Those in Government in London responsible for Napoleon’s imprisonment, were determined that the ex-emperor should never be allowed to return to Europe. Home Department’s Alien Office, together with its colleagues in the Secret Office of the Post Office, kept watch on the capital’s liberal sympathisers and the Bow Street Runners spied on potential traitors.
After 19 years of war, Great Britain was exhausted with economic recession and demands for political change leading to riots across Northern towns and cities as soldiers dismissed from military service were found guilty of petty crime and transported to Botany Bay.