The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-07 00:00:00

RIOTS AT BRISTOL.

(From the Times.)
BRISTOL, SATURDSY, Nov. 5.
There were three things which favoured the operations of the
rioters—the unpopularity of the Recorder, which furnished the
pretext for disturbance; the remissness of the corporate autho-
rites, who so long permitted it to rage with impunity ; and the
alienation of the people from these authorities, which 'checked
any spontaneous demonstration of zeal for the preservation of the
peace, so long as the incendiaries confined their ravages to the
public buildings.
the Magistrates were divided amongst themselves. I have
understood that the Mayor, the Sheriffs, and Alderman Bar-
row, were adverse to the coming of Sir Charles Wetherell,
and that their associates were, on the other hand, decidedly
for it, lest a contrary determination should be construed into a
cowardly deference to the prejudices of the multitude. Here
be it remarked that the custom in Bristol has generally been
to have but one gaol-delivery in the year, and that in April,
so that there was no indispensable occasion for the Recorder's
official visit just now. Again, all the authorities are Tories,
with the exception of the Mayor and Sheriff Bengough, both
of whom are of liberal opinions. The Mayor, as the chief Ma-
gistrate, has borne the brunt of the obloquy ; yet if a plea can
be offerkli for any member of the corporative government, I*: is
for him. He is admitted to be a man of the best disposition :
he is new to his office, while the Tory Aldermen are familiar
with the exercise of Magisterial functions, some of them for
twenty and thirty years. It is possible that they might not have
been indisposed to see a Reforming Mayor in an unpleasant
predicament : it is possible that they might not have been
afflicted at the occurrence of such a display of popular violence
as might embarrass a Whig Administration, and compromise the
supporters of their great measure. Be this as it may, the voice
of theirfellow-citizens unequivocally condemns them. Some say
that they wished to make the Mayor scape-goat, and it is the pre-
vailing impression that the primar- cause of the whole scenes
of deplorable events lies in the woriing of that system by which
they are gainers, and of which they are tlfr(props.
The police of Bristol has been conductecklepon strange princi-
ples. The Magistrates are almost all non-residents, and it has
frequently happened that an officer, after going in quest of one
for hours at the Mansion-house, the Council-house, the Hot_
wells, and Clifton, has been obliged at last to set a prisoner at
large for want of a person to commit him. No wonder, then,
that the town is thronged with depredators and vagabonds of
every description. As are the leaders so are the subordinates.
The underlings ofthe city executive are, with scarcely an ex-
ception, discarded lacquies and coachmen, tapsters and de-
cayed serving-men." So much for the Mayor's and Sheriff's
officers of Bristol.
The result of all my inquiries proves, that the great bulk of
the inhabitants, including sensible persons of all parties, are sick
of the self-elective system, and anxious that it should be abo_
lished, as destructive of all unanimity and wholesome rule. They
think that the late disgraceful proceedings, which are mainly at.
tributable to it, take away every plea for procrastinating the de-
sired change. After the expected investigation Into the conduct
of the authorities, they will, no doubt, endeavour to effect the
abolition of the Recorders hip, and secure the privilege of choosing
their municipal Government.
About fifty persons injund in the riots remain in the Infirmary.
Among them are two of the most daring incendiaries who re-
ceived their injuries by leaping from the windows of the Custom-
house. Up to yesterday there were six deaths. Pensioners with
drawn swords keep watch over the wards that contain the rioters.
I went round the different beds, and ascertained that the majority
were boys from about fourteen to eighteen years of age.
On Wednesday a quantity of plunder was discovered on board
a barge going somewhere up the Severn. Five more bodies were
dug out of the ruins in Queen-square on Thursday, and one yes_
terday. The fires were still faintly burning last night. In some
houses the ruins were actually strewed with lumps of human
flesh. A sailor thought by the smell, that it was boiled beef, but
passing on he saw the same substance banging to the skeletons of
act,liyhtuomaiifon resemblens
t;h
eo nc
ie.of
ofthe ea handb. s
Twh aes s
lhi eoried. t
hue id)
esado absodeixe
s..
in one of the angles of Queen's-square is intolerable. I should
not be surprised if fifty persmm bad perished by the fires in that
quarter. fhe kitchen of the Custom-house was up stairs, and
while the flames were raging above and around, a gang of the
rioand
spirits.trs
lwerenaclloiplc,:cobteatbi
tiyt git was h
eait, al
atsatbbl
no,iiiu
et meat,. wine,
One of the ringleaders of the incendiaries—he who first struck
the doors of the Bridewell—has been taken prisoner. After the
BridewLit was demolished, he led the way to the New Prison,
Idame ng before the mob, and imitating, with two sticks, the action
of a tidier. He is a hump-back miscreant, about 32 years of age.
An inquest was held at the Dolphin public-house, and adjouriexl
daily since Wednesday, was terminated to.day. It was held on
the body of a boy named Thomas Morris, who was shot near
Queen-square, on last Monday morning, by an individual named
Lewis, said to have been a naval officer on half..pay. It is entirely
an insulated circumstance, unconnected with the tumults whisk
preceded it. Nothing of general interest has been developed in
the evidence. The Jury brought in a verdict of g‘ manslaughter"
against Mr. Lewis.
It is expected that Government will send hither a Commisiion
of Inquiry in the course of next week.

(From the Bristol Mirror of Saturday.) •
The following is a return of the killed, wounded, and injured,
up to yesterday afternoon :

DEAD.-AT THE INFIRMARY.
From shots
sword cuts 1
burnt 1
excessive drinking
AT ST. PETER'S HOSPITAL.
From sword cuts 1
• burnt 5
_ _ _

excessive drinking 1
Total —l2
WOUNDED AND INJURED.-AT THE INFIRMARY.
From shots
sword cuts and contusions from the
horses of the military 'lo
causes unconnected with the military... 21
apoplexy from excessive drinking 2
AT ST. PETER'S irosPirraL.
From sword cuts 2
other causes 2
AT THE. DISPENSARIES AND THE HOUSES OF. PRIVATE Strat.r.oxii.
From shcts
. . .
sword cut). t.,..;10
Other causes
Total —94
TOTAL -WOUNDED AND INJURED.
From shots lO
sword cuts • 48
drunkenness 2
other causes 34
Total 94