The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-19 00:00:00

THE MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

MIDDLETON, JULY 16.—About twelve o'clock last night
the inhabitants of this place were surprised by the sudden
appearance of iOO or 2,50 men, armed with sticks and
bludgeons. At the time of their arrival every thing was
going on as usual in the place—shops and public-houses
were open, and people were looking after their ordinary
concerns. But the unexpected intrusion of these strangers
caused an instant change in the appearance of things; every
body was filled with amazement or alarm. The rioters
came from towards Manchester, and halted in the market-
place. Some of them were heard to say, " Here are
shops, we can help ourselves to provisions ; and here are
shoes, let us each get a pair." They came in military
array, and halted in their ranks at the word of com-
mand. By their speech, their leaders were known to be
Irish. One man spoke loud, and raid, "If any honest
man is prepared with arms, and disposed to join
• us, he will be made welcome ;" but nobody came
out; not one inhabitant of Middleton joined them.
Presently a noise was heard, and a cry that the soldiers
were coming. Some then left their ranks, but the main
body pass:d up Wood-street, and retreated across a place
called Archer-park, and the Great-park, into the old road
to Manchester, by which route they escaped. The mili-
tary, a party of the Queen's Bays, now made their appear-
ance, accompanied by Messrs. Norris and Foster, Magis-
trates, the Boroughreeve of Manchester, and several con-
stables; and had it not been for their timely arrival, there
is every reason to believe that the work of plunder would
have commenced. Nothing however was now left for them
to do but to look after odd stragglers, two of whom were
taken and conveyed to Manchester, having confessed they
came with the mob; three others were taken this morning
by a watchman; and one is now in the dungeon here
He is a young man, poor and emaciated in appearance.
Ile says he was in St. George's-read when the mob
came up, and he was compelled by them to fall into
the ranks, and to come with them to Middleton.—
After the retreat of the rioters, the soldiers paraded
the streets and lanes, and were received at several places
with hootings and shouting, and other expressions of dis-
approbation, but no stones were thrown, nor any
ofnred. At one time the soldiers took two young men into
custody, belonging to the town. Whilst searching them,
one of the lads cried out, " Iha but three-hapence, an you
tnunna tak it."—" No, no," replied the warriors, "we
won't take your menu, my lad, we would rather give you
some." The general appearance of the rioters was meagre,
and they seemed to have but little order among them. One
was heard to say he'd be d—d if he went any further,
there were so many masters to please.
MANCHESTER, JULY 16.—A posting bill, of which the
following is a copy, is here circulated :
" Pun fie Novice.—We, the undersigned Magistrates tin the
coucty of Lancaster, have observed with great regret that cercitti
evil-disposed persons, strangers in Manchester, have, within tLe
last few days, been endeavouring to excite the peaceable and well.
disposed inhabitants, by inflammatory larguape and addri.-ists, to
acts of outrage and insubordination ; and in furtherance of tneit
wicked object, have given notices of public meetings to be held in
the evenings of several days in the present week, at which such
strangers have been the principal speakers, and the meetings have
been protracted to late hours of the night ;
" Now, we do hereby declare our opinisn, that all such meet-
ings are illegal, as having a manifest real direct tendency to a
breach II the peace, which it is our duty to protect.
" We therefore catnip!' all persons not to attend any such meat.
ings, nor in any respect to be induced, by the wicked and semi.
chievous, to engage in proceedings which must bring upon them
all the consequences attending such illegal conduct.
" Given under our hands this 15th July, 1826.
" New Bailey Court House.
" J. NORRIS.
" J. SIINESTER.
JAMES BRIERLEV.
• " J. BIRDER'''.
" J. FOSTER."
-.-
Extract from H Mercurio of May 22, 1826 :
" Mexico, May 10.—ilia Excellency, the President
of the United States of Mexico, has issued a decree of this
date, ordering that all national goods and productions of
this country shall be free of duties for exportation, except
gold and silver. Gold consul shall pay 2 per cent.; ditto,
' manufactured, ditto 9 per cent.; silver, whether coin •d
manufactured, shall pay 3i per cent."

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