The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-19 00:00:00

ld Dra-
the order to charge and fire. The melt in front ce
the mob stood firm, one more prominent tin In the rest.
as
This man was aimed at as their leader, 5,
,the head
goon, with his carbine, shot him through • hole ,
and his brains were literally blown out, with A
large as an egg, in a mass. Two mere were mo. rtallY
wounded, since - understood to be dead. The . rest
were rode over, or :dispersed like the wind. Mai.;`'
wounded got away4nd it is currently reported and
believed are since dead,. and their bodies thrown into
the pits. The whole of the charge was levelled at this
daring band, and they were driven up the Leek-road,
and scattered in all directions. A number of sworn—
in special constables charged the mob on the other-
road with a spirit and decision as firm as disciplined
men; and, after a severe encounter, drove them out of.
the place.
Since then, this town has been in a species of
blockade. On the arrival of the company of the 12th
yesterday, they took possession of the Town-hall,
which holds them very compactly • windowed on the
four sides, it is like a little armed fortress. The Dra-
goons are quartered at the principal inns. Yesterday
evening 200 or more of the specials, under their
leaders, formed themselves into small companies in the
court:-yarcl of the. Legs of Man Inn and about seven
o'clock ;marched mit, taking different directions, and
clearing all the people before them.
The night passed .in quietness: This morning a
detachment of the 34th came in with the Newcastle
troop, escorting some prisoners taken on the west of
this district. TWelve were taken up during the night
here, and they have all been just conveyed in car-
riages, under the guard of the Yeomanry and a small
detachment of the Infantry, to Neweaslle, on their
route for Stafford. During the night two houses
were entered at Cobridge, one belonging to Mr.
Hughes, doing duty as special constable m this town,
where the money and all eatables were demanded.
The other house, belonging to Mr. Billings, was
regularly ransacked ; but three prisoners, belonging
to the plunderers, were taken. Strange to say, one of
them, a deserter from the 12th, who was instantly
identified. All accounts from Hanley, Stoke, &c.,
are.peaceful for the„-present. Mr. Aitkin's house at
Hanley is still a smouldering . ruin. It is remarkable
that the mob pre the old clergyman ten minutes
law to get away (being lame, and only able to walk
with two sticks.) They made a capture of his surplice,
put it on one of the mob in mockery, who paraded in
front of the house when on fire ; while others tore
his bible into tatters, and scattered the leaves in the
street. I never saw such a perfect wreck as the
house of Mr. Parker, at Hanley ; not a vestige of
anything is left that iron could break up and de-
stroy, to the stone and marble mantel-pieces, and the
floors themselves. One party was absolutely upstairs
destroying everything possible, while the fire under
their keet was in progress for- completing the re-
mainder.. The clergymen - havg mostly left the dis-
trict for safety,- as had Mr.' Rose, the-stipendiary
Magistrate. At his house; before they gutted it and
pulled it. down, Mrs. Rose begged hard for it to be
saved; and they saved her life, but nothing else in
their power to take or destroy.
HALF-PAST TEN O'CLOCK.—Some of the principal
shops in the market-place are now open ; such is the
confidence of the inhabitants ; but in the presence of
the military only. Woinen and children are as vile
and ferocious as.the mob, and do not scruple to hiss
and groan at the soldiers and constables, though they
hiss and groan with impunity. Captain Powys and
Mr. Adderley are the principal Magistrates directing
the military operations. The County gaol is
likely soon to be full, and a special
commission will he necessary for their trial.
In the large extension being made in the county gaol,
towers will be erected at the angles, with gratings
and loopholes for musketry, to command the flanks ;
the platform of the lodge is mounted with cannon,
with some of the artillerymen to work them if neces-
sary. All the principal gentlemen's houses are barri-
caded, and guarded with servants and tenants.

HANLEY.
(FROM OUR PRIVATE CORRESPONDENT.)
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17.—A1l passed off quiet in the
town laSt night-, which is yet in the possession of the
military, who were up all night, and have been re-
lieved by the 33d this morning. Early reports came,
in since, confirming depredations at farm-houses
within a few miles of the. Potteries, and some have
been entirely stripped of everything valuable. Yes-
terday the pawnbrokers in this town, three in num-
ber, had notice given them that they must deliver up
the pledges in their possession. Mr. Hill gave out
his, under the amount of 3s. each, on the promise of
the parties paying capital and interest at a future
time. Mr. Vessey did the same ; but the mob went
to Mr. Fenton's and helped themselves ; parties were
seen in all directions carrying bundles. To-day many
special constables have been sworn in, and with the
police have taken several persons into custody. The
Magistrates are sitting, with several gentlemen, to
take into consideration the best means to protect the
town to-night. Some thousands of men are coming
armed on the road this side of Macclesfield ; they have
been passed by two parties ; they declare they are
coming here. Some of our tradesmen are in a great
panic, as we have but about sixty of the 33d here, be-
sides a few Yeomanry Cavalry, who will not stand fire.
It is my opinion so great a body cannot reach here
before to-morrow. I should rather' think Congleton,
Burslem, or Leek, would supply them with the first
fruits of plunder. On Monday we were under a de-
mocratic form of government, last night a military,
and to-day a mixed form, for her Majesty's procla-
mation has appeared on the walls this morning. The
ruins are yet smoking in the town. Mr. Harding's
(the Coroner's) house has been in flames about one
o'clock., but is got under ; it is three miles from here.
A demand was made last night at a house in Bucknall
for 101., which was complied with to save the pre-
mises- If the soldiers were to leave here, the scene
that would follow would engage the attention of our
Parliamentary sportsmen.