Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
Saturday, December 27, 1830.
HENLEY, Nov. 24.- Yesterday afternoon, a number of persons assembled near Dorchester, when they broke the thrashing-machines of Mr. Peel, of Culham; Mr. Hannam, of Burcott; and some others at Clifton. Two others, the property of Mr. Stone of Basildon and Streatley, Berks, were also destroyed by a number of persons, several of whom were apprehended, and lodged in Reading gaol this morning; and two outhouses and a cow-house were burnt at Mr. Benyons, at Englefield last night. Between eight and nine o'clock an alarm of fire was given at Nettlebed, five miles from hence, but, on proceeding to the spot, it was discovered to be a pile of hedge-wood and rubbish burning, at Nuffield Farm. At a late hour, a fire was observed from the town, in the direction of Twyford; it was at Barkham-square, near Wokingham, where two large hay ricks, about 30 tons, the property of P. Green, Esq fell a prey to incendiaries.
A public meeting was held at Great Marlow, when resolutions were entered into to form a horse and foot patrol, to protect and watch the rick-yards in the neighbourhood; and a great number of special constables were sworn in at the same time. The following hand-bill was distributed in the respective parishes this afternoon :-
"HAMBLEDEN AND MEDMENHAM, BUCKS. - Such of the inhabitants of the parishes of Hambledon and Medmenham as, in the present moment, wish to come forward to assist in the preservation of peace in their neighbourhood, and are desirous to be sworn in as special constables, are requested to attend at Hambledon and Medmenham to-morrow or Friday morning. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1830."
The following hand-bill was also circulated this day :-
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King."- 1 Pet.ii. 17.
"Watch ye; stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong."- 1 Cor. xvi. 13.
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."- Eph. vi. 10.
"In the strength of the Lord, let us be true to our God, to ourselves, our country, and our King."
"Nov. 24, 1830."
CRANFORD. Wednesday evening - Great uneasiness prevails at Cranford, Heston, and the neighbouring places, in consequence of a letter having been sent this morning to Mr. Chapman, the store keeper, at North-hide Depot, threatening to blow up the immense powder magazines under his care. Mr. Chapman immediately went to town in order to lay the letter before the proper authority, and a strong party was sent from Woolwich, and another of the Bucks yeomanry from the Hounslow barracks has just passed, nine p.m., through Cranford, to strengthen the regular depot guards. A strong force of the Bucks yeomanry was likewise under arms at the depot the whole of Tuesday night.
When it is considered that the six magazines of this establishment contain 42,000 barrels of powder, and that the situation is exceedingly open and exposed, the alarm that is felt cannot be surprising. The inhabitants, however, are under no apprehension of any persons being so insane as to ensure their own destruction by blowing the magazines up, if they could; but the fear is, lest in attempting to get possession of the powder, accident should ignite it.
Thursday morning. - The decisive measures taken to secure the depot have completely dissipated the alarm of yesterday afternoon, and most people look on the letter as a hoax; but if so, it was a fortunate one, insomuch as it has occasioned a much more efficient protection to be sent than the place heretofore had. - Morning Herald.
We have been given to understand that strangers are traversing the country as if under a commission for some central band of ruffians, to excite the labouring poor to acts of outrage. They generally travel on horseback, or in buggies, sometimes in post-chaises; and their custom is to enter a village, put up at the public house, and then proceed to make inquiries about the farming concerns of the parish, and to take surveys of the farm-houses and homesteads. These itinerants are the forerunners of tumult and mischief; threatening letters follow next, and then come violence and outrage. Strangers coming into towns and villages, and conducting themselves this way, should be questioned as to their business, and as to where they come from, and where they are going to; and if they cannot give a good account of themselves, they should be detained and brought before the nearest Magistrate, to be dealt with according to the Vagrant Act. Special attention should be paid to their pockets and parcels, that they may not conceal or destroy what they have in their possession - Oxford Paper.
