The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-06 00:00:00

THE RIOTS AT NORWICH.

(From the Noisridt Mercury.]
During the last few years. while the manufactures of the city
have been in great and constantly increasing demand, the masters
have been necessitated, notwitastantling the vast emigrations
that have taken place from the country to the city, to send a
large quantity of work into the country, where it has been ma-
nufactured. Great jealousy has existed for mime time past between
the city and country weavers, not only on this account. but because
it was generally reportetl, and as generally believed, that the wage,'
were much less. The almost entire want of employment pervading
the weaving imputation has tamed the attention of the weavers to
this point. The consequence has been, that on Tueaday, evening
aheut seven o'clock, having some suspicion, from seeing the Fon-
cett carrier's cart standing against the warehouse of Mr. Wright, a
manufaetuter's on Elm Hill, that he was about to send off some
work to the country, the carrier was watched, and seen to enter the
warehouse with goods. but on hie coming out it was discovered
that he was about to carry away a quantity of work.
The weavers, who were assembled in a large body near the spot,
drove away the cart, and after taking out the horse, completely des-
troved it. They then as directly broke the windows in Mr.
NViight's factory.
On Wednesday morning a large body of weavers proceeded to al-
most all the public-houses from whence the carriers set out, and
searched the carts. Some materhils for work were found, and di.
rectly deposited in the Sword-bearer's office, in the Hall, but we
have not heard of any damage having been sustained either by car-
riers or innkeepers. The principal part of the day was thus passed,
until between nix and seven when a large body of men came
from Eaton, near this city, where they had seized some yarn; this
they carried to the Hall, from whence they proceeded to Messrs.
IVillett's factory, in Pottergate-street, where (these gentlemen
being suspected of sending work out of the city), they demolished
not only the windows, but she frames of the lower rooms.
After he populace had been to several other warehouses, where
they had sitiodactory answers given to them, they proceeded to 31r.
A. Beloe's factory, St. John's Tiinberhill, where, Mr. Betas being
absent in London. and no person present to address them, they Imme-
diate], broke nearly all the windows of this extensive building,
which is four stories high. The Deputy Mayor came about this
time to the scene of tumult, where he immediately read the Riot
Act. The maket-place then became thronged with people, where
the Riot Act was again read by Mr. Francis, and a number of
special constables sworn in. It was then deemed necessary to send
to the barracks for the Scots (treys. Col. J. Harvey addressed the
persons assembled upon the impropriety of their conduct, both at
Mr. Beloe's, in the market, and on the Castle ditches, and recom-
mended their immediate return to their homes. At the Hall great
discussion among the Magistrates took place upon the propriety of
the dragoons being sent for ; fdrtunately there was no necessity to
employ them. A party of special constables were sent to each of
the manufactories, and the rest of the night was passed in quie-
tude.
The city on Thursday morning exhibited an unsettled and
stormy appearance, and in the streets during the whole day were to
be seen numbers of idle hands. In the morning the Magistrates
sent officers to summon every respectable inhabitant to the Hall,
for the purpose of swearing them in as special constables. A very
large number was sworn in during the afternoon, and at half-past
Gee they assembled, in case any fresh disturbance should take place.
About four o'elock a part of Colonel Harvey's yeomanry cavalry
marched up the Hall, where they received orders to proceed to
Mulbarton, and put themselves under the direction of Dr. Beevor,
the 31 estimate st that place, as it was surmised by the Magistrates
that Mr. Beloe's factory there might be attempted.
Two or three manufacturers issued bills, stating they would
send no more work into the country until all the citizens were
employed.