpofe of learning their exercife with muf- 
 juets ; and it was ftated, that with a view to inftructing them, 
 there had been printed and fold a copper plate engraving of 
 the manual exercife, accompanied with a book of directions 
 en the ful>jet. This engraving was afterwards produced, and 
 it was proved to have been befpoke by one perfon, and en- 
 graved by another, whofe names were mentioned, both of 
 whom were members of the London Correfponding Society, 
 and one of them a fecretary to one of the divifions, and to 
 ,have been fold by another member of the Society to k-veral 
 members at a meeting of one of the divifions. A more par- 
 ticular account was afterwards given of a body formed for the 
 purpofe of er^rcifing with fire-arms, which had taken the 
 Dame of The L>. yd Lambeth Aflbciaticn, but which had held 
 no communication with Government, nor received any au^ 
 thorny for that purpofe. It appears, that although this armed 
 Society bore the name of The Loyal Lambeth Affociation, 
 none of the members belonging to it were of the parilh of 
 
 Lambeth,
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 Lambeth, excepting the original propofer of the AfTbciatiorr, 
 who was a member of the London Correfponding Society. 
 The admiftion of perfons who were afterwards members of 
 the aflbciation was objected to at firft, becaufe they did not 
 belong to the London Correfponding Society; but on promifc 
 that they would become members of the London Correfpond- 
 ing Society, they were admitted into this armed AfTociation. 
 A gun engraver, who is alfo a member of the London Corre- 
 fponding Society, and who furnifhed this AlTociation with 
 mufquets, was firft introduced to the perfon who fet on foot 
 the Aflbciation, by the fecretary of the Correfponding Society* 
 This Afibciation was regularly trained and exercifed in the 
 life of fire-arms twice a week. It has been given in evidence, 
 that this AfTociation removed from the houfe of a rradefrnan in 
 the Borough, where they ufed to exercife, becaufe they made 
 fo much noife with the arms, that the workmen muft know- 
 what they were about, the tradefman having different work- 
 men, who might not be all of the fame principle. Upon 
 this fuggeftion, a committee was appointed to choofe proper 
 places for exercife, where the AfTociation might not be liable 
 to be interrupted by the officers of police ; and two places 
 named to your Committee were appointed accordingly, to 
 which the Ailbciation adjourned in two feparate divifions. At 
 one of thefe places they exercifed in a room on the fecond 
 floor, and with the window curtains drawn, and on fome oc- 
 caflons, at another place, by candle light, from eight to tea 
 o'clock at night, with the mutters barred up. At the place 
 where the Lambeth Afibciation met, there was a printed 
 ticket of admiffion with the following infcription engraved on 
 it, " Liberty to tkcfc iv.bo dare defend it." The object of all 
 the perfons who attended the AMociation (as was collected 
 from their converfation) was univerfal fufFrcrge and annual 
 election. If they could not obtain a reform in Parliament in 
 any other way, they meant to have recourfe to arms. The 
 Committee have traced eighteen Hand of arms actually pur- 
 chafed by this AHbciation. This number, purchafed by per- 
 fons apparently in very indigent circumltances, is a fufficient 
 proof of their earneltnefs in the defign in which they hnd en- 
 gaged. But it further appears, that the fame perfon who fup- 
 plied this number hnd engaged to furnilh arms, as the num- 
 bers who defired to have them increafed ; and that fixry muf- 
 quets had been mentioned as likely to be wanted for this Af- 
 fociation. It alfo appears to your Committee, that other in- 
 ititutions of the fame nature exifted, and tru-.t fubfcriptions 
 liad been opened for the purpofe of providing mufquets. In 
 
 additioa
 
 C 8 ) 
 
 addition to the means already enumerated for gradually pro- 
 viding pikes and mufquets, it has appeared in evidence, that 
 one of the fchemes in agitation was to feize the arms in the 
 fhops of the gunfmiths in, London, and to distribute the arms 
 fo feized among the members of the London Correfponding 
 Society. 
 
 .Thefe proceedings in London, fuinciently important in 
 themfelves, become ilill more defcrving of ferious confidera- 
 tion, when combined with meafures of a fimilar dcfcription 
 taken at Sheffield^ and In feveral parts of Scotland, and which 
 not only coincide in point of time, but bear the ftrongeft 
 marks of deliberate concert and connection with the attempts 
 in London, to which your Committee have already direded 
 the attention of the Houfc. Your Committee have already in- 
 ferted in this Report a letter from a perfon at Sheffield, found 
 in the pofTKIion of the Secretary of the London Correfponding 
 Society, and inclbling a direction to another perfon at Sheffield,, 
 who was to forward to the maker of the pikes all fuch orders a 
 he might receive from London for that purpofe. 
 
 It has appeared, from the concurrent teftimony of fevera! 
 perfons examined before the Privy Council, that this direction 
 was actually given by the Secretary of the Correfponding So- 
 ciety to one of its members, that many perfons were dejGrous 
 of procuring pikes ; and that fubfcriptions had been already 
 entered into with the view of procuring them from Sheffield. 
 One of- the other perfons apprehended at Sheffield, who had 
 been Secretary to the Constitutional Society there, and upon 
 whom a pike was found, acknowledged that he had feen the 
 letter to the Secretary of the, Correfponding Society in Lon- 
 don, containing the incloiure for Norwich ; and that the writer 
 told him he had inclofed the letter for Norwich in the other 
 for fear of fufpicion : The fame perfon alfo faid, he could 
 not doubt in the lead that the pikes were to be furniihed in 
 London, according to the contents of the letter which had 
 been explained to him at Sheffield. It appears, that fome 
 time in March laft, a perfon calling himfelf Yorke, a member 
 of the Conftitutional Society at London, and who was chofen 
 by them as one of their delegates to the Convention at Edin- 
 burgh, recommended it to the people of Sheffield to take 
 arms,, reprefenting it as a matter of right, founded on the 
 Bill of Rights, and dbferving that the oppofite party was 
 arming, and therefore that the other party fhould be armed 
 alfo- j that Yorke ufed thefe recommendations both in private 
 4 and
 
 . ' ( 9 ) 
 
 find public ; told them in converfation, juft after the meeting 
 at Sheffield, where he had been chairman, that pikes were 
 ufed in France ; and recommended to the people to get arms, 
 according to an advertifement published at Sheffield, faying, 
 that it was legal and conftitutional ; and that they ought to 
 get pikes as in France. This meafure of arming was ap- 
 proved of by the greater part of the Society at Sheffield, which 
 appears from information before your Committee to be very 
 numerous, and to have been fubdivided into forty-five or fifty 
 fmall bodies, or different clubs. In confeqnence of thefe re- 
 commendations, pikes were made at Sheffield under Yorke's 
 orders, and the form and fize were regulated by his particular 
 diredion Your Committee think it of importance to call the 
 attention of the Houfc to this circumftance, as they fhall have 
 occafion to advert more particularly, in a fubfequent part of 
 this Report, to the principles and views publicly avowed by 
 Yorke at a meeting held at Sheffield on the yth of April laft. 
 Four perfons are ftated to have been employed in the manu- 
 facture of thefe pikes, and one of thefe perfons to have worked 
 at them for Tome weeks part ; and it appears that feveral have 
 been already made and fold to different perfons, at the price 
 of 2Od. a-piece : the pike taken upon one of the perfons ap- 
 prehended at Sheffield anfwers precifely to the defcriptioiV 
 given in the letter before inferted. In addition to this ac- 
 count of the meafures taken for providing pikes, it muft be 
 obferved, that the three perfons apprehended at Sheffield con- 
 cur in declaring, that they had feen there a pattern of an in- 
 flrument which has, on different occafions, been ufed in mi- 
 litary operations for impeding the approach of cavalry; and 
 which was itated by the witneifes to be intended to be laid in 
 the road at night for that purpofe One of them faid, that 
 he had no doubt that this inftrument was formed with the 
 fame intention as the pikes, to defend the meeting at Shef- 
 field againfl the military. It was alfo ftated, that about the 
 time when thefe arms were prepared, they had refolved at 
 Sheffield, (as will appear more particularly in the fequel of the 
 Report) that no further petition fliould be made to Parliament 
 on the fubjecl: of reform, although they intended to go on in 
 their demands ; and one of the perfons examined faid, If any 
 meetings were to be held atjSheffield for the purpofe of ob- 
 laining univerfal fuffrage, and any attempt made to difturb 
 fuch meeting, he thought the people would be juflified in re- 
 filhnce. 
 
 C While
 
 While your Committee were employed in investigating thfl 
 origin and pro^rels of the plan for arming the people in Lon- 
 don and at Sheffield, they received intelligence of the exigence 
 of fimilar deftgns in Scotland, which appear to have been in a 
 much greater degree of forvvardnefs, and to have been con- 
 dueled with fuch fecrecy, that they might have produced the 
 moil ferious confequences, if accident had not led to a timely 
 difcovery of their nature and extent before they had been car- 
 ried into execution. This intelligence was communicated to 
 your Committee in feveral letters from Mr. Secretary Dundas? 
 which contain fo full a narrative of the circumftances leading 
 to the difcovery of this defign, of the fcope and nature of the 
 defign itfelf, of the principles with which it was connedled^ 
 and of the means by which it was to have been aceomplifhed, 
 that your Committee have thought they eould not by this im- 
 portant matter before the Houfe in a more fatisfadory manner 
 than by inferting the letters at large in this place It is. how- 
 ever to be obferved, that befides what relates immediately to 
 this particular head, thefe letters contain matters applying to 
 other important branches of the fubjeft of this Report ; and 
 to which it will be neceifary hereafter to refer ; and that many 
 of the important circumftances detailed in Mr. Dundas's let 
 ters have been alfo communicated to your Committee through 
 other channels. 
 
 Whitehall, i9th May, 1794* 
 "SIR, 
 
 " I have received this morning, from the Sheriff De- 
 '* pute of the County of Edinburgh, authentic informa- 
 " tion of an accidental difcovery made on the I5th and 
 " i6th ult. the general report of which I feel it proper 
 " to ftate to you, as it feems materially connected with 
 " the inquiry in which the Secret Committee of the 
 " Houfe of Commons is now engaged. 
 
 " The creditors of a bankrupt having received in- 
 '* formation that part of his goods had been embezzled, 
 " and were fecreted in the hotife of an individual, the 
 " ufuar warrant was iilucd, authorizing, a feareh to be 
 " made in the fufpetrtt-d place ; and in carrying it into 
 " execution, on the afterooon of the I5th, the officers 
 " difcovered in a private place, where they appear to 
 " have been concealed, twelve pike or fpear heads. The 
 " proprietor of the houfe, who happened to be from 
 " home at the time, was iuon thereafter taken into cuf- 
 
 tody,
 
 ( II ) 
 
 " tody, and on being carried 'before the proper magif- 
 -*' trate for examination, refufed to give any account of 
 "thefe weapons, to whom they belonged, or for what 
 " purpyfes they were intended. On a more narrow 
 '< fearch there was likcwife difcovercd, in a private and 
 '*' concealed part of the houfe, two other pike or fpear 
 " heads, iimilar to the others, two battle-axes, and a lhaft 
 " or pole, with a fcrew on the end, fitted for receiving 
 " either the fpear'head or battle-axe. 
 
 ' Immediate inquiry bsing made after the perfonswith 
 tl whom this individual had lately been feen in company, 
 " and two blackfmiths being mentioned among them, 
 " their houfes and (hops were immediately fearched; one 
 " of the two was alfo taken into cultody; the other 
 " efcaped and abfconded. In the (hop of the firlt of 
 " thefe men were found four pike or fpear heads, finifh- 
 " ed, fitted with fcrews and fockefs, and ready to be 
 " fixed on fhafts ; eight battle-axes, alfo fitted and finifh- 
 '* ed ; and twenty blades more not quite fmiflied, but 
 " nearly fo. 
 
 " In the fhop and dwelling houfe of the other, who 
 " had abfconded, no fuch weapons were found ; but the 
 " apprentices, on being examined before a magistrate,' 
 <f acknowledged, that the pike or fpear hea'ds firft difco- 
 " vered had been privately manufactured in their matter's 
 '* fhop during the courfe of this fortnight pad, and car- 
 " ried privately to his houfe as foon as completed. 
 
 " The* battle-axes and blades appear alfo to have been 
 " manufactured within this fortnight paft ; and were in- 
 " tended, as the maker of them faid, for the purpofe of 
 " arming the people, mould an invafion take place. 
 " But it appears, that to his apprentices, whom he had 
 " employed in aflifting him to make them, he pretended 
 " they were meant for a gate ; an account obvioufly 
 <* falle, as he could not point out any gate for which 
 " thefe weapons were intended, nor name any perfon 
 " who had ordered him to frame a gate of fo particular 
 " a conftru&ion. 
 
 '* Thefe circumftances have induced the magiftrates 
 " to commit all the perfons concerned for examination ; 
 " and the refult of the inquiries which are at prefent 
 " carrying forward, I expert will be regularly commu- 
 *' nicated to me It is* proper alfo to inform you, that 
 " all the perfons chiefly concerned appear to nave been 
 *' members of the Britilh Conventin which met at Edin- 
 C a " burgh
 
 " burgh laft winter ; and fince the difperfion of it have 
 <c continued the mofl acYtve and leading perfons in the 
 '* focieties whofe delegates compofed the principal part 
 *' of that meeting, who appear at prefent taking meafures. 
 " for calling another convention of the fame nature, 
 " which they expeded is to take place foon in England; 
 41 and fome of whom have acknowledged, that the pro- 
 " priety of the individuals compofing thefe focieties arm- 
 "' ingthemfelves with fpears and pikes, has, within thefe 
 * c few weeks part, been the fubject of converfation amongft 
 " them, and fteps taken for carrying that purpofe into 
 " execution with caution and fecrecy. 
 
 " The filence of one of the perfons, the inconfiftent 
 " and contradictory account of the other, and the flight 
 *' of the third, throw a very ftrong fufpicion on the pur- 
 " pofes and intentions of the parties concerned in this 
 " tranfa&ion. , The fherifF is, in the courfe of his duty, 
 " proceeding to inveftigate the matter more accurately : 
 " but I confider it neceffafy and proper to communicate 
 "- through you to the Committee information fo intimately 
 u connected with the object of its inquiries, however im- 
 " perfel that information ftill is, but which I have no, 
 " doubt will foon be completed. 
 
 " I am, 
 
 " S I R, 
 
 " Your moft obedient, 
 
 " humble fervant, 
 
 HENRY 'DUNDAS, 
 
 Right Hoablc. Mr. Pitt." 
 
 " SIR, " Whitehall, 23d May, 1794, 
 
 " I have received this morning farther accounts from 
 " the fherifF depute of Edinburgh, of the tranfaclions. 
 " ftated in my laft letter ; and the refult of the inquiries 
 " fince made by that magistrate, and which are ftill going 
 *' forward, appear to me of fuch a nature as to deferve 
 *< the particular attention of the Secret Committee. 
 
 " Ooe of the individuals mentioned in my former let- 
 '.' ter has fince made a difclofure, and a perfon fince 
 " taken into cuftodyj and who appears to have been privy 
 " to the whole franfaclicji, has confeffed, that thefe 
 " weapons were the firft of a very large number and quan- 
 ^ tity, actually ordered to be made, and intended to be 
 I privately
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 ' prrvately difperfed among tlie members of the various 
 " focieties throughout Scotland, {tiling themfelves the 
 ., Friends of the People, and who appear to be at prefent 
 (' employed in taking meafures for calling together an- 
 " other Britifh Convention of Delegates to be held in 
 A 1 England. An order has been given from one town 
 " alone in Scotland, for a large quantity of weapons of 
 the nature defcribed ; no lefs a number than 4,000, 
 has been mentioned, and more are intended to be dif- 
 tributed in Edinburgh. EmiHaries appear alfb to have 
 been difpatched, within this fortnight or three weeks 
 paft, to the manufacturing towns in the weft of Scot- 
 < land, for the purpofe or founding the inclinations of 
 fuch of the inhabitants there who are known to be 
 *< members of thefe Societies ; and there is reafon to 
 << believe, from information received from various diffe- 
 *' rent quarters, that thefe perfons have by no means been 
 f< unfuccefsful. 
 
 " Paiiley is in particular alluded to as being in a ftate 
 " of great readinefs ; and there has been pofitive infor- 
 c mation received through other channels, that within 
 " thefe three weeks, perfons of that defer! ption have af- 
 " fembled themfelves to a very confiderable number in 
 ?' the night-time, tor the purpofe of pradtifing the ufe of 
 *< arms. The particulars of this information, and the 
 " extent to which thefe meetings have proceeded, are at 
 << prefent matter of inquiry with the proper magistrates of 
 f ' the place ; but the refult has not yet been received. 
 
 " The formation of this plan is now traced home to 
 " certain perfons, fome of whom are in cuftody, who ap- 
 " pear to be entrufted by thefe Societies in Scotland with 
 " the mod unlimited powers in directing their future 
 " proceedings carrying on their correfpondence and 
 *' who acl: as a Committee of Secrecy, confifting of a 
 " certain number of perfons, the principal and moft 
 f* aftive members of the Britifh Convention. The 
 '* choofing of delegates to the expe&ed Convention in 
 " England, the place of whofe meeting is not yet di- 
 " vulged, and the raifmg of contributions among the 
 various Societies throughout Scotland for defraying 
 the charges of fuch delegates, appear to be the material 
 part of their prefent employment, and in which it 
 would feem they have made fome progrefs. And it 
 is the fame committee who have, for fome weeks 
 
 pail,
 
 f 14 ) 
 
 *< pad, been conPulung and taking meaftfres" for arming 
 *f themfelves and the members of the various clubs with 
 *< pikes and battle-axes, and who have employed the per- 
 ** fons above-mentioned in manufacturing them. The 
 " fcheme appears to have been fir(l propofed and agreed 
 " upon about a month ago ; to have been fince carried 
 <c on with the utmoft fecrecy and caution ; and the wea- 
 * e pons, fo far as has yet been difcoVered, manufaclured 
 " by fuch perfons, in fuch fmall quantities, in fuch cir- 
 " cumftances, and under fuch pretences, as not to render 
 *' the progrefs of the work probably liable to fufpicion 
 *' or detection ; and it was brought to light by the very 
 " accidental and fmgular incident which 1 mentioned in 
 " my former letter. 
 
 " I have the fatisfac"lion of obferving, that the magif- 
 " trates and officers of the law in Scotland have been, 
 l f and ftill continue aftive in the fearches and inquiries 
 " making at the different fufpeded places within' their 
 " refpetlive jurifdi&ions In Perth and Dundee nothing 
 " has been difcovered which can lead me to believe that 
 ** meafures have been taken in either of thefe places for 
 *' making arms, the manufacture of which feems to have 
 " been confined to Edinburgh, and intended to have been 
 " gradually difperfed from thence to fuch places as re, 
 <' quired them. No fuch weapons have been difcovered 
 " at Paiiley or in its neighbourhood, though the intention 
 " of arming, and holding regular nightly meetings are 
 " perfectly ascertained. 
 
 1* Information has alfo been communicated, of the 
 " authenticity of which there is no great room to doubt, 
 ' that a confpiracy has been formed, as foon as a pro- 
 <* per number of thefe weapons were diftributed among 
 " the Friends of the People at Edinburgh, to feize in 
 ** the night the perfons of the principal magiftrates and 
 " officers of the law ; the banks, the public offices, 
 *' guards, and prifon ; and after enticing the'foldiery 
 " from the caftle, by kindling a Cre in the middle of the 
 *' city, to intercept them on their return, by means of 
 " different armed parties to be proper-iy flaiioned for that 
 *' p-.irpofe. 
 
 " It appears likewife, from indifputable facls, that the 
 *' moil fecret and artful means have been, and are (till 
 " ufmg with the fencible regiments in Scotland to excite 
 1* them to difobedience and mutiny. *Tne printed papi? 
 
 which, 
 * Appendix A. (No. i.)
 
 ( '5 ) 
 
 " "which I herewith franfmit has been induftrioufly circu- 
 *' lated for that purpofe. 
 
 . " I have the honour to be, 
 SIR, 
 
 " Your moft obedient 
 
 l< humble fervant, 
 
 HENRY DUNDAS. 
 Right Honble. Mr. Pitt." 
 
 " SIR, " Whitehall, 24th May, 1794. 
 
 " I have received no farther accounts of the refill t of 
 " the inquiries going on in Edinburgh ; but 1 am forry 
 "** to flate, that i have received information from the fhe- 
 " riff of the county of Renfrew, confirmed by letters 
 " received from other refpedable perfons in Paiiley, that 
 " the magiftrates of that place having, in the courfe of 
 " their inquiries, committed, on the afternoon of the iQth, 
 " a man to cultody for further examination, a confidera- 
 " ble number of perfons (feveral hundreds) aflembled in 
 " the evening, and after choofing a prefident, whom 
 " they addrefled by the title of Citizen Prefident, voted a 
 numbei r of refolutions to the following purpofe That 
 a National Convention fhould be immediately called, to 
 which they would fend delegates That they mould not 
 petition Parliament, as it was to themfelves alone, and 
 to fuch a Convention they could look for redrefs. 
 They then proceeded to confider the condul of the 
 fheriff and.magiftr.ates in committing their brother citi- 
 zen, as he was termed ; and, after much difcuflioii 
 as to the propriety of immediately releafiag him by 
 force, the majority feemed iaclined to take mild mea- 
 fures firlt, and to fend a deputation to afk his rleafe. 
 But the magistrates having received information of 
 what was intended, and difmiired the man from cuf- 
 tody, the mob difperfed with three cheers, having been 
 previoufiy inUrucled by their prefident to abftain from 
 further tumult, and to obftrve a peaceable and orderly 
 tonducl. 
 
 " The authority of the civil magiftrate is in the mean 
 time entirely fuperfeded : and until a proper force is 
 fcfit to protect them in the future execution of their 
 duty, which has been anxiouily required by the ftierifF 
 and magiitrates, they dare not proceed in the common 
 courfe of legal and judicial inquiry againft any of the 
 : " perfons 
 

 
 C *' 5 5 
 
 whd ire fufpcfted of being concerned irt thefe 
 ^' violent and tumultuary proceedings. But it cannot 
 '* elcape the obfervations of the Committee, how ac- 
 <K curately this intelligence corrdponds with and con- 
 " firms the information yeftefday communicated, as to 
 " the flate of the minds of thefe people in that neigh- 
 ** bourhood ; the alarm which their leaders feel as to 
 *' the refult of the legal inquiries at prefent depend- 
 " ing and the regular fyitematic connexion between 
 *' them and the leaders at lidinbxirgh, as difcovered 
 " from the yet unfirrifhed and haiiy examinations taken 
 '* in that city. 
 
 " I have the honour to he, 
 
 " SIR, 
 te Your mod obedient humble fervant, 
 
 * HENRY DUNDAS. 
 " Rirht Honble. Mr. Pitt." 
 
 "SIR, " Whitehall, 27th May, 1794. 
 
 " T have this morning received farther information 
 " from Scotland, which appears to me proper to be com- 
 *' municated to the Committee. 
 
 if The perf>ns in vrhofe cuftody the weapons, for- 
 " merly defcrihed, \vcre found, appear to have acted 
 
 *' *' for fome time pa it under the name of a Committee of 
 *' Ways and Means appointed by the Britiih Conven- 
 * f tion, and to have been empowered by the various 
 ** Societies throughout Scotland to direct all their 
 c< future proceedings. By means of emiflaries privately 
 *< difpatched to different parts of the country, this 
 tc 'Committee has fignified to, and prepared a number 
 *' of the Societies for the approaching Convention in 
 
 >~ >*" England t - many ot whom liave cholen, and all, as far 
 <l a>s it is yet knoxvn, agreed to.choofe delegates To at- 
 " tend it, and fubfcribe for their expenccs. The time 
 <l and place of meeting was not divulged, and were to 
 *' be communicr.ted from Edinburgh in proper time, 
 tf by individuals to be lent from thence for that pur- 
 
 -' " ;''<% v. hoU- avi-jval was daily looked for by feveral 
 <( Societies. One of the Members of 
 
 *''t!ir late Convention at Ecdinlmrgh appears within 
 ' tins fortnight p.ift to have been difpitched, and to 
 '' ':.ivt v.u v iu;i!ly iicrformed an extcn'-ve tqur tlirough 
 " the well par^ of Scatiaad. to rnve vluted in his pro- 
 
 "grefs
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 gtefs thr towns of Queensferry, Falkirk, Stirling, 
 
 St. Ninians, Kelfyth, Ktrkintulloch, Campfie, Glaf- 
 
 " gow, and Paifley ; in all of which places he appears 
 
 * to have met with the principal perfons concerned in 
 
 " thefe Societies; to have left with them, and the 
 
 <* members of the Societies, copies of a circular letter 
 
 ** trona the committee of Edinburgh, and initructed 
 
 Cithern in what manner they were m future to carry 
 
 " on thsir correspondence : and to have fuggeited to 
 
 " them the propriety of furnifhing themfeives with 
 
 i arms, for the purpote of defence, under the pretence 
 
 ' of defending themtelves againfl foreign troops.- j -An 
 
 ' attempt has been made to diftribute lome of the wea- 
 
 1 pons lately difcovered at Edinburgh, by the means of 
 
 4 perions piivately difpatched to the country for that 
 
 " purpofe ; and which feems only to have failed in its 
 
 '* execution from the timidity of the perfons iolicited 
 
 to do ib.* 
 
 tc An individual of the fame defcription has been 
 <c taken into cuftody in the country, who appears to 
 *' have commifiioned, and actually received from Eng- 
 fl land, fome mufquets and bayonets. On being quef- 
 <c tinned by the proper magiftrate, he has refufed giving 
 *' any explanation, farther than that he commifTioned 
 *' them in the way of his bufmefs But it does not ap- 
 *' pear that he ever dealt in fuch articles before; no 
 " pedbn appears to have commiffioned him to procure 
 ** any fuch ; and there feems to be full evidence of his 
 ** having folicited others to purchafe what they of 
 " themfelves were not thinking of, or wifliing to pro- 
 " vide. 
 
 " He admits having correfponded with the London 
 <f Correiponding Society on the fubjecl: of a Conven- 
 " tion, and that the Society of which he is a leader had 
 " agreed to fend delegates to it, as foon as the time and 
 " place of meeting ftiould be divulged. 
 
 " A requifition has been made by the magi/lrates and 
 * principal inhabitants of Paifley, for a military force 
 " to protect them in the execution of their duty, and 
 ** in their perfons and property; which has been duly 
 '* attended to. It is with mnch fatisfaftion I iatbrm 
 
 * Vide Appendix A. (N. * ) 
 
 P you,
 
 f I* ) 
 
 c< you, that the gentlemen of eftate and character in 
 44 the county of Renfrew have voluntarily ftepped for- 
 44 ward, and determined to fupport the authority of the 
 4< civil mngiftratc. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 SIR, 
 
 44 Your moil obedient 
 44 Humble fervant, 
 
 " HENRY DUNDAS. 
 4 Right Honble. Mr. Pitt." 
 
 Whitehall, 21! June, 1794.. 
 SIR, 
 
 " The information I have received this morning from 
 44 Edinburgh, enables me to ftate to the Committee, that 
 *' the tranfadiions communicated in my former letters 
 44 are farther cleared up by the inquiries which have fmce 
 " taken place in that city. 
 
 44 Some of the perfons who abfconded on the firft 
 44 difcovery of the arms concealed in certain houfes, 
 44 have been difcovered and apprehended ; and the re- 
 44 fult of thefe farther inquiries confirms, in almoft 
 44 every particular, the account received from other 
 44 quarters, and the import of which I have already 
 " laid before the Committee. The eirablifhrnent of a 
 " Secret Committee at Edinburgh, inverted with full 
 *' powers to direct the future operations of the Societies 
 *' throughout Scotland; the regular correfpondence 
 " privately carried on by means of emiflaries difpatched 
 <c to the different towns; the afcertaining the exact 
 ' number of perfons in thefe Societies, who were di 
 reeled to provide themlelves with arms, and to hold 
 theinfelves in readinefs for any meafure which the 
 Secret Committee might in due time communicate, 
 are confirmed by every account and information 
 " which the magiftrates have received. And an indi- 
 " vidual who has been lately taken into cuftody has 
 f 4 confirmed the account received from a different quar- 
 " ter, of the dangerous deilgn planned by the Edin- 
 " burgh Committee, of effecting a general infurrecYion 
 '* ns loon as they \vere ready and prepared for carrying 
 I 4 , it .into execution, by the feizure of the principal 
 " magiltratcs and officers of the law at midnight, and 
 '? " pof-
 
 C 9 ) 
 
 " pofleffmff themfelves of the pri-fons and public office':,' 
 " as ftated to you in my letter of the 23d Mayj and' 
 " then communicated through a different channel from 
 *< that through which the prefent confirmation of thcfe 
 circumftances has been received. The plan fcems not 1 
 *' only to have been di leu fled and deliberated on by the 
 *' ringleaders at Edinburgh, but to have proceeded a 
 " certain degree in its fteps towards actual execution, 
 <* which appear to have been conduced with theutmoft 
 " caution ; and there is reafon to believe, that the exe- 
 <c cution of the plan was not to be confined to Edin- 
 " burgh, but was meant to take place in fome of the moll 
 " considerable towns in Scotland on a certain day, and 
 *' at one and the fame time. The proper and ufual fteps * 
 " have been tiken for bringing the offenders to trial ; 
 " and thole againft wliorn the information chiefly points 
 " are detained in cuftody. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " SIR, 
 <c Your moft obedient humble fervant, 
 
 HENRY DUNDAS. 
 Right Honble. Mr. Pitt." 
 
 From what has been ftated it appears, that 'the defign of 
 arming, as far as it has yet proceeded, has been conducted 
 with great fecrecy and caution, and, at the fame time, with 
 a remarkable degree of uniformity and concert in parts of 
 the kingdom remote from each other. The weapons princi- 
 pally provided feem to have been peculiarly calculated for the 
 purpofes of ludden violence, and to have been chofen in con- 
 formity to the example of what has recently pa/Ted in France. 
 Theadlual progrels made in the execution of the defign, du- 
 ring the fttort period of a few weeks, fufficiently {hews what 
 might have been expected, if the focieties had proceeded, 
 without interruption, in "mcreafing the number of their 
 members, and the fund for providing arms. 
 
 YOUR COMMITTEE will next proceed to lay before 
 the Houfe an account of various remarkable circumftances 
 which have appeared in the courfe of this inveftigation, and 
 which furnifli ftriking inftances, either of the general prin- 
 ciples on which the chief promoters of this plan have acted, 
 or of fpecific meafures which they had in contemplation, and 
 D 2 "which,
 
 which, from their nature and importance, deferve to be par* 
 ticularly noticed. 
 
 The general difpofition of the perfons engaged in thefe 
 rtieafures, to applaud and promote the new political principles 
 adopted in France, has been ftated in the former report, and 
 will be more detailed in the fequel ; but it feems proper to 
 your Committee here to mention fome of the letters of two 
 of the moft active members of the Correfponding Society, 
 which fhew their adherence to the caufe of France in the pre- 
 fent war; their conviction of the connexion between that 
 caufe and their own objects ; and their views even of avail- 
 ing themfelves, if poflible, of the a0iftance of the French 
 arms in carrying their defigns into execution. 
 
 In a letter from Hardy to the United Societies at Norwich, 
 dated the i?th October, 1793, which is inferted in the Ap- 
 pendix, there is this remarkable paflage* " The rejoicings 
 " for the capture of Valenciennes were not confined to 
 *' Norwich alone. The ignorant every where elfe through- 
 *' out the nation betrayed their imbecility on the occafion ; 
 <e but the taking of a town ; the Slaughtering of thoufands of 
 " human beings ; the laying wafte whole provinces, or the 
 " enflaving a nation (however great evils they may be) can 
 " only, for a fmall fpace of time, retard the prcgrefs of 
 " truth and reafon : Be not dijheartcned therefore^ purlue your 
 " plan, infiruct mankind, and conftitutionally fet your faces 
 lt againft exifting abufes : Be affured that many are our 
 '* friends, who only wait a favourable opportunity openly to 
 t join us, while our enemies have much enfeebled them- 
 " ielves and their caufe by arbitrary exertions : Defpotifin 
 " is at its laft gafp; one or two campaigns more will ter- 
 u minate its exiftence." And in a fubfequent letter from 
 Jv'argarot to the United Societies at Norwich, dated in 
 March laft, the fentiinents expreffed are ft ill more ftriking :-|~ 
 " This morning ten Ihips of war have left Spithead for the 
 *' channel, and it is reported that the Breft fleet is out. Ru- 
 i( rnour, always magnifying things, fays, there are feventy 
 " fail of the French at fea, if /0, there mujl be a number of 
 " ttanfforts won? them, and a DESCENT MAY PROBA- 
 ELY BE THE CONSEQUENCE. For God's fake, my 
 
 " wortly friends, do not relax in the caufe cf freedom Continue 
 as you have begun ; confalidatt your own Societies \ unite with 
 
 Appendix B. (No. I.) ^ Appendix B. (No. 3 ) 
 
 " other* ;
 
 *' others ,per/evere, . and make no doubt but fooxcr or later ymr 
 " endeavours will be crowned with fucce/s." At the time of 
 writing this lait letter, Margaret was no longer in a fituatioii 
 to take a part in the proceedings of the Society, being tbea 
 on board the veuel in which he was to be transported. But 
 it appears to your Committee, thatthefe expreffioas from him. 
 are of no frnall importance, confidering the fhara which he 
 appears, by much concurrent evidence, to have had, previ- 
 ous to .his conviction, in directing the meafurcs which were 
 adopted ; the uniform approbation and attachment which 
 thofe Societies have (hewn him fince that date ; and above 
 all, that thefe very fentiments are adclrefled to the United So- 
 cieties at Norwich, and that the mention of an expected de~ 
 fcent from France is immediately followed by an exhortation 
 to them to proceed, with frefli vigour, in the puriuit of their 
 defigns in this country. 
 
 The fame fpirit appears in a letter from the Secretary of 
 the Correfponding Society in the month of January, 1794 :* 
 < Now is the time for us to do fomethinv worthy of men ; the 
 fl brave defenders of liberty fottth of the Englijb channel are per - 
 ^'forming wonders, driving their enemies before them like chaff 
 " before the whirlwind" 
 
 Your Committee place Icfs reliance on accounts of words 
 ufed in converfation, than on evidence refuiting from writ- 
 ten documents ; but they, neverthelefs, think it proper to 
 mention, that it has been diftinclly ftated in evidence, that, 
 in the prefence of two or three principal members of the 
 Correfponding Society, a perfoa (whofe name was men- 
 tioned/ ufed the expreffion, fpeaking of the French, that a 
 viftory of theirs in Flanders was as ufeful to the caufe as 
 a victory in St. George's Fields; and the fame perfon sp- 
 pears to have held a converfation with thefe members o.f the 
 Society, relative to the advantage which would be derived if 
 the French could land 5,000 men in this country, to join 
 thofe who ihould rife hete. 
 
 Another leading circumftance has appeared to your Com- 
 mittee, which, however ineffectual it- has naturally proved, 
 furnifhes a ftrong collateral proof of the extent of the view- 
 entertained, and that no means, however criminal, were. 
 pegle&ed for promoting them. The circumftance referred 
 
 * Appendix P. (No. :.) 
 
 to,
 
 to, Is a defign, which has been the frequent fubject of con- 
 reflation among lome members of the Correfponding So- 
 ciety, of endeavouring to feduce the army from their duty, 
 and the actual employment of emiffaries to tamper with the 
 foldiers. In conformity with thefe views it alfo has appeared, 
 that it was intended to prepare an addrefs to the army ; and a 
 paper has been difcoverecl in Scotland, which has been already 
 referred to, the object of which \vas to endeavour to excite 
 difaffection in the tencible regiments in that part of the king- 
 dom, and which has actually been circulated with much in- 
 duilry among the foldiers of thatdefcription. 
 
 Various other fchemes of the moft daring and criminal 
 nature, are alfo ftated, on the evidence of perfons who were 
 prefent, to have been, at different times, the ftibject of con- 
 verfation among perfons, the greateft part of whom were 
 members of this Society. It even appears, that a project has 
 been particularly and repeatedly agitated among them, of 
 linking a fudden blow, and beginning by fecuring the Royal 
 Family, and the Members of hoth Houfes of Parliament, 
 with the hope (as it was exprefled) " that the army, being 
 " without leaders, would no longer oppofe their attempts." 
 Particular individuals have been pointed out in thefe con- 
 verfations, as objects of perfonal vengeance for their public 
 conduct. Evidence has been given of difcourfes held con- 
 cerning the refcue of the delegates of the Scotch Conven- 
 tion, while on board the transport in the river. An attack 
 on Newgate was meditated, according to a particular plan 
 referred to in the converfation, with the view of releafing 
 the priibners. A fhnilar converfation was held with refpect 
 to an attack on the Tower ; and in the letter from the Se- 
 cretary of State, which has been inferted in a former part 
 of the Report, it appears^ that there is direct evidence of a 
 plan regularly concerted at Edinburgh, for feizing, at an 
 appointed time, all the public offices in that city, the banks, 
 and the principal members of the courts of juftice ; and for 
 making a fimilar attempt (in confequence of a fecret concert 
 among the members of the Societies in different places) at one 
 and the fame time, in foir.e of the moft confiderable towns in 
 Scotland. 
 
 Your Committee <lo not flnte the various circumftances 
 have been enumerated in this part of the Report, as 
 that thefe extenfive projects, as far as relates to 
 .Lngbnd, were as yet regularly digefted, or in fufficient 
 
 forward-
 
 fonvardnefs for ac~lual execution; but . the evidence before 
 them gives them every reafon to believe that thefe views have 
 been deliberately entertained, and made the repeated fubjeft of 
 converfation ; and they cannot but confider them as ftrong in- 
 dications of the principles and intentions of the parties con- 
 cerned, and of the nature of the meafures which might have 
 been expected if they had proceeded, without interruption, in 
 increafing their numbers, and in providing arms in the different 
 mod-es already flated. 
 
 There remains another circnmftance, which, however, as 
 far as it has yet been investigated, is traced diitinclly only to 
 two individuals, both of whom were members of the Corref- 
 ponding Society, and principally'concerned in fome of their 
 molt remarkable tranfadions : whether any other members of 
 the Society were or were not acquainted with it, has not ap- 
 peared to your Committee. Three copies have been produced 
 to your Committee (in all material parts conformable to each 
 other) of a paper which purports to be a draft of refolutions 
 intended to be propofed at the meeting which took place at 
 Chalk Farm on the I4th of April, 1794. From the blank left 
 for the place of meeting, it feems probable that it was prepared 
 before that place was fixed upon : the ref01utions are different 
 from thole which paifed at the meeting, and there is no reafon 
 to believe that they were in fact propofed there ; but diltinl 
 evidence has been given of the hand-writing being that of the 
 perfon in whofe polfellion one of the copies was found, who is 
 alfo proved to have (hewn them as the refolutions which he in- 
 tended (hould be propofed at the meeting ; and the two other 
 copies were found among the papers of one of the moft active 
 members of the Society, who appears, previous to the meeting 
 at Chalk Farm, to have been appointed, in conjunction with 
 fome others, to arrange the meafures to be adopted, and at 
 whofe fuggeftion (fubfequent to that appointment) the meeting 
 is dated to have been poftponed beyond the time originally pro- 
 pofed, becaufe (as he is faid to have reprefented) more time was 
 neceifary to make known the fentiments of the Society in bold 
 and nervous refolutions. Your Committee think it right to in- 
 fert here the paper itfelf, on which they will forbear to make 
 any comment. 
 
 A*
 
 '* At a General Meeting of the London Correfponding Sc- 
 " ciety, held at on Monday the i4th day of 
 
 " April, 1794. 
 
 " Citizen in the chair, 
 
 " Refolved, That all fovercign, Icgiflative, and ju- 
 * l dicial powers are the rights of the people ; and though 
 the people have delegated thofe their original powers to 
 others, in tntft^ for the benefit of the community, yet 
 te the rights themfelves are referved by the people, and 
 " cannot be ahfolutely parted with by the people to 
 * thofe perfons who are employed to conduct the bufineft 
 < of the Hate. 
 
 " Refolved, That the Conftitution of England is held 
 tl by the King, Lords, and Commons, and other officers 
 ' appointed by the people, in triift, for the benefit of the 
 * 4 people ; and though thefe trnftees may regulate and 
 *' improve the Conftitution, yet they cannot alter or 
 " fubverl it without committing treafon againft the na- 
 " tion. 
 
 Refolved, That Magna Cbarta, or THE GREAT 
 " CHARTER OF THE LIBERTIES OF ENG- 
 " LAND, made in the reign of King John ; THE 
 " PETITION OF RIGHTS, afTented to by Parlia- 
 *' ment in the reign of King Charles the Firft ; and the 
 " feveral laws made at and in confequence of the glori- 
 " ous Revolution in the year i68b, are declaratory of" thofe 
 *' parts of the conftitution of England, which are in and 
 * by them refpeclively declared. 
 
 " Rcfclved, That the office of KING of England was 
 " not iniHtuted by the people merely as an office of profit 
 " and honour to the King, but he was fo appointed as 
 ** chief trultoe and guardian of the conftitution and rights 
 " of the people ; and that important and laborious per- 
 " fonal duties are annexed to the regal office, the objects 
 " of which are, to promote the good of the people, and 
 " preferve their rights in full vigour from innovation and 
 " corruption. 
 
 " Refolved, That it is the duty of the King to pre- 
 '* ferve the conftitution of England and the rights of the 
 " people againfl every incroachment ; and, in order to 
 " enforce that duty, the following oath is required to be 
 " taken by every King on his acceflion to the throne of 
 '* Great Britain ; to wit : the Archbithop or Bifhop (hall 
 " /ay will you folemnlv promife and fwear "to govern 
 a " the
 
 * c the people o.f this kingdom of England, and the uo- 
 " minions thereto belon^in^, according to the tlatutes in 
 *' Parliament agreed on> and the laws and cuftoms of the 
 '< fame:* 1 
 
 " The King or Queen {hall fay, " I folemnly 
 " promiie fo to do." Archbifhop or Bifhop. " Will 
 " you to your power catife law and juftice in' mercy to 
 " be executed 'in all your judgements?" ANSWER. 
 " I will." 
 
 " After this, the King or Queen, laying his or her 
 " hand on the Holy Gofpels, fhall fay" The things 
 *' which I have before promifed, I will perform and 
 ' keep ; fo help ma God j" and then ihall kifs the 
 book." 
 
 * f Refolved, That his prefent Majefty, King George 
 " the Third, on his accclfion to the throne of thefe 
 *' realms, did folemnly take the Lid oath." 
 
 " Refolved, That the conftitutional rights of the people 
 *' have been violated, and that it is the duty of the people, 
 " in the prefent alarming crifls, to aifembb and inquire 
 " into the innovations or infringements which have been 
 " made upon the rights of the people, and how far the 
 *< declarations of the conftitution, as they were fettled at 
 ** the aforefaid revolution, remain in fore", and which of 
 * c them have been violated, and by whom ; and alfo 
 " whether fuch innovations, infringement?, and viola- 
 " tions, have been committed from the negligence or 
 " corruption of thofe who have been intruded with the 
 ' government of the ftate. 
 
 '* Refolved, That this S^ciety do invite the people to 
 " meet in their refpedtive neighbourhoods, to ele6l one 
 ** or more perfon or perfons as delegates, to meet in a 
 *' Convention to be held on the day of 
 
 " next, at fuch place as Ihall b? appointed by the f.cret 
 " committee of this Society; anJ that th^ delegates fa 
 '* e!eled do forthwith tranfmit to thi Secretary of this 
 *' Society, No. 9, Piccadilly, London, the vouchers of 
 " their feveral eleflions, in order that the place of meet- 
 '* ing may be duly notified to them. 
 
 " Refolved, That it is the right and bnunden duty of 
 V the people to punifli all traitors againlt the nation, ?rd 
 " that the following words are now not a part ot the oath 
 '* of allegiance ; to wit, {{ I declare that it is not lawful, 
 *' upon any pretence whatever, to take, arms again,: the 
 " King." 
 
 E . Before
 
 f 26 ) 
 
 Before the Committee quit this part of the fiibjecl, fhejr 
 think it not immaterial to take fome notice of the different 
 means u fed to diffeminate fuch principles as. have been (rated 
 through the lower orders of fociety, and to familiarize their 
 minds, by every poflible artifice, to fuch ideas as might prepare 
 them to be the inftruments of the moft dangerous and defperate 
 defigns. Some of thefe means may at firft fight be confidered 
 as too trivial to be mentioned on an occafion of this import- 
 ance ; but they appear to your Committee in a very different 
 light, when they recollect that an efTential part of fuch plan as 
 has been in agitation, was to feduce and corrupt the thoughtlefs 
 and uninformed, and to make ufe of the channels of commu- 
 nication bed adapted to this purpofe. The appearance of inflg- 
 nih'cance and levity, which belongs at firft fight to this part of 
 the fyftem, is, in truth, only. an additional proof of the art 
 and induftry with which it has. been purfued. The meafures 
 employed for this purpofe appear to have been deliberately pre- 
 pared, and every contrivance ufed to mix them (in the .fhape 
 rnoft likely to captivate attention) with the ordinary occupations 
 or amuferr.cnts of thofe on whom they were intended to operate. 
 Accordingly lectures have been delivered on political fubjecls, 
 calculated from their very extravagance to catch the attention of 
 the audience, and in the courfe of them every topic has, been 
 employed that could inflame their minds, alienate them from 
 ;he laws and conftitution of their country, and habituate them 
 to principles of fedition and rebellion. The moil violent pub- 
 lications to the fame effect have been fecretly, but generally, 
 circulated in hand bills, both in the metropolis and in the re- 
 mote parfs of the country. Every point that could excite dif- 
 content, according to the purfuits, interefts, or prejudices of 
 different chiles, has been fucceflively dwelt on, and always in 
 fuch a manner as to conncdl it with the leading deiign. The 
 attempt to accompliih this end has appeared in the lhape even 
 of play bills and fongs ; feditious toafts ; and a ftudied felec- 
 tion of the tunes which have been moft in ufe in France fmce 
 the revolution, have been applied to the fame purpofe, of en- 
 deavouring to render deliberae incitements to every fpecies of 
 treafon familiar to the minds of the people. 
 
 HAVING thus dated the points which the Committee have 
 thought it material feparately to lay before the Houfe, they will 
 now proceed to thofe particulars which will give a full and 
 diftin-t view of the rife, progrefs, and nature of the general 
 .defign with which.the fads already Hated are efifentially con- 
 2 ne&ed j
 
 Hefted ; for this purpofe your Committee will ftate in theif 
 Report the points which appear moft worthy of attention, in* 
 ferting in the Appendix a more particular itatement of the fe- 
 veral proceedings to which they refer. In doing this, it will 
 be neceifary to advert to tranfadions, fome of which took place 
 at an early period, and have already attracted obfervation ; but 
 which it is neverthekf; material to infert in the order in which 
 they took place, becaufe they are highly important in explain- 
 ing more recent proceedings, and giving a connected view of 
 the whole fyilem. 
 
 The period from which it appears to your Committee ma- 
 terial to tra.ce in this view the proceedings of the Society f'.r 
 Conftitutional Information, is that of the publication ot the 
 pamphlet fo well known under the title of " Rights of Man, 
 < by Thomas Paine." 
 
 Your Committ q have already referred, in their former Re- 
 port, to the approbation given by the fociety to this worjc i and 
 this is one of the points on which they fhould not think it necef- 
 fary now to dwell, if they did not feel it eiTential to the object 
 before dated, of developpiqg the rife and progrefs of the fyitem 
 which they are tracing, to call the attention of the Houfe to the 
 leading features of a work thus approved and recommended, ia 
 order to compare it with fubfequent tranfadions, of which it 
 may be confidered as the foundation, 
 
 In this pamphlet, publifhed in the year 1791, the National 
 AfTembly of France was reprefented as occupied in eftablifhing 
 a conftitution founded on the rights of man, and the authority 
 of the people, the only authority on which ,it was ftated) go- 
 vernment had a right to exiji in any country; monarchy and here- 
 ditary fucccjfiin were treated as abfurdities ; the revolution of 
 1688, and the fuccefjlon of the Houfe of Hanover, were alfo 
 made the fubjecl: of ridicule ; and a diftincYion was drawn be- 
 tween two modes of government, which were Hated to prevail 
 in the world : firrt, government by election and reprefcntation ; 
 and, fecondly, government by hereditary fucceilion. The 
 former generally known by the name of republic, the latter 
 by that of monarchy and ariitocracy. On the 23d March, 1791? 
 the fociety refolved, " That the thanks of the fociety mould be 
 " given to Mr. Thomas Paine, in the terms expreiled in t'--.c 
 " copy of their refolutionsof this day, "infcrted in the appendix.* 
 
 * Appendix C. 2jd March, 1791. 
 
 2 A con*-
 
 ( rt ) 
 
 A continuation of Paine's book, intituled, " Rights of Man, 
 *' Part the Second, combining Principle and Praflice," was 
 pviblifhed early in. 1792, in which the principles of the Britiih 
 c nuitu;icn were again attacked ; the principles on which the 
 trench constitution, accepted by the King in 1701, had been 
 e(lab!ilhed, were approved, with an exception oi the hereditary 
 fucccjjira to the crown : this pamphlet, recommending the over- 
 throw of the Britiih conftitution, and the efiab'iihment of a de- 
 mocratical fenate, as tiie fole legislative ana executive power of 
 the (late, was alfo circulated with gr;at incitjliry ; and the So- 
 cie'y <or Conftitntional Information, on the i6'.h of March 
 1792,* expreiled their approbation of the work, in anfwer to 
 a letter from tlie Manchefter Conftitutional Society, contain- 
 ing the thanks of that fociety to Air. Paine. On the 23d of 
 .March, 1792,1 the Conftitutional Society at Sheffield applied 
 to the London Society, that twelve of their members might be 
 ad'.nitttd as afTociated members of the London Society ; and 
 th-'re appears in the books of the London Society a printed 
 paper of the Sheffield Society, in which that fociety declares, 
 that the practice as well as the principle of government was la id 
 d iwn in the works intituled, " Rights of Man, Part the Firft 
 ' and Second," in a manner fo clear and irrejiftlbiy convincing* 
 t!iat the fociety refolved to give their thanks to Mr. Paine for 
 thofy publications. 
 
 Other entries, expreffive of approbation of the fame works, 
 and of other feditious publications, frequently appear in the 
 fame books during the courfeof the year 1792.^ 
 
 In Eafter term, 1792, an information was filed in the Court 
 of -King's Ecnch, by the King's Attorney General, againft. 
 Thomas Paine, for writing and publilhirg the laft pamphlet, 
 en which he was convicted in December 1792. During this 
 profecution another pamphlet was publifhed, under the title of 
 , " An Addrefs to the AciJreifers on the late Proclamation, by 
 * Thomas Paine." This pamphlet, after ftating that " two 
 tl revolutions had taken place, thofe of America and France," 
 "ado's, ' both of them have rejected tlie unnatural compounded 
 'i J\/icm of the Engiifa government. America has declared 
 " againft ail hereditary government, and eftabliflied the repre- 
 " fentative fyftem of government only ; France has entirely 
 " rejected the ariftocraiica! part, and is now difcovering the 
 " abfurdity of the monarchical, and is approaching fail to the 
 
 * Ay-p:ndix C. i6-h Mar. 1792, f Arpandix C. 2jd Mar. 1792. 
 
 j Appendix C. 1791.
 
 **-'re'prfetitatrje fyftem."* The pamphlet" then treats mo- 
 narchy, and every fpecies of hereditary government, as a^fraad 
 and impofitien ; aiierts, " for a nation to be free it is fnfficient 
 *' that the wills it ;"t treats the reform of parliament by par- 
 liament hfelf as abfurd ; denies the power of parliament to re- 
 form any part of the conditution ; alferts that it is not a fubje<5fc 
 cognizable before parliament, and that the right, and the exer. 
 cik of that right, appertains to the nation only,:}: and that the 
 proper means is by a rational convention, defied for the pwpoji 
 by all tM people ; that fuch a body, empowered and fupported 
 by the nation, would have authority to demand information 
 upon nil ma:t:-rs r.ecellaiy to be inquired into, and the nation 
 would decree its own revorirs. 'I he pamphlet then dates that 
 the pHn and orgaiu3tictt ot a convention was eafy in prac- 
 tice :> and proceeds to faew the manner in which, fuppoGng 
 t' e inhabitants of England to be fevcn millions, a convention 
 of i.ooo members might be elected in a;i orderly manner ; 
 adding, thar 4i a convention of 1,000 pcrfons, fairly elel-ed, 
 44 would bring every matter to a decided iiuu:. 5 ') This latter 
 p^frpMrt \vp.s not ma^le the fubjeQ of any exprefs refo'^tions 
 of the focieiy ; but during the profecution of Mr. Paine for 
 -the former work, the Society for Conititutional Information 
 entered into a fublcription to defray his expehces, and encou- 
 raged the like Aipport from oilier focietics, as appears by fevc- 
 ral entries in the boohs t f t .e fociety. And this mark of tlieir 
 approbation of liis principles having been continued after the 
 publication laft rhemioned, leems to arFord a full proof tiiat this 
 circumflance had n.ude no change in the fcntimeuti of the fc- 
 ciety towards him. 
 
 The principles laid down in thefe publications appearing"thus 
 to be approved and functioned by the fociety, will be found TO 
 be gradually and fuccellively adopted and aled upon in their 
 proceedings. On the 3Oth ot March 179-.'.,** the London Cor- 
 refponding Society lent to the Society for Constitutional In- 
 formation ievcral refolutior.s, among which were the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 li That every individual has a right to (liaie in the go- 
 { y :rnment of that fociety of \\ Inch he is a member, uuU-f , 
 " incapacitated. 
 
 P. 37. f F. 51. J P. 66. ^ P. 66, 67. |i P. 71. 
 
 $ Appendix C. 1792. ** /ij^.eadix C. 301^1 Mar. 1795. 
 
 " That
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 ** That nothing but non-age, a privation of reafon, oop 
 tc an offence againft the geueral rules of fociety, can in-s 
 ** capacitate him." 
 
 Thefe refoluiions, containing the principle of univerfal fuf- 
 frage, were adopted without referve, and with Itrotig expref- 
 fions of approbation, by the Conflitutional Society. 
 
 On the 2oth of April following, a declaration from a fociety 
 in Southwavk appears entered in the books of the Conftitutional 
 Society, with their thanks for the communicat on.* This de- 
 c'ara ion expreifes more fully the grounds on which the fo- 
 cieties intended to proceed, adopting many important prin- 
 ciples which had been made the foundation of the French re- 
 \olution, in the following terms : 
 
 " That all civil and politico,! authority is derived frorr\ 
 *^ the people. 
 
 " That equal aftive citizenfhip is the unalienable right 
 " of all men ; minors, criminals, and infane perfonsex- 
 " cepted. 
 
 " That the cxer.cife of that right, in appointing an ade- 
 *' quate rcprcfentativc government^ is the wifeil device of 
 " human policy, and the only fecurity of national free- 
 " dom." 
 
 The refolutions of the Sheffield Society having fuggefted uni- 
 verfal fuffrage, and the Southwark Society having added the 
 general idea of a representative government, a fociety, called The 
 Norwich Revolution Society, on the 2.6th of April 1/92, fent 
 a leUer to the Constitutional Society, entered in the minutes of 
 t.herr proceedings on the 4th of May 1/92, in which there is 
 this palfage :t " This fociety is willing to hope the redrels of 
 *' every exifling grievance at the hands of a government refult- 
 V ing from an extraordinary convocation, in 1688, of all who 
 ** had at any preceding time been elected reprefentatives of the 
 V people, affii'led by the hereditary counfeliors of the nation, 
 <f and a peculiar deputatioa from the metropplis, which national 
 *.* conjlituting afj'embly calhiered for mifcondud a King of the 
 " Houfe ol Stuart." 
 
 It feems evidently to be the intention-of this paffage to repre- 
 fent the Revolution of id88 as a precedent for a national conjli- 
 * Appendix C. 2cth Apr. 1792. f Appendix C. 4th May 1792.
 
 ( 3' ) 
 
 titling afjembly, and to fhelter under that authority the indtre 
 recommendation of the proceedings and terms which have re- 
 cently been adopted in France. 
 
 This communication, with orders from different focieties at 
 Norwich, were followed by a refolution, exprefling that the 
 Society for Conftitutional Information received them with bearf- 
 felt fatisfaflion, and defired earneftly to concur and co-operate 
 with thofe focieries in their laudable objects.* 
 
 They alfo elc&ed twelve members of the Norwich Society 
 aflbciated meinb-rs of their own fociety. 
 
 And they added a refolution, that a committee mould be ap. 
 pointed to confider whether any and whaf communications 
 ihould be made, and by what means, by the fociety, with the 
 Society of Friends of the Conflitution at Paris. 
 
 It appears by entries of the nth of May 1792,! that " The 
 '* Society of Friends of the Conftitution at Paris," mentioned 
 in the former refolution, were the Jacobin Club there; and on 
 the fame day it was refolved that there fhould be a communica- 
 tion with that club; and an addrefs was read and agreed to, and 
 ordered to be figned by the chairman, and tranfmitted to Paris. 
 
 Towards the clofe of the fame year, and fome time fubfe- 
 quent to the revolution of the loth of Auguft, which finally 
 cleflroyed all traces of monarchy in France, the fociety refolved 
 to addrefs the National Convention, which was then inverted 
 with the whole legiOative and executive government, and was 
 affembled for the purpofe of framing a new conftitution, and 
 proceeding to the trial of the King. This paper is conceived 
 in terms which leave no room to doubt of the views of thofe 
 who framed it.;}: The addrefs ftiles the Convention " Servants 
 " of a Sovereign People, and Benefactors of Mankind :" It re- 
 joices that the revolution in France had arrived at that point of 
 perjeftion, which enabled the fociety to addrefs the Convention by that 
 title ; and it declares that that is the only title that can accord 
 with the char after of true legijlators : it fpeaks of the proceed- 
 ings of the loth of Augult as a glorious victory, which had 
 finally prepared the way for a conftitution, which the fociety 
 trufted the Convention would eitablifh on the bafis of reafon 
 
 * Appendix C. 4-th May 1792. f Appendix C. nth May 1792* 
 
 J Appendix C. <jth Nov. 1792. 
 
 and
 
 f 32 ) 
 
 and flature. It reprefents the proceedings of the ConvCnt-ort 
 as labours in the work of human happincis, and adds, " 1 HE 
 BENEFITS WILL IN PART LiE OURS, but the glory 
 ** will be all your own ; and it is th'j reward of your perfeve- 
 *' ranee ; it is the prize of virtue." 7 hen, drawing a com- 
 parifon between the itate of liberty in England, America, and 
 France, it not only gives a decided preference to the American 
 republic over the Britiih monarchy, but treats the fplendour of 
 the French revolution as the object of the higheft admira- 
 tion. 
 
 This addrefs was ordered to be prefented by two of the mem- 
 bers of the fociety at the bar of the National Convention i and 
 it was prefented accordingly. 
 
 But the terms of this addrefs are not the only evidence on 
 this head.* An addrtfs, framed a fhort time before by the 
 London Correfponding Society, which had been communicated 
 to the Confutation al Society, arid had received their exprefs 
 approbation, and which was prefentcd likewife to the French 
 Convention, contained pailages clearly expreiling the fame in- 
 tent, and fpggefHng the idea of a triple alliance (not of crowns, 
 but) of the picpie of America, France and Britain, to give free- 
 dom to Europe, and peace to the whole world* 
 
 Thefe tranfa&ions are rendered dill more remarkable by the 
 veibal addrefs of the deputies at the time of prefeniing the ad- 
 drefs of the fociety, and by the anfwer of the prefident, which 
 they tranfnaitted. The letters of the deputies to the fociety 
 have been fci:nd among the papers of that fociety, together 
 with a copy of the addrefs of the deputies, and the anfwer of 
 the prefident. In the firlr, aficr pointing out their wiihes to 
 effect in their own country a revolution fimilar to that made in 
 France, the deputies confider the example of France as having 
 made revolutions caf) ; and add, that it .viuM not be extraordi* 
 nary if, in a ihort fpace of time, the French (hould fend ad- 
 dreifes of congratulation to a Rational Convention of England ; 
 and the prefident in his anfwer f:iys, " The moment, without 
 ' doubt, approaches when the French ilnll bring congratula- 
 " tions to the National Cinvcnihn of Great Britain." 
 
 On the 7th of December 1792^ the letter of the deputies 
 was read in the fociety, as appears by an entry in their books. 
 
 * Append x C. nth O- r r. :-oz t Aj-peadix C- 
 
 And
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 "In January 1793?* Barrere, Roland, and St. Andre were 
 elected (as has been mentioned in the former Report) honorary 
 members of the fociety ; and on the ift February, the fpeeches 
 of Barrere and St. Andre were ordered to be entered on the 
 books of the fociety, and this refolution ordered to be printed 
 in the newfpapers, which it actually was on the 5th of Fe- 
 bruary 1793. 
 
 The circumftance of the time at which this marked appro- 
 bation was publicly given to leading members of the National 
 Convention of France, would render this meafure of itfelfa 
 ftrong indication of the views of the fociety, and as fuch it was 
 referred to by the Committee in their former Report. 
 
 But on more particular reference to the fpeeches themfelves, 
 which were thus recommended to public notice, this tranfac- 
 tion will be found to be of much more importance ; it is not 
 barely an approbation of leading perfons, profeffing principles, 
 and purfuing mearures hoftile to the general iriterelts of the 
 country ; the fpeeches were delivered for the exprefs purpofe 
 of accelerating the condemnation and execution of the French 
 King, The doctrines contained in them diredtly relate to the 
 precife objecl: of a national convention, and to the queftion of 
 the perfonal refponfibility of fovereigns ; they contain a ftate-t 
 ment of the rights, duties, and functions of fuch an aifembly ; 
 which cannot be fuppofed to have been recommended to the 
 public attention for any other poffible purpofe than that of lay- 
 ing the foundation of a fimilar proceeding in this country, and 
 that with the direct intention of employing it for the deftruc- 
 tion of the Sovereign, and the utter fubvcrfion of theconftitu- 
 tion. This concluiion will be fully j unified by an, extract from, 
 the fpeeches in queftion, which are exprefled in terms fo re- 
 markable, that the Committee cannot too ftrongly recommend 
 them to the attention of the Houfe, 
 
 The following paflage is extracted from St. Andre's fpeech: 
 
 " Your right to decide the fate of the King, arifes 
 <' from your being a revolutionary aifembly created by the 
 " nation in a itate of infurre&ion." 
 
 Barrere's fpeech is much more full and more fyftematically 
 reafoned ; it is divided into feveral heads, from which the toU 
 lowing extracts are taken : 
 
 * Appendix C. i8th & 25th Jan. & ift Feb. 1794. 
 
 F This
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 " This proceeding (fpeaking of the trial of the King) 
 '* is of the higheft importance to public order, abfolutely 
 " neceiTary to the exiftence of liberty, and connected with 
 " whatever is held moft facred by the nation. From the 
 " calmnefs and temper which have diftinguiflied the deli- 
 < berations of the Convention on this occafion> it may be 
 ' forefeen that juflice and reafon will direl its ultimate 
 " fentence. Hiftory will record the ftriking contrail be- 
 " tween kings, who in the mid.ft of the diflipation of 
 ' courts fign profcriptions and death warrants for the de-; 
 " flruclion of thoufands of citizens, and the reprefenta- 
 " lives of the people, who deliberate with wifdom and, 
 " caution on the puniihment of a fmgle defpot. 
 
 " It is the deftiny of kings to be the occafion of the ca- 
 " lamities of the people, whether they remain on their 
 " thrones, or whether they are precipitated from them, 
 
 "PART H. 
 
 " Whether the perfon of the Kin% be inviolable ? 
 
 " The people of Paris, by making an holy infurreclioq 
 
 << againft the King on the loth of Auguft, deprived him 
 of his character of inviolability. The people of the 
 other departments applauded this infurreUon, and 
 adopted the confequence of it. The people have there- 
 fore formally interpofed to deftroy this royal inviola- 
 bility. The tacit confent of the people rendered the 
 perfcn of the King inviolable. The act of infurrection 
 was a tacit repeal of that confent, and was founded ou 
 the fame grounds of law as the confent itfelf. The 
 King's perfon is inviolable only with relation to the 
 
 " other branches of the legiflature, but not with relation 
 
 " to the people." 
 
 P A R T III. 
 
 *' Whether an appeal Jh all be made to the people ? 
 
 " The people is the fovereign. 
 
 " A convention differs from an ordinary legiflature in 
 *' this refpeft. A legiflature is only a fpecies of fuperin- 
 *' tending magiflracy, a moderator of the powers of go- 
 " vernfrent. A convention is a perfect reprefentation of 
 < the fovereign. The members of the Legiflative Affem- 
 *' bly acled in Auguil upon thefe principles. In fum- 
 V moning the Convention they declare, that they faw but 
 
 " one
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 ** one meafure which could fave France ; namely, 'to 
 " have recourfe to the fupreme will of the people, and 
 ** to invite the people to exercife immediately that in- 
 " alienable right of fovereignty which the conftitution 
 " had acknowledged, and which it could not fubjecl to any 
 " restriction. The public intereft required that the peo- 
 * f pie fhould manifell their will by the election of a Na- 
 <f tional Convention, formed of reprefentatives inverted 
 tl by the people with unlimited powers. The people 
 " did manifeft their will, by the election of that Conven- 
 tion. The Convention being aflembled, is itfelf that fo- 
 vereign will which ought to prevail. It would be con- 
 trary to every principle, to fuppufe that the Convention, 
 is not alone exclufively the expreflion of the general 
 will. 
 
 " The powers of the Convention muft, from the very 
 nature of the AfTernbly, be unlimited with refpedt to 
 every meafure of general fafety, fuch as the execution 
 of a tyrant. It is no longer a Convention if it has not 
 power to judge the King. 
 
 " A convention is a condiment body, /. c. a body that 
 " is to make a conftitution for the people. A legiilature 
 ** makes laws under an eftablifhed conftitution, and in 
 " conformity to it. It is defpotifm when in the ordinary 
 " and permanent eftablifhment of a (late there is no fepa- 
 '* ration of powers ; but it is of the very efTence of a 
 '* conftituent body to concenter for the time all authority. 
 " It is the very nature of a national convention to be 
 " the temporary image of the nation, to unite in itfelf 
 " all the powers of the (late, to employ them againft the 
 " enemies of liberty, and to distribute them in a new fo- 
 '* cial compact called a conftitution. 
 
 " Behold that Conftituent AfTemhly which laid the firft 
 " foundations of your liberty ! Behold that revolutionary 
 (< genius ! which broke through every impediment, ex- 
 " ceeded its delegated authority, created its own powers 
 " according to the exigencies of liberty, and to the occa- 
 " fional wants of the people, deftroyed all prejudices by 
 " the force of that public opinion to which it gave birth, 
 " obliterated all privileges, abolifhed all the parliaments, 
 " changed the form and tenure of all property, as well 
 " as the meafure- and fign of all value, and made a perjur- 
 '* cd King its prifoner ! Nothing was wanting to im- 
 F 2 *' motuta
 
 ( 36 ) 
 
 f { mortalize that AfTembly, but to have delivered France 
 " from the calamity of kingly government, and to have 
 " relieved you from the duty of judging the lad of your 
 " kings. 
 
 " With this example before your eyes, you hefitate 
 11 even in the firft ftep of your duty. Am 1 then no 
 " longer in the midft of that National Convention, whofc 
 " honourable miffion it was to dtilroy Kings and Royal-' 
 
 HAVING thus traced the proceedings of the Society 
 for Conilitutional Information to the period when the com- 
 mencement of the war with France neceflarily interrupted the 
 developement of their principles and defigns by their correfpon- 
 dence with that country, your Committee will now lay before 
 the Houfe fuch particulars as relate to their proceedings at home, 
 in concert with the London Correfponding Society, and with 
 the feveral focieties in different parts of the country, during the 
 fame period. 
 
 From thefe it will appear That not only thp London Cor- 
 refponding Society, but all the principal focieties in the coun- 
 try, have been regulated under the immediate aufpices of the 
 Society for Conftitutional Information, and have, both in their 
 origin and progrefs, looked up to that fociety for their gui- 
 dance and direction in the purfuit of their common Object : 
 
 That particularly fince the inftitution of the correfponding 
 Society, which appears from a very early period to have had 
 an intimate connection with the Society for Conftitutional In- 
 formation, a fyftem of general correfpondence has been efta- 
 blifhcd, by means of which the principles of that fociety ffuch 
 as they have been already Hated) have been widely diffufcd and 
 tliflem "mated through the country : 
 
 That throughout the whole of this extenfive correfpon- 
 dence, the ftrongeft marks appear of an almoft univerfal agree- 
 ment and co-operation among the country focieties, not only 
 in the general principles to which your Committee has already 
 referred, but alfo in the nature and frame of the Societies, in 
 the fyftem of concert and delegation, and in the particular ob- 
 ject of forming a National Convention for the purpofe of car- 
 .rying their principles into full effe<St ; and that traces of this 
 defign are to be found in a greater or lefs degree at a very early 
 .period of this cortcfuoudence. 
 
 a The
 
 ( 37 ) 
 
 The London Correfponding Society was inftituted in Jam 
 ^792. A general account of the plan according to which it 
 was formed and diftributed into different divifions, has al- 
 ready been given in the la it Report, and a lilt of the number 
 of divifions, which had been gradually eitablilhed, has beea 
 among the papers in the poiTciiion of the fecretary. 
 
 In one of the firft communications from the London Cor- 
 refponding Society to the Society for Conftitutional Infor- 
 mation,* they ftate that " The delegates of the Correfpond- 
 " ing Society think it their duty to acquaint the Couititu- 
 " tional Society, without delay, of the fubicription begun 
 " amongft feveral of their divifions for the defence of the 
 * 4 profecutiou laid to be commenced againlt that worthy 
 f( member of the Conftitutional Society, Mr. Thomas Paine, 
 " in confequence of his valuable publication, intitled " The 
 " Hights of Man ;" and that they had no doubt that a nu- 
 * merous body would be found to follow an example, fo 
 l juft in itfelf, and fo elTential to the fupport of that fmall 
 " portion of liberty which the people of England are ftiil 
 " fuppofed to enjoy. That the approbation and encourage- 
 " me nt which their feeble endeavours had met with from the 
 '* Conftitutional Society, made them defirous of uniting 
 " more ftrongly and more immediately with that fociety, 
 " and for this purpofe they wifhed that fix of their members 
 " might be admitted into the Conditutional Society, after 
 %< the manner of thofe received from the focieties at Sheffield 
 " and Norwich." 
 
 The London Correfponding Society fignify that they are 
 highly favoured by the readinefs of the Conltitutional Soci- 
 ety to admit Six of thtir Members,! and that their fenfe of, 
 the favour fo conferred will be bell expreffed by their clofe 
 attendance at the Inilru&ive Meetings of the Conftitutional 
 Society, and by their conftant endeavours to forward the fo 
 beneficial, and fo much wanted reform of Parliamentary Re- 
 prefentation. 
 
 The following Series ofExtracls is taken from the Corref- 
 pondence, both of the Society for Conftitutional Information 
 and of the London Correfponding Society, with the feveral 
 Societies inftitutedin the country.^ 
 
 * Appendix D. i4th March, 1792. 
 
 f London Correfponding Swcietv, 6th July, 179^. J Appendix D. 
 
