The Sun.
London, England, 1839-09-17 00:00:00

FRIDAY.

Alderman STURGE, in taking the chair this day, said,
he deemed it right to state, that Captain Moorsom had
informed him, by note, that there seemed to be an im-
pression that this enquiry was directed against the
Magistrates ; and as he acted with them (not that he
always concurred h their decisions), he should like to
have this properly understood before he gave his evi-
dence. Now he (the Chairman) wished most strongly
and distinctly to state, that nothing could be more er-
roneous than an impression of the nature alluded to.
He believed there were no parties less disposed than the
Town Council,as a body, to cast blame upon the Magis-
trates ; and even if it should be proved that, individu-
ally or collectively, they had committed any mistake,
there would be none more ready to attribute it to an
error in judgment and not of intention, and to make
every allowance for the difficult and trying situation in
which they had been placed.
Captain Moorsom, who was present, said, that his
reluctance, in the first instance, to_ give evidence be-
fore that Committee had proceeded mainly from the
cause stated by the Chairman. He found, however,
from the explanation just given, that the impression
which had gone abroad was an erroneous one, so far
as regarded the supposed feeling against the Magis-
trates, and therefore, so far, he had no farther hesita-
tion. Another reason why he did not wish to
give evidence before that Committee was, that it
was generally understood that the Government
would institute an inquiry into the circumstances
connected with the late riots, and the conduct of
the Magistracy, and under such circumstances,
he thought the first inquiry would be unneces-
sary. From the tenor of the communication, however,
from Lord Normanby, he had now a different opinion. It
appeared that the inquiry would be limited to the con-
duct of the Magistracy under the circumstances of
the riots ; and the great probability, therefore, was, that
this would not bring out all the facts connected with
the riot. He, therefore, felt the present inquiry to be
necessary, and was willing to state what he knew of the
late events. He must add, that he was the more willing
because this was an open inquiry, as all such inquiries, in
his opinion, should be : whether that to be conducted
by the Government would be open or not they had yet
to learn.

The evidence of Captain Moorsom was then taken as
follows :

