The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-03 00:00:00

ISTURBANCES IN NEWCASTLE.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
OUTRAGE ON THE PEOPLE OF NEWCASTLE.
h spo Monday, the 429th, a requisition, numerously signed by
lik7
4eholders and inhabitants of this town, was presented to the
i;aYor, John Fyfe, Esq., roquesting him to call a public meet-
/4
oe m
goluoto address
Commons,
As,lajesty upon two Bills at present before the
one for the augmentation of the Army!
141,1 the otlwr for the establishment of a Rural Police, the
aYor not having given an answer in time, the Requisitionists,
Ls the law directs, called the meeting at seven o'clock. The
;i7ople having assmbled, Mr. Thomas Hepburn was called to
,nr Chair, who opened the proceedings by calling on the peo-
,,'`e there assembled to preserve order, and respect life and
vroPerty. After dwelling with much force on their acting le-
5111Y, the Chairman called on Mr. W. Byrne to read the Ad-
less to her Majesty, who did so with a loud voice— (see Ad-
;`ress below). Mr. Byrne then called on the meeting to adopt
Loyal Address to her Majesty. Mr. Cook seconded the
ddress--it was carried unanimously. Mr. Barkinson moved
that it be confided to the Earl Stanhope, which was carried by
acclamation. The Chairman then dissolved the assembled
,'"ousands, impressing on them the importance of going early
Alorne, which they did by forming themselves into a procession,
the Magistrate's Clerk, came up on horseback, and stood for a
nry moments, and then galloped off at full speed, and brought
e police and specials armed with cutlasies and pistols, having
Previously drawn up the troops of horse anti company's infantry
to the adjoining streets. Backed by these powers, the .Magis-
testes anti police made a sally on the standards and bearers with-
out reading the Riot Act, and succeeded in wounding and
'apturing several of them. After committing this act of brutality,
they called on the police to surround them (the Magistrates),
whii then, for the first time, proceeded to read the Riot Act; after
Whieh the military were called on to clear the streets, the
Commander having before refused to do so till the Riot Act
was read. They found no difficulty in doing so, owing to the
mildness of their movements in contra-distinction to that of the
Police, and the peaceable disposedness of the people.
Long before twelve o'clock the streets were cleared, and
nought was to be heard save the aggressions of the police upon
!i straggler here and there, and in the noise created by search-
iany ng any public-houses which were known to be frequented by
of the Radical party.
10 THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY
_May IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,
, We, the inhabitants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and its vicinity,
kn public meeting assembled, beg leave most respectfully to ap-
pkach your Majesty and to express our feelings with regard to
116'0 Nlls now before the House of Commons, whither they
have Iven brought by your Majesty's advisers, one for a great
"i'Vrnen,'-ation of the Standing Army, the other for the Es-
ahlishment of an Armed Police.
t We beg respectfully to assure your Majesty that, though ac-
tltted at all times by feelings of loyalty towards your Majesty's
Person and office, we cannot but view these two measures as
atharrning, great, and daring inroads upon the Constitution of
is se Realms which your Majesty has sworn to preserve. It
;113, as your Majesty, past doulit, well knows, a established
tira',xim of the English Constitution that a stand ning army in
the of profound peace is a thing abhorrent to it—subversive of
`"e liberties of the subject—and unworthy of a throne which
Professes to be founded upon the affections and not the fears of
the
People. We further must beg to express to your Majesty
.ur strong feelings against the establishment of an armed po-
i l'ee, a thilg unknown to our forefathers, and hitherto cherished
°5ll by Governments or Sovereigns reigning despotically and
111 contempt of the feelings and affections of their people.
e beg most earnestly, but most dutifully to assure your 11
b'lajest v, that these two measures, if persisted in, so far horn
eing ea,,nulated to add strength or security to your Majesty's
throne, wi:l, undoubtedly, in your memorialists' opinion, have
a directly Coy, trary effect, viewed as they are not only by your
memorialists bss t by the people at large, with suspicion, alarm,
and deep indigna,.‘on, as an unwarrantable violation of all the
leading, principles v f the English Constitution.
, Under these eirctunstances and impressions we pray your
Majesty not to give )-w.tr assent to these two Bills, assured that
by so doing your Majosty will take the most certain way to
secure to your Throne any; Government the affections of a loyal
and dutiful people.
To he entrusted to Earl Sianhope for presentation.
MEN OF THE TYNE yoz detest tyranny as you
feel for the aged and helpless sinki,,g into the grave of famine
was you would establish freedom upoi? a lasting foundation—as
alYoa would bequeath to unborn posterity that liberty which
can make future ages as happy as the past have been
hl serable, avoid all partial, petty, contemptible outbreak. Let
she National Strike test the whole nation before you move a
step and when you do move let it be with a nation's
clamsin your front, and a whole nation s moral power in your