 The
 
 The firft is a letter from Sheffield to the fecretary of' the 
 Conftitutional Society, dated I5th January 1792,* ftating 
 that the fociety eftablifhed at Sheffield humhly folicits the 
 advice and afliltance of the Conftitutional Society for the 
 purpofe of forming a connection with all Jimilar Jocieties In 
 England \ and add.s. that information of the methods, terms, 
 and manner of application for the above purpofe, as likewife 
 the admiffion of one of their members into the Conftitution- 
 al Society, will be efteemed a particular favour, and grate- 
 fully acknowledged. In the poftfcript to the letter, an 
 account is given of the origin of the Sheffield Society \ and 
 it is ftated, that it at firft originated in an alTembly of five 
 or fix mechanics, who from converfation about the enor- 
 mous high'p r ' ce f" provifions, the unbounded authority of 
 the monopolifts of all ranks, from the King ro the Peafant, 
 and the wafte of the public property by placemen, pen- 
 iioners, luxury, and debauchery, together with the mock 
 reprefentation of the people, concluded that nothing but 
 ignorance in the people could fuffjr the natural rights of 
 every freeman to he thus violated. They formed a fociety 
 Which was gradually increafing, and divided into feparate bo- 
 dies. They re-pubiifhed Paine's Rights of Man at the low 
 price of 6d. each copy, to which they propofed to annex an 
 abftradl of the noted iniquitous Corn Bill of la ft year. 
 
 The fame Society at Sheffield, -j- in a letter to the Conftftu- 
 tional Society, mention that their numbers increafe, for 
 that moft of the towns and villages in the neighbourhood 
 are forming thernfelves into fimilar affociations, and ftriclly 
 adhere to the mode of copying the Sheffield Society. They 
 return thanks for the kind communications which they have 
 received from the principal members of the Conftitutional 
 Society ; and they enclofe a parcel for the fecretary of the 
 London Correfponding Society, in anfwer to a letter of 
 his, by which he had informed them, that there were in Lon- 
 don a number of mechanics, ihopkeepers, &c. forming 
 thernfelves into a fociety, on the broad ba/is of- the Rights of 
 Man, and defiring to know the manner of concluding this 
 bufinefs at Sheffield : in anfwer to which, the Sheffield So- 
 ciety had given them their manner of proceeding, and hoped 
 it might be of fomeufe, as the improvement they were about 
 to adopt was certainly the beft for managing large bodies in 
 
 * Sheffield, ijth January, 1792. 
 f Sheffield, i4th March, 1792. 
 
 great
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 great and populous towns, viz. dividing them into fmall b<v 
 di.es or meetings of ten perfons each, and thefe ten ptrfons 
 to appoint a delegate ; ten of thefe delegates to form another 
 meeting ; and Jq on, delegating from one to anotber, till at lajl 
 thy arc reduced to a proper number Jor conjiltuting the cqmmittet 
 or grand council* 
 
 The Society at Sheffield exprefs their determination to obtain 
 a radical reform of the country, as foon as prudence and difcre- 
 tion will permit,* and to cflablifh it upon that jyftem ivbicb if 
 conjiftent with the rights of man; for thefe reafons, thty r<_queft, 
 that certain members of their fociety may be admitted into the 
 Conftitutional Society, in order that the Society at Sheffiel4 
 may be ftrengthened, and enabled to extend ufcful knowledge 
 from town to village, and from village to town, until the whole 
 nation be fufficiently enlightened and united in the fame cauft \ 
 which, they fay, cannot fail of being the cajc, wherever the mojl 
 excellent works of Mr. Thomas Paine find rejider.ee> 
 
 The Conftitutional Society at Manchefter tranfmit a copy 
 of their refolution to the Conftitutional Society in Londcn.t 
 in which they refolve that their thanks are due to Mr. Thomas 
 Paine, for the publication of the Second Part of the Rights of Man^ 
 combining principle and practice : they ftile it a work of the bt*/?- 
 cft importance to every nation under Heaven, but particularly to 
 this : they exprefs their hope, that in confequence of the effecl. 
 of this work a complete reform in the prefent inadequate ftatc 
 of the reprefentation of the people will be accompliihed ; and 
 that the other great plans of public benefit which Mr. Paine has 
 fo powerfully recommended, will fpeeciily be carried into eirecl:. 
 
 The delegates of the United Conftitutional Societies at 
 Norwich communicate to the London Society for Conftitu- 
 tional Information a number of refolutions, in which they ex- 
 prefs their happinefs at the admiihon of the delegation from 
 Sheffield, in order to form a plan of general information : 
 they humbly beg to be admitted to the fame favour, and ex- 
 prefs their wljh that all the focietics of a fimilar kind in England 
 were Jlrongly and indijjolubly united in one political body: they 
 return their thanks to Mr. Thomas Paine for his firfl and fe- 
 cond parts of the Rights of Man ; they fmcerely wim that he 
 
 * Sheffield, Z4th March, 1792. 
 f Manchefter, 151)1 Marui, 1792. 
 J Norwich, 241!) March, 17925 
 
 may
 
 f 40 ) 
 
 may fee his labours crowned with fuccefs in the general difFu- 
 fion of liberty and iiappinefs among mankind : they fignify 
 that their numbers are increafing ; and they earnefUy entreat 
 all their brethren to increafe their a. delations, in order to 
 form one grand extcnfive union of all the friends of general li- 
 bd-ty. 
 
 In a letter * to the Secretary of the London Correfpomling 
 Society, the Society at Stockport return thanks to the Corre^ 
 fponding Society for their kindnefs, which they fay will bo 
 ufeful'in the formation of the infant fociety at that place ; that 
 they ftand much in need ot their experience in this particular* 
 They Hate, that they have carefully perufed the addreifes, of 
 which a parcel has been fent them by the London Correfpond- 
 ing Society \ and obferve on their contents m general, that the 
 fentiments hardly rife to that height which they expelled 
 from men fenfible of their full claims to abfolute and uncon- 
 troulable liberty, z. e. unaccountable to any power which they 
 have not immediately cwjlituted and appointed. They further 
 itate, that thefe are their fentiments, whatever be thofe of the 
 London Correfponding Society, though in the prefent ftate of 
 political knowledge it may -he gndent not to avow them openly ; 
 they del ire to be informed of the means of accornplifhing 
 their common object ; and they conclude with the following 
 words : 
 
 (i We obferve one exprefllon, which fays, numerous 
 " other reforms would undoubtedly take place, &c. 
 
 " But we afk, How is that Parliament to be chofen ? 
 " Can we expecl it from the prefent order of things ? 
 *' I'l'ould not the evil be done away at once by the people af- 
 " Jcmhlcd in convention ? Does it appear probable, that 
 " the odious Jaws of which we complain will be abo, 
 <r hibed by any other way ? Can tb; grievances arifing 
 *' frsm ar^flocracy berfdtc{J'cd, ivhile the - - retains his 
 11 prcfcni authority in the icgifiature ? Js the unlve rjal right, 
 *' of confcicnce ever to be attained, white the B. maintain 
 ** their feats on the - - .^ 
 
 " Your thoughts on thefe important points we moft 
 " earneftly defire may be tranfmitted as foon as poilible, 
 <c not directed as the iaft, as we fear it will excite fufpi- 
 ** cion." 
 
 . f( (Signed) 
 
 * Stockport, 27th Sept, 1792. 
 
 A let
 
 , A letter* from Margaro't (the Prefident) to the Friends of 
 Univerfal Peace and the Rights of Man, at Stockport, fays, 
 -' with regard to the publications of the London Correfpond- 
 (t ing Society, they are exprefled in as ftrong terms as pru- 
 *< dence will permit, yet plainly enough to convince the pub- 
 4 ' c lie, that while we expert every thing from an rioneft and 
 * annual Parliament, nothing fhort of fuch a fenate, chofen 
 by the whole nation, will fatisfy us." The letter proceeds 
 to ftate an intention of countenancing the ftruggleofthe French 
 nation againft defpotifm and ariitocracy, by addreffing the 
 French National Convention. 
 
 A copy of the addrefs is inclofed, and a concurrence of the 
 Stockport Society is folidted. The letter concludes thus : " If 
 " on the contrary you difupprove of that mark of zeal towajrds 
 *' the only nation that has hitherto undertaken to reftore man- 
 '< kind to their jiiit rights, pleafe to communicate to us youf 
 " objections. 
 
 _i* 
 
 . A letter t from the editors of The Patriot, to the Secretary 
 of the London Correfpond ing Society, expreffes their com- 
 mendation of the laudable fpirit which has induced the Lon- 
 don Correfponding Society to aridrefs the Cohventiori of France; 
 ftates the encouragement which they had given to the Society 
 alfo to give it their fanclion^ advice; and fupport ; announces 
 that feveral focietics have been formed within the laft three 
 weeks at Edinburgh^ and that they had received fome moft 
 fpirited communications from thence. The letter concludes : 
 we clearly forefee that Scotland will foori take the lead of 
 this country, and conceive it will be ncceflary to take the 
 greateft care that an univerfal communication 1 fliould be 
 conftantly kept up between the feveral focieties, however 
 diftant, and that all Ihould determine to al upon the fame 
 principle, as near as may be, in a regulation and active union. 
 *' It was by this method" that France became fo thoroughly 
 " united, and we ought never to lofe fight of it." 
 
 A letter from the Secretary to the Society at Stockport, to 
 the Secretary of the London Corresponding Society^ has thefe 
 terms : 
 
 * London Corrcfponding Societ^ nth O^l. 179^. 
 t Sfesffield, i5th O&. 1791. 
 
 G ** I *m
 
 ( 4* ) 
 
 <f * I am directed by the Friends ofUniverfal Peace and 
 " the Rights of Man, to inform you that we received two'' 
 " letters from you, the firft dated September 21, re- 
 " quefting us to concert with you in tranfmitting to the 
 <f 1-rench National Convention an addrefs figned by every 
 " member, e. 
 
 " With refpedl to the fubjlancc of this letter, we be- 
 " lieve that the caufc of the French is that of every in- 
 (t dividual Per/on in Europe, that is not fattening on plufi- 
 t( dcr, or through ignorance, obftinacy, and inattention, 
 " fit unconcerned, and will not be perfuaded to confider, 
 *' although inevitable ruin mould be the awful confe- 
 " quence. 
 
 " We therefore think it highly neceflary to add our 
 " friendly aid and ajjijlancc, in order \oJ1irrtulate the op- 
 " P r *ff*d friends of freedom in France againft all the 
 " defeats in Kurope (who are combined againft the juft 
 *< and equal rights of man) by ailuring them that we 
 " view their fignal exertions and wonderful vifiorics with 
 tf admiration, together with the cxtinfiion of treacherous 
 *' royalty, and the reitoring to every individual his equal 
 '< and indubitable rights, as fellow men and free citizens ^ 
 " and that onr hearts are united with theirs as in one com- 
 *' mon caufe, coniidering as in a great meafure their vic- 
 *' tory our emancipation, together with their own. 
 
 " Yet, fhould it ever be the cafe that our Miniftry 
 " fhould be fo perfidious as, contrary to their pledged faith 
 "' of neutrality, to joia the execrable band of defpots 
 '* againft the caufe of freedom, we will ftand forward, 
 " even to the hazarding our lives, by ufing every jufti- 
 *' nable means to counteract: their machinations, and 
 ** give to the friends of freedom all the encouragement 
 " and fupport which we feverally unfupported can 
 4< afford." 
 
 A letter t to the Secretary of the London Society for ConfH- 
 tutional Information flates, that the people of Leicefter are to 
 have their firft adjourned meeting in a few days, and that they 
 fland in need of a fort of creed for immediate publication and 
 one j; from the Norwich Society ftates, that having found, that 
 the Friends of the People, and Society for Conftltutional In- 
 formation, do not exadly agree, they wifh to know the rea(on. 
 
 * Stockport, 3d Nov. 1792. . f Leicefter, 9th Nov. 1792* 
 i Norwich, nth Nov. 1792, 
 
 That
 
 ( 43 ) 
 
 That i-t appears to them, that .the difference was this^ The r 
 Friends of the People mean only a partial reform, becaufe 
 they leave out the words expreiUng the Duke of Richmond's 
 plan, and talk only of a reform ; while the Manchester people 
 feem to intimate, by addressing Mr. Paine, that they wer 
 intent upon republican principles only; to come clofe TO the 
 main question, they defire to know whether the generality of 
 the focieties mean to reft fatisfied .with the Duke of Rich- 
 mond's plan only, or whether it is their private dejign to rip up 
 monarchy by the root, and to place democracy in itsjicad ? The 
 letter then gives an account of the plan which the Norwich 
 Society wifh to obtain, and which has already been moved for 
 at their general meeting, .namely, a full and equal reprefenta- 
 tion of the whole body of the people. 
 
 The Manchefter Reformation Society state,* that the ,caufe 
 of Liberty goes on rapidly in that town ; their numbers in- 
 creafe ; and they defire to be admitted to correfpond with th$ 
 .London Society for Constitutional Information. 
 
 A Society at Leicester t requeft every particular requisite to 
 enable them t eftablilh a constitutional fociety there, fimilar 
 to that in London, and thofe at Manchefter, Stockport, &c. 
 They defire all that is necefiary by the firft mail ; they ftate, 
 that they want laws, orders, principles, creeds, addrefies, de- 
 clarations, and refolutiojis ; and a letter from a meeting at Co r 
 ventry folicits the London Society for Cpnftitutional Informa- 
 tion to tranfmit a plan of the Sheffield, or any other fociety 
 which they may think befjt adapted to produce the end of eftar 
 sblifhing a constitutional fociety at Coventry. 
 
 When the London Correfponding Society found that theif 
 conducl: began to attradt notice, they published a long justi- 
 fication of it, which they communicated to the Society for 
 Constitutional Information. This paper, the profefled object 
 of which is to prove the moderation of the Socjety, and to 
 vindicate them from the imputation thrown out against them, 
 concludes in the following words : " Let us wait, and watch 
 .*' the enfuing feffion of Parliament, from which we havs 
 " much to hope and little to fear. The Houfe of Commons 
 " may have been the fource of our calamity it may prove 
 " that of our deliverance \ fhould it not, we truft we ihull 
 ' 
 
 t Manchefter, i3th Nov. 1792. f LeiceHer, i5th Nov. 1792. 
 
 | Coventry, 2 6tJi Nov. 1792. ^ 3otb Nov. 1792. 
 
 02 ' not
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 rt net prove Ourfelves unworthy of our forefathers, -whofe ex~ 
 * ertions iu the caufe of mankind fo well deferve our irni- 
 ' tation." 
 
 YOUR COMMITTEE have thus given a view of 
 the different proceedings to the clofe of the year 1702. Early 
 in 1793, the joint correfpondence of the two focieties in Lon- 
 don with the country focieties feems to have been directed to 
 the oitenfible purpofe of obtaining petitions to the Houfe of 
 Commons, in favour of a reform in the parliamentary rcpre- 
 fentation, and alfo petitions from the fame focieties againtt the 
 continuance of the 'war. -A feries of letters relating to thefe 
 objects is inferted in the Appendix :* but your Committee think 
 it neceffary to call the particular attention of the Houfe to ex- 
 tracts from fome part of this correfpondence, from which it 
 \vill appear, tha-t the meafure of addrtding petitions to the 
 Houfe of Commons in 1793? on the fubject of parliamentary 
 reform, was adopted without either any approbation of that 
 mode of application, or an^ hope of fuccefs in its profefled 
 object ; and that the focieties approved of thofe petitions, even 
 in the exceptionable language in which they were expreried, 
 with no other view than that of accommodating themfelves, 
 for a time, to fuppofed prejudices and circumitances, and of 
 opening the way to the profecution of their dei'ign in that 
 mode which they have fmce actually purfued, and which ap- 
 pears even then to have been in their 'contemplation. From 
 fome of thefe letters t it is evident, that the London Corref- 
 ponding Society had, previous to the month ot March, 1793, 
 (although the letter itfelf, in which they did fo, has not been 
 found) itated, for the confideration of the country focieties, 
 three propofitions : 
 
 Firft, A Petition to Parliament. 
 Secondly, A Petition to the King. 
 Thirdly, A Convention. 
 
 And in a fubfequent letter of the 4th of March, from the 
 Correfponding Society to the fociety at Sheffield, there is this 
 paragraph : 
 
 { 
 
 * Appendix C. xzth Apr. 1753. f Appendix E. March 1793. 
 
 With,
 
 ( 4S } 
 
 c * With regard to pet ilioning- Parliament, -we ttre nnani- 
 > raoufly of opinion, that fuch a petition witl not produce a re- 
 ft form ; yet from many confiderations we are now perfuaded, 
 " that if every fociety in the ifiand will fend forward a tietition, 
 <{ we fhall ultimately gain ground, forafmuch as it will fores 
 tc the members of the fenate repeatedly to difcufs the fubject, 
 *' and their deliberations, printed in the different newfpapers, 
 c ' will moft naturally awaken the public mind towards the ob- 
 i( jec-t of our purfuit. The nation, once informed that a re- 
 4t form in Parliament is fought for in different quarters, gives 
 " rife to debates in the Houfe of Commons (and is acknow- 
 *< ledged in every rank to be wanting) will begin to exercife 
 " their own reafons on the fubjecl: ; arrived at thatperiod, we 
 (( prefume our bujincfs will be nearly ace amplified." 
 
 In a letter from the United Political Societies at Norwich,* 
 dated 5th of March, 1793, to the Society for Conftitutional 
 Information, they ftate, that they fee a great propriety >in uni- 
 verfal futfrage and annual election ; but wifh to know what has 
 been collected to be the fenfe of the people ; that the Corref- 
 ponding Societies of London have recently fubinitted three pro- 
 pofitions for their inveftigation ; 
 
 Whether a petition to Parliament, or an addrefs to the 
 IC.ing, or a Convention : they fay, that they are a conquered 
 people under that degrading necelTity to ftate their grievances 
 to the Houfe of Commons, with a requeft for redrefs ; and 
 fhould they refufe to grant their reaibnable petitions, they 
 have (till got (no thanks to them) a formidable engine that will 
 convey the infult to the remoteft parts of .the kingdom. As to 
 the propriety of the fecond, they fay, they are dubious of its 
 good confequences. JLaftly, as to a Convention^ they fav, it is 
 the objett that they.purjue ; that they cftecm any, other means, only in 
 Subordination to t and as having a tcndtncy to accomplijh that de- 
 
 Jirable end \ but, they add, wifh ing to be in union with their 
 brethren, they defire to know whether it is neceffary to obtajn 
 iignatures to a petition. 
 
 - 
 
 The anfwer to this letter from Norwich has been already- 
 mentioned in the former Report :t it refers to the three quef- 
 tions ftated, and contains the paragraph inferted in the former 
 Report. 
 
 * Norwich, March, 1793. 
 
 t Correiponding Society, April 16, 1793. 
 
 Where,
 
 A 46 ) 
 
 f Where, then, are we to look for the remedy ? To thar 
 " Parliament of which we complain r To the executive 
 " power, which is implicitly obeyed, if not anticipated in. 
 " Parliament r Or to ourfelves, reprefer.ted in fome meeting 
 " of delegates for the efpecial purpofe of reform, which we 
 
 " fuppofe you undcrftand by the tern: Contention '?" it 
 
 then proceeds : 
 
 " It is the end of each of thefe propofition?, that we ought 
 " to look to ; and as fucccfs in a good caufe mult be the effedt 
 *' of perfeverance, and the rifing reafon of the time, let us de- 
 " termine with coolnefs, but let us perfevere with decifion. 
 " As to a Convention, we regard it as a plan, the moft defi- 
 " rable and moll practicable, ib loon as the great body of the 
 *' people fhall be courageous and virtuous enough to join us in 
 " the attempt. Hitherto we have no reafon to believe that 
 ** the moment is arrived for that purpofe. As to any petition 
 " to the crown, we believe it hopelefs in its conferences. 
 " With refpeft to the laft of the propofals, we are at a lofs to 
 << adyife. If the event is looked to in the vote which may be 
 *' obtained from that body to whom this petition is to be ad- 
 " dreifed, \vhich of us can look to it without the profpe& of an 
 ?' abfolute negative ? In this point of view, therefore, it can-* 
 f* not require a moment's confideration. 
 
 " But if we regard the policy of fuch a meafure, it may, in 
 <e our apprehenfion, be well worth cohfkiering as a warning 
 5' voice to our prefent legislators, and as a fignal for intimation 
 f< to the majority of the people. 
 
 " Should fuch a plan be vigoroufly and generally purfuc-d, 
 c< it would hold out a certainty to our fellow countrymen, that 
 *' we are not a handful of individuals unworthy of attention or 
 * e conficicraTinn, who defire the reftoration of the antient Ij- 
 " bcrties of England; but, on the contrary, it might bring 
 '* into light that hoft of well-meaning men, who, in the dtr- 
 tf ferent towns and counties of this realm, are filently but fe- 
 ." rioufly anxious for reformation ^n the government' 
 
 " We exhort you with anxiety to purfue your laudable en- 
 " deavours for the common good, and never to defpair of th 
 te public caufe." 
 
 The letters of the Correfponding Society of the 1 7th of 
 May, au<i 25th of July, 179?, and of the Norwich Societies 
 
 of
 
 ; ( 47 ) 
 
 of the 5th of July, and various pafFuges in the proceedings of 
 the Scotch Convention, and of thofe of the Society at Sheffield, 
 will be found to contain additional proofs of what has been re- 
 prefented to be the real view and intention of prefenting thefe 
 petitions ; but being fubfequent to the time when thefe peti- 
 tions were preferred, they will be more particularly referred to 
 in dating the transactions during the remainder of the year 
 I ~93 of which your Committee 'will proceed to take notice. 
 ' T "'Sorto ntfrfiw '.; 
 
 After the rejeaion of the petition in May, 1793,* and the 
 determination of the Hotife upon the fubjetl of a change in the 
 reprefentatio.n in Parliament, the correfpondence inierted ia 
 the appendix will fhew, that the union and concert between 
 the two focieties in London feem to have acquired additional" 
 ftrength. It is foon after diftincl'y feted, that more effectual 
 means than petitions nw ft be adopted^ and early in the autumn 
 of 1/93, the joint efforts of the two focieties were directed to 
 the formation of a Convention at Edinburgh, to which dele- 
 gates were to be fent from London, and were invited front 
 many of the country focieties. Many of thefe focieties actually 
 fent delegates ; and of thofe who did not leversl approved cf 
 the meafure, and only objected to t.:c time ; while others, ap- 
 proving both of the time and of the meafnre, declined any lhare 
 in it on account of their not having received a fufpcicntly early- 
 notice, or of their being unable to afford Vne expence with 
 which it was necerTarily attended. 
 
 The immediate foundations of thefe proceedings appear to 
 have been a letter from the Correfponding Society, May 17th, 
 J 793't totne Friends of the People at Edinburgh, which, after 
 cxprelting their defne io units, 'not only iv'ab each ether, but with 
 every ctbcr fcclcty throughout the nation, proceeds ; " Our peti- 
 " tions, you will have learned, have all been unfuccefsful ; 
 ff our attention muft now, therefore, be turned to fome more 
 " effectual means'; and from your fociety we would willingly 
 "" learn them v and you, on your part, mny depend upon our 
 " adopting the firnieft meafures, provided they are conftitu- 
 " tional ; and Vve hope the country will not be behind us." 
 
 A letter from Skirving to Hardy, dated "25^ May, 1793, 
 "Is inferied in the Appendix, and contains many pailages which 
 
 * Appendix C. 21, aSth June,*i793. 
 
 ' t Appendix C. 25, a8th Oft. 8th Nov. and 6th Dec. 1793. 
 J Appendix E. i/th May, 1793. 
 
 appear
 
 C 48 ) 
 
 appear to be vtfry material, but which will be more particularly 
 referred to in the account of the correfpouderice of the Scotch 
 Convention. 
 
 On the loth of June, 1793, the Secretary of the Corref- 
 ponding Society writes to the Secretary to the Conftitutional 
 Society at Birmingham: " We are entirely of your opinion 
 " with regard to the neceflity of a general union \ and believe 
 " as you do, that when once the country mall be fo united, 
 <c the Neros of the day will be forced to yield to the jufl demand 
 ** of a long and fore oppreifed people." 
 
 A letter from the Political Societies at Norwich, which ap- 
 pears to have beerr received by the Secretary of the London 
 Correfponding Society, on the 25th of June, 1793, contains 
 the following paflage : " We received your friendly letter, 
 " wherein you llatcd three propofitions ; firft, a petition to 
 " his Majelty ; or to Parliament ; or a National Convention. 
 " I gave my opinion on the fubjecl to the Conftitutional So- 
 *' ciety at iJondon, and found their ideas congenial to my own, 
 *' viz. an addrefs to the King, fttile ; a petition to Parliament, 
 " as a conquered people, tolerable ; a National Convention^ 
 * if circumflances permitted, bed of all." 
 
 AnoSin a letter from the Secretary of the Correfponding So- 
 ciety, of the 25th of July, I793> which appears to be an an- 
 fvver to the foregoing, it is faid, " With regard to the quel- 
 " tions themfelves, liowever individuals may have made up 
 *' their minds on them, the public feetned mort to approve of the 
 " mode of petitioning Parliament \ we accordingly acqitiefctd, and 
 *' fent in a petition, figned by nearly fix thoufand perfons ; 
 " with this letter you will receive a copy of it, and of its fate 
 '* you are doubtlefs not unacquainted." After faying that their 
 firmnefs is not .confined to words, and that they will be fore- 
 moft in aiTerting and recovering the loft liberties' of the 
 country, the letter recommends to the Norwich Society to 
 form a junction with all others afTociated for the fame pur- 
 pofe throughout the nation ; and above all, orderly and cou- 
 rageoujly to prepare tbemjehcs for the event, as they cannot ex- 
 J>ttf to re-poffcfs their rights without a ftruggle ; that it may be- 
 ndvantageous to humanity, that they ihould ihew themfelvesat 
 firft an indignant opprejjed people t iff whom h not yet entirely ex- 
 tinft the valour cf 'their forefathers*
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 In the month of October the refolutions were patted* in the. 
 Society for Conftitutional Information, and the London Cor- 
 refponding Society, relative to the Convention at Edinburgh, 
 which have been already taken notice of. 
 : 
 
 The Society for Constitutional Information at Sheffield in- 
 fert,-j- in a letter to the London Conftitutional Society, the fol- 
 lowing extracl from a letter, which was fent to the Conven- 
 tion at Edinburgh : 
 
 " That it would have given this fociety the mod heartfelt fa-- 
 cl tisfaction to have had a delegation prefent at their approach- 
 " ing Convention, had we received timely notice of their 
 " wifb.es that it fhould be fo; but it unfortunately happens, 
 <: that all the gentlemen belonging to the Society, which it 
 " would choofe for fo important a bufinefs, are fo previoufly 
 " engaged in affairs which they cannot pofTibly poftpone in 
 " fo fhort an interval, that it is not in our power to comply 
 " with their rcquilition on the prefent occafion. 
 
 " This Society are alfo of opinion, that to give fuch a 
 f * meafure its full cfflft, it would be necefTary that the other 
 " focieties in South Britain fhould have communication 
 u with each other on the fubject, and be able to atcertaiu 
 " that deputations would be lent from, at leaft, a majority 
 " of the focieties in this part of the kingdom. And, to 
 i( evince that we fhould be happy to unite our efforts with 
 " tlicjr's in one firm and fettled plr.n, w afTure them, that 
 * c if they think proper to fix another meeting iri January or 
 " February, cr any other time ivhjch may he faore agreeable y 
 " and give us immediate notice thereof, and that they wifh 
 " to fee delegates from the fevera!"" focieties in this .part of 
 ;< the kingdom, we will write to all thofe'we are in corref- 
 4i pondence with, to get fuch a delegation as may be truly 
 '' refpeclable and important." 
 
 In a letter from the Conftitutional Society at Leeds, dated 
 5111 November, 1793, to ^ ie Society for Conftitutional In- 
 formation in London> is the following paragraph :j 
 
 ci It is with great fatisfaction. we read your letter, and 
 '* approve of your having elected your delegates to ferve 
 
 * Appendix C. 
 
 f Appendix E. Sheffield, ift Nov. 1793. 
 
 I Appendix E. Leeds, 5 th Nov. 1793. 
 
 H f< upon
 
 ( 50 ) 
 
 ** upon fuch a laudable undertaking; but, if you meant fof 
 " the Leeds Society to adopt the fame meafures, fhall -be 
 " glad if you will anfwer this immediately ; as we are not 
 " acquainted with the Time of their fitting, we fear our 
 " delegates will be too late." 
 
 A letter from the Society of Birmingham to the London 
 Conftitutional Society* ftates, that they had received a 
 letter from the Conftitutional Society, which had obtained 
 the approbation of every member piefent, and that they 
 would at all times concur with the Constitutional Society in 
 any tneafure that may have a tendency to haften the return 
 of departed liberty ; that the object of the million of dele- 
 gates to trie Scotch Convention is a meafnre upon which depends 
 the regeneration of Britain from ajlate of Jlavery to a Jlate of 
 freedom and happincfs ; and that the Society at Birmingham 
 have only to regret, that, at prefent, their ability will not 
 allow them to co-operate with the Conftitutional Society, 
 by fending a delegate to the Convention at Edinburgh ; and 
 this they ftate to be one of the calamities of the war. 
 
 The Society at Coventry tranfmit to the London Confti- 
 tutiohal Society, the copy of a refolution of the 28th Octo- 
 ber, 1793,-^ re l ative to the election of delegates, commu- 
 nicating their approbation of a meafure which they con- 
 ceive peculiarly calculated to accelerate the acquifition of the 
 object prepofed. 
 
 THE PROCEEDINGS of the Convention, which af- 
 fembled at Edinburgh in the clofe of 1793, a PP e ar to your 
 Committee to have been of fuch importance, and to throw 
 fo much light upon the fubjecl of this part of the Report, 
 that it has been thought neceflury to give a connected ac- 
 count of them in this place, with references to extradts 
 from the minutes of that Aflembly inferted in the Appendix; 
 and, in order to fender this account more complete, it may 
 be neceflary fhortly to recur to the proceedings of two other 
 meetings which had taken place at Edinburgh at an earlrer 
 period. J 
 
 A number of perfons, filling themfelres a General Con- 
 vention of Delegates from the Societies of the Friends of 
 
 * Appendix R. Birmingham, 6th Nov. 1793. 
 fr Appendix E. Coventry, I9th Nov. 1793. 
 | Appendix F. 
 
 the
 
 ( 5' ) 
 
 the People throughout Scotland, appear, from the papers 
 laid before the Committee, to have affembled at Edinburgh 
 on the nth of December, 1792, for the purpofe, as they 
 alledged, of concerting meafures for obtaining a redrefs pf 
 grievances, and for reftoring the freedom of election, and an 
 equal reprefentation of the people in Parliament. This 
 meeting was compofed of a number of perfons aflembled from 
 different parts of Scotland, and delegated by the various 
 clubs and focieties which had lately been eftabliihed in that 
 country under the name of The Friends of the People. 
 They amounted to about 170, amongft whom were fome per- 
 fons of a higher fituation and rank in life, moft of whom, 
 however, afterwards difcontinued their attendance. Skirving, 
 fmce convicted and tranfported by fentence of the Court of 
 Judiciary, acted as their fecretary, and continued uniformly 
 to act in that capacity. 
 
 After fitting a few days, this Convention appears to have 
 adjourned to the end of April, 1793, wnen tne y again aflem- 
 bled, though not in fuph numbers as before, Skirving ftill 
 officiating as their fecretary, and correfponding with all the 
 Societies in Scotland, and feveral in England, on the fub- 
 jedt of a reform in Parliament. This Convention feparated 
 in four days, and appointed their next meeting to take place 
 at Edinburgh on the 2gth of October following. 
 
 About the time when the firft convention feparated, in 
 April, 1793, a correfpondence feems to have commenced 
 between Skirving (the Secretary) and various focieties in 
 England ; and the fyftem of uniting all thefe focieties iri 
 Great Britain and Ireland, in common meafures, appears to 
 have been regularly acted upon. From a variety of letters 
 found in the poffellion of Skirving when apprehended at 
 Edinburgh on the 5th December, 1793, it appears, that he 
 correfponded, as fecretary of the Scotch Convention, with 
 the following focieties, : 
 
 The Society for Constitutional Information, Crown and 
 Anchor Tavern, London ; 
 
 The London Correfponding Society; 
 
 The Society of the Friends of the People, Free Mafons 
 Tavern, London; 
 
 The Sheffield Constitutional Society ; 
 
 Leeds Conftitutional Society ; 
 
 H 2 Netting-
 
 Nottingham Society for promoting -a Parliamentary Re.-* 
 form; ami 
 
 A Society at Norwich. 
 
 The correfpondence with the Sheffield Conftitutionai 
 Society commences in April, 1793. 
 
 Three letters from their fecretary were found in the pof- 
 feflion of Skirving, to whom they are addrefled. 
 
 The firft of thefe, inclofing a copy of the petition then 
 about to be preiented to the Houie of Commons -The 
 fecond, inclofing a fet of refolutions againil the war, which 
 the fecretary tranfmits, with a requell that they fhould be 
 adopted by all the focieties in Great Britain And the 
 third, dated the 27th of May, after acknowledging the re- 
 ceipt of a letter of the icth of that month from Skirving,* 
 communicating to the Sheffield Society the proceedings of 
 the Convention at Edinburgh, which feparated in April, 
 approves of its proceedings, and flutes an addrefs made by 
 their late prefidcnt to the Sheffield Society, which, after 
 complaining of the late rejection of the Sheffield petition in 
 the Houfe of Commons, declares, that a reform in Parlia- 
 ment can never be brought about but by the powerful hiterfojition 
 of the great body of the people. 
 
 The Society of Leeds begin their correfpondence with 
 Skirviqg, by a letter of the 29th of May, 1793,-^ by dtfiring 
 frateni(il communication with the Society of Edinburgh, re,- 
 quefiing its affiftance and inftruction, and that though their 
 numbers are few, not exceeding 2CO, they are men, and de- 
 termined to infuuct their neighbours in their common in- 
 tereft. 
 
 On the 1 8th May, i?93> the Friends of the People, 
 Free Mafons Tavern, London, pafled a vote of thanks to the 
 Convention which had taken place the beginning of that 
 year, for their zeal and activity in the caufe of parliamen- 
 tary reform,! and recommended a continuance of the fame 
 jpirit, induftry, and temper, during the recefs of Parliament. 
 This vote appears to have been tranfmitted to Skirving in 
 a letter from the fecretary, which requefts, that the vote of 
 
 * Vide Appendix F. No. i. f Vide Appendix F. No. 2. 
 
 J Vide Appendix K. No. 3. i8th May, 1793. ' Vide Appen- 
 
 di* F, No. 4 . 
 
 thanks
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 ihanks might be communicated to the various focleties iq 
 Scotland. 
 
 On the 231! of July, the fecretary of the Friends of the 
 People wrote another letter to Skirving* (apparently ia 
 anfwer to a letter from him on the fubjedt) in which arc 
 the following paflages <f the plan of delegates would be 
 '? very improper in this country at prefent. A very {mail 
 " part of it indeed would he active for reform. If fuch A 
 meeting is attempted, it will operate, like many rafh fleps 
 ." of fome who wiih well to the caule, much to its difad- 
 " vantage." 
 
 Another letter, dated the 29th of October, from the 
 fecretary of the Friends of the People m London, addreffcd 
 alfo to Skirvingj-j*- acknowledges the receipt of feveral copies 
 of the trials of Muir and Palmer, which he fays he will 
 bind up with the trial of Paine, and recommends to the 
 Scottifh Convention to avoid the violence which has done 
 rnifcbief to the caufe of reform in England. 
 
 The correfpondence of the London Correfponding Society 
 with Skirving, previous to May, 1793, ^ oes not a PP ea t> 
 but a letter of the iyth of this Month, from the fecretary 
 to Skirving, which has been already referred to, folicits 
 a renewal of correfpondence, and more intimate co-ope- 
 ration. 
 
 To this an anfwer was returned by Skirving, dated 25th 
 May, 1793, which has alfo been before referred to, and has 
 the following remarkable paiTages : 
 
 te If we fought only the extirpation of one fet of interested 
 *' men from the management of national affairs, that place 
 might be given to another fet, without affeffing the vitals of 
 the faftem aduerfe to reform, this might be eafily accom- 
 plifhed; but to cut up wide and deep rooted prejudices, to 
 give effectual energy to the dictates of truth in favour of 
 public virtue and national profperity, in oppofition to fell" 
 and all its interefted habits, and to withffand and over-awe 
 the final efforts of the powers of darknefs, is the work of 
 the -whole, and not of a fart; a work to which mankind, 
 " till this awful period, were never adequate; becaufe never, 
 f c /;'// nowy difpofed to fraternize. 
 
 * 23d July, 1797. Vif'e Appendix F. No. 5. 
 I 2 9 th Oft. 1793. Vide Appendix F. No. 6. 
 
 Let
 
 ( 54 ) 
 
 ft Let us begin in earneft to make up our minds relative to 
 ," the extent of reform which we ought to feek, be prepared to 
 " jurtify it, and to controvert objections. Let us model the 
 ** whole in the public mind. Let us provide every fiake andjiay 
 '* of the tabernacle which we would eret ; fo that when the 
 *' tabernacles of oppreflion in the palaces of ambition are broken 
 *' down, under the madnefs and folly of their fupporters, we 
 " may then, without anarchy and all dangerous delay, erect at 
 ?' once our tabernacle of righteoufnefs. 
 
 On the 5th of October the Secretary of the London Corref- 
 ponding Society again writes to Skirving,* highly approving of 
 the idea of a Convention, and exprefling bis belief that the 
 London Gqrrefponding Society will fend delegates to it : 
 *' Our freedom, as you juflly obferve, depends entirely on 
 " ourfelves, and upon our availing ourfelves of this opportu- 
 " nity, which once loft may not be fo foon recovered." 
 
 On the 8th of November,t he again writes to the delegates 
 Margarot and Gerrald, then at Edinburgh, informing them or" 
 what had been doing in the fociety fmce their departure ; and 
 requefts to be favoured " with the number of delegates in the 
 " Convention, and the number from England alfo, and how 
 * the civil and military power relifhes your meeting." 
 
 On the 2Qth of November,^ he again writes to them, ftating 
 that the General Committee " are highly pleafed with the pro- 
 t( pofed union with our northern brethren ^ and beg you will 
 * l ufe every exertion in your power to ellablifh that defirable 
 *' union upon a firm and permanent bafis. It gives us great 
 " pleafure and encouragement to hear that the fpirit of liberty 
 " is fo flourishing in the north ; and are happy to inform you 
 *' that the fame noble fpirit is making a rapid progrefs in the 
 " fouth." 
 
 The inftru&ions from the Correfponding Society to Marga- 
 rot and Gerrald, dated the 24th of October, 1793, figned by 
 their chairman and fecretary, were alfo found in the pofleflion 
 of Skirving. They confifl of nine different articles. By article 
 ift, the delegate is inftru&ed, that u he (hall on no account 
 '* depart from the original object and principles of thi 
 
 * Vide Appendix E. 5th October, 1793. 
 
 f th Nov. 1793. Vide Appendix F. No. 7. 
 
 j agth Nov. 1794. 
 
 " focietv,
 
 C 55 ) 
 
 *' fociety, namely, the obtaining annual parliaments, and 
 " univerfal fuffrage, by rational and lawful means : 
 
 " 2d. To fupport the opinion that reprefentatives in Par- 
 " liamcnt ought to be paid by their conftituents. 
 
 " ;th. That it is the duty of the people to refiftany aft of 
 " Parliament repugnant to the original principles of the con- 
 " ftitution, as would be every attempt to prohibit affbciations 
 " for the purpofe of reform." 
 
 The inftrudlions by the Society for Conftitutional Informa- 
 tion to their delegates were alfo found in the pofleffion of Skir- 
 ving ; the purport of which have been already {rated in the 
 former Report of the Committee. 
 
 There was likewife found in the pofleflion of Skirving,* a 
 letter from the fecretary of the Leeds Conftitutional Society, 
 addrefled < to the members of the Scotch Convention, "t and 
 tvhicllis inferted at full length in the appendix. 
 
 From the papers produced to the Committee it appears, that 
 this Convention did accordingly aflemble at Edinburgh on the 
 sSth of Odober laft, to the number of about 150 perfons ; 
 and after fating four days, in the hope of being joined by the 
 delegates from England, they feparated, in the apprehenfion that 
 the Englifh delegates did not mean to attend. Two days after- 
 wards Margarot and Gerrald, with two other perfons, one or. 
 them a delegate from the London Society for Conftitutional 
 Information, and the other a delegate from Sheffield, arrived 
 in Edinburgh. Skirving immediately called together a new 
 Convention, to meet upon the igth of November : and in an 
 advertifement inferted in the newfpaper, called the Edinburgh 
 Gazetteer,! and by hand bills, itrongly urged the neceffity 
 of the delegates throughout Scotland attending to this meeting. 
 
 About the 4th or 5th of November, Meflrs. Hamilton 
 Rowan, and Butler, members of the fociety of United Irifh- 
 men of Dublin, arrived at Edinburgh from Ireland, though 
 with no immediate commiffion on this bufinefs ; but during the 
 week they remained in that place, they, with the Englifli de- 
 legates, attended the meeting of the General Committee of the 
 Convention, in which it was agreed to receive thefe two gen- 
 
 * 1 8th- Nov. 1793. f Appendix F. No, 8, 
 I Appendix F. Mo. 9. 
 
 I tlemen
 
 C 56 ) 
 
 a$ delegates for the Society of United IrifhmeH. Mr. 
 Hamilton Rowan appears to have acknowledged, by voluntary 1 
 declaration before the fheriff of Edinburgh, that he had been fo- 
 liated by letter from Scotland, on the fubje-il of fending dele- 
 gates from the Society of United Irifhmen, to attend the Scotch 
 Convention ; but he declined mentioning the names of theper- 
 fon or perfons who had fd correfponded with him. 
 
 This Convention accordingly met on the iQth cf Novem- 
 ber, to the number of about one hundred arid fixty, and rather 
 a greater proportion of country delegates than before. Rowan 
 and Builcr were by this time returned to Ireland ; but the 
 Engliili delegates remained, and regularly attended the Coven- 
 tion as long as it continued to meet. 
 
 During the three firft days the Convention appears, from 
 its minutes, to have chiefly employed itfelf on matters of form ; 
 but having on the 22ci November, 1/93, changed its title to 
 that of " the Britifh Convention of Delegates of the People, 
 *' aifociated to obtain unlverlal Juff age and annual Parliaments^ 
 they, in almoil every particular, aflu tried the ftile and mode of 
 proceeding adopted by the National Convention of 'France. 
 They divided themfelves into fetions,_ committees of organiza- 
 tion, imtruclions, finance, and fecrecy ; denominated their 
 meetings fittings.; granted honours of fittings; made honou- 
 rable mention in their minute? of patriotic donations; entered 
 their minutes as made in trie fu:t year of the Britifti Conven- 
 tion ; in'lituted primary foeieties ; provincial afTemblies and 
 departments; received from their feel: ions a variety of motions 
 and reports fome of which have the words " Vive la Con- 
 vention" prefixed to them, and end with " ca ira" and fome 
 " dated //'// jw r if the Bri'l/h Convention, or.z and indivifiLle ." 
 
 Having at laft, on the aSth of November, v. ith peculiar fo- 
 lemnity, puffed a refolution, which neceflarily attracted the 
 attention of the law officers of the crown, the ringleaders, with 
 all their papers, were leized, early on the morning of the y\\ 
 of December, and carried before the proper maeiftrate for 
 examination. The refolution alluded to, and which appears 
 from the minutes 'extriicls from which are Rated in the appen- 
 dix) to have been the fubjecl of frequent and deliberate coaiide- 
 ration, was deemed by the Convention as not expedient to be 
 inferted immediately in its proper place. The infertion of it 
 appears to have be~n po.'lponed till the clofe of the Convention, 
 and n bh;:.k was ui't .'<->; that purpofe in the minutes. The 
 
 motion,
 
 ftvotibri, with the refolutions founded thereon, was difcovered 
 amongft the papers of the delegate from the Society for Con- 
 ftitutional Information in London, and is of the following 
 tenor ; 
 
 " Refolved, that the following declaration and refolu- 
 " tions be inferted at the end of our minutes ; viz. 
 
 " That this Convention, confidering the calamitous 
 *< confequences of any act of the legiflature which may 
 *' tend to deprive the whole or any part of the people of 
 " their undoubted right to meet, either by themfelves or 
 " by delegation, to difcufs any matter relative to their 
 4t common intereft, whether of a public or private na- 
 ft ture, and holding the fame to be totally incontinent 
 *' with the fir.'t principles and fafety of fociety, and alfo 
 " fubverfive of our known and acknowledged conftitu- 
 " tional liberties, do hereby declare, before God and the 
 t( world, that we lhall follow the \vholefome example of 
 " former times, by paying no regard to any act which 
 " (hall militate againft the conititution of our country, 
 ** and (hall continue to aflemble and confider of the beft 
 tf means by which we can accomplish a real reprefentation 
 * of the people, and annual election, until compelled to 
 <* defift by fuperior force. 
 
 " And we do refolve, That the firft notice given for the 
 " introduction of a Convention Bill, or any bill of a 
 " fimilar tendency to that pafled in Ireland in the laft fef* 
 " fion of their Parliament. 
 
 <e Or any bill for the fufpenfion of the Habeas Corpus 
 ** Act, or the a5l for preventing wrongous imprifon- 
 *' ment, and againft undue delays in trial in North 
 " Britain; 
 
 " Or in cafe of an invafion ; or the admiflion of 
 " any foreign troops whatfoever into Great Britain or 
 Ireland; 
 
 " All or any .one of thefe calamitous circumftances, 
 *' mall be a fignal to the feveral delegates to repair to 
 " fuch place as the Secret Committee of this Convention 
 *' (hall appoint ; arid the firft feven members (hall have 
 " power to declare tkejittings permanent, fhall conftitute 
 *' a Convention, and twenty-one proceed to bufinefs ; 
 
 " The Convention doth therefore refolve, that each de- 
 
 <{ legate, immediately on his return home, do convene 
 
 " his conftituents, and explain to them the neceflity of 
 
 ' elc&ine a delegate or delegates, and of eftabliiliing a 
 
 I fvnd,
 
 ( 58 ) 
 
 " fund, \vithoutdelay, againft any of thefe emergencies, for 
 " his or their expence ; and that they do inilrul the faid 
 " delegate or delegates to hold themfclvcs in readiaefs at 
 ** one hour's warning." 
 
 Thefe resolutions appear, from the minutes, to have been 
 immediately followed up by the appointment of a fecret com- 
 mittee, whofe powers and mode of proceeding are precifely 
 and dittin&ly marked out in the minutes of the Convention. 
 It is proper farther to (late, that on the 4th of December, the 
 day preceding the arreft of th'e ringleaders, when they probably 
 had either received information, or had fufpe&ed from their 
 own conduct that meafures were to be taken againit them, 
 the Convention, on the motion of Margaret, unanimoufly 
 refolved, 
 
 " That the moment of any illegal difperfion of the Bri- 
 " tiih Convention fhall be-confidered as a fummons to the de- 
 " legates to repair to the place of meeting appointed for the 
 " Convention of Emergency by the fecret committee ; and 
 * c and that the fecret committee be inftrudled, without delay, 
 * to proceed to fix the place of meeting/' 
 
 Upon the evening of the 5th of December, the Convention 
 met, notwithftanding the arreft of their leading members on 
 'the morning of that dayj and proceeded inftantly to declare 
 themfelves permanent, and to meet in fpite of the- magiftrates ; 
 but were prevented from proceeding further by the unexpected 
 appearance of the magif. rates, to whofe authority they refufed 
 'to fubmit, until the provoft of the city feized the Sheffield 
 delegate, their prefident, and compelled him to leave the 
 .chair. They again met on the evening of the 6th of De- 
 cember, in a hotife in the fuburbs of the city, and were pro- 
 ceeding with the fame violence as on the preceding evening, 
 when the fheriff of the county interrupted and difperfed them. 
 Since this period no public meeting has been held ; but they 
 have continued to meet privately and in different focietics, and 
 appear ftill to carry on a fecret correfpondence with Various parts 
 of England and Scotland. An abftracl: of the minutes ot this 
 Convention,* and of the moil material motions and pro- 
 ceedings held nmongft thefe perfons, and three letters to the 
 'Secretary of the Correfpontling Society, are fubjoined in the 
 Appendix to this Report. 
 
 * Appendix F, No. 10, n, 13 and 13. 
 2 ' SUBSE-
 
 ( 59 ) 
 
 SUBSEQUENT to the difperfion of the Scotch Convention, 
 the plan for calling another convention in England became 
 the immediate objed of the two focieties in London. An ac- 
 count of their proceedings for this purpofe has already been 
 laid before the Houfe in the former Report ; but in order to 
 - give a more connne&ed view of the \vhole fubjecl, your 
 Committee have inferted, in order of time, in the Appendix, 
 the fame proceedings to which they have already referred. 
 Your Committee having obferved, that the variation between, 
 the entry on the books of the Society for ConiHtufional In- 
 formation, of the nth of April 1794, and the entry of the 
 Report received the fame day, from the joint committee of 
 the two focieties, is likely to be relied on, as tending to mew, 
 that the Society for Conftitutional Information did not concur 
 with their committee in the defign of aflembling a pretended 
 general convention of the people, have inferted at full length 
 in the Appendix, all that appears in the books of the Coniti- 
 tutional Society on that fubjecl:.* They have alfo thought it 
 right to infert the account given of this tranfaclion, in the 
 examination of Mr. Thompfon, a member of this Houfe, to 
 which they refer.t 
 
 In purfuance of the plan which they have adopted, the 
 Committee have next inferted fuch correfpondence and pro- 
 ceedings of the focieties in the country, as have palled fince 
 the difperfion of the convention at Edinburgh, with relation 
 to the meafures to be taken in confequence of that event, and 
 to their concurrence in the defign, formed in London, for afr- 
 fembling another convention in England. 
 
 At a general meeting of delegates held at Norwich, it wa$ 
 unanimously refolved, that one or more delegates mall be fent 
 to the next general convention, as foon as called for by their 
 London correfpondents.^: 
 
 In a letter to the Secretary of the London Correfponding 
 Society from the Norwich Societies, they defire to know 
 whether the Friends of the People confent to a convention, 
 
 * Appendix C. 6th Dec. 1793. loth, 24th, Jan. 21 ft, 28th Mar. 4tlv 
 jith April, and gth May, 1794. 
 
 t Examination of Mr. Thompfon, Appendix G. 
 J Appendix H. Norwich, 241!! Feb. 1794. 
 ^ Appendix H. 2gth April, 1794. 
 
 I 2, and
 
 ( 60 ) 
 
 and whether they will take an a&ive part. Many of or 
 " friends are fully convinced of the necefjlty, legality, and ra-> 
 *' tionality of a convention i but yuere whether the time be ex- 
 " pedient ?" 
 
 Some perfons, who defcribe themfelves as friends to a radical 
 reform, write from Newcaftle upon Tyne * to the Secretary 
 of the Correfponding Society, that they dare aiTert the natural 
 and unalienable rights of man, and have formed themfelves 
 into focieties, which meet weekly, admitting none but known 
 friends, and have affumed no name but that of newfpaper com- 
 panies. They were in great fpirits while the. B r itifh Convention, 
 continued to at ; but after their fuppreffion a damp was caft 
 on the whole Subfcriptions were ready to be fent off the 
 very night they were fuppreifed. They wifh to copy the ex- 
 ample of the London Correfponding Society, and to know 
 their views and intentions as foon as convenient ; and de- 
 firing to be favoured with the correfpondence of that Society 
 they conclude by exprefling a hope, " that the hydra of 
 " tyranny and impofition may foon fall under the guillotine 
 f truth and reafon." The Correfponding Society return an an- 
 fwer, in which they exhort the fociety at Newcaftle to be affured 
 that the glorious reign of liberty and equality will, ere long, be 
 eftablitlied, and modern .governments, with every appendage of 
 wickednefs and corruption, will flee from their genial influence. 
 They complain of the rapid advanpes of (Jefpotifm in Great 
 Britain, and exprefs their readinefs cordially to unite with every 
 fociety in the three kingdoms, who have for their objedl a full 
 and effe&ual reprefentation of the people ; they therefore have 
 deputed fix of their members to meet fix members of the So- 
 ciety for Constitutional Information, to form a committee of 
 correfpondence and co-operation. " This committee meets 
 " regularly twice a week, and any member delegated by your 
 < 4 fociety will meet with every information required. We 
 " inclcfe you a few of our refolutions, entered into at our 
 f general meeting on the I4th of April, which will be fuffici- 
 " ently explanatory of our fentiments and views. We hear- 
 f c tily concur with you in wiihing, that the hydra of tyranny 
 V and impofition may foon fall under the guillotine of truth 
 ?f and reafon." 
 
 f Appendix H. Newcaftle upon Tyne, ift May, 1794. 
 
 A let.
 
 A letter * to the Secretary of the London Correfponcfing 
 (Society, from the Secretary of the Constitutional Society at 
 Sheffield, gives an account of a meeting at Halifax. The 
 friends of peace and reform at Halifax held a genera' public 
 faceting in the open air, on April 2 lit, 1794., at which were 
 rnany friends from Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Bradford, 
 and the adjacent neighbourhood. The friends of freedom, 
 after the meeting, agreed to hold a general meeting of dele- 
 gates, in order to confider of the meajifes to be adopted by them 
 preparatory to a general convention. The people of Halifax 
 were advifed by the fociety at Sheffield, to defer the meeting of 
 delegates until further information from the London Co^rcJ ponding 
 Society on that fubject ; and for that reafon application was 
 made to the Secretary of the London Correfponding Society, 
 requefting as early intelligence as polfible on that important 
 bulinefs. 
 
 The fociety t at Briftol applaud the refolution of the Lon- 
 jdon Correfponding Society for forming another general conven- 
 ,tion^ and ftate, that their increafing numbers give them every 
 reasonable hope of foon being able more effectually to co-ope- 
 rate with that fociety they deflre a (ketch of the plan re- 
 fpetting the general convention. In the anfwer of the London 
 Correfponding Society it is ftated, that a printed circular letter 
 from them has been determined upon, of which the fociety 
 at Briftol may expecl: a copy in a few days. This refers ii 
 the circular letter for calling a convention, inferted by your com- 
 mittee in their former Report. 
 
 Your Committee have thought it right in this place to call 
 the attention of the Houfe to the proceedings of a meeting 
 held at Sheffield on the 7th of April, 1794, which form a 
 very material part of thefe tranfactions ; although it does not 
 appear, that at that meeting any refolution was paiTed expref- 
 fing an intention to fend delegates to the intended convention. 
 
 Thefe proceedings confift of an addrefs to the King; an 
 addrefs to the nation ; certain refolutions ; and fpetches 
 (printed together with them, and) delivered on the fame day 
 by a perfon calling himfelf Henry Yorke. The title is as 
 follows : 
 
 Appendix H. Halifax, iithMay, 1794. 
 Appendix ii. Bfiltol, 4th April, 1794. 
 
 Pro-
 
 w Proceedings of the public meeting held at Sheft 
 *' field in the open air, on the yth of April, 1794; 
 " and alfo, an Addrefs to the Britiih Nation, 
 ** being An Expofition of the Motives which 
 " have determined the People t)f Sheffield ;> f e~ 
 * l titicn the Houfe cf Commons no more on tee Jub- 
 < jecJ cf Parliamentary Reform.' 1 
 
 In the courfe of thefe proceedings it was moved, " That 
 " a petition be prefented to the Houfe of Commons for a re- 
 " form in the reprefentation of the people in Parliament:" 
 but fo marked was the difapprobation given by the whole 
 meeting to this meafure, that not one fingle perfon fennded 
 the motion, but a moft profound filence, interrupted only by a 
 few murmurs, was obferved. 
 
 An account is afterwards given of one of Yorke's fpeeches, 
 in which, after fpeaking of general hiftory, there is the fol- 
 lowing pallage : 
 
 " It muft be granted that this experience is important, 
 " becaufe it teaches the fuffering nations of the prefent day 
 tl in what manner to prepare their combuftible ingredients, and 
 ' humanifts in what manner enkindle them, fo as to pro- 
 duce with effeft that grand political explojion, which at the 
 fame time that it buries defpotifm, already convulfive and 
 agonizing, in ruins, may raife up the people to the dignity 
 and fublime grandeur of freedom. 
 
 " When fuch a revolution of fentiment fhall have difperfed 
 the mifts of prejudice ; when, by the incelfant thunderings 
 from the prefs, the meaneft cottager of our country ihall 
 be enlightened, and the fun of reafon ihall fhine in its fulleft 
 meridian over us, then the commanding voice of the whole 
 people fhall recommend the five hundred and fifty-eight gentle* 
 men in St. Stephens Chapel to go about their bujtncfs." 
 
 The resolutions adopted at the meeting were : 
 
 << ift. That the people being the true and only fource of 
 *' government, the freedom of fpeaking and writing upon any 
 " fubjefl cannot be denied to the members of a free govern- 
 " ment, without offering the grofleft infult to the majefty of 
 " the people." 
 
 " 2cl. That therefore the condemnation of Citizens Muir, 
 ^ Palmer, Skirving, Margaret, and Gerrald, to tranfportavion, 
 
 " for
 
 ( 63 ) 
 
 v for expofmg the corruptions of the Britifh Government, 
 
 " was an ad better fuited to the maxims of a defpotic than a 
 
 *' free government. 
 
 " 3(1. That the addrefs which has r.o\v been read be pre- 
 
 " fented to the King, in behalf of the above perfecuted pa-. 
 
 " triots. 
 
 u 4th. That in every country where the people have no fliare 
 
 <c in their government, taxation is tyranny. 
 
 " 5th. That therefore a government is tyrannical, or free, 
 
 " in proportion as the people are equally or unequally repre- 
 
 " fnted. 
 
 " 6th. Convinced of this truth, it is the opinion of this meeting 
 
 " that the people ought to demand as a right, and not petition, 
 
 *' as a favour, for univerfal reprefentation. 
 
 " yth. That therefore we will petition tiie Houfe of Commons 
 
 <{ no more on this fubjedl." 
 
 And lattly, (after agreeing to a petition to the King, re- 
 
 fpe&ing negro llavery, and palling ieveral refolutions on that 
 
 fubjectj " That the committee of the Sheffield Conftitutional 
 Society be defired to fee that the above refolutions be carried 
 into cjifcft ; and that they prepare an addrefs to the Britifh 
 Nation, explanatory of the motives which have induced this 
 meeting to adopt the refolutiori of no more petitioning the 
 Houfe of Commons on the fubjedt of reform." 
 
 The following paflages are extracted from this addre-fs. 
 
 " Friends and Countrymen, 
 
 " We have this day decided, with the exception of only 
 " one diflentient voice, that the Houfe of Commons fhall 
 " never again be petitioned by us on the fubjel of parlia- 
 *' mentary reform." 
 
 The addrefs then recites the words of the petition of the 8th 
 of April, 1/93, [" That the Houfe of Commons is not, in 
 " the juii: fenfe of the words, what your petitioners are from 
 '* form obliged to term it, v z. the Commons of Great Bri- 
 " tain in Parliament aflembied ;"] and then proceeds, in dif- 
 ferent palTages, as follows : 
 
 " Our petition was received with the uimoft indignation 
 " by the Houfe of Commons, which was no more than we 
 expeded. 
 
 '* And although our pct'tion was difdainfully rejected, be- 
 " caufe not couched in language fufficiently polite and re- 
 *' fpedlful for the jive kund'ed and fifty-eight genikmen who fit 
 
 (C at
 
 ( 64 ) 
 
 *' at the Houfe of Commons ; yet,' believe us, Fellow Ci- 
 " tizens, \ve are ftill of opinion, that the matter it contain- 
 " cd was not only juit and proper, but we think that even the 
 < language which gave fo much oifence to the honourable gen- 
 44 tiemcn, was much too polite and too ntoderatcjor us. For it the 
 ** Houfe of Commons were the real reprefentatives of the peo- 
 *' pie, we certainly had a right to diflate, and not to pttition t 
 ** becaufe they could be conlidcred in no other light than as the 
 * c organs of the public will ; and if they refufed to obey that 
 " will, they would beufurper?, and not reprefentatives. 
 
 " However the petition, fuch as it was, being termed dif- 
 " refpeclful, was thrown out by a majority of 79, there being 
 '* 29 only who voted for its being received, and 108 who voted 
 " againit it. 
 
 " Such imperious treatment rather gives warning than ftrikes 
 '* terror. 
 
 *' We faid to the Houfe of Commons, we are wronged and 
 se aggrieved : Will you right us, and redrcfs our grievances, or 
 " mill you not? If you willy we jhall be Jatujied*, if you will 
 ** noty we Jhall jcek rcdrejs fame other way. This is the Jole 
 " ([ucjlion with us ; and we put it, as we thought, in a mojl be- 
 " coming JliU to the Houfe of Commons. But our petition being 
 ** (coutcd, we ff jail trouble them no more with our coarje and un- 
 " mannerly language." " It will be our duty to proceed, as we 
 ts have uniformly done hitherto, in enlightening the public 
 " mind ; and when a complete revolution of fentiment Jhall take 
 ** place (as will Jhortly be the cafe) in our country, we mail 
 *' open our mouths in that key we think mofl agreeable to our- 
 " Jelves." ll dnd our voice, together with that of our disfran- 
 " chifed countrymen, will refemble, perhaps, the thunder ings from 
 *' JWount Sinai!" 
 
 " Thofe who have a right to [peak in a difJatorial tone, dif- 
 " grace thcmfclves by petitioning" 
 
 " Thefe efTential principles arc both eafy and comprehen- 
 <c five. On thefe we build our right to reprefentatibn, and re- 
 44 nounce the idea of future petitions. By thefe maxims, \ve 
 " find that every Englimman is free ; and that in the elefiion of 
 " afupreme magi ftr ate ^ or in the delegation of legiflative powers, 
 " he concedes his actions to a certain fuperintendance, for the 
 *' exprefs purpofe of preventing liberty from vaulting over its 
 " limits, and introducing a fyftem of univerfal violence, injury, 
 " or licentioufriefs. And although either of thefe two delegated 
 t( powers be fufficient to keep any individual to his duty, or to 
 " controul every aifociation in the community, yet they arc 
 " alivnys inferior to the force which the whole Jociety might exert, 
 
 and
 
 ** and are amenable to that fociety, either in an ajjemlly of the 
 
 '"* nation, or in a deputation formed for that pur pofe. 
 
 " Afts of Parliament, unlefs fanUoned by the approving 
 
 " voice of the whole community, or their reprefentatives, are 
 <( othing lefs than arbitrary edifis under different names, and 
 
 " bear a ftrong refemblance to the refcripts of the emperors, or 
 
 " the decretals of the Vatican, 
 
 " What is the conftitution to us, if we are nothing to it ? 
 And what is any government but tyranny, in which the peo- 
 ple have no mare ? The conftitution of Britain, indeed, is 
 highly extolled, as the greateft effort of human wifdom ; fo 
 is the conftitution of Turkey at Constantinople : but thefs 
 are prejudices; and the long tyranny of prejudice is verging 
 to a fpecdy termination. 
 
 " Yes, Countrymen, we demand equality of rights, in 
 which is included equality of reprefentation ; without which 
 terror is law, and the obligations of juftice are weakened, 
 becaufe unfanctioned by the facred voice of the people. We 
 are not fpeaking of that vifionary equality of property, the 
 practical affertion of which would defolate the world, and re- 
 plunge it into the darkeft and wildeft barbarifm ; but that 
 equality we claim is to make the flave a man, the man a ci- 
 tizen, and the citizen an integral part of the ftate ; to make 
 
 tf him a joint fovereign^ and not afubjeft." 
 
 The rcafon which induced the meeting at Sheffield to omit 
 any refolutions upon the fubjeft of the intended convention, 
 have been diftin&Iy ftated, by two perfons who had been fecre- 
 taries to the Conftitutional Society in that town. 
 
 From their examination it appears, that a number of printed 
 circular letters had been received at Sheffield from the Secretary 
 to the London Correfponding Society, relative to a convention, 
 and that the Sheffield Society objected to the calling it at this 
 time, but had no objection to the meafure itfelf ; that it was 
 their opinion that the Britifh Convention at Edinburgh ought 
 to have fecured the confidence of the people by a public addrefs 
 to the nation, before they had ventured to fit as a permanent 
 body ; and that the addrefs from Sheffield to the nation, con- 
 taining a recommendation that no more petitions mould be pre- 
 fented to parliament, was intended to prepare the people for a 
 convention. 
 
 While thefe proceedings were taking place in different parts 
 
 f England, with a view to a general convention, it appears 
 
 K from
 
 ( 65 ) 
 
 from the information contained in the letters from the Secretary 
 of State, which have been already referred to, that meafures of 
 a fknilar tendency were carrying on with great activity, and to 
 a great extei.t, in Scotland, The appointment of delegates to 
 attend a convention to be atlembled at fome place in England at 
 an early period, feems to have been very generally recommended 
 by the committee at Edinburgh. 
 
 The naming the place was for the prefent omitted, but it was 
 promifed to be fhortly announced through the fecret committee* 
 in the fame manner as appears from the circular letter of the 
 London Correfponding Society (inferted in the former Report) 
 to have been intended in this part of the kingdom ; and the in- 
 vitation to appoint delegates appears to have been circulated by 
 the fame emidaries who were employed by the committee at 
 Edinburgh for the purpofe of promoting the plan of arming 
 thofe with whom they were in correfpondence. 
 
 FROM a review of thefe proceedings, it indifputably ap- 
 pears that the immediate and ofteniible object profefled to be 
 aimed at by the meafures which have been related (if dated 
 within the narroweft limits) was that of effecting no lefs funda- 
 mental a change in the frame of the Houfe of Commons, than 
 the introduction of univcrfal fuffrage in the election of it, and 
 rendering the period of the election annual ; that through the 
 whole courfe of the correfpondence which has been carried on, 
 and the concert which has been formed by different focieties for 
 this purpofe, no idea has for a long time been pointed at, of 
 obtaining this change by any application to parliament : that on 
 thp contrary, any fuch idea has been fpecifically and pointedly 
 difciaimed, recently by the formal, and in fome inftances 
 public, refolutions of the focieties in London, and many of 
 thofe in the country, and repeatedly, and from an early period, 
 in the private correfpondence, either of the focieties, or of their 
 leading members. It has been exprefsly laid down, that more 
 effectual means than petitions mufl: be tried. The exprefs ob- 
 ject dated in the refolutions for calling the propofed general 
 convention of the people, or general meeting of the friends of 
 liberty (under whichever of thofe names it is to be defcribed) 
 was to confider of the means of, obtaining a full and equal re- 
 prefentation, not of the thing to be obtained, but of the means 
 of obtaining it, and this fubfeqnent to the declarations laft men- 
 tioned, that more effectual means than petitions mufl be tried, 
 Thefe more effectual means could, in the very nature of the 
 i thing,
 
 ( 67 ) 
 
 thing, confift of but one of two poflible alternatives, either in- 
 troducing this change in the frame of one branch of the legif. 
 lature, by fome other authority than that of the legiflature itfelf, 
 or bringing that legiflature, either by force or intimidation, 
 againft its yvill, to lend its authority to that purpofe. 
 
 Accordingly, the mildeft terms in which, for a long time, 
 the parties to this meafure have defcribed the mode by which 
 they ex petted to attain their ends, have pointed at fo extending 
 and diffufmg thefe focieties, and eltabliihing fuch an union and 
 concert among them, as might fpread their principles and opi- 
 nions through every part of the country, and produce a declara- 
 tion of the collective fenfe of the people, in fuch a manner, as 
 to overcome all reiiftance. 
 
 But on many other occafions, and more openly of late, the 
 language adopted has pointed more diftinclly at the ufe of open 
 force; at the fpecific object of actually afiembling a pretended 
 national convention ; at the necefiity of preparing courageouJJy 
 for the STRUGGLE, which they muft expect before thofc 
 who were adverfe to their meafures would yield to them ; and 
 at obtaining the redrefs which they profefs to feek, not from 
 parliament, or from the executive government, but FROM 
 THEMSELVES, and from THEIR OWN STRENGTH 
 AND VALOUR, from their own laws, and not from the 
 laws of thofe whom they term their plunderers, enemies, and 
 opprefTors : and when the language to this effect, repeatedly and 
 deliberately ufed on fo many occafions, and in, fo many quar- 
 ters, is combined with the means lately employed for providing 
 an armed force, and with the other projects of violence and 
 open attack on different branches of the exifting authority, 
 which have appeared to be in the contemplation of fome of the 
 parties in thefe meafures, it is impoflible not to conclude, that 
 it was by fuch means, by their own ftrength and numbers, by 
 open force, defying and either overawing or fuperfeding the 
 authority of the legiflature, that (in the extravagance of their 
 imagination) they had formed the hope of accomplishing their 
 daring and defperate defigrjs. 
 
 But, extravagant and enormous as this project is, even on 
 this ftatement, it appears to your Committee to be by no means 
 confined even within thefe limits. The attempt to obtain a 
 change in one branch of the legiflature by force or terror, againft 
 the will of the whole, does indeed of itfelf include, if fuccefs- 
 ful, at lead a temporary fufpenfion of all the exifting powers of 
 K a govern-
 
 government, and could hardly be fuppofed to flop fhort of art 
 entire definition of the conftitution. But from the whole te- 
 nor of the fyftem which has been acted upon, it is apparent 
 that this was not merely the polfible or probable confequence of 
 fuch an attempt, but that the principles on which it was founded, 
 and the mode by which it was intended to be executed, obvioufly 
 and necellarily tended to fuch a refult. The principles on 
 which the fuppofed right of univerfal fuftrage was founded were 
 not fuch as led merely to the fingle ad of altering to that extent 
 the frame of the Houfe of Commons, and afterwards leaving 
 the Houfe of Commons, thus modelled, in pofleffion, toge- 
 ther with the Crown and the Houfe of Lords, of their for- 
 mer legiflative authority, or the Crown in pofleflion of its for- 
 mer executive power ; but, while they led to an alteration in 
 the frame of the Houfe of Commons, they equally led, if carried 
 to their natural extent, to the extinction and deitruction of the 
 other two branches of the legiflature. 
 
 A proportion fo extravagant may at firft be difficult to be 
 credited ; but it appears to the Committee to be diftinctly pro- 
 ved, from an examination of the nature of the principles them- 
 felves ; from a confideration of the fyftern as actually carried 
 into effect in France, and propofed as a model by thofe who 
 were the chief actors in thefe proceedings in this country ; and, 
 by repeated declarations or acts, which either directly, or by 
 neceffary inference, point at the cleftruction of hereditary mo- 
 narchy, hereditary nobility, and every diftindtion of orders and 
 ranks in fociety. 
 
 YOUR COMMITTEE have (tared to the Houfe in their 
 former Report, that fubfequent to the fteps taken for the appre- 
 henfion of the perfons fufpected of being concerned in the de* 
 fign which has been the fubject of this Report, fhong indica- 
 tions had appeared of a difpofition to concert the means of re- 
 fitting fuch meafures as might be adopted for preventing the ac- 
 complifliment of the defign itfelf, or for bringing the authors 
 or abettors of it to punifhment. 
 
