Five items relating to the appointment of Special Constables, 'in consequence of the unsettled state of the Metropolis', including a signed warrant appointing Cater a Special Constable, as 'a tumult or riot may be reasonably apprehended'.

A collection of items indicating the panic felt by the bourgeoisie around the time of the Great Chartism Meeting on Kennington Common, 10 April 1848. Items Two to Five are laid down on a piece of grey paper removed from a scrapbook. Item One: Printed warrant signed by two magistrates, appointing Cater a Special Constable, it appearing, 'upon the oath of a credible witness, that a tumult or riot may be reasonably apprehended'. On one side of a piece of laid paper roughly 320 x 210 mm. Watermarked 'W H FELLOWS 1847'. Good, on lightly creased and aged paper, with minor traces of previous grey paper mount adhering to the blank reverse. Headed 'St. James, Westminster' beneath the Royal Crest. Eighteen lines of printed text, with the words 'Mr. Wm Charles Cater' and his address '56 Pall Mall' in the hand of the first signatory. The two signatures are illegible. ITEM TWO: Printed notice, headed 'ST. JAMES, WESTMINSTER', announcing the swearing-in of Special Constables, 'for the Protection of Property', 'in consequence of the unsettled state of the Metropolis'. '[...] the Magistrates are quite prepared to Swear in any further number of the Inhabitants who may apply for that purpose, at the Police Court, Gt. Marlborough St. Daily, between the Hours of ELEVEN and FOUR o'Clock.' Thirteen lines of text, in a variety of fonts and point sizes. By William Geesin and John Thomas Campart, Churchwardens, and dated from the 'Vestry Room, 8th March, 1848'. 'PRINTED BY T. BRETTELL, RUPERT STREET, HAYMARKET.' On one side of a piece of paper, roughly 225 x 280. Text clear and entire. Good, though slightly ruckled and discoloured, and with chipping to right-hand margin. Item Three: Printed slip, roughly 65 x 220 mm, announcing a meeting of Special Constables at the Vestry Room. Dated 13 March 1848. Good. Item Four: Printed slip, completed in manuscript, roughly 65 x 215 mm, announcing a meeting of Special Constables at the Vestry Room. Dated 9 April 1848. With a little light staining. Item Five: Printed slip, completed in manuscript, roughly 55 x 170 mm, reading 'A Division [4th.] Section. | [Thos Baker | W. C. Cater | 56 Pall Mall] | Meet at [Eleven] o'Clock. [Monday | at Burlington House]'. On lightly aged paper.