Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-04-04

by Ellis, Smithers, Surman and diners OF
The patrole.; on the door being opened,
about 90 or 80 men were seen Within,
most Of whom we're apparently engaged
either 10 charging fire arms, or gird'ne
themselves with belts similar TO those
worn by the military.
There we're tables about the room, on
which law number OF cutIasses, bayo-
nets, pistols, sword belts, pistol balls IN
large quantities, ball cartridges, &c. As
The officers entered the room, the conspi-
rators all started up, when Rnlhven, who
had been furnished with warrant from
the magistrates, exclaimed, " We are all
peace officers, lay down your arms in
moment r All was confusion. A man
whom Ruthven describes as the notorious
Arthur ThistIewood, opposed himself to
the officers, armed with cut aud thrust
sword, of unusual length; Ruthven at
tempted to secure the door, and Ellis,
who had followed him into the room, adj
vaDced towards the man, aud presenting
his pistol, exclaimed g drop your sword,
or iii fire instantly" The man BRAN
dished his sword with increased violence,
when Smithers, the other patrole, rushed
forward to seize him, and on the instant
the ruffian stabbed him to the heart
Smthers fell into the arms of Ellis, and
the next instant was corpse.
Whilst this deed was doing, the lights
we're extinguished, and desperate strug
gle ensued, 10 which many of the officers
we're severely wounded Surmau, one OF
the patrole, received musket ball on the
temple but fortunately it only glanced
along the side Of his head, tearing up the
scalp ia its way. The conspirators Kept
up an incessant fire, whilst it was evident
to the officers thai many Of them we're es
Gaping by some back way. Mr.. Birnie
exposed himself every where and encour
aged the officers TO do their duty, whilst
the balls were whizzing round his head
At this moment Capt. Filzclarenee Zone Of
the sons of the Duke Of Clarence) arrived
at the head of detachment of the Cold
stream Guards. They surrounded the
building, and Capt. Filzclarence, with
SERGEANT Legge and three files of grena
diers, mountedthe ladder and entered thu
room, now filled with smoke, and only
illuminated by the occasional flashes OF
the fire arms Of the conspiraiors A ruf.
fan Instantly approached the gallant cap
tain, and presented pistol at his breast,
but as he was 10 the act of pulling the
trigger, Serjeant Legge rushed forward
aud whilst attempting TO put aside the de-
destructive weapon, received the fire
upon his arm.
1t is impossible TO give minute de-
iaii of The desperate conflicts which fol-
lowed, or the numerous instances OF per.
sonal daring manifested by the peace off.
GERS and the military, thus brought into
sudden contact with band Of assassins IL
heir obscure den, and 10 utter darkness
this darkness favored the
escape OF many Of the wretcbes, and the
dreadful skirmish ended in the capture of
only nine of them. They were instantly
hand-cuffed together, placed IN hackney
coaches, and brought down TO the police
/ flee in Bow street, under strong milf
tary escort and Mr.. Birnie having ARR
we'd at the same moment instantly took his
seat upon the Bench, and prepared to
enierupon the examination OF the prisoners,
Here follow the names of the persons
taken, who after having been examined
were committed for further investigation.
.f
Captain Fitzclarence was very much
bruised and bad his uniform almost torn to
pieces 10 his attempts TO seize the conspi
rators.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
90 arriving at the spot, The officers at
tempted quietly to gain admittance, but
being opposed, it became necessary to
force an entrance. Having got into the
stable, volley was fred by the wretches.
who had got into the hay loft; this was
smartly returned by the officers, and the
contest continued for some time with the
greatest determination on both sides.
Happily, the officers gained the ascenden
cy but not until that meritorious officer,
Smithers, had lost his life. A number Of
Others were seriously injured. The nine
that were taken were lodged in the House
Of Correction, Goliath fields.
1t appears that the plot has been known
for some time to his Majesty's Ministers.
aud that Arthur Thistlewood was at the
head Of the conspiracy. The Earl Of
Harrowby's was selected as being nearer
the outlet from London than the residence
of any other Of the Cabinet Ministers, and
Of course rendering it more easy 10 es
cape.
A London Gazette was Immediately is
sued, offering reward oflIO00 for This
tlewood, who stands charged with the
crime Of high treason, and also with the
wiltul murder Of Richard Smithers.