The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-31 00:00:00

SATURDAY.

The eventful day, that shall ever be remembered, at length
arrived—there seemed a settled determination in the minds of
the people, and which might have been read in their counte-
nances, even at the eleventh hour, by the professed conservators
of the public peace—but no! we know what Toryism means,
and what local despotism is, and the Aristocrats, and the tools of
Aristocrats, and the dependants of the Aristocratic..tools—West
India slave-drivers, night constables and catch-poles, bludgeon_
men, and corporate tradesmen, aIL mingled into one heterogene-
ous compound, surrounded the worshipful body, and accom-
panied them in state to meet the hero of Boroughhridge.
Throughout the whole length of the road, from the Guildhall to
Fotherdown, there were posses of constables placed at distances
of about thirty yards, and, although the public had been de-
ceived as to the time of the public entry, it being four hours
earlier than usual, without any previous notification of the al-
teration of the time, many thousands of spectators had assem-
bled at different parts of the road. The cavalcade at length
arrived, and as it approached the city (the carriages being sur_
rounded by officers on horseback, armed with swords, and by
special constables armed with bludgeons, about 54X) of whom
formed the rear of the procession), the groans and shouts, and
screeches of the populace, occasionally intermingled with cries
of " Resign, resign," " Reform," " Where's the re-action ?"
" Are we all paupers ?" &c. &c. became truly deafening. As
the cavalcade came nearer the place of its destination, the density
of the crowd ; and the shouts of the populace increased ; some few
stones were thrown at Totterdown, Bathbridge, Temple-street,
and Bristol-bridge, none of which did any injury, but one thrown
in High-street severely wounded Mr. John Mercer, a ship-wright,
who was one of the special constables. At length they arrived at
the Guildhall, to which I obtained admittance. The Learned
Recorder and the worshipful body having taken their places, the
doors were attempted to be shut, and the people excluded, but this
being illegal, under the direction of the Town Clerk the public
were admitted. Mr. Brice now attempted to read the Commis_
sion, but could not proceed in consequence of loud and discordant
groaning, and cries of " Reform, no re-action." Silence
being commanded by Sir Charles another attempt was made,
but unsuccessfully, as were several succeeding ones, in conse_
quence of the public indignation. Sir Charles now said, " If
any person makes a noise, bring him before me, and I will com-
mit him."—(Applause from the underlings and groans from the
people.) Another attempt having proved abortive Sir Charles
again said, " Officers, keep a good look out, bring them before
me, and I will commit them." The groaning still continuing
Mr. Serjeant Ludlow, the Town Clerk, rose and said, " Gentle-
men, the public have a right of admission to all Courts of Jus-
tice—the Magistrates have therefore thrown open the doors to
admit you, but it is also the duty of the Magistrates to cause
the King's Commission to be read in silence, and I hope your
good sense will enable them to do so."—(Cries of " Read the
Commission for Reform.") Mr. Ludlow, " as to Reform, gentle-
men," Sir Charles here pulled him back, and said, " No, no ; say
nothing about that." Some Magistrates also said,
" -s xr
o, no."
Mr. Ludlow continued,—" As to Reform, gentlemen, that has
nothing to do with the present occasion." The people now re-
mained quiet, until he came to " God save the King, and my
Lord the King's Justice," when there were loud cries of, " God
save the King," some voices intermingling, " Never mind the
Justice." The people then gave three cheers for the King, and
three groans for Sir Charles; after which, the Court having
adjourned, they left the Hall fur the purpose of conducting the

