The Sun.
London, England, 1839-09-23 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM RIOTS.

BIRMINGHAM, SATURDAY EVENING.—After the
examination of three witnesses, whose evidence con-
tained nothing of importance, the inquiry closed, when
Mr. Clarke, counsel for the petitioners, said he was
extremely anxious to make a statement with regard to
the conduct of the military. It had been supposed, by
some of the proceedings which occurred yesterday, that
the gentlemen whom he represented intended to cast an
imputation upon their conduct. He believed he spoke
the sentiments of the parties when he stated that the
town of Birmingham was under the highest obligations
to the military for their efficient services on all occasions
when they were brought out. They never could dis-
play more efficiency than during the recent riot. The
military were under the command of a most distin-
guished officer, Col. Thorn, and also of another distin-
guished officer. Col. Chatterton, with the conduct of
whom the public -have the best reasons to be satisfied.
He was extremely anxious that this should be ge-
nerally known, as from what he had heard, it was
supposed by some persons that the parties for whom
he appeared had complained of the military not being in
a state of readiness on the night the riot occurred. He
begged to state that such a supposition was entirely
contrary to the views entertained by them.
The written deposition of Captain Moorsom was then
put in by mutual consent, as it appeared that that gen-
tleman was compelled to leave town on urgent business.
Mr. Clarke said they had a witness in attendance to
contradict the evidence of Savage as to an attempted
arrest and rescue of a person in the Bull-ring, by two of
the London police, and which circumstance was alleged
as the cause of the disturbance. The gentleman whom
he proposed to call was present in the Bull-ring during
the whole time, and would give Savage the most decided
contradiction. The London police, for their vindica-
tion, were anxious the evidence should be given.
Mr. Dundas—You are certainly entitled to call wit-
nesses to contradict stated facts, but in the present in-
stance I do not think it necessary. Mr. May has
sworn, and also Mr. Redfern, that the police were with-
drawn from the Bull-ring a considerable time before the
disturbance occurred. As far as I can judge from what
has come out in evidence there is no good charge against
the London police for remissness or rashness in the per-
formance of their duties. They appear to me to have
acted like sober-minded, steady men.
Mr. Clarke added, as he had mentioned the military,
that so far from wishing to cast any censure upon the
London police, the gentlemen whom he represented felt
that it would be an injustice to that body if he did not
state that they believed that during the time they had
been in Birmingham they had conducted themselves
with great firmness, forbearance, and general propriety.
Mr. Dundas—Have you any more witnesses to call.
Mr. Gem—No, we have no further evidence to offer.
Mr. Dundas—At the commencement of this inquiry,

I stated that I should hear any statement the Magis-
trates might have to make, and I still adhere to that
declaration. At the same time I must state that in
my mind, the Magistrates stand in a very peculiar
situation. If they choose to make any statement, I
am bound to hear them, but I would remark, that be-
fore they make any statements they ought to retire and
consult with each other, as to the course they mean
to pursue. They may use their own discretion, and
I will be happy to receive any explanation they may
offer. I conceive, however, it is not at all neces-
sary. They may act according to their own discre-
tion. I am perfectly willing to adjourn this inquiry to
any period which may suit the convenience of the
Magistrates. The Magistrates must not presume that
time is of any consequence to me.
The Magistrates then retired, and after an absence
of about a quarter of an hour, they returned, when
The MAYOR said that the only declaration he had
to make on behalf of the Magistrates was, that after ma-
ture consideration, the Magistrates were of opinion that
' they were perfectly willing to leave the matter as it was in
the hands of the Learned Gentlemen ;" and I have to
express, on their parts, the perfect impartiality, fairness,
and kindness, manifested towards the Magistracy by the
gentlemen engaged bn behalf of the memorialists. Per-
haps I would also be allowed to explain the reason why
Colonel Thorn's name is not mentioned in connexion
with the disturbances on the night of the 15th. On
arriving at the barracks I saw his orderly, who informed
me that he was confined at home with a sprained ancle."
That was the reason the Colonel was not out during the
evening.
Mr. Clarke said, on the part of the gentlemen with
whom I act, I beg to say that I entirely concur with
the observations made by the Mayor. The conduct of
the parties who have conducted the case in behalf of
the Magistrates, has been to me perfectly satisfactory.
Mr. Dundas—l am happy to say I have been much
assisted by the gentlemen on both sides. The whole
case, to my mind, has been conducted in an open, fair,
and frank manner.
Mr. Lawrence said that the cause of his absence, on

the night of the 15th, was owing to his presence in
Worcester as a grand juryman. Previous, however, to
the 15th, he was perfectly willing to take his share of
the responsibility as to what they did do, and what they'
did not do.
Mr. Chance said that no one sent to him ; indeed, he
was aware of no riot in the Bull-ring till the following

morning.
Dr. Birt Davis said, in consequence of his election
to the office of Coroner, he was unwilling to take any
part in any tumultuous assembly where blood was
likely to be shed, and where lie might be called upon to
sit on an inquisition over the body.
Mr. Webb said the reason of his absence was be-
cause he had a sore toe, and his physician had told him
that any encounter with crowds would be dangerous.
Mr. Dundas then bade the Magistrates farewell, and
the inquiry terminated.

DISINTERMENT OF A BODY.—A labouring
roan of the name of Brine, residing at Ilitchin, was taken
ill very suddenly last week, with violent vomiting, and
died in about e►ghteen hours. He was buried in two or
three days after his death, but in consequence of some
suspicion having been excited that he was poisoned by his
wife, the body was disinterred on Tuesday morning last,
and on the following. day, Wednesday, an inquest was
held on the body, at the Crown Inn, by F. J. Osbaldeston,
&41., Coroner, when several witnesses were examined,
but nothing came out to confirm the suspicions enter-
tained towards the deceased's wife. The inquest is ad-
journed for a week. This affair has created a great sensa-
tion in the quiet town of Hitchin. —I-Art/Ord Reformer.

COLLISION AT SEA.—On Slturday morning,
about two o'clock, the Adelaide steam-ship, belonging to
the Dublin Steam Company, fell in with a vi_ss,::l cif the
Isle of Wight in the greatest distress, being almost a total
wreck, from having been run foul of in the dark during a
heavy gale by a vessel unknown, supposed to be an Ame.
rican, by which her bowsprit and cutwater were carried
away, together with her foremast ; one fluke of her anchor
was buried in her bows, the other broken off by the extreme
violence of the concussion. She proved to be the Sophia,
Captain Jones, bound for Sydney, with emigrants. The
Adelaide took her in tow, and brought her safely to anchor
off Gravesend oa Sunday, from whence she was towed on
Monday to the St. Katherine's Dock to discharge her
tius r.matoas
cdaeregkoe, for the purpose of having an overhaul, and the
damagett
the time
It was most fortunate that the unfor-
tunate
been passengersa,vful
ltoinlraeblee.f the
inwtehreeein their berths ; had they been on
accidenttr:m ethes i consequences
situation lht

KENILWORTH CASTLE.--We are happy to
state that the present Earl of Clarendon, duly venerating,
like his predecessors, the majestic ruins of the Castle, is
most anxious in his endeavours to preserve them from any
further mutilation and decay, and that workmen are now
employed by the noble p, oprieter for this laudable purpose,
under the superintendence of M. Akroyd of Co entry.
Leamington Chronicle.