2"*S. VI. 146., Oct. 16. '58.] 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



315 



course to the Spanish, unless some evidence of the 



connexion could be brought forward^ 



J. A. PiCTON. 



LORD GEORGE GORDON S RIOTS. 



(2°'» S. vi. 243.) 



Permit me to assure your venerable correspon- 

 dent, J. N., that his impression of seeing nineteen 

 persons hanged at the same time at the Old 

 Bailey for participation in Lord George Gordon's 

 riots is quite erroneous. He is probably con- 

 founding some other executions with those that 

 took place in consequence of the disturbances of 

 1780; his memory respecting the latter being 

 entirely at fault. 



Two years ago you did me the honour to insert 

 a communication on the subject of these execu- 

 tions (see "N. & Q.," 2"* S. ii. 216.), wherein I 

 showed that, although fifty-eight of the rioters 

 were condemned to death, only twenty-five of 

 them actually suffered ; my authority for this 

 being the Morning Chronicle and London Adver- 

 tiser for 1780. 



Of these twenty-five executions — 

 5 took place on 

 3 



3 

 5 

 2 

 6 

 1 



25 



July 11. 

 July 12. 

 July 20. 

 July 21. 

 July 22. 

 August 9. 

 August 22. 



And farther, J. N. particularly names the Old 

 Bailey as the place of execution, now I find that 

 of the twenty-five convicts — 



25 



The places of execution were selected as being 

 near to the spot where the criminals' offences had 

 been committed, and the person hanged at the 

 Old Bailey was one James Jackson, " for de- 

 molishing the house of Mr. Akernian, keeper of 

 Newgate." 



It is consequently clear that J. N. is under a 

 wrong impression, and that his idea of seeing 

 nineteen rioters executed must be classed with 

 the fancy entertained by the late Samuel Rogers 

 of seeing " a whole cartful of young girls, in 



dresses of various colours, on their way to be exe- 

 cuted at Tyburn," for this same crime of partici- 

 pating in Lord George Gordon's riots. (See 

 Kogers's Table Talk, p. 181.) 



Robert S. Salmon. 

 Newcastle-on-Tyne. 



CORPORATION INSIGNIA. 



(2'"' S. V. 469.519.; vi. 217.) 



Among the notes on this subject, those of Col- 

 chester well deserve a place, and I copy the fol- 

 lowing detail from vol. ii. of Cromwell's History 

 of that ancient borough, which also gives engrav- 

 ings of them : — 



1. The mayor's mace, silver gilt, the largest in 

 England, with the exception of that possessed by 

 the corporation of Bristol. It is curiously em- 

 bossed with figures of mermaids, in allusion to the 

 right of fishery belonging to the town. 



2. The banner ; on which are depicted the arms 

 of the corporation, a rugged cross, and three 

 crowns, borne in allusion to the discovery of the 

 cross by Helena the mother of the Emperor Con- 

 stantine, who was born in this town. This is 

 carried before the mayor and body corporate at 

 the proclamation of the fair, and the excursion 

 down the Colne to hold a court of conservancy. 



3. The gold chain worn by the mayor : a pre- 

 sent in 1765 from Mr. Leonard Ellington " in 

 remembrance of many and continued favours." 



4. Four hand-maces of silver, borne by the four 

 sergeants, extremely curious and antique. 



5. The silver oyster, used by the water bailiffs 

 to regulate the size of oysters permitted to be 

 caught. On this the corporation arms are en- 

 graved. 



6. The silver key used by the treasurer. 



7. The mayor's silver ticket of admission to the 

 theatre. 



8. The large two-handled silver cup, used at 

 the election of the mayors. This holds more than 

 a gallon, and is about 150 years old (says Mr. C. 

 in 1825). It is inscribed, " the gift of Abraham 

 Johnson, Esq., to the corporation of Colchester." 



9. The silver bar of the water bailiff. Mr. 

 Cromwell also depicts the two corporation seals, 

 believed to have been executed before 1635, pro- 

 bably a century previous. The larger, of brass, 

 represents St. Helena sitting beneath a canopy, 

 and holding the cross. Below are the town arms, 

 and those of England on e.ach side. The reverse 

 appears to represent one of the ancient gates, a 

 drawbridge, &c. An owl appears at each side. 

 The smaller seal of silver also depicts St. Helena, 

 sitting in the upper part of a gate, with towers on 

 each side of her. S. M. S. 



