The Statesman. — London, England, 1810-04-09 00:00:00

1 • 4 t • g . 4 f • • • 11 1 4 1 0 I 0 t ; ' •* . I SIR FR4XCIS BURDETT,B.4RT. The following are the most detailed accounts we base been able to peocero of the disturbances oc. casionvd by the rigour of the present Adminis traion, in addition to those we published on Sa tia May :-- At the rising of the House of Commons, on Friday, instructions were given to the Earl of Mulct, the Constable of the Tower, to prepare fee the reception of Sir FRANCIS BURDWIT., So early as half.past eight o'clock in the morning, 3 pieces of artillery were taken from the ramparts, aril placed opposite the gate ; the ditches that stir. round the Tower were filled with water. All the. yeomen, in their full dress, were at their respec tive posts, and a double guard was placed on the outside. The Tower Hamlets Militia received orders to be in readiness, and a brigade of artil. iery, which was to have marched to Woolwich, was ordered to remain; and no stranger was suf. fered to enter the Tower, who could not give a satisfactory account of himself and his business.— Even after admission at the outer gate, he was questioned by the centinel in every quarter through which he had to pass. At ten o'clock the Earl of Noma arrived, on horseback, attended by a Fingl• groom, and alighted at the Governor's house. The people now began to assemble in great numbers, anticipating the approach of Sir FRANCIS &item. Some surrounded the Tower gates, and tilled- the imatediate amities, on the land.,ide; where, notwithstanding the rain and idly cold, the continued to accumulate, to the ftinount of several thousands, and remained .until night-fall. In the course of the day, the LORD Al A Toll, it was said, sent a note to the SECRETA.Y Of STATE, requesting that Sir FRANCIS might not be sent through the City, as ho . was apprehensive some violation of tha public peace. Many, `therefore, concluded, that he would be conveyed down the •river, to the Tower, as a safer way, laud better calculated to avoid all tumult. These, in Brest number, lined the banks of the Thames, and the wharfs in the vicinity, .where they conti timed until a late hour. At five o'clock, a dragoon arrived with an express to Lord Motaa, and was conducted to the Governor's house ; and, about six, his Lordship went away. An opinion then be • gio to prevail, that the Baronet was not coming either by land or by water. Orders.were given to let all strangers out, and to admit none upon any account. 'Great bustle and confusion ensued, • while those of the crowd, who were anxious •to reach home and refresh themselves after their ' fatigue and disappointment, pressed through those who still lingered behind. The apartinents in. tentlnl for Sir FHA NCIS BURDETT adjoin the Go. vernor's house. They were completely prepared for his reception at an early hour. While those scenes were passing in the East, the West present. ed a not his interesting spectacle. At an early .bonr the following placard was posted all over Westminster : " BURDETT—WESTMINSTER." 66 A Reynisition is signing fur a Public Meeting I R' of the Electors of the City and Liberties of “ Westminster, to adopt such measures a's may •4 be expedient, in consequence , of the House of " Commons having deprived us of one of our 66 representatives." , Al:every conspicuous and prominent corner,• groupes of people were seen during the whole day reading this placard. But it was in the street, in the front of the Baronet's house, in Piccadilly, that the greatest anxiety and agitation prevailed, and bustle and confusion held their Feign. Duringl the whole of the day it was filled by a crowd of people, some of them wearing purple ribbons, tjle Baronet's colours, and all shouting and hex naing. At the approach of a carriage or horse man, they took olf their hats, and waving them over their heads, with shouts of 44 hum fur Sir r. Bun- Bs:Tr!". invited the passengers to joist in their ac clamations. Thousands obeyed the .call, but some who refused were pelted with mud, and as sailed with hooting and hissing. Several private carriages, which attempted to pass without notic. ing the crowd, had their windows broken ; and several Gentlemen received a plentiful supply of mud. Among them was one, who received a blow full on the fate. lie galloped