“My dear Sir,
I beg to enclose four lists of as many parties in my department, consisting of eleven persons each, ready to be sworn as special constables. The name at the head of each party is that of the gentleman who will act as leader or foreman to it. Any order which you will transmit to me for them shall be attended to. At the same time allow me to say that if anything very serious were to happen, we are not prepared for it. To be prepared, for an attack in earnest, should not the Museum be made a depôt for troops; the usual military guard ought to be at least doubled. Supposing the Riot Act read, and extreme measures unavoidable, the Museum can be well defended by a well-directed fire of musketry from the roof, which commands not only every side of the building, but every approach to it, as well as some most important points of the interior. I took Mr. Hawkins over it this morning on purpose to show him this.[this.] I should regret as much as any one that such mode of defence should ever be forced upon us, but a danger is better avoided by the determination and readiness to meet it with proper energy. The measures taken by the Government show that they do not think lightly of the state of affairs; and always hoping for the best, as prudent men, we ought to be ready for the worst. Permit me to suggest also for your consideration that
1st. The gate by Mr. König’s house, on the west side of the officer’s houses, as well as another gate, higher up, on the same road, ought to be strengthened. The same ought to be done with those on the roads to the north and east, right and left of the reading-room entrance. The iron gate also to Montagu Place ought to be strengthened, locked, and the key kept by you; nor ought the opening under the new passage, from your house to the Library, to be left unprotected.
2nd. All the doors in the basement, particularly those opening on the yards and roads outside the building, ought to be kept locked, and none opened, under any pretence, without an officer’s order.
3rd. The two clerks of the works, the enginemen, and the house carpenter, should be at hand throughout the day, and have the fire-engines ready for use at a moment’s notice. It would be as well to have a couple of men from Mr. Merryweather’s with them.
4th. More police lanthorns, a dozen at least to be provided, in case they might be required at night.
5th. No officer, attendant, or servant whatever, to leave the Museum on Monday, except with your special leave.
Yours, &c., A. Panizzi.”
“P.S.—There are men in the house ready and able to use firearms (if provided with them) should it be absolutely necessary. We ought to provide them; as to the absolute necessity of actually using them, it must depend on circumstances.”
On the 15th of April, the Trustees held a meeting, and “acknowledged thankfully the human means which have been employed in their service, in the maintenance of the safety of the British Museum in their charge, and to record, accordingly, their grateful conviction of the intelligence, energy, zeal, and union, which have been displayed by their Principal Librarian, by the heads of departments” and by the gentlemen engaged under them.”