92 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1817. 



[Oct. 



numbers of persons began to as- 

 semble in the neighbourhood of 

 the encroachments, and when suf- 

 ficient numbers were collected, 

 they commenced the demolition of 

 fences and buildings of all de- 

 scriptions which were not strong 

 enough to resist their efforts, 

 and totally destroyed an inhabited 

 house. Information being con- 

 veyed to the magistrates of these 

 riotous acts, they proceeded to the 

 J pot, where the riot act was read ; 

 but neither this measure nor re- 

 monstrances producing any effect, 

 and the civil power being found 

 quite inadequate to the task of 

 dispersing the mob, it was resolv- 

 ed (about 13 o'clock) to require 

 the assistance of the Worcester- 

 shire yeomanry cavalry. The few 

 members of this corps who re- 

 sided in the city and vicinity as- 

 sembled with all possible dispatch, 

 and in the afternoon Col. Cocks 

 arrived : it was not, however, 

 thought advisable to conduct the 

 yeonjanry to the scene of the liot, 

 for by the time they had assem- 

 bled, the disorder had in a great 

 measure ceased ; they accordingly 

 remained in the streets of the city 

 until eight in the evening, when 

 it was announced to them that 

 their services were no longer re- 

 quired. Late in the evening and 

 on the following morning new 

 outrages were committed : it was 

 therefore deemed advisable yes- 

 terday morning again to call out 

 the yeomanry, and (o have the 

 civil power in attendance ; the 

 magistrates also issued various 

 hand-bills, warning the populace 

 of the punishment which awaited 

 a continuance of riot. In the af- 

 ternoon the yeomanry cavaliy had 

 assembled In considerable num- 



bers j but no disturbance took 

 place, and the city is again per- 

 fectly tranquil. The cavalry still 

 remain in town. The damage done 

 is very considerable, and the place 

 attacked presents a singular scene 

 of devastation : not only have 

 fences been levelled, but buildings 

 of various descriptions either to- 

 tally or partially destroyed, and of 

 course plunder has as usual ac- 

 companied riot ; the timber-yards 

 have been robbed of articles to a 

 considerable amount. The greater 

 part of the places destroyed are 

 not included in the encroachments 

 which the committee ordered to 

 be removed. Twelve persons have 

 been committed to the city gaol, 

 charged either with being con- 

 cerned in the riot, or with having 

 abetted those who were ; and war- 

 rants are out against others. The 

 mob used every effort to irritate 

 the cavalry, and two persons were 

 apprehended (one by Col. Cocks) 

 in the act of throwing stones at 

 them. 



6. Common Hall. — Election for 

 Lord-Mayor. — Seventh and Last 

 Day. — At the usual hour the poll 

 closed, and the numbers were de- 

 clared as follows : — 



Mr. Aid. Smith 2,2/3 



Mr. Aid. Atkins .... 1,585 



Lord Mayor 827 



i\Ir. Aid. Goodbehere . 763 



7. The whole interior and exte- 

 rior of the New Mint, together 

 with tlie military way and adjoin- 

 ing edifice'*, has been lighted with 

 gas, by means of an apparatus 

 erected by government, within 

 the walls of the Mint. The gas 

 for illuminating this establishment 

 is prepared, not by distilling coal 

 in retorts, but by means of a 10- 

 feet cylinder, which j"evolves ho- 



risontally 



