The Sun.
London, England, 1839-11-29 00:00:00

~ Newport, Nov. 25, 1839.
" My dear Sir,—Being, as I am, unable to join my
fellovr.ownstnen in A public expression of the feelings of
gratitude they entertain for our recent preservation from
imminent dangers, I am induced to trouble you with
the present letter, which I will thank you to communi-
cate to the meeting intended to be holden on Wednes-
day next. I would begin by expressing, with the re-
verential awe such 'a subject demands, the deep grati-
tude which is due to Divine Providence for a preserva-
tion which human agency could not have afforded.
Disposed as we are, by the regularity and order which
characterise the government of' the world, to attribute
to natural causes the course of human events, it
would nevertheless be scarcely possible for any one,
who participated in the events of the night of Sun-
day the 3d instant, from the hour of nine o'clock,
when I left my house to go to the Westgate Inn,
until nine the following morning, when a handful of
men discomfited and put to rout many thousands
of armed insurgents (who having been stayed in
their course by the elements, and thus deprived of
the shelter they hoped for from darkness, were scattered
like chaff before the wind, and fled when no one pur-
sued)—it would be impossible, I say, for any one to
reflect upon these events without exclaiming, " This is
indeed God's work, and marvellous is it in our eyes!"
At the meeting of Wednesday it is, I find, intended
to express so much of thanks to the human agents en-
gaged in the work as it is fitting to entertain on such an
occasion ; and it therefore becomes my duty to bear
testimony to the zealous exertions of those gentlemen
by whom I was surrounded. First, then, in order, as
in importance, are my colleagues in the Magistracy, Mr.
Brewer and Mr. Edwards. From them I have re-
ceived the most ready assistance on several occasions,
when Chartist violence rendered the interposition of the
Magistracy of this borough necessary ; and, on the night
of Sunday, whilst Mr. Brewer was either with me, or
at the King's Head, directing the arrangements which
were deemed necessary, and advising upon the various
steps which were taken, Mr. Edwards was stationed with
the troops at the barracks (in order to direct those steps
which would have been necessary in case an attack had
been made upon that place), and kept up a communi-
cation with us during the night. To such of the inha-
bitants as were on duty as special constables, I shall ever
feel a deep debt of gratitude—a feeling in which, I
trust, all my fellow townsmen will participate. Not-
withstanding the inclemency of the night, and the con-
viction that thousands of armed men men were as-
sembled at no great distance, for the purpose of attack-
ing the town, they fearlessly patrolled the roads leading
into the town, kept up our communication with the
barracks, and took into custody many of the insur-
gents, several of whom were armed with deadly weapons.
When the conduct of all was admirable, it would be
invidious to select instances of zeal, courage, and ac-
tivity ; but there are two persons whose services I may
be permitted to notice, without giving offence to others
I whose zeal was equal, but to whom the same opportu-
nity was not afforded for distinguishing themselves.
The persons to whom I refer are Mr. Thomas Walker,
of the Parrot, and a son of Mr. Henry Mitchell Par-
tridge. Mr. Walker, at my request, proceeded after
dark, on the night of Sunday, on the road to Rises,
and undertook to wait at that place until the
insurgents should arrive, when lie was directed to
make all haste to Newport, so as to affard us
' as much time as might be practicable for prepa-
ration. The duty was one which required firm-
ness sad courage, and was gallantly performed,
but was to him the occasion of much suffering. On his
return, he was shot at without effect, but received a
frightful cut in the groin, from which, I regret to hear,
he has not yet recovered. After the dispersion of the
insurgents on Monday morning, the greatest source of
anxiety to us was the want of a further supply of am-
munition for the troops. At that time, when the
streets were yet filled with the insurgents, Mr. Par-
tridge's son not only went for a supply of ball cartridge,
' but having succeeded in bringing that supply to the
Westgate, afterwards,went to the barracks to request
that an additional supply might be forwarded from there.
You, who were an active participator in the events of
Sunday night, and whose advice and assistance I had
frequently occasion to require, will be able to supply
any deficiency in the outline which I have given, and
to repair any injustice which my omissions may occa-
sion. I have not alluded to the gentlemen who were
wounded in the performance of their duties as
special constables at the Westgate, because others
can better describe the circumstances under which
' those wounds were received. I have not alluded
to the services of the soldiery, although by
me they can never be forgotten, as their services have
already been publicly acknowledged. And I have not
alluded to the county Magistracy, who have so ably and
perseveringly assisted in prosecuting the inquiry now
pending ; because I have been &privet' of that oppor-
tunity of witnessing their services which has been af-
forded to others, and which others can so much better
describe. I cannot conclude without expressing the
gratitude I feel to my neighbours for the strong sym-
pathy they have evinced for my sufferings, and the
cheering approbation they have expressed of my con-
duct ; and I bee that you will believe me to be,
" My dear Sir, very truly yours,
`• T. PHILLIPS, JUN."
The MAYOR having read this letter, called upon
Mr. J. J. CARDES, who moved the first resolution,
to the effect that " The inhabitants of the town of
Newport, in public meeting assembled, desired to ac-
knowledge; that all protection is derived from God alone,
and gratefully to recognise His, gracious and special in-
terference in diverting a late threatened calamity from
the town, that otherwise would have involved the loss
not only of property but of many valuable lives, and
have been the commencement of anarchy and confusion
throughout the country."
J. Dumas, Esq., seconded the resolution, which was
carried unanimously.
The Rev. JAMES FRANCIS, on rising to propose the
second resolution, was greeted with considerable ap-
plause. He was sorry to say, as a native of the Prin-
cipality, that a stain rested upon them that the late
occurrences should have been commenced on the Sab-
bath day ; but at the same time they had to congratu-
late themselves that amongst the Magistrates and re-
spectable and loyal portion of the inhabitants, a suffi-
cient number had been found possessed of the true
nobleness of nature, and the best attributes with which
the Almighty had endowed man, to repel the attacks
of the violent and ruthless men.—( Hear, hear.) He was
happy to have this opportunity
duct of the late
Mayor, not only in reference to the late
disturbances, but in general as a Magistrate—imparti4l
in his juugm e_ ins—neither favouring the rich nor oppress-
ing the poor.—(Applause.) He had had an arduous
day)
to perform in stemming the cut-tent of Chartism
for he (Mr, Francis) was sorry to say that near' one
half of the leading demagogues who had been agitating
the country on this subject were natives of Newport,
and they had found no audiences so ready to receive
their doctrines as some of their townsmen. Mr. Phillips
had been found fully equal to the arduous duties which
those times imposed upon him—( Hear, hear, hear) ;
and when the kite lamentable outbreak occurred—when
they were all in such immediate peril—they all knew
that this gentleman's courage, coolness, determination,
and discretion were equal to the emergency.—(o
applause.) The Reverend Gentleman concluded by
reading the resolution, which was to the effect, " That
the meeting, deeply sensible of the essential services
rendered to the town (luring the last year by Thomas
Phillips, jun., Esq., and especially during the night of
the 3d and the morning of the 4th instant, feel that he
iejustlp entitled,not only to the thanks of the inhabitants,
but to some substantial expression of their esteem.
The resolution also contained an allusion to the ser-
vices of his brother Magistrates, Messrs. Brewer and
Edwards, and the military and special constables who
iacted with them.
Mr. Davis seconded the resolution.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Tttommi PowEist., Esq. (of the Gaer) proposed the
third resolution in a short speech, in which he described
tha appearance of the Chartists as they marched down,