The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-04 00:00:00

FOOD RIOTS IN SCOTLAND.
GRANTOWN, STRATHSPEY.— This peaceable village
presented on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday
last a scene of tumult and disturbance of a very unusual
nature. For some time back great quantities ofe
oger!sin
and meal were carried away from the district to Lha
bee and elsewhere, and food was considerably raised
in
priee, particularly meal. Latterly, the Grantown wnmeal
dealers refuse to sell small portions to the villagers, as it
was more convenient for them to dispose of their stock
wholsate. On the days mentioned, or the preceding
day, several Lochaber dealers,
carters, &c~
their appearance, and it having been rumoured that they
had threatened, if they did not get meal (for which they
were willing to give a high price), they would, as in
days of yore, take the same by force ; this bravado,
added to the fact that the meal dealers had refused to
accommodate the poor and tradesmen with small quan-
tities, so incensed the populace, that a meeting of the
inhabitants was convened by tuck of drum, to consider
what steps should be taken. About seven o'clock 2.31,,
several hundreds congregated en the village square,
from whence they proceeded to the lodging-
place of the Lochaber men, and carried off the carts,
eight in number, to the square. They then called again
on the parties, for the purpose of getting them to agree
to go -home without meal, but could not see or gain
access to them ; and, we regret to state that, in conse-
quence of this, the carts were unwheeled and tossed
about—one of the wheels being found next day in the
river Spey, about a mile's distance from the town. The
populace having ascertained that the Lochaber men were
determined to carry off loads with them, though not to
such an extent as they contemplated at first, congregated
on Thursday night about the same hour, for the purpose
of driving them away without meal. The district officer
of police and a special constable having taken a prisoner,
the mob rescued him, and a scuffle ensued, in the course
of which both the officials were struck to the effusion
of their blood. Sheriff Colquhoun and Mr. Mackay,
Procurator Fiscal, proceeded to Grantown, to take a
precognition of the case. Mr. Macbean, superintendent
of police, with one or two constables, also went
thither. In the course of the examination on Monday,
seven apprehensions took place; but when the prisoners
were about to be driven off to Inverness, a mob deforced
the authorities and rescued their townsmen. A messen-
ger was instantly despatched, who arrived in Inverness
at two o'clock on Tuesday morning, and immediately
again set out on his return, with an additional officer,
sand from 40 to 50 batons. In the meantime, 60 special
'constables were sworn in at Grantown, who were to as-
semble at ten o'clock yesterday (Tuesday) forenoon, and
apprehend the rioters, as well as preserve the peace.—
Inverness Courier.
ELGIN, JAN. 29.—The present enormously high prices
of provisions, chiefly meal, with a riotous disposition in
several districts of the counties of Aberdeen and Banff,
have been marked by several symptoms in this country.
The extensive exportation of oats and oatmeal has crea-
ted considerable excitement in the minds of the working
classes regarding the quantity of meal for consumpt.
Immediately on receiving information of it, Mr. Sheriff
Cameron issued circulars for a meeting of the corn mer-
chants and principal farmers to be held in the Court
House to-day (Friday), it having been suggested, that if
an assurance could be given on the authority of the corn
growers of the county not selling more of their
.present oat orop for exportation, and only for home
consumption, whereby the working classes could be as-
sured that a sufficient quantity of oats would be retained
in the county for their support till next harvest, it
would go far to allay their present alarm. This was
regarded by the community as a judicious proceeding,
and apprehensions of scarcity seemed to be removed,
but 'the outcry still continued against the high price.
On Tuesday evening, the younger portion of the town
paraded the streets, and afterwards did some damage to
the residenca of a gentleman extensively concerned in the
grain trade. Disaffection also prevailing amongst the
people at the, shipping ports of Burghead and Gar-
mouth, the exportation of meal having been prevented,
a warning proclamation by the Sheriff and Magis-
trates was issued on Wednesday morning in the dis-
turbed districts, and stating, that measures were taking
for a sufficient supply of corn for food for the inhabit-
ants. In order, also, to remove from the minds of the
fishermen of Burghead the apprehension of scarcity and
of high prices, the principal inhabitants, at the beginning
of the week, gave assurance of plenty. This had the effect
of temporarily lulling the dissatisfaction of the people ;
but this state of matters did not long continue. On
Tuesday, the Ceres, Captain Mason, being freighted
with a cargo of meal for Leith, a number of women and
children congregated at the harbour, and succeeded in
re-landing the commodity. In the scuffle two bolls were
destroyed and carried away, the remainder were lodged
in the storehouse. On Tuesday, Sheriff Cameron, the
Procurator Fiscal, and Mr. Hay of the police, with
some difficulty succeeded in shipping a quantity of meal.
On Wednesday the proprietor of Burghead visited the
port, and got the inhabitants to assist in getting the
vessels abuit to sail ready for sea, and the greatest
order prevailed till the arrival of a large party of fisher-
men from Hopeman, who roused many of the women in
Burghead, who took a quantity of meal from one vessel,
and lodged it in a granary, and prevented another from
receiving grain. The Sheriff of the county, and about 70
special constables, subsequently endeavoured to suppress
the tumult, but without effect. We are assured, on good
authority, that not one man belonging to Burghead took
any active part in the riot of Wednesday, although there
is no doubt they sympathised with those who did so.
On Thursday all was quiet at Burghead. Similar dis-
turbances have taken place at Fochabers, Garmouth, and
other towns on the coast. A large body of special con-
stables were sworn in here on Wednesday morning;
and yesterday a detachment of military arrived from
Fort George, and are now stationed in the town.
