6th May 1816: Food riot in Bridport, Dorset

The Royal Cornwall Gazette of 18th May 1816 carried reports of rioting that took place in Bridport on Monday 6th May 1816:

Monday morning, in consequence of the advance in the price of bread, several groups of the manufacturing poor assembled at different parts of Bridport, complaining of the grievance, added to their want of employ from the present stagnation of trade. Their numbers increasing, one of the most active bore a quartern loaf through the streets on a pole: This drew together a great number of men, women, and children, who soon proceeded to acts of violence, demolishing the windows of the principal millers and bakers, and taking from the brewery of Messrs. Gundry three hogsheads of beer, which they drew in triumph to the centre of the town. The Riot Act was then read, but several hundred more having joined the mob, it was evident that nothing but the most prompt measures could prevent the dangerous consequences, likely to follow, and which were happily prevented by the exertions of some of the principal inhabitants, who rushed among the mob, destroyed the beer, seized the ringleaders, and in a very short time dispersed upwards of 2000, committing the rioters to prison.

11th November 1812: Whitehaven magistrates report huge foods riots in the Town

Whitehaven 11 of Novr 1812

My Lord,

We are extremely sorry to have occasion so soon to trouble your Lordship respecting the Mutinous disposition of the lower order of the People of this Place… Yesterday, early in the Morning, several Hundreds assembled in the Market Place, and proceeded to one of the Quays, where Potatoes were Shipping, and pushed some Carts into the Harbour, also took possession of Carts laden with Flour going for the use of the Inhabitants of the new Town,

With great difficulty we got the Flour restored to the Owner; The Mob also sallied forth in different directions in the neighbourhood, and did considerable mischief to those who had Shipped Potatoes, particularly to several of your Lordship’s Farmers by demolishing Windows, throwing large Stones &c, one of the Servants received a dangerous Wound in his Head; Milligan the Farmer at the Black Cock, as stated the particulars to Mr Bowness, who we understand will inform your Lordship the Particulars, and to whose Letter, we beg leave to refer your Lordship.—

We prevailed on the Farmers to bring in large Quantities of Potatoes for the use of the Inhabitants this Morning, and we hoped the Town, wou’d have been perfectly quiet, but towards noon, the Mob assembled at the Bulwark, and broke into the Vessel that the Potatoes had been Shipped on board, taking a great Quantity away without paying for them, and we are apprehensive will deter the Farmers from bringing the usual supply to the Market day Tomorrow.—We therefore entreat your Lordships attention, to obtain us an immediate Aid, as without a Military Force it will be impossible to prevent the most alarming consequences to the Town and neighbourhood, and in the mean time a Stop is put to all Exportation to the great prejudice of the whole Country—

We take leave also to call your Lordships attention to the Anonymous Letter enclosed for the Secty of State, and to mention we have obtained two Letters of apparently a corresponding hand writing, by which, we hope to be able to trace the writer and will trouble your Lordship to return the original one to us, if it is of no farther service, the result of which information, we shall take the earliest opportunity of transmitting your Lordship — We are

My Lord
your Lordships
Most Obdt. Servts

[Illegible] Kimbley
Miles Ponsonby
Jas. Steel
Robt Wilkinson

[To] Earl Lonsdale
K.G.& H.

8th October 1812: Mass attack on Corn Mill at Ilkeston, Derbyshire

In the evening of Tuesday 8th October 1812, people 'to the number of one hundred and upwards' assembled and broke into a Corn Mill belonging to Thomas Potter & John Padley at Ilkeston, in Derbyshire. They proceeded to take away several bags of wheat.

Two men - Benjamin Beardsley & George Cope - were later arrested and committed to the County Gaol charged with riotous assembly.

5th October 1812: Hannah Ramsden acquitted of riot at Leeds Borough Sessions

On Monday 5th October 1812, seemingly the only person brought before a Court for the 3 days of riots in Leeds the previous August was acquitted. At Leeds Borough Sessions, Hannah Ramsden had been charged with rioting on the 19th August 1812.