 It appears to your Committee, that immediately after the 
 apprehcnfion of feveral of the leading members of the London 
 Correfponding Society, a committee was appointed, under the 
 title oi a committee of emergency, for the exprefs purpofe of 
 Counteracting the fteps \\ hich had been taken by the executive 
 government to. check the further progrefs of the fyilem which 
 
 has
 
 has been detailed in this Report. It alfo appears, that it hat 
 been made matter of deliberation, in the divifions of the Lon- 
 don Correfponding Society, whether in the prefent exigency 
 they Ihould proceed to addrefs the King, to petition Parliament, 
 or to make an appeal to the nation at large : the latter propofi- 
 tion was adopted ; and, in confequence of that decifion, a paper 
 has been printed and publifhed under the name of the London 
 Correfponding Society, and which your Committee has every 
 reafon to believe to be authentic : this paper contains the fol- 
 lowing pailages ; viz. " That we intended to call a convention 
 is a truth, which needed neither general ^warrants, armed 
 meflengers, or fecret committees to difcover, fmce it was 
 accompanied by a refolution, to make that intention known, 
 by 200,000 printed copies of" that day's proceedings. But the 
 purport afcribed to that convention, viz. the afluming legijla- 
 tive power, is a groundlefs falfehood : the fole intent was 
 to devife means of attaining a complete reprefentative body, 
 on the principles of univerfal fuffrage, equal perfonal repre- 
 fentation, and annual election ; and whenever, or however^ 
 fuch a body can be obtained, it will not be in the power of 
 all the placemen and penfioners in St. Stephen's Chapel to 
 difpute its legijlative authority. \Ve are aware that in thefe 
 times of conjiitutional bigotry, the laft fentence may found 
 unpleafantly to many, who do not deferve to be confidered as 
 enemies to liberty : we therefore wilh it to be clearly under- 
 ftood, that we fpeak of a reprefentative body of the whole 
 nation, and not of any particular part or defcription of men ', 
 and as the divine right of kings is not at this time diredly af- 
 ferted(at leaft in thiscountry) by any but the moft extremely ig- 
 norant, we think it ought to follow, as a natural confequence, 
 that the people are the only legitimate four ce of authority; and 
 it appears to us, that the vain attempt to draw a medium be- 
 tween thefe opinions has produced endlefs abfurdities and 
 contradictions, to the difgrace of our records and law books. 
 ' Among thefe the moft confpicuous is called, The Abdication 
 1 of James the Second, which phrafe (coined for that purpofe) 
 * may be either underftood to mean his expuljion by popular au~ 
 f thority, or his voluntary rejignation ; if the former, it fanflions 
 (< the doflrine which we have advanced ; if the latter, we fcruple 
 " not to cal 1 it a national lie. To the honour of Scotland, 
 " their parliament explicitly declared him banifhed by authority 
 " of the people. But, Citizens, let us explain the truth: the 
 " expulfion of James the Second, and the eftablifhmem of Wil- 
 " liam the Third, though doubt lefs agreeable to the general 
 41 wiflies of the people, was not, in point of form, an aft of the 
 
 ** people.
 
 *' people. It was the act of a number of perfons, calling them- 
 " felves a convention, but not regularly authorized by f ocular 
 " delegation, and confequentlyy^///'g- under the defcrlption of a 
 ' fatllon ; and this not merely in ,thct-y y but in fact, for their 
 " unwjllingnefs to acknowledge the rightful power of the people 
 " was the reafon of their adopting the inexplicable phrafe 
 *' above-mentioned. 
 
 " The providing arms is another charge, on which we with. 
 *' to fpeak with caution ; leit in aiTerting, which we do that 
 " it is totally falfc we mould be underftoood to admit, that if 
 " it had been true, it would have proved criminality. 
 
 " We freely acknowledge, that fome of our members have 
 *' applied them/elves to the knowledge of arms ; and, far from 
 '* defiring to make a fecret of this circumftunce, we with their 
 " example was followed by the whole nation. We then need not 
 " fear invafion, either from Frenchmen, Heffians, or Hano- 
 " verians : nor mould we eafily be alarmed by the mock difca- 
 " very of plots which never exited. 
 
 " We are perfectly convinced of the propriety of our opi- 
 * nions refpetling the rights of the people to have arms, and to 
 ** regulate their conftttution. 
 
 (l It may be expected that we mould not conclude without 
 " exhorting the aifociated Iriends of freedom to an aciive perfe- 
 " verance in the objefi of their ajjociation, but, judging from 
 * c the condtil of our own members, we are happy in declaring 
 " that we think no fuch exhortation neceilary." 
 
 From thefe paffages it appears, that fiace the apprehenfion of 
 their leading members, and the meafures which have been lately 
 taken in parliament on the fubjecl of iheir defigns, the London 
 Correfponding Society have openly avowed their intention to 
 call a convention, for the purpofe of dev'ijlng means to attain a 
 complete reprefentative body, on the principles of annual elec- 
 tion and of univerfal ftiffrage, without any reference whatever 
 ta Parliament, and (as far as can be collected from their own 
 interpretation of the phrafes which they have ufed to defcribe 
 the Houfe of Commons) with the further intention of arro- 
 gating to the body co-nftitnted according to the manner to be 
 prefcribed by fuch a convention, the whole legiflative autho- 
 rity of the nation. 
 
 It appears alfo that the London Correfponding Society admit 
 that fome of their members have applied themfelves to the 
 knowledge of arms ; and although they deny having provided 
 arms, th^y defire not to be undsrftood as admitting that if it 
 
 had
 
 Itad been true It wouW have proved criminality ; and they aflert 
 the propriety of their opinion refpecting the rights of the peopW 
 to have arms> and to regulate their conrtitution. 
 
 And this open avowal of the defign of calling a convention, 
 and of the fact of'haVing applied themfelves to the ufe of arms, 
 is accompanied with a declaration of their determined purpofe 
 to perfevere, with activity, in the objects of their aflbciation ; 
 objects which have been already fufficiently explained to the 
 Houfe by reference to the acts of the fociety, and to the profef- 
 fed principles of its leading members. 
 
 IF the circumftances which have been ftated in this Report 
 appear to the Houfe in the fame view in which, on the moil 
 attentive confideration, they have appeared to your Committee, 
 it is fcarcely neceflary to ftate any collateral matter in order to 
 fatisfy the Houfe how much the peace, fafety, and happinefs 
 of the country muft have been affected by the farther progrefsof 
 the.meafures which have been dated. 
 
 Bat if ariy thing were wanting to add to this imprefllon, it 
 would arife from the recollection, that the incitement to inter- 
 nal commotions in other countries is the moil diftinguifhing 
 feature, both of the declared principles and of the uniform prac- 
 tice of France under their prefent fyftem,- and that in the public 
 acts of thofe exercifing the powers of government in that 
 country, an intention of invading thefe kingdoms, founded on 
 the idea of receiving fupport and affiftance within the country, 
 has been openly avowed. The cafe does not, however, reft 
 here. It has come under the obfervation of your Committee, 
 that recent meafures have been actually taken by the ruling 
 powers in France for endeavouring to ascertain, both in Great 
 Britain and Ireland, the degree of co-operation and affifrance 
 which they might expect in any attempt of this nature. 
 
 This communication does not appear, from any evidence be- 
 fore the Committee, to have any immediate connection with 
 the focieties, whofe proceedings have been the fubject of this 
 Report ; but the connection with their general objects is fuffi- 
 ciently evident, both from the nature of the thing, and from 
 the particulars which have been Rated in the courfe of the Re- 
 port. 
 
 T
 
 ft is not immaterial to add, that in Ireland thefe communi- 
 cations appear to have been directly addreffed to a perfon acting 
 in concert with the focieties here, one of their honorary mem- 
 bers, and who has taken an active part in the courfe of the pro* 
 ceedings to which your Committee have referred. 
 
 YOUR COMMITTEE have, for obvious reafons, omit- 
 ted to annex to their Report the evidence of particular witnelfes, 
 by whom the facts above ftated are fupported ; and, for the 
 fame reafonsj they have ftudioufly forborne to mention the 
 names of perfons and places in all cafes in which they could be 
 omitted with a proper attention to the general object of their 
 inquiry, and to the information which the Houfe has a right to 
 expect upon fo important a fubject. 
 
 Appendix
 
 Appendix 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SECOND REPORT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECY.
 
 APPENDIX, Sec. 
 
 Appendix A. (No. i.) 
 
 PAPER diftributed amongjl the Fencibkf. 
 
 Friends and Brethren, 
 
 IT is with the greatell pleafure that your Countrymen are informed* 
 that fuch is your attachment nnd love to them, and to your Native 
 Country, that you manfully and firmly refolve not to leave it upon any 
 terms contrary to thofe upon which you were at firft engaged. Your 
 Countrymen love you, and their hearts would be as much wounded to 
 part with you, zsyour's would be to be ieparated from them. They well 
 know that they are fafe under the protection ot their Fathers, their Sons* 
 their Brothers in arms, and they neither wifli nor deiire any other De- 
 fenders. They hope and believe that your hearts are filled with the 
 fame fentiments. 
 
 The great mafs of the PEOPLE from amongft whom you have been 
 inlifted, have been reprefented to you as your enemies, Believe not the 
 atiertion. They have been taught to coniider you as foes; but they do 
 not fear finding friends amongft their brethren. 
 
 Their CauTe and your's is the fame: They are poor, but they have 
 honeft hearts; hearts which lympathize in your caufe : they look for the 
 fame friendship and the fame fympathy myou. 
 
 They rejoice to hear, that you are becoming daily more convinced of 
 the great Truth, that the LAW ought to be the fame to the Hollander 
 and to Laplander; to the rich and to the poor, and that no man can be 
 compelled to take up arms, by any authority luhatfoever^ unlcfs bis own 
 inclinations prompt him to do fo. 
 
 This truth has been hitherto carefully concealed from you, but it is 
 not the lefs certain. The will of your laird cannot* WITHOUT your 
 OWN CONSENT, feparate you from your families and friends, al- 
 though matfy of you may have experienced the exertions of fych a- 
 power, however unjuft, and however contrary to LAW. 
 
 We refpecl and admire that principle which induces you, (though ne- 
 ceffity has compelled you to take up arms) fliil to perfift in remaining to 
 defend your friends at home, and not te quit a country which holds 
 pledged" fo dear. 
 
 L ^ Whca
 
 APPENDIX A. (No. a.) 
 
 When YOU are gone x where is their defence ? they may be either 
 left, without protection, or may foon feetheircountry overrun by FOREIGN 
 TROOPS, luch as in time paft have already flied the blood of your an- 
 ceftors without provocation and without remorfe, and who would feel 
 perhaps as little compunction in fliedding theirs. 
 
 Prepared for every deed of horror, thefe foreign mercenaries may 
 violate the chajiity of your Wives, your Sifters, and your Daughters, 
 and when dejire is fatiated, cruelty may rename its place in their hearts, as 
 experience has too well and too fatally lhewn r and Friends, Parents, 
 Children, Brothers, may be involved in one common Daughter. 
 
 The cruel Maffacre of GLENCOE cannot yetbe forgotten ; are there 
 not amongft you, whofe forefathers perifhed there ? Their hearts 
 throbbing with kindnefs and hofpitality were pierced with the daggers of 
 their treacherous guefts, and the feaft prepared by the hand of unfuf- 
 pe&ing friendfhir, was clofed with a fceiie of blood ! Such is the re- 
 turn for kindnefs and hofpitality ! Such the prote&iou which your 
 families have to expeft ! ! ! 
 
 How will they then look around in vain ioryour protecting, care, when 
 perhaps you are fighting at a diftance in a foreign land ? But they hope 
 you will not forfake them.: Stay, Oh ftay, and defend your families 
 and your friends ! 
 
 FOR THAT PURPOSE ALONE YOU WERE ENLISTED. 
 They are ready to come forward for yeu in the vindication of your 
 Rights. 
 
 Thoufands join in the fame fentiments withjoa and ardently wifh for 
 your continuance amongft them. The circumftances which might re- 
 quire you to quit your country have not yet taken place. No Invafion has 
 yet happened you cannot be compelled to go Leave not your country 
 Aflert your independence Your countrymen will look up to you as their 
 protetlors and guardians, and will in their turn lift up their, arms to pro- 
 teftand aflift YOU. 
 
 DUNDEE, AFRII. izth, 1794.^ 
 
 Appendix A. (No. 2.) 
 To iJ:e Landholders of tic County of Perth.. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Obferving an Adveriiferr.ent in the Edinburgh Newfpapers requiring- 
 you to meet here on the iith.Current to take into Confideration a Plan 
 of the Executive Government for the Internal Defence of the Country, 
 we, a Number of the Inhabitants of Perth and Neighbourhood, confiit- 
 ing of upwards of Three hundred effective Men, deeply imprefled with 
 the Dangers which threaten the Nation, and animated with that Patriot- 
 ifm which proclaims to the World that the Safety of the People is the 
 fupreme Law, make a voluntary Otier of our Services to affiil in protect- 
 ing the Liberties of the People from any Incroachments, either from 
 hoftile Invaders, or more dangerous internal Foes, pledging oudelves on 
 the one Hand to refift every Attempt to invade private Property, and on 
 the other to crufti andfubdue every unlawful Combination of the Rich 
 againlVthe .Poor;, and being fenlible that the Protection of the People's 
 Liberties is a Trull of fuch Importance that it ought to be committed to 
 
 thole
 
 APPENDIX A. (NO. 2.) 
 
 tliofe only who are capable of difcerning the eternal Laws of- Juftice, and 
 of feeling and a&ing according to the Force of Principle, we pledge our- 
 felves that none but true Meu, anfwering to this Defcription, {hall be 
 allowed to enter our Band ; becaufe, independent of the palpable Ablur- 
 dity of committing our Defence to Criminals, we difdain the mean Shife 
 of crimping and Iweepingprifons. 
 
 It is on the foregoing Principles that we offer our Services to the 
 County, on the following Terms, as a Body of Infantry Troops : 
 
 Firft, We confider thefe Principles as the beil Security for preferring 
 Order, and as Military Law muft be very disagreeable, and is wholly 
 tmneceflary to Men of our peaceful Habits of Lite, we therefore require 
 that every Offence fliall be tried by a Jury chofen from among ourfelves. 
 Second, As we are for the mofr Part fettled in Bufinefs, or have Fami- 
 lies of our own, we muft therefore exprefsly ftipulate, that unlefs an. 
 Invafion fnall take place in a neighbouring Part of the Country, we ftiafi 
 not be carried out of the County whhout'our own Confen-t, declared by 
 a Council chofen by ourfelves, and held for that Purpofe. 
 
 Third, We require to have the fole Power of choofing our own Officers 
 from among ourfelves, and of cafhiering, and placing them in the Ranks, 
 at every Month's End, if necefiary. 
 
 Fourth, We require that the County, or Government, fliall furnifh us 
 y.'ith Arms and Military Stores, together with every other Equipment 
 neceflary for the Purpofes of Defence. 
 
 On the other Hand, xve engage to find Serjeants in our own Body, 
 qualified to train and diicipline the Men, and fliall require no Pay, un- 
 lefs called out to actual Service. 
 
 This Plan we confider as greatly preferable to that of raifing Troops of 
 Cavalry as propofed infome Counties, for the following Realbns : 
 
 Firft, That the Horfes being taken from the Purpofes of Agriculture 
 muft be very hurtful to the Country. 
 
 Second, Cavalry are extremely expenfive; and in Addition to five 
 prefent enormous Burden of Foreign Troops, together with our own, 
 will fall heavy OR Government. 
 
 Third, They will require Six or Nine Months to train them ; whereas 
 we engage to be ready in Four Weeks from the Time we are embodied, 
 for aclual Service. 
 
 Fourth, Without an adequate Body of Infantry, Cavalry a*e wholly 
 incapable to repel an Invasion, and are only fit'for purfuing a riving. 
 Enemy, or running down an unarmed Multitude. 
 
 Fifth, We engage, when properly Trained, to beat off double our ov.n 
 Number of the beit Cavalry that can be brought againft us. 
 
 We ailb promife to double or triple our Number, upon a Day's No- 
 tke being given, if thought necetfary. 
 
 The Committee are inftrudted, by a General Meeting of the Volun- 
 teers, to adhere to their former Principles, which are exactly the fame as. 
 prefented. to the General of the Landholders. 
 
 (Signed.) Robert Henderfon, Shoemaker. 
 
 Matthe'.v Caldenvood, Ditfo. 
 John johniton, Weaver. 
 David Smith, Ditto. 
 James Haklioun, Ditto. 
 Robert Sands Ditto. 
 Andrew Piikethly, Shoemaker.
 
 APPENDIX A. (Xo.2.) 
 
 (COPY.) (J . ioH 
 
 At a General Meeting, nth April 1794. 
 
 "fhePrefes produced a Letter which had been handed to him, figneci 
 by Robert Henderfon, Robert Sands, Matthew Caldenvood, Davic! 
 Smith, Andrew Pitketh'y, and Thomas Smith, relative to an Offer of 
 their Services, and of others who had previonfly prefented an unfigned 
 petition to the Meeting (but which had been withdraw.*!) for the internal 
 Defence of the Country : Which Letter being 1'ead, the Meeting remit 
 to the Committee appointed for carrying into Execution the Refohuions 
 of this Meeting, relative to the railing of Two or more Troops of Fen-' 
 cible Cavalry for the internal Defence of the Country. 
 
 Copy LetteY referred to in Minutes of i ith April 1794. 
 
 , 
 To the Prefident of the Meeting of Landholders of the County of Perth, 
 
 prefently aflembled in the Sheriff Court Room. 
 Prefider.r, 
 
 We fent in a Number of Propofals into Court to be prefented by Co- 
 lonel Erfkine, which we understand are thrown out becaufe they have no 
 Signatures affixed : We are deputed by thefe Perfons, who offer their 
 Services, and are ready to appear in open Court to give every Satisfac- 
 tion reipe&ing the Matter ; we therefore requeft that you will bring for- 
 ward the Propofals, and we lhall be ready to wait on you when called 
 upon. Prefident, we are yours. (Signed) Robert Henderfon, Robert 
 Sands, Matthew Caldei wood, Djvid Smith, Andrew Pitkethly, Thomas" 
 Smith. 
 
 P. S. The Deputation is in Mr. Murray's, at the Back of the Jail. 
 Half paft Five o'Clock, P. M. 
 
 Minutes of Committee, izth April 1794; 
 
 The Committee having examined the Letter which, was referred to 
 their Consideration by the General Meeting Yelterday, which Letter has 
 a Reference to a previous Petition prefented to the Meetingof Yeflerday, 
 but afterwards withdrawn, they find it impofiible to deliberate on that 
 Subject at prefent. neither having the original Petition, nor any Plan 
 refpecting the Mode of internal Defence pointed out by the Petitioners, 
 before them ; they therefore defii e Mr. Paton to deliver a Copy of this 
 Sixth Refolution of the Committee to the Petitioners^ fo as they may 
 fiuiifniit their original Petition, and may communicate any Plan which 
 they have to offer relative to the internal Defence or the Country, which 
 uiii be paid due Attention to by the Committee a; their next Meeting. 
 
 (COPY.) 
 
 Minutes of Committee, a^th April 1794. 
 
 The Committee again confidered the Letter figned by Six Perfons, find 
 received the original Petition there referred to, with an Addition fince 
 tirade to it, and the Subfcription of Seven Individuals adhibited thereto ; 
 and were informed by thefe Perfons that the Refolutions contained in tl e 
 original Petition were ngrecd tcr at a Meeting, called by means of a 
 printed Hand Bill railed up in the Streets of Perth, and held on the 
 * Nonh
 
 APPENDIX B. (NO. I.) 
 
 Korth Inch laft Wednefday Evening; at which Meeting they were alfo 
 informed that the fa^e Perfons retolvcd on prentin,g a Petition to His 
 Majefty in Behalf of iluir, Gerp'.d, and the other Perions who have 
 Jarely been Sentenced to br. tranfpr-rted fcr the Crime of Sedition ; the 
 Committee are of Opinion that Zer. Icihplayed by Individuals, in otFering 
 their Services to defend theirCouniry agaiait the unjuft Aggreffion of the 
 cruel ;md rapacious foreign Enemits we are now engaged in War with, is 
 commendable in them as Britifli Subjects, warmly attached to their 
 King, and to our glorious and happy Constitution : But, after confuler- 
 ing the Plan fuggefled, they arc of Opinion that it is liable to fucti Qb- 
 jp&;ons that they cannot give it any Countenance or Supporj; j but they 
 beg to" recommend to thofe Individuals now tendering their Services for 
 the Purpofe of repelling the meditated Attacks of the inhuman, ferocious, 
 and irreligious Rulers of that unhappy and devoted Country, France, 
 either to make an offer of their Services individually to fhe'Officers of 
 the PerthfnireFencible Cavalry, or, if they prefer being a Corps of Ii> 
 fantry, to inlift into fome of the Regiments of Foot now raifing. They 
 nHo beg to inform the Individuals who' have thus profefled their At 
 tachment to the County, thai it will be expected they will ufe their beft 
 Endeavours, by avoiding all tumultuous Meetings, to preierve .goo4 
 Order in the Town of Perth and its Vicinity. 
 
 Appendix B. (No. i.) 
 
 3ef. J, on Jon Corresponding Society to Nor-ivic/j Conftitutlonal Society. 
 
 London, ijth O<ft. 1793. 
 Fellow Citizens, 
 
 We have to acknowledge at once, your favours of the 3d September, 
 and 1 4th inftant. Multiplicity of bulinefs prevented my anfwering 
 your fiiii; bur will now inform you that the Spirit flievvn in it gave 
 great Satisfaction to our Society at large. The Rejoicings for the Cap- 
 ture of Valenciennes were not confined to Norwich alone. The Igno- 
 rant every where elfe throughout the Nation betrayed their Imbecility 
 on the Occafion. But the taking of a Town, the (laughtering of 
 ThcuTands of Human Beings, the laying w^fte whole Provinces, or the 
 erulaving a Nation (however great Evils they may be) can only retard 
 for a fniall Space of Time the Progrefs of' Truth and Reafon : Be not 
 difneertened, therefore 'pWrfue your Plan, inftruft Mankind, and Con- 
 ftitutionatly fet yonr Faces againll exifting Abufcs : Be aflured tint many 
 are Qur Frien(is, i'A^o only wait a favourable Opportunity to -openly join us, 
 while our Enemies have much enfeebled thcmlelves and their Caufe by 
 their arbitrary Exertions. Defpotiim is at its laft Gafp One or Two 
 Campaigns more will terminate it Exiftence. 
 
 We are glad to fee that you begin to make a proper Ufe of Delegation : 
 Where Bodies of Men are too numerous to be convened eafily on every 
 Occaficn, Delegation is the beft, and indeed only Way to obtain the ge- 
 neral opinion. Scotland, improving on the Idea, have not only fum- 
 inoned their own Delegates, but alfo invite thofe of every other Society 
 to attend a kind of Convention, which is to be held at Edinburgh on the 
 29th Inftant. The inclofed Paper, which I, previous to the communi- 
 cating your Letter to our Committee (which will meet only Tc-morro\v) 
 
 3 make
 
 APPENDIX B. (NO. J.) 
 
 raake Haftc to tranfmit to you, will mew you that your Society is in- 
 cluded in the general Invitation to fend Delegates to that Meeting 
 which we exhort you to do, if you poflibly ran. I firmly believe our 
 Society will not mifs the Opportunity of doing the fame. 
 
 We have juft publifhed a new Edition of The Englifhman's Rights, 
 or A Dialogue between a Barrifter and a Juryman,, being an excellent 
 Work, publiftied firit by Sir John Hawles, Knight, Solicitor General to 
 King William the Third. It is a Book that ought to be in thePoffef- 
 
 fioo of every one, as it contains the Rights and Duties of a Juryman 
 
 Send us Word if you can vend a certain Number of them 'in your 
 Neighbourhood we (ell them only Three Shillings per Dozen,, but the 
 Retail Price is Four Pence a-piece. I am moit iincerely, my Fellow 
 Citizens, and Brethren in. a good Cauie, your humble Servant. 
 
 Appendix B. (No. 2.) 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the London Correfyanc&ng Society 
 to Nif^fuicb, 
 
 London, January 1 1, 1794. 
 Fellow Citizens, 
 
 1 have juft received a Letter from Citizen Margaret, at Edinburgh, 
 with fome of the Edinburgh Gazetteers, where you will lee that Citizen, 
 Skirviag is found guilty, and fentenced for Fourteen Years Tranfporta- 
 tion to Botany Bay . Margaret's Trial comes next ; he meets it with 
 great Firmnefs and Refolution. I have no Time to make my Com- 
 ments on the Proceedings, but 1 think our Opponents are cutting their 
 own Throats as fail as they can Now is the Time for us to do forne- 
 thing worthy of Men. The brave Defenders of Liberty South of the 
 Sraglifh Channel are performing Wonders, driving their Enemies before 
 them like Chaff before the Whirlwind. Margarot tells me, that he has 
 not Time to write to you juft now, but he hopes to have Time very 
 foon, when his Trial is orer, and immured in a Prifon. The London 
 Correfponding Society is to have a General Meeting and an Anniverfary 
 Dinner, on Monday the zoth Inftant at the Globe Tavern, Strand. I 
 Iiave ient you fome of Margarot's nnd Skirving's Indictment, with 
 Two Copies of a Pamphlet on Brewing he is a Member of our So- 
 ciety, the Author ; if you approve of it you may put it in Practice, and 
 be a great Saving to many Families, alfo a Diminution of the Revenue, 
 lor every one brewing their own Beer pay no Duty for it. Excufe 
 Hafte. litill remain, &c. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 Appendix B. (No. 3.) 
 
 Copy of a "Letter from Mr. Margaret to tie Norwich United Societies. 
 Spithead, the i oth of March 1 794. 
 Worthy Friend?, and Fellow Citizens, 
 
 Our Stay here being longer than was at firft expected, I avail myfelf 
 of that Del'ay to acknowledge the Receipt of Twenty Pounds from your 
 Society, which have been delivered to me by Thomas Hardy, our Secre- 
 tary,
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 tary, to whom yon had remitted them, and \vho has been down here 
 purpofely to fee me, and make ibme Arrangements for the future, but 
 whofe Bufinefs has called him back to London before any Thing could 
 be fettled between us. At firft he feemed to think that, the Money was 
 meant by you to be divided among the Four who are now fufFering to- 
 gether ; but, on my acquainting him trnt thofe Gentlemen were in- 
 finitely better off than myfelf in that Refpeft, infomuch that they are 
 continually receiving private Prefenis, and are moreover fupported by 
 many Noblemen and rich Members of Parliament, thefe latter feeking 
 only (I much fear) to make a Party Affair of it, that he gave the Money 
 to my own Difpofal. If, however, you meant otherwise, your Inten- 
 tion {hall be complied with immediately on its being made known to 
 
 me So much for Pecuniary Affairs. This Morning 10 Ships of War 
 
 have left Spit bead for the Channel, and it is here reported that the Breft 
 Fleet is out : Rumour , ahvays magnifying Things, fay* there are 70 Sail of 
 French at Sea ; if ' fo, there mttft be a Number of 'Transports among them, 
 and a Defccnt may probably be the Con/'equetice.For God's Sake^ my 
 worthy Friends, do not relax in the Caufe of Freedom "Continue a- 
 have begun Confolidate your oivn Societies "Unite with others P erf ever e, 
 and make no Doubt but fooner or later your Endeavours will be crowned 
 with Succrfs. I have alfo to thank you for the affectionate Addrefs I re- 
 ceived from you. Be allured that my utraoft Ambition will ever be tode- 
 ferve your Confidence and your Efteem. The Tide of Fortune, however 
 ftrongly it may run againft our Caufe at prefent, may foon have a turn : 
 The Eyes of Mankind will naturally open when their Pockets empty, 
 and their Blood fpills, they will afk each other, for whom are we thus 
 facrificing ourfelves, and murdtring others? What Advantage refults to 
 us from all this Expenditure and Slaughter ? And by interfering in .the 
 Government of another Country, do we not fet other Nations an Ex- 
 ample to interfere vvkh our own Government, and to model it as they 
 think proper ? Should they do fo, Popery and Defpotifm muft be 
 our Lot May Gracious Providence avert it ; may we rather all to a 
 Man be determined to live free or die ! In my Exile nothing would 
 afflict me fo much as to hear that my Country was enflaved, and that my 
 Countrymen hugged their Chains. I truft however the National Spirit 
 of Britons will prevent it. Adieu, my dear Friends ; and ever re- 
 member 
 
 Tour faithful 
 
 M. MARGAROT. 
 
 P . S. This Day a mock Debate concerning our Sentence is to takfi 
 place m P . 
 
 Appendix C. 
 
 Extracts from the Book containing tic Proceedings tf the Coxftl* 
 tutional Society. 
 
 AT a Meeting held at the Secretary's, Took's Court, Chancery Lane, 
 Friday, zjd March, 1791. 
 
 Refolvecl, That the Thanks of this Society be given to Mr. Thomas- 
 
 IVme for his moil mafterJy Book, intituled " The Rights of Man," in 
 
 M which
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 which not only the malevolent Sophiftries of hireling Scribblers are cfd- 
 tefted and expofed to merited Ridicule, but many of the molt important 
 and beneficial political Truths are ftated, fo irreliitibly convincing as to 
 promife the Acceleration ot that not very diftant Period when uiurping 
 Borough Sellers, and profligate Borough Buyers, fliall be deprived of 
 what they impudently dare to call their Property the Choice of the Re- 
 prefentatives of the People. 
 
 The Conftitutional Society cancot help expreffing their Satisfaction 
 that fo valuable a Publication has proceeded from a Member of that So- 
 ciety; and they fincerely hope that the People of England will give 
 that Attention to the Subjects difcufied in Mr. Paine's Treatife, which 
 their manifeft Importance fo juftly deferve. 
 
 Refolved, That the foregoing Relblutions, and all future Proceedings 
 of this Society, be regularly tranfmitted by the Secretary to all our cor- 
 refponding Conftitutional Societies in England, Scotland, and France. 
 
 .Refolved, That the above Refolutions be published in die Papers. 
 
 At a Meeting, ift April, 1791. 
 
 Refolved, That the Refolutions of this Society, recommending Paine's 
 Book, " The Rights of Man," and publifhed in feveral of the Papers, 
 Le re-publifhed in the following; viz. General Evening, Morning Pofr, 
 World, Englifli Chronicle, Shei borne, Leeds, York, Briftol, Notting- 
 ham, and Birmingham. 
 
 At a Meeting, 22d July, 1791. 
 
 Refolved, That the Original and Tranflation of an Addrefs commu- 
 nicated by the Reverend Doctor Towers, from the Socie:y at Nantz, be 
 entered on the Books of this Society. 
 
 The Tranilation is entered. 
 
 At a Meeting, 4th March, 1791. 
 
 Read the following Letter from the Revolution Society at Norwich tcr 
 the London Society for Conftitutional Information. 
 
 The Norwich Revolution Society wifhes to open a Communicatioa 
 with you at this Time, when Corruption has acquired a Publicity in the 
 Senate, which exacts from the Honour of the Bntifh Nation renewed 
 Exertions for Parliamentary Reform. Without prejudging the probable 
 Event of fuch an Application to the Legiflature, this Society is willing to 
 circulate the Information, and to co-operate in the Meafures that may 
 feem beft adapted to further fo defirable and fo important an End. The 
 Society is willing to hope the Redrefs of every exiliing Grievance at the 
 Hands of a Government refulting from an extraordinary Convocation 
 in 1688, of all who had, at any preceding Time, been elected Repre- 
 fentadves of the People, aflilted by the Hereditary Counfellors of the 
 Nation, and a peculiar Deputation from the Metropolis; which Na- 
 tional CONSTITUTING Affembly cafhiered for MifconduA a King 
 of the Houfe of Smirt. The Opinions and Principles of this Society 
 are beft explained by an Appeal to their literary Reprefentatives. To 
 Tames Mackintofli, Author of Vindiciie Gallics', this Society offers the 
 Tribute of its Approbation arrd Gratitude, for the Knowledge, the 
 Eloquence, and Philofophical Spirit with which he has explained, de- 
 fended, and commented on the Revolution of France. It hefitates toaflent 
 to this onlv of his Opinions, that " there are but T\vo Inttrells in |5 
 
 ctety.
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 " clety, thofe of the Rich andthofe of the Poor.* ; If fo, what Chanel 
 have the latter ? 
 
 Surely r he Interefts of all the Tndnftrious, from the richeft Merchant 
 to the pooreft Mechanic, are in every Community the fame to leflen 
 the Numbers of the Unproductive, to whofe Maintenance they contri- 
 bute, and to do away fuch Infiitutions and Imports as abridge the Means 
 of Maintenance, by refilling the Demand tor Labour, or by iharing 
 its Reward : As the Means mod conducive to this comprehenfive End, 
 the Norwich Revolution Society de fires an equitable Repreientation of 
 the People. 
 
 The Rights of Man, by Thomas Paine, and the Advice to the pri- 
 vileged Oiders, by Joel Barlow, have alfo been read with Attention, 
 and circulated with Avidity. They point out with Clearnefs moft of 
 the Abufes which have accumulated under the Britifli Government ; 
 they attack with Energy molt of the Prejudices which have tended to 
 perpetuate them. 
 
 Internally our Society is thus organized : Any Perfon propofed and 
 feconded by a Member, is received, on paying an Admiflion Fine, and 
 obliging himfelf to an Annual Contribution towards the Purchafe of 
 Books for the Ufe of the Society, and for Circulation among the con* 
 federated Clubs. The Members aflemble Twice, Monthly. A Com- 
 mittee of Correfpondence is periodically elected by Ballot, to felect 
 Books, and to conduct the other literary Bufinefs. A Committee of 
 Twelve is periodically named by Acclamation, to attend feverally the 
 Meetings of the various confederated Clubs, which are invited in like 
 Manner to depute a Member to the Monthly Meetings of this. 
 
 The Clubs are now Seven in Number, and more are expected to an- 
 nounce their Adherence. The Norwich Revolution Society, propofing 
 to extend this Form of Combination, recommends for Admiflion into 
 the London Society for Conftitutional Information Twelve Perfons. 
 Norwich, a6 April, 1792. 
 
 At a Meeting, 1 6th March, 1792. 
 
 The Chairman of the Society for Conftitutional Information efh* 
 bliflied at Manchefter, having communicated to this Society their Re- 
 folutions of Thanks to Thomas Paine, for the Publication of his 
 ** Second Part of the Rights of Man ; combining Principle and Prac- 
 tice." 
 
 Bull's Head Inn, Manchefter, 1 3th March, 1792. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Manchefter Conftitutional Society held this 
 Day, it was unanimoutly refolved, 
 
 That the Thanks of this Society are due to Mr, Thomas Paine, for 
 the Publication of his " Secoqd Part of the Rights of Man ; combining 
 *' Principle and Practice," a Work of the higheft Importance to every 
 Nation under Heaven, but particularly to this, as containing excellent 
 and practicable Plans for an immediate and conliderable Reduction of 
 the Public Expenditure ; for the Prevention of Wars ; for the Exten- 
 lion of our iV.anufactures and Commerce ; for the Education of the 
 Young; for the comfortable Support of the Aged; for the better 
 Maintenance ot the Poor of every Defcription ; and, finally, for lef- 
 iening GREATLY, and WITHOUT DELAY, the enormous Load of 
 Taxes under which this Country at prefent labours, 
 
 M ^ Tha*
 
 APPENDIX C, 
 
 i That this Society congratulate their Country at large on the Influ- 
 Ace which Mr. Paine's Publications appear to have had in procuring 
 the Repeal of fome oppreflive Taxes in the prefent Seflion of Parlia- 
 ment ; and they hope that this Adoption of a Imall Part of Mr. Paine's 
 Ideas will le followed by the moft ftrenuous Exertions to accomplijb a com- 
 plete Reform in the prefent inadequate State of the Reprefentation of the 
 People ; and that the other great Plans of Public Benefit which Mr. 
 Paine 'has fo powerfully recommended, will be fpeedily carried into 
 Effect. 
 
 Signed Prefident, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary return to the Chairman of the Society 
 at Manchefter the Thanks of this Society for his Communication ; at 
 the fame Time alluring him that this Society does heartily concur in the 
 Sfcbove Refolution. x 
 
 Refolved, That the above Refolutions be publiftied in the Papers. 
 
 At a Meeting, 23d March, 1792. 
 
 P.efolved, That the following be publiftied in the Morning Chroni- 
 cle, World, Poft, Times, Argus, Engliih Chronicle, and General 
 Evening. 
 
 " Society for Conftitutional Information, London, March 23d, 1792. 
 " This Society having received the following and other Communications 
 < from Sheffield;" uz. 
 
 Sheffield. 
 
 Society for Constitutional Information. [ 14-th March 1792.] 
 . This Society, compofed chiefly of the Manufacturers of Sheffield, 
 began about Four Months ago, and is already increafed to nearly TWO 
 THOUSAND MEMBERS, and is daily increafing, exclusive of the 
 adjacent Towns and Villages, who are forming themfelves into fimilar 
 Societies. 
 
 Confidering, as we do, that the Want of Knowledge and Informa- 
 tion in the general Mafs of the People has expofed them to numberlefs 
 Impofitions and Abufes, the Exertions of this Society are directed to 
 the Acquirement of uieful Knowledge, and to fpread the fame as far as 
 our Endeavours and Abilities' can extend. 
 
 ' We declare that we have derived more true Knowledge from the Two 
 Works of Mr. Thomas Paine, intituled " Rights of Man," Part the 
 Firft and Second, than from any other Author or Subject. 7 be Prac- 
 tice as -Ttr.'/ as the Principle of Government is laid down in thofc Works, in. 
 a Manner fo clear, and irrefeft'Aly convincing that this Society do hereby 
 revive to give their Thanks to Mr. Paine for his Two faid Publica- 
 tion:-, intituled ' Rights of Man," Part i ft and 2d. Alfo, ' 
 
 Relblved unanimouily, That the Thanks of this Society be given to 
 Mr. Pa : ne, for the affectionate Concern he has fh-wn in his Second 
 Work in Behalf of the Poor, the Infant, and the Aged ; who, notwith- 
 ftanding the Opulence which blefles other Parts of the Community, are, 
 by the grievous' Weign't of Taxes, rendered the miferable Victims of 
 Poverty -nd Wretchednefs. 
 
 Reiolveu unanimouily, That this Society, dif iaining to be confi- 
 clered cither of a IMumkrial or Opposition Party (Names ot which we 
 
 are
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 sre tired, having been fo often deceived by both) do ardently recom- 
 mend it to all their Fellow Citizens, into whofe Hands thefe Resolutions 
 may co.nc, to confer fenoufly and calmly with each other on the Sub- 
 jec't allude'd to, and to manifeft to the World that the Spirit of true 
 Liberty is a Spirit of Order j and that to obtain Juftice it is confiftent 
 that we be j lift ourlelv.-. 
 
 Refoived, uaanimoufly, That thefe Refolutions be printed, and that 
 a Copy thereof be trammitted to the Society for Conftitutional Informa- 
 tion in London ; requefting their Approbation for Twelve of our Friends 
 to be entered into their oociety, for the Purpole of eilablifhing a Con- 
 nection and a regular Communication with that, and all other iimilar 
 societies in the Kingdom. 
 
 By Order of the Committee. 
 
 (Signed) Chairman. 
 
 " Ordered, That the Secretary do return the Thanks of this Society 
 " to the Society for Conftitutional Information eftabliihed at Sheffield ; 
 *' and that he exprefs to them with what Friendship and Affe&ion this 
 *' Society embraces them as Brothers and Fellow Labourers in the fame 
 *' Caufe. That he do a flu re them of our entire Concurrence with 
 *' their Opinion, via. That the People of this country are not, as 
 " Mr. Burke terms them, Siuine, but rational Beings, better qualified 
 " to feparate Truth from Error than himfelf, pofleffing more Honefty, 
 *' and lefs Craft. 
 
 " Refoived, That this Society will, on Friday next, March 3ift, 
 " ballot for the Twelve aflbciated Members recommended by the 
 >' Sheffield Committee, and approved at this Meeting." 
 
 (Signed) Chairman. 
 
 At a Meeting, 3oth March, 1792. 
 
 The Twelve Gentlemen recommended by the Sheffield Society, were 
 unanimoufly elefted. 
 
 Read a Letter, with enclofed Refolutions, from the Secretary to the 
 Correfponding Society, London. 
 
 " London Correfponding Society. 
 
 " Refoived, That every Individual has a Right to fliare in the Go- 
 *' vernment of that Society of which he is a Member, unlefs incapa- 
 " citated. 
 
 " Refoived, That nothing but Non-age, a Privation of Reafon, or 
 " an Offence againfl the general Rules of Society can incapacitate 
 ' him. 
 
 " Refoived, That it is no lefs the Right than the Duty of every Ci- 
 *' tizen to keep a watchful Eye on the Government of his Country, 
 " that the Laws by being multiplied do not degenerate into Oppreffion ; 
 " and that thofe who are intrufted with the Government do not fubfli- 
 " tute private Intereft for public Advantage. 
 
 " Refoived, That the People of Great Britain are not properly re- 
 *' prefented in Parliament. 
 
 *' Refoived, That in confequence of a partial, unequal, and inade- 
 *' quate Reprefentation, together with the corrupt Method in which 
 " Reprefentatives are elefted, oppreffive Taxes, unjuft Laws, Reftric- 
 *' tions of Liberty, and waiting of the public Money, have enfued. 
 
 Reiolved,
 
 " Defire to continue to correfpond and co-operate v> ith them for the 
 ** Purpofe of obtaining a fair Reprefentation of the People in Parlia- 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 '* Refolved, That the only Remedy to thofe Evils is a fair and in> 
 ** partial Reprefentation of the People in Parliament. 
 
 ** Refolved, That a fair and impartial Reprefentation can never take 
 '* place until partial Privileges are aboliihed ; and the ftrong Tempta- 
 *' tions held out to Electors affords a prefumptive Proof that the Repre- 
 ** ientatives of this Country ieklom procure a Seat in Parliament from 
 4t the unbought Suffrages of a Free People. 
 
 * 4 Refolved, That this Society do exprefs their Abhorrence of Tu- 
 *' mult and Violence j and that, as they aim at Reform, not Anarchy, 
 " Reafon, Firmnefs, and Unanimity be the only Arms they employ, 
 * or periuade their Fellow Citizens to exert againil Abufe c P(,wer. 
 
 " Ordered, That the Secretary of this Society do communicate the 
 " aforegoing to the Societies for Conftitutional Information eitabliihed 
 * in London, Manchefter, and Sheffield. 
 
 " By Orcer of the Committee. 
 
 (Signed) - Secretary." 
 
 '* Refolved, That the Secretary of this Society do exprefs to the 
 " Correfponding Society the extreme Satisfaction which we have re- 
 *' ceived by the above Communication; and to afiure them of our 
 t 
 e 
 ** ment." 
 
 At a Meeting, zoth April, 1792. 
 
 A Declaration from a Society in Southvvark was read , and, 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of the Society be given to the South- 
 vark Society for the following Communication, and that it be pub- 
 Jifiied in the Papers, 
 
 At a Meeting at the Three Tuns Tavern, Southwark, April 19, 1792. 
 
 Refolved, That we do now form ourfelves into a Society for the Dif- 
 fufion of Political Knowledge. 
 
 Refolved, That the Society be denominated The Friends of the 
 People. 
 ^ Refolved, That the following be the Declaration of this Society. 
 
 Extract from Declaration. 
 
 Confidering that Ignorance, Forgetfulnefs, or Contempt of the 
 Rights of Men, are the fole Caufes of Public Grievances, and the Cor- 
 ruption of Government, this Society, formed for the Purpofe of invef- 
 tigating and averting thofe Rights, and of uniting our Efforts with 
 others of our Fellow Citizens for correcting National Abuies, and re- 
 training unnecefTary and exorbitant Taxation, do hereby declare 
 
 ift, That the great End of Civil Society is general Happinefs. 
 
 zdly, That no Form of Government is good any further than it fe- 
 cores that Objeft. 
 
 3diy, That all Civil and Political Authority is derived from the 
 People. 
 
 4thly, That equal a&ive Citizenfliip is the unalienable Right of all 
 Men ; 'Minors, Criminals, and infr.ne 1'eribns excepted. 
 
 5thly, That the Exerciie of that Right, in appointing an adequate 
 Representative Government, is the wifeft Device of Human Policy, and 
 the only Se:urity of National Freedom, 
 
 j We
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Further Extraft from fame Paper. 
 
 \Ve call upon our Fellow Citizens of all Defcriptions to inftitute 
 fimilar Societies for the fame great Purpo/e ; and iue recommend a general 
 Correfpottdence with each other, and with the Society for Conjlitutional In- 
 formation at London, as the left Means of cementing the common Union, 
 and of dirrtfin^ with greater Enfrgy our united Efforts to the fame common. 
 Objetfs, 
 
 By Order of the Committee. 
 
 (Signed) Secretary. 
 
 At a Meeting, zyth April, 1792. 
 
 RefoJved, That every Society deftring an Union or Correfpondence 
 With this, and which doth not profefs any Principles deftru&ive to Truth 
 or Juftice, or fubvei five to the Liberties of our Country ; but which 
 on the contrary feeks, as we do, the Removal of Corruption from the 
 Legislature, and Abufes from the Government, ought to be, and we 
 hope will be, embraced with the moil Brotherly Affection and Patriotic 
 Frieodfliip by this Society. 
 
 Read the following Letter, addreffed to the Society called The 
 Friends of the People aflbciated for Confhtutional Reform, aflembled at 
 Free Mafons Tavern. 
 Sir, 
 
 By the Society for Conftitxitional Information I am commanded to ex- 
 prefs to you the Satisfaction that its Members feel on the Inftitution of 
 your Society. 
 
 That the Houfe of Commons itfelf, which is the very Subjeft to be 
 reformed, fliould have furnifhed a Part of this Strength, may ultimately 
 afford important Advantages to the Public. But it muft not, Sir, be 
 difguifed, that at firft this Circumftance will neceffarily be accompanied 
 with Doubts, with Sufpicions, with Apprehenfions. It is not, Sir, the 
 firft Time that Numbers of that Houle have proreflfed themfelves Re- 
 formers : It is not the firft Time that they have entered into popular 
 Aflbciations. But fliould they, on this Occauon, prove faithfully in- 
 ftru mental in effecling a fubftantial Reform in the Reprefentation of the 
 People, and the Duration of Parliaments, it will be the firft Time that 
 the Nation hath not found itfelf in an Error, when it placed Confidence 
 in affociated Members of Parliament, for the Recoveries of the Conlti- 
 tutionnl ?.nd inestimable Rights of the People. The long-loft Rights 
 of Reprefentation, are Rights, Sir, which in Truth are not to be re- 
 covered but by the Exertions and the Unanimity of the People them- 
 felves. Impreiled with this gre;it Truth, it has been aa invariable Ob- 
 ject of this Society " to revive in the Minds of the Commonalty at 
 " large a Knowledge of their loft Rights, refpering the Election and 
 " Duration of the Reprefentative Body" and we doubt not that your 
 Society will fee the Wiklom of purfumg a like Courfe. May it tafte 
 the Delight of diffufing this Knowledge ; may it reap the Honour of 
 calling forth the Energies of the Nation ! 
 
 When this Society, Sir, contemplates that Flood of Light and Truth 
 which, under a benign Providence, is now fweeping from the Earth 
 Defpotifm in all its Forms, and Infringement of Rights in all its De- 
 grees, to make Way for p'reedam, Juftice, Peace, and Human Happi- 
 
 nefs;
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 nefs ; and when it fees your Society announce itfelf to the World a* 
 the Friends of the People, it refts aflured that this new Inftitutkm 
 abundantly partakes of that Light, that it embraces that Truth, and it 
 will aft up to the Sacrednefs of that Friendship which it profefles, by 
 nobly cafting from it, with Difdain, all Ariftoeratic Rcfervcs, and fairly 
 and honeftly contending for the People's Rights in their full Extent. 
 
 Here, Sir, be aflured, lies all your Strength. You may boaft of 
 Names, of Wealth, of Talents, and even of Principles ; but without 
 the Fellowfhip of the People, underftanding and feeling their immediate 
 Jntereft, in the Conteft, your Aflbciation, whenever it grapples with 
 that powerful Defpotifm to which it is oppofed, and to which a Confti- 
 tutional Cloak gives double Strength, will moft affuredly crumble to 
 Duft. 
 
 Here, Sir, it is with peculiar Satisfaction that the Society for Confti- 
 tutional Information can exprefs its Belief, that to its own unequivocal 
 " Declaration of Rights, without which no Englifhman can be a Free 
 " Man, nor the Englifli Nation Free People," it owes that Confidence, 
 on the Part of all true Friends to a fubttantial Reform of Parliament, 
 which, in all Periods of the Society's Exigence, it has invariably ex- 
 perienced. 
 
 , This ihort Declaration, containing no more than four diftinft Propo- 
 fitions, fatisfied the People that the Society aflumed not the Office of 
 Reformer, without knowing with Preciiion 'what wanted Reform ; nor 
 the Character of Friend, without manifefting that Sincerity which gave 
 Proof of its Attachment. It left to fuch Reformers as Mr. Burke to 
 talk of the People's Liberties, and at the fame time to deny or explain 
 away their Rights. 
 
 This Society, Sir, trufts, that the Purity of Principle which actuated 
 individual Members of Parliament, who joined the Aflbciations that 
 have been fpoken of, will in no Degree be affected by the Obfervations 
 that have been made upon the Infufficiency of thofe AfTociations. Bur, 
 convinced that a ftrong Impreffion ftill remains upon the Minds of the 
 People, that in general, Peribns who have long been accuftomed to hold 
 Seats in the Houfe of Commons under th - prefent Abufes in the Re- 
 prefentation, and vvhofe Connections are all Ariftocratic, mufy be al- 
 moft more than Men, at once and completely to facrifice both Prejudice 
 and unwarranted Power at the Altar of Freedom ; this Society, con- 
 vinced, I fay, Sir, of the Exiftence of this Impreffion, would not iuffer 
 its Delicacy to ffand in the Way of its Duty on this important Occa- 
 iion ; but determined, with the Franknefs belonging to fincere Affec- 
 tion, to warn its new Bre'hren againft a Danger to which they might 
 otherwife become expofed through mere Inadvertency. 
 
 That the diftinguifhed Perfons who have adorned the Senate, and 
 now adorn your Society, may be found equal to the fublime Efforts of 
 Virtue which their Situation new demands, and may on that Account 
 receive the BJeffings of th.ir Country and of Mankind to the latetl Pof- 
 terity, is the fincere, the ardent wifli of the Society for ConlHtutional 
 Information ! In whofe Name I have the Honour to fubfcribe myfelf,' 
 with great Regard, &c. 
 
 Reiolved, That the faid Letter be figned by the Chairman of this 
 Meeting, and fent to the fuid Society at the.r next" General Meetiag. 
 
 At
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 At a Meeting, 4th May, 1792. 
 Read Letter from the Revolution Societies at Norwich, as follows ; 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Chairman of the Norwich Revolution Society to 
 
 the Society for Conftitiitional Information. 
 To the London Society for Conftitutional Information. 
 The Norwich Revolution Society wifhes to open a Communication 
 with you at this Time, when Corruption has acquired a Publicity m 
 the Senate, which exacts from the Honour of the Britifh Nation re- 
 newed Exertions for Parliamentary Reform, Without.pre-judging the 
 probable Event of fuch an Application to the Legiflature, this Society 
 is willing to circulate the Information, and to co-operate in the Mea- 
 iures that may feem beft adapted to further fo defirable and fo important 
 an End. It is willing to hope the Redrefs of every exifting Grievance 
 at the Hands of a Government refulting from an extraordinary Convo- 
 cation, in 1688, of all who had at any preceding Time been elected. 
 Reprefenfatives of the People, alfilted by the Hereditary Counfellors 
 ot the Nation, and a peculiar Deputation from the Metropolis, which 
 National CONSTITUTING Aflembly cafhiered for Miicojiduft % 
 King of the Houfe of Stuart. 
 
 The Opinions and Principles of this Society are beft explained by 
 an Appeal to their Literary Reprefentatives. To James Mackintosh, 
 Author of the Vindicise Gallics, this Society offers the Tribute of its 
 Approbation and Gratitude, for the Knowledge, the Eloquence, and Phi- 
 loiophical Spirit with which he has explained, defended, and commended 
 the Re-volution of France. It hefitates to aflent to this only of his Opi- 
 nions, that " there are but Two Intereils in Society, thole of the Rich 
 ' and thofe of the Poor." If fo, what Chance have the latter ? Surely 
 the Interefts of all the Induftrious, from the richeft Merchant to the 
 pooreft Mechanic, are in every Community the fameto leffen the 
 Numbers of the Unproductive, to whofe Maintenance they contribute, 
 and to do away fuch Inftitutions and Imports as abridge the Means of 
 Maintenance, by refitting the Demand for Labour, or by fliaring its Re- 
 ward ; as the Means moft conducive to this comprehenfive End, the 
 Norwich Revolution Society defines an equitable Reprefentatien of the 
 People. 
 
 The Rights of Man, by Ihomas, Paine, and The Advice to the PrU 
 vileged Orders, by Joel Barlow, have alfo been read with Attention, 
 and circulated with Avidity. They point out with Clearnefs moft of 
 the Abufes which have accumulated under the Eritijh Government ; 
 they attack with Energy mojl of the Prejudices winch have tended to per- 
 petuate them. 
 
 Internally, our Society is thus organized v Any Perfon propofed 
 and feconded by a Member is received, o paying an Admiffion Fine, 
 and obliging himfelf to an Annual Contribution toward the Purchafe of 
 Books for the Ufe of the Society, and for Inculcation among the confe- 
 derated Clubs. The Members afTemble twice, Monthly. A Committee of 
 Correfpq,ndcnce is periodically elefted by Ballot, to lelecT: Books, and to 
 conduct the other Literary Bufmefs. ''A Committee of Twelve is. ^ 
 r.iodically named ly Acclamation to attend feverally the Meetings of Ifi^ 
 various confederated CluL^ which are invited in like Manner to depute a
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Member to tie Monthly Meetings of this : Thefe Clubs are now Seven in 
 Number, and more are expected to announce their Adherence. The 
 Norwich Revolution Society propofing to extend this Form of Combi- 
 nation, recommends for Admiffion into the London Society for Coniti- 
 tutional Information the following twelve Perfons : 
 
 -. CHAIRMAN. 
 
 Norwich, ... 
 
 April 26th, 1792. 
 
 At a Meeting, nth of May, 1792. 
 
 TRefclved, That there be a Communication from this Society with the 
 Society of the Friends of the Conftitution at Paris, known by the Name 
 of The Jacobins. 
 
 Read the following Addrefs from this Society to the Society of Friends 
 of the Constitution at Paris, called The Jacobins. 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 Brothers, and Fellow Citizens of the World, 
 
 The cordial and affectionate Reception with which you have ho- 
 noured our worthy Countrymen, Mr, Thomas Cooper and Mr. James 
 Watt, Members of the Society of Manchefter, ana ynited with our 
 Society, has been communicated to \\s by the Correfpondence of thole 
 Gentlemen. 
 
 In offering you our Congratulations on the glorious Revolution which 
 your Nation has accompliihed, we fpeak a Language which only Sin- 
 cerity can dictate. 
 
 T lie Formality of Courts affords no Example to us. To do our 
 thoughts Jaftice, we give to the Heart the Liberty it delights in, and 
 hail you as Brothers. 
 
 It is not among the leaft of the Revolutions which Time is unfolding 
 to an ajftonifhed World, that Two Nations, nurfed by fome wretched 
 Craft in reciprocal Hatred, fhould fo iuddenly break their common 
 odious Chain, and rum into Amity. 
 
 The Principle that can produce fuch an Effect, is the Offspring of 
 no Earthly Court ; and vvhilit it exhibits to us the expeniive Iniquity of 
 former Politics, it enables us, with bold Felicity, to lay. We have done 
 with them ! 
 
 In contemplating the Political Condition of Nations, we cannot con- 
 ceive a more diabolical Syiiem of Government, than that which has hi- 
 therto, been generally jiradtiied over the World ; To feed the Avarice 
 3 and
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 arid gratify the Wickedriefs of Ambition, the Fraternity of the Human 
 Race has been deflroyed ; as it the feveral Nations of the Earth had 
 been created by rival Gods. Man has not confidered Man as the Work 
 of One Creator. 
 
 The Political Inftitutions under which he has lived have been counter 
 to whatever Religion he profefled. 
 
 Inftead of that universal Benevolence which the Morality of every 
 known Religion declares, he has been politically bred to confider his 
 Species as his natural Enemy, and to defcribe Virtues and Vices by a 
 Geographical Chart. 
 
 The Principles we now declare, are not peculiar to the Society that 
 addrefles you ; they are extending themfelves, with accumulating Force, 
 through every Part of our Country, and derive Strength from an Union 
 of Caufes, which no other Principles admit. 
 
 The religious Friend of Man, of every Denomination, records them 
 as his own ; they animate the Lover of rational Liberty; and they cherifh. 
 the Heart of the Poor, now bending under an Oppreffion of Taxes, by a 
 Profpeft of Relief. 
 
 We have againft us only that fame Enemy which is the Enemy of 
 Juftice in all Countries a Herd of Courtiers fattening on the Spoil of 
 the Public. 
 
 It would have given an additional Triumph to our Congratulations, 
 if the equal Rights of Man (which are the foundation of your Declara- 
 tion of Rights) had been recognized by the Governments around you, 
 and Tranquillity eftablimed in all : But if Defpotifms be ftill referved, 
 to exhibit, by a Confpiracy and Combination, a further Example of 
 Infamy to future Ages, that Power that difpofes of Events bcft knows 
 the Means of making that Example finally beneficial to his Creatures. 
 
 We have beheld your peaceable Principles infulted by defpotic Igno- 
 rance: We have feen the right Hand of Fellowfhip, which you hold 
 out to the World, rejected by thofe who riot on its Plunder : We nowr 
 behold you a Nation provoked into Defence; and we can fee no 
 Mode of Defence equal to that of eftablifhing the general Freedom of 
 Europe. 
 
 In this beft of Caufes we wi(h you fuccefs. Our Hearts go with you; 
 and in faying this, we believe we utter the Voice of Millions. 
 
 Refolved, That the above Addrefs be figned by the Chairman, and 
 
 that be requefted to tranfmit it, with all poffible 
 
 Difpatch, to at Paris. 
 
 Refolved, that the faid Addrefs be read a Second Time at the next 
 Meeting, for Publication. 
 
 Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to meet the Committees of 
 the Southwark, London, and Weftminiler Societies of the Fnends of the 
 Pepple, To-morrow Evening, at Seven o'clock, at the White Hart Ta- 
 vern in Holborn, and be empowered to co-operate with them in the 
 Publication of the Four Refolutions contained in the Declarations here- 
 tofore publifhed by this Society. 
 
 At a Meeting, :8th May, 1792. 
 The Addrefs to the Jacobins ordered to be publifhed. 
 Read the following Letter from Mr. Pains, acquaiati 
 
 N* 
 
 LUJ.UU.CU* 
 
 acquainting the Society 
 thai 
 
 that
 
 APPENDIX C, 
 
 that he is proceeding to bring out a cheap Edition of the Firftand Secoiid 
 Parts of the Rights of Man. 
 
 Refolved, That this Society will contribute its utmoft Aid towards 
 fupporting the Rights of the Nation. 
 
 Sir, London, May i8th, 1792. 
 
 The honourable Patronage which the Society for Conftitutional Infor- 
 mation has repeatedly given to the Works, intituled, " Rights of Man," 
 renders it incumbent on me to communicate to them whatever relates to 
 the Progrefs of thofe Works. 
 
 A great Number of Letters, from various Parts of the Country, have 
 come to me, expreiiing an earneft Defire, that the Firft and Second Parts 
 of " Rights of Man" could be rendered more generally ufeful, by print- 
 ing them in a cheaper Manner than they have hitherto been : As thole 
 Requefts were from Perfons to whom the Purchafe, at the prelent Price, 
 'was inconvenient, I took the proper Means for complying with their 
 requeft. 
 
 I am fince informed, that the Miniilry intend bringing a Profecution ; 
 and as a Nation (as well the Poor as the Rich) has a Right to know 
 what any Works are that are made the Subject of a Profecution, the 
 getting out a cheap Edition is, I conceive, rendered more neceffary than 
 before, as a Means towards fupporting that Right; and I have the 
 Pleafure of informing the Society that I am proceeding with die Work. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 THOMAS PAINE. 
 
 To rhe-Chairman of the Society for 
 Conftitutional Information. 
 
 The Society took into Consideration the Contents of the aforefaid 
 Letter, and came to the following Refolutions : 
 
 Refolved, -That the Thanks of this Society be given to Mr. Thomas 
 Paine for the Communication he has made, and for the Patriotic Difin- 
 tereftednefs manifefted therein. 
 
 Refolved, That this Society will contribute its utmoft Aid towards 
 fupporting the Rights of the Nation, and the Freedom of the Prefs, and 
 him who has fo eilentially and fucceisfully contributed to both. 
 
 Refolved, That the Right of inveftigating Principles and Syftems of 
 Government is one of thefe Rights ; and that the Works of any Author, 
 which cannot be refuted by Reafon, cannot, on the Principles of good 
 Government or of Common Senfe, be made the Subject of a Profe- 
 cution. 
 
 Refolved, That the exceffive Taxes which this Country pays, being 
 :~.u\\ Seventeen Milions Annually, gives an additional Motive for the 
 Exercife of this Right, and render it, at the fame Time, a more imme- 
 diate Duty the Nation owes to itfelf, to enter upon and promote all inch 
 tnveftigations. 
 
 ' Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the Rumour 
 of the above-mentioned Profecution ; and to report thereon to the So- 
 ciety at its next Meeting. 
 
 Refolved, That a Copy of Mr. Paine's Letter, together with thefe 
 Refolutions, be tranfmitted to all the allbciated Societies in Town and 
 Country j and that this Society d</ congratulate them on the firm and 
 
 orderly
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 orderly Spirit, and tranquil Perfeverance, manifefted in all their Proceed- 
 ings, and exhort them to a fleady Continuance therein. 
 
 Refolved, That 3,000 Copies of the above Letter and Refolutions be 
 printed for the Ufe of this Society. 
 
 At a Meeting 25th May, 1792. 
 
 Refolved, That 6,000 more Copies of the Bills directed at the laft 
 Meeting be printed : That 100 be fent to each of the Twelve aflbciated 
 Members of the Sheffield Conflitutional Societies ; 100 to each of the 
 Twelve aflbciated Members of the Norwich Conflitutional Society ; 200 
 to each of the other Societies correfponding with this Society ; 200 to 
 Derby ; and 200 to the Society at Belpar. 
 
 Read a Paper called a Proclamation, dated the 2ift Inftant, for fup- 
 preffing Seditious Publications. 
 
 The Society came to feveral Refolutions on this Proclamation ; the laft 
 of which is, 
 
 That the monftrous Enormity and Grievance of the prefent National 
 Debt; 
 
 The grievous Oppreffion of Seventeen Millions Annually of Taxes ; 
 
 The fcandalous Duration of Parliament for Seven years ; 
 
 Private Proprietors of Boroughs, falfely pretending to be, and really 
 acting as Reprefentatives of the People. 
 
 Judges claiming, in all Cafes, and under all circumftances, the Deter- 
 mination of the Criminality or Innocence of any Aft, exclufively of the 
 Jury; expenfive Armaments, and menacing Proclamations and Encamp- 
 ments in Time of a profound Peace : 
 
 Thefe Things we cannot believe either wife or wholefome ; and we 
 declare it to be a fatal Omiffion, at the Time of the Revolution, that 
 thefe Things were not fufficiently guarded againft ; and we feel it our 
 Duty, to the utmoft of our Power, to obtain a full and fair Reprefenta- 
 tion of the People, which we hold to be the only eife&ual Security for 
 their Rights, Liberties, and Property, and to be the only Meafure that 
 can produce " that due Submiflion to the Laws, and that juft Confi- 
 ' dence in the Integrity and Wifdom of Parliament," which are de- 
 clared in the faid Paper, called a Proclamation, to oe " the chief Caufes 
 " (under Providence) of the Wealth, the Happinefs, and the Profperity 
 " of the Kingdom." 
 
 Read a Communication from the London Correfponding Society, as 
 follows : 
 
 Sir, 
 
 By Dire&ion of the Delegates of the London Correfponding Society, 
 I have the Honour of inclofing to you a Copy of their Addrcfs and Re- 
 gulations, which 1 requetl you will communicate to the Conflitutional 
 Society. 
 
 I am truly, Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient and 
 Bell, Exeter Street, very humble Servant, 
 
 May 24, 1792. i . Secretary. 
 
 To the Chairman of the 
 Conflitutional Society, 
 
 Refolved
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 &efotvecl, That the Thanks of this Society be returned to the Lo'ndoft 
 Correfponding Society for the Communication which it has made to this 
 Society, and that the further Confideration of the laid Communication 
 be poitpolied to the next Meeting of this Society* 
 
 At a Meeting, ift June 1793. 
 
 The Secretary reported that he had fent 1,200 of the printed Bills or- 
 dered at the laft Meeting to the Sheffield Conftitutionai Society; *i,2Oo. 
 to the Norwich Conftitutionai Society ; to the Soutlivvark Conftitutionai 
 Society 200 ; to the London Correfponding Society 200 ; to a Perfon 
 to be forwarded to Derby zoo; to the Conftitutionai Whigs 200 ; to 
 the Society at Belpar 200. 
 
 Refolved, That the Secretary do fend to Birmingham 600 to the 
 Society at Aldgate 200; to Manchefter 1,200 ;- to Liverpool 200; 
 to Cambridge 500 ; and 400 to [ a Perfon ] to be diftributed among 
 the Societies in the Neighbourhood of Glafgow. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Correfponding Society as follows : 
 
 Sir, 3ifl: May 1792. 
 
 The London Correfponding Society return Thanks to the Society for 
 Conftitntional Information for the Communication of Mr. Thomas 
 Paine's Letter to them, and of their Refolutions fubfequent thereto. 
 
 It gives us infinite Satisfaction to think that Mankind will foon reap 
 the Advantage of Mr. Paine's Labours, in a new and cheaper Edition of 
 the Rights of Man. 
 
 We are however, no Ways furprifed at the Report of a Profecution 
 being commenced againft his Works, for, by the Doctrine fubftituted 
 tor Law in England, that Truth conftitutcs the Libel, the very many 
 Truths in both Volumes of the Rights of Man, render them com- 
 pletely Libellous, and force Adminiftration, perhaps againft their In- 
 clination, to fubmit them to the impartial Inveftigation of competent 
 Judges. 
 
 His Majeftv's Proclaims tion next engages our Notice ; after reading 
 it with great Attention, we difcard an Idea thrown out by fome, that it 
 had been drawn up and lent forth at this Juncture with a View of 
 raifing unfavourable Prejudices in the Minds of the People againft Mr. 
 Paine, or his Works, now under a Profecution ; inafmuch as fuch an 
 Attempt, if it could be proved, would not only bear Malice on the Face 
 of if, but would iikewife be a moll daring Violation of the Laws. 
 
 We are more willing to difcover therein His Majefty's great Good- 
 nefs of Heart and paternal Care, anticipating our warmeft Wifhes, giv- 
 ing the greateft Encouragement to our different Societies, and holding 
 forth the fame flrong Delire with us of abiding by the Conftitution in its 
 pure and un corrupt Jfaff, of fecuring the Public Peace and Prosperity, of 
 preserving to ALL the full Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties, both 
 Religious and Civil ; and feeming in Fact to encourage them under the 
 mod ferious Confideration of their own Welfare and that of their Pofte- 
 rify t to join us, and unite their Endeavours with ours in guarding againjl 
 all Attempts, aiming at the Subverjion of wholejome and regular Govern- 
 ment, and to dij courage and reprefs, to the utmojl of their Power, all Pro~ 
 ceedingi tending to produce Riots and Tumults . 
 
 Our
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Our Ends being thus uncontrovertibly the fame, and thereby enjoying 
 the Royal Sanction, we imagine that in exercifing our Right of Meeting, 
 when and where we pleafe, of canvaffing fuch Subjects as we think pro- 
 per, of inftruding our Fellow Citizens, and of uniting our Endeavours 
 to obtain a perfect Reprefentation in Parliament, we are taking the 
 trueft Method of fecuring to ourfelves and our Pofterity all the Blellings 
 of Liberty and Peace. 
 
 Yielding to the Society for Conftitutional Information, both in Priority 
 of Inftitution, and in Greatnefs of Abilities, we yet put in our Claim for 
 equality of zeal towards the Public Good, and firm Determination to ol> 
 tain it. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 : Chairman. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 To the Chairman of the Society for 
 Conftitutional Information. 
 
 Ordered, That the faid Letter be publiflied in fuch Newfpapers as nutM 
 receive the Advertifements of this Society 
 
 Refolved, That an open Committee do take into Confideration Eaine's 
 Letter, and have Power to tranfmit Copies to the different Correfpond- 
 ing Societies. 
 
 6,000 Copies of the Refolutions relative to the Proclamation to be 
 printed, and fent to the different Correfponding Societies. 
 
 At a Meeting, i$th June 1792. 
 
 Read Letter from the London Correfponding Society, ftating, that they 
 had opened a Subfcription for the Defence of Mr. Paine, and tha.t they 
 wifhed Six of their Members might be aflbciated with this Society. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be defired to inform the Secretary of the 
 London Correfponding Society, that this Society received their Propofal 
 with Pleafure ; and are willing to admit fuch Six of the Members whom 
 they mall nominate, to be aflbciated Members of this Society. 
 
 Refolved, That a Subfcription be opened in this Society for the Benefit 
 of Mr. Thomas Paine, Author of the Rights of Man. 
 
 Ordered, Thai the Letter of the London Correfponding Society, and 
 the Two laft Refolutions, be publiflied in the Newfpapers. 
 
 Refolved, That 12,000 Copies of Mr. Paine's Letter to Mr. Secretary 
 Dundas be printed by this Society, for the purpofe of being tranfmitted 
 to our Correfpondents throughout Great Britain; and that a Committee 
 be appointed to direft the fame. 
 
 At a Meeting, azd June 1792. 
 
 A Member reported that an Information was filed againft Mr. Paine 
 for his Publication of the Rights of Man. 
 
 Ordered, That the Subfcription entered into for the Benefit of Mr. 
 Thomas Paine be entered in a feparate part of the Book, and kept open 
 for the Members of this Society. 
 
 At a Meeting, agth June, 1792. 
 
 The Committee report a Plan of Diftribution of the 12,000 Copies of 
 Mr. Paine's Letter to Mr. Dundas ; which is adopted. 
 
 At
 
 APPENDIX C< 
 
 Frenchmen, 
 
 While Foreign Robbers are ravaging your Territories under thefpa* 
 clous Pretext of Jufticr, Cruelty and Delegation leading on their Van, 
 Perfidy with Treachery bringing up their Rear, yet Mercy and Friend-, 
 ihip impudently held forth to the World as the fo!e Motives of their In- 
 curfions, the opp re fled Part of Mankind, forgetting for a while their 
 own Sufferings, feel only for yours, and with an anxious Eye watch the 
 Event, fervently fupplkating the Almighty Ruler of the Univerfe to be 
 favourable to your Cauie, fo intimately blended with their own. Frowned, 
 vpon by an oppreffive Syftem of Controul, whofe gradual b.ut continued 
 Encroachments have deprived this Nation of nearly all its bonded Li- 
 berty, and brought us almoft to that abject State of Slavery from which 
 you have fo emerged, Five thoufand Britifli Citizens, i-Mignant, man- 
 fully ftep forth to refcue their Country from the Opprobrium brought 
 upon it by the fupine Conduct of thofe'in Power, they conceive it to be 
 the Duty of Britons to countenance and affift, to the utmoft of their 
 Power, the Champions of Human Happineis, and to fwear to a Nation 
 proceeding on the Plan you have adopted, an inviolable Friend ihip ; 
 facred from this Day be that Fricndmip between us,'and may Vengeance 
 to the uttermoft overtake the Man who, hereafter, lhall attempt to caufe 
 a Rupture. 
 
