=Source.=--_Calendar of Home Office Papers, 1766-1769._ Pp. 322, 323.
London, 1879.
_Robert Wood to Sir J. Fielding._
_5 and 6 April._--Lord Weymouth has been informed that Mr. Stuart, the
wine merchant, upon application to you for assistance against the mob
on the night of the illumination, had not met with that support which
he had reason to expect from the civil magistrate. Though this account
does not agree with what his Lordship had conceived of your vigilance
and activity, yet he has ordered me to acquaint you with it, and to
add that though, on the one hand, he relies much on your zeal, and is
ready to do justice to your diligence at the time of the late riotous
proceedings, yet, on the other, he thinks it his indispensable duty to
take notice of any remissness in a magistrate upon whom so much of the
public order and tranquillity depends; and if Mr. Stuart’s account of
this matter be founded, his Lordship desires that I will let you know
it will very much change that favourable opinion which he wishes to
preserve of you. His Lordship thinks it would be unfair towards you as
well as to the public to keep this matter from you, though Mr. Stuart
has not given it in as matter of formal complaint, but merely for the
Secretary of State’s information. Lord Weymouth is willing to suppose
there must be some mistake in what he has heard.
P.S.--As Lord Weymouth had taken every precaution that could be
imagined in order to support magistracy and give weight to your
proceedings, he is disappointed to find that there should be any
complaint; and though he despises clamour, he must pay attention to
facts urged by a citizen of character; and I heartily wish you may put
it in his power to set you clear of imputation, which is his wish also.
* * * * *
The reply to this letter is dated the 5th.
Sir John Fielding gives a history of the transactions of the night,
and says that, to the best of his knowledge, and to the best of his
abilities, with unwearied attention, diligence, and application, he has
done everything in his power to preserve peace and good order, and to
detect offenders and bring them to justice, from the beginning to the
conclusion of the late unhappy disturbances. Is sincerely concerned
if in any respect Mr. Steward mistook his meaning, and more so that
Lord Weymouth should be dissatisfied with his conduct as a magistrate.
Unfortunate he has always been; at present particularly so, when his
warmest endeavours to discharge a public trust with loyalty to his
Sovereign, fidelity to his country, and obedience to his superiors,
have been so far ineffectual as not to secure him the confidence of
those by whom he would wish to be approved.--Bow Street.