Hasyrs.—The number of prisoners in Winchester gaol exceeds two hundred
; it has been reported that there were foreigners among them, but this the Duke of Wellington, in the House of Lords, has denied.
At Petersfield, on Monday last week, a person named Hamblin was arrested by the Rev. Dr. Gnarrier, charged with using inflammatory language to the country-people assembled there, and conveyed to Gos- port, where he still remains in custody. On Monday, the 22nd. a notice, • of which the following is a literal copy, was carried round to the farmers . near Petersfield ; it does not speak highly for the march of intellect among the bolters of bacon.
" Nov. 2?, 1430.—From the poor of Steep to the farmers of Steep. Our complaint is, that we have not a sufficient maintaince to support our famleys, and as theare a geeing more wagers in the joining Perishes we do request that you will consent and sine your hands to this Paper that all Inhering men mairred and singel abel to do a day's work to have 2s. per day, and all lads over 16 yers of age to have Is. per day, and all boys that works under 16 yers of age to have 6d. per day and refuse to pay thythes and taxes and we will stand your (rends and asist you old men that have a wife to Ceep to have ls. 6d. per day." •
Some apprehensions of a riot prevailed at Petersfield on Tuesday and Wednesday last week; but happily none occurred.
An attack was meditated on the mansion of Mr. Thistlethwaite, at Southwick, on Sunday night ; but a number of special constables having been procured from Portsea, the threatened attack was averted.
On Tuesday last (the 23rd), about three hundred men assembled on Shedfield Common, and proceeded towards Wickham. They were, how- ever, met on their road by Mr. G. C. Poore and Mr. M. Hawker, with a detachment of military; when some of the party becoming very violent, three of the ringleaders were taken, and afterwards fully committed to take their trial. The whole body were armed with axes, spades, imple- ments of husbandry, and stakes.
Placards have been sent to various parties in the neighbourhood of Portsmouth. The following is a copy, of one of these documents.
" Sir, the printers of the Hampshire papers are requested to make an appeal to the affluent in the county of Hants, to raise a subscription for the distressed and unfor- tunate ; and as you have it in your power to contribute, it is hoped that the appeal will not be made in vain, as, if you do not, you have just cause to regret, as you are well aware that necessity has no laws, and that the same fate will attend you as those who have been callous to the wants of the poor. " WILL WATCH, ROCS, Sw ism, and Co."
This was sent to the Reverend Mr. Mansfield, near Gosport.
On Monday morning (the 22nd), a mob, about three hundred in num- ber, entered Selborne ; they proceeded to the workhouse, and not finding. the master at home, gave the mistress of the house notice to quit; the poor woman immediately left the house, and in less than fifteen minutes the house was unroofed, the doors and windows broken to pieces, and the furniture destroyed and burnt. The rioters then went to the vicar's house, whom they compelled to sign a paper that he would be content with 3001. a year. They then left for Headley, where they compelled the vicar to sign a paper similar to the one signed by the vicar of Sel- borne. They also made the farmers sign a declaration, stating that they would have no more hired guardians of the poor. Mr. Bennett, of Headley, had removed his machine to Bingley for safety, but the gang followed and destroyed it. Twelve of the ringleaders in these riots have been arrested, and consigned to Gosport Bridewell.
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