On Thursday evening a thrashing machine was set fire to at Steeple Barton, in this county, but has the owner had fortunately removed it from the vicinity of his ricks and buildings, no loss was sustained beyond the destruction of the greater part of it. The machine is the property of Mr. Barnard, a Member of the Deddington Prosecuting Associating, and a reward is offered for he apprehension of the incendiaries. Great praise is due to the Magistrates, C. Cotterell Dormer, and J. Lechmere, Esqrs. and to many neighbours of Steeple Ashton and Hoyford for the activity displayed on the occasion.- Ibid.
Joseph Atkins and James Brain were yesterday brought to our county gaol, charged with being concerned in the riots at Little Milton, and breaking the machines.- Ibid.
A meeting of the inhabitants of Buckingham was held on Thursday, to consider of the best means of relieving the necessities of the poor, during the winter, when it was determined to supply them with good meat at half-price, as was done last year and which met with grateful approbation.
CORONER'S INQUEST. - On Wednesday last, an Inquest was held on the body of Mr. John Wyatt, at the Crown Inn, Chertsey, before ---- Carter, Esq one of the Coroners for Surrey, and a respectable Jury, Mr. Henry Willatt, Foreman. It appeared that the deceased was a surveyor to Messrs. Ramsbottom and Legh, brewers of this town, and that he was staying at the Crown Inn for the purpose of surveying some repairs which were going on there. The deceased was a middle-aged married man, and appeared to be in good health and spirits, up to the night before which he destroyed himself. Deceased went to bed on Monday night, and not getting up at his usual hour, the inmates of the house went up to call him, but could not make him hear, they at first thought he was asleep, but after trying to awake him two or three times, and returning no answer, they became alarmed, and procured a ladder and got into his room at his window, when the unfortunate man was found dead and weltering in his blood, having cut his throat.
The Jury came to the unanimous opinion. That the deceased destroyed himself while labouring under a fit of "Temporary Insanity."
WINDSOR & ETON.
In Residence, at Windsor, the Rev. THE PROVOST.
In Residence, at Eton, the Rev. G. BETHEL.
A French Sailor underwent an examination before the Magistrates, at the Christopher Inn, Eton, yesterday morning, on a charge of being found in the rick yard of Mr. Styles of Datchet, the previous day. The Sailor accounted for his being in the yard in the following manner:- He said he had been begging of the inhabitants of Eton in the morning of Thursday, and was passed out of town towards Slough, by the Beadle, and not daring to go back again through Eton, to meet some of his acquaintances, whom he had left in Windsor, he took a circuit round the road through Datchet, with the intention of coming to Windsor, but having missed his road, he by some means got into the rick yard, where he was taken into custody.- The Magistrates were inclined to believe the Frenchman's statement, but nevertheless they felt it their duty to keep him in custody until the pleasure of the Secretary of State respecting him should be ascertained. A man named Mc. Carthey also underwent an examination, charged with begging at the house of Miss Deleveaux of Datchet, and because that lady did not choose to relieve him, he made use of the most abusive language, adding, "Look out, as something will happen to-night." This man was committed to Aylesbury gaol for three months, under the Vagrant Act.
In passing by the White Hart, yesterday afternoon, about 4 o'clock, we noticed an unusual number of our tradespeople flocking into the Hotel, some well loaded with different articles of their trade, and other with cheerful countenances, apparently in the expectation of receiving a valuable order. Upon enquiring of a friend who come out of the Hotel, if there was a person of consequence staying there, seeing so many different persons of a trade going in, we were told that the whole of them had been hoaxed, that some wag had sent each of them a well written note, desiring their attendance at the Hotel at 4 o'clock, stating what they were to bring with them. The names made use of in the notes were, Mr. Kidd, Mr. Williamson, Mrs. Williamson, Mr. Pullen, Captain Frith, and Sir F. Gower. - A fly was also there at the appointed time to take a party to Sunninghill, and a horse and cart to convey some luggage to Egham.