Constantine Richard Moorsom, Captain in the Royal
Nary, examined—l live at HigLfield, Edgbaston. I
was never present at any of the Bull-ring meetings.
My knowledge of the recent events commences from the
10th of May. On that day I received a printed circu-
lar, requiring my attendance on the Magistrates at the
Public Office. The purpose was not stated in the
note ; but on attending the meeting, I found it was for
the purpose of being sworn, with others, as a special
constable, and to assist in carrying out the arrange-
ments the Magistrates had made for the employment of
the special constables. I was sworn in. The arrange-
mcnts were a classification of the constables in the
wards, under leaders there named by the Magistrates,
and I was requested to act as leader of the Edg-
baston ward. Captain Leary, a half-pay officer
in the army, having, at the instance, .as I
understood, of Colonel Thorn, been appointed
to superintend the whole of the special constable force,
I objected to act under any but the Magistrates them-
selves. Subsequently, a different arrangement was
made ; the pensioners, who were special constables,
were placed under Captain Leary, and the volunteer
special constables were to act under their own ward
leaders, I undertaking to be the medium of Communi-
cation between those ward leaders and the Magistrates.
I understood the object of swearing in the special con-
stables to be a matter of precaution, preparatory :o the
meeting expected to be held on the following Monday,
by the delegates of the National Convention. Between
the 10th of May and the 15th of July, there were
sworn in about 2,300 special constables, including
about 1,000 pensioners. After the 15th of July,
the numbers were very considerably increased, pro-
bably more than doubled. I did not understand
the swearing in of the constables to be for the
specific purpose of preventing the mettings in the
Bull-ring, but for the general purpose of preserving the
peace. Several Magistrates were in attendance for the
purpose of swearing in the constables, and for discussing
the measures which were to be taken. On the 13th of
May I attended at the Grand ;unction Railway
station, and saw the Delegates arrive, at which time
there were, in my opinion, about 5,000 people assem-
bled to receive them ; and on the procession moving to
Holloway Head I also went there. There were banners
in the procession, and the persons attending them, and
surrounding the delegates, and moving with them, did
not exceed one thousand at the time they took up
their position at Holloway Head. At this time
crowds came in from all quarters, and on the meet-
ing being fully formed, I estimated the greatest
number present at about twelve thousand, including
the usual attendants upon all such meetings. I estimate
the space occupied by the meeting on this occasion was
capable of containing 25,000 persons, if filled, being
about 5,200 yards. [Tne space in the Bull-ring from
the railing of St. Martin's church to the crossing of
Philip-street, including the footpaths, is about 7,500
square yards. I should think the space from the monu-
ment upward to Philip-street is about from one to two-
fifths of the whole area I have described.] I was not near
enough to the speakers at Holloway Head to hear what
was said, but the meeting was of a perfectly peaceful cha-
racter, as far as outward appearances went. I saw no
weapons of any kind, not even sticks. No more than ordi-
nary excitement prevailed among those who were near
enough to hear the speakers. By degrees the numbers di-
minished away, and at four o'clock they were reduced one
half. The meeting commenced about three o'clock.
No arrangements were made by the Magistrates to pre-
vent the assembling of that meeting ; nor were the spe-
cial constables employed in any way in connection with
it. lam not aware that any particular apprehension
prevailed with respect to this meeting ; but there was a
general impression that disturbances might possibly arise
out of such meetings. My view of the employment of
the special constables was, that they should rather use
their influence among the people to whom they were
known, with the view to prevent meetings, threatening
the public peace, than to act forcibly in dispersing such
meetings. I stated these opinions both to the Magistrates
and special constables when I met them in the several
wards ; and I believe my views were entirely ac-
quiesced in by the ward leaders generally. I attended
several meetings of the Magistrates between the 13th
of May and the 29th of June, but do not recollect any
occasion on which the special constables were required
to act. On the 29th of June I attended, by request,
a meeting of the Magistrates, at which arrangements
were decided on for the purpose of finally putting a
stop to the meetings in the Bull-ring. I had been
aware of the public warning, signed by the Magistrates'
clerks, anti of the proclamation signed by the Mayor
and Alagistrates, with respect to these meetings, but I
knew nothing of the circumstances under which they
were put forth. On the Ist of July I again attended
the Magistrates, when the arrangements I have spokenh
of were completed. It was intended that on
.t e •
next meeting taking place in the
h1:31
ng,
the pensioners, who were special censtn eds, and
both
the dragoons, should occupy the
above and below the Monument, and the
to be arrested. This intention, however,i weearre-
ried into effect, in consequencegsadjournmentprwoeauaskn noters
of
after The
tpheiersmioneeetrisugocfcrournp
learning
ibnagek thatto theirthe
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thße Bullring
ftooorfGatoi
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the meeting bad adjourned,gir
rendezvous upon the _
theo
troops who had also left
meeting had adjourned ;eubi ground
tr
werete s
proceedings until the
part in the Magistrates
their barracks were remanded., I took no fur-
ther bed • '
4th of July, when I was ca ed out. of at midnight,
by Mr. Clement Scholefield, who informed me that a
body of the London police having been brought from
London by the Magistrates, had attempted to disperse
the meeting in the Bull-ring ; that a conflict had taken
place, in which several of them had been wounded, and
' that the Magistrates required my attendance at the
public Office. I was not at all aware of the inten-
tion to bring down the London police ; but I, in
common with others, had felt very strongly the want of
an efficient police, and this had been the subject of fre-
quent eiscuesion with the l‘lagistrates. 'I had uniformly
told them that the volunteer special constables were not

EVENING EDITION.

