The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-07-09 00:00:00

RIOT AT BIRMINGHAM.

A riot took place at Birmingham on Thursday evening, to
which a great deal more importance has been attached than it
appeais to merit. Stripping the facts of all ;.,xaggeration, we
understand that the chartists have teen in the habit, for some
time past, of meeting in considerable numbers every night at
the Bull Ring ; and that the magistrates, having made up their
minds to suppress these meetings, sent to London for assist-
ance. A small body of police were dispatched, bn Thursday,
by the railroad, and the•magistrates, with their aid, attempted
to disperse the crowd about nine o'clock. The chartists re-
sisted the police, who were forced to give way, and the chart-
ists were not separated until the military, composed of the 4th
dragoon guards aad a part of the rifles, were called in. Some
of the police were severely injured, and two of them were
stabbed. The Riot Act was read, and the meeting broken
up, but the magistrates remained on the alert during the
night.
Yesterday morning, though the town was a little agitated,
the public pelice had not been again disturbed. Seventeen of
the chartists!have been apprehended, and 9 have been lodged
iu Warwick gaol. It is said that the meeting on Thursday
night consisted of 1,000 people : but that number is probably
considerably' overrated.
A Dr. Taylor was arrested on Friday morning, and inform-
ed by the magistrates that they requited bail for his appear-
ance, himself in the sum of £5OO, and two sureties in £250
each. The delegates appear to be much annoyed by this arrest,
and a meeting was held, at which several violent speeches were
made, and resolutions, condemning the conduct of the magi-
strates, agreed to.—Morning Herald, (Saturday.)

A serious disturbance occurred on Thursday night. A
considerable number of persons assembled, about eight
o'clock. in the same place. About nine, a body of London
police, just arrived, headed by some magistrates, attempted
to disperse the meeting. A correspondent of the Tones
describes the scene that followed :

The mob resisted, and, although the London police were
well organiaed, and most determined in their efforts, the'
number of the Chartists to whom they were opposed, and
their evident preparation to meet any attack, led to the tem-
porary defeat of the police. For about ten minutes the fight
was fearful ; and, I am sorry to add, it is feared, that, in more
than one iostance, the consequence will prove fatal. The
police were driven back into Moor-street ; and, for a short
time, it was appehended, that the mob would succeed in an
attack upon the prison. • Fortunately, the Fourth Royal
Irish Dragoons, headed by Colonel Chatterton, and accom-
panied by Mr. Schofield, the Mayor, arrived in time to afford
protection to the civil authorities, and, as I am informed by
a bystander, a gentleman of influence in the town, saved the
public offices from the popular fury. The Fourth Irish Dra-
gooits, together with the Rifle Brigade, immediately encom-
passed the Bull-ring, and stopped every avenue leading to it.
The mob, on their appearance, took 1Q flight in all directions."
The gentleman rescued from the mob was the once popular
P. H. Manta. A correspondent of the Courier writing from
Birmingham, at half-past eight, on Friday, says :
" The streets becoming clear, the military were withdrawn
soon after daybreak, this morning. The magistrates were
in attendance during the whole the night. Out of the
number of persons apprehended during the night, nine were
committed to Warwick to take their trial at the next Assizes,
on the charge of assaulting the constables and rioting. The
Rifle Brigade are stationed at the public-office. We regret
to learn, that several of the police have been stabbed, and
others received considerable injury by bruises from blows
and stones.' A bayonet was taken from one of the prisoners,
by which, no doubt, the stabbing was effected. The cry,
very early in the night, was—' To arms!' and a body of the
rioters proceeded to St. Thomas's Churchyard, from the wall
of which they pulled upwards of two hundred weight of the
rails. Fortunately, the police came up and dispersed the
assemblage before they could fairly get possession of those
formidable weapons ; otherwise the mischief might have been
dreadful, as the people seemed determined and desperate.
" At the hour of post leaving, great numbers of people
were assembled at the end of Moor-street, where the police
station is situate, and in the direction of which the prisoners
will have to pass en route to Warwick. There are several
parties moving about the outskirts of the town this morning,
and another attempt has been made to get possession of more
of the railings of St. Thomas's Church."
Later accounts from Birmingham represent the alarm of
the inhabitants as very great; and, it would appear, not with-
out reason. Although no general conflict had taken place,
the policemen, who were reinforced, on Friday evening, with
40 fresh men from London, making the force 100, were em-
ployed in dispersing disorderly assemblages in various parts
of the town. The dispersion of a meeting, at Holloway-
bead, was the work of two hours. Numerous arrests were
taking place constantly. All the prisoners had their pockets
full of stones; many were armed with a variety cf ugly and
dangerous weapons, and more with iron bars, torte from the
railing of St. Thomas's Church. Two wheelbarrows, filled
with rails, were seized. The notorious Dr. Taylor and. nine
other chartists were made prisoners on Friday morning, and
sent, under the escort of a party of dragoons, to Warwick
Gaol. This was done so cleverly that part of the escort re-
turned to town before the people were aware that Taylor had
been carried off. The crowd m the streets was very great up
to Friday night. The women were t articularly active
inciting the men to'violence. Several parties of colliers had
entered the town. An attack on the Mayor's residence was
plotted, and some persons were apprehended on a charge of
urging the mob to make the attempt. In the opinion of a
intelligent correspondent, the mob of Friday had not lost
ground, but rather kept the upper hand. The policemen
, behaved exceedingly well, and the magistrates were very
I active. _ _ _