8th September 1812: Food rioting continues in Nottingham

The Morning Chronicle of 11th September carried a report of the food riots that continued in Nottingham on Tuesday 8th September 1812:

On Tuesday morning the scenes of tumult were renewed with increased violence: carts loaded with potatoes were stopped in the streets and sold at reduced prices: a corn warehouse was attacked with great fury, as well as many bakers’ shops, without any mischief being done, except the breaking of windows, and some other trifling affairs. What added to the tumult was, the bread served out to the soldiers was found to be short of weight; and many of them were, on Monday, seen active in the mob. A peace officer and a party of the West Kent Militia are now stationed in every house or warehouse considered in danger, while parties of hussars constantly parade the streets.

The Nottingham Journal of 12th September carried report of the measures taken by the authorities, and further disturbances into the evening:

...it at length became necessary to call in gave the military, small parties of which were station in some of the bakers houses for the protection of their property. Hitherto the proceedings were principally confined to the women; but on Tuesday evening a large mob collected in Hockley, who insulted the Magistrates, and threw stones at the Hussars, who were at length ordered to clear the streets, and several pistols having been fired by way of intimidations the whole speedily dispersed without further mischief. The town has since remained perfectly tranquil.

7th September 1812: 'Madam Ludd' joins 'Lady Ludd' in food riots in Nottingham

On Monday 7th September, the food riots that had affected Sheffield and Leeds in Yorkshire spread to Nottinghamshire, and the town of Nottingham itself. The Nottingham Journal of 12th September gave the background to the disturbances:

It having been ascertained that a considerable reduction took place in the price of wheat in our market on Saturday last, (but which, it appears, did not exceed from 10 to 15 shillings per quarter on corn that was in a fit state to grind), the people naturally conceived that as the bakers and dealers in flour had profited by the rise in every instance, on their stock in hand they ought, on a principle of fair dealing, to concede the advantage of a fall in the prices of corn in the market to the public. They were therefore, persuaded, that flour would be sold on the Monday following at a proportionable reduced rate; but the dealers had bought in their stock at the highest possible price, they could not, without sustaining very material loss, lower it to the price so confidently expected, and so anxiously desired, and in consequence, a strong ferment was created in the public mind, which led to the commission of much mischief.

The Morning Chronicle of 11th September took up the story of what happened next:

On Monday morning, a baker in Nottingham had the temerity to advance his flour two-pence a stone, in the face of a falling market, which so enraged the women, that several got a fishing-rod, and fixed a halfpenny loaf upon it, which they coloured over with reddle, in imitation of its being dipt in blood, and likewise adorned it with a piece of crape. With this they then began to parade the streets, and soon collected a very large mob, among which were two women with hand-bills, who were dignified with the titles of Madam and Lady Ludd. The first object of their vengeance was the Baker who had advanced the price of his flour; they broke his windows, and compelled him to drop his flour sixpence a stone. The mob then divided into several parties, and treated nearly every baker and flour-seller in the same manner; not sparing their windows till they had promised to drop flour sixpence per stone.

The Journal reported an occurrence that must have been worrying for the authorities:

What added to the tumult was, the bread served out to the soldiers was found to be short of weight; and many of them were, on Monday, seen active in the mob. 

Other parts of the military were called out, and the Riot Act was read, and the crowd eventually dispersed.

22nd August 1812: General Maitland gives the Home Office his view of the recent West Riding riots

Wakefield
22nd August
1812

My dear Sir

I wrote you a short note the night before last from Sheffield.

Yesterday there was no Post, but I had a good deal of conversation with the Magistrates of Sheffield, and with Lord Fitzwilliam & St Francis Wood.

I find it is their united Opinion, that the late occurrences at Sheffield, entirely arise from the high Price of Flour, & in this Opinion I am not only inclined to concur, but I own, I think this kind of tumultuous Proceeding is so far salutary, that it completely explains its Object, and End, and naturally leads one to suppose, there is nothing beyond what shews itself.

On my arrival here last night, I understood there had been some symptoms of the same Spirit shewn here, & in seeing this Morning Coll. Campbell from Leeds, I have received from him a Report, of similar Proceedings having taken place there: All this however is in itself nothing, & it must be acknowledged, the Price of which the People complain, is unaccountably high, and I understand too, from every Enquiry, infinitely higher than in London.

