approaching, a considerable portion of the constabulary force was most
unadvisedly permitted to retire to their homes, for the purpose of
refreshing themselves, with an understanding that they should return to
relieve the remainder at six o'clock. From that moment the mob became
more daring in their attacks on the Mansion-house, until at length the
mayor came forward to beg of them to desist, and to retire to their
homes. The sentiments delivered by his worship on this occasion were
such as did honour to his heart, though it is to be regretted that he
did not come forward at an earlier stage of the proceedings, before the
minds of the people had been so highly wrought up. His worship, during
his address, was assaulted with stones, and a very large one very
narrowly missed striking him on the head. The Riot Act was then read,
but without producing the least effect upon the mob, who, perceiving the
weakness of the force opposed to them, rushed upon the constables,
disarmed them, and beat them severely. In this affray many persons
sustained serious injuries. One constable, as a condition of release
from their vengeance, was compelled to throw his own staff at the
mayor's windows; others were obliged to seek refuge in flight; and one
was actually chased into the float (dock), whence he was taken up by a
boat-hook.
Nothing now remaining to curb the mob, the work of violence immediately
commenced by a general and simultaneous attack on every part of the
Mansion-house. In an instant the windows and sashes were smashed to
atoms; the shutters were beaten to pieces; the doors forced: and every
article of furniture on the ground-floor broken up. Tables, chairs,
side-boards, mirrors, chimney-glasses, were demolished. The iron
palisades, together with the curb-stones in which they were set, were
thrown down as if they had been mere reeds stuck in a mud-bank, and
furnished many a desperate villain with a formidable iron bar; young
trees were torn up by the roots, and converted into weapons of
destruction; walls were thrown down to provide bricks with which to
assail the upper windows; and straw and combustibles were procured with
which to fire the whole premises. At this critical moment it was that
Sir Charles effected his retreat, in disguise, through the adjoining
premises; but it was not made known until twelve o'clock on the
following day that he had left the city. For the present, however, the
Mansion-house was saved from conflagration by the arrival of the troops.
It was supposed, judging from the conduct of the mob in the morning,
that the appearance of two troops of horse would have been the signal
for a general rout. They had now, however, acquired a considerable
accession of force, and it was obvious that they had been joined by some
of the most determined and desperate characters of the place. Instead of
retreating, the thousands who were present, clustering like bees on the
adjoining walls and elevations, cheered the troops with the greatest
enthusiasm.
Under the protection of the military, the constables and specials again
collected in considerable numbers, and several of the most daring of the
mob were made prisoners. Still it was found impossible to clear the
square or the streets adjacent. The soldiers trotted their horses
backward and forward amidst the cheers of the mob, but not the slightest
disposition was shown to disperse. The colonel of the district (Colonel
Brereton), exerted himself in the most humane and laudable manner. He
harangued the multitude, begged and entreated them to repair to their
homes, and cautioned them of the dreadful consequences which their
conduct otherwise would infallibly draw upon them. He was everywhere
received with the greatest cordiality, and with loud cheers.
In the manner already described, things proceeded in the square until
twelve o'clock at night. About this time a party of the rioters,
disappointed by the restraint which the troops imposed upon them,
proceeded to the Council-house, where they commenced operations by
smashing the windows. Meanwhile orders were given to the cavalry to make
a charge, and here the scene became one of the greatest confusion. The
people who ran in all directions, were pursued through the streets for a
considerable distance by the soldiers, and several of them received
severe cuts from their sabres. Many of the people took refuge in the
various passages in Wine-street, from whence they assailed the troops
with stones, particularly at the top of the Pithay, where one of the
soldiers having been struck, he immediately turned round and shot a man
dead upon the spot. This was at half-past twelve; and the soldiers
continuing to gallop about the street, prevented the re-assembling of
the mob during the night.
On Sunday morning the people again began to collect at an early hour in
Queen-square, but everything remaining quiet, and it being hoped that
danger had subsided, the troops were withdrawn for some refreshment.