off, holding his rose in his hand. A. hackney-coachman also, who happened (o bo a little tardy in obeying the order to ham for Sir FRANCIS, coca after he had taken off his hat, and joined in chorus, Was in closely assailed on all sides, that his head was literally covered with mud. The populace con. tinutd to amuse themselves in this manner in Pic. cadilly, until a late hour in the evening, without 31)3nifesting any dispbsition to riot, or -proceed ing to serious acts of violence, contenting them. sclvcs with demolishing the windows of some ob. a►axious characters. Three squadrons, of 'bowl 100 men each, scoured, the streets amid fre.queashe-peru. lace during the whole of tho night. A great many small parties, of from tbree to six men each, also remained on duty is the streets ; but at two o'clock yesterday morning the populace had nearly dis. pursed, vnisl only a few groapes , were any where to be seen. The scenes which were yesterday presented to our view, gave additional reasons to apprehend the most serious consequences. At an tally hour a crowd began to assemble in the front of Sir reANcts BuuDETT's house, Piccadilly, and by 10 o'clock there was pot less than three or four thousand persons collected, who had re- . , course to the same conduct as on the preceding slay, pelting with mud those on- horseback, the drivers of coaches, carts, or waggons, who did not take off their hats on passing the house of Sir Faartcrs. The Honourable baronet rode out on horseback in the morning, and returned to his huuse about twetve, when lie was greeted with 'enthusiastic shouts of applause and re. spect, shortly after which a troop of the IfOrse Guards arrived, attended by their Colonel, jet coloured clothes, and Mr. REA', the Magistrate, together with a considerable body of ;he civil forces. Their appearance . excited the wast alapnins *mot, Grow ; hoZtOta ) 11110413 HE STATESMAN. - . •. and every exclamation of contempt'and indigua. doe were thundered forth from all (planers. These expressions were succeeded by more dangerous symptoms, and showers of stones were hurle' at the guards with vengeful fury from the populace, whose irritation seemed to increase every moment. The soldiers were frequently struck, and so daring were many of the most prominent in the disturb. anci,that they threw dirt in the faces of Colonel O'Lououti sr and Mr. READ, although within a few paces of the guards, added to which, they taunted them by the most galling and insulting language. About one o'clock thecommution was so tre mendaus, that Mr. 'LEAD deemed it necessary to read the Riot Act, which he did in an audible voice, amidst the hisses and groans of an immense 1 concourse. Having fittislibd , he warned them to cease their tumult, or he should be under the pain. ful necessity of proceeding to unpleasant extremi ties. This was only productive of more violent conduct; he was defied to put his threats in execu. tion ; the people suapt their fingers at him; and, in fact, behaved in the most determined manner. — A messenger was then dispatched to the Palace, and in a few minutes two hundred of the fookguards arrived upon the spot, and drew up in the front of Sir Fnascls BURDETT'S house, where they ordered anus, but remained with their bayoaets fixed, oath man beittg provided with his box full of ball cartridges. The Officers of these men met with the same fate as those of the horse-guards, and %Vero well pelted with mid.— ' This was borne with patience for a considerable time, tilt the approach of a large detachment of ' horse from Knightsbridge barracks, when orders were issued to diSperse the multitude. Instantly the horse-guards galloped amongst the wows!, and drove them up and down Piccadilly, and into the adjoining streets, leaving an open space in tie:front . of Sir FRANCIS BURDETT'S house, which they kept clear for the remainder of the afternoon,not suffering any person to stand still fur a moment. The foot_ soldiers were likewise seat into the Greett.park , and dispersed some hundreds of persons who were assem bled there, in like manner. In • two or three in stances, where resistanee was made, some slight wet nds were given: The numbers of the people I were not, however, diMinished; they still kept walking to and fro, using the most opprobrious. epithets to the officers and soldiers, and cries of ' " the Piccadilly Expedition" resounded from all quarters. with exclamations of " Have you not murdtred enough at Walcheren ? Are the Peo., ple now to be sacrificed to your baseness ? Are the citizens of Loudon to fall the victims of tyranny ?I Are impotent Ministers to erect the standard of despotism on the shoulders of. Englishmen borne down and bearbbroken by a succession of the most hOrrid calamities and unprecedented oppres. 