“…Thomas M'Crie, the renowned Antiburgher author, who read the petition and provided Blanchard with a letter of introduction to Lord Brougham. 86 In preparation for his visit to the capital Blanchard also met with Lord Cockburn, solicitor-general and author of the Scottish Reform Bill, who gave Blanchard a letter for Francis Jeffrey. Before departing from Scotland Blanchard lingered to watch the grand procession of operatives; he later informed McCulloch of a 'holy league' formed in Worcester resolved to resist taxation until the Reform Bill was secured.…”