Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-05-18


One Of the most lamcntable and tragic occur
rences that over took place in this CITY, occurred
on Ihursdny night, at the Astor Place Opera
House. For some time past, n contest Of nnu-
sual bitterness and luminosity has been going on |
in New York, between the partizans Of the rival |
actors, Macready and Forrest, which has grown
ont of the hostile feelings that are said to exist
between these tragedinns, and which have been |
excited to great pitch Of intensity, Of late, by |
the correspondence that has passed between |
them in the newspapers. In consequence Of
this state Of feeling Mr Macready was driven |
from the stage Of the Astor Place Opera House, |
with every kind Of indignity, on Monday night,
by the partizans Of Mr. Forrest, and the play |
completely ssoPPcd.
This outrageous conduct induced Mr. Mac |
ready, we understand, 10 come to the detcrmin- |
alton Of declining to play his farewell engage
ment at this Theatre; but at the request Of
Washington Irving and number Of gentlemen,
who were disguised with the treatment lie re-
cciyed, he was Influenced to change his mind.
Thursday night, therefore, was the next occasion
on which he was announced TO appear.
Assurances were at the same time held GU,
that all attempts Of a similar kind to those which
took place on Monday night would b. promptly
suppressed. In the mean time, the feelings OF
the actors in the proceedings Of Monday night
became moro and more innamed; and II was de-
terminsd by them TO repeat them with increased
number and effect on Thursday night Serious
apprchensions were therefore entertained that
riot would take place, but no one ever fancied
that il would cnd in such horrible catastrophe.
During the day, the authorities were on the
alert TO take the necessary precautions for the
preservation Of the peace. considerable por-
ton Of the Police force, under their Chief, Mr.
MAfsell, stationed themselves in and around the
house; and company OF the National Guards
and one Of the Governors Guards. with a COM
pany Of flying artillery known as Yaics's Bat
terry, occupied the Park, ready to act at any mo-
ment their services might be required.
About O'Clock the crowd began to assemble
in the neighborhood Of the Opera House and
from that time until their numbers rapidly in
creased till they reached, il was estimated, TO-
600. Amer several manifestations Of tumutuous
feelings the part Of the crowd, stones at length
began TO be thrown at the windows (which had
been boarded up), and the doors at the back en-
trance OF the Theatre were broken in The
principal attack WIS commenced about O'Clock,
when the windows OF the Opera House were
demolished, and various attempts made to force
the doors.
Inside the Theatre, there was considerable
disturbance, but not enough to prevent MIR Mac
ready from going through with the play. Many
rioters were arrested.
i
until about O'Clock, when the National Guards
came up (haying been detained by the lack Of
ammunition). Their appearance seemed 10 ex-
aspcraic the mob, who thcreupon commenced
| throwing stones with greater violence than be-
| fore. The military at length fired volley Of
blank cartridges, which only had the effect OF
irritating the mob TO greater degree. Orders
wore then given toload with ball, and three vol
leys, We are Informed, were fired with the most
sanguinsry effects.
IL or is persons ,rere Iilied-scyeral Of them
innocent Of any participation in the outragcs-
and rs or so rounded.
lis believed that 30 or 40 Policemen, and a,
many soldiers,were wounded by stones aud balls
The mob was not subdued till about , o'clock
Afier that hour a large corps OF Police occu
pied the interior Of the Opera House, while the
Governors Guards, sixth Regiment, under Col
onel Pierce, the National Guard, Col. Die, 4
company of Horse Artillery, Yates's Battery
Consisting Of two six pound pieces, loaded with
canister shot in all numbering about 500 men
mediate vicinity of the building.
It was the subject Of general complaint at the
scene Of action that no riot act was read. I'm
der our laws there is no riot act. The Record
er and Sheriff demonstrated with the crowd 10
dispese, but being disregarded, the military
were ordered to fire as n last resort
Between and O'Clock, some 20 or so pris
oners, who had been confined within the Opers
building, were removed to various Police sta
tons under strong guard Of the 9Th Ward Pc
lice.
The crowd, perceiying, from the number O
wounded and dead falling on all sides, that the,
were like to be cyerpowered, and that furthei
resistance was vain, gave way, and peace WA
finally restored. .-Jousnai Of Commerce, I'M.
LATER.
The Mayor issued his Proclamation on Friday
requesting all orderly citizens to aid him in sus
tanning the laws. Hefegreis the scenes of las
night, but says that the laws shall De sustained.
Gen. Hall, who commanded the military force
was badly wounded. George Lincoln of Massa
chusetts, reported among the wounded, has sine,
died. The phOie number Of deaths is aboul
Tieenfy.
MIR Macready has left the city, and gone I,
Boston via Springfield, determined not 10 re
turn. lie will soon sail for Europe.
No serious disturbances have occurred in New
York since Thursday night. The city, howev
err was in a state Of great agitation during Fri
day. Public meetings were called by the riot
ers on Friday p. NJ which were harangued il
the most violent manner by leading bullies O
the city. These addresses were often int rrupt
ed with cries Of vengeance" and denunciation
against the city authorities Overtures, il i
said, were made for the loan Of two thousan,
muskets for few days but it coming to tn
ears Of the city government the muskeis wer
taken to the arsenal. On Friday night yer,
strong police and military force were on dut,
during the entire night, and all access to tn
neighborhood of the Opera House was cut of
cannon were posted in different directions t.
rake the streets, and every necessary arrange
ment made to quell any disturbances. Crowds
nevertheless, gathered, and the soldiery ant
| police were peltcd, and some few of them con
siderably injured, by stones. The mob, how
ever, appear to have been shy, and TO have KEEP
themselves out of harms way. Several Of th
rioters were arrested, some Of whom were foun,
armed with paving stones slung in handker
chiefs with which 10 beat off the cavalry. ]
barricade was erected during the night acros
one Of the streets but il was carried by tn
police, without much trouble. The militarl
were kept on duty until Saturday p. NJ. Dur
ing Saturday night there were some disturban
ces, but nothing OF moment occurred and oil
Sunday the general impression seems to hav,
been, that the troubles Of the city were over.
Boston Ifdpelier
The Corcncr's Inquest met on Saturday, an,