 Though we appear fo few at prefent, be allured, Frenchmen, that 
 our Number increafes Daily. It is true, that the ftern uplifted Arm of 
 Authority at prefent keep?' back the Timid ; that bufily circulated Im- 
 poftures hourly mifleacl ;he Credulous; and that Court Intimacy with 
 avowed French Traitors has fome Effect on the Unwary and on the 
 Ambitious ; but with Certainty we can inform you, Friends and Free- 
 men, that Information makes a rapid Progrefs among us ; Curiofity has 
 taken Poffeflion of the Public Mind ; the conjoint Reign of Ignorance 
 and Defpotifm pafles away ; Men now afk each other what is Freedom, 
 what are our Rights ? Frenchmen, you are already free, and Britons 
 are preparing to become fo. Cafting far from us the criminal Prejudices 
 artfully inculcated by evil-minded Men and wily Courtiers, we, inftead 
 of natural Enemies, at length difcover in Frenchmen our Fellow Citi- 
 zens of the World, and our Brethren by the fame Heavenly Father, 
 who created us for the Purpofe of loving and mutually aflifting each 
 other, but not to hate, and to be ever ready to cut each other's Throats 
 at the Command of weak and ambitious Kings and corrupt Minifters : 
 Seeking our real Enemies, we find them in our Bofoms, we feel ourfelves 
 inwardly torn by, and ever the Victims of a reftlefs and all-confuming 
 Ariflocracy, hitherto the Bane of every Nation under the Sun. Wifely 
 have you acted in expelling it from France. 
 
 Warm as our Wiflies are for your Succefs, eager as we are to behold 
 Freedom triumphant, and Man every where reftored to the Enjoyment 
 of his juft Rights, a Senfe of our Duty as orderly Citizens forbids our 
 flying in Arms to your Affiftance; our Government has pledged the 
 Rational Faith to remain neutral- in a Struggle of Liberty againn Def- 
 potifm Britons remain neutral ! O Shame ! But we have entrufted our 
 King with difcretionary Powers, we therefore mull obey, our Hands 
 are bound, but our Hearts are free, and they are with you. 
 
 Let
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Let German Defpots aft as they pleafe, we fliall rejoice at their Fall, 
 fcompaffionating however their enflaved Subjects. We hope this Ty- 
 ranny of their Mafters will prove the Means of re-inflating in the full 
 Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties, Millions of our Fellow 
 Creatures. 
 
 With Unconcern, therefore, we view the Elector of Hanover join his 
 Troops to Traitors and Robbers but the King of Great Britain will do 
 well to remember that this Country is not Hanover '(bould he forget 
 this Diftinftion, We will not. 
 
 While you enjoy the envied Glory of being the unaided Defenders of 
 Freedom, we fondly anticipate -n idea, the numerous Bleffings Marikind 
 will enjoy. If you fucceed, as we ardently with, ihe Triple Ailianc 
 (not of Crowns, but) of the People of America, France, and Britain 
 \vill give Freedom to Europe, and Peace to the whole World. Dea 
 Friends, you combat for the Advantage or the Human Rnce How wel 
 purchafed will be, though at the Expense of much Jlood, the gionoiia 
 Amprecedented Privilege of laying Mankind is free Tyrants and Ty 
 ranny are no more Peace reigns on the Earth, and this is the Work of 
 Frenchmen. 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be given to the London 
 Correfponding Society for the above Addrefs tranfmitted by them; and 
 that the Secretary acquaint them this Society do highly approve of the 
 Spirit of the fame* 
 
 At a Meeting igth October, 1791, an Anfwer to Joel Barlo.v, pre* 
 
 pared by was produced, read, approve !, andj with his Letter, 
 
 ordered to be publiQied. 
 
 A Committee appointed to confer with the Delegates of the London 
 Correfponding Society, oil an Addu;fi to the National Convention of 
 France. 
 
 At a Meeting 26th October, 1792, the Secretary read the Report of 
 the Committee appointed at the laft Meeting. 
 
 Refolved, ift, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, thePurpofe* 
 of the Addrefs drawn up by the London Correfponding Society will be 
 much better anfwered by feparate Addreffes from the different Societies, 
 than by one joint Addrefs. 
 
 zd, That the Committee, for that Reafon, do not recommend a Con- 
 currence with the London Correfponding Society in the Prelentati .jn of a 
 joint AddrcTs. 
 
 3d, That the Committee, warmly approving the Principles and Spi- 
 rit of the Addrefs from the London Corresponding Society, recommend 
 the Society to followr fo laudable an Example. 
 
 4th, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the Tha-ilo of 
 the Society are due to the Gentlemen Delegates from the Lond^.; Cor- 
 refponding Society for their punctual Attendance, and for the able and 
 candid Manner in which they affifted in difcuffing the Subject of the 
 Conference. 
 
 Read a Letter, with its Inclofure, from the Editor of The Patriot, at 
 Sheffield. 
 
 The Letter itfelf complains of the Conftitutional Society for not an- 
 
 fwering a former Letter, and encfofes a Letter from the Editor to a So- 
 
 O ^ cicty
 
 A P N D I X C. 
 
 of lat-ge Property and good Character in the Neighbourhood, who i* 
 known to be a Friend to a Reform. " Yes." " Well, and do you 
 .*' fuppofe, th?t he would promote a Scheme that woul i occafion and 
 " oblige him to part with that Property he poffclies, in order for it to 
 *' be divided ainongft Strangers whom he never law or heard of r" 
 " No." " Why then fliould you fuffer yourlelf to be impofed on by 
 *' luch an idle Tale, fabricated and circulated for the Purpoie" of railing 
 " a Dread in you againft thofe more enlightened of your fellow Citi- 
 " 2etis who with for a Reform, as y m would diJyou fee its Neceffi'y ? 
 " a Dread which may caule you to fliut your Lyes upon oppreilive 
 *' Jtxcife and Game Laws, exorbitant Tythes, an unnccellary Standing 
 " Art.iy> kept on Foot at the ExpenceofTwo Millions ami an Half, 
 ' for the Purpofes of Influence and Corruption , a Pc-mion Lift, which 
 " is a Difgrace to the Government, and a Migma and Reproach on the 
 ' Spirit and PnuLnc-e of the Nation; Sinecure Places, for the mere 
 *' polleiiing of which Hundreds of Indiv.duals receive Thoufands a 
 " Year ejxn for doing Nothing at all, cither for the Public Service or 
 " their O--JJH; in fhort, fuch an enormous accumulation of Taxes, and 
 *' fo prodigal an Expenditure of their Produce, as no Nation on the 
 *' Earth ever heard of or fubmitted to before. To make you fluit your 
 *' Eyes, and continue blind to thefe Enormities, thofe idle and futile 
 " Tales are vilhirroufly difperfed abroad ; but believe them not, con- 
 " fult your own Reaton, and it will mew you, that there is a palpable 
 " Lie on the Face of every One of them ?" Then explain the Nature, 
 Aim, and End. of your Society, invite them to attend it, and to judge 
 for themfelve?. If they do fo, they will foon aid and aifift you, by- 
 adopting fimilar Ones in their feveral Neighbourhoods, till in Time 
 they wi'il overlpread the whole Surface of this Sea-girt Ifie. 
 
 At prelent, sir, I will not trouble you further on the Subject, which I 
 nou r quit to return to the Conduct and Regulation of your own Soc.ety, 
 and all others which may ariie hereafter; and as to them, I think the 
 Innkeepers in Srockport, Manchester, &c. have given you a Hint and 
 Leffon for which you ought to eftecm yourfelves for ever obliged to 
 them. I own their Iniolence and Audacity in proceeding as they have 
 done is beyond Example, but only deferring of Contempt as fuch, 
 leave them to themfelves. Public Monies were never worthy of receiv- 
 i.ig fuch Guefts, \vhofe lacred and important Duty require and demand 
 to^be performed in Maniions more dignified and relpedtable. Your 
 Meetings mould be at the Houfes of one another, in honourable Rota- 
 tion ; and, to prevent inconvenience from too great a Number, not 
 more than Ten or Twelve at the mdt fhouid compofe a Primary or 
 Diilrict Meeting. More Members may be admitted in e:-.ch D;ftn6t, 
 till they reach Twenty or Y wctuy-lV^r, aceo/cling to the Number fixed 
 on but tLen immediately fhouid divide int;. Two Diftricl Meetings. 
 The feveral Di:t:ib fhouid fend each One Member, by Election, to a 
 Meeting of Delegates, and this Meeting of Delegates fhouid elect out 
 of their own Body a certain Number, uhich is to compofe a Select Com- 
 mittee. Tais Select Committee to manage the Correfpondence, and 
 tvery other important Concern, for the whole of the Diftricts in any 
 Town or Parilh, lubject always to the Revifion and Approbation of 
 t;.. Diftri&s. The Delegates and select Committee to be chofen only 
 foi a limited Time ; before thetxpiration of which others to be elected as 
 2 before,
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 before, from the Diitrids, to fupply their Places, by which Rotations 
 every Member would in Time became qualified to be a Delegate and a 
 Select Committee iWan, though ne might not be ib on his Firit entrance 
 as a Diftrift Member. Thele are only Hints, on which you may improve 
 or enlarge as much :'.s you j.;eale. 
 
 Ordered, i hat the laid Letter be taken into Confederation the Firft 
 Bulinels at the ncxr Meeting. 
 
 Relolved, That at the next Meeting of this Society they do consider of 
 an Anlvver to the Correfpondmg Society, on the bubject of their Letter, 
 accompanying their Adcheis to the National Convention. 
 
 Refolved, That at the laid Meeting the Society do attend to the Ex- 
 ample of the Lond -n Correiponding Society, and confider qf an Addreis 
 to the National Convention of France, 
 
 * r . 
 
 At a Meeting, gth November, 179*. 
 
 The Committee appointed at the laft Meeting to prepare an Addrefs 
 from this society to the National Convention of France made their 
 Report, and produced the loilowing Addieis ? which was read and ap 
 proved ; 
 
 The Society for Conftitutional Information in London to the 
 
 National Convention in France. 
 Servants of a Sovereign People, and Benefactors of Mankind, 
 
 We i\ joice that your Revolution has arrived at that Point of Perfec- 
 tion wl.ich w.ll permit us to addrcfd you by this Title; it is the omy one 
 that can accord with the Character <,f true Legiflators. Every fuccelfive 
 Epoch in your Aitaiis has ridded lomething to the Triumphs of Liberty ; 
 and the glorious Victory of the loth of Auguft has finally prepared the 
 Way for a Constitution, which, we truft, you will eihbiiili on the Bafis 
 of Reaion and Nature. 
 
 ConfiJering the Mafs of Delufion accumulated on Mankind to ob 
 fcure their Understandings, you cannot be aftonifhed at the Oppofition 
 you have met both from Tyrants and from Slaves. The Inftrumcnt 
 uled againil you by each of thele ClaiTes is the fame ; for in the Genea- 
 logy of Human Miieries, Ignorance is at once the Parent of Oppreflion 
 and the Child of Submiffion. 
 
 The Events or every Day are proving that your Caufe is cherifhed by 
 the People in all your Continental Vicinity; that a iVinj rity of each of 
 thofe Nations are your real Friends, whole Governments have tutored 
 them into apparent Foes, and that they only wait to be delivered by 
 your Arms from the dreaded NecetTity of fighting againft them. 
 
 The Condition of Engliflimen is lefs to be deplored here the Hr?nd 
 cf Oppreflion has not yet ventured completely to ravifh the Pen from .r, 
 nor openly to point the Sword at you. From Bofonis burning with 
 Ardor in your Caufe, we tender you our warmeft Wifh.es for the full 
 Extent of its Progrefs and Succel's. It is indeed a facred Caufe ; we 
 chenfh it as the Pledge of your Happineis, our natural and ncarejl 
 Friends, and we rely upon it as the Bond of paternal Union to the Human 
 Race, in which Union our own Nation will iureiy be one of the full to 
 concur. 
 
 Our Government has ftill the Power, and perhaps the Inclination, to 
 employ Hirelings to contradict us ; but it is'our rc:il Opinion that -we 
 
 now
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 now fpeak the Sentiments of a great Majority of the Englifh Nation. 
 The People here are wearied with Impofture, and worn out with War. 
 They have learned to reflect, that both the one and the other are the 
 Offspring of unnatural Combinations in Society, as relative to Syftems 
 of Government, not the Refult of the natural Temper of Nations as re- 
 lative to each other's Pofition. 
 
 Goon, Legiilators, in the Work of Human Happinefs. The Bene- 
 fits will in Part be our?, but the Glory fhall be all your o\vn it is the 
 Reward of your Perfeverance ; it is the Prize of Virtue. The Sparks of 
 Liberty preferved in England for Ages, like the Corufcations of the 
 Northern Aurora, ferved but to ihew the Darknefs vifible in the Reft of 
 Europe. The Lultre oi the American Republic, like an effulgent Morn- 
 ing, arofe with increasing Vigour, but ftill too diftant to enlighten our 
 Hemifphere, till the Splendor of the French Revolution burft forth 
 upon the Nations in the fuli Fervour of a Meridian Sun, and difplayed 
 in the Midft of the European World the practical Refult of Principles, 
 vhich Philofophy h~.d fought in the Shade of Speculation, and which 
 Experience muft every wheie conlinn. It difpels the Clouds of Preju- 
 dice from all People, reveals the Secrets of all Defpotifm, and creates a 
 new Character in Man. 
 
 In this Career of Improvement your Example will be foon follovred ; 
 for Nations, rifing from their Lethargy, will re-claim the Rights of 
 Man with a Voice which Man cannot refilr. 
 
 Signed, by Order of the Society. 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be given to the Com- 
 mittee who prepared the above Addrefs. 
 
 KefolvpH, That Mr. Barlow and Mr. Froft be deputed by this Society 
 to prefent the Addrefs of this Society at the Bar of the National Con- 
 vention of France. 
 
 Rtfolved, Thai the Thanks of this Society be given to $lr. Barlow 
 and Mr. I-'roft, tor accepting the above Deputation. 
 
 At a Meeting. 3oth November, 1792. 
 Read a Letter from Mr. of I.eicefter. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary do write to Mr. and acquaint 
 
 him, that if he will tranfmit to him the Declaration propofed to be 
 drawn up by the Leiceiter Society, the Secretary will lay the lame be- 
 fore a Committee of this Society, who will revile the fame. 
 
 Ordered, That the Declaration which fliall be lent from the Leicefter 
 ty be referred to the Committee of Correfpondence. 
 
 At a Meeting, i-j-th December, 1792. 
 Read a printed Addrefs; from Manchefler. 
 
 Refolded, That the faid Addrefs be approved for publifhing in the 
 New 1 papers. 
 
 A Motion was made, and feconded, That the 2oth Law of this So- 
 ciety be fuipended on ibis Occalion ; which Motion was carried in the 
 Altirrnative. 
 
 Resolved, That the faid Addrefs be printed in the Newfpnpers. 
 
 ftefefcd.
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Rel'olved, That One hundred thoufand Copies of the fame be printed 
 by this Society, and diftributed to their Correfpondents in Great Bri 
 tain and Ireland. 
 
 The following Refolutions were propofed by a Member of the So* 
 ciety : 
 
 Refol/ed, ift. That the Object of this Society, from its firft Inuitu- 
 tion to the prefent Moment of Alarm, has uniformly been to promote 
 the Welfare of the People by all Conilitutional Means, and to expofe, 
 in their true Light, the Abates which have imperceptibly crept in, and 
 at lail grown to iuch an Height, as to raile the moft ferious Apprehen- 
 fions in every true Friend of the Conftitution, 
 
 Kefolved, zd. That this Society difclaims the Idea of walling to 
 effect a Change in the prefent Syftem of Things by Violence and public 
 Commotion ; but that it trufts to the good Senle of the People, when 
 they fhall be fully enlightened on the Subject, to procure, without dif- 
 turbing the public Tranquillity, an effectual and permanent Reform. 
 
 Refolved, 3d. That the Intentions of this and of fimilar Societies 
 have of late been grofsly calumniated, by thole who are interefted to 
 perpetuate Abufes, and their Agents, who have been induftrious to re- 
 prelent the Members of fuch Societies as Men of dangerous Principles, 
 wifhing to deitroy all focial Order, difturb the State of Property, and 
 introduce Anarchy and Confuiion inftead of regular Government. 
 
 Refolved, 4th, That in order to counteract the Operation of fuch 
 grois Afperfiops, and to prevent them from checking the Progrefs of 
 liberal Inquiry, it is, at this Time, peculiarly expedient that this and 
 Similar Societies mould publicly aflTert the Rectitude of their Principles. 
 
 Refolved, That the faid Refolutions be adopted, in ord.er for printing 
 in the Newfpapers. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Society of Friends of Liberty and Equality, 
 fitting at Laon, Capital of the Department De L*Aiine, to the Patriotic 
 Society of London, named The Society for Conftitutional Information. 
 
 Refolved, That the faid Letter be referred {o the Cqmmirj.ee of Cor* 
 refpondence^ 
 
 At a. Meeting, aift December^ 179** 
 
 The Secretary reported, that he had offered the Addrefs which waa 
 jjent to the laft Meeting from Manchefter, and ordered to be publiflied, 
 to the Offices of the Morning Chronicle and. Morning Poft, and that 
 they had refufed to print them j that the Morning Poft had given a 
 written Anfwer to his Application, which being read j. 
 
 Ordered, That the fame be entered in the Books of this Society. 
 
 ' This excellent Paper, drawn by a mafterly Hand, we wifh to fee 
 < in the PonTeffipn of every Englimmao; but after the Verdict agamft 
 ** Mr. Paine, which was not warranted by the. Law or Conftitution, 
 " the Proprietor of Ne-.vfpapers tremble at inferting any thing except 
 *' fulfome Panegyrics on a depraved Legislature and hungry Court 
 *' Minions the vile Alfociations have worked the public Mind into fuch 
 " a Fervour, that a Jury would, by the Intimation of a Judge, find 
 *-'- any Thine a Libel we therefore can only exprefs our Sorrow, tha^ 
 P. * tot-
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 " Self-prefervation will not permit us to make the Morning Poft the 
 *' Vehicle to convey this Paper to the Public." 
 
 Read a Letter from Mr. , of Manchefter. 
 
 Refolved, That 'the Addrefs from Mdnchefter, together with the Re- 
 folution, be publifhed in Newfpapers in Scotland. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Society of the Friends to Liberty and E^ua- 
 lity, at Macdn, in the Department of Saone and Lc i.e. 
 
 Ordered, That the fame be entered ori the Minutes of the Society. 
 ' [A Blank is left in the Book where it flioiild be entered.] 
 
 ... . be a Committee for Foreign Correfpondence. 
 
 Refolved, That the Letter from the laid Society be referred to the 
 Committee for Foreign Correfpondence. 
 
 'Ordered, That the Proceedings- of the Committee for Foreign Cor- 
 refpondence be entered in a leparate Book. 
 
 At a Meeting, 1 8th January, 1793. 
 
 Refolved, That Citizen St. Andre, a Member of the National Con 
 vention of France, being confidered by us as one of the molt judicious 
 and enlightened Friends of Human Liberty, be admitted an Aflbciated 
 Honorary Member of this Society. 
 1 Refolved, That the faid Refolution be publiflied in the Newfpapers. 
 
 At a Meeting, a5th January, 1793. 
 
 Refolved, That Citizen Barrere, a Member of the National Conven- 
 tion of 'France, being confidered by us as one of the moft judicious 
 and enlightened Friends of Human Liberty, be admitted an Aflbciated 
 Honorary Member of this Society. 
 
 Refolved, That Citizen Roland, being alfo confidered by us as one 
 of the moft judicious and enlightened Friends of Human Liberty, be 
 admitted an Aflbciated Honorary Member of this Society. 
 
 Refolved, That the faid Refolutions be piiblifhed in the Newfpapers. 
 
 Refolved, That it appears to this Society, from the beft Information 
 we can obtain, that the People of Great Britain are, at this prefentTime, 
 utterly averfc to a War with France, and consider fuch an Event as a 
 Calamity of the Human Race, however it may gratify a Confederacy of 
 Foreign Kings.' 
 
 Refolved, That the faid Refolution be publiflied in the Newfpapers. 
 
 At a Meeting, ift February, 1793. 
 
 Read a circular Letter from the Sheffield Society for Conflitutional 
 Information'. 
 " Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to report an Anfwer. 
 
 Refolved, That the Speeches of Citizen St. Andre and Citizen Bar- 
 rerej (Aflbciated Honorary Members of this Society) as given in the 
 Gazette National ou Moniteur Univerfelle of Paris,' orr the 4th, 6th, 
 and 7th of January, 1793, be infertedin the Books of this Society. 
 
 . , ' Refolved,
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 Refolved, That the faicl Refolution be publiihed in the Newfpapers 
 
 At a Meeting, i$th February, 1793. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Society for Conftitutional Information at Bir- 
 mingham, of which the following is an Extract : 
 
 Our Society reqiiefts the Favour of your admitting the following 
 Twelve Perfons, whofe Names are fubfcnbed, to be enrolled Members 
 of your Society, for the Purpofe of correfponding with yours and every 
 other (imilar Inftitution in the Nation, for the better regulating our Mea- 
 fures; and receiving Inftruction. 
 
 Wifhing you all the Succefs your laudable Undertaking deferves, we 
 are, with Sincerity, 
 
 Your Fellow Citizens and Friends. 
 
 Refolved, That the Twelve Members of the Birmingham Society 
 for Conftitutional Information, recommended in the laid Letter, be ad- 
 mitted affbciated Members of this Society. 
 
 Kefolved, That the laid Letter, and the Election of the faid Twelve 
 Members, be publifhed in the Newfpapers (exclufive of their Names.) 
 
 At a Meeting^ 1 5th March, 1793. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Conftitutional Society at Sheffield, inclofmg 
 the Relolutions of the i3th of February laft. 
 
 Refolved, That the Secretary be instructed to return the Thanks of 
 this Society to the Society for Conftitutional Information at Sheffield for 
 their Communication ; and to acquaint them, that this Society perfectly 
 agree with them in their Sentiments, with refpect to the Calamities of 
 War in general, and that they concur with them in thinking, that the 
 Thanks of the Community at large are due to all thofe who have ex- 
 erted themfelves to prevent the preient War. 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be given to Joel Barlow 
 and John Froft, for their Conduft in the Prefentation of the Addrefs 
 of this Society to the National Convention of France ; and that Mr. 
 Froft be affured, that our Regard for him is not leflened, but increafed, 
 by the Profecutions and Perfections which his faithful and due Dif- 
 charge of that Commiffion may bring upon him. 
 
 At a Meeting, ^th April, 1 793. 
 
 Refolved, That a Letter be written to Simon Butler and Oliver Bond, 
 Efquires, expreffive of the high Seine we entertain of their Exertions in 
 the Caufe of Freedom ; and to allure them that we confider the Irn- 
 prifonment they at prefent fuffer on that Account as illegal and uncon- 
 liitutional. 
 
 The following Letter was produced and read : 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 It is not eafy for Men, who feel ftrongly and fincerely, to convey 
 
 ibofe Feelings by Letter, we therefore rely on your conceiving f r us 
 
 p z
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 initch of that which we are livable to exprefs to you. We think, how- 
 ever, that we fhall be guilty of a great Omiflion, did we neglect the Op- 
 portunity of fending you, by Mr. Hamilton Rowan, the honeft Tribute 
 of our Efteem and Admiration for your brave and manly Refiftance to 
 the ufurped Jurifdi&ion of the Irifh Ariibcracy. 
 
 Permit us to otter you our Thanks, and our grateful Acknowledge- 
 ment of your Efforts in what we confider as a common Caufe, while we 
 lament our Inability of proving ourielves uieful in your Defence. 
 
 Although we are of different Kingdoms, ftill we are but One People ; 
 and as the Freedom of One Continent has already fpread its influence to 
 Europe, fo, on the other Hand, we are perfuaded, that the Eftablifliment 
 of Defpotilm in Ireland muff end in the Slavery of Great Britain. But 
 the Light of Liberty is not confined to One Shore or One Latitude. 
 
 We know that it is eafier to admire than to practife thofe Virtues that 
 tend to the Public Benefit. Yet fo long as the Exertions of a few cou- 
 rageous Men mull influence the Minds of at leaft the independent and 
 thinking Part of the Community, we are affured that their Labour is not 
 fruitleis. We truft, therefore, the Time will foon arrive, when the 
 Abufe of Power in either Nation will have no other Confequence than 
 the Ruin of thofe who have committed that Injuftice. We hope, and 
 \ve doubt not, of foon feeing the Day, when the Poft of Honour fhall be 
 no longer that of Obloquy and Punifhment, but when thofe who have 
 rilqued their Liberty and Fortune in the Caufe of their Countrymen, 
 may find protection in the undifputed, uninterrupted Exercife of Trial 
 by Jury, with a full and adequate Reprefentation of the People in Par- 
 liament. 
 
 At a Meeting, 1 2th April, 1793. 
 
 Read an Anfwer directed to be prepared to the Letter received from 
 the United Political Societies in Norwich. 
 
 Refolved, That the faid Anfwer be fent by the Secretary to the Secre- 
 tary of the laid Societies. 
 
 Mr. read an Anfwer (directed to be prepared by him) to the 
 
 Letter received from Mr. of Birmingham. 
 
 Read a Letter from Mr. Hamilton Rowan to the Secretary of this 
 Society. 
 
 Ordered, That the faid Letter be entered in the Books of fhi* 
 Society. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton Rowan prefents his Compliments to Mr. Adams ; he 
 did intend to have done hinifelf the Pleaiure of waiting on him, but has 
 been fo intolerably hurried by private Bufinefs as to have been prevented 
 from his Purpofe, and fears that he fhall not have it in his Power before 
 he leaves this Town for Ireland, which will be either on Monday Even- 
 ing or early on Tuefday Morning. He knows that no more pleafurablo 
 Senfation can be received by Mefirs. Butler and Bond, as well as by all 
 thofe Gentlemen who are acting with them, and who, though not under 
 prefent, are liable to future Profecution, than the Countenance and 
 support of thofe who are really engaged in the Caufe of Man in general, 
 and fuch we believe the Members of the Society for Conftitutional In- 
 formation to be, and as fuch H. R. in particular will remember the 
 
 3 kind
 
 A P P E N-D I X C. 
 
 k5nd Fraternity with which he had the Honour of being received by 
 them ; and, as a Member of the United Iriftunen of Dublin, would be 
 happy to have it in his Power to return the Compliment in his own 
 Country. 
 
 Olborne's Hotel, Adelphi, 
 ;th April, 1793. 
 
 At a Meeting, aift June, 1793. 
 
 Read the Sheffield and Nottingham Petitions to the Houfe of Com- 
 mons. 
 
 Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare an Addrefs to 
 the Bririfh Nation ; and that the faid Committee be an open Committee. 
 
 At a Meeting, s8th June, 1793. 
 
 Copies of Two Petitions from the Town of Nottingham prefented. 
 
 Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare an Addrefs to 
 the Britifli Nation. 
 
 Refolved, That [Two Members, who are named] be requefted to 
 prepare the faid Addrefs. 
 
 At a Meeting, 5th Oftober, 1793. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Secretary to the Society for Conftitutional 
 Information at Coventry, to ' accompanied with fome Addrefles 
 from the faid Society. 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be returned to the Co* 
 rentry Society for their Communication* 
 
 Mr. Sinclair read a Letter, with an Addrefs from Mr. Skirving, Se- 
 cretary to the Convention of the Friends of the People iti Scotland, to 
 the Secretary to the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Refolved, That an Extraordinary General Meeting of this Society be 
 called for Monday next, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, at Six 
 o'Clock in the Evening, to confider of the Utility and Propriety of fend- 
 ing Delegates to a Convention of Delegates of the different Societies in 
 Great Britain, to be held at Edinburgh, for the Purpofe of obtaining a 
 Parliamentary Reform. 
 
 Refolved, That the Subftance of the Motion be inferted in the 
 Letter, 
 
 At a Meeting, October 28, 1793. 
 
 Read Addrefles to the Friends of the People of Parliamentary Reform, 
 figned by Wm. Skirving, Secretary to the General Convention at Edin* 
 burgh. 
 
 Refolved, That this Society do fend Delegates to the enfuing Conven- 
 tion to be held in Edinburgh for promoting a Reform in Parliament. 
 
 Refolved, That Two Members of this Society be elected as Delegates 
 to the faid Convention. 
 
 Refolved,
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 , That the Secretary do deliver to the Delegates appointed by 
 this S(x-iety to represent them in the Convention at Edinburgh, Copies 
 of the Proceedings of the 2;th and? aSth Inllant^ by *hich they are ap- 
 pointed to that Office. 
 
 
 'Inftruaions to the Delegate's, 
 
 -; 
 
 The Delegates urfc instructed on the Part of this Society, to aflift irt 
 bringing forward and tupporting any Conrtitutional Meafures for pro* 
 curing a real Representation of the Commons of Great Britain in Par- 
 liament. That in Specifying the RedreSs to be demanded of exiftii/g 
 Abufes, the Delegates ought never to lofe Sight of the Two eflential 
 Principles, General Sr.rt'njge and Annual Reprefentation., together wifh 
 the nnalienable Right in the People to Reform * and that a realbnable 
 and known Compensation ought to be made to the Representatives of 
 the Nation, by a National Contribution. 
 
 That the Delegates do punctually correfpond with the Society, for 
 the PurpoSe of communicating Information, and of receiving fuch far- 
 ther Inftru6tions as the Exigency may require. 
 
 Refolved, That the above be the Directions to the Delegates. 
 : Refolved, That Seven Guineas be allowed to each of the Delegates 
 for Travelling ; and a Sum not exceeding Three Guineas per Week 
 each be allowed them during the Sitting of the Convention of Delegates ; 
 and that a Subscription be now opened for that Purpofe, and that the 
 Secretary be requefted to receive the fame. 
 
 Refolved, That the Proceedings of Friday the 25th and Monday the 
 2 8th O&ober, 1793, be figned by the Chairman and Secretary. 
 
 Refolved, That the Secretary be requefted to write to the different 
 Societies with which this Society is in Correspondence, informing them, 
 that the London, Correfponding Society, together with this Society, have 
 elected Delegates to the Convention of Delegates, to meet at Edinburgh 
 on the agth Inftant ; and to requeft their Concurrence in this important; 
 Meafure. 
 
 At a Meeting 8th November, 1793. 
 
 Read Letters from the Conftitutional Societies at Sheffield, Leeds, 
 and Birmingham, in Anfwer to the Secretary's Letters of the zSth 
 
 Ultimo. 
 
 At a Meeting 6th December, 1 793. 
 
 Read a Letter from Mr. , Delegate from this Society at 
 
 Edinburgh, dated yth November, with the Secretary's Anfwer to that 
 Letter; and allb another Letter from Mr. , dated izth No- 
 vember. 
 
 Refolved, That a General Meeting of this Society be called for the 
 Second Friday in January next, for the Purpofe of confidering the im- 
 pottaut Letter? re owed from the Delegate "Mr. T 
 
 Refolved,
 
 APPENDIX C. *, 
 
 Hefoived, That a Committee be appointed to correfpond wid) our 
 Pdegate, Mr. . . 
 
 ^*fif, -t-^ki f !-' 
 
 At a Meeting loth January, 1794. 
 
 Refolyed, That the important Letters received from Mr. ^ ., 
 tjie Delegate from this Society to the Convention at Edinburgh, and the 
 i'ubfequent Proceedings of that Convention, be taken into Conlideration 
 an Friday next, and that a General Meeting or' the Society be called for 
 that Piirpofe. 
 
 At a Meeting, xyth January, 1794. 
 Li'/jsl; , ''' Hfal 
 
 Refoived, That Law ceafes to be an Objedt of Obedience, whenever 
 it becomes an Instrument of Oppreflion. 
 
 ' Refoived, That tve recal to Mind, with the deepeft Satisfaction, the 
 merited Fate of the infamous Jefferies, once Lord Chief Juftice of Eng- 
 Iknd, who, at the Era of the glorious Revolution, for the many iriiqui- 
 tous Sentences which he had pafled, xvas torn to Pieces by a brave and 
 injured People. 
 
 Refoived, That thofe who imitate his Example deferve his Fate. 
 
 Refoived, That the Tweed, though it may divide Countries, ought 
 not, and does not make a Separation between thofe Principles of com- 
 mon Seventy, in which Engliflimen and Scotimen are equally interefted ; 
 that Injuftice in Scotland is Injuftice in England; and that the Safety of 
 Engliflimen is endangered whenever their Brethren of Scotland, for a 
 Conduit which entitles them to the Approbation of all wife, and the 
 Support of all brave Men, are fentenced to Botany Bay, a Punifliroent 
 hitherto ihfli&ed only on 'Felons. 
 
 ' Refoived, That we fee with Regret, but we fee without Fear, that the 
 Period is fail approaching when the Liberties of Britqns mull depend 
 hot upon Reafon, to which they have long appealed, nor on their Powers 
 of expreflirig it, but on their h'rm and undaunted kefolution to oppoi'e 
 Tyranny by the fame Means by which it is exercifed. 
 
 Reiolved, That we approve of the Conduct of the Britifh Conven- 
 tion, who, though aflailed by Force, have not been anlwered by Argu- 
 ment ; and who, unlike the Members of a certain Aflembly, have no 
 Intereft diftinct from the common Body of the People. 
 
 Refoived, That a Copy of the above Refolutions be tranfmitted t 
 Citizen William Skirving, Secretary to the Britifli Convention, who is 
 how imprifoned, under Colour of Law, in the Tolbooth of Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 ' Refoived, That the Refolutions now pafled be publifhed in the Newf- 
 papers. 
 
 ' Read a Letter from Mr Hardy, Secretary to the London Correfpon- 
 ding Society. 
 
 At a Meeting 24th January, 1794. 
 
 A Motion was made, That it be Refoived, That the mofi excellent 
 Addrefs of the London Correfponding Society be inferted in the Jiook* 
 
 of
 
 A- P P E N D I X C. 
 
 of this Society, and that the King's Speech to HIS Parliament be in- 
 ferted UNDER it, in order that they may both be always ready for the 
 perpetual Reference of the Members of this Society during the Conti- 
 nuance of the prefent unfortunate War; and that (in perpetuam rei 
 Memoriam) they may be printed together in One bheet at the happy 
 Conclusion of it; which happy Cwnclunon, according to the prefent 
 profperous Appearances, we hope and believe not to be many Months 
 diftant. 
 
 An Amendment was moved, That between the Words (HIS) and 
 (Parliament) the Word (Honourable} fhouid be inserted. 
 
 Honourable was withdrawn. 
 
 Another Amendment was then moved, That between the Wprd* 
 (HIS) and (Parliament) the Word (Faithful) fliould be inferted, 
 
 faithful was withdrawn. 
 
 And it was unanimoufly refolved, " That HIS, and HIS only, is tfic 
 ** proper Epithet for Parliament upon the prefent Occafion." 
 
 The Refolution then palled unanimoufly in its original Form. 
 
 Refolved, That the London Correfponding Society have deferved 
 well of their Country. 
 
 Refolved, That the Secretary be ordered to caufe Forty Thoufand 
 Copies of the Addrefs, the Speech, and thefe Refolutions^ to be printed 
 on One Sheet, and properly diftributed in England, Scotland, and Ire-. 
 land. 
 
 Refolved, That thefe Refolutions be published in the Newfpapers. 
 
 Mr. - gave Notice, that h? would at the next Meeting of this 
 Society move, that Two Books flionld be opened, One of them (bound 
 in Black) in which (hall be entered all the Enormities of thofe who de- 
 ferve the Cenfure, and in the other the Merits of thpfe who deferve 
 the Gratitude of the Society. 
 
 At a Meeting i4th March^ 1794. 
 
 Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be given to Archibald Ha- 
 milton Rowan, Efquire, for the Manly Firmnefs with which he has uni- 
 formly purfued the Objects moftdear to this Society, that of a fair Re- 
 prefentation of the People in Parliament. 
 
 Refolved, That Archibald Hamilton Rowan, of the City of Dublin, 
 a Gentleman of the moft excellent and undoubted Public Principles, 
 and of the moft uniform and upright Conduct in the Purfuit of thofe 
 Principles, be chofen an Honorary Member of this Society. 
 
 Refolved, That thefe Refolutions be communicated to Mr. Rowan by 
 the Secretary of this Society. 
 
 At a Meeting, *i ft March, 1794. 
 
 Refolved unanimoufly, That the Secretaiy of this Society be directed 
 to write to the Friends of Peace and Reform at Sheffield, and to afliire 
 them, that this Society views with Pleafure their fteady Exertions to
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 bbtairi a fair Reprefentstion of the People of Great Britain in Parlia- 
 ment, and the proper Methods which maybe appointed for public Fafts. 
 
 At a Meeting 48th March, 1794. 
 
 Read a Letter from the London Correfponding Society, 
 Refolved, That the fame be entered on the Books of this Society. 
 
 Citizen, March 27th, 1794. 
 
 I am directed by the London Correfponding Society to tranfmit the 
 following Refolutions to the Society for Conftitutional Information, and 
 to requelt the Sentiments of that Society refpectifig the important Mea- 
 fures which the prefent Juncture of Affairs feems to require. 
 
 The London Correfponding Society conceives that the moment is 
 arrived, when a full and explicit Declaration is neceflary from ail the 
 Friends of Freedom whether the late illegal and unheard-of Profecu- 
 tions and Sentences fhall determine us to Abandon our Caufe, or ftiali 
 excite us to purfue a radical Reform, with an Ardour proportioned to 
 the Magnitude of the Object, and with a Zeal as diftinguijhed on our 
 Parts as the Treachery of others in the fame glorious Caufe is notorious. 
 The Society for Conftitutional Information is therefore required to de- 
 termine whether or no they will be ready, when called upon, to aft in 
 Conjunction with this and other Societies, to obtain a fair Reprefentation 
 of the PEOPLE Whether they concur with us iri feeing the Neceffity 
 of a fpeedy Convention, for the Purpofe of obtaining, in a Conftitu- 
 tional and legal Method, a Redfefs of thofe Grievances under which 
 we at prefent labour, and which can only be effectually removed by a 
 full and fair Reprefentation of the PEOPLE of Great Britain. The 
 London Correfponding Society cannot but remind their Friends that 
 the prefent Crifis demands all the Prudence, Unanimity and Vigour, 
 that ever may or can be exerted by MEN and Britons ; nor do they 
 doubt but what manly Firmnefs and Confiftency will finally, and they 
 believe (hortly, terminate in the full Accomplifliment of all their 
 Wifhes.. 
 
 lam, Fellow Citizen, 
 (In my humble Meafure) 
 
 A Friend to the Rights of Man. 
 
 (Signed) = Secretary. 
 
 Refolved urianimoufly, ift, That dear as JUSTICE and LIBERTY 
 are to Britons, yet the Value of them is comparatively fmall without a 
 Dependence on their Permanency ; and there can bfe nd Security for the 
 Continuance of any Right but in EQUAL LAWS. 
 
 zd, That Equal' Laus can never be expected but by a full and fair 
 Reprefentation of the People ; to obtain which, in the Way pointed out 
 hv the Conftitution, las occn and is the fole Object of this Society. For' 
 tms we 'are ready to hazard even* Thing, and never, but with our Lives, 
 
 will
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 will we relinquifh an Object which involves the Happinefs or even the. 
 Political Exiftence of ourfelves and Pofterity. 
 
 3d ? That it is the decided Opinion of this Society, that to fecure our- 
 felves from Future illegal and fcandalons Profecutions, to prevent a Repe- 
 tition of wicked and unjuft Sentences, and to rccal thofe wife and whcMe- 
 fome Laws thst have been wrefted from us, and of which fcarcely a vef- 
 tige remains, there ought to be immediately a CONVENTION of the 
 PEOPLE, by Delegates deputed for that Purpofe from the different So- 
 cieties of the Friends of Freedom aflembled in the various Parts of this 
 Nation. And we pledge ourfelves to the Public to purfue every legal 
 Method fpeedily to accomplifli fo defirable a Purpoie. 
 
 P. S. I have to inform you that a General Meeting cf the Society will 
 be holden on Monday the i4th April, the Place to be announced by 
 public Advertifement. 
 
 Refolved, That ir is fit and proper, and the Duty of this Society, to 
 fend an Anfwer to the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the London Correfponding So- 
 ciety that we have received their Communication, and heartily concur 
 with them in the Objects they have in View ; and that, for the Purpofe 
 of a more fpeedy and effectual Co-operation, we invite them to fend to 
 this Society next Friday Evening a Delegation of fome of their Mem- 
 bers. 
 
 At a Meeting, 4th April, 1794. 
 
 Read a Letter from the Committee of the London Correfpondiag So- 
 ciety, acquainting this Society that they had deputed [feverai Perfons] to 
 hold a Conference with the Members of this Society. Five Perfons at- 
 tended from the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Refolved, That a Delegation of Five Members of this Society be ap- 
 pointed to meet the Members deputed by the London Correfponding 
 Society. 
 
 Refolved, That this Deputation do confer with the Deputies of the 
 London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Refolved, That there be appointed a Committee of Correfpondence of 
 the Members of this Society. 
 
 Ordered, That [Six Peifons] compofe the Committee. 
 
 At a Meeting, \ ith April, 1794. 
 
 Mr. made the Report of the Meeting of the Delegates of 
 
 the London Correfponding Society, for the Purpofe of this Society co- 
 operating with the London Correfponding Society, and that they ha^ 
 come to the following Refolutions : ' 
 
 i ft, Refolved, That it appears to this Committee very defirable that 
 a General Meeting or Convention of the Friends of- Liberty ihouid be 
 
 called.
 
 APPENDIX Ci 
 
 called, for the Purpofe of taking into Confideration the proper Methods 
 of obtaining a full and fair Repreientation of the People. 
 
 ad, Refolved, That it is recommended to the Society for Conftitu- 
 tional Information, and the London Corresponding Society ;o inftitute a 
 regular and preffing Correfpondence with all thofe Parts of the Country 
 where fuch Meafures may be likely to be promoted, not only to infti- 
 gate the Societies already formed, but to -endeavour alfo to produce fuch. 
 other Aflbciations as may farther the general Objeft. 
 
 Refolved, That it appears to this Committee, that the general Object 
 will be much promoted, if a {landing Committee of Co-operation between 
 the Two Societies were eltabliflied, for the Purpofe of holding Perfonal 
 Communication with fuch Members of fimilar Societies, in other Parts 
 of the Country, as may occafionally be in London, and who may be au- 
 thorized by their refpective Societies to act with fuch Committees. 
 
 Read the following Letter from the Secretary to the London Corref; 
 ponding Society : 
 
 Citizen^ April loth, 1794. 
 
 I am ordered by the Committee of Delegates of the London Corref- 
 ponding Society, to inform the Society for Conftitutional Information, 
 that they approve of the Refolutions of the Committee of Conference. 
 
 Therefore the London Correfponding 'Society have chofen [Five Per- 
 fons] to put in Practice immediately the Second and Third Refolutions 
 of that Committee. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 
 
 - - Secretary to the Society 
 
 for Conftitutional Information. 
 
 Refolved, That the Report of the Committee of Delegates from the 
 London Correfponding. Society, and of this Society, be entered on the 
 Books of this Society. " 
 
 ift, Refolved, That it appears to this Society very defirable that a 
 General Meeting of the Friends of Liberty fhould be called, for the Pur- 
 pofe of taking into Confideration the proper Methods of obtaining a full 
 and fair Reprefentation of the People. 
 
 ad, Refolved, That it appears to this Society that the general Object 
 will be much promoted if a {landing Committee of Co-operation wer$ 
 eftablilhed, for the Purpofe of holding Perfonal Communication with> 
 fuch Members ct fimilar Societies in other parts of the Country, as may 
 occafionally be in London, and who may be authorized by their refpec- 
 tive Societies to act with fuch Committees. 
 
 3d, Refolved, That the Committee of Correfpondence already ap- 
 pointed by this Society be the Committee for Co-operation and Commu- 
 nication with the Committees of other Societies. . 
 
 t Ordered*
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be defired to fend a Letter to the Lohdoflt 
 Correfponding Society, acquainting them with the Members of this So- 
 ciety appointed to confer with them. 
 
 Refolved, That Mr. be requefted to accept of the Office of 
 
 Secretary to the Committee of Correfpondence. 
 
 Mr. being prefent, accepted of the faid Office. 
 
 At a Meeting, gth.May, 1794. 
 
 Read a Pamphlet, containing certain Proceedings of the London Cor- 
 refponding Society, and of this Society. 
 
 Refolved, That Two Thoufand df the fame be printed by this ?o- 
 
 Append'i
 
 Appendix D. 
 
 cf a Letter from the Society for Cotiflitutional Information at 
 Sheffield to the Editors cf the Engli/Jj Chronicle. 
 
 Gentlemen, Sheffield, i 5th January, 1 792. 
 
 THE Society for Conftitutional Information now eltablilheti at Shef- 
 field, in the County of York, being defirous of forming a Connec- 
 tion with all the like Socittie: in England, and especially with tbafe, or 
 fome of them, in London, the Thatched Houfe, the London Tavern, or 
 others, humbly folicits jour Advice and Aj/iftance in the accw.plijhing there- 
 of, in order to form our Refolves jlmilar to theirs ; becaufe, as we are 
 actuated by the fame Caufe and Principle, and all our Interefts being 
 One, our Sentiments ought and mult be the fanxe. 
 
 Your Information of the Method, Terms, and Manner of Application, for 
 the above Purpoje, as likewife to have (Jne of our Friends admitted a Mem- 
 ber of theirs , fo as a regular Communication may be carried on between us t 
 being dire tied to me, will be ejteemed a particular favour) and gratefully 
 acknowledged by this Society ; and the Expence incurred by your Atten- 
 tion to this Buiinefs fhall be duly paid to your Order, either to the Pall- 
 mailer here, or as you may pleaie to direct, for and by the Order of this 
 Society. 
 
 I am refpeftfully 
 
 Your fincere Friend - 
 
 [The following Paragraphs are added in the fame Hand.] 
 As the Manner of our beginning to affociate on this Occafion^was 
 /bmewhaf fingular, we beg your Permiiaon to mention a few Remarks 
 .thereon. 
 
 It firft originated in an Aflembly of Five or Six Mechanics, who, by 
 their meeting at fome one of their Houfes, 'and converjing abwt the enor- 
 mous high Price of Provijjons, &c. the grofs Abufes this Nation labours 
 under from the unbounded Authority of the Mwpolifers- of all Ranks, 
 from the King to the Peafant; the Waiie and Lavifh of the Public Pro- 
 perty by Placemen, Pensioners, Luxury, and Debauchery, Sources of the 
 grievous Burthen under which this Nation groins ; together with the 
 Mock Reprefentation of the People thefe being the Subjects of their 
 Cunverfation, they concluded that nothing but Darknefs and Ignorance 
 in the People could fuffer the natural Rights of every Freeman to be 
 thus violated ; and this excited them to invite and to vifit their Neigh- 
 bours, whence a fmall Society of Twenty or Thirty foon commenced, and 
 kept increafing, fo that they were obliged to divide into fepa rate Eodiis ; 
 and, at this Time, they have formed Eight of tb'ft fmaller Societies, which 
 meet each at their different Houfes, alien the fame Evening this pre- 
 ferves good Order, and none are admitted without his Ticket, that they 
 are perfectly fafe from being intruded upon, and perfectly regular good 
 Order kept up ; thefe meet every Two V\eeks. Their General Meeting, 
 at which fome Hundreds attend, is held once a Month at [a Part here 
 appears to be torn off] but true Knowledge will progreiTively extend iticlf 
 A with
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 with the fame EfFeft, throughout the whole Nation, as it hath hitherto 
 done here. We have now in the Prcfs a Re-publication of Paine s Right) 
 f Ma;;, for 1600 Copies, by 1400 Subfcriben, at the LVJ Price of Six- 
 Pence each Cwv, to which we purpofe to annex an Abftraft of the noted 
 iniquitous Corn Bill of laft Year. 
 
 We have alfo had an Impreffion here of that famous Addrefs, {Igncd 
 by J. H. Tooke, Efq. Chairman ; whofe Addrefs we fhould like to be 
 avoured with. 
 
 Pleafe to favour us with your Anfwer to the above as foon as conve- 
 nient ; and if you can form any Thing from the above, worthy of your 
 truly laudable Paper, you are at Liberty; but as it was not thought of at 
 our Meeting, it is not properly methodized and digefted, as it (land?, 
 for that Purpofe we mean, in future, to trouble you with fome thing of 
 the Kind for that Purpofe. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary t$ the London Correfponding Society 
 to the Chairman of the Society for Conjlitutional Information. 
 
 Sir, Thurfday, 1410 March, 1792. 
 
 'The Delegates of the Corrcf pond ing Society think it their Duty to acquaint 
 you, without Delay, of the Subscription begun on Monday /off, at this P lac f, 
 for the Defence of the Profecution faid to be commenced againft y.-xr worthy 
 Member Mr. Thomas Paine, in confequence of his 'valuable i'liblication, in- 
 tituled The Rights of Man. 
 
 The Divifion affembled here on that Evening amounted to about 
 Twenty Perfons. At the Defire of One of our Members, Mr. Paine's 
 Letter to Mr. Secretary Dundas was read; after which the Subfcription 
 \vas propofed, and. immediately figned by every One prefent : We have 
 juft learnt that the Divifion N5 of this Society likewife begun their Sub- 
 fcription on Tuefday latt It is our Intention to recommend to each of 
 our feveral Divifions the Purfuance of tht fame laudable Defign ; and <we 
 doubt not but that a numerous Body of our Countrymen tuill be found to follo-ia 
 an Example jo juji in it/elf, and fo effential to the Support of that f mall 
 Portion of Liberty which the People of England are Jlill fuppojed to enjoy. 
 The Approbation and the Encouragement <which our feeble Endeavours ha<ve 
 met nvith from the Coaftitittional Society, make us dejtrous of uniting more 
 ftrongly and more immediately with you For this Purf> r jfe<vje *w<jb that Six 
 of our Members might be admitted among ft you, after the Manner of thoje 
 *whom you received from the Societies eftablijhed at Sheffield and Norwich t 
 Conceiving that fnould this Plan be adopted generally, it could not fail 
 to ftrengthen the Caufe in which we are engaged, we beg the Favour of 
 you to propofe it at your next Meeting, and to return us the Decifion of 
 your Society thereupon. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great Attachment and Efteem, 
 Your moft obedient Servant, 
 
 - - Secretary. 
 
 ~ 
 Cyy
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 a Letter from the Sheffield Society to Mr. , the Secretary 
 
 of the Society for Conjiitutional Information. 
 
 Sheffield Society for Conftitutional Information. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 It is now about Four Months fince this Society firft formed itfelf into 
 a regular Body, then but very few in Number; the enclofed will inform 
 you of their Increafe, and which is moft propable will foon become very 
 numerous; and not only this large and populous Toivn^ but the nvho/e Neigh- 
 borhood for ma>/y miles round about, have an attentive Eye upon us; 
 mnji of the Toivns and J' iliages indeed are forming tbemfelfes into Jimilar 
 dj/bc lotions, and Jirifily adhere to the Mode of copying after us; you will 
 eafily conceive the Neceflity for the leading Members of this Body to pay 
 ftridl Attention to good Order and Regularity, and the Need we' have 
 of confulting and communicating with thofe who are fincere Friends and 
 able Advocates for the fame Caufe; for thefe Reafonswe took the Liberty 
 of writing to Mr. Home Tooke, that worthy Friend and Patriot for the* 
 Rights of the People, informing him of our earneft Defires of entering 
 into a Connection with the Society of the fame Denomination with ours 
 in London: His very obliging and affectionate Anfwer favours us with 
 your Addrefs; in confequence we have taken the Liberty herewith to 
 tranfmit to you fome Refolves which were pafied at our laft Meeting by 
 the whole Body, and the Committee was charged with the Difpatch of 
 printing and forwarding them to you accordingly, for the Purpofe of fub- 
 miiting them to the Confideration of your Society, to make fuch Ufe of 
 them as they think moft prudent. 
 
 You will alfo notice the Belpar Addrefs ; they applied to us about T<wo 
 Months ago for Itijiruitions as to our Mode of condutli/rg, &c. had not then, 
 formed themfelves into any regular Affociation. Belpar is nearly Thirty 
 Miles from this Place, in Derbyftiire, and Eight or Ten Miles from 
 Derby. 
 
 If the Society for Conftitutional Information in London fhould vouch, 
 fafe fo far to notice us as to enter into a Connexion and Correfpondence 
 with us, it cannot fail of promoting Honour and adding Strength to our 
 feeble Endeavours, and to the common Caufe, which is the entire Motive 
 we have in View. 
 
 I am, 
 
 SIR, 
 Without the greateft Refpeft and Efteem, 
 
 Your fincere Friend, 
 
 Sheffield, By Order of jf ^ 
 
 I4th May, I 792. the Committee, J 
 
 We have taken the Liberty of enclofing a Parcel for Mr. ia 
 
 Anfwer to a Letter from him to this Society, requefting fome Informa- 
 tion concerning our Method of conducting the Bufinefs we are embarked 
 in &c. : Alfo informing us there are in London a Number of Mechanics, 
 Shopkeepers, Sec. forming themfelves into a Society on the broad Bajis of 
 the Rights of Man. You will be fo obliging as to' let the Packet remain 
 vith you until he call for it, as by this Poll I have wrote him thereof. 
 A 2 Wo
 
 APPENDIX D.- 
 We have given him our Manner of proceeding, fr6m our fetting out td 
 this Time, and hope it may be of fome Ufe ; the Improvement we are 
 about to adopt is certainly the beft for managing large Bodies, as in great 
 and populous Toivns, <viz, dividing them into fmall Bodies or Meetings of 
 Ten Per font each, and thefe Ten to appoint a Delegate : Ten of tbefe Dele- 
 gates farm another Meeting^ and fo on, delegating from one to another, till 
 at loft are reduced to a proper Number for constituting the Committee or 
 Grand Council. 
 
 Pleafe to forward the Packet to Mr. as foon as conve- 
 nient. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from tie Society for Conjlitutional Information ai 
 Sheffield to the Society for Conjlitutional Information in London. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 This Society, feeling as they do the grievous Effects of the prefenf 
 corrupt State Defeds, and Abufe of our Country, the great and heavy 
 Opprefiions which the common Mafs of the People labour under as the 
 natural Confequence of that Corruption ; and, at the fame Time, being 
 fenfible, to a Degree of Certainty, that the Public Minds and general 1 
 Sentiments of the People are determined to obtain A RADICAL 
 REFORM OF THE COUNTRY, as foon as Prudence and Difcretion 
 will permit, believes it their Duty to make ufe of every prudent Means, 
 as far as their Abilities can be extended, to obtain fo falutary and defir- 
 able an Objeft as a thorough Reformation of our Country, eftablijhed upon 
 that Syflem which is confiftent with the Rights of Man. For thefe Rea- 
 fons, with great Deference and Submiflion to the Members of the Society 
 for Conftitutional Information in London, we beg Leave to requeft that 
 they will be pleafed to admit the Perfons of the following Names 
 annexed hereto as Members of their Society (they being our Friends/ 
 and Members of our Society) in order that a clofe Connection may be 
 formed, and a regular Communication maintained, betv een the Two 
 Bodies ; that being thus ftrengthened, this Society may be better enabled 
 to govern itfelf with more Propriety, and to render Afliftance to their 
 Fellow Citizens in this Neighbourhood, and in Parts more remote; that 
 they, in their Turn, may extend ufeful Knowledge ftill further, from 
 Town to Village, and from Village to Town, until the whole Nation be 
 Jufficiently enlightened, and united in the fame Canf'-, ivhich cannot fail 
 of being the Cafe where-ver the mojl excel U-nt Works of Mr. Thomas Pain: 
 Jind Refidence. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, 
 
 Your mod refpe&ful and fmcere Friend, 
 
 Sheffield, By Order of 1 
 
 .34th March, 1792. the Committee, / "~ 
 
 Secretary for this Society, 
 
 
 
 Names
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 Names of the Twelve Members of the Society for Conftituticmal In- 
 formation in Sheffield, requefted to be entered a$ Members of the -Society 
 of the fame Denomination in London. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Sheffield Society for CclijTitutional Infor- 
 mation to the Secretary of the London Corresponding Society 
 Received i$th March, 1792. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your Letter of the 8th Inftant to Mr. was Yefterday handed 
 
 to us, by Means of that Gentleman: He is not a Member of this Societv, 
 and therefore cannot perfectly anfwer your Requeft refpecting the Rule?, 
 and Orders of this Society. It affords us infinite Satisfaction that the 
 People in London are beginning to form tKenvfelves into orderly Socie- 
 ties, and taking into their Confideration u.e great Importance and the 
 Neceffity of a Reform of the corrupt State of our Government ; a Work, 
 than which none is more n'eedful in this Nation, for 'the Relief of the 
 Opprefled: The noble Obfervation in yours, is worthy of the Accepta- 
 tion of all, viz. " That no Man who is an Advocate from Principle for 
 " the Liberty of a Black Man, but will ftrenuoufly promote and fuppor: 
 " the Rights of a White Man, and vice \erfa." 
 
 The inclofed, fern to Mf. as below, will inform yon of the 
 
 Principles we fet out upon, when at firft a very fmall Number, fome Four 
 of Five of us meeting at each other's houfes in an Evening, cpnfulting 
 and conduling the very low and even miforable Ccndition the People of 
 this Nation were reduced to by the Avaricionfnefs and Extortion of that 
 haughty, voluptuous,, and luxurious Clafs of Beings, who would have us 
 to poflefs no more Knowledge, than to believe all Things were created 
 only for the Ufe of that fmall Groupe ot wofthlefs Individuals. \^ir!i 
 thefe Sentiments, and perufmg Mr. Paine's Rights of Man, maturely con- 
 fidering the Force and Weight of Argument therein contained, "1>y De- 
 grees became confirmed in our Judgment, that Pride, Ambition, Luxury, 
 and Oppreflion, with every Vice, appeared to be at thd Height, or ireuiiv 
 at the utmofi Stretch ; and admitting this to be the Cafe (as we do realiy 
 believe it is) we may with the greatelt Probability expert it cannot be --ivr 
 lonff before a great and perhaps a general Change will take place, which 
 will redound with more. Happinefs to the People, as their Manners aii'I 
 rtioral Practices are more confiftent to the Divine Will of the all-wife 
 Difpofer of all Things in Heaven and on Earth. 
 
 On
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 On thefe Principles our Numbers kept increaiing, fo that we found it 
 necefTary, for the Sake (if good Order, to divide ourjtl--ves mtojmall Bodie-s, 
 of Ten Perjons each, and to hold a General Meeting once a Month ; but 
 of late our Numbers have increafed fo rapidly, and only having Thirteen 
 Meeting Places all of the fame Evening, they are fo crouded, that we arc 
 adopting the Plan we fail let out with, and dividing the Whole (which 
 do now confift of about 2000 Member;,) into Tythings, or Meetings of 
 Ten Members each ; - Two hundred of thefe Meetings will include the 
 \Vhole, from each of which a Delegate or leading Man will oe chof n, and 
 appointed to attend at their refpective Places Ten at each : Thefe 200 
 Delegates will form Twenty Meetings, of Ten Members each ; and laftlv, 
 from each of thefe Meetings a Delegate will be appointed to meet at 
 the appointed Place, and thefe will form the Committee, or the Grand 
 Council : By this Method, Order and Regularity will be maintained ; and 
 by this Method a regular Communication throughout the whole Nation 
 might be kept up with the moil perfect Harmony and we would parti- 
 cularly recommend it to you in London as worthy your Adoption. As you. 
 increafe in Numbers, Neceffity will confirm thefe Sentiments. We {hall 
 be glad at any Time to correfpond, and be in clofe Connection with you ; 
 as our Caufe is one, fo ought our Sentiments to be unanimous : We alfo 
 would recommend you to enter into Connection with the Members of the 
 
 Society for Conftitutional Information in London, of whom Mr. 
 
 " is one ; and we are fully affured that Gentleman will be the true 
 Friend and Advocate in our Caufe, conilftent with his Principles hitherto 
 manifefted, both in Public and Private. We have enclofed a Packet 
 directed to you, with a Parcel to Mr. in , who is Secre- 
 tary for the faid Society, and who will deliver it to you when you call 
 for it, containing fome Information. 
 
 Copy of Refolutions tranfmitted to the Society for Cotiflitutional In* 
 formation. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Delegates of the United Conftitutional Societies, 
 held the 24th of March, 1792, at the Wheel of Fortune, Saint Edmunds, 
 in the City of Norwich, it was unanimoufly agreed to communicate tcr 
 the Gentlemen of the London Society for Conftitutional Information the. 
 following Refolutions: 
 
 ift. We are happy to fee the Succefs of the Sheffield Society for Con- 
 ftitutional Reform, and approve of the Delegations 'which you and (key 
 have made in order to form a Plan of General Information ; we humbly 
 beg that you would grant to us the fame Favour, and it is our Wi(h that 
 all the Societies of a fimilar Kind in England were only as fo many Mem- 
 bers Jlrtmgly and itidijfolubly united in ct/e Political Body. 
 
 2dly. We believe that inftruiting the People in Political Knowledge, 
 and in their natural and inherent Rights as Men, is the only effectual 
 Way to obtain the grand Object of Reform; for Men need only be made 
 acquainted with the Abufes of Government, and they will readily join in 
 every lawful Means to obtain Redrefs. We have the Pleafure to inform 
 you that our Societies confift of fame Hundreds; and neiu Societies are 
 frequently forming, which by Delegates preferije a mutual Intercourfc with 
 each o:htrfor ImftntSion and Information; and the greateit Care has been 
 
 taken
 
 APPENDIX. D. 
 
 tn';en to p.referve Order and Regularity at our Meetings, to convince the 
 World that Riot and Diforder are no Parts of our Politicsl Creed. 
 
 3<jly. We believe, and are firmly perfuaded, that Mr. Burke (the 
 once Friend of Liberty) has traduced the greateft and mod glorious Revo- 
 lution ever recorded in the Annals of Kiftoiy We thank Mr. Burke for 
 the Political Difcuffion provoked, and by which he has opened unto us 
 the Dawn of a glorious Day. 
 
 athlv. To Mr. Thomas Paine our Thanks are efpecially due, for 'hit 
 Fiifr and Second Part of the Rights of Man; and we fincerely wiih that he 
 may live tafte bis Labours crowned with Succefs in the general Diffujioa 
 cf Liberty and Hnppinefs among Mankind. 
 
 5thly. We view, with Concern, the late Difcoveries relative to the 
 Weftminfter Election, in 1788: and conceive ourfelves and all tme 
 Friends of Freedom, under great Obligations to MefTrs. Thomfon, 
 Wyndham, Francis, Taylor, and all the noble aiiu fpirited MINORITY, 
 for their Exertions in order to difcover the true Source of that abomina- 
 ble and iniquitous Procedure. 
 
 6thly. We congratulate our Brethren in the various Parts of the King- 
 dom, on the Progrefs of Political Knowledge, and earneitly intreat them 
 to increafe their Aj/bciations, in order to form One grand and extenjive 
 Unnii of all the Friends of General Liberty And we hope the Time is 
 not fardiftant, when the People of England will be equally and faithfully 
 repreiented in Parliament. 
 
 Signed by Order, 
 
 .. . - . Chairman. 
 
 Co/v of o Letter from the- Secretary to the London Corresponding Sa- 
 tiety to the Prejident of the Society for Conjlitutlonal Information. 
 
 Si R, 
 
 I am ordered by the Committee to fend to the Society for Conftitu- 
 tional Information in London a Copy of our Motives for allociating, and 
 the Refolutions we have come to. We mean to perferere in the Caufe 
 we have embarked in; that is, to have (if pofiible) an equal R.eprefenta- 
 tion of the People of this Nation in Parliament. 
 
 We (hould be exceedingly happy to enter into a Correfpondence with 
 that Society, if it is not too much Prefumption in us to expect fuch an 
 Honour; but as our Caufe is one, we hope that they will deign to take 
 fome Notice of us, who are now entering upon a Matter of fuch vail Im- 
 portance. 
 
 You will fee, by one of our Refolutions, that we have entered into a 
 Correfpondence with the Society at Sheffield. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 With all Deference, 
 Your moft obedient 
 
 30th March, i 792. And molt humble Servant,
 
 APPENDIX D, 
 
 of a Letter from Lord John Ruffd to J. Cartivrlgli^ Efquirff 
 Chairman of the Society for Conjlitiitional Information. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Fully fcnfible that the Society for Conftuutional Information have made 
 no Sacrifice to Delicacy in their Addrefs to us, we on our Part Hull 
 diK-ct no Difguife. 
 
 Voluntary Affociations not being armed with Public Authority, have 
 no Force but that of Truth, no Hope of Succefs but in the Strength of 
 Reafon, and the Concurrence of the Public. 
 
 We profefs not to entertain a With " that the great Plan of Public 
 ' Benefit which Mr. Paine has fo powerfully recommended will fpecdiiy 
 be carried into Effect," nor to amufe our Fellow Citizens with the mag- 
 nificent Promife of obtaining for them " the Pxights of the People in the 
 "full Extent, the indefinite Language of Delufion, which by opening 
 unbounded Projects of Political Adventure tends to deftroy that Public 
 Opinion which is the Support of all free Governments, and to excite a 
 Spirit of Innovation of which no Wifdom can forelte the Effects, and no 
 Skill direct the Courfe. We view Man as he is, the Creature of Habit, 
 as well as of Reafon. We think it therefore our bounden Duty to pro- 
 pofe no extreme Changes, which, however fpecious in Theory, can never 
 be accomplished without Violence to the fettled Opinions of Mankind, 
 nor attempted without endangering fome of the rh;>it eftimable Advan- 
 tages which we confeiiediy enjoy. We are convinced that the People 
 bear a fixed Attachment to the harpy Form of our Goverrment, and this 
 genuine Principles of our Conftitution; thefe \\c eherifh as Object of juit 
 Affection, not from any implicit Reverence, or habitual SuperlHtion, but 
 as Inftitutions belt calculated to produce tl:e Happiness of Man in Civil 
 Society : And it is becaufe we are convinced thaf Abafes are undermining 
 and corrupting them> that we have afibciatcd. lor the Prefervation of thofe 
 Principles. 
 
 " We v.'ifh. to reform the Conftitution becaufe we v,-ifh to preferve it." 
 
 Affociations formed in the Face of Power, .in opj.ofition to the In- 
 terefts of ourprefent Legiilators, evince that lndi--vidual Security and Per- 
 J'i.nai Independei ce are already ettal^iifl'ed by ouj Laws. 
 
 The immenfe Accu.Vitilation of Debt, t'he enormous Taxation of Seven- 
 teen Millions of Annual Revenue, demonftrate that the cotitki<be Intertfts 
 of the Community have been neglected or betrayed. 
 
 We believe the defeclive Constitution of the Afiembly, entrufted with 
 the Public Purfe to be the real Source of this Evil. With this View we 
 have pledged ourfelves to attempt a timely and falutary Reform, adhering 
 in every iVleafure we may rake to the fundamental Principles of the 
 Conftitution. According to thofe acknowledged Principles, the People 
 have a perfect Right to poiiefs an Organ, by which the Public Mind may 
 fpeak. in Legislation; and to bind'their Representatives to the Interefts of 
 the whole Community, by a frequent Renovation of the Truft. Thefe 
 Objeds accomplimed, w^e believe Abufes will find no Protection in a 
 genuine Reprefcntation of the People; that Regulations beft ad.ipted to 
 the Public Happinefs*w ; ill be'gradually infufcd into cur Laws, through the 
 known Channels of Legiflation: And that the agitated Mines of Men, 
 tefuming their Confidence in Parliament, will fubfide into a calm Expec-
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 taion of Redrefs, w'thout forgetting the Principles or violating the 
 Form of the Conllitution. 
 
 Thefe, as we think, are the Views of Men detefting Anarchy, yet 
 fincere Friends of the People. Your Letter appears to us to be writ- 
 ten with a View to create Diftiuft of our Defigns, to infinuate Doubts 
 of Sincerity, and to excite an early t>ufpicion of our Pr-ncipies. in the 
 Mii'.ds of the People. We have not, however, ;efufed, iu Anfwer, to 
 difclaim what we condemn, and to avow OL-.T ieal Objects, from ihe 
 Purfuit of which we will not fuffer curfclves to be diverted by any Con- 
 truverfy. We muft beg Leave, at the f.'.me Time, to decline all future 
 Intercom^ with a. Society whofe Virws and Objefb, as far as we can 
 collect them from the various Refolutiois and Pioceedings vh'ch have 
 been publifhed, we cannot help regarding as Irr.ccncileable with thofe 
 real Inteieftson which you profefs to inform and enlighten the People. 
 (Signed) 
 
 Freemafon's Tavern, JOHN RUSSELL, Chairman. 
 
 Saturday, May izth, 1792. 
 
 Freemafon's Taverr, May izth, 1792. 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Society of the Friends of the People 
 aflbciated for the Purpofe of obtaining Pailiamenury Reform, 
 
 The Right Honourable Lord John Raflel in the Chair. 
 Refoved, That the Proceedings of the Day, including the Letter 
 from the Society for Conftitutional Information, and the Anfwer of 
 this Society to that Letter, be printed and publifhed. 
 
 Refoved, That, together with the Anfwer of this Society to the 
 Letter of the Society for Conftitutional Information, there be tranf- 
 mitted to John Cartwright, Efq. Chairman of that Society, a Copy of 
 the Refolution of the Society of the Friends of the People, to print 
 and publifli the Letter and Reply. 
 
 JOHN RUSSELL, Chairman. 
 
 Copy cf a Lttttr from Stcckport, to the Secretary of the London Cor- 
 refponding Society. Received 2'Jtb Sfpi. 1792. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 In Obedience to the Wifhes of the Society here, I have the Pleafure 
 of acknowledging the Honour of your Letter and the Packet which 
 the Kindnefs of our Brothers of the London Correfponding Society fo 
 opportunely prefeoted ue with. 
 
 . It is doubly deferving our Thanks, as it (hews your Kindnefs, and 
 as it will be ufeful in me Formation of our Infant Society : We ftand 
 much in Need of your Experience in this Particular, and we doubt 
 not of your beft Affiftance. We are fuirounded by a Majority, a 
 formidable One indeed, in Power, Abilities, and Numbers, but we are 
 not diimayed. 
 
 We have carefully perufed the Addrefles, and I am to obferve on 
 their Contents in general, that the Sentiment* hardly rife to that Height 
 which tut expefljrom Mtn, jenjible of their full Claim to abjoluit andvnfon- 
 trolakie Libtrty. \. e. unactountaiU to any Po-Jvtr ivbitb tbtj havt not imatt- 
 diately (cnflituttd and affetntfd. 
 
 B Thffc
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 Thefe are our Sentiments, whatever may be yours, though in the 
 prefent State r f Political Knowledge *'/ may be prudent not to a<vciv them 
 openly. We defire your Sentiments on the Means of accomplishing that 
 Object which we prefume you have in View in common with us. We 
 think it expedient th.-it we fnould perfectly underftand each other in the 
 Beginning, left the Appearance rf Difunnn might furnifh Ivfott'r of 
 Triumph to our Enemies. We obfcrve One Exprelfion, which fays, 
 ** Numerous other Reforms would undoubtedly take place, Sec &c."--- 
 But we ask, how is that Parliament to be chofen ? Can we expect it 
 fiom the prefent Order of Things ? Would rot all the Evil be done away 
 at otite by the Ptople affimbltd in Convention ? Does it appear probable, 
 that the odious Laws which we complain of will be abolished any other 
 Way ? Can the Grievances arifing from Aiiftocracy be redieffed, while 
 the - retains its prefent Authority in the Legiflature ? Is the 
 univerfal right of Confcience ever to be attained, while the B . 
 maintain their Seats on the - . 
 
