The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-14 00:00:00

THE CROWDS ON 'CHANGE

It will be seen from a statement elsewhere that for
several:days last week the area of the Exchange was
crowded by a number of persons, who congregated there
each afternoon, without any ostensible object.
On Thursday an address front' the porters was posted on
the walls, ;'to the merchants and brokers," setting forth
certain grievances to themselves and also to the shippers
and receivers'of goods, from the present system of master
porterage. This, it will be found, by an advertisement
in one of our columns to-day, caused a meeting of the
magistrates, who admit the grievances stated to a cer-
tain extent, and announce their determination to re-
medy the evil so far as they have the power. We append
below a remark on this part of the question.

On the same day a workman presented one of the pla-
cards alluded to to Mr. Rushton, at the police-court, who
on perusing it stated that he should lay it before the mayor
and magistrates, and strongly urged the complainants to
be peaceable, adding that if the system of master porterage
as now pursued were according to the late act of parlia-
ment, the porters must, if it were oppressive, petition for
its abrogation. He advised that they should cease to hold
meetings at the Exchange or elsewhere, as such might be
injurious to their cause. At the meetings of these work-
men on the Exchange, Mr. Dowling mixed with the crowd
and conversed in a kindly manner with them, counselling
them above all things to keep the peace. Some few lads
and mischieVons idlers evinced a disposition, by shouts
and intemperate expressions, to excite a disturbance, but
without effect, the porters themselves observing becoming
patience and forbearance.
On Friday the advertisement we have alluded to was
posted as a placard, in various parts of the town, and its
judicious, just, and conciliatory character had the effect
of preventing on that day any formidable gathering of the
men. The magistrates, in fact, admit the grievances
complained of, and show a willingness to aid in seeing
them redressed. Every precaution was on that day and
Saturday taken to meet any sudden outbreak, by swearing
in special constables, giving instructions to the police, &c.
[With reference to the placard issued by the magis-
trates, it is but proper to state in behalf of the master
porters under the new act, amongst whom are comprised
many of the most respectable merchants and brokers in
the town, that they are not at least the immediate parties
Who are to be blamed. The new system is assuredly im-
mical to the interests both, of the master porters and the
men. The former for the most part cannot themselves
attend to and overlook the labourers. The majority of
the master porters are not guilty of any of the practices
condemned. The system must, however, be amended in
in some way, for it works badly for all parties, as is testi-
fied by the following memorial to the Dock Committee,
which was signed in a very short time last week, at the
Exchange News Room, by about two hundred of the most
respectable merchants and brokers in town :—" Liverpool,
9th March, 18 18.— Gentlemen : We, the undersigned
merchants and brokers of Liverpool, some of us being
registered master porters, having given a fair and impar-
tial trial to the system of quay porterage by master por-
ters, only recently introduced into this port, beg to repre-
sent that the said-system has proved most unsatisfactory,
our property being abused by the awkward handling of un-
skilful porters, while the charges have far exceeded the
amount for which the porterage could have been effected
by ourselves. We, therefore, respectfully request, that
you will be pleased to abolish the system of discharging
vessels by master porters only, and order that in future
each consignee or importer of goods shall take charge of
his own property on the quay, as formerly."]
On Sunday however great numbers again assembled in
consequence of the following placard :
" Public meeting. Good and royal subjects of her Most
Gracious Majesty the Queen are respectfully requested to meet,
at three e'clock to-morrow afternoon, on the Exchange-square,
to take into consideration why British artisans should have to
pay dearer for everything they consume than any other people
under Heaven; and it is hoped that some good citizen will pro
pose a remedy for the above grievance, which is breaking the
spirit of the English people, and will ultimately sink the na-
tion.—Ah
iN'ciahrwchasll,
printedla4a.
in red on a white
"
British
The
above
ground, bore no imprint upon it. It was not posted till
early on Sunday morning. Though no effect was aepre-
ritisphlaA rtriscada, n.
w
appre-
hended from the above silly production, the magistracy
assembled at the Town-hall, and took every precaution
which prudence for the public safety could suggest, and
as one step the following placard was immediately issued
by the Mayor:—
" BOROUGH OF LIVERPOOL. _

"Notice of the intention of holding a public meeting thisday
having been posted on the walls, I, Thomas Berry Horsfall,
hereby caution all persons not to attend it. The meeting is
called anonymously, and it is believed by strangers; and the
Mayor confides in the Loyal population to aid him in his de-
termination to preserve the peace of the town.
"THOMAS BERRY HORSFALL, Mayor.
" Town Hall, March 12."

