but he is not yet
come home (June, 1839), and he has not written to any one. (1848:
nothing heard of or from Warren James.")

The above disturbance shows that an unsettled state of feeling existed in
the minds of the foresters with regard to certain supposed rights of
free-common, and which prevailed also on other points, such as the nature
and extent of the coal-gales, and the fact that the various works were
fast passing from the hands of the native free miners into those of the
foreigners; all which grievances a mischievous periodical called 'The
Forester,' published at Newnham, set forth in an exaggerated and exciting
manner. Under such circumstances the Act of 1831 (1 and 2 Gul. IV., c.
12), authorizing the appointment of Commissioners to investigate such
complaints, was well timed. The Commissioners were instructed to
ascertain the boundaries of the Forest and the encroachments thereon; to
inquire into the rights and privileges claimed by free miners of the
hundred of St. Briavel's, the constitution, powers, jurisdiction, and
practice of the court held there, as well as respecting a court called
"the Mine Law Court," and to report on the expediency of parochializing
the Forest.

It appears from the annual Report of the Commissioners of Woods, &c.,
dated the 8th August, 1831, and signed by Lord Duncannon, Wm. Dacres
Adams, and Henry Dawkins, that no new works were commenced this year,
except the erection of a water-mill for grinding ochre, near Sowdley,
arising probably from the unsettled condition of the district. It
states, however, that the Crown had created an endowment of 30 pounds per
annum towards keeping the three existing churches of the Forest in
repair, the congregations using them being considered too poor to do so.

On the 21st January, 1832, the following gentlemen were appointed to act
as Commissioners of Inquiry under the late Act:--

Robert Gordon, Esq., M.P., Kemble.
Ebenezer Ludlow, Esq., Serjeant at Law.
Charles Bathurst, Esq., Lydney Park.
Edward Machen, Esq., Whitemead Park.
Henry Clifford, Esq., Over Ross, Herefordshire.
_Clerk_, Thomas Graham, Esq., Mitre Court, Temple.
_Surveyor_, Mr. John Hosmer.

They held most of their sittings at the Bear Inn, in Newnham, although
they also sat occasionally at Coleford, the Speech House, St. Briavel's,
and Westbury. They were thus occupied most of the days in the months of
February, March, April, and September, in hearin