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TOWYN VOLUNTEERS 1795-1802 1

ON the 1st of February, 1793, France declared war against England.

The relationship between the two countries had continued to be a of a strained character notwithstanding the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. The sky was never free from clouds so that the bursting of the storm was not unexpected. Yet, in spite of this uncertainty, the declaration of hostilities found England unprepared.2

Large numbers of the regular troops were on foreign service, and, to add to the difficulties of the situation, there were several, elements at home who favoured the revolutionaries in France and who missed no opportunity of giving practical expression to their sympathies. On the other hand, the vast majority of the people were loyal to their country. Those, however, who realised the gravity of the situation and were conscious of the weakness of the military strength of the country were in the minority.

Offers of personal service from all parts of the country were showered upon the Government, who approved of the formation of several Volunteer Associations and ultimately passed an Act for the establishment of Volunteer Corps throughout the country. This Act was passed on the 17th April 1794, and is intituled: "An Act for encouraging and disciplining such corps or companies of men as shall voluntarily enrol themselves for the defence o their counties, towns or coasts, or for the general defence of the Kingdom"3

The corps or companies raised thereunder were purely for local defence and could not be called upon to serve outside the limit of their own counties. Officers and non-commissioned Officers were entitled to the prescribed pay when on permanent duty, but the men were not paid except during the days of exercise. If, however, they were called upon to repel an invasion or to suppress riots or tumults, they were to receive pay at the rate of the regular troops and were subject to the same military discipline as such troops and the Militia. With regard to discipline, there was however, the difference that no officers or soldiers of any Volunteer Corps were liable to be tried by court-martial unless such court-martial was composed entirely of officers serving in Volunteer Corps.

By joining the Volunteers, persons were entitled to one important privilege, namely, exemption from the Militia Ballot. The procedure of the Ballot at this time was briefly as follows: lists of all men between the prescribed minimum and maximum ages, with particulars of the claims of those who were entitled to exemption, were drawn up and affixed to the door of the Parish Church. This gave an opportunity for persons to appeal if they were not shown as exempted. After the appeals had been disposed of, a tribunal was held at which the names remaining on the list were balloted for. According to Fortescue, the approved method of balloting for the names was to write the names of the ballotable men on slips of paper, place the slips, folded, in a. large box, and draw them out one by one in public. To secure the privilege above referred to, however, the person claiming exemption had to produce at the tribunals, fixed- for the purposes of hearing appeals against the Militia Lists, an affidavit of his having been enrolled as a volunteer, together with a certificate signed by the commanding, officer of the corps or company, that he had for the space of six weeks immediately preceding the holding of the tribunal, punctually attended the drills of such corps or company.

There can be no doubt that the Government particularly favoured the formation of corps in towns or districts adjoining the coast. In the County of Merioneth, only one corps was formed under the Act. This had its headquarters at Towyn. The probability is that as far as this County was concerned, the formation of a Corps for the coast only was deemed sufficient to meet any danger from without. That the possibility of a landing in Merionethshire was no wild phantasy, is proved by the fact that a French contingent actually did land on the Welsh coast further south on the shores of Cardigan Bay shortly afterwards. This occurred at Fishguard on the 22nd of February, 1797, and took the local inhabitants by surprise. It is true that three frigates had been seen dropping their anchors close to the shore, but their flying of the British colours had disarmed suspicion. There were only a handful, of troops available at this point, and even these were local levies. The local inhabitants, however, lost no time in taking steps to arrest the progress of the enemy pending the arrival of reinforcements. Churches have often been Sanctuaries against the enemy, but it is not often that part of the sacred fabric is converted into a weapon of war. Such, however, was the case here. The men of St. David’s rushed in a body to their Cathedral, from the roof of which they tore off the lead which was, immediately cast into bullets by six blacksmiths. The enemy, who were commanded by General Tate, an Irish-American, were 12244, strong and were composed partly of well trained and disciplined troops and partly of men discharged from military prisons or the purpose of joining this expedition.

On the 24th February, 1797 they surrendered to the Cardiganshire Militia, Pembrokeshire Fencibles and other local troops, but as is well known, this surrender was precipitated by the appearance on one of the surrounding bills of Welsh women wearing red shawls, whom the enemy mistook for soldiers.

The three frigates had sailed on the 23rd of February, leaving the Frenchmen to their fate. Two of the frigates namely "La Resistance” and "La Constance" were captured off Brest on their way home by the British, but the remaining ship safely reached that port. One probable reason for the landing was to prevent the sending of British reinforcements to Ireland to oppose the French Expedition to that country; another reason may have been the hope that they would be the means of raising an insurrection in England and Wales. Colonel Tate said afterwards that the Welsh Coast was chosen as the landing place as he thought the Welsh were ready for revolt, but in this, he was sadly disillusioned. According to the original plans, the force was to have landed at Bristol, and, after ransacking that town, to re-embark and land near Cardiff as a starting point in their advance upon Chester and Liverpool. Having round it difficult to land at Bristol, they then decided upon Fishguard as their landing place. In the written instructions given to Colonel Tate, the French were to terrorize the country, and if they succeeded in defeating the enemy, they were to pursue them to the death, no quarter to be given to the prisoners.

