ing assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the Act made in the first year of King George, for preventing Tumults and Riotous Assemblies.

"GOD SAVE THE KING."

As early as ten o'clock on the Monday, a considerable number of persons arrived in front of the Merlin's Cave public house, in Spa-fields, many of whom had come from the Old Bailey, where the execution of four criminals had attracted a vast number of spectators. Shortly after twelve, the shouts of the multitude announced another arrival, and a crowd was seen entering the fields, surrounding two tri-coloured flags and a banner; the largest of which was present on the former occasion. As soon as the cart entered the field, the flags were unfurled; and part of the crowd were attracted towards the Coppice-row gate, where the fings became stationary. A waggon was placed by the Pie-house, and a man drssed in sailor's attire, bearing the larger flag, mounted, amidst loud huzzas, and asked if the people wanted a leader? Some voices answered in the affirinative and suddenly a person, from bis professing medicine, called Dr. Watson, his son, and a Mr. Hooper, all distinguished with tri-coloured cockades in their hats, jumped into the waggon, and, being recognised as having been present at the former meeting, were hailed with loud cheers. Dr. Watson took off his hat, and, waving his hand, craved silence; which being in some measure obtained, he spoke at considerable length and was succeeded by Mr. Watson, jun, who waving his tri-coloured ensign, concluded a most seditious harrangue with these words "it seems the determined resoJution of Ministers to carry things in their own way, or, as they call it, Our Sovereign Lord the King will carry every thing with firmness.' That is to say, they will carry the business in defiance of the voice of the people. If they will not give us what we want, shall we not take it? [Yes, Yes!] Are you willing to take it? [Yes!] Will you go and take it? [Yes!] If I jump down among you, will you come and take it? [Yes, Yes! from a thousand voices.] Will you then follow me?" [Yes, Yes!]

The speaker then seized the largest of the tri-coloured flags, and, waving his hat, jumped among the crowd, amidst the loudest shouts, John Limbrick, one of the Hattongarden Officers, drew his cutlass, and immediately collared him ;` but he was rescued from the officer's grasp: the officer, however, succeeded in securing the flag, which be sent to the pice: Dr. Watson followed his son, with Mr. Hooper, and some hundreds immediately rushed towards Clerkenwell.

Much diversity of opinion seemed to pre

vail among the crowd to whom these speechei were addressed. A number seemed prepa red to sanction and support all that was said or proposed; but the larger portion of the auditors, and some of them whose appearance be-poke great distress, seemed not to acquiesce in the language which was uttered, Each offered advice to his neighbour, and in many cases were heard entreatises not to follow the crowd. Whether any pre-concerted scheme had been arranged was not generally known; and hundreds rushed on apparently indifferent to the consequence of their rashness. Thus they passed on without further interruption, shaping their course towards Smithfield, and shouting as they passed. Many, however, from the rapidity of their course, lost their breath; and, on stopping to recover themselves evidently reflected on their conduct, and retired to their homes, or returned to Spafields. Some few shewed cutlasses and pistols; these. however, were very rare instances. They proceeded along Corporation row, Turnmill-street, and Cowcross; and in Smithfield it was announced, that they were going to the Lord Mayor; but a cry for arms being raised, some of the leader led the way through Cow-lane, to Snow-hill, to the house of Mr. Beckwith, the gun-smith, were they arrived about half-past twelve o'clock. A young man, who was rather before the main body, first rushed into the shop. in which Mr. Richard Platt, of No. 39, Cateaton street, and other gentlemen were standing. man who entered was attended by four or five comrades: when he opened the door, he demanded arms; he held a pistol openly in his hand. Mr. Platt, who had finished his business, was going ont of the door, when the man entered and called out “Arms, Arms!" Mr. Platt, in a conciliatory manner, laid his hand on the man's shoulder, and reminded him that he was about to do a great deal of mischief; and was proceeding to use further persuasion, when the man fired. Mr. Platt was placed in a chair; and, addressing his assailant, observed, “You have shot me, and I was no enemy of your's." "Then," replied the man. "I am sorry for it." The ball perforated his two coats, his waiscoat, and several folds of paper in his waistcoat pocket, and lodged in or near the groin.

