PREFACE

This book is the outcome of a suggestion made by my friend, Mr. E. Alfred Jones, Pwllheli, who at one, time had contemplated writing, an account of the, Welsh Volunteers raised during the Napoleonic Wars, but had to abandon the proposal owing to pressure of work.  

The book does not in any way pretend to deal with the history of the Volunteers nor with the many difficulties and problems that presented themselves to the Government in connection with their establishment and administration. These matters are very exhaustively dealt with in "County Lieutenancies" by the. Hon. J. W. Fortescue, and in "A History of the Volunteer Forces" by Cecil Sebag Montefiore, and I cannot too strongly emphasize the assistance I have derived from these books, without them my task would have been extremely difficult. The references therein contained to the Acts of Parliament governing the establishment of the Volunteer Force, and the Regulations and Orders made there under, directed me to several channels of information which would otherwise have escaped me. 

The work has involved a great deal of research, and the examination of a considerable number of records carried out at intervals spread over a period of years; at one time I despaired of ever being able to find time to piece the notes together. 

I am fully conscious of the many imperfections in the setting of the book, and realize that a great deal of it cannot appeal to the general public. I think, however, that some of the facts which I have discovered in the course of my researches, particularly those that throw light on the social, political and economic conditions in Merioneth during the Napoleonic, Wars, should be of interest to, the student, and that I should be lacking in duty if I failed to place them on permanent record. 

If similar researches were made in each County in Wales, a fairly good picture might be secured of the contribution made by the Principality at this period towards the common cause. Further, the researches might incidentally reveal much matter of interest concerning the history of each County during the same period, which might not otherwise become known.  

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr. A. S. White, the Assistant Librarian at the War Office, for valuable suggestions made by him when I was collecting- material for the book, and also Mr. W. Llewelyn Davies, M.A., the Librarian, National Library of Wales, and the staff at the Library, for ready assistance given me at all times. My thanks are also due to Mrs. Price, of Rhiwlas, for kindly permitting me to have a photograph taken of the painting of Lt. Col. R. W. Price, which hangs, in Rhiwlas, to Mr. H. W. Lloyd, of Bala, who kindly gave me the photograph of the presentation of the colours of the Merioneth Local Militia, and also to Capt. H. Oakes-Jones, M.B.E., F.S.A., for kindly drawing the coloured sketch of a "Private - Cader Idris, Edeyrnion and Penllyn Volunteers, 1803 - 1809"  

The Merioneth Local Militia must not be confused with the Merioneth Regiment of Militia. The latter Regiment has an ancient and interesting history, which is worthy of being chronicled. I trust this will be done whilst there are still living many people who can give valuable information concerning it. The Merioneth Regiment of Militia was inspected in 1684 at Bala, by the Duke of Beaufort, the Lord President of Wales and the Marches. In the words of the report of the inspection " they made several good volleyes, and His Grace saw to his satisfaction both ye horse and foot exercise." The Regiment volunteered for Ireland in 1708 at the time of the Irish Rebellion, and also for service abroad in 1809, when England sent help to the Spanish insurrectionist against Napoleon. The Regiment was stationed on the coast of Kent during part of the, Napoleonic Wars, and its Order Books for that period afford very interesting and instructive reading  

HUGH T. OWEN.

COUNTY OFFICES,

DOLGELLEY

July, 1934.