The Sun.
London, England, 1830-11-30 00:00:00

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

PORTSMOUTH, Nov. 29.
(FROM OUR CORRIMPONDINT.)
I have just perused 'your correspondent's letter, dated
Gosport, Friday evening, and to what he states as facts
and reports I feel justified, in giving a fiat contradiction,
except as to the circumstance of the depot of the 11th
regiment lacing removed from this garrison to Albany
Barracks, Isle of Wight; prior to this arrival, there was
riot a soldier ill the island. I boldly affirm there was
no fire at Poribbster—ho report of the IPeoril men—
the ball of fire, was from an idle set of boys with Roman
candles, at least two miles on the land, and consequently
not even in the vicinity of the St. Vincent; no triple
guard on Southsea Common : no mob t.een or heard of
within some miles of Portsmouth, nor was a single gate
of the garrison shut ; on the contrary, the routine of the
garrison went off as usual; no collection of people i►► the
streets or subutbs, but every thing gait-4 on peacdtly and
qiiietiy; certainly troops were despatched from hence to
other towns, but this caused so little sensation that I ven-
ture to a ►y, not twenty people were assembled to see the
unusual circumstance of the troops being hurried off in
vans after dark; but perhaps this ought to be ascribed to
the judicious manner in which the Magistrates conveyed
their wishes, and the promptness of the military heads
in executing them. I cannot hut reprobate the letter your
correspondent has been pleased to send you, and I must
tell you, that the prire of the ferry from Gosport to Ports-
mouth is one penny, and for that sum he would have
been in one half hour capable of satisfying himself that
the greater part of his statements and reports were with-
out foundation.

We have a very great population, and I must say their
conduct hits been most praiseworthy. A few squibs hays
been written by some school-boys, and in twoinst Inas
threatening letter—but these are considered as from in-
dividual to individual.

(PROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.)
The troops mentioned in my last as just embarking fur
the Isle of Wight, together with fifty more sent this day,
have been distributed in various parts of the Island.
Symptoms of discontent are becoming forcibly alarming
there, a fire having occurred near Newport on Saturday,
when about seventy tons of hay, belonging to Mr. Butler,
a farmer, was destroyed. Nearly every farmer in the
island, having received letters of a threatening nature, it
has been considered necessary to divide the soldiers among
the different villages, to aid 'the military, if necessary.
" Our maid," who saw afire-ball in the harbour, and a
fire at Poreheeter, .must have been dreaming.

BATH, Nov- 59.
(PROM OUR CORRESPONDYNT.)
There has been consider able excitement in thie city with
respect to the late tiotou+ prOreedings in the neigbour-
hood,. but the alarm appears to be in a great_ measure
groundles+. In pursuance of a communication from his
Majesty's Secretary of State, the Mayor and Magistrates
this day proceeded to swear in a great number of inhabi-
tant householders as special constables, at the Guildhall.
Several persons were collected outside the Hall, but there
was not the least disposition to riot or tumult. The
Yeomanry Cavalry were called nut this morning, and, I
understand, proceeded to Bitten,where it was apprehended
some acts of riot and incendiarism were contemplated, but
on arriving at' the spot there was no appearance of any
thing of the kind, and the cavalry have returned. A
very excellent precaution has been taken in removing
about 700 stand of militia arms, which were kept ut
Lsrkhall, near this city, to the depot at Plymouth, and
similar plans have been adopted in other parts •f the
country; 'tumid such a number of arms come into the pos•
session of the mob, the consequences might be of the most
awful and deplorable description. I have heard that
threatening noticed have been sent to the proprietor of a
large clothing factory at 'Swenton, near this city, and a
double guard has been placed upon the premises, but 11+th
itself is perfectly tranquil and peaceable.

Bitaxsulas.—On Saturdoy night a fire was disco-
vered at the ferns of Mr. Gibbs at Locking., near Want ige,
which destroyed all the barns and out-house«, with their
contents ; the ricks and dwelling-house were fortunately
preserved. As the fire was first discovered in the thatch
of an out-house, there is little doubt of its being the work
of incendiaries.