tvortliy Recorder to the 11lansion-house, which they did amidst
discordant yells and shouts, clapping of hands, and jingling of
pattens. In Queen'irsqUare thotisairds of persimS had assem-
bled. As Sir Charles deseeilded frOm his carriage, several
stones were thrown which demolished the lamps and windows of
tte carriage, and some panes of glass in the windows of the
l‘lansion-hoUse. The people gave three groans, after which
some of them departed, and others were preparing to depart,
when several special constables, amongst the most active of
whom was one William Hole, a gunsmith, and one Barton, a
West India Captain, sallied forth, and commenced an attack
upon them with their bludgeons. One man, it is reported, had
his ba.A brUir.ifir. The sth-geolis at the QUeen's..square Dispen-
sary assured me that they had several cases of fractured heads
and noses; and I myself saw a man, named John Whittam, of
Bedminster, who had received a very extensive concussion of
the brain from a blow with a constable's bludgeon, and who, I
am credibly inforined, is since dead. It should be remembere►i
thht nbne or the Wounded in this assault were constables. In
consequence of this impolitic attack (to say the least of it) on
the part of the constables, there was a cry of, " Arm your-
selves," and several hundreds of the populace went to the Welsh-
back, armed themsd►es from the faggot-piles, and returned to
the square, when a determined contest ensued between the
people and the constables, but which, after a short time, termi:.
mated. All then reinained tolerably tranquil for some hours,
until the special constables made another sally, in which they
were defeated, and driven into the Mansion-house. Elated with
this conquest, the people, in their turn, became the assailants,
and immediately commenced an attack. A neighbouring wall
was pulled down, and the bricks, serving for ammunition, were
thrown at the windows, the whole of which were completely
demolished. The large posts in the square were cut down,
and the iron railings torn up ; the former serving as battering
rams, the latter as pikes. The lamps were broken to pieces—the
doors destroyed—the window-blinds and curtains torn to ribbons
—the elegant chandeliers completely demolished—the chairs
torn in pieces, for the sake of obtaining their legs as arm,—
the luggage of Sir Charles was recognised and thrown into the
street, and a general, though ineffectual, search made for the
object of the popular vengeance. Sir Charles's gown was at
length found and torn into pieces, each person preserving a small
portion as a trophy of victory—(l have a small portion of it
which was presented to me this morning.) The mob next ob-
tained possession of a special constable, who was thrown into the
river and well ducked, being upheld by a boat-hook. The
Magistrates now read the Riot Act, and the soldiers, who had
been under arms in the prison yard, new market, &c., the whole
day, were sent for, and arrived just in time to prevent the burn-
ing of the Mansion-house, a large quantity of straw and tar
having been put into the house for the purpose of dostroying it.
Where Sir Charles is it is impossible to say. There are various
reports. Some say that he escaped,through the stables; others
by the roof of the Mansion-house; others that he owed his
escape to his assuming the disguise of a female; others that he
was disguised as a special constable; but the most general and,
I think, most probable account is, that he was concealed in the
cellar, the entrance to which was guarded by about 600 special
and petty constables. The soldiers having arrived, the people
gave them three cheers, and immediately sang, " God save the
King." The soldiers cheered for the people. Too much praise
cannot be given to Colonel Brereton (Staff:Colonel), for the ad-
mirable manner in which he endeavoured to soothe the people.
The 3d Dragoons have displayed considerable urbanity, and are
popular; but the 14th Hussars (the Duke of Cumberland's
regiment) are very unpopular. As soon as they came into the
square one of them cut an old woman with his sabre. Late
last night an attack was made on the Council-house, and the
windows were broken. The 14th Hussars were called to guard
it, and the people threw a few stones at them. Two men and
two women were standing at the entrance of the Adam and
Eve passage, in Wine-street, no person being nearer to them
than twenty yards, when two of the soldiers rode up, and one
of them, with a sabre, cut one of the men down the head. The
people then hurled some stones at the soldiers, who followed
them into the Pithay. A poor man, named Stephen Bush, an
ostler, was, about half-past twelve o'clock at night, returning
from his work up the Pithay, when, observing the attack, he
stood in a door-way. The soldiers pressing upon the people,
they commenced running away, and Bush amongst them. A
soldier followed him, and, with a pistol-bullet, shot him through
the neck. His death was almost instantaneous.

SUNDAY, ONE O'CLOCK.

