The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-16 00:00:00

it appears, provided and placed straw in "the dining4oom
for the apparent purpose of letting fire to the house. Upon
the appearance of the soldiers, the people withdrew from
the attack, but did not disperse ; and directions were given
to Colonel Brereton, who came to the Magistrates for or-
ders, to get the streets cleared ; they, however, still con-
tinued to occupy the courts of the adjoining houses and the
corners of the square, near the Mansion-house, in consi-
derable numbers, throwing stones at the windows and at
the 14th dragoons, two of whom were brought in wounded.
Colonel Brereton came in from time to time to report to
the Magistrates, and it appeared, from his statement, that
the people were in very good humour, that he had been
shaking hands with them until his own arm was tired,
that their number was lessening, and that he should shortly
disperse them by merely riding the troops about. It ap-
peared, however, to the Magistrates, that their number was
rather increising than diminished, and that their conduct
was tumultuous and violent, as they still continued to
assail the house by throwing stones, and attempted to
force their way into the kitchen and other parts of
the building ; and the Magistrates considered it neces-
sary to have the people dispersed. Colonel Brereton
was asked if he had any directions which prevented
him from acting under the orders of the Magistrates?
And answered that his orders were to be under
their directions; upon which be was told that the Ma-
gistrates required him to clear the streets. The people
were soon after driven from the square, without any cut or
wound being inflicted, and they retreated to the neighbour-
ing streets, in one of which the soldiers of the 14th dra-
goons were exposed to great annoyance by being pelted
with stones, and being made unable to follow the people
with effect, as they retreated across the quay to the ships,
the lamps having been put out, and it being quite dark.
Upon one of the officers of the 14th dragoons coming in
to complain of this, and stating that the troops would be
uselessly sacrificed, and asking for permission to fire, one
of the special constables offered to go with a party of 25
men, it they could be supported by the soldiers, and dis•
lodge them ; but this was given up upon Colonel Brere-
ton's suggesting that, in his opinion, they would soon be-
come quiet and go to their homes if they were left unmo-
lested, and saying he would he answerable for the peace
of the city, and would patrole it during the night.
The Alagistrates recommended the Sheriffs to call out the
civil power of the county, and requested Captain Shute,
of the Bedminster troop of North Somerset Yeomanry
Cavalry, to collect as many of his troop as be could in
readiness by the next day.
It appears that during the night there had been some
further insult and violence toward the 14th dragoons at
some distance from the square, which in the result led to
a man being shot. Some few persons continued in the
square all night : early in the morning they began to col-
lect rapidly, and at seven o'clock there were many hun-
dreds assembled. Col. Brereton called at the Mansion-
house, and ordered home the few soldiers who remained
there ; shortly after which, the people commenced another
attack upon the Mansion-house, and tore down the berri-
cadoes which had been fixed during the night, and entered
in full force into the house. The Mayor and one of the
Sheriffs with difficulty escaped over the roof, and got to
the Guildhall. The troops were recalled ; and the people
again withdrew, but retained po-session of the cellar, and
drank the liquors. About half-past ten, the 14th again
returned to their quarters, being followed by the mob, and
pelted wnli stones, which they returned by firing several
shots in College-green ; notwithstanding which, the mob
continued to pelt and insult them up to their very quar-
ters. The Riot Act had been read three times by one of
the Aldermen, who remained on the spot, and addressed
the mob, and entreated them to return to their houses ; and
soon afterwards the Alderman, in a conversation with Col.
Brereton, requested the troops might fire ; but the Colonel
said that the troops would not and should not fire,
it would be of no avail, and the mob would be so in-
furiated that they might overcome the troops, and the city
be given up to slaughter. The Colonel said it would be
better to keep the mob in temper until the next morning,
when a reinforcement of troops might be expected. Upon
the arrival of the Mayor at the Guildhall a notice was issued,
apprising the citizens that the Riot Act had been read, as
stated in the Appendix, No. 2, and also a notice, Appen-
dix, No. 3, requesting a meeting of the citizens at the
Guildhall, to assist in restoring the peace of the city.
The Mayor also gave notice that Sir Charles Wetherell
had left the city, which circumstance took place soon after
the first attack upon the Mansion-house, Sir Charles hav-
ing retired from it to a house at some distance, and, by the
advice of the Magistrates, withdrawn from the city.
