Thepresent century opened in a tempest of war and confusion, which gave little prospect of soon exhausting its fury. Mention will be found below of several serious riots on account of the high price of provisions, which may be thus accounted for: The exemption from cash payments in 1797 had given great relief to the merchants and tradespeople generally, but had little effect upon the condition of the working classes; and the war had not yet withdrawn so many men from productive industry as materially to raise the rate of wages. The total number of levies for the army, from the commencement of the war to the end of 1800, was but 208,388. It had, however, continued sufficiently long to raise the price of all provisions enormously, and the very deficient harvests of 1799 and 1800 greatly increased this evil, and added to the distress. So much disquiet was excited by these causes that Parliament was called together for a second sitting in November, and all sorts of expedients were resorted to to increase the supply of food—bounties were granted on the importation of foreign corn—the use of corn in distilleries, or for making starch, was prohibited—the manufacture of fine flour, or the use of it in making bread, was forbidden, while the use of oats and barley was permitted and encouraged—bakers were prohibited from selling bread that had not been baked twenty-four hours—and, lastly, in the month of December His Majesty issued a proclamation exhorting the strictest economy in families on the use of every kind of grain, recommending that people should abstain from pastry, and on no account allow the consumption of bread in their households to exceed one quartern loaf for each person in a week. Statutes against “engrossing and regrating,” that had almost become obsolete, were also raked up and eagerly put in force against speculators, whether great or small, both by country magistrates and chief justices, though the great Holt had long ago laughed at them. The average price of wheat this year was 119s. 6d. per quarter; and Three per Cent. Consols averaged 63½.
January—A subscription entered into for the relief of the poor in Worcester, in consequence of the “high price of bread, butter, and other necessaries of life.” The parties at the public meeting, called to promote the subscription, pledged themselves “to reduce the consumption of flour and butter in their own families as much as possible, and earnestly recommended the same to all ranks of persons within the city and suburbs.” The subscription, in the whole, amounted to more than £700. The soup kitchen was opened before this time.
January7—The post boy, carrying the mail with the letter bags from Worcester, for Bewdley, Kidderminster, and Stourbridge, was stopped about six in the morning, two miles only from Worcester, by a man on foot, who presented a pistol—cut the straps of the portmanteau and carried the mail away. A reward of £200 was offered by Government, but the offender was never apprehended.
January14—The County Magistrates, at Quarter Sessions, ordered that “no makers of bread for sale, shall make, or sell, any superior quality of bread at a higher price than the standard wheatenbread; and that every peck loaf should weigh 17 lbs. 6oz., and every quartern loaf 4 lbs. 5 oz. 8 drams.” Price of wheat in Worcester market, 13s. 4d. to 15s. 6d. the bushel. Hops, £14 to £16 per cwt.
January17—The “Worcester Fencible Light Dragoons,” retiring to England from service in Ireland, were thanked by Lord Cornwallis, Adjutant General of the forces in Ireland, for their services in that kingdom.
January25—The magistrates of Worcester offered ten guineas reward for the discovery of the writer of “several inflammatory papers, reflecting upon their conduct,” which were found in the Foregate Street.
January25—A labouring man robbed at Barbourne, Worcester, by footpads; and, two days after, a farmer, on horseback, was stopped at the same spot.
February21—A man apprehended in Worcester market for “forestalling,” and committed to the assizes for trial.
March9—A “Worcester Fire Office” established, with a capital of £100,000.
April4—Disturbances in the Worcester markets, on account of the high price of provisions. The magistrates issued a notice that sellers would be protected. The consumption of butter greatly reduced in consequence of its enormous price.
April7—The Corporation of Worcester offered premiums of 1s. 6d. for the first 100 bushels of potatoes brought into the market before the 1st July; 1s. for the second 100; and 9d. for the third. Claimants upon 240 bushels were paid. Wheat at 14s. 6d. to 18s. per bushel. Beef at least 9d., and mutton 10d. per lb.
April25—The colliers of Stourbridge in a state of great disturbance from the scarcity. A squadron of the 7th Dragoon Guards sent into the neighbourhood.
May2—Meeting of the gentry and inhabitants of Stourbridge; the Hon. Edward Foley in the chair; at which resolutions were passed, begging the farmers to bring wheat into that market to sell at 15s. per bushel, and barley at a price not exceeding 8s.
May9—Disturbances at Redditch, which threatened to be very serious, but quelled by the Bromsgrove Volunteers, who stood a furious attack made on them by the mob with great firmness and prudence. Several of the rioters were apprehended, but discharged on finding sureties for their good behaviour.
May15—Attempt on the King’s life in Drury Lane Theatre byHadfield. Addresses from the Worcester Corporation were sent to the Right Hon. the Earl of Coventry for presentation, as recorder of the city.
May30—Accounts of “Internal Defence Subscription” published, from which it appeared that £4,550 had been subscribed by the county, and £532 by the city of Worcester: spent equally in the augmentation of the Militia and the Yeomanry Cavalry.
June10—Visitation and address by the Bishop, in which the scarcity was attributed to the war and inclement seasons. Use of “Church Catechism,” in the instruction of children, urgently enforced.
June26—Honorary degree of M.A. conferred on Lord Foley, at the Oxford Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors of the University.
July9—A further subscription entered into in Worcester for the relief of the poor, who had been constantly subsidised from the fund ever since the winter; 96,000 quarts of soup having been distributed amongst them, besides great quantities of potatoes and much money.
July21—Lord Dudley and Ward purchased a large quantity of imported wheat at Liverpool, to retail to the poor at a reduced price. Price of wheat in Worcester market, 21s. to 22s. 6d. per bushel.
August10—The price of wheat in Worcester market having fallen to 10s. and 13s. per bushel, the relief committee discontinued their labours. The promise of a plenteous harvest produced this change for the better.
August15—The Mayor and magistrates of Worcester attempted to enforce sanitary regulations—such as cleansing “the kennels,” for they considered “all stagnate water injurious to health, and the exhalations from it the forerunners of contagious disorders.”
August—A great number of houses between Stourport and Worcester searched for unlawful nets, used for the taking of small fish in the Severn. Many such being found they were all publicly burned at Bewdley.
August25—This evening, because the bakers in Worcester were unprovided with bread to sell, the populace assembled as soon as it was dark and began to demolish their windows, but the disturbance was soon put a stop to by the magistrates. A sudden rise in the price of flour on the previous Saturday had prevented the bakers from supplying themselves with the necessary quantity for the week.
