VOL. XXX. No. 22.] Written in England JUNE 1.-Published at New-York SEPT. 7, 1816. 673] TO THE [674 PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Perty. Advowsons, or the ownership of LETTER XV. Risings in England.—The Reverend Sir Botley, June 1, 1816. of Church property and that of lay prolivings, and the right of filling them up, are real property. They are bought and sold openly and legally. The late Duke of Norfolk had a great many, and he bought them as he would have bought any other estates in land. But, a precedent has now been settled, according to which livings are no longer to be considered as private property; but, as a species of property of which the parliament, without any violation of right, can dispose of in IN Letter XIII., dated 18th May, I any manner that it pleases. Nevertheless, gave you some account of the risings of there are so many of the livings, which the people, in several parts of England. are the property of those who fill the seats So that, you see, the effects of the war in parliament, and so large a part of the are come home to us, at last; but, I ima- Clergy are either the relations or degine that the acts which I have recorded, pendants of the same persons, that you in the Letter referred to, are but begin- need never expect to see any thing effecnings. They are mere risings of distress-tual done about the Tithes, until the ed working people; but, as contemplated whole system draws towards a state of in connexion with their causes, they are great peril. of great importance as instances to serve the wise politician as a guide. For this reason I shall record them in the daily detail of them, which is handed out to the public by the means of the press. By Mr. CURWEN, the same person who has broached the Tithe project, another of much greater magnitude has been se riously brought forward. I mean a project to abolish pauperism! I told you in a There are afloat all sorts of projects. Note to page 426 of this Volume, that The Tithes have been slightly assaulted; this Mr. Curwen was a curious sort of a but, in so nonsensical a way, that the "man.” Pray look again at that note, assault is hardly worth notice. Indeed, and you will be prepared for what I it is impossible to touch them directly, shall hereafter have to relate to Vou without a total abandonment of all idea as to this pauper-project. During the of supporting a dominant Church. Yet, Debate for a Committee to sit upon this indirectly, late acts of parliament have latter project (which Committee is actu set a precedent, according to which the ally sitting!) it was asserted, and on all whole property of the Church may be hands assented to, that, unless paupertaken to the public use. These acts have, ism could be checked, this country must in fact, taken away from the incumbents, sink; and, I have no scruple to assert, or possessors of livings, part of the pro- that pauperism will not be checked, but, duce of them, and have made a distribu- on the contrary, will go on increasing at tion of it amongst curates. Now, the living of a parson, or vicar, is his freehold in law. It would be regarded as a total breaking up of all property, if an act were passed to compel me, for instance, to give a fixed portion of the rent of my land to my bailiff, and to compel me to have a bailiff, and also to prevent me from turning him off. Here, therefore, is a distinction, and a very important distinction too, established by law, between the ownership a greater rate than ever, unless the taxes be brought down from 70 to 40 millions a year; and, of course, unless a great deduction be made from the dividends in the funds. Ay, here I am, then, brought back to the old point. At the end of ten years, during which time I have been called by all manner of vile names, for proposing a reduction of the dividends, I have, at last, heard it proposed in the House of Commons! Not, indeed, by the Minis- "take an active part, and exert all his ters, nor in a formal manner; but, I "influence to preserve the public peace. have heard one member boldly declare On Friday he remonstrated with them this to be the only remedy for the distresses" on the dangerous consequences of their of the country. This subject is, however," proceedings, and promised that their too large to be entered upon here; and," demands should be complied with for a therefore, for the present, I will return to “ fortnight, which would afford time for my promised detail of the risings, which the consideration of their grievances, the distresses have produced. You will" and of the means of redress. The malesee, that the risings have been in several" contents appeared satisfied with this ascounties; and you will particularly note "surance, gave Mr. Willet three cheers, the part which has been acted by the" and parted, after expressing a wish to Yeomanry Cavalry, and by the celebrated" chair him, which he declined. The "Reverend Sir Henry Bate Dudley, Ba-“ tranquillity thus restored was, however, "ronet," whom I did myself the honour" of short duration. to introduce to you in so ceremonious a "The disturbance broke out again on manner, in No. 3. of this volume, relating" Saturday, with increased violence, and to you the whole history of his public life," the male contents showed themselves in and a curious and instructive history "considerable force. Their whole num→ I am sure you will say it was. What do 66 ·ber amounted to about 1500, divided the Cossacks say to this famous Priest? in several parties, marching in several May 20.