Description:The Sutherland Papers contain many documents which reflect the reaction of Staffordshire communities to national events throughout history, particularly during times of national crisis.
Throughout the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Britain was at war with Revolutionary France. The threat of invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte overshadowed national and local politics in Britain at the turn of the nineteenth century. In 1803 the threat became more imminent with Bonaparte’s army amassing in Calais and making preparations to cross the channel and invade Britain.
During this period a number of voluntary organisations were established around the country to support the British Navy and defend Britain against foreign invasion. In July 1803 inhabitants of Hanley, Shelton and Etruria met to discuss the formation a Volunteer Association in their district.
The Sutherland Papers contain a report from this meeting which was held at the Swan Inn at Hanley on Saturday 30th July 1803. The report states that the meeting was held ‘for the purpose of considering the present situation of the Country, and the means necessary for promoting the measures of Government’.
It was resolved at the meeting ‘that the most zealous and active exertions ought to be made by every Individual at this important and awful crisis’. The report expresses nationalist fervour and a desire amongst the inhabitants of Hanley, Shelton and Etruria ‘to support the independence of the Kingdom’. It was resolved at the meeting to co-operate with the Government ‘in repelling the attempts of an implacable and ambitious Foe who threatens the destruction of every thing, which as Men and Britons we hold dear and valuable’.
In an attempt to support the Government, the report states that inhabitants of the district were willing ‘to learn the use of arms’ and ‘form themselves into voluntary associations or companies for that purpose’.
The volunteer associations would offer their services to the Government and would be sufficiently trained and armed ‘to serve in any part of the Kingdom’ in case of any ‘Invasion’,and to defend against any ‘Rebellion or Insurrection’.
It was resolved at the meeting to apply to the Government ‘for arms and accountraments’. Each volunteer in the association was to ‘furnish his uniform’ at his own expense, in the same style as the uniform of the County Militia. A subscription was to be set up in the neighbourhood ‘for the purpose of defraying incidental expenses’ incurred by the Volunteer Association.
It has been argued that the Volunteers were likely, if ever tested in battle, to have proved militarily ineffective. Joining the volunteers also gave an exemption from being drafted into the militia, which could prove much more onerous than attending weekly drills and parades.
To learn more about the Volunteer Association, click on the image on the left.
Contextual information from ‘Napoleon, Nelson & the French Threat’ by Dan Cruickshank. This article is available online at: (www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/french_threat_01.shtml)