Chartists and special constables: the Cumberland magistrates' embarrassing mistake

In the summer of 1839, as tensions ran high amid rumours of general strikes and armed risings, and the Chartists of Cumberland held threatening moonlit meetings, the mayor of Carlisle and the county’s magistrates decided to activate plans to swear in hundreds of special constables.

By the start of August, they could claim to have 195 specials organised into nine sections in Carlisle alone, each led by a ‘summoning constable’ able to mobilise their men in the event of ‘tumult, riot or fire’ under the overall command of the magistrates assembled at the town hall.

But somewhat embarrassingly for all concerned, the Cumberland magistrates soon had to write to the Home Secretary, Lord John Russell with a confession. ‘It will occur to your Lordship, that we must have difficulty in learning who are reputed Chartists,’ they began. Around 100 of the men signed up as special constables to guard against the Chartists, were, it seemed actually themselves Chartists.

I have no idea how the issue came to light (most likely the non-Chartist specials raised the alarm), but the magistrates were obviously told to get something done about it pretty quickly. ‘In obedience to your Lordship’s order, a Precept is preparing to rescind the appointment of the reputed Chartists who were sworn in as Special Constables; and we send your Lordship a copy of the Notice which we propose to have served on each individual,’ they wrote. The document is shown here.

‘We enclose also the Instructions which we have given to organise those Special Constables who are not Chartists.’

As it happened, there was no rising in Cumberland that year. But Carlisle, Cockermouth and other parts of the county wre among the more radical and best organised Chartist centres, and Cumberland's Chartists were certainly arming with pikes and knives in preparation for the confrontation that never came. The Female Radical Association at Carlisle was able to mobilise hundreds of members behind its banner soon after its launch in the autumn of 1838, while the Cockermouth women were reputed to carry 'small daggers'.

The National Archives holds a great collection of material relating to Chartism in Cumberland in 1839, largely made up of letters and printed papers sent in by the local magistrates to the Home Office at the time, among them long lists of special constables.

The files are also available for free download if anyone wants a look. You will find them here in HO 40 41.