The Sun.
London, England, 1832-10-26 00:00:00

SECOND EDITION.
SUN OFFICE, Five o'clock.

RIOTS AT BRISTOL.

COURT OF KING'S BENCH.

Mr. Daniel Thomas M'Carthy's examination continued
from our Third page.
Asked them what they were going to do, they said they
were going to Bridewell to release the prisoners. They
were going in that direction. In going to the Exchange
and Bridewell they would pass the Council-house and
Guildhall. Witness, when he heard the mob were going
to Bridewell, went to his own house by a different way.
Got there before the mob. When the mob came, the gate
next Bridewell-lane was wholly open, as it generally was
in the middle of the day. Witness saw the attack on
Bridewell. One of the mob knocked at the Governor's
door, and shortly afterwards another person came from the
top of the house. There was then a general rush. The
Governor repulsed them in the first place, and got the
gates partly shut. The Bridge-end gate had been shut
in the meantime. The mob overpowered the Governor
and forced the gates open. Witness then went round to
his own premises, the back part of which runs behind
Bridewell. Witness got on the roof of Bridewell, and
called for Mr. Evans, the Governor, who made his escape,
together with Mrs. Evans, through a window, to witness's
house. Begged of witness to go and state the case to the
Magistrates. Witness went in search of them, first to the
Guildhall, but could not get in either at the front or side-
door, the latter place was padlocked. Afterwards went to
the Council-house, and could not get admission there.
Met Mr. Leraell in Crown-street, who took witness by the
arm, and inquired from some persons where the Magi•
strates were, and were told in the Guildhall Chambers,
where witness was repulsed at first, but afterwards ad-
mitted, in consequence of the prompt conduct of Mr.
Lunde, who insisted upon seeing the Magistrates. Mr.
Alderman Daniels was there acting as Cnairtnan, Alder-
men Hillhouse and Thripp were there also, together with
the Town-clerk. Several other persons were there. Mr.
Johnson, among the rest, who was a solicitor of Bristol.
Delivered the message from the Governor of Bridewell,
stating that Bridewell was attacked, the prisoners released,
and the mob were going to burn the place to the ground,
and requested the assistance of the Magistrates.
By Mr. Justice J. PARKE—Did not see the Mayor there.
By Mr•. WIGHTMAN-Stated that 20 men would be
sufficient with 10 soldiers, and if the Magistrates would
give witness orders, he would go to Queen's-square for
them. No reply was made to the request at first. Wit-
ness requested that the Magistrates would not delay, as in a
short time the place would be in flames. Some person at
last said, " They have released the prisoners, well, they
will do nothing else. Mr Johnson pressed upon the Ma-
gistrates the necessity of being allowed to use fire-arms.
Mr. Sergeant Ludlow stated that every man was justified
in using fire-arms in his own defence. At this moment
Humphries, the gaoler, came and said the prison bad
been attacked, and wished to know whether be was to
defend the prison or release the prisoners. Mr. Alderman
Hillhouse stated he was to use his own discretion, as the
Magistrates would give him no directions. Witness ex-
pressed his readiness to do all be could, as well as Mr.
Johnson, if they would allow them the use of fire-arms.
Mr. Alderman Savage, or LOA, said if any other Magis-
trate would go with them, they would go down to the
prison ; this was agreed to; but Mr. Routh stated that if
arms were not used he would not go. Witness then went
to the prison, accompanied by Mr. Alderman Hillhouse
and Savage. Was obliged to retreat, and witness went to
the square for the soldiers to assist the Magistrates.
Went to Guildhall afterwards, where he saw the brother
of Mr. Alderman Hillhouse, and communicated what had
taken place.
By Sir J. SCARLETT-Found only five soldiers in the
Square, who refused to accompany witness unless they had

