A collection of printed (5 items) and manuscript material (one item) relating to Special Constables in Kensington in 1848, year of revolution.

Items as follows: a. (Printed) "Memorandum of Suggestions for Use of Special Constables", 4pp., 8vo, foxing, some wear by complete, also detailing the "Legal Powers & Duties of Constables for suppressing and preventing Riots and Disurbances of the Peace", concluding "Metropolitan Police Office, Whitehall Place, March 8th, 1848"; b. (Printed) "Special Constables, Kensington", one page, 15 x 9.5", fold marks and other signs of wear, but good. Also headed with statement "In consequence of the intended withdrawal of the Police from the Parish of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington, it was decided to swear in Special Constables, and to divide the parish into Three Districts. The Committee of the Kensington District issue the following arrangement for the Preservation of Peace and Order in the Parish on the 10th of April 1848, and following days, if necessary. Chief Special Constable ----Sir John Conroy ... Two assistants ...---S. Bird and Captain Prior. There follow lists of the "beats", the leaders of beats and directions for the duties of the Special Constables; c. (Printed) Handbill, one page, sm. folio, spotted and fold marks but good, printed by S. Bird (one of the assistants to teh Chief Special Constable) at the Eagle Priniting Office, Church Street, Kensington, dated 12 July 1848 in manuscript. Headed "Special Constables" and announcing that magistrates thought it desirable to re-swear the Special Constables for six months, to do which the magistrates would attend The Holland Arms, The Plough Inn, and the Vestry Room on consecutive days; d. (Printed with manuscript additions), two forms, one page, folio each, spotting, fold marks but good, sent to J.D. Close (at different addresses) appointing him Special Constable for six months, one form signed by Edward Ryan (probably the Anglo-Indian judge, DNB) and J. Frere, and the other signed by J. Frere and Lord Bathurst; e. (Manuscript) "Kensington District", one page, coupled and torn but good and clear giving the beats, the hours of duty including nights, and instructions for rotating of the Special Constables for the "Bedford Place Division". Apparently, 170,000 special constables were enlisted to counter the perceived revolutionary threat Total six items,