|This cartoon was part of the public campaign fought on behalf ofthe Tolpuddle Martyrs. In 1834 they were sentenced to transportationfor seven years after swearing an oath of loyalty to a labourers'union. By then trade unions were no longer banned, but under an oldlaw secret oaths were illegal. The men are shown begging for mercyfrom the king. The six 'martyrs' were pardoned in 1836 and returnedhome two years later. Catalogue reference: HO 44/27, no. 193 (1834)