 Your Thoughts on thefe important Pomts we moft earneftly defire 
 way be tranfmitted to us as foon as poflible : Not directed as the laft ; 
 \re fear it will excite Sufpicion. Direct to Mr. --> ..... - , Stock- 
 port, who is Chairman occafionally in the Abfence of, who 
 lefides too far from hence to be at Hand on Emergencies. 
 
 &c. 
 
 Copy. of a Letter from Jlfr. Mar gar ot to the Friends of Universal 
 Peace and of the Rights of Man Satiety at 
 
 SIR, London, nth October, 1792. 
 
 With infinite Satisfaction the London Correfponding Society Com- 
 tr.ittee perufed your Letter : They are happy to learn your (ready 
 Determination, Spite of all Obftacle, to purfue that fole Means of 
 Political Felicity, a perfeft Reprefentation of the People. 
 
 With regard to our Publications, our Sentiments are exprefied in at 
 Jirong Termr as Prudtnce 'will pertr.it, yet plain enough <we imagine to con- 
 vince the Public that while we expect every Thing from an Honeft 
 and an Annual Parliament, nothing (hort of fuch a Senate/.chofen by 
 the whole Nation, will fatisfy us. 
 
 True Generofity, the Charafteriftic of this Nation, and of all unper* 
 rerted Men throughout the Globe ; calling upon us to countenance, 
 at this Juncture, the arduous Struggle of the French Nation againfl 
 "Dffpctifm and Arijlocracy, thofe Foes to the Human Race, we have re- 
 folved upon addrefllng the French National Convention. 
 
 Without entering into the probable Effects of fuch a Meafure, Effects 
 which your Society will not fail to difcover, we invite you to join us ; 
 and to that End herewith you have a Copy of our intended Addrefs; 
 if you approve the Idea, and will concur in fending it, be pleafed to 
 return us without Delay a Copy, figned by your Prefident and Secre- 
 Tjry, or by the Delegates, ftating each for how many Perfons he figns, 
 v-'e will rhen atfbciate your Body \vith ours, and with fome others who 
 have alrenrfv afTt-iitfd to the Meafure. If, on the contrary, you difap- 
 pruTe that Mirk of Ztral towards lb'. only Natica th.i1 bgs btlberto andeK 
 
 taL'z
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 talem to rtftore to Mankind ittjuft Rights ', pleafe to communicate to us 
 your Objections. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 For the Committee of Delegates, 
 Your's, &c. 
 
 M. M. Ch. 
 
 : ' t 
 
 Copy of a Letter f ram the Editors of The Patriot to the Secrtta^y cf 
 the London Correjponding Society. 
 
 SIR, Sheffield, Odober I5th, 1792. 
 
 Having nothing particular to communicate to your Society at the 
 Time of the Publication of our laft Number, we contented ourlelvcs 
 with a general Acknowledgment of the Receipt of your Favour. V"e 
 now gladly embrace this Opportunity of efpeciilly thanking you for 
 the fame, and at the fame Time alluring you, that the Consmun cations 
 you fent us (hall appear in the next Number of The Patriot. 
 
 We beg Leave alfo to throw in our Mite of Commendation on the 
 la-udable Spirit which you have evinced, in your Intention to addrefis 
 the National Convention of France ; and hope fmcerely, that ycur 
 Example will be followed by all the Societies in the two Kingdoms, 
 Ireland having already fet the Example. 
 
 Within thefe few Days we have received a Letter from the Secretary 
 f a Society intended to be formed at Stockport, a very populous ma- 
 nufdcluring Town, only Seven Miles from Manchefter, a Copy of 
 which we think it necessary to fend you herewith, by which you will 
 fee the unjuftifiable Oppofitiun which is making by the Enemies to a 
 Reform, and the Friends and Tools of arbitrary Power, againft the 
 Increafe of thofe Societies, and the Attempt to crmfh and annihilate our 
 Efforts in the Caufe of Freedom in the very Bud. We thought it our 
 Duty to anfwer the Letter immediately, in order to give them every 
 Encouragement within the Scope of our feeble Abilities ; and herewith 
 alfo fend your Society a Copy of our Letter on that Occafion ; but 
 we are apprehenfive that the Voice of a few Individuals may not have 
 Weight enough to anfwer the wifhed-for end, of infpiiing them with 
 fufficient Confidence to perfevere. IVe hope ycur Society u.ill also give 
 thim yottr SanQ-on, Advice, and Support, as it will be' in vain for the 
 Friends to Reform to contend with the tremendous Hoft of Enemies 
 they have to encounter, unlefs they firmly on all Occafions (land by- 
 arid fucconr one another. 
 
 It is with the greateft Satisfaction we announce to you, hat feveral 
 Societies have been formed within the laft Three Weeks in Edinburgh, 
 not lefs than Seven or Eight ; and alfo thit a Patriotic Print is about 
 to make its Appearance, under the Direclion of Major Johnfon, who 
 is alfo Prefideat of One of the Societies. We have received fome molt 
 fpirited Communications from thence ; and our Bookfeller has fent an 
 Order for 50 additional Numbers of every Publication of our Woik 
 more than what was before in Circulaticn, with an AiTurance that the 
 Fame and Demand for it were daily increafing. We clearly forefee 
 that Scotland will foon take the Lead of this Country, and conceive it 
 will be neceflary to t^ke the greateft Care that an univcrfal Communi- 
 cation fhould be conftanily kept up between the fevcial Societies, how- 
 B 2 ever
 
 APPENDIX. D. 
 
 Csty of a Letter from Lelctjler to the Secretary cf the Society for 
 
 Conjlitutional Information. 
 Sir, 
 
 I fent a Letter per Mail as'a Parcel, requeuing yon to fend me every 
 Partictrkr requifite to enable us to ettablifli a ConOitutional Society at 
 Leiceiler, fimilar to yours, and thofe at Manchefter, Stockport, &c. 
 
 Send me, if you 'pleafe, all that i^neceflary by Firft Mail: We 
 want Laws, Orders, Principles, Creeds, AddrefTes, Declarations, Re- 
 iblutions, &c, 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Leicefter, (In great Hafle) 
 
 Nov. ijth, 1792. Your humble Servant, 
 
 Cafy of a Letter from Coventry to the Secretary of the Society for 
 
 Covjlitutional Information, 
 Sir, 
 
 At a Meeting which was laft Week convened for the Purpofe of In- 
 diluting a Society for Conllitutional Ir,furmation,it was determined by 
 the Perfons prefent to form themfelves into a Suciety for that Purpofe: 
 As it w-as thought expedient that a Plan fhould be adopted, which would 
 be calculated to produce the Object of the Inilitution, the Society re- 
 folved that they would apply to the Constitutional Society in London ; 
 and, at their Requert, I have now taken the Liberty of foliciting you 
 would be fo kind as to tranfmit to us a Copy of the Plan of the Shef- 
 field or any other Society, which you may think beji adapted to produce 
 the End of the Institution. Your Compliance with the Requeit will 
 not only be a Sanction to the Inftitution, but will be attended with the 
 falutary Effect which refults from fuch Inftitutions. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 P. S. Our Corporation has been apprifed ofonr Intention of forming 
 a Constitutional Society ; and have threatened us with a Profecution; 
 tut we are determined to perfevere in our Intention. 
 
 Coventry, 
 Nov. 26th, 1792. 
 
 The inclofed Hand Bill, which we privately circulated here JomeTtmt 
 face, has fo exafpeiated our Corporation, that they now declare they 
 will punifli us with that Rigour and Severity which the Proclamation 
 has empowered them with. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the London Correfpondlng 
 Society to the Secretary of the Society for Covftitutlonal Information* 
 
 Sir, London, 3Oth November, 1792. 
 
 1 am directed by the Committee of Delegates of the London Cor- 
 lefponding Society, to fend your Society the inclofed Copy of an Ad- 
 drefs they are forthwiih going to publilh, as an Anfwer to the fophif- 
 
 lica!
 
 . APPENDIX. 1C 
 
 tical Addre r s lately fent forth from the AfTociation for thePre'crvatoji 
 of Property, &c. from the Inroads of Levelled and Republicans. 
 
 lam, 
 With great Efteem, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your very humble Servant, 
 
 ... . Secretary, 
 
 A'ddrefsof the London Correfponding Society to the other Societies 
 in Great Britain, united for the obtaining a Reform in Parliament. 
 
 Friends, and Fellow Countrymen, 
 
 Unlefs we are greatly deceived, the Time is approaching when the 
 Obje-ft for \vhich we ftruggle is likely to come within our Reach. That 
 a Nation like Britain fhould be free, it is requifite only that Britons 
 fhoul'd will it to become fo that fuch fhould be their .Will, the Abufea 
 of our original Conllitution, and the Alarms of our Arifrocratic Ene- 
 mies, fufficiently \ritnefs. Confident in th'e Purity cf our Motives, and 
 in the JutUceof our Caufe, let us meetFalfehood with Proofs, and Hy- 
 poerify with Plainnefs; let us perfevere in declaring our Principles; and 
 Mifreprefentation will meet its due Reward Contempt. 
 
 In this View the Artifices of a late Ariftocratic Aflbciation, formed 
 on the 2cth Inftnnt, call for a few Remarks, on Account of the De- 
 claration they have publifhed relative to other Clubs and Societies 
 formed in this Nation. It is true that this Meeting of Gentlemen (for 
 fo they ftyle-themfelves) have mentioned no Names, inft meed no Facia, 
 quoted no Authorities ; but they take upon themfelves to affert that 
 Bodies of their Countrymen have been alfociated, profelling Opinions 
 favourable to the RIGHTS OF MAN, to LIBERTY and EQUA. 
 LITY ; and moreover that thofe Opinions are conveyed in the Terms, 
 NO KING, NO PARLIAMENT. So much for their Affertions. 
 
 If this be intended to include the Societies to which we refpeclively 
 belong, we here in the moft folemn Manner deny the latter Part of the 
 Charge; while, in admitting the former, we claim the Piivilege, and 
 glory in the Character of Britons. Whoever {hall attribute to us tha 
 Expreffions of NO KING, NO PARLIAMENT, or any Defign of 
 invading the Property of other Men, is guilty of a wilful, an impudent* 
 and a malicious Falfehood. 
 
 We know and ate fenfible tbat the Wages of every Man are hi* 
 Right ; that difference of Strength, of Talents, and of Induftry, do 
 and ought to afford pioportional Diftinclions of Property; which, when, 
 acquired, and con6rmed by the Laws, is facred and inviolable. W 
 defy tlie moft flavifti and malevolent Man in the Meeting of the 2Oth 
 Infant, to bring the remoteft Proof to the contrary. If therebe no Proof, 
 we call upon them tojudify an infidious Calumny, which feems in- 
 vented only to terrify independent Britons from reclaiming the rightful 
 Conllitution of their Country. We admit and we declare, that we are 
 F.iends to CIVIL LIBERTY, and therefore to NATURAL EQUA- 
 LITY, both of which weconfider as the RIGHTS OF MANKIND, 
 Could we believe them to ba " in direct Opposition to the Laws of this 
 ** Land," we fhonld biufh to find durfelves among the Number of its 
 
 Inhabitants.
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 ' Inhabitant?. But we are perfuaded, that the Abufes of the ConHitutiott 
 will never pafs currc'it U^r its true Principles; fince we are tnlj in it$ 
 fuft Charter, that ALL ARE EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF THE 
 LAW, which " fhall neither be (bid, nor refilled, nor delayed loany 
 " free Man whatsoever." Should it ever happen that " Ri^ht and Ja ( - 
 " tice"are oppoied by Expence, by Ilefufal, or by Delay, then is this 
 Principle of Equality violated, and we are no longer free men. 
 
 Such are our Notions of thofe Rights, which it is boldly maintained 
 " are inconfiftent with the Well-bring of Society :" But let us not fiif- 
 fer Men who avow no Principles ot Lib-rty, whofe favourite Cry is In- 
 equality ct Property, to eftramre others of our Countrymen from a'd'mg 
 us in ferving the Community, and from recovering to the Nation th^t 
 Share of its Soveietgnty, which has unhappily b:en facrificed lo cor- 
 lupt Courtiers and intriguing Boroughmongers. 
 
 If our Laws and Conltitution be juft and wife in their Origin and 
 tLeir Principle, every Deviation from them, as firft eftabh'fhed, muft be 
 injurious to the People whefe Perfons and Property we:e then Jecured ; 
 if, at the Revol'.ition this Country was adequately reprefented, it U 
 now fo no longer, and therefore calls aloud tor Retorm. 
 
 If it be true that the People of Britain are fupetior to other Nations, 
 is it that our Taxes are lefs burtbenfcme ? Or, that our Prov (ions are 
 Jefs expenfive ? Is it from the various Productions cf our Soil that we 
 are rich? Is it owing to the Majority of our Number* that we are ftrong ? 
 Certaintly not. France has the Advantage in all thefe Refpects, and 
 up to this Period ihe has never been our Superior in Wealth, in Power, 
 in Talents, or in Virtue. But let us not deceive ouifelves, the Differ- 
 ence between us and that Nation was formerly that our Monatchy wai 
 limited, while theirs was abfolute that the Number of our Ariftocracy 
 did not equal the Thoufandth Pait of theirs ihat we had Trial by 
 Jury, while they had none that our Perfons were protected by the 
 Laws, while their Lives were at the Mercy of every Titled Individual. 
 We, therefore, had that to fight for which to them was unknown 
 fince we were Men while they were Slaves. 
 
 The Scene has indeed changed Like our brave Anceftors of the laft 
 Century, they have diiven out the Family that would have deftroyed 
 them, they have fcattered the Mercenaries who invaded their Freedorr, 
 and " have broken their Chains on th Heads of their Oppreflbrs." 
 Jf, during this Conflict with Military AiTaflins and domeftic Traitors, 
 Cruelty and Revenge have arifen among a few Inhabitants of the Ca- 
 pital, let us lament theft Effects of a bloody and tyrannous Manifefto, 
 but let us leave to the hypocrite Pretenders to Humanity the Tafk of 
 blackening the Mit fortune, and attributing to a whole Nation the Aft 
 of an enraged Populace, 
 
 As \ve have never yet been caft fo low at the Foot of Defpotifm, fo 
 it is not requifite that we (hould appeal to the fame awful Tribunal with 
 our Brethren on the Continent. May our Enmities be written in Sand, 
 but may our Rights be engraven on Marble ! We defire to overthrow 
 no Property, but that which has been raifed on the Ruins of our Liber- 
 ty. We look with Reverence on the Landed and Commercial In- 
 teieils of out Country ; but we view with Abhorrence that Monopoly 
 of BnTgage irnures unwarranted by Law cr Reafon in this or any 
 Olher Nat : .onin Europe, 
 
 Let
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 Let us then continue, with Patience and Firmnefs, in the Path which is 
 begun. L? t ns ivait and tvntch the enjuirtg Scj/ions of Parliament, fi on 
 tivbjtn '"Me have much to hope^ find little to fear. The Hv/tfe of Comm^/is 
 '?nav ha-ve betn the Source of our Calamity, it may prove that of our 
 Deliverance. Should it not) *iuc tntjt *we foall not prove unworthy of 
 'bur F'ertfathtrs, <whofe Exertions in the Cauje of Mankind fo tutll dejer^c 
 fur Imitation: 
 
 (Signed) MAURICE MARGAROT, Chairman. 
 London, .. . . , Secretary. 
 
 $9th Nov. 1792. 
 
 
 
 C APPENDIX
 
 
 
 Appendix E. 
 
 Copy of a tttttrfrotn thi Constitutional Society at Sheffield to the Secretary of 
 the Society for Constitutional Information, 
 
 Sheffield Society for Constitutional Information. 
 
 Commutes Room, January i6th, 1793. 
 Resolved, 
 
 " That a Circular Letter be immediately forwarded by this Com- 
 " mittee to every Society in Great Britain (that is known to us) which 
 " has associated for the Purpose of obtaining a Reform in Parliament, 
 ' requesting each Society to inform us in what Manner they mean to 
 *' come forward in Suoport of their several Declarations during the 
 *' present Session of Parliament." 
 Sir, 
 
 In Consequence of the above Resolution, we take the .Liberty of 
 addressing your Society, and of informing you that it is the Opinion 
 of this Committee, that the Sentiments and Determination of every 
 Society in Great Britain ought to be explicitly known, and candidly 
 declared, in order that such of them as coincide in Idea on this great 
 Constitutional Question may aft in Concert together ; a Circumstance 
 which will greatly add to thir Strength and Consequence, and which 
 indeed appears to be indispensably requisite to be done without fur- 
 ther Delay. 
 
 We therefore beg Leave to state, that in our Opinion any Reform 
 will prove nugatory, or at least fall far short of the permanent and im- 
 portant 1 Advantages to the Country and Constitution which we have 
 in View, that does not consist of a Resto'ation of the Right of Universal 
 Suffrage (except of Persons not of sane M nd, under the Age of Twenty ont 
 Tears, and those incapacitated by crimes) together with Annual Elefltcns ; 
 and for the Purpose of regaining these our Rights, we propose to pe- 
 tition the Commons House of Parliament this Session, to take into 
 their most serious Consideration the present very inadequate State of the 
 Repreientatiou of the People of Great Britain, the various and great Abuses 
 resulting therefrom, and that they will take such speedy and effectual 
 Measures to remove those Evils, and remedy the Grievances conse- 
 quent thereon, as to their Wisdom shall seem most proper. 
 
 As the Importance and Magnitude of the Question requires that no 
 Time should be lost which can possibly be avoided, we beg that your 
 Society will have the Goodness to inform us how far our proposed 
 Plan meets with your Approbation, or in what Respeft, and to what 
 Degree or Extent, we differ: 
 
 At all Events it appears highly necessary that the several Societies 
 in the Kingdom should request to know imnfediately what are the ex- 
 press Views and Plans of " The Society of the Friends of the Peo- 
 " pie," in order that they may be enabled to judge how far they 
 shall be warranted in seconding and' supporting the Bill which Mr. 
 Grey has given Notice he means to introduce into the House of Com- 
 mons, in the Course of the present Session, for the Purpose of ob- 
 taining this great and desirable Object. 
 
 Requesting
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Requesting an Answer as speedily as possible -we remain, with the 
 greatest Respect, in the Name, and by Order of the Committee, 
 
 SIR, 
 Your most obedient Servants, 
 
 . , President. 
 
 Copy of a Letter fr cm ike Society for Cmintutional Information at Binning' 
 bam to iht Society for Constitutional Information in London. 
 
 Birmingham, Februaiy 6lb, 1793. 
 Friends and Fellow Citizens, 
 
 The Members of the Society for Constitutional Information, esta- 
 blished at this Place, November zoth, 1792, take this Opportunity of 
 laying before you o.ur printed Address and Declaration, and our 
 Rules and Orders, which we have adopted firom the Sheffield Society 
 for our internal Government ; and to shew our Justice, our Modera- 
 tion, and Love to all Mankind, we desire your Advice and Assist- 
 ance, that the general Mind of our Society may be formed unani- 
 mously t*> the best and most likely Mode of obtaining our long-lost 
 Rights as Men ft ee born, ahd as Citizens by universal Incorporation. 
 
 The interested and bigoted Suppoiters of the exploded System cf 
 Corruption are continually throwing Obstacles in the Way of all Re- 
 form, and threaten us with rigorous Prosecutions, and exhibit all the 
 Engines of Power and Tyranny before us for meeting to investigate 
 the Laws of our Country, and endeavouring to obtain, in a legal and 
 peaceable Manner, the Birthright of every Briton, (viz) an equal 
 Representation of the People in Parliament; notwithstanding which, 
 Numbers daily flock to the Standard of Liberty. We are determined, 
 in Spite of all base Opposition, to persevere as we have begun, in the 
 good Cause, till we have obtained the desirable Ead a Redress of 
 Grievances. 
 
 We sincerely think the Cause is of God, and that it would go on 
 without our Interference ; but who can stand by an idle Spectator, and 
 see our Fellow Men struggling for us in the Cause of Liberty, and not 
 have a Wish to lend a helping Hand in the humane and godlike Work ? 
 We ardently and sincerely desire to become instrumental in so good 
 and great a Work, the Cause of Liber ty.and of all Mankind, both pre- 
 sent and future. 
 
 The grateful Thanks of our Society are given to Mr. Home Tooke, 
 Major Canwright, Mr. Erskine, and the rest of the Members of the 
 Constitutional Society for Information in London, for their firm and 
 manly Support and Perseverance in our Common Cause of Liberty 
 and good Will to all Mankind, and their steady Purpose to obtain an 
 effectual Reform in the Legislative House of the People, the Com- 
 mons House of Parliament. 
 
 Our Society requests the Favour of your admitting the following 
 Twelve Persons, whose Names are subscribed, to be enrolled Members 
 of your Society, for the Purpose of corresponding with yours and 
 every other similar Institution in the Nation, ior the better regulating 
 our Measures, and receiving Instruction. 
 
 Wishing you all the Success your laudable Undertaking deserves 
 we are, with Sincerity, your Fellow Citizens and Pi lends. 
 
 C 2 [The
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 [The Names nf the Twelve Persons mentioned above, and of the 
 Persons to dired to, are subjoined.} 
 
 Draft of a Letttr from Mr. Margaret to the Ccmtitutior.al Sociity at 
 Sheffield. 
 
 Gentlemen, mh February, 1-93. 
 
 The London Corresponding Society defer answering your kind Let- 
 ter, until they shall have been able to ascertain the Sense of the whole 
 Society on the Matter. They mean likewise to confer thereon with 
 all the other Societies in London, and also, ?'f possible, to collect the 
 Ideas of the unassociated, on an Object so important to us all. I arn^ 
 Gentlemen, 
 with Esteem, 
 
 your Fellow Labourer, &c. 
 
 Copy of a Ltttt' frcm the Committie of the Friends of the People to tb* 
 Secretary of the London Corresponding Soiiety. 
 
 Sir, Frith Street, February ijth, 1793. 
 
 I am directed by t.he Society of the Friends of the People, to ac- 
 knowledge the Receipt of your Letter, dated ist February 1793. 
 Having pledged ourselves by our public Acts and Documents to use 
 every Effort in our Power for the Purpose of obtaining a complete, 
 substantial, and radical Reform of the Representation of the People 
 in Parliament, we never can be supposed to have surrendered to any 
 other Body of Men the Exercise of our own Discretion with Respect 
 both to the Plan which we deem most effectual for the Purpose, and 
 the Time which we may think most favourable for offering it to the 
 Public ; at present we think, that to make public our Views on these 
 Subjects would be to furnish Arms to our Enemies, and to injure the 
 Cause in which we are engaged. The Period, however, is probably 
 not very far distant when these Particulars will be made known to 
 the Public; it is sufficient now to express our Confidence that that 
 Moment will prove, by Evidence more substantial than Professions, 
 that we will propose no Plan of Reform which is short of an effec- 
 tual Destruction of Abum in the Representation of the People, and 
 that \TC have honestly exerted every Faculty we possess in chusing 
 the Time most favourable to the Success of our Plan. 
 
 We have learned, with Affliction and Indignation, the arbitrary 
 and unconstitutional Interruptions of Meetings of Citizens, peacea- 
 bly and lawfully assembled, for the Discussion and Maintenance of 
 their Rights. We have ever viewed with utter Disapprobation, both of 
 their Principles and Proceedings, the Associations who have been the 
 Authors or Instruments of this Persecution. Their Priciple, we 
 think, are repugnant to the free Spi-it of the English Law, and their 
 Conduct, we think, has beem as injurious and oppresMve as the Prin- 
 ciple of their Institution is unconstitutional and absurd. But deeply 
 penetrated as we are with these Sentiments, we neither possessed 
 Power nor legal Competence to interpose for the Protection of an In- 
 dividual, suffering eren under the most unjust Prosecution. We can- 
 not, therefore, feel ourselves blameable for Inaction in Cases of which 
 the Particulars were never laid before us, and in which it might have 
 
 been
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 been perhaps impossible, and perhaps improper, for us to have in-* 
 terfeied. 
 
 We do tint think it necessary to make any particular Remarks on 
 those Publications which you hr.ve put forth. We are not called upon 
 to pronounce any Judgment on the Publications of Individuals or So- 
 cieties ; and however we may lament the Grievances of which some 
 of" your Publications complain, our Efforts must necessarily be li- 
 mited to the Objed of an Institution, the Creation of an Organ to 
 speak the Public Voice in Legislation, 
 
 We cannot help expressing some Surprize at the Information that 
 Societies in different Parts of the Kingdom, who were solicitous about 
 the Nature and Extent of our Plans of Reform, instead of expressing 
 such Solicitude to ourselves, should have chosen the indirect and cir- 
 cuiious Channel of any other Society. Had they applied to the Friends 
 of the People directly, they would assuredly have received every In* 
 formation compatible with the Prudence, and with a due Regard to 
 the Success, of our common Cause. 
 
 On the Subject of your Correspondence with the National Conven- 
 tion of France, we freely communicated to you an Opinion in our 
 last Letter. We see no Reason to change the Sentiments which \ve 
 then expressed on the Prudence and Tendency of that Measure ; for 
 though we not only " acknowledge," but avow with Pride, f that to 
 " wi{h Success to the Cause of Freedom is congenial to the Heart of a 
 ' Biiton," velf we cannot think that Men engaged in so momentous 
 a Cause as that of Parliamentary Reform are entitled to make public 
 Declarations, even of their most virtuous Sentiments, in any Manner 
 which may injure that Cause, seive the Purposes, and strengthen the 
 Pretexts of its Enemies. Far be it from us to treat with Severity and 
 Rigour even those Errors and Indiscretions into which Men may be 
 betrayed by a generous Zeal for the Cause of Freedom ; but surely it 
 cannot be denied, that the Correspondence of Societies in this Coun- 
 try with public Bodies in France has furnished the most snecious 
 Pretences to interested Men for confounding a virtuous Sensibility to 
 the Interests of Liberty in other Countries, with a criminal Intention 
 to introduce Disorder and Civil Commotion into our own ; it is chiefly 
 by the Help of this Pretext that designing Men have so successfully 
 practised on the Alarms of the Public, and that timid Honesty has 
 been rendered the Dupe and the Instrument of Corruption. But on 
 this Subject all further Remark is now become unnecessary, as every 
 good Citizen must now feel himself precluded from all Political In- 
 tercourse with France (for a Pen'od which we earnestly pray may be 
 very short) by a War, the Principle of which we utterly disapprove ; 
 the inevitable Evils of \rhich we deeply deplore; and at the possi- 
 ble Consequences of which we tremble. 
 
 Amongst the most wise and honest Friends of Liberty there must 
 arise frequent "Differences of Opinion and of Conduct ; and these Dif- 
 ferences, the natural Effect of an independent Judgment and an inde- 
 pendent Spirit, are perfectly compatible with mutual Confidence and 
 Co-operation. When, indeed, designing Persons avail themselves of 
 tuch Differences to sow Distrust, and to insinuate Suspicions against 
 the Characters and Intentions of Men, it is then only that they become 
 pwnicious and injurious. Against Practices which might produce such 
 a Spirit of Disuaioa and Distrust, it is surely almost unnecessary to 
 
 warn
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 the Fiiends of Liberty at a Moment when our. Enemies are so 
 formidable and so united. They have sacrificed all inferior Interests and 
 ill former Differences to their common Intereft in perpetuating Abuses 
 and Corruptions. Let it not be said, that more generous Motives have 
 a less powerful Influence on the Human Mind, and that the Love of 
 Liberty is not able to produce that Union among her Friends, which in 
 her Enemies has arisen from the most abject and sordid Passions. 
 
 It seems scarce necessaty to represent to the London Corresponding 
 Society, the peculiar Necessity of Circurmpeftion and Moderation at a 
 Moment when the most venal Indiscretion of the Friends of Reform is 
 r-marked wi:h such malignant Watchfulness, and converted into an 
 Argument against the Cause of Reform itself. 
 
 He muse surely either be a secret Enemy, or an unsafe and pernicious 
 Friend of that Cause, who could prompt you to any Thing that could 
 be construed into Indiscretion, or whg would labour to sow Distrust 
 ^mong the small Number of those who now appear in Behalf of Free- 
 dom in England, at a Period when a Persecution is carried on against 
 ihe Friends of Reform at Home; and a War is commenced, which in 
 its Pi ogress rpay combine the Arms of England with those of Powers 
 engaged iij a Crusade against the general Liberties of Europe. 
 
 In Name and by Order of the Committee. 
 
 [ Draft of a Letter from the London Corresponding Society, intended at an 
 
 Anther to the foregoing Letter. 
 Sir, 
 
 The Committee of the London Corresponding Society have, at pre- 
 sent, to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the i$i.h of Fe- 
 bruary. 
 
 With Pleasure we perceive your Society not unwilling to keep up a 
 Correspondence with us, 'yet, at the same Time, we are sorry that you 
 should appear to be hurt by the plain Questions we put to you in onr 
 last to ask of you what Measures you mean to pursue in a Matter 
 which concerns us all, is certainly no Ways calling upon you to surren- 
 der up to our Society, or even to the Public at large, your Discretion 
 n<-r can we conceive that a Body of Men having pledged themselves 
 to the Public can be a sufficient Security to that Public to repose im- 
 plicit Confidence in them without being made further acquainted'with 
 the Nature and Extent of the Plan you mean to pursue, in order that 
 we the People may, if we approve it, co-operate with youthe Extent 
 of your proposed Reform, we apprehend, is already determined upon, 
 and we can discover no Advantage likely to result from its Secrecy- 
 en the contrary, if we are to ask for ourselves the same Thing which our 
 Friends mean to ask for us, the latter must receive their Instruction 
 from us, or we must be directed by them in either Case there must 
 be no Secrets. We further conceive, that the Permanency of a Reform 
 must be founded on the Acquiescence of the Public, who, after ma- 
 turely deliberating on every Thing proposed, shall have found your 
 Plan the most useful and the best that could possibly be laid down. 
 The Business we are engaged in is of too important a Nature to admit 
 of Reserve or Disguise. We will therefore, by the Frankness of our Be- 
 haviour,
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 havJour, (hew ourselves worthy the Friendship of a Society of honest 
 Men endeavouring to serve their Country, and plainly tell you., our 
 Country Correspondents did not desire us to inquire of you what you 
 meant to do, but fairly asked us whether we thought you honest ? whe- 
 ther we thought you meant to serve a Party, or the Nation ? whether 
 we imagined you intended a partial or a Complete Reform ? Addressed 
 in this Manner to us, and blunt as those Questions may appear, they 
 have nothing in them which can possibly offend you, the People having 
 always an undoubted Right to scrutinize the Character and Principles 
 of them who call themselves their Friends, and as such avow an Inten- 
 tion of bringing forward Measures in which we are all so deeply in- 
 terested. As to the furnishing our Enemies with Arms by a Disclosure 
 of our Intention, we cannot conceive, that Demands founded on Con- 
 stitutional Rights can lose any of their Force by being made public. 
 Reason (vires acquirit eundo) to triumph requires only to be known j 
 and as none of the People's Demands are founded on Fallacy, to take 
 the Enemy by Surprize would be unworthy of the Public Champions, 
 and, moreover, perfectly needless, when Truth and Reason must una- 
 voidably bear down all before them without the Assistance of Guile. 
 
 Under the Idea, that where you say " You neither possessed Power 
 " nor legal Competence to interfere for the Protection of an Individual 
 " suffering under the most unjust Prosecution," you allude to the Case 
 of our Bill-Sticker : We must beg to set you right, and to inform you 
 we never, as a Society, sought the Interference of any Body of Men ; 
 on the contrary, we are firmly persuaded, however hard such Cases 
 may bear upon Individuals, they will eventually prove of Service to the 
 Public, nothing having a greater Tendency towards rousing the Coun- 
 try, from its too prevalent Apathy with regard to Stretch of Preroga- 
 tive and Abuse of Power. 
 
 As to our Address to the French National Convention, we imagine it 
 best to say no more about it at present, only that if it has furnished 
 Pretexts to designing Men, it has only saved them the Trouble of seek- 
 ing Excuses elsewhere ; but such Men, even \vithout our Aid, would 
 have been at no Loss ; at the same Time we are apt to believe the Plan 
 for War, if conceived before then, was by .no Means accelerated thereby 
 intended as Preventatives, Addresses might have been effectual if they 
 had been more generally adopted ; the only Fault therein, that by a 
 mistaken Idea the Addressers gave Credit to the Nation for a greater 
 
 Object in View, their Mode of pursuing it will undoubtedly differ ; 
 with Caution, therefore, we will watch over those who wish to sow the 
 Seeds of unnecessary Distrust among us, and will at the same Time take 
 good Care that the Doctrine of implicit Confidence may not gain ground 
 among us. Full as much as yourselves we plead the Necessity of Union 
 among the Friends of Liberty, but lament that it is prevented, or at 
 least retarded, in many Instances, by the same Thing that promotes it 
 among the Enemies of Reform, namely, Interest : with them all their 
 Interest is for the Continuation of Abuses ; while to some of us a Re^ 
 form must be attended with pecuniary loss, and many others would lose 
 their Employ, their daily Bread, were it known they took an active 
 
 Part :
 
 APPENDIX E; 
 
 Part ; thus the same Motive, assuming on one Side the Appearance cf 
 a Virtue, gives Emulation to bad Men, and on the other, in its vilest 
 but most natural Form, stays the Progress o f those who, with the bcjt 
 Intentions, labour to save their Countr . 
 
 We thank you for your kind and prudent Advice, enjoining us Mo- 
 deration and Discretion at this critical Moment, when every Impru- 
 dence in the Advocate is liable to be rendered prejudicial to the Cause 
 itself* 
 
 Draft of a Letter from the London Corresponding Society to the Constitu- 
 tional Society at Sbsjjield. 
 
 4th March, 1793. 
 
 The London Corresponding Society have at present to acknowledge 
 your last, and to answer more fully your preceding Letter. 
 
 With regard to petitioning Parliament^ tvs are unanimous in the Opinion^ 
 that such a Petition will not produce a Reform ; yet, from many Consider- 
 ations we are now persuaded, that if every Society in the Island will send 
 forward a Petition, we shall ultimately gain Ground, for as much as it 
 will force the present Members of the Senate tn repeatedly discuss the Sub- 
 jeff, and their Deliberations, printed in the different Newspaper:,, will 
 most naturally awaken the Public Mind towards the Object of our Pur- 
 suit ; the Nation, once informed that a Reform in Parliament is sought 
 for from different Quarters, gives Rise to Debates in the House 
 of Commons, and is acknowledged by every Hank to be wanting, will 
 begin to exercise their own Reason on the Subject ; arrived at that Pe- 
 riod, we presume our Business will be nearly accomplished. 
 
 Let us closely follow up our Nottingham Brethren ; let every So- 
 ciety petition separately ; let every Week furnish a fitsh Petition, and 
 afford a fresh Debate ; we seek to open the Eyes of the Public : Peti- 
 tions on our Part, and Reje&Jons on the Pm of the Ministry, will cf- 
 fedlually do it. We therefore highly approve of your Idea, and will 
 ourselves follow it up, and recommend it to all the other Societies 
 we correspond with ; and withal we recommend to yon that no Time 
 be lost in so doing. 
 
 With you we lament the Evils of an imprudent and inconsiderate 
 War, a War rather eagerly sought for the Advancement of private Ends 
 than carefully deprecated from Considerations of Public Good a Con- 
 test unfavourable to this Country, whether either Fiance or Despo- 
 tism gain the upper Hand. We join with you in Gratitude to th';se 
 worthy Members of either House who have endeavoured to avert t. i? 
 National Calamity, to whom we have likewise returned our public 
 Thanks and \ve remain with Sincerity and Affection, 
 
 Your Friends and Fellow Labourers,
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 to)>y of a Letter from the United Societies at NorivlJj to the Society for 
 Constitutional Information. 
 
 United Political Societies of Norwich, jlh March, 1793; 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 It is with peculiar Satisfaction we are favoured with your Correspon- 
 dcncej not merely because you are so, although .you are better fitted to diffuse 
 knowledge, but because you' are embarked in the 1 same magnanimous 
 Cause, which demands with Alacrity the Attention of every Individual, 
 and it is with the utmost Regrtt we see so many, either from Ignorance 
 or something worse, who are inimical to their" own Interest, for nothing 
 contributes so much to support the Oppressor as the Igttor'anCe of tlve 
 Oppressed, for which Purpose the Flood Gates have been opened gra- 
 dually, till by Degrees the Streams of Corruption have nearly overflowed 
 the Land, such as Bounty Acts, Borrowing Qualification and Septen- 
 nial Acts, besides Standing Armies, Excise an3 Tything Laws, with 
 various others too painful for Reflection, without Credit to the Framers 
 thereof, and without Advantage to Society. We do not presume to reca- 
 pitulate these Abuses for your Information, but being experimentally 
 acquainted with them, we wish to find out a Method of Redress. At 
 present we see a great Propriety In Universal Suffrage and Annual Eleftions ; 
 but we beg. you will be obliging enough to inform us of what you have 
 collected of the Sense of the People by your Correspondents. We have 
 to inform you, that our ivorthy Corresponding Societies of London have re- 
 cently submitted Three repositions for our 'Investigation : First, Whether a 
 Petition to Parliament, or an Address to the King, or a Convention. 
 
 Permit us briefly to .state our Views for your Revisal ; and with re- 
 spect to the First, we behold <wc are a conquered People ; we have tamely 
 submitted to the galling Yoke, and Resistance id the present Cir- 
 cumstances is vain ; we cannot, we cannot act the Man, and as Neces- 
 sity have no Law", we think ourselves under that degrading Necetslty to 
 it ate our Grievances to the House of Commons, <wlth a Request for Redress, 
 and should i hey refuse to grant our reasonable Pelitidn, we have still got 
 (no Thanks to them) a formidable Engine, that will convey the Insult to 
 the remotest Parts of the Kingdom. As to the Propriety of the Second, 
 we wish to submit to your superior Judgment, and should esteem it a 
 Favour to be informed of the Result, for at present we are dubious of 
 its good Consequences. Lastly, a Convention, and oh ! that the Period 
 were arrived ; but in the present State of Affairs, alas ! it is impracti- 
 cable ; yet this Is the Objea ive pursue, and esteem any other Means only 
 in Subordination to, and ar having a Tendency to accomplish that desirable 
 End. 
 
 We wish to be in Unison with our Brethren and Fellow Labourers, 
 and should be glad of any Information as soon as it is convenient, and 
 we beg your Advice whether it is necessary, as soon as possible, to col- 
 led Signatures to a Petition for a real Representation of the P-eple, and by 
 whom to present it ; whether Mr. Coke, Mr. Burch, or any of the 
 Friends of the People ; and whether it is attended with any Expence. 
 ' Our Members are both inimical to the Business. 
 
 We can give you no accurate Statement of the Representation in our 
 Neighbourhood,' only observe it is equally farcical h< as elsewhere. To 
 
 conclude
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 conclude with for all Favours received, wishing you 
 
 and Success, and may Heaven avert We subecnb^j 
 
 ourselves, Gentlemen, your 
 
 Obliged humble Servants,- 
 
 Note. Please to direct to St. Mary's Church, Mr. 
 
 being no longer our Secretary. -We have between 30 and 40 
 
 separate Societies in Norwich, besides many in the Country Villages* 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Society for Constitutional Informa- 
 tion at Birmingham to the Secretary of the Society for Conttitutional / 
 formation at London* 
 
 Sir, Birmingham, March 25th, 1793. 
 
 At the Request of the Society for Constitutional Information I here- 
 by acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter, whereby it appears that 
 your Society have acceded to our Request, by electing the Persons 
 (whose Names you were furnished with) as associated Members in your 
 Society, for which we beg you to accept our united Thanks, and best 
 Wishes that your Society may go on to accumulate a Mass of true 
 Patriots, whose Principles may not be subverted by Interest, or con- 
 quered by Fear. 
 
 This Society offers with Gratitude their Thanks and- Commendations- 
 
 to .- ' Esq. for the Present accompanying your 
 
 Letter, but more particularly for his Zeal in the Cause of Freedom^- 
 which cannot be promoted but by the free Use of the Press, which we 
 trust will never be restrained from Britons. Another Letter accompa- 
 nies this, containing a few Particulars, which we doubt not you will 
 peruse with Pleasure. Will write you further on that Subject shortly, 
 lam, &c. 
 
 ; Sec. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the Constitutional Society at Sheffield to 
 the Secretary of the London Corresponding Society. 
 
 Sheffield, Committee Room of the Constitutional Society, 
 Sir, April lyth, 1793. 
 
 I am desired by the Committee to enclose you a printed Copy of the 
 Petition agreed on by the Inhabitants here, to be presented to the House 
 of Commons, for a Reform in Parliament, and the Address accompany- 
 ing the same. Upwards of Five Thousand Signatures are already affixed; 
 to ft, and we have no Doubt there will be at least as many more, 
 I am, with great Respect, 
 
 Sir, 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 Secretary to the Constitutional Society* 
 To the Secretary of the Cor- 
 responding Society, London. 
 
 P. S. Having no Direction to the Constitutional Whigs, Independ- 
 ents, and Friends of the People, and being desired by them " to convey 
 
 futunj
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 future. Favours through the same Channel as the last," which was by 
 your Means, beg you will send the other Letter which comes directed to 
 you by same Post, to Mr.. : -, Secretary of said Society. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Society for Constitutional Informa- 
 tion to the Secretary of the JJnlttd Political Societies at Norwich. 
 
 Sir, 1 6th April, 1793. 
 
 We have .to acknowledge, with great Satisfaction, the Letter which 
 you favoured us with, dated the jth Instant, relative to the most de- 
 sirable of all other Objects, the Reform pf a Parliamentary Representa- 
 tion. The Honour you do us in supposing that we are better fitted than 
 yourselves for the Promotion of Political Knowledge we must disclaim, 
 .because we observe with the greatest Pleasure that our Country Corres- 
 pondents have ,ioo much Zeal and Information to want Success in their 
 'public Endeavours, whether at Norwich, at Sheffield, at Manchester, or 
 elsewhere throughout the Nation. In our Sincerity for the Good of our 
 ..Country we tru.t that we are all equal, arid as such we doubt not of our 
 ultimate Success. 
 
 We s.-e, with Sorrow, the Existence of those Evils which you so justly 
 represent as the Streams of Corruption overflowing this Once free and 
 prosperous Country. We see with Surprize and Abhorrence, that Men 
 are to b found both able and willing to support those Corruptions. It is 
 Jiowever no small Consolation to find that others are not wanting, in every 
 Point of the Nation, of an opposite Chara&er, who are ready to remedy 
 t>y all laudable and honourable Means, the Defe<9: in our Representation, 
 the usurped Extension of the Duration of Parliaments, and other 
 -Grievances, such as -you notice in your Letter. 
 
 That the Constitution of England has no more of that Character it 
 once possesed; that the supposed Democracy of the Country has become 
 a Matter of Property and Privilege; and that we have therefore no longer 
 that mixt Government which our Adversaries are praising, when they 
 know it is no longer in our Possession, are Facts notorious and indis- 
 putable. Where then are we to look for the Remedy? To that Parlia- 
 ment of which we -complain, to the Executive Power, which is implicitly 
 obeyed, if not anticipated, in that Parliament ; or to ourselves repre- 
 sented, in some Meeting of Delegates for the extensive Purpose of Re- 
 form, Which we^suppose you understand by the Term Convention. 
 
 It is the End of each of these Propositions that we ought to look to ; 
 and as Success in a good Cause jnustie the Effect of Perseverance, and 
 the rising Reason of the Time, let us -determine with Coolness, but let 
 us persevere with Decision. As to a Convention, we regtrd it as a Plan 
 the most desirable and most practicable, so soon as the great Body of the 
 People shall be courageous and virtuous enough to join us in the At- 
 tempt. 
 
 Hitherto we have no Reason to believe that the Moment is arrived for 
 that Purpose. As to any Petition to the Crown, we believe it hopeless 
 in its Consequences. With respect to the last of your Proposals, we are 
 ;it a Loss to advise. If the Event is looked to in the Vote which may be 
 obtained from that Body to whom this Petition is to be addressed, which 
 of us can look to it without the Prospect of an absolute Negative ? In this 
 Point of View therefore it cannot require a Moment's Consideration. 
 But if we regard the Policy of such a Petition, it may, in our Apprehen- 
 D 2 sion,
 
 APPENDIX. E. 
 
 sion, be well worth considering as a warning Voice to our present Legis- 
 lators, and as a Signal for Imitation to the Majority of the People. Should 
 such a Plan be vigorously and generally pursued, it would hold out a 
 Certainty to our Fellow Countrymen that we are not a Handful of Indi- 
 viduals unworthy of Attention or Consideration, who desire the Resto- 
 ration of the ancient Liberties of England; but on the co trary, it might 
 bring into Light that Host of well-meaning Men, who, in the different 
 Towns and Counties of this Realm, are silently but seriously anxious for 
 Reformation in the Government, 
 
 We exhoit you, with Anxiety, to pursue your laudable Endeavours 
 for the common Good, and never to despair of the Public Cause. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 Signed by Order, in the Name of the 
 Society for Constitutional Information. 
 
 Secretary, 
 
 Copy of a printed Letter from the Constitutional Society at Sheffield to the Secre~ 
 tary of the London Corresponding Society. 
 
 Committee Room of the Constitutional Society, Sheffield, 
 Sir, April 24th, 1793. 
 
 I am desired by the Committee of this Sqciety to transmit you the an- 
 nexed Resolutions, and to ask the Opinion of your Society whether it 
 may not be expedient for all the Societies in Great Britain to adopt 
 similar Resolutions, and to fix on a stated Time to follow them up with 
 Petitions or Remonstrances, or both, against the present impolitic 
 and ruinous War. We think a Measure of this Kind, coming from so 
 many Quarters of the Kingdom at the same Time, would not fail of 
 having great Weight; and the present lamentable State of the Country 
 demands that something effectual should be adopted towards its 
 Relief. 
 
 Requesting as speedy an Answer as pofiible, I remain, with the greatest 
 Resped, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 : , Secretary. 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Constitutional Society of Sheffield, held 
 on Friday the I2th of April 1793, 
 
 in the Chair, 
 
 Resolved, That Peace is the Blessing, and War the Curse and Scourge 
 of Nations; and that the present War is destructive of the Happiness, 
 Commerce, and Liberties of this Country ; that Our ManiifaCturers and 
 Merchants already deplore its wretched Effects ; and that nothing short 
 ef an immediate Peace can save this Country from Ruin, 
 
 Resolved, That as the Motives alledged by the Executive MAGIS- 
 TRATE for conducting War against the Republic of France no longer 
 exift, we deem it improper that a defensive should be converted into an 
 offensive War, and must eventually exhaust the Revenues, and spill the 
 Blood of our Countrymen. 
 
 Resolved, That no Provocatives or Manifestoes of the French warrant
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 JKS, during this unexampled Crisis of public and domestic Dangers, In the 
 Prosecution of an offensive War, which is now becoming, we dread, the 
 War of Kings, and not of their Subjffts. 
 
 Resolved, That notwithstanding any previous Insults we may have of- 
 fered to the Republic of France, it does not behove the Character of a 
 generous Government to pursue with Vengeance those they hate and have 
 injured. 
 
 Resolved, That as our Ally is by Public Authority declared to be no 
 longer in Danger, as her Towns are repaired and garrisoned ; and as the 
 Re-conquest of Belgic Provinces fotm a potent Barrier to any ptesent Pro- 
 jects of Invasion on the Part of the French, it is our Opinion that the 
 British Troops ought to be recalled. 
 
 Resolved, That as an Alliance with the Kingdom of France was consi- 
 eered by Wil iarn Pitt as of the greatest Importance to the Commerce and 
 Happiness of this Country, it is the Opinion of this Society that it ought 
 to be renewed with the Republic of Fiance, more especially to prevent the 
 ambitious Views of those confederate Despots who, at Pilnitz and Pavia, 
 ig'ree to share the Remnant of Poland, the Spoil of France and of Eu 
 ropean Turkey, 
 
 , Chairman. 
 
 Cop)' of a Letter from t/je Secretary of the Constitutional Society at Sheffield tt 
 the Secretary of the Corresponding Society in London. 
 
 Sheffield, Committee Room of the Constitutional Society, 
 Sir, ^ May 3d, 1793. 
 
 I am desired by the Committee to acknowledge the Rrceipt of your 
 last Favour, and to thank you for the same. You will see by this, Copies 
 of the Petitions which we sent you, that we have taken the Step you yo 
 warmly recommend, and which indeed you might well suppose, after 
 our circular Letter on the Subject, we ought not to omit doing. We did 
 it as the Aft, no of the Society alone, but cf the whole Town and 
 Neighbourhood. There were nearly Ten Thousand Signatures to it. 
 
 We have sent you herewith several Copies of the Resolutions we have 
 entered into against the War, which we beg you will distribute in such 
 Manner as you shall think best for the Purpose intended, and let us know, 
 as soon as possible, how you approve them. 
 
 The Direction you sent before is as good a one as vou can have, to Mr. 
 
 , at - , Sheffield. By Order, and" in the Name of the 
 
 Committee, I am, Sir, 
 
 Your very humble Servant, 
 
 Secretary to the Constitutional Society. 
 
 Draft of a Letter from the London Corresponding Society to the Secretary of 
 the Friends of the People at Edinburgh. 
 
 Sir, London, May ijth, 1793 
 
 The London Corresponding Society eagerly seize the Opportunity of 
 
 Mr. going back to Edinburgh, to request of your Society a Rc- 
 
 toewal of Correspondence, and a more intimate Co-opcratiou in that which 
 
 both
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 jpoch Societies alike seek, TIZ. a Reform in the Parliamentary Reprrserv 
 tation. We are very sensible that no Society can by itself bring about 
 "that desirable End; let us therefore unite as much as possible, not only 
 twith each other, lut tui'b every other Society throughout the Nation. Qur Pe- 
 titions, you will have learned, have been all of chem unsuccessful ; our 
 Attention mutt now therefore be turned to some more ejjtcltial Means From 
 jour Society tve would willingly learn them, and you,, on your Part, may de- 
 pend upon our adbfting the firmest Measures, provided they are Constitu- 
 tional ; and we hope the Country \vill not be behindhand with us,. 
 
 This War has already opened the Eyes of many ; and should k con- 
 tinue much longer, there is no answering for fts Efledts on the Minds of 
 .the People. 
 
 Our Society has met with much Persecution, nevertheless we go on 
 increasing in Number and Political Knowledge. Wishing you and our 
 Cause all Success, we remain most cordially, 'Sir, 
 
 For the London Corresponding .Society, 
 Your Friends and Fellow Labourers, 
 
 ; } Chairman. 
 
 -- : : ? Secretary. 
 
 To the Friends of die People at Edinburgh. 
 
 Copy f 
 
 'a Letter from the Secretary of th: Friends of the feoplc at Edin- 
 burgh to the Secretary of the London Corresponding Society. 
 
 Mr. did me the Pleasure to call on Thursday Afcernoon, and 
 
 delivered your Letter of the I7th Current. I am much pleased with the 
 Contents of it, and shall lay it before the First Meeting of our Socie- 
 ties here, which however does not take place ti2 Monday Sevennight, 
 1 would have acknowledged the Receipt of your Favour by Yesterday's 
 P.ost, but was too much employed in removing our Household to ano- 
 ther Lodging to attend to any Thing else. 
 
 If either you in England or we in Scottand should attempt sepa- 
 rately the Reform which we, I trust, seek to obtain, we should by so 
 doing only expose our Weakness, and manifest- our Ignorance of the 
 Corruption which opposes our important Undertaking. If we sought 
 <?nly tiie Extirpation of one Set of interested Men from the Manage- 
 ment of National Affairs, that Place might be given to another Set 
 without ajfeilinv the Vitals of the System adverse to Reform. These might 
 be easily accomplished ; but to cut up deep and wide rooted Preju- 
 dices, to give effectual Energy to the Dictates of Truth in Favour of 
 public Virtue and National Prosperity, in Opposition to Self and all its 
 interested Habits, and to withstand and overawe the final Efforts of 
 the Powers of Darkness, is the Work of the Whole and not of a Part, 
 a Work to which Mankind, till this awful Period, were never adequate-, 
 because never til! now disposed to f rater ni-zc, r.ii merely, or only, I trust, from 
 the Sense of the common Danger to which wear, exposed, Ijftffrom the nnob.ing 
 Principle of Universal Bauumense. 
 
 I know no greater Service that I can do to my Country than to pro- 
 mote the Union you so wisely desire ; and I am happy to assure you that 
 I have hitherto discovered no Sentiment in our Association adverse to the 
 most intimate and brotherly Union with the Associations in England. 
 
 I think
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 I think the minds of all must, in the Nature of Things, be noto tttrnfd 'in 
 more ejfeSual Means of Reform. Not one Person was convinced of the 
 Necessity of it by the most convincing Arguments of Reason, together 
 with the most unequivocal Expressions of universal Desire. What then 
 ft to be hoped for from Repetition ; I am only afraid that the Bow in 
 England against Reform was so contracted, that in returning it may break. 
 You would willingly learn, you say, from us. I own that \ve ought to be 
 forward in this. We have, at once, in great Wirdom perfeSed our Plan of 
 Organization ; and if we were in the same independent State of Mind as tbs 
 People -f England, we would be able to take the lead. The Associations 
 with you are no more I fear excuse my freedom than an Aristocracy 
 for the good of the People. They are indeed moderate, firm, and virtu- 
 ous, and better cannot be ; but we are the People themselves, and \ve are 
 the first to shew that the People can both judge and resolve, if undirected 
 by Fa&ion^ with both Wisdom and Moderation, 
 
 I have not a higher Wish in the present Exertions for Reform, than /</ 
 tee the People universally and regularly associated, because I am persuaded 
 that the present disastrous Engagements will issue in Ruin, and the 
 People then must provide for themselves ; and it would be unhappy, when 
 tve should be ready to aft with L/iianimity, to be occupied about Organization, 
 without which however Anarchy must ensue, AV e will not need but tor 
 be prepared for the Event, to " stand and see the Salvation of the Lord." 
 Let us therefore take the Hint given us by our Opposers ; let us begin in 
 earnest to make up our Minds relative to the Extent of Reform which we ought 
 to seek ; be prepared to justify it, and to controvert Objeaions ; kt us model- 
 the Whole in the Public Mind ; let us provide every Stake and Slay of tha 
 Tabernacle wk'uh we would erect ; so that when the Tabernacles of Oppression 
 in the Palaces of Ambition ar-. broken down, under the Madness and Folly of 
 their Supporters, we may then, without Anarchy and all dangerous Delay, 
 ereft at once our Tabernacle of Righteousness. And may the Lord himself 
 be in it. 
 
 How hartful to the Feelings of a reflecting Mind to look back to the 
 wretched State in which the Roman Monarchy, enfeebled and broken 
 ty its own Corruption, left the Nations which it had subjected, like 
 *' Sheep without a Shepherd," they soon became a Prey to every In- 
 tader, because there was none to gather and unite them. Had the'v, 
 foreseeing the Evil, associated for mutual Defence,, no Robber would 
 have been able to enslave them ; thev would have eiven Laws to all 
 Parties as weD as to themselves ; all separate Colonies and Nations 
 would have sought their Alliance ; but not having Virtue to associate, 
 and heal the Divisions, and root out the selfish Spirit, which ambi- 
 tion-fostering Governments procure to their Subjects, they fell under 
 Oppression?, from under \vhose Iron Sceptre they have never yet been 
 able to deliver themselves. 
 
 We may fuppofe an Event which we deprecate ; nay, mould* we not 
 be prepared for every poflible ilTue of the prefent unprecedented Divifions 
 of Mankind, we hare a Right to be apprehenfive of the Abilities of our 
 own Managers, who are fo afraid to depart from Precedent, that like 
 Men of Detail, they may be inadequate to the Taik of preferving the 
 Veffel from Shipwreck, now grappling with Danger, not only great, but 
 new and uncommon. If the prefent Miniftry fail, who after them (hall 
 be trufted ? it requires little Penetration to fee the Anarchy and Difcord 
 
 which
 
 APPENDIX E; 
 
 ilch will follow ; it will be fuch that nothing Jksrt of a general Uniod 
 Among the People thtmftl r vei <will be able to heal ; hafte, therefore^ to affo- 
 fciate, at leaft to be ready to aflbciate. If then> fuch a broken State of 
 Things mould take placej the civil Broils that would neceffarily enfuef 
 would foon fubfide before the united irrefiftible Voice of the Whole. Do 
 nor, I intrea"t you; hefitate thinking fuch a Work premature as yet; bu< 
 a Month, and then it may be too late. A malignant Party may be already* 
 formed, and only waiting for the Halting of the prefent Managers ; it 
 will then be too late to feek to fubjecl to Deliberation, after a Party haS 
 dared the Adi of Rebellion. If you %o no farther than fepnrate Meetirtgi 
 in different T'otunS) ive luill not be able to confide in your Confraternity^ 
 Becaufe, nohiie in fuch State, you may be but the Tools of a Faction. We 
 could have all Confidence, and unite with all Affection, in One Aflembly 
 of Commffioners; from all Countries of the World, if we knew they were 
 chofen by the unbiafled Voice of the People, becaufe they would come 
 Hp with the fame difinterefted Views and Defires as ourfelves, having all 
 agreed to a common Centre of Union and Intereft ; but we could not 
 confide in Fellow Citizens who kept aloof from fuch Union, and would 
 not previoufly affiliate in one great and indiviftble Family. 
 
 In troubling you with fo long an Epiftle I have at leaft fhewri my In- 
 clination to correfpond; I have alfo hinted at Things which appear to 
 rhe the prefent Subjects of Confideration, becaufe I am defifous of your 
 Opinion upon them. I have poffibly wrote with too much Freedom, but 
 you will place it to Account of Zeal in the Caiife, and on this Score dif- 
 harge my Defign, which is difinterefted and philanthropic. 
 
 With fincere Elleem and Affeclionj 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your Wellwifher, 
 
 W. SKIRVING, Sec* 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Conjtitutional Society at Leeds 
 to the Secretary of the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Delegate Meeting of the Conftitutional Society. 
 SIR, Leeds, May joth, 1793. 
 
 By Requeft of the Sheffield Society, and having received Directions 
 from them for the Purpofe of correfponding with all the Societies in 
 England and Scotland, 
 
 We the Members of the Leeds Conftitutional Society, in order to ob- 
 tain the defired End of Parliamentary Reform, defire fraternal Commu- 
 nication with the Correfponding Society in London. 
 
 We mall be glad of any Information 'or Inftruclion in your Power on 
 all Occafions, and hope you will find the Leeds Society always faithful 
 to the Interefts of the People ; and though they are but few, not exceeding 
 Two Hundred, they are Men, and are determined to exert their utmoft 
 in order to inftruft their Neighbours in their common Intereft. 
 
 With this we fend you a Copy of our Addrefs and Declaration, and 
 fliall ever acknowledge all Favours from you. 
 
 Wifhing the Caufe of Freedom, in which we have embarked, ever/ 
 Degree of Succefs, 
 
 I remain, in the Name and by 
 Order of the Society,
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the ConJI'itutional Society at jLefdi 
 to the Secretary of the Society for Conjlitutional Information. 
 
 Delegate Meeting of the Conftitutional Society* 
 SIR, Leeds, May 28th, 1793. 
 
 By Reqneft of the Sheffield Society, that the L?eds Ccnftitutional So.' 
 ciety would corrofpond with all the Societies in Great Britain and Scot- 
 land, and receive Dire- "i ions from them for that Purpofe, 
 
 We, the Members of the Leeds Conftitutional Society, beg Leave to 
 addrefs thefe few Lines to you, hoping that your paternal Affection for 
 your Fello'.v Mortal?, of whatever Defcription, may induce you to admit 
 to Fraternization a few poor Mechanics, Friends of Liberty, but Enemiei 
 to Anarchy. Ariltocrrtic Tyranny and Democratic Ignorance feem to 
 pervade and overawe the Town of Leeds to that amazing Degree, that 
 in the general \ve are beheld more like Monfters than the Friends of the 
 People, and I believe that thefe Six Months paft the ignorant Part of the 
 People (through the Infmuations of the Ariftocracy and the Prieils) have 
 expefted us to fall on them and deft roy the;-. : but ft nee the i ith of April 
 laft, the Time we had the Opportunity of publifliing our Addrefs and 
 Declaration, and our tteady and uniform Conduft, the People bsgin to. 
 behold us with new Eyes, and we begin to increafe in our Numbers, and 
 we hope, ere long, the Perfons they took for their greateft Enemies will 
 be looked on as their beft Friends 
 
 We have herewith fent you a Copy of our Addrefs and Declaration, 
 and (hall be glad if you think it worth your Notice to correfpond v ith 
 a Company of poor Mechanics. We ftiall ever gratefully acknowledge 
 all Favours. 
 
 Our Numbers amount to near Two thoufand, and we conftantly keep 
 increafing, and, in general, are very regular in their Conduct ; but 
 though through Predominancy of the Ariftocracy they have been over- 
 awed, that they fcarce dnrft tell their Neighbours they were their Friends; 
 but I hope the Clouds are difperfing, and the glorious Sun ot Liberty is 
 approaching to its Meridian. 
 
 I remain, in the Name, and by 
 
 Order of the Society, 
 
 Sir, Yours, &c. 
 
 * 9 
 
 Secretary of the Conftitutional 
 Society, Leeds. 
 
 Draft of a Letter from the London Correfponding Society to tie Secrt* 
 tary of the Conftitutional Society at Birmingham. 
 
 SIR, roth June I793- 
 
 It is with fingular Satisfaction the Committee of the London Corref- 
 
 Eding Society received your Letter; they are very glad to fee the 
 rit of Freedom fpringing up in Birmingham, and they make no 
 abt but that the Zeal of your Society, and the Encreafe of your 
 Numbers, will foon do away the Stigrna thrown on your Toien by the 
 E unjuftifiabb
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 iinjuflifiable Behaviour of a Church and King Mob. *We are entirely of 
 your Opinion with regard to the Neceffity of a general Union; and w& 
 believe as vou dc, r 1 at ivhea once the Country Jball have fo united, the 
 Neros r.f the Day will be forced to yield to the juji Demand of a long and 
 Jore oppreffed People. 
 
 With Pleafure we accept your proffered Correfpondence, and earneftly 
 beg of you to let us hear from your Society by every Opportunity. We 
 wim likewife you would point out to v&fome J'afe Mode of Con-vejance for 
 fuch Informations and Publications as we may think neceflary to be tranf- 
 rnitted to you. The Poft we no Ways rely on, as many of our Letters 
 have already been intercepted. 
 
 If any of the Members of your Society Ihould have Occafion to vifit 
 this Metropolis, we hope you will not let him come without a Letter 
 from you, and that while they ftay here they will frequently ajfift at the 
 "Meetings of our feveral Divifions, and by thus officiating commence an 
 Union which *we hope focn to fee fpread it/elf all over Britain. 
 
 We will not enter into a Detail of our Grievances; we are equally well 
 informed thereon, and all alike thoroughly convinced that nothing fhort 
 of Annual Parliaments and Univerfal Suffrage can reftore us to that De- 
 gree of Civil Liberty we are juftly entitled to, &c. &c. 
 
 Jo .. , Secretary to the 
 
 Biim'ghan Society for Con- 
 ftitutional Infcimadjn. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Political To-'ieties at Norwich to the Secretary 
 of the Lsndofi Corresponding Soci.ty. Received 25 June t I793 
 Ai.jwered 25 July, 1793. 
 
 The Political Societies of Norwich. 
 SIR, 
 
 I lately received your Letter from Mr. , dated April 22d, 
 
 which, through Multiplicity of Bufmefs, we have omitted to anfwer 
 hope you will -x;-u.e the Delay. l*/e aJfo received your friendly Letter, 
 frhr to that, wherein you ft attd three Propofitiont ; Firft, a Petition to HiJ 
 Majify, or to Parliament) or a National Convention) and ordered One of 
 our Cimmittee to anf-iver it; -Jhoidd lie glad if you would inform me whether 
 it was attended to ; / gave my Opinion on the Subject to the Conftitutioizal 
 Society (f Lofidon, and found their Ideas congenial to my own, <viz. an Ad- 
 drefs tit the King futil* ; a Petition to Parliament (as a conquered People) 
 tolerable t a National Convention (if Circuntjiances admitted) beft of 
 ell. To what an alarming Crifis are we arrived the Junto is formed 
 and eftablifhed, the People become a Prey, and (to adopt the Phrafe 
 of an Hibernian Apoftate) are treated as the Swinilh Multitude, except 
 the Privilege of fattening. Wars muft commence at the Caprice of In* 
 dividuals ; People torn from their Houfes to be butchered ; Windmill* 
 muft be attacked at the Rifk of being carried over and dafhed to Atoms; 
 the N at * on drained of its Suftenance to fupport a League, c. c. &c. 
 Mav Epithets may with great Propriety be applied, excepting fuch as 
 fox, Sheridan, Grey, Erfkine, Lanfdowne, Lauderdale, Stanhope, Paine, 
 
 Prieftky,
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Frieftley, Tooke, Wharton, Macleod, Barlow, Mackintofh, Cooper, 
 befides many who have fuffered under the Iron Hand or", &c. and when 
 the People have complained, and humbly requited a Remo-. a' of Abufes, 
 they have been treated with Infulr. AU? I where is the A.ajeity cf the 
 People? An indifferent Obferver wcu d luppofe it to center in itan and 
 Garters, Ribbons, and coftly Appa^i Pala-es, Coaches and Horie^, with 
 all the Trunperv of puerile Amnfeinent ; and were it not for their ac- 
 curfed Consequences, we could bear with it ; but when we confider how 
 many fweat and toil and ftarve to fnppnrt it, how can we be persuaded 
 but that the e is a Contrivance between the Land Owners and the Mer- 
 chant to hold the People in Vaflalage ; tor they eat up the People as they 
 cat Bread; --the Influence of the Ariftocracy and Hierarchy is become 
 very alarming, for they have abforned and fwaliowed up the People; but 
 a Rumour is fpread from the South, and it is terrible to Tyrants, it 
 flings thejr Mind, it galls their Fieih, artd like Pafhur, are a Terror 
 to themfelves, left the People fhould affert their Rights. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from ike Hertford/hire Society to the Secretary of tht 
 London Cor ref ponding Society. 
 
 SIR, Hertford, July 5th, 1793. 
 
 Owing to fome Miftake in the Poft your Letter did not arrive till after 
 the Meeting of the Hertfordfhire Society in April laft had taken place, 
 I therefore had not an Opportunity of laying it before the Soc ety till 
 their General Meeting of Monday laft. I am direfted by the Society to 
 acknowledge the Keceipt of your Favour, and toaffure you, that they (hall 
 be hanpy to co-operate with the London Correfponding Society for the 
 Attainment of the common Object c*i Parliamentary Reform, fo far as 
 the Views of the Two Societies are compatible ; with Regard to the 
 Rights of Univerfal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments, we do not pledge 
 ourfelvesto demand them. Without however entering into Reafoning on 
 the Subject, which would admit of much more Difcuffion than the Limits 
 of a Letter would allow, they are convinced that the common Cbjeft of 
 the Two Societies is the fame, and that the Mode in which they both 
 with to obtain that Objeft is the fame alfo, by Conftitutional A.eans ; 
 they will therefore be happy in receiving any Communication from the 
 London Correfponding Society. Perfeverance and Union are the Means 
 by which Parliamentary Reform muft be obtained. '\ hey (hall not, they 
 truft, be found deficient in the One, and are at all Times difpofed to cul- 
 tivate the other. 
 
 I have the Honour to be, 
 
 Your obedient humble Servant, 
 
 t Secretary. 
 
 All Letters to the Society are to be addreffed to , Hertford. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Tnvklbury, to tie Secretary of the London 
 Correfpynding Society. 
 
 Fellow Citizen, Jty 6th, 1 793. 
 
 Am commiffioned by the Society, as being Secretary, to thank you for 
 your Favour of the Letter and Pamphlets they are happy to find the 
 E * Exiftence
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Exiftence of fuch Affectations as yours for the Attainment of fo laudable 
 a Purpofe as that of a Parliamentary Reform, and hope to fee them more 
 general throughout the Kingdom they think it high Time for the People 
 in this Country to lock into Things, and keep a ftrifier Watch over thei* 
 Rights and Liberties than they have hitherto, left they mould be under- 
 jnined, efp cially when Abufcs fo glaring are perpetually flaring them in 
 the Face, which the moil prejudiced and interefted will not but allow. 
 
 As you 'vlfhed to be informed r^fpecling cur Society, (hall give j ot| 
 a corciie View of it. We call it the Society for Political and M> ral 
 Information we have a Set of Articles for the conducing of it Mon.hly 
 and Quarterly Meetings for the propcfmg of Books, and fettling the 
 Secretary's Accounts we take in a periodical Work called The Patriot, 
 and a Town a;;d Country News-paper. 
 
 We have no Correfpondence with any Society: but would gladly, were 
 it noi for the Prejudice that prevails, which to be fure has in foir.c JMea- 
 fure fubfided, and the Stnallcefsof our Number ; but however we mall be 
 glad to eceive a Line from ycu when any Thing particular occurs. The 
 burning of Thomas Paine's Effigy, together with the bitffed Ejfefis of the 
 piefent War, has done more good to the caufe than the ruoft fubftantial 
 Arguments ; 'tis amazing the Increafe of Friends to Liberty, and the 
 Spirit of Enquiry that is gone abroad; fca!cely an old Woman but is 
 talking Politics. We have made the beft Ufe of your Pamphlets. The 
 Society deli re their Refpetls and good Wimes for your Health, including 
 jny own, and remain, 
 
 Your Fellow Citizen, and 
 
 Co-operator in the glorious 
 Caufe of Liberty, 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the Conjlitutional Society at Leeds t 
 to the Secretary of the Society for Cznjlitutional Information. 
 
 SIK, 
 
 I am dtfired by the Committee of this Society to tranfmit you the an- 
 nexed Refolutions, and hope you will receive the fame as a Token of 
 their Refpect Copies of which are fent to the feveral Societies mentioned 
 in the Refolutions. 
 
 We have received a Letter with a Petition from Glafgow to His 
 Majefty, praying that He would take the prefent alarming State of the 
 Nation into His moft ferious Confideration, and ufe the utmoft of His 
 Endeavours to reftore to us the bleflingsof Peace, which I believe will be 
 followed from Leeds with a iimilar Petition, and if followed u]p from all 
 other places, perhaps, might have the moft falutary Effeft. 
 I am, 
 
 With the greateft Refpeft, 
 In the Name and by Order of the Society, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Leeds, Your moft obedient Servant, 
 Julyzift, 1793
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Leeds Conftitutional Society,. 
 
 At a Meeting of Delegates of the faid Society, on the 26th Day of 
 June inilant, 
 
 It was Refolved, That the Thanks of this Society be given to Charle 
 Grey, Efquire, and the reft of the illuilrious linorty who fupportec 
 his Motion on the 6th and 7th of May laft, for a Parliamentary Reform. 
 
 That the Decifion of the Reprefentative Body on the above Motioo 
 Ihould only aft with the People as a Cementer of the Bonds of Fellow- 
 ftiip and Unanimity; and that this -Society think it their Duty, and are 
 determined, in Conjunction with all the Societies in Great Britain, tc 
 perfevere until they have obtained the Objeft of their Affociatiofi. 
 
