One of the most serious attacks took place at Burton's Mill in Middleton in April 1812. Archibald Prentice described it in his book Historical Sketches and Personal Recollections of Manchester: 'On 27th April a riotous assembly took place at Middleton. The weaving factory of Mr Burton and Sons had been previously threatened in consequence of their mode of weaving, being done by the operation of steam. The factory was protected by soldiers, so strongly as to be impregnable to their assault; they then flew to the house of Mr Emanuel Burton, where they wreaked their vengeance by setting it on fire.' In the same book Mr Prentice also describes a serious Luddite incident at Westhoughton: 'On Friday, the 24th April, a large body of weavers and mechanics began to assemble about midday, with the avowed intention of destroying the power looms, together with the whole of the premises at Westhoughton. The military rode at full speed to Westhoughton; and on their arrival were surprised to find that the premises were entirely destroyed, while not an individual could be seen to whom attached any suspicion of having acted a part in this truly dreadful outrage.' A force of 35,000 men under the command of Lieutenant General Thomas Maitland was finally sent by Parliament to put down the Luddites in the late summer of 1812; and Luddite attacks and revolts finally ceased in December 1812. Several leading Luddites were executed and many were exiled to the colonies. Lord Byron, while agreeing that something had to be done, believed that '...the sword is the worst argument that can be used...' and thought that '...had proper meetings been held in the earlier stages of these riots, had the grievances of theses men and their masters (for they also had their grievances) been fairly weighed and justly examined, I do think that means might have been devised to restore these workmen to their avocations, and tranquillity to the country.' SD View the Strikes collection to find out more > |
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