The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-19 00:00:00

COVENTRY, BIRMINGHAM, DUDLEY, &c.

COVENTRY, SATURDAY.—The colliery turn-out has
spread itself into almost every ramification of the district.
In South Staffordshire there is no prospect of any immediate
settlement of the question of wages. All the works in this
quarter are at a stand still.

Birmingham continues quiet, though the disturbances have
occasioned considerable excitement in the town.
The colliers at Dudley, on Monday, mustered 8000 to
10,000 strong. Precautionary measures were used by the
magistrates to prevent any breach of the peace. On Monday
morning, at an early hour, a number of men employed at
Lord Ward's open-work collieries in this neighbourhood
were suddenly surprised by an attack made by some hun-
dreds of the turn-out colliers. The men were obliged to fly
for their lives. The overlooker was dreadfully cut about
the head ; one of the men was thrown into the reservoir ;
another had his arm broken, and all of the unfortunate fel-
lows, who were peaceably and industriously earning (their
bread, were in one way or other dreadfully maltreated.
Another meeting was appointed to be held in this vicinity on
Thursday, (yesterday,) and, as a matter of course, business
,vitt again be suspcnded 5 and the middle classes of society,
sworn in as special constables or yeomanry cavalry, are put
to very considerable inconvenience.

LEICESTER.
The colliers at Vtihitwich coal pits, near Leicester, turned
out in great numbers on Saturday, but we have not heard of
the commission of any acts of violence.

DESTRUCTIVE RIOTS IN THE POTTERIES.
BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY EVENING.—I regret to say that
accounts were received in Birmingham today of most des-
tructive riots in the Potteries. A meeting took place on the
Crown-bank, near Shelton, yesterday morning. The Collier 3
were called together by the Chartists at 8 o'clock, for the
purpose of enforcing the necessity of standing out until the
Charter was granted. The meeting was numerously atten-
ded, and the resolutions were carried unanimously. Cooper
the Chief of Mr. Sturge's Chartist orators at Nottingham,
was the principal spokesman.
The work of destruction commenced soon after the termina-
tion of the meeting. Immediately after the meeting a body
of colliers proceeded to the colliery of Lord Granville, where
they found some of the men at work, and after ducking them,
and stopping the engines, and turning out the paters at the
different manufactories, they entered the house of Mr. Gibbs,
the poor-rate collector, where they took all the rate-books,
and completely destroyed them. They next proceeded to the
Police-office, which they attacked, cleared the office of all the
staff, and released the prisoners. They then proceeded in the
direction of Stoke, and entered the Court of Requests,
violently assaulted the clerk, who was much injured, com-
pletely ransacked his house, and destroyed the whole of his
furniture. The whole of the books of the office were torn up,
and after completing this demolition, they proceeded to the
Spittles, at Stoke, where they destroyed the whole of the
rate-books. They went to the Police-office and seized Super-
intendent Stonier, who was much hurt in the skirmish.
Afterwards they attempted to set fire to the office, but it was
put out before any injury was done. They next went to
Fenton, and, undoubtedly, would have proceeded to mischief,
but the town was under the protection of the military.
There can be no doubt that the Chartist leaders are the in-
stigators of the disturbances.

After 10 o'clock last night the outrages were renewed to
a fearful extent. The mob attacked the house of the Rev.
Dr. Bayley, of Lane-End, completely gutted it by fire, and
destroyed the whole furniture. Afterwards, the house of the
Rev. Mr. Aitken, of Hanley, was similarly sacrificed, which
was completely demolished. Not a particle of timber was
left. Mr. Parker, a magistrate, a man of fortune, retired
from business and residing at Hanley, was similarly treated.
His house was completely gutted. Mr. Parker was attend-
ing to his official business at Burslem, and had no idea of the
mob intending any attack upon his property until informed
of its destruction. Mr. Rose's (the stipendiary magistrate)
house was also destroyed.