The people have again broken into the Mansion-house, and
demolished the remaining furniture. They have beaten the 14th
Regiment out of the city on the road to Bath. A constant firing
has been kept up, and there are several wounded, it is impos-
sible to ascertain how many, but we may say six or seven. A
man of colour, named Lewis, was standing peaceably in a
court on the Quay, when he was shot through the arm. There
are several bullets in the walls of Augustine's Church, in ditTh.-
rent places on the Quay, and in Lower College-street. The
people kept up a constant shower of stones on the soldiers,
(many of whom are wounded), who retreated, under the di-
rection of Col. Brereton, to the Hot-wells ; the people followed
them up the New-cut, and they are gone off at a gallop towards
Bath. Placards, dated " Council-house," are just posted up
announcing that Sir Charles Wetherell left Bristol at twelve
o'clock last night ; he made his escape from the back of the
house by means of a ladder, and was disguised in an old great
coat and hat, borrowed from the landlord of the Hole-in-the-
Wall Tavern.

THREE O'CLOCK.

The 3411 Dragoons are drawn up round the Mansion house.
The Bridewell is now on fire, the people having liberated those
who were arrested. It is reported that the Magistrates have
sent for fresh troops. There is a meeting to take place in the
Guildhall, and the Political Union have a meeting of their
Council at half-past three o'clock. If in time you shall know
the result.

FOUR O'CLOCK.

The populace are gone, it is reported, to the new gaol. It
is impossible to contemplate the mischief that will result at the
close of the evening. The fire at Bridewell is extinguished.
QUARTER TO FIVE.
The Bridewell is now in flames. A. 13. C.

BROAD-STREET, BRISTOL, OCT. 30.

(FROM A KNOWN CORRESPONDENT.)

I trouble you with this letter, for fear that you are without
an account of the melancholy circumstances taking place here.
Yesterday Sir Charles Wetherell made his public entry as Re-
corder, to preside at our Session of Oyer and Terminer. The
Magistrates had issued bills, entreating the people to receive
him,only as a Judge, and to abstain from any demonstration of
feeling; but the people seemed determined not to let Sir Charles
again inform the House that a reaction had taken place in
Bristol. The Magistrates applied to the Secretary of the Home
Department for soldiers, and three troops were dispatched here,
but with strict orders to keep out of the city, unless the Riot
.kct was read. The Magistrates also swore in a great number
of special constables, but most of the shopkeepers refused to be
employed in the business; and when Sir Charles made his ap_
pearance, the constables made but a poor show and a few stones
were thrown. Groans and hisses resounded through the city, but
Sir Charles made good his entry to the Guildhall, and opened
the Assize. The Corporation then proceeded in state to the
Mansion_house, situated in Queen-square, where an immense
multitude had congregated. There the disturbance assumed a
more alanning aspect, the special constables became angry, and in
attempting to seize some that they considered the very foremost
conflicts ensued, which only irritated and inflamed the popu_
lace. About three o'clock they began to fling stones, battered
in all the windows, and got partial possession of the premises.
About five o'clock the Magistrates found it necessary to read
the Riot Act. Charles Pinney, Esq., the Mayor (a Reformer),
then came out and begged the people to disperse, and told them
he was obliged to read the Act, which having done, the mili-
tary were sent for. The soldiers soon made their appear-
ance, and no language can give you 'a sufficient idea of
their forbearance and good temper. The officer who con,
manded, with a humanity that did him infinite credit,
reasoned with the people, told them of the folly of their
conduct, and did every thing in the power of man to
allay the ferment without having recourse to one act of violence.
This continued till half-past eleven o'clock on Saturday night,
when a party of the rioters left the Mansion-house and pro-
ceeded to the Council-house situated in the centre of the city,
where they commenced a wanton and useless destruction of the
windows. In about half an hour the soldiers received notice of
what was doing, and made their appearance. They charged in
all directions on the people, but with their usual humanity, till
from stones and angry words a soldier found it necessary to use
his pistol. A man, who bad just finished putting up his master's
horse, was shot in the breast and instantly expired. About three
o'clock this morning the mob dispersed and the troops retired.
Unfortunately at seven o'clock the mob increased and again took
possession of the Mansion-house, and have destroyed every thing
in it. The wine-barrels, and the bottled wine and porter, all
was either drank or wasted. The soldiers were again called in,
and here I cannot write but with sorrow—the soldiers charged
and cut and wounded many. Reports give the number of killed
from six to twenty, and the wounded from twelve to thirty ; but
at present nothing certain can be ascertained with safety to any
person. The soldiers have been charging all the morning, and
it is feared will not preserve the peace of the city without more
loss of life ; two of the soldiers are seriously wounded, and arc
now determined to use their weapons. The soldiers are charging
in various parts of the city, they consist of the 3d Dragoon
Guards and the 14th Hussars. The Colonel has ordered the 14th
out of the town, considering them too inflamed to trust to. The
city is thronged with fellows drunk with wine, and they are
to be seen fifty together, proceeding to their homes in a beastly
state of complete intoxication ; every householder has been
called upon to keep the peace, and the most dreadful anticipa-
tions are in every body's mind. Au attempt was made to fire the
Mansion_house, but, fortunately, the soldiers stopped it. A fire in
this old fashioned city would be an awful thing indeed, for once
on fire, the mob would be joined with the thieves, and prevent it
being put out. lam afraid in reading through this letter I have
not stated the riots in their true light, for every body gives me
a worse character of the dreadful affair. I will go on writing,
and shall put in the latest intelligence I can obtain. It appears
that Sir C. Wetherell left the city at twelve o'clock last night, bills
to that effect having been posted up all over the city. The number
of persons killed and wounded has greatly exasperated the mob,
but every friend to Reform and good order are unremitting in
their endeavours to keep the peace from further outrage. I
have, unfortunately, been an eye-witness of much of the rioting,
and also of the behaviour of the soldiers. The mob seemed to
be chiefly boys. At two o'clock they broke open the Bride_
well and liberated the prisoners. After this, peace seems
gradually to have spread itself over the city. It seems that
Charles Wetherell, against whom this rioting was originally
designed, left the town early this morning, and bills to that
effect have been posted up, but the people did not for some
time redit the statement. The Assize has been put off.

