The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-30 00:00:00

THE NEW YORK THEATRICAL RIOTS.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

On Saturday, May 12, the coroner held an inquest
on the bodies of the men killed in this unfortunate affray ;
Caleb S. 'Woodhull, mayor of the city of New York, said,
I was informed that there was likely to be a disturbance in
the theatre in Astor-place on the evening of May 10. I sent
for the recorder and 1 gentlemen to meet at my office
at 11 o'clock. The recorder, the sheriff, the chief of justice,
G. W. Mansell, and Gen. Sanelford, the police justices, with
Mr. Niblo and Mr. Hackett, all came. I inquired f Mr.
Niblo, the proprietor of the theatre, whether they were
going to perform ttat night. He replied that they had put
out their bill, and proposed to do so. I then inquired of the
gentlemen present what the probabilities we re that there
would be a disturbance, and what would hkely be the extent
of it. Some of them said that they thought there would be
a disturbance. Conversation then pared, and the means to
be used to suppress any disturbance was talked of. I in-
quired of the chief of police whether the civil force
would be sufficient. He said that he thought it would
not. I then asked him if he thought the military would
be required. He steel that he dimwit it would. I
then put the question to each person individually, whether,
under the circumstances, an order should be issued ; they
all answered in the affirmative, except Gen. Sandford. Gen.
Sandford said that it was not his business to advise on the
subject, but to obey the order, if one was issued. The
order was issued, and delivered to Gen. Sandford's son.
The order was a general one. The number to be called
out was left to Gen. Sandford. Some con tion was had
between myself, Mr. Niblo, and Mr. Hackett, up in the sub-
ject of closing the theatre. I stated to Mr. Nible that, as a
magistrate, I bad no authority to interfere with his esta-
blishment, but my private wishes were that he should close
his theatre on that night. They seemed to think that
they ought not to close their theatre, bit that the magis-
tracy should protect them. Instructions were then given to
the Chief of Police and to Gen. Sandford to take such
measures as the case might require. About nine
o'clock I went to the Opera House, and saw
an immense multitude of people about the hotter,
both inside and out. I went into the building, making my
self known at the door. I inquired what was the state of
things, and what they were doing. The general's answer
was, that there was a large force outside, the windows and
the panels of the doors were broken in, the military were
outside, and it was stated that it was with great difficulty
the mob cou'd be kept out of the theatre. The chief stated
that it was doubtful if he cculd protect the home with the
force that he had, but that he would do the best he could,
and stated that his force were behaving well, and doing all
they could. After being in the house about 15 minutes,
General Hall came in and stated to me that unless I gave
orders to
,totie fire,t itt `sacral
rl; lit u
men would
see.'
dleave the
ground.
The
general said he Gal bees elands with Stang on his
head and on his body. There was blood running down
the left side of his face. The general said that
his men would not stand and be stoned to death
with arms is their hands. Finally he said to me, " Mayor,
you must give the order, or all my men will be killed." My
answer was, "General, wait a little." Nothing further
passed between us. He left me without the order. I did
not give the order. There was no proclamation read to the
people by me. I issued none, as I was not at the time sofa-
meetly informed of the precise state of facts as to deem it ne-
cessary. The means taken through the day were precau-
tionary. After a lapse of about twenty minutes I notified
some of the person; that I was going to the New York
Hotel. I think I told Judge Mountfort that I should re-
main at the hot 1 to receive any communication that they
should wish to make. I left, and went in company with my
brother to the New York Hotel. This was previous to the
firing by the military. I remained at the hotel, in company
with Governor Fish, until aout eleven o'cick, when the dis-
turbines apps red+ to be overb. I then weaot
home.
Gen. Seaford deposed as follows :—After readving the
mayor's orders, I crdered one regiment, the 7th, of infantry
to amiable at the artillery drill mom, and one troop of light
artillery with two 6p: and field pieces, to muster at the
arsenal. I directed a small detaehment of infantry to pro-
tect e pieces. The regiment when assembled, on account
of the en, r ness of the no;i:e, consisted of but little ever two
hundred men. The regiment is known to the citizens by the