Northampton Mercury - Transcript of a letter to the editor about the term 'swing' in Captain Swing's signature (1830).

Transcript of Letter ambiguously signed by W.R. outlining ideas on the significance of the term ‘swing’ in Captain Swing’s signature. ‘… the leader calls out swing and the whole party proceeds with cutting down the grass. The definition of the word ‘swing’ may, therefore, be considered as ‘one an all’ or one and all have agreed to cut you down’. Captain Swing letters were threatening letters sent to landowners and farmers using agricultural machinery.