Read "Preston Fight" by William H. Ainsworth online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Aware that the rebels were marching towards Lancaster, the Whig inhabitants of the town endeavoured to make some defensive preparations, and were materially aided in their efforts by Sir Henry Hoghton, of Hoghton Tower, member of Parliament for Preston, and Colonel of the Lancashire Militia.
Having ascertained that a ship called the _Robert_, of five hundred tons burthen, belonging to Mr. Lawson, a wealthy Quaker of Lancaster, was lying at Sunderland -- a small sea-port situated at the estuary of the Lune -- Sir Henry went to Mr. Lawson to endeavour to negotiate with him for the use of the guns.