On this day 191 years ago, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were sentenced to transportation to Australia for forming a trade union. The six agricultural labourers from the village of Tolpuddle in Dorset, England, led by George Loveless, had formed the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers during a labour dispute. Unions were legal, but the British government invoked an obscure 1797 law against "unlawful oaths" to suppress organized labor. The six were pardoned two years later after mass protests and returned to England. Most later emigrated to Canada. Started at the Subaru dealer, a short ride in crisp, cold dark, returning at dawn to sign in my Outback for a trip check before we drive Massachusetts and back over the next few weeks. Then another short ride home. If the car is ready, I'll ride back up there later today.