England, late 1830.
"Threatening letters are continually received by
various persons, from "Swing" and are but too often
followed by diabolical acts of incendiarism. The
greatest excitement and alarm prevails all over
England. Many persons have been tried for arson,
and sending letters, and when found guilty are severely
dealt with, not less than 500 persons have been setenced
to transportation for various terms,for the above offences.
We have been favoured with the following extract of a
letter from Salisbury, dated Dec, 1830, which illustrates
the state of the public mind in England :-
Salisbury has been in a state of alarm for some days,
the mobs are burning the houses, and destroying the machines
all around, letters have been received by many farmers who,
in consequence have broken their own machines to prevent worse
treatment. One foundry a few miles off was burned down, and the
mob took a clergyman,and dragged him along the road with a
haltar round his neck. There were seven fires in one night. Word
was brought that the populace were pulling down Mr Whitechurch's
farm; the cavalry marched out, and drew up across the London road;
such a scene ensued - the cavalry was attacked and were obliged to
fly before the crow, who poured into the Green Croft, where they
were met by the special constables; the bells of all the churches
tolled an alarm, and the staffs went to work, a most horrible
battle was fought for about an hour,when the constables drove them
off. The machinery at Whitechurch Brewery is broken, and sundry
barrels of beer were drunk. Milford Mill machinery I saw dashed to
pieces,almost all the neighbouring farmers have had their machinery
destroyed, and have been obliged to come down with contributions
besides. Blankets and broken machinery are swimming down Salibury St.
All the shops are shut and the terror is universal. There is much
alarm about Gies foundry, the rioters have stated their determination
to have it down; the men are ready to receive them, with doors
barricaded, and a cauldron of boiling lead to throw over any assailants.
The mill at Quidhampton is destroyed. The Lancers were sent into
protect the town. Thirty prisoners were brought in this morning
after a regular battle at Grovely Wood, in which some lives were
lost, and much blood spilt. The gaol has been threatened. One
manufacturer in Hampshire offered one of the leaders (COOPER, since
tried and convicted at Winchester and sentenced to be transported
for life) £150 to let him alone, but was refused, and his works
were demolioshed. A gentleman was attacked at West Park by five
hundred men, two of who he killed and drove the remainer off.
Mr Eyre Coote's house was threatened, he had six cannons mounted,
which intimidated the mob, who retreated vowing vengeance, but
have not dared to molest him further at present.
The instrument they use in setting fire to stacks in a
piece of bamboo, and by the pressure of the air inside it sets
fire to a piece of prepared touch paper, or sponge, which is
attached to a rod of iron, like a dart, which can be thrown a
distance of 200 yards into the thatch or corn, and may be two
or three hours before it ignites.
The mob is armed with pickaxes, pitchforks, and etc, and many
have been desperatly wounded in the various affrays.
December 1, all is quiet at present, but persons are
still very apprehensive of a future breaking out.
src:Sydney Herald. Monday June 13th 1831.
English Papers.
