=Source.=--_Calendar of Home Office Papers, 1766-1769._ Pp. 839, 840.
London, 1879.
_Duke of Northumberland to H.M.’s Principal Secretaries of State._
_12 and 14 April._--Has received within these few days several letters
from Newcastle, giving an account of a very riotous spirit having
broken out among the sailors and other persons in that place and its
neighbourhood, who have committed many outrages, a continuance of
which is still greatly to be apprehended. His Grace enters into full
particulars. The Mayor and other magistrates of Newcastle, and the
justices of Northumberland and Durham, have been very vigilant and
active on this occasion, but it is their united request, in which
his Grace joins, that a regiment might be quartered and continued in
Newcastle and the neighbourhood.--Northumberland House, 12 April.
* * * * *
Reply from Lord Weymouth, dated the 14th, enclosing a copy of the
letter written in consequence to the Secretary-at-War, directing
him to give orders for detaining the troops at Newcastle and the
neighbourhood which are now there, and to report whether the present
disposition of the troops in that part of the world may not admit of
an alteration which may answer the purposes of support to the civil
magistrate.
_The Same to the Same._
_13 and 14 April._--Submitting whether it may not be expedient that
certain arms belonging to the Middlesex militia, deposited in the
vestry rooms and other places of little security in Westminster and the
neighbourhood of London, should be removed to the Tower, in case there
should be reason to fear a renewal of the mobs and riotous assemblies.
_Lord Weymouth’s Reply, dated the 14th._
It is highly improper that arms should at any time be deposited in
places of little security, and particularly at present when so riotous
a disposition appears among the populace. But as there are objections
to depositing those arms now in the Tower, his Grace is to take all
possible precautions for the present by giving the necessary orders
for particular attention and vigilance upon this occasion; and in
case of an attempt by the populace to possess themselves of the
arms, is to call out the military, orders having been issued to the
Secretary-at-War to support the civil magistrate upon every necessary
occasion.
A PETITION TO GEORGE III. FROM THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE COUNTY OF
MIDDLESEX (1769).
=Source.=--_Letters of Junius._ London: G. Bell and Sons. Vol. ii. 1911.
_To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty._
The humble petition of the Freeholders of the County of Middlesex.