The order published by the magistrates for clearing the
streets at half-past eight o'clock on Friday night was promptly
acted upon. The streets in the centre of the town, which
had become densely crowded, were speedily cleared, no per-
son, under any pretence, being allowed to remain. Iu the
surrounding side streets, the people mustered and pelted the
military ; they, however, speedily put the assailants to the
route, and succeeded in capturing a considerable number and
taking them before the magistrates, who were sitting at the
Public-office, and who summarily disposed of them. One
man had a small dirk about six inches long in his possession:
The wounded policemen are going on favourably ; the whole
of whom are, we believe, single men.
The general Convention was sitting at the Golden Lion, in.
Ashton-street, during the whole of Friday, entertaining pro-
positions as to the measures which ought to he adopted by
the Chartists. Their disposition, it is stated, was to take
the most violent steps.

(From our own CorreiTondent.)

ARREST OF MR. W. LOVATT, SECRETARY TO TFIE GENE-
RAL CONVENTION, AND MR. COLLINS : THEIR EXAMI-
NATION AND COMMITTAL TO WARWICK GOAL.
Birmingnarn, Monday Morning.
_

Saturday evening at seven o'cl-ock, Mr. Bolton, town-con-
steble, accompanied by police-constable John Palrner, and
others, entered the Convention-hall, where Mr. Lovatt and
other delegates were examining witnesses, touching the late
attack by the police on the people, Mr. Bolton handed to
Mr. Lovatt the warrant for his arrest. which the latter read
aloud. There were but a few per Sons present who com-
menced groaning, 'and sheaved some indications of an att;ick
on the police, but the delegates immediately interfered, and
with Mr. Lovatt asserted that the officers should not be in-
terrupted in the discharge of their duty, Mr. Lovatt then
accompanied Mr. Bolton to the public office. Shortly after
Mr. Collins was brought in. it appears that Mr. Collins
having heard that a warrant was against him, surrendered
himself to Mr. Bolton.

At nine o'clock Messrs. Lovatt and Collins-were brought
for examination before the magistrates. On the bench were
the Recorder of Birmingham, Messrs. Clarke, Walker,
Muntz, C. Shaw, F. Clarke, and W. Chance. The latter
magistrate was the chairman. The court was crowded with
highly-respectable individuals, who -appeared to take a deep
interest in the proceeding,
The Chairman addressing Mr. Lovatt said, Mr. William
Lovatt, you are brought here charged with publishing and
circulating a seditious libel.
The Recorder.—Mr. Lovatt, you will answer or not as
you think proper, the questions that will be proposed to you
you will use your discretion in that respect, and the clerk
will take, in writing, your replies.