Persons coming from the Potteries to day describe the
state of things in those neighbourhoods as most alarming.
From Burslem to Hanley, a distance of two miles, the crowd
of men and women assembled on the road side was dense,
and it was feared that the direst consequences would ensue.
The absence of the military, or what would otherwise appear
to be the neglect of the authorities, ought to be noticed. On
the Monday night it was rumoured that the disaffected in
the adjoining counties of Derby and Chester had made Leek
a point d'oppui, and that there was to be the grand central
point of assemblage and march. The troops from the Pot-
teries were consequently marched off, and in their absence,
as on Saturday last, the evil-disposed colliers broke out into
the commission of-the outrages briefly described above.
The troops returned from Leek at eight o'clock this morn-
ing, and, although-the neighbourhood was in a state of great
excitement, which could not be otherwise, after the fearful
events of last night, there was no further injury done to pro-
perty. Most providentially, amidst all this tumult and vio-
lence, not a single life was lost.
The Newcastle Troop of Yeomanry are upon duty ; but the
troops generally (the Yeomanry included) are so harrassed
by night service in this scorched burning country, that large
reinforcements are absolutely necessary.
Since writing the above, I have heard that three men were
shot at Hanley this morning by the military, and that the
mob contemplated an attack upon the Duke of Sutherland's
mansion, Trentham-hall, and also upon that of Mr. Alder-
man Copeland, in the immediate neighbourhood of Stoke.
The threatened attacks upon the property of the nobleman
and gentleman mentioned show, that the mob must be com-
posed of a set of unprincipled ruffians, for no two men in the
county of Stafford have upon all occasions shown greater re-
gard for the working classes than his Grace the Duke of
Sutherland and Mr. Alderman Copeland.

MORE RIOTS AT BURSLEM.
On Tuesday morning, between ten and eleven o'clock, the
mob from Leek entered Burslem, where the only military
force in the neighbourhood is stationed, consisting, we are
told, of about forty of the Ist Royal Dragoons, under the
command of the Hon. Captain Powys. These troops were
drawn up in the principal street, near the house of a Mr.
Barlow, to prevent the mob entering the town ; and the
officer, addressing the rioters, told them they could not pass
that way, and that they had better retire. He was answered
by stones and brickbats, some of which are said to have
struck and hurt the soldiers, who, finding that the mob con-
tinued to attack them, at length fired ; and, according to the
statement made to us, and the general report in Burslem,
three men were killed,—one of them amongst the most ac-
tive of the mob,—and five or six others wounded. The mob
then dispersed, and the soldiers are said to have taken some
prisoners. Thus repulsed at Burslem, the rioters appear to
have returned to Hanley, where, (luring the rest of the day,
they continued to plunder the shops, including even the
pawnbrokers' shops; and the greatest terror prevailed.
There were no soldiers in the town, and the inhabitants
with some reason apprehended at night-fall a repetition of
the incendiary scenes of the preceding day.
During Tuesday, Newcastle' Burslem (after the riot above
noticed), and Leek, remained quiet; but much alarm was
felt, from the circumstance of the small military force in the
ASHTON, STALYBRIDGE, MIDDLETON ,district, and the brutal and reckless character of the depre-
, &c.
,dations and destruction committed by the rioters.
On Wednesday week the workmen at Middleton woe. ' Another letter we have seen, dated Burslem, Tuesday,
do so, and on Thursday '
visited by the mobs, and strongly urged to desist working', ; 'states! that "the following are a few of the many who have
but they were very unwilling to had their houses destroyed by fire or other means :—The
morning, as early as seven o'clock in the morning, a pain, Rev. Mr. Vale, Mr. Allen, Mr. Charles Mason, Mr. For-
named Hilton, known in Middleton as "the chartist bell-. rester, Mr. Bishop, the Rev. Mr. Atkin, and Mr. Parker.
man," went round the town springing a watchman's rattler All the police stations are destroyed, together with the Court
after whiehle made a vociferous announcement to the f©L Requests, with all the books."
lowing effect :—" This is to give notice, that all the weavers f WEDNESDAY MORNING.-'I mentioned briefly yesterday
must give; it would appear that the
those that don't the loss of three lives at Hanle 6 over working : and must lave
their pieces cut across.' A woman, too, the wife of a trims- fatal affray took place at Burslem. The troops were drawn
ported thief, rushed about the streets, in a complete fumy of up in the principal street, near the house of Mr. Barlow, to