The

The shopman lost no time in seizing the man, who made no resistance. His comrades had fled at the first report of a pistol, under the impression, as it is supposed, that their leader himself had been shot." A beadle of the name of Worrall, was at hand, and the prisoner was committed into his custody. His pocket-book and various papers were taken from him. Amongst the latter was a copy of a circular letter, calling for subscriptions. There were other scraps of paper, with the names of the Treasurer and Secretary of the Spa-fields society. While

the shopmen were employed in this investigation, the constable was not equally pru dent; he suffered him to range from one room to another. Meantime that por ion of the mob which surrounded the flag came up; and, having been apprised of the detention of their leader, on account of shooting Mr. Platt. they loudly demanded his liberation. One of the shopmen answered that in the scuff the man had escaped, and was not on the premises. This well-intentioned answer pacified the rioters for the moment and they had actually turned away; when the beadle allowed his prisoner to approach the window, and present himself to the view of his friends, who became furions, and he was immediately and of necessity restored to his liberty. A man in the garb of a brewer's servant called upon them to destroy the property around them. The windows were instantly demolished, and the fire-arms in the windows and shop were carried off. The man who had s ot Mr. Platt took up a brace of pistols (about ten inches long in the barrel), and loaded them with great care and deliberation. His comrades followed his example, and loaded their pieces with powder, and whatever materials suited their purpose.

It was just as the public business of the Mansion-house was on the point of commencing, that the Lord Mayor received information of a riotous party having separated from the meeting in Spa-fields, and advanced towards the city. The Lord Mayor and Sir James Shaw immediately set out to meet them; expecting to find the constables at Guildhall, but they were not there. The Lord Mayor then proceeded with only four men; and when they got to Lad-lane, heard the mob were gone to the Mansion-house; they retired at a quick pace, and found the rioters had passed the Old Jewry. His Lordship and his small party went into Princes-street, where they heard reports of several muskets which were fired in the air. The mob, after they left Mr. Beckwith's, proceeded up Newgatestreet, well armed with guns and pistols: here they attacked a large bacon shop, demolished several panes of glass, took some batter, cheese. &c. and wounded a boy in the face with shot, which they fired ont of the shop. They then passed through Cheapside, loading and firing their pieces as they went along. Their numbers were about two hundred:-fifty or sixty of which were armed. The Lord Mayor, who was still in search, could not get before them until their arrival at the Exchange, when his name was mentioned as being very active, and he was instantly greeted with the shouts of the multitade. This approbation had no effect upon his Lordship's conduct. For seeing them turn into Sweeting's-alley, close to the Royal Exchange, he entered that place at the southern side, and the mob not being able to setreat through so narrow a lane, several

