The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-08-19 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

BOLTON.  Several skirmishes have taken place between the mobs and the 72nd Highlanders. On Saturday at noon the town was frightened from its " propriety" by a mob, consisting of at least five thousand persons, armed with bludgeons, staves, bars of iron, or anything else calculated to knock a man's brains out, entering the town, flourishing their weapons, and giving loud hnzzas. The mob proceeded up Deansgate, Market-street, and through the market, to Hargreaves 's and other mills, which they immediately stopped, and also Hick's and other foundries ; and, on their return, again passed through the Market Place, and into Little Bolton, where they visited thedifferent mills. No devastation during this time was done. Several members' of the mob entered different shops and asked for bread, which was given them ; in some instances they demanded money from persons of respectable appearance in the street, and their demand was complied with. The mob presented a most formidable appearance, and the weapon); they carried were of a most deadly description. The language used by them on many occasions was exceedingly violent, levelled principally against the police, which body of men they swore they would murder before they left the town. On their return from the mills, very many of the mob were drunk, from the effects of liquor which they had either begged or demanded. On one occasion, one of the mob, addressing himself to a person who was looking on, said, " My man, can you tell us where to get a quart of good ale, and we will pay for it!" The reply was, " Well, there's a beershop near to ; but I think it's closed in," The reply was, " If they'll let us have it, we'll pay them ; but, if they refuse, by we'll tate it, and as much as we like ;—that's what we're come for—meat and drink—for we are all nigh clammed [hungered]." Up to the present hour, no outbreak has taken place. The Highlanders and cavalry are under arms, and stationed before the police-office. The appearance of affairs now assumes a threatening aspect. The market is completely deserted, and the shops throughout the town are closed in. Business is at a complete stand still. The riot act has been again read. The magistrates have very judiciously made arrangements for the town to be lighted to-night. Where the matter will end, no idea can be formed ; but from the menacing bearing of the mob, a riot which most likely will be attended with bloodshed, will take place. The rioters are principally from Bury, Heywood, Tottington, and surrounding neighbourhood. .The town assumed a peaceable appearance on Tuesday, the mobs having decided upon visiting Wigan, and on their way there they tore up the rails, used as fences, which they shouldered as bludgeons. About noon a great party made their appearance in Bolton, from Bury and the neighbourhood, but the police were directed to prevent their entrance into the town, and fourteen of the ringleaders were taken into custody, and eleven committed for trial.  The cavalry made a charge at a number of persons, who immediately took to their heels up the canal banks, hotly pursued. They thre3v down their bludgeons ; and a number of them, who could not escape by any other means, immediately plunged into the canal, and stood in the centre, for some time, up to the neck in water. One man got into a pit connected with Springfield paper mill, and, there being an abundance of mud, he could not get out again without assistance; but fortunately there was no loss of life. Eighty persons have been taken prisoners.