September12—The Mayor, magistrates, &c., of Worcester met “to ensure a more regular supply of the necessaries of life, at reasonable prices,” to their fellow citizens, and determine to erect a corn mill to be worked by steam.
September19—A mare, belonging to Mr. Tully of St. John’s, ridden seventy miles on the London Road, from Worcester to Benson, in eleven hours and forty-nine minutes.
September21—Meeting of farmers, &c., at Bromsgrove, when they agreed to supply that market, for three months, with wheat at 11s. 6d. a bushel.
November21—“John Bunn, jun., flax dresser,” advertised his address. Sales of flax crops occasionally advertised.
November27—£2,350 subscribed to the Flour and Bread Institution, for the benefit of the industrious poor. The institution bought foreign wheat largely, and sold to the poor at reduced prices. It was said in its results “greatly to exceed the expectations of its most sanguine promoters.”
December1—Lord Valentia and Mr. Child supplied the Bewdley market with grain, at 12s. a bushel, to be sold to the poor, under the direction of the bailiff.
December5—Mr. Burrow, saddler, of Worcester, purchased a large quantity of potatoes to sell again to the poor under the market price.
December10—John Beet, of Rowley Regis, butcher, was convicted by the Droitwich magistrates, in the full penalty of 50s. for “cutting and gashing two cow hides and a calf skin, and for slaying them below the gambrel or knee.”
Local Acts passed this year—For continuing and enlarging powers of Bewdley Turnpike Trust; ditto Kidderminster Turnpikes; Act for repairing roads leading to and from the Hundred House.
InFebruary, this year, Mr. Pitt unexpectedly retired, and Mr. Addington was called to the King’s Councils, a fact principally to be attributed to the ill success of the war which had been entered into with France, and continued at a cost of blood and treasure totally disproportionate to its advantages. The new ministry, from the moment of entering office, declaredpeace to be their aim, and the preliminary articles were signed in London in October. This war, which had lasted for eight years, cost us £427,000,000, and at the end of it the only additional possessions we retained were Trinidad and the Dutch holdings in Ceylon. In consequence of the harvest in 1800 being almost an entire failure, the high price of provisions continued to create much distress amongst the poor, and the bounties on flour imported from America were increased. The Three per Cents. fluctuated between 54¾, in January, and 69½, in October: average price about 61. Wheat averaged 69s. 10d.
January—Price of grain in Worcester market 20s. to 24s. a bushel.
March28—Riot amongst the Worcester women, on account of the high price of provisions—20d. being asked for a pound of butter; 2s. a peck for potatoes; and 9d. a pound for meat. The mob of women prevented the Birmingham “badgers” from carrying off their purchases, and then, assembling before a baker’s shop in Broad Street, compelled his wife to throw out to them all the bread she had in the house. Special constables were at last sworn in and tranquillity restored.
May27—Price of the quartern loaf fixed by the Mayor of Worcester at 1s. 7d., though selling the same day in London at 1s. 4½d. Constant complaints that the markets at Worcester were higher than elsewhere, and as this continued to be the case, a Mr. B. Lloyd purchased, in June, 1,000 barrels of American flour at Liverpool, and sold them here in single barrels.
June20—Two vagrants, confined in the County Bridewell, forced out a window, and, dropping themselves over a wall twenty feet high, made good their escape.
July17—The committee of the Worcester Flour and Bread Institution reported, that since the previous October, 100,000 loaves had been sold to the poor by its means at one third less than the average market price. During the same period 140,000 quarts of soup had been distributed.
July30—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry, which was established in 1795, published a statement apologising for the increase of rates. The average number of poor relieved inand out of the house, during the previous twelve months, had been 583 weekly! while in 1795 it was only 235. The Directors attributed this increase to the high price of food and the sickliness of the season, and said it was not greater than in other manufacturing towns.
August5—Miss Mellon performed at Worcester Theatre to crowded houses.
October14—Dinner at the Crown Hotel, Worcester, “to celebrate the Peace.” Illumination, &c.
October15—Ball at the Guildhall, for the benefit of the Infirmary, attended by 300 persons. Net profits £102.
November10—Lord Foley met with a severe accident while hunting, one of his horse’s legs dropping into a deep hole and falling back upon his lordship.
November10—An advertisement having been inserted in the Worcester papers, by the Hon. Mr. Ward, stating that he intended to offer himself as a candidate for Worcester at the next general election, the Corporation met and voted unanimously that “as there is no vacancy in the representation of the city, the Corporation considered that an insuperable bar to their countenancing a contest from any quarter whatever, having had woful experience how destructive it is of peace and good neighbourhood, which happily has prevailed among all ranks of citizens for a long time.”
December14—Both the Worcester members, Mr. Wigley and Mr. Robarts, voted in a minority of 22 to 80, to continue the restrictions on the use of barley in distilleries.
December18—General collection made throughout the city by the parish officers on behalf of the Infirmary, instead of further illuminations on account of the Peace.
December21—Considerable festivities at Witley Court, on Lord Foley attaining his majority. A very large sum distributed amongst the poor of the neighbourhood.
Theconfirmation of the Peace of Amiens diffused universal joy, and the harvest of 1801 having been tolerably abundant, much less pressure was experienced on account of the price of bread. Three per Cents. stood at about 70½. Wheat averaged 69s. 10d.
January9—C. Thellusson, Esq., M.P. for Evesham, distributed one hundred guineas amongst the poor freemen of that borough.
January11—William Smith publicly whipped in the corn market, Worcester, according to sentence of sessions, for stealing a bag.
February1—Lord Foley appeared at the bar of the Court of Common Pleas, and suffered recoveries of estates of considerable value. He took his seat in the House of Lords on the 22nd April.
April16—The Worcester Militia, under Colonel Newport, called together and disembodied.
May5—A private in the 5th Dragoons, immured in Worcester gaol for desertion, and daily expecting exemplary punishment, received an account of the death of a distant relation in Ireland, bequeathing him a property of £4,000 per annum.
June1—General Thanksgiving for the Peace. An address of congratulation was voted on the occasion by the Corporation of Worcester, and forwarded to the Earl of Coventry, as recorder of the city, for presentation.
