Tuesday, July 5, 2022

The Protest at the Establishment of The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 1810

© 13 June 2022, Peter J Williams

Since July 1803, Cornwall had been served by The Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser for news and advertising. It reflected the conservative, Tory and pro-royalist views of businessmen and landowners, and the views of the local Anglican clergy and gentry. In 1810, a rival newspaper, The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, was established by supporters of the liberal Whig Party to present an alternative view of events. The new publication favoured parliamentary reform and had the support of many Methodists1.

In June 1810, a prospectus for the new publication was circulated in Cornwall . The reception was strongly coloured by political leanings. It seems that the name of the new newspaper was to have as subtitle The Miners’ Journal. The conservatives in the Cornish mining industry, namely the owners, adventurers, captains, and agents, took exception to the proposed subtitle. Their protest was published in several editions of the Gazette:

Protest of the Miners of Cornwall.

We, the Miners of Cornwall, having seen the Plan, said to be proposed by Mr Edward BUDD, school-master in Truro, and acknowledged by him, for establishing a second Newspaper in this County, to be called the “West Briton, or Miners Journal”, &c which we think likely to implicate us in what he calls in his Prospectus “discussions of public measures and judgment on the conduct of public men”; and conceiving it probable, that we may be exhibited to the Nation and the Government, by this unauthorised use of our name, as men who participate in and approve of his principles:

DO SOLEMNLY PROTEST against this unwarrantable assumption; and Declare that we are determined, peaceably and firmly to support the KING, the LAWS, and the CONSTITUTION of our Country...

WE the undersigned, not wishing to interfere in any manner with politics, do hereby protest against the new paper intended to be published at Truro, being called the Miners’ Journal2

The statement of protest was followed by a list of subscribers, under the headings of “Lords & Adventurers” and “Agents and Managers on the Mines”. The editor of the Gazette added:

We have above inserted a list of the Lords Adventurers and Agents of Mines, who have signed the protest against Mr Budd’s intended Miner’s Journal, to which we might add a list of all the Miners, comprising about 5-6ths of the total within the county. We have omitted inserting this list, as it would be more than this Paper could contain.

Mr Budd brought a legal case against Mr T Flindell, the printer of the Gazette, which was heard early in July. An account of the case was printed in the Gazette , no doubt with a bias. Budd accused Flindell of “offences against the Act of 39 Geo. III c.79, s.27”, alleging that Flindell “had forfeited accumulated penalties to the amount of 10,000l” in relation to the printing of The Miners’ Protest. The Act referred to was entitled “Unlawful Societies Act (1799) 39 Geo. III, c. 79” and had as subtitle “An act for the more efficient suppression of societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes, and for better preventing treasonable and seditious practices” . Its main aim was to suppress republican opposition. Printers were closely regulated as one of the main problems in the Government’s view was that seditious pamphlets were widely circulated and untraceable. Anyone possessing printing equipment was required to register, while all printed items were required to carry the name and address of the printer on the titlepage or the final page, and printers were required to declare all items they had printed to magistrates and retain copies for inspection. Budd accused Flindell of not adhering to this legislation when Flindell published The Miners’ Protest pamphlet. Budd alleged that Flindell had vilified and libelled him and that damages should be awarded. One of the witnesses was a Gazette employee, involved in the printing of the pamphlet, who a week later resigned and took a position with the West Briton. Flindell was acquitted of the charge. The Gazette concluded “Thus ended an attempt to silence the voice of truth, honor, and Constitutional loyalty in Cornwall, by crushing The Cornwall Gazette and its propriety in one common ruin”. The Gazette reported that “The firm of Messrs Edward Budd and Co… have at last published their Prospectus, in the first number of The West Briton”. The “first number” was dated 20 July 1810.

Footnotes

1 Wikipedia, Unlawful Societies Act 1799, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unlawful_Societies_Act_1799 visited 13 June 2022; Wikiwand, Unlawful Societies Act 1799, https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Unlawful_Societies_Act_1799 visited 13 June 2022.

2 Royal Cornwall Gazette, 28 July 1810, page 4.


Source: Royal Cornwall Gazette, 30 June 1810, page 1.

