This article, from the Monmouthshire Merlin, touches only indirectly on the work of the Rebeccaites, but gives a good feel for the sorts of concerns that were finding that movement sympathy and followers in the Welsh population:
Rebeccaism.
Important Meeting.
A large meeting of farmers, freeholders, miners, and inhabitants from the
several parishes of Llanguick, Llandilo, Llangadock, and Bettws, was held on a
common, Bryn Cwm Llynfell, situate on the border of three counties,
viz., Glamorganshire, Brecnockshire, and
Carmarthenshire, on . John Jones,
Esq., of Bryn Ammon, in the
chair.
The place of the meeting was romantically situated in the very heart of the
mountain, Mynydd dû, or Black Mountain, forming the northern boundary. The
approach was somewhat difficult and dangerous, passing over an extensive
common or bog, called Waun Cae Gurwen Common, which a stranger would find
almost impossible to traverse safely without a guide. Being accompanied by
gentlemen who well knew the track, we succeeded in crossing and recrossing
without accident, although in the dark, the meeting not terminating till
It was necessary, however, to
march in Indian file, passing the word of caution from van to rear when any
dangerous part occurred. At length a steep and rugged descent into Guthe Vaur
Valley, terminated the perils and dangers of our passage, and the generous
hospitality of our worthy chairman and host, at Bryn Ammon House, revived our
drooping energies; it was, however, about
ere we
reached Swansea, after an absence of nearly eighteen hours.
The Chairman opened the meeting by stating, that the meeting was called to
take into consideration the cause of the present difficulties and distress
under which the country suffered. That the various complaints would be laid
before the meeting by the different speakers, whom he requested to state
unhesitatingly their opinions on the subject.
The Chairman then said it was intended by nature that every man should be
happy; if he was not so, there must be a cause, and the object of the meeting
was to enquire into the cause of the present misery and distress. Had any one
anything to say?
Mr. Benjamin Hall, of Fountain Hall: Allow me to say, the great men who have
made the laws, have done so in ignorance of the wants and the condition of the
people. Let every man come forward boldly, and explain fairly his view of the
causes of the present distress. Never mind homely language; we are not here to
make fine speeches. If we do not help ourselves, no one else will. We have
been oppressed for years. and may continue to be oppressed for years to come,
if we don’t put our shoulders to the wheel.
Mr. John Jenkins, M.A. of Swansea: A
gentleman said a few days ago, that the farmers of Carmarthenshire and
Glamorganshire knew nothing at all about the matter, but he said to the
meeting, let them come forward and give the lie direct to that, by each man
saying what he had to say. The voice of the people must do away with all
grievances.
Mr. Samuel Williams, farmer, of Cwm Garw: I can say plainly enough what are
our grievances. We pay a 6th and
7th, instead of a 10th
for tithes. It is not the gentlemen that oppress us as much as the competition
amongst ourselves — that has caused the distress. The restriction upon trading
over the sea has been upheld as keeping up the price of agricultural produce;
but I am willing to have it done away. The landlords held out restriction as a
bugbear over us.
Mr. Hopkin Herbert, farmer, Cwm Nantymoel: I think all the farmers will agree
with the last speaker, that tithes are oppressive. With regard to the
poor-rates, only 6s.
6d in the pound go
toward the support of the poor; the remaining fourteen shillings are consumed
in the management and other payments charged thereon. The farmers and the farm
labourers are for getting the Corn-laws down, and so am I too.
Mr. David Williams, Gwm Carw: The tithes are pressing double, to what they
were, and very little of the poor-rates go to the support of the poor.
Mr. John Harris, Court Falde: I have very little to say. What has been said I
agree with. The tithes and the poor rates are mismanaged. Very little of the
money paid goes to the poor, I should be very happy to pay it if it went to
support the poor.
Mr. Morgan Daniel, Tygwyn: I have as much necessity to speak as anybody here;
my rent is too heavy. I should like the labourer to have fair play, to enable
him to live comfortably. I am an advocate for free trade.
Mr. Thomas Isaac, Cwm Ammon: I think the great cause of the difficulties of
this country are the Corn-laws, and next, the Poor laws. The money we pay I
wish the poor to have, and not those who are in better circumstances than I
am.
The Chairman then said, the farmers seem to be of opinion that tithes and
rates are too high; the reasons are — that the corn and provision laws prevent
the farmer having fair play. Government, through the Corn-laws, promised the
farmer 56s. per quarter for
wheat, whereas he only got
46s. This is one of the
props the farmers have to keep up rent. If the tenant have sufficient credit
to enable him to buy his seed, and he does not realize the price promised him,
he cannot pay for it nor his rent. What then does the landlord? Why he sends
in a distress, and he gets the produce of the land before any other creditor.
