Bell’s Weekly Messenger, August 15th
Latest Intelligence
The Manchester accounts received yesterday are of a less specific character than any preceding statements from the disturbed districts. A placard, signed Henry Hunt, dated 11th instant, has been posted up through the different streets of Manchester, of the most inflammatory description. Hunt commences his address to the disaffected by mentioning, that the enemies of reform and bloodhounds of government were hugging themselves with the triumph they had obtained by the postponement of the meeting; but he has case to rejoice that the meeting was not given up, but only delayed; that retribution was at hand; yet, in the very next paragraph, he enjoins all the inhabitants to be peaceable!
We observe, however, that in every part of the country where the mischievous spirit of reform is most active and most daring, it is met by the loyal addresses and declarations of those who have no interest in common with sedition. At Heaton Norris, a place only five miles from Manchester, the inhabitants have put forth a spirited declaration of their “unshaken loyalty”, avowing, at the same time, their firm determination to “counteract and resist to the utmost of their power,” the efforts of the seditious, and calling upon “all other loyal and well affected subjects to unite with them in testifying their attachment to our revered King and happy Constitution.” At Runcorn, in the county palatine of Chester, a similar meeting has been held for a similar purpose. The declaration was immediately signed by nearly one thousand persons, comprising almost the whole of the effective population of the town and neighbourhood.
Catalogue reference: HO 42/192, folio 235