A strong body of police were stationed in the Sessions'
House, and in the central office in High-street a large
force was also kept in reserve. At the hour announced
two or three hundred individuals,. " to see the fun," had
gathered upon the flags ; spectators cohered, and the
crowd received instant accession from the crowd of well-
dressed people flowing every fine Sunday towards the pier
heads. Birkenhead for the nonce was deprived of its
parading visitors. The crowd, an aimless meeting, was
gathered, but no "goodcitizen" appeared to address them.
There was no excitement, no rallying point, till Mr. Dow-
ling, who was unknown to the mass of people there,
mingled with the crowd, and proclaimed, like a " good
citizen." to those who rushed round him, that no meeting
was to be held. The crowds at last perceived the hoax
which had been practised, and gradually dispersed.
•

Yesterday, a rather more alarming: yet equally silly,
demonstration, without apparent definite aim, took place
in the. Exchange area. Crowds of idlers, men and boys,
but chiefly the latter, began to assemble on the flags and
the adjoining thoroughfares, and these greatly increased
towards three o'clock. Numbers of well-dressed persons
were attracted to the spot, and so swelled the assemblage
that shortly after three o'clock the flags were nearly filled,
especially on the east side of the square, opposite the
north door of the Exchange News-room, where a man,
apparently drunk, and a number of youths and boys
caukd, by silly broken expressions, followed by shouts.
seers, laughter, and occasional hustling to get up
a disturbance. They succeeded only, however, in
causing rushes of the people to and fro, and there
can be no question but that pickpockets, and vaga-
bonds of elder growth or practice, had urged on the boys
in hopes of a. row, by which they could make their
harvest. The business• usually transacted on 'Change
was of course for a time suspended, and at length
matters having begun to assume a serious aspect, it was
deemed prudent to call in, shortly before four o'clock, a
strong body of police who were before quartered near the
spot. These, marching in an orderly and determined
manner, urged those present to disperse. It was but ne-
cessary to make such a demonstration to induce the
greater portion of the assemblage to move off. Consider-
able numbers, however, of those bent on mischief declined
to move from the square, and the police, naturally be-
coming impatient at this and the insulting language used
towards them, used their sticks with considerable, but it
is generally thought necessary, severity. The result was
a few broken heads and bruises, but nothing serious. The
effect was almost electric, and the flight general in all di-
rections, the feeling being "sauve qui pent." A tremen-
dous rush took place in the direction of and along
High-street, the north end of which was so blocked up
that young and old were thrown down over one another
until they lay in heaps -on the ground, • out of
which they were very soon hurried by pokes and knocks
from the police. In a very few minutes the Exchange
flags were cleared of the greater portion of those who had
filled them, and Dale-street, Castle-street, &c., were
crowded by many hundreds moving. We should think
that not fewer than 3000 to 4000 had at one time congre-
gated at the Exchange and the surrounding streets. After
the dispersion, which from its rapidity was somewhat lu-
dicrous, the police bodies occupied the ends of the several
avenues leading to the Exchange, and effectually kept out
known or suspected persons, permitting respectable parties
who had business there to pass and repass. It was, we
think, indiscreet in strangers and others in respect-
able society to swell the crowd that had collected
by mingling amongst them. Had they absented them-
selves the thing would-have died away without any inter-
ference of the police. Of equally questionable taste was
the appearance of gentlemen at open windows in the un-
derwriters rooms, and merchants offices facing the crowd,
and immediately above the densest portion of them. At
four o'clock many of the shop windows in Castle-street
and Dale-street were closed, in case of breakage of glass :
but this was unnecessary. _ _ _

The fire brigade were at hand, and prepared to drench
the multitude had they lingered after the first charge, in
which case the merely curious as well as the mischievous
would have got s cooling by no means agreeable. We
are glad to learn that the working porters so far as could
be observed, took no part in the intended disturbance ;
and that the loyalty of the people at large remained quite
unshaken on both days. The greatest praise is due to the
Mayor for his watchfulness and caution, and his forbearance
combined with firmness, in conserving the peace of the
town ; and his efforts have been anxiously seconded by
his brother magistrates, and by all the civic officers and
) the humblest. These pre-
s taken and in nrenaratinn

cautions or tne auttiont
against any further disturbance, (should such- unhappily
arise—which we do not apprehend) have inspired the
public mind with the greatest confidence.

A body of regular troops have arrived from Chester.
A large number of special constables were also yesterday
sworn in, in addition to many before. About 500 of the
men employed at the yard and works of the Corporation,
have also been taken up as constables; and the police are
so divided and instructed, that large bodies of them may
at once be brought to bear upon disturbances that may
show themselves in any part of the town.

