Star.
London, England, 1821-10-19 00:00:00

SPA-FIELDS RIOTERS.

A Report from the Cenrnittte, to v.hom had been
referred the Petitions of Messrs. Beckwith, Brander,
Potts, and Re; praying compensation for the losses
they sustained by the Spa- fields Rioters, was read.
The Report stated, that the Committee had examined
the allegations of the Petitions, and recommended
that the sum of 1:1,100 should be given to the Peti-
tioners in compensation for their losses.
Mr. FAVELL said, the principle of remunerating
persons who sustained losses, under circumstances
similar to those of the Petitioners, *as acknowledged,
and since the time they had suffered the loss com-
plained of, an Act of Pailiament had been passed to
provide a remedy—this was therefore the last appli-
cation of the kind that could come•before the Court,
and it had his hearty approbation.
Alderman Bnowt said, when the Petitioners had
made their application to the Court, his feelings were
hostile to it, but he had since seen his error, and was
now happy to acknowledge it. No one could be
more ready to grant indulgence to the involuntary
errors of a Magistrate, It was indulgence he might
have occasion for himself—be could not say how
soon. He was certain that any errcr that had been
fallen into by the Chief Magistrate on the day of the
riots, was not intended, but he was also of Opinion,
that the loss sustained by the Petitioners was caused
by the defective distribution of the City Police, and
that therefore the Petitioners had a claim on the
Court for remuneration.

Alderman WOOD said, he felt himself called on to
address-the Court, by the allusion that had been
made to his having committed an error in the distri-
bution of the City Police, on the day the riot took
place; he denied that any error had been committed;
had he a thousand constables, he could not guard
every shop in the City. The Meeting teak place at
an unnecessarily early hour. Watson came into the
City before he had received any information of his
coming. There were no constables at the instant at
hand, and all the mischief was done in a few minutes.
As soon as possible officers were distributed and pri.
soners taken. He was ready to stand or fall by the
evidence taken at the time, which was minute and
scrutinising;-but he could not admit that there had
been any error on his part, because it was out of his
power to prevent what took place.
Mr. T. N. WILLIAMS observed, the last speaker
had said he knew nothing of the rioter s till they came
into the city and effected the mischief ; bat when such
terrific meetings were to be held, he should have had
a power ready for the protection of the citizens. If it
were proposed to bring soldiers into the city, he (Mr.
Alderman Wood) cried out " Sacrilege !" and now
he says the constables were sufficient. He certainly
thought so on the day of the riots, for he shut him-
self up in the Royal Exchange to save himself—
(Loud cries of disapprobation).
Mr. Alderman WOOD said, the Gentleman had
made assertions directly contrary to the fact. He en-
gaged the Sheriff (Alderman Bridges) to be in Spa-
fields, and give him notice of any tendency to riot.--
Still the rioters were in the city before he had received
any information. Mr. Williams had said he shut him-
self in the Royal Exchange, but had not stated how
he got there. The fact was, when he heard of the
approach of the rioters, he went out to meet them,
accompanied by Sir James Shaw, and seeing Cash-
man, who was the leader, he sprung forward and
seized him. Sir James Shaw seized an• ther, and they
brought both prisoners into the Exchange, and kept.
them, though repeatedly fired at. He had never
parted from Sir James Shaw, and that exalted cha-
racter could tell what his conduct had been, as could
also a Gentleman then present.
Mr. FAVELL said he was present when Alderman
Wood and Sir James Shaw carried their prisoners
into the Exchange, and the rioters fired several shots
at them; but so far were they from consulting their
own safety by staying in the Exchange, that Alder-
man Wood left him in charge of the prisoners there,
and sallied out with Sir J. Shaw, to meet the rioters.

Mr. WILLIAMS attempted to speak again, but was
prevented by cries of " the Question."
The motion •was put, and carried unanimously.
The LORD M Ay() tt laid before the Court a letter Waal
Christopher Magbay, Esq. Lord Mayor Elect, ctm-
seining to take upon hitm,a.f that cflii.e. The Chap.,
lain to the Lord nayor ss as re.piested to print his
Sernion preached hefote his Lord,hip and the Court
on Michaelmas Day last, pl-evions to the election of-
a Lord Mayor for tile yea! ensuing.—Adjourned.