1.--At the Norwich Adjourned Quarter Sessions, the magistrates decided to
build a new gaol on a piece of ground outside St. Giles' Gates. On
February 23rd the Corporation granted to the justices a lease of the
site, five acres in extent, for 500 years, at the annual rent of 50
pounds. At a full assembly of the magistrates on August 26th the tenders
of Messrs. Mears and Blyth for building the new gaol in accordance with
plans prepared by Mr. Barnes, for the sum of 17,395 pounds, were
accepted.
2.--The coming of age of Mr. Henry Jerningham, eldest son of Sir George
and Lady Jerningham, was celebrated at Costessey Park with great
rejoicings.
3.--Pursuant to requisition signed by 540 occupiers of land, &c., in the
county the High Sheriff of Norfolk (Sir R. P. Jodrell), convened a
meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, "for the purpose of taking into
consideration the severe and unprecedented distresses of agriculture and
the best means of relieving them." The High Sheriff presided, supported
by the county members, Mr. T. W. Coke and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. Mr.
Cobbett was in the body of the Hall, and great confusion prevailed at
intervals. Mr. Alderman Thurtell moved a string of resolutions in favour
of the reduction of taxation and the abolition of needless and,
therefore, useless places, pensions, and sinecures, such a reduction of
the National Debt as was required; and the total repeal of the Malt and
Beer taxes, which would relieve heavy burdens and encourage the growth of
barley. Mr. George Watson seconded the resolutions. Mr. Cobbett, amid
great uproar, then moved, as an amendment to Mr. Thurtell's resolutions,
that a petition be presented to Parliament containing among other
suggestions the following: the appropriation of part of the public
property, commonly called Church property, to be applied to the
liquidation of the National Debt; the abolition of the standing army; the
total abolition of sinecure pensions, grants, and emoluments; the sale of
numerous public estates commonly called Crown lands, and the application
of the money towards the liquidation of the public debt; to suspend by
law for one year all distraints for rents; to suspend all processes for
tithes for the same period, and all processes arising out of mortgages
effected on houses or land; and to repeal the taxes on malt, hops,
leather, soap, and candles. Not three-fourths of the audience were able
to hear the reading of the petition, but it was adopted, and the
resolutions moved by Mr. Thurtell negatived by at least twenty to one.
Mr. Cobbett, at the close of the meeting, stood forward and said this was
the greatest triumph he had ever had; it was their triumph also--the
triumph of truth and sound principles. Subsequently meetings were held
in the various Hundreds of the county "to disavow the Norwich proceedings
of the 3rd," and "to express abhorrence and detestation of the
revolutionary doctrines promulgated, and the measures of fraud and
spoliation recommended for legislative adoption." On March 8th the
NORFOLK CHRONICLE published the following paragraph: "Norfolk Petition.
Serious loss. We understand the county has been so unfortunate as to be
deprived of its Petition by some daring depredator who had the audacity
to steal it from the coach by which it was sent to London about a
fortnight ago. The most diligent search has been made for this important
document, but without success."
4.*--"We have been called upon by several gentlemen who were witnesses of
the circumstance to notice the very reprehensible conduct of the persons
who drove the Day and Times coaches into this city on Tuesday evening.
These coaches had been racing on the road, and proceeded at such a rapid
rate that they reached Norwich at a quarter before five o'clock, having
performed the journey from London, 112 miles, in less than eleven hours."
11.--Master Hubbard, "the scissor artist," exhibited his proficiency in
cutting out profiles in paper at Norwich.
11.--At a fire which occurred at Blackthorn Farm, Diss, in the occupation
of Mr. John Elsey, a chimney fell and killed John Gardiner and William
Tipple. Two other persons were severely injured.
16.--Married at Lakenham church, by the Rev. George Carter, Mr. George
Thurtell, son of Mr. Alderman Thurtell, to Miss Edwards.
--Married at North Walsham, by the Rev. W. F. Wilkinson, Mr. George
Fisher, of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians, to Miss Marianne
Nickless, niece of Mrs. Saul, of that place.
20.--A coach commenced running from the Crown Tavern, Lynn, every Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday morning by Swaffham and Dereham to Norwich. It
returned from Norwich _via_ Hingham, Watton, and Swaffham. Another coach
set out from the White Swan, Norwich, every Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday morning at eleven o'clock, and travelled by Dereham and Swaffham
to meet the Stamford coach at Lynn. It returned after the arrival of the
Stamford coach, by Swaffham, Watton, and Hingham.
21.--At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by
the Mayor (Mr. Robert Hawkes), it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. John
Harvey seconded by Mr. Crisp Brown, and unanimously agreed, that direct
and improved communication with the sea was an object of the first
importance to the future prosperity of the city; that the plan for an
open harbour at Lowestoft be approved; that application be made to
Parliament for carrying the undertaking into execution; and that a
subscription for the purpose based on shares of 100 pounds each be
immediately opened. On February 8th a letter from the fishing masters,
boatmen, and pilots to Mr. Harvey, expressing the hope that the proposed
plan would be of the greatest benefit to the city of Norwich as well as
to the town of Lowestoft, was published.
24.--Capt. Hayes, "the Father of the British Army," was entertained at
the Star Inn, Norwich, on the anniversary of his entrance into the
service. He had served 62 years.
25.--It was announced that Messrs. W. and M. Stark, manufacturers, of
Norwich, had completed an establishment for carrying into operation the
patent of Mr. J. F. Smith, of Dunston Hall, Chesterfield, in the method
of finishing bombazines and other silk and worstead goods.