The unfortunate circumstance that took place in Sheffield of their not suffering Voluntarily, but tolerating without proceeding to Extremity the Sale of Flour at Three shillings, instead of Seven Shillings, has led considerably I believe to the appearances of Tumult at Leeds, and some trifling symptoms of it here: But all these have no relation to, or connexion with the System that is alone dangerous here “To Wit”, that of Secret Meetings, and treasonable Oaths.—

A Relief from the immediate high Price, will set all this to rest, and I should apprehend that Relief, is nearly at hand, for the Price of Wheat fell considerably in the Market here yesterday, though the Price of Flour kept up, and if I am not grossly misinformed, there was too yesterday a small Importation of Wheat from London, which in itself must produce an immediate fall.—

In regard to the general state of this Riding, looking at it in quite a Separate View, from these Symptoms of Riot, I can say not much in its favor—

I own it appears to me, that we have never looked at it here fully in the Face, but that we are trying to suppose, that tranquillity exists where every thing is at the same time to the knowledge of all, Hollow, and Unsound.—

One would naturally think, that where Reports were made so favorable, as I understand they have been, by the Committees of the Lieutenancy, and Magistracy, that Security, and Confidence, would have been reestablished, and that the common course of the Law, would have been administered with Promptitude and Cordiality; This I apprehend, however, is by no means the Case, I believe that a System of Terror universally prevails, and that we are merely shutting our Eyes to an Evil small in Amount, but serious in its Nature, from the dread of trying totally to extirpate it.

I have not yet had time sufficient, to make myself so thoroughly Master of the Subject, as to give any decided Opinion, either of the exact State of the Riding, or of the Measures adviseable to be pursued as I could wish.—

My general Opinion however is, from every thing I have heard here, coupled with what I have seen elsewhere, that I have been perfectly correct, in the Statements I have frequently made to Lord Sidmouth, that the Thing has no Head, and I am now rather inclined to believe, the numbers of the Active are smaller than I have heretofore supposed, but I cannot have a doubt, that the Spirit is most Mischeivous, and as far as my Opinion at present goes with regard to Measures, I have no difficulty in saying, that I believe the only Thing that will give Security to this part of the Country in the long Nights that are approaching, will be, a most Active Use of the Troops, under proper Police Officers, for the Period we have antecedent to the Setting in of Winter.—

I shall write more fully upon this Subject tomorrow and

Am
My dear Sir
Ever Your’s—
T Maitland

[To] John Becket Esqr.
&c &c &c

20th August 1812: General Maitland writes from Sheffield about the riots there

Sheffield
20th August
1812

My dear Sir

You will properly have heard of the Riots that have taken place here.

I was totally ignorant of them till my Arrival to day at 3 OClock, having seen however the Acting Magistrate, and having dined in Company with Lords Fitzwilliam (who said he had just written to Lord Sidmouth) I am happy to say that as far as I am aware at present, they seem to have originated, merely from the increased price of Flour, and to be material result of their feeling on this Head, without any other View, connected with any other cause of any kind.

This night since Dark, it has been reported to me, that they have tried to seize a Woman, who had given Evidence against some of the Men, who were seized last Night, who have been with one or two exceptions all released, and they are shewing some symptoms of Riot, but I have no Idea it will end in any thing but throwing a few Stones, indeed I believe it to be made the most of.

I shall meet the Magistrates tomorrow, at 11 OClock, after which, I shall write you fully on the whole of it.

I regret this should have taken place, not that I think it is of the smallest consequence, but because it may lead the misinformed to believe there is more in it than is really the fact.—

I am [etc]
T Maitland
[To] J.Becket Esqr.
&c &c &c

20th August 1812: 'Lady Ludd' leads autoreduction in Leeds again

On Thursday 20th August 1812, and two days after leading a mob in the town, 'Lady Ludd' returned to Leeds in the morning. Potatoes were seized in the market-place, and shopkeepers were ordered to lower their prices. The Manchester Mercury reported that similar actions took place in many of the towns in the surrounding area.

In Sheffield, fearful of what may follow, the local bourgeoisie organised a meeting at the Cutlers' Hall to arrange a subscription to relieve distress to those not already on Parish Relief. £700 was subscribed by the meeting. The Leeds Mercury said "The town is in much confusion, none knowing to what lengths these acts of insubordination, once begun may be carried".

19th August 1812: Food rioting continues in the Leeds & Sheffield area

In the evening of Wednesday 19th August, the food rioting that had broken out in Leeds the previous day continued across the area.