On Saturday last, Mrs. Way, who resides in one of the newly-erected houses, of Mr. Hoskins, at Slough, was much alarmed by her servant coming home and relating the following tale:-
"As I was walking on the road, a gentleman on foot came up to me, and asked if I was a farmer's daughter, saying if I was, he would give me a letter to my parents. I said, I am no farmer's daughter, but servant to Mr. Way; he then said is that Mr. Way's house ? (pointing at our house), I told him it was; he next said is your master related to Mr. Way of Denham ? I said yes. The gentleman asked if he had got a thrashing machine ? and I told him I believed he had; the gentleman then said, tell your master to look out, for there will soon be a fire at Denham." In consequence of this alarming intimation, Mrs. Way (her husband being from home) informed her neighbours of the circumstance, took a post chaise, accompanied by her servant and Mr. Avis, of the Crown Inn, went on the road towards Maidenhead, in pursuit of the man. At the Dumb Bell, a person answering the description given by the girl, was apprehended. An examination took place the same day, before the Magistrates, when the person apprehended stated that he was an officer on half pay, having a wife and nine children; he had left London in the morning for Maidenhead, and rode as far as Slough by a coach, and the charge against him was unfounded. His object of going to Maidenhead was to solicit the favour of a gentleman there to get one of his children into the Blue-coat School. He said he had sent a letter to the gentleman in question at Maidenhead, by the previous night's post. This fact was proved before the Magistrates, and although the girl swore positively to his being the person who had made use of the words she had delivered to her mistress, the Magistrates were fully convinced that the gentleman's story was correct, and that the charge against him was entirely false. On Monday at noon the same girl produced a note to her mistress, after having been out with the child, and said that a gentleman had rode up to her in a great hurry, and gave it to her; the note in question was one of a threatening nature, stating, that in three night's time Mr. Way's farm would be on fire; and it also stated that Mr. Lucas and Mr. Clark of Maidenhead were to look out; the note was signed Swing. This second alarm agitated Mrs. Way exceedingly, and she immediately made the circumstances known to her neighbours, and various plans were adopted to find the person who had given it to the girl. One of Mrs. Way's neighbours, Mr. Hoskins, however, having noticed the girl enter the house, and not observing any person on horseback passing at the time, suspected that it was altogether the transaction of the servant, and stated his opinion to his neighbours, many of whom were of the same opinion. Mr. Hoskins shortly after went to Denham, to inform Mr. Way of what had transpired, and also gave his opinion of the affair, in which Mr. Way coincided, and plans adopted to get the hand-writing of the girl, which was done, and it was found to correspond exactly with the supposed letter from Swing. Mr. Way next had the servant brought before him, and after his stating his suspicions, and that of others, and threatening to take her before a bench of Magistrates, to have the affair thoroughly investigated, the girl, although repeatedly said, that what she had before stated was true, finally confessed to Mr. Way, that the whole circumstance, and that of the charge against the gentleman who had delivered the message to her, on Saturday, was entirely of her own invention.
At a meeting of the Magistrates of Eton, on Wednesday last, Charles Mountford, of Upton, was convicted for assaulting Mr. William Smith, of the same place, and fined 13s. 6d and costs. Mountford also begged Mr. Smith's pardon before the Magistrates.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR AND ETON EXPRESS.
Sir, - In your Journal of Saturday last, you copied a paragraph from a London paper, which stated that I had received an anonymous letter, threatening my life, and that it had such an effect upon me as to confine me to my room.
In contradiction to that statement. I beg to say that I have not received any such letter, and that I am in the enjoyment of perfect health.
By inserting the above you will much oblige
Your obedient servant.
JOHN BRIGENSHAW
Taplow, Nov. 26, 1830.
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR AND ETON EXPRESS.
SIR.- His Majesty's Ministers having announced their intention to introduce Parliamentary Reform amongst their measures for the public good, it behoves the country to rally round them, and give them every possible support, without which their utmost endeavours will be useless. The noble example set by the City of London, will, I trust, be followed up generally throughout the country. Now is the time for Englishmen to exert themselves to restore their just rights; and the inhabitants of Windsor, I hope, will not be backward in so glorious a cause, but shew themselves the true friends of their King and Country, by immediately sending Petitions to both Houses of Parliament, for an effectual reform.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant.
