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PREFACE
of the movement rather inclines me to wonder why, during its continuance, I did not feel a higher admiration of the bravery, the knowledge, the prudence, and the patriotism of its leaders.
For any sins of commission or omission in this work I alone am responsible. I have consulted no one as to what I should put in or leave out, and no one has seen my manuscript but the printer. I have thus preserved the freedom which an author ought to enjoy when he is recording the actions of men, many of whom are his associates and personal friends, while they are freed from any suspicion of having assisted in the record of their own doings.
Manchester, 15th December,
1852