proper persons to employ as a police, or in dispersing
1
meetings, and that it could not be expected of gentle-
men to act in this way. In consequence of the informa-
tion received from Mr. Scholefield, as stated, I went to
in
hot he Pubef
her of
the
B leic
tae
l l
..rMagistratesi Office,t and
and
patrollingfoundwethe
e aassembled
emtmhi
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streets;
s possession
nn
m.
the office.
Directions were given to assemble the special constables
office,prlelo,p whilstlise t
rtawahbteeoerr about t,hawensnsieonerpmdr
present,
s%'l,cei.
assembling
hl
on
that
anhtge
Ih ft
would
Holloway
by
ol
youwladin
at their several rendezvous, on the following morning, to
•et in case of need. I attended the Magistrates at the
and
gsge sergeant morning
a; t
He
there,aead. Indtotlhdaat
if any thing was necessary to be done, I would either
, bring or send word. ' When I got there I found about
200 or 300 persons assembled, and on recognising me,
they surrounded my horse, and gave me three cheers.
I told them that both they and I, if we remained to
hold a meeting, would be violating the law, that the
Riot Act had been read, and I exhorted them instantly to
disperse. They expressed great indignation at the em-
ployment of the London police ; and contended they bad
a right to hold public meetings, and were not fairly
dealt by, in not being allowed to do so. I pointed cut
to them the distinction between meetings for political 1
discussion, and tletise which had been recently held ; that
the meeting in the Bull-ring had not only seriously in-
jured the inhabitants around, but that the language em-
ployed threatened both life and property, and that no
society could suffer such Meetings to go on. They then
enquired why they might not have the Town-hall. when
1 pointed oet that I concluded they might have it on the
same terms as other people, by paying for its use, and giv-
ing security against damage ; but that as I was not a Com-
missioner I could not assist them in ths matter. After
again exhorting them to disperse, I rode away to the Five
Ways, and on returning in about half an hour, I found the
Dragoons scouring the ground, and dispersing the
people. I believe some of them had their swords
drawn. I had not sett word to the Magistrates that
any thing was necessary to be done ; my impression
was that nothing was necessary. I experienced no sort
of molestation from the people ; in point of fact they
behaved civilly towards me. The Dragoons were ac-
companied by a Magistrate. I stood on the hill,
conversing with Colonel Thorn, when several of the
people surrounded us, and two in particular address-
ing me, requested I would use my influence to pre-
vent such proceedings, as if the people were so
treated the town would be set on fire. Colonel
Thorn was so situated that he could not have heard
this. At this moment a dragoon, on horseback,
was bringing along a man whom he bad arrested in
the act, as I understood, of throwing a stone. I saw
no unnecessary violence on the part of the men is the
execution of their orders. In the afternoon, I re-
lated these circumstances to the Magistrates, at the
Public Office, and remember particularly stating what
had been said to me by the two men as above. No-
thing particular came under my knowledge between the
sth and Bth of July.. On the latter day, as usual, the
people were about the streets, probably in greater
numbers than ordinary ; and I observed and men-
tioned the fact to a Magistrate in the evening, that
they appeared well dressed, and that people who
meant to kick up a row did not put their best clothes
on. Ido not recollect the meeting at Holloway Head,
on that day, or the fact of the people being dispersed
by the military ; nor do I remember to have received
any information from the Magistrates respecting it. On
Tuesday the 9th, I strongly urged upon the Mayor my
opinion that the London police should be sent back.
The conversation I had had at Holloway Head, as above
described, together with statements I had subsequently
heard from individuals, of harsh conduct on the part
of the police, induced me to make this representation ;
and I considered that the Bull-ring meetings would
probably not be resumed if this course were
adopted. the Mayor promised to call a meeting
of the Magistrates, to take the subject into consi-
deration ; and I understood that such meeting was
held on the following day, and that it had been decided
to send back forty of the police. On Monday, the
15th, I received about mid-day, a letter from Dr.
Booth, written at the request of the Magistrates, beg-
ging my attention to a meeting, expected to be held
that day at Holloway Head. I arranged with the
leader of the Edgbaston ward, that proper men should
be appointed to convey information to the Public
Office, as to the character of the meeting. The
meeting took place at two o'clock, at which time I
saw about three hundred assembled. I left, and at
three o'clock returned, when the numbers had
diminished, and it appered to me quite insignifi-
cant. About seven o'clock I received a note from
the leader of the Edgbaston ward, to tell me that the
bill was covered. -I rode down in a few minutes,
and found the meeting dispersing ; the number I saw did
not much exceed 1,000, and I did not see any weapons or
sticks among them. As this body went down Exeter-row,
I rode round by the Bell and Bromsgrove-street, intending
to let them get to the Bull-ring, which rpresumed to be
their destination, before me. I rode by Smithfield into
Digbeth, and up the Bull-ring to the Public Office, St.
Martin's clock striking eight o'clock as I turned into
Moor-street. At that time there were not to many people
in the Bull-ring as 1 had seen on the previous Monday
' evening, and t here was no unusual appearance. I went to
the Public Office, expecting to find the Magistrates, and
for the purpose Of reporting what I had seen, and of
hearirg what their arrangements were ; but I found
no Magistrates there. I waited from ten to fifteen
minutes, and then went by Carr's-lane and High-
street, looked again into the Bull-ring and then
passed down Worcester-street, at the bottom of
which there were a good many people, one of whom
said, as I was threading my horse through the crowd,
" We are all peaceable people here." There appeared
to be no indication of disturbances along the route I
had taken. I then rode up to Smallbrook-street to
Holloway Head, to see if any people had returned there,
and finding none I went home, where I arrived about a
quarter before nine, having spoken to the leader of the
Edgbaston Ward at the Five Ways, and expressed my
opinion to him that there was no fear of disturbance.
When I went to the Public Office, as last described, I
tound the front gates intended to be kept closed, and
only opened occasionally to let people pass. In the
Office yard were a number of the London police, with
Superintendent May, who was in plain, clothes.
It being half-past one o'clock, the Committee ad-
journed, determining to resume the examination of
Captain Moorsom on Saturday.