AN INHABITANT.
Windsor, Nov. 22, 1830.
SUNNING-HILL, Nov. 25th, 1830.- At a Meeting held this day, at the Vestry Room, to take into consideration the best means to be adopted for the preservation of property in the present disturbed state of this neighbourhood. It was resolved that a sufficient nightly patrol be immediately established, and that a subscription be now entered into for the purpose of defraying all incidental expences - That a committee be appointed for carrying the above resolutions into effect, and to communicate with the Divisional Committee at Wokingham and the adjoining parishes for the purpose of mutual support.
DIED.
On Thursday last, Mrs. Griesbach, High Street, Windsor.
This day, Mrs. George, of Peascod-Street, aged 57 years.
At Kandy, Ceylon, on the 16th of May, Captain I.P. Lardy, of the 78th regiment, eldest son of the late Colonel Lardy.
At Channons, Star Cross, on the 17th of November, Madeline, infant daughter of Lieutenant Henry Asser Corneck, R.N.
Suddenly, Nov. 19, at Harmondsworth, Mr. Henry Cojdell, many years Baker of that place, and was much respected by all who knew him.
The following squib was let off early on Thursday morning, full in the face of our worthy Mayor, to the infinite amusement of the town of Windsor. It having exploded, we give it a place in our paper, in order to shew how a small quantity of this low description of wit is sufficient to set "Windsor in a roar." It has certainly no claims as a jeu d'esprit, scarcely as a jeu de mots; but such as it is, we present to our readers.
WINDSOR INVINCIBLES ! !
Awake ! awake ! all ye who reside in this loyal and ancient borough. Buckle on your armour, and have haste to quell the direful, dreadful, vile, rascally, abominable, and diabolical, riots which have within the last few weeks sprung up in your far-famed and highly productive agricultural county. I call upon you, by virtue of my high office, to arrange your affairs; put your house in order, and make your wills, for it is my firm intention, and no mistake, to muster as strong an army of my townsmen as I can, and have fully made up my mind to excuse none except lawyers, horse-dealers, and bird-fanciers. My countrymen, this is indeed an awful crisis; our property is at steak, and every heart must melt at the awful conflagrations daily occurring. Look at the manner in which these deeds are done; the artful villains prowl about like the wolf in the dead of night, when all is dark and dreary. O, that they would carry lights in their hands ! we should then quickly discover them. One word more beef-ore we part; recollect there is no time to be lost; every moment is pregnant with the lamb-entable danger ; therefore my brave army, it is meat that you screw your courage to the sticking-place, and hasten to the field of action ! Behold in me your leader ! Now let us on with all possible veal-ocity, to save ourselves, our children, and our wives ! If you cannot shoot the rascals, inveigle them into your houses, take them up three pair of stairs, and dispatch them instanter, by throwing them over the banisters ! ! !
ANTI-SWING.
Windsor, Nov. 23, 1830.
Dr. KEATE, of Eton College, received a threatening letter from Mr. "Swing," intimating that unless he laid aside his thrashing machine he would hear further from the writer.
A public meeting was held on Tuesday at Great Marlow, when resolutions were entered into to form a horse and foot patrol, to protect and watch the rick-yards in the neighbourhood; a great number of special constables were sworn in at the same time.
FARINGDON, Nov. 25. - The incendiary who signs himself "Swing" has recently attempted to intimidate several farmers in the neighbourhood, by his menaces of conflagrations, &c. unless the machines are destroyed, and the labourers employed on more liberal terms. A general meeting of the Magistrates, Gentry, Farmers, &c. was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday. Several respectable individuals were sworn in as Special Constables, for the purpose of apprehending suspicious characters, in the hope of putting a stop to the attempts of some diabolical wretches to injure property in this part of the county. - We are pleased to hear that Lord Radnor, with his usual liberality, has desired his tenants to pay their labourers 12s. a week, and has promised to make them a reduction in their rent adequate to the increase of wages they will in future pay. Would to God that other landlords would imitate his praiseworthy example !