About eleven o'clock intelligence was brought to the
Guildhall that the mob were proceeding in considerable
force to the City Bridewell, with the declared purpose of
setting at liberty some prisoners whO had been taken into
custody, and committed thereto on the Saturday. At this
time the special constables (being principally tradesmen of
the city), who had been on duty from eight o'clock on the
Saturday morning, had returned to their houses, and only
a few of the citizens had answered the Mayor's request, by
coming to the Guildhall, and those who did attend ex-
pressed their readiness to act if they were supported by
the troops, but at the same time their unwillingness to
their lives unless they could be so supported. At this
'rime Colonel Brereton applied to the Magistrates for
their at:dimity to send the two troops of the 14th
Dragoons out of town, stating that the mob were so
exasperated with them, in consequence of their having
fired, that the lives of every man of them would be sacrn
diced if they remained. He was distinctly told by the
Magistrates that they could not authorise or consent to
thi.. and that if he sent them away he must be personally
responsible. He also stated that those troops, as well as
the 3d Dragoon Guard., were harrassed and fatigued, as
men as horses, and could not render any assistance,
or take anyduty, for some time. The Magistrates remon-
strated with him against this proposal, as the city would
be left in a defenceless state ; and as the Colonel still in-
sisted on the absolute necessity of the measure, he requested
the Magistrates to point out quarters fur the men, at the
distance of two or three miles from the city, which the
Ai'sgistrates therefore did--informing him, at the same
time, they could not relieve him of his responsibility in
this reaps.' ti
or be considered as sanctioning, in any man-
,ised removal of the troops. He insisted also
ner, the prop'
on the necessity of refreshing the 3d Dragoon Guards, and
it is believed orderer; most of them to quarters for that
purpose. In a short dote after this (the mob having car-
ried Bridewell by force, and liberated the prisoners, and set
it on fire, and being about as it was alleged to proceed to the
City Gaol for the like purpose) several citizens having by
tNis time assembled at the Guildhall, in pursuance
of the Mayor's requisition, and being called upon
to give their assistance, stated, in Colonel Brere-
ton*s presence, that they would not act unless sup.
ported by the military. Colonel Brereton was agiin pe-
remptorily desired to call out the troops immediately, and
again gave for an answer that he could not do it, as their
lives would be sacrificed without being able to do any good
The mob proceeded, as was expected, and succeeded in
getting possession of that prison ; two of the Magistrates
aieving gone down with such civil force as they could col-
kict, were driven back, the particulars of which, and the
manduct of such of the troops as were brought out on that
oceasion, are detailed in the account furnished by the Sheriffs
in the statement which forms the Appendix, marked No. 4.
It appears that, with reference to sending the 14th dra-
goons gutof the city, the officers and men were very un-
willing to go, that they were by no means in a state which
made them quite unfit for service, and were anxious to be
actively employed ; but Colonel Breretah informed them
elsat it was the order of the Magistrates they chould go,
and go they must. The mob having succeeded in liberating
all die prisoners from the gaol, proceeded for the same pur-
pose, aai with the same object, to the prison of Lawford's
i
Gate, situated in the county of Gloucester, but n the un-
mediate vicinityof Bristol,where they effected the same work
f demolition and liberation. The Magistrates, by this time,
bad established themselves es well as they could in the
Council-house, the Sheriff and a party of the citizens re.
aining at the Guildhall, between both which places
a constant communication was maintained, but no suffi-
xieef force either of citizens or special constablta would be
,obtained to enable the Magistrates to engage in further
,conflict, after the result of the endeavour to relieve the
gaol. About this time an attempt was wade to set fire to
the back of the Mansion-house, and there heingeie soldiers
in the square at the front, the circumstance was commu-
nicated to them, with a request they would show them-
selves at the Luck in order to prevent it, which they re-
fused, alleging that their orders were eoofind to keeping
the front of the Mansion-house clear. From Lawford's.
gate the mob proceeded, in two divisions, to the Bishop's
Palace, and the M iyor, with several person,. who had beer
with him during the day, and followed by as many
citizens as could be collected, went down to the scene of
action, having given order for all the troops which could
be brought out to be there. The first division of the mob
having entered, were followed by many of the special
constables and the soldiers, who formed inside the court,
and it was hoped the ringleaders might be secured ; but just
as the citizens came in contact with them, the main body of
the ?nob were heard advancing. The Mayor, and the few
persons who were with him between the two bodies, with
difficulty passed through them ; and the constables, who had
attempted to secure some of the mob, on yoking to the
place where the soldiers had been posted, in the hope of
finding support, observed that the soldiers were gone, and
finding themselves deserted, got away as they could, de-
claring that they would not again venture their lives.