1 sign ?" " Let Eitglishmen defend their Rights and the Constitution of their Country '," " Support Sir VIIANCIS pLIRDEW,"&e, • ' . - 1 'During this alarmiug scene, Lady Bustuerr was' frequently seen at the windows, wringing her bands in the greatest agony of mind, whilst the Hon. Baronet remained in the parlour, .iss Company of Lord COCHRANE ) Mr. WHITBREAD, Me. WAR. DLE ) Lord Fozeesrots; and several other friends, who, as they occationally appeared at the win. 1 slows, were cheered - with general sttisfadion. While this tumeltiimus scene was acting at tho ' West end of the town, a more calm but not less interesting one was to be viewed in the City. About.. three o'clock ! Tower-hill began to be crowded by the old and young, by the women of well as the men, anti . a sullen gloomy silence, . the silence of revenge, pervaded the whole. Grouped of people were to . be seen• here and there through the city, whose countettauces betrayed the utmost anxiety of thought, and the greatest feeling of indignation.— The booksellers' shops were hung with placards of Sir Francis Burdett's Letter; and ; pamphlet of Magna Charta; and the high and the low, the merchant and the eoal.porter went in crowds to purchase them. The walls through the city and about the Tower were chalked with 66 Burdett fur ever!"-"'"' Britons, protect Burdett!" 4c.. Early yesterday morning, the Serjeant at Arms, ' attended by two Messengers, went to Wimbledon, ender an impression that the Hon. Baronet might be . there, but they returned disappointed in the forenoon to Piccadilly, where they had an inter. slew with the Baronet, who declared THAT AS HE DID NOT THINK THE VVARRANT OF 'LIE SPEAKER LEGAL, HE DID NOT FEEL HIMSELF BOUND TO ABIDE BY ITS DICTATES, AND SHOULD NOT, THEREFORE, OBEY . IT. At the close of day the greatest possible cons. motion prevailed. Thousands of an upended and aggravated people poured towards the residence of their champion, anxious .to kisew his fate, and the result of this last act of oppression against themselves. The appearance of the populace, with their general demeanour and exasperated ex. prevaions, now created the utmost alarm, each avenue leadiug tosevala. the scene of Action was evvrivelett to. WTI Imultllle degive : I- Mr Most in. flammatory exclamations were heard, and every thing bore the appearance of an approach. ing dreadful conflict. Some stones were now thrown, and the Riot Act was read here. This, however, was a mere form, as it was impossible to hear it amidst the general con. fusion ; it acted, however, as a signal for mi. litary execution, and in a few moments the Horse Guards charged with the most inhuman via, lence an 'seamed and unresieting people, amongst whom were several females, drawti thither either by i curiosity or bissioess. The most agonizing shricki were heard from ell directions, and those who were' able made their escape down the cogrts and tedjoin. ing streets ; here, however, they werinot safe, as they were pursued by the soldiery, who seemed too anxious inahe pursuit, and wereapparently actuated by a wanton desire of shedding human blood, and trampling on the innocent and enotrensling apecta. ton. This conduct created pew causes for c4at peratioe, and the moment the laqrsemen retired to Piccadilly, the crowd followed them wit# revil. ings sad eseeretions. Some large' fragments of sags Which were ((nod ;bout ate. street, were thrown, iptil several of the horsemeu were felled to the grossitd. Every ten minutes, the Guards concestrak4 ark forces ; 04110 in the mot 14- - -r times manner, and bore down hundreds d per. song who could not 'escape the irresistible shock ; and those who, from an impulse of fear, ran un der dour.ways to avoid the danger, were cut down without merry. Several persons were wounded, we fear, mortally; one man • had his bead nearly severed from _his body, sad. the number of those who received slighter wounds is incalculable. The fifteenth Light Dragoons were stationed in Ilatiover.square; one troop was upon active duty, scouring the street,' while the other remained in readiness to adopt such proceed ings as circumstances might warrant. Several pieces of cannon were stationed in the vicinity of Sir F. BottIATTIS house, and a party of the Guards remained under arms in Stratton-street the whole eight. About 10 o'clock, a Gentleman passing the top of Dover-street, on being struck at by u dragoon, drew a pistol from his pocket, and shot him through the neck. He fell froth his horse, but we understand he is not dead. Another dragoon was shot through the thigh, by a random discharge from the populace. At 11, the Horse Guards fired several straggling shuts, but wo did nut heer that any serious' consequeuces ensued. We 'were at first led to hope this measure was merely adopted to intimidate the people; but we were afterwards convinced the intent was more horrid, as we obi-I served marks where balls had penetrated the shut. ters of the shops in Piccadilly, Jermyn-street, kos in the direction where crowds had 199:en asseinbledi ' These scones continued with unabated fervour On. tit two:o'clock in the morning, when the popu. lace dispersed in different directions, beaded, in some instances, by men playing various musical instruments, and proclaiming with Stentorian voices the praises of their favourite. Yesterday morning, at an early hour, the can. non were withdrawn ; but day had scarcely dawned when individuals of all classes of society were. seen approaching Piccadilly, many wear. ing blue cockades, streamers, and fay.uura, and , all joining occasionally In enthusiastic .shouts of " Burdett for ever'." " Liberty or Death !" " Doran with the Ministry !" " 77se,inte rests of the Grown, but no innovation on our Rights," &c. They conducted themselves, how. ever, in tho most pacific manner, and did ascot stem inclined to commit any .rash or violent act. Opposite the. House of Sir Francis they assembled in vast numbers; but weresintereupted by the Horse. Guards, two troops of whom paraded backwards and forward between Stratton. street and Bolton-street, whose jaded appearance too plainly told their unwarrantable activity on the preceding night, aqd the blades . of whose swords were stained with the blood of injured and innocent Britons. They were regarded with hor ror and detestation, and their countenance's bore ample testimony to the stings of conscience which gnawed their obdurate hearts, when in the light of day they faced those men, who, but for the pro. section of Divine Providence, they had deprived of existence with uhiustifiablo l / 4 crueity. Soon after the arrival of the populece, the usual expedient of forcing's respectful attention to the house of Sir FIIA rim BIIRDirt was had recourse to, and every horseman, carriage, or other vehicle. that passed was forced to mists as they passed, or be eevered With a shower of mud and filth, which flew about in great abundance. From !waive o'clock till dusk, the same continued with unre. mitting exertion, while the concourse of people was so great as almost to preclude ,the nossibility of passing. The Green Park was else thronged by the more timid spectators, and . numerous groupes of fashionable females were observed promenading on 46 further side of the Canal from Piccadilly, a party of Guards being stationed so as to prevent a nearer approach t o the railings. Its the forenoon the following letter was sent by Sir FitAlliCli BUCDETT to the Sheriffs " GENTLEM EN, " Its furtherance of an attempt to deprive me " of my liberty, under theauthority of an insti,. 4( meat which I know to bi illegal, viz. a Warrant " by the SPEAKER of the house of Commons, my " house is, at this moment, beset by a Military 46 Force. ." As I am determined never to yield a volun. 