Volume IV
|
London in 1780, is ascribed to the passing of an Act of Parliament, about two years previously, for " relieving his Majesty's subjects, of the Catholic Religion, from certain penalties and disabilities imposed upon them during the reign of William III." A petition to Parliament was framed for its repeal, and a general meeting of a body of people, forming the Protestant Association, headed by Lord George Gordon, was held on the 29th of May, at the Coachmakers' Hall, Noble Street, Aldersgate Street. At this meeting the noble lord moved the following resolutions :-- " Whereas no hall in London can contain forty thousand persons, "Resolved, -- That this association do meet on Friday next in St George's Fields, at ten o'clock in the morning, to consider the most prudent and respectful manner of attending their petition, which will be presented the same day to the House of Commons. Resolved, -- For the sake of good order and regularity, that this association, in. coming to the ground, do separate themselves into four divisions--viz. the London division, the Westminster division, the Southwark division, and the Scotch division. " Resolved, -- That the London division do take place of the ground towards Southwark; the Westminster division  second; the Southwark division third; and the Scotch division upon the left all wearing blue cockades, to dis- tinguish themselves from the Papists and those who approve of the late Act in favour of Popery. " Resolved, -- That the magistrates of London, West- minster and Southwark are requested to attend, that their presence, may overawe and control any riotous or evil-minded persons who may wish to disturb the legal and peaceable deportment of his Majesty's subjects." His lordship having intimated that he would not present the petition unless twenty thousand persons attended the meeting, and the resolutions having been published and placarded through the streets, on the day apppointed a vast concourse of people from all parts of the City and its en- virons assembled in St George's Fields. The main body took their route over London Bridge, marching in order, six or eight in a rank, through the City towards Westminster, accompanied by flags bearing the words " No Popery. " At Charing Cross the mob was increased by additional numbers on foot, on horseback, and in various vehicles, so that, by the time the different parties met together, all the avenues to both Houses of Parliament were entirely filled with the crowd. The rabble now took possession of all the passages leading to the House of Commons, from the outer doors to the very entrance for the Members, which latter they twice attempted to force open; and a like attempt was made at the House of Lords, but without success in either instance. In the meantime Lord George Gordon came into the House of Commons with an unembarrassed countenance, and a blue cockade in his hat, but finding it gave offence he took it out and put it in his pocket -- not, however, before Captain Herbert, of the navy, one of the Members, threatened to pull it out; while Colonel Murray, another Member, declared that, if the mob broke into the House, he (looking at Lord George) should instantly be the victim. The petition having been presented, the populace separ- ated into parties and proceeded to demolish the Catholic chapels in Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and Warwick Street, Golden Square; and all the furniture, ornaments and altars of both chapels were committed to the flames. After various other outrages the prison of Newgate was attacked. They demanded from the keeper, Mr Ackerman, the release of their confined associates. He refused to comply; yet, dreading the consequence, he went to the sheriffs to know their pleasure. On his return he found his house in flames, and the jail itself was soon in a similar situation. The doors and entrances were broken open with crowbars and sledge-hammers; and it is scarcely to be credited with what rapidity this strong prison was destroyed. The public office in Bow Street and Sir John Fielding's house, adjoining, were soon destroyed, and all their furniture and effects, books, papers, etc., committed to the flames. Justice Coxe's house in Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, was similarly treated ; and the two prisons at Clerkenwell set open and the prisoners liberated. The King's Bench Prison, with some houses adjoining, a tavern and the New Bridewell were also set on fire, and almost entirely consumed. The mob now appeared to consider themselves as superior to all authority; they declared their resolution to burn all the remaining public prisons, and demolish the Bank, the Temple, Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, the Mansion House, the Royal palaces, and the arsenal at Woolwich. The attempt upon the Bank of England was actually made twice in the course of one day; but both attacks were but feebly con- ducted and the rioters easily repulsed, several of them falling by the fire of the military, and many others being severely wounded. To form an adequate idea of the distress of the inhabitants in every part of the City would be impossible. Six-and-thirty fires were to be seen blazing in the metropolis during the night. At length the continuous arrival of fresh troops, from all parts of the country within fifty or sixty miles of the metro- polis, intimidated the rabble ; and soon after the disturbances were quelled. The Royal Exchange, the public buildings, the squares and the principal streets were all occupied by troops. The shops were closed; while immense volumes of dense smoke were still rising from the ruins of consumed edifices. During the riots many persons, terrified by the alarming outrages of the mob, fled from London and took refuge at places at a considerable distance from town. The number of persons killed is variously stated. Many persons, strangers to the attempt, were destroyed by the necessarily indiscriminate fire of the soldiers and militia ; and although it is impossible to calculate the precise number who lost their lives, from the circumstance of many being carried off by their friends, it is believed to be about five hundred. Lord George Gordon, the leader and instigator of these riots, was subsequently tried in the Court of King's Bench, but escaped conviction. There was little doubt that he was occasionally subject to aberrations of intellect. His death took place some years afterwards in the King's Bench Prison. He had been indicted for a libel on Marie Antoinette, the unfortunate French Queen, and the Count d'Adhemar, the French Ambassador, and, having been convicted, fled from punishment, but was afterwards apprehended in Birming- ham, attired in the garb of a Jew, with a long beard, etc., where he had undergone circumcision, and had embraced the religion of the unbelievers. He died professing the same faith. Many of the rioters were apprehended, and having been recognised were convicted, and suffered death in most instances opposite to the places in which the scenes were enacted in which they were proved to have taken a part. Among them were many women and boys, but there was not one individual of respectability or character. They were of the lowest class, whose only object was plunder. Among the rioters, to sum up the account of their infamy and wretchedness, was Jack Ketch himself. This miscreant, whose real name was Edward Dennis, was convicted of pulling down the house of Mr Boggis, of New Turnstile. The keeper of Tothill Fields Bridewell would not suffer Jack Ketch to go among the other prisoners, lest they should tear him to pieces. In order that he might hang up his brother rioters, he was granted a pardon. |