prevent the mob entering the town, and the officer, address- '
ing the rioters, told them they could not pass, and that they
had better retire. He was. answered by stones and brick-
bats, some of which strrck and hurt the soldiers, who find-
ing that the mob continued to attack them at length fired ,
and, according to accounts, three men, as I yesterday stated
were killed. One of them was the most active of tile mob.,
Five or six others were wounded, and conveyed to the in-
firmary. There is no doubt, however, that many others
were wounded, but, like the " winged birds," crept home
without notice. Thus repulsed at Bursleni, the rioters ap-
pear to have proceeded to Hanley, where, during the rest of
the day, the continued to plunder the shops, and the greatest
terror prevailed. There were no soldiers in Hanley, and the
inhabitants at this time of the day appehended that at
nightfall a repetition of the incendiary scenes of Monday
would take place.
During yesterday, Newcastle, Burslem (after the riot
above noticed), and Leek, remained quiet ; but much alarm
was felt from the circumstance of the small military force in
the district, and the brutal and reckless character of the de-
predations committed.
I stated yesterday that persons travelling from Burslem to
Hanley observed the road on each side lined by sonic thou-
sands of the turn-outs. Scenes of the most awful character
followed. During the night the mob on their return visited
Shelto-hall, the residence of the bishop, which the rioters
surrounded and destroyed. Having forced an entrance into
the house, they set about the work of destruction, demolish-
ing windows and furniture, and finished by setting fire to the
premises. After this they visited the various residences
mentioned. The neighbourhood in which these frightful
scenes occurred presents most melancholy evidences of the
violence of the mob. There did not, however, appear any
disposition to carry off any property.
The mob which entered Burslem this morning consisted
of about 5,000 persons. Early information of their approach
had been given to the magistrates, and the Dragoons were
drawn up to receive them. When the advanced party of the
rioters made their appearance and discovered the prepara-
tions made for their reception, they came to a dead halt, and
commenced throwing stones at the military. The men im-
mediately charged and fired ; the mob was thrown into con-
fusion, and dispersed in every direction.
The Dragoons cleared the streets, the magistrates read the
riot act, and the entire district, though considerably ex-
cited, was soon perfectly peaceable.
The reports brought by passengers to-day state, that this-
morning the Pottery districts were quiet, and it was ex-
pected,
although the town was miserably supplied with mili-
tary, that the emeute was over. •
•
(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.)
George-irin, Burslem, Wednesday, Aug. 17.
With the presence of the military (a company of the 12th,
and part of a troop of the Dragoons,) we have had the only
quiet night of the last week. The fatal charge on the mob
yesterday morning has had a salutary effect, and probably
saved two churches from the destruction threatened. It was
made about half-past 10, at the entrance of the Leek, or
Moorland-road,opposite the corner of M r.Wedgwood's house.
The town was menaced by the advance of two columns of the
mob, one from the Hanley quarter, and the other from the
Leek-road, as stated, many of the latter consisting of men
from the town named, all armed with sticks and bludgeons.
'The company of the 12th had not then arrived, and about 36
of the troop of Dragoons drew their swords, faced, and ad-
winced on the column. The mob came boldly up, menacing
the soldiery with their bludgeons, while §ome unarmed men
on their flanks commenced throwing stones, some of which
striking the horses made them unsteady. The Riot Act had
previously been read, and the commanding officer gave the
order to charge and fire. The men in front of the mob stood
firm, one more prominent than the rest. This man was aimed
at as their leader, and a Dragoon with his carbine shot him
through the head, and his brains were literally blown out,
with a hole as large as an egg, in a mass. Two more were
mortally wounded, since understood to be dead. The rest
were rode over, or dispersed like the wind. Many wounded
were got away, and it is currently reported and believed are
since dead, and their bodies thrown into the pits. The whole
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 constables charged the mob on the other road
with 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 dragoons 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 yard of the Legs of Man Inn ; and about seven o'clock
marched out, taking different directions, and clearing all the
people before them. As an old militia officer, I can say, that
I never saw men act better on such a short term. They
formed single or double files, went to the right or left turn at
the word, like veterans, and fronted as though they had had
a regular drill. Such is old Burslem, well deserving the
name of the mother and metropolis of the Potteries, and
always the only loyal place, strictly speaking, in the mass
in it.

