Catalogue description Folio(s) 76-78. Letter from Major Samuel Homfray, Penydarren Place [Glamorgan], stating...

Folio(s) 76-78. Letter from Major Samuel Homfray, Penydarren Place [Glamorgan], stating that the riot in Merthyr is over and that he has been in communication with General Rooke on the subject. The agreement the shopkeepers were under to fix the price of provisions was declared void soon after the arrival of the troops. If the agreement had been allowed to continue, the disturbances would have spread to other markets in the area. At Sirhowi [Sirhowy, Tredegar], the proprietors of the works mounted three swivel guns and other firearms to defend the works against the mob, which was dispersed by the 7th Dragoon Guards. It is thought that some 4000 people gathered in Merthyr and Homfray thinks they were influenced by political issues as well as the price of provisions. [John] Thelwall was in the area at the time but people were afraid to speak out. Homfray comments on the failure of a local magistrate to assist and as a result a magistrate had to be summoned from 50 miles away. He has now committed 23 prisoners to Cardiff Gaol and the constables are in pursuit of other ringleaders. In view of the delay until the next assize, Homfray suggests a special commission to arrange the trials so that an example can be made quickly.