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[Writing many years after the events, Sutton quotes contemporary accounts from the Nottingham Journal, which supported the Tories. He also gives a long extract from an account by Rev. George Walker, a respected Methodist minister, whose sympathies were with the Jacobins. Sutton's footnotes contain information from his own knowledge of events; since one of the victims of the Tory mobs was a bookseller named Charles Sutton, we may assume that some of this knowledge came through family connections.]
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<p.202> 1793
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Nov. 12.—The spirit of the times will be observed in the following circumstance. "One of the officers belonging to the Nottingham Regiment of Militia," states the Journal, "now lying at Spalding, went to a shoemaker's of that place to order a pair of boots, but on observing that detestable outcast of society's book, Paine's Rights of Man, lying on the table, he thought proper to countermand the order, and take the book along with him. Next day, the soldiers being under arms and forming a circle round a large bonfire, this knight of the lapstone was summoned to appear before them, and made to burn that celebrated jargon of nonsense, the music playing 'God save the King' during its burning, at the end of which the soldiers and inhabitants gave three loyal huzzas, and then this wonderful would-be wiseacre was suffered to depart."
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<p.203> 1794
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April 23.—Business was again suspended, the bells rung, bonfires made, and all possible marks of joy exhibited, on learning that Martinico had been taken by the British West India forces, and that the combined armies had secured a triumph over the French in Flanders.
May 27.—The war fever seems now to have attained its greatest intensity. As tidings of success after success came rolling in, the people grew almost delirious with loyal excitement, and any one who ventured to question the propriety of the war, or to sigh for peace and returning commercial prosperity, was at once stigmatised as "disaffected," or as being a "leveller," or a "Jacobin." The Journal furnishes us with renewed evidence of the state of feeling, in the following extract:—"Tuesday last was a day of general rejoicing to the loyal inhabitants of this town. Early in the morning, a Gazette Extraordinary arrived by the heavy coach, containing a brief but pleasing account of the important victory gained by the Allied Army over that of the French general, Pichegru; immediately after, the bells were made to echo the glad tidings to all people, who, in one vast multitudinous throng, a little before two o'clock, lined the streets on the road as far as Trent-bridge, curiosity and zeal having wound up the expectations of all ranks to the highest pitch, to meet the mail-coach on this auspicious day.
"As soon as it ascended Hollow-stone, the populace insisted on taking the horses from the carriage, which was, after some little reluctance, complied with, it being quite full of passengers. Each one was zealous who should be the foremost to assist in drawing the mail along; near ten thousand people had assembled by this time, who were chiefly bedecked with blue ribbons. When it arrived in view of the White Lion, the loudest plaudits welcomed (if we may be allowed the expression) the triumphal car to the place of its destination. <p.204>
"And now, the scene commenced which gave to the astonished beholder more than his imagination could conceive—crowds followed crowds, huzzas echoed everywhere the happy sentiments of a truly loyal people; and it will serve to convince the towns around us, that whatever may have been conceived of Nottingham being disaffected to its King and Constitution, the events of this day must completely do away; not to say but that there are some latent and restless spirits, whose minds have been previously poisoned by the lure held out from certain political tracts; tracts, which are calculated to set the lower orders of the community at war against the higher, and thus (by the plans discovered) this happy isle was destined by its foes to undergo, what England will never forget,—the miseries of a civil convulsion; but Providence, who ordains all things for the best, bath averted those evils which 'we most unrighteously had deserved,' for our divisions and discontents. Having not unsuitably digressed a little, let us return to the general hilarity of the day:—
"A procession was next thought of, something in the manner of chairing a member; when a certain tradesman,* as true a cock of the blue as e'er was seen, with his handsome wig and crimson face, mounted the shoulders of a selected few, planks being fixed between that he might sit with ease; who, thus arrayed (his wig being highly powdered with blue), proceeded round the principal streets, attended by some hundreds of spectators, and amidst the repeated plaudits from the fair belles at every window, who were blue in their dress, and loyal in their hearts;—
Happy maids! who thus pourtrayed
The finest feelings of your country's aid.
"The churches had their ensigns (and what's so great a right, for they were marked for destruction) of loyalty; and their respective peals bore to the neighbouring villages the welcome news.