About five o'clock, some idle fellows, who had been
driven from the Exchange, took it into their heads to roll
about some of the casks intended to be used in Exchange-
street East, for the consolidation of the new pavement
there laid down. They were soon put to flight by the
polia

after the di

ion of the crowd from the Ex-

change

some of th; fire brigide

finding a crowd at the

corner of Hargrave-buildings, played upon them from the

water mains, and got them away, the mass of t
ing to take it as a mere amusement.
There was a rumour of a disturbance in Richmond-
yesterday evening, but it turns out that it was merely a
resistance made to the apprehension of an offender by
some of his co-mates; that the
.case had nothing what-
ever to do with any of the proceedings at the Exchange ;
and that such attempts at rescue are more or less of daily
occurrence in'the rourh -districts of the town.

item seem-

At the present time, ten o'clock, all is quiet through-
out the town, and there is no indication of any disturb-

EXAMINATION OF MASTERS AND MATES.—At a meet-
ing held on the 7th instant, Capt. Edward Joseph Allen,
master of the. William Botsford, of Liverpool, and Capt..
Thomas Tinley, master of the Nith, of Liverpool, were
examined and found duly qttalified for first cla4s: masters'
certificates.

March 14, ISIS.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(BY EXPRESS.)

The Chartist meeting en Kennington Common yeste'rdSi
turned out a miserable failure. The military were underarms
but there was no occasion for them.
On Saturday last, about half-past 11, a.m., the entire viaduct
over the river Nidd, at Knaresborough, which was nigh being
completed, fell in with a tremendous crash, caused, it
thought; by the heavy rains. It consisted of four arches Of
centres bf which had not been removed), each 50 feet span and
80 feet high. Fortunately no lives were lost.

MONEY MARKET—YiisTERDAY.
Therobeing nothing prominently new in the foreign intelli-
gence this morning, the market for Public Securities has
bited a more limited range of transactions than has occurred
since the first outbreak in Paris. Consols have been done fro=
801 to for the account, and for money from 801- to still
keeping up the same character of the money quotation being
nearly 4, per cent. higher than for time. All the other stocks,
the dividends of which are payable in the April quarter, art
now shut. Exchequer Bills are 28 30, and India Bonds 12 pro-
LONDON CORN MARKET.—YESTERDAY.
At this day's market there was a limited supply of Englig'
Wheat, which met a brisk sale at an advance of Is. per qr. On
the currency of this day week. For foreign there was also so
improved demand, and sellers had the turn of price in their
favour. Barrel Flour is steady.
Indian Corn on the spot was generally held for Is. per quartet'
advance, but there was less demand to-day for floating cargoes-
Fine Chevalier Barley sought after at full prices; secondarf
sorts, however, very difficult of sale.
_ _

Malt remains dull.
Hog Peas Is. to 25., and boiling, 28. to 3s. lower, Beans
better demand, and quite as dear.
The supplies of foreign Oats are liberal, which checked the
thinness perceptible at the end of last week, and few sale*
were effected over the currency of last Monday.
SMITHFIELD CATTLE MARKET.—YESTERDAY.
The beef trade was steady at last prices. The numbers of
sheep were small; from ss. 4d. to ss. 6d. per 81b., but no•T:risY
demand. For calves the demand was firm, and late pricespaid-
Prime small porkers sold readily, at full prices. All otherpig,
were a dull inquiry.

HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM IRELAND.
(FROM A CORRKSPONDENT.)
Dublin, March 12.
It is with much satisfaction that I inform you, that,
although the peace of the city is threatened by the late
seditious movements of the Repealers, we have every con,_'
fidence that the peaceable and loyal portion of the peoPw.
will turn out to a man, and repress any, the very slightest,
outbreak that may take place.
To-day, the Provost and Board of Trinity College met►
after divine service, and unanimously agreed to an address
to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, expressive of con-
fidence in his Excellency's wisdom and determination to
uphold the peace of the city, placed as the government
now is in a most awkward position by the unwarrantable
conduct of the Young and Old Ireland party.
The Orangemen of the north, ever foremost in pro-
moting social order, and observing a respect for the lairs
of the land, have also strengthened the hands of the Ex-
ecutive. Meetings have been held all over the north. in
which that body have agreed to addresses of confidence
in the Lord Lieutenant, and declaring their determination
and readiness to come forward at a moment's notice, at
render every assistance to the Government to maintain
peace and order...._