June9—The Hon. Mr. Ward attained his majority, and the event was celebrated at Himley with great rejoicings. A barrel of beer, called “Big Ben,” containing 1,000 gallons, which had been brewed at the birth of Mr. Ward, was tapped on the occasion.
June8—The Yeomanry assembled on theSunday, as requested, and received the thanks of His Majesty and the Parliament. Each troop, henceforth, reduced to forty rank and file.
August29—Lord Nelson, accompanied by Sir William and Lady Hamilton, visited Worcester, on their return from a tour through South Wales. He was met on the road by a great number of people, who drew his carriage into the city: visited the china manufactory; was received by the Mayor and Corporation at the Town Hall; entertained at a collation; and the Earl of Coventry, the recorder, presented him with the freedom of the city in a china vase from Messrs. Chamberlain’s manufactory. [The visit is recorded by the mosaic of stones in front of the Guildhall.]
September10—The price of coals being raised, Lord Dudley and Ward directed that the poor inhabitants of Worcester should be supplied from his pits at nearly half the ordinary cost.
September27—H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge visited Worcester, his regiment being then quartered in this county, and was presented with the freedom of the city.
December10—The magistrates of Worcester published a correct list of fairs, &c., because the difference between the Old and New Styles being then thirteen days instead of twelve, great uncertainty prevailed respecting the days on which they actually took place, and people frequently arrived “a day after the fair.”
Private Act passed this year—For enclosure of waste lands at Ripple.
Thehollow peace proved very short-lived. Buonaparte being evidently bent on the subjugation of the entire continent, and the British refusing to evacuate Malta till they had satisfaction as to his designs, war was again declared in May this year. The return to hostilities seemed as much to please the nation at large as the peace had done only the year before. On the threat of invasion arose that unparalleled volunteer enthusiasm to which many of the following memoranda have reference. Consols fluctuated from 73 in January to 52 in October; average price, about 60. Price of wheat, 58s. 10d.
January10—A. Robarts, Esq., M.P. for Worcester, “with his accustomed liberality,” presented half a guinea to each of the poor freemen of the city who chose to accept it, and the gift was “gratefully received” by upwards of 500 persons—the total sum distributed being 270 guineas.
January24—The new member, Joseph Scott, Esq., entertained 500 of the freemen at a dinner, and next day invited 123 of his more respectable friends to dine at the Hoppole, in celebration of his election. One of the toasts given was, “The pious and revered memory of the late Mr. Alderman Mather.”
February1—The Venerable Bishop Hurd completed the select and valuable library at the Episcopal Palace, Hartlebury, which he has since bequeathed as an heir-loom to his successors in the see.
May18—The Worcestershire Militia, under Colonel Newport, set out, by forced marches, for Gosport, in consequence of the renewal of war with France.
May26—The Messrs. Chamberlain sent, in pursuance to order, a superb set of porcelain to court, for the use of His Majesty on the ensuing birthday.
June6—The Droitwich Road Bill received the royal assent, after a very severe opposition in Parliament.
June22—Meeting of the hop planters of Worcester and Hereford at the Talbot, Tything, Worcester, the Hon. James S. Cocks in the chair, to petition that the use of quassia may be prohibited.
August12—The enthusiastic citizens of Worcester form themselves into a corps of “Loyal Worcester Volunteers;” and similar corps were formed in every town and many of the rural districts in the county. The subscriptions for clothing and arms for the city corps amounted to £2,500.
August19—The Worcester Loyal Volunteers, amounting then to 722 men, met on Pitchcroft, and elected the Hon. George Coventry their Lieutenant Colonel, and Samuel Wall, jun., Esq., their Major.
September21—Lord Foley formed a rifle corps of 100 men, to be added to the extraordinary defences of the country “at the present crisis.”
October9—(Sunday)—General muster and exercise of the Loyal Volunteer Infantry on Pitchcroft. Almost all the drills took place on the Sunday—the members of the corps being, from business, unable to attend on any other day. Hon. George Coventry commandant of this district.
December3—The ladies bought up every particle of flannel that they could lay their hands on, to make flannel dresses for the volunteers!
December16—William Sturges, Esq., of Acton Hall, Worcestershire, M.P. for Christchurch, Hants, received permission to take the additional name of Bourne. This gentleman gave name, in turn, to a very well known act of Parliament.
Local Acts—For continuing and enlarging powers of acts for repair of road from Worcester to Bromsgrove; for making horse towing path from Bewdley to Diglis; for inclosure of lands at Little Comberton.
Mr. Pitt, having strengthened his hands by the addition of Addington, now Viscount Sidmonth, and his friends, returned to office; the war with Buonaparte was carried on with fresh vigour, and the volunteers at home were fired with an increase of patriotic ardour. The number of men withdrawn from productive industry amounted already to at least 400,000; and that remarkable rise in prices, which continued throughout the war, now commenced. Consols averaged 57. Bad harvest; wheat averaged 62s. 3d.
February12—(Sunday)—General inspection, on Pitchcroft, of the Loyal Worcester Volunteers under Colonel Coventry, by ColonelHouston. The St. John’s, Bewdley, Stourport, Kidderminster, Evesham and Pershore, and Elmley corps also reviewed this week.
March10—The towns of Bewdley and Kidderminster alarmed very early by the beating of the Volunteer drums, in consequence of a report that the French had landed, 50,000 strong. The Volunteers immediately assembled, shouldered their muskets, and set off towards Worcester with immense alacrity and amid the enthusiastic cheers of their wives and sweethearts. After marching some three or four miles they were informed, that it was a false alarm, intended merely by way of proof and exercise. So they marched back again, in ire and chagrin.
April10—Colours, worked by the young ladies of Evesham, were presented to the Evesham and Pershore Volunteers by Mrs. Perrott.
April17—A similar presentation was made to the Worcester Volunteers by Lady Deerhurst. Colours afterwards consecrated in the Cathedral.
May29—The ancient custom, of the different companies walking in procession with the Mayor and Corporation of Worcester to the Cathedral, revived.
August1—The Tenbury Volunteers (Captain Edward Wheeler) received colours from Mrs. Pytts of Kyre House.
September6—A meeting of the trustees of the Upton roads to rebut the statement of “certain interested innholders who, to serve their own private ends, make a practice of falsely representing to their customers that the road from Upton to Gloucester is so greatly out of repair as to endanger the safety of travellers, and that there are no proper accommodations for persons travelling in carriages, either at Upton or Corse Lawn.”