It is worthy of being recorded that "Fishguard" is commemorated as a battle honour on the colours of the Pembroke Yeomanry (now the 102nd Pembroke and Cardigan Army Field Brigade R.A.) and that this is the only instance of a battle honour being awarded for an action fought in Great Britain.

The Towyn Volunteers were formed in 1795, and were styled The Legion of Towyn Volunteers. Their formation was inspired by Captain Edward Corbet 5 of Ynysmaengwyn, Towyn. Captain Corbet was educated at Westminster School, one of his contemporaries being the Marquess of Tichfield, afterwards the third Duke of Portland 6. Accompanied by Lord Torrington 7 he later paid a visit of some weeks duration to Welbeek Abbey, the Duke's seat, and in one of his numerous letter8 to the Duke urging attention to certain matters concerning the Towyn Volunteers, he refers to this visit and to the great kindness with which he had been received by the Duke on the occasion in question.

Captain Corbet had been active in the direction of raising a Company long before the Government's sanction was obtained, but his zeal in this direction involved, him later in a serious financial loss.

It is clear from the many letters directed by him to the authorities that he was much more concerned with the enemy from within than from without. In fact, it is doubtful if Captain Corbet gave much thought to the question of danger from the common enemy. He scarcely makes any reference to it except on the occasion of the French landing at Fishguard. His chief concerns were the local tumults and the propagation of the teachings of the dissenters. In the formal proposals made by him for the raising of the Towyn Company, the quelling of riots received greater prominence than the possibility of a general French landing. Subsequent events in the locality confirmed the accuracy of his judgment, and in saying this, the abortive landing at Fishguard has not been overlooked.

Early in May, 1795, a step further was taken towards the formation of the Towyn Company when Captain Corbet submitted the following proposals to the Duke of Portland through Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., the Lord Lieutenant of the County:-

Proposals for raising a Stationary Yeomanry Company at Towyn to consist of:-

64 or more Privates without levy, money or Bounty
3 Sergeants upon Government Pay the same constantly as Sergeants of British Infantry.
3 Corporals upon Government pay of the same constantly as Corporals British Infantry.
Drums and Fifes.
One Captain Edward Corbet of Ynysmaengwyn, Company of British Infantry.
One Lieutenant Lewis Edwards of Tal-garth, Company of British Infantry.
One Ensign Rice Edwards of Hendre,. Company of British Infantry.9

To have neither rank nor half Pay after the war is over.
The Company to be resident at Towyn without any pay until called out by the magistrates to disperse or quell tumults or in case of invasion under these circumstances to receive pay and be upon the establishment of British Infantry.

"As no Bounty is expected nor any subscription has been set on foot in this County, the Government to be at all expenses to furnishing arms, clothing of every denomination, accoutrements, ammunition and carriage."

On the 7t of June, 1795, Captain Corbet wrote to the Duke inviting a reply to the proposals, that he was prompted to do this by the insurrection and threats to terminate all laws and government in that part of the county. He added that the sullen, stubborn spirit of disobedience and alienation from the established religion and laws were by no means abating. These representations had the desired effect, as the proposals were duly approved of , the Commissions being dated the 3rd of June, 1795.

By a Declaration dated 29th October, 1795, under their hands, Edward Corbet, Commandant, Lewis Edwards, Lieutenant, and Rice Edwards, Ensign, declared that they were Possessed of the necessary lands as to qualify them for the said appointments 10

On the same date it was duly recorded at an adjourned Court of Quarter Sessions11 held at the house of Griffith Owen known by the sign of the " Raven " in Towyn, that these officers had duly qualified as Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign of the " Towyn Fencible -Yeomanry."

Inasmuch as Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, already referred to as the Lord Lieutenant of the County, often figures prominently in this book, it may be of interest to learn something of his military activities and personality. Not only was he the Lieutenant of the County of Merioneth, but was also Lieutenant of Denbighshire12

Sir Watkin was the Colonel of the Ancient British Fencible Cavalry13 which served in Ireland in 1798 and helped to crush the Irish Rebellion. The officers and men were called by the Irish " The Bloody Britons." The Regiment was disbanded on the 3rd of April, 1800.

He was also Colonel of the Denbigh Militia 14 and remained in command until his death on the 5th of January, 1840.

Early in 1803 Sir Watkin became an unpopular figure in the County of Merioneth by his, action in securing a Royal Warrant for the incorporation of the Militia Regiment of Merioneth with that of Denbigh, and on the 11th of April, 1803, the Sheriff 15 Grand jury, Magistrates and Freeholders of the County of Merioneth assembled at the Great Sessions at Bala, and protested against this fusion, as they considered that such a measure materially affected the independence of their County, and resolved to petition His Majesty the King against it.

The Petition was prepared by Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart16; John Forbes, High Sheriff; R. W. Wynn of Plasnewydd and R. Watkin Price, and was signed by them and a large number of other persons.

In a letter dated 19th April, 1803 to the Secretary of State for War, Sir W. W. Wynn protested against the presentment of the Petition and suggested that Sir Robert W. Vaughan and his brother, Major Vaughan, had acted unfairly by him in the opposition they had endeavoured to raise against the fusion. He added that apart from the first four signatories to the Petition there was no one whom property or rank in life entitled him to any attention, and with a view to fortifying this assertion he had the petition copied, and opposite each name gave the rank and occupation of the signatory. Even Attorneys were apparently deemed by him to be persons of no consequence.

