15th February 1816: Weather report from Derby

The Derby Mercury of Thursday 15th February 1816 contained a weather report about the very cold conditions being experienced so far in the 'year without summer':

METEOROLOGY.—The night between Thursday and Friday last is generally considered to have been one of the coldest experienced for many years; and although the cold was very intense in most parts of the country, yet the Thermometers have shown very different degrees of temperature. It is generally believed that the coldest period was between 7 and 9 A.M. Mr. Swanwick's Thermometer in the middle of the town at 8 stood at 8 ½ degrees. The Rev. D. Flamstead’s, at Spondon, and one exposed near the river in Derby at 9 were only 6 degrees. Mr. Beare’s, at the Depot, was below 5°. And Mr. Chas. Lowe’ss, Pear Tree House, near this town, the Thermometer on Friday morning at 7 o'clock, was observed at 4 degrees below Zero. A self-registering thermometer in Birmingham was found to have fallen in the course of the night below 7 degrees Fahrenheit; and on the morning of Friday the intenseness of the cold was such, that the mercury stood at 6. The Nottingham Journal of Saturday states that a thermometer, the aspect of which was western (exposed in that town) at haf-past seven o'clock on Friday morning stood at 4 ½ degrees, at eight 5, at nine 7, and at 10 14 degrees. According to an observation made by Dr Pole, of Bristol, at eight o'clock the same morning, the mercury had fallen to 3 degrees, a temperature probably as low as has ever been felt in this country.

23rd March 1813: Statue of George III pulled down in Bristol

Between the hours of 9.00 and 10.00 p.m. on Tuesday 23rd March 1813,8 or 9 people vaulted the iron railings surrounding Portland Square in Bristol. They made their way to a statue of the King, George III, which was erected in 1810. A rope was thrown around the neck of the statue, and the group pulled it to the ground, breaking it into pieces. The noise brought many people out into the street, and one of the group was apprehended.

7th June 1812: Letter from "Tho Jones" at Bristol to the Prince Regent, London

To His Royle Highness prince Regent London


June 7 1812


You Royle Highness

I have taking Liberty of writing thies few lines To awear you what may happing to your Person and that in averry short time I am informed by sum of the Rioters in Nottingham that if you donot InDever To make peace with the Countrey and France or indever That Bread Shall Be Cheaper That thay will Blow your Braines out. and what I can learn that thay are In wait for you dayley

I remain your

Well whisher

Tho Jones Cabinet Maker

Bristol

13th April 1812: The Mayor of Bristol requests cavalry following disturbances in the city

Council House
Bristol 13 Apl 1812

Sir

Although this City is at present in a state of tranquillity, yet we have lately had slight disturbances on account of the high price of Provisions and the Peace Officers have had some difficulty in suppressing the Mob. There are several Regiments of Infantry but no Cavalry within my jurisdiction. In case of any public disturbance it has always been found that a few Horse have had more effect than a large body of Infantry. I therefore feel it my duty to suggest to you the propriety of a Troop being stationed in this City, and in order that the Public may not be unnecessarily alarmed I should beg to recommend that they should not be sent here by forced marches, but in the ordinary course— This measure I think would very much tend to preserve the Peace of the Town and I therefore trust that early attention will be given to the subject—

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your ms. ob. hble Sev. &c

Jno. H. Wilcox
Mayor

To the Rt. Hon. Richd Ryder
One of his Majesty's Principal
Secretaries of State &c &c