They had scarcely disappeared when the mob again commenced their
outrages. Ascending now to the upper rooms of the Mansion-house, they
proceeded to throw out the valuable furniture into the square. The
drawers and other depositories were ransacked, and wearing apparel, bed
and table linen, china, &c. were plundered, or wantonly destroyed.
But another, and a most dangerous, exciting cause began to develop
itself. During the sacking of the Mansion-house the wine-cellars were
forced, and it is supposed that at least one-third of a stock of
three-hundred dozen of choice wines was carried off, and wasted and
drunk by the mob. It is needless to say that the result was fraught with
the worst possible effects; they became madly infuriate, and regardless
alike of what mischief they committed, or what risk they incurred. The
scene at this moment was of the most depraved description; all ages, of
both sexes, were to be seen greedily swallowing the intoxicating
liquors; while upon the ground the bodies of scores were to be found,
dead with drunkenness. The streets remote from the scene of action, from
this time became noisy from the turbulence of wretches who were to be
seen staggering about in all directions. The troops were then speedily
replaced, but the infuriate mob began to act on the offensive, and
sought to wreak their vengeance on them for the wounds they had
inflicted on the preceding evening, and particularly to be revenged for
the killing of the man on the top of the Pithay. They attacked them with
a shower of stones and brickbats, which the men were prevented from
resisting, no magistrate being in attendance to take the responsibility
of orders to that effect. In this state of things the commanding-officer
judged it prudent to withdraw the troops (the 14th Light Dragoons) and
replace them with a body of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, commanded by Captain
Warrington. On the retirement of the former, they were followed by a
large portion of the mob, who continued their assaults upon them along
the quay and over the drawbridge. On arriving at St. Augustine's Back,
being provoked beyond further forbearance, they turned round and fired
several shots on their assailants. The mob, however, nothing daunted,
still continued to follow them; and in College Green some further firing
occurred. In this place a considerable number of persons had assembled,
expecting that Sir Charles as usual would attend Divine Service in the
Mayor's Chapel. Still the mob continued their assaults, hanging upon the
soldiers' heels, until they arrived at their quarters in the
Boar's-Head-yard, where they were again fired upon. The discharges, as
the result must show, were however but partial; the number of killed
being only one, and wounded seven or eight. One poor fellow, who had
taken no part in the disturbances, was shot through the arm as he was
standing upon the Quay, on the opposite side.
Immediately after these occurrences, Colonel Brereton rode down to the
Square, followed by a considerable number of men and boys, who cheered
him on his way thither. He assured them that there should be no more
firing, that the 14th should be immediately sent out of the city, and
again exhorted them to return to their homes. This was about eleven
o'clock; and it was truly awful to reflect on the scenes which were
passing at the time when service was commencing in the churches in the
neighbourhood. In the square, with the exception of the scenes of
drunkenness which were still going on, nothing particular transpired
until the evening, with the exception that an individual mounted the
statue of King William, and fixing a tri-coloured cap on a long pole,
pronounced aloud, "The Cap of Liberty." The soldiers were drawn up in
front of the Mansion-house, and the mob seemed nowise disposed to molest
them.
After a while, however, they manifested a restlessness for action, and a
party, by no means numerous, proceeded to the Bridewell, for the purpose
of rescuing the prisoners. On their arrival, they lost no time in
procuring sledge-hammers from the nearest smith's shop, and immediately
proceeded to beat in the doors. The keeper, Mr. Evans, had just sat down
to dinner when he received the visit of the unwelcome intruders. Having
succeeded in opening the doors, they became apprehensive that the large
folding-gates, which at night shut up the thoroughfare, would be closed
upon them, and they directly set about removing them. This they
accomplished with the most astonishing facility, and disposed of them by
throwing them over the bridge into the float; they then proceeded to
liberate the prisoners, and having accomplished their end, they
forthwith set the building on fire. During their operations not the
slightest molestation was offered to them. This happened about two
o'clock.