These are some of the names with their description on the copy : -
John Jones Shopkeeper at Bala, where the judges lodge.
Thomas Jones Llawr-y-Bettws. Dealer in stockings.
John Davies ...... Nr Bala. Brother and heir to Mr. Davies of... who died at Dolgelley Gaol
David Pugh Poacher. By trade a Currier and late a Militiaman.
David Anwyl Attorney of Bala, son of Mr. Anwyl, Fron.
Hugh Owen Attorney of Bala.
O. A. Poole, Attorney at Caernarvon17
Thomas Rice Charles Son to Mr. Charles, Shopkeeper and Methodist Minister. No Freeholder.

In March, 1814, he went to France as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of a Provisional Battalion of Militia composed of men from the Denbigh, Derby, Hereford, Westmoreland and 2nd West York Militia. On disembarking, they were mortified to learn that hostilities had, ceased and drowned their sorrows in drink.

In 1815, the people of Denbighshire presented him with a large silver wine cistern, made by

Paul Storr, in recognition of his arduous military service to his fatherland. On the cistern are three inscriptions, laudatory of his services, in Latin, English and Welsh respectively.

The " Welsh " took the form of the following "Englynion"18,. by Bardd Nantglyn

Y fail arian am filwrio-roddwyd
I raddol fwyn Gymro,
Syr Watkin, brigin ein bro,
I'w gyfarch a'i hir gofio.

Grym gwir raid yn blaid ddydd blin-i'r goron
Fu'r gwrol Syr Watkin;
Marchog puraf, flaenaf lin,
I’w fro annwyl a'i Frenhin.

The following is a free translation:-

This silver bowl was presented, for his. service in war, to that kindly Welsh gentleman Sir Watkin, flower of our land, as a token of our respect and lasting remembrance.

The gallant Sir Watkin has been of great help to the Crown in the day of trouble - knight of the utmost loyalty and of the highest rank in the cause of his dear land and of his King

This great cistern is preserved at Wynnstay

At the end of the war , Sir Watkin was much feted in Wales ; the London Welshmen gave him, a public reception on St. David's Day 1815, and other receptions were given him at Wrexham and at Bala.

To revert again to the Towyn Volunteers, Captain Corbet early in 1795, had sworn in a, company of yeomen freeholders and people of property, and in March of that year had written to the authorities for permission to form a Yeomanry Company of Infantrymen, pointing out that the congregated societies, and riots were frequent and numerous. On the 15th of the following month he wrote, urging a reply, adding that the Company was not in sufficient affluence to supply a Troop or Company of Soldiers and that from one ,alarming riot that had happened on the previous Saturday at Bala, the day on which the Judges opened the Commission, some force was absolutely necessary for their protection.

The riot referred to by Captain Corbet took place at Bala 20) on the 11th April, 1795, in connection with a meeting of the magistrates held for putting in force an Act 21 passed by Parliament for carrying out the provisions for the better manning of the Fleet. The quota of Merionethshire was 43.

The riot was anticipated, as a messenger 22, was sent to Shrewsbury by night with a letter 23from Sir Robert Williams Vaughan ,and the Sheriff, 24 to the Secretary at War 25 requesting him to send a troop of horse to Bala by the day of the meeting of the magistrates. The troop apparently did not arrive, as a crowd of fifty with sticks, staves, clubs and other offensive weapons, assembled and attacked .Mr. Maurice Lloyd and the Rev. Rice Anwyl, two of the magistrates.

Rice Edwards, the jailer 26 at Bala, pluckily went to their rescue but was very roughly

handled. Warrants were issued against six of the rioters but the Under Sheriff succeeded in apprehending only five of them, namely, John Evans, otherwise John Owens, David Jones, Daniel Jones, John Daniel and Humphrey Roberts. This took him eight. days. These five defendants were indicted before the Court of Great Sessions held at Bala on the 24th April, 1795. A true Bill 27 was found against all with the exception of Humphrey Roberts, and they were each fined five shillings.

An indictment 28 was later preferred against the said David Jones, Daniel Jones, John Daniel and Humphrey Roberts for assaulting Rice Edwards, but the Bill was withdrawn on the recommendation of the Grand Jury. There was another riot 29 at Bala in 1796 owing to the passing of the Navy and Army Act 30 in that year to secure more men for the Navy and Army. The quota for Merioneth was 56 and was required for the Army only.

The justices were summoned to attend at Bala in order to put the Act into operation and this meeting was duly advertised in the Salopian Journal. The riot 31 was evidently a serious one, as warrants were issued against 13 men, and, although the Under Sheriff had the assistance of the Cavalry, not a single man was arrested.

According to one authority 32 the second riot was caused through the suspicion of the masses that the names of people of position were omitted from the Militia lists, and therefore escaped the ballot.

The crowd which gathered at Bala, led by Joseph Jones of Hafodybrwyn, Llanuwchllyn, and - Dafydd Owen of Hafodybibell, Llanuwchllyn, burst open the door of the Shire Hall, forced their way in and demanded inspection of the lists. Dafydd Owen was at the time a farm servant at Deildref Uchaf, LIanuwchllyn. The Cavalry, under the impression that this offender was in the house, surrounded it and then made a thorough search. They drove their swords through the feather beds and not even the flour bins escaped their attention. Dafydd Owen had escaped a few. minutes before the arrival of the Cavalry and actually saw the raid whilst hiding some distance away. He ultimately took refuge in a wood, only a short distance away, known as "Coedygraig." He hid in the wood during the day. At night he visited the following farms for food, "Graig," " Tyddyn-yr-onen," " Ty Coed," and " Ty'nbryn."

