The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-29 00:00:00

SERIOUS RIOT AT TAMWORTH.

The protectionists of tho Tamworth district of 1,
Staffordshire and Warwickshire dined at the Town-hall
yesterday. Mr. Woolfentan, a landed proprietor of in-
liuence, presided, and was supported by Lord Lewisham,
M.P., Mr. Spooner, M.P., Mr. Newdegate, M.P., Mr. 0,
G. F. Young, the candidate for Cambridgeshire, and other
gentlemen. Throughout the day, but especially from the
'moment the company assembled, the excitement of the mul-
titude assumed an alarming aspect. At nine o'clock in the
evening, amidst shouts and tumult, the mob, who had
assembled in large numbers without the ball, commenced
breaking the windows. In less than a quarter of
an hour every pane, and all the chandeliers, were
smashed to atoms. Enormous pebbles descended in
the hall amongst the company, who beat a speedy
retreat. As the farmers, armed with every weapon
with which they had hastily possessed themselves,
sallied from the hall, they encountered the mob. A hand-
to-band tight took place, and the protectionists took posses-
sion of the King's Arms. In a few minutes every window
there was dashed in, and the excited populace surrounded
the place. Severe fighting took place between the besieged
and besiegers, and at least twenty persons were led into
the hotel beaten in the most serious manner. From nine
to eleven o'clock the town remained in possession of the
mob, who every moment perpetrated new acts of vio-
lence. They beat every person who approached, and
at length took vehicles from the inn yard, and threw
them into the river. The scene became momen-
tarily more alarming. All the time not more than
one or two policemen had been seen. The mob
threatened to take possession of the hotel, in which were
some hundred and fifty people, unable to get away unless in
peril of their lives. In this position of affairs, the mayor
being absent from town, Captain Dyott, a caunty magis-
trate, wrote a hasty despatch to Birmingham fur the
tuili-
tary, but a difficulty presented itself in getting the IIICIA.Ifse
despatched from the hotel, and at the moment a message
arrived that the borough magistrates had sent fur military
aid. Only two of the borough police were to be seta, and
one of these was disabled by injuries received at an early
hour. Mr. Newdegatc, Mr. Persons, and Captain Dyott
; then proceeded to swear in special constables, and at half-
, past eleven o'clock this bu.ly proceeded to clear the streets,
' which the mob by this time had nearly des: Tied, and in an
hour the thoroughfares were pretty well cleared.
; and several prisoners, some of whom were severely
, treated by their captors, were brought into the hotel.
Toward; one this morning the town became quieter,
' and the aid of the military was coantermandisl. The pave-
ment is all torn up in the streets, and the farmer+ have
captured about twelve of the assailants, who arc in confine-
ment at the King's .trms. A large amount of damage has
, been done to the buildings of the town, but it is not sup-
! pos,,d, although many persons are severely hurt, that any
• life Lai been lost. At two o'clock this morning no attempt
• at a r:newal of the rioting was apprehended, although the
neighbourhood was in a state of great excitement.