orders.
The Rev. Thomas Roberts, examined by the ATTORNEY-
GENERAL—Is Minister of a baptist congregation at Bris-
tol. On Sunday, the 30th of October, received a notice
which was handed to him just before the close of
the morning service, from the Mayor, which was read
to the congregation ; the purport of which was, to request
the attendance of the citizens immediately at Guildhall,
to adopt measures to secure the peace of the city.
Witness went immediately after service to the Guild-
hall, and gained admission to the Magistrates by the
private door. The Mayor, several Magistrates, and the
Town-clerk, were present. The Mayor presided. Two
military men were in attendance, who left the room nearly
as soon as witness entered. Addressed the Mayor, stating
that he had something to propose for his consideration
and that of the Magistrates; that he knew a great many
of the lower orders, and, if he pleased, witness would go
down to the square, and see if he could not prevail on the
mob to retire. The Mayor made the proposal to the other
Magistrates. Witness, in consequence of being requested,
retired into the adjacent passage, in which were a great
number of the respectable inhabitants of Bristol. On
being reca led to the room, the Mayor said the Magistrates
had accepted his offer. Witness then said that he thought
it was not a trifling thing to face an infuriated mob alone,
and requested one or two persons to accompany him. The
Mayor went out of the room on the landing-place, where
many persons were, and said he hoped there would be
found some who would go with him. Mr. Trothorn, the
ex. Sheriff, Mr. Watt of the Navy, and Mr. Samuel
Waring, accompanied him. Found the Mansion-house in a
very delapidated state, the windows broken. A very large
mob was near it, and also the Dragoon Guards. The moh
appeared to be divided into two classes, one extremely
riotous and drunk, the other, though of the same grade
in society, appeared to be laughing and enjoying the at-
tack which had been made by the other pariy. Asked
the military officer to make way fur witness, in order
that he might if possible address the mob. The officer
refused to do so, saying he thought it useless, the mob
were perfectly harmless, and on the best terms with the
military. Witness then entered a house near, but found
it impossible to address the mob, in consequence of the
noise and disturbance. Witness was at the first-floor
window for nearly an hour, and was unmolested. At
this time the mob had nearly all departed to Bridewell.
Witness returned to the Guildhall, where he found the
Mayor and other Aldermen. Mr. John Lemell accompa-
nied witness there. Stated to the Magistrates what he
had seen in the square, and what the officer had said.
Witness stated that he considered the nioh to be chiefly
composNi of navigators. Witness was asked what he
thought was necessary to be done, and stated, that if mi-
litary were employed to prevent any ingress or egress in
the square, no more injury would ensue, and all prisoners
that were taken might be brought into the squ4re.. Mr.
Alderman George did not think this judicious advice, as
the mob would be driven on the quay, where they would
put out the gas lights, and probably set fire to the
shipping. The plan was ultimately rejected. He said
that if they attempted to fire the shipping, they
would the more easily be driven into the river. Saw the
Town-clerk present during.both occasions ; he complained
of nothiug 'Laving been dune, and that too much time was
spent in deliberation. Left Guildhall in about 10 miuutes,
and went to the Bridewell, which he hail been informed
was on fire; he found it was so; he then went home.
Cross-examined by Sir JAMES Scatmarr. Did not
hear a word that passed between the officers who were
present with the. Magistrates when he went to the
Mansion-house. He intended to have used his
o n personal influence with the mob, and not stated
that he was there by the desire of the Magistrates.
Was strongly impressed with the apathy that was exhi-
bited by the respectable inhabitants while such danger was
staring them in the face, but he hid no opportunity of
seeing whether the military supported the Magis-
trates or not. He had since came to the conclusion that
the advice he gave to the Magistrates would not have
been carried into effect, for then he was not aware that
the 14th Dragoons had been sent out of the city. Alter
he had been about an hour in the square, a great part of
the mob went away, crying out "13ridewell, Bridewell." All
those who had been active at the Mansion house went away.
The mob was extremely dense when be went to the Bride-
well, so much so that he was obliged to return. Though
the mob was so dense, he was of opinion that a stout po-
lice force would easily have routed them, for they were in
such a small space that they could not act well, besides
there were a great many people present who were nut
riotous. Bristol was very full of ships at that time.
Mr. Isaac Cook examined by the SOLICITOR-GENERAL.
Was a solicitor in Bristol. Was in Queen-square about
8 o'clock on Saturday, the 29th of October, last year.
Retnained an hour, and then the crowd was very quiet,
and he could pass easily through it without mo-
lestation. Heard of the meeting to he held on the
Sunday at half-past three o'clock, at which the
Magistrates requested the inhabitants, presence. Went
to it in company tvith his son and one or two more gen-
tlemen. He was there first, but was soon joined by two
of the Magistrates and , some other gentlemen. The
Mayor joined them itf a few minutes, and took the chair.
He regretted that be had been obliged to call his fellow.
citizens together on such an occasion, but the mob had
been in possession of the city for a considerable time, and
some steps must he taken to put a stop to their pro-