September17—The South Worcester Volunteers presented with colours on Hanley Common by Mrs. Lygon, who also presented the privates with a purse of 100 guineas to drink the King’s health.
November—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry gave notice, that they intended to obtain for all incorrigibly vicious females twelve months’ hard labour in Bridewell; therefore they had better keep clear of the united parishes and the workhouse beadles.
Local Act—For continuing and enlarging the powers of the Upton Turnpike Trustees.
Thediscussion of the Catholic claims was the principal domestic matter occupying the attention of Parliamentand the public; while the death of Nelson, and Trafalgar, filled all men’s hearts and mouths towards the close of the year. The war was fast becoming popular; for though the taxes were enormous, our taxable income, which in 1792 appears not to have exceeded £130,000,000, had increased to £220,000,000. A great proportion of the vast war outlay was, in fact, but a circulation amongst ourselves. Consols averaged 59; wheat averaged 89s. 9d.
January4—The Vice Chancellor and Mayor of Oxford issuing a notice, forbidding all stage carriages to pass through that city between nine a.m. and four p.m. on Sundays, the times of the carriers leaving Worcester on the Friday were obliged to be altered. They afterwards set out for London at five p.m. on Friday, reaching London on Tuesday morning.
February—A dispute between the physicians and surgeons of Worcester, the former (Dr. Cameron, Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Barnett) declaring that they would not meet the surgeons in consultation in any medical cases unless the surgeons would refrain from acting as consulting physicians. They defined the department of the surgeon to be—any external or local disease unaccompanied by any general affection of the system but what the local disease itself produced and requiring manual assistance in its treatment. Messrs. Yeomans, Rayment, Nash, Hill, Hebb, and Romney consented to the physicians’ terms; Messrs. Cole, Sandford, and Carden refused them.
February25—The Hon. Mr. Ward presented a petition to the House of Commons from the freeholders and rackrenters of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, praying to be allowed to employ five horses in narrow wheeled waggons.
March29—The following advertisement appeared in theWorcester Heraldof this date:
“Cocking: A main of cocks will be fought at the house of Mr. John Lloyd, the sign of the Pheasant, New Street, Worcester, between the gentlemen of Worcestershire and the gentlemen of Gloucestershire, to show and weigh thirty-one cocks on each side in the main, for four guineas a battle and fifty guineas the odd battle; and twenty cocks on each side in the byes, for two guineas a battle. To weigh on Saturday the 18th of April, 1805, and fight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the following week, being Easter week.Feeders: GOSLING, Worcestershire. HAYNES, Gloucestershire.”
“Cocking: A main of cocks will be fought at the house of Mr. John Lloyd, the sign of the Pheasant, New Street, Worcester, between the gentlemen of Worcestershire and the gentlemen of Gloucestershire, to show and weigh thirty-one cocks on each side in the main, for four guineas a battle and fifty guineas the odd battle; and twenty cocks on each side in the byes, for two guineas a battle. To weigh on Saturday the 18th of April, 1805, and fight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the following week, being Easter week.
Feeders: GOSLING, Worcestershire. HAYNES, Gloucestershire.”
May1—The Loyal Worcester Volunteers inspected by General Bingham, and afterwards marched to Gloucester, there to remain twenty-one days on permanent duty.
May6—The Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of the Hon. Colonel Cocks, marched to Hereford, there to remain on fifteen days’ permanent duty.
May20—The Volunteers return from Gloucester laden with honours and encomiums. The officers of the regiment invited to a dinner at the Crown Inn by the Mayor and Corporation.
July22—The Young Roscius performed in Worcester Theatre with the same success as elsewhere. The exorbitant prices which the manager, in the first instance, wished to charge for admission caused considerable excitement and a sort of O. P. riot, and the manager was obliged to yield.
September25—A boy, gathering nuts in a wood at Crowle, accidentally removed a piece of turf, and found beneath it a trap door and chimney. He called several men to the spot, who immediately descended through the door, and discovered a subterranean cave divided into several apartments with much care and ingenuity. In one of the rooms there was a quantity of cold meat, and in another a number of skins with entrails, &c. It had evidently been the retreat of sheepstealers and general thieves, though none happened to be there at the moment of discovery.
December11—An address presented to the King from the Corporation of Worcester, congratulating him upon the glorious victory of Trafalgar, and lamenting the death of Nelson. As much as £400 collected in Worcester for the wounded marines, and the widows and orphans of those who fell in the action.
Local Acts—For building a chapel of ease at Redditch; for enclosure of waste lands at Rushock.
Thisyear Pitt and Fox both passed from the scene. Pitt was only in the forty-seventh year of his age; and though he had conducted the affairs of the kingdom during a longer period, and with greater popularity, than perhaps any other statesman in modern times, yet he may be said to have died of chagrin at the defeat of all his favourite schemes. Grenville and Fox succeeded him at the helm of affairs, and the generalelection which then took place furnished them with a strong body of supporters in the House of Commons. The new ministry were pacifically inclined, but found it impossible to negociate with Buonaparte. A loan of twenty millions was negociated to carry on the war, and the property tax increased from 6¼ to 10 per cent. Consols stood at about 60; wheat averaged 79s. 1d.
February19—A Malvern carrier, returning to Worcester, drove his horse and cart over the side of Powick bridge, at a place where the wall had fallen down and the road broken in. He was carried a considerable distance down the stream, but help came in time to save his life. The dangerous state of the bridge was accounted for by there being a dispute between the Earl of Coventry and the parish of Powick, as to who was liable to the repairs. The matter had been tried at Gloucester Assizes in 1802, and a verdict given for the parish; nevertheless, his lordship had not repaired it.
April7—A man stopped by footpads on the road between Droitwich and Worcester (about two miles from the former place), and robbed of all the money he had, about 8s.
May—The Worcester Lying-in Charity established.
July29—At the Summer Assizes, Michael Crockett found guilty of a fraud at Bromsgrove, was ordered to be pilloried in that town on the succeeding market day, and afterwards to be imprisoned for two years.
September5—The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence visited Evesham and Kidderminster.
Local(Private)Acts—For enclosure of lands in Wick and St. Andrew, Pershore; ditto in Crowle.