WILTs.—Ou Saturday night a fire brake out in the
farm of Mr. Dark, at Broughton, near Melkaham, which
destroyed severe) ricks. •

Wtserteteree, Nov. 27.e-The number of prisoners
committed to the county gaol, and other prisons, charged
with offences connected with the present disturbances, ex-
ceed., 200, and the general feeling here is, that no mis-
taken lenity should be shown to those who shall be proved
to lie the instigators of these outrage'.
Pm KIWI 11, Nov. 27.—0 n Tuesday last, about 800
men assembled on Shetlfield.common, and proceeded
tnwartle Wickham ; they were, however, met on their
road by G. C. Poore, Esq,, and M. Hawker, Esq., with
a detachment of military, when some of the party becom-
ing very violent, three of the ringleader; were taken, and
afterwards fully committed by M, Hawker, Eaq., and
Major Campbell, at Wickham, to take their trial. The
whole body were armed with axes, spades, implements of
husbandry, and stakes. On the chiefs of the party being
taken, the mob. partially separated, but proceeded in
groups towards Wickham, where they again collected.
Major Campbell then Addressed them, and begged to know
what they had to complain of, when they spoke exceed-
ingly rationally on the.loWniss of their wages, on which,
they said, it was quite impossible to live ; and on being
told by the Major that be ha no doubt their ease would
be considered, they dispersed quietly.
On Monday morning last a mob, about 800 in nutriber,
collected from the surrounding country, entered Selborne,
armed with large clubs, Esc. They proceeded to the
workhouse, and not finding the muter at home, gave the
mistrals of the house notice to quit before night ; the poor
woman then left the house, with her family, and in less
than fifteen minutes the house was unroofed, the doors and
windows broken to pieces, and the furnitiwe destroyed and
burnt. The rioters then went to the view's house, who,
under fear of death and destruction of his property, signed
paper to the purport that he would be content with 300/.
a year. The moh then left hir Headley, where they com-
pelled the vicar of that parish to sign a paper similar to
the one presented by the mob at Selborne. The paper
was evidently written by a man of education. They also
made the farmers sign a declaration, stating that they
would have no more hired guardians of the poor. Mr.
Bennett, of Headley, removed his machine to Kingley
for safety, but the lawless gang followed and destroyed it,
On the Saturday precious to the above disturbances, the
labourers, when receiving their weekly allowance from the
parish, espressed their intention of going round 'to the
farmers to make them raise their wages. Mr.' Harris, the
guardian, advised them not to do so, or they would re-
pent hereafter. About twelve o'clock in the night of the
same day, three guns, loaded with slugs, were discharged
into the bed-room of Mr. Harris, at the workhoww, and,
Abetter the clothes .mod furniture of the bed were com-
pletely torn to pieces by the slug", we are happy to say
none of the family .were wounded, Since writing the
above, we find that 12 of the ringlealers have been appre-
hended, and lodged in Gosport Britlewell;
On Friday last, some persona at St. Austell market
made inquiries of :individuals belonging to Hadmin, who
were there, respecting the number, condition, tee. of the
army belongiiie to the Royel Cornwall Militia in depot at
that place. To consequence of a statement of this fact
malt to.the adjutant of that corps, thestaff were assem-
bled on Saturilaynlght, and the locks were taken from the
guns, 700 in number, and, with thehitionets,'were given
in charge-to the non erinunisidened Offierre, who were also
furnished *ith ball.eartrirlges, in oriler'to be prepared for
an attack; A letter 'st'ati'ng the eirearnstance was also
rent to the War-office,' ,whence' orders were received yes-
terday to send the locks and bayonets to the depot at I) e-
vunpart.-- Weft Briton.

We have had a week of perfect quietness and tranquil-
lity in this city.. On Saturday last there was a meeting of
the country Magistrates to Consider the propriety of inter-
-feting, should the prociesioni be continued. A person
(on condition of having his 'name kept secret) offered to
swear that in the'last proteision were 300 men dressed in
women's clothes, and armed with pikes ! He had no proof
tooter. Mr. Batty wits called in, and interrogated upon'
the subject: !He said about 130 persons were armed with'
pikes. The Magistrates inquired if he had seen any of
them ; he confessed he had not, and said he had only been
told that such wits the fact. The Magistrates resolved,
that while the people continued to behave quietly, the pru-
dent course was nut to interfere.— Carlisle Journal.
Wiaint.Enox, N0v..29,--I think the public sbOtild be
apprized of the approach of incendiaries in this neigh-
bourhood. Last night late, the horse patrol, in riding
between Merton and Wandsworth, next Lord Speiwer's
park pales, -NA* a ruan attempting to set the stacks on ire,
belonging to Mr. Hampton,' a firmer ; and the patrol pur-
sued the fellow, who ameajtert over thO 'Wand*, towards.
Garret, and he has not beTn traced further. The cool de-
termination of these wretch.. ;has become an ordinary
topic of conversation at the
‘publickliouel. A workmen
of. Mr. Patridge, an extensive metket-gardener, heard a
min in at pllbliC-holOr at Putney say, that they were ,
re-
solved to burn all the stacks in the country, and SW,
e"mTpl;Oeyre is
rePeiftaoniwho
ins; has it er farm
nteWill visit b ini,anta
dhlf:ur7buli(si
stacks.