The Cavalry also searched "Hafodybrwyn" for Joseph Jones with the same negative results.

The sympathy of the whole countryside was with the fugitives, the inhabitants vying with ,one another to shield them from their pursuers. After the hue and cry had died down the fugitives emerged from their retreats and no further action was ever taken against them.

It was in order to quell riots such as this, that Captain Corbet had urged to be allowed to form his Company.

In a Monthly Return,33 sent to the War Office .and dated the 1st October, 1796, the strength of the Towyn Company was given as follows:--

Captain 1

Lieutenant I

Sergeant, 1

Drummers 3

Privates for duty 76

It is interesting to note that it was a Composite Company, the allocation to the several services being as follows:

Artillery Men 16

Light -Dragoons 20

Infantry 40

The strength of the horses was given as: -

Horses - Light Dragoons 20

…….do. Artillery 6 In one of the Returns it is stated that the Company had also one Light Pounder. This was a Two Pounder bought by Captain Corbet from " Warner " in Fleet Street.

The strength of the Company varied from year to year. In 1800, the number of privates had increased to 87 and in 1801 to 95.

The Company mere provided with clothing, arms and ammunition34. Unfortunately, there is nothing amongst the records to indicate the style of the uniform,35 worn by them.

An annual rent of £11/0/0 was charge for the field where the troops exercised, and for the store house in which the arms and accoutrements were kept the Company had to pay an annual rental of £10/: 10/0.

The pay per day was Captain Commandant 9/5, Lieutenant 4/4, Ensign 3/5, Sergeant on permanent duty 1/6¾ together with 2d. Beer money, and all other ranks 1/-. Pay was allowed for each day of exercise. Captain Corbet, however, was on constant pay, it being explained in one of the Returns that he had formerly been in a " Militia Line"36 The Sergeant (Robert Thomas) was also on constant pay.

From one of the Returns it is interesting to observe that two of the privates, George Manners37 and Oliver Morris, served without pay, and that in the Monthly Returns the title "Esquire" is added after the name of both.

The number of days during which the Company exercised varied from year to year. During the years 1800 and 1801 respectively the number of days of exercise was 105.

Having secured approval to the formation of a Company, Captain Corbet then started a campaign for a proper allowance towards the cost, and complained that he had not received the two guns which he had ordered. He was anxious to shew that his agitation for a Company was justified, and informed the Government that the attention paid to the Company had stopped in a great measure the increase of the very numerous proselytes to the new doctrines, and that he believed they had begun to abate. In another communication he pointed out how the sanction to the formation of the Company had damped for the time being the violent acts of the disaffected and, complained of the policy of his brother magistrates from motives of fear or "as they who have expressed themselves, from intimidation" were licensing every vagabond, dissenter and propagator of any doctrines that might choose to apply, and that he stood alone with the approval of the "two Judges on the Circuit".38

Trevelyan in his " History of England39 states that in the first two years of the War, there were constant prosecutions of editors, non-conformist preachers and speculative persons of a propagandist disposition who adventured to argue for parliamentary reform, and that notwithstanding the steps taken by the Government to arrest and suppress these movements, there were smouldering fires amongst the agricultural and industrial classes in England which broke out from time to time. These troubles were not confined to England. Riots broke out in various parts of Wales. In Merionethshire, some were caused by the measures taken to put into operation the Impressment Acts and others by the scarcity and price of corn.

Whatever the causes that gave rise to the several disturbances throughout England and Wales, there can be no doubt that the rioters in many parts had gained courage as a resultof the success of the Revolution in France Captain Corbet refers to this in a letter written to the authorities in December, 1795, in which he said that the people were still troublesome and that they were only just prevented from committing very serious outrage in the county and " following French example".

On the 25th November, 1795, there was presented to Captain Corbet from the inhabitants of Towyn a petition pointing out their alarming situation " for want of a market regularly supplied as usually held at Towyn", and that there was no actual scarcity of grain or any other article in the county40.

Towards the end of 1795, urgent and serious representations were made by him to the authorities for assistance towards the cost of the upkeep of the Company. He claimed that he was keeping sixteen horses in his own stables at his own expense, and pointed out that if such assistance was not forthcoming he would have to retire.

In spite of the alarmist representations made, from time to time by Captain Corbet, such troubles as 'were present focally were not of' such a nature in 1795 as to demand the attention of the troops. Their services were, however, called upon in February, 1796, to quell disturbances in the neighbouring County of Montgomery, the storm centres being Carno and Newtown.

The Company, fifty strong, marched on ,'Saturday, the 30th of January, to Carno, but on ,arrival found everything quiet. There was lack of accommodation for the troops, which caused -Captain Corbet to submit a complaint to the authorities. He said the men were wet through, had to lie in a barn without fire and were very .short of provisions; also that there was not beer enough for a dozen men nor spirit for 15 men. The Company then marched to Newtown, where a mob of 500 had rioted and plundered the corn, but the mob dispersed -,on the appearance of the troops. The Company returned to Towyn on the fourth of February; 1796.

