THE RIOTERS BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES: On Wednesday, before W. J. Watts, Esq., R. Vicary, Esq., Sir W. Rae, and Admiral Wise, Edward Daw was charged with being concerned in the riot. Mr. H. Michelmore, solicitor, stated that after the reading of the Riot Act was in the midst of a crowd outside Thomas’s shop in East Street, and saw the accused throw a missile of some sort into one of the top windows, which broke the glass. He caught hold of him and gave him into custody. Prisoner, in defence, said that he left Mr. Taverner’s house, where he worked, he went straight down the street; he denied that he threw any stone at all. He was committed for trial, and was refused. Martin Sweeney, a lurking looking youth with a bloodstained smock on, was similarly charged. Mr. Watts said that after the Riot Act was read he called on the mob to disperse, which, not being done, he ordered special constables to clear the street. They charged the mob, broke through them, re-formed on the further side, charged down again, and when opposite Mr. Mitchelmore, draper, the mob intercepted the special constables, himself being in front, and passed a little way into the crowd, the crowd being faced about on meeting the special constables. Witness turned round to do the same, when he saw prisoner Sweeney, who was on his right hand at a short distance, raise his hand and throw a missile as large, or larger, than a man’s fist at, or in the direction of the special constables. The Witness sprang forward and seized him by the collar and called for assistance, when P.C. Cuming came and took him in charge. P.C. Cuming proved receiving the prisoner into his custody from Watts. Prisoner pleaded not guilty and denied having resisted being taken to the lock-up. He had nothing else to say, only that it wasn’t right for the policeman to knock anybody about directly he got them inside the yard: Committed for trial without bail. The Chairman observed that in all cases that came before the Bench of a similar character no bail would be accepted. Mr. Watts then addressed a few words of advice to those present, telling them that the prices of both meat and bread had been considerably reduced, so that could be no further excuse for their indulging in similar practices as that the previous night. It was painful for him to have to read the Riot Act, but he hoped now their end had been obtained no further physical force would be resorted to. A person in the crowd said, “Thank you sir,” and great deal of dissatisfaction seemed to be among the many present. Wednesday was all excitement and business at a discount. It was confidently reported that the rabble was going to make an onslaught on the butchers’ shops in the night, and that body to a man was in a very excited state all day. Several special constables were sworn in that day, and in the evening 350 more, Courtenay-street and the Town Hall were literally besieged, and excitement was everywhere. The volunteers were all sworn in and kept in reserve during the night. Mr. Vicary ordered all his men, one hundred and more, to be sworn or leave his employ. Mr. Pinsent’s men and most of the employees at railway works were also sworn in and a large number supplied with staves. This precaution no doubt had a sensible effect on the roughs for they made themselves scarce from public view during the evening, and the night passed all serene without any disturbance whatsoever.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901 (?)