"In the evening, constellations were lighted up in abundance, guns fired, rockets thrown in the air, and many other tokens of joy displayed, that sufficiently bespoke the rapturous feelings of the populace; one, amongst others, was in shooting at the effigy of a certain disciple of liberty and equality; and though we will not be so far liberal as to think no man should be burnt in effigy merely for his opinion, yet when that opinion militates so much against the common weal, the folly of the former is palliated by the best and dearest considerations.
"A pair of handsome colours were also displayed by the people, accompanied with drum and fife, who paraded round the Marketplace, till it became dark; after which, they repaired to the inns, &c. to toast the illustrious conquerors of this mighty battle; in short, nothing could exceed the ardour manifested on this joyous occasion; every one vied with each other who could best excel in manly sentiment and rational entertainment. And happy are we to say, that all passed off with that decorum, which it is the wish of all good men should always be observed on occasions like these. <p.205>
But an incident happened this day which we cannot pass by, namely,—when the mail arrived opposite the shopdoor of a certain w—maker,* in Bridlesmith-gate, he, with more wit than prudence, exclaimed, 'Why, the mail used to be drawn by horses, but now, good lack! it's drawn in by asses!' which, at such a time, when the spirits of the people were raised almost to enthusiasm, was highly indecorous, and he met with that chastisement which his ill-timed witticism deserved. Since then, we hear he is lodged in gaol.
"On Thursday (May 29), the town was again agreeably surprised by the receipt of another Gazette Extraordinary, announcing laurels achieved by the Austrian general, Count Kaunitz, who, it seems, gallantly attacked the French near the town of L'Evique, not far from Bruges, and, after an obstinate conflict, drove the Carmagnols across the river Lys, killing upwards of 5,000, taking fifty pieces of cannon, and upwards of 500 prisoners. The spirits of the inhabitants broke forth afresh, they drew the mail into the inn yard, and saluted the passengers and guard with three cheers. Similar tokens of loyalty took place nearly the same as on Tuesday, which we should be considered as prolix to repeat, after what we have given, they being only a repetition. But we are informed, and sorry we are to inform, that our worthy True Blue,‡ who was so happy on Tuesday, unfortunately fell down in the crowd, and had one of his eyes sorely cut by failing upon the stones; but we trust, with proper skill, he'll soon recover.
"The above accounts being forwarded to the country places, the greatest joy prevailed amongst the rustics, who instantly snatched the keys of the church from the sexton, rushed through the solemn aisle to the bell-ropes, and rang, at intervals, the remainder of the day. Farmer Truelove sent them a fine flagon of the best beer he'd got, and went and seated himself in the midst of them, handing a hornful now and then, who each drank, 'God save the King and Farmer Truelove.'"
June 3.—The Duke of Portland elected Recorder, in the place of the Duke of Newcastle, deceased.
June 4.—The King's birthday was celebrated with more than usual eclat. St. Mary's tower was surmounted with a beautiful union flag, seven yards in length and five in breadth, and with numerous variegated streamers. St. Peter's and St. Nicholas's were decorated with blue flags of humbler dimensions.
With his characteristic loyalty, the Mayor ordered a double quantity of coal for the annual fire in the Market-place, and caused the <p. 206> figure of Justice, upon the Exchange, to be apparelled in a flowing blue silk robe.
The bonfires were uncommonly numerous, and twenty fine fat sheep were roasted, and divided amongst those of the people who chose to partake of them. In the evening, upwards of three hundred gentlemen assembled in the Exchange Hall, by invitation, to drink his Majesty's health. The toasts were extremely loyal, including the King, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Clarence, Wm. Pitt, Esq., &c; and the Journal adds to its account of the festivity,—"Never were sentiments more sincerely expressed or more fervently caught, by the company that were met to celebrate their Sovereign's birthday; unanimity, that blessing to society, manifested on this evening, was a convincing proof how well it would become all men to cease party strife, and to unite in one holy cause—the cause of Loyalty and Love;—then should we see no occasion for the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act*—no occasion for traitors to hide their diminished heads in ambush, like the shadow of a shade, grasping at a substance they can never obtain. To return:—
"Whilst the greatest hilarity prevailed within, the utmost jollity prevailed without doors; nay, so loyal were the people, that thousands sported the blue ribbon, some on cockades, others on streamers, flags, gordian knots, &c.; and in these fanciful decorations paraded through the principal streets, chaunting at intervals the never ceasing song of 'God save the King.'