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
We had hoped to have been able this week to state that the commotions which have prevailed for some days past in this part of the country were in some measure abated; the following account will prove that our expectations have not been realised, but that since our last the contagion has spread, and is continuing to spread in every direction. The activity which has now succeeded to the former unaccountable supineness of the Magistracy, must tend, in some measure, to stop the progress of the evil. This is the time, therefore, for taking into consideration the state of the peasantry, and for devising some measures for the amelioration of their distressed condition. We cannot but here express our astonishment at the apathy of many of those who were obnoxious to the attacks of the incendiaries, from the fact of their employing thrashing machines, even after they had received the threatening letters which have invariably preceded a destruction of their property. Had the occupiers of farms displayed one tithe of the spirit in defending their farms, that these wretches have in attacking them, the evil would not have reached half its present extent.
During the week there have been Magistrates Meetings at Eton, Salt hill, Burnham, Beaconsfield, Maidenhead, Winkfield, Egham, Chertsey, Staines, &c. for the purpose of taking measures against further destruction of property, and swearing in special constables. Nearly the whole of the inhabitants in these places, capable of serving the office, have been sworn in; and the different roads and farm-houses in the neighbourhood are now strictly watched by horse-patroles, and special constables. At the various meetings large sums have been subscribed for the purpose of defraying the necessary expences, and the admonitions and resolutions of the Magistrates have in all instances been posted in conspicuous places. Addresses to the working people have also been extensively circulated in this neighbourhood. Of these the following may be given as examples :-
"From the Gentlemen, Tradesmen, and Farmers, true friends and supporters of the labouring poor.
"Parishioners of Egham look to you present security and future comforts, for desperate incendiaries and evil-minded men are actively employed to destroy these blessings.
"Labourers and Workmen of Egham do not be deceived or led into mischief by the artful and wicked designs of foreigners and strangers.
"What is to be gained by burning the property of gentlemen and farmers ? - by doing so the gentlemen will be obliged to quit their residences - the farmers to surrender their farms - the labourer cannot live without employ, or without support. There will be no gentlemen resident to contribute to their wants - no farmer capable of giving them employ, when ricks and property are destroyed.
"Look to your wives and children, and aged and infirm, who must starve if deprived of the support of the gentlemen and farmers, upon whom they must depend in the ensuing winter.
"Again we say, do not be deceived, or led into mischief, by the artful and wicked designs of foreigners and strangers."
"People of England, Gentlemen, Yeomen, Farmers, Labourers !
"AWAKE from your trance ! The enemies of England are at work actively to ruin us. Hordes of Frenchmen are employed doing the deeds of incendiaries, and inciting acts of tumult. The glories of England, achieved against BUONAPARTE, rankle in the minds of Frenchmen. The independence of Europe, achieved at Waterloo, they cannot forgive ! and they are stirring by every art and deception, to ruin England, and to become masters of the world.
"The fires of Normandy are revived in Kent; are spreading to Sussex and Surrey; and far and wide, till general distress shall destroy all confidence, and the power of Britain shall be at an end.
"Englishmen ! unite heart and hand, and discover and bring to punishment these incendiaries.
"If divisions and disturbances continue, time and thought must be applied to their removal. The worst foes are ever those of our own household.
"BE PEACEFUL, WATCHFUL, AND UNITED.
"This England never did, nor never shall lie at the foot of a proud conqueror, unless she first did help to arm herself." France will assuredly gain an ascendancy, and destroy the sinews of our power, if we are not united among ourselves. Shall the conquerors of the Nile, of Trafalgar, and Waterloo, he tricked by the arts and deceits of Frenchmen, or of base Englishmen, corrupt and infidel ? Forbid it, true-hearted Englishmen, - PUT DOWN THE NIGHTLY CRIMES OF WICKED MEN; LET CONFIDENCE AND FRIENDSHIP PREVAIL THROUGHOUT THE LAND. Our GOD has been gracious to us. We are beyond the power of all enemies, except we encourage them by our want of resolution and unity. Desolation and destruction await us very shortly, if the deeds of ravage are allowed to continue. Let every true Englishman, as a free man, think it his duty to bring the wretched incendiaries to justice. The people at large are, of all classes, most interested in doing so, for famine and misery will assuredly be our lot if they are not put down.
