2.--A common hall was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, for the purpose of
petitioning the Legislature for the repeal of the duty on coals. The
requisition had been signed wholly by persons of the "Purple and Orange"
party, much opposition resulted, and the meeting dissolved in confusion.
10.--Mr. Edward Hall Alderson, son of the Recorder of Norwich, and Mr.
John Patteson, son of the Rev. Henry Patteson, of Drinkstone, Suffolk,
and nephew of Mr. Alderman Patteson, of Norwich, were appointed Judges of
the High Court.
--On this date began the machine-breaking riots and stack firing, which
gradually extended over the greater part of the county. The first fire
occurred on the farm of Mr. J. Hill, of Briston, and a reward of 1,000
pounds was offered by Sir Jacob Astley for the discovery of the
offenders. On the 16th a mob destroyed the agricultural machinery
belonging to Mr. John Girling, of Paston. The outrages became so
numerous that the principal agriculturists got rid of their
threshing-machines, and Col. Wodehouse, the Lieutenant of the County,
issued a circular to the magistrates, requesting them to swear in special
constables in every parish. At Melton Constable, on the 22nd, it was
feared that an attack would be made upon the Hall, but the gentlemen in
the neighbourhood went to the assistance of Sir Jacob Astley, and,
meeting the rioters at Hindolvestone, seized the ringleaders and conveyed
them to Walsingham Bridewell. Another mob assembled on the 23rd, and
further arrests were made. The High Sheriff (the Hon. G. J. Milles),
anticipating a further attack, despatched a messenger to Elmham Park,
requesting the assistance of the gentlemen of the Norfolk Hunt, who had a
meet there that day. The summons was immediately obeyed, and the
horsemen, on arriving at Melton Constable, dispersed the rioters and made
several arrests. The same day detachments of the 1st Royal Dragoons were
sent from Norwich to do duty in the disturbed districts. At Norwich, on
the 29th, the mob destroyed the sawmills of Mr. Calver, at New Catton,
and the looms at Messrs. Willett's factory in St. Martin's, and broke the
windows of the silk factory. The Sheriffs and the magistrates were in
daily and nightly attendance at the Guildhall, and the Chelsea pensioners
in the city, to the number of 200, were called out to assist in
preserving the peace. On December 4th the county of Norfolk was included
in his Majesty's proclamation, offering a reward of 50 pounds in respect
of every person convicted of any outrage upon property. At the Norfolk
Quarter Sessions, held on December 18th, two Committees were appointed,
one for East and the other for West Norfolk, "to arrange and put the
constabulary force on the most efficient footing to preserve the peace
and protect the persons and property of the inhabitants of the county."
The thanks of the Court were given to the 1st Royals for their services,
and to the Mayor and magistrates of Norwich for their cordial
co-operation with the county authorities in the suppression of the
disturbances.
20.--A whale, which had stranded upon a sandbank four miles below the
harbour, was landed on the common staith at King's Lynn. "It was placed
on two trucks, dragged by six horses, and measured 21 ft. 3 in. in
length, and 13 ft. 6 in. in circumference."
25.--Mr. Robert Grant, one of the members for Norwich, having accepted
the office of Judge Advocate under the new Administration, a fresh
election was rendered necessary, and the writ was received on this date.
The right hon. gentleman was returned unopposed on November 30th. He was
afterwards appointed a Government Commissioner for the affairs of India.