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X/POOLE/306

LETTER: Duke of Portland from Whitehall to Lord Bulkeley. He has ordered troops to march immediately to Holywell, Denbigh and Caernarfon to assist the civil authorities in preserving public peace. Enquiries must be made to find the man who has been distributing pikes and the other two agitators and bring them to justice. The magistrates should also find out whether any systematic plan of insurrection exists. He suggests that the magistrates use a spy to gain the confidence of the insurrectionists and pass on information to the magistrates. He asks Lord Bulkeley to tell the magistrates to send for military support directly they feel it might be needed. Endorsed with Lord Bulkeley’s reply. He will investigate the situation. If the plot is as dangerous as Mr. Jones’s letter suggests, he will advise that a King’s Messenger or Bow Street Runner be sent to North Wales as the magistrates are not well provided with constables or peace officers (1801 27 Jan.). Also endorsed with a copy letter of Lord Bulkeley to Col. Edwards asking for information on the state of affairs. He advises him to be as bold as possible. (No. X/POOLE/6).