Surname

Forenames

Suffix

Category

Notes

Parish

Mines

Banfield

Joseph

Lords & Adventurers

Barguanna

James

Lords & Adventurers

Batten

John

Lords & Adventurers

Bawden

William

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

West Wheal Fortune

Bennett

John

Lords & Adventurers

Bennett

Robert

Lords & Adventurers

Bennetts

Matthew

Agents & Managers

Redruth

North Downs

Bennetts

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Bevan

J W

Lords & Adventurers

Bevan

Morgan

Lords & Adventurers

Bevan

William

Lords & Adventurers

Bonds

Henry

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Druid

Borlase

Jas I

Lords & Adventurers

Bratt

Thomas

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

Penberthy Crofts

Bray

Alexander

Agents & Managers

Kenwyn

Keagbraws

Bray

John

Agents & Managers

St Agnes

Wheal Towan

Broad

J

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

West Wheal Fortune

Brown

John

Lords & Adventurers

Bucknell

John

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Jewell

Budge

John

Lords & Adventurers

Budge

Peter

Lords & Adventurers

Budge

William

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Wheal Fanny

Burall

Paul

Lords & Adventurers

Burall

Solomon

Lords & Adventurers

Burgess

William

Lords & Adventurers

Carne

William

Lords & Adventurers

Carne

Lords & Adventurers

with Michell & Trevenen

Chilcott

Gilbert Hele

Lords & Adventurers

Chilcott

J W

Lords & Adventurers

Clark

Henry

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Clark

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Cocke

Josias

Lords & Adventurers

Cocking

Joseph

Agents & Managers

Calstock

Gunnislake, Wheal Hingston

Daniell

R A

Lords & Adventurers

Davey

John

jun

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Davey

John

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Davey

John

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Davey

John

Lords & Adventurers

De Dunstanville

Lords & Adventurers

Lord

Dennis

John

jun

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Gorland

Dennis

John

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Gorland

Dillon

Robert

Lords & Adventurers

Dunstone

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Eddy

Stephen

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Consolidated

Eustice

Richard

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Eustick

George

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Falmouth

Lords & Adventurers

Lord

Faull

Giles

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Cranver

Fussell

John

Lords & Adventurers

Garby

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Clinton

Garland

Charles

Agents & Managers

St Agnes

Wheal Towan

Garland

Peter

Lords & Adventurers

Garland

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Illogan

United Hills

George

James

Lords & Adventurers

Glanville

John

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Wheal Abram

Glasson

William

Lords & Adventurers

Goldsworthy

Henry

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Trevenen

Goss

Samuel

Lords & Adventurers

Gregor

Francis

Lords & Adventurers

Gregory

William

Lords & Adventurers

Grose

Matt

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Grose

Samuel

jun

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Grose

Samuel

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Gundry

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Hale

William

Lords & Adventurers

Hancock

Samuel

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

Penberthy Crofts

Hancock

William

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Harris

Walter

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Balreeth

Harris

Walter

Lords & Adventurers

Harris

William

Lords & Adventurers

Harvey

Colan

Lords & Adventurers

Harvey

Henry

Lords & Adventurers

Harvey

Josiah

Lords & Adventurers

Hichens

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Hichens

Thomas

jun

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Consolidated

Hichens

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Hocking

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Hodge

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

James

Nicholas

Lords & Adventurers

James

William

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

West Wheal Fortune

Jelbert

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Jenkin

James

Lords & Adventurers

Jenkin

John

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

Penberthy Crofts

Jenkin

William

jun

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Jennings

Edward

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Cranver

Johns

William

Lords & Adventurers

Kitto

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Spinster

Lanyon

Tobias

Lords & Adventurers

Lean

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Lean

Lewis

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Lean

Lewis

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Trenoweth

Lean

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Wheal Abram

Mackenny

Daniel

Agents & Managers

Redruth

Wheal Pink

Mackenny

William

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Jewell

Malachy

Joseph

Agents & Managers

Calstock

Gunnislake, Wheal Hingston

Malachy

Robert

Agents & Managers

Calstock

Gunnislake, Wheal Hingston

Martin

Roger

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

Penberthy Crofts

Martyn

John

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Wheal Fanny

Martyn

Thomas

jun

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Damsel

Martyn

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Martyn

Tobias

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Trevenen

Martyn

Tobias

Lords & Adventurers

Michell

James

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Tresavean

Michell

James

Lords & Adventurers

Michell

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Michell

Lords & Adventurers

with Trevenen & Carne

Millett

Robert

Lords & Adventurers

Morcom

Jos

jun

Agents & Managers

St Agnes

Wheal Towan

Morcom

Jos

Agents & Managers

St Agnes

Wheal Towan

Nicholls

John

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Treskirby

Nicholls

Richard

jun

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Nicholls

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Nicholls

William

Agents & Managers

Redruth

Trefula

Pascoe

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Passingham

John

Lords & Adventurers

Paull

Alexander

Lords & Adventurers

Paull

Henry

Lords & Adventurers

Paull

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Paynter

John

Lords & Adventurers

Pellew

Israel

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Trevenen

Penberthy

Henry

Lords & Adventurers

Penberthy

John

Lords & Adventurers

Penberthy

Stephen

Lords & Adventurers

Penberthy

William

Lords & Adventurers

Penrose

John

Lords & Adventurers