At Armley, a crowd was ready to storm the premises of a meal seller when he produced a gun loaded with shot and discharged it into the crowd. The reaction of the crowd and the resulting casualties go unrecorded. As The Leeds Mercury described 'turbulent mobs' gathering at the King's Mills and several Meal Shops and said 'no material violence occcurred', choosing to overlook the report of the gun being discharged, which appeared in the Manchester Mercury.

Similar disturbances that had occurred in Sheffield on Tuesday were repeated on this day. In the evening, there were reports of nocturnal meetings taking place in fields, and at one such meeting, 20 arrests were made, although all were later released. 

18th August 1812: Food riots in Leeds headed by 'Lady Ludd' - similar scenes in Sheffield

Despite the reports of abundant harvests that had been reported in a recent edition of the Leeds Mercury, the price of Corn in the West Riding remained high. On Tuesday 18th August 1812 ordinary people could not bear it any longer, and food rioting broke out four months after it had been widespread in the North West of England.

On that day, one farmer from Seacroft was jostled by people in the market, but peace officers arrived and he hurriedly left. Another farmer from Swillington who had come to the market-place was singled out for attention, since his prices were the highest. His corn was seized en masse by the people in the market, with around two sacks of wheat being thrown around the streets. Other farmers and corn-dealers were later assaulted on their journey home, one suffering a head injury.

In the afternoon, a group of women and boys had gathered and began to move around the streets. They were led by a woman the Leeds Mercury described as being 'dignified with the title of LADY LUDD'. The Manchester Mercury described their activity:

"they hooted every passenger who had the appearance of a farmer or corn-dealer and shouted huzzaed opposite the bakers and meal-sellers' shops"

Later in the evening, the property of a miller at Holbeck called Shackleton was attacked - windows were broken and the damage was later estimated at between £30 and £40.

At Sheffield, similar  disturbances took place the same day, and also the following day: flour dealers were compelled to sell their stock for 3 shillings per stone, and oatmeal proportionally similar. The Leeds Mercury described the autoreduction as being 'principally led on by women'.

23rd July 1812: The trial of the Horbury food rioters at York Summer Assizes

The Leeds Mercury of 25th July 1812, carried the details of the trial 3 women, accused of rioting in Horbury on 17th June 1812. The trial took place on Thursday 23rd July 1812.

BETTY WOOD (aged 60), MARY ELLIS (aged 24), and MARY WRIGHT (aged 20) were charged with Highway Robbery, in putting in bodily fear, and stealing by force and violence from the person of Benjamin Byrom, a quantity of potatoes and onions. This case may be stated in a few words.

On the 17th of June, Benjamin Byrom, a hawker of potatoes, went with his cart to Horbury, where a number of women and children made an assault upon him, and threw his potatoes into the street; some of the rabble run away with a few of them—but nothing of this kind was proved against the Prisoners. The law in this case, as stated by the Judge, ought to be known. If the intention of the mob is to steal, or to convert to their own use, any part of the property, every person in the mob is answerable for the acts of that mob; and if property is taken away, every individual in the riot may be prosecuted for the robbery, and may be capitally convicted, as the case may be, though such individual may have taken no part of the property. But if the intention of the mob is to destroy the property, and a few in the mob deviate from such intention, and steal part of it, their acts affects only themselves, and does not implicate any other person. The Jury, without hesitation acquitted all the Prisoners.

22nd June 1812: Reward Notice for suspect in Horbury Riot

Riot at Horbury.

Whereas JOHN HEPWORTH, Waterman, of Horbury, near Wakefield, was a principal Cause of a RIOT at Horbury, on Wednesday last, and has hitherto escaped the Vigilance of the Constable—a Reward of TWENTY POUNDS will be paid to any Person or Persons who shall apprehend the said John Hepworth and deliver him to the said Constable.

The said JOHN HEPWORTH is a Dark-complexioned young Man, with a Scar or Mark on one Side of his Face, which makes him have a singular Appearance with that Eye, is 21 Years of Age, and stands about five Feet four Inches high.—The Reward will be paid by the aforesaid Constable.—Horbury, June 22, 1812.

17th June 1812: Food riot at Horbury, West Yorkshire

On Wednesday 17th June 1812, Benjamin Byrom, a hawker of potatoes & onions had set up his cart at Horbury on market day. At some point during the day, a crowd gathered and set about upsetting the cart, tipping the contents into the street. Some of the crowd took produce away, and at least one woman was subsequently arrested.

