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

THE ANTI-CORN-LAW-LEAGUE RIOTS.

In the Standard of Tuesday we brought down our report
of the disturbances in the manufacturing districts to the
latest possible period ; from Manchester, Preston, and the
towns adjacent to a late hour the previous evening. We now
resume the account, and regret we have not more favourable
particulars to detail. We derive our information from various
sources.

MANCHESTER.
TIIESDAY.—The town has been quiet during the whole of
the forenoon, and the only circumstance to be noticed is the
large numbers of idle persons walking the streets, apparently
without an object or a feeling. The factories are, with few
exceptions, standing, and no terms have been come to, or
are in progress, between the hands and their masters. The
impression of many influential parties whom we have met,
is, that the neck of the " insurrection," or whatever else we
may call it, is broken, and that, were the men allowed quietly
to resume their work, nothing more of a serious nature
would occur. The proposed processsion, in memory of the
Peterloo affair, was abandoned. A tea party and ball (!)
were announced to be held this evening, at which the noto-
rious Feargus O'Connor addressed his Chartist dupes.
The military strength of the town was yesterday 2210 men,
besides two howitzers, and four 6-pounders. Of the former,
there are of the Royal Artillery, 70 men ; Foot Artillery, 40;
3d battalion of Grenadiers, about 500 ; 58th Infantry, 600 ;
60th Rifle Corp, 600; and Ist Royal Dragoons and Lancers,
300. This, however, has been diminished by the draft for
service, for Warrington, and other places. A large detach-
ment of Rifles is stationed in the warehouses at the terminus
of the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, to lie in readi-
ness in case of disturbance at Hyde, Mottram, &c., or in
case of the railway being threatened to be interrupted.
At the meeting of delegates held yesterday, it was an-
nounced by the chairman that meetings were to be held by
the Dissenting Ministers and the shopkeepers in aid of the
turn outs. One of the speakers—Mr. Duffy—proposed that
they should proceed to stop the supplies. He had taken
that hint, he said, from the Anti-Corn-Law-Leaguers.
Mr: Feargus O'Connor arrived by the Manchester and
Birmingham railway at half-past six, a.m., but the proceed-
ings were contracted to the tea party, &c., as mentioned
above. Placards were issued in the course of the day, an-

nouncinglceaVanionment of the procession, &c., stifled,
"J. Scholefield." An adjourned meeting of delegates
took place at ten in the morning, at which Bernard
M`Cartney, the Liverpool delegate, cut a conspicuous figure,
and the meeting adjourned until afternoon, when one of the
magistrates attempted to induce the chairman to disperse
the assembly, but without effect, until they passed a resolu-
tion. The tea party and ball in the evening, as previously
announced by placard, were given in the Carpenters' Hall
by " The committee for the erection of Hunt's monument."
The room and gallery were densely crowded, and an amateur
band was in attendance. John Murray presided. After
tea, the Rev. James Scholefield entered the room, and an-
nounced that Mr. Feargus O'Connor was unable to attend;
as he was, in conjunction with other chartists, engaged in
considering what measures were best to be adopted in the
present crisis. Several chartist sentiments were then pro-
posed from the chair, and responded to by some operatives,
and a few songs were sung; after which dancing commenced,
and was kept up till a late hour. The town remained per-
fectly quiet the whole day.
WEDNESDAY.—No disturbance took place to-day, with
the exception of the attempt of a number of people to stop
two establishments near Pendleton, in both of which the
rioters were most signally defeated. The authorities conti-
nue their watchful supervision of the borough and neigh-
bourhood ; the police, special constables, and patrols, are on
duty, and every precaution is taken to guard against any
surprise. This morning a number of mills, factories, dye-
works, and other establishments, resumed work in this town
and neighbourhood. The excavators and labourers employed
on the works of the Extension Line of the Manchester and
Leeds Railway, who were compelled to turn out on Friday,
also resumed work this morning. The delegates resumed
their sitting this morning. After their dispersion last even-
ing, they issued an address to the trades, which was pla-
carded on the walls. The following is a copy :
" Liberty.—To the Trades of Manchester and the sur-
rounding Districts.—Fellow-workmen,-:—We hasten to lay
before you the paramount importance of this day's proceed-
ings. The delegates from the surrounding districts have
been more numerous at this day's meeting than they were at
yesterday's ; and the spirit of determination manifested for
the people's rights has increased every hour. In consequence
of the unjust and unconstitutional interference of the magis-
trates, our proceedings were abruptly brought to a close by
their dispersing the meeting, but not until in their very teeth
we passed the following resolution Resolved, that the
delegates in public meeting assembled do recommend to the
various constituencies which we represent to adopt all legal
means to carry into effect the People's Charter. And fur-
ther, we recommend, that delegates be sent through the
whole of the country, to endeavour to obtain the co-opera-
tion of the middle and working classes in carrying out the
resolution of ceasing labour until the Charter be made the
law of the land.'—Englishmen, legally determine to main-
tain the peace and well-being of society, and show, by your
strict adherence to our resolutions, that we are your true
representatives. Do your duty : we will do ours. We meet
again to-morrow, and the result of our deliberations will be
fully laid before you.
" ALEXANDER HUTCHINSON, Chairman.
" CHARLES STUART, Sec. pro tern.
Manchester, August 16, 1842.

