The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-09-28
From The Providence Journal.
GREAT RIOT AND LOSS OF LIVES IN
PRnNlnENCE

MOB assembled in this town on Saturday even
ing and was not dispersed until several of our citi
Gems had lost their lives or been severely wounded
IN the conflict The following statement of cir
cumstances which led to it, we believe to be sub
stantially correct
On wednesday evening, aparty OF sailors, on Il
iFonc, proceeded to some houses of i'll fame, OIL
hcy lane, occupied by blacks, an alteration en-
sued, stones were thrown three muskets dscharg.
ed at the assailans by persons occupying the hous-
es, whereby sailor killed on the spot and two
others wounded. The report of the transaction
was immediately spread through the town, and a
MOP was soon collected that demolished the furni-
ture such rs it was, in two of the houses in
despite of the attempts made to check them A
black person was arrested and thrown into prison
on suspicion ofbeing one of;he offenders.
10 prevent n recurrence of similar outrages ION
Thursday EVENING" the Town Council doubled the
usual number of Watchmen, and called out Consta-
bles ordering them to arrest all persons commit
tlEg open outrages upon private property. The
Sheriff with his officers, and the Governor of the
State with the members of the Town Council and
many of the most respectable citizens assembled
also at the same place. The utmost exertions of
the civil authorities to maintain order proved mad
equate. The mob assembled and carried on their
attacks Systematically, with implements of various
kinds. Several of the riotous persons arrested by
the Sheriff. were openly rescued by their compan-
ions and taken orcbly from the custody of this Of
fcer. In this situation, with all the power of the
civil authorities set at defiance, the Governor Of
the State at the request ofthe Sheriff Of the coun
ty, called out one ofthe military companies to aid
IN suppressng the tumult The order having been
issued at late hour in the evening, only about
thIrty-hve members OF one company could be col
lected. Under the orders of the Sheriff these few
spirited men proceeded to the spot where they were
assaed by various sorts of missiles, and several Of
them were wounded by large stones. One individ-
ual of the Company was so severely injured as to
talter and leave the ranks and another was bathed
IN blood, from a wound cut in hts head, which was
the hrst blood drawn by the offensive attacks OF the
mob. Thus assailed, they continued firm in their
ranks, under shower of stones, until it became
evident that no alternative remained but instant re-
slstance or retreat Unwilling to resort to fire
arms although exposed to being manned, or even
to the loss of life from the weight and impetuosity
oil some Of the stones discharged at them whilst
standing forth openly, to sustain the laws of the
land, they patiently bore their attacks and finally
retreated by order OF the Governor. The mob went
on steadily until nearly morning with their work Of
destruction in open defiance and derlslon of all the
constituted authorities of the town and of the
State. They completely demolished ten houses
and considerably injured several more. A few of
the rioters were, however, seized and securely
lodged in ail
On the subsequent day, FRIDAY notice, it is
stated, was given by the Sheriff, to the Governor
OF the State, of the limitations thrown out of pre-
medtated attack upon the State Jail, by the riot
ers, to rescue their companions confined there, and
to repeat the scenes of destructive violence which
had taken place on the previous evening.
Hereupon orders were issued to the several in
dependent companies to hold themselves in read-
ness to rePress any recurrence of riots that might
occur.
The mob again assembled at the approach of
evening; but inundated by the yigiant and ener-
getlc measures that had been taken, after some in
enectuaI attempts to excite to open ourages on the
part OF the leaders of the mob, one of whom was
armed with sword they dispersed.
according to the proposed plan the attack was
recommence d for the fourth time by the mob at
early hour OF Saturday evening and the work OF de-
structlon OF buildings and other private property
went on as usual. The noise of the crash of fall
ing materials, mingled with the shouts and impre-
cations, on this calm night distinctly to be
heared even in the distant parts of the town. The
alarm bell having been sounded, the citizens re-
pared 10 the scene OF riot, with their muskets in
martial array, passed through the mob accompa-
MED with their Kisses and derision and took post
on the hill above. Proclamation was then made
by magistrate under the riot act, the mob order
ed to disperse, and notice audbly given, that 9TH
erwise IN hive minutes they would be fred upon
They come down to do so. Instead of dispersing
part retired to ground west of that held by the
authorities and another portion in open resistance
TO the laws and of those who were present to sup
port those laws, attacked house within stone s
throw, with great violence Upon this the Sher-
III with part of the force proceeded with an in
tentlon to disperse this assaling multitude but
were compelled to halt before leaving the hill by
showers of stones thrown from the mob on the west
Two volleys were now fred over their heads with
out any other effect than producing repeated voleys
OF stones IN return. Another portion of the militia
ry were despatched as reinforcement and the
Sheriff with the first, then proceeded down the
road to protect the buildings, the mob partly sep
aratlng on each side, and partly retiring before
them. After effecting passage over the adjacent
bridge, amidst shouts and insults, the mob closed
in their rear, separating them from the main body
and threw stones unrcmttingly, that many of the
soldiers were severely wounded. An order was
now distinctly to be heard directed to the mob to
leave the street, or it would become necessary to
fire upon them. Renewed discharges of stones
were the only result. Thus assailed they were
now compelled to turn and face the rioters and as
a last resort, it having become absolutely necessa-
ry for the preservation of the lives of those under
arms, orders were at length given to fire, which
were obeyed. Until this moment all entreaties.
all ORDERS all force had proved Intellectual In a
few minutes afterwards the mob dispersed and quiz
ct was again restored.
Thus have persisted several of our citizens whilst
engaged in committing outrages upon private prom
erty, and setting at defiance the wholesome laws of
the land. 1t not by the hands of hirelng
soldiery that these men fell, as has commonly been
the case the of similar scenes in Eu-
ropean countries but by those of their fellow citi-
zens and neighbors VINO have, however reluctant
ly, been compelled to the act in self preservation
while executing the paramount duty they owe to
the established laws of the State. These laws
must be preserved invio!able, or our Government
must become virtually dissolved As good citizens
the military have done their duty, which might
have been equally imperative had it fallen to their
lot, like the virtuous Romans, to have slain their
best lover for the good of Rome"
The following we're killed or wounded on Satur.
day night 1t is probably others were wounded
whose names have not been yet ascertaned.
Kiued-Cyrus B. Guile of Mansfield mass.
IN M D.
ter Lawrence, paper hager of this town. S. A.
Whittemore Of Leicester, (Mass.) book binder, in
the employ of Cory GS Brown. Alien Cory, mari.
ner. A young man from Pawtucket, about Is wears
old, an apprentice to a blacksmith name unknown,
was MORALLY wounded
Wounded.-Danel Branch carpenter, severely
on the head and arms by sabre. Mr.. Davis, right
arm shattered. Jeremiah Bonney, belonging Ia
the furnace on Eddy's Point, badly wounded in the
thigh. Josiah L. Luther in the foot We have not
been able to ascertain the injury done to the citi
zens under arms, but learn it has been extensive
The High Sheriff received severe blow in the
breast from large stone.
The receipts of the mercnn Co1o,i,o,;.