The ‘General Safety of the State’: Treason from 1816 to 1820

Abstract

During the 22 years of war with France, structural changes in industry and commerce that had slowly been emerging became recognized as permanent alterations in the socio-economic landscape. The merchants and laborers had supplied money and toil to support the war effort, but in peace these Britons suffered economically and believed they lacked a voice in the legitimate halls of power. Returning servicemen wondered how it was that poor men were expected to fight for their country and yet be denied a share of the prosperity and a role in the governing of it.¹ Compounding the economic problem, the old Dissenters (Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Baptists), Catholics and even Methodists continued their pressure to dismember the church-state establishment.²