The night passed in quietness. This morning a detach-
ment of the 34th came in with the Newcastle troop, escort-
ing some prisoners taken on the uest of this district. 12
were taken up during the night here, and they have all been
just conveyed in carriages, under the guard of the Yeomanry
and a small detachment of the Infantry, to Newcastle, on their
route for Stafford.

During the night two houses were entered at Cobridge,
one belonging to Mr. Hughes, doing duty as special con-
stable in 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 rioters were taken. Strange to say, one of them, a
deserter from the 12th, who was instantly indentified.
All accounts from Hanley, Stoke, &c., are peaceful for the
present. Mr. Aitkin's house at Hanley is still a smoulder-
ing ruin. It is remarkable that the mob gave the old clergy-
man 10 minutes law to get away (being lame, and only able
to walk with two sticks.) They made a capture of his sur-
plice, 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.
Several Dissenters were calm and smiling witnesses of this
outrage!,
1 never saw suds a perfect wreck as the house of Mr.
Parker, at Hanley ; not a vestige of anything is left.

YORKSHIRE.
(From a Third Edition of the Leeds Mercury)

, .
At Bradford all \ VIS quiet on Tuesday afterneon, the mob
attacked the mills of Messrs. Rouse and Messrs. Horsfall;
but in both cases were driven back.
A hand of front tour to five thousand colliers entered
Wakefield on Monday, and held a meeting on the Heath
about a utile distant.
Accounts from Leeds to Tuesday evening represent mat-
ters as hourly getting worse. On Tuesday, about ejeven
o'clock, a large party of persons went in a body to Bilalit-
cliffe Thorn, distant. about six miles from here, and attackaa
the extensive manufactory of Messrs. James Ellis and Sons„
and turned out the whole of the hands, amounting to be-
tween ail: and seN en hundred persons ; also those ofMessrs-
Hagues and Cool:, Dewsbury, There are large gatherings
of people, many of them strangers in the neighbourhood of
Gomersal, Dewsbury, and Bahley Carr.
A daring attack was made by the mob this morning, near
to the Elland Station, on a detachment of the lith Lancers,
who had just; conveyed a number of prisoners -from Halifax
so Elland (the railway station), who had been committed to
Wakefield House of Correction. Two of the lancers were
severely beaten, one of them having his eye completely
knocked out ; and the lives of both are despaired of. The
sword of the commanding officer was broken in such a man-
ner as to be entirely useless, and another was forwarded him
from Leeds this afternoon. This place is quiet, but we are
under serious apprehensions that it will not remain so many
hours longer. His Royal Highness Prince George continues
in hourly communication with the magistrates, and is to be
seen very frequently riding between the barracks and the
Court House, and at the railway station.
The magistrates have just issued a proclamation, declaring
their full determination to use all the means in their power
to prevent and repress, and, if necessary, forcibly to put
down and disperse all assemblages of persons in considerable
numbers.