About the same time a stronger party of rioters, comprising, indeed,
almost the whole body, proceeded to the New Jail, a strong-built modern
edifice, having been erected about ten years before, at a cost of nearly
100,000_l._ The scene which there presented itself almost baffles
description. Along the New Cut, in front of the jail, a dense mass of
the rioters had assembled; and on the opposite bank of the river, and,
indeed, wherever the eye could range, the people were posted in
thousands. The mob had already succeeded in forcing an entrance into the
yard and the governor's house, and were busily employed in throwing
every moveable article into the New River; and, as the tide was fast
ebbing, all was carried off by the stream. The caravan used for
conveying the prisoners to the Guildhall, was launched into the water
entire, and thither also were consigned the governor's books, and the
apparatus for constructing the drop. The rioters procured hammers from
the adjoining ship-yard, and with them the massive locks on the iron
doors of the different wings were smashed to atoms. The prisoners were
now released, and the scenes which followed were dreadful. Many of them,
both male and female, stripped off their prison clothes, and proceeded
on their way almost in a state of nudity. As they passed along, the mob
cheered them and followed them with exultations. Many of them met their
friends on the outside; and it is not easy to depict the extravagant joy
with which they mutually embraced each other.
After the prisoners had been liberated, amounting altogether (exclusive
of debtors) to more than one hundred, the next step taken was that of
setting the prison on fire; and a black handkerchief having been tied to
the weathercock on the top of the porter's lodge over the gateway, it
seemed to be the signal for commencing operations, for immediately after
dense clouds of smoke were seen to issue from every part of the
building. The flames were first seen to break out from the tread-mill,
which burnt with fury until it was quite consumed. In about an hour the
governor's house, over which was the chapel, was completely enveloped in
flames, and the reflection on the heavens was grand and terrific. The
wings, however, being almost exclusively of stone and iron, with iron
roofs, were but little injured by fire; though the rioters left behind
them every possible mark of wanton outrage. During the proceedings, and
while the prisoners were in the course of liberation, a party of the
third guards, about twenty in number, arrived; but the mob appeared
nothing intimidated; but cheered the troops, who acknowledged the
compliment by taking off their caps, and almost immediately after turned
round and departed.
As soon as the work of destruction was here completed, the rioters
divided themselves into parties, the one proceeding to the toll-houses,
at Prince's street-bridge, another to that at the Wells, and another to
that at St. Philip's. These, in the present state of things, were
considered minor affairs, and were speedily in flames. The tenants had
liberty given them to remove their effects. While these were being
destroyed, the fire at the prison raged with the greatest fury.
The rioters then set off, about seven o'clock, to the Gloucester county
prison, Lawford's-gate, which in a short time was broken into, the
prisoners all released, and the building also fired. Here the flames
were as appalling as at the new jail. At the same time, also, a party
proceeded to Bridewell, which had been only partially destroyed, and
kindled up the wing occupied by the keeper; so that the three prisons
were in flames at the same instant.
There was now not even the appearance of a check to the licentiousness
of the mob, nor indeed had there been since the firing of the soldiers
in the morning; and they seemed to revel in a consciousness of their
security. Accordingly, a mere handful of the miscreants proceeded to the
Bishop's-palace, Canons' Marsh, and, having effected an entrance,
immediately commenced the work of destruction. A few individuals,
however, were hastily collected, and for a while succeeded in staying
their diabolical designs. Orders were sent for the military, who had
been guarding the Mansion-house, to repair for the protection of the
bishop's residence. They had no sooner left for that purpose, than the
mob, who had all day meditated the total destruction of the
Mansion-house, commenced operations, and in a very short period set it
on fire, beginning in the kitchen under the banqueting-room. On the
arrival of the troops at the Bishop's-palace, they found things there
tolerably secure; but the flames which even then arose from the
Mansion-house, too plainly indicated that they had gone to the
protection of the one place at the expense of the destruction of the
other. They turned back again, but by the time of their re-appearance in
the square, the reflection on the opposite side of the Froom made it
apparent that, by their endeavours to protect both places, each had been
sacrificed to the fury of the incendiaries. When they arrived in the
square, they found the whole of the back premises of the Mansion-house
burning fiercely, and the rooms in the front occupied by wretches
facilitating the destruction of the building, by firing the apartments
simultaneously. The infatuated creatures, no less intoxicated with their
successful career than with liquor, pressed forward to the windows and
waved their handkerchiefs, cheering at the same time, in exultation of
the final accomplishment of their designs on the ill-fated building.