Disturbances are anticipated during the ensuing night'
will write to you to-morrow any thing further that MO

,
(ANOTHER ACCOUNt.)
SUNDAY AFTERS'
Sut,—You will probably have receiv,
disturbances that have taken place here
terday; but as I was an eye-witness to
take the liberty of giving you an acct
who had congregated to receive Sir Chi
undoubtedly prepared to offer him ev,
don't think that any personal violence w
mitted. The injury that has been doe
have been lost, were the natural conseq,
judicious, and, indeed, barbarous concb
stables, about 4€k) or 500 individuals, con:
of Tory attorneys' clerks, or the porter
chants. The Magistrates endeavoured I
able tradesmen of the city to be sworn in,
man refused. Nothing of any consequei
Sir Charles had entered the Mansion-how
stables either gone home, or at least hay
body before the Mansion-house, the win
peaceably retired. But such conduct di
gentlemen; no, they must show the "r,
they were armed with a little brief auth
of these young specials did their utmost
To do this, they frequently went out sii
the unarmed and quiet multitude, shoo
faces of the people, and did their utmost
course they sometimes succeeded—for wl
submitted to such insolent conduct?
means succeeded 4p creating a little dish
of constables rushed forward to rescue th,
doing so indiscriminately attacked every
consequence of all this was, that many I
wounded, and some lost their lives. Of
about a dozen constables around one
knocked down ; they kept him down f(
beat him in such a barbarous manner, th,
taken off in a coach, and has since died.
men might have taken one man into cuss
barons conduct as this. Such scenes were
yesterday afternoon : in fact, they acted
than constables. When this had continued
hours, they had managed to get people inl
citement, and a great deal ofdisturbance