Mr. Lovatt.—liiriderstatid sir.
Recorder.—Was this paper (containing the resolution of
a convention of the sth) published under your direction ?
Mr. Lovatt.—lt was.
Recorder.—Did you give it to Collins to get it published?
Mr. Lovatt.—To the best of my knowledge I did.
Recorder.—When did you give directions for the publica-
tion of that paper?
Mr. Lovatt.—The day before yesterday.
Recorder.—Were you not aware when you gave directions
for its publication, that a collision had taken place between
the Military Force Police and certain inhabitants at Bir-
mingham.
Mr. Lovatt.—l was aware of it; and may I add, that it
was from all I saw respecting the attacks made by the police
on the people, on Thursday night, previous to the Riot Act
being read; and my strong feelings of the injustice of 'that
attack prompted me to write and propose those resolutions
which the placard handed me contain.
Mr. BARLOW, the Clerk, read the resolutions :—" That
this convention is of opinion, that a wanton, flagrant, and
unjust outrage hag been made upon the people of Birming-
ham, by a blood-thirsty and unconstitutional force from
London, acting under the authority of men who, when out
of ottice, sanctioned and took part in the meetings of the
people ; and now, when they share in the public plunder,
seek to keep the people in social and political degradation.
" That the people of Birmingham are the best judges of
their own right to meet in the Bull Ring or elsewhere, have
their own feelings to consult respecting the outrage given,
and are the best judges of their own power and resources to
obtain jostice.
" That the summons and arrest of Dr. Taylor, our respected
colieige, afford 'another convincing proof of the absence of all
justice in England, and clearly show that there is no security
for life, liberty, or property, till the people have some con-
trop over the laws they are called upon to obey."
'Recorder.—Did you move at the meeting of the convention
the resolutions pla.ced in your hands?
Mr. Lovatt.—l did, and I proposed them.
Recorder.—Who was in the room on that occasion ?
Mr.. Lovatt.--I refuse to answer that question.
`Recorder.—Will you give the names of the members of
the convention present on that occasion?
Mr. Lovatt.—That I also decline to answer.
Recorder.—Were you aware that the police force were
armed with staves only ?
Mr. Lovatt.—l heard it so reported.
Recorder.—Were you aware that certain members of the
police were wounded dangerously by weapons?
Mr. Lovatt.—l heard that several of them were wounded,
and at the same time thought that the people were justified in
repelling such despotic and bloodthirsty power by any and
every means at their disposal ; because I believe the institu-
tion of the police force is an infringement on the constitu-
tion and liberties possessed by our ancestors, for'if the people
submit to one injustice after another, which self-constituted
authorities impose upon them, they may be eventually ground
to the dust without the means of any resistance.
Recorder.—l believe ha your lastansWer you use the terms
by any and every means in the power of the people, I wish to
ask if you propose by these resolutions to intimate to those
addressed that they had a right to oppose the police force by
arms, or an appeal to arms?
Mr. Lovatt.—The second resolution expresses my answer
as clear as possible.
Recorder.—Do you by the second resolution recommend
or repudiate an appeal to arms?
Mr. Lovatt.—Several of the working classes asked my
opinion, and I drew up this resolution as expressive of my
advice.

Recorder.—At the time you proposed these 'resolutions,
were you aware that the magistrates had prohibited the meet-
ings which for some time had taken- place at the Bull Ring ?
Mr. Lovatt.—l had heard that the magistrates had given
such an order, but considered at the same time that they
themselves, or a portion of them, had• set the example of
holding meetings there as well as in the public streets, and I
thought the people had a right to follow so worthy an ex-
ample.
Mr. Muntz.—Will you inform me if any of the magistrates
attended the meetings which took place at the Bull Ring?
Mr. Lovatt.--I do not know that they did personally at-
tend the Bull Ring meetings, but I understand, that during
the agitation for the reform bill, they encouraged the people
to meet there.

Mr. Muntz.—At the time you caused the placard to be
published, were you aware that people had been punished,
fined, and sent to the House of Correction for attending
those meetings.
Mr. Lovatt.—l was. And were I an inhabitant of Bir-
mingham, rather than yield to such despotic power, I would
make any sacrifices, because I conceive the right of the peo-
•ple to hold public piectiugs.to be a ri&ht.which no authority,
riot representing the•whole body of the, people, had any.right
40 fieVadile, datCospealy a..4' I understand that the law by

which those meetings were attempted to be set aside, was
never contemplated by those who drew it up. lam satisfied
that neither the lives, liberties, or property of the people
will ever be secure until they have some control over the
laws they are called upon to obey.
The examination was then signed by Mr. Lovatt, and Mr.
Collins was brought up and examined, who, after giving
testimony somewhat similar to Mr. Lovatt, was further
examined.

