The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-01 00:00:00

RIOTS AT WOLVERHAMPTON.

(From a Morning Contemporary.)
WOLVERHAMPTON, SATURDAY NIGHT.
When I left this on Thursday evening, on my return to
Lichfield, everything was perfectly quiet, but, as I then stated,
the people were in a state of great excitement. I now take
up the events here where I left off in my communication of
Thursday evening. I learn, that as that evening closed in
crowds began to assembie in the market-place in large groups,
and of course the events of the preceding night were the sole
subject of their remarks. Strong symptoms of a disposition
to break the peace being manifest, fears were entertained for
the tranquillity of the town. Under these circumstances, re-
presentations were made to the Magistrates (Messrs. Hill and
Briscoe) with a request that they would call in the aid of the
troops and clear the streets. Mr. Briscoe then came forward,
and having advised the people to retire, read the Riot Act.
The troops were then ordered to disperse the crowds, which
they did by riding in amongst them, but without offering any
violence. The people went off in different directions, without
making any resistance whatever. There was not even a stone
thrown that I can learn. The troops continued to parade the
streets up to half-past one, but the people had retired to their
homes long before. At the last-named hour the troops were
recalled, with the exception of a picket or two. I should have
stated above, that before the streets were cleared two shots were
fired at the troops by some persons who escaped detection.
No damage was done by either. The town continued per-
fectly tranquil the remainder of the night and throughout the
whole of yesterday, until the evening, when, as before, groups
began to assemble in the market-place. The Riot Act eras
again read by Mr. Briscoe, and the military were called out,
but it was found unnecessary to do more than parade them dis-
mounted, when the crowds separated. The wounded persons,
whose cases I spoke of on Thursday (and, save some bruises
from blows of the flats of sabres, I have heard of no others),
are going on well, with the exception of the young man whose
leg was amputated, and his condition is considered very pre-
carious. Should his case terminate fatally, I have little
doubt that it would renew the excitement here to a serious
extent, and then we shall have an inquest as tedious probably
as that of Manchester. The Government has lost no
time in in directing an inquiry into this business,
as far at least as regards the conduct of the troops.
Orders were sent from the Horse Guards to Colonel Thorn
( Assistant Quarter-Master-General), at Birmingham, to
proceed thither, and institute an inquiry into the affair, and
repert the result to head-quarters. He arrived here this
morning, aceompanied by Sir George Teasdale, who came as
Colonel of the Dragoon Guards. Col. Thorn, I understand, pro.
ceeded immediately to the magistrates, where he commenced
his inquiries. He there received several depositions—de-
scribing, in the first instance, the absolute necessity for the
tranquillity of the town, that the aid of the military should be
called in. The magistrates and a very considerable number
of the most respectable inhabitants of the town were, I am in-
formed, unanimous in their opinion as to the necessity for
calling in the military ; but I must add, that the same unani-
mity on that point does not exist amongst the townspeople
generally, and there are amongst these some very respect-
able individuals, who join with Mr. Roaf, the chairman, con-
ducting one inquiry here, in thinking that the interference of
the troops was not necessary, and that when they did act,
they acted with unnecessary violence.
Mr. Briscoe, a magistrate, who witnessed the conduct of
the troops, and who speaks of the manner-in which they had
been pelted by the people, was applied to by Colonel Thorn
as to his opinion of their conduct, and gave a written state-
ment on the subject, which I understand was in substance to
this effect :----‘• That on the two days on which he had found
it absolutely necessary to call in their aid to keep the peace,
he felt it his duty to state that their conduct had been so ex-
cellent that no language of his could do them full justice."
Similar testimonials to the good conduct of the troops
were given by Mr. Hill, a magistrate, and by the Rev. Mr. I
Clare, who has been 30 years a magistrate in this neighbour-
hood.

Mr. Roaf, the gentleman who transmitted the unsworn de-
positions to the Home Department, resumed his examination
to day: I subjoin what took place, prefixing the conclusion of
the examination of Thursday, for which I had not time to wait
on that day.

(CONTINUATION OF THE DEPOSITIONS OF THURSDAY.)
Mr. Newey, pork-butcher—l was on duty as a special con-
stable between 10 and 11 o'clock on last night. I saw a sol-
dier enter the tap-room of the Peacock Inn, following a crolA d
of people. Ido not think the conduct of the people justi-
fied the interference of the soldiers. The soldiers swept the
mugs and jugs off the table, and wanted to turn the people
ont of the inn.

Joseph Phillips, Canal-street—l was going down Lichfield-
street between 9 and 10 o'clock. I was in search of my son,
who was out. I was ordered to return by a soldier. I said I
was going peaceably about my business. The soldiers then
rushed at me and pushed me against the wall, and beat me
with the backs of their swords in a severe manner, and for a
long time. In order to escape I got into a friend's house.
[The witness here exhibited his arm and back, which were
severely bruised.]
John Pinson—l am a locksmith ; between nine and ten
o'clock last night I was returning home up Darlington-street,
when a friend of mine told me to run, as the soldiers were
going to fire. I heard the order given to fire, and was struck
on the arm by a bullet, which passed through the fleshy part.
The people were all running away. I did not sea any stones
thrown. ( Witness had his arm in a sling, and the sleeve of
his coat open.)