lecting a "Legislatorial Attorney," who was to
proceed to the House of Commons, and formally demand to be admitted as
the representative of Birmingham. The advice was taken, and on the 12th
of July, 1819, a great meeting was held on Newhall Hill, for the purpose
indicated. George Edmonds was the chairman and principal speaker, and
was admittedly the local leader.

The Government was not slow to take action. On the 30th of the same
month, the Prince Regent issued a proclamation, warning all His
Majesty's subjects against treasonable and seditious meetings, and
malpractices generally, and saying, _inter alia_--

"And whereas, it hath been represented unto us, that at one of such
meetings the persons there assembled, in gross violation of the law,
did attempt to constitute and appoint, and did, as much as in them
lay, constitute and appoint, a person then nominated, to sit in
their name, and in their behalf, in the Commons House of Parliament;
and there is reason to believe that other meetings are about to be
held for the like unlawful purpose.

"And whereas, many wicked and seditious writings have been printed,
published, and industriously circulated, &c.

"And whereas, we have been given to understand ... that in some
parts of the kingdom, men, clandestinely and unlawfully assembled,
have practised military training and exercise.

"And whereas, &c., we have resolved to repress the wicked,
seditious, and treasonable practices, &c. We do charge and command
all sheriffs, magistrates, &c., to discover and bring to justice,
all persons who _have been_ or may be guilty of uttering seditious
speeches or harangues, and all persons concerned in any riots or
_unlawful assemblies_, which, _on whatever pretext they may be
grounded_, are not only _contrary to law_, but dangerous to the most
important interests of the kingdom," &c.

At the time this Proclamation appeared, Edmonds was editing and
publishing in Birmingham a weekly political paper, under the title of
_Edmonds's Weekly Recorder_. Number 8 of this paper, dated August 7,
1819, lies before me. The Proclamation is printed at full length on the
front page, and the next column contains the opening sentences of a
letter from Edmonds to the Prince Regent. This letter is of great
length, and is written in a well-supported strain of splendid irony all
through. To copy it at length would occupy to