30th May 1812: The trials of Barton & Worsley food rioters & Bolton illegal oath giver/takers at Lancaster Special Commission

On Saturday 30th May 1812, the penultimate day of the trials proceeded to deal with various offences.

Ann Hamer (aged 43) was charged with riotously entering the mill of Messrs Gilbert, Marsdens & Co at Barton-upon-Irwell on 20th April 1812 and stealing flour. While others had tried to break the machinery, Hamer was said to have filled her apron with flour from a sack. When she confronted and told she would be transported for what she was doing, a witness attested she had said "if you say that, I'll have nothing to do with it" and returned the flour to the sack. However, the same witness saw her return later and take more flour, to the approximate quantity of between 20-30 lb (priced at 4d per pound).

In her defence, Hamer said that she was on her way for a pint of ale when she came across the crowd at the mill, and was compelled to join in with them by some of the crowd. She had later handed herself in to the authorities. Hamer pointed out she was the carer of her blind mother. Hamer was found guilty.

John Hope (aged 33) and Samuel Crossley (28) were accused of rioting at Worsley, and stealing a large quantity of grain flour out of a mill there. The two men were alleged to have been armed with clubs and were found guilty.

John Burney (aged 49) was found guilty of aiding and assisting in administering an unlawful oath to Isaac Clayton, a private in the Royal Cumberland Militia.

James Knowles (aged 21), who had been acquitted of a similar offence on Wednesday, and John Fisher (also 21) were accused of taking an unlawful oath, at Bolton. Both were found guilty.

29th May 1812: The trials of Thomas Brookes, Hannah Smith & more Middleton rioters at Lancaster Special Commission

On Friday 29th May 1812, three more trials took place at Lancaster Special Commission.

Thomas Brookes (aged 27) was accused of entering, with up to 100 other people, the house of John Cooke at Pendlebury, near Salford and robbing Cooke of two £1 notes. He was acquitted.

Hannah Smith (aged 54) was accused of multiple offences alleged to have been committed during the three days of food-rioting in Manchester.

She was held to be the woman that had approached Charles Walker, who was selling butter in Ardwick on the 22nd April 1812, and informed him that he could sell his butter at reduced prices or see it taken from him. After Walker was afterwards pursued by a crowd to the outskirts of Manchester before being stopped, it was said that Smith was the woman who climbed onto his cart to help deliver out the butter and collected the proceeds of auto-reduction. This was regarded as highway robbery by the prosecutors, a highly unusual charge for food rioting. Smith gave no defence to the charge.

Smith was also accused of grand larceny for her alleged actions in Manchester on the second day of food rioting there on 20th April 1812.  She was accused of stealing potatoes with a crowd of others at Bank Top in town from a James Radcliffe, as well as inciting many to join in this and other actions during that day. In her defence, she denied ever touching the potatoes.

Smith had no witnesses to counter the accusations, and was found guilty of both offences.

Following this, 6 prisoners, all but one of them women, were put to the bar accused of riot in Middleton on 21st April 1812. The accused were Ann Butterworth, daughter of Robert (19), Samuel Howarth (17), Alice Partington (42), Millicent Stoddard (28), Ann Butterworth, daughter of William (19) and Ann Dean (20). A witness attested that the 6 accused were part of a 200-strong group of armed men and women who had proceeded to the houses of two employees at Burton's Mill, Benjamin Cooke & James Kay, who were suspected of being amongst those who fired on and killed people the day before outside the mill. The houses of Cooke & Kay were ransacked, with Cooke's furniture being broken and burned in the street. Although alibis were given, all six were 'without the least hesitation' found guilty.

14th May 1812: Local Militia take part in Loughborough food riot

On Thursday 14th May, a food riot erupted in the marketplace at Loughborough.

The riot began with a row over the price of potatoes - 14 pence per peck was the asking price,  but a group of women wanted to offer 1 shilling. When this was refused, the women began to empty the bags of potatoes, with many of them being stolen, and others thrown about the market. At around 10.00 a.m., autoreduction then commenced in earnest, with lowered prices being offered for butter & eggs.