In a report to his Army agent, Captain Corbet apologised for being troublesome to the Government, pointing out that " the Welsh "being disloyal and in full expectation of equality are inclined to insurrection in every parish."

He added that he should be provided with Cavalry in order to quell disorder and instructed

his agent to apply for the guns he had requisitioned, as the "Louisa," in command .of Captain Evans, had sailed from Towyn and would soon be at Pickle Herring Stairs.41

On the 24th of February, 1796, Captain 4 Corbet again drew the attention of the Government authorities to the seriousness of the situation. Here are extracts from this letter :" The language of the people is that no corn whatever shall be conveyed, that the justices are not against them, and that the merchants or dealers in corn must take care of themselves and beware how they travel. The greatest corn merchant in this County (Mr. Hugh Davies by name), told me yesterday here that he was advised not to stir out of his Inn at Llanidloes42 last week as part of the mob was determined to attack him. The congregation of Methodists43, Dissenters and Itinerant Preacher "is more frequent and numerous, more full if of energy and industry than ever. The” Duke of Portland has granted what I " asked of force, and would give me greater " latitude because I have known him all my life since we were at Westminster School. "When the Guns arrive this force will be superior to any degree of rebellion if I could get at them. But they meet inmost distant and inaccessible places, destroy the grain, and disperse, some hours before even the Cavalry can come."

Towards the end of 1795, Captain Corbet commenced to complain to the authorities in earnest of their lack of response in making him an allowance towards the upkeep of the horses. The alarmist pictures which he drew, of the local situation yielded no tangible results.

At the end of 1795 he returned to the attack again and complained that he had to keep 16 horses in his own stables at his own expense and asked for some relief

On the 29th of May, 1796, he wrote to the Duke of Portland pointing out that the corn was being: withdrawn from the market and that a famine was being apprehended, but although he could take coercive measures he had expended £400 out of his own private money in supplies for the poor and in regularly furnishing the market.

Early in 1797, Captain Corbet started to send the Duke spayed ewes. On the 20th Of January he wrote to the Duke stating that he had desired to have His Grace's opinion of the spayed ewes he had sent to " Portland House”. Apparently these gifts caused some embarrassment to the Duke. In a Memorandum44, written by him, His Grace said he wished he could stop Captain Corbet sending him spayed ewes, for although they were very good mutton he did not know how to make him any return or them and if they were to be compensated to him by indulgence-and paying for his expense however well disposed and active he might be " that is really too much and must not be. " When the French landed at Fishguard, it was the Light Dragoons of the Towyn Company that gave the alarm to General Richard Whyte45, the general Officer Commanding: the Chester District. General Whyte wrote to Captain Corbet informing him that he would not fail to inform the Government how much the District, and particularly Liverpool, were indebted to the early intelligence conveyed by him of the late alarm.

In a letter to the Duke, dated 22nd March, 1797, Captain Corbet referred to the services rendered by him in giving the alarm and to, the appreciation thereof by General Whyte. He did not fail to impress upon the Duke the necessity of his Light Dragoons, and said he was very glad he had kept them at his own expense after the period the Duke had stopped the help of the horses, or it would otherwise have been impossible for him " to have rendered these services, however my inclination might have been." In the same letter he informed the Duke that he had bought a piece of ordnance[46] the: previous year which had had an extraordinary effect upon the seditious congregations that were then very daring and numerous. Re., added that the gun had conveyed so much terror that he was confident it had preserved many lives and had prevented frequent insurrections. in the previous year.

In a letter to his army agent, dated 16th August, 1797, Captain Corbet informed him that this gun had been reported unfit for ser-" vice " having a hole by the left side (trunnion) in it, “and that he and four men had " narrowly escaped (being close), although it did not burst" and instructed his army agent to secure a field-. piece either from "Warner" or the Ordnance. Captain Corbet attached a great deal of importance to the Cavalry section of his Company and was so keen on their being properly trained that he secured the services, on the. 14th September, 1797, of Sergeant Farrant, of the Cornish Fencibles, to train the Light Dragoons, " the horses in the lunge and the men in the ride and perform the sword exercise."

He now wrote fairly frequently to the Duke, complaining of the disallowance of certain items of his claim for expenses by the War Office and adding that the Company had cost him £1,000 out of his own pocket. He dwelt also on the cruel treatment he had received from the War Office, pointing out the injustice ,Of his paying the troops for above three months and keeping all the horses without receiving any contribution.

Upon the question of the disallowance of the cost of the horses, the view of the War Office was that the Towyn Corps was only ,considered as Volunteers Infantry and on the same footing as other Corps of that description. The other disallowances complained of were made on the ground that he had paid the troops from 24th February, 1795, whereas the ,commissions were not dated until 2nd June, 1795.

On the 7th December, 1797, Captain Corbet wrote a pitiful letter to the Duke concerning his treatment by the authorities. He started the letter by informing the Duke that he had sent His Grace a mutton rising 7 years old[47],of the same kind as those of the previous year but that the summer having proved so wet inclined him " to doubt mutton or any other grain-fed animal was so firm and close grained this year " that sheep particularly succeeded in dry weather and in dry pasture. He then proceeded to remind his Grace of his successful efforts to raise the Corps and of the good -work carried out by him. Further, he reported that several attempts -had been made in 1796 to prevent the Militia Acts being carried into execution and that every Magistrate in the County was either 'beaten or forced to adjourn except himself ; that in the personal attack they had made upon him and the Clerk of the Peace[48] and the Commissioners[49] above 300 had appeared but that in five minutes the whole were dispersed, and that it was owing to the exertions of the gion that peace and goodwill had prevailed.