Theabolition of the slave trade, under the short Grenville ministry, must ever be remembered as the feature of this year. Lord Howick having brought in a bill for securing to all His Majesty’s subjects the privilege of serving in the army or navy without regard to religious opinions, the King’s “scruples” were aroused, and he called a new administration, with the Duke of Portland at its head, to his councils. They dissolvedParliament, and the elections were attended with great excitement. By means of the cry of “the Church in danger,” a remarkable reaction was effected, and the ministry found themselves commanding large majorities in the new House. One of the first acts of the new ministry was one which marked by how long an interval they were separated from the minister in whose steps they professed to follow. At the request of our merchants, whose ships were under various disadvantages from which those of neutral states were free, they issued Orders in Council that neutral vessels,whithersoever bound, should put into some port connected with England, and there obtain a license to continue their trade! A general suspension of American navigation and trade consequently took place, and these orders eventually led to the war with America in 1812. They contributed also in various ways to the depreciation of our bank paper, and their folly was thus terribly and speedily avenged upon ourselves. Consols averaged 63; wheat averaged 75s. 4d.
February25—A woman, named Mary Davies, publicly whipped at Kidderminster by order of the magistrates, for embezzling a quantity of yarn.
April2—Captain Bund appointed to the Colonelcy of the Worcestershire Militia,viceColonel Charlton, deceased.
April27—Mr. Robarts, member for Worcester, offered to erect a steam engine for supplying the city with water. The waterworks which have ever since been made to serve for that purpose, were erected in consequence of this generous offer.
May1—Sir Thomas Winnington fell from his horse, near Bromyard, while accompanying Colonel Foley to his canvass in Herefordshire, and broke his leg.
June23—A riot in Worcester between the mob and the military in barracks there, and several parties taken into custody. A recruit, for aiding and abetting the populace, was sentenced to receive 500 lashes!
June28—A meeting of the Worcester glovers, with Mr. J. Knapp in the chair, to resist a combination of the “grounders, stoners, andwhite leather parers” to obtain an advance of wages. The names of fifty-six firms were appended to the resolutions—“John Dent and Son” standing sixth.
August10—The North Worcester Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Villiers, assembled in a field near Bromsgrove, and were presented with a pair of colours by the Right Hon. Lady Beauchamp.
August19—H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester visited Worcester, and proceeded to Witley Court. Next day, accompanied by Lord and Lady Foley, the Dean of Worcester, &c., he inspected the porcelain manufactory of Messrs. Barr, Flight, and Barr, and ordered a superb service.
September23—The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex, and a large party of other nobility visited the Marchioness of Downshire at Ombersley Court. The Mayor and Justices of Worcester, with the Town Clerk and several of the Council, waited on H.R.H. there, and presented an address to him.
September25—The Prince of Wales and a large party this day visited Worcester, were met by the Recorder, Earl of Coventry, and partook of a collation at the Town Hall. The streets were lined by the Worcester and Birmingham Volunteers. A visit was paid, and orders given, at both china manufactories. Messrs. Chamberlain and Co. appointed porcelain manufacturers to H.R.H.
Local Acts—For enclosure of lands at Aldington and Broughton Hackett.
Mattersat home remained quiet, and much as in the preceding year, the public mind being taken up with the expedition to Spain, discussing the battle of Vimiera, and Convention of Cintra. Three per Cents. stood as high in June as 70⅜, and averaged throughout the year 65½. This was the only year during this century in which our exports of wheat exceeded our imports: average price, 81s. 4d.
March2—The mail from Birmingham to Bristol took on two passengers only from Worcester, a young lady named Capper and a little child. On getting to Severn Stoke the horses became restive, and at Ripple altogether ran away. The reins broke, and both coachman and guard got down to stop the horses, but were unableto do so, and the coach was soon out of their sight. The young lady, while the vehicle was at its utmost speed, became so alarmed that she threw herself out of the coach door, and her neck was broken by the fall.
May26—The Mayor of Worcester committed two journeymen bootmakers to prison for combining with others against their master, Mr. J. Garner, to demand an increase of wages. It was shown that industrious men could obtain at that trade from 30s. to 50s. a week.
June24—A society formed in Worcester for the prevention of vice—such as Sabbath breaking, &c.
July6—The Rev. Rowland Hill preached in the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, Worcester, this (Wednesday) evening.
July28—The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex again visited Ombersley Court.
October21—A new double-bodied post coach advertised to run from Worcester to London three days a week, starting from Worcester at twelve at noon and arriving in London at eight next morning.
December6—Lieutenant Carden, of the Worcester militia, on his return from Ombersley was stopped close to the Barbourne turnpike by three recruits, and forced to deliver up his gold watch and money. They afterwards beat a girl, and attempted to rob the Bewdley post boy; but Mr. Carden having raised an alarm as soon as he got into the town, a number of people started after them, and two out of the three were apprehended the same night.
Local Acts—To amend and enlarge the acts relating to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Navigation; for enclosure of lands at Bredon.
Parliamentwas principally occupied with the inquiry which led to the Duke of York’s resignation of the commandership of the army. Money was so plentiful that a loan of eleven millions was raised at a lower rate of interest than the public creditor had ever before consented to receive. Consols stood at 68; harvest indifferent; wheat averaged 97s. 4d.
January—The first steps taken to establish a Lancastrian school in Worcester. Up to this time there had been no day school at which it was possible for the children of the poor to obtain an education. Sunday schools had only been established a few years—that at Angel Street Chapel (Independent), opened in 1797, being the first. In April, Mr. Lancaster lectured on education, at the Hoppole Inn; and a meeting was held at the Unicorn, John Williams, Esq., in the chair, at which resolutions were come to to open a Lancastrian school immediately—all religious parties uniting in its support on the common basis of the scriptures; the Apostles’ Creed and Dr. Watts’s hymns being taught to all the children, and the Church Catechism to those only whose parents requested it.
April26—A fire broke out, about eleven p.m., in the china manufactory of Messrs. Grainger, Wood, and Co., Lowesmoor, Worcester, which in the course of two hours reduced the whole premises to ruins. The property was insured, but not by any means to its full amount.
May5—In theWorcester Heraldof this date the Rev. Thomas Foley, rector of Oldswinford, published, as an advertisement, a long vindication of Joanna Southcote. The charge of her having sold her “seals” for half-a-crown a piece he declared to be “an infamous falsehood;” as she gave them away without money and without price “to all that had faith to believe in her inspired writings.” He concluded by giving a summary of her doctrines in most enthusiastic language.
