Leeds thursday Eveg 5 June 1817
Right Honourable Sir
when I wrote to you last Eveing I had scarcely time to finish it before the mail arrived
I had been by appointment to meet Sir John Byng nineteen miles from here a place called Camps mount from where I had to walk to wakefield to meet your letter—It being considered a matter of the greatest importance By Sir John Byng, Mr. Beckett and the mayor of Leeds that I should go among disafected in this part which is now by far considered the worst as much as possible—and most particular to their meeting of Fryday—tomorrow—a place called Kirk-Heaton—in the meen time I Embraced the opportunity of Vissiting the neighbouring Villages from wakefield to Huddersfield from thence to Leeds—at which places I found much depends upon the determination of the meeting of delegates from all parts which takes places as above—at Present their intentions are to proceed with their former plan on the ninth Next monday
You state the necessity for my return to London on or before the Eveg of the fifth this day which I hope is not of the importance of my stay in this part a few days longer as it is so much the wish of the majestrates who are by such means in hopes of frusrating all the designs of the disaffected particular as they now begin to disagree and that principally by accusing Each other of being the means of the delay—I must say I thought it my duty to Encourage the delay as much as possible by which means I thought they would Expose Each other
I have great pleasure in stating that those who have split corroborates the information I had given prior. at Each place I had been too in communication and particular with Mr Hooley at nottingham and Leeds and Manchester—I am particularly happy in having the Esteem of Sir John Byng whose advice seems to have corroborated with my proceedings he is in great hopes the man from derby has been intercepted at wheedon Barracks—I have kept up the Correspondence nesessary from place to place Mr. Hoolley and the Boroughreve at Manchester at the letter place they were very desirous of me staying a few days longer to assist them with information so Essential tho they have very good men looking out for them they were not aware of the delegates from Leister and nottingham untill I arrived there—I am going to meet the Committee at this place at 8 oClock where a person in Birmingham is Expected with information—at this place they consider the aprehentions took place at Sheffield as a matter of the Greatest indifference considering it is a mere strike of the trade among the grinders and as not concerned [text missing] the disafected in the least. which proves how [text missing] their delegates wish to keep them in the [text missing] Each place and for the purpose of deceive [text missing] and Encourage them to mischief, at [text missing] there are a few very Bad but I do not [text missing] are taking any part with the others it [text missing] the delegates appointed were not favour [text missing] Place tho they flatter others that they [text missing] upon many good friends from doncaster [text missing]
I hope I shall not be gaining the displeasure of Lord Sidmouth and yourself in Complying with the wishes of the Gentleman in this part by rendering such assistance by my staying beyond the time specified in your letter for be assured Honoured Sir—I have been as diligent as possible a man could Be & I hope to be found So and I remain—Honoured Sir
with respect
your mosst faithfull
And Obedient Humble Servt
WJ Richards—
To The
Right Hon.ble
J. H Addington
This letter can be found at HO 40/10. A section of the third page is missing, meaning some words are absent, hence [text missing] above.
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