He proceeded to say that it was three years. since he had sworn in and paid the men and that he had kept 30 horses constantly for the services of the Government during that long period; that he was the only man in Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire, Cardiganshire, or Caernarvonshire (until the French landing) who had raised and instructed a stationary body of men to preserve the internal peace of the country. His final plea is almost tragic “I am to be ruined and my family sacrificed. The matter is most serious to me: it your Grace suffers me to be a mark of punishment instead of reward allowing me I conjure your Grace in mercy and I know you possess it, not to linger in suspense but knowing my destiny." Although Captain Corbet in his letters to the Duke frequently referred to local riots and. tumults, particularly when he was pressing for the payment of certain allowances in respect of the horses, he gave no specific instances.of these riots.

There can ‘be no doubt, however, that a serious riot[50], did break out early in 1799. On the 28th February, 1799, a crowd of over 100 persons. assembled, and in the words of the Bill of Indictment, " with force and arms riotously assembled and gathered together a very great riot and attacked one Lewis Roberts, taking Some measures of barley from him". The defendants were also charged with breaking and entering a house called Gwyddelfynydd[51] belonging to George Manners[52] and taking away there from 50o measures of barley, the property of Thomas Jones and Richard Davies, -and further taking away 500 measures of barley belonging to Thomas Pughe. It would appear that the barley was distributed amongst the crowd. Not only were the Towyn Company called out to quell the riot but from a 'bill of costs rendered by Mr. G. Griffith, the Under sheriff of the County of Merioneth, for legal services in connection with the riot it is clear that troops from outside the area' were also called in.

The following is a copy of the Bill:

THE. COUNTY OF MERIONETH[53]

-to-

G. GRIFFITH.

March 1800

Journey to Barmouth to take examination of witnesses in respect to the nature of the riot at Towyn .... £ 1/ 1/ 0

Paid expenses and Horse Hire, etc .. £ 0/ 10/ 7

Taking the examination of, Evidence being long and special £ 0/ 3/ 6

Oath £ 0/ 2/.0

Writing letter therewith to Secretary at War £ 0/ 3/6

Several attendances on the officers of the Troops who came over to quell the riot and journey to Towyn with the troops. Out 2 days £ 2/ 2/ 0

'Horses hire and expenses £ 0 /15/ 6

'Writing letters to the War office and to the General of the Division to recall the troops...£ 0/ 7/ 0

Allowed. £5/ 5 / 1

In the Annual Return from the Captain, Commandant to the Secretary at War for the period from 25th December, 1799, to 24th December, 1800, the following claim is made in connection with the riot-

To one day's extra charge for one lieutenant one Ensign two Sergeants two Corporals, four Drummers and 72 Privates, being called out by a justice of the Peace to quell a riot £11 / 7 / 9

Only three of the rioters were apprehended: namely, Thomas Williams, labourer; William Jones and William Lloyd, skinners. A true bill was found against them at the Merioneth Court of Great Sessions in 1800 (1st Sessions). The, three defendants pleaded "Not Guilty." The bill of indictment, however, gives no further particulars of the trial and it is not stated whether the defendants were convicted.

In the Monthly Return January to February, 1801-Captain Corbet complained that, the ammunition due in June had not yet been received and that blank cartridges in particular were much wanted. These representations met with some success. In a return from 25th December, 1801 to 24th April, 1802, which, incidentally, was the last return, an item of 18/-- was charged" for the carriage of the last ammunition from Barmouth", which had been omitted from a previous return.

The arms naturally required overhauling from time to time. In the return, 25th December, 1799, to 24th December, 1800, the authorities were debited with the sum of £93:17:6 for cleaning and repairing arms, drumhead, etc., and in the annual return for 1801 the sum of £28 : 14: 6 was charged for the cleaning and the repairing of arms which had been inspected and reported bad.

In a return from September to October 1801, the Captain Commandant stated that the arms had been inspected and that most of them had been condemned as unfit for service by the order of Major-General Benson, commanding the North West District, but that no further measures seemed to have been taken. Captain Corbet in conclusion hoped therefore that new arms would be issued.

On the signing of the Treaty of Amiens on 1st October, 1801, the Towyn Company, as well as the other Volunteer Corps and Companies throughout the country, were disbanded. The arms of the Towyn Company were dispatched to Liverpool, and, in the return for the period 25th December, 1801 to 24th April, i802, a sum of £6 : 8 : o was charged for cleaning and repairing and package of the arms and for their removal to that port.

It is clear, however, that all the arms were not dispatched at that time to Liverpool, for we find at the foot of the same return the following note, : "The Arms, clothing and accoutrements, still remain at Towyn ; consequently the Store House is fully occupied and must be paid for until Orders are received f or the removal Contingencies for 1802".