TODMORDEN, HALF-PAST Two.--At Dewsbury all con-
tinues in a state of tranquility, not the slightest manifestation
of a tumultuous spirit has appeared. The general topic of
conversations is, however, the threatened descent on Hali-
fax, Elland, and the surrounding districts from Todmorden,
and the contemplated turn-out among the colliers at Wake-
field on Monday. They have no fear of a descent upon
Dewsbury ; and even the most distressed portion of the po-
pulation show not the slightest disposition to join the turn-
outs should they ultimately reach Dewsbury.
At Wakefield everything hitherto wears a peaceable as-
pect. The people entertain no forebodings, except those
which arise from the rumoured strike of the colliers on
Monday next, which they are disposed in general to look
upon as what they term a mere " try on".
At Huddersfield the people are everywhere indulging fearful
anticipations, and the populace are talking over the Manches-
ter and Todmorden affair at every nook and corner. Nothing
has yet occurred ; but the disposition of the operative classes
seem to run along with the popular tumult. All the people
who have employment still continue at work ; and, so far as
outward demonstration is concerned, all is going on peaceably.
At Elland, numbers of persons were early on the look-out
for the rioters from Todmorden ; and, notwithstanding the
peace of the place was somewhat ruffled by the open declara-
tion of the Todmorden rioters, that they would arouse The
people of that place during the day, along with the people of
Hebden Bridge Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge, and Halifax,
all fear had subsided before noon, the people beginning to
look upon the thing as mere bravado. Yet the distressed
part of the operatives are giving loose to expressions of great
dissatisfaction with their quondam friends and pot companions.
But these may be said to be the only parties that show any in-
clination to a rising, or that look favourably on the proceed-
ings at Manchester, Rochdale, and Todmorden.
-Halifax bears in general, perhaps, greater marks of tran-
quillity than any place in the district. The people have made
no attempt at a public demonstration, and the great bulk of
them are inclined to ridicule any expression tending to favour
the idea of the Todmorden rioters arousing Halifax. Man-
chester, Rochdale, and Todmorden, are, however, much
talked about; and some of the very lowest class are enter.
taming the most favourable view of the riotous proceedings,
and making loud protestations that the charter' must be-
come the law of the land. They are also expressing the
highest approbotion at the proceeding of the meeting of
trade delegates at the Carpenters' Hall, in Manchester, last
night, which they say has done much for the charter. All
the manufactories and workshops continue in full operation
before the riotous proceedings commenced.
Sowerbv Bridge in the morning wore much the same
aspect as Halifax, except that being nearer Todmorden the
riots are more general and prominent topic of conversation.
About noon, however, the people began to manifest more
concern and dread of the turn-out, in consequence of a ru-
mour that the rioters of Todmorden were within three or
four miles of the place.
At Mytholmroyd a number of the rioters from Tod-
morden arrived early, and they soon succeeded in gaining
great accessions to their ranks. By twelve o'clock every
inhabitant of the place was on the look-out, men, women,
and children ; and by one o'clock every factory and workshop
' was at a stand-still, the populace parading the streets in an
irregular procession of six, eight, and ten abreast, numbering
in the whole from 2,000 t 0.3,000. The rioters not only suc-
ceeded in stopping the factories at Mytholmroyd, but also
every one between that place and Todmorden. They in every
case demanded the turn-out of the workpeople. Every
attempt at non-compliance was met by the threat, that if the
work people refused to come out, they would reduce the place
to ashes. We hear of no material damage done to property
at Mytholmroyd. A great meeting was announced for two
o'clock, and large numbers of people were on the road be-
tween Todmorden and Mytholmroyd at one o'clock to be
present.

Events similar to those of Mytholmroy have occurred at
Hetsden-bridge, Winters, Cowbridge, Spew Hole, Bank,
Calis Mill, Calder Side, and Mytholm Mills, to each of which
places a detachment of the rioters proceeded from Todmor-
den early in the morning ; and a grand concentration of all
their accessions is talked of to take place at Mytholmroyd,
for making arrangements to penetrate the whole of Yorkshire.
In Leeds all is perfectly tranquil, and we believe our
townsmen have too much good sense to join in so insane and
desperate a course as that by which the cotton district is
agitated.

( From a Fourth Edition of the Leeds Mercury.)
Our reporter, on his return to Leeds this evening, has re-
ceived particular and positive information that the mill hands
have been turned out at Huddersfield. This information
was given to him in the train by a manufacturer who en-
tered the carriage at Cooper Bridge, the Huddersfield sta-
tion, and who declared that he himself bad seen the move-
ments of the mob, and that his own mill had been stopped.
A railway guard, who arrived here at half-past four, brought
the information that the turn-outs had begun their opera.
tions at Huddersfield.