Many of them paid the forfeit of their lives for their criminal
temerity. From the rapidity of the progress of the flames, it is
supposed that some were cut off from a retreat, and that they thus met
with an untimely end. The fire spread with most surprising quickness,
and in about twenty minutes the roof fell in, and, together with the
whole front, came down into the street, with a tremendous crash.
By this time, the fire at the Bishop's-palace raged throughout the whole
pile of building, which in a short period was reduced to ashes. The
Right Rev. the Bishop, who happened to have been in town during the last
ten or twelve days, removed out of the city about the middle of the day;
and the most valuable of his effects had also been removed, as a measure
of precaution.
But to return to the square.--After the destruction of the
Mansion-house, it was hoped that the fury of the mob would have been
appeased. The military, having no orders to act otherwise than as mere
spectators, were, immediately after their arrival, withdrawn, and joined
the remainder of their comrades, altogether few in number, in protecting
the Council-house, which it was expected would be the next public
building attacked. It was at least hoped that the house adjoining the
Mansion-house, if not protected from the flames, would be the last that
would be permitted to be destroyed; but we blush while we record the
fiend-like conduct which followed. The rioters conceived the plan of
firing the adjoining houses, and, by twelve at night, the whole mass,
from the Mansion-house to the middle avenue, including the Custom-house,
and all the Back Building, in Little King-street, was one immense mass
of fire. The Custom-house, as may readily be supposed, was a large
building, and the expertness of the wretches in lighting it up, it is
certain, proved the destruction of many who were ranging the upper
apartments. Many of them were seen as they approached the windows to
drop into the flames, and others, among whom was a female, threw
themselves in desperation from the windows. The latter was carried to
the infirmary, where she subsequently died.
Again the hope was raised that the dreadful work would now cease; but it
was in vain. A small band, chiefly boys, who seemed to go about their
work as if they had been regularly trained to the hellish employment,
proceeded to extend the ravages of the devouring element, preceding
their operation by giving half an hour's notice to the inmates to
retire. The windows were afterwards smashed in, the furniture thrown out
and carried off, and the premises ignited with a rapidity truly
astonishing. In this manner they swept away one whole side of the
square, and then proceeded to another, commencing with the Excise
Office, at the corner. To follow up the account from this time, three
o'clock in the morning, would only be a repetition of the details which
we have already given.
Morning dawned on such a scene as had never before been witnessed in
this place. The flames, it is true, were subsiding, but the appearance
of Queen-square was appalling in the extreme. Numerous buildings were
reduced to a heap of smoking ruins, and others were momentarily falling
in; while around, in various parts, lay the rioters, in the last stage
of senseless intoxication, and with countenances more resembling fiends
than men. Meantime the soldiers, who had been ordered out of town, were
remanded; and the magistrates, having again assembled, came at length to
a decision, called out the _posse comitatus_, and made an application to
Mr. Herapath, through the medium of Mr. Under-Sheriff Hare, for the
assistance of the Bristol general union. Mr. Herapath, their
vice-president, called the members together by public notice--a course
which we understand he had already determined on; and in a short time a
large body of them had collected together; previous to which Mr.
