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Document number: 2079
Date: Fri 26 Nov 1830
Dating: see 02078; agricultural unrest
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: FEILDING Charles
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA30-51
Last updated: 8th March 2012

Friday Night

My dear Henry –

The disturbances <1> come so near Lacock that I am anxious you should be prepared, as far as you can to resist, or rather to make any attack improbable by being quite ready – There must be many people in the Parish & particularly in the village, ready & willing to defend their Houses &ca & it would seem therefore to be adviseable to enroll them – tradesmen, shop keepers & Farmers I mean, & such laboring men as can be trusted – next to appoint, signal of alarm, either the church or abbey Bell, & a place of meeting when the alarm is sounded – [illegible deletion] the persons enrolled, should they exceed a certain Number, may be divided, into small parties to be directed by particular individuals – when it is known, that you are all perfectly determined & prepared to defend your property, I feel convinced no attack will be made. – I have been all over the Town to get 2 Police men, to send to you tomorrow morning – but before tomorrow night they cannot go – unless I hear something to make me suppose it unnecessary – they will be at Lacock Sunday Morning early – It will quiet your Mothers <2> uneasiness – they will be of great use in organizing your means of defence, & the reputation of having such additional strength, will be of great service, in attracting volunteers to your side – & you can send them off when they are no longer in your opinion necessary – Doubtless it will require a good deal of exertion on your part & energy to overcome the reluctance & timidity, of the people & to induce them to arm & prepare for their defence There is a delay in sending off the special commission owing to Form – which is unlucky –

Yr aff
C. F


Notes:

1. This refers to the riots that started in Kent towards the end of August, and spread through the southern counties of Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Somerset. They were also known as the ‘Swing Riots’ due to the signature of Captain Swing which appeared at the bottom of a number of threatening letters written at the time and were prompted by a decline in the prices of agricultural produce and wages. Hundred of rioters destroyed new threshing machines, which they felt were taking away their winter work and they put pressure on the church to reduce the amount in tithes it took from the farmers.

2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, nιe Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

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