4-I'PREHENSION OF CHARTISTS,
AND SEIZURE OF FIRE ARMS.

Chartists demagogues, whose
(From the North Cheshire Reformer.)
Ft am the proceedings of the Ch.
to every properly
!rlarnvflatory harangues have, from time to time, been reported
in this JOUrnai it must have been
ecnistituted mind that they could evident
in ger be allowed
with impunity.
th,continue ,their nefarious and illegal Frac
that by the
timely ve this week the satisfaction of
recording,ur borough Magis-
klctlicelson
t and prAiseworthv interference of
do
decisive blow has
ltes, an importAnt,—and it is to be hope ,
st of several of the
, ten !truck at the root of the evil be the arre
they (the Magi'-
,ttders, a step by which we area confident,. .
respect, and
traders,
have for ever secured the good wishes,
tie
4,ra
titude of all the thinking
and peaceably disposed portion of
' inhabitants of the borough.
been
For
have
Several weeks past meetings of the Chartists borough, from
held_. almost every evening in dlfferent parts of
ulti-
wriieh cause, coupled with the frightful reports of their
I cla-
i write intentions, a constant fever of fear, excitement, and '4Ol our has been kept up.
From the state of uncertainty which has for some weeks
ex-
it\ ed in the borough, and as we have before observed, from the
.1
.xt.l aordinary nature and violence of the Chartist proceedings,
kecarne imperatively necessary that some decisive
.c .
should bet ake ' ' 'Llereto, n, in order to put an immediate termination
1.,..

To the end of effectually carrying out this object only one al-
ternative remained, viz., the arrest of their leaders. Accordingly
on Tuesday warrants were issued by the Magistrates for the pe-
remptory arrest of several, and in pursuance of the orders of Mr.
Sadler, superintendent of police, the following persons were
arrested, all of whom have taken a conspicuous part in the Char-
tist agitation of this town. The officers proceeded first, about
eleven o'clock, to the house of
James Mitchell, beerseller, Park-street. Finding the door
fast, they were in the act of knocking to obtain admission,
when Mitchell came up and inquired what they wanted, when
he was immediately seized, and was solicited to allow the offi-
cers admission into his house, but on his positive refusal, the
door was broken open. They went up stairs, and in a room
found five fowling-pieces and three muskets, with bayonets at-
tached ! and in a cellar a brace of pistols, a pike head, and
twenty pike-staves, the whole of which were entirely new. A
quantity of memorandums, principally of a private nature,
though having reference to the Chartist body, were also
found. _

James Burton, of Portwood, a smith by trade, but who has
for some time acted in the capacity of bellman for the Chartists,
was next arrested. In his house was found one fowling piece,
three pistols, and one bayonet.
Isaac Armitage, sen., Isaac Armitage, jun., and Cornelius
Armitage, father and sons, were also arrested. Isaac Armitage,
jun., living in a distinct house from his father and younger
brother, who, however, reside in Portwood, and are shoemakers
by trade. In the house of the elder Armitage was found con-
waled in a rain water tub, at the back of the house, a dra.
goon's sword, and scabbard, which had the appearance of having
recently been ground ; and, in a back chamber a considerable
quantity of bullets. In the house of the younger Armitage,
which had to be entered by force, the officers found on the
mantel-piece of the front-room a fowling-piece and a newly
ground sword, and in the kitchen a formidable dagger, about
a foot in length, and extremely pointed and sharp.
George Wareham, of London-place, arrested. Forcible
entry was again adopted. In his house were found two dag-
gers, one about a foot long and the other about half that length.
Charles Davies, of Hope Hill, a spinner by trade, but who
has for some time been out of employ. In his house was found
a pistol and a bullet mould. One bullet, and a number of per-
cussion caps were found on his person when taken. Various
papers and memorandums relative to Chartist proceedings were
also found in his house.
. _

John Wright, residing in Heaton-lane, a spinner by trade,
President of the Working Men's Association, perpetual chair-
man of their meetings, &c., was also apprehended. Nothing
but a quantity of memorandums and a collecting-book were
found in his house.