"About one o'clock, the troops at the Barracks, accompanied by all the drummers and fifers belonging to the different recruiting parties, decorated with blue sashes, marched from thence to the Marketplace, and fired three excellent volleys in honour of the day; and the Mayor, in order that nothing should be wanting to complete the festivity of this truly festive day, presented the troops with five guineas, to drink his Majesty's health.
"The inhabitants of several houses, to render themselves more conspicuously loyal, had them splendidly illuminated; particularly the Britannia Inn,‡ which far exceeded for brilliancy any of the rest; in the front of which was a beautiful transparency of his Highness of York, our renowned military hero, the pride of all. Indeed, it would be presumption in us to attempt to give a description of the whole transactions that occurred during the day; but this must be acknowledged, that not a town in the kingdom could appear more forward in their exertions, or more sensible of the enjoyments of rational freedom; and amidst the repeated discharges of guns, rockets, the buzzings of serpents, &c., only one accident happened, whereby a little boy was much burnt in the face. The streets were not cleared till very late, but all was tranquil, no disturbance happened.
"The gentlemen who met at the Exchange wore blue favours at their breast, and the ladies in general, blue sashes, and other handsome knots round their fair arms and hands." <p.207>
At a public dinner the same day, at Mrs. Peniston's, "the Eight Bells," the following were amongst the loyal sentiments rapturously received by the company,—"May Justice pursue the Paineites, though they have turned their backs on her;" and "Eternal ballast-heaving to all Jacobins."*
June 7.—The spirit of festivity was again awakened by the receipt of intelligence of Lord Howe's signal victoy over the French fleet. The mail was once more hauled through the town by crowds of overjoyed townsmen, and great rejoicings followed.
June.—This and the following month were distinguished by an outbreak of popular feeling which displayed itself in a form that has ever since been known, par excellence, as "THE DUCKINGS." In bringing the facts before the reader, we shall give the versions put forth by both political parties, accompanied by foot-notes of our own, and leave him to draw his own conclusion; premising, however, that great allowances ought in justice to be made for the excesses of the period, from a consideration of the feverish state of the public mind, and the imbecility and negligence of the civil authorities.
There is no other available record of the events referred to, from the pen of an anti-Democrat, than that furnished by the columns of the Journal. Unfortunately, this is very brief, the succeeding paragraphs including the whole of it:—
The first of these paragraphs appeared on the 21st of June, when the journalist observed,—"There is nothing more dangerous and alarming to true liberty, than the licentiousness of a mob, though even dictated by the zeal of the purest loyalty. This observation is made more as a caution for future occasions, than in allusion to anything that has yet happened– one or two instances only excepted. When a mob is once abroad, the great danger is of their receiving a wrong direction, which many evil spirits are ready enough to give them."
Beyond this indistinct allusion, nothing more was stated till the 5th of July, when the following details were given:—
"Wednesday last (June 2), towards evening, a serious disturbance took place in this town, occasioned by the Royalist party ducking, in the river Leen,* a number of supposed disaffected people, some of <p. 208> whom had been found that morning exercising in the neighbouring fields, and who had showed, by way of triumph over the recent disagreeable intelligence from the Continent, a paper* in their hats that was perfectly emblematical of the meaning of their hearts; which so much exasperated the former, that they went in a body to the spot, and, after a sharp but speedy conflict, put the latter entirely to rout, who flew for shelter into the cotton mill belonging to Mr. Denison, at Pennyfoot-stile. Here a violent altercation arose between both parties, the Royal side (we are sorry a necessity should arise to distinguish men at this time) insisting that their opponents should be delivered up to their fury; which not being complied with, the populace were bent on storming the outworks; and at this time it was, that some shots were fired from the mill, when several people were very badly wounded. This exasperated the people still worse, who now vowed revenge upon the Republicans and their friends; and, about nine o'clock, regardless of the whistling bullets, they began to demolish all the fences, gates, &c., round the premises, and made a large fire of them in the mill-yard, which soon communicating to the workshops belonging thereto, made a most awful appearance; and, indeed, when the flames issued with so much fury, the greatest care was taken to prevent their extension to the mill and the other surrounding buildings, which happily succeeded: for if the inhabitants had not so exerted themselves, that part of the town would probably have been a heap of ruins; this remarkably dry season being much against stopping the progress of fires.
