The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-05

~ called out.
The first decided appeal to physical force in the
contest between the "natives" and the Irish, "
took place in Brooklyn last night. A county meet
ing of the democrats and one also of the natives''
had been called to receive the nominations for
Mayor and city officers. The former convened at
the large room in the City HOTEL in the upper part
OF Fulton street, and the latter in the log cabin on
the opposite side OF the way. Intense excitement
had prevailed throughout the course of the day,
and considerably before the time at which the
meetings had been called to assemble, immense
crowds had collected, each party having its band OF
music, banners, and all the insignia OF party. All,
however, was peaceable, except SO far as fierce dis
cussion, and oahs, threats, and all sorts oexcama-
tons, went to indicate the presence of greatly ex-
cited feeling in both parties.
Both places of meeting were densely crowded.
The speakers were infammatory as usual, but
the proceedings were undIsturbed by any outbreak.
The nominations were offered accepted, and both
meetings adjourned peaceably, each party moving
off, the natives in procession. AS smaller bo-
dies, however, of the two parties encountered each
other in the various quarters of the city, great
deal OF excitement created, and very serious
apprehensons began to be entertained of the &C.
took place in Court street, near Martin street. A
strong party of the ''natives," had taken up
their position in the neighborhood of the Catholic
Church, and variety of EXPLANATIONS expressive
of hostility to that building were uttered. Several
individuals declared their wish to burn it to the
ground, and similar expressions, calculated TO
arouse much angry feeling in the OPT osite party,
were made. In a very few minutes very formid-
able body of the Irish made their.appearance, and
announced their determination to disperse the ''na-
tlves." The Irish were armed with budgeons,
| slaves, and four or five of them had muskets. At
this moment the appearances were most alarming.
Two large and excited mobs were arrayed against
each other, and it was evident that riot of the
most serious character was unavoidable. This
was about quarter past eleven o'clock.
Rumors of the most exaggerated character were
circulating in the lower part of the city, and il was
believed at distance that scene of terrible blood
shed had occurred. The Mayor was speedily on
the spot, and endeavored, without effect, to induce
the mobs to dispense. At this moment also, DR..
James w. Smith and Mr.. Mervin, late under-sher-
if, two highly respectable citizens arrived, and
mixing with the Irish, also endeavored to second
the efforts of the Mayor, but with no better sue
cess. Whilst these gentlemen were thus engaged,
and while kind of parley was going on between
the mobs the Irish declaring their willingness to
retreat block if their opponents did the same, and
swearing that they would otherwise instantly drive
them from their vicinity to the church, some tri-
fling collision took place, and in moment the bat
teries of the Irish were opened. A furious shower
of stones and brickbats commenced the be-
ginning of the fight, but it was very speedily
| terminated for the "Natives" nstantaneously
fled and retreated in all directions. The only indi-
viduals left on the field, were. Dr. Smith and Mr..
Mervn, who manfully stood their ground, in the
conviction that as peace-makers, and not at all
identified in any way with the opposite and now
utterly routed party, they would escape. But they
were mistaken. Another shower OF missiles rained
about their heads, and how their lives were saved
Is Ia miracle But they retreated to the fence,
and were then surrounded in moment by the
| mob. Mr.. Mervin received violent blow on
! the head from club, and was saved from
| being beaten to jelly, only by an Irishman,
| who, providentlally discovered who he was,
seized him in his arms, and shouted out that he
| was enemy. DR.. Smith received several blows
about the shoulders, and one slight one on the
head, and had his cloak torn off him, but he also
was recognized by some Of the crowd, and instantly
all violence towards him was stopped. The great
body of the Irish hurried after their retreating OPP
ponents, shouting, yelling, and utterng the most
fearful lmprecations.
The escape of DIR. Smith and Mr.. Mervin was
most miraculous. Several times the Doctor was
| on the point of discharglng revolving pistol,
which he had in his pocket but with the most re-
markable. and turned out, most fortunate for
bearance, he refraned. Had he fired one shot, no
doubt he would at once have been overwhelmed
| and massacred. Mr.. Mervin also narrowly escaped
still greater injury, one of the mob had raised
| his musket and aimed blow at his head with the
breech, when the man who recognized him inter-
fered.
In the meantime the Mayor had ordered out the
military, and the alarm bell wasrung By o'clock,
however, when reporter left, quiet had been
restored and the. mob dispersed. serious fight
had, it said, taken place in Washington street,
and several small skrmishes in other parts of the
city; but reporter had not heard of any serious
injury having been inflicted on any of the belliger-
ants 1t also said that several guns loaded with
shot had been discharged and that several persons
were murdered; but these statements were regarded
by the better informed exaggerations. Loaded
muskets were, however, in the hands of mum.
bers OF the j mob, and had not one party
retreated summarily, there can be no doubt
that the most melancholy loss of life would
have resulted. AS it is, the riot may well alarm
all the friends of peace and order, not only in Brook
yn but in this city. The feelings of the Irish have
been greatly exasperated, and very fearful collision.
may be expected. We shall learn to-day full ano
accurate particulars of all the occurrences, which
the lateness of the hour and the obvious difficulty
of obtaining any detail, prevented us from learning
last night.
ACCIDENT ON THE RAnRoAD.-We learn from
Adams ~ Co., that merchant of Boston, named
p. Brewer, in attempting to jump upon the train,
on Wednesday afternoon, lost his hold andwas vio-
lenty dashed against the rails. When the cars left
he was left insensible It strange after so many