It would appear, that in consequence of the violence of their
proceedings, the arrest of these men had for some time been
premeditated by the authorities, and from a suspicion that it
might give rise to a commotion in the borough, it was justly
thought advisable to'make some addition to our ordinary military
force, and accordingly a messenger was despatched to the bar-
racks, at Manchester, and a troop of the 6th Dragoons arrived
in town at a late hour, and were billeted in town during the
night and following day. A strong picquet of the 20th In-
fantry, now stationed in our barracks, also came to the assis-
tance of the police, some of whom remained in guard of the
Court-house, whilst others assisted in the arrest of the prisoners.
Early on the following morning (Wednesday), as soon as
the arrests became generally known amongst the working
classes, a general excitement and inquiry for information on
the subject was manifested, and consequently a great number
of idlers were drawn into the streets, and in the vicinity of the
Court-house, anxiously awaiting the examination of the pri-
soners. The numbers increased considerably, as the hour of
commencing the Court business drew nigh. Nothing, however,
of any moment occurred till about two o'clock, when a general
hue and cry was raised that the Chartists, in defiance of the au-
thorities were at that time holding a meeting at the Stanley
Arms, Newbridge-lane. The Magistrates then sitting at the
Court-house, immediately on receiving the information, acted
with that degree of praiseworthy promptitude and decision
which the event so much called for, and resolved on the entire
dispersion of the meeting ; for which purpose the troops were
immediately ordered out, together with a formidable body of
special constables and police officers, the latter being armed
with swords. The Riot Act was also read by the
Tow n-clerk in Warren-street, a step which appeared to ex-
cite a good deal of indignation and ridicule on the part of the
disaffected. The news of the Magistrates' determination having
reached the speakers of the meeting at the Stanley Arms it
was thought by them prudent to adjourn it to eight o'clock
that evening, the adjournment to take place to Greek-street
In the mean time the special constables and police officers,
headed by the mayor, magisi rates, and town clerk, had formed,
and were proceediag on their way to the scene of the meet-
ing; but when opposite to the Ardern Arms, they were met
by the retiring assemblage, and shouts of "halt" resounded
on all sides. The civil force, however, drew up, and the Town-
clerk again read the Riot Act, after which they were proceed-
ing on their way, but were assailed with fearful groaning and
hooting from a very numerous mob that had collected round
them. They immediately faced about and gave chace to
their assailants, who were completely routed, and flew in all
directions. The scene was one of the most ludicrous
that can be conceived, men were immediately seen sprawl-
ing upon the ground on every side the eye turned, and
great was the consternation and dismay amongst the rioters,
who but a moment before, had been all valiant and conceited.
Some rather severe bruises were inflicted in the skirmish. The
constables however arrived at the Stanley Arms without fur-
ther molestation (a troop of soldiers having speedily come
up at full gallop surrounded the house), and they directly
began to search the house for any of the Chartist leaders who
might be concealed there. In one of the rooms they found
David Roberts, of Manchester, Timothy Higgins, of Ashton-
under-Lyne, the man who was lately discharged on bail, for
having arms unlawfully concealed in his house, and the notorious
John Nicholls, of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, who, in conse-
quence of the conspicuous part he took in the riots at that
town was compelled to abscond, and a reward of SO/. has since
been offered for his apprehension. This man has for some
time been going about under the disguised name of Deegan, and
when taken a loaded pistol was found concealed about his
person. A letter was also found upon him which disclosed
his real name and address, it was written by Roberts, and
was a general letter of recommendation. Another suspic'ous
character was also taken into custody, whose name did not
transpire. The police then left the Stanley Arms, bringing
with them the fsur prisoners. On passing the house of
Mitchell, one of the prisoners above enumerated, for some rea-
son it was thought necessary to search, and in the front room
in which several persons were drinking they found a loaded
pistol under the form. An inquiry was instituted by the offi-
cers amongst the pas ties as to the owner of the pistol, and one
man was taken into custody on suspicion of it having been in
his possession. The whole were brought to the New Bailey,
and underwent an examination, which, resulted in the dis-
charge of two of them ; Nicholls, Roberts, and Higgins being
remanded to the following day.
To prevent any congregations of the rioters in any parts of
the borough, whereby their designing machinations might be
discussed in secresy, it was thought advisable that all public-
houses and beer-houses should be closed at an early hour, and
accordingly, about five o'clock in the afternoon, the following
notice, in the form of a large posting-bill, was posted on the
walls, and freely circulated throughout the borongh t—
" Public-houses and beer-houses.—The Magistrates of the
borough of Stockport, acting in and for the said borough, do
hereby, in consequence of the disturbed state of this district,
pursuant to the powers vested in them on that behalf, order and
direct that all inn-keepers and retail beer-sellers in the said
borough, do and shall, until further notice, close their houses at
the hour of eight in the evening.
" Court House, Stockport, July 31, 1839."
The streets still continued very much crowded, and frequent
skirmishes occurred between the police and the mob. At eight
o'clock, the hour at which the factories generally cease work,
the crowd about the Court-house and Warren-street became
still more dense, and matters began to assume a more serious
aspect in consequence. The police were hooted at, various
revolting execrations were heaped upon them, and they were
often compelled to assail the mob with their staves, who
flew in all directions. Tumult and confusion reigned trium-
phant. All the shops in the neighbourhood were closed, and
business was generally suspended. About 9 o'clock the troops
were ordered out, and they immediately proceeded to clear the
streets, by which means peace and order were again restored ;
the lamps were also lighted. At 10 o'clock all was perfectly
quiet and the town presented its usual appearance.
In speaking of the exertions throughout the whole day of the
civil and military forces, and of the measures taken to preserve
the peace, it is impossible we can express ourselves too highly
of their general conduct. The utmost degree of forbearance
and lenity was exercised by all.

