The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-06 00:00:00

RIOTS IN EDINBURGH.

Some weeks ago an attempt was made to distrain
number of articles in the shops of Mr. 11. Darlington,
Frederick-street, and Mr. J. Sword, Hanover-street,
Edinburgh, for arrears of ministers' stipend, but in con-
sequence of the opposition offered by the crowd who as-
sembled on the occasion, none of the goods were sold,
and the auctioneer was forced to desist. Since that time
the Volunteers of Edinburgh have had two meetings, at
both of which resolutions were passed denouncing the
Annuity Tax. It has:also been resolved to set on foot
a league, in order to employ all lawful and constitu-
tional means to procure its immediate and entire aboli-
tion. The parties charged with the collecting of
the stipend for the ministers were, however, deter-
mined that the goods which were poinded for the
arrears due by Mr. Darlington and Mr. Sword should
be sold; and yesterday was fixed upon for this purpose.
A considerable crowd assembled at Frederick-
street some time before the hour of sale ; and the
premises of Mr. Darlington were crowded. When Mr.
Barclay, the auctioneer, began to expose for sale the
articles which had been poinded, the crowd pressed in
upon him and drowned his voice with their cries and
groans. Some even went so far as to spit upon him,
until the whole of his coat was covered with the most
offensive saliva. Some blows were also aimed at him.
He, however, read over the whole of the articles which
were appraised; and as it was impossible for any one to
bid for them, even if he was inclined, they were adjudged
to the poinding creditor. Mr. Barclay, who was now
apparently alarmed for the situation in which he was
placed, endeavoured to force his way out. This was a
work of some difficulty, and before he gained the street
his hat was knocked over his eyes, and then torn from
his head, while he himself was buffeted right and left.
When the sale was over in Frederick-street, the crowd,
who had assembled to the number of 3,000 or 4,000
repaired to Hanover street, where the sale of Mr.
Sword's articles was to take place at one o'clock,
While the multitude were waiting, the sheriff and the
authorities were consulting as to what steps should be
taken to prevent the scenes which took place in Frede•-
rick-street being enacted at Mr. Sword's. The result
of their deliberations was that about 100 policemen were
ordered down to Hanover-street, the same number of
the 33d Regiment from the Castle were also marched to
the spot, and a troop of dragoons were brought up from
Piershill barracks. The civil and military force, after
clearing a portion rof the street, drew up in a square.
The goods were brought down stairs from the premises
of Mr. Sword, and were placed on the public street, in

the centre of the square formed by the armed force. As
each article was brought down, a groan was raised by
the crowd, who now numbered about 12,000. There
were no offers for four of the articles, which were ad-
judged to the poinding creditor, and the rest of the
things were knocked down to a Mr. John Balfour, said
to be a small broker in Glasgow. About half• past five
o'clock, by which time the goods were lodged in the yard
of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, the crowd
began to disperse, and the streets resumed their usual
appearance.—Scottish Guardian.