The National Register.
London, England, 1819-11-22 00:00:00

THE XI 4G V. TARKIW9 A) OTHERS.

The Solie:tor-General then rose to move their Lordships for
a rule to show cause why a criminal inthrination should not be
filed against Joseph Wilfred Parkins, Esq. one of the Sheriff's of
the city of London ; Rob-art Waitantan. EA. one of the-Alder
men of the said city ; Henry Ilunt, one of the Liverymen of the
said city ; and William Stephens, Samuel Thompson, Henry
Bradshaw Peanuts, Joseph Hurcoinhe, and Bunistead, also
Liveryinen of the said city. for conspiring to produce a riOWIII
obstruction of the election of Lord Mayor of the said city. at
Guihlhall, on M ieliaelmasdlay last. The learned gentleman
submitisd, that as every thing relating to the peace fell within
the jurisdiction of the Court, this was a proper case for its inter-
position.
I•h.. Court immediately granted a rule to show cause.
(We understand that Mr. Denman and al r. Gritty are retain-
ed for Aldernan Waithman, and some of the ilet-mdants. Mr.
hunt, it is sup,assed, will de:end himself.)

ALLEDGED MISCONDUCT OF THE CIVIL FORCE AT
COVENTRY. . .

At the rising of the Court.-Mr. Chitty called their Lordships
attention, and begged leave to move for a rule to slum came why
a criminal information should not be filed against Jeremiah
Goodall, the High Constable of Coventry, and other peroms at-
tached to the police department of that city, for a most violent
and unprovoked and indiscriminate assault and riot, on the Isth
inst, in ata.mpting to disperse a enacting, convened at the re-
quest of upwards of 70u of the inhabitants of that city. to take
into consideration the late proceedings at Manchester. lie moved
this upon the affidavit of Mr. Lewis, a most respectable inhabi-
tant ot Coventry, which stated that a requisition signed by viii
persons had been presented to the Mayor. requiring him to call
a meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the late
melancholy and horrible transactions at Manchester ; which re-
quest the Mayor had thought proper to ran e, and protested
against the meeting, and especially against the saute ta!ting
place in the town. In consequence of this refusal, the requisi-
tionists had thought it expedient to have a meeting themselves;
and in pursuance of this object circulated a hand-biN. couched in
very temperate language. calling on their brother citiz.ns to
assemble ut a place called Friar's-green, on the Pull inst. On
the day appointed, an immense multitude of individuals procs.
led to the appointed spot, where hustings had been erected, and
which was about halt.a.mile from Coventry, that distant spot
being chosen with a view not to counteract the wishes of the ma-
gistrates, and occasion any distinbancc. They had commenced
their proceedings in the most orderly manner. There was not
the least appearance of riot or intention to break the peacg. and
some old inhabitants were upon the findings, about to discus,
the subject before proposed to be considered, when they wcze
suddenly alarmed by the approach of a body of ad eon
stables, armed with staves which were loaded with lead.
These persons, wit' out intimation of their sishes or in-
undone. iinmedi itchy proceeded to diperse the people, in
effecting which purpose they used their weapons with
the greatest inhumanity—striking and beating all those
who came in their way, sad finally lercing a passage to the hos.
dogs. where they seized some flags which were displayed. and
succ.eded in driving off chose who had intended to address the
crowd. They then tore down the heisting,. and having, as they
conceived, effectually disturbed the meeting, they retired. The
result of their violence was, that several persams were seriou.ly
cut and injuieda Mr. Goodall. the High Censtable, was actively
engaged in directing his attack, as well as other persons who
were particularly n anus! in the affitlat its. The kilned gent!. man
observed, that it was high time that some steps a! ould
be taken to prevent such gross infring-inents of the.rights of En-
glishmen. who, lie submitted, when legally assembled to discuss
mailers in which they conceived their interests to, be engaged.
wei e entitled rather to protection than to Le grosgist insults?
Mr Justice Bay ley said, that no peace-officers could justify
the dispendon of an tosmiLify so constituted billet& violent means
tar.d that the matter be investigated. The Court, there
fore, granted the rule Nisi for a criminal information.

The dispute between the Earl of Cons(lale, and
Mr. Banks of %Vaseline, as to the right of presents
tion to the small living of Wiesdale Head, is at length
terminated : the 111411 op of Chester, to wber,e consi-
deration the matter was referred, having expressed
his opinion in favour of the latter, the Nuble Earl
consented to withdraw his claim.