1801 HANNAH MORE. Letter Written to Help Alleviate Starvation During Food Riots of 1801

Fascinating letter written to the Government of Bristol offering a Mr. Platt for employment as someone to help distribute aid to the poor during the food riots of 1801. She describes his character, etc., and then discusses how 4000 colliers rioted in the Bristol market, but were disbanded without bloodshed, etc., She comments that it is not "Jacobnism," i.e. rebellion, but pure hunger and famine.  

"My dear Sir,

This morning Mr. Pratt called upon me to mention a plea of which he had just received as  ****** from a friend in town. It is, that Government we about to apparent Commissioners for the relief of those Parishes where the Poor Rates are insufficient to keep them from starving. And it has been suggested to him that he is the sort of person whom Gov't wish to employ in this business. It was mentioned likewise that you are the principal manager of it, and the proper person to apply to. Mr Pratt would not dislike to undertake it provided it is a business which requires no professional abilities. 

I offered him to write to you, to save his delicacy. I can also add which he cannot, that from what I know of him he seems to be uncommonly well qualified for the office, from the strictness of his principles, the sober, serious, acute, investigating turn of his mind, and the peculiar interest he takes in the distresses of the poor. There would I presume be some suitable remuneration for taking of his time from the interests of his sons. 

I should make a conscience of writing you a letter now, overloaded as you are with cares and duties did I not really hope I was doing you a service by suggesting such an upright and able agent."

She then goes on to describe the riots in the market, the disbanding, the national hunger, etc,