|Aware that the rebels were marching towards Lancaster, the Whig
inhabitants of the town endeavoured to make some defensive preparations,
and were materially aided in their efforts by Sir Henry Hoghton, of
Hoghton Tower, member of Parliament for Preston, and Colonel of the
Lancashire Militia.
Having ascertained that a ship called the _Robert_, of five hundred tons
burthen, belonging to Mr. Lawson, a wealthy Quaker of Lancaster, was
lying at Sunderland--a small sea-port situated at the estuary of the
Lune--Sir Henry went to Mr. Lawson to endeavour to negotiate with him
for the use of the guns.
“When I tell you, Mr Lawson,” he said, “that those Cannon of yours will
enable us to keep the rebels out of the town, I am sure you will let us
have them.”
“Thou shalt have them on one condition, friend,” replied the Quaker.
“And on one condition only.”
“Name it,” cried Sir Henry eagerly.
“Thou shalt give me a bond for ten thousand pounds to insure my ship,
the _Robert_, against any damage she may sustain from the rebels, when
they learn I have parted with the cannon to be used against them.”
“Zounds! Mr. Lawson,” exclaimed Sir Henry, “excuse my swearing--but you
are enough to provoke a saint--how the deuce can you expect me to agree
to such absurd conditions? I refuse them. Moreover, I tell you as
a magistrate, that the cargo on board the _Robert_ shall at once be
seized, unless you consent to surrender the cannon. Now, Sir, what have
you to say to that?”
After a moment's reflection, the Quaker replied:
“I have simply to say, friend, that I agree.”
“I am glad to hear it,” observed Sir Henry. “You will deserve the thanks
of your fellow-townsmen.”
“But recollect, friend,” said the Quaker, “that the cannon will be of
no use to thee, unless thou hast sufficient men to cover the town. Thou
hast six hundred militiamen at Preston. Thou must bring them forthwith
to Lancaster. There is also, unless I am misinformed, a regiment of
dragoons at Preston, commanded by Colonel Stanhope. They would be useful
here.”
“Colonel Stanhope cannot move his dragoons without an order from General
Wills,” said Sir Henry. “And as to the militia, I can't bring them here
because I should deprive Preston of its main defence.”
“That is unfortunate,” observed the Quaker. “The best fighting men in
Lancaster are Jacobites, and likely to help the rebels. I would not
trust them to serve the cannon.”
“I begin to think you are a Jacobite yourself, Mr. Lawson,” observed
Sir Henry. “Since you raise all these difficulties you must order the
_Robert_ to leave Sunderland, and move to some other port.”
“I can't do it, friend,” observed the Quaker. “The rebels would consider
the step as an injustice to themselves, and assuredly resent it.”
“This truckling to the rebels proves you to be a Jacobite,” said Sir
Henry, angrily; “but I will consult my brother magistrates, Mr. Rigby
and Colonel Charteris, and if they are of my opinion, we will issue a
warrant and seize the arms.”
“Do as it seems good to thee, in regard to the cannon, friend,” rejoined
the Quaker. “But counsel thy brother magistrates not to blow up the
bridge, as I hear is their intention. They will not thereby hinder the
entrance of the rebels, since the river is passable at low water both
for horse and foot, and will do great damage to the town.”
“There you are right,” said Sir Henry. “The bridge shall not be
destroyed. Have you any further complaints to make?”
“Yea, verily,” replied the Quaker. “I have to complain that a barrel
of gunpowder hath been improperly and imprudently wasted by him thou
callest Colonel Charteris.”
“How so?” demanded Sir Henry.
“Because he hath caused Samuel Satterthwaite to cast it into the
town-well.”
“Perhaps he thought Sam Satterthwaite might sell it to the rebels.”
“Wherefore not use it against them himself? I am a man of peace, and
Colonel Charteris is a man of war. Yet methinks, the order to spoil
the powder would have come more aptly from me, than from him. Most
assuredly, however, I would have given no such direction.”
“I can easily believe it, Mr. Lawson,” replied Sir Henry. “You know the
value of gunpowder, having an armed vessel of your own.”
“I know its utility at this moment,” rejoined the Quaker, “when an
insurrection has to be quelled.”
“Or aided,” said Sir Henry, significantly. “Well, I won't argue with
you further, Mr. Lawson. You shall have due notice when the arms are
seized.”
“I am not much afraid of that,” muttered the Quaker, as Sir Henry took
his departure.