Chapelier

Special Constables Five items re. the appointment of Special Constables 'in consequence of the unsettled state of the Metropolis' including signed warrant appointing Cater a Special Constable as 'a tumult or riot may be reasonably apprehended'.

7440 — The five items produced between March and June 1848. One of them printed by T. Brettell Rupert Street Haymarket. A collection of items indicating the panic felt by the bourgeoisie around the time of the Great Chartism Meeting on Kennington Common 10 April 1848. Items Two to Five are laid down on a piece of grey paper removed from a scrapbook. Item One: Printed warrant signed by two magistrates appointing Cater a Special Constable it appearing 'upon the oath of a credible witness that a tumult or riot may be reasonably apprehended'. On one side of a piece of laid paper roughly 320 x 210 mm. Watermarked 'W H FELLOWS 1847'. Good on lightly creased and aged paper with minor traces of previous grey paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Headed 'St. James Westminster' beneath the Royal Crest. Eighteen lines of printed text with the words 'Mr. Wm Charles Cater' and his address '56 Pall Mall' in the hand of the first signatory. The two signatures are illegible. ITEM TWO: Printed notice headed 'ST. JAMES WESTMINSTER' announcing the swearing-in of Special Constables 'for the Protection of Property' 'in consequence of the unsettled state of the Metropolis'. '. the Magistrates are quite prepared to Swear in any further number of the Inhabitants who may apply for that purpose at the Police Court Gt. Marlborough St. Daily between the Hours of ELEVEN and FOUR o'Clock.' Thirteen lines of text in a variety of fonts and point sizes. By William Geesin and John Thomas Campart Churchwardens and dated from the 'Vestry Room 8th March 1848'. 'PRINTED BY T. BRETTELL RUPERT STREET HAYMARKET.' On one side of a piece of paper roughly 225 x 280. Text clear and entire. Good though slightly ruckled and discoloured and with chipping to right-hand margin. Item Three: Printed slip roughly 65 x 220 mm announcing a meeting of Special Constables at the Vestry Room. Dated 13 March 1848. Good. Item Four: Printed slip completed in manuscript roughly 65 x 215 mm announcing a meeting of Special Constables at the Vestry Room. Dated 9 April 1848. With a little light staining. Item Five: Printed slip completed in manuscript roughly 55 x 170 mm reading 'A Division 4th. Section. Thos Baker W. C. Cater 56 Pall Mall Meet at Eleven o'Clock. Monday at Burlington House'. On lightly aged paper. See Image. The five items produced between March and June 1848. One of them printed by T. Brettell, Rupert Street, Haymarket. unknown