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[1] Towyn is a town in Merionethshire on the shores of Cardigan Bay. With Aberdovey and a rural ward, it now forms part of the Urban District of Towyn. Population, 3802. (Census, 1931). Was a maritime vill at the close of the 12th century. “The Mediaeval Boroughs of Snowdonia” by E. A. Lewis, M.A., p. 7)
[2] See "A History of the Volunteer Forces,” by Cecil Sebag-Montefiore, where the political and military situation at this period is fully discussed.
[3] 34 Geo. III. c. 31
[4] The number often given is 1,400. Mr. David Salmon in his most interesting and instructive account of the French landing contained in West Wales Historical Records Xl., 1929, makes, I think, a good, case for the figure given in the text
[5] Son of Pryse Maurice(1699-1779) of Lloran Ucha and Penybont, Denbighshire. Assumed the name of Corbet upon succeeding to the, Ynysmaengwyn Estate upon the death of his brother, Henry Arthur Corbet (formerly Maurice). High Sheriff for Merionethshire, 1792. Died in London, 3rd December, 1820, and was buried with great funeral pomp at Towyn (J. E. Griffith, " Pedigrees. of Anglesey and Caernarvonshire Families, 1914, p. 237, "Calendars of Gwynedd." by Edward Breese and -William Watkin Edward Wynne, P.81)
[6] Born April 14th, 1738. Educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. Succeeded as third Duke in 1762. Prime, Minister from April to December, 1783, and again 1807 to 1809. One of the principal Secretaries of State, 1794 to 1801. Died October 30th, 1809.
[7] George Byng 4th viscount Torrington, entered Westminster School in 1749, and Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1757 Minister Plenipotentiary at Brussels 1782-1792. Died in 1812
[8] 7th June 1795. H.O. Volunteers 50/40, P.R.O.
[9] The three officers were commissioned on 3rd June, 1795. Captain Corbet continued to serve until the disbandment of the Company. Lieutenant Edward Lewis died in January, 1797, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Owen of Dolfanog, his commission being dated 23rd March 1797
Ensign Rice Edwards resigned in February, 1797 on account of illness, and was succeeded by John Davies, who was also commissioned on 23rd March, 1797Militia and volunteer list, W.O. 1796. W.0.17-1038. M.R. P.R.O.
[10][ M.Q.S.R. (Trinity), 1795.
[11] The Court had been adjourned from that held at Dolgelley on 9th October, 1795. The Courts of quarter Sessions were, held at Bala and Dolgelley alternately, but in cases of adjournments other than to a new summons they were held at different Centres within the County, and in practically each case the place holding was an Inn, e.g., “Owain Glyndwr " at Corwen. Even when adjourned from Bala and Dolgelley, the adjourned sittings would be held it an Inn, “The White Lyon " (now the White Lion) at Bala, and " The Eagles " (now the site of the County Offices) Dolgelley. M.Q.S.M.B. 1787-1817
[12] Appointed lieutenant of Merionethshire, 4th December, 1793. and of Denbighshire in 1795
[13] Gazetted 11th March, 1794.
[14] Gazetted 15th January, 1797
[15] The Sheriff at this time was John Forbes, who was appointed on 16th February, 1803
[16] Sir Robert Williams Vaughan of Nannau, Baronet. Represent the County in Parliament from 1792 to 1836. High Sheriff, 1837. Died, April, 1843.
[17] Owen Anthony Pool, Clerk of the Peace for the County of Caernarvon, 16th October, 1815, to 8th March, 1823
[18] Englynion is the Plural of " Englyn”, which is a four line epigram in verse.
[20] Bala was founded by Roger De Mortimer in 1310, and created a Free Borough by virtue of the Charter granted to it in 1324. The Charter of Bala is somewhat different from all other Welsh charters, inasmuch as it was given to the English inhabitants of Bala. The Mediaeval Boroughs of Snowdonia," by E. A. Lewis. Bala subsequently lost its Charter, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to revive it in 1858. Up to 1894, Bala formed part of the parish of Llanycil, but when created an urban district under the Local Government Act, 1894, it became a parish of its own. The Courts of Great Sessions were at one time held at Bala, but when abolished in 1830. their place was taken by the Assizes held at Dolgelley and Bala. In 1872, the Assizes were lost to Bala. The Courts of Quarter Sessions are still held there, alternately with Dolgelley. The population is 1395. (1931 Census).
[21] Geo. III.c.5
[22] M.Q.S.R. (Trinity), 1796
[23] This letter would thence be sent by mail to London
[24] Robert Lloyd of Cefncoed.
[25] The Right-Honourable William Windham
[26] Merioneth Gaol Files 4, Wales 304/3. P.R.O.
[27] The Bill of Indictment only shows Daniel Jones and John Daniel to have been fined, but it is clear from the Bills of Costs submitted for taxation that the other two also were fined.
[28] M.Q.S.R. (Easter), 1796
[29] M.Q.S.R. (Trinity), 1797.
[30] 37 Geo.III. c. 4. The total for the Army was 6,525, namely 5,764 in England and 761 in Wales. For the Navy 6,142, all in England. Total of men to be raised, 12,667
[31] M.Q.S.R. (Trinity), 1797. These particulars are taken from a Bill amounting to £8/10/2, presented by the Under Sheriff, Thomas Richards, to the County of Merioneth for his services
