Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-30
PaovIDENoE (R. L. Sept. 90.

PnovIDENoE (R. L. Sept. 90.
Fatal Riot and loss of Lye.-A Mob assem-
bIed in this town on Saturday evening and was
not dispersed until several Of our citizens mad
last their lives or been severely wounded In the
conflict. A statement Of the circumstances which
led to tits due to the public; the following we De-
lieve to be substantially correct.
On Wednesday evening, party OF sailors, OH
A frolc, proceeded to some bOuses OF Ill fame' ON
Oney's lane, occupied by blacks, AN allerca'lol'
ensued. stones were thrown; three muskets DIS
charged at the assaiants by persons occupying
the houses, whereby sailor was killed on the spot,
and two others wounded. The report OF the trans
action was Immediately spread through the town.
and mob was soon collected that demOilsned INC
furniture such It was, In one or two OF he houses
in despite Of the attempts made 10 check 'he"'
A black person was arrested and thrown INTO pr''
son on suspicion of being one oil the Offenders.
To prevent recurrence OF similar ou'raSes'
and to preserve the peace aud quiet ot the Town.
the Town Council doubled the usual number oi
w atchmen, and called out Constables, ordering
them to arrest all persons committing open out
RACES upon private property. The sher'ff WIN
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
vii authorities to maintain order proved made
ouatc The mob assembled aud carried on their
attacks Systematically, with implement OF various
kinds Several of the riutous persons arrested
nv the Sheriff. were openIy rescued by their com.
panions. ard taken forcibIy from the custody OF
This officer. In this situation, with all the pow
err Of the civil authorities sent at defiance. the
Governor of the State. at the requestof the Sher-
q, r. coll nutn al
| companies to aid in suppressng the tumult The
order having been issued at late hour OF the
evening. only about 25 members ct one company
could be collected. Under the orders Of the Shcr-
lift these few spirited men proceeded to the spot,
where they were assailed by various sorts OF mis-
siIes. and several Of them were wOundedby large
stones. One individual of the company was 50
severely injured as to falter aud leave the ranks.
and another was bathed in blood, from wound
cut in his head which was the blood ilrst drawn
by the offensive attacks Of the mob. Thus as
sailed they continued firm in their ranks, under
the shower of stones, until 1t became evident that
no alternative remained but instant resistance or
retreat Unwilling to resort to fire arms. although
exposed to being maimed or even to the loss Oh
life from the weight and impetuoslty OF some Of
the stones discharged at them whilst standing
forth openly, to sustain the laws of the land. they
maternity 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 0f all
the constituted authorities of the town and Of the
State. A few of the rioters were, however, seIL-
ed and securely lodged in Jail.
On the subsequent day, notice, II is stated, was
given by the Sheriff, to the Governor of the State,
of int,mations thrown out Of premeditated at
tack upon the State Jail. by the rioters to rescue
their companions confined there, and also to re-
neat the same scenes of destructive violence as
had taken place on the previous evening
d. Upon the communication of this official inlor-
nation of threatened attack against the proper
ty of the State as we'll as in open defiance OF its
laws, the responsibility devolved upon its supreme
executive officer to sustain the due course OF pub.
lie Justice and the exec ution Of the laws, bound
to do by bis oath oil office. TO effect this object
in the most overawing and determinate manner,
orders were issued to the several independent
Companies to hold themselves in readiness to re-
press any recurrence of riots that might occur.
As had been contemplated, the mob again as
sembIed at the approach Of evening; but intiml'
dated by tie vigiiant and energetic measures that
had been taken. after some Intellectual attempts to
excite to open outrages on the part OF the leaders
of the mob, one of whom was armed with a sword,
they dispersed; not, however, as it was openy ex'
pressed, without determination of mastering an
overpowering force to complete their purposes on
the ensuing evening.
To again defeat these renewed systematic at
tacks to be repeated for the fourth night IN sue
cesson, orders were again issued to the bands OF
armed citizens to hold themselves IN readiness
According to the proposed plan the attack 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 proper
ty went on as usual. The noise of the crash OF
the falling materials, mingled with shouts and i'm
precautions, we're on this calm night distinctly to be
heard even in the distant parts Of the town to IN
terrupt the quiet and excite the alarm OF every
peaceabe citizen, and Of every man capable OF re.
fectins on the consequences Of living in land
in which lawless rioters continued unchecked and
triumphant.
The alarm bell having been sounded, the c'-
tizens repaired to the scene of riot, with the
mu,ketsi in martial array, passed through the moo,
,..,...,,;,J I'll, tbo hissps and uerSiOn. and