"The magistrates, as soon as they saw the mill in danger, immediately ordered out the Light Horse, quartered here, for its further protection, and thus saved that valuable manufactory from being destroyed; and used every pacific mean in their power to quiet the minds of an enraged multitude; which had, at last, the desired effect for that night; for those workshops &c., which were on fire were suffered to burn regularly out, and they blazed till near one in the morning.‡
"In the morning, however, the Royalists did not disperse, but by way of cooling the spirits of their adversaries, proceeded to the method as stated in the beginning of this account. Ducking and pumping became the order of the day, though the former was most generally resorted to on this occasion: some scouting parties were seized, and dragged down to the canal, where they underwent an immersion into the water, and made to sing a recantation of their Revolutionary principles!!!†—At any rate, we would not wish to have it understood that we conclude these matters to be altogether right—no, we should be novices of the law to indulge that for a moment—but cannot help remarking, that the persons who have so suffered, have drawn down the wrath of a loyal people upon them, and who absolutely courted their resentment; for to see men rejoicing at their <p. 209> country's misfortunes publicly, were enough to fire the heart of Loyalty to madness—make it go beyond the laws, and adopt, sometimes, methods irreconcilable to peace and good order.
"We since learn that the arms were delivered up from the mill, into the care of the magistrates, as well as several blunderbusses, cannisters of shot, slugs, gunpowder, and other reforming articles, from the Plough public-house, the windows of which were entirely demolished by a justly incensed people."
The next week's paper states,—"We are extremely happy in having it in our power to say, that by the vigilant and unwearied exertions of Henry Green, Esq., our chief magistrate, this town has remained in a state of peace and good order during the whole of the week. In our hurry of last week's account, we should have stated that the refugees took shelter at the Plough public-house, instead of Mr. Denison's mill."
The Rev. George Walker, of the High-pavement chapel, has left on record a longer and more circumstantial account, and it will be perceived from the following extract, that his sympathies were strongly in favour of the Democrats.
Mr. Walker, after describing the tone of local feeling in several previous years, proceeds,—"Societies were instituted, calling themselves 'Loyal,' and they appointed for their Secretary General, an itinerant vagabond,* who had found it necessary to make his escape from a place, where he was better known. This miscreant was bedecked with a livery; and his principal employment was dealing out from the press (for the press was so then prostituted) continual lampoons upon all who dared to maintain an independent opinion; and pointing out their persons as the just objects of popular resentment and fury.
"This conduct was continued with unabating perseverance, and two countrymen, coming to complain of some outrage they had suffered from their neighbours, on account of their differing from them in political sentiment, were violently taken from the place where the county magistrates were sitting, and conducted to a pump, just at hand, where they were completely drenched, and suffered every other species of insult and indignity, which the wanton imagination of a mob could suggest.‡ <p. 210>
"This was a hint that could not escape the penetrating and sagacious mind of the liberal and enlightened secretary: it lost none of its importance from being amplified and enforced by his pen; in short, the sun of loyalty was now approaching fast to the meridian, where it was to drown all inferior objects in the splendour of its rays.
" It had been the custom in Nottingham, for several weeks previous to the month of July, on any intelligence in favour of the Allied Powers, for the mail to enter the town with a blue flag, or ornamented with blue ribbons. This circumstance, in the then state of the public mind, was peculiarly calculated to excite and foment, amongst the poorer class of the people, the heat of party zeal; and to induce a great avidity, in both parties, to obtain the earliest information of the events which were passing on the Continent. Thus stimulated, both parties had long been in the habit of early watching the arrival of the mail; and the violence manifested upon many occasions, by the supporters of the war, had induced those who disapproved of it, to separate themselves from the others, to avoid insult. Indeed, it not infrequently happened, that the arrival of good news produced a general state of drunkenness and disorderly behaviour all over the town, amongst the lower orders of the approvers of the war; who were always ready to insult every person in the streets, whom they knew or suspected to be of opposite sentiments to themselves.