This is hard, for the other creditors get nothing. The laws of good society
say “do unto others as you would they should do unto you,” but landlords
forget this golden maxim in their dealings with their tenants. The law of
society ought to be like a machine, steady in operation, and easy of
application but the fact is, the law makers have hitherto almost exclusively
belonged to the landlord class, and they have made laws to benefit themselves.
The laws of distress are very unfair, and should be amended. The system of the
present laws is contrary to the Law of God. There is nothing more injurious to
the nation than a restriction upon commerce. Let every nation be allowed to
exchange their surplus commodities freely. England is like the steam-engine of
the world — if things go wrong with her, all the world goes wrong too. Markets
should be open for perfect free trade.
Mr. John Jenkins, M.A.: I stand here, my
fellow-countrymen, as the defender of free trade, and the opponent of the
Corn-laws. I am the advocate of Free Trade, and am ready to answer any
question from any farmer.
No one speaking,
The Chairman said, if you are all silent, you must be of opinion that the
Corn-laws should be abrogated.
Mr. Jenkins then asked the manufacturers and miners if they had any questions
to put.
Not receiving any reply, the learned gentleman proceeded with an excellent and
appropriate speech, of which our space will only allow us to give an outline:—
There is as evident a dependence and connection between the parts of the
social system, as there is between the seasons of the year. If you oppress the
poor, the day of retribution must come. The same law applies to society as to
individuals — the welfare of one class should not be purchased by the
sacrifice of another. What are the principal causes of distress among the
farmers and working classes? Some say the Poor-laws. I don’t say the Poor-law
is not the cause. Some say tithes. I don’t say they are not. But this is my
opinion. We feel the few pence we pay for the gates every Saturday. We feel we
are going to destruction. We feel every little tax all press upon the country,
and therefore let us do away with them. But we must examine the reason why the
farmers of Carmarthenshire and Glamorganshire are in such straightened
circumstances. What is the reason that they feel these little taxes? The
reason is — the Government have cheated the farmers — the Government promised
one price, and the farmers are getting another and a much less one for their
produce. Is there such a strength in the hands of Government — do they possess
unknown power to keep up price? It is not so. They have made laws which are
quite contrary to the laws of nature. They have imposed such high taxes upon
the export of goods to other countries, that it has stopped our country
sending coal to France. This is sufficient to produce distress in these parts.
There is no use growing corn where there is no one to eat it. There is no use
growing corn on ground which is better adapted for other purposes. Whoever is
benefited by the Corn-laws, it is certainly not the farmers; the farmer pays
a price for his land as if he got
80s. per quarter: and if he
gets less ’tis plain he loses the difference. The farmer of small capital
being the weakest goes to the wall first; and that is the reason the small
farmers are now so distressed in Carmarthenshire and Glamorganshire; and it is
the same all over England. Let farmers make up their accounts for the last 28
years, and they will find they have been losing their capital. Instead of
redressing our grievances, soldiers are sent into the country; although I
don’t agree with the mode adopted, of breaking the gates, and of breaking the
laws. Mr. Jenkins then read an extract from a document, shewing the quantity
of corn imported during the quarter of a year,
,
viz., 1,500,000 quarters, and 400,000 quarters in
Midsummer quarter. Corn is brought out of bond at the time when the farmer
expects to make a fair price, viz.,
56s. Well, the price falls
to 47s. — he must pay,
nevertheless, rent according to the price of
56s. If the price rose to
66s. he would be gaining,
but the fact is, when corn rises above
56s., bonded corn comes in
and deprives the farmer of his profit. Thus the poor farmer is brought down to
ruin, and when rent day comes he finds be is worth nothing. The Corn Laws
operate as an impediment to the manufactures! the demand lessens — wages fall
off. We have now an instance of that ruin in Yystradgunlais. I would urge upon
the meeting the necessity of petitioning Parliament to repeal the corn and
provision laws. It is impossible in a short speech to explain fully this great
question, but I think I have said enough to convince you of the impolicy of
all restrictions upon trade, and the connexion they have with the distresses
which afflict the country.
Mr. Price, surgeon, Yniscedwan: Fellow countrymen, I have heard a good deal
about things that oppress the country. Mr. Jenkins has told you what he
considered the causes and remedies. We have heard of the doings of “Becca;” of
her taking down gates where there were good roads. I don’t approve of it. Let
us have good roads. If we had good roads we might travel as safely by night as
by day. (A voice in the crowd cried out “I wish you good roads, Mr. Price.”)
Let Becca come in the middle of the day, as well as in the night. I don’t like
these nocturnal outrages.
The speaker continued at some length, and was replied to by Mr. Jenkins, but
by this time it was too dark to report.
Shortly afterwards the following resolutions were carried unanimously—
“That in the opinion of this meeting, Free Trade is the only remedy for the
existing distresses of the country.”
Three cheers were given for Free Trade.