Penrose

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Polkinghorne

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

Polkinghorne

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Treskirby

Pryce

Sam V

Lords & Adventurers

Quentrall

Richard

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Rashleigh

Charles

Lords & Adventurers

Reed

James

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Consolidated

Reed

John

Lords & Adventurers

Reed

Richard

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Balreeth

Reed

Thomas

 jun

Lords & Adventurers

Reed

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Retallack

William

Lords & Adventurers

Reynolds

George

Lords & Adventurers

Reynolds

Joseph

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Reynolds

Joseph

Lords & Adventurers

Reynolds

William

Lords & Adventurers

Rich

Thomas

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

West Wheal Fortune

Richards

Anthony

Lords & Adventurers

Richards

John

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Cranver

Richards

John

Agents & Managers

Gwinear

Relistian

Richards

Philip

Lords & Adventurers

Richards

William

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Richards

William

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Tin Croft

Richards

William

Lords & Adventurers

Ripper

Daniel

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

Penberthy Crofts

Roberts

Stephen

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Cranver

Roberts

William

Lords & Adventurers

Robins

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Rodd

Francis

Lords & Adventurers

Rodda

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Rogers

John

Lords & Adventurers

Rogers

Matthew

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Roscrow

John

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Treskirby

Roskilly

Peter

Agents & Managers

St Hilary

West Wheal Fortune

Rowe

John

Lords & Adventurers

Rowe

William

Agents & Managers

Gwinear

Relistian

Rule

Andrew

Agents & Managers

Feock

Carnon

Rule

Charles

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Damsel

Rule

John

jun

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Rule

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Rule

John

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Rule

John

Lords & Adventurers

Sampson

James

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Damsel

Sampson

John

Lords & Adventurers

Seller

William

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Sims

James

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Gorland

Sims

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Sims

William

jun

Agents & Managers

Engineer

Gwennap

Treskirby

Skews

Alexander

Lords & Adventurers

Skinner

Martin

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Jewell

Skinner

Richard

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Damsel

Skues

William

Lords & Adventurers

Smith

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Stevens

John

Lords & Adventurers

Stona

John

 jun

Lords & Adventurers

Stona

John

Lords & Adventurers

Symons

Richard

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Benner Downs

Teague

Edward

Lords & Adventurers

Teague

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Tin Croft

Teague

Thomas

Lords & Adventurers

Teague

William

Lords & Adventurers

2 of this name

Thomas

Charles

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Thomas

Charles

Lords & Adventurers

Thomas

James

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Thomas

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Thomas

John

Lords & Adventurers

Thomas

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Trevenen

Tippet

Edward

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Trebilcock

William

Agents & Managers

Feock

Carnon

Tredinnick

Richard

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Ann

Tregaskis

Richard

Agents & Managers

Redruth

Wheal St Aubyn

Tregoning

John

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Tregoning

John

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Nangiles

Tregoning

S

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Tremayne

H H

Lords & Adventurers

Trenery

John

Lords & Adventurers

Trevenen

Lords & Adventurers

with Michell & Carne

Treweek

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Consolidated

Tucker

John

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Tucker

John

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Wheal Abram

Tucker

John

Lords & Adventurers

Turill

William

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Trenoweth

Turner

James

Lords & Adventurers

Tyack

Emanuel

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Wheal Abram

Unwin

George

Lords & Adventurers

Uren

Simon

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Uren

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Wendron

Balreeth

Vivian

Andrew

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

Henry

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Vivian

Henry

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

James

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

John

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

Johnson

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Vivian

Johnson

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

Joseph

jun

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Druid

Vivian

Joseph

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Cook's Kitchen

Vivian

Joseph

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

Matthew

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Druid

Vivian

Nicholas

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Wheal Fanny

Vivian

Nicholas

Agents & Managers

Crowan

Cranver

Vivian

Nicholas

Lords & Adventurers

Vivian

William

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Wheal Fanny

Vyvyan

Vyell

Lords & Adventurers

West

Daniel

Agents & Managers

Illogan

Wheal Fanny

West

William

Agents & Managers

Camborne

Dolcoath, Camborne Vean, Roskear Adit, North Roskear

Williams

Charles

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Wheal Damsel

Williams

Edward

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

John

Agents & Managers

Redruth

North Downs

Williams

John

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

Mich

 jun

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

Michael

jun

Agents & Managers

Gwennap

Nangiles

Williams

Michael

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

Richard

Agents & Managers

Calstock

Gunnislake, Wheal Hingston

Williams

Richard

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

William

 jun

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

William

Lords & Adventurers

Williams

William Paul

Lords & Adventurers

Wood

Thomas

Agents & Managers

Phillack

Wheal Alfred

 

(c) 2022, Peter J Williams, Grad Dip Local & Applied History