[ gratuil
the tow,
in be pi
future

BRISTOL-(LAST N

(EXTRACT OE A PRIVATE

" Since the P.S. to my letter last night
you know that the Mansion-house was at
whole of the windows and furniture d,
Wetherell driven over the roofs of

made his escape in disguise—the mi.
—one man, named Stephen Foley, aged
killed by a pistol-shot in Wire-street. Thr
and the people dispersed ; but they asseml
ing at seven, completed the work of destrui
house, emptied the cellars of all the wine an
anti threw them into the street to annoy t:
charged on the mob and wounded severs
to let the prisoners out. lam on the G
but do not expect the sessions will be

posted all over the city. " Sir C. Wet
evening at twelve o'clock, dated Court Hot
Another Bill, '° The Riot Act has Leen
persons found assembling will be guilty
P.S. I open this to say, the Bridewell
and the prisoners liberated, and they 11
prison to let them out also.

TUMULTUOUS CONDUCT
PULACE IN BRISTOL,

(From Kee»e's Bath Jo,

Saturday very riotous proceedings mal
The arrival of Sir Charles Wetherell, thl
petted, by ten o'clock several thousand pc,
Totterdown, awaiting his approach. A
rival was announced ; be was attended
constables, with bludgeons or staves.
within sight of the populace, execrations,
uttered, loud and deep. Several volleys
This was continued all the way thence ti
masses of people thronged all the road.
the Guildhall, and proceeded to open the
the groans and yells not a word could
threatened in vain to commit ; the noise i
were then sent into the body of the Ball
The people then began coughing, so that
Commission could be heard. When
mendous cheers were given for the 101,
the thousands outside. Afterwards Sir
the Mansion-house, amidst continued gro:
Commercial-rooms, he was cheered by
assembled in the rooms; this quite infu,
entered the Mansion-house. Another
now thrown, fortunately without ink',
persons were collected round the Mansif
windows of which were broken. A sli;
between the mob and special constables,
taken into custody. A general rush
people to the Quay, where they armed tl
geons. They were met on their retui
stables, who completely routed them,
their bludgeons. The crowd, however,
several more windows were broken. Thi
read the Riot Act, at which a stone was
nice an aim that had he not lowered
killed him. At five o'clock the Riot Act
after which every window, frames and
house, was smashed to pieces. The 1,
rived, at which the people only became mi
town was now one scene of disorder,
loud huzzaing from the people, and soldiers
At eight o'clock the crowd was still increasi
fury when our report left; the most
were anticipated to take glace during tin
constables were quite overcome. Seven
severely wounded by the constables' staves
that he cannot recover, his skull being f
and it was feared that several others had
We trust that nothing.so serious will occu
edition necessary.

dthisa Aja account
n
morning
some of them'"aving
!count. The ' 'rer of tl
sarles Wethe "eq I dic
very indignity, er, as
would have bed,
Ise, and the II vi
nuence of the
luct of the s'This
•nsisting alnaa4,
&c., cif '
to iticince thP 411 be
in, but they lhack)
ence took place e
use; and had d back
ve remained (lur add",
sole sole crowd Wee t '1 to
did not suit the rttlf
oi
rascally f-adi ▪ a WI
hority. In 09' , 4 1).
to create dis' ,j„tlieel
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ask their stave' ae
st to enrage uuty
,vho could have '•
ee of
e
When theyb five
turbance, a nh,
heir compalsioev Noce
y one they Met !e% of
were ' Persons Wes,
)n one occasi eve_'
man, whose , 'lin Y
for some nllol' 2 f
hat he was eh ~11 co,
. Now, surely, '.ay
stody without ▪ triagethlr's
Ire very trellis° ' disek
more like e% " th_
.-K1 for about to2:* ,
rito a state.°l ,
e has been the
t, ,
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LETTER.) . tyj
at I think it .31
attacked last r ,11,1
destroyed- hit;
the house", "ot
Ji
agedita t
r y
twenty were
let for
fcai
::
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„
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Grand Jury the,
held. Large .> Ptoki,
etherell left ' ere'
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