A magistrate, Richard Hardy, proceeded to the marketplace and was horrified to find that around 30 women were being supported by an equal number of off-duty members of the Local Militia: the militiamen had previously excused themselves from duty owing to sickness. Hardy was unable to summon Militia forces to quell the riot, even though there were only half a mile away at the time.

The riot eventually began to subside, but it had attracted a large group of people to gather nearby. At around 2.00 p.m., Hardy witnessed a woman seize a leg of pork from a stall and throw it into the air. The crowd then proceeded to play with the pork, taking it in turns to throw it to and from each other.

Later, the shops were all shut up, and with the main body of the Local Militia attending, the crowd eventually dispersed. Hardy later commented in a letter to the Home Office that:

I certainly cannot persuade myself that the Local Militia is, at any time, force calculated to suppress Riot, especially when the ostensible cause of that Riot is the high price of Provisions, & in a Town too, where most of the Men have Relatives or Families

23rd April 1812: Birmingham Magistrates provide their last report to the Home Office on the disturbances

Public Office, Birmingham, Thursday, April 23rd. 1812.

Sir,

Resuming our Narrative from 2 o’Clock yesterday, when we dispatched our last Letter. About half an Hour after that time the Crowd increasing considerably and the People not going off to their Workshops, as we expected, but some halloeing & throwing DeadCats & a few Stones by which means some Windows were broken & complaints made to us from the Inhabitants of the danger to which they were thereby exposed; two of us, accompanied by a few Scots Greys, some special & other Constables, & about 20 Infantry with Arms, went into the midst of them, but many fled away at our approach, we judged it right however then to have the Proclamation in the Riot Act read, which, after a short address to the People, was done, at half past Two exactly, & we then ordered the Cavalry to clear the Streets, staying ourselves with them till 3 o'Clock, &, having secured a few of the most troublesome, we thought it best to retire, leaving the Military & the Constables to Keep the Streets clear & to take up any Persons who might appear to deserve it.—We then issued the Hand Bill with the words “Riot Act” at top, having before dispersed a considerable number of the large one commanding all Persons to keep the Peace, and between 4 & 5 o'Clock, finding all quiet, called in both the Military & the Constables. At Five we sent Patroles of Military to all the different Avenues of the Town to prevent the evil disposed from getting into the Country as they had done the night before, and those Patroles were Kept up till 11 o'Clock.—At 7, finding that the assemblage was again encreasing in the Marketplace, we ordered the Military & the Constables to go out, and Two of us went with them, by which means the Persons coming from their work were prevented from stopping, and no damage was done: by 11 o'Clock all was again quiet, the Military sent to Quarters & Barracks & no mischief done either in Town or Country.

This (Thursday) being Market Day, it was thought right to send the Patroles again, at 6 o'Clock in the Morning, to the Outskirts of the Town, lest Persons coming to Market should be insulted.—The special as well as other Constables, were also sent into the Market, at 9 o'Clock, to protect the Farmers selling Potatoes, & one of the Constables, who had called on most of the Farmers in the Neighbourhood to persuade them to bring Potatoes, engaged a considerable Quantity which were brought in & sold at a fair & moderate, but not at a reduced, price, which would only tend to encrease the consumption & of course the scarcity.—

(½ past 2.)

The Dinner Hour of the Workmen having now completely past over, the Populace in the Market place decreasing, and no appearance of Disturbance shewing itself, we close our Letter with a confident Hope that the Disposition to riot is gradually dying away.—

We have the Honour to be
Sir,
Your mo. Obed. hble Servt.

Wm Villers
Wm Hicks
Wm Hamper
W Withering

The Right Hon: the Secretary of State.

22nd April 1812: Birmingham Magistrates update the Home Office on the disturbances

