EXTRACTS FROM THE WEST BRITON
The West Briton first appeared in
July 1810. I have extracted the following articles purely by the fact that they
caught my eye or were about one of the places were my ancestors lived.
I will add more over time.
10 April 1812
Miners' Food Riots
The present alarming scarcity of grain in this county, particurlarly of barley, which forms a chief part of the sustenance of the poor has for some time induced an apprehension that the miners, pressed by the advanced price of grain and the difficulty of procuring it, would be led to resort to undue measures for lowering the price and obtaining a supply. These apprehensions have been in part realised. On Monday last the miners who reside between Redruth and Truro, assembled in great number and proceeded to the houses of several farmers, whom they induced to sign a written agreement to sell them wheat at 30 shillings and barley at 15 shillings a Cornish bushell. When this agreement was signed and corn delivered in compliance with it, the miners offered no violence, but contented themselves with soliciting a little bread, an article of food which some of them declared they had not tasted for several days.
On Tuesday the Sessions commenced at Truro at which a number of magistrates and the High Sheriff attended. Information was received that the miners had assebled in considerable bodies near Redruth, and that serious apprehensions were entertained of their proceeding to violence. Immediately a consultation was held on the Bench, and an order was signed by the Sheriff for calling out a part of the Monmouth and Brecon Militia, in garrison at Pendennis.
18 September 1812
Fire in Crantock
On Saturday morning last, about ten o'clock, a dreadful fire broke out in Crantock church-town, on the premises of Mr William Johns, a respectable farmer of that place. This afflicting event was occasioned by a spark which flew from a smith's forge, which adjoined Mr John's mowhay, and fell on a mow of corn, which, immediately caught fire, and in ten minutes, 400 bushels of wheat and 500 bushels of barley in the straw; fifty tons of hay, the barns, stables, out-houses, winnowing and threshing machines, and the smith's dwelling-house and shop, exhibed one tremendous blaze, the heat of which prevented the affrighted spectators from approaching the burning mass. All that could be done was to prevent the progress of the destructive element which threatened to involve the whole village in one general ruin, as the houses are almost all thatched.
21 April 1815
The brig Neptune wrecked in St Ives Bay
On Friday last, the brig Neptune, of Fish Gard, Griffiths master, was driven on shore, near Godreavy in St Ives Bay. Should the weather continue favourable and it be found possible to prevent the swarms of plunderers from a neighbouring depot from carrying her away piecemeal, hopes are entertained that the vessel may be got off by the next spring tides. It is scarcely credible though unfortunately too true, that some of the ruffians who assembled under pretence of protecting the property, actually robbed the Captain of his watch and plundered all the unfortunate seamen of the clothes they endeavoured to save at the risk of their lives. One of the crew who got on shore almost naked, saw a number of miscreants employed in carrying off some rope, and remonstrated with them on the atrocity of their conduct, and when he was told that unless he immediately departed and refrained from molesting them in securing their lawful spoil, they would strangle him on the spot.
27 October 1815
Wreck in Mount's Bay Plundered
The Russian galliot, Flora, Thot, master, from Bordeaux to Riga, went on shore at Praa Sand in Mount's Bay. It being high water when she struck, she was left dry at the ebb tide; when the barbarians of Breage and Germoe came down in such numbers, that before assistance could proceed from Marazion, they had nearly torn the vessel to pieces and carried a great part of her and the cargo with the seamen's clothes &c., into the country. A detachment of the local militia which arrived shortly after the plundering had commenced, could scarely restrain the wretches from completing the work they had so actively begun.