6 6 Wry obedience to an act contrary to the Laws, I " am resolved to resist the execution of such aWar. " rant by all legal means itt my power; and as " you are the Constitutional Officers appointed " to protect the Inhabitants of your Bailiwick "‘ from violence and oppretsion, (rota whatever " quarter they may come, I make this requisition " to you, Gentlemen, to furnish me with • your " aid with which the Laws have provided you, " either by calling out Ilse Passe 091iialus, or " such other ts the case and ciivioNsigas may " require. "It is for you Consider, how- , far you may 6 ' be liable, should I, by an unlawful force, act. " ing under an unlawful authority, he talon from " my house. " I have the honour to be, " Gentlemen, " Your very obedient humble Servant, (Signed) " FRANCIS BURNETT. " Piccadilly, April 7, 1810. " To Malawi, Wood and John Atkins: Egln• " Sheriffs of Middlesex." In consequence of which the Guards were with. drawn from the immediate vicinity of his 'residence, and the space occupied by the (it'll power. The Horse Guards, however, still continued parading Piccadilly., and lite h u uncult-proceeded. with .ustabat. ink viuleuce. The Messeil4cre ttf't a Illinats al Commons (Ten; stationed 'act the front and . 144 (lours of Str Francis's house, the M huly of the day. On•the approach of (light the distarbanCe• becaine still snore serious, and reinforcements uf the dragoons approached i fout . guerds were ,Its. (*tuned at every ten yirds, anti tint peqpha were kept in continual motion, and not surered to stind still for a moment. A storm of • rnin thioncd the crowd cousiderably, and by sevin O'clock the i k ungtjggg I mp euniparatlvely slu U. Thcir 014, . • , • ._, ~, position to riot was not, , ist proportion, aid their taunting !enrage wee uttered strength, till at length sonic charges tie cavalry, and they were dispersed, Our example already 'befirro tt tt ''wn without mercy. In their, 4 i ll -street, 3 ermyn-street, and i tigfrnm Piccadilly, they broke [ Anguished the lights, and at 1 [ darkness was so iiitense, that possible to avoid running unde In some charges that were site St. James's church, two wouinled by the sabres of the some shots were also fired. Al tude was completely dispersed, to the continuance of a very the must solemn stillness presto but the clanking of the cavalr . If three persons were seen standi were immediately attacked, tied from the edge of the sword, whi very little compunction. Ever , noted a cessatiou of hostilities' The Serjeant ut Arms and, established their head quartets Coffee-house, and it was 'elicited in agitation fair an attack oe t, ronet's houte lastwitightt` 'The is regular watches', aeil' every possible has been made for a coup de ). accomplished. -The honourable Self adopted the Wisest precAM of his person, and barred all hi not opened but in the most . g those doors, which in the eveth would appear but a cobweb, it constituttonal attack are an intl. The worthy Baronet was I.esterti4 visited Lord Ctiebrane, 4 t.tptain Ile,'N, - .re, Lord J' stone, Mr.. IVarille, :Wit . a. s a friends ; he was in the highest st solved to persevere in his ardsk struggle. for the Rights and Liberties tryntsin, with unceasing perseverato 'Sevvral engines passed to• of -the Town front the City, heard - of any fire. Zito Iquses in Piccadilly, Pond. square, the. were 411 alurniikatcd. A. writer, in a respectable' i says—As a brvelt of the Legi say, as a Council, the Douse necessarily be independent in . conclusions. It must have therefore wit;.,._, necessary to ensure thiA ledepteilede•—utir* h e enabled to protect itself eqge . ‘'‘e People and from the Cross n---must not the Crown, nor overawed tl• not be questioned as far as respects end proceediegs by a. Court of J' ed, insulted, and harassed 11 a' general coustitutinnal ground Rights, that is tit say, whatever directly n,cesietry to tha due r of its duties nitlti.Council atilt , That; front tire tame reefing, .dopendesecandronstltetionefdigoi it is one of the main Privilegetof tbo Neese shalt hold these rirl as Prisileges„ anti not as mere' of the king, is. Prerogative; . I ammo, is Pliviteg.. Privilege . ' be an esemptim from general principles, granted front the . to the peculiar constitution of dual, nr a hely. The consti of it ii in thi necessity of it; ed il generality, it .is limited sity which gives it birth. .. . It is one of the chief rit these the Reuse itself is the Anise'', leges.l The Constitution citniiet abovek the Commons without ' 'the dignity and independence • The Commons is (toe of the 031 state—ft 14 co-ortlina:e . ____ .Prose the necessity of the cas h' , therefore, no superior, being itself a Stow s me Power, Commons Inuit