ABSTRACT
The introduction of the Treasonable Practices and Seditious Meetings bills into parliament during November 1795 forced the London Corresponding Society to adopt a series of new regulations. Although the government’s repressive measures did not become law until 18 December 1795, this work — dated six days earlier — anticipates the success of these bills in parliament after a nationwide campaign for repeal proved fruitless. The two versions of these Articles differ slightly in wording and in regulation seven where the days each committee meets are varied. According to Francis Place, onetime president of the Society, the new regulations saw the General Committee lose ‘but little of its animation altho reduced to less than one half of its former number, it was occupied fully with the quantity of business which came before it. But the district committees soon became discontented and it was difficult to find members willing to be selected to them.