—" The Sheriff of Suffolk, directions, for the purpose of attacking "and Mr. Willet, the banker, of Bran- the houses of those persons who were "don, near Bury, arrived in town yesobnoxious to them. At Brandon they 64 terday, at the Secretary of State's Of destroyed several houses, including Mr. "fice, express, with an account of the Willet's, the butcher; that they comalarming state of the county, and to re- pletely levelled to the ground. Ano"quest the assistance of Government to "ther party of them proceeded to the "restore tranquillity. The public have" village of Halesworth, it is supposed, "been for some time apprized of various" for a like purpose; and the Sheriff of outrages, committed in that county, in" Suffolk, and Mr. Willet, the banker, "the breaking of threshing machines," saw on their way to London, about ten "and the destruction of barns, corn-stacks," o'clock on Saturday night, a fire near "&c. by fire, suspected to be wilful and Ely, which they apprehended was the "malicious, the agents in which are pre- "mischievous work of another party of "sumed to be agricultural labourers, dis-" the rioters. They were armed with long "contented because employment and ad 66 vance of wages did not immediately "follow the recent rise in the price of corn. These outrages were, however, only secret and isolated cases. It was "not until the end of the week the dis" content of the lower orders broke out "into open and general disturbance. heavy sticks, the ends of which, to the "extent of several inches, were studded 16 with short iron spikes, sharp at the sides "and points. Their flag was inscribed, "Bread or Blood!' and they threatened to march to London. The Sheriff "of Suffolk and Mr. Willet having laid "this representation before the Secretary "A réduction in the price of bread and" of State, received from him a promise of "meat was the avowed object of the" every possible protection, and with this "rioters. They had fixed a maximum" assurance they left town last night on "for the price of both. They insisted" their return home. It appears, from the "that the lowest price of wheat must be" following extract from a Norwich Pa"half a crown a bushel, and that of" per, that a similar spirit has display"prime joints of beef four pence per "ed itself in that city: .. .. pound. Mr. Willet, a butcher, at "Late on Thursday evening a mischieBrandon, was a marked object of their" vous and riotous disposition manifested. "ill-will, in which Mr. Willet, the" itself here amongst some of the lowest "banker, was, from the similarity of his " class, (chiefly youths,) who, about nine "name, in danger of sharing. This cir-"o'clock, assembled in the market-place, cumstance, and a laudable anxiety to "and first began to throw fire-balls about, preserve the peace, induced him to "which seemed to have been prepared for * 66 66 66 66 was "the purpose. They afterwards broke" event being known, an immense num"the Hall windows, and those of several "ber of shipwrights and others beat off "respectable individuals, and then pro-" the police, broke down the prison doors, "ceeded to the new mills, breaking all" and released the prisoners. An express "the city lamps in their way. The peosent off to the North Devon "ple at the silk manufactory being at "Yeomanry, who promptly assembled ; work, they attacked the windows; and the mob was immediately dispersed. on the lights being extinguished, some "The cavalry remained under arms, and "of the more audacious broke into the " patroled the town during the night. On "new mills, (the windows of which they Saturday morning several of the rioters "had first broken,) and took thereout a were apprehended, and four of them "quantity of flour, some of which they "sent off to Exeter, under an escort of the threw into the river, and some they "North Devon Yeoman Cavalry. They "carried away in the sacks. On their are now in the County prison. On in"return from the mills they broke the "formation being given that a great numlamps and windows of several Gentle-"ber of disorderly people were collecting "men's houses in St. Andrew's, Bank-"at Appledore and Clew-houses, the street, Tombland, Magdalen-street, and " Cavalry proceeded to the latter, in or "other places, and proceeded to Dr. Al-" der to secure about 30 or 40, who were "derson's house, who, on coming out to " arming themselves with various wea"reinonstrate with them on their highly pons. Immediately on the troops apimproper conduct, was knocked down. pearing, the offenders went on board a "In consequence of these outrages the " ship, which was surrounded with the tide, "Mayor and Magistrates immediately as-" lowering down the boats, and went off "sembled at the Hall, where they