1753. There was a great demonstration against the claim of the Corporation to levy tolls upon the goods of citizens, as well as upon those of strangers, during the time of the fair. Richard Holland, a leather-seller in Newgate Street, had in the preceding year refused the toll demanded on a roll of leather with which he had attempted to enter the fair, and on the leather being seized by the collector, had called a constable, and charged the impounder with theft. The squabble resulted in an action against the Corporation, which was not tried, however, until 1754, when the result was in favour of the citizens, and against the Corporation claims.
While the action was pending Holland’s cart was driven through the fair with a load of hay, and was not stopped by the collector of tolls. The horses’ heads were decorated with ribbons, and on the leaders forehead was a card, upon which the following doggerel lines were written in a bold hand:—
My master keeps me well, ’tis true,
And justly pays whatever is due;
Now plainly, not to mince the matter,
No toll he pays but with a halter.
On each side of the load of hay hung a halter, and a paper bearing the following announcement:—
The time is approaching, if not already come,
That all British subjects may freely pass on;