The harvest is now being prosecuted in our
neighbourhood under circumstances not the most favour-
able, for the weather continues still fickle and change:
able: The reapers who have attended at the gate during
the week have been readily engaged at two shillings per
day, but with the exception of yesterday they have not
bad a complete day, in consequence of the wet. The
continued breezes, however, by speedily drying the
crops, have materially counteracted the effects of the
frequent falls of rain. We are glad to learn from a corres-
pondent, who Las had an opportunity of seeing the greater
part of Berwickshire within these few days, that seldom has
there been such an abundant crop of ail descriptions of grain
as there is at present. Although partially lodged in many
places, yet as they are well filled, if the weather keep dry,
no damage will be sustained from that circumstance. It may
be confidently stated that, Loth from the extent of land sown
and from the luxuriance of groa Ur, never was there such a
quantity of turnips in the country. The potatoes also,
from their appearance and the trials that have been made,
promise a weighty return. if the weather keep favourable
for a few weeks, there is reason to hope that the farmers
will have their barn-yards full, and the labourers will have
cheaper bread and Le enabled to boil a better pot than they
have done for some time past.—Berwick Advertiser.
STEAM VERSUS WIND.—The steam-ship
Liverpool, it will be remembered, left New York on the
afternoon of the 24th ult., and could have arrived on the
night of the ith, making the passage in 14i days. The
packet.sbip North America sailed from New York on the
21st ult. and reached the Mersey on the 11th, having made
the run in 20 days, thus given an advantage of 5 days to
steam over wind. But the packet•ship Siddons, which
sailed from New York on the 26th ult., tao days after the
Liverpool, arrived at this port at noon on the 13th, having
accomplished the passage in 18 days, and reduced the ad-
vantage of steam over wind to 3i days only.—Liverpool
Albion.
EXPULSION BY TUCK OF DRUM.—Wednesciay
last, the funds of a female who was passing through Kir-
' kintilloch fell short. To recruit them she called on the
overseers of the poor, told them that her child had died
through
bury
itth. e tTowhen,ovaenrdseseorlsi,eitoend
iamiettoifiirinn
gand
t
a
her
foutnibdttt
veryrhhn but
turned
wrong
redtnhsoou
Krchildnatiati
n:yer
neither dead
little°o dpamaisnos
th, and in
or alive. They accordingly took her before the Ma-
gistrates as a cheat, and as she had no defence to
ginnepgylace,
pi‘tiagtoistrruatieses
the midst of a great crowd she was drummed out of
who placed the town drummer at the poor woman's heels,
something like tying a canister to a dog's tail, never think
moneytn:kn It
rf;saaescen()w pretences,da:
it was possible that she might have been half a day, or
perhaps a whole one, without food, and no money to buy
any? If driven by irritation, and shame, and grief, to
throw herself into Buthland or Kelvin, what would they
have said had her dead emaciated body been next morning
laid at the door of the Town-hall ? They • would, no
doubt, have wished that instead of drumming her out of
town under such ignominy, they bad slipped a shilling into
her band, and whispered in her car, go and sin no
more.—Paisley Advertiser.

AL ARMING ACCIDENT AT MR. BATTY'S
CIRCUS, HANLEY.—On Monday night, soon after the
commencement of the performances at Mr. Batty's circus,
a portion of the gallery, which was crowded to excess,
gave way under the tremendous weight, and precipitated
the spectators standing thereon to the ground. The
performances were instantly suspended to ascertain the
injuries done to the spectators, and to afford them relief,
after which they were re-commenced. A considerable
number received bruises of but little .consequence, and
twelve or thirteen persons were more seri?usly injured, but
no life was lost. Mr. Batty spa .red no pains or expense to
happy to say that
afford suitable relief to the. injured
.spectators, many of
whom were sent home in own carriages; some of those
fa:ereacroel,,ehroinwge7r,
villa sustained the greatest injury he put to bed at the Sea
—Staffordshire Ad.
vuLleilro tntisha;rn. and
parties
are