June31—The toll on foot passengers passing over Worcester bridge discontinued, as the flourishing state of the receipts had reduced the debt to £5,000. The first stone of the present bridge was laid in 1771, and it was opened to the public in 1781. The bridge and quays cost £29,843.
June22—A young woman, named Harris, most inhumanly murdered at Honeyborne, near Evesham. She was called up from bed, and, on opening the door, was attacked by some person with a pitchfork, and at last dragged to a horsepond and drowned in it. Suspicion fell on a young man by whom she was pregnant, but the coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.” The murderer was never discovered.
October25—The celebration of the National Jubilee—fiftieth year of His Majesty’s reign. At Worcester a subscription was raised for the relief of the poor instead of illuminations. Dinner at the Guildhall—Earl of Coventry in the chair—and 252 guests were present; and a ball at the College Hall. A great number of benefactions throughout the county from the rich to their poorer brethren. Meetings in all the towns of the county to present addresses to the King. The debtors in the County Gaol werereleased by subscriptions, and with the aid of the High Sheriff and Lord Somers.
November13—Thomas Freeman, glove manufacturer, fined £50 by the magistrates of Worcester, for having in his possession four oil leather skins and eleven pairs of gloves, which had been purloined from other masters’ warehouses, and of which he could not give a satisfactory account. A moiety of the penalty given to the Infirmary (a public charity), in compliance with the terms of the act of Parliament.
Local Acts—To amend the road from Teddington to the turnpike road between Evesham and Pershore; for enclosure of lands at Iccomb.
Considerablecommercial embarrassment was experienced this year; not, however, arising from the unprecedented situation in which England found herself placed—in having almost single handed to oppose the growing power of Buonaparte—but from speculative trading in the markets of South America. The depreciation of bank paper procured the appointment of a bullion committee. The early part of the year was occupied with the affair of Sir Francis Burdett; and the latter with the appointment of the Prince of Wales as Regent, in consequence of the increasing incompetence of the King to attend to business. Consols stood at 68. The imports of wheat this year amounted to 1,491,300 quarters; average price, 106s. 5d.
March10—At the Lent Assizes, Francis Morris—for stealing a quantity of unwinnowed barley, the property of Mr. G. Thomas of Hanbury—was sentenced to be publicly whipped for the space of 100 yards on the next market day at Worcester.
March21—R. Ellins, post boy, carrying the bag from Bewdley to Stourbridge, was detected opening the bag and stealing out of it two letters containing upwards of £3,000 in bank notes.
April6—The Mansion House at Glasshampton, Astley, the residence of the Rev. J. J. Denham Cookes, burnt to the ground.
June3—(Sunday)—Dreadful fire in Kidderminster, consuming three dwelling houses, a large carpet manufactory, barns, stables,waggons, carts, implements, timber, &c. Believed to have been the act of incendiaries.
June11—A Sir Francis Burdett riot at Kidderminster. Two persons were brought prisoners to the County Gaol for being concerned in it, and the mob in Worcester attempted their rescue, and broke to pieces the carriage in which they were being conveyed. They also broke the windows of several obnoxious persons; but the magistrates, with the help of the Yeomanry and Militia then on duty in the city, very speedily repressed the tumult.
July6—The Boys’ Subscription Free School opened in Worcester.
July28—Advertisements in this day’sWorcester Heraldof a project to open a “Bristol and Severn Canal,” in which the merchants of Worcester were conceived to be much interested, and therefore invited to take shares. And another of twelve acres of growing flax to be sold by private contract.
Local Acts—For enclosure of waste lands at Holt, Sedgeberrow, Pensham, Bonehill, Tibberton, and Eckington.
Ourmilitary operations on the continent, and the large amount of specie sent abroad in the previous year for the purchase of corn, continued and increased the depreciation in the value of bank paper; and upon Lord King giving notice to his tenants that he should require his rents paid in guineas—or, if in notes, at an increase of £17. 10s. per cent. upon their nominal value—a bill was hastily passed which made it illegal to give more money for gold coin than was authorised by the mint, or to take Bank of England notes for less than their ostensible value! The other Parliamentary event of the year was the signal defeat of Lord Sidmouth’s attempt to abrogate the Toleration Act, by requiring that Dissenting ministers should find six householders to answer for their respectability, before a license could be granted to them to preach. Consols stood at 64; wheat averaged 95s. 3d.
April27—A prisoner, named Elizabeth Townshend, made her escape from the County Gaol, having worked a hole in the wall.
May9—Mr. Barr of Worcester, and three gentlemen from Burslem, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to represent to him the impolicy of imposing a pottery tax as he proposed. The minister appeared to be convinced, and no more was heard of it.
May31—Lucien Buonaparte came to reside at Thorngrove House.
August12—The Mayor and Corporation of Worcester dined at Croome. A most sumptuous entertainment was provided for them.
November3—The Worcester Association for the Severn Fisheries established a fish market in Worcester—none having before existed. They took very active steps in preserving the river from illegal and injurious fishing, and a great number of condemned nets and wheels were publicly burnt in the Corn Market.
November8—The Directors of the Worcester House of Industry issued a considerable number of copper tokens, which were much in demand on account of the great want of small change in the country. The exchange was immediately vested in the funds, and the interest applied to the assistance of the poor rates. A meeting of tradesmen was afterwards held (Mr. W. Beeken in the chair) at which resolutions were unanimously passed to resist the introduction of any other copper tokens into the trade of the city excepting those issued by Government and the Worcester House of Industry. They asserted that there was a sufficiency of copper coinage in the country. A counter meeting of manufacturers was held at the Star and Garter immediately afterwards, asserting that the business of the city could not be carried on without more change, and they, therefore, determined to continue the issue of their own penny and halfpenny tokens, which they declared to be equal in weight to the legal coin of the realm, and that they always paid twenty shillings in the pound for them.
Local Acts—For enclosure of lands at Astley, Overbury, North, Middle, and South Littleton, and Churchill.
