The ruling magistrates in Wales could be arrogant, dismissive, and haughty when responding to petitions from those they tried to govern. From a report on the Swansea Petty Sessions in the Cambrian:
The Late Rebecca Disturbance.
Just as the Magistrates were about leaving the Court, Mr. J.G. Hancorne
presented a petition, which was numerously and respectably signed by the
parishioners of Pennard, Gower, protesting against an order signed by J.D.
Llewelyn, L.Ll. Dillwyn, the
Rev. S. Davies, and several
other Magistrates, by which the parishioners were saddled with the expenses
incurred by watching the gates by the constables during the late outrages on
the part of “Rebecca and her daughters,” and expressing a hope that the same
would be countermanded. Mr. Hancorne stated, that the parishioners, in public
vestry assembled a few days ago, “one and all,” most strenuously protested
against paying the expense of watching the gate, as it was well-known that the
people of the parish of Pennard were not in the least degree tinctured with
Rebeccaism, and that it was perfectly unnecessary, so far as the parishioners
were concerned, to watch the gate; but as the Magistrates thought proper to
employ the constables, Mr. Hancorne very urgently contended that the expenses
incurred should be equally borne by the whole county.
Mr. Attwood stated, that some time ago, in consequence of the Magistrates
being divided in opinion upon the subject, some gentlemen, entertaining a
doubt whether parishes were legally liable for the expenses incident upon
watching the gates, he (Mr. Attwood) was requested to write to the Secretary
of State, who was a high authority upon such subjects. The Secretary of State
sent an answer to the effect, that the parishes were liable, and that there
was no other source out of which the expense could be defrayed. Since then,
said Mr. Attwood, there had been a correspondence upon the same subject,
between Mr. Penrice, of Kilvrough, and the Secretary of State, and the latter
went so far as to state that he had no right to interfere, but that the
business ought to be left entirely to the Magistrates, whose duty it was to
make an order upon the parishes.
Dr. Hewson stated, that the
Magistrates at Quarter Sessions might take the subject into consideration but
they (the Magistrates present) had no right to revoke the act of the
Magistrates who had signed the order.
Mr. Hancorne thought it to be a very hard case that the parishioners should
pay, particularly as there was no “Rebecca” in their neighbourhood. He was not
afraid to entrust his crop, stock, and all his property without being watched.
The Rev. S. Davies reminded
Mr. Hancorne, that a gate in the neighbourhood had been destroyed, and that
many respectable farmers had declined paying toll in passing through Pennard
gate.
Mr. Hancorne said, that he was not aware such had been the case in his parish.
A Pennard Parishioner:— You must not talk of Rebecca with we. We be no
Rebeccas. (Laughter).
Dr. Hewson again staled, that
the order of the Magistrates might be re-considered at the Quarter Sessions,
but there was no power given to do so at Petty Sessions.
The Rev. S. Davies thought it
would be a useful piece of information to some parishes to know that they
would be liable for the outrages committed therein.
The Pennard Parishioner:– We be quiet people — we had no riots since the world
began. (A laugh).
After some further conversation with Mr. Haneorne, in which
Dr. Hewson, Mr. Grove, and Mr.
Berrington, took part, the application was dismissed, Mr. Hancorne expressing
his intention of bringing forward the subject at the Quarter Sessions.