[32] ”Cofiant a Thraethodau Duwinyddol," y Parch. R. Thomas (Ap Vychan), Bala, dan olygiaeth y Parch. M. D. Jones a Mr. D. V. Thomas, 1882. 'I am indebted to Councillor Griffith Davies ("Gwyndaf"), Llanuwchllyn, for having referred me to this book. Inasmuch as there was no trial, there is nothing on the records to show whether there was any foundation in the allegations. The Militia Ballot was very unpopular throughout the country, and particularly amongst the labouring. classes, as the latter found the cost of finding substitutes and of paying fines for temporary exemption prohibitive
[33] M.R. W.O.17-1,038.- P.R.O
[34] The King's Warrant in respect, of the arms and ammunition dated 1st December, 1795, was for: Pikes, 2 Drums with sticks, 74 firelocks and bayonets, 74-Cartridge boxes and belts, and 74 Slings, with a proper supply of Ammunition, for the Volunteer Company at Towyn in. North Wales,, under the command of Captain Corbet." W.O. 551420.
[35] In the absence of Government regulations on the subject, the nature of the clothing worn by the Volunteer Corps and Associations at this time .seems to have depended upon the individual taste or fancy of the commanding officers. In general, the uniforms were blue or scarlet, with facings of different colours. Some chose to wear coats and hats; others jackets and caps, with the, appointments of the Fusilier regiment. Cecil Sebag-Montefiore, " History of the Volunteer Forces," page 216
[36] The Shropshire Militia, to. which Capt. Corbet was gazetted as Captain on 17th September, 1762.
[37] See P. 51
[38] Captain Corbet was evidently under a misapprehension as to the la w on this subject. The Toleration Act of 1689 legalised Conventicles subject to certain conditions- (?Inter alia) the registration of the meeting house and the lnsing of the Minister. The application for such registration and licensing was purely formal, and the Justices had no option but to grant it.
[39] "History of England," by George Macaulay Trevelyan. p. 567
[40] The markets were temporarily discontinued, no doubt because the farmers were apprehensive that, the corn might attract the rioters
[41] On the Thames. It was at this spot that one William Nicholls, a native of Barmouth, had one of his many successful encounters with the Press; Gangs to whom he was well known. On the last occasion when he was pressed, he was; placed in the bottom of a gig to be rowed to a warship lying in the Thames. When opposite Pickle Herring Stairs he managed to make a breach in the side of the gig, which he rapidly sank. Nicholls, who was a strong swimmer, struck for the shore, and safely landed, hiding in the cellar of a small inn kept by an old Welsh woman. He was described by a Naval Lieutenant as the bravest man he had ever met.
[42] In Montgomeryshire
[43] Mr. R. T. Jenkins, M.A., University College of' North Wales, tells me that on the whole the. Calvinistic Methodists, as distinct from the other. dissenters, were the special object of Captain Corbet's attention, and that he was on more secure ground taking action against them than against the others. Mr. Jenkins explains that whereas the latter registered their meeting. houses, the Calvinistic Methodists refrained from doing so, as the leaders were still hopeful that, there would be no, official severance from, the State Church. Mr. Jenkins also tells me that their failure to register was, however, speaking, generally, winked at until the French Revolutionary Wars, when the Justices took action
Several people were fined at Towyn between. 1795, and 1801 for suffering conventicle meetings to be held in their houses. (M.Q.S.R., 1795-1801).
[44] The Memorandum is not addressed to any person, but it was probably sent to the officials of his Department.
[45] Colonel. 24th Foot. 13th Decr., 1793, till death in 1807
[46] The Two Pounder. previously referred to on page 37
[47] Mutton of mature age was the " prime " article of the period to which this correspondence refers. At that time, and, indeed, until much more recently, mutton was not regarded as mature and as poss the right flavour and texture, before it was from five to seven years old. The taste for young mutton, and especially the taste for " lamb," which is so characteristic of the present time, is a comparatively modern development. Captain Corbet, as we know from other sources, was recognised as a progressive agriculturalist, who did not a little in his time for the improvement of agriculture in Merionethshire. I am indebted for the information to Professor C. Bryner Jones, C.B.E., Aberystwyth.
[48] No doubt it was the Deputy Clerk of the Peace, Edward Anwyl, who was present, as Richard Poole, the Clerk of the Peace, appears to have always acted through his Deputy, the reason for this being, no doubt, that he resided in Anglesey, and was Clerk of the Peace for that County also. Richard Poole was appointed Clerk of the Peace for Merioneth on the 2nd May, 1783, and was succeeded by his Deputy on the 4th October, 1799
[49] Captain Corbet, it is suggested, must have been referring to the Deputy Lieutenants, who, with the Lieutenant, were entrusted with the duty of putting the Militia Acts into operation. The first step in this direction was taken at the General Meeting of the Lieutenant and of the prescribed number of the Deputy Lieutenants. As a rule the Clerk of the Peace acted as the Clerk of this Meeting. Whilst the Lieutenant derived his authority by virtue of a Commission granted him by the King, the Deputy Lieutenants were appointed by the Lieutenant, subject to the names 'being approved of by the King.
[50] Merioneth Gaol File 4 Wales 204/3
[51] This is situated in Bryncrug, in the parish of Towyn
[52] A private in the Towyn Corps. (See pp.38-39
[53] M.Q.S.R. (Easter) 1800