artisans against the middle class, as a result of their great disappointment over the Reform Bill.[1] Lovett's account confirms this important particular. On the conclusion of the campaign against the newspaper taxes, he relates, it was seen that the agitation had brought together a number of influential working men—
… and the question arose among us whether we could form and maintain a union formed exclusively of this class and of such men. We were the more induced to try the experiment as the working classes had not hitherto evinced that discrimination and independent spirit in the management of their political affairs which we were desirous to see. … They were always looking up to leadership of one description or other. … In fact the masses in their political organisations were taught to look up to great men (or to men professing greatness) rather than to great principles.[2]
The main difference between Place and Lovett is that Place suggests that Black did, after all, have something to do with the foundation of this famous body, whilst Lovett does not allude to him. The minute-book of the Association[3] gives the following particulars:
At a meeting of a few friends assembled at 14 Tavistock St., Covent Garden, June 9, 1836, William Lovett brought forward a rough sketch of a prospectus for the Working Men's Association (i.e. the question had already been discussed). It was ordered to be printed for further discussion.
On July 17 it was proposed to invite some thirty-three persons to form the nucleus of the Association. Amongst these original members were of course Lovett, Hetherington, Watson, and Cleave. Of lesser importance were Richard Moore, a carver in wood, an honest, unobtrusive man; John Gast, the famous shipwright of Rotherhithe; Richard Hartwell, a compositor; and Richard Cray, a Spitalfields silk-weaver who wrote a very curious report upon the handloom silkweavers of London. Lovett acted as Secretary and Hetherington as Treasurer.[4]
The objects of the Association are thus stated by Lovett:
To draw into one bond of unity the intelligent and influential portion of the working classes in town and country. To seek by every legal means to place all classes of society in possession of the equal political and social rights.
Then follow two specific demands, "a cheap and honest
