254 Introduction to the Journal. 



or seat, ovmers. I saw that, of Avhatever I might be able 

 to give to my children, as well as of what they might 

 be able to earn, more than one half would be taken 

 away to feed pensioned Lords and Ladies, Soldiers to 

 shoot at us, Parsons to perseciile us, and Fundholders, 

 who had lent their money to be applied to purposes of 

 enslaving us. This view of the matter was sufficient 

 to induce the fatlier of nine children to think of the 

 means of rescuing them from the consequences, which 

 common sense tauglit him to apprehend. But, there 

 were other considerations, which operated with me in 

 producing my emigration to America. 



456. In the year 1811 and 1812 the part of the coun- 

 try, in which I lived, was placed under a neio sort of 

 law ; or, in other words, it was placed out of the pro- 

 tection of the old law of the land. Men were seized, 

 dragged to prison, treated like convicts, many trans- 

 ported and put to death, without having committed any 

 thing, which the law of the land deems a crime. It 

 was then that the infamous Spy-System was again set 

 to work in Lancashire, in which horrid system Fletcher 

 of Bolton was one of the principal actors, or, rather, 

 organizers and promoters. At this time I endeavoured 

 to detect the machinations of these dealers in human 

 blood; and, I narrowly escaped being sacrificed my- 

 self on the testimony of two men, who had their pardon 

 oifered them on condition of their swearing against me. 

 The men refused, and were transported, leaving wives 

 and children to starve. 



457. Upon this occasion, my friend Doctor Tay- 

 lor, most humanely, and vvithhis usual zeal and talent, 

 laboured to counteract the works of Fletcher and 

 his associates. The Doctor published a pamphlet on the 

 subject, in 1812, which every Englishman should read. 

 I, as far as I was able, co-operated with him. We 

 went to London, laid the real facts before several mem- 

 bers of the two houses of Parliament ; and, in some 

 degree, checked the progress of the dealers in blood. 

 I had an interview with Lord Holland, and told him, 

 that, if he would pledge himself to cause the secret- 

 service money to be kept in London, I would pledge 

 myself for the keeping of the peace in Lancashire. In 