On Wednesday morning a large placard appeared on the
walls, professing to be an address from " The Executive
Committee of the Chartist Association," to the people of
Manchester and the neighbourhood. After congratulating
the chartists on the prospecte of their cause, and alluding,
in every exciting language, to the fact, that " the blood of
their brethren had already reddened the streets of Preston
and Blackburn," it called on them to stand true to the cause,
by refraining from work ; and wound up by committing the
cause of the people " to the God of justice and of battles."
The only name attached to the placard was that of the
prin r, " Charles Turner, Turner-street, near St. Paul's
Clot: sh." About three o'clock, Mr. Beswick, accompanied
by a party of special constables, went to the house of the
printer, and apprehended him and his two apprentices. They.
also carried off several copies of the placard, and the form
of type.
We shall certainly not re-publish a placard at full length,
Which the authorities deem seditious. We may, however,
give a few specimens of the style :—" Englishmen, the blood
of your brothers reddens the streets of Preston and Black-
burn, and the murderers thirst for more. Be firm, be cou-
rageous, be men. Peace, law, and order, have prevailed on
our side; let them be revered until your brethren in Scot-
land, Wales, and Ireland, are informed of your resolution ;
and when a universal holiday prevails, which will be the case
in eight days, then of what use will bayonets be against pub-
lic opinion ? What tyrant can then live above the terrible
tide of thought and energy, which is now flowing fast under
the guidance of man's intellect, which is now destined by a
Creator to elevate his people above the reach of want, the
rancour of despotism, and the penalties of bondage. * *
Our machinery is arranged, and your cause will in three
days be impelled onward by all the intellect we can summon
to its aid," &c. " All officers of the association are called
upon to aid and assist in the peaceful extension of the move-
ment, and to forward all monies for the use of the delegates
who may be expressed over the country. Strengthen our
hands at this crisis. Support your leaders. Rally round
our sacred cause, and leave the decision to the God of Jus-
tice and of Battles."
Immediately on a copy of the above-named placard being laid
before the borough magistrates, a messenger was despatched
to the printer for another copy, which, having been obtained,
an information was immediately taken before Daniel Lee,
Esq., by whom a warrant was issued for the apprehension of
the printer. This set forth that Charles Turner did, on this
the 17th day of August instant, feloniously, seditiously, and
maliciously print and publish a certain false, seditious, ma-
licious, and scandalous libel, entitled and headed, " The
Executive Committee of the National Charter Associa-
tion," and addressed "To the people," &c. About half-
past two o'clock, Mr. Superintendent Beswick, went
to the house of Turner, in Turner-street. Turner was
not in the house, hut returned home in a few minutes
afterwards ; and Mr. Beswick told him that he had
a warrant against him, for having printed and pub-
lished the placard in question, which the magistrates
deemed a seditious bill ; and that, therefore, he (Turner)
must consider himself as his prisoner. The special con-
stables then came up, and Mr. Beswick proceeded up
stairs into the room used by Turner as a printing..
office, and discovered the form of type from which the pla-
card had been printed upon the press. To make himself
