The Sun.
London, England, 1827-09-28 00:00:00

DESPERATE RIOTS at GLOUCESTER.

The history of these riots may, we believe, be
thus traced :---On the first erection of the West-
gate Bridge over the River Severn, the Act of
Parliament which was obtained for that purpose
stated that tolls might be legally demanded from
all passengers until such period as the expense

incurred in the erection should be defrayed, in
consequence of which certain sums have been
exacted from every species of passengers until
the present period. For some few years past,
an idea has been entertained by a great portion
of the population of Gloucester and its more im-
mediate vicinity, that the tolls raised had been
amply sufficient 'to cover every expense, and much
dissatisfaction has consequently been expressed
at various times at the continuance of the de-

mand ; but until last Thursday no violent. or
systematic resistance has been made to its' On
that evening a body of workmen, in P"inber
about 100, who have been for some montias'en-
gaged in the erection of a new bridge across the
river at Over; in returning from their employ-
ment had to pass the Westgate Bridge, at the
toll-gate of which. they expressed a determina-
tion to resist payment ; the wife of the gate- .
keeper being in attendance refused to con-
cede to their resolution ; they then threaten-
ed to tear down every barrier which impeded
their progress,. to demolish the toll-house,
and to hang up the woman amidst the ruin. T.
Although naturally terrified at these threats she
still persisted in her refusal to let them pass, un-
less they complied with the usual demand ;
enraged at this the fellows tore down the paling
on one side of the road, and triumphantly walked
through the breach they had thus forcibly effected.
On the succeeding morning the damage which
had been done by this act of violence was re-
paired, but similar proceedings being adopted
that evening, an open thoroughfare was left across
the bridge for foot passengers until Monday
afternoon, when the opening was again closed,
compromise having been effected between the
trustees and the individual who employs the
workmen.—The cessation of outrage, which had
been anticipated from this, proved however of
shore' duration ; soon after five o'clock, several
of the workmen assembled round the gate, and
the number was gradually augmented by their
companions, by bargemen, and others of the,
lower classes, until upwards of a thousand per-
sons were collected, amongst which many won-10f
wupereaiedrybic.ooknespicuous. The riot commenced
by the great gate being forced from its hinges,}
and on its beilenigndienparvepociluepicisetedast.etdo into the river -
shoutoof th eo frio exultationan and
,e announcedorthem were
rl
ea wcloeisls, triumph
the smaller gates and every
tpostiley secured werei. then torn
order to avoid ill usage, to Severaltzt
barredNvile r et,
hheav
door,i g
present vainly
compelled,
kteem ct
ifluegeprogressconstables
e
family of
.the gatekeeper
Cseeure•
An attack was, however, i ,mmediately cosurtenesd
inagilijleietivitnlids°:
on the house, and large. stones were hurled with
gatessehluvtetshe roasulaisidei d;
the
such force that the shutters were broken through,
and the floor of ,the room was speedily covered
with missiles. 'The inmates were of course much
alarmed at the danger which surrounded them,
and the house having no other door than that
which opened to the road, they had no resource
left then but to wrench the iron bars
from a
back window and thus make their escape amidst,
a volley of stones. One of the most desperate
the ringleaders then climbed the roof of the
house, and fastened a rope round the chimney'
which was immediately pulled down ; and:
scene of devastation was then commenced which
evinced that the perpetrators acted rather undo
the maddening impulse of the moment than 0111
a mere desire to terminate the cause of their
complaint.' The house was speedily unroofed'l
and disrobed of every article of furniture, which.
was broken in pieces and th;own into the river;
and so rapidly was the work of demolition carried
on, that in a short time scarcely a vestige either
of the house or gate could be perceived. AO'
the perpetration of this extraordinary and daring
act the crowd gradually dispersed, and about to'
o'clock quietness was restored. Many of diesel
who were most active in the affray were armet`
with bludgeons, but our sorrow is somewhat
mitigated in being enabled to add that hale
personal injury was sustained. The authorities
immediately sent for military aid to prevent '
recurrence of a similar scene, and on Tuesdef
afternoon two troops of the 4th Dragoon Guards
arrived in the city, ,one from Dursley, the other;
from Wotton-under-edge.—Free passage 1111
thus been again Obtained over the bridge, but 146
understand the trustees are determined on 601'
ing a new gate this day (Thursday,) near which
a guard house is to be. placed, and a militari
Patrol stationed in order to prevent any riotous
apprehension of any of the rioters.
assemblage. A reward has keen offered for the
.Chronicle.