“That the following petition to the Queen be adopted.” Carried unanimously.
Here followed a petition that restated the grievances discussed above in more formal and flattering language. Wikipedia has a good summary of the rise and fall of the Corn Laws.
The petition having been adopted, Mr. Goring Thomas produced a notice which
had been stuck up in the parish of Penboyr. It was headed like a proclamation,
“Becca — ”;
and it called upon the farmers for coöperation in lightening their own
burdens. Almost immediately after the beginning, it turned to the form of a
dialogue between Becca and a Farmer; Becca suggesting that the farmers should
fix on a day to visit their landlords, and each ask “his highness” (the
landlord) to agree to the appointment of a person on each side to value the
land and fix the rent. The Farmer inquires of Becca how that should be
accomplished?
Farmer — Suppose the landlord refuse to appoint persons to value the land, he
should tell me to give it up to him?
Becca — Take him upon his offer, and tell him to take it up next Mareh.
Farmer — Then, in this way we shall lose our claim to the land, and whoever
wishes may take it.
Becca — Yes, certainly; but as to his enjoying it, I testify to you
that there is not a man of any nation under heaven that shall enjoy an acre
of your land, as it is but justice you will be seeking in desiring your
landlord to lower your rents: therefore, I will take your part, were we
forced to burn the bodies of those that dare try to take your land. Now,
I have never deceived those to whom I have given notice, as you know. As
notice, if you will not endeavour to retake your farms, as the Lord God
knoweth, you shall see more fires than you have ever seen in your
lives. It is probable I may visit some of you in Penboyer ere
long. Take heed, on your peril, that the hire of the harvest is not
lowered by you.
After expressing his horror at this attempt to institute a system of
terrorism, Mr. Thomas moved the following resolution; which was carried
unanimously before the meeting separated–
That this meeting has heard with great and unfeigned regret of the various
outrages that have taken place in different parts of the county. The farmers
and others now present hereby pledge themselves not to attend or countenance
nightly meetings, and to discharge any farm-servants who do attend them.
The correspondent of the Times perceives a change
of feeling in South Wales–
During the last two or three days, there has been a lull in the breeze of
disturbances which has agitated this country; though I fear the gale is far
from having ceased. It is the opinion of many intelligent gentlemen with
whom I have conversed on the matter, that the shocking murder of the poor
old woman at Hendy-bridge gate has produced a salutary effect upon the
better-disposed part of the population; and that the farmers, who would
willingly run the risk of imprisonment for breaking a toll-gate, in order to
get rid of what they consider an unbearable grievance, shrink with horror
from being classed as murderers and giving possible employment to the
hangman. I know that this is a general feeling just now, and that this very
shocking result of these disturbances has caused many to pause and reflect
on the probable consequences of their lawless course. On the other hand, in
the immediate neighbourhood of the Pontardulais fight, it is quite true that
a deep and brooding spirit of vengeance exists. A very great number of
persons engaged in that fight were wounded and got off. I have been informed
on credible authority, that several farmers in the neighbourhood are
dangerously ill of wounds received by them at that encounter. I heard of one
young man, the other day, who received a ball in his leg, and who is at this
moment lying at his home with the wounded limb dreadfully swollen, but afraid
to send for surgical assistance. Among the friends and acquaintances of
these parties, the most bitter and rancorous spirit of revenge prevails.
It is said, too, that the better class of farmers are beginning to get sick
of Rebecca’s proceedings; and with some reason. I am informed that a kind of
black mail is levied on them. The parties who break gates,
&c., are
generally paid labourers, led on by some few farmers and the Rebecca of the
district; and I am informed these men are paid
2s.
6d a night, out of
which they provide their powder and shot; and the money to pay them with is
raised by sending round notices, first to one farmer and then to another, to
pay a sum at which he is assessed by a certain time, and bring it to some
meeting of Rebeccaites. If he refuse it, he does it at the peril of having
his stacks fired. The Rebecca for the night pays the men from this fund. On
the person of the Rebecca taken at Pontardulais, several receipts
acknowledging payments of this nature were found. This sort of tax on the
farmer has caused, I am told, a great deal of secret information to be given
by them to the authorities; and I have heard that it was from information
derived in this way that the Police came upon the party attacking
Pontardulais gate.
The outrages, however, are very far from having entirely ceased.
During , about fourteen
different toll-bars have been destroyed in Carmarthenshire; and property to
the amount of 800l.
was burned in the rick-yard of Mr. J.R. Lloyd, a County Magistrate, at
Dolhaidd.
A reward of 500l.,
with the Queen’s pardon to any accomplice, has been offered for the discovery
and apprehension of the person who murdered Sarah Williams, the Hendy-gate
toll-collector; and
100l. for the
detection of the persons who destroyed Lechryd fishing-weir.