certain of this, he took a sheet of blank paper, inked the
type, and printed an impression of the placard. Continuing
his search, he also found what is called a " first proof" of
the placard, with corrections and alterations made in ink,
which proof he secured. Amongst other papers seized was
a printed copy of a large bill, printed by Turner, for the
chartists, about twelve months ago. The form of type of
the bill described in the warrant was conveyed to the Town-
hall, guarded by the special constables. Mr. Beswick con-
veyed Turner, and the papers he bad seized, to the police-
office, in a coach ; his two apprentices were also brought
away. Turner was placed in the lock-up ; and the boys, his
apprentices, are for the present detained in the police-office.
There appeared to be, in the statements of various persons
made before the borough magistrates' sufficient evidence
to authorise the apprehension of James Leach, who calls him-
self " the President of the Executive Council of the National
Charter Association," and who keeps a small shop in Oak-
street, near Swan-street, for the sale of the chartist penny
and halfpenny publications, chartist coffee, stationery, &c,—
a warrant was accordingly granted, and placed in the hands
of Mr. Beswick, for execution. Accordingly about eleven
o'clock this (Wednesday) night, Mr. Beswick proceeded to
hih"se, and there found and apprehended Leach. He
told
, him that he had a warrant against him, and asked if he
wished to have it read over to him. Leach said, he did; on
which Mr. Beswick read it. Leach made no observation
upon w
ja hot: arrant. Mr. Beswick searched him, and found
which was written
amongst other things, a scrap of paper, bn
that will be derived
with pencil, " Please, show the benefits
W. White."..ived from the charter when we get it.—
Hall, ia a eaanlzr. Beswick then removed Leach to the Town
On Wedueseaal4 he was placed in the police lock-up.
" To the people othefollowing address was received :
.
tricts.—Fellow Manchester and the surrounding dis-
post. Faithful to citizen®--Your delegates are again at their
determined to stand e you have reposed in us, we are
and united till we carry into full
effect, the resolution agreedunaillo Yesterday. The following re-
solution was carried unanimously Resolved,—That we
recommend the trades of chester and the surrounding
district immediately to form committees in their respective
localities, to carry out the resolution we come to yesterday,
with instructions to issue bills and
again. us credit until such
In the meantime)
time as the people resume work
your
contributions
we most earnestly call on you to send in
to the executive committee unanimouslyelectedprecious.
usby the dele-
gates this morning assembled. Time is
proo;
and energy is essentially necessary at the present moment
for the future we shall be governed by events.
short omnt
this movement is national. t7me
we are confident, will prove
Rally round the standard you have raised—stand firm—do
your duty—and we will do ,ours.--ALEXANDER RUTCHIN.
HON Chairman ; Was. DUFFEY, Secretary pro tem.—Aug.
17th, 1842."
Several meetings of the delegates were held in the course
of the day.
THURSDAY.—A few establishments, such as dye orks,
h
&c., have commenced working, but no cotton factoryw, with
the exception of Messrs. Gardner and Bazley, as resumed
work, and that only partially.
Mr. Feargus O'Connor arrived about half-past nine at the
station of the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, and
set off, having booked himself through to London.
•

