Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-08-18
RIOTS IN PHILADEL-
pHIA

DISGRACEFUL RIOTS IN PHlLADEL-
PHIA.
In our paper of yesterday, we gave some par
ticulars Of riot which took place on TUESDAY
evening, in South street. We learn that some
of the rioters, after they had beef driven from
that scene of confusion, proceeded to the house
of Mr. Cox, a white man, who sells liquor here
the police of the district interfered, and the
peace was preserved
During the day OH Wednesday, it was hlnted
that further riots would take place on the sue
ceeding night, and it was believed that the rot
ers would Rendezvous on the open square east
of the Hospital The Mayor arranged his po'
lice and watchmen in such a manner as 10 IN,
sure a prompt alarm, should any symptoms OF
a riot appear, wisely judging that an early IN
reference would prevent much injury TO all par
ties. He tarried in the neighborhood TOR some
time. and at late hour in the evening retired,
enioining vigilance on his officers. About
O'Clock at night, he was called up with notice
that the rioters had commenced their work IN
Seventh street near Shipper. This is not IN
the city proper, and is Of course beyond the au'
thority Of the Mayor. He however repaired IN
haste 10 the place of confusion, and stationed a
number of his men so that should the rioters
cross the city line, they might be arrested be-
fore injury could be done to property, and with
out the shedding Of blood. Having thus pro-
yided for the safety Of those whom he was OH
cially bound to protect, the Mayor, with num-
Der of his officers, went into the adjoining dis
trict. where, strange to say, there was no pub
lie officer Of any rank called to protect the citl-
zens, or to preserve their property. One or two
watchmen were to be seen at a distance, but
thew had evidently no intention Of disturbing
the operations of the rioters. Meantime, a
large number had joined those who had come
for mischief, and the three story brick building
of Cox was attacked. its doors and windows
broken, and beds, chairs, ware, &c. were scat.
tered far and near. The mob then proceeded
to the brick Presbyterian Church tor blacks
This building was greatly injured, and the MOB
proceeded from house to house. The pord gl-
ven at the door was "ligbt up;" then, when
candle was shown and ,rhue face behind it,
the cry was made at the next door, and If as
surance Of white tenants was not given, some
of the assailants beat in the doors and dragged
thence the miserable inmates, some from SICK
beds. and one as we understand, in his shroud.
The mob entered the house Of citizen in Ship
pen below 7th street, installing it for the resi-
dence of police officer, who on former oc-
cason had done his duty, they beat in the door
and dragged out the man, and only fortunate
discovery of the mistake saved him from fur
;her injury. In Baker street and the adjoining
squares the mischief done was very extensive.
Several blacks were so much injured that they
were taken to the Hospital, where, it is men
toned to us, one has since died. 1t is said that
two churches and about twenty five dwelling
houses have been destroyed, besides the loss 10
the owners of their furniture. The Mayor OF
the city. not finding himself empowered by the
officers of the district to act IN any oiilcia cna-
racter, proceeded to discharge the duties OF a
good citizen, and seized, and, with his officers,
detained, nine Of the rioters, in the act OF de-
molishing property, and yesterday bound them
over for trial.
We take the above statement from the lips Of
those who saw the afIray, and we might add,
that some of the scenes were OF the most ofu.
tai kind.
We Join the general voice in commendaton
of the Mayors eXertions to save the lives ana
property Of the citizens: he headed one party
of the CITY police, while Capt. Bell, Of the city
watch and high constable Bianey, led another
party.
After the above was written, we visited Inc
scene of riot, and were amazed at the amount
of mischief perpetIated. In one place, FIz'
water Court, the windows and doors OF every
house item or Dozen were beaten in and the
furniture broken into small pieces. In FitzWa-
ter street, large three story brick house, own
ed by black man named Moor, was assalieo,
every pane of glass broken to pieces-every
article of furniture destroyed-the feather beds
eraptied-the mahogany sideboard hewed to
the parts of the mantes, bedsteads,
mahogany bannisters, cut up into small parti-
Giles, as if for kindling wood.
One house in Baker street particularly arrest
ed our attenton-it was the small dwelling OF
an aged black man, who seemed to have set
down with the hope of spendinc his days in
peace and comfort; his rooms seemed neatly fur
nished; and all presented the appearance of
good living. Yesterday exhibited another
scene: the windows and door were broken in,
and f,rniture cut and broken into small pieces
the walls defaced and the whole mournful
evidence, that bitter things had been done. The
of some of the mischief is truly as
During the riot the blacks were seen running
in all directions across the commons, and into
the city, and some even taking refuge in Gel
lars, which they found open. One gentleman
mentioned to US that he found eleven in his
front cellar yesterday morning, trembling with
S. Gaz.