From William Ginty   Sunday 1st October 1843

Sunday 1st October 1843.

An account of the two days proceedings at Liverpool

Friday

The horrors of the ‘Investigation’¹ having terminated, in proof of the line that ‘satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do’,² the minions of monopoly cut out fresh work for themselves. ‘Intimidate! intimidate! do every thing that ingenuity can invent to frustrate these fellows’ designs’ – seemed to be the order of the day. And as a beginning, that most consummate of all consummate rascals, Crpl. Scott,³ ruled that no man was to speak above his breath in the office in future! (this as you will soon see was a grand step to keep men from talking ‘mischief’). Between breakfast and dinner Hamley visited all hands – praised every man’s work, which he never did before; called up some broken instrument and said he would certify it as having been broke by accident and so save a fellow’s cash. By this and some other movements he created a good feeling, as may be expected – It was so infernally unusual to see the worthy man in a good temper! Thus he laid a foundation for his after movements! After this he went from room to room and discussed the ‘form’⁴ with the men, never once pretending he had seen the memorial.⁵ (Read his speech,⁶ and you will have all he said, nearly word for word, in our office, which was only a repetition of what he said in George St.,⁷ in different rooms). You may depend on this report being authentic. Mark who he addressed himself to in the commencement – he said he granted the request, a lie – he never noticed it. Mark the threats at the ring-leaders – this of course was threatening all, for those that took the most active part were elected to do so by the rest. The rumour he spoke of was not ‘circulated’ – he lies. He merely said so for an excuse for his address. Mind how the rascal slipped the intention – Just what we all knew it was for – to gag us.

Saturday

He had a long discussion with ‘Ye three gentlemen’. Taylor, Hansbrow,⁸ and a fellow named Blakeney,⁹ all in one room. ‘If you don’t like your pay’ says he to Taylor, ‘why don’t you go elsewhere’. So I intend, when opportunity offers – replied T. After a great deal of talk, in which he got the worst of it, he said ‘he did not come there to discuss the matter’. ‘Corpl. Scott, take it round and ask them individually to sign’. Scott did. Scott silenced (veritas)¹⁰ Hansbrow for saying to Blakeny – ‘sign if you are satisfied’. Blakeney signed after a great deal of hesitation, adding that he was not satisfied and that it would not prevent him from remonstrating hereafter. Taylor and Hansbrow said they would sign if he allowed them to write a remark in connexion with their names – refused, and so they refused. Scott went to a room upstairs and gave two men to understand that Mr Hamley intended calling in several for recommendation that evening and immediately afterwards entered with the former. Frank Tidmarsh¹¹ refused to sign. Scott called him downstairs and assumed the office of guardian over him and forced him by saying many things of a threatening nature and winding it all up by saying mind he used no threats. He signed and says he was forced, and is half crazy for doing so. Thus Sir villainy¹² thinned our ranks of 10. 15 are left, thanks to their consciences. The ‘God of truth’ seemed to have little effect on the 10 who are now laughed at by all hands!

Hamley I understand was with Eivers – trying to persuade him to remain. Taylor got a thundering letter from Beatty¹³ that fellow will be fixed I’ll do his goose yet!

What of Spec.¹⁴ Go ahead the sooner the better. Agitate! Agitate! Agitate! Tell them for God’s sake about Liverpool borough.

Hamley when asked if the memorial was gone, said yes! And when referred to it another time said it was a private thing between them and the Master General¹⁵ had nothing to do with it. Beatty says ‘he hopes’ Dhigan and Connolly¹⁶ in Manchester ‘will be dismissed’. I did not get the Sub-surveyorship. I am promised a clerkship at £50 a year here. Oh if I get it. There was [150] applications for them two berths.

No doubt when Hamley sends the news to Tucker he will try the same! in Preston. Be prepared!

Have we not enough to prove intimidation? I calculate we have. Their very act of presenting it to us was improper – and insult and a gross intimidation in itself when our relative position is considered. Oh! here’s room for the lash and no mistake.

The Speech. NO INTIMIDATION!!!

After the disturbance created by the ‘Gathering of the Clan’ had subsided, Lt. W.G. Hamley R.E.,¹⁷ proceeded to address the meeting. The honourable gentleman,¹⁸ who was received with deafening cheers, looked unusually pale and during his address bent an intense gaze upon his mother earth with his hat pulled over his eyes. ‘He (Mr H.) received a request signed by a number of Civil Assistants – many of whom he supposed were present, requesting time for deliberation with respect to the late circular¹⁹ – he granted that request (cheers). The week would be up tomorrow and he would send the form round for signature (hear hear). He hoped they would all sign it (cheers and cries of ‘we will’) he was sure they had been led to think wrongly on this matter (hear). A cry of discontent and opposition had been raised by a few who induced others to back them – He had heard – he was certain a cabal of the kind had been got up by two or three who lent themselves to cause trouble, raise disturbance and create unnecessary expense, such as the late investigation (hear hear). Such men he would say were nuisances (cheers). They done considerable injury and if he (Mr H.) could find them out he would settle their hash²⁰ (tremendous cheers and cries of ‘serve them right’). A rumour had been set afloat that all those who did not sign would be increased and that others would never obtain one – He begged to say it was false – that no such thing was ever contemplated. ‘Pon my word and honour’ exclaimed the Honble. Gent²¹ with some warmth ‘this thing was not got up to entrap or injure the Civil Assts’. A pause during which it was evident a reply was expected. None being given, he continued to say, that while he was speaking he might as well tell them all he knew of the matter (hear! hear! hear!). Letters²² had been written to the Master General about low pay. Col. Colby had been accused of making promises and not keeping them; many men talked of bad treatment. They must be all aware of the trouble this would cause. The expense of searching over old documents to contradict such false statements. Now he (Mr H.) would let them into the secret – but it was not a secret. It was intended to put a stop to this kind of grumbling (loud cheers). If they did not like the remuneration they were getting, they were at liberty to go (hear hear). He would not order any of them to sign it, he had no authority for doing so – if they were military men they would be punished. Col. Colby would be very much displeased and would perhaps part with them readily – such conduct if carried much further would prove fatal to the Survey²³ (hear). He (Mr H.) would not be affected by such a result – he could return to his duty. So could the other officers. The sappers²⁴ could return to their duty – but the civilians would be thrown out of employment (applause). He begged them to remember he used no threat, he did not say there was much harm in not signing it (hear). If they took his advice they would sign it (cheers). He held out no threat to one side nor hope to the other. He came there merely to disabuse their minds and to request them to act on their own opinions tomorrow. It was of course optional with them. Particular men should state their particular grievances. They should take their chance of increases. A large grant²⁵ might be given next year, if so there would be a general increase (hear! hear! hear!). In conclusion, he had to request them to think and act upon their own discretion. The Honble. Gentleman raised his head amidst loud cheers to view the retiring multitude.

Serjt. Sinnett requested to be informed by the Honble. gent who had just stood up, if the order promulgated that evening at the Lower House²⁶ was to extend to this house, to the effect that the men were not to speak above their breath during the working hours.

(Mr Hamley replied) ‘Speak’, roared the Honble. Gent, ‘if they don’t speak ‘mischief’ here they will in some other place. They may speak as much as they like if they mind their work – if I find out those refactory²⁷ gentlemen that excited the rest, [they] and I will soon part company (cheers from all parts of the House).

Exit Hamley.

Several other gentlemen intended to address the meeting – prudence however said – ‘let him alone – give him rope enough’.²⁸

RI MS JT/1/TYP/11/3612-3613

LT Transcript Only