WIGAN.
MONDAY NIGHT, IC/ o'Cnocx.—The greatest excitement
has prevailed in this town since the turn-outs began to
their disturbances in Manchester and the surrounding
ns:
vici-
nity. On Friday last the mob was expected by our to w
men, and due precautions were taken to prevent a riot.
Most of the respectable shopkeepers and tradesmen are
sworn in as special constables, and the military (3 compa-
nies of the 72d highlanders) kept within barracks, under
orders. H9wever, the vast body never made their appear-
ance in Wigaa, though a great number of unemployed
weavers and colliers were to be seen loitering about the
streets, both during the latter part of Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday evening, the Wigan troop of. the Lancashire
Yeomanry received orders frOm the commanding officer
(Lord Francis Egerton) to be in readiness to march to Pres-
ton the following morning, at six o'clock. On assembling '
in the streets previous to marching, they were hooted and
loudly cursed by a mob of 600 or 700 persons, who were be-

\

fore the Eagle and Child Hotel, opposite which were also
the cavalry. On the Sunday evening, written notices were
posted on the walls in different parts of the Scholes, calling
a meeting of the operatives, to be held this morning, and
calling on all miners to aid and assist their brother opera-
tives against the tyranny of their masters—" the coal lords
and cotton lords." The meeting was but scantily attended,
not more than 200 or 300 persons being present. A man,
named Gerard, read a letter from an individual, named
Dixon, (who is a leader of the Manchester mob, and an in-
habitant of Wigan,) calling on thejWigan operatives to march
towards Bolton to join the main body befoie they entered
Wigan. Accordingly, the few who were present set off,
soon after six o'clock, towards Hindley, and were joined at
Broom-street, in Ince, by about 300 or 400 more. The first
act of the mob was to stop the machinery at Rose-bridge
Colliery, and compel the workmen to leave work. Fur-
ther on in their march they came to the cotton
mill belonging to William Gidlow, Esq., in Ince, which
they stopped. The manager at the mill very imprudently
threatened to stab any of the mob who came near the pre-
mises, and was compelled in consequence to join the
mob, and walk in front of them to Hindley, with a man
hold of each arm. The coal mines of Mr. Gidlow were also
stopped, and the men compelled to cease working. A little
beyond Hindley, in Leigh-lane, the Wigan portion are join.-
ed by that from Westhoughton, Leigh, and the neighbour-
hood, and soon after arrived the great body from Bolton,
where they immediately compelled the mill-owners in
Hindley to turn out their hands—the mob themselves taking
out the plugs from the boilers, and letting off the water.
This was about eleven o'clock, and not a constable or officer
in the whole village to protect the property of the inhabitants.
The Rev. H. J. Jenning, rector of Wigan, was sent for,
early in the morning, as one of the nearest county magi-
strates, to swear in some special constables, but no other
county magistrates arrived until after the mob appeared, who
at once endeavoured to effect an enhance into the house in
which Mr. Jenning, along with Messrs. Pennington (ex-
tensive spinners), were staying. In this unprotected posi-
tion, it was expected the rioters would commit serious de-
predations ; a messenger was, therefore, sent by a circuitous
route to Wigan, to fetch some of the soldiers stationed
in our barracks. A detachment of whom was imme-
diately sent off, and remains there until now. After
plundering most of the provisions shops in Hindley,
the mob wended its way towards Wigan, stopping at the
Bird-i'-th-Hand public house to demand a large quantity of
ale, which was given to them without hesitation, for fear of
injury. The coal works of James Whaley, Esq., did not
escape the notice of the body in their march, and all the
men employed at them were compelled to cease working.
The mob now began to assume a serious aspect, for weapons
were procured from every, place they visited. On intima-
tion being given to the magistrates in Wigan of the approach
of the rioters, they assembled in the Town-hall, and the
special constables who had been sworn in also repaired to
the same place as the general rendezvous. Every shop was
immediately closed, and business ceased for the day. At
about twelve. o'clock, the body came through the Market-
place, shouting and brandishing their weapons, some being
armed with bludgeons, others with hammers, bars of iron,
pick handles, and every description of staff likely to
inflict a heavy blow. As they marched through the Market-
place, the mob occasionally halted, crying out in defiance
to the policemen ; and as they passed the hall, a careful
examination,of the numbers convinced us that not less than
8000 strangers were parading our streets ; many of them,
however, were women and boys. All the factories were
visited by the mob, and the plugs taken out of the boilers.
Many of the provision dealers were giving away loaves,
and a butcher who was closing his shop was compelled to
cut up all the meat he had on hand, which was eagerly de-
voured in a raw state by those who were fortunate
enough to obtain a piece. After walking round the
town, they went up the Standishgate, and Wigan-lane, to
Leyland Mill, (Haigh Iron-works,) which had ceased
working at noon. The coal works of H. Woods, Esq., and
those of W. H. Bullock, Esq. were also visited, and the men
employed compelled to cease work. A portion of tAem
called at the house of Thomas Woodcock, Esq., and after
walking round the premises, went away without doing any
damage. They also entered the park of A. Halliburton, Esq.,
at Whitley, but committed no further depredation than
trampling down the shrubs and flowers. From here they
proceeded to Haigh Hall, the residence of the Earl of Bal-
carres, where a great quantity of provisions was given to
them, and which appeared to hhve good effect, for the body
then marched towards Bolton, over Aspull Moor, without
again entering Wigan. A many rough looking fellows how-
ever, still remain in our streets, but there is no appearance
of the least disturbance, neither is any to be apprehended,
for a proclamation has been posted in the most conspicuous
parts of the town, offering £5O reward for the apprehension
of any of the rioters. We cannot close our notice without
extending the meed of praise due to the officers and soldiers
of the 72nd, whose willingness sufficiently showed, that had
occasion required it, we should have received from them im-
portant service. . _ _

