[7] To Prevent the Training of Persons to the Use of Arms.
For the more effectual Prevention and Punishment of Blasphemous and Seditious Libels.
To Authorize the Seizure and Detention of Arms on the part of Justices of the Peace.
To Subject certain Publications to the Newspaper-Stamp Duty.
For more effectually Preventing Seditious Meetings and Assemblies.
To Prevent Delay in the Administration of Justice in Cases of Misdemeanour.
[8] “Authority” must have been in a terrible fright, if we may judge from the following (from the Statesman [London] newspaper, Dec. 2, 1819):—
“Manchester, Nov. 29.—Expected arrival of Mr. Cobbett.—Though the morning was very rainy, the expectation of Mr. Cobbett’s arrival in this town attracted great numbers of persons from different parts of the country. The local authorities were on the alert, and military arrangements were made, which were as formidable as those of the 16th of August. Several pieces of cannon were brought into the town last night, but the yeomanry cavalry had received no orders, nor did they make their appearance to-day. Hussars were stationed on different parts of the Liverpool road, in order to give immediate information of Mr. C.’s movements.”
The Borough reeves and constables placarded the town, recommending the people to keep within doors, and also addressed Mr. Cobbett, informing him that if he made a public entry into Manchester, it would be their “indispensable duty immediately to interfere.”
The Reformers met this with a counter-placard:—“No procession.—In consequence of a placard posted this morning (joined with military arrangements, similar to those which preceded the fatal 16th of August last), … the real friends of peace (the principal Reformers of Manchester) request the public not to give the fiends of St. Peter’s another opportunity of shedding innocent blood, but to stay at home, and thus disappoint them of their prey.”