The Sun.
London, England, 1816-12-03 00:00:00

ta.srased towards the.city, 1/It-LtOal,:ir loons
diately left the Mansion-house.andavent to Guild•
ball, where he was joined by several Magistrates
and a large party of police. The fit:st direction he.,
took was towards Snowhill, at which place he was
iaformed the rioters were assembled ; but they had
passed farther into the city before his Lordship ar-
tiveti there. This party was first collected in the
following manner :—At the • Meeting at Spa-
f elds a person started up in one quarter befOre
the pretended business of the day had commenced ;'
and addressed those immediately round him, ex-
horting theM to make a stand in favour of their'
anon cause. He concluded with these words :
There are 5,000 men in this place able and
willing-to follow me into the city, where we can
teach them to relieve us." This harangue was des
livered from the top of a cart ; and the moment it
.was concluded the Orator descended, whereupon
three flags were displayed, and a great number of
'people' rushing to the standards., directed their
course into the city, in the direction of Maori. ,1
On 'reaching Skinner-street, Snowhill, one of the
body advancing before the rest entered the shop
of. Mr. Beckwith the gnn-smith, calling out
•`. Arms, arms V' A gentleman who happened
to be in the shop, named Pratt, affably attempting
to remonstrate, said, " My friend, you are mis-
taken ; this is not the place for arms." The ruffian
fasmantly drew forth a pistol, and lodged the con-
tents of it in the hip or groin of Mr. Pratt. The
varmit, we are happy to hear, is by souse not con-
sidered- mortal. Three other fellows who were
by this time entering the shop, suspecting by the
report that their leader was shot, turned roamd
end fled in haste The shop-door was iostantly
closed upon the assassin, whom Mr. Bet this
shoptaan with great spirit seized, and harried in-
to the hack-shop, Where he was in charge
tra a Constable, who negligently permitted the
prisoner to. go 'up stdirs. 'I he latter instantly
*prangs° the window, threw up the s Ish, waved his
handkerchief, and addressing tie mob, assured them
that they had nothing to fear, as there were but
few persons in the house, and' he Might easily be '
rescoed. Hereupon the mob attacked the house,
and, besides committing various ravages, carried
:off the prisoner excited theM. On their
sieparture, they alsO plundered the shop-of aiciann-
tity of guns, pistols, &c. Fortunately a number
~f fire-arms were deposited ant of sight, which
they did not find. These afterwards were safely
lodged in Newgate. . The naafis, tuns armed,
pursued their course into the City, with the view,
ft warappreltentled, of attacking the Bank. As
theyProceetled along Cheapside, they loaded and
arisehargecl their pieces, and displayed various me-
nacing gestures, as if to intimidate the spectators.
arrived at the Royal Exchange, they en-
tered that builti;ug in marching order. Here they
mt. retnet by the Lord Mayor; Alderman Sir James
Shaw., and a strong partyof the Police under his
Lordship's orders. As soon as the greatest part,
of the rhvers had pasied through the north side,
directions were given to close all the gates lead-
ing out of the Exchange, by which means three
inert with arms, having on 'them the name of
Beckwith, were taken into custody. Sir James
Shaw, we leans, seized the man with the colours,
and nue of the gaps.
Tire remainder of the insurgents became ex-
ceedingly furious on learuing the capture of their
comrades and their banners:: and not being ahle
to force the Ekchange gates, they raised each
other upon their shontdcr, and fired over the top
ofthe gates at the Magistrates and their party,
'whilst others fired under the gates. A fresh force
however, arriving to his Lordship's aid, the ruf-
-64.1" &Tart etl, taking. the direction of the Minories,
where they entered the shops Of Brander and
Mr. Ray, From the former they took
a quantity of arms, ttnl from tile latter they seized
•
not only-guns and-pistols, but wv understand also
plateto a considerable atnOunt. Theyalso took from
the premiees of Mr. Ray 2 smallbrass field-pieces on
tvbeels,one of which was afterwards seizedand lotlga
ed in the Mansion-house. They entirely destroyed
all the windows and window-frames in the houses
of both these tradesmen. The freebooters then, it

isSii id, went to join a strong,party which were as-
sembling in, the vicinity of Lhnehouse. Happily
the plunderers did not look into a store-house
belonging to Mt% Brander, which contained at
least 3,006 stand of ant's. A party of horse was
afterwards stationed in the Minories• to protect
the arms and valuable shops its that quarter. All
the prisons in and round the Metropolis were put
into a state of defence, and had some of, the mili-
tary stationed within for protection.. As far as
we can learn, none of the persons under previous
"nlinemerst evinced the least disposition to re-
fractory condtict.
The city was well furnished with soldiers, both
borte antl.foot : the horse paraded all parts-of the
tletroordis during,t he evening and the night, and
prv,;erved order everywhere.
The Beink. and Last India-House were provided