Address of the Gentlemen

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Address of the Gentlemen, Clergy, Merchants, Manufacturers, and other Inhabitants of the Town of Wigan, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, presented to His Majesty by Sir Richard Clayton, Baronet.

The humble Address of the Gentlemen, Clergy, Merchants, Manufacturers, and other Inhabitants of the Town of WIGAN, in the County Palatine of LANCASTER.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty' s most faithful subjects, the Gentlemen, Clergy, Merchants, Manufacturers, and other Inhabitants of the Town of Wigan, with all dutiful respect beg leave to approach the Throne, to testify our unalterable loyalty and attachment to your Majesty' s person and Government, at a time when a most wicked and unnatural rebellion hath made its appearance in your Majesty' s Dominions in America.

Fully sensible of the many blessings we enjoy, in common with the rest of our fellow-subjects, under your Majesty' s mild and gracious Government, we cannot without horror look on every attempt to disturb the same.

With all the attention we are capable of, we have considered whatever our deluded brethren have urged to palliate the violences they have been guilty of. We have weighed every argument that has been offered by the advocates they have unfortunately met with in this Country. On the maturest deliberation, we cannot find any ground for the outrageous steps they have already taken, and we are lost in wonder and astonishment at their conduct, who have been so far forgetful of their duty to the best of Kings, as to endeavour to justify such proceedings.

We lament that your Majesty' s mildness and clemency have hitherto had no good effect on the minds of your infatuated subjects in America; but we cannot help thinking this has been in some degree owing to the artifices of a faction in this Kingdom, that has contributed to keep up the spirit of dissension; and, to serve private views, hath not scrupled to sacrifice the publick interest.

We beg leave to assure your Majesty, that trade has not, in our neighbourhood, suffered any diminution or decay; that our manufactures flourish in the fullest extent; and that we are under no apprehension from any efforts that may be made to lessen or distress them.

In your Majesty and the great Council of the Nation we repose an entire and implicit confidence; and we shall zealously acquiesce in whatever measures may be thought necessary to support the dignity of your Majesty' s crown, and the constitutional rights and authority of this Country over every part of the Dominions thereunto belonging.