Mr. Percival’sministry was continuing to increase in power and in popularity, principally on account of the warm support which they had given to the Spanish cause, when Mr. Percival himself was suddenly assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons, by Bellingham. After the Prince Regent, by the Earl of Moira and Lord Wellesley, had unsuccessfully, and to all appearance insincerely, negociated for the formationof a new ministry, in which Lords Grey and Grenville should have a part, the Earl of Liverpool was appointed First Lord of the Treasury, and the rest of the old ministry remained as before. The Regent henceforth forsook the Whig friends of his youth, and became a good Tory. The orders in council respecting navigation, which had been so obnoxious to the Americans were repealed under Lord Liverpool. A motion, pledging Parliament to an early consideration of the Catholic claims, was carried in the Commons by 300 to 215, but defeated in the Lords by 174 to 103. The Parliament, having nearly run out its term, was dissolved in October; but the elections did not produce much excitement, or change in the position of parties. Considerable disturbances took place in the manufacturing districts, on the introduction of new machinery. The Three per Cents. did not average 60 throughout the year; wheat averaged 126s. 6d.
January19—The coming of age of T. C. Hornyold, Esq., celebrated at Blackmore Park, by a series of splendid dinners, balls, and other entertainments.
March27—An anonymous letter having been sent to Sir William Smith, Bart., one of the commissioners of taxes for the hundred of Doddington, threatening him with vengeance if he confirmed surcharges, a reward of £100 was offered in theGazettefor the discovery of the writer.
April26—The Worcester Church of England School, conducted on Dr. Bell’s principles, first opened in Frog Lane.
April—Wheat again risen to 18s. and 20s. per bushel, and the price of potatoes also exorbitant, so that the poor had the greatest difficulty in procuring the necessaries of life—in some places there had been riots. In Kidderminster £500 was raised by subscription to purchase potatoes and sell them to the poor at a reduced price.
August7—The coachman of M. Lucien Buonaparate, now staying at Thorngrove, stabbed by a fellow servant named Luigi Vespasiani, in the heat of a dispute on some trifling subject. The coachman for a long while remained in a very dangerous state.
August24—Afêteon the occasion of the opening of the Severn Horse Towing Path from Worcester bridge to the Lower Parting.
October—The Hon. Lieutenant Colonel Cocks, eldest son of Lord Somers, fell at the siege of the Castle of Burgos—Peninsular War. An address of condolence was sent to Lord Somers from the Mayor, magistrates, and citizens of Worcester. Lieutenant Cocks had been frequently noticed in the Marquis of Wellington’s despatches in a most gratifying manner.
Local Acts—For enclosure of lands at Holdfast (Ripple), Shipston-on-Stour, and Badsey.
Theestimates for the year amounted to seventy millions, and to meet this great demand the sinking fund was trenched upon, for it was found impossible to raise new taxes, though the rise of prices and the extended circulation of bank notes had, hitherto, enabled the country to meet the extraordinary demands upon it without difficulty. Mr. Vansittart, in his financial statement this year, said he thought the sinking fund had reached a point beyond which its operations ought not to go; it would be very prejudicial to pay off too much of the National Debt at once! The war which had now broken out with America was of course very injurious to our commerce. A bill for the relief of the Catholics was brought in this year by Mr. Grattan, and its general principle affirmed by a considerable majority, but an amendment, excluding Catholics from a seat in Parliament, being carried, by a majority of four, the bill was abandoned. Three per Cents. stood at 59; wheat averaged 109s. 9d.
January1—A novel species of amusement took place in the Hundred House meadow, Witley. Five wild rabbits were singly turned off at an assigned distance before a dog fox, trained for the purpose by Mr. Charles Tearne of Stockton; and after an excellent course of about 400 yards, were severally killed by Reynard in capital style. A large concourse of people were assembled to witness this singular sport.
January2—The clergy of the diocese met in the audit room, and agreed to a petition against the Catholic claims. This was the occasionof a series of letters between Mr. T. Hornyold, who accused the clergy of illiberality, and the Rev. J. J. Denham Cookes. Mr. Hornyold distinctly disclaimed the temporal authority of the Pope.
January8—The Worcester Corporation voted the sum of 100 guineas for the relief of the Russians in their contest with the French, and a general subscription list was opened at the banks. At the same meeting it was unanimously resolved to instruct the representatives of the city to oppose the Catholic claims.
June23—An auxiliary to the Bible Society formed for the city and county of Worcester. Several attempts had been made to effect this before, but it was said that it would be in opposition to the Christian Knowledge Society; and other obstacles were thrown in the way. Only four or five clergymen of the Church of England were present at the first meeting. It was, however, very warmly taken up in the first instance by the resident gentry, the Earl of Coventry accepting the presidency; and Lord Deerhurst took the chair at the preliminary meeting, held in the Guildhall, at which the High Sheriff of the county and the Mayor of the city were also present, and took part. The Rev. Mr. Burns, Rev. Mr. Steinkopff, and Rev. Mr. Hughes were the deputation from the Parent Society.
August8—The fine Wesleyan chapel in Pump Street, Worcester, opened, with sermons by Dr. Adam Clarke. The collections amounted to £412.
October12—A meeting of freeholders at the White Lion, Upton-upon-Severn, with Lord Somers in the chair, to deliberate on the propriety of inclosing Malvern Chace. The meeting agreed to a petition in favour of such a scheme.
Local Acts—For paving, cleansing, lighting, and watching the town of Kidderminster; for effecting an exchange of lands belonging to the Bishopric and the Dean and Chapter of Worcester; for enclosing lands at North Piddle, Salwarp, and Flyford Flavell.
Peacewas at last announced, and its advent was hailed with the utmost enthusiasm by the whole nation, who expected that it would bring with it unnumbered blessings; but its immediate effects seemed to be only disastrous. The reduction of our military forces threw great numbers of men into the labour market, andwages were reduced. While the renewed freedom of navigation brought abundance of all kinds of raw produce to our ports, it did not bring any corresponding increase of our foreign trade and exports to reimburse us, for British merchants had pushed their speculative supplies to the continent, beyond prudential limits, in spite of the Berlin and Milan decrees. For instance, tea and other goods had been sent to Germany, from the port of Salonichi, in Greece, whence they were carried two thousand miles on the backs of mules. The war too had impoverished our customers. Three per Cents. fluctuated in April from 72 to 62, and averaged throughout the year 67. The harvest this year was abundant, and corn fell to 74s. 4d.
January19—A subscription set on foot for the relief of the poor of Worcester. About £700 raised and distributed in coals.
