Joseph Johnson Letter (Hunt)

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Demonstrator

Letter from Johnson to Hunt 3/7/1819 inviting Hunt to a Meeting in four weeks time.

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TS11-1056-Hunt-Johnson

 

Manchester July 3^rd 1819.

 

To Henry Hunt Esqr.

 

I have just received what I certainly never could have expected from my neglect but which has given me great pleasure in receiving it being to be so great a proof that although I may neglect you yet you cannot forget me. This letter I must consider an act of great friendship to me and be well assured my dear Sir that I shall attend to its contents.

I am very glad you have written to the Chairman of the Leeds meeting cautioning them against spies; I certainly had no great opinion of Mr. Petre which opinion I expressed to Mr Knight and I hope my dear Sir you will do your utmost to find out his character and if bad expose him.

You will perceive from [the] “Manchester Observer” we have had a most excellent meeting in Stockport, the largest ever held there; we only wanted you to complete the thing. Sir Charles Wolseley was there and was well received but what a difference between the Manchester and the Stockport Chairmen. Excuse me just observing that I did not quite forget you on that occasion.

I have been terribly plagued by the Tyrants here; lately they have done all they could to ruin my Trade, and a “Brother in Law” to whom I had lent several hundred Pounds stopped payment last week, and won't I believe pay 1/6 in the pound; in fact trade here is not worth following, every thing is almost at a stand, nothing but ruin and starvation stare one in the face, the state of this district is truly dreadful and I believe nothing but the greatest exertion can prevent and insurrection. Oh that you in London was prepared for it.

The Manchester Patriotic Union Society have requested me to inform you that it is their intention to call a Public Meeting in this Town next Monday four weeks.*  They at the same time particularly request your attendance and if the time does not suit your convenience they will alter it to your wish. I trust therefore you will not deny us your company nor deny me the pleasure of lodging you.

Your request as to Messrs Harvey's shall be attended to.

I am my dear Sir

Yours sincerely

Joseph Johnson

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