Herapath was invested, by the magistracy, with an authority equal to
that of the Under-Sheriff. We are sorry to have to record another piece
of folly. The military were ordered to clear the streets--an order which
was fulfilled to the letter by a party of the troops which had
experienced some rough treatment, and had, in consequence, fired upon
the people on the previous day. The sight of this useless piece of duty
was peculiarly distressing; nothing was to be seen on every side but
unoffending women and children, running and screaming in every
direction, while several men, apparently on their way to work, were
deliberately cut at, several seriously injured, and some killed. Yet
worse effects might have followed this ill-advised measure, if the
soldiers had not been shortly after withdrawn from their bloody work,
and the streets principally manned with the inhabitants, armed with good
strong staves. Several troops, however, of soldiers, together with the
eleventh regiment of foot, continued to reach Bristol during the day,
and, in the course of the afternoon, intelligence having arrived that
there was some disturbance in the neighbourhood of Lawrence-hill, a
party galloped off, and secured four countrymen in the very act of
robbing a house. With these exceptions, no further collision with the
military took place.
Towards the evening, the flames in several houses of the square broke
out afresh, and part of the pavement in King-street was forced up by the
heat arising from some brandy which was burning in the vaults beneath;
but the engines being in readiness, no further injury occurred. An
attack on the shipping having been anticipated, the ships' bells were
rung, signalguns were fired, and every thing was prepared for
resistance. The Earl of Liverpool was moored in the centre of the river,
and mounted with guns, an attack on her in particular having been
expected; but happily these anticipations were not realised. It being
thought possible that if the rioters renewed their attempts, they would,
in all probability, endeavour to reduce the streets to total darkness,
by cutting off the gas-pipes, the magistrates issued a notice,
recommending the inhabitants to illuminate their houses--a
recommendation which was pretty generally complied with. The churches
also were lit up, and the _posse comitatus_ of the several parishes were
stationed in them, a constant guard being kept up, and relieved at
stated intervals. The members of the union paraded the streets during
the whole of the night.
These measures at length effectually put an end to the frightful scenes
which had been enacted during the last two days. In the course of the
ensuing week, the magistrates and other authorities of the place were
occupied in adopting such measures as would prevent the repetition of
the attack, in disposing of the cases of the various persons in custody,
who had been concerned in the riots, and in making other general
arrangements to secure the tranquillity of the town. Nearly two hundred
persons were found to have been secured, but of the whole number, there
were very few who were really inhabitants of Bristol, or who were in any
way connected with the political party interested in the opposition
offered to Sir Charles Wetherall. Many of the facts which were
disclosed in evidence before the authorities, as to the occurrences of
the days of the riots, were of the most astounding description.
Prisoners were proved to have been made, whose pockets and houses were
crammed with stolen property, consisting of furniture, gold and silver
plate, specie, bank-notes, and other matters of great value. Many
inquests were held upon the bodies of persons who had been killed during
the riots, in the course of which the most frightful disclosures were
made. No new riot, however, arose, and the system of watch and ward,
which was adopted, effectually prevented the repetition of such outrages
as had been committed. The conduct of the magistrates became the subject
of discussion, and many were found who did not hesitate to assert, that
they had exhibited great pusillanimity in the course which they had
taken. The magistrates were not backward in entering into a defence of
their proceedings. They in turn imputed blame to the military, whilst
Colonel Brereton declared that he had been actuated by a feeling of
humanity only, and by a positive conviction of the uselessness and the
danger of infuriating the mob, to the destruction of life, as well as
property, by adopting steps more decisive than those which he had taken.
The result of this event, however, was a conviction throughout the
public mind, of the necessity of some improvement in the police system
of the country. Already had the institution of a metropolitan police
force produced a firm reliance in the powers of such a body to suppress
outrages of a similar description, and the adoption of some new measure,
more extensively carrying out the general plan, was strongly recommended
to the attention of Parliament by his Majesty, on his opening the
session, on the 6th of December following. The recommendation was not
unattended with good results, and the adoption of a measure sanctioning
the establishment of a police force in Bristol, similar in character to
that which existed in London, afforded considerable satisfaction to the
inhabitants of that city.
A special commission for the trial of the persons who were in custody,
and who were charged with having been concerned in the riots, commenced
at Bristol on Monday, the 2nd of January 1832.