Pages 154-157. H Hobhouse to Major General Sir John Byng, Pontefract. Thanks him...

Pages 154-157. H Hobhouse to Major General Sir John Byng, Pontefract. Thanks him for his letter and offer to visit London. Now not likely that a motion will be founded on the petitions before the House [of Commons] except that from Manchester presented by W Philips, which stands at present for Friday. Unlikely that the House will refer it to a committee. Sidmouth therefore sees no need for Byng's offer to give evidence before a committee. The Boroughreeve and contstables have arrived, and Withington has shown Hobhouse Byng's letter which contradicts the Gig story. The Manchester officers highlight the danger that No.s 1 and 2 would face if their names were known, and they have therefore been obliterated from all papers in the office, and he advises Byng to do the same with papers in his possession.