 That the Thanks of this Society be given to the Society of the Friend, 
 of the People, for their laborious Endeavours to procure Iniormatija 01 
 the Subject of Parliamentary Reform, and for the Publication of the 
 fame, as well as the liberal Prefent lately received from them, and to 
 the different Societies which have expreiTed their Deiires for Affiliation 
 with this Society, particularly thofe of London, Sheffield, Birmingham, 
 and Glafgow. 
 
 That the Secretary do notify the above Refolutions to Mr. Grey, and 
 the feveral Societies refpeftiveiy ; and that theie lleiclutions be publifhed 
 in one of the Leeds and one oi' the London Papers. 
 
 Prefident. 
 
 ' - ' ' Secretary. 
 
 Draft of a Letter from the London Correfponding Society to the 
 Secretary to the Political Societies at Norwich. 
 
 Fellow Citizen, London, 25th July, 1793. 
 
 The London Correfponding Society have received and read with Plea- 
 fure your Letter of the 25th of June, but the Anfwer which yoa men- 
 tion to have been made to our Three Questions has not yet come to 
 Hand. We (hall be glad to be informed in your next whether it was 
 ever put in the Poft-Office. 
 
 With regard to ti e QuefUons themfelves, however Individuals may 
 have made up their Mimls on them, the Public Jeemed tnoft to approve the 
 Mc.de of petitioning Parltammt. We accordingly acquiefced, and fent in. 
 a Petition, figned by near 6,000 Perfons. With this Letter you will 
 receive a Copy of it; and with its Fate you are doubtlefs not unac- 
 quainted. 
 
 While we agree with you that the People are treated like Swine, we 
 are forced to acknowledge that fume among them, from their Sloth ana 
 Ignorance, fcarcely deferve better Ufage ; however, imceafmgly labourin 
 to meliorate their Condition as well as our own, and convinced that 
 thorough Parliamentary Reform is the only Means of effectuating i 
 we firmly purfue our Purpofe ; and in the moit confpicuous Manm 
 under the Eye of the Court, in the Middle of the .\ietrcpoiis, and 
 the^very Neft of Place and Penfion Hornets, the Tavern where Reeve 
 the Tool of the Junto, holds his inquifnorial Tribunal, have lately he 
 a General Meeting of the Society, lent forth an Addrefs to the Natio
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 and entered into fome fpirited Refolutions, a. few Copies of which we 
 defire you to accept, and promulgate as far and as wide as you can ; at 
 the fame Time reft affured that tiie Firmnefs difplayed therein is n< t 
 confined to Words, but that on every Occafion our 'cciety will be found 
 foremoft in ajjerting and recovering the Liberties of their Count:-*-. 
 
 Exhorting you, therefore, to throw afide all unavailing Complaint, 
 we wiih yovi to occupy yourfelves in inftructing the People, in intro- 
 ducing and maintaining Order and Regularity in your own bociety, 
 
 ' 
 
 and informing a Junction luith all others (ijjjciated fur the Ja,ne Pttr : 
 throughout the Nation, by keeping up a coniiant Correfpon- : ; ct - .h 
 them; but, above all, orderly and cr,urageouj : y ptf'-fri . /!v 
 
 Event; for as it is natural to fuppofe ti i the 
 
 Public will not willingly yield up their Enjo\ iner.ts, nor re-poilc.s us of 
 our Rights without a Struggle, which, by their Ft-iravicur in Ireland, 
 we have fome Reafon to think they are meditating, and peril;;;--, may 
 intend to eifec"l by Means of thofe very toreigi Aaer^cnarirs \\ fo *re 
 now paid with the Sweat of our Brow, ana whom, under fo "i pja'^ e 
 Pretence, it would be no difficult Matter to land (. n our Shoic - U , .\y 
 be more advantageous to Humanity to fhew them at firft, that t;:eir 
 Opponents are neither Mob nor Rabble, out an indignant opprejj'ed fto- 
 flff in ivhom is not yet entirely ex tin ft the fr a lour of their kor< f either* , 
 
 Union and Increafe being then our only Pvefources, let us diligently 
 exert ourfelves therein with Zeal and Patience, removing Ign ranee and 
 Prejudice, with Firmnefs and a confident Behaviour encouraging tiiofe 
 who join us; and, above ail, avoiding little Bickerings among curfelves, 
 ever difcountenancing felnfh Jealoufies and private Animofuies, and cor- 
 dially joining with Heart and Hand in the common Caufe. 
 
 Your Neighbourhood muft fe.-erely feel the dreadful Con r eouences of 
 an iniquitous; depopulating, and ruinous War, but you are not the only 
 Sufferers; from various Parrs of the Country we leain, that the War 
 abroad has already fpread Defolation at home; yet fuch is the Hindnefs 
 of fome Folks, that they talk of its being ccn f inued for Years. Peace we 
 wifh to all Men, but to fuch Friends Dcllrudion. Let us hear from 
 you foon, and let our future Correfpondence be more regular. We are, 
 with Sincerity, Fellow Citizen, for the London Correfpondmg Society, 
 
 Your Friends and Fellow Labourers for the 
 Good of our Country, 
 
 J}rqft of a Letter from the London Correfponding Society to the 
 Secretary of the Conjlitutional Society at Leeds. 
 
 Fellow Citizen, joth July, 1793. 
 
 Th London Correfponding Society have at once to acknowledge the 
 Receipt of your Letter of the .3Oth May, and to apologize for not having 
 anfwered it fooner; but by Accident it was for fome Time miflaid, and 
 the Multiplicity of Bufmefs upon our Hands occafioned a ftill further 
 Belay. 
 
 Highly
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Highly approving of the Dire&bns given you by the Sheffield Society 
 for Constitutional Information, to correfpond with every Society in 
 Great Britain, we joyfully accept your Overture, and {hall not in future 
 fail to improve the Acquaintance; at the fame Time, being Inhabitants 
 of the Metropolis, an<l forming a Society which has undergone fome 
 Degree of Political Warfare, and thereby acquired Experience, we will, 
 as Occafion offers, moft fraternally give you every Advice and Informa- 
 tion in our Power ; but as vou already have the Ailiftance of the Sheffield 
 Society, there will retruin li'tle for us to do that Way. 
 
 Let not the SmallneO; of your Number deter you from arduoufly pur- 
 fuing your Pin. Reafon makes fure though flow Progrefs, and, having 
 once gained a Footing in the hum. in Mind, can never be eradicated. 
 
 Your Addrefs and Der'antion ha\e 1 kewife been miftaid, and as yet 
 we have been unable f> recover them; therefore beg you will, with your 
 next, fend us another Copy. 
 
 To return to ourfelves: we have mnde a Ftand againft the Place and 
 Penfton Clubs; we have b~en a'.mfed in the Senate, calumniated in 
 public, perfecuted in privn.e, aid worried out of public houfes ; yet 
 (we continue meeting num^rmfly entire) our Demands are fuch, that 
 no one has dared to denv their Confonance with the Principles of the 
 Conftitution ; and our Doclrine makes numerous Profelytes, and greatly 
 increafes the Number of thofe who m.\y with Truth be ftyled the Friends 
 of their Country in particular, and of Mankind in general. We peti- 
 tioned Parliament, and they were forced to admit our Petition, although 
 they would not grant what it required ; in fhort, we ftrengthen fo much, 
 that on the %th of ibis Month we had a General Meeting of the Society 
 at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, the very Place where Reeves and his 
 Accomplices meet. He met there at the fame Time in a Room under 
 ns, and, together with his Aflbciates, fwallowed a copious Draught of 
 Mortification in feeing our Meeting fo well conducted and fo numeroufly 
 attended ; we fay numeroufly, for having limited the Number of Ad mif- 
 fion Tickets to '700, many who had been dilatory in providing them- 
 felves were unavoidably excluded. 
 
 Inclofed you have Copies of our Petition to Parliament, of our Two 
 Firft Addrefles, of our Correfpondence with Mr. Francis, of Mr. Whar- 
 ton's Motion in the Houfe of Commons on the 3ift May, and of th 
 Addrefs to the Nation, and the Refolutions we publiflied at our - 
 General Meeting. You will therein difcover all that we wi(h to obtain, 
 and nuhat <we nvill fully obtain ere ive ce.ife to be a Society, not'withjianding 
 the Attempt noiu making in Ireland, and meant to be introduced into Great 
 Britain. We invite you rnoft cordially to co-operate with us; and even, 
 if our Rules and Purfuit meet your entire Approbation, and you have 
 no particular Attachment to the Name you have adopted, it might ad- 
 vantage the Caufe were you to incorporate yourfelves with us, and go 
 under one common Denomination. This however is only an Idea thrown 
 out for your Confideration. You are at perfect Liberty to notice it or 
 sot* 
 
 "We are, with Sincerity, your Fellow Labourers, 
 
 *c. &c, 
 Draft
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 .: -^r..~, jfom the London Corresponding Society to Hertford* 
 
 Sir, London, 3ift July, 1793- 
 
 Your Letter of the 5th Inftant we have laid before the London Cor- 
 efponding Society, who, fincerely anxious to promote the Caufe of 
 reedom and Humanity, by uniting and correfponding with the Friends 
 to Reform, directed us to anfvver you with all convenient Speed; but 
 Bufinefs multiplying faft upon our Hands, both from the rapid Increafe 
 of our own Society, and from the vaft Number of Country Societies 
 neekly ftarting up, and who require at our Hands a regular Corre- 
 fpondence, we have been prevented from being fo exaft as we could 
 vifh ; the latter Impediment however is far from inaufpicious, as it may 
 fairly be attributed to the DifFufion of Political Knowledge caufmg Mert 
 more ferioufly to reflect on the ruinous Meafures now purfued, which 
 become more unpopular proportionally as they become more unwife. 
 
 "We receive with Pieafure your Aflurance of co-operating with us for 
 a Reform in Parliament, an Objecl to which all our Endeavours tend, 
 and on which our Hearts are invariably fixed ; but as your Declaration, 
 that " you will not pledge, yourfelves to demand Univerfal Suffrage and 
 Annual Parliaments," is followed by no fpecific Plan cf Reform of 
 your own, we are under feme Difficulty how to conclude Perhaps, a 
 Strangers, you write to us with that prudent Referve which is fometimes 
 necefifary ; and that Idea receives Strength from your appearing after- 
 vards convinced that the common Objecl: of the Two tocieties is the 
 fame, which we readily admit; but as mutual Confidence is the Hafis of 
 Union, and the only rational Pledge ?.nd Support for co-operative Exer- 
 tion, we truft your next will do away every Difficulty. 
 
 With refpeft to Univerfal --'uJrage and Ar-nual Parliaments, a mature 
 Convidlion of their juilice and Nece-'.ity for the Prcfervation of Liberty 
 and Profperity to the great Body of the People, and for fecuring the 
 Independence of Parliament, was our primary Inducement to aflbciate. 
 We therefore candidly affure you, that thefe our Principles, as already- 
 announced to the Public, remain immutable. Unconnected with any Party 
 whatever, we can confider no Reform radical but fuch as will enable 
 every Individual cf the Community to enjoy the Advantages thereof 
 rqually with ourfelves; fo r if Ignorance of the Nature of Government, 
 or the Merits of the Candidates, be an Arguinent againft Univerfal Suf- 
 frage, as our Opponents pretend, the fame Reafcns would equally inca- 
 pacitate a great Majority of thofe \v!>o now enjoy that Privilege, to the 
 Exclufion of very many Thoufands much better informed th?n them- 
 .ylves not to mention, that under a more equalized Mode of Govern- 
 ment, the People would be at once induced and Lnpowered to improve 
 themfrlves in ufeful Knowledge. In a W >rd, we know no Principle, 
 confident with Juftice or Reafon, by which we could exclude confcien- 
 tiouJly any Part of the Community from an Equality of Rights and 
 Privileges, which every Member of Society, as he contributes to its 
 Support, ought equally to enjoy. 
 
 V'ith refpeft to Annual Parliaments, we will juft remark, that good 
 Members may be re-elected, whilil Twelve Months we think fully fuffi- 
 eient for the Welfare of Millions to remain at the Mercy of a bad Re- 
 
 prefcntativc.
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 pefentative.- Having thus unequivocally fiated our Principles, we (hafl 
 conclude by obferving, that the Bill jufr palled in Ireland i,s of a Nature 
 to awaken the Jealouiy of" every Friend to Freedom and Humanity, will 
 render every Exertion justifiable, fhould a fimilar Attack upon Conftitu- 
 tional Freedom be attempted here. \Ve fhall be happy to unite in the 
 clofeft Bonds of Union with the Hertford Society ; and hope, as they 
 have no Party Views, that in a very fhort Space of Time they will think 
 entirely as we do on the Subject of Parliamentary Reform. 
 
 We are, &c. &c. 
 
 On the 8th July, we had a General Meeting of the Society at the 
 Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand. Reeves and his Affociates 
 were at the fame Time in the Room beneath us. We fend you a few 
 Copies of the Addrefs that was then publifhed. 
 
 Draft of a Letter fi'cra the "London Corresponding Society to the 
 Teiukejlury Society. 
 
 Fellow Citizens, London, jd Auguft, 1793. 
 
 Your Letter of the 6th July has been laid before the Committee of 
 Delegates of the London Correfponding Society, and it is with great 
 Pleafure they fee an infant Society ftarting up in your Part of the Coun- 
 try. Go on and profper; no Affiflance (hall be wanting on our Part as 
 to Information, Inftruilion, or any other Thing in which we can be 
 ufeful to you we herewith fend you Copies of moft of our Publications 
 fmce we have been a Society may they be of Service ! 
 
 We recommend to you to perufe attentively our firft Addrefs, and the 
 Rules which are annexed to it; it will likewile be advifeable for you to 
 abide entirely by a thorough Parliamentary Reform, as is therein ex- 
 prefled, and to pay great Attention to the Inftruiftion of your Neighbours 
 in their Political Rights ; for which Purpofe Weekly Meetings, if they 
 could conveniently take place, would prove more advantageous than your 
 meeting only once a Month ; and if you thought it might facilitate your 
 Progrefs, the London Correfponding Society empower us to inform you, 
 that they will willingly incorporate your Society with ours, under the 
 Title of The Correfponding Society in Tewkefbury; and if fo, our 
 Rules will become yours, our Intelligence will be the fame, and our 
 Correfpondence W'eekly and regularly carried on but then our'Moda 
 of Proceeding muft be entirely alike, and no Referve muft take place 
 between us. We imagine fome other Societies in other Parts of the 
 Country will fall into the fame Plan, and it need not be pointed out to 
 you how much more forcible fuch a Junftion would render every Thing 
 that comes from us ; b ut before you do it you muft acquaint us with 
 your Defign, in order that we may give you every Inftruction neceflary. 
 Farewell, Fellow Citizens, and firmly rely on the Affiflance and fincerc 
 Friendfhip of the London Correfponding Society in fo good a Caufe. 
 
 Yours, fincerely. 
 
 Draft
 
 APPENDIX E, 
 
 Draft vf a Letter from tie London Corrtfponding Sociefy, apparently 
 intended to be fent to different Societies. 
 
 Sir, London, 1 5th Auguft, 1793. 
 
 The London Corresponding Society, after fo long an Interruption in 
 their Correfpondence with you, anxioufly wifh to renew and to render 
 it more interefting, firmly perfuaded that the Connection between the 
 different Societies' in Grea-t Britain cannot be too cloiely cemented 
 to that End they beg you will point out a fafer Mode of Conveyance 
 for our Letters than the Poft ; and wifh you, in Anfwer to this, to give 
 as the fulled Account of your Progrefs, and of the State of Affairs irt 
 ysur DepaTtment. Continuing in a flow but fteady Pace the Career 
 which we have begun, we are nearly certain that although the Number 
 of our Members do not increafe fo rapidly as from the Population of 
 the Metropolis we might have expected, yet our Principles make their 
 Way among the Public ; and many Thousands who, from Connection, 
 Jntereft, &c. may be afraid or cautious of joining us overtly, notwith- 
 ftanding are our (launch Friends in private. You very likely do not 
 labour under the fame Difficulties that we do, who are fituated in the 
 very Center of Corruption ; and we have no Doubt but that the Increafer 
 of your Society keeps Pace with the Increafe of thofe National Calami- 
 ties which ever mirft refnlt from an unjvrft War. 
 
 Viewing with Indignation the Oppreffion fo generally exercifed all 
 ever the Nation, againft every Individual fufpefted of favouring the 
 Caufe of the People, and lamenting the grofs Ignorance under which 
 the People in general labour with regard to their Rights and Duties- 
 when called upon to ferve on Juries, we have determined to re-publifh, 
 with the Addition of a few Notes and an Appendix, a moft excellent 
 Pamphlet, which made its firft Appearance about one hmidred Years 
 ago, and was written by that eminent Lawyer and honeft Man, Sir John 
 Hawles, Solicitor General to King William ; we therefore wifh to know 
 whether your Society would be inclined to circulate a Number of them 
 in your Neighbourhood ; and, if fo, you will not delay to give us your 
 Orders for as many as you would have fent you ; and as we feek merely 
 to defray the Expences of the printing, the Committee have fixed the 
 Price fo low as Twenty-five Shillings per Hundred. 
 
 Entreating you to give us an early Anfwer, we remain, for the London 
 Condponding Society. 
 
 Lift of Societies annexed, viz. 
 
 Derby, 
 
 Stockporr, 
 Manchefter Ref. 
 Manchefter Conft. 
 Sheffield Conft. 
 Nottingham.
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Coventry to the Secretary of tie Lindin 
 Csrrefponding Society, 
 
 Citizen , Coventry, zoth Aiiguft, i 793. 
 
 I received your Favour, together with the printed Refutations of your 
 refpeclable Society, on the i ith. I did not arrive here onlv on the loth 
 at Night, not being able to leave Birmingham before that Day. 
 
 Fkafe to inform yonr Society that I believe I may be able toellablifh 
 a Society in this defpotic Town We have drawn up our Addrcfs, De- 
 claration, Refolotions, and are ordered to be punted, which I hope will 
 be done this Week. 
 
 We have adopted your laft Refolutions, which you favoured me by 
 the Port. 
 
 I will bring thefe printed with me to London, as I hope to vifit your 
 Society as foon as I can leave this Society in Safety. They want 
 ftrengthening, aad will have a Public Meeting next Tuefday, and we 
 expect much Oppofition from the Corporation ; and as I am chofe Pre- 
 fulent, I will watt to receive the Hire of this Minifterial Badge of Cor- 
 xuption. 
 
 I fhall be glad if your Society could fend an encouraging Letter to 
 this infant Society by that Time. 
 
 I remain, with the greateft Regard and Efteem, your 
 Society's Friend and Brother, labouring in the Field 
 of Reform, unfolicited by any Party whatever. 
 I am, dear Citizen, in the greateft Sincerity and 
 Truth, your Fellow Citizen, and Friend to the 
 Human Race. 
 
 P. S. You will, no Doubt, exhort them to fear no Power of Corrup- 
 tion, letthofe Powers be ever fo great, but to purfue the Reform with 
 a manly and fteady Perfeverance, unitedly with every firnilar Inftitution 
 in Great Britain ; and let us not farter our Society to perifh, but rather 
 let us all die together for the Good of our Brother Man; fearing no 
 Perfecntion whatever on the Side of Corruption, or that Minifterial 
 Vengeance can bring againft thofe who are ufing their utmoft Exertions 
 in the common Caufe of Freedom, or are promoting Love and Good 
 \Vill to the Human Race. 
 
 N. B. I fliall be obliged to you if you will be fo obliging to provide 
 a Room in fome private Family for myfelf and Wife, at a moderate 
 Expence. I wifh to be in London in Fourteen Days. 
 
 Draft of a Letter from the Secretary cf the London Correfponding 
 Society to Mr. Skirving. 
 
 Dear Sir, London, 5th Gftober, 1 793. 
 
 With Pleafure I perufe your Favour of the ad Inftant ; but as yet 
 
 Jiave feen nor heard nothing of the Two Copies of Mr. Muir's Trial, 
 
 tvhich you mention as being fent to the Society, and to rnyfelf. Be 
 
 F 3 kind
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 kind enough, notwithstanding, to return that Gentleman Thanks for hij 
 polite Attention ; and affure him, that we view him in the Light of A 
 Martyr to Freedom, as well as Mr. Palmer ; and that our warmeit 
 Hop-s are, that the Oppreflbrs of Mankind will either be amamed of 
 afraid of carrying their rerengeful Malice into Execution. 
 
 The General Convention which you mention appears to Mr. Margarot 
 (to whom alone I have communicated your Letter) and myfclf, to be a 
 very excellent Meafure ; aud as fuch I could wiih you, without Delay, 
 to communicate it officially to our Society, <wi:b' J :tt any Ways mentioning 
 that you bad written to me privately. If in your official Letter you (hould 
 require us to fend a Deputation to that Meeting, I have no Doubt but 
 our Society would with Pleafure accept the Invitation, and I am per- 
 fuaded it may do much Good. Our Freedom, as you juftly obferve, 
 depends entirely upon outfil-ves, and upon our a*&ailing ourfel-ves of this 
 Opportunity, luhich once toft may net be Jo foon recovered. I am glad to 
 difcover by your Teftimony that I was no Ways miflaken in the high 
 Opinion I always had of Lord Daer's Patriotifm. A Title may be a Bar 
 to difmtereited Patriotifm, but, it feeins, he has evinced it to be not an 
 infuperable cne. 
 
 You are right it is true that we have had another General Meeting, 
 at which a hallily compofed and fuddenly produced Addrefs to the King 
 was read, applauded, and agreed to be prefented ; but, on a cool Revifal, 
 the faid Addrefs being found to be more ill-natured than fpirited, more 
 dangerous in its Language than advantageous in its Objeft, befides being 
 too long, the Committee, with the Approbation of the Majority of the 
 Society, have adopted another, much fafer, more appofite, and relating 
 folely to the War. Enclofed you have a Copy of it. But you was mil- 
 informed when you was toll we pafled any Refolutions at that Meeting, 
 for we only came to One, and that rather of a private Nature, namely, 
 " That the Conduct of Sir James Sanderfon, in preventing the Meeting 
 " of the London Correfponding Society at the Globe Tavern, Fleet Street, 
 " was of fuch a Nature as to place him belo<w our Cejifun;" - 
 I am, moft fmcerely, 
 
 Your Fellow Labourer and Well Wifher, 
 
 P. S. Mr. Margarot defires to be remembered to you in the moft affec- 
 tionate Manner. Do not in future, on the Addrefs of \our Letter, mention 
 any Thing of the 'London Correfponding Society y : , for it was a Thoufand 
 to One that I recived that Letter by Poft. 
 
 To Mr. Skirvlng, Edinburgh. 
 
 Copy cf a Letter from Coventry to a Perfoti in London. 
 
 Citizen , Coventry, October 23d, 1793. 
 
 The Reafon why I did not anfwer your Letter of laft Week was this ; 
 3 thought you would like to be informed how 'our Society was going on, 
 therefore I Yeiterday called a Meeting at Hewit's, which was laft Night 
 H-ell attended, and feveral new Members admitted; and I am informed 
 
 by
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 by feme of the Members, that we (hall have many more Candidates for 
 Adinillion next Night. My Expectations of our buccefs in our ne\r 
 Enterpiize becomes more fanguiue than ever. I have received from 
 
 Mr. Two Letters, and a Parcel of their Publications, which 
 
 I diftributed laft Night, likewife thofe which we received by you from 
 the London Correfponding Society, for which our Society defired I 
 would return their Thanks to Citizens and . . I in- 
 
 tend to fend inclofed in a Box To-morrow Evening, by Balloon Coach, 
 
 about 50 more Copies of our Addrefles to Citizen , in order 
 
 that he may difpofe of them among the different Divifions of the Corre- 
 fponding Society ; I mail likewife inclofe a few addrefled to Mr. , 
 
 Secretary to the Conftitutional Society, London, which we (hall be 
 obliged to you to prefent to him, and requeft him to fanction our Efforts 
 in the Public Caufe with their Correfpondence. 
 
 I Ihall iikewifc fend you your Umbrella, Carriage paid, by theCoacli, 
 To-morrow Evening. 
 
 Shall be obliged to Citizen if he could favour us with a few 
 
 more of their Publications, particularly their " Addrefs to the Nation," 
 and Iikewife a few of the Songs which begin with " God fave ihe 
 Rights of Man," &c. 
 
 I aai, with Refpefts to Mrs. , &c. 
 
 Your fmcere Friend and Fellow Citizen* 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the Conjlitiittonal Society at 
 Sheffield to the Secretary cf the Society for Cwjlitiitlonal Infer nu.- 
 tion. 
 
 Sheffield Committee Room of the Conftitutional Society, 
 
 November ill, 1793. 
 Sir, 
 
 Your Letter, and the Refolution of the Society for ConftituttonaT 
 Information in London, are this Moment delivered to me by Mr. Afhton, 
 in Anfwer to which I fit down inftantly to inform you that the Society 
 has already tranfmitted its Sentiments to the Secretary of the Convention 
 at Edinburgh, Mr. Skirving, and declined fending a Delegation for 
 Reafons which I will tranfcribe in the Words of our Letter. " That it 
 " would have given this Society the mod heartfelt Satisfaction to have 
 rv had a Delegation prefent at their approaching Convention, had we 
 " received timely Notice of their Wifhes that it mould be fo but it 
 " unfortunately happens, that all the Gentlemen belonging to the Society, 
 " which it would chufe for fo important a Bufinefs, are fo previoufly 
 " engaged in Affairs which they cannot poifibly poftpone in fo fliort an 
 " Interval, that it is not in our Power to comply with their Requifition 
 " on the prefent Occafion. 
 
 " This Society are alfo of Opinion, that to give fuch a Meafure its 
 " full Effect, it would be neceflary that the other Societies in South Bri- 
 ' tain mould Iiave Communication xvith each other on the Subjeft, and 
 ' be able to afcertain that Deputation? would be fent from at leaft a 
 ** Majority of the Societies in this Part of the Kingdom. And to evince 
 
 that
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 that we (hould be happy to unite our Efforts with theirs in One firm 
 4< and fettled Plan, we aflure them, that if they think proper to fix 
 ' another Meeting in January or February, or any other Time \vhich 
 44 may be more agreeable, and give us immediate Notice threof, and that 
 " they wifhto fee Delegates from the fereral Societies inriiis Part of the 
 " Kingdom, \ve will write to all thofe we are in Corrcfpondence with, to 
 ** get fuch a Delegation ;:s may be truly rcjfpe&abie and important/' 
 
 The above Extract will evince to you, Sir, and the Society for Con- 
 flitutional Information, how far your Proceedings meet with our Appro- 
 bation, There is .a worthy member of this Society, and of the Committee, 
 and I believe alfo of the Committee of Twelve, admitted into your 
 Society, Citizen Alcock, now in London, and I doubt not but he has, 
 before this will .reach you, given you the whole Information herein con- 
 tained ; but fo fciupuloufly exact am I in anfwering every Letter on Public 
 JBufinefs, that 1 will not truit to him, though I know he is particularly de- 
 firousof being introduced to you. 
 
 I was choien Secretary, pro tonfiore, to anfwer the Letter from Mr. 
 Skirving, and therefore continue the Office thus much farther, not to 
 Jiecp you in Sufpcnfe, as the Committee will not meet again before Wed- 
 Hffday nest, and Two or Three of the Members, who have feen your 
 Letter before I -did, fent to xeqr.elt 1 would do fo. 
 
 I cannot dofe this Letter without remarking, that all the Societies we 
 arc in Correfpondence with have been remarkably remifs in their Com- 
 munications for fevetal Months paft ; to .many we have add roiled more 
 than One or Two without receiving anv Anfvyers. This Society has beej\ 
 very active, and particularly in publifhing, by which feveral Individuals 
 &ave fuffered coniidcrubly, as the Burthen has fallen chiefly on them. We 
 ihave many Thoufand Members, but a vaft Majority of them being work- 
 ing Men, the War, which has deprived many of them of ^//Employment, 
 ;and almoft e-vcry One of //<?//'his Earnings, we have been crippled more 
 than any other in the Kingdom. We have the Satisfaction to know that 
 "tveiuttHJ/ouegtezt Good, but I fear we mult content ourfelres w'\i\\good 
 Jntentiws and WLihes in future, as our Funds are net only exhaufted, but 
 (the Society is cor.fiderablv in Debt, and that Debt mult fall on a few 
 who have flood forward on every Occalion with their Zeal, their adlive 
 Efforts, and their Credit. 
 
 It appears to me that if the Societies do not become more active, and 
 more united in their Efforts in the Time to come, what they have done 
 hitherto will be rendered uielefs, and arbitrary Power will trample on all 
 that is dear and valuable to Freemen. The Meafures lately adopted in 
 <he Sifter Kingdom, Meafures as oppofite to, and incompatible with a 
 Free Conftitution as Fire and Water, -and fince followed up by the in oft 
 dlaviih and horrid Doctrines in the Courts in Scotland, have hitherto been 
 viewed only with a Degree of Apathy by the great Bodies of the King- 
 dom, which we little Folks in the Country look up to for Examples, ftyling 
 themlfeves Patriotic, fuch as " The Society for Conftitulional Informa- 
 * tion in London/' The Friends of the People, Ditto," " The Friends 
 " to the Liberty of the Prefs," that we begin almoft to think here, it is 
 Time to nip thofe Buds of Freedom which 'were beginuing to blofiom 
 with fo much Luxuriance, left they fhould be expofed to the Danger of 
 being blighted by thofe -torpid Frofts which appear to have chilled every 
 
 animating
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 animating Influence in thofe great Barriers which we looked to for DC* 
 fence and Protection. 
 
 I affure you, my good Sir, nothing is further from my Intention than 
 to give the f mall eft Offence I am a (hunch Democrat, and fpeak my 
 Mind freely : and I hope you will confider what I have hinted at the 
 Supinenefs which appears at prefent to poflefs too great a- Sway, as merely 
 the Effect of that Warmth and Zeal for the great Caufe we are both 
 ft r<"nuous to fupport and forward, the Caufe of Freedom and Parlia- 
 mentary Reform.' I am, with the greateft Refpefi, 
 
 S 1 R, 
 Your rnoft obedient Servant, 
 
 Secretary, pro Tempore, to the 
 
 Ccnftitutional Society, Sheffield. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from ike Secretary to the Conffi Htionnl Society at 
 Leech to the Secretary to the Society for Conjlitutional Information 
 at London* 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your's of the zgthl received, and laid it before the Committee of the 
 Leeds Society on Monday the 4th of this Inftant. 
 
 It is with great Satisfaction we read your Letter, and approve of your 
 having elected your Delegates to ferve upon fuch a laudable an Under- 
 taking; but if you meant for the Leeds Society to adopt the fame Mea- 
 fures, fhall be glad it you will anfwer this immediately; as we are not 
 acquainted with the Time of their Sitting we fear our Delegates would 
 be too late. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great Refpect, 
 Quarry Hill, Your Humble Servant, 
 
 Secretary to the Conftitutional Society. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary cf the Society for Conjlitnttonnl 
 Jjifortnatiorr at Birmingham to the Secretary of the Society for Con- 
 ftitutional Information at London* 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your. Favour of the zeth Ult. came fafe to Hand, and was read in a 
 Committee of the Society on Sunday Evening ; and on firft reading it 
 obtained the Approbation of every Member prefent This Society will, 
 at all Times, concur with you in any Meafure that may have a Tendency 
 to haften the Return of departed Liberty Our Sentiments on that Sub- 
 ject are mutual with yours, and unchangeable. 
 
 The Object of the Miflion of your Delegates being of the utmoft Im- 
 portance to the People of thi Country, and fo intimately connected with 
 their deareft Interefls, that One would imagine they would not hefitate a 
 Moment in Support of the Meafure, from a Confcioufhefs that upon the 
 Succef* of the Exertions of the Friends to Reform depends the Regenera-
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 toon of Britain from a State of Slavery to a State of Freedom and Happi- 
 nefs ; and the Exaltation of Burke's Sivinijh Multitude to the dignified 
 Character of Freemen. We have only to regret that at prefent our Ability 
 \vill not allow us to co-operate with you, by fending a Delegate our- 
 felves, in confequence of Mr. Pitt's War of Humanity having alraoft 
 utterly annihilated our Trade in this Town, and driven a great Number 
 of our beft Members and Mechanics acrofs the Atlantic ; and thofe that 
 remain are but little better fituated than the wretched Inhabitants of 
 Flanders. However, upon the Whole, I believe it will be productive of 
 Good, as it has tended greatly to abate the Pride, affuage the Malice, 
 and confound many of the Devices of the Enemies to Reform, particularly 
 among the Dems of Church and King. And, finally, it has made many 
 Profelytes to the Caufe of Liberty. 
 
 Pleafe to accept our beft Wifhes to you and your Society ; and permit 
 me to remain, in the Name and Behalf of the Birmingham Society for 
 Contlitutional Information, 
 
 Sir, 
 Your moft obedient hfcmble Servant, 
 
 To ' Secretary Nov. 6th, 1 793, 
 
 to the Society for Conftitutional 
 Information, London. 
 
 P. . Shall be glad to hear from you on all Occafions. 
 
 Cofy of a Letter from Coventry to the Secretary of the Society for 
 Conjlitutional Information. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 In Anwer to your Favour of the 20,th of October, containing a Copy 
 of your Refolutions of the 2 8th, relative to the Eleciion of Delegates, I 
 am defired by our Society to communicate to the Society for Conftitu- 
 tional Information, London, their Approbation of a Meafure which w^ 
 conceive peculiarly calculated to accelerate the Acquifuion of the Objeft 
 proposed. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Sir, 
 Your humble Servant, 
 
 Secretary, 
 
 Coventry, 
 Nov. j gth, 1 793,
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 of a Letter from the Secretary of the London 
 to Norwich* 
 
 London Correfponding Society, Nov. Z3d, 1 793. 
 Fellow Citizens, 
 
 You have been already informed, by the Correfpondence fubfifting be- 
 tween the refpeftive Divifions of the Patriotic Societies in England and 
 Scotland, of the Convention called and now fitting at Edinburgh for the 
 Purpofe of obtaining a fpeedy and radical Reform in the Syftem of Par- 
 liamentary Reprefentation ; and you are alfo'in Poffeflion of the Circtim- 
 ftances of our having fent Two Delegates ( -- - -- ) to 
 reprefent our increafing Society in that refpeftable Aflembly. The Society 
 for Conftitutional Information alfo elefted Two Reprefentatives ( -- 
 -- ) the latter only of whom has gone to Scotland for the Dif- 
 charge of his important Miffion. 
 
 Citizens, the Objeft of our prefent Letter is to inform you of the im- 
 portant Communications which our Miffion has already produced. The 
 Spirit and Refolution it has diffufed through the refpeftive Societies in 
 Scotland the rapid Increafe of the avowed Friends of Liberty, which has 
 already made its Appearance, and the Prolpefts which have been opened 
 before us of the mod complete Union, the moil determined Perfeverance, 
 the moft aftive Exertion in every Conftitutional Meafure, that can be de- 
 <vifed for the Recovery of our Rights, and the complete Renovation of the Li- 
 berties and Happinefs, ivhich as Men ive are entitled to, and, as Britons, iue 
 have been taught to expeft. An Increafe of Affeftion, of Zeal, of Con- 
 fidence ; a Concert of permanent Union ; a free Communication and 
 Comparifon of Sentiments and Intentions ; mature Deliberation and 
 mutual Reliance thefe are the Fruits of the wife and fpirited Meafures 
 adopted by the Friends of Liberty in Scotland, and feconded by the 
 Societies of London and of Ireland. 
 
 Britons, and Fellow Citizens ! let us roufe you to immediate Co- 
 operation with thefe Efforts for the general Good, let us awake you to 
 a Senfe of the Importance of the prefent Moment, and perfuade you, 
 perfuade all the Patriotic Societies in England, to ftrengthen immediate 
 Junction with this grand Federation ; that as thofe who are hoftile to 
 our Freedom are already united by Compafts, Interefts, and Coalitions, 
 the Friends alfo of that glorious Principle may be bound together by a 
 Link more firm, more intimate, and more durable, to refiit every Op- 
 preffion and Ufurpation that may be attempted, and vindicate the 
 " Rights of Man." 
 
 The Society at Norwich has already, in fome Degree, imitated our 
 Example : For though Time and Convenience did not permit them to 
 cleft a feparate Delegate, they have fent a written Authority to Citizen 
 to aft for them in that Capacity, together with Inftruftions 
 
 to enable him to ftate their Sentiments to the Convention, and Directions 
 for him to correfpond with them, and render their Fraternity more 
 complete. 
 
 Citizens ! Permit us to unite our Voices with thofe of our Brethren 
 
 in the North, to requeft you, by fonvc fuch Method (if you cannot ren- 
 
 der it convenient immediately to fend a Delegate of your own) to aflift 
 
 G the
 
 APPENDIX E, 
 
 the clofer Union and more immediate Communication of their refpeftive 
 Societies. Perfuaded as we are that the Friends of Liberty, if encou- 
 jaged by the Convixlion of general Union to ftep forward and avow 
 their Sentiments, are already fo numerous and refpeftable as to enfure a 
 fpeedy Termination of the Calamities of an unjuftifiable War, anl a Re- 
 iloration of every Right to which Britons and Freemen are entitled : 
 
 We are, in the firm Aflurance of your Zeal and 
 Sincerity in the Caufe of Liberty, your affec- 
 tionate Fellow Citizens. 
 
 f, $. I received your Letter, and I fent it to Edinburgh according to 
 your Direction, 
 
 Appendix F.
 
 APPENDIX, F. No. i. 
 
 Sheffield, Committee Room of the Conftitutional Society, 
 Sir, May 27th, 179?. 
 
 I AM defined by the Committee of this Society to acknowledge the 
 Receipt of your's of the loth Current, and of the Caledonian 
 Chronicle of the fame Date, containing the Refolutions of the Con- 
 vention of Delegates from the Friends of the People throughout 
 Scotland >of which this Committee and the Society alfo, to which 
 they have been read at the feveral DiflricT: Meetings, highly 
 approve. 
 
 This Committee did not anfwer your former Letter, becaufe they 
 were unwilling to put you to any unncceflary Espence of Poftage, 
 efpecially .as no Alteration could then be made in the. fubjecl: Matter 
 thereof. Any Communication which you may be pleafed to favour 
 this Society with, will be certain to come to Hand (barring Acci- 
 dents) if directed generally to Mr. at . . . . 
 
 Church Lane, Sheffield. Though we have never had any Mifcar- 
 riage of Letters which were directed to the Secretary of the Confti- 
 tutional Society, yet that Addition may perhaps be as well left out. 
 As to a proper Chanel ; if the Parcel is at any Time -jery bulky and 
 weighty, the Waggon will be belt ; but if a moderate Size, it 
 will come quicker by the Coach : And the Committee will be very 
 glad to receive Accounts of Proceedings fo ably and patriotically con- 
 ducted. 
 
 The Committee beg Leave to recommend to the Convention, and 
 through its Members to the feveral Societies, to patronize and pro- 
 mote as much as poffible the Circulation of that moft ufeful periodical 
 Work, The Patriot, which certanly contains Abundance of truly 
 important political Information, aad has done the moft effendal Ser- 
 vice to the Caufe of Freedom and of the People in this Part of the 
 Ifland. 
 
 I am defired to exprefs the particular Approbation of this Committee, 
 and Society alfo, of the Second Refolution of the Convention, viz. 
 " That the Motion to difcontinue their Meetings when the Petitions, 
 &c. are prefented, &c. is fufpicious and infidious, &c. &c." 
 
 To (hew how Men, pofleffing the fame Principles, will at the 
 greateft Diftance coincide and jump, as it were, into the fame Senti- 
 ments, and Expreffion of them, 1 beg Leave to fend you a fhort 
 Extract from the Addrefs of our Prefident, Mr. - - at our 
 
 laft General Meeting, which was taken in Short Hand, and which the 
 Committee hope they fliall prevail on him to publifli, as it is replete 
 with Political Information, interefting Anecdotes, and animated 
 Elocution. 
 
 " You have no Doubt, Fellow Citizens, all heard the Fate of the 
 Petition fo lately fent from this Town and Neighbourhood for a 
 Parliamentary Reform ; and I fhould fuppofe that the unjuft, inde- 
 cent, and inlblent Manner in which it has been rejected, and oppofed 
 Admiffion into the Houfe of Commons by the Satellites of iVl inifters, 
 muft have convinced you clearly, that the great Caufe for the Sup- 
 port of which we have aflbciated, demands our never ceaCng Vigi- 
 lance and Attention, 
 
 a "A Reforn&
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 " A. Reform in Parliament is almofl univerfally allowed to be efTen- 
 tially ncceflary to the Prcfervation of this Country- And as that 
 great and important Event can never be brought about but by the 
 powerful Inlcrpofition of tie great Body of the People^ no lawful Means 
 ihotild be left unaflhycd to remove tbe almoft innumerable Impedi- 
 ments which lie in the Way to obftruct and prevent fo defirable a 
 Communication. The Enemies to a Reform are a very acYive, 
 numerous, and powerful Body in almoft every Neighbourhood, and 
 never fail to unite on the fmalleft Appearance of any Circumftance 
 which they conceive may be prejudicial to the corrupt and baneful 
 Syftem that has too long prevailed, and which it is fo much their 
 Intereft to continue. 
 
 " Our common Enemies, I fay, form an adtive, jealous, powerful, 
 and well-difciplincd Phalanx, long enured to every poflible Mode of 
 Attack which can be made upon them thoroughly flailed in the 
 Science of Defence but more particularly fo in circumventing and 
 fmothering every Attempt that may be made againft them while in 'its 
 Infancy, and before it can arrive at the Power of doing them Harm 
 \vitnefs the various Attempts to difcountenance, calumniate, and, if 
 poflible, to annihilate Conftitutional Societies, The Patriot, and all 
 Publications limilar to it ; as in thefe they fee, with terrified Afpefts, 
 the future Saviours of the People, and their deareft Rights; with an 
 all-grafping and domineering Ariftocratic Influence, pofieffing the 
 greateft Share of the Landed Property ; with the Purfe of the Nation 
 at their Command, and their Eyes ever fixed on this ruling Maxim, 
 *' Divide et impcra" they may be almoft thought to be invincible, 
 and nothing can avail againft their Efforts, but equal Zeal, Difciplinc, 
 Activity, and Uriel: Adherence together of the Friends of the People, 
 and of the Caufe of Freedom. 
 
 " You fee then, Citizens, that, (that) it particularly behoves us 
 not to fleep upon our Pofts. The Heavenly Cherub Liberty is in 
 Danger of being annihilated and deftroyed by a Torrent of Influence 
 and Corruption unexampled in the Annals of the World. It is 
 Time, therefore, for all true Lovers of their Country to exert every 
 Effort to preferve andcherifli that (that) ineftimable Bleiling, deprived 
 of which, both Life and Property, by being rendered precarious and 
 uncertain, become but fecondary Confiderations. In this moft 
 laudable^ all Purfuits, that of promoting and forwarding the public 
 Welfare, it becomes the peculiar Duty of every One of us to contri- 
 bute all in our Power, by public and private Advice and Exhortation, 
 to prevent his Fellow Labourers in this glorious Vineyard from 
 lagging in fo momentous, though perhaps fo arduous a Work ; but 
 let us remember that our brave and hardy Anceftors often fought and 
 bled at every Vein, to tranfmit to us undiminifhed, a fair and un- 
 fpotted Inheritance to a Conftitution the Bale, Summit, and Centre 
 of which was founded and compofed of Freedom; a Conftitution which 
 they raifcd by their Valour, fupported by their Virtue and Wifdom, 
 and cemented with their Blood. 
 
 " The Kavager Time, the unfufpicious Nature of fome of our 
 Forefathers, added to their Supinenefs and Neglect, with other un- 
 fortunate Circumftances on one Hand, and on the other the gradual 
 but never-ceafing Endeavours to undermine and fubvert the noble 
 4 Edifice,
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Edifice, by every infidious and unperceived Art and Machination that 
 bale and interefted Men could deviie thefe Sycophants of Courts 
 the venal Hirelings and Male Proftitutes, who teed and fatten without 
 Remorfe on the Spoil and Plunder of their induftrious and opprefled 
 Countrymen thefe political Efaus, who would fell their Country 
 and its Liberties for a Mefs of Pottage, have brought us to the very 
 Brink of Ruin, and the Verge of Slavery ; and vviiliing to delude us 
 with the Forms of the Conftitution, have gone nigh to lap and deftroy 
 every Prop and Pillar by which the Conftitution itfelf is in reality 
 iupported. 
 
 " Be it ours, however, to keep in Mind, that there is not in the 
 whole Range of Human Nature fo degraded and defpicable a Sight as 
 that of a Nation, a People who were once free, having degenerated 
 into Slaves ; and let us not ever forget, that notwithftanding we of 
 the prelent Day did not receive perfect Freedom from our immediate 
 Forefathers, we ftill know that we have a Juft Claim to it ; that it is our 
 Duty to profecute that Claim before our Adverfaiies {hall have the 
 Infolence to plead Prefcription as a Bar to it. Though \.\\e Pojjeffion is 
 not in us, the Right is, and we are bound to affert that Right, and 
 tranfmit it clear of all Incumbrances to our Pofterity. What ! fhall 
 we unremittingly profecute our Claim, and ftart indignant at the idea 
 of being robbed, or unjuftly deprived of a paltry Cottage, or a few 
 Acres of dirty Land ; and fhall we tamely and bafely furrender thofe 
 important Rights and Privileges which are more valuable than all the 
 Acres that one man ever pofleffed ? Forbid it, Conliftency ! Forbid it, 
 Juftice! Forbid it, Heaven! 
 
 " But how, it may be aiked, how are we to profecute our Claims? 
 How are we to recover thofe Rights of which we have been furrepti- 
 tioufly deprived ? I anfwer, by our Fortitude and Unanimity By 
 an inflexible Perfeverance in demanding thofe Rights which no Power 
 on Earth is entitled to withhold from us. A Reform in Parliament, I 
 repeat, is abfolutely neceflary to fave this Country from Ruin. I will 
 tell you why," Sec. He the/i gives a Difplay of the defective ftate 
 of Reprefentation ; {hews, that as Things are now fituated, no 
 Adminiftration, however inclined to do fo, can govern according to 
 the true Principles of Juftice and found Policy, and the real Interefts 
 of the People, from the undue Influence of the Crovun. Defcribes the 
 Double Cabinet in a very fevere Strain of Animadvcriion ; takes 
 Notice, that the only Argument attempted to be urged againft the 
 Meafure, is the Impropriety of the Time; and on every Oc- 
 calion, fince its firil being hazarded in 1692, the fame Bugbear 
 has been uniformly oppofed to it. " But let me aflc thefe Men, 
 what is a proper Time? In Times of Peace; in Times of War; 
 in Times of financial Depreffion ; in Times of Profperity ; though 
 the Neceffity of it was always admitted, ftill the Time was im- 
 proper. \Vhea Mr. Grey, in the laft Seffion, gave Notice of his 
 intended Motion on this Head, though we had been juft before repre- 
 fented by the Apoftate Pitt, in all the Glare of his didactic Pompolity, 
 to be at that Moment in a ftate of unexampled Profperity, yet then. 
 the Time was improper. 
 
 " In the Year 1764, after the Conclufion of the War, this Country 
 
 was equally profpcrous, and ranked infinitely higher in point of 
 
 a a Coiilecjuer.ee
 
 APPPENDIX F. 
 
 Confequence amongft the Nations of Europe, when we were feared 
 and courted by every Power in it, then, alfo, the Time was impro- 
 per ; we were afterwards involved in a ruinous and expenfive War 
 with America, which drained this Country of its Citizens and its 
 Treafures, loaded us with an Accumulation of Taxes we were hardly 
 able to bear, was profecuted contrary to the Wiflies of the Nation, 
 and Parliament {till voting Supplies out of the People's Pockets. 
 The Syitem of Corruption was obvious, clear as the Sun at Noon 
 Day, yet ftill it was not proper to agitate a Reform : Notwithftand- 
 ing it was at the fame Time granted, that if a Reform had been made 
 in the Year 1764, all thofe fubfecjucnt notorious Evils would have 
 been prevented. 
 
 ** The plain Truth of the Matter is this in the Eye ot Minifters. 
 and their Followers, in the Eye of Placemen, Penlioners, and the 
 almoft innumerable Hoft of the greedy and voracious Bloodfuckers 
 and Devourcrs of the Spoil and Plunder of the People, no Time is 
 proper. The Argument is a ftale worn out Trick of every Minifter, 
 and every venal Tool who fupports him. Charles Townfhend ufed 
 to fay, Petitions to this Effect were improper at Two Seafons ; the 
 Seafon of War, and the Seafon of Peace. In Peace, bccaufe they 
 tended to difturb the general Tranquillity ; and in War, bccaufe Mini^ 
 fters had fufficient Employment for their Abilities without being 
 troubled with Petitions : In this Avowal of a Minifter there is cer- 
 tainly fome Honefiy\ but much more of what the Irifh term modctt 
 AJJurance, or. what a blunt Briton calls downright Impudence. 
 
 " The fame fallacious and delufive Argument is made ufe of at 
 the prefent Moment ; and thofe very Apoftates, who contended 
 inoft warmly and vehemently, that a Reform in Parliament was ab- 
 Iblutely neceflary to fave the Conflitudon, in 1785, have now the 
 barefaced Effrontery to aflert, that it is at prefent, not only unfeafon- 
 able, but aifolutely unnccejfary Citizens, reflect on this ; be no longer 
 deceived ; convince yourfelyes firft that it is the neceflary, and then 
 determine refolutely, and like Englifhmen worthy of their glorious 
 Anccftors, that in Matters of ^Moment there is no Time like the prefent." 
 
 Thus ended a Speech of near Two Hours, which convinced the 
 Society of the abfolute Neceflity there is to be more active and affi- 
 duous in the great Caufe we are engaged to fupport. It is remark- 
 able, that at this Meeting a Motion was made to difcontinue our 
 Monthly Meetings, and to have them only Once in Three Months, 
 which was reprobated by the Prefident, and fcouted by the Society 
 as fufpicious and inpdiom ; and the Society has greatly increafed every 
 Day fince. 
 
 The enclofed Paper has had a very good Effect in Manchester and 
 this Place, where it has been well circulated : and as Mr. Dundas 
 has had the confurnmate Effrontery to fay in St. Stephen's, that War 
 is not the Caufe of the prefent National Diftrefs, this Committee think 
 too much Pains cannot be taken to convince the People that it is. 
 They therefore fubmit it to your Confideration, whether it may not 
 be adviieable to re-print and circulate it in your Town and Neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 In the Name, and by Order of the Committee, I remain, Sir, 
 Your moil obedient Servant, 
 
 ('-i^ned) r Secretary. 
 
 Addreficd,Mr,Wm. Skirving, Edinburgh.
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 No, 2. 
 
 Delegate Meeting of the Conftitutional Society, Leeds, 
 Sir, May v 2910, 1791. 
 
 By Requeft of the Sheffield Society, and having received Directions 
 froni them for the Purpofe of correfponding with all the Societies 
 in England and Scotland : 
 
 We, the Members of the Conftitutional Society in Leeds, in order 
 to obtain the defired End of Parliamentary Reform, defire fraternal 
 Communication with the Society of Edinburgh. 
 
 We fhall be glad of any Information or Inftruftion in your Power 
 on all Occafions ; and hope you will find the Leeds Society always 
 faithful to the Interefts of the People ; and though they are but 
 few, not exceeding Two Hundred, they are Men, and are deter- 
 mined to exert their utmofl in order to inftrucT: their Neighbours on 
 their common Interefts. 
 
 With this we fend you a Copy of our Addrefs and Declaration, 
 and fhall ever acknowledge all Favours from you. 
 
 Wifhing the Caufe we have embarked in every Degree of Succefs, 
 I remain, in the Name and by Order of the Society, 
 
 Sir, Yours, &c. 
 
 AddrefTed " To the Secretary of the Conftitutional Society, 
 Edinburgh," and on the Back " To Mr. William Skirving, Edin- 
 burgh, Scotland." 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Free Mafons Tavern, Saturday the i8th of May, 1793. 
 At a General Meeting of the Society of the Friends of the People, 
 aflbciated for the Purpofe of obtaining a Parliamentary Reform, held 
 this Day. 
 
 " in the Chair. 
 
 Refolved unanimoufly, That the Thanks of this Society be return- 
 ed to the Convention of Delegates at Edinburgh, for their Zeal and 
 Activity in the Caufe of Parliamentary Reform, and to exprefs u 
 Hope and Wifli that they will proceed with the fame Spirit, Induftry, 
 and Temper, during the Interval between the prefent Time, and the 
 Meeting of the next Seffion of Parliament. 
 
 In Name, and by Order of the Society, 
 
 ' - - Chairman. 
 No. 4. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the Honour to enclofe vou a Copy of the Refolution of 
 
 Thanks to the Convention of Delegates at Edinburgh from the 
 
 Friends of the People in London, and beg you will communicate the 
 
 fame to the various Societies with which you correfpond in Scotland. 
 
 I am, Sir, yours, &c. 
 
 Secretary to the Committee, 
 
 No. ?. 
 Sir, 
 
 The Speech I fent is not the Property of this Society, but in Com- 
 pliance with the Kequeit contained in your Letter I have applied to 
 
 the
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 the Proprietor, who gives you full Permiffion to re-print it, and 
 diilribute as many as you think proper. Your Conducl on this Oc- 
 calion mull give Satisfaction to every Friend of Reform. 
 
 When I again meet with any Thing good and fhort, I will cer- 
 tainly fend it to you. I fuppofe you have feen William Fox's Pam- 
 phlets ; they are very fliort, and extremely good indeed, particularly 
 that againft the War. 
 
 The Plan of Delegates would be very improper in this Country at 
 prefent. A very finall Part of it indeed would be active for Reform ; 
 if fuch a Meeting is attempted, it will operate, like many rafh Steps 
 of fome who wiih well to the Caufe, much to its Difadvantage. 
 
 I thank you for the Parcel of Minutes which is come to Hand, 
 and remain, 
 
 July 23d, 1793. Your's, &c. 
 
 Addrefled, 
 William Skirving, Efq; Edinburgh. 
 
 No. 6. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 On Saturday laft I received a Copy of Mr. Palmer's Trial, and on 
 Monday feveral Copies of Mr. Muir's, which I have ordered to be 
 difpofed of as directed. I had read both before I (hall bind them 
 with Painc's Trial, and I return you and Mr. Muir Thanks for them. 
 I think Mr. Palmer's Cafe, in fome Refpe&s, ftill more extraordinary 
 than Mr. Muir's. Is it a Crime to advife Prudence and A'J oderation ? 
 
 Be fo kind as to defire Mr. Scott to fend regularly the Edinburgh 
 Gazetteer to me, under Cover to C. Grey, Efq; M. P. Let him, 
 charge it either to me or the Society, and I will pay for it at fuch 
 Times and in fuch Manner as he defires. 
 
 I hope none of the Violence which has done Mifchief to the Caufe 
 of Reform in England will be imported into the Scottifh Convention. 
 
 The ConducT: of the Friends to Reform in Scotland has always 
 been admired, and I hope their Prudence and Moderation will be 
 continued. 
 
 Oclobober spth, 1793. I am, &c. 
 
 Addrefled, 
 
 Mr. W. Skirving, Oppofite the Foot of the Old 
 Afiembly Clofc, Edinburgh. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Fellow Citizens, London, November 8th, 1793* 
 I duly received your Favour of the 4th Inftant, and laid it before 
 the Commitee of Delegates laft Night, who were anxioufly waiting 
 for Intelligence from Edinburgh, and were well fatisfied with the 
 agreeable Account of the great Number and Zeal of the Friends of 
 Freedom in Scoland. That Part of your Letter which mentioned 
 your viiiting different Towns in Scotland, for the Purpofe of promot- 
 ing the Caufe they were pleafed with the Idea, but they thought 
 that it could not be put in Practice on Account of the neceflary 
 Supplies, which come in but very ilowly it is to be mentioned ia 
 t: v diiterent Diviiions. Vi'e iiyvc elected (by Ballot) Chair- 
 in a a
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 man of the Committee for the Remainder of the Quarter we have 
 alfo appointed a Committee of Conttitution, feparate from the Com- 
 mittee of Delegates One Member is chofe from each Divifion, to 
 meet on this Night for the Firft Time, and to be totally unconnected 
 with the Committee of Delegates. We frill increafe in Number 
 and the Addrefs to the King, to put an End to the War, is ordered to 
 be advertifed to receive Signatures in the Courier, Chronicle, 
 Eyer's Sunday Gazetteer, afterwards by Hand Bills, &c. We have 
 
 opened a Correfpondence with a new Society at -. I have to 
 
 inform you of the Wifh of the Society, that you would favour them 
 with the Number of Delegates in the Convention, and the Number 
 from England alfo, and how the Civil and Military Power relifhcs 
 your Meeting. And that you would fend fuch a Report from the 
 Convention as might appear in the Newfpapers in London. Send me 
 an Edinburgh Gazetteer, when there is any Thing in it of Impor- 
 tance. I would have fent you a Courier, but they informed me 
 that they fent feveral to the Coffee Houfes and Taverns in Edinburgh, 
 for that Reafon I thought it unneceflary. I hope to have more Time 
 to write to you more fully next Time. As fays the Poft is juft 
 
 going off, no more at preient from 
 
 Addreffed, 
 
 Mr. Margaret, and Mr. Gerald, Delegates from London. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 To the Members of the Scotch Convention. 
 Worthy Sirs, 
 
 The Notice we have had of your different Meetings, being fo late 
 as not conveniently to allow of our Eleftion of a Delegate to join 
 your Affembly, I take the Freedom to communicate a few Lines in 
 the Name of the Society. Our Congratulations are your Due for 
 the fpirited Manner in which you have (hewn yourfelves the Advo- 
 cates and Promoters of Reformation : You, Citizens, have deferved 
 \vellofyourCountry, and your Conduct is the Subject of our Ap- 
 plaufe the ftrong Sentiments you have imbibed are the Objects of 
 our Admiration. Our minds particularly embrace the Doctrines of 
 the Right of Univerfal Suffrage, of the Neceifity of Annual Returns, 
 and of adopting thefe Principles into a definitely worded Conftitutional 
 Code, alterable only by the Exprellion of the General Will of the 
 Britifli People, properly taken. 
 
 We doubt not of your Sentiments of Fraternity towards the Patriots 
 of our Town, whofe Defire is to promote Univerfal Information and 
 Univerfal Liberty. 
 
 The All-wife Father of Men profper your Undertakings. 
 
 Secretary to the Leeds Conftitutional Society, 
 Leeds, Nov. iSth, 1793. fro Tcmpore. 
 
 Addrefled, 
 Mr. William Skirving, Edinburgh, 
 
 No. 9.
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the Satisfaction to inform you, that the Delegates from the 
 Societies in London have, at Length, arrived at Edinburgh. Dele- 
 gates from the other Societies in England, and who are now upon 
 the Road, will foon nlfo be here to wait upon the Friends of the 
 People, in order to eftablifh an indifJoluUe Fraternity between the 7 \vr> 
 "Nations, and to adopt thofe Meafures which at this awful Period may 
 have a Tendency to lave the Country. 
 
 Solemnly pledged as you are to a common r.nd juil Caufe, no 
 Hardfliip rind no E^per.ce can be thought too great for you, .while 
 you .ire confciotis that you are difcharging your Duty. With no 
 Propriety can you re f life to attend upon your Brethren from England, 
 who, at ib much Expence, and from fo great a Diftance, have come to 
 unite their Affections and Deliberations with you. 
 
 I feel it my Duty, in Coincidence with the Sentiments of the Gene- 
 ral Committee here, again to recal the Societies by their Delegates to 
 this Place. Every Moment is precious, and Delay is fynonimous to 
 Treachery. 
 
 I expect therefore, Sir, to have the Honour of feeing you on the 
 i gth Current in the General Convention of the Delegate;, in Compliance 
 with the public Advertifement, which I was bound to infert in my of- 
 ficial Capacity, in the Gazetteer of Yefterday, to which I entreat your 
 particular Attention. 
 
 Jf you cannot poffibly attend, Tt -will be proper to call the Com- 
 mittee of your Society to appoint One or T\vo in your Place. No 
 Exertion on the Part of a Friend fliould be wanting r,t this impor- 
 tant Crijis to render this Convention ilill more refpectable; and none 
 who have the Caufe at Heart, and difcern how mu':b is at Stakc t will 
 be remifs. 
 
 Let it be our ardent Prayer to God, that his Wifdom may direct 
 their Meafures, and that his Benediction may attend the Execution of 
 them. 
 
 1 have the Honour to he, Sir, vour rnoft obedient Servant, 
 WILLIAM SKIRV1NG, Secretary. 
 
 Edinburgh, Nov. 7th, 1793- 
 
 No. 10. 
 Exfrafls from ibs Minutes of the General Convention of the Friends of tl->c 
 
 People, be hi at Edinburgh, and of tleir General Committee, convened in 
 ' conference of ihe Arrival of t j x Engtijb Delegates, and of Ciilzcm Ha- 
 
 tu'thon Rnvan and Simon Butler from //v.W;</, as mentioned in ire foregoing 
 
 Narrative. 
 
 29th Ocl. 1793. 
 
 In the Firft Day's Sitting of the Convention, Mr. C 
 
 moved, " That this Convention rclolve to claim for their. 'elves and. 
 their Constituents, the Right of Univcrfal SuiF?'agc and Annual Par- 
 liaments." 
 
 At the lame Sitting a Letter was read from the Four United Societies 
 of Ireland. 
 
 Mr. Skirving read the Thanks of the General Meeting of the 
 Fiiends of the People at Free Mafons Tavern, dated London, iSth 
 
 May.
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Mav T793, as returned by them to the Convention of Delegates at 
 Edinburgh, for their Zeal and Activity in the Caufe of Parliamentary 
 
 Reform. He :iifo read a fimiiar Letter from Mr. , dated 
 
 London, jth October 1793, another dated London, ajth October 
 1793, respecting the Appointment of MeflTrs. Margaret and Gerald. 
 
 " Mr. Skirving next read a Letter from Mr. Secretary 
 
 to the Allociation at London, dated Frith Street, No. 7, October 
 i6th 1793. 
 
 " Mr. read a Letter from the Constitutional Society at 
 
 Sheffield, dated 27th May I79> and figned Secretary, 
 
 upon the whole Objects of Reform in general, containing fome hu- 
 morous Remarks on tke Arguments advanced by the Enemies of 
 Reform, which were received with great Approbation. Mr. Skirving 
 next read the printed Paper contained in the faid Letter, addrefTed to 
 the unemployed Artifans, &c. of Mancheller, and containing a Num- 
 ber of excellent Remarks upon the Calamities of War; figned 
 Sidney." 
 
 6th Nov. 1793. 
 
 In the General Committee it appears, that a Citizen, One of the 
 Edinburgh Delegates, having moved that the London Delegates 
 fliould itate the Situation of their Societies, Citizen Margarot an- 
 fvvered, " That the Societies in London were very numerous, though 
 fometimes fluctuating. In fome Parts of England whole Towns 
 are Reformers ; Sheffield, and Environs there, 50,000. In Nor- 
 wich there are 30 Societies in One. If we could get a Conven- 
 tion of England and Scotland called, we might reprefent Six or 
 Seven Hundred Thoufand Males, which is a Majority of all 
 " the Adults in the Kingdom ; and Miniflry would not dare to refufe 
 " us our Rights." 
 
 Citizen Butler, from Ireland, then faid, " He did not know how 
 far he was at Liberty to lay any Thing, as he was not a Delegate ; f 
 but he would give an Account of Ireland: The executive Part of the 
 Government were almoil omnipotent ; the landed Imereft almoft ari- 
 ftocratic; the Manufacturer idle. Laft Parliament was expected to 
 have given Ireland Emancipation ; however that Prolpedt was flatter- 
 ing, a few Weeks changed the Scene. An infamous Coalition took 
 place between the Oppofnion and Miniftry ; the Catholics retired with 
 what they had got. No longer oppofed by them, the Government 
 turned their oppreffive Meafures aguinft the Friends of Reform The 
 United Iriihmen were profecuted ; he himfelf had experienced Six 
 Months Imprifonment. Belfaft was declared to be in a ftate of Re- 
 bellion though Freedom was not cried up in the Streets, yet it dwelt 
 in almoft every Heart. Universal Emancipation was the Meafure 
 for which he was an Advocate. All that he knew of the Country 
 was, that the full Day his Friend was in Edinburgh he was arrelted, 
 for nothing that he knew, except it was for being fo wicked as to 
 come here. In Scotland they yet met in Convention ; in Ireland 
 the Parliament had enacted Laws againft it. When a Law like 
 that fhould take place here, he was afraid Freedom would vanifh." 
 
 Mr. C faid, " That he hoped thotc that would pafs fuch an, 
 
 Act of Parliament fliould be forced to eat it ; and hoped that Scotland 
 and England fhould not fubmit to it." 
 
 b Citizen
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Citizen Gerald faid, " That he came here armed with the Power 
 of Delegation If our Neighbour's Houfe is on Fire, the greater 
 fhould be our Vigilance to prevent the Flames feizing our own A 
 Parchment Piece of JulVice had been prefented in Ireland ; he hoped 
 that if ever it was paiTed here, we fhould throw it in the Face of our 
 Oppreflbrs. Every Thing the People had gained had been through. 
 Conventions the Revolution was the Coniequence of a Convention ; 
 The Revolution eftablifhed that Truft abuied was revocable the 
 Revolution excluded all Placemen and Penfioners do we enjoy any 
 Benefit from that Act ? It made Minilters refponfible how many 
 bad Miniflers have we feen go down to the Grave in peace, and ho- 
 noured with all the Dignities a King can confer! Union would carry 
 our Principles into Execution A Citizen from Ireland told you, 
 that as foon as the Alarm Bell was rung, the Oppofition joined 
 the Minifter Party i? ever a Bird of Prey, and the People their 
 Banquet." 
 
 1 9th November, 1791. 
 
 On the firft Day's Sitting of the Convention after it was refumcd, 
 Mr. Margarot moved, -" That previous to publifluhg an Addrels to 
 the Public, a Committee be forthwith appointed toconfider the Means, 
 2nd draw up the Outlines of a Plan ot general Union and Co-opera- 
 tion between the Two Nations in their ConiHtutional. Purfuit of a 
 'thorough Parliamentary Reform," which was unanimouily agreed to. 
 The Minutes of the Second Day's Sitting bear, That Citizen 
 Gerald " vindicated the Plan of Divifions, as tending to enable the 
 " Convention to make up their Minds upon the Bufmeis to come be- 
 *' fore them" Mr. Margaret vindicated the Plan as tending to fhorten 
 the Bufinefs of the Convention, and ii)lifted that the familiar Inter- 
 courfe that would take place in thefe Diviiions, would be the chief Uffe 
 pf them. 
 
 " Another Delegate tliewed the NecefUty and Importance of the 
 Plan of Organization, and infixed that the Diviiions were necefTary, and 
 that the Lofs of a Day or Two was of no Conlideration, compared 
 with the Magnitude of the Object." 
 
 " Mr. Margaret promifed, in Name of himfelf and his Colleagues 
 from England, that they would grudge no 1 ime to execute with Pro- 
 priety the important Eulinefs they were come upon." 
 
 " The Delegate from Sheffield rofe to remove any remaining Objec- 
 tions that might be made againft the Plan. He urged, that the erand 
 Point in railing a good Supurftructure was to lay a good Foundation ; 
 to do vyhich no Time ftiould be grudged ; and flievved the great Utility 
 of the Plan in the Nomination of Committees." 
 
 " And the Convention were accordingly divided into Divifions, 
 and Places appointed for their Meetings." 
 
 Mr. Margaret, of new, moved, " Th"-t a Committee be appointed 
 to confider of and draw up a proper Pi3.n of Union between the Two 
 Nations, according to the Rcfolution of Yeiterday." 
 
 In the Sitting of the 2i& of November, in ccnfcquence of Reports 
 from the different Sections, a Committee of Thirteen was chofen to 
 form an Union upon Mr. Margaret's Plan. 
 
 In the fame Meeting Gerald ilatCii, " That to honeft Men nothing 
 
 was fo valuable as Truth, and that nothing can poflibly tend fo much 
 
 5 IV
 
 APPENDIX F, 
 
 to the Difclofure of Truth as Difcuffion and Deliberation. That it 
 was alio very important that the Committee fhould know as much as 
 poffible of the Public Mind, in order that they might aft in Union 
 with it. The Convention then refolved itfelf into a Committee upon 
 the Motion of Mr. - and many valuable Hints were thrown out 
 by Citizens ************* * Gerald obfei ved, that whatever 
 Difference of Opinion might exift in thefe Walls, we can never forget 
 that our Friends and our Enemies arc in common, and that our Object 
 is equally the fame. He took a Review of the Means we are to uie 
 in order to fecure our Object. He entered fully into the Subject of 
 univerfal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments. He fully proved the 
 Rights of the People to thefe Benefits by their ancient Conilitution. 
 He minutely investigated the Principles of Government* He aflerted, 
 that the End of all Government is the Good of the governed; that if 
 Money be taken out of his Pocket againft his Confent, it is of little 
 Confequence whether it be taken by the Robber on the Heath, or the 
 Monarch on the Throne. He made many Remarks upon the Revo- 
 lution Settlement, and the Benefits gained by the laft Revolution, and 
 demonftrated clearly, that they arc now totally taken away. He warned 
 the Convention againft the Choice of any other than known and 
 plain Men like themfelves, Men uncontaminated by the peitilential 
 Air of Courts." 
 
 A Delegate from London, during this Day's Sitting, in Abfence of 
 ', a Scots Delegate, * gave in the Continuation of the 
 
 Committee's Report refpecting the Election of Prefidents; of Three 
 Aiiiftants, One to go out daily ; and refpecling the Council of the Ta- 
 ble." He Hkewife propofed, " That the whole Reports of the Com- 
 mittee fliould be delayed till the Report was completed, and urged as 
 a Reafon for Delay, that * * * was employed in completing the Re- 
 port of the Committee." 
 
 The Fifth Day's Sitting, Convention Hall, November z^ J 793- 
 Citizen Gerald appointed Chairman. 
 
 <c Citizen having read the Minutes of laft Sitting, the Prefident 
 ftated, That this Morning he had received a Letter from our Friends 
 in Norwich, who deiired him to inform the Convention^ that they re- 
 mained fteady in the Caufe, and had nominated Citizen Margaret their 
 Delegate, and that they would -contribute their Share of the Expences 
 attending the Convention. Mr. Margaret accordingly accepted of 
 the Office, who congratulated the Convention upon the Acceifioa of 
 fuch a great Number of Friends." 
 
 During this fcittin?; there is the following Motion, " It was moved, 
 that from thenceforth the Convention fhouid be (tiled The Britlflj Con- 
 vention of the Delegate; of the People, aflbciated to obtain Univerfal Suf- 
 frage and Annual Parliaments," agreed to una'nimoufly. A Ho this 
 other Motion, " A Morion was allb made for the Convention allow- 
 ing the Members of the United' Society of Irifhmtn to fpeak and vote 
 here." 
 
 " Referred to the Sections.'* 
 
 Citizens ***** ***y u =] 10 ^-ere Country Deleter ^*. " requeued 
 Leave of Abfence, which wars f>;ran?ed, i:f.r>,> Uifofiition &al t.9fy <u.Vtt& fr 
 t'jcir utmojl to fend Delegates in t>>eir Place" 
 
 b 2 In
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 In the fame Sitting there are the following Motions, viz. 
 
 ** Motion by Mr. *** refpe6tir.g: dwiJing the Country into Department^ 
 end appointing Provincial Conventions, whereby they may become more 
 acquainted with each others Sentiments." 
 
