1812 election document from the Enoch Wood scrapbook - "An atrocious outrage..."

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Date:1st of June 1812

Description:In 1812, two candidates - Walhouse and Wrottesley - were fighting for the votes of Stoke-on-Trent's electors.

"Sir John Wrottesley has withdrawn from the contest and left the party in the lurch."

Wrottesley pulled out of the race, claiming that he had been drawn into a contest of wealth that he could never win.

Many of his supporters turned their attentions to Josiah Wedgwood II, even though he had vowed not to stand for election.

"An atrocious outrage."

At an election husting, the author alleges, an "atrocious outrage" took place.

He states that Walhouse's party would never encourage "violence and dissipation" and promises that normal trade with the United States would soon be resumed.

Trade

Trade was important because it had ground to a halt - British ships were barred from entering European ports and Britain's relationship with America had fallen apart.

Difficulties in trade resulted in hardships at home. Any candidate promising an improvement might expect a better hearing.

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This document is now part of the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.

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