The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-10-27 00:00:00

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well founded, why were they not followed tip? If
they were not well founded, surely he was not ju,lginy
uncharitably, when he sail, that he had little reason
to expect justice from those who so readily accused
him. The Worthy Alderman here adverted to the:
riots of 1780, and reminded the Court that the Lord
Mayor (kennel) was fined 10,0001. for his remissness
on that occasion. After which, when the Secretary

fur the Home Department implored assistance from
the City, Resolutions were passed, placing the whole
of the Police, the City Militia, and the Volunteer
.Corps, at the disposal of the Sheriffs. On this recent
occasion also, it became the duty of the Sheriffs to be
prerent, to prevent as mach as possible the effusion of
blood. It therefore rested with the City to consider
whether it would tamely suffer the insult offered to one
of its principal Officers. Tumult was inevitable, and
blood must certainly have been shed, and lives lost at
Knightsbridge. had the soldiers not been persuaded to
retire within the barracks.—What then was a Sheriff
to do in such an emergency? If he remained inac-
tive, he became liable to a severe penalty, but if he in-
terfered, he did so at the risk of his life; and when
he sought an inquiry into what took place, it was re-
fused ; if he sought to clear himself from any charge
made against him, lie was denied an opportunity of
doing so.—(llear.)--He had no doubt, had an inquiry
been instituted, he should have been able to identify
sowe of the soldiers—he could not say whether the
marl %vim personally :wilted him, or the man who pre-
sented the carbine at him. There was another
ince aka, which would lead to the discovery of
sa e cif the rioters. He bad in his possession a ram-
r d which had been thrown at a female, by whom it
was brought to him. Upon this ramrod was the re-
g;ir.eutil mark and number. By this no doubt the
oe net could he identified. Having failed in his ap-
pi.cation for inquiry, be should itot call upon the
Cone: or the Livery to take any step upon this or:ea-
sier,. It would be for them to consider what was due
to their own honour and dignity as Representatives of
the City of Loadon. Among the papers which he
held in his bang' (and whit h he wished to enter upon
the Journals of that Court) was a statement of what
prised at Knightshrid4e, drawn up by a gentleman in
the (Are of I.llr. Run:hell, the Deputy Sheriff, and who
Lid accompanied hint on that day.
Mr. FAVELL recoarniended that the documents
should he cowered on the Journals, and then referred
to the Coina.i!tee for General Purposes.
After a f.iv words front Mr. Dixon, Mr. Gatitttzlia,
Mr. WiLtaams, and souse other Members,
The statement ..Laded to by Mr. Waitinnan was
read. it was as follows :
" 21, Red Lion-srptare, Ang. 27, 1821.
I: St a_Agreeably to your desire. I shall endeavour to
enumerate a few of the leading features occasioned by
the procession and burial of Honey and Francis yester-
day. It is unnecessary for me to enumerate the assem-
blage by your order of the Civil power in and about
Sit.ithfield, or the orderly manner in which the proces-
sion moved from thence to Hammersmith. The only
provocation given to tumult on its passage, was occa-
sioned by a brickbat being thrown, as it was said, from
the barracks at Knightsbridge, ut the individual ssho
produced it to you, and who appeared to be cut by the
smut. Your interference had the desired effect, and
tratqatillity was restored. On our arrival at Hammer-
south, every thing appeared very orderly, and no dan-
er of tumult. You. Sir, proposed returning towards the
barraclss. for the impose of persuading the populace a,
• ambled to restrain any irritable feeling which might be
excited if the Life-guards appeared; with this in view,
we arrived at Knightsbridge. But what was your stir-
rise at perceiving that the barrack-gates (which it is
re,esaary to observe on the procession passing were
closely stint, anti by which means tumult was prevented.)
a... 1 the footpath near thegates covered with soldiers,
Lt' .isles others drawn up on the inside, but all present
to the public, which occasioned great disapprobation to
he expressed by the people. Upon which you rode up
au I requested them to withdraw from such position.—
Instead of c implying, they immediately replied " they
had a right to staud there." You observed that you slid
not intend at such a time to dispute their right, but re-
quested them to withdraw ; that your sole desire was to
preserve the peace and prevent mischief. which by their
perseverance in appearing in such a station was likely to
create; and further ordered that any individual who should
ir.sult or give any provocation to a soldier should be imme-
diately taken into custody. At this the soldiers laughed
and appeared determined to remain. You then inquired
the name of the Commanding Officer, and that he might
he informed it was your particular request that the men
dui gait he withdrawn. No notice being taken by them,
von immediately ordered your Officers to inform the
Commanding Officer of this your request. Upon the
°dicers entering the barracks they were ordered to re-
tire from the saute, with this, that the Sheriffs and
they might go and be You then, Sir, addressed
the soldiers (perceiving the temper of the people being
ifritated at this insulting answer being circulates!,
and fearful of the cori-opences,) ' that as the Sheriff
of the County of Middlesex you was their Com-
manding Officer, and desired them immediately to
retire, and that the gates should be closed.' Ilis spi-
rited address had the desired effect, for after a abort de-
lay.the gates were closed and the soldiers withdrawn.
Part of the cavalcade then arriving, we proceeded with
the same as far as the Canon Brewery, at Knightsbridge,
persuading the populace to quietness and good order,
when an officer of your's arrived and stated, that during
your absence a disturbance had arose between some few
of the guards and the people ; we immediately returned
and perceived that a scuffle had ensued; that others of
the guards were climbing over the Barrack walls (the
gates being then closed) to the assistance of their com-
rades atones were being thrown by both parties, and a
general truffle took place; this spreading in the Bar-
racks, and the soldiers likely to be defeated, about fifteen
or twenty others rushed from the gates, armed with
drawn swords and carbines, when you immediately rode
up to the iceneof action and endeavoured to disengage
the.eombatants: Not succeeding in the moment, we
rode on the footpath in the hope of doing so, when I
was atfacked by a soldier who nade a thrust at me with-
out effect ; but another struck use a blow on the thigh.
and at the same instant one of your officers was knocked
down by my side, and whom I pearly rode over, which
presented the in the instant from riding to your assist-
ance; for on turning round, I discovered you in immi-
nent danger, ordering the people to desist, contriving to
separate them, and desiring the soldiers immediately to
return to their Barracks. Upon which the soldier
whom you addressed, relative to closing the gates in the
first instance, at the barracks, rushed up, and placing
his shoulder to your horse, whilst you was thus en-
gaged (being then on the footpath, which bring an emi-
sauce, rendered your situation. the more dangerous)
swore he would teach you how to ride on the Cootpeth,
and was in the act of forcing you from the same, when
you. fortunately for .your own preservation, struck the
fellow with your stick, which made him forego his in-
tendon if Wining further violence. ile could not plead
iglorande of your being the Sheriff, therefore the insult
was the nor* gross. The officers arriving, ofccooded is
peetsciaag you from fresh limits, but net till you bad