 *' Referred to the. Committee of Union" 
 
 *' Motion by ***, containing Thanks to the Movers of the Divifion 
 into Clafles, mentioning the Advantages already obtained from it, 
 and requefting a frefli Shuffle. Referred to the Committee of Regu- 
 lations, and agreed that the Members of Societies in Edinburgh join 
 the Seftions" and this Day's S'iderunt clofes as follows: " The 
 Prefident warned the Sections to meet as full as poilible on Monday. 
 
 " Citizen ***'s Motion, relative to admitting the Members of the 
 United Society of Iriflunen to fpeak and vote in this Convention, 
 
 came forward for DifculTion, when Citizens -. 
 
 fpoke upon it, and agreed to and guaranteed by a folemn Joining of 
 Hands it being followed by a Motion for tranimitting the above" Re- 
 folution to Citizen Archibald Hamilton Rowan, which was palled ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 " Secretary Skirving ftatcd, that he had juil now received Five 
 Shillings from an unknown Hand for the Uie of the Convention; 
 honourable Mention was ordered to be made of this patriotic Dona- 
 tion." 
 
 " A Motion made by * * * * * refpecting the Appointment of an 
 Interim Committee at the End of every Convention, to call together 
 the Delegates on extraordinary Emergencies" 
 
 At the Clote of this Meeting, the Convention being divided into 
 Sections, a Delegate moved, " That the Motions fhould be laid before 
 the Sections, and defired the Council of the Talk to condefcend on thefe 
 that were 10 be firft difcuiled." 
 
 Seventh Day's Sitting 26th November, 1793. 
 
 After Debate, an original Motion was referred to the " Committee 
 of Finance." 
 
 " Ordered, That the Convention fhall caufe a regular Set of Book a 
 to be kept for the Infertion of Minutes, Motions, and other Proceed- 
 ings ; a Book of Finance, &:c. to be at all Times fubjccl to the ln- 
 fpection of an intermediate Committee.'' 
 
 " All thcfe Motions were ordered to lie over to be confidered bv 
 the Sections." 
 
 ** >] r . '3 Motion being taken under Consideration, Amend- 
 ments were propofed by Citizens * * *. 
 
 " Mr. Margaret pled for adopting the Spirit of Mr. 's Mo- 
 tion : but thought it would be more advantageous to poftpone adopt- 
 ing it till the Conclusion of the Convention's Bufinefs. 
 
 " Moved by Mr. Margarot, That a Committee, confiding of the 
 Mover, Seconder, and thole who had moved for Amendments of Mr. 
 's Motion, be appointed to draw up a Motion from the Whole, 
 that may probably meet the Idens of the whole Convention After 
 i'ume Converfation, it was agreed upon, on the Motion of Mr. ***, that 
 the Vote of theHouiebe pur ; ift, on the Spirit of Mr. '5 Mo- 
 tion ; idly, on the Words ot the Motion ; and 3dly, on Mr. Mar- 
 garo;' a Motion." Agreed. 11 The Seiiie of the Ilouic being taken
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 on the Firft, It carried unanimoufly, to adopt the Motion as to. the 
 Spirit of it. On the 2nd, It carried by a great Majority, not to 
 adopt the Motion as fo worded and jdly, It was refolvcd, that the 
 (kid Motion, and all Amendments, be referred as above." 
 
 Conventioa Hall, a8th November, 1793. Ninth Day's Sitting. 
 Citizen * * * in the Chair. 
 
 " Citizen * * * read the Amendments upon Citizen - ' > *s 
 Motion, as agreed upon by the Committee; and it was agreed, that 
 the Houfe Ihould reiolve itfelf into a Committee for its mature Con- 
 lideratiou." In the Courfe of the Converfation, Citizen * * gave 
 a Hiiiory of the Habeas Corpus Aft. After an excellent Difculfion 
 of the Queftion, pertinent Remarks, and Amendments, the Conven- 
 tion was relumed, and the Whole, as amended, being read over, the 
 Members flood upon their Feet, and patted the Refolution unani- 
 moufly, as follows. 
 
 [Here a Blank is left in the Minutes, as mentioned in the Report.] 
 
 After the faid Refolution was agreed to and Iblemnly approved of 
 as above, the Minutes import, " That Citizen Gerald, in an ener- 
 getic and animated Speech, addreffed the Meeting, and exprefled his 
 Happinefs at the Motion pafled ; and expofed the Aft of the Irilh 
 Parliament, called a Convention Bill and Citizen * * * followed 
 him in a manly Speech, and proved the Influence of the Executive 
 Government over the Parliament." 
 
 Citizen Margarot read and propofed the following Motion : " That 
 a Secret Committee of Three, with the Secretary, be appointed to 
 determine the Place where fuch Convention of Emergency fliall 
 meet ; that fuch Place fliall remain a Secret with them, and with the 
 Secretary of this Convention ; and that each Delegate fliall, at the 
 breaking up of the prefent Seffion, be entrufled with a fealed Letter, 
 containing the Name of the Place of Meeting ; that this Letter fliall 
 be delivered unopened to his Conflituents, the Receipt of which (hall 
 be acknowledged by a Letter to the Secretary preferved in the 
 fame State until the 'Period fliall arrive at which it fliall be deemed 
 neceflary for the Delegates to fet off. This Motion was feconded 
 by * * *, and the fame palled unanimoufly. Accordingly the fol- 
 lowing Citizens were nominated a Secret Committee upon this Bufi- 
 nefs, viz. Margarot, * * * * * *, with the Secretary ; and they were 
 requeftcd to devife the beft pollible Means of conveying this Intima- 
 tion to thofe Societies whofe Views are the fame with ours, but may 
 not have Delegates at this Time." 
 
 buted in' the Highlands. Every Publication fliall bear the Figure of 
 a Highland Man in full Drefs, with Target and Broad Sword, to 
 attraft the Attention of Highlandmen. No Publication 'to coil more 
 than Haifa Penny." 
 
 By Citizens * * *, " That a Committee be appointed fo dr&iv up a 
 Declaration of the natural, tmalienahic, and itnfirtkriptMe Rights of Man ; 
 and that the fame be prefixed to an Adtirefi to the I* style of Gnat Britain" 
 
 And,
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 And, " That a Committee of Obfervation be appointed in Lott- 
 don, to give the eariieft Intimation of any Motion of the Kind men- 
 tioned in the foregoing Resolution to the different Societies." 
 
 Convention Hall, Firft Year of the Britifh Convention, 2gth Nov, 
 Anno Domini 1793. Tenth Day's Sitting* 
 
 Citizen * * * in the Chair. 
 
 " Citizen Margaret gave in the Report of the Committee of Re- 
 gulations ; which was ordered to be printed, and Copies to be givcii 
 in to the Seflums on Monday, for their Contideration." 
 
 " The Secretary read * * *'s Motion for a Committee of Olferva- 
 tion to be appointed in London. Citizen Margarot ilated, That 
 there was no Occafion for a Committee of that Nature in London, as 
 there were feveral Thoufands of People in that City upon the Look- 
 out. It was accordingly agreed, That the Convention fyould reqttcfi tie 
 London Committee of Corrcfpondcnce to give the earllcjl Intelligence of what 
 pajjed in Parliament." 
 
 " A Letter from a Friend, &c. which had been tranfmitted to A, 
 Scott, of the Gazetteer, was read, containing patriotic Sentiments, 
 and Two Guineas j and Citizen Taylor prefented a Guinea from an- 
 other Citizen, whofe Name he was not at Liberty to mention. It 
 was ftated by the Secretary, that a Citizen from London 'was prefenr, 
 who was to give 5/. 55. to the Convention, when a Collection fhould 
 be made for enlightning the Highlanders. The Thanks of the Houfe 
 was unanimoufly given to the before-mentioned Patriots for their 
 Donations." 
 
 Eleventh Day's Sitting, 3Oth November, 179^. 
 
 ** The Secretary read a Motion, that a Committee be appointed 
 to rcvife each Day's Minutes immediately on the rifing of the Con- 
 vention, for the Purpofe of fending them to the Prefs, to make here- 
 after a Daily Bulletin of the fame. The Queltion being put, the 
 Motion palled unanimouily." 
 
 " Citizen likewife moved, That no Perfon fhould be 
 
 allowed the Honours. of the Kitting, unlefs recommended by Two Mem- 
 bers ; which with Amendments, as in the Motion itfeir, palled una- 
 nimoufly." 
 
 " The Secretary read a Motion for publiiiang the natural, un- 
 alienable, and unprefcriptable Rights of Man, which was ordered to 
 be given to the Committee of Union." 
 
 " It was moved, That Captain * * * fliould report fome Circum- 
 ftances to the Convention; for which Purpofe the Houfe relblved 
 itfelf into a Committee, when he read an Account of the Trial and 
 Sentence of D. Holt, for re-printing the Duke of Richmond and Mr. 
 Pitt's Refolution for a Parliamentary Reform ; after which, the 
 Chairman being replaced, the Secretary moved, That Captain * * * 
 fliould le allowed tic Honours of the Kitting. 
 
 " Citizen * * * * from Strathaven, and * * * from Hamilton, 
 requefted Leave of Abfence fliould IK granted, and moved, that all 
 the Delegates who had left the Convention, fliould receive Letters to 
 return immediately, and remain at tluir Pofts until the important 
 
 Butmela
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Bufinefs which was daily introduced into the Convention fliould be 
 properly difcufTed." 
 
 " A Motion to fine thofe Members who did not attend their Sec- 
 tions. The Order of the Day was called for. 
 
 " A Motion for-drawing out a ^croll of a Petition to Parliament ; 
 which being read, The Order of the Day wa> moved upon //." 
 
 Monday, ad December, 1793. Firil Year Britifli Convention. 
 Twelfth Day's Sitting. 
 
 Citizen * * * in the Chair, and Citizens * * * and * * * Afliftants 
 
 at the Table. 
 
 " Citizen Skirving infifted that all the Members, both of the Con- 
 vention and Primary Societies, fliould fubfcribe a folemn League and 
 Covenant." 
 
 " Citizen Gerald pled for Liberty of Sentiment ; and compared 
 the People and their Enemies, to the Worfhippers of the true God 
 and of Baal. He afterwards read lome Paragraphs from the Edin- 
 burgh Herald, with fuitable Comments ; and compared the Confti- 
 uuion of 1688 to a dead Horfe He fhewed the Infipidity of the 
 Title "Gentleman,'* and the Propriety of the Term "Citizen;" 
 remarked the Impropriety of the Mode of promulgating our Laws, 
 by reftricling them to be fold by One Printer, and publifhed in the 
 Saxon Character, whcih few can read." 
 
 ' Citizen Skirving alfo pled for the Vorion, and infifted that it 
 was proper, on all Occafions, to take the Opinion of the Primary 
 Societies, and confidered the Convention at only a Committee of the People." 
 " Citizen Margaret pied in favour of the Motion. The Approba- 
 tion given by the many Thoujands of tbeir Conjtituents in London^ Sbrjficldy . 
 Nw.vicb, Leeds, feV. " 
 
 " The Motion being agreed to, with One Diflentient Voice, who 
 afterwards acceded, Citizen * * read a fpirited Advertifement from 
 the Nottingham Society, inferred in a Sheffield News-paper." 
 
 " A Motion made by Citizen * * *, and fcconded by Citizen 
 * * *, That the Convention (hall pafs fome Rcfolutions refpecling 
 the late unprecedented and unwarrantable Infringements on the 
 Freedom of the Prefs, particularly the arbitrary Sentence of Judge 
 Wilfon againft Mr. Holt, for re-printing the Duke of Richmond and 
 Mr. Pitt's Plan of Reform." 
 
 " Citizens * * * and * * * moved, That this Convention take 
 under Confideration whether (after the contemptible Manner in 
 which the late Petitions for Parliamentary Reform were treated ) they 
 fhull again petition for Reform, or at what Period they fhould re- 
 commend the fame to their Conftitucnts." 
 
 At the Thirteenth Day's Sitting. 
 
 Citizen * * *, of Sheffield, produced a Commiilion from the Leeds 
 Constitution Society, appointing him their Delegate ; which was 
 approven of by the Convention. 
 
 7'he Minutes of th,e Fourteenth Day's Sitting are begun and en- 
 tered thus : 
 *' Edinburgh, 4th November, 1793. ' Fourteenth Sitting of theB. 
 
 Convention." 
 Jn the above, November is, by Miftake, inferted in Place of December,
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 " Mr. Margaret begged Leave to bring in a Motion to the Effect, 
 That the Moment of the illegal Difperfion of the prefent Convention 
 be confidered as our Summons to repair to the Place of Meeting 
 appointed for the Convention of Emergency by the Secret Commit- 
 tee ; and that the fame Motion be confidered this Evening. 
 
 " The Convention then heard the only Two Motions on their 
 Table read, which regarded the fame Matter; and it being objected 
 to, that the Bufmefs of thcfe Motions was to be taken up To-morrow 
 Evening, after forne Converfation, it was carried by a Vote of the 
 Houfe to delay further Consideration till To-morrow Evening. Mr. 
 Margaret being prepared to bring forward his Motion above men- 
 tioned, the fame was taken under Confideration, and was as follows : 
 
 " Moved, That the Moment of any illegal Difperfion ot the Britiih 
 Convention fliall be confidered as a Summons to the Delegates to 
 repair to the Place of Meeting appointed for the Convention of Emer- 
 gency by the Secret Committee ; and that the Secret Committee be 
 inftr lifted to proceed, without Delay, to fix the Place of Meeting. 
 
 " The Convention, having confidered the Motion fully, unani- 
 moufly relblved the fame, and appointed the Secret Committee to 
 proceed as directed." 
 
 A Delegate from Glafgow prefented to the Sections, during the 
 Sitting of this Convention, a Motion of the following Tenor ; viz. 
 
 The Delegation from Glafgow moves, That the Convention take 
 Into their Confideration the Nature and Extent of a Refolution 
 adopted by their Conftituents, and by moft of the other S .cieties in 
 Scotland, and afterwards ratified and approved of at the General 
 Convention held at Edinburgh in December, 1792, the Import of which 
 was, That if any Member of their Society aflbciajed for the Purpofe of 
 obtaining a Parliamentary Reform fliould, while in the legal Profecu- 
 tion of that Object, be opprefled or perfecuted by the Arm of Power, 
 they fliould nor only meet ivitb the Ajjijtance of the Society to which they 
 belong ,' but alfo by the united Efforts of all their Brethren in Scotland. 
 
 Since the above Period, however, we are forry to (ay, feveral of 
 our Members have been perftevttd^ and that in a moil wanton Man- 
 ner, and the above Refolution (which if duly put in Force would, 
 we humbly apprehend, have the happy Effect of emboldening thole 
 who have already come forward, and of encouraging others who 
 have not yet taken any active Part to unite their Efforts in the general 
 Canfe) has never yet been attended to. 
 
 We therefore humbly move, That the Convention take into Con- 
 fideration the above Particulars, and confider what Meafures may be 
 moll conducive towards the Performance of the Obligation =MV lie undtr, in 
 conference of that Refolution^ and thereby Jht'iv to the World that ive are 
 not unmindful of thofe who have already jufjcred, or may in future fiijjer in 
 their Country's Caufe- 
 
 By Order of the Delegation, 
 
 * * * 
 Edinburgh, October 30th, 1793. 
 
 No. :i.
 
 APPENDIX ft 
 No. xx. 
 
 Extra fl of a Letter from Mr. Margaret to the Norwich Societies^ 
 
 Edinburgh^ z^tb November, 1793. 
 You know that at our Arrival here we found that the Conven- 
 tion had, after fitting Four Days, adjourned, and the Delegates 
 were all gone back to their refpeclivc Habitations, without proceeding 
 any farther in the Bulinels of Reform, than (imply agreeing that 
 nothing fhort of Univerfal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments would 
 fatisfy them, and on. that Ground propofing not to fend any Petition, 
 to the King or to the Parliament, leaft by fo doing the Enemies of 
 Reform might be tempted to counteract their Wifh, and exert them- 
 felves to prevent a Peace ; but at the fame Time it was recommended 
 by the Convention, that all Friends to Reform fhould iign any 
 Petition for Peace, which might originate in another QjJarter-^- 
 We foon prevailed on the Edinburgh Committee to recal the ad- 
 journed Convention; the Country Societies, informed that England 
 meant to take a ferious Part in the great Caufe, fent back all their 
 former Delegates, and feveral of them who had not fent Delegates to 
 the prior Convention, have fentfometo this one. On Tuefday the 
 1 9th Inftant the Convention opened. The Number of Delegates 
 amounted to 180 ; fome of them came even from fo far as Cromartie; 
 the Reception we experienced was highly flattering, we mutually 
 gave and received Encouragement and Animation. I (hall not at 
 prefent attempt to give you a minute Detail of what has fince pafled t 
 becaufethe Minutes are to be printed, and then I will not fail fending 
 you a few Copies of them, and will, I hjpe, be able at my Return to 
 come to Norwich, and give you an accurate verbal Account of every 
 Tranfaclion ; mean Time, if you have any Inftru&ions to give me, 
 fend them without Delay, otherwife I lhall act for you conformably 
 to thofe laid down by the London Correfponding Society, a Copy o 
 which you doubtlefs have received from them. The Convention, 
 have begun by eftablifhing a Set of Rules for the Organization of the 
 prefent and even future Conventions ; next we eftablifhed a Committee 
 of Union between the Two Nations, a Committee of Finance, and a 
 Committee to take into Confideration the protecting or eftablifliing a 
 Patriotic Newfpaper. And on Saturday laft we palled a provifory 
 Decree of Union, the whole Convention, ftanding Hand in Hand, 
 folemnly pledged themfelves to each other to renounce all National 
 Diftin&ions, to abide firmly and truly by each other, until the great 
 End is obtained, and at the fame Time we aflumed the Title of The 
 Britljh Convention of Delegates of the People^ officiated to obtain Univerfal 
 Suffrage ard Annual Parliaments 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from MeJJrs. Gerald and Margarot to the Secretary of the 
 
 London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Citizen Edinburgh, Tuefday December ad, 1793- 
 
 We received laft Night a Letter figned by you, but written by 
 
 another Perfon, acquainting us with the Determination of the Com. 
 
 niittee, " that at the Adjournment of the Convention we ihould return 
 
 " immediately to London ;" this Determination we will undoubtedly 
 
 c conform
 
 conform unto, unlefs it be (as. we hope and truft it will) contradicted 
 in your next; for if the Committee abides by it, we, who by being 
 on the Spot, and thoroughly acquainted with the State of the 
 Country, can judge with Certainty thereon, do allure you that our 
 immediate Return to "London will be attended with very bad Confe- 
 quences, for at prefent all the Country Societies look up to us to 
 come among them to enliven^ to encourage them t to convince them by our 
 Preface, that we exift, that we have been fent from England for the 
 Purpofes of Union and Reform^ and that the Time is near at Hand iuhen 
 
 fuch Reform muft take place. Nothing, dear friends, muft force us 
 from Scotland at prefent but the abfolute Impoffibility of bearing the 
 Expences attending our Million, and thofe Expences may be fome- 
 what leflened by recalling One of us, and leaving the other : our 
 Norwich Friends may likewife bear a Fart of them, fo that unlefs the 
 Funds of the Society are very low indeed, no Excufc for Recal can be 
 valid, unlefs founded on Fe ar ; and that we muft remind you is our 
 Concern, not yours. While, therefore, the Idea of uniting our 
 Society with the whole Kingdom of Scotland affords you a pleafing Prolpecr, 
 let us do every Thing in our Power to cement that Union ; and this can 
 only be done by a longer Relidence in the Country, and by vifiting 
 the feveral Societies which have fent Delegates to Edinburgh, and 
 would think themfelves ill ufed if we did not take their Town in our 
 Way. Confider of it therefore, we befeech you, and let us have your 
 Anfwer immediately. 
 
 The Convention proceed with great Spirit. We fit Daily ; and 
 laft Week we came to a Refolution which we fancy will give Pleajure 
 
 . to every Friend to Reform ; as the Minutes are to be printed, we will, 
 at prefent, only give you the Heads of it ; viz. 
 
 That fhould any Attempt be made by Government for the Suf- 
 penfion of the Habeas Corpus Bill, the Introduction of a Conven- 
 tion Bill, or the landing or Foreign Troops in Great Britain or Ire- 
 land, the Delegates are immediately to ajfemble in Convention at a certain 
 Place, the Appointment of which is left 'with a Secret Committee That 
 when Seven Delegates fnall be thus aflembled, they fliall declare 
 themfelves permanent; and when their Number amounts to Twenty- 
 one, they ihall proceed to Bufinefs thus you fee we are providing 
 againft what may happen. 
 
 Citizen Gerald's Health is fo far recovered as not to prevent him 
 from fully attending his Duty. We cannot fay as much of Citizen 
 Sinclair, from the Society for Conftitutional Information ; he has 
 been confined to his Bed ever fince Saturday by a violent Fever and 
 Sore Throat; he is fomewhat better this Morning. He is a valua- 
 ble young Man ; and, fhould he die, his Lofs would be feverely felt ; 
 not indeed by his Conftituents, who have bafely abandoned him, but 
 by all the Friends of Freedom. He is a Member of our Society, and 
 we recommend him to your Notice. 
 
 You will before this have received our laft of the s6th Inftant, ac- 
 knowledging the Receipt of your Letter of the 23d, together with 
 a Remittance of . 12 us. Our Time is fo conftantly employed that 
 we find it abfolutely impoffible as yet to write to you more than Once 
 
 .. a Week, and even that on no fixed Day : Eighteen Hours out of the 
 Four and Twenty are devoted to Public Bulinefs, and you may reft 
 affured they are not mifpent, We are happy to hear that you go on
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 as well in the South as \ve do in the North. Letters convey lut very 
 imperfeflly, and with no great Degree of Safe/y, what v-e might wijb to 
 inform each other of. You have done us a material Injury by negleft- 
 ing to fend us a Parcel of our Publications, and a Number of Copies 
 of The Jurymen's Right, pray do not delay them any longer, and 
 among them fome of the Letters to Dundas, We fent you an Edin- 
 burgh Gazetteer laft Week, we will fend you another To-morrow ; 
 you will therein fee Part of what has pafled in the Convention. 
 We remain, moft fincerely, 
 
 Your Fellow Labourers in the Caufe of Reform. 
 JOSEPH GERALD, Delegate. 
 M MARGAROT, Delegate. 
 
 M. M. would be glad to receive a Line from T. H. about private 
 Bulinefs of his own. 
 
 No. 13. 
 
 Cojy of a Letter from Mr. Margaret to the Secretary of the London Corref- 
 
 pending Society. 
 Fellow Citizen, Edinburgh, 8th December, 1793. 
 
 We delire that a Copy of the inclefed Papers be .kept by the So- 
 ciety, and that another Copy of them be delivered, without Delay, to 
 Citizen Martin in order that he may proceed thereupon immediately. 
 
 You will already have had confufed Accounts of what has taken 
 place here for the laft Four Days ; but on Tuefday next the Edin- 
 burgh Gazetteer fliall (if Defpotifm permit) give you a compleat De- 
 tail of every Thing. The Society will thereby be able to difcover 
 that an Arrival in Scotland has been productive of great Advantage 
 to the Caufe, and at the fame Time has given great Alarm to our 
 Enemies. We are very much furprized at the Remiflhefs of the Se- 
 ciety ; while we are expofing our Life and Liberty, while we are de- 
 voting our Time and our Exertions to their Service, while we are 
 incurring numberlefs Expences, and affronting Dangers that would 
 ftagger the molt hardy of them, while we are doing all this, we are 
 moreover obliged to remind them of it, and that Supplies are now become 
 more necejjary than ever ; furely the pecuniary Exertions of any Indi- 
 vidual in the Society, can never be compared to our Endeavours : Honoured 
 with their Confidence, we find ourfelves happy in being placed in 
 the Front of the Battle ; but let them remember that our facrificing 
 ourfelves will be of little Ufe, unlefs they afford us a proper Sup- 
 port, and that moft immediately. Not daring any longer to truft to 
 the Poit, we fend you all thele Papers in a Parcel. You will be fo 
 good as to make us acquainted with their fafe Arrival Gerald wifiies 
 to get to London as foon as poffible, he will communicate that which 
 cannot be fo fully exprefled by Letter ; you may conlider this as a 
 private Letter, but you may read fuch Parts of it as you think pro- 
 per to any Member of the Society, efpecially where it may be pro- 
 duftive of Good. You will fee by the inclofed Papers, that Power 
 has proceeded in a moft arbitrary Manner, almoft all the prominent 
 Characters in the Convention have been, or are to be apprehended 
 and examined Lord D.ier will, we believe, meet with no greater 
 Favour than ourlcives; we underftand that there is a Warrant out 
 c z againft
 
 A P * fe N D 1 X F'i 
 
 igalnft him. As an Account of what has happened to us would ex- 
 ceed the Bounds of a Letter, we will only juft give you a Sketch of 
 it, by Way of Journal, referring you, as we faid before, to next 
 Tuefday's Gazzetteer. 
 
 Thurfday Morning at 7 o'Clock. 
 
 A Sheriff's Officer, followed by Five other Men, entered our Bed 
 Room, informed us he had a Warrant (which however he refufed to 
 fhew) for apprehending us, and felling our Papers ; vrc remained 
 confined all Day, at Night we were examined and admitted to Bail, 
 each in the Sum of 2,600 Merks. 
 
 Friday Morning, 9 o'Clock. 
 
 We were fent for again without a Warrant, for the Purpofe of 
 being prefent at the opening of a finall Trunk, containing our 
 Papers ; but M. M. profefting againft the Illegality of the Whole 
 of the Proceedings, and refufing to give up the Key, the Sheriff 
 Subftitute and the Procurator Fifcal dared to proceed no farther in 
 the Bufinefs. 
 
 Saturday Morning, 9 o'Clock. 
 
 Two Meffengers came again into our Room, with Gerald ; they 
 left a Summons to appear at 10 o'Clock, with M. M. They left no- 
 thing but a Requeft to accompany Gerald to the Office ; yet, when, 
 arrived there, he found that a Warrant was iffued againft him, for 
 the Purpofe of detaining him a Prifoner, while the Box was opened, 
 and the Papers examined. M. M. {till perlifting in his Refufnl, the 
 Key was forced from him, the Trunk was opened, the Papers ex- 
 amined, and partly reftored ; the other Part was kept, and a Decla- 
 ration drawn up, which he was required to fign, but refufed, pro- 
 tefting againft the Whole of the Bufinefs. Gerald, however, figned 
 what was drawn up in his Name, and we were once more liberated ; 
 and fince then, now already 24 Hours, no further Perfecution has 
 been commenced againft us. But while we, as Individuals, were 
 thus harrafTed (Thuriday) the Whole of the Convention were 
 equally ill ufed. Many of them were taken into Cuftouy ; and when 
 the Remainder met, as ufual, the Provoft, attended by his Myrmi- 
 dons, went, and, after pulling , of" Sheffield, out of 
 
 the Chair, ordered the Convention to difperfe, and informed them 
 that he would allow no fuch Meetings in future. (Friday) The next 
 Day, the Convention having agreed to meet at another Place, out of 
 the Juiifdi>fHon of the Provoft, we had not been long aflembled, be- 
 fore the Sheriff, with bis Myrmidons, appeared among us, and com- 
 manded us to depart, after having afked whether that Meeting was 
 the Britifh Convention, and being anfwered in the Affirmative. He 
 next enquired who was the Prefident; upon which M. M. having 
 openly i;iked and obtained Leave of the Convention, placed himfelf 
 in the Chair ; mfonntu the Sheriff, that he, M. M. was the Prefident of 
 the Bruifa Contention, and that he would not break up the Meeting-, 
 unlefs unconjftitutioijally fi reed thereunto, by the Sheriff's pulling 
 him out of the Chair ; which the latter (after feme Helitation) 
 having complied .with, ^he Ex-preiident (Gerald) was aHo --ut into 
 the Ch'air, watch he'would not leave but by being pulled out; ad- 
 jourtiieds^l^e.^o^je^ppii Jg the Place where it was to become perma- 
 nent in its'jntttng j^ama naving called upon his Colleague, Gerald, 
 M \s 4 for
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 for to clofe the Meeting with Prayer, the Company departed peace- 
 able, but not without various Reflections on the Proceedings, and 
 thofe Reflexions not confined merely to the Members of the Conven- 
 tion, but coming alfo from the Crowd without Doors, and even from 
 the attending Conftables. The next Day a Proclamation was ifiued 
 by the Provoft, forbidding all aflembling within the Limits of his 
 Jurifdi&ion. We know not what will happen ; but we venture to 
 predift, that all this Perfecution will increafe rather than diminifh the 
 Ardour of the People for Reform. The Country Societies, hear- 
 ing of this, are hourly pouring in frefli Delegates. Want of Paper 
 forbids my writing any more. 
 
 Adieu! Tour's, M. M. 
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 Extract from the Evidence taken en the 221? of May, i^94j Before tie 
 Privy Council, 
 
 THOMAS THOMPSON, Efq; Member for Evefliam, at- 
 tending their Lordfbips, was called in, and alked, If he was a 
 Member of the Conftitutional Society ? to which he anfwered, 
 That he was. 
 
 Extrafls from bis Evidence. 
 
 J^. How long have you been a Member of this Society ? 
 
 A- I cannot exactly recollett, but think about laft Chrifhtias. 
 
 4\ Did you attend the Meetings of the Society regularly ? 
 
 A- When I was in Town I did. 
 
 j^. Was you prefent on the a8th of March, when a Letter was 
 read from the London Correfponding Society, of the 27th of March, 
 with certain Resolutions [which were Jbe-tun to Mr. Tbortipfon In the Book] 
 were inclofed, and a Refolution and Order thereupon made by the 
 Conitmuional Society. 
 
 A. I was. 
 
 JS^. Were you prefent at a Meeting of the 4th April, when a Re- 
 .folution was made rcfpeding the Appointment of Delegates to con- 
 fer, &c. 
 
 A. I do, upon Confideration, recolleft it but I oppofed the Ap- 
 pointment of a Convention. Another Perfon and 1 decidedly and 
 loudly oppofed it, and went away, underftanding that it had palled m 
 the Negative I oppofed it on the Grounds ot its being a bad and 
 improper Mode of proceeding and that it would be better to prefent 
 a Petition to Parliament I do not recolleft that any other Perfon 
 belides myfelf and the Perfon already named oppofed this Pro- 
 polition. 
 
 j. You recollect, then, being prefent upon the 4th of April ? 
 
 A. Yes. 
 
 J^. Do you remember a Deputation being appointed to confer with 
 the London Correfponding Societies ? 
 
 A. I do
 
 A P P E OST D I X (?. 
 
 A. I do remember an Agreement to appoint a Delegation ; but I do 
 not recollect the Names of thfe Perfons of whom that Delegation was 
 to confift. 
 
 Q. Do you recollect the fubfequent Refolution for appointing a 
 Committee of Correspondence r 
 
 A. I do not recollect it ; but rather think I went away before it 
 paffed I ufunlly left the Society before it broke up, as I ilept in the 
 Country, and of courf". many Refolutions were pafled after I went 
 away. 
 
 1 >_. Do you think it tight to ftate what you particularly recollect of 
 the Refolution refpecling the Appointment of a Convention ? 
 
 A-.t I reeoliect^ihs oppoHng of it, with the Perfon already named; 
 and I recollect it was carried in the Negative. 
 
 >. Is it entered on the Books of the Society, that the Motion for 
 appointing a Goneation was negatived ? 
 
 A. I do not know; but it certainly was carried in the Negative I 
 recollect leaving, the Society with a firm Conviction that it had been 
 negatived ; and* I have frrrce talked with the Perfon already named oa 
 the Subject, who underftood fo as well as myfelf. 
 
 J^. Can you ftate the Name of any Perfon who oppofed the Ap- 
 pointment of a Convention, except yourfelf and the Perfon you have 
 named ? 
 
 A. 1 cannot that Perfon was againft it from the ' firft Mention of 
 fuch an Idea. 
 
 >. Was there any Debate upon it ? 
 
 A. There was. 
 
 ^ Do you recoiled the Names of any of the Perfons who fpoke for 
 the Appointment of a Convention ? 
 
 A. I do not there was a good deal of Confufion. 
 
 4>* Did you ever fee the printed Refolutions of the Society ? 
 
 A. I do not recollect that I did. 
 
 Q. Have you any Reafon to believe that the Refolution againft the 
 Appointment of a Convention was reduced to Writing ? 
 
 A. Probably it was : I made a Memorandum of it, as I took Mi- 
 nutes myfelf; I always did fo for my own Satisfaction, and to refer 
 to upon Occafion. The Memorandum I made on this Occaiion, fta- 
 ted particularly that it had been carried that no Convention fliould 
 take place. I was always decidedly againft Delegates being fent from 
 the different Societies and Towns. I took Minutes even of what paf- 
 fed at the Meetings of the Friends of the People, though 1 think them 
 very fafe Perfons. 
 -'\f^ Have you 'any One of thefe Memorandums ? 
 
 A. I have not I have looked for them, and could not find One- 
 They were upon ? : craps -of 'Paper; and not thinking them of Impor- 
 tance, I did not preferve them. 
 
 j^. As you oppofed the Formation of a Convention, what did you 
 conceive the Convention was to do if it did meet ? 
 
 A. I oppofed A Convention, having feen the Evils of it in other 
 Places ;' and not thinking it the beft Means of obtaining the Object in 
 View. . ' 
 
 Mr. Tfeotrpfori hqving-flttended the Committee of Secrecy appointed 
 l>y the Houfe, his Evidence before the Privy Council was read to him ; 
 
 and
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 and he was afked, If he wifhed to ftate any~Thing in Explanation of 
 that Evidence ? 
 
 Mr. Thompfon defired to explain and alter it; and obferved, that 
 in the Account given of his Evidence before the Council, he is ftated 
 to have faid, that at the Meeting 1 on the 4th of April he does not re- 
 collect any other Perfon, beiides the Perfon he mentioned to the Privy 
 Council and himfelf, oppofed the Proposition for a Convention; Tie 
 now begs to fay, that he meant to fay, that he does not recolleft what 
 other Perfon?, befides himfelf and the Perfon before alluded to, oppo- 
 fed that Proportion. 
 
 It is ftated in the Evidence, that Mr. Tooke figned the Letter to 
 requeft a Contribution for Mr. Skirving. Mr. Thompfon meant to 
 fay he was to iign the Letter, as Chairman of the Evening. 
 
 It is itated in the Evidence, that he was alked, If he ever faw the , 
 printed Refolutions of the Society ? To which' he. is ftated to anfvver, 
 He did not recollect he did : Mr. Thompfon deiires to fay, that he 
 had never feen before the Book fhewn to him by the Attorney Gene- 
 ral at the Time that Queftion was put to him. 
 
 And as to the laft Queftion, Whether he had ever attended any 
 Meeting fince the id of May ? he begged now to fay, that he 
 went once, with an Idea of taking his Name out of the Books of the 
 Society. 
 
 With refpect to Mr. Thompfon being prefent *.vhen the Toafts were 
 drank; he begged to fay he certainly was, but that he did not 
 drink them all, being unwell, and the Wine being bad. On being 
 fhewn the Toafts at the Council, he faid, he thought fome of them 
 very abfurd. 
 
 Mr. Thompfon was then afked by the Committee. 
 
 If there was any Individual, beiides the Perfon before alluded to, 
 that joined you in Oppofition to the Proportion for a Convention ? 
 
 I cannot recollect but there muft have been feveral, as the Quef- 
 tion was negatived. 
 
 When and where did Mr. Thompfon firft fee or hear the Lift of 
 thofe Toafts? 
 
 From the Attorney General in the Privy Council Room. Mr. 
 Thompfon was not prefent at any Meeting of the Stewards when the 
 Toafts were drawn up, previous to the Dinner. 
 
 Do you recollect Mr. Sharpe -being prefent on the nth of April, 
 during the Debate on a _propofed Refolution containing the Word 
 " Convention r" 
 
 I do not. 
 
 Have you any Recollection of Mr. Home Tooke, in the Courfe of 
 fuch a Debate, remarking, that the Debate about the Word " Con- 
 vention" was all Nonfenfe j it was only between a Latin Word and 
 an Engliflf one ? 
 
 I do not. 
 
 APPEN-
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 Cojy of a Litter from the Eriftol Society for Conjlitutional Information^ to the 
 London Qorref ponding Society. 
 
 Fellow Citizens, Briftol, 28th January 1794. 
 
 I AM again authorized to write to you, fignifying the Gratitude of 
 our Society for your Second Epiftle, which came to my Hands the 
 3d Inft. After reading its Contents, I collected as many of our Friends 
 as I conveniently could that Evening we read we blufhed we took 
 Courage ; we did more, for we refolved on re-aflembling, as we had 
 appointed prior to the Determination we announced in our lanft. We 
 intend publifhing an Addrefs, or fomething declaratory of our Senti- 
 ments, \\ithall convenient Speed; as foon as this is effected, we 
 fhall fend a Copy or Copies to you. From the Courier and Evening 
 Gazette, we have had Information of the Trial of Mr. Margaret, and 
 his Sentence to 14 Years Tranfportation. We are by no Means at a 
 Lofu in forming a Judgment of the noble Caufe in which he with 
 others are embarked, nor iuould vje be frightened at fucb Sentences. You 
 lee, Citizens, your Second Epiftle has quickened our Courage, and 
 vivified our Patriotifm, and rouzed us to Refolution ; and more, cur 
 ^umlicr :s now considerably increafed perhaps your Third Epiftlc may 
 do greater things ftill ; we are fenfible 'tis a noble 'tis a virtuous 
 'tis a Godlike and immortal Caufe in which we are now mutually 
 embarked ; and though for Parts our Effort can be but a feeble one, 
 yet the Caufe we cfpoufc is mighty is energetic It will finally 
 prevail and profper : It is our firm Opinion, could we but arouze 
 them, that Patriots would become nearly the Majority of our City. 
 We expected to have had the Dozen of The Englifhmen's Rights, 
 which you mentioned iu your Firft Epiftle Hope you will fend them 
 fpeedily. 
 
 We are, Fellow Citizens, yours fincerely, 
 
 The Briftoi Society for Constitutional 
 Information, &c. 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Delegates of the United Societies at 
 
 Norwich, held 24th Feb. 1794 ; 
 
 It was unanimoufly refolved, " That One or more Delegates (hail 
 " be fent to the next General Convention, foon as Clkd for by our 
 ** London Correspondents." 
 
 Copy of a Letter from tie Briflol Conjlitutional Society to the Secretary of tJx 
 London Correfponding Society, 
 
 Fellow Citizen, Brifloi, *4th April, 1794. 
 
 You may be fenfible, from our laft Communication, that in the 
 Infancy of our Patriotic Efforts we had many Difficulties to overcome, 
 and many ftrong Prejudices to combat. We laid open to you our 
 real Situation ; we told you our Determination to a<idref$ the Public; 
 and afl'nred you of our unalterable Perfeverance in the glorious 
 Caufe of Freedom, This Perfeverancc, however, and thefe Exertions 
 
 of
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 of an individual Society, can but little avail,, if the Societies in the 
 different Parts of the Kingdom are in themfelves difunited, or do 
 not aid and affift each other, agreeable to the Principles of Philan- 
 thropy and Fraternity which they fo warmly profefs. Under this 
 Idea, we conceive ourfelves treated with a Degree of Inrivifm, by 
 your Society not anfwaring our laft Letters ; the Reafons may be good. 
 ' At prefent vye are candid enough to confefs, that the Circumftance 
 does not appear to us in the moft favourable Point of View. Our 
 Addrefs, of which we fend you a few Copies, we find to have 
 a good Effect, and is likely to beget us the Affiftance of many Friends, 
 while our Enemies acknowledge there is fomething very fair and 
 reafonable in the Production. This is an abfolute Victory ; and we 
 have Reafon to congratulate ourfelves on the Profpect of Succefs it 
 opens to us. With a Mixture of Pain and Pleafure, we faw an Ac- 
 count of your laft General Meeting ; we lament that the firong Hand 
 cf Dcfpotifm fhould fo often interfere to prevent the Aflertion of the 
 Rights of the People, while we rejoice in your manly Conftitutional 
 Prefeve ranee and applaud and approve your Refolution of forming another 
 General Convention : Our increajtng "Numbers give us every reafonable 
 Hope of foon being able more effectually to co-perate with you ; while, 
 for the Reafons formerly ftated, we cannot yet make a pofitive Pro- 
 mife on that Head. We hope for an immediate Anfwer. Favour ua 
 with your Opinion of our Addrefs,. and tranfmit a Sketch of your 
 Plan refpefting the General Convention. 
 
 By Order of the Committee of Delegates appointed by the 
 Biiftol Conftitutional Society. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Newcaftle to the Secretary of the London Correfpondmg 
 Society. 
 
 Newcaftle upon Tyne, 241!) April, 1794. 
 
 By Defire of a Number of Friends to a radical Reform in the 
 Conftitution here, I make free to trouble you. We live in a Place 
 where an Ariftocrat iVJagiftracy endeavours to ftop the genial and 
 benign Spirit of National Liberty from fpreading, notwithstanding 
 a very great Number are found here that dare affert the natural and 
 unalienable Rights of, Man, and bear their Teftimony againft the 
 tyrannical Encroachments of. iffumcd Power on thofe Rights ; a 
 good Number have formed themfelves into Societies, and meet 
 Weekly, admitriffg none but known Friends ; and have affttmed no Nam* 
 lut that of N&vhpaper Companies; thefe were in great Spirits while the 
 Britijh Convention continued to aft ; but after their SuppreJJion a. Damp wa3 
 caft on the .Whole. - Subfi;riptioni were ready to be lent off the very 
 Night they were fupprelled, and the Gazetteer flopped, which has 
 fince been remitted to London, for the Ufe of the periecuted Worthies, 
 JVJuir andilPftlmer.--jE?j5' charmed with your mafterly and bold Approba- 
 tion of the Coydjlil of your Delegate i and noble Martyrs for Truth^ Mar- 
 garot and (ftra^ and iind your Name figned Secretary to the Cor* 
 refponding ftttjptj*, we wifli to copy your Example; and beg, if 
 you think jJj^mwr^h your Notice, give us your Sieves and Intention 
 as foon asjcoflpeuient, which, 1 hope, will be a Means to ftimulate 
 and incre^fopur Numbers, Left this fhould not come to you, as I 
 
 d hare
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 have an uncertain Direction, I forbear troubling you more at pre- 
 fent, in Hopes of being favoured with your future Correfpondenct. 
 Farewell, hoping the Hydra of Tyranny and Impojttion Jhall foon fall un~ 
 der the Guillotine of Truth and Reafon. 
 
 Your's, with all due Refpec"t, &c. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Conft it ut zonal Society at Norwich to the Secretary 
 of the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Citizen * * *, Norwich Societies, agth April, 1794. 
 
 It is with great Satisfaction we view the manly Conduit of you and 
 your Colleagues, efpecially when, furrounded as you are, by a do- 
 mineering Ariftocracy, who, notwithftanding their great Blufter, are 
 but Chicken-hearted ; Witnefs our Norfolk Quixotes, who, after 
 being completely foiled at the County Meeting, were determined to 
 fubfcribe to fupport an armed Ariftocracy : But, pray, tell it not in 
 the Metropolis, that a noble Marquis fubfcribed no more than. 200, 
 and another high-penfioned Lord but . 100; an Alderman and 
 Leader, and very fierce for Church and King, the enormous Sum of 
 .20: Thefe are the Men who are ready to fpend their Lives and 
 Fortunes ; but enough of fuch privileged Beings ! We fhould be 
 glad to know whether the Friends of the People confent to a Con- 
 vention, and whether they will take an active Part. 
 
 Pleafe to accept of a few of our Bills. We fhould efteem it a 
 Favour that you would fend us a few of your late Declarations. 
 
 P. S. Many of our Friends are fully convinced of the Neceflity, 
 Legality, and Rationality of a Convention; But, Query, Whe- 
 ther the Time be expedient ? 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the London Correfponding Society to 
 Newcaftle. 
 
 Citizen, 7 ft May, 1/94. 
 
 It is with Pleafure the London Correfponding Society hear that a 
 Society on a Junior Plan, and luith the Jame patriotic Objects in View, is 
 likely " to be eftablifhed at Newcaftle upon Tyne If ever a Grin's 
 arrived that required the Exertions of the People to flop the Torrent 
 of Corruption, Infamy, and Defpotifm, that feems likely to over- 
 whelm them, it is the prefent in God's Name then, let us ufe thefe 
 Exertions.- We are called upon by every Thing that is dear to us, as 
 Men and as Chriftians. The Caufe of Truth and Liberty muft 
 finally be Omnipotent ; therefore doubt not that the glorious Reign of 
 Liberty and Equality will ere long be eftablifhed, and modern Govern- 
 ments, ivith every Appendage of Jl^ickednefs and Corruption, will flee in Time 
 from their genial Influence, as Beafts of Prey to their Dens of Rapine 
 and Darknefs from the rifing Sun. The London Correfponding 
 Society have beheld \vith Indignation the rapid Advances of Defpot'fm in 
 Britain, and are ready cordially to unite vjith every other Society hi the Three 
 Kingdoms^ who have for their Object a full and effectual Reprefentation of 
 the People they therefore have deputed Six of their Members to meet Six Mem- 
 bers of the Society for Conflitutional Information, to form a Committee of 
 Correfbondence and Co-operation \ this Committee meetf regularly T-n.-ice . a 
 I , tt'etk
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 Week at No. 2, Beaufort Buildings, Strand, where any Member delegated 
 by your Society 'will meet 'with every Information required. We inclofeyou a 
 few of ourRefolutions, entered into at our General Meeting on the i4th 
 of April, which will be diffidently explanatory of our Sentiments and 
 Views. We heartily unite with you in vaifljing that the Hydra of Tyranny 
 and Impojition may foon fall under the Guillotine of Truth and Reafon* 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the Conftitutional Society at Sheffield^ to 
 the Secretary of the London Correfponding Society. 
 
 Friend and Fellow Citizen, Sheffield, May nth, 1794. 
 
 The Friends of Peace and Reform in Halifax having held a general 
 Public Meeting in the open Air, on Monday April 21 ft, 1794, at 
 which were many Friends from Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, 
 Bradford, and the adjacent Neighbourhood, the Friends of Freedom, 
 after the Meeting, agreed to hold a General Meeting of Delegates at 
 Briftol, in order to confider on the Meafures to be adopted by them 
 preparatory to a General Convention. After which our worthy Friend 
 Citizen of Halifax, being ordered to Sheffield to get the Pro- 
 
 ceedings of the Meeting printed, and confult with us upon the Sub- 
 ject, they were advifed by us to defer at prefent the Meeting of Dele- 
 gates, until further Information from you on that Suljefl. I was there- 
 fore ordered, at our laft Committee Meeting, to write to you, re- 
 quefting the Favour of as early Intelligence as poffible on that im- 
 portant Bufinefs. We are not in the leafl intimidated in Sheffield, as 
 we can call and hold a public Meeting whenever Circumftances ren- 
 ders the fame neceflary ; befides, in the Houfe where I refide, we 
 have a large commodious Room, where the Society can peaceably 
 meet in Rotation. 
 
 By Order of the Committee, 
 
 * * * * Secretary.
 
 nrvn 

 
 THE 
 
 Firft Report l 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECY 
 
 APPOINTED BT 
 
 THE HOUSE OF LORDS 
 
 To infpeft the Report and Original Papers, and the Book 
 fealed up in a Bag, delivered on Monday the I9th of May 
 Jaft, by a Meflage from the Commons ; and who, by th 
 Order of the Houfe of Wednefday the aift of the fame 
 Month, were empowered to fend for Perfons, Papers, 
 and Records, and to receive fuch Communication as may 
 be made to them by His Majefty's Orders, or by the Com- 
 mittee of Secrecy appointed by the Houfe of Commons, 
 and to report thereupon, from Time to Time, as they 
 (hall fee Caufe. 
 
 ORDERED TO BE PRINTED 7th JUNE, 1794. 
 THE FOURTH EDITION. 
 
 ZO.VDOA 7 : 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. DgBRETT, OPPOSITE BURLINGTON HOUSE, 
 PICCADILLY. 
 
 1794.
 
 ttoqpj?
 
 T H fi 
 
 Second Report 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECY 
 
 APPOINTED BY 
 
 THE HOUSE OF LORDS 
 
 To infpe& the Report and Original Papers, and the Book 
 fealed up in a Bag, delivered on Monday the I9th of May 
 laft, by a MefTage from the Commons; and who, by the 
 Order of the Houfe of Wednefday the 2ift of the fame 
 Month, were empowered to fend for Perfons, Papers, and 
 Records, and to receive fuch Communication as may be 
 made to them by his Majefty's Orders, or by the Com- 
 mittee of Secrecy appointed by the Houfe of Commons, 
 and to report thereupon, from Time to Time, as they 
 (hall fee Caufe. 
 
 ORDERED TO BE PRINTED 7th JUNE, 1794.
 
 for th I^eftpnchorr of the Couftitution, it has -p.ppeared .to ycur Com- 
 mittee that it would be fit to ftate," in the FirftTUeepthe Clrcum- 
 ilanres which preceded that Preparation of Arms, and thofe under 
 which it took place. 
 
 From authentic and public documents it appears, that, fubfequent 
 to the Imprifonment of the late French King, the Abolition of Mo- 
 narchy, aud the Eftabljihment of a Democratical and Revolutionary 
 Government, in France, a direct and avowed Correspondence was 
 carried on between the Convention in France and certain Perfons in 
 His Majefty's Dominions, for the undifguifed Purpofe of an Union 
 of Principles and Conduct. 
 
 The Addrefles fent to the French Convention in the Month of 
 November 1792, and the Aniwers returned to them, are Matters of 
 public Notoriety. The Committee, referring to the Statement given 
 of them by the Report of the Secret Committee of the Houfe of 
 Commons, have further to obferve upon thefe Addrefles, that it 
 now appears that the Idea was firit conceived alter the Maflacres at 
 Paris, in the Beginning of September 1792, was drawn into Form 
 after the Invafion of the Netherlands, and thit it was not the fuddeu 
 Act of a few Individuals, or even of One particular Society, but 
 was long under Deliberation, communicated to other Societies in 
 different Parts of the Kingdom aflembled under various Names, and 
 the common Pretext of Parliamentary Reform, adopted by many, 
 and finally transmitted as a Declaration of the Sentiments of a Major 
 rity of the Ilnglifh N.uio:i. 
 
 The Committee has bellowed a particular Attention to inveftigate 
 the Proceedings of that Society which aflumed the Name or the 
 London Corrtlponding Society ; becanfe, from the Characler, 
 Habits, and Condition, of thole who compoie it, compared with, 
 the Style and Language, as well as the Method and Contrivance dii- 
 covertd in their Proceedings, it is moft probable that it muft have 
 been guided by Perfons of afuperior Fducation, and more cultivated 
 Talents, than appear amongil the Members of this Society. For 
 the direct nnd avowed Corniccl: ion which took place in the Beginning 
 of April i:ift between this Society and the Society for Conftitutionul 
 Jnformatibu, and the Plan or Co-operation then eftabliihed between 
 tht m, the Committee again refer to the Report of the Secret Com- 
 in it tee of the Houfe of Commons now before the Houle. 
 
 The London Corrcfponding Society, in the Firfl Formation, 
 which \va? about January 1792, appears to have been planned and 
 fnavted hv leading Members of the Society for ConHitutional Jn- 
 t.xnrition, and in the Coiirfe of its fubiequent Proceedings, the 
 Vii-auu-cs the\ purfued were in many Inftances privately concerted 
 v-.rh IVrlons of the fame Defcription. The Number of Perfons 
 fir;-; :' : no.nh}fd did not exceed T\vo Hundred. In the Courfe of a 
 ftv. Month?., thtir Cumruunicatiuiis with fimilar Societies in various 
 
 Puces
 
 C 9 1 
 
 Places became vry frequent, and they began to aflume a Form 2nd 
 Method of proceeding by Subdivifions and Delegations, which have 
 to them an Appearance of Confequence, asd of increafiho Num- 
 bers. They were the oftenfible Promoters of the Addrefs to the 
 French Convention, prefented in November 1792. and the Inftrur 
 ments to carry on the Correfpondence upon it in the Country ; from 
 whence they have taken every Occafion to extend their Communica* 
 tion with thefe other Societies which they have induftrioufly drawn 
 to a clofe, intimate, and dependent Connection, 
 
 The War, commenced againft His Majefty by the Perfons exer- 
 cifing the Powers of Government in France, fupprefled the open 
 Communication with the French Convention ; but neither that 
 Circumftance, nor the repeated Declaration of Parliament, had any 
 Effect to reftrain the Avowal of thofe Doctrines which had led that 
 Convention to all thofe Excefles which have proved fo deftruclive in 
 France to the Principles of Social Order, of Religion, and of Mo- 
 rality. 
 
 In the Courfe of the Year 1793, a Plan appears to have been con- 
 ceived, and in fome Degree bi ought into a regular Shape, for unit- 
 ing the different Meetings, formed by the artful Diflemination of 
 feditious Publications, inviting Men to follow the Example of 
 France, into fuch a Body as might be brought to adl to One given 
 Objeft, and be fubjeft to One general Direction. 
 
 The moft marked Effecl of this Plan was, the aflemblingof a Body 
 under the Name of a Convention, which made its Firft public Ap- 
 pearance at Edinburgh on the zgth of Oclober 1793. 
 
 The Defign of this Meeting had been known and concerted for 
 fome time with Societies in England, particularly with the Society 
 for CqniHtutional Information, and the London Correfponding So- 
 ciety. Two Delegates to this Meeting were chofen, and fent from 
 the London Correfponding Society ; a regular Allowance for thei? 
 Journey and Expences, at' a rate very confiderable in refpeft to the 
 apparent Funds of that Society, was voted for their Support, and 
 Actually paid : Thefe Delegates were Margaret and Gerrald. They 
 appeared, by the Sequel, to have been, 'in Effeft, not only Dele- 
 gates, but Conductors of the Affairs of the intended Meeting; and 
 deriving a confiderable Confequence from the fuppofed Reprefenta* 
 tion of the Society which fent them, and other Societie? in England, 
 from which they' afterwards produced Commiflions. Two Delegates 
 were alfo choien from the Society for Conflitutipnal Information , 
 Sinclair, and a Perfon known under the Name of Yorke. 
 
 After fitting Four Days in Expeftation of the Englifh Delegates, 
 the Meeting, which had confifted of about 150 Perfons from diffe- 
 rent Parts of Scotland, feparatcd, becaufe the Englifli Delegates 
 Ind not arrived. In Two Days afterwards they came ; a Delegate 
 B from
 
 from Sheffield alfo arrived ; and Sinclair, One of the Delegates from 
 the Society for Conftitutional Information : Mr. Hamilton Rowan 
 and Mr. Simon Butler, ftating themfelves to come on the fart of a 
 Society called the United Irifhmen, but having no Comoiiffion, made 
 their Appearance likewife, and were all introduced to a General 
 Committee of the Convention, and received as Delegates. 
 
 A Meeting of the Convention, which had feparated before the Ap- 
 pearance of thefe Perfons, was immediately fummoned by Skirving 
 the Secretary, and by public Advertifement, for the jgth of No- 
 vember, on which Day it was held, and confided of about 160 
 Perfons. 
 
 The Firft Four Days of their Meeting were employed in fettling 
 Forms, and in an Examination of the Commiffioners of the Delegates 
 fuppofecl to be given by Meetings of the Inhabitants of the Places 
 from which they \vcredated, but which Ivieetings \\erc in very few 
 Places known to have exifttd, or to have been called for any fuch 
 Purpoie. All th'efeCommiffions were of courfe allowed to be valid. 
 On the 22d Day of Noverr.ber, this Meeting voted irfelf to be, The 
 Britifl) Convention, and affiimed that ftyle in their Minutes and other 
 Proceedings, which were dated ' in the Firft Year of the Britifli 
 Convention,' and in fome inftances, ' m the Firft Year or" the Britifh 
 Convention One an 
 
 The Meeting thus formed, proceeded to aft in exact Imitation of 
 the French Convention, adopting all its Forms, Phrafes, and Modes 
 of Proceeding, forming Committees of Organization, of Init ruction 
 of Finance, of Secrecy, decreeing Honours of the Sitting, Honour. 
 able Mention- of Services, and what may merit more ferious Atten- 
 tion than the Affectation of this Style, attempting to inftitute Pri- 
 mary Societies, Provincial Aflemblies, and Departments in the 
 Country. On the 28th of November, they came to a Refolution of 
 declared Oppofition and Refi fiance to the Authority of Parliament, 
 under a Reierve that it fhould not be entered on the Minutes till the 
 Clofe of their Sittings. 
 
 After this, the Spirit and Activity of the Magiftrates were exerted 
 to^ifptrfe this Convention; and on the th of December, 1793, 
 the Ringleaders were apprehended, their Papers leized, and fome of 
 them have fnice been tried and convicted of the Crimes laid to their 
 Charge. 
 
 Notwithstanding the juft and laudable Exertions of the Civil Au- 
 thority to fupprefs this enormous Diforder, the Mifchief intended 
 has been in P.-;rt effectuated, for there has exifted a Meeting formed 
 on the Model of the French Convention, afluming the name of the 
 Britifn Convention, which, from the 19111 of November to the i;th 
 of December, 1793, has been exhibited in this Kingdom, with an open 
 Publication of all its Tranfactions, in a Nevvfpaper conducted by 
 
 One
 
 One of its Members, to ferve as a Pattern of the Form and Method 
 in which a future Convention might proceed to act. 
 
 It alfo appears from the Sequel that there ftill remained a Com- 
 mittee of becrecy and Emergency formed in that Meeting, which 
 had continued to condu6t fubiequent Operations in Scotland. 
 
 The Committee have thought it important to call the Attention of 
 the Houfe to this Tranfaftion, becaufe it appears, by the Evidence 
 produced to them, to have been concerted at leaft, if not directed, 
 by the dilaftlfted Societies in England, and to have a moft intimate 
 Connexion with the Sequel of the Confpirucy carried on here. 
 
 From the Time of the Meeting and Difperfion of the Convention 
 at Edinburgh, the Societies in England began to aft with increafed 
 Vigour and Activity. Their Resolutions exprefled a warm Approba- 
 tion of the Proceedings of the Convention at Edinburgh ; itrong De- 
 c'arations were made in Behalf of thofe who had been brought to 
 trial and convicted ; Subscriptions entered into for their Encourage- 
 ment and Support ; and fome Projects appear to have been enter- 
 tained for their Refcue. 
 
 The London Correfpcmiing Society had continued to extend its 
 Correfpondence, and alib its influence with the other Societies dif- 
 perfed in the Country, and had, in the Month of February lair, 
 adopted a Refolution to arrange the Members into Diviiions of 
 Thirty, compofed of thofe who lived neareft to each other, that they 
 might eafily be atfembled together upon any Emergency. They had 
 alfo procured about tliatTime a plan of a Conftitutbn to be formed, 
 which was printed and circulated amongft the feveral Divisions, by 
 fome of which it had been approved, and at the Time when the Se- 
 cretary was apprehended, was about to be referred to the General 
 Meeting of Delegates for its final fan&ion. By this Plan, befides the 
 Seftion of Thirty, clafTed fo as to be ready to come forth at the fame 
 Time, there were to be fecondary Sections of Ten each, under the 
 Reprefentation and Direction of a Tythingman. There was alfo a 
 general Committee of Correfpondence. 
 
 This Committee, in FacT:, appears to have exifled for a confidera- 
 ble Time, to have confiiled of a Number not exceeding Five, to 
 have tranfaded and direfted all the Secret Bufinefs of the Society, 
 and they were authorized to communicate to the larger Meetings 
 only fuch Matters as they thought advifeable. 
 
 It feems almoft unneceSTary for the Committee to point out to tjie 
 Obfervation of the Houfe, that a Society (whatever be the Condition 
 of the Individuals who compofe it) fo organized, the Phrafe they 
 adopt in their printed Plan, and fo connected with other Societies in 
 various Parts of the Ifland, is capable of giving the immediate Effect 
 of an united Operation to whatever Meafures may be propofed by 
 . B 2, theufr
 
 ( I* ) 
 
 their Leaders, efpecially when the recent Example of France affords 
 fo flriking an infhnce of the deftruftive Effect of fuch a Combination. 
 The Committee muft at the fame Time remark, that this Conftitu- 
 tion (as it is called,) in the Declaration of Principles by which it is 
 introduced, the Tefls required of the* Members, and the general 
 Frame of the Provifions, evidently fliew that the Model on which it 
 i& formed, is that which has led to the Aanihilation of all regular Go- 
 vernment in France, and to the Defpotifm of a few Demagogues 
 through the Power and Influence of the Clubs. 
 
 Under this State of Things, and when all this Arrangement had 
 been previoufly formed, the Project of procuring Arms was brought 
 forward. The precife Date when it took place cannot be afcer- 
 tained, for it appears to have been conducted in moft Places with 
 peculiar Secrecy and Caution. 
 
 So early as the Time of the Meeting at Edinburgh, the Facility of 
 procuring Arms, particularly Pikes, the Ufe and Efficacy of them as 
 it had been proved rn France, had been difcufled at fome of the 
 Divifion Meetings , but no fpecific Meafure to this Effect ha<L been 
 taken till a much later Period. 
 
 About the Month of March 1794, private Meetings had been 
 held Twice a Week, in various Places of and adjoining to the Metro- 
 polis, for the Purpofe of inftrueting Men in the Ufe of the Fire- 
 lock ; the Places of fuch Meeting were changed to avoid Detection ; 
 and were chofen by a Committee. They exercifed chiefly by Night ; 
 and no Perfons were admitted but by a printed Ticket, with the In- 
 fcription, " Liberty to thofe who dare to be free." The Number of 
 Firelocks actually provided, as far as it has been difcovered, may 
 feem inconGderable for the Execution of any Defign, although, for 
 the Purpofe of teaching the Exercife, it had a moft dangerous Ex- 
 tent; but in refpeet of the Circumftances of the Perfon who pur- 
 chafed, or fubfcribed for the Purchafe, the Number is an Object of 
 fome Confideration ; and it appears that the Artillery Houfe, and 
 Gunfmith Shops in various Parts of the Metropolis, were looked to 
 as furnifliing a ready Refource upon Occafion, and as the Means of 
 providing an abundant Supply of Arms to Perfons already inftrudted 
 in the Ufe of them. 
 
 The Committee has flated the Number, fo far as already difco- 
 vered, to be inconfiderable ; but they muft add, that after they 
 fuppofed their Inquiry to be clofed, a recent Difcovery communi- 
 cated to them has added largely to the Number. 
 
 The Ufe of Pikes formed a Hill more confiderable Part of the in- 
 tended Armament. The Effect of this Weapon had often been 
 difcufled at Meetings, and a Correfpondence had been entered into 
 with Perfons at Sheffield for providing a Supply of them. The 
 Price fcr the Iron Work was fixed fo low as a Shilling ; aad if the 
 
 Cod
 
 Ccft exceeded that Amount, (which it appears it muft have done) 
 the Overplus was to be paid by a Perfon ac Sheffield, who was to be 
 reJmburfed by the Society. In purfuance of this Plan, Letters, 
 dated the 24-th of April, were fent from Sheffield to the Correfpond- 
 ing Society, and, under their Cover, to another Society at Norwich, 
 advertising them that the Pikes were in a forward State of Prepara- 
 tion, -and fixing the Terms on which they were to be delivered. 
 
 The Committee think it proper to fubjoin a Hand Bill, printed in 
 April for the London Correiponding Society, and diilributed at a 
 Meeting : 
 
 *' Countrymen, you are told by thofe who are In Office that 
 ** you are in Danger of a French Invafion ; you are told by 
 ** thofe who are Out of Office that you are in Danger of a Hef- 
 ** fian or Hanoverian Invalion : In either Cafe Arms will be of 
 *' Ufe to you. Agree among yourfelves. Get Arms, and learn 
 " the Ufe of them." 
 
 At Sheffield, the Meafure of arming with Pikes, after the Exam- 
 ple of the French, was more openly purfued : It had been recom- 
 mended in April laft, in public Harangues, by a Perfon whofc 
 Name often occurs in the Courfc of this Conspiracy, but who has 
 not yet been apprehended, to great Numbers of People, as well as 
 by Hand Bills di-ftributcd, exciting them to arm. The Pikes were 
 made under the Orders of that Perfon, who particularly directed the 
 Form and Size of them. Several Perfons were employed in the Ma- 
 nufacture, which was making a confiderable Progreis, before the 
 Alarm given by the Apprehenfion of the Secretaries of the Two So* 
 cieties in London. Biefides the Pikes, another Sort of Inftrumeat 
 was produced at Sheffield, the Ufe of which was (as explained) to 
 be thrown about in the Night on the Road, for laming the Men and 
 the Horfes who might be employed to quell any Commotions. 
 
 In the Progrefs of the Examinations into this Confpiracy, an acci- 
 dental Difcovery was made in Scotland, which has more fully ex- 
 plained the Extent of the Danger, and the ample Range of the whole 
 Defign. 
 
 From the Nature of the Proceedings can-led on in Scotland, ia 
 coofequence of that Difcovery, it was impoffible for the Committee 
 to examine particularly into the Evidence of it ; they have therefore 
 tranimitted to the Houfe the Information communicated to them on 
 this Head, in the Form in which they have received it, and added it 
 in aa Appendix to the Report. All the Obfervations they are au- 
 thorized to make upon it is, that the Evidence which they have ex- 
 amined, clearly proves, ill. A decided Purpofe of forming another 
 Brttifh Convention in fuch central Place as mould be afterwards com- 
 municated, id. Meafures concerted, and in Part actually taken, 
 for aflembling that Convention. 3d, A Preparation of Arms to op- 
 
 pofo
 
 ( 14 > 
 
 pofeancl withftarid any Attempt to difperfe fuch a Meeting; ^th. A 
 eontinued Connection and Correspondence between thole Societies in 
 England, by whole Co-operation thefe Meafures \vtre to be exe- 
 cuted, and the leading Members of the former Britifii Convention 
 \\h,ch actually held its Meeting at Edinburgh in November 1793. 
 
 p, 
 
 Upon the Subjeft oi : the Preparation of Arms, the Committee 
 have been forced to enter inco more Detail than was confident with 
 the general Plan of their Report in RefpecT: to the other Parts of ihe 
 Cafe, which was to lla'.e the general Reitilt, and not the particular 
 Circumltances. 
 
 On the mo it deliberate Confideration of all the Evidence before 
 them, it appears to ihe Committee, that there are the moft convin- 
 cing Proofs, not only of a P'an formed in Thenrv, to procure, by 
 legal Means, fome partial Change of the Laws by which this King- 
 dom has been happily governed, b.'it of a formed Confpiracy to af- 
 fcmble, under the Name of a Convention, a Number of Perions af- 
 faming to be the Representatives of the Nation, for the exprefs Pur- 
 pole of making their Relolutions to he Law, and of fubverting, by 
 their Authority, the whule Fi ame of the Government, and the Con- 
 ititution of this Realm, its Monarchy, its Parliament, and its funda- 
 mental Laws. 
 
 That to effe&uate the Purpofe of this Confpiracy, Meafures had 
 been aftnaiiy taken for an Arrangement and Diftribtnion of the Per- 
 Ibns lecluced to engage in it, a Concert and Communication eftablifh- 
 ed between different Bodies of Men in different Parts of the Country, 
 to afiemble at fome certain Time or Place, by fome fecret Concert 
 and Direction, Confutations held of the Afts to be done for the Fur- 
 therance of this Confpiracy of the moft traitorous Import, and Arms 
 prepared and preparing foi' iunporting, by Force, the fudden Exe- 
 cution of thefe daring and defperate Deiigns, the Succefs of which, if 
 they could have fucceeded, muft have produced the total Subveriion 
 of the Constitution, with the Deftru6iion of His Majefty's Perfon, 
 Family and Government, and the Annihilation of our Laws and Li- 
 berties, and the mere Attempt of which, though we may iuftly con- 
 clude, that by the Loyalty of the Kingdom it muft tuve been de- 
 feated, would have involved this Country in all the Horrors of In- 
 furreci:on, from the Calamities of which we have now, by the Di- 
 vine Providence, been happily exempted. 
 
 The Committee muft farther obferve, that there is a!fo as ftrong a 
 Degree of Evidence as the Nature of the Caie will admit, that the 
 'Aim of the Lenders in this Confpiracy extended to as complete a Re- 
 volution in this Country, as that which has taken place in France 
 nce the Month of Auguft 1 792. 
 
 The.ir Adoption of the Principles and Opinions of the French 
 Convention ; their inceflant Exertions to propagate the fame Doc- 
 trines
 
 trines here; their Attachment to the Interefts of the French Revo* 
 lutionary Government ; their Perfuaiipn that there was an intimate 
 Connection between the Caufe they meant to ferve and the Succefsof 
 the French, and even their Hope of deriving Affiftance from the 
 French Arms, appear not by loofe Talk, but by the deliberate and 
 adviied Difcourfes held at their Meetings, by the written Corref- 
 pondence of fome of the moft active Members', and by the Commu- 
 nications between the different Societies ; Emiilaries alib have been 
 fent by them among His Majefty's Troops, and Papers circulated in 
 the vain hope of feducing them from their Loyalty; and Projects of 
 the moft defperate and flagitious Nature, refpedting the Members 
 of both Houfes of Parliament, and even the Safety of His Majeftv's 
 moft facred Perfon and of His Royal Family, have not merely been 
 uttered, but entertained and difcufled amongft them, 
 
 The oftenfible CbjecT: of the feveral Meetings whofe Members 
 were to be the Followers in this Conspiracy, namely, Parliamentary 
 Reform, is a Pretext that could impofe on none but the moft .credu- 
 lous, ignorant, and unwary: The only Reform they ever profefled 
 tvas the Ethblifhment of Univerfal Suffrage, and Annual Reprefen- 
 tation ; thefc they had affumed and declared to be theirs by inherent 
 and unahenabie Right ; a Right not to be relinquiflied but with their 
 Lives, and which none but Thieves and Traitors could wifli to with- 
 hold from them. 
 
 The afiembling a Convention was evidently not for confulting upon 
 the Fitnefs of the Meafure, but to be itfelf the Means of obtaining 
 it ; and they had pievioufly declaimed, in the moft exprefs Terms, 
 the only legal Means of obtaining any Change of the exifting Laws 
 by an Application to theLegiilature, declaring that they muft depend 
 only on their own Strength and Courage, for obtaining of what they 
 termed their Rights. 
 
 The necelTary Refult is, that the Application of Strength and Cou- 
 rage muft have been the Object for which fuch an Alfembly was to 
 be called, it not being the Purpoie of thofe who formed it to obtain 
 Laws from any other authority but their own; having, not only ir^ 
 the private Meetings, but public Declarations, openly profefled 
 that they were to feek Redrefs from their own Laws, and not from 
 the Laws of thofe they termed their Plunderers, Enemies, and Op- 
 preflbrs. 
 
 The Accompl'fliment of fuch a Pnrpofe neceflarily implies the 
 Ovei throw of all Subordination in the State, the Abolition of the 
 eftablifhed Form of Parliament, together with the Deftruclion of 
 Hereditary Monarchy, and the Subverfion of every Safeguard which 
 the Wifdom of Ages has eftabliftied in this happy Country for the 
 Peace and Welfare of Society, for the Encouragement of Induftry, 
 Morality, and Religion, for the Protection of Innocence, and the 
 Punifhment of Vice, and for the fecure Enjoyment of Property, of 
 3 Liberty,
 
 C i*- ) 
 
 Liberty, and of Life itfetf. Under the Circumftances of thefe Dr~ 
 figns, deliberately entertained, openly avowed, and on the very 
 Point of being attempted to be executecl r your Committee feel that 
 they have executed fheir Duty in laying before your Lordfliips the 
 important Refult of their Inquiries; and that it becomes them to 
 leave it to the WiCJorn of your Lordfiiips to consider what Steps it may 
 be proper for this Houfe to take, in Order to manifeft its Abhorrence 
 of this wicked Confpiracy ; its Defire that every proper Meafuse may 
 be everted in order to give Energy aqd Vigour to the Execution of 
 toe Laws by \vh}ch the Subjects of this Realm are protected againft 
 the fe criminal Purpofes ; and its Readinefs to afford to His Majefty 
 every Degree of Afftftance and Support which is due from us- as loyal 
 and affectionate Subjects, and as Men deeply impreffed with a Secrie 
 of the Value of the Bteffings which we enjoy. 
 
