Richmond palladium., 1844-05-17


STILL FURTHER PARTICULARS.
The riots in kcnsngton Yesterday. although
not signalized with the loss OF life. up to seven
o'clock in the evening. were nevertheless mark
cd with violence of the most outra gcous charac-
ter. Daring the night large numbers of people
remained about the scenes of violence. and tho
military kept vigIlant guard until daylight, when
portions of them were relieved BY rentorcements
from the second and third Brigades. and shortly
after, the district appearing 20 be quiet the rest o
tho military drawn off, with the exception
of detachment of twenty flour men. under the
command of Captain Fairlamb. which was lett
to qua rd St. Mchaei's Church.
j About two O'Clock. crowd of people went
to 9th aud Poplar street. where q number OF lrlsh
families had taken refuge, III a number OF dwell
linos These were fired and burned to the
ground. the inmates scattered and the contents de-
stroyed
Meantime. an immense crowd had gathered in
the vicinity of St. Michael's Church. and about
O'Clock. Captain Fairlamb demanded the keys OF
the cdifice from tho Rev. Mr.. Rochrin. the pas
tor, who Immediately gave them up, and with
them. tho keys of his own residence, ADJOINING
tho church. Captain Fairlamb instituted rigid
search through the premises. and found neither
arms nor men concealed. either in the church or
in the house.
Shortly after this three Young mon walked
through the detachment of Military into the
church, the front door of which had boon left un-
locked One of them in few minutes after
wards threw out of window portion OF the
draperv of the altar. They soon came out INTO
the street and walked off without obstruction.-
The flames soon burst out ami spread unchecked
until of the noble cdiicc nothing remained but
the walls. During the conflagra.lon, three DIS
tinct explosions were hcardand TINS served great
" to cxasperatc the crowd.
The dwelling house of the Pastor. adjoining.
was broken into by tho mob. tho furniture
thrown into the and the building itself frod
In u short time it was reduced to RUNS.
Destruction OF SAINT AuGUsTINE's CHURCH.
During tho lattor part OF yesterday afternoon,
crowds began to gather in the vicinity of the
Catholic Church of St. Augustine. on Fourth
street, betweon Race and Vine.
Mayor Scott took early precautionary measures
and long before dark had posse of clizons
drauohtot. with which he took n position mt the
: rear of the church, while the City Watch, hav-
ING on their badges, formed III a limo upon the
curbstono before the front Fourth strcot.
Matters remained quiet until about half past
nno O'Clock. when every avenue thoreabouts was
filled by dense masses of people,
About that time, solitary brick was flung II
the direction of tho city Watchmcn. and struck
with loud and distinct noise (for all then was
quiet.) against tho iron railing at thC1r roar
This was followed by a loud cheer from the GROVE
opposite the church in New ST., and IN an instaif
after a tremendous shower Of bricks. stones ant
;
f rooted against the church, scattering tho " atct
and other b1standors in overv direction
About the time. 4 similar attack Wa
made upon tho One OF the stones, IN th'
, first yoey struck and stunned Mayor Sostss an'
this spread CONSERVATION anaag those having th'
protection of the Besides. the missiles ap
pearod to be thrown not only from every con
f ceivablc but from inconceyablo quarters
Though no persons wore TO be seen upon the al
iacont roofs the missiles evidently descended upoI
S the Mavor's forces.
| As soon as the watch in front had been driver
i off. the mob went to work quietly. One OF the
Q iron gates was first broken down. and thus Tx
: platform (about five feet high) upon which th'
: building stands, having been reached, sort 0
battcrino-ram was procured, with which stead,
d and determined blows wore inflicted upon th'
e northermost door. but it resisting all efforts
: (Which it did until the last.) with clubs the as
. saiants begun to demollsh tho sashes OF the iron
windows which arc low. and in which by thu
l. time there was not probably a single unbrokef
- pane of glass.
. While the mob were thus engaged. there was
J. an alarm of the Troop - the Troop -anc
. above all tho clamor was presently heard th5
II notes of shr trumpet, sounding the charge
j. The First city Troop rode by almost to gailop
causing the crowds to fly towards Race street
Y whoro tho company wheeled and returned at {
similar gait and several passages OF this k1n(
wore made, but with effect, for the mob follow
- ed the horsemen, wherosoevcr they wont, utter
e ing loud and long dcrisive cries; while the party
ID Immediately engaged in breaking into tho church
y did not for moment dosist but seemed to rodou
- bic their efforts in anticipation OF the arrival o
" moro of the military.
In an incredibly brief period, tho obstruction
IN offered by tho sash was removed-thc gas lgI
. near BY extinguished, and fire conveyed into tn
: lower centre window. The fire undoubtcdi.
A. kinded by ucifcr matches, we were clos
ii. spectators. and certainly fire was carried o5n
- ly within.
,e 4 soon as the light seem numerous per
,d sons employed themselves IN bringing sfnai
is peccz of boards ana other light stuff which
l' either thrown upon the fire, or handed to thos
=, inside. The flames appeared to make slow pro
cress for the light not seen IN the sccon