(From the Fifth Edition of the Leeds Mercury.)
SATURDAY, ELEVEN O'CLOCK, P.M.—We learn by gen-
tlemen who have just reached Leeds from Huddersfield, a
full confirmation of the facts stated in our fourth edition, as
to the turn-out of all the mill hands in that town.
The rioters who invaded this town came from Oldham,
not, as had been stated, from Todmorden. They were about
5.000 or 6,000, with many women. They arrived at three
o'clock p.m., and went early to the mill of Messrs. Starkey
Brothers, who, being magistrates, blockaded the gates, and
declared that they would read the riot act. The turn-outs
disregarded these threats, broke open the gates, entered the
mill, and turned out every hand.
The rioters then proceeded to Mr. Kay's mill, and turned
out the hands.
At the mill of Mr. William Brook, the magistrate, in
North-street, that gentleman made some opposition, but it
was altogether fruitless; the mob broke into the mill, burst
in the plugs of the steam-engine boilers, and turned out all
the workmen.
In fact, the hands were expelled from every mill in the
town in the course of the afternbon. A meeting was held,
but we do not know the resolutions come to. After the
mills had been stopped, the invaders marched through the
town, many of them begging, but not committing any acts
of plunder.
[The latest accounts from Huddersfield, Bradford, and
Leeds represent all as quiet, but anxiety and suspense were
predominant. Nbne of the shops and few of the warehouses
were open.]

The Earl of Cardigan, Lieut.-Colonel of the 11th Hussars,
left Leeds by the half-past one o'clock train t his afternoon, for
Todmorden. where he was at three, intending to proceed to
Celtic and Burnley.
There is a strong rumour that we are to be visited to-mor-
row with parties from Lancashire. and the more western part
of this county, to force the mills to cease work. It they
come, they will meet with a determined opposition from the
inhabitants of the town generally. :News has just reached
us that at Bradford the mills are being stopped, and there is
great disturbance. At Halifax and Huddersfield all works •
were stopped yesterday. At both places an affray.took place
between the military and the mob. Several were wounded
at Huddersfield. and eighteen of the ringleaders of the rioters
taken into et stody. At Halifax one or two were wounded, •
and several taken. ,
A gentleman who left Leeds on Wednesday evening, at
eight o'clock, states that there had been much rioting in
the course of the day. A large mob, consisting chiefly of
strangers, had entered the town, and pt-oceeded to stop the
factories ; but, from the timely preparat'ons which had been
made for their reception, they were not so successful as in
most other places. The civil force, supported by the mili-
tary, had come into collision with the mob in several in-
stances, and a number of the rioters had leen captured. In
one disturbance which had taken place, the superintendent
of police was said to have been dragged oft his horse by the „;,„
mob, and seriously injured, before he could be rescued from, ;,„-,je
them. At eight o'clock at night the town seas comparatively ltdaa
quiet ; but the soldiers and civil force were in readiness t0,,,10
check any renewal of the riots.
We have seen another letter from Leeds , dated Wednes:tieq
day, Aug. 17, quarter past five o'clock, p.m.., from which we
take the following extract :—" The rioters have reached us • ,T,9
about three hours ago, and have stopped several mills by
pulling the plugs out of the boilers. At He •lbeck, they have •,i-
-stopped Titley, Tatham, and Co.'s mill, in t he face of a large
body of the troops, as well as artillery. '1 'he riot act was
read, but the military did not act. The t ioters, however,
dispersed. I have just heard that another disturbance has
taken place at Holbeck, and that Mr. Read , the chief con-
stable, is hurt, some say killed. The military have galloped
off to that neighbourhood. They have bet :n all round the
neighbouring villages, and have stopped all ';the mills."
LEEDS, THURSDAY, 9 A.M.—All is quiet this morning,
nor has there been any further attempt at disturbance.

HALIFAX.
(From Wednesday's Manchester Gaurdian,Second Edition.)
Last night a rumour was very prevalent in this town, to
the effect that a party of military had been overpowered by
the mob, and deprived of their arms. Not being abletto
trace this rumour to any authentic source, we did not think
proper to allude to it, although we found it credited by some
of the civil and military authorities. It now appears, that
although the report in question was untrue, there had been
serious collisions between the military and the rioters, in
which both had suffered ; and that the loss of life on the part
of the latter had been rather serious. We subjoin such par-
ticulars as we have been able to collect from private letters,
and other sources of information.
" Sowerby Bridge, 16th August.
" Halifax is all in commotion, and the mob is both des-
perate and determined their proceedings. Twelve of the
military went with two omnibuses, conveying about fifteen or
sixteen prisoners to the railway station at Elland (to be sent
thence to Wakefield house of correction,)and on their return
were met by the mob, which attacked them in a most furious
manner, and wounded an officer, who is now lying danger-
ously ill at Elland, and four privates, whom they have con-
veyed to Halifax in a very precarious state : the authorities
have sent off two expresses for additional military force, one
to Leeds and one to Manchester."

