344 THE WHIGS AND THE RADICALS. [1819. 



State who refused to present them would be subject 

 to just reprehension. Ever most truly yours, 



" GREY. 



" Pray let me hear from you now and then, when 

 you have nothing better to do. What do you think 

 of magistrates, in the execution of a judicial duty, 

 suspending their proceedings, and detaining men in 

 prison without examination, for the avowed purpose 

 of consulting the ministers of the Crown ? This in- 

 deed seems to me one of the strongest constitutional 

 questions that ever occurred. It is a very natural 

 consequence of Sidmouth's circular." 



During the spring and autumn of 1819 there had 

 been meetings held in different parts of England and 

 Scotland, some for repeal of the corn-laws, some on 

 the distress in the manufacturing districts, others for 

 Parliamentary reforms. In the latter, Mr Hunt, who 

 was a leader among the Eadicals, generally played a 

 very prominent part. The largest and most important 

 meeting was held on ground near Manchester, called 

 St Peter's Field, and there the soldiers being called in, 

 many of the people were wounded and several killed. 

 Hunt was sent to prison on a charge of high treason, 

 which, however, the Government were wise enough to 

 abandon. The tragedy at Manchester got the name 

 of the Peterloo Massacre, and produced a vast amount 

 of indignation all over the country, and led to " the 

 six Acts " being passed during that session of Parlia- 

 ment. Nevertheless, the proceedings of the Eadicals 

 had been unjustifiable; and although not sufficiently so 

 to warrant the harsh measure of the Government, still 



