Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-09-29

with implements of various kinds. Sew
eral ofthe riotous persons arrested by the
Sheriff, were openly rescued by their
companions, and taken forcibly from the
custody of this officer. In this situation,
with all the power ofthe civil authorities
set at defiance, the Governor of the State
at the request of the Sheriff of the county,
called out one ofthe military companies
to aid in suppressing the tumult. The
order having been issued at late hour
of the evening, only about tlirty-fve
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 assaled by various
sorts ofmissiles, and several ofthen were
wounded by large stones. One inlivid-
ual Of the Company was SO severely in
iured as to falter and leave the ranks, and
another was bathed in blood, from n
wound cut in his head, which waa the
blood first drawn by the offensive Afcks
of the mob. Thus assailed, they con-
tinued firm in their ranks, under show
er of stones, until it became evident that
no alternative remained but instant re-
sistance or retreat. Unwilling to resort
to fire arms, although exposed to being
manned, or even to the loss of lfe from
the weight and impetuosi,y of some of the
stones discharged at them whilst stand
ing forth openly, to sustain the laws oithc
land, they patiently bore Their attacks
and finally retreated by ordr of the
Governor. The mob went on steadily
until nearly morning with ther work of
destruction, in open defiance and derls-
the town and of the State. A few of the
rioters were, however, seized and secure
ly lodged IN Jail.
On the subsequent day, notice, it is
stated, was given by the Shc'ilf, to the
I Governor of the State, ofthe iltlmations
thrown ont of premeditated attack up
on the State Jail, by the rioters, to res
cue their companions confined there, and
also to repeat the same scenes Of destrnc-
tive violence as had taken place on the
previous evening.
Upon the communication Of this oflic-
ial information of threatened attack a
gainst the property of the State, as well
as in open defiance of its laws, the re-
sponsibility developed upon his supreme
executive officer to sustain the due course
of public justice, and the execution of the
laws, as bound to do by his oath ofOflice.
To effect this object in the most Overaw
ing and determinate manner orders were
issued to the several Independent Com
panies to hold themselves in readiness to
repress any recurrence ofriots that mi ght
occur.
AS had been contemplated, the mob
again assembled at the approach ofeve-
ming; but intimidated by the vigilant and
energetic measures that had been taken,
after some Intellectual attempts to excite
to open outrages on the part of the lead
ers of the mob, one of whom was armed
with sword, they dispersed; not, how
ever, as it was openly expressed, without
II determination of mastering an over
powering fnrce to complete their pur.
poses on the ensuing evening.
To again defeat these renewed sys-
tematic attacks to be repeated fer the
fourth night in succession, orders were
again issued to the bands of armed citi-
zens to hold themselves in readiness.
According to the proposed plan the at
tack was recommended for the fourth
time by the mob at an early hour of the
Evening, and the work of destruction of
buildings and other private property went
on as usual. The noise of the crash of
falling materials, mingled wthshouts and
imprecatIons, were on this calm night
distinctly to be heard even in the distant
parts of the town tn interrupt the quiet
and excite the alarm of every peaceabe
citizen, aud Of every man capable Of re-
fiectlng on the consequences of living in
land which lawless rioters continued
unchecked and triumphant. The alarm
bell having been sounded, the citizens
repaired TO the scene Of riot, with their
muskets in martial array, passed through
the mob, accompanied with their hisses
and derlsion, and took post on the hill
above. Proclamation was then made by
a magistrate under the riot act, the mob
ordered to disperse, and notice audibly
gwen, that otherwise in five minutes they
would he fired upon. They came down
to do so. Instead Of dispensing, part
retired fo grnunh west of that held bv the
authorities, and another portion in open
resistance to the laws and Of those who
were present TO support those laws, at
tackled house within stones throw, with
great violence. Upon this, the Sheriff
with a part of the force, proceeded with
an intention to disperse this assailing
multitude but we're compelled to halt be-
fore leaving the hill, by showers of stones
thrown from the mob on the west. Two
yollles were now fired over their heads