FOOD RIOTS AT ETRURIA. 291 



manufactory,* and the cargo was intended to have been 

 there delivered for consumption in the Potteries ; but by a 

 sudden determination of the owners, the boat was directed 

 to proceed forward to Manchester. Information was given 

 by some parties to the provision dealers in Hanley and 

 Shelton, and by them to their anxious customers ; the 

 people were led to believe that a design was formed further 

 to enhance the scarcity and price. A large number of them 

 collected together, and hastened down to Etruria, deter- 

 mined to arrest the progress of the boat ; but before they 

 got there she had proceeded onward towards her destination. 

 They followed and overtook her at Longport, where they 

 seized her, and brought her back to Etruria. They then 

 took out the flour and cheese, and sold it at a reduced price, 

 paying over the proceeds, however, to the master of the 

 boat. A second boat laden with provisions, which had 

 come up to the locks, was also seized by them, and the 

 cargo disposed of in like manner. There was then stationed 

 at Newcastle a company of the Welsh Fusileers, which, 

 with a detachment of Staffordshire militia, under the 

 command of Major Sneyd, who happened to be at Keel at 

 the time, were marched to Etruria during these riotous 

 proceedings in order to quell them. The Major, with much 

 humanity, harangued the mob on the wickedness and 

 danger of their conduct ; but they had become daring and 

 insolent. Two magistrates were on the spot; the riot act 

 was read; and, at the end of an hour's grace, the Major 

 was under the necessity of proceeding to disperse them by 

 force. On the order being given to the military to charge, 

 the rioters fled in all directions; two of them, who had 

 been noticed as their leaders or most daring abettors, were 

 immediately afterwards arrested, and committed to Stafford 

 gaol for trial. Their names were Stephen Barlow and 

 Joseph Boulton, and they were charged with the capital 



* Wedgwood's works at Etruria, the wharf being on the canal already 

 at some length spoken of, and which had not long previously been 

 opened. 



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