Eleven o'clock.
The town remains quiet ; but part of the special constables
will remain on duty during the night.
TUESDAY MORNING.—We have received a further com-
munication from our correspondent, which we regret to
say is not of a favourable character. It appears that in the
course of the night the same mob which invaded the town
yesterday morning returned in small numbers, and about
nine o'clock they concentrated in the Market - place.
Appearances being threatening, the authorities called out the
two- companies of Highlanders, who 'drove out the mob at
the point of the bayonet. They proceeded on the Chorley
road, followed by the military for a short distance, to prevent
them from returning. The military then proceeded to their
quarters ; -and in the meantime Lbe rioters visited all the
mills in their way, and put out the fires from under the boil-
ers of those which were preparing for work. They passed
several corn mills, and these they insisted upon continuing
at work. Nine prisoners, guarded by the soldiers, were
brought into the town handcuffed, and taken to the Town-
ball, where they were examined before the magistrates, and
committed to Kirkdale, whither they were sent this after-
noon, by the three o'clock train. Since the above, up to the
present hour (four o'clock), no further disturbance has taken
place. Should the mob return to-night, as they are ex-
pected, in a body, they will be dispersed by force, seeing
that the riot act has been read, and notice whereof, together
with the Queen's proclamation, has been posted on the
walls. All business is at a dead stand.

FIVE o'CLocK.—All is still peaceable and tranquil. An
additional reinforcement of soldiers is momentarily expected
from Manchester. . •

BOLTON.

Several skirmishes have taken place between the mobs and
the 72nd Highlanders. On Saturday at noon the town was
frightened from its " propriety" by a mob, consisting of at
least five thousand persons, armed with bludgeons, staves,
bars of iron, or anything else calculated to knock a man's
brains out, entering the town, flourishing their weapons, and
giving loud hnzzas. The mob proceeded up Deansgate,
Market-street, and through the market, to Hargreaves 's and
other mills, which they immediately stopped, and also Hick's
and other foundries ; and, on their return, again passed
through the Market Place, and into Little Bolton, where
they visited thedifferent mills. No devastation during this
time was done. Several members' of the mob entered differ-
ent shops and asked for bread, which was given them ; in
some instances they demanded money from persons of re-
spectable appearance in the street, and their demand was
complied with. The mob presented a most formidable ap-
pearance, and the weapon); they carried were of a most deadly
description. The language used by them on many occasions
was exceedingly violent, levelled principally against the police,
which body of men they swore they would murder before they
left the town. On their return from the mills, very many of
the mob were drunk, from the effects of liquor which they had
either begged or demanded. On one occasion, one of the mob,
addressing himself to a person who was looking on, said, " My
man, can you tell us where to get a quart of good ale, and we
will pay for it!" The reply was, " Well, there's a beer-
shop near to ; but I think it's closed in," The reply was,
" If they'll let us have it, we'll pay them ; but, if they re-
fuse, by we'll tate it, and as much as we like ;—that's
what we're come for—meat and drink—for we are all nigh
clammed [hungered]." Up to the present hour, no out-
break has taken place. The Highlanders and cavalry are
under arms, and stationed before the police-office. The ap-
pearance of affairs now assumes a threatening aspect. The
market is completely deserted, and the shops throughout the
town are closed in. Business is at a complete stand still.
The riot act has been again read. The magistrates have very
judiciously made arrangements for the town to be lighted
to-night. Where the matter will end, no idea can be
formed ; but from the menacing bearing of the mob, a riot
which most likely will be attended with bloodshed, will take
place. The rioters are principally from Bury, Heywood,
Tottington, and surrounding neighbourhood.
.The town as-
sumed a peaceable appearance on Tuesday, the mobs having
decided upon visiting Wigan, and on their way there they
tore up the rails, used as fences, which they shouldered as
bludgeons. About noon a great party made their appear-
ance in Bolton, from Bury and the neighbourhood, but the
police were directed to prevent their entrance into the town,
and fourteen of the ringleaders were taken into custody, and
eleven committed for trial.

The cavalry made a charge at a number of persons, who
immediately took to their heels up the canal banks, hotly
pursued. They thre3v down their bludgeons ; and a number
of them, who could not escape by any other means, imme-
diately plunged into the canal, and stood in the centre, for
some time, up to the neck in water. One man got into a pit
connected with Springfield paper mill, and, there being an
abundance of mud, he could not get out again without as-
sistance; but fortunately there was no loss of life. Eighty
persons have been taken prisoners.