Recorder.—Will you give me the names of the members
of the convention who were present when the resolutions
were proposed and adopted?

Mrl cannot.
Recorder.—Who was in the chair?
° Mr. Collins.—l decline to answer.
Chairman.—Did Mr. Muntz accept the appointment of
delegate ?
Mr. Collins.—l unhesitatingly answer, yes.
Chairman.—Did he act after his appointment?
Mr. Collins.—He allowed his name to be circulated by
advertisement, as being so appointed, and I consider that he
accepted the appointment when he allowed himself to be
named one of the trustees of the national funds lodged in
the bank of Grote, Prescot and Co.
Mr. Collins having signed his statements, the two pri-
son,' rs were, removed, and the room was ordered to be
cleared. After a few minutes they were again brought before
the bench, when the chairman stated that they were found
guilty of a libel, and were committed for trial at the next
assizes ; but for their appearance, bail will be accepted, them-
selves in £5OO, and two sureties in £250 each.
Messrs. Lovatt and Collins protested against the amount,
as being too excessive for working men, whose wages did
not exceed 303 a week.
The Chairman said they could not lessen the amount, and
he then read a paper, denying that Mr. Muntz ever accepted
the office of delegate, or acted as a member of the conven-
tion.

At four o'clm;k on Sunday morning, they, with thirteen
()trier prisoners, were conveyed to Warwick Gaol under a
strong escort.
On Saturday night, for the first time, the people attacked
the houses, breaking the windows, and smashing the gas-
tubes, leaving the streets in darkness—to use the words of
the police, it was the roughest night they had—thirteen pri-
soners were arrested. Things still retain a frightful aspect.
Dr. Taylor was released on Saturday, and returned at four
on Sunday morning. In prison his hair was cut off.

(From the Times of Yesterday.)
There are now about 30 prisoners in the county gaol upon
charges connected with the riots.
I regret to say, that this (Sunday) morning a large crowd
assembled in the neighbourhood of Holloway. and so noisy
and tumultuous was their conduct, that the services at St.
Thomas's church were comple.ely interrupted, and the cler-
gyman was obliged to dismiss the congregation in the middle
of his duties. The congregation broke up soon after 11 o'clock.
The streets in some parts d the town were now thronged
with people; but I do not at present anticipate any outrage.
The magistrates still remain at the public office. They
have since Monday been unremitting in their exertions. I
am happy to add, that Laxton and Reascn, the two police-
men dangerously wounded on Thursday night, are doing well.
No unfavourable symptoms have yet exhibited themselves;
and the surgeons at the Gentn-al Harpital, where the men
have been, removed, now entertain hopes of their recovery.

ECCLESIASTICAL AND UNIVERSITY

INTELLIGENCE.

