lawless riotings in South
Wales[44] to go on with success and impunity a great deal too long.
When such things begin nobody can say how far they will go or how
much they will spread. There are many who expect and predict a general
rising against property, and this is invariably the way in which such
things begin.

[Footnote 44: The agitation against the turnpike system which
had broken out in South Wales. _See_ Introductory Note, p.
450. (to Ch. XII)]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd June 1843._

The Queen returns these communications to Sir James Graham, which are
of a very unpleasant nature. The Queen trusts that measures of the
greatest severity will be taken, as well to suppress the revolutionary
spirit as to bring the culprits[45] to immediate trial and punishment.
The Queen thinks this of the greatest importance with respect to the
effect it may have in Ireland, likewise as proving that the Government
is willing to show great forbearance, and to trust to the good sense
of the people; but that if outrages are committed and it is called
upon to act, it is not to be trifled with, but will visit wrong-doers
with the utmost severity.

[Footnote 45: _I.e._, the Rebecca rioters.]

[Pageheading: MILITARY MEDALS]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th June 1843._

The Queen follows Lord Stanley's recommendation to confer the G.C.B.
on Sir Charles Napier with great pleasure, from her high opinion of
his late achievements, and she thinks it might be advisable that some
of the officers who most contributed to the victories of Meeanee and
Hyderabad[46] should receive lower grades of the Bath. The Queen is
much _impressed with the propriety_ of a medal being given to the
troops who fought under Sir Charles Napier, as the armies under Nott,
Pollock, and Sale received such distinctions for actions hardly equal
to those in Scinde.

[Footnote 46: See _ante_, p. 481. (Ch. XII, 5th June, 1843)]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _24th June 1843._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
the report received from Carmarthen this morning. The Earl of Cawdor
went to Carmarthen this morning.[47]

Every effort will be made to trace this lawless outbreak to its
source, and to bring the principal offenders to justice.

Sir James Graham encloses two Police Reports, which have been recei