Hitherto the destruction of property in this town and
neighbourhood has been trifling, but great excitement
prevails.
LOSSIEMOITTIL —A public meeting of the inhabitants
of Lossiemouth, Stotfield, and Branderburgh, was held
in the Secession Church, Elgin, on Tuesday last.
From six hundred to seven hundred were present, Mr.
Robert Brander, shipping agent, was called to the chair.
After some preliminary discussion, the following reso-
lution was proposed and unanimously agreed to:—
" That Messrs. William Scott, A. Sutter, James Stewart,
and John Henderson, be appointed as a deputation from
this meeting, to meet a committee of the trades of Elgin,
velehsthervievs ofegettingserjoiatseommitteeeto-ealtenn.
3irogsite. Jeltelakilane Alexendar Cafe anti- dietteesalnetes,
4er4thapurpose f-urging -upon. them to re friiir from th e
exporsatiosr oats:and oatmeal, from this Om*, until
-the exigencies of the county as to tliis dem-1006'6f
food are provided for." The meeting having thereafter
communicated to Mr. W. Stephen tVe above resolution,
requested him to state whether he was prepared to act
on it ; and Mr. Stephen having cordially concurred in
its suggestion, a vote of thanks was tendered for thus
;agreeing to the request of the meeting.
1,0991E31011TH, JAN. 28.—A correspondent writes us,
of this date—" The object of the meeting ou Tuesday
not being generally known, very little attention was paid
to it ; and to-day, when a number of carts arrived with
oats, they were surrounded by women and boys ; but
instead of sending them out of the town, as was the
case at some of the adjoining ports, the women qnietly
accompanied the carts to the corn-factor's granary, and
after seeing the grain safely deposited there, they (the
women) locked the door and kept possession of the key;
and in place of insulting the men, or injuring the
horses, they offered the lads a hearty dram, and ex-
pressed a wish that all the oats in the country were sent
to Lossiemouth."
FORRES, TEURSDAY.—The moment the authorities
of Purees saw the military pass through the town on
their way to Flgin to allay the riots, they began to bestir
themselves, and a meeting of councillors was immedi-
ately held in the council room. It was resolved that a
subscription should be instantly raised to purchase a
few hundred bolls of meal, to be disposed of at a low
figure to all needy persons, and to the families of
labourers; in order to prevent a meditated riot and
attack en seine of the most niggardly meal dealers and
farmers. A subscription paper was immediately pre-
sented to the inhabitants, headed by the town of Forres
for 201. In course of a few hours the sum subscribed ,
was nearli 1001. Except the munificent collection made
by the F ree Church, nothing has yet been done in I
Forres for the destitute highlanders.—Elgin Courier.
KEITH, JAN. 28.—About nine o'clock last night, our
quiet town was thrown into a state of considerable ex-
citement by the arrival of a company of soldiers, num-
bering about 60, upon three stage coaches, on their way
from Aberdeen to Port Gordon. It is reported that on
Tuesday afternoon the meal riots at Buckie and Port
Gordon had become so serious, that Sheriff Currie sent
an express to Aberdeen for the assistance of the military
to quell these riots, which explains the reason of their
coming to this hitherto peaceful district. It is earnestly
to be hoped they will have a bootless errand on this oc•
• casion, and that all will be quiet in the adjoining sea-
ports, so as to render the presence of the military unne-
cessary. The inhabitants of this district consider their
absence to be good company.
- 14s.rr IN STRA NE A ER.—On Monday evening some
- idle, dissolute, and unthinking persons created a dis-
turbance in Stranraer, and attempted, successfully in
soma cases, to coerce and intimidate several of the meal
and provision dealers. At the shop of Mr. Espie they
demanded meal at two Shillings and sixpence pers esne, and
on being refused uttered threats and committed some
violence. At the shop of Mr. James Bell they suc•
seeded, by threats, in getting three bolls delivered
, them, at their own price, two shillings and sixpence per
stone. At the quay they stopped a cart of carrots,
:save of which they took away ; and they also stole
6'retsil loaves from a person who was carry-
• tug them from the steamer, and who had
preeeeed the bread to be retailed at as low a rate as
i"sibl• The authorities promptly attended on being
informed of these
out muchwdaisffi
hceulldtyo,:utrages, and the rioters were, with-
dtiilspersed. Next day, Tuesday, a
meeting
p.pe Town Council, when the magis-
trates,',"Slr. Caird,
upon
councillors, expressed their
sentiments most firmplry.uci
proceedings,
subject, warning them
of the folly of their
and of the natural effect
of them in closing the provisrosi:
- subsequent meetings, a large force of special
ae
to
ntbht this
io,rs
were sworn in and batons delivered to
t
preparation has been made to maintain peace ; and every
and protect the lieges. It was distinctly intimated, and order,
aatet, that
if any were destitute they should come forwarda n
it known, in an orderly and proper manner, and they
would be relieved. Several men, women, and boys,
arey
now in custody, on the charge of rioting and theft.
Galloway Advertiser.

SHEEP STEALING EXTRAORDINARY.—On Saturday
last, three privates of the 76th Regiment, natives of England,
stationed at Greenlaw Barracks, were apprehended by Con-
stable Merrylees, of the county police, and conveyed to Edin-
burgh, on a charge of stealing a sheep from a field in the
neighbourhood, a few nights previous. They were on guard
at the time, and it appears that their object was to enjoy a
feast of Scotch mutton ; for after skinning the sheep they
dressed part of it, and had recently been regaling them-
selves on a choice bit when they were apprehended. They
have sinoe been examined, and committed for trial.—Glasgow
/Jerald.