(From the Oxford Herald)
On the 30th of June, at Wadham College, Lewis Evans,
B.A. and the Rev. Edward Wyndham Tufnell, B.A. were
elected Probationers; and Frederick Tufnell (of the County
of Essex), Henry Bond Bo lby, King's Scholar of Durham
Grammar School), Robert Trimmer (Townsend's Exhibiti-
oner of Pembroke College,) and Leonard Francis Burrows
(of Charter, House), were elected Scholars.
On Tuesday last, the Rev. Hugh Jones, M.A. Scholar of
Jesus College, was elected a Fellow of that Society, in the
room of the Rev. Alfred Butler Clough, B.D. preferred to
the Rectory of Braiideston, Northamptonshire.
Nicholas Darnell and Charles Leopold Stanley Llarke,
Scholars of New College, have been admitted Actual Fellows
of that society.
On Tuesday last, James Bellamy and Thomas Garrard,
Scholars of St. John's College, were admitted Fellows ; and
Edward West, Paul Parnell, Henry Longueville Manse!, and
Leopold John Bernays (all from Merchant Tailors' School),
were elected and admitted Scholars of that Society.
The Rev. Charles Causton, M.A. of Trinity College, has
been presented to the Rectory of Stretton on the Fosse, War-
wickshire ; patroness, Mrs. Mary Purefoy Jervoise.
On Wednesday, the 19th ult. the Rev. William Maskelyne,
M.A. of Pembroke College, Domestic Chaplain to Earl de
Grey, was instituted by the Lord Bishop of • Gloucester and
Bristol, to the Rectory of Crudwell, Wilts, vacant by the
death of the Rev. James Wiggett, M.A. ; patron, William
Maskelyne, Esq. of Oaksey Park.
The Rev. George Gardner Harter, M.A. of Trinity
College, has been presented to the Perpetual Curacy of
Birch, near Manchester, by John Dickenson, Esq. of Lon-
don.
The Rev. Benjamin Prouting Clement, B.A. of Exeter
College, has been appointed a Minor Canon of Winchester
Cathedral, in the room of the Rev. T. Watkins, deceased.
On Friday, the 28th ult. the Rev. Nevin Thomas, B.A.
Exeter College, Oxford, was admitted to the incumbency of
St. Columb Minor, by the Rev. Precentor Lowe, the Bishop's
Commissary, on the nomination of Sir J. Yarde Buller,
Bart. M.P.
The Rev. Edward John Randolph, M.A. Student of Christ
Church, has been presented fo the Perpetual Curacy of Tring
with Wiggington, Hertfordshire, by the Dean and Chapter of
Christ Church, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Charles
Lacy.
The Rev. Robert Lingen Burton, M.A. of Christ Church,
and Vicar of Holy Cross and St. Giles, Shrewsoury, has been
presented by George Tondine, Esq. to the Perpetual Curacy
of Ford, Shropshire, void by the resignation of the Rev.
Baldwin Francis Leighton.
The Rev. James Room Peake, M.A. of Magdalen Hall,
late Lusby University Scholar, has been elected Master of the
Free Grammar School, Whitehurch, Shropshire. In Michael-
mas Term, 183,i, Mr. Peake was plated in the second class of
both Lit. Human. and Discip. Math. et Thus.

PROMOTIONS.

Rev. Charles Artnstrong, h 2. A. of Trinity College, Dub•

lin, to the Incumbency of St. Paul's, Nottingham ; patron,
Earl Manvers. St. Paul's is Tkow a distinct district, severed

from St. Mary's.
Rev. George Greensall, M.A. of St. John's College, Cam-
bridge, to the Vicarage of Wimbish, Essex, vacant by the
death of the Rev. John Raymond; patron H. M. Raymond,
sq
L'.
Rev. Coffin Campbell, M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge,
late Lecturer of Newport, Salop, to be the oriii!iating Curate
of St. Paul's Chapel, Birmingham.
Rev. Thomas Payne, to the Chaplaincy of the Weymouth
Union Workhouse.
Rev. John Frederick Isaacson, B.D. Fellow and Tutor of
St. John's College, and Tutor of F..ing's College, Cambridge,
to the Rectory of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, vacant by the
Very Rev. James Wood, D. D. Master of St. John's College ;
patrons, the Master and Fellows of that Society.
Rev. Edward Richard Benyon, of St. John's College, Cam-
bridge, to the Rectories of Ingham and Culford cum Tim-
worth, Suffolk, vacant by the death of the Rev. H. Wake-
man ; patron. R. Benyon de Beauvoir, Esq.
Rev. W. N. Hooper M.A. Minor Cannon, to be Pre-
centor of Winchester Cathedral, in the room of the Rev. T.
Watkins, deceased.
Rev. Ebenezer Brown Allen, B.A. of Queen's College,
Cambridge, late Perpetual Curate of Goodshaw, Lancashire,
has been appointed to the Perpetual Curacy of Bacup, in that
county, void by the death of the Rev. William Porter ; pa-
tron, the Rev. R. Noble, 'Vicar of Whalley.
Rev. Wm. Haworth, B.A. of St John's College, Cam-
bridge, has been appointed to the Perpetual Curacy of Good-
shaw, Lancashire, void by the appointment of the Rev. E. B.
Allen, as above ; patron, the Vicar of Whalley.
Rev. M. Coxon, to the Rectory of Hems'', Cheshire, va-
cant by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Penny.
. Rev: Thomas Dwyer, M.A. of Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge, to the Chaplaincy of the West Derby Union.
Rev. John Vane, to be one of the Deputy Clerks to Her
Majesty, in the room of the deceased Lord Bishop of Peter-

borougn.—Gazette.
Rev. Wm. Scott, late Curate of St. Pancras, to the Minis.
try of the New District Church, called Christ Church, al
I-1 oxtail.