This morning ( Thursday) all is perfectly quiet, and business
is again resumed. The special constables have been out all
night, but no fresh disturbances have arisen. A number of
windows were broken by the mob last night at Dlr. Brad-
shaw's factory, St. Petersgate. During the arrest of Roberts
and others yesterday, a man, named Chetsworth was also
taken into custody, for attempting (after frequent remonstranecs
from the police) to incite the mob to further breaches of
the peace. It is expected he will be brought up to-day with
the other prisoners.
More special constables have been sworn in. The licence
granted to the landlord of Stanley Arms has been suspended.
REFORMER, OFFICE, Half-past Four o'clock,
The prisoners have just been brought up, and the examina-
tion, which in all probability will not terminate until late this
evening ( Thursday) is proceeding. The prisoners appear very
much dejected. The table of the court literally groans under
the weight of fire-arms, and other instruments of destruction,
which have been taken from, and appear in evidence against
the prisoners.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

SHERIFF'S CO U RT.-THURSDAY, Auu. 1.

NOVEL PROCEEDING.-RATIIBONE V. FOWLER.

Mr. Goddard on behalf of the plaintiff said, the present
proceeding was under a writ of (legit issued pursuant to a
recent Act of Parliament, which enabled creditors to seize
upon freehold and copyhold lands. He believed it was the
first writ of the kind that had been issued.

The defendant's right to certain copyhold property hav-
ing been proved,
The UNDER SHERIFF said that this was not a novel pro-
ceeding, as the writ of elegit was a very old writ, but until
within the last two years copyhold estates could not be
seized under it, and only moieties of freehold property.
The Legislature, however, by the recent Act of Parlia-
ment, thought fit to give creditors the right of taking the
whole of freeholds from debtors, and also the power to
seize copyholds. The jury would, therefore, find that the
defendant was possessed of this property, and the Court
above would assign it to the plaintiff until his debt was
satisfied,.—The jury found accordingly.