"Nought can make us rue
"If England to herself do prove but true."
Several individuals have been detained in this neighbourhood by the persons set to watch the roads, in consequence of their not having been able to give a satisfactory account of themselves, but in every instance they have afterwards been set at large.
On Wednesday night a post-chaise was noticed by our night constable to stop at several places in this town, the post-boy making enquires each time; this circumstance, which at any other time would have passed unnoticed, naturally excited suspicion in the mind of our night-constable, who thinking it probable that the chaise might contain an accomplice of "Mr. Swing," detained the chaise, and conveyed it, together with its driver and contents, to the house of our worthy Mayor. A gentleman who alighted from the chaise, then stated that he had been dining with a friend near Gerrard's Cross, and that he was on his road to Egham, but that the post-boy, who was very drunk, had been dragging him about from place to place for the last three or four hours, in the fog ! The Mayor, who was perfectly satisfied with the account given by the gentleman, thought it a fortunate circumstance that he had been detained, for had he proceeded towards Egham with the drunken driver, so sure would he, considering the darkness of the night, have been taken into the Thames. In compliance with the Mayor's recommendation, he took fresh horses and a driver well acquainted with this dangerous cross road, and pursued his journey.
About two' clock on Thursday morning, a man of gentlemanly appearance, a stranger in the town, going up Peascod street on horseback, was accosted by one of our watchmen, and as he would not answer to the interrogatory as to who he was, &c. the watchman seized his horse's bridle, when the man put spurs to his horse, broke away from the watchman's grasp, and galloped down towards Clewer lane.
The inhabitants of Staines, and its vicinity, were in a great state of anxiety and alarm on Wednesday night, in consequence of a man in the street, respecting Mr. South, a farmer, the situation of his premises, &c. Having asked these questions, the party threw down some half-pence to the man, exclaiming, "Tell Mr. South his premises will be on fire in half an hour," and immediately after drove off. The man instantly communicated to Mr. South what had transpired, and the parties were pursued, but without success. The precaution of placing a double guard on the premises in question was immediately adopted, and to this measure may be attributed the fact of the threat not having been fulfilled. We have not yet heard of Mr. South's property having been fired.
At a quarter before two o'clock on Sunday morning, the route arrived in Windsor for three companies of Foot Guards to proceed to Reading, in consequence of the turbulent state of the labouring population in that part of the county. Some of the Guards marched at four o'clock, and the remainder at about seven. One of the officers was accompanying the last division, fell from his horse in High-street, in a fit. He was conveyed to the house of Mr. Stevens, surgeon, where he received every attention which the nature of the case required. Another officer was immediately sent forward with the men.
A Correspondent says that - "A party of the Rioters who had been committing acts of plunder, and were regaling themselves with ale at a farm house in the neighbourhood of Winchester, were attacked by a party of 25 of the guards; the rioters at first manifested a determination to resist the military, but when the officer gave the word "Present !" and the soldiers were in the act of so doing, the mob turned to the right about, when the soldiers followed and captured seventy-five prisoners, who were conveyed to Winchester gaol."
About eleven o'clock on Thursday night, a barn, the property of Mr. Burton, of Bakeham House, Egham, was discovered to be on fire. The barn was situated in a paddock, contiguous to some cottages, and two ricks of hay, also the property of Mr. Burton, and about half a mile from his residence. The engine from Egham was instantly sent for, and by its early arrival, and the prompt and effective exertions of the peasantry, the flames were confined to the barn in question, which, with its contents, about ten loads of straw, was burnt to the ground in little less than an hour. It is a remarkable fact that at this fire, as well as at those of Sir W. Fremantle and Messrs. Sherborne, the leathern pipe of the engine was cut by some miscreant for the purpose of rendering it unavailing. We hear that in the present instance the wretch was observed, and pursued, but unfortunately effected his escape. A vigilant watch has been kept up in the town or some nights, and it is singular that Mr. Burton's property was the only one unguarded. The agricultural labourers have not yet manifested any symptom of insubordination, which has given rise to the notion in Egham, that the fire was the work of a foreign incendiary. Many of the most respectable inhabitants were immediately on the spot, and assisted in protecting the property.
