September 1782

Middlesex

At the General Quarter Session of the poor
of our Lord the King holden and for the
County of Middlesex at the Sessions House for
the said County by adjournment a Thursday
the 19th October 1782

By adjournment same day

The Chairman laid before the Court the subsequent Letter from Coll. Cox Field
Office in Waiting of the Foot Guards White hall and his answer thereto and
the same being Read as follows Vizt:

Sr:

I Have the honr. of Addressing you (as Field Officer in Waiting) on the
Subject of a Serjts. Quard which took place at Clerkenwell Prison at the time
of the late Tumults & Disorders in this Metropolis;

The almost General Attack, on the Prisons, made it highly
necessary in that Distemper [..] State of the Populace to Aid, and Assist the
Goalers with a Military force: And Shou'd the same unhappy Spirit
prevail again I've no doubt but that the Military with their usual Real
and alacrity will lend (during the Emergency their Aids

As I have now the honr. of addressing a Gentn. of ye. liberal way if
thinking I feel little reluclance in hinting to you that a continuation of th [..]
Service is rather of an Ignoble Complexion, for His Majestys Guards who
are, in consequence, (no Emergency at present existing) mereby Assisstant
Goalers-I've no doubt but that the Goaler is amply paid for
Quarding with his own people, his own Prison.

Added to this it has been but too frequently Reported to me [..]
by Serjts. of very respectable Character & Conduct that violent Alle [..]
have happened & Gross Insults have been Offer'd by Goalers Turnkeys
to the Military on that service. This Animosity which seems to
amount to a settled hatred between the parties (will if the Gd. is continued
naturally have tendency to excite Disorder at a place where peace
and Tranquillity is so essentially necessary to all parties Concerner
As I intend to take the Guard off shortly I thought it a matter of
politesse, as well as propriety to address my Ideas to you, on the
occasion: more especially so, as the request for the Guard appears to be
Sign'd by you,as Chairman.

August the 4th. 1782.
Charles St.J. Square .

I have the honr. to be
with Great Respect
Yr. Obedte. Servt.

Thomas Cox< no role > .
Field Officers in Waiting.

P.S If I'm honr. with yr. thoughts
on the occasion, You will please to address,
"The Field Officer in Waiting of the Foot Gar.
White hall" as possibly another F. Officer.
may be on that Duty.