April10—The populace burned an effigy of Buonaparte on occasion of the Allies entering Paris. Great rejoicings in other towns of the county. On the 7th and 8th of June there was a general illumination at Worcester on account of the proclamation of Peace. Rejoicings at the various county towns, and at many gentlemen’s seats—particularly at Stanford.
May6—The Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh, sister to the Emperor of Russia, visited Worcester with her suite. Inspected Messrs. Flight, Barr, and Barr’s royal porcelain manufactory, and Mr. John Knapp’s glove manufactory.
August17—The first steam boat made its appearance below Gloucester, intended for the conveyance of passengers and light goods between Gloucester and Worcester. It made the return voyage to Gloucester in four hours and a half.
September5—Prince Frederick of Orange visited Worcester.
September18—Mr. Kean performed at Worcester Theatre this (Saturday) evening asRichard III, and on the following Monday morning asHamlet.
December26—A splendid silver vase, valued at two hundred guineas, and the freedom of the city presented to Colonel Henry Walton Ellis, of the 23rd Fusiliers, a native of Worcester, who had most honourably distinguished himself in Holland, Egypt,America, the West Indies, and the Peninsular War. The Earl of Coventry was the presentee. Colonel Ellis fell in the following June at Waterloo.
Local Acts—For enclosing lands at Bayton, Ombersley, Inkberrow, Abberley, Norton, and Strensham; for vesting in Lord Somers the right of presentation to the perpetual curacy of Stoulton; for taking down Ombersley Church, erecting a new one, enlarging the churchyard, and building a workhouse at Ombersley.
Theenactment of a new and more stringent Corn Law was the most important proceeding of our Parliament this year. In the early years of our commercial history, prohibitions were laid upon the exportation of corn, but these were gradually relaxed, and in 1688 a bounty of 5s. per quarter was offered, on exportation, till the home price had reached 48s., while a duty of 6s. to 8s. per quarter was levied on imported wheat, while the price ranged between 53s. 4d. and 80s. a quarter. In 1766, on the apprehension of scarcity, this was entirely reversed, exportation was prohibited, and importation was free. In 1774 a duty of 6d. a quarter was levied on all imports of wheat, which were not permitted till the price had reached 48s. in the home market. In 1791 this duty was raised to 2s. 6d. a quarter, and in 1804 the importation price was fixed at 63s. a quarter, instead of 48s. Such is a brief history of English Corn Laws down to this period. In the session 1812–13, when prices were beginning to decline, a committee was appointed to inquire into the working of the Corn Laws, and though their report was very meagre in information, it yet created great alarm throughout the country, and meetings were everywhere held to petition against any alteration of the existing law, which might prevent the people enjoying that which they had looked forward to as one of thegreatest blessings of peace—cheap bread. In May, 1814, Sir Henry Parnell succeeded in carrying a resolution permitting the free exportation of corn, be the price what it might; and it was intended to have fixed an import duty of 24s. 3d. upon wheat until it rose to 63s., and a sliding scale from that price to 86s.; but the opposition it evoked in the country was so strong that the project was abandoned. The House of Commons resumed the discussion of the Corn Laws on February 22, 1815, and after two evenings’ debate it was resolved, by a majority of 209 to 65, that wheat should not be imported till the price was 80s. a quarter. Immediately the country was in arms; on the very next day a petition was presented from the Corporation and liverymen of London, which had received 40,000 signatures in ten hours, praying that no alteration might take place. On the 3rd of March Mr. Vansittart moved the second reading of the Corn Bill; and an attempt to delay it till the following week, to allow time for the country to petition, was rejected by a majority of 171. On the 6th of March the House went into committee, but that evening the populace of the metropolis had surrounded the House, and insisted on stopping every member, and sought to make them pledge themselves to vote against the obnoxious measure; a Mr. Croker was in particular very ill-treated, and the Speaker sent for a detachment of the Life Guards, who continued to surround the House for the rest of the evening. A very high debate upon this matter took place in the House itself, but nothing availed to stay the progress of the measure, and it was carried through committee that evening by majorities varying from 120 to 180. The Bill was read a third time, and passed on the 16th of March. It was carried rapidly through the Lords by large majorities, and on the 23rd it received the royal assent. The principal opponentsof the measure were Mr. Baring, Mr. Phillips, Sir R. Peel, Mr. Protheroe, &c. It did not however answer the purpose of keeping up prices, for they gradually sank lower and lower till they were considerably below 60s. per quarter, and farmers, holding their lands on lease, constantly appeared in theGazette. The average price of wheat this year was 65s. 7d.; and Consols stood at 60. For an account of the meetings held, and the steps taken, in this county to protest against the enactment of the Corn Laws, see ante, pp. 61, 63.
January19—Lord Somers addressed the lords of manors and proprietors of freeholds on Malvern Chace, announcing his intention of giving up all further attempts to bring about an enclosure of the same. He found it impossible to reconcile so many conflicting interests.
January26—Mr. Charles Matthews gave his celebrated entertainment, called “Mail Coach Adventures,” at Worcester Theatre.
June18—On the glorious field of Waterloo, Lieutenant Colonel Lygon commanded the Life Guards. Lord Sandys, then Lord Arthur Hill, was an A.D.C. to the Duke of Wellington.
December4—The Worcester and Birmingham Canal opened. The first act for the cutting of this canal was passed on the 9th June, 1791. From the Severn to Tardebigg (15 miles) there is a rise of 428 feet, with 71 locks. From Tardebigg to the Birmingham Canal (14 miles) is level. At West Heath it passes through a tunnel 2,700 yards long. In the first and subsequent acts power was taken to raise no less a sum than £657,500; the original number of proprietors being only 1,800. It has throughout been an unfortunate concern; for the first act is filled with guarantees to other canals and opposing interests, which have hung like a millstone round the necks of the proprietors. From Tardebigg to Birmingham the canal is of greater capacity than in the part nearer the Severn. The company is now, however, about to be absorbed into the Old Birmingham Canal Company, and matters will, probably, henceforth wear a different aspect.
December—The celebrated Elliston opened Worcester Theatre for one season. There being amongst his company the Misses Brunton, Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, &c.
Local Acts—For taking down and rebuilding the parish church of St. Thomas, Dudley; for enabling the Worcester and Birmingham Canal Company to complete and extend their works.