Ise their oven Judge—the "epee to their own conscience, to their n - q legal '' meat. Like individuals in.a state of Lions with respect lo each other, the necessity of the case, cause, may preventively. assert, and remedially avenge them. In this judiciary capacity however, they are out left ini tion ; 'they have a rule , to ji Judges, and are put upon consequently [net upon their rt i have to declare and. net to create privi rule and limit of their judgment is in t . .. tuition of their couittor 4 ab. AMAX Terliiithefictii The . bait itt ors- -.4 under liteldr dors, or undo!. the Stuarts—l 'he Letttitiv tidbits was settled after the ' 1 ... `--aud when the Mar (ion was (pia. It cutnes then to be the only' there was any necessity in the subject of his trial by Ju _ the great authorities Utre against In the solemn argument made Cotnnutise at a cotqference concerning the I.!,erty of the person luau, which was managed . by Sir P . as Speaker, wide known . 6 ' end that no scruples 11414 66 OWN breast, tinsatiefied that 6 ' upon a full. *cluck and .clear ' 4 all things pNitineqt to tunlisty . Thai. Po '‘ cuonsAttif, or detained in 1 $ restrained by the comma:Os $' Pri*,s'l)oUtteil, Cr 01 1 omi t il $' dalstr*r, sir r,-straint, b 46 LJr'futi:', '° ho uneit to ho cUunnittud, 44 or rvatt.thiesi." was "the iloclacall ou 6 ' l 19 Oho 1104. e .4 : CoMaW I I4 I‘llo 4661g1it10 lies of Ihe ite;ttilk. The cite of Drake, is IWO " giat it WI rileVC4 !n„ a s rziesill.hs *, ikinß h p o eirsed wove , r: ffea d b i e nt elii i n s it i r s c h el i cesitt exclaatatiobs) Mid d ' ° ‘ red 'with rt g l ovated blew lulu went sod, . phl them, t • retreat down Wind, P set all the streets t au t (ere ,v the lanint and ea. ' he eleven u'efuck, t roe hat it was seu ct l y der the borate' tee s' 3ll Made nearly o p r „ . imt were seva t l t soldiery, by 0, 04 , ,br !fit twelve, the,tinuti.,' be P owing, Probably .• At heavy p of rain - monk), and mind; Ivy was to trz heard, tv togethe t , t y,, th and were gla Ito e v 14 " ; • which was iiked mite ..1 rery appear ance d r . sin is fur the night. 1. his assistants lisre' c " .1 at the Glonew,„..", ' iceed some plot w, l aw thb Ileneersble Bs. Sir 'se ti.•ssensers te oubt possible a reas gessit 4 re mein. if it c a ,, b e yeti rabic 13areant tiutis for the defence; • wh his doors, which %,:i; guarded manner , k W' 'e I relit of a legal attstk,:' 4 1 , in the present now& impenetrable burnt. 111 yesterday_ visited b f , %swam, Lord Felts. numerous circle t spirits, nod was 1 4 arduous but &oriole ( Aberties of his Cosa.: :Verallee. ' .wards the West - sod . ' y, but we have ea • ,lond.street,traisonsr 01 .tcd. paper of yesterday, e.islature that is In Ise of Commons tome a n its discussions and, therefore whatever is Jependenelt—umst he ally front the People not be controuted by by the People —must espects its discustionS of Justice, nor ittmed. r **mob. Such lithe . - d of its arltermeelerf !yer ti" elsontially Kid re tied eficieot esoscisk. la, a Court. . • Otsp, • the aticasiiti ist• I:r~iitaity gf the koala, les of this BelflL - 4iv4e rtirliainent4ty aiott ec itigh4 4t i rk Rl4 • the Ri 01' thel.na ilege - niay he defined to sal law and geact4 nesossity of the *Me of a-particular . Itifittlestal fulleriek4, • • tid I at d, sbrOrtt d by the vino ea.: 05 .• OAS ige`of its ovro isiniet pet arlY,Peeet oat •so fat infintirt4 :e of the Vommort!•• — : Branches of the ire•- with the other tie. - ISt, therefore, having Supreme Power, the joggo—the ipp!el ri their Own legal .104- state of nature,' or ero other, they are, ( run' Judges in their owa rt their awn privilegra, II in their own cairn', merely to their tliKrc. judge by ; titefsti. 44 . - their judgment, ta d, air were 'MIL create privireffL-• mcnt is in 4114+50 1 5 1 * 640 4' 10. ,1101.1glir „, ts--nut under the 'ii -but when the Conti' Bill of Bights aad the • Ouch of the GOMM' whether only curebriefit this ease lotdOPTive l g try ? .1114 O tiR trir all lost peOCINIFIt ide by ,the T. ith the llumse oile r, o person of every vela Corrow7bel . • tto them, 4c t o 114 ottit • rem" its a:f that the Cesersole clear andergeellbS the questiess to (reunion oeg)k ter in ioiti4rhttiillsronoss nnte+M flew ...1 so of the liingr w the 3 eiitlinlittedt Lc.. ;co t qs ;14104.•'.1 "" • Pir I►