Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-05-14


Imprisonment for debt on mcsne process, was taken up
but after being discussed for time the committed
rose without disposing OF it; and then the House al
urned.
! THE KESsINGToN RIOTS
Burning Of ST. MchTt's anil ST. .7uguSttnes Churches
The Cathelic Schooi-house and a number Of aweiiing
! -iRtnSe GIe,temtnt
The Philadelphia U. S Gazette OF Thursday morning
contains the following particulars Of the terrible riot:
in kensingon, with every occurrence up 10 late hour
OF the night
"The riots in the district of Kensington Wednesday
although not signeIzed with the loss Of hte mp to
O'Clock in the evening, nevertheless marked with
violence of the most ageous character. During The
night, large numbers OF people renamed about the
scene of violence, and the military KEEP. vigIlant guard
until daylight, when portion OF them we're relieved
by requirements from the second and third Brigades
and shortly after, the district appearing to be quiet the
OF the military drawn off, with the exception
of detachment OF "a men, under command of Cap
tain Falrlanb, which was left 10 guard St Mchml's
Church.
About two o'clock, crowd Of people went to Ninth
and Poplar street, where q number OF IRISH families
had taken refuge IN number of dwellings. These
were fired and burned 10 the ground, the inmates scat
tered end the contents destroyed.
Meantime an immense crowd gathered in the vicini-
" OF ST. MichHis Church, and about o'clocE, Capt
Faulsmb demanded the keys Of the edice from the
Rev. Mr.. LochrIn, the pastor, who immediately gave
them up and with them the KEYS Of his residence,
adjoining the church. Capt Fairlamb instituted RI
gid search through the premises, and found neither
concealed, either in the church or in the
house.
the detachment Of military into the church, the front
door of which had been left unlocked One of them,
in few minutes afterwards, threw ont of window a
portion of the drapery of the altar. They came
into the and walked off without obstruction
The flames hurst and spread unchecked until
Of the noble edice nothing remained but the bare
walls During The cohflgration three distinct expo.
sons heard and this served greatly to e5asperae
| the crowd.
| The dwelling house of the Pastor, adjoining, was
broken into by the mob the furniture thrown into the
street and the building itself fred In short time it
was reduced t. ashes
DEsTRucTIos OF ST. AUGusTisEs CHuRcH.-Dur-
ing the latter part of Yesterday afternoon crowds be-
gan assemble in The vicinity of the Catholic Church
| Of ST Augustine, Fourth street between Race and
Vine street. Mayor Scott to"k early precautionary
measures and long before dark had large posse of CO.
uzens drauehted with which he took position at the
rear of the Church. while the City Watch, having
their hndres on, formed in line upon the curbstone
before the front Fourth street.
Matters remained quiet until about half past nine o.
clock when every avenue Whereabouts was hled ~
dense Of people.
About that time, n solitary brick flung in the
direction of the Ciry Waterman, and struck with q
loud and distinct (or oil then was quiet against
the iron railing n, their This was followed by a
| street; and in instant after, tremendous shower
of bricks stones and missiles, OF every available de-
scrplion. directed against the Church, scattering
| the watch and other bystandes in every direction
About thr same time, a sma. attack was made upon
tho rear One Of the stones in the fret v"ey struck
and stunned Mayor Scott, and this spread conserna-
lion among those having the protection OF the rear
Bes,des the missiles appeared 10 be thrown rot only
from every conceivable, but from uncomfortable quar-
| ters. Though persons were 20 De seen upon the
adjacent roofs the missiles evidently descended upon
| the Mayors forces.
As soon as The watch in from. had been driven off,
the mob wen. TO work quite cooy and systematically
One of the iron gates first broken down, AMI thus
the platform, (abont five feet high) upon which the
building stands having bee reached, sort OF batter
ingram was procured. with which steady and deter
mined blows were inflicted upon the Northernmost
door, but resisting all efforts, (Which It did until the
lss',) with clubs, the assaanis hogan TO demnsh the
sashes Of the front windows. which are low, and in
which, by this time, there was not probably single
un ,rosen pane of 81 ass.
While the mob were thus engaged, there was nm
alarm Of "lhe Troop the Troop and above all
the clcmor, presently heard the notes OF shr'l'
trumpet, sounding the charge. The FIRST CITY Troop
rode by almost at gaop, causing the crowds to ny
towards Race street, where the company wheeled, ano
returned nj similar gait and several passages OF 'hs
kind were made, bu, with effect for the mob follow
ed the hnrsemen, whithersoever they ~en', utef'nR
loud and dersive crirs while the party m'ned'ate'y
/
ment, dess but seemed 10 redonble Their Efforts IN
ante patton of The arrival of more OF the mltary
In an incredibly brief PERIOD the obstruction offered
by the sash was removed-the gas light near oy eA'
tngnished- and fire conveyed into the lower ce"tfe
window
As soon MS the light ives seen, numerous persons
employed themselves in bringing small pieces OF boards
and other light stuff, which were either thrown upon
the fire. or handed to those inside The flames npPeaf:
ed to make slow progress for the light not seen IN
tIo 4 cruin VI
the windows having shutters nslde,) but on cue
den they burst forth from the ro T. and almost III
medalely opsd the base If the cupola The sight
was hailed ty loud cheer.
i The cupola burnt for long time before any pottion
of it fell. Pillar after pillar sanchion after stlnchon
fell, and st the structure stood erect one mass oil
fame. AT length the cross fell into the street ms
elected another cheer few moments after the ialI-
ing in Of The roof carried with it The burning oul elm
erect remains Of the cupola
The heat intense, and The roofs, doc. and WIN
dow frames, and other wood work, of every building
near, either burning blisering or sendng up
wrealhs OF seamy moisture. Many "' Inc ad)aceh
houses FIRE; but by the wel.-directed EFFORTS
of the remen, who early on the ground, we are
happy in stating that have suffered materially
e ther from fire or water
Not so, however, with the houses on the East side
Crown street, North OF the church. These were SUI
fered to catch FIRE from the church, and none OF the
engines threw upon them because they were the
property of The church One occupied by the Rev
DR.. Moriary; thu other used Us seminary and al
the library Of the Church
IS If the fire which had devastated the upper storie
of these houses GG fast enough fires wfr
kinded in the loser st,ries by means oil The book
(some of which were exceedingly vauahe) found II
the library. fire also built on The pavement II
front, which was likewise fed BY numerous volumes
books. and by the furniture which the houses hcu con
tanned.
At o'clock The FIRE was confined TO the ruins o
the church property and all the surrounding building
/, were entirely free from danger.
!, Between and O'Clock, the mob proceeded south
ward 10 the Roman Catholic school house, at the corne
Of Second and PhGnix street. which after being stoned
set on fire at the top. We understand that quar
tity of camphine oil was thrown upon the cupalo, an
the fire then applied. This beautiful building was ais
consumed without being made It'll