"At no time was the public expectation at a higher pitch, at which it had been held for a day or two, than on the 2nd of July; the supporters of the war were on the turnpike-road, ready to haul in the mail; and their opponents mounted on a hill, at about a quarter of a mile distance,* waiting perhaps with equal anxiety. The arrival of the mail without either flag or ribbons, produced in those who so eagerly expected them, 'that sickness of the heart which arises from hope deferred:' judging by their own feelings, that this disappointment would prove a matter of exultation and triumph to the opposite party, they proceeded to the hill where they were stationed, and immediately on their arrival assailed them, unprepared for such a combat, with sticks, stones, &c. This conflict did not immediately terminate, but fresh numbers coming to the aid of the assailants, the oppressed and insulted party were glad to retreat, and he was a happy man who escaped without marks of personal violence.
"It is but justice to the mob on this occasion to state, that the before mentioned genius of iniquity had, the day preceding, distributed one of his farragos of folly and falsehood, to irritate the public mind to some inordinate excess.*
"This conflict took place about three o'clock, and the Mayor, apprised of the tumult, repaired to the spot, where he remained a tame <p. 211> and patient spectator of breaking windows, dragging the peaceable inhabitants from their houses, kicking, beating, rolling them in the mud, pumping upon them and ducking them, &c. When the first paroxism of mobbish fury was over, his worship proceeded, at the head of their high mightinesses, to make domiciliary visits in search of the firearms which any one obnoxious to the mob might keep for his protection. It was the gallantry of true-born Englishmen, disarming a fallen foe. Some firearms were quietly given up, and others might have been taken at their peril.
"This peaceful, legal, and rational amusement continued till after five o'clock in the evening, when, weary of the pursuit of inferior game, they determined upon searching the cotton mill of Mr. Denison, at Pennyfoot-stile, for the same laudable purpose of seeking for concealed arms. Their leader, aware that the arms in this place would not be concealed at the approach of such authority, very prudently (after witnessing the dragging of another unfortunate victim to be ducked) with his usual apathy walked home, leaving the mob and the brave defenders of the mill to settle their dispute as they were able. The windows of the mill were much demolished before young Denison remonstrated with the mob, and told them the consequence of further outrage. Those within the mill were at last, however, compelled to fire, to prevent the completion of the most horrid threats, not only against the mill, but against the lives of its protectors.
"Driven to a distance from the immediate object of their fury, the mob proceeded to pull down an oak fence, belonging to a woodyard adjoining, and to set fire to it and the wood together; from whence, with the most active industry, they communicated the flames to six or seven adjoining tenements, the mill-workshops, &c., hoping in the issue to reach the mill itself. After a lapse of four hours, and repeated applications to the Mayor, Mr. Denison procured the assistance of the military, who lay in the Barracks adjoining the town, and they arrived about ten o'clock at night in time to protect the engines which were employed to extinguish the flames, the leathern pipes of which had been repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously cut. By the assistance of the soldiers, the mob was dispersed, and the flames got under, with no other damage than the destruction of the outbuildings. It is melancholy to relate that men, whose situation in life commanded them to exhibit a good example to their inferiors, were men active in this diabolical transaction.
"It is here seen that even Mr. Denison's respectability (so well known to the inhabitants of Nottingham) could not protect him from popular outrage; because his conduct ran counter to the stream of popular prejudice.*
"In some minds we find a disposition to remorse, when they find themselves the authors of great and extensive mischief; but our redoubted secretary, like old Suwarrow, 'contemplating the glorious <p. 212> havoc that his brave Russians had made' before the suburbs of Warsaw, issued out another handbill, commending the glorious havoc which his brave rabble had accomplished, and enforcing, as a cure for Jacobinism, the continuance of those 'holy ablutions' in the mud, river, &c., which were ludicrously styled 'baptism.' The principal officiating priest, on this occasion, was a journeyman butcher, who was immediately dubbed with the title, and advanced to the dignity of a bishop; we presume not a dissenting one, as there is an absolute certainty that he was never a non-juror.*
"The mob, anticipating the suggestions of their humane and benevolent instructor, recommenced their depredations with increased vigour the next morning. One man had his windows broken, his dwelling entered, and great part of his goods destroyed, and otherwise experienced such abuse and personal injury, that his life was for some time conceived in danger.