con66 to the Braunton side of the water, and "tinued until a late hour, and the consta-" made their escape. We are happy to "bles and several respectable persons," say no lives have been lost. Too much "with staves and torches, proceeded to " praise cannot be bestowed on the North "the mills, but the mob had dispersed." Devon Yeomanry, for their behaviour "A picquet of the West Norfolk Militia" in quelling the mob in its infancy. On 66 was stationed before the Hall, and a 'Saturday night every thing was per"party of the first Royal Dragoons, com-"fectly tranquil. Soon after which 40 of "manded by Capt. Phipps, and headed by the Enniskillen Dragoons arrived, and a Magistrate, went down to Trowse" relieved the Yeomanry, who had been "Mills, where it had been reported a party" on duty during two nights. "had proceeded, but that happily was "On Saturday night last some person "not the case; they then returned, and" or persons opened a sliding casement, "patroled the streets till morning. Every" and entered the workshop of JOHN precaution will be taken to prevent a "BEXON, (commonly called Sergeant BEXrepetition of such violations of the " ON,) framework-knitter, in the Rushes-` "public peace. "street, Loughborough, and smashed to .. 66 .. 66 "A public notice has just been issued" pieces the internal part of what is called by the Magistrates, that, on a repetition" a thirty plain guage frame, the property "of such tumults, the Riot Act will be" of Mr. NORTON of that town, frameimmediately read, when all persons of-"smith. There were in the same shop, at "fending will be liable to the penalty of" the time, a frame belonging to Messrs. "death. On any appearance of riot, the "Paget and Sons, and two belonging to "respectable inhabitants are required im-" Messrs. Middleton and Hall, but not "mediately to assemble at the Hall, in" the least mischief was done to any of "the Market place.' "them. Why this injury has been done May 23.-" In consequence of a cargo "to Mr. NORTON seems a little myste"of potatoes being about to be shipped "rious, for he had nothing at all to do at the quay of Bideford, a great number" with the manner in which the frame "of people collected, armed with blud-" was worked, as to the price, nature of geons and other weapons, to prevent" the work, &c.; he was merely the owner "the exportation taking place. "of the frame, and is withal a person of lice of the town apprehended three of "quiet and inoffensive habits. And on "the ringleaders, and confined them in" Monday last, the shop of Thomas Mar"the town prison. Immediately on the "riott, framework-knitter, of Thorpe The po 66 66 acre, near Loughborough, was entered" general were in a state of dreadful anx"in a similar manner, through the win-"iety, expecting the rioters would make "dow, and a thirty-two plain guage" an attack upon their premises; but "frame, belonging to Mr. William White," they were prevented by the appearance "of Loughborough, in a great degree de- of the Upwell troop of cavalry, when “molished and carried away. In this in- the Magistrates, escorted by the troop, "stance, as well as the former, there were "read the Riot Act, and the greatest "three other frames in the shop, one be-" possible confusion ensued. Several gen"longing to Mr. Marriott, another to his "tlemen narrowly escaped with life, from 'son-in-law, and the third to Mr. WAL- "brick bats, stones, clubs, &c. that now "LIS, but they escaped being injured.-"flew in every direction. With the aid "Nottingham Paper." "of special constables, however, 10 men 66 Captain Lee (who commanded the "troops) ordered the men to use the back "of their swords, thereby preventing the carnage that must have otherwise en May 23.-"We have great pleasure in" and four women were taken, and put "communicating the termination of the" into confinement, and the rest gradually "disturbances at Brandon, in Suffolk." dispersed. No lives were lost. "The inhabitants on Monday guaranteed "the price of flour at 2s. 6d. per stone, "with an advance of wages to 2s. per "head for a fortnight; and unless the "millers reduce their prices by that time," sued. "the officers of the parish will purchase "The following morning, Tuesday, "their grain at the cheapest rate, and" brought greater terror to the inhabitants "furnish the poor with provisions at prime than the preceding day, as it was ge"cost. The rioters were perfectly satis-nerally reported that the rioters were "fied, and tranquillity was completely" preparing to attack the town with re"restored. "doubled vigour; the Magistrates directMay 24 and 25, Downham, (Norfolk.) "ed the inhabitants to arm themselves "On Monday last, a great number of" with whatever could be procured, and persons of the labouring class (owing "in a short time the town wore a very "to the late advance in corn and the "formidable appearance; the inhabitants "lowness of wages) assembled at the vil-"with the cavalry then proceeded to lage of Southrey, in Norfolk, and im-" meet the rioters, who armed themselves "mediately proceeded for Downham, be-" with guns, pitchforks, clubs, and other "tween which places (about seven miles" weapons, ready for a general attack ;' distance) they forced the labourers" when an agreement was made by the "from their houses and work to join "Gentlemen to allow them an advance of them, and every person they met was wages, and to release those persons alcompelled to return with them. When" ready taken; which induced them to "arrived at the latter place, the number" return peaceably to their homes. "amounted to nearly 1500; they imme- "The greatest praise is due to every individual of the troop for their exertions in the above cause. 