TOWN HALL - MAGISTRATES MEETING - MONDAY.
Daniel Stevens was charged with stealing a quantity of beans the property of Mr. Dash.
Mr. Thomas Dash, sworn - On Friday night last, Mr. Peer came and asked me if I had lost any beans, for he had found some in his stables. I went to look at them, there was about a bushel, and on looking at them I was sure they were mine. Mr. Peer's horsekeeper (the prisoner) was in the stable at the time, and on my asking him where he got them, he made no answer. I then gave him in custody. When taken before the Mayor, and in answer to the question, "What have you got to say for yourself ?" the prisoner said, without having had an promise held out to him, "I got them (the beans) out of Mr. Dash's granary, to feed Mr. Peer's horses with." Witness went on to say, I let Mr. Peer the stabling, but I don't furnish him hay or corn, and the prisoner had no business there. The beans I have no doubt were taken from the bulk, in my granary, through the partition which divides it from Mr. Peer's loft; the door was not locked. Mr. Dash produced the sample of his beans, which appeared "as like as peas" to those which were found in the stable. Mr. Dash said he had purchased the beans of Mr. Collyer, of Chobham, and received them last week.
William Peer, sworn - my brother Thomas Peer, rents the stables of Mr. Dash. On Friday night I kicked against something in the straw near the manger, which I found was a sack containing about a bushel of beans, the sack and beans now produced are those which were found. The beans are a different sort to those which our horses are fed with, and when I found them in the stable, I went to Mr. Dash and informed him of the circumstance - Prisoner remanded till the Sessions.
AGRICULTURAL WAGES.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS.
SIR, - I was much pleased with the many judicious observations in your paper of Saturday last, which reminded me forcibly of a conversation I had on the subject of the late outrages. - On my return home some days since, I stopped at Brentwood, in Essex, where I met two gentlemen of apparent great respectability, from an agricultural parish in the lower part of the county, who told me they had left their homes, family, and property fearlessly; that for the last seven years and upwards the whole of the landholders in their parish paid their labourers on an average throughout the year, at the rate of 2s. 3d per day; that each cottager was allowed at a moderate rent from 40 to 140 poles of land, for their own cultivation; and that out of a private fund raised by the respectable paymasters, with their worthy vicar at the head, they allowed each labourer who had a family of more than 3 children on shilling per week for every child above 3, because they would not degrade them by their names appearing in the parish books as paupers; the consequence is, their poors rate is a more trifle, just sufficient to support the aged and infirm:- nothing but contented faces appear in the parish; - they had their work done much better and cheerfully by a stout hearty peasantry, and they were sure that one and all, to a man, would at a minute's notice come forward to protect them and their property from foreign or domestic foes. This, Sir, is as it should be; let the landed proprietors lower their rents, and the tithe-holder take a moderate composition, so as to enable the farmer to pay the labourer that he may live and support his family, and you will hear no more of incendiaries, but the base, designing, and disaffected would be scouted from their happy homes. - I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
THOMAS DUFFIELD.
84, Peascod-street, Windsor.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS.
MR EDITOR, - Permit me to inform you that on the 13th inst. Captain Samuel Holmes, late of the 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons, was installed, in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, one of his Majesty's Military Knights of Windsor."
I need hardly tell you, that the object in view by inserting the notice of deaths or installations of M.P. Knights, is to afford a hint to many old wounded, and meritorious officers, who are always on the "qui vive" for vacancies in an institution expressly founded for their relief, and the comfort of their declining years, after having spent the best of their days in the service of their King and Country.
