Folios 402-406. Letter [folios 405-406] from Joseph White [Treasury Solicitor] enclosing...

Folios 402-406. Letter [folios 405-406] from Joseph White [Treasury Solicitor] enclosing an office copy [omitted in error from HO 42/19/164] of further affidavits sworn by witnesses to events at Birmingham [Warwickshire] from 14 to 17 July:

James Phillips, whitesmith, on the pulling down of John Ryland's house at Easy Row on 15 July and of a partially heard conversation between John Brooke, attorney, and members of the mob;

George Bower, gilt toymaker, on the behaviour of magistrates Joseph Carles and the Reverend Dr [Benjamin Spencer] on 14 July towards the mob outside the Hotel, apparently leading to increased stone-throwing;

Ann Hanwall, widow, on Brooke's role in directing the mob outside the Hotel towards Bull Street and on to the New Meeting House;

George Davis, buttonmaker, describing the behaviour of Carles, who appeared intoxicated, and Spencer in Bull Street, where they may have encouraged, but certainly did not prevent, the mob's moving on the New Meeting House;

Lydia Jeavon, spinster, on the arrival of Spencer and 3 other gentlemen on horseback at the destruction of Dr Priestley's house on 15 July, their reassurance of protection for members of the mob in respect of their actions to date, their request for the mob not to use fire and to return to their work and families, and the renewed violence of the demolition after the gentry had left.