Public Office, Birmingham, April 22nd. 1812.—

Sir,

After the time of dispatching our Letter of Yesterday, which was written necessarily in great haste, the Town was tolerably quiet until the Dusk of the Evening, when the Workmen coming out of their Shops, the Numbers in the Streets encreased, & some of the noisy, idle, profligate & disaffected became clamorous & threw stones at the Peace: Officers, who were on the watch in different parts, insomuch that it became necessary to send for a Party of the Warwickshire Yeomanry from the Barracks where by our desire they had come from an inspection in the morning.—No mischief however of any consequence was done, before the Yeomanry arrived at this Office the greater Number of the Populace had left the Town & were gone towards Harborne & Edgbaston in this Neighbourhood threatening mischief. The Yeomanry therefore accompanied by Magistrate pursued them, & found that they had chained & nailed up the Turnpike Gates at the end of the Town with a view of preventing the Military from following them: the Gates were however forced and they were so closely pursued that they dispersed in all directions without having done any damage. Patroles were kept in different parts of the Town until Midnight when everything appeared quiet & a Guard both of Horse & Foot left ready any emergency, the Scots Greys under Major Hankin, who have been on duty all the Day & to whose prompt mentions we have reason to attribute the security of the Town, and the Yeomanry were sent to Barracks & Quarters.—A Party at the Handsworth Cavalry arrived in the Night, and we have desired the first Troop of Warwickshire Yeomanry to come from their Field today to relieve the 2nd which with the Scots Greys will then be ready to protect the Farmers tomorrow.—We issued a Hand Bill yesterday, one of which will be enclosed, and sent some of them all round the Town several miles.—We wish it to be plainly understood, as our decided opinion, that this disturbance although under the pretence of the Orders in Council, the high price of Provisions & the badness of Trade, is neither entirely occasioned by the one or the other, it doubtless arises principally from seditious Persons, who catching the flame from inflammatory speeches which they have read or heard & from Papers of that description dropped in the Streets & Roads, and such evil disposed Persons stirring up other idle, unprincipled, profligate & abandoned Characters to act under them.—Indeed we have great reason to believe that some Persons from Nottingham & from Sheffield have been all over this part of the Country with those views, & the Paper which we had the Honour to send you last week we believe will be found to be of Yorkshire Fabric, & the language that of Yorkshire.—The Inhabitants of this Town are chiefly loyal, quiet & industrious Persons, but none of them would appear in the Streets nor would any tumult arise, was not the Poison spread amongst the minds of others.—Every care will be taken to prevent mischief & to put a stop to these proceedings; and we flatter ourselves that the promptness with which measures were adopted has had its due effect.—We received yesterday an Answer from Lichfield stating that Major General Dyott not being there, & no Dragoons, we could have no assistance from thence.—Enclosed you have a Paper which was found last night on the spot where the principal Crowd was collected, & from the latter part of it may plainly be seen the spirit which actuates the Rioters.—We could wish to have all the Papers we send to you returned, as we may have persons come to us who can give us some information concerning them.—

(2 o'Clock) the Town remains quiet, but we expect, and (as we trust) are fully prepared for, a renewal of Disturbances at night.—

We have the Honour to remain
Sir Your most obed. hble Servants

Wm Villers
W. Hicks
Wm Hamper
W Withering

The Rt. Honble. the Secretary of State

22nd April 1812: Third and final day of food rioting in Manchester

Charles Walker, a farmer, had left his home at Wootton in Staffordshire on Tuesday 21st April 1812 to sell a 3 1/2 cwt load of butter in Manchester the following day. He stopped overnight at Bullock Smithy (now Hazel Grove) near Stockport, before heading into Manchester the following morning.

Having sold some of his butter in Manchester, he was at a shop in Ardwick trying to sell some more when he was surrounded by about 10 people. An older woman spoke to him, enquiring how much he sold his butter for: he told her, 15 pence per pound. The woman made it clear that that was too high, she wanted less. Walker asked her what she would be prepared to offer, and she told him 1 shilling (i.e. 12 pence). Walker felt intimidated and agreed to sell her a pound. He got in his cart, and started to drive away to the outskirts. He soon noticed he was being followed - when he looked around, he saw about 100 people running after him.

After travelling a mile, the crowd caught up with Walker and stopped him. By this time, 200 to 300 people were surrounding his cart. They all wanted his butter at a shilling per pound. Walker offered only the contents of one basket - around 30lb - but the crowd wanted the lot, a threatened to upturn his cart if he didn't comply. He sold all of the butter in the cart at 1 shilling per pound. At one point, the woman who had challenged him in Ardwick earlier had got onto the cart to assist. She later carried off 20lb of butter into the crowd to sell it at the autoreduced price. The crowd later allowed Walker to drive his by now empty cart away.

Reaching Bullock Smithy again, he found that he had £14, 12 shillings - £9, 18 shillings short of what he had wanted to sell his butter for.