Sir, Your sincere WELL-WISHER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS.
MR. EDITOR - SIR.- A fellow, calling himself an artist or landscape painter, is going about your neighbourhood, using my name as a passport to make drawings of various mansions. I think it but justice to myself to inform you, that I have no knowledge whatever of the individual. This man has been to Lord Maryborough's with the same story, and when closely questioned as to his name and family, the scamp called himself my brother. I need not assure you, Sir, that I have no brother an "artist," nor do I think there is another of my name in the profession. I have thought it necessary to give you this information to prevent public imposition. My name having been many years before the public, I too much value the many favors I have received from them, by the flattering support given to all my works, and have, therefore, no wish to acknowledge this new or pretended relation. If, Sir, you will do me the favor to find a corner of your valuable paper for this letter, it may prove useful, and greatly oblige, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
JOHN PRESTON NEALE.
7 Norfolk street, Strand.
Nov. 25, 1830.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE WINDSOR EXPRESS.
SIR - I shall feel obliged by the insertion of these few observations in the Express of Saturday next.
In answer to a letter signed M.F., which appeared in your last week's Paper, I cannot but feel surprised at some of the remarks therein made. Your Correspondent states, that according to notice of a meeting to be convened in the Town-hall to endeavour to put down the incendiary system in this town and neighbourhood, he waited for nearly two hours, and with many others expected that it was the intention of our worthy Mayor, and those who signed the requisition , to do something for the protection of property, and for the detection of the author of those threatening letters which have caused so great a sensation here; but observed, that he found "nothing was likely to be done;" and concludes by designating the proceedings as "mere trifling" - an epithet which, in my opinion, demands an immediate apology. I know not the author of the letter, but I do think, that if he aspire to the dignity of Alderman, he has committed himself; and I wish the Gentleman of the Bench to understand, that I protest strongly against his assertion. For myself, I entered the noble Hall with a wet jacket, and probably in as ill a humour as M.F., but confess that I left the place much edified, and certainly wiser then before I entered. I advert especially to a remark made by one who must have been well acquainted with the science of chemistry, who, as I understood him, stated, that he knew of nothing in chemistry that would lay mouldering for hours, and then set a light to hay-stacks and in fact, that hay-stacks cannot be set fire to with fire !!! Again, it was deemed expedient, that a Business Committee should be appointed, and it was accordingly proposed that it should consist of all present, (between 400 and 500 persons) "with full power to ADD to their number !" This was unreasonably smiled at by some would-be sapient gentleman, but the proposer was properly supported and carried his point - the Business Committee was appointed ! It was also considered necessary that all should be ready with purse and person, in case of necessity, though it was stoutly maintained, that the poor were a loyal and harmless set of people, and therefore I could not well make out with whom we were to contend. A gentleman who afforded the information respecting the incombustibility of hay-stacks, proceeded to elicit what I considered to be some most important facts : such as the Mayor was the Chief Magistrate of the Borough; this he took great pains to substantiate, and succeeded admirably. This gentleman concluded by kindly offering to condense all this valuable information into a set of "Resolutions," for which (notwithstanding the sneers of M.F.) he merits the greatest praise, in the opinion of your constant reader.
CRITO.
ABINGDON, Nov. 25. - The machine breakers and other agricultural rioters have been very active in the neighbourhood of Wallingford, Newbury, Lambourn, Nettlebed, Benson, and many places in the neighbourhood of what is called the Hill Country. On Tuesday night a number of rioters stopped the Stroudwater mail, near Dorchester, bit did not attempt any mischief. Fourteen rioters have this week been committed to our House of Correction, viz. four from Wallingford, for threatening to break machines, and ten from Lambourn : one for threatening to fire the town of Eastbury, and the remainder for breaking machines : they are all committed for trial.
One hundred special constables have this day been sworn in by Thomas Bowles, Esq of Sutton Courtney, as it is apprehended that an attack is meditated to night on the farm of Mr. Steel, situated in that parish.