Folios 132-133. A letter from the deputy post-master, [Eliza Pleden], Fordingbridge,...

Folios 132-133. A letter from the deputy post-master, [Eliza Pleden], Fordingbridge, [Hampshire], to Francis Freeling, General Post Office. She reports that a 'mob' of 300 entered the town on Tuesday after burning all the threshing machines along the eight miles of their approach and demanding to be given food at every house they passed. She continues that the crowd proceeded to a manufactory, about half a mile on, which they destroyed, leaving seventy to one hundred people without work.

She writes that the crowds continued through the surrounding areas destroying and demanding food, before returning to the town and extorting money from the unprepared inhabitants without any opposition. She notes that they continued in this way until they reached the house of Mr Eyre Coote, where they met opposition in the form of Mr Coote and his household. She reports that the ring-leaders and others were captured and imprisoned, and the events of the day prompted many magistrates and gentlemen into swearing in as special constables. She comments that the place is in a general state of confusion and excitement.