 APPENDIX
 
 Appendix 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SECOND REPORT 
 
 fROM THE 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECY 
 
 AtPOINTEP BY 
 
 fHE HOUSE OF LORDS.

 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Dun- 
 das to the Lord Privy Seal, dated Whitehall, May 
 1 9th, 1794, incloiing Four Drafts of Pikes, or 
 Spear Heads. 
 
 Whitehall, May 19, 1794. 
 My Lord, 
 
 I HAVE received this Morning from the Sheriff Depute of the 
 County of Edinburgh, authentic Information of an accidental 
 Difeovery, made on the i5th and i6th ult. ; the general Report of 
 which I feel it proper to ftate to you, as it feenis materially connected 
 \vith the Inquiry in which the Secret Committee of the Houfe of 
 Lords is now engaged. 
 
 The Creditors of a Bankrupt having received Information that 
 Part of his Goods had been embezzled, and were fecreted in the 
 Houfe of an Individual, the uiual Warrant was iifued authorizing a 
 Search to be made in the fufpeted Place ; and, in carrying it into 
 Execution oh the Afternoon of the i5th, the Officers difcovered in a 
 private Place, where they appeared to have been concealed, Twelve 
 Pike or Spear Heads of the Confirmation and Dimenfions in the in- 
 elofed Draught. The Proprietor of the Houfe, who happened to 
 be from Home at the Time, was foon thereafter taken into Cufto- 
 dy ; and, on being carried before the proper Magiftrate for Exami- 
 nation, refufed to give any Account of thefe Weapons, to whom 
 they belonged, or tor what Purpofes they were intended. On jt 
 more narrow Search, there was likewife difcovered in a private and 
 incealed Part of the Houfe, Tuo other Pike or Spear Heads, fimi- 
 to the others ; Two Battle Axes, of the Form and Di men (ions 
 Jineatcd in the inclofed Paper ; and a Shaft or Pole with a Screw 
 C z on
 
 io APPENDIX N. i. 
 
 on the End, fitted for receiving either the Spear Head, or 
 Axe. 
 
 Immediate Inquiry being made after the Perfons with whom this 
 Individual had lately been feen in Company, and Two Biackfrniths 
 being mentioned among them, their Houfes and Shops were imme- 
 diately fearched; One or' the Two was alio taken into Cuftody, the 
 other efcaped and abfconded. 'In the Shop of the firft of thefe Men 
 were found Four Pike or Spear Heads finifhed, fitted v/ith Screws 
 and Sockets, and ready to be fixed on Shafts ; Eight Battle Axes, 
 alfo fitted and finished ; and Twenty Blades more not quite finifhed, 
 but nearly fo. 
 
 In the Shop and Dwelling Houfe of the other who had abfconded, 
 no fuch Weapons were found ; but the Apprentices, on being ex- 
 amined before a Magiftrate, acknowledged that the Pike or bpear 
 Heads firft difcovered had been privately manufactured in their Maf- 
 ter's Shop during the Courfe of this Fortnight part, and carried pri- 
 vately to his Houfe as foon as completed. 
 
 The Battle Axes and Blades appear alfo to have been manufactured 
 within this Fortnight paft ; and were intended, as the Maker of 
 them faid, for the Purpofe of ai ming the People fhould an Invafion 
 take place ; but it appears, that to his Apprentices, whom he had 
 employed in aflifting him to make them, he pretended they were 
 meant for a Gate : An Account obvioufly falle, as he could not 
 point out any Gate for which thefe Weapons were intended; nor 
 name any Perfon who had ordered him to frame a Gate of fo particu- 
 lar a Conftruction. 
 
 ThefeCircumftanceshave induced the Magiftrates to commit all 
 the Perfons concerned for Examination; and the Refult of the In- 
 quiries which are at prefent carrying forward, I expect will be regu- 
 larly communicated to me. It is proper alfo to inform your Lord- 
 Clip, that all the Perfons chiefly concerned appear to have been Mem- 
 bers of the Britifh Convention which met at Edinburgh laft Win- 
 ter, and fince the Difperfion of it, have continued the moft adive 
 and leading Perfons in the Societies whofe Delegates compofed the 
 principal P-art of that Meeting ; who appear at prefent taking Mea- 
 fures for calling another Convention of the fame Nature, which 
 they expefted is to take place foon in England ; and fome of whom 
 have acknowledged, that the Propriety of the Individuals compofing 
 thefe Societies arming themfelves with Spears and Pikes, has, within 
 thefe few Weeks part, been the Subject of Converfation amongft 
 them, and Steps taken for carrying that Purpole into Execution with 
 Caution and Secrecy. 
 
 The Silence of One of the Perfons, the inconfiftent and contra- 
 dictory Account of the other, and the Flight of the Third, throw 
 a very ftrong Sufpicion on the Purpofes and Intentions of the Par- 
 ties concerned in this Tranfaftion. The Sheriff is, in the Couife of 
 his Duty proceeding to investigate the Matter more accurately : But 
 I confider it neceflary and proper to communicate, through your 
 Lordfhip to the Committee, Information fo intimately connected 
 
 with
 
 No. i. 
 
 B 
 
 A The Blaae 9* inches. 
 B Socket for the infertion 
 
 of a ftaff. 
 
 Fourteen finished, at the houfe 
 of Robert Watt, Merchant j 
 two in the houfe of Robert 
 Orrock ; eighteen unfini/h- 
 ed in ditto. 
 
 No. 
 
 A 10 inches. 
 
 B 6 inches. 
 
 C Screw, 6f inches. 
 
 The fcrew is adapted for a fe- 
 male fcrew, on a ftaff 3^ 
 feet long. The other fcrews 
 are of the fame dimenlions. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 A I* inches. 
 B 8$ inches. 
 
 C a inches, 
 
 t inches, 
 inches.
 
 A P P E N D I X N*. i. zr 
 
 \vith the ObjecT: of Inquiries, however imperfect that Information ftili 
 is ; but which 1 have no Doubt will ibon be completed. 
 I am, 
 
 My F-ord, 
 Ypur Lordfhip's moft obedient, 
 
 Humble Servant, 
 
 The moft Noble HhNRY DUNDAS. 
 
 the Marquis of Stafford. 
 
 DRAUGHT, N. i, 
 
 Referred to in Mr. Secretary Dundas's Letter, dated Whitehall, 
 i gth May, 1794, contains the Dimenfions of the Head of a 
 Pike or Spear ; Fourteen finifhed ones found in the Houfe. of 
 Robert Watt, Merchant ; Two finifhed ones were alfo found 
 in the Houfe of Robert Orrock, Smith, who acknowledged 
 he made them ; Eighteen unfimfhed ones were alio found in the 
 Houfe or Shop of Orro. k. 
 
 DRAUGHT, N. 2, 
 
 Contains the exact Dimenfions of one Weapon found in the Pof- 
 feifion of Robert Watt. 
 
 DRAUGHT, 1S. 3, 
 
 Contains the exaift Dimenfions of another Weapon found in the 
 Pofleffion of Robert Watt; aifo of an Iron Venal ior putting 
 on the End of a Staffor Pole. 
 
 DRAUGHT, N. 4, 
 
 Contains the exact Dimenfions of a Weapon found in the Wnrk- 
 fliop of Robert Orrock, Smith, at Dean, near idinburgh: 
 Nine Others of the fame kind were allo found in the lame 
 Place. 
 
 V. 2.
 
 A P P E N D I X 
 
 N. 2. 
 
 Letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Duri- 
 das to the Lord Privy Seal, dated Whiiehall, May 
 23d, 1794, inclofing Copy of a printed Paper, 
 dated Dundee, I2th April, 1794. 
 
 Whitehall, 13 May, 1754.. 
 My Lore?, 
 
 1 HAVE received this Morning farther Accounts from the Sheriff 
 Depute of" hclinburgh of the Tivinfai'tioa ftated in my laft Letter , and 
 the Kefult of the Inquiries iince made by that Magistrate, and which 
 are ftill going forward, appear to me of fuch a Nature as to deierve 
 the particular Attention c/f the Secret Committee. 
 
 One of the Individuals mentioned in my former Letter has fince 
 made a Dilcloiure ; and a Ferlon fince taken into Cuilody, and who 
 appears to have bejti privy to the whole Traaladtion, has confefTed 
 that thtfe Weapons were the Firft of a very large Number and Quan- 
 tity actually ordered to be made, and intended to be privately difperfed 
 among the Members of the various Societies throughout Scotland^ 
 ityling themfelves Friends of the People, and who appear to be at 
 prel'ent employed in taking Meafuies for calling together another 
 LVitifli Convention of" Delegates to be held in England. An Order 
 has been given from One Town alone: in Scotland for a large Qnan- 
 tity of Weapons of the Nature defcribed ; no lefs a Number than 
 Four thouiand has been mentioned, and more are intended to be 
 distributed in Edinburgh. Emilfaries appear alfo to have been difpatch* 
 ed within this Fortnight or Three Weeks paft to the manufacturing 
 Towns in the Well oi Scotland, for the Purpole of founding the In- 
 clinations of fuch of the Inhabitant! there \vho are known to be 
 Members of thefe Societies ; and there is Reaion to believe, fronv 
 Information received from various different Quarters, that thefe I J er 
 Ions have by no Means been unfuccefeful. 
 
 Paiiley is in particular alluded to as being in a State of great Rea- 
 dlnefs ; and there has been pofitive Information received through 
 other Channels, that within thefe Three Weeks, Perfons of that De- 
 fcription have aflimbled themfelves to a very confidercble Number in 
 the Night Time for the Purpofe of prac'rini.g the Uie of Arms. The 
 Particulars of this Information, and the Extent to which thefe Meet- 
 ings have proceeded, are at prefent Matter of Inquiry- with the proper 
 Magistrates of the Place, but the Refult has not yet been received. 
 
 The Formation of this Plan is now traced Home to certain Perfons, . 
 fome of wh-.ni are in Cuftody, who appear to be entrufted by thefe 
 Societies in Scotland with the m'oft unlimited Powers in directing 
 their luturc Proceedings, carrying en their Correfponcleuce, and who 
 
 aft
 
 APPENDIX N. *. S3 
 
 aft as a Committee of Secrecy confifting of a certain Number of 
 Perlbns the principal and moft active Members of the Britiih Conven- 
 tion. The choofmg of Delegates to the expected Convention in Engr 
 land, the Place of whufe Meeting is not yet divirged, and the rai- 
 fing of Contributions among the various Societies throughout Scotland 
 tor defraying the Charges ot luch Delegates, appear to be the mate- 
 rial Part of their preieat Employment, and in which it would ieem 
 they have made fame Progrels ; and it is the fame Committee whj 
 have tor thefe fome Weeks paft been conlulting and taking Meafiires 
 for arming themlelves and the Members of the various Clubs v/itii 
 Pikes and Battle Axes, aud who have employed the Perlbns above- 
 mentioned in manufacturing them. The Scheme appears to. have 
 been firit propoied and agreed upon about a Month ;;go ; to have 
 been fince earned on with the utmolr. Secrecy and Caution ; and the 
 Weapons, (o far as has yet been difcovered, manufactured by fucb, 
 Penons, in Inch fmall Quantities, in fuch Circumfhnces, and'under 
 fuch Pretences, as not to render the Progrels of the Work probably 
 liable to Sufpicion or Detection ; and it was brought to light by the 
 very accidental and fingular Incident which I mentioned in my former 
 Letter. 
 
 I have the Satisfaction of obferving, that the Magistrates and Offi- 
 cers of the Law in Scotland have been and ftill continue active in the 
 Searches and Inquiries making at the different fulpecled Places 
 jvithin their refpective Jurifdiclions. In Perth and Dundee nothing 
 has been difcovered which can lead me to believe, that Measures 
 have been taken in either of thefe Places for making Aims, the Ma- 
 nufacture of which ieems to have been confined to Edinburgh, and 
 intended to have been gradually diiperfed from thence to fuch P aces 
 as required them. No luch W capons have been difcovered at Paifley 
 pr in its Neighbourhood, though the intention of arming and holding 
 regular Nightly Meetings a.'e p^rrei-tiy aicei rained. 
 
 information has aifo b,-en communicated, of the Authenticity of 
 which there is no Room to doubt, that a Conlpiracy has been formed, 
 as foon as a proper Number of thefe Weapons weie distributed 
 among the Friends of the People in Edinburgh, to feize in the Night 
 the Perfons of the principal Magiitrates and Officers of the Law, the 
 Banks, the Public Offices, Guards, and Priion, and after enticing 
 the Soldiery from the Caftle, by kindling a Fire in the Middle of the 
 City, to intercept them on their Return, by Moans of different arm- 
 ed Parties to be propei ly ftationed for that Put pole. 
 
 It appears likewife from indilputable Facts, that the moft fccret 
 and artful Means have been and, are (till uling with the Fencible Re- 
 giments in Scotland to excite them to Difobedience and Mutiny. 
 The printed Paper which I herewith tranfmir, has been induiiiioui:y 
 circulated for that Purpofe. 
 
 1 have the Honour to be, 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Lonifhip'b moft obedient 
 Marquis of Stafford. Humble Servant, 
 
 HENRY DUNDAS. 
 Incloltd
 
 H APPENDIX N. 2. 
 
 Inclofcd in Mr. Dundhs's Letter to Lord Privy Seal, dated 
 May 23d, 1794. 
 
 (Copy.)* 
 Friends and Brethren, 
 
 TT is with the greateft Pleafure that your Countrymen are informed, 
 That fuch is your Attachment and Love to them, and to your Native 
 Countiy, that you rranrully and firmly refolve not to leave it upon 
 any Terms contrary to thofe upon which you were Jirft engaged. 
 Your Countrymen love you ; and their Hearts would be as much 
 wouncfed to part with you, as yours would be to be feparatecl from 
 them. They well know that they are fate under the Protection of 
 their Fathers, their Sons, their Brothers in Arms ; and they neither 
 wifti nor derire any other Defenders. They hope and believe that 
 your Hearts are filled with the fame Sentiments. 
 
 The great Mafs of the People from amongft whom you have inlifted, 
 have been reprefented to you as your Enemies; believe nor the af- 
 iertion ; they have been taught to confider you as Foes ; but they dq 
 not fear finding Friends among their Brethren. 
 
 Their Caufe and yours is the fame. They are poor, but they 
 have honeft Hearts ; Hearts which fympathize in your Caufe ; they 
 look for the fame Friendiliip and the fame Sympathy in you. They 
 rejoice to hear that you are becoming daily more convinced of the 
 great Truth that the Law ought to be the fame to the Highlander 
 and to ^Lenulantftr ; to the Rich and to the Poor ; and that no Man 
 can be compelled to take up Arms, by any Authority 9v6atfavtr 9 unlefs 
 ioi* mutt Inclinations prompt tint fo to do. 
 
 This Truth has been hitherto carefully cpncealed from you, but it 
 is notlefs certain. The Will of your Laird cannot without your ovjn 
 confent, feparate you from your Families and Friends, although many 
 of you may have experienced the Exertions of fuch a Power, however 
 tin} nil, and however contrary to Law. 
 
 We refpecl and admire the Principle which induces van (though 
 Necerlity has compelled you to take up Arms) ftill to'perfift in re- 
 maining to defend your Friends at Home ; and not to quit a Coun- 
 try which holds Pledges fo dear. 
 
 When you are gone, where is their Defence ? They may be either 
 left without protection, or may foon iee their Country over-run by 
 Foreign Troops ; fuch as in Time paft have already {lied the Blood of 
 your Anceftors without Provocation, and without Remorfe j and who 
 
 cuid feel perhaps as little CcunpuncTion in fhedding theirs. 
 Prepared for every Deed of Honor, theie Foreign Mercenaries 
 nxry violate the Chajlity of your Wives, your Sifters, and your 
 Daughters, and, when Defire is fatiated, Cruelty may relume its 
 Place in their Hearts, as Experience has too well and too fatally 
 fliewn ; and Friends, Parents, Children, Brothers, may be involved 
 
 * The Words In Ititliikt are in kr^eL-ttcvs in the printed Copy. 
 f Sic. iaOrig.
 
 APPENDIX N*. 3 . j 
 
 inon Common Slaughter. The cruel Maflacre of Glencoe cannot 
 yet be forgotten : Are there not amongft you whofe Forefathers 
 j>eri!lied there ? Th.,ir Hearts, throbbing with Kindnefs and Hof- 
 pitahty, were pierced with the Daggers of their treacherous Guefts ; 
 and the Feaft prepared by the Hand of unfufpecTing Friendfhip was 
 clofed with afcene of Blood ! Such is the Return for Kindnefs and 
 Hofpitaiity! Such the Protection which your Families have to ex- 
 How will they then look around in vain for your protecting Care, 
 when perhaps you are fighting at a Diftance in a Foreign Land ? But 
 they hope you will not forfake them. Stay, oh flay, and defend 
 your Families and Friends \-for flat Purpofe alone you were intifteJ. 
 They are ready to come forward for you in the Vindication of 
 your Rights. 
 
 Thoufands join in the fame Sentiments with you, and ardently wifli 
 for your Continuance amongft them. The Circumftances which 
 might require you to quit your Country have not yet taken place. No 
 Invafionhasyet happened. You cannot be compelled to go. Leave 
 not your Country AfTert your independence. Your Countrymen 
 will look up to_>v? as their Protestors and Guardians, and will in their 
 Turn lift up their Arms to protect and ailitl you. 
 Dundee, April i2th, 1794. 
 
 N. 3- 
 
 Letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary 
 Dundas to the Lord Privy Seal, dated Whitehall, 
 24th May, 1794. 
 
 Whitehall, 24th May, 1 794. 
 My Lord, 
 
 I HAVE received no further Accounts of the Refult of the In- 
 quiries going on in Edinburgh ; but I am forry to ftate thru I have 
 received Information from the Sheriff of the County of Renfrew, 
 confirmed by Letters received from other refpeclable 1'erfons in Paif- 
 ley, that the Magiftrates of that Place having, in the Coudfe of 
 their Inquiries, committed on the Afternoon of the igth a Man to 
 Cuftody for further Examination, a confiderable Number of Perfons 
 (feveral Hundreds aflembled in the Evening, and after chooting a 
 Prefident, whom they addrefled by the Title ot Citizen Prefident) 
 voted a Number of Refolutions to the following Purpole : 
 
 That a National Convention mould be immediately called, to 
 
 which they would fend Delegates. 
 That they Should not petition Parliament, as it was to them- 
 
 felves alone, and to iuch Convention, they could look for 
 
 JUdrcfe 
 
 D They
 
 6 A P P E N D I X N. 4. 
 
 They then proceeded to confider the Conduct of the Sheriff and 
 Magistrates in committing their Brother Citizen, as he was termed : 
 And after much Diicuflion as to the Propriety of immediately re- 
 leafing him by Force, the Majority feemed inclined to take mild 
 Meafures firft, and to fend a Deputation to alk his Releafe ; but the 
 tylagiftrates having received Information of what was intended, and 
 diimifTed the Man from Cuftody, the Mob clifperfed with Three 
 Cheers, having been previoufly inftructed by their Preiident to 
 abftain from further Tumult, and to obierve a peaceable and orderly 
 Conduct. 
 
 .The Authority of the Civil Magiftrate is in the mean Time en- 
 tirely fuperfeded, and until a proper Force is fent to protect them 
 in the future Execution of their Duty, which has been anxioufly 
 required by the Sheriff and Magiftrates, they dare not proceed in 
 the common Courfe of legal and judicial Inquiry againft any of 
 the Perfons who are fufpected of being concerned in thcfe violent 
 and tumultuary Proceedings. But it cannot efcape the Ob.ervation 
 of the Committee, how accurately this Intelligence correfponds with, 
 and confirms the Information Yefterday communicated, as to the 
 State of the Minds of thefe People in that Neighbourhood, the 
 Alarm which their Leaders feel as to the Refult of the legal Inquiries 
 at preient depending, and the regular fyftematic Connection between 
 them and the Leaders at Edinburgh, as difcovered from the yet un- 
 finillied and haily Examinations taken in that City. 
 I have the Honour to be, 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Lordfhip's moft obedient 
 The moft Noble Humble Servant, 
 
 The Marquis of Stafford HENR * DUNDAS. 
 
 Letter from the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Dun- 
 das to the Lord Privy Seal,, dated Whitehall., 27th 
 May, 1794. 
 
 Whitehall, 27th May, 17.94. 
 My Lord, 
 
 I HAV^, this Morning received farther Information from Scotland, 
 which appears to me proper to be communicated to the Committee. 
 
 The Perfons" in whofe Cuftody the Weapons formerly delcribed 
 
 were found, appear to have acted for foine Time paft under the 
 
 Name of a Committee of Ways and Means appointed by the Britifli 
 
 Convention ; and to have been empowered by the various Societies 
 
 1 throughout cotlancl to direct all their future proceedings, by Means 
 
 of Emiflaries privately difpatched to different Parts of the Country. 
 
 The Committee has lignified to, and prepared a Number of the So- 
 
 " cieties for the approaching Convention in England j many of \vhom 
 
 have
 
 APPENDIX N. 4. 27 
 
 have chofen, and all, as far as is yet known, agreed to choofe De- 
 legates to attend it, and fubfcribe for their Expences. The Time 
 and Place of Meeting was not divulged ; and were to be communi- 
 cated from Edinburgh, in proper Time, by Individuals to ie lent 
 from thence for that Purpofe, whofe Arrival was daily looked for 
 by feveral of the different Societies. One of the Members (if the 
 late Convention at Edinburgh appears, within this Fortnight pail, 
 to have been dilpatched, and tor have actually performed an extend ve 
 Tour through the Weft Part of Scotland ; to have vifiteo, in his 
 Progrefs, the Towns of Queensferry, Falkirk, Stirfing, bt. Ni- 
 nians, Kilfyth, Kiikintuloch, Camprie, Glaigow, and Paifley ; in 
 all of which Places he appears to have met witn the principal Perfons 
 concerned in thefe Societies ; to have left with them and the Mem- 
 ben of the Societies Copies of a circular Letter from the Committee 
 of Edinburgh, and inftructed them in what Manner they were in 
 future to carry on their Correfpondence ; and to have fugged ed to 
 them the Propriety of furnifliing rhemlelves with Arms for the Tur- 
 pofes of Defence, under the Pretence qf defending rhemfelves 
 againft Foreign Troops. 
 
 An Attempt has been made to diftribute fome of the Weapons 
 lately difcoyered at Edinburgh, by Means of Perfons privately dif- 
 patched to the Country for that Purpofe, and which feems oniy to 
 have failed in its Execution from the Timidity of the Perfons i'oli- 
 cited to dp lo, 
 
 An Individual of the fame Defcription has been taken into Cufto- 
 dy in the Country, who appears to have commiffioned, and actually 
 received from England fome Muikets and Bayonets : On, b.uing quei- 
 tioned by the proper Magiftrate, he has retufed giving any Explana- 
 tion farther than, that he commiffioned them in the Way of his Bu- 
 nels. But it does not appear that he ever dealt in luch Articles be- 
 fore ; no Perlon appears to have commiffioned him to procure any 
 fuch, and there feems to be full Evidence of his having folicited 
 others to purchale what they of themfelves were not thinking of, or 
 \vifhing to provide. 
 
 He admits having correfponded with the London Correfponding 
 Society on the Subject of a Convention, and that the Society, of 
 which he is a Leader, had agreed to lend Delegates to it as foon as 
 the Time and Place of Meeting fliould be divulged. 
 
 A Requifition has been made by the Magiftrates and principal In- 
 habitants of Paifley for a Military Force to proted them in the Exe- 
 cution of their Duty, and in their Perfons and Properties, which 
 has been duly attended to. It is with much Satisfaction I inform your 
 Lordlhip, that the Gentlemen of Eftate and Character in the Couiry 
 .of Renfrew have voluntarily flepped forward, and determined y 
 ^upport the Authority of the Civil Magiftrate. 
 1 have the Honour to be, 
 
 My Lord, 
 Your Lgrdfhip's mod obedient 
 
 Humble Sei-vant, 
 
 HENRY DUNDA-5.
 
 3 A P P E N D I X N. 5, 
 
 N". 5- 
 
 Letter froth the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Dart-* 
 das to the Lord Privy Seal,, dated Whitehall, zd 
 June 1794. 
 
 Whitehall, zd June, 1794. 
 My Lord, 
 
 THE Information I have received this Morning from Edinburgh 
 enables me to ftate to the Committee, that the Tranfaftions com- 
 iv.unicared in try former Letters are farther cleared up by the Inqui- 
 ries whuh have iinee taken Place in that City. 
 
 Some of the Peifons who abfconded on the Firft Dlfcovery of the 
 Arrhs conce;ded in certain Hollies have been difcovered and appre- 
 hended ; arid the Relult o thefe farther Triqiliries confirmsj in al- 
 moft every Particular^ the Account received from other Quarters, 
 and the Import of which I have already laid before the Co'mmittee. 
 The Eftablifhrnent of a Secret Committee at Edinburgh, inverted 
 with full Powers to clifecT: the future Operations of the Societies 
 throughout Scotland ; the regular Correfpondence privately carried 
 on by Means of Emiflaries difpatc'hed to the different Towns ; the 
 afcertaining the exaft Number of Perlbns in thefe Societies, who 
 were directed to provide themfelves with Arms, and to hold them- 
 felvcs in Readinefs for any Meafure which the Secret Committee 
 might in due Time communicate, are confirmed by every Account 
 and Information which the Magiftrales have received : And an In- 
 dividual, who has been lately taken into Cuftody; has confirmed the 
 Account received from a different Quarter of the dangerous Defign, 
 planned by the Edinburgh Committee, of effecting a general Innif-- 
 rection as foon as they were' ready and prepared for carrying it into 
 Execution, by the Seizure of the principal Magiftrates and Officers 
 of the Law at Midnight, and potieffing themlelves of the Prifons 
 and Public Offices, as Hated to your Lordfliip in my Letter of the 
 2^d of May, and then communicated through a different Channel 
 from that through which the prefent Confirmation of thefe Circurti- 
 flnnces has been received. The Plan feems not only to have been 
 diicuffed and deliberated on by the Ringleaders at Edinburgh, but 
 to have proceeded a certain Degree in its Steps towards aclual Exe- 
 cution, which appear to have b^en conducted with the utmoft Cau- 
 tion ; and there is Reafon to believe, that the Execution of the Plan 
 was not to be confined to Edinburgh, but was meant to take place 
 in fome of the moft confidtrab'e Towns in Scotland on a certain 
 Day, and at one and the fame Time. The proper and ufual Steps 
 have been taken for bringing the Offenders to Trial ; and thoie 
 againtl whom the Information chiefly points, are detained in Cut- 
 tody. 
 
 I have the Honour to be, 
 
 My Lord, 
 Your Lordlhip's moft obedient 
 
 Humble Servant, 
 
 HENRY DUND AS,
 
 SUPPLEMENT 
 
 SECOND REPORT 
 
 FROM V-H'E 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECT, 
 
 sl'o whom the feveral Papers referred to in His Majefty's 
 Meflage of the 1 2th Day of May 1 794, and which were 
 prefented (fealed up) to the Houfe of Commons, by Mr. 
 Secretary DUNDAS, upon the I2th and i3th Days of the 
 faid Month, by His Majefty's Command, were referred } 
 and who were directed to examine the Matters thereof, and 
 -report the fame, as they ; lhould appear to them, to the 
 Houfe ; 
 
 WITH . 
 
 AN APPENDIX. 
 
 . y , - 
 
 Ordered to be printed the i6th of June, 1794. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 printed foi J. DE BRETT, Oppofite Burlington Howfe, Piccadilly. 
 M,BCC,XCIT.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 SUPPLEMENT, &c. 
 
 SINCE the Second Report of the Committee was prefented to the 
 Houfe, a Letter has been received by the Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee from Mr. Grey, a Member of this Houfe, and One of the Mem- 
 bers of the Society of the Friends of the People, on the Subject of the 
 Correfpondence between that Society and the Scotch Convention. 
 
 From One of the Enclofures transmitted by Mr. Grey, it appears that 
 the Letters of the Secretary of the Friends of the People, dated the 23d 
 July and 2gth Oclober, (vide page 40, printed Report,) which are re- 
 ferred to in the Second Report, were written without any Authority 
 from the Society, or from any Committee of the Society, and are confi- 
 dered by him as only private andperfonal Communications from himfelf: 
 Although this Circumftance did not diftinftly appear on the Face of the 
 Letters, there is nothing in the Manner in which they are referred to by 
 your Committee inconfiftent with it ; and although your Committee, on 
 examining thefe Papers, find nothing in their former Statement erroneous ; 
 yet, being defirous of putting the Houfe fully in Pofleflion of all the ad- 
 ditional Information which they have received on this Subjeft, they have 
 thought that the moft fatisfaftory Way of doing fo, is to fubjoin the Pa- 
 pers communicated by Mr. Grey, without any Comment on the Obferva- 
 tions and Reafoning therein contained. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Appendix No. i. 
 
 Chapel Street, June i/fth. 
 SJR, 
 
 UPON feeing, in the Second Report of the Secret Committee, the 
 Society of the Friends of the People introduced as afting in Concert 
 and Correfpondence with the Scotch Convention, I thought it neceffary to 
 B z make
 
 [ 1 ] 
 
 make immediate Enquiry of the Secretary, as to the Circumflances of any 
 Communication that might have paffed between them. The Hefult of 
 that Enquiry, which I defired him to ftate to me by Letter, I have now 
 the Honor of inclofing to you, in order that you. may have an Oppor- 
 tunity, if you think it material to do fo, of correcting what appears to me 
 to be an erroneous Statement in- the Report of the Committee. I have alfo 
 inclofed a printed Copy of the Proceedings ot the Scotch Convention, 
 previous- to the Time of the only Communication ever made by them to 
 die Friends of the People, in December i 792, that it may be feen to what 
 the Vote of Thanks, inserted in the Report, really referred. 
 
 I have the Honour to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient humble Servant, 
 
 The Right Hon.. Win. Pitt. C.. G R E Y 
 
 ' 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Frith Street, Soho ; Wedncfday Evening, June 1 1 th, i 79^ 
 bj R, 
 
 IN compliance with your Defire of being accurately informed what 
 Correfpondence the Friends of the People in London have had. with the 
 Convention in Scotland, or with Mr.. Skirving, its Secretary, I fend you 
 the following Particulars, which contain not cnily the Subitance of the 
 Communications with the Society, but alfo of thofe I have perfonally 
 made, and of the whole Subject, as far as it has- come within my Know- 
 ledge. 
 
 The Firft Convention at Edinburgh, in favour of Parliamentary Re- 
 form, confifted exclufively of Delegates from the different Societies of 
 the Friends of the People in Scotland. By their Minutes they appear to 
 have declined communicating with any Society 'which did not take thnt 
 Title. They firft met on the i ith of December 1 792, and fat only Three 
 Days. Their Name- of " Convention" was familiar to Meetings in 
 Scotland ; and they ftated the Object of their Institution to have been to 
 confolidate the common Strength of the Friends of Reform in that Part 
 of the Country ; which is the very fame Reafon given for the Eftabl2h- 
 ment of a fimilar Body, for a ftmilar Purpofe, in London, in 1780. 
 
 In their laft Sitting^, on th ^ i,:;th of December, they voted that cer- 
 tain Refolutions fhould be fent to the Friends of the People in London ;. 
 which, together with the Letter inclofing them, I herewith tranfmit. 
 This was the only Communication made from that Body. The An- 
 fwer to it ftated, thai .by foma Accident the Refolutions mentioned in 
 the Letter were not inclofed ; but that the Society had fcen them in the 
 Nev/ papers : It alfo afTured them of the Approbation and Concurrence 
 of the Friends of the People in London, according to the Terms of their 
 feveral Declarations. I afterwards received printed Copies of its Pro- 
 ceeding?, in December 1792 and May 1-93, and could not perceive any 
 Thing in them that was not ftriftly confined to a reafonable Parliamen- 
 tary Reform. 
 
 On-
 
 c $ ] 
 
 On the zd of May 1793, after having fat Three Days, it adjourned tilt 
 Oftober. Many Gentlemen of great Refpectability and of large Pro- 
 perty were Members of it. The Magiftratcs of Edinburgh did net 
 moleft, or, as far as ever I coald learn, even blame it. And when, in the 
 Houfe of Commons, the Queftion of Parliamentary Reform was fo fully 
 difcoffed, on the 6th and 7th of May i 793, in which the Snbjeft of a 
 National Convention was introduced and reprobated, the fl-ightelt Notice 
 was not taken of the Convention at Edinburgh, though it had affembled 
 in the preceding December and pablilhed its Procer clings, and had again 
 afiembled, Seven Days before that Debate, for the Purpcfe of collecting 
 and forwardiag maay of the very Petitions in Favour of Reform, which 
 were then under Difcuffion; a Bafmefs which it publicly avowed, and 
 which many Days prior to the Debate was pablifhed in the London 
 Newfpapers. 
 
 The next Letter received from Mr. Skirving, fo far as I reeolleft, was 
 in the Middle of October 1 79.3 ; it was figned by him, as Secretary to the 
 Society of the Friends of the People in Edinburgh, and not as Secretary 
 to the Convention. It folieited the Society of the friends of the Peo- 
 ple in Londoa to fend Delegates to theenfuing Convention of the Friends 
 of the People at Edinburgh, appointed for the 2o,th of the fame Month, 
 I fhewed the Letter to Two oz Three Members who happened to be then 
 in Town r and they agreed with me that I ought to fend an Anfwer to 
 the following Effect:--- Acquainting Mr. Skirving, That on a Subjeft 
 fo important as that of fending Delegates to the Convention at Edin- 
 burgh, it would be neceflary to confalt she Society; but that the .-hort- 
 nefs of the Time rendered it impofiible to give proper Notice, firft for 
 calling the Committee, (which was not then fitting, and whieh alone 
 could aflemble the Society) and then for calling a General Meeting ; 
 the Shortnefs of the Time I reprefented as the more objectionable in thar 
 Seafon of the Year, when very few Members were in Town. I, how- 
 ever, told him that I had confulted fome Members on the Subject, and 
 they had agreed with me, without deciding on. the Propriety of the Meafupe- 
 cha*t the Notice was inefficient, and that therefore his Recpieft could not 
 fee complied with. I added, that it was highly probable fome Members 
 efthe Society, then in Scotland, would be prefent, and that whatever 
 they agreed to I had no Doubt the Society would confirm. I faid Lord 
 Lauderdale might perhaps attend. No Perion in London faw this An- 
 fwer after it was drawn up. It was entirely of my own writing ; and I 
 think it was ftated in it that it was merely a private psrlbaal Communi- 
 cation from im felf. 
 
 I afterwards underftood that the Convention of Delegates from tl e 
 Friends oft e People in Scotland aflembled accordingly dh the zgth of 
 October, and fat, as they had done at their former Meetings, Two or 
 Three Days. They confined themfelves ftriftly. and I believe fincerely, 
 to the Bufmefs of Parliamentary Reform, and then adjourned for feverai 
 Months. Soon after their Adjournment, however, the Delegates fiom 
 the Societies in London and other Parts of England arrived. The Con 
 vention then re aflembled on the 191!} of November ; and it was not till 
 after this Period that it affumed the Name of The Britifh Convention 
 inftituted for the Purpofe of obtaining Umverfal Suffrage and Annual 
 Parliaments, or adopted any Part of the Language or Conduft whicu 
 
 (with
 
 (with what Juflice I do not pretend to determine) have expcfed it to fo 
 much Animadverfionand Ccnfure. 
 
 This is the whole of the CorrefpomU-nce, as far as I can recollect, 
 that parted between the Friends of the People in London and the Con- 
 vention, or Mr. Skirving, at Edinburgh. The Correfpondcnce that 
 took place between Mr. .^kirving and myfelf, could not, from Circtim- 
 Itances which occur in my Mind, be very important. He fent me the 
 printed Minutes of the Convention, and I fent him the Publications 
 of the Friends of the People in London. The laft Time I wrote 
 to him was about the End of Odlober, acknowledging the Receipt 
 of fome Copies of Mr. Muir's Trial : and I perfecUv remember con- 
 concluding my Letter with a Hope that the Delegates from the Socie- 
 ties in London, who had then jult departed to meet the Convention 
 in Edinburgh, would not import into Scotland any of that intem- 
 perate Spirit which had brought Elnme on the moderate and fincere 
 Friends of Reform in England : I hoped that the Friends of the 
 People in Scotland would continue to perfevere with that Prudence 
 and Moderation in the Caufe of Pailiamcntary Reform, which had fo 
 juftly obtained them the Approbation of the Friends of the Meafure 
 
 in England, This Letter, I fuppofe, difpleafed Mr. Skirving, for 
 
 he never after wrote to me, nor did I \\riie to him. 
 
 Having now detailed the Whole of the Correfpondence, to the 
 heft of my Remembrance, between the Convention and the Friends 
 ot the People in London, and between Mr. Skirving and myfelf, I 
 think it my Duty to obferve, without prefuming to give any Opi- 
 nion on the Condud of the Britifti Convention, that a material Dif- 
 tinftion ought to be drawn between it and the Convention of the 
 Friends of the People. The Proceedings of the latter, at their Meet- 
 ings in December, 1792, and May 17931 appear to me to have been 
 fuch as the moil timid Friend to Parliamentary Reform could not 
 objecl to. Their Proceedings at their Meeting in October, were, I 
 believe, of the fame Defcription. When they aflembled with the 
 Delegates from England, indeed, another Sylteoi feems to have been 
 purfued. Their Meetings had always fat only Three Davs at a Time, and 
 they were fettled to be held only Twice a Year. But after it be- 
 came the Britifh Convention, they^hen, and not till then, entered 
 into all thofe Meafurcs at which rffe Magiihates and Government have 
 expreffed fo much alarm ; and it was not till then that they even de- 
 flared decifively in favour of Univerfal Suffrage and Annual Par- 
 liaments; it is therefore extremely material to remark, that no Blame 
 has yet been thrown on the Convention of the Friends of the People at 
 Edinburgh ;-and that between the Rrittjh Convention and the Friends 
 of the People in London no Correfpondence of any Kind ever took 
 place, nor even any Sort of Communication between Mr. Skirving 
 and myfelf after its Inftitution. 
 
 I have the Honour to be, 
 
 S I R, 
 Your moft humble Servant, 
 
 DANIEL STUART. 
 To Charles Grey, Efq. M. P. 
 
 P*S. Since
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, I have feen the Second Report of 
 the Secret Committee ot the Houfe of Commons, in which Mention 
 is made of Two Letters that had efcaped my Memory. The firft 
 pf thofe Letters, containing a Refolution of Thanks, I never made any 
 Minute of, becaufe thofe Thanks were not voted to the Scotch Con- 
 vention in particular, as might be imagined from the Statement in the 
 Report, but were pafled generally to all Societies which had affifted 
 in the Caufe of Parliamentary Reform. After the Motion in the 
 Hoafe of Commons, on the 6th of May, 1793, the Society of the 
 Friends of the People in London, on the i 8th of the fame Month, 
 agreed to the following Refolution : " That the Thanks of this Society 
 " be returned to the various Societies in Correfpondence with it, for 
 " their Zeal and AdHvity ia the Caufe of Parliamentary Reform ; and 
 * to exprefs a Hope and With that they will proceed with the fame 
 " Spirit, Induftry, and Temper, during the Interval between the prefent 
 " Time and the Meeting of the next Sejfion of Parliament." Beiides 
 fending Copies of this Refolution to the different Societies in England, 
 it was refolved that Copies of it (hould be fent to the Chairmen of the 
 Societies in Edinburgh and Glafgow, requefting them to tranfmit the 
 fame to all the Societies in Scotland, with which they correfponded. 
 The Convention at Edinburgh was confidered by me, not only as a So- 
 ciety with which the Friends of the People in London communicated, 
 but as the belt Channel for conveying the Refolution of Thanks over 
 Scotland ; and I of courfe fent them a Copy. But I do not find, nor 
 do I believe, that I was inftruvled fo addrefs the Refolution to the 
 Convention, in preference to the Edinburgh Society of Friends of 
 the Peopled 
 
 With regard to the Second Letter mentioned .in the Report, dated the 
 2 $d of July, 1793? I do not, in the flighted Degree, remember it; but 
 from the PatTage there quoted, I have not the leaft Doubt of its being 
 mine : It contains the Language I have invaribly held whenever the 
 Subject of a Convention has been mentioned. But it is impoffible I at 
 that Time could have written as Secretary, either in the Name of the 
 Society, which was not then fitting, it having adjourned on the 4th of 
 
 June, 1793* without again meeting till the 23d of January, 1794; or 
 in the Name of the Committee, which did not meet from the 3oth of 
 April, 1793* till the iyth of Japuary, 1794: And as neither the So- 
 ciety nor the Committee ever authorized me to correfpond in their 
 Name, without their Knowledge, the Letter of the Z3d of July mull 
 have been a private and perfonal One of my own. I find that on the 
 2th of that Month, I received a Parcel of the printed Minutes of the 
 Convention, accompanied by a Letter from Mr. Skirving, in his own 
 Isame only, and not in the Name of any Society, in which I fuppofe he 
 took that Opportunity of wifhing to know my Opinion refpefting a Con- 
 vention in England. Of fuch private perfonal Letters I have written 
 many, but as I did not confider them to concern the Society, I never 
 kept Copies of them. I am, however, certain, that if they were all 
 publifhed, none of them, or even any Parts of them, could with Juflice 
 be cenfured. 
 
 The Third Letter mentioned in the Report, is of the fame private 
 perfonal Nature with the Second : I think I wrote it in Halte, and I 
 remember it the more particularly, as it was the laft I fent to Mr. Skir- 
 ving.
 
 ( 8 ) 
 
 virrg. I am very .certain that when it is publifhed in the Appendix, it 
 : wiil fully jultify -the Account I have already given of it in the Body of 
 this Letter. 
 
 Thurfday, 4 o'CJock. 
 
 Appendix, No, 3,, 
 
 I HAVE the Honour to inform the Friends of -the People in London, 
 .That the General Convention of Delegates from the various Societies of 
 <he Friends of the People throughout Scotland, rmanimoufly agreed on 
 Thurfday laft, the Third Day of their fitting in this Place, to addrefs 
 the Friends of the People in London, and the inclofed Letter of Ad- 
 .<ircfs was accordingly ordered to be printed and tranfmitted. 
 
 I have taken upon me to di-reft the fame to yot, upon feeing your 
 Name at their Refolitfions, by this Day's Poft ; and to intreat you to 
 communicate it at their Firft Meeting. 
 
 I will tranfmit all the Proceedings of the Convention fo foon as the 
 various Minutes and Refolutions are received from the Prefs. 
 
 With great Efteem, 
 Edinburgh, jgjh Dec. I am, Sir, 
 
 1792. Your moft obedient humble Servant, 
 
 W. SKIRVJNG, Secretary. 
 SarmicI Whitbread, Junior, Efq. 
 M. P. Loodoo. 
 
 Appendix, No. 4, 
 
 Edinburgh, Dec, izrh. 
 
 AT a General Convention of the Delegates of tfce Friends of the 
 People, held this Day, 
 
 COL. DALRYMPLE, in the Chair, 
 Refolved, 
 
 That it appears to this Convention, that very great Abufo have arifen 
 in the Government of this Country, from a Xegleft of the genuine 
 Principles of the Conftitution ; that thefe Ahufes have of late grown to 
 an alarming Height, and produced great Difcontents. 
 
 Refolved, That the effential Meafures to be purfued, in order to re- 
 move thefe Abufes, and effectually to do away their mifchievous Confe- 
 quences, are, 
 
 i ft. To reftore the Freedom of Election, and an equal Reprefentation 
 of the People in Parliament. 
 
 2d. To
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 2d. Tofecure to the People a frequent Exercife of their Right of 
 eledling their Reprefentatives. 
 
 Refolved, That for the Purpofe of accompliming thefe Conftitu- 
 tional Objeds, the proper and legal Method is that of applying by Peti- 
 tion to Parliament. 
 
 Refolved, That fince a fpeedy and complete Redrefs of our pre- 
 fent Grievances, will moil effectually be obtained by the joint Co- 
 operation of every Briton, who yet retains the Spirit and the Wifh to 
 be free, this Convention will, as far as their Principles and Objects 
 allow them, co-operate with the Society of the Friends of the People in 
 London. 
 
 Refolved, That this Refolution, along with thofe voted at a former 
 Convention, be tranfmitted by the Chairman to the Society of the Friendg 
 of the People in London. 
 
 (Signed) WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, Chairman, 
 WILLIAM SKIRVING, Secretary. 
 
 Appendix, No. 5. 
 
 The Minutes of the Proceedings of the General Convention of 
 the Delegates, from the Societies of the Friends of the People 
 throughout Scotland, at their feveral Sittings in Edinburgh, 
 on the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth of December, 1792. 
 Edinburgh : Printed by J. Robertfon, No. 39, South Bridge. 
 4uno 1 79 j. 
 
 Baxter's Hall, Edin. T'lie/Jaj, Dec, i r, 1 792. 
 
 AT Noon, this Day, the Delegates from the feveral Societies of the 
 Friends of the People, throughout Scotland, aflembled very numeroufly in 
 their Convention Room here, in compliance with the following public 
 Advertifements, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 The Convention of Delegates from the various Societies of THE 
 FRIENDS OF THE PEOPLE, in and about Edinburgh, who aflembled 
 here upon the Twenty-Firft inftant, exprefled an unanimous wifli for a 
 General Convention of Delegates, from the various Societies in Scot- 
 land, eftablimed on finnlar Principles. 
 
 If it (hall meet the approbation of the majority of the Societies, they 
 propofe to hold a Convention, upon the Eleventh Day of December 
 nex?, in the City of Edinburgh. 
 
 The various advantages which will refult to the whole, from a con- 
 
 folidation of our common ftrength, are too obvious to be detailed. If 
 
 you approve of this Meafure, and refolve to fend Delegates, inform us, 
 
 in courfe of poll, It fhall be our Care to prepare a proper Place for 
 
 C Meeting,
 
 Meeting, of which we fliatt give you timely and regular Notice. Be 
 pleafed .to dired your Letters to our Secretary, Mr. William Skii- 
 ving, Head of the Horfewynd, Edinburgh. 
 
 By Order of the Committee of Convention* 
 
 W, SKIRVJNG, Secretary. 
 EDINBURGH, 
 Nov. *3, 1792. 
 
 ^. S. We muft requeft of your Society, to communicate this Intimation 
 to any Societies in your Neighbourhood, of whofe Exiftence, in 
 confequence of their not having publiflied their Declaration of 
 Principles, we may be ignorant. 
 
 A Convention of Delegates from every Society of Friends of the 
 People jn Scotland, will be held at Edinburgh, in Baxter's Hall, in 
 James's Court, on Tuefday the Eleventh of December next, at Twelve 
 o'Cfock at Noon, againtl which Time the General Committee fhall 
 
 have every thing prepared for-the-reception of the Delegates. 
 
 After a ihort Converfation, Meffrs. Bell, Muir, and Starving, the pre- 
 fent Prefident, Viee-Prefident, and Secretary, of the Edinburgh Ge- 
 
 neral AiTociation of the Friends of the People, were requefted to of- 
 ficiate in their feveral capacities, until the powers of the Delegates 
 fhould be verified. 
 
 Mr. HUGH BELL, in the Chair. 
 
 The Conrmifilons to the feveral Delegates were produced, and read. 
 The roll being made up, wns called over, name by name, and inti- 
 mation feveral times made, that if the name of any Delegate had been, 
 omitted, it mould now be given in. The Convention was then de- 
 clared aflembled; and the Prefklent, Vice-Prefident, arid Secretary, 
 retired. 
 
 General Convention Affembled. 
 
 Some Converfation took place relative to the Office Bearers and 
 Committees, and the impropriety of having thefe permanent. The 
 Convention, at length, on the Motion of Lord Daer, refolved, That 
 they would eleft a Prefident each Day, or Sitting; and, upon a Motion 
 by' Thomas Muir, younger, Efq. of Hunterfhill, it was refolved,. That 
 the Secretary mould be permanent. 
 
 Lieut. CoL Dalrymple, of Fordel, was then unanimoufly called to the 
 Chair; and- W. Skimng, of Strathruddy, elected Secretary. 
 
 COL. DALRYMPLE, in the Chair. 
 
 After fome Motions relating, to order, moved by Lord Daer and 
 Mr. Fowler, and ordered to be laid upon the Table, in Writing, the 
 Convention proceeded to a Declaration of Principles; and a Scroll of 
 Kefolutious being prcfented by John Morthland, Efq. Advocate, the 
 Convention, upon his Motion, refolved itfelf into a Committee, to con. 
 Cdcr the fame, and to report againil To-morrow's Sitting. 
 
 Refumed the Convention. 
 
 COL.
 
 C i ] 
 
 Cot. DALRYMFLS in the Chair. 
 
 MT. Muir moved, That the two Motions made by Capt. Johnfton. 
 refolved and publilhed by the General Affociation of the Friends of the 
 People in and about Edinburgh, be alfo adopted and publifhed as the 
 Refolutions of the General Convention The fame was agreed to 
 unanimoufly, and a copy, drawn up in proper form, was ordered to be 
 laid before the Convention to-morrow. A Motion was made to ad 
 journ till fix o'clock in the evening; but as this was oppofed, it was 
 .agreed to adjourn till 10 o'clock next forenoon. 
 
 Convention Room Wednefday t iQo'Clcck. 
 
 The Delegates aflembled conform to the adjournment. Lord Daer 
 moved, that the Prefident of the former day take the Chair till the 
 Meeting was fall, and that then they fhould cleft their Prefident f-.r the 
 day, agreeable to their former Refolution ; and the fame was adopted. 
 
 COL. DALRYMPLE in the Chair. 
 
 Lord Daer, as ordered yefterday, gave in to the table the following 
 Motions : 
 
 1. That it (hall not be a rule, that when a Motion is made and fe- 
 conded, it mall be decided upon before any other be heard. 
 
 2, That when a fubject is announced as the bufinefs for confideration, 
 it mall be permitted to any perfon to propofe what motions thereon he 
 ihall think it is proper mould be adopted ; and that when all the mo- 
 tions are laid on the table which any wifli to propofe, a vote mail be 
 put, which propofal mall be firft taken into confederation. 
 
 3, That when any bufinefs is under confideration, any incidental 
 motion may be introduced ; and if the Meeting choofe not to take it 
 into confideration at that moment, the Meeting mall declare this, by 
 refolving to pafs on to the ordinary courfe of bujinefs. 
 
 4. That any Motion may be difcuffed the day it is propofed ; but 
 that it mail not be finally decided or publiftied to the world, till it be 
 confirmned next day. 
 
 The Meeting being now full, Lord Daer was unanimoufly called to 
 the Chair. 
 
 LORD DAER in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Muir rofe to read a printed paper which had been fent from 
 Ireland, intitled, Addrefs of the United Irimmen in Dublin to the 
 Delegates for Reform in Scotland; the reading of it was oppofed in 
 point of form, the fame not being before the Houfe ; but the Add.refs 
 being declared a mafterly performance, and a Declaration that afforded 
 the moft flattering evidence of the union and philanthropy of the Friend* 
 of Reform in Ireland, the reading of it was univerfally called for. 
 After reading the fame, the Convention pafled to the Ordrr of the Day. 
 
 Lord Daer being obliged to leave the Meeting, the laft Prefes was 
 called to the Chair as a matter of courfe. 
 
 C ^ Cot.
 
 L 12 3 
 
 COL. DALRYMPLE in rhe Chair. 
 
 The Report of the Committee was called for, the Refolutiojis adopted 
 in Committee were read, and debated paragraph by paragraph, when the 
 following were, with great unanimity, refolved in Convention, and or- 
 dered to be publifned 
 
 . Refolded, That this Convention, taking under consideration the in- 
 fidious, wicked, and inflammatory artifices, employed by the enemies of 
 all Reform, to mifreprefent and calumniate the Friends of the People, 
 as the promoters of public difcord, and advocates for an unjuft and abfurd 
 violation of private property, by an equal divifion think it incumbent 
 upon them to declare, that they hold all fuch unprincipled defigns in 
 utter deteftation and abhorrence, and that they will maintain the efta- 
 blilhed Conftitution of Great Britain, on its genuine acknowledged 
 principles, confiding of Three Eflates King, Lords, and Commons, 
 
 Refolded, That the Members of this Convention will, to the utmoil 
 of their power, concur in aiding and ftrengthening the hands of the 
 Civil Magiftrates throughput this kingdom, to reprefs riot and tumult, 
 and all attempts \v~hatfcever to diflurb the tranquillity, happinefs, and 
 good order of fociety. 
 
 Rejol<ved t That it appears to this Convention, that very great abufes 
 have arifen in the government of this country, from a neglect of the 
 genuine principles of the Conftitution ; that thefe abufes have of late 
 grown to an alarming height, and produced great difcontents. 
 
 Refolded, That the efiential meafures to be purfued in order to remove 
 thefe abufes, and effectually to do away their mifchievous confequences, 
 are, 
 
 Firft, To reftore the Freedom of Election, and an Equal Reprefen- 
 tation of the People in Parliament. And, 
 
 Secondly, To fecnre to the People a frequent exercife of their Right 
 of Electing their Reprefentatives. 
 
 Refolvedy That, for the purpofe of accomplifhing thefe conftitutional 
 o^jefts, the proper and legal method is, that of applying by Petition, to 
 Parliament. 
 
 Rtfoli-eJ, That thefe Refolutions be printed in the Scots and Englifli 
 Newfpapers; and alfo be printed in hand-bills, for general diftribution 
 airing the Affociated Friends of the People, in different pans of Scot- 
 land. 
 
 Adjourned till Six o'Clock in the Evening. 
 
 Convention Hall, Wednefday, 6 o'Cloc*. 
 
 COL. DALRYMPLE in the Chair. 
 
 The Secretary prefented the Plan of Organization for individual So- 
 cieties, for Diitrict Aflbciations, and for General Conventions ; together 
 with a, written motion by Mr. Fowler, for a Committee of Publications, 
 for the purpofe of communicating Inftrudtipn. The fame were received ; 
 ami Meflrs. Wilfon and Fowler were requefted to bring them before the 
 Houfe at a proper opportunity. 
 
 Mr. Muir and others brought forward the following Motions, which 
 were unanimously adopted ; namely,
 
 [ '3 3 
 
 Refolded, That this Convention do addrefs the Friends of the People 
 at London. 
 
 Rffol<ved t That the thanks of the Convention be returned to Meflrs 
 Grey, Erfldne, the Earl of Lauderdale, the Marquis of Lanfdowne, 
 Col. M'Leod, Lord Daer, and Col. Dalrymple, for their patriotic fer- 
 vices in the caufe of the People: To |. H. Tooke, Efq. for his mak 
 terly fupp^rt of Freedom : To the Hon. Major Maitlanri, Mr. Sheridan, 
 Mr. Muir, Mr. Bell, and Capt. Johnfton, for their important afliftancc 
 to overturn corru tion ; alfo to the Right Hon. Charles Fox, for his 
 determined fpeech in the lail meeting of the Whig Club; and Mly, to 
 all thofe Members of the Houfe of Commons, who have fnpportcd in 
 Parliament the caufe of the People. 
 
 Agreed to Capt. Johnfton's two Refolations of yefterday, which are 
 as follow : 
 
 Refolded, That It be recommended to each Society of the Frinds of 
 the People, to expunge from the roll of their Members the name or 
 names of any >ndividual or individuals who may have adled illegally, 
 tumultuoufly, or in any way to the difturbance of the public peace. 
 
 Refolded, That any individual or individuals of the Societies of the 
 Friends of the People whofe conduft may have been legal and orderly, 
 and who may be perfecuted by the arm of Power for adhering to the 
 caufe of the People, be defended by the united ftrength of the Friends 
 of the Peo. le. 
 
 The five following Motions, which Mr. Skirving propofcd, were 
 ordered to lie on t 1 e table : 
 
 I. That the Friends of the People in Britain ihould unite in the ap- 
 plication to Parliament, both as to the extent of Reform to be demanded, 
 and as to the manner of executing their Petition for Jie fame. 
 
 II. That, therefore, this Convention fhould fend two or three De- 
 puties to LonJon, to concert a common plan with the FrLnds of the 
 People there, adviiing always with the General Committees at Edin- 
 burgh, Glafgow, &c. 
 
 III. That thefe Committees, while the Deputies remain at London, 
 fhould meet weekly, in order to ialtruA the Deputies from time to 
 time. 
 
 IV. That wh^n a common plan of operation is thus procured, a Ge- 
 neral Convent on be called to approve or amend the fame, and parti- 
 cularly to direft the manner in which the Petitions (hall be executed 
 .and profented to Parliament. 
 
 V. That the Convention recommend, that the Friends of the Con- 
 ftitution and of the People be, in the mean time, diligent in forming 
 themfelves every where into Societies, in order to give the greater energy 
 to their Petitions. 
 
 Mr. Allan propofed the f llowing to be added to the Refolutions al- 
 ready adopted ; 
 
 That, in order to foperfcde the neceffity of conftantly reforting to the 
 aid of a military force, it be recommended by the Convention to the 
 Aflbciated Friends of the Pe pie in the different parts of the country, 
 to hold themfelves in readinefs to ftipport the Civil Magitlrate, when 
 required, for the fuppreffion of any popular tumults that may ariie in 
 their neighbourhood. 
 
 This
 
 [ 14 3 
 
 Thl Motion was deferred, on account of its importance, till next 
 
 Mr. Muir moved, to appoint a Committee of Finance; and thefol- 
 towing regulations were ur.animoufly adopted ; namely, 
 
 Rejulwed) That each Diftrift Affociation (hall have a Committee for 
 regulating their own refpeftive Finances That the feveral Committees 
 of Finance fhall correfpond with the Edinburgh Committee of Finance, 
 as the Committee alfo of Finance for the General Convention, and re- 
 mit to this Committee, as fuch, their refpe&ive contributions for the 
 public intereft. 
 
 Refolded, That this Committee of General Finance, in Edinburgh, 
 (hall lay before each Convention a ftate of the receipt and expenditure. 
 
 Refolded, That the Convention, on the firft day of their fitting, ap- 
 point a Committee of Conftraint, for the purpofe of ini'pefting the 
 accounts of the Convention's Committee of Finance ; and report the 
 refult of their examination to the Convention, 
 
 A motion that had been formerly made verbally, and adopted in the 
 refolutions, to petition Parliament, was refumed ; and the Convention 
 jefolved to petition Parliament with all convenient fpeed ; and a Com- 
 mittee was appointed to draw up a fchedule of faid Petition, and to 
 prefent the fame to-morrow. 
 
 Adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow, 
 
 Convention Hall, Thursday t 10 o' Click, 
 
 The Delegates convened conform to adjournment ; Col. Dalrymple 
 in 'the Chair. 
 
 Mr. Morthland moved, to have the two following Refolutions added 
 to the former ones : 
 
 Refol<vedi That ftnce a fpeedy and complete redrefs of our prefent 
 grievances will be moft effectually obtained by the joint co-operation of 
 every Briton, who yet retains the fpirit and the wifti to be free, this 
 Convention will, as far as their principles and objects will allow them, 
 co-opera'e with the Society of the Friends of the People in London. 
 
 Refolded, That this Refolution, along with thofe voted at a former 
 fitting of this Convention, (page n and \z,) be tranfmitted, by the 
 Chairman, to the Society of the Friends of the People in London, 
 
 And the fame was ordered accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Fowler read the copy of the Petition to Parliament vhich had 
 been ordered ; and it met with general approbation, as to the matter of 
 it; and was remitted back to the Committee, to be put into the form 
 appointed by the Houfe of Commons, and thereafter tranfmitted to the 
 different Societies for approbation. 
 
 Mr. Wilfon then brought forward the plan of Organization, for the 
 different bodies of the Friends of the People; after reading over the 
 whole of it, the Convention recognifed the right of individual Societies 
 to regulate their own internal order, and refolved, That thefe words be 
 inferted, " with power to any ten towns, in which there is a Society of 
 the Friends of the People, to call a General Convention *." 
 
 * The Plan of Organization to be icvifedand publilhcd by the Edinburgh Affociation, 
 
 Mr.
 
 E s ] 
 
 Mr. Morthland next brought forward the following Motion, 
 by Mr. Ritchie, of Edinburgh. 
 
 Moved, That the Secretary to this Convention tranfmit to the Secre- 
 tary of Burgefles, affociated for the purpofe of obtaining a Reform in 
 the internal government of the Royal Boroughs of Scotland, a letter 
 inclofing the Refolutions, containing the declaration of principles drawn 
 up and publifhed by this Convention, and recommending to the Bur- 
 gefles, if the above declaration of principles meets tneir approbation, to 
 co-operate v/irh the Friends of the People in the common caufe of ob- 
 taining the great objefts of Reform exprefled in thefe Refolotions. 
 
 In place of this Motion, the following was fubmitted by Mr. Skii- 
 ving, and feconded by Capt. Johnfton and others. 
 
 Moved) That if any Members of the Affociation for Borough Reform 
 apply to the Friends of the People to be admitted, they will be re- 
 ceived cordially. But the Convention can admit no Societies, but So- 
 cieties of the Friends of the People. 
 
 After a long debate, the votes were taken, and the firft Motion was 
 negatived, and the iecond adopted. 
 
 Upon the Motion of Dr. Yule, an Addrefs to the Citizens of Britain 
 at large was unaniraoufly refolved, and a Committee appointed to draw 
 up the fame. 
 
 The following Motion, fubmitted by Mr. Ellis, was likewife una- 
 nimouily refolved : 
 
 1 hat it be recommended to the People to form Affociatioiis in every 
 county, corapofed of Members from the different Societies in that 
 county, in order to afcerrain the ftate of population, the number of 
 electors, the quantity of taxes paid, the partial laves, and the local 
 grievances of that county. That they publiih the fame, or tranfmit 
 them to the Committee of Finance at Edinburgh. 
 
 Mr. Fowler then moved, " That the thanks of the Convention be 
 returned to Convener Lindfay, of Coltbridge, and the other Friends of 
 Liberty, who, in a liberal and manly manner, refuted the afperfions 
 thrown on the condud and intentions of the FRIENDS OF THE 
 PEOPLE, in the late meeting of the Fourteen Incorporated Trades of 
 Edinburgh;" the fame was unanimoufly agreed to, and the Convention 
 exprefled their fenfe of the benefit which was done to the caufe by the 
 patriotk conduct of that Meeting at large. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHNSTON in the Chair. 
 
 Refumed the confideration of Mr. Allan's motion of yefterday ; when 
 fundry Members thinking that it was expreffed fubftantia'Iy in the fe- 
 cond general Refolution, (pagt i \ y ) now printed, Mr. Allan agreed 
 to withdraw it. 
 
 It was then refolved, that the thank* of the Convention be given tr 
 the Secretary, Mr. Skirving, for his unremitted application to the bufi- 
 nefs of the Society; and that a fmall Committee be appointed to affift 
 him in extending and publishing the proceedings cf this Convention^ 
 
 John Millar, Efq. Advocate, called the attention of the Convention 
 to certain Refolutions in the Edinburgh Herald of tfce day, of which 
 the following is a copy ; ^
 
 C 3 
 
 '" We whole names are hereunto fubfcribed, being unanitnoufly and 
 decidedly of Opinion, That for the fecurity and happinefs of all claiTes 
 of our Fellow-countrymen, for the maintenance- of our own Rights and 
 Liberties, and for thofe of our pofterity, it is, in the refent moment, 
 incumbent upon us, and all good Subjects, to give to the Executive Go- 
 vernment an effectual Support in counteracting the Efforts of Sedition, 
 and in fupprefimg, in their beginnings, all Tumults and Riots, on what- 
 -ever pretence they may be excited ; do hereby publicly declare our De- 
 termination to take all fuch fteps for thefe Purpofes as are within the 
 limits of our duty in the fcvcral ftations in which the Co dilution of 
 our country lias placed us, and to afford, by our individual exertions, 
 that active affiftance to the authority of the lawful Magiftrate, nnd to 
 the lawful Magiitrate, and to the maintenance of the eftablifhed Govern- 
 .jnent, which i^ at all times due from the fubjecls of this free and happy 
 kingdom ; bst which we feel to be more peculiarly necdTary at a time 
 trhen infidious attempts have been made to deceive and miflead the ua- 
 wary. 
 
 u With thefe {entimehts, and to this intent, we a;e 
 
 " RESOLVED, AND DO DECLARE, 
 
 " That we will ftand by the Conftitution with our lives and fortunes. 
 
 * That we will jointly and individually ufe our utmoft endeavours to 
 counteract all feditioub attempts, and, in particular, all Affociations for 
 the publication or difperfion of feditious and inflammatory writings, or 
 tending to excite difoiders and tumults within this part of the kingdom. 
 
 " '\ hat we will, on every occafion, exert ourfelves on the firft ap- 
 pearance of tumult or diforder, to maintain the public peace, and to 
 act in fupport of the Civil authority for fupprefiing all riots and tumults 
 that may be excited. 
 
 " And whereas we are of opinion that it would greatly conduce to 
 the maintenance of peace and good order, that means mould be ufed to 
 give fuch juit and proper information to our fellow-fubjefts as may tend 
 to remove the falfe and delufive opinions that have been induftriouily 
 circulated amongft them, and to imprefs on their minds a proper fenfe 
 of the invaluable bleffings fecured to this nation by our happy Confti- 
 tution : we have agreed diligently to promote the circulation of fuch 
 writings as may contribute to this important end." 
 
 Having read thefe Refolutions, he moved, that the Convention do 
 approve of the fame, and in teftimony of fuch approbation, that the 
 President and Secretary, with as many of the Delegates as ftili rcma;n 
 in town, fnall fubfcribe the paper now lying in Goldfmith's Hall. 
 
 Mr. Morthland feconded the Motion. 
 
 ' Some Delegates, particularly Mr. Chriftie of Laurencekirk, doubted 
 t!i propriety of the Motion. Notwithftanding of which it was re- 
 folved, That the Delegates, in parties of eight or ten at a time, fnould 
 go down and fubfcribe the famej adding to their names, Friend of the 
 feor'e, or Delegate, &c. 
 
 L -ion the President and a few more withdrawing for that purpcfe, Mr. 
 John Clark, Architect, was called to the Chair, when after fome con- 
 t-erfation, chc meeting was adjourned till Gx o'clock in the Evening. 
 
 The
 
 The Delegates having once more aflembled, conform to adjournment 
 Mr. Biffet from Dundee, was unanimoufly called to the Chair. 
 
 Mfc. BISSET in the Chair. 
 
 The Convention refolved, That a great number of their Refblutions- 
 and Minutes be printed, and fent to all the Societies, and committed the 
 fame to the direction of the Committee of Finance at Edinburgh ; and 
 Mr. Muir moved, that the Secretary be enjoined to give fufficient notice 
 to the Edinburgh Committee cf Finance, that they were liketfife ap- 
 pointed the Committee of Finance for the General Convention ; and 
 upon the Secretary's motion, the following inftruftions drawn up by Mr*. 
 Muir, were unanimoufly recommended to their obfervation. 
 
 To the Comrnittee of Finances of the Edinburgh Convention. 
 
 *' The General Convention has inftrudled each particular Society, to 
 form a Committee of Finance, for managing their own private and pub- 
 lic contributions. The Convention has requefted you to take the 
 management of the expences which their fittings here may have incurred. 
 In this department of their bufinefs, they confider you as their Com- 
 mittee. The particular Societies will tranfmit to you their refpeftive 
 proportions of the general expence. The firft General Convention has 
 left each particular Society to the freedom of their own will, in regard 
 to the different afleffments they may lay upon their members." 
 
 * You will keep a regular accompt of the public expenditure and 
 outlay, which you will lay before each General Convention for their ex- 
 amination." 
 
 " As foon as you have collected the amount of the general expence, 
 inform each particular Society by a circular Letter, in order that the 
 Societies may, without delay, tranfmit to you their refpeftive pro- 
 portions." 
 
 A ;efpedtable Member informed the convention, that a Society had 
 been juil npw formed upon the principles of the Friends of the People, 
 whofe Members in general, were gentlemen of landed property to a very 
 coniiderable Extent. 
 
 Mr. Morthland moved, that the Thanks of the Convention be returned 
 to Mr. Fowler, for his eminent Services in the bufinefs of the Conven- 
 tion ; and the fame were given Unanimoufly. 
 
 It was then moved by Mr. Drummond, to thank the country Dele- 
 gates, tor their ardent zeal in the Caufc, manifefted by coming up fa 
 numeroufly at this inclement Seafon, and for their difinterefted conduct 
 during the Sitting ; and this was done with heart-felt Satisfaction. 
 
 Mr. Biflet in the Chair, begged leave to move the return of 1 hai ':s 
 from the country Delegates, to thofe in Town and Neighbourhood, k r 
 the Care and Attention to the Caufe which they had manifefted, in 
 affembling fo opportunely aud properly a Convention of the Societies of, 
 the FRIENDS OF THE PEOPLE. And to this the country Delegates 
 heartily confented. 
 
 D Th
 
 f '* ] 
 
 The Prefident then addreffed the Delegates, exhorting them to perfe 
 yere in the Great and Good Caufe in which they had embarked, untij 
 their Object fhould be completely attained. 
 
 The warm Approbation with which the Convention received this 
 Sentiment, fuffiqiently exprefled their Concurrence in it, and their firm 
 Determination to perfevere. 
 
 Adjourned. 
 
 W. SKIRVING, SECIUTA*Y.
 
 I S T 
 
 Secret Committee of the Houfe of Lords. 
 
 T he Lord Chancellor, 
 Lord Privy Seal, 
 Duke of Leeds, 
 Puke of Portland, 
 Earl of Hardwicke, 
 
 The Earl of CarliOe, 
 Earl of Carnarvon, 
 Earl of Chatham, 
 Earl of Mansfield. 
 
 J, I S T 
 
 OF TH5 
 
 Secret Committee of the Houfe of Commons. 
 
 Right Hon. William Pitt, 
 Right Hon. Henry Dundas, 
 Right Hon. Welbore Ellis, 
 Right Hon. William Wyndham, 
 The Attorney General, 
 The Solicitor General, 
 J-iord Advocate of Scotland, 
 Thomas Grenville, Efq. 
 Right Hon. Thomas Steele, 
 R. Hon. the Matter of the Rolls. 
 Hon. R, Banks Jenkinfon, 
 
 Sir H. Hoghton, 
 Earl of Upper Offory, 
 Thomas Powys, Efq. 
 Earl of Mornington, 
 Lord Mulgrave, 
 Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq. 
 John Anftruther, Efq. 
 Thomas Stanley, Efq. 
 Right Hon. Charles Towofte 
 Right Hon. Edmund Burke.
 
 from which it was borrowed 
 
 KC'O LD-ORl 
 APR 19 
 
 OCT 1 5 1996 
 
 NORI-RENWABLE 
 
 MAR 2 1 2Q01 
 
 DUE 2 WKSFROMnftTS RECEIVED 
 
 
 UBSABT
 
 31158009^1^, 
 
 A 000 007 478 1