"Having no rallying point, and being ignorant of their strength and numbers, many, who believed themselves obnoxious to popular violence, retired to the neighbouring woods or villages. Three men, who were at Basford, were hunted down to the place of their concealment; where the dogs once got the scent, they were seldom found to falter. These victims of their resentment were compelled to return to Nottingham, with paper cockades affixed to their hats to give a plausible pretence to the after tragedy; as it was stated that they were found with this mark of distinction, learning the military exercise.‡ In this manner they were led through the town, conducted to the river, and there most inhumanly ducked and beaten, till they were nearly lifeless. The mob was proceeding to tie all three together with a rope, when the appearance of a constable and some soldiers put an end to the villainous mischief.
"One of these poor fellows never recovered from the injury he met with, and survived the transaction but a very short period.†
"Ducking, pumping, &c., became now the order of the day, and those who live at a distance from Nottingham, will scarcely credit the relation, that such outrages were continued, under the nose of the Chief Magistrate, for upwards of four days; the unfortunate victims having no protection offered them, than being sent to gaol§ for their further personal security. As it was the fashion to imitate French principles, a Committee of Public Safety was established, and its sittings made permament; a list of proscribed persons lay before them, and the mob, upon finishing one achievement, referred to this com- <p. 213>mittee for instructions for the next. The president of this committee, though destitute of the talents of either, had more of the rough bluntness of Legendre, than the artful hypocrisy of Robespierre."
The committee alluded to by Mr. Walker, met at the residence of the late Mr. Richard Hooton, maltster, Fisher-gate. Mr. Hooton's house will be remembered as one of the most picturesque in the town; it was constructed almost entirely of timber, laths, and plaster, and its three stories projected beyond each other over the street, so that the uppermost was considerably the largest. It was pulled down in 1843.
Most of the individuals who suffered from the violence of the Loyalists, are dead, and the names of some of them are completely buried in oblivion. Amongst those, however, who fell into the clutches of their adversaries, in addition to Lindley and Relps, were,—Mr. Burton, of Narrow-marsh (father of Mr. Alderman Burton, of Carrington), Mr. Wright, of Narrow-marsh (subsequently a bailiff, of St. Peter's church-side), Mr. Farrands, joiner, St. Mary's church-yard, Thomas Evans, framework-knitter, Balloon-court (afterwards of the Lambley Hospitals, where he died, in 1845, aged 82), William Marriot and Samuel Duckmanton (in whose name an information was laid against three of the duckers, at the following Lent Assizes), William Hutchinson, Parliament-street (still living), and a man named Lees. Of these, all were ducked, except Wright, Lees, and Hutchinson, who escaped with being only half-suffocated with a liberal rolling in a peculiarly offensive ditch which bounded fields on the north side of Coalpit-lane. The Leen and the newly formed canal were the waters dignified by the name of "Jordan," where the "baptisms" by immersion took place. Those performed by "sprinkling," were chiefly at the Exchange pump, and the assistants at the ceremonial generally included one or more ladies of wide-spread reputation, whose peculiar province it was to see that the cooling process was properly completed. The popular distich was,—
We'll pump upon them, till they sing,
Upon their knees, 'God save the King.'
June 18.—At the Theatre, this evening, Mr. Sidney, while sustaining the character of Rundy, in the humourous farce of The Farmer, introduced into the author's text the following pointed allusion to the local "baptisms:" "The told me at Lunnon," he said, with assumed naïveté, "they were all Jacobits at Nottenjum, but they'd fund a way to cure 'em; douzing 'em with pump water had ta'en the faver off." The comedian evidently knew the temper of his audience, and the coarse allusion was received with roars of laughter and applause that continued several minutes.