28 Faraday, Correspondence of Lt.-Col. /. L. P/iil/ps. 



into the house and were very gcntecly entertained, an accident happened 

 which discomposed us a little, one of Probin's guns burst with two charges 

 in, but luckily it only hurt the Arm of the Person next him that fired it and 

 that not materially. I believe it to be entirely owing to the manner in which 

 it was charged, for I saw the barrel prov'd with two Balls about a fortnight 

 since, the Gentleman who fired it is a new Soldier and he only ramm'd the 

 second Cartridge about halfway down, a method which would burst any 

 barrel in the world. 



I shall be glad to know whether you have concluded anything positive 

 about continuing your Association, I believe ours will continue some time 

 longer but it is not finally resolved on, we had a very animating speech from 

 our Captain on receiving the Colours, and on Sunday we are to have a sermon 

 from our Chaplain on the subjeet. 



The pair of colours alluded to here were presented to 

 the Liverpool Volunteers on February 20, 1783 ; one 

 being presented by the King (George III.), and the other 

 by Mrs, Rawlinson, wife of Mr. Henry Rawlinson, one of 

 the members of Parliament for the Borough. The next 

 letter is one of the most amusing in the series : — 



Liverpool 7th April 17S3 

 Dear Sir, 



I received your letter advising of the Box of fruit which I despatched 

 this day to .Allerton, with a letter to your Mother. The box had taken no 

 hurt in the Carriage. 



In this period when the spirit of Liberty seems to Inirst forth around us, 

 I am ha|ipy to tell you it lias not quite deserted this Island some genuine 

 sparks of it have been kindled this day in Liverpool which I do not doubt will 

 be the foundation of a permanent generous flame, in a word the Burgesses who 

 for near a Century past have been subject to the tyrranous rule of the uncon- 

 stitutional & arbitrary Corporation, have this day gained a triumph over them 

 which they have anxiously wished for these 40 years back ; the affair stands 

 thus. Our Council have usurped a power of choosing themselves, which is 

 the right of the freemen at large, the)' refuse to make any disclosure of their 

 accounts and proceedings & spend the public money just as they please — 

 they have always taken sjiecial care to associate with them as vacancies 

 happen none but such persons as they are certain will proceed upon this 

 system, it happened last October, which was the time of electing the Mayor 

 that Mr Brown was fixed upon in (Council to be proposed to the Burgesses at 

 the annual Common Hall, he told them he wd. not serve, but however he 

 was chosen, and they applied to the King's Bench to compel him, but finding 

 that Mr lirown wou'd petition the Court to inspect the Council Books to 

 make his defence, and by that means a disclosure of all their dark transactions 

 would he brought to light, the Council without consulting the Burgesses 

 dropt the Action, and told the Court they wou'd elect somebody else, accord- 



