The Sun.
London, England, 1829-05-04 00:00:00

MEETING OF WEAVERS.--RIOTS !

ROCHDALE, APRIL 30.—0 n Tuesday morning,
he 28th ult. a meeting of the flannel weavers, ac-
cording to adjournment, took place upon Cronky-
shaw, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the
weather upwards of 1000 persons assembled. The
speakers opened the proceedings by stating that
some disaffected districts had witheld their quota to
the general stock, and that individual weavers bad
themselves brought on many of the existing griev.
ances by acting in opposition to the Union, and the
welfare of the trade. It was resolved (as a means
of remedying the evils complained of) that the
weekly contributions of the weavers and spinners
should be doubled, and that they should proceed
forthwith in a body to those districts which had
withheld their subscriptions from the general stock.
The persons composing the meeting then visited
several districts in the township of Butterworth,
where they succeeded in the objects of their mis-
sion. On arriving at Milnrow, they were informed
that some loom-holders near that place were act-
ing in opposition to the Union, and the infor-
mation being confirmed, a majority of the
weavers immediately determined to collect the
shuttles from all who were acting against the inte-
rests of the trade. This operation immediately
commenced, and the whole of Wednesday and to-
day, the weavers have been employed in collecting
shuttles from those who were paying under the
" Statement Prices." Opposition indeed appears
only to increase the tumult, for Mr. Samuel Lomas,
Mr. Wm. Robinson's, and many other shops were
yesterday forcibly entered, and the shuttles removed.
To-day the only loom-shop from which they anti-
cipated any opposition was that of Messrs. Chad-
wick and Sons, which it was thought by many they
would not venture to attack. The weaver:, how-
ever, so early as eleven o'clock this morning, pro-
ceeded to Messrs. Chadwick's, the door of which
they found firmly secured by bales of wool; but an
entrance was effected by the windows, and the
work of destruction ensued. I am sorry to add,
that it is reported the damage done at this shop will
amount to several hundred pounds. The town is
now in a state of great alarm, and the soldiers are
expected every hour. Scarcely anything is talked
of but the proceedings of the weavers. When the
attack was made on Messrs. Chadwick's, Mr. Wm.
Chadwick threw a sticking knife among the crowd,
which fell upon a spectator, and wounded him
severely.

ROCHDALE, MAY I.—About five o'clock yester-
day afternoon, the weavers returned from their ex-
pedition, and proceeded in a body to Cronkyshaw,
in order to arrange for another meeting before they
dispersed to their respective places of abode. A
party of foot soldiers had, by this time, arrived ; and
the constables seized one of the weavers who was
straggling behind the main body, with something
concealed under his apron. and conveyed him to the
prison. About twenty-two horse soldiers soon after
arrived, and they immediately proceeded to Cronky-
shaw, led by J. Entwistle, Esq., a Magistrate, and
the officers who commanded them. On their ap-
pearance, the weavers dispersed, and the soldiers
returned with three prisoners. The military
then proceeded to the Coach and Horses Inn,
Blackwater-street, and brought away three other
prisoners, together with the weavers' Union box,
which contained their central fund or money, and
conveyed it, along with the men, to prison. Until
three o'clock this morning, the constables and sol-
diers were engaged in collecting the shuttles which
the weavers had taken, and in apprehending any one
they can find who can be identified as an active per-
son in the shuttle-gathering. The town is in a
state of great commotion : the weavers are walking
the streets, not knowing what will be the termination
of this unpleasant affair. Wives are lamenting for
their husbands, and mothers for their children.—
Twenty-three prisoners have just been brought to
the Police-office, escorted by a party of dragoons;
but there being only one Magistrate present, they
rarniandori till this (Inv A J.,