The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-08-02

u
G. Al.oa Increased tho evil it was. Intended to
prevent.
Almost Of the same instant that the alarm
bell rang, (but whether before or subsequent
Is upon the evidence doubtful, though Capt.
Shorthand states it positively as one OF his fur
thcr reasons for causing il TO ring) some one
or more Of the prisoners broke the iron chain,
which was the only fastening of No. gate,
leading into the market square, by means OF
an iron bar and a very considerable number
Of tho prisoners immed edately rushed towards
the gate and many Of them began to press
forwards as fast as the opening would permit
into the square.
There was no direct proof before us OF pre-
vious couccr, or preparation on he part OF the
prisoners, and no evidence OF their intention
or disposition to effect their escape on this oc-
casion, excepting that which arose by infer
ence from the whole Of the above detailed
circumstances connected together.
The natural and almost irresistible infer
encc to be drawn, however from the conduct
of the prisoners by Capt Shorthand and tho
military was, that an iLtontion on the part OF
the prisoners TO escape was on the point of
being carried into execution, and It was at
least certain that they wero by force passing
beyond the limits prescribed TO them at a
time when they ought 20 have been quietly
syoing in for the night. II was also IN evi-
ccncc that the outer gates OF the market
square were usually opened about this time to
let the bread Wagons pass and rePass to the
store, altho' at the period in question they
were ip fact closed. = ..
Under these circumstances, and with these
Impressions necessarily operating upon his
mind, and a knowledge that ii the prisoners
once penetrated thro' the square, the power
of escape was almost 10 q certainty afforded TO
them, If they should be SO disposed, Capt
Shorthand in the first instance proceeded down
The square towards the prisoners, having or.
dcred q pars Of the different guards, 10 the
member Of about so only at first, (tho' they
we're increased afterwards) to follow him. For
,omc time both he and Dr. Magrath endeay-
med by quiet means and persuasion, to induce
he prisoners to retire to their own yards, ex-
Naming to them tho fatal consequences which
must cnsue il they refused, as the military
,ould in that case be necessarily compelled
,employ force. The guard was by this time
,rmed in the rear Of Capt. Shorthand, about
vo thirds Of the way down the square--the
tier is about 100 feet broad, and tho guard
xtended nearly all across. Capt. Shorthand
ading thar persuasion was all in vain, and
at aitho' some wcre induced by 1t to make
effort to retire, others pressed on In con.
lerable numbers, at last ordered about Is
0 of the guard, nearly in front Of the gate
iich had been forced, to charge the prison.
. back to their own yards.
The prisoners wore in some places so near
(, military, tina, one Of the soldiers statcs
,t he could not come fairly down TO; the
,rge and the military wero unwilling to
as against an enemy. Some of the pris-
irs also were unwilling and reluctant TO re-
], and some pushing and strsggling cnsucd
ween the parties, arising partly fr om intcn-
!, bur man'y from the pressure OF those
ind preventing those in f ont from getting
< Ai,er some little time, however, this
rye appears to have been so far effective,
that with little or no injury to the prison
as to have driven them for the most part
c down out Of the square, with the cxccp-
Of small number who continued their
otancc about No. gate.
great crowd still remained collected after
in ihc passage between the square and
prisoners yards, and in the part Of these
in tho vicinity of the gates. This as
,lagc still refused to withdraw, and &c.
ng to most Of the English witnesses, and
Of the American, was making noise,
ping, insulting, and provoking, and dar-
,e military to 6rc, and according to the
nco of several of the soldiers, and some
., was pcl,ing the military with large
3, by which some Of thcmiwcre actually
t.--,his circumstance is however Genl-
many of the American witnesses and
Of the English upon having tho question
them, stated they saw no stones thrown.
usiy to the hring, although their situa-
the time was such as TO enable them
NOS, of the other proceedings in the
>.
er these circumsta the firing com.
i. With regard to any order having
iven to fire, the evidence is very con-
,ry. Several Of the Americans swear