Another letter, also of the 16th, states, " The mob and
soldiers have had several skirmishes; a good deal of firing,
and some loss of life ; but, though on the spot, nothing po-
sitive can be ascertained. The railway omnibus was at-
tacked, and almost every passenger hurt.—Tuesday Evening.
The report of the deaths ranges from three to twelve." "
A third letter contains the following :
" Northgate Hotel, Halifax, August 16,
Five o'Clock, p.m.
" I got here last night, and have been completely a priso-
ner ; for it would have been dangerous to go out. This inn
is the head-quarters for the military, and never have I wit-
nessed such dreadful scenes as I have done to-day. I have
seen many a poor fellow shot this day ! While lam writing
this, five have just been brought in wounded ; two of whom
have just breathed their last! Several of the soldiers are
dreadfully cut. Where I am I can nearly see all that is
doing."
" Halifax, August 15, 1842..
" I arrived here this morning minus a hat, and with a se—
vere wound on the left side of the head, a black eye, a
wounded leg and shoulder. The omnibus I was in was at-
tacked by a mob at the time sonic soldiers were passing ; and
such a shower of stones I never saw before. lam thankful
I escaped with life. The omnibus was smashed."
"I beg to add, to the reverse of this sheet, that my gig
was this morning taken from me on the road, to convey
wounded soldiers, whilst I walked by the side, leading my
horse, 'midst a shower of from Ilb. to 61b. stones. This is a
most wretched state of affairs."
We have seen a gentleman who was on a commercial jour-
ney, but finding the neighbourhood in so disturbed a state,
he deemed it most prudent to return to Manchester, which
he did by railway on Tuesday evening, leaving the Sowerby
Bridge Station at eight o'clock. He says it was there stated,
that the soldiers had shot six of the rioters at Halifax, and a
respectable person told him he had seen four of the corpses
lying near the Northgate Bridge. This was about three
O'clock in the afternoon.—A clergyman who had just left
Halifax, corroborated this statement, and said, that when he
left that town, the soldiers were re-loading their pieces in the
streets. Another passenger in the train, had made his escape
from the range of the soldiers' guns by climbing over a high
wall into a timber yard.—Another passenger stated, that he
was going from Huddersfield to Halifax, and went by the
omnibus from Elland to the latter town, when the mob at-
tacked the omnibus; every passenger in which was much
hurt by stones, brick-bats, and other missiles. This passen-
ger had received two lacerated wounds on his head ; and
his thigh had also been severely wounded by a sharp
stone. It was bandaged and bleeding profusely when
he got into the train. He states that the omnibus was
broken to pieces. Another account was, that as a
detachment of the Eleventh Hussars were conveying a
number of prisoners from Halifax to the Elland Station,
they were very furiously attacked by a large mob, armed with
bludgeons, and throwing showers of stones and brickbats;
that the mob succeeded in rescuing the prisoners ; two of the
the hussars were knocked off their horses, and, it was said,
had been captured by the mob : and, according to a report
at Sowerby Bridge, they were stripped by the rioters; but it
was not known what had become of them. Their horses
were at Sowerby Bridge, both much wounded by missiles ;
and one was in a dying state when the train left. [With
respect to this version of the matter, we have little doubt
that it was founded upon the fact of two wounded horses
being at Sowerby Bridge. The affair is, no doubt, the one
which occurred, not as the prisoners on their way to Elland
but as the omnibus and its escort were returning to Halifax.]
—Another railway passenger said, that, before he left Halifax,
he had seen two of the corpses. A musket ball had passed
through the body of one rnan,:and the other had been killed
by a bayonet thrust, which had passed quite through the
neck. The mob, on leaving Halifax in the evening, cried
out in the streets, " We are coming again to-morrow, lads,
and we'll arm ; we may as wed arm as th' soldiers." As the
train left, large numbers of people were seen proceeding
across the country from Halifax and Sowerby Bridge in the
direction of Blackstone Edge; where, it was said, they in-
tended to lie out out all night.