66 diately commenced their scene of action "by entering the shops of the millers and "bakers, and taking away flour, bread, "Last night, alarming advice was re"&c. At Mr. W. Baldwin's mill, a "ceived at Lord Sidmouth's office, of a great many sacks of wheat meal were "desperate insurrection having broken "thrown into the yard and spoiled. "out in the Isle of Ely: that an immense ́ "They then proceeded to the publicans, body of armed Fen-men had attacked "and demanded ale, which was brought "the house of the Rev. Mr. Vachel, "in pails into the street; the rioters" a Magistrate, resident at Littleport, "forced many of the inhabitants to drink" which they destroyed, after despoiling "with them. They then went to the "it of its most valuable property, having "Crown Inn, and drove the Magistrates brutally turned Mrs. Vachel and her "(who were holding their weekly sitting)" daughters out of the house, to seek an "from the room into the street, and who" asylum at twelve o'clock on Wednes"with great difficulty succeeded in escap ing. Afterwards they proceeded to 66 day night." "The Cambridge Paper, received this "the butchers, whose shops they cleared;" morning, says-- We are concerned to 66 during which time, the tradesmen in" state, that there was an alarming riot at "On the 22d instant, James Mays, the younger, of Stoke, near Clare, Suffolk, "was brought before the Rev. B. B. "Syer, of Ketton, Suffolk, one of his Ma"jesty's Justices of the Peace, charged "with having threatened to set fire to a "barn belonging to General Elwes, and having given surety for the peace as "the law requires, was discharged. In consequence of the arrest of this offend 6.6 46 46 Cambridge, May 24. "Great alarm has been excited here by the appearance of numerous knots "of strange countrymen, coming in with "large sticks, for two or three days past. "Our Mayor, Colonel Mortlock, appre"hensive that this might have been preparatory to an intended entry of the Fen "rioters, convened the Magistracy in the "Town Hall this afternoon, who swore "in three hundred of the principal in"habitants as special constables. The "Vice Chancellor, and Heads of Houses, "also assembled, and resolved to put arms into the hands of the Students of "their respective Colleges, if found necessary. "Sunday, Eleven o'clock, A. M.-Our "alarm has considerably subsided, from "intelligence just brought in from Ely, stating, that the main body of the In 66 surgents were attacked on Friday morn"ing, (after the Riot Act had been read "without effect,) and completely routed} "Sir Henry B. Dudley and the Rev. H. "Law, two Magistrates of the Island, arriving with Captain Wortham's troop of yeomanry early on Friday morning, and learning that the rioters had determined "to set fire to Littleport that night, and "the town of Ely on the night follow 66 66 66 er, some of the misguided populace" ing, called out the small detachment "assembled, and proceeded to break up "of the 1st Dragoons, consisting of eighteen a threshing machine in the neighbourmen, commanded by Captain Mathuen, "hood; but the General having, with a "and sending twenty-four of the disband"very laudable promptitude, procured "ed Militia, who were armed from the "the attendance of some military force, country depot by Lieut. Woolert, pushat the very crisis of the riot, the ring"ed on to Little port, where, taking the leaders were committed for the trial Insurgents by surprise, their defeat was "and punishment consequent on such il-" speedy and complete. The savage "legal proceedings. "rioters soon began to fire upon the Magis "On Sunday and Monday last, detach"trates and the troops, from barricaded. "ments of the 1st Royal Dragoons march"houses near the river, when the latter "ed into Bury from Ipswich, part of were ordered to fire into them. "whom will remain till further orders, conflict, though short, was sharp. The "and the others proceeded on their route "Insurgents soon began to fly from every "to Brandon, where we understand some part of the town over the Fens, and symptoms of disorder have manifested "themselves; but the accounts given in "several papers are greatly exaggerated." were pursued in every direction: only "two of the rioters were killed (one of "them a chief) and a few wounded: 104 were taken prisoners, and more are hourly bringing in; fortunately the soldiery "At Rutherglen May Fair, on Friday," had only two or three slightly wounded. "there was some rioting, and fifteen young" The inhabitants of the county now be"men from Glasgow were apprehended, " "thirteen of whom were, on the follow |