1807.
The abolition of the slave trade, under the short Grenville ministry, must ever be remembered as the feature of this year. Lord Howick having brought in a bill for securing to all His Majesty’s subjects the privilege of serving in the army or navy without regard to religious opinions, the King’s “scruples” were aroused, and he called a new administration, with the Duke of Portland at its head, to his councils. They dissolved Parliament, and the elections were attended with great excitement. By means of the cry of “the Church in danger,” a remarkable reaction was effected, and the ministry found themselves commanding large majorities in the new House. One of the first acts of the new ministry was one which marked by how long an interval they were separated from the minister in whose steps they professed to follow. At the request of our merchants, whose ships were under various disadvantages from which those of neutral states were free, they issued Orders in Council that neutral vessels, whithersoever bound, should put into some port connected with England, and there obtain a license to continue their trade! A general suspension of American navigation and trade consequently took place, and these orders eventually led to the war with America in 1812. They contributed also in various ways to the depreciation of our bank paper, and their folly was thus terribly and speedily avenged upon ourselves. Consols averaged 63; wheat averaged 75s. 4d.
February 25—A woman, named Mary Davies, publicly whipped at Kidderminster by order of the magistrates, for embezzling a quantity of yarn.
April 2—Captain Bund appointed to the Colonelcy of the Worcestershire Militia, vice Colonel Charlton, deceased.
April 27—Mr. Robarts, member for Worcester, offered to erect a steam engine for supplying the city with water. The waterworks which have ever since been made to serve for that purpose, were erected in consequence of this generous offer.
May 1—Sir Thomas Winnington fell from his horse, near Bromyard, while accompanying Colonel Foley to his canvass in Herefordshire, and broke his leg.
June 23—A riot in Worcester between the mob and the military in barracks there, and several parties taken into custody. A recruit, for aiding and abetting the populace, was sentenced to receive 500 lashes!
June 28—A meeting of the Worcester glovers, with Mr. J. Knapp in the chair, to resist a combination of the “grounders, stoners, and white leather parers” to obtain an advance of wages. The names of fifty-six firms were appended to the resolutions—“John Dent and Son” standing sixth.
August 10—The North Worcester Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Villiers, assembled in a field near Bromsgrove, and were presented with a pair of colours by the Right Hon. Lady Beauchamp.
August 19—H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester visited Worcester, and proceeded to Witley Court. Next day, accompanied by Lord and Lady Foley, the Dean of Worcester, &c., he inspected the porcelain manufactory of Messrs. Barr, Flight, and Barr, and ordered a superb service.
September 23—The Prince of Wales, Duke of Sussex, and a large party of other nobility visited the Marchioness of Downshire at Ombersley Court. The Mayor and Justices of Worcester, with the Town Clerk and several of the Council, waited on H.R.H. there, and presented an address to him.
September 25—The Prince of Wales and a large party this day visited Worcester, were met by the Recorder, Earl of Coventry, and partook of a collation at the Town Hall. The streets were lined by the Worcester and Birmingham Volunteers. A visit was paid, and orders given, at both china manufactories. Messrs. Chamberlain and Co. appointed porcelain manufacturers to H.R.H.
Local Acts—For enclosure of lands at Aldington and Broughton Hackett.