"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 too much space. I may, however, be allowed to quote a short extract or two. Speaking of the meeting on the 12th July, of which he acknowledges himself to have been the chairman, he says: "I, and may it please you, sir, being a very loyal man, was very careful, although it was quite unnecessary, to admonish the people to obey the laws; and I can assure you, sir, that I have not heard of a single instance of disloyalty, or violation of the laws, which occurred during the said meeting. And while we are upon the subject, permit me, sir, to lament that your Royal Highness did not in your Royal Proclamation lay down the _law_ which had been violated by the people of Birmingham." "Finding, however, contrary to our expectations, that your Royal Highness considers that we have acted unlawfully, we must humbly petition that the _precise law we have violated_ may be pointed out, that we may not, through ignorance, be led to do wrong again. Some persons have supposed the _Proclamation_ to be _law_, but I have said to them, 'A Proclamation is a _Proclamation_, and _not the law of Parliament_.' In the same manner as your Highness