entered through necessity by the eastern door of the Exchange. By this time directions had been given to close all the gates leading out of the exchange; and three men with arms, having on them the name of Beckwith, were taken into custody. Sir James Shaw seized the colours; the Lord Mayor took the arms from one man, and Mr. White from another. Mr. Favell and Mr. Hicks of Cheapside, who had accidentally come up, assisted them in securing the men and lodg ing them in the Exchange. The remainder of the insurgents became exceedingly furious on learning the capture of their com rades and their banners; and not being able to force the Exchange gates, they raised each other upon their shoulders, and fired over the top of the gates at the Lord Mayor and his party, whilst others fired under the gates. Before the gates were closed, they levelled their muskets, and two of them fired at the Lord Mayor. His lordship held the man whom he had taken into custody directly opposite to the rioters, and told them to fire. A proper force was then sta tioned in the Exchange, it being appre hended that the party would return to seek their arms, and to rescue their companions. They now proceeded to the Minories, where the gun-makers had been apprised of their proceedings, and bad shut up their shops, and secured them in the inside. The insurgents, however, would not be disappointed; the leader with the butt-end of his gun, broke in the fan-light above the door of Mr. Brander's shop, through which a sailor with a chip-hat contrived to crawl, and in this manner they all gained admittance. They carried off several muskets, fowling-pieces, pistols, besides a four-pound carronade, and a brass swivel, One of these was afterwards seized and lodged in the Mansionbouse. Happily they did not look into a storehouse belonging to Mr. Brander, which contained at least three thousand stand of arms. They were about to depart from the Minories, when it was supposed that more arms, as well as powder, could be had at Mr. Rea's, the gunsmith's, a few doors distant. Mr. Rea had also made his premises as secure as he could: but they broke in the pannels of the doors and windows. At this place they were joined by a man on horseback, who took a lead in the direction of their proceedings. A man also who had the appearance of a countryman, and was armed with a pistol and a sword, led them from shop to shop. Mr. Rea, apprehensive for his life, took shelter on the roof of the house; but even there he was not out of the reach of possible danger, for the moh ransacked every corner of the shop and house in search of powder with lighted candles. None, however, was found here, or at Mr. Brander's; and they were therefore obliged to leave the Miniories in great disappointment. They entirely destroyed all the windows and window-frames in the

house of both these tradesmen. Some silver, spoons, wearing apparel, and other moveables, were carried off from Mr. Rea's. At Messrs. Potts and Co.'s, they fired into the shop over the fan-light. The shopmen had shut up the shop, and secured the door; but, the assailants, threatening to shoot the person, who had the care of it, if he did not permit, them to enter, they gained admittance, and seized guns, pistols, swords, and arms of every description. They also made a des perate attack upon the premises of Mr. Wilson, where the lodgment of arms and ammunition was immense; but were defeated in their purpose, chiefly by their own, blundering and violence. By this time a mob of five thousand persons were assem bled, but not a man or a boy aided the party, in any of their lawless proceedings. The rioters next took the direction of Aldgate; hat, when at the top of the Minories, the party divided, one half pursuing their way up Houndsditch, and the other the road to Mile-end. Those who took the former, route met a party of the 9th dragoons, and, instantly abandoned their heavy metal, and, took to their heels;, the soldiers came up with them, and they surrendered their small, arms without resistance. The party which took the Whitechapel-road were also pur.. sued; and those who escaped the cavalry, were attacked by, the butchers, and compelled to give up, their arms. After the guards bad come up in the Minories, a man in the mob levelled a blunderbuss al one of the soldiers in particular, at the same time declating his intention; but he missed his aim, and the ball entered the neck of the rider's horse. An attempt was instantly made by one of the crowd to secure him;, but he fought hard, and was ultimately res cued. Several of the soldiers received, slight blows of stones and brick-bats, while others were occasionally saluted with offal and mud. But the troops bore these insults with much forbearance.

The mob remained in the Minories an. hour and a quarter, breaking open and plundering shops and houses without the slightest interruption, and the main body had left the scene of their depredations before either the military or civil officers were able to make their appearance. The same want of information left them unmolested in their parade down Threadneedle-street, Bishopsgate-street, Hound-ditch, and Whitechapel. An application was indeed made to the Tower for assistance, which, if granted, might have immediately quelled the riot; but the officer on guard did not think himself warranted to comply with the request, as he had not received any orders on the subject.

About half past five the mob proceeded along Leadenhall-street into Aldgate, where a party of the 1st Life-guards, under Lien-, tenant Terry, came up; upon which the mob, many of whom were armed, stopped,

and the first line of them, presenting theis pieces, fired at the troops. None, however, were wounded-a ball struck one horse. Lieutenant Terry then charged the mob, one of whom had his head cut by a chop from the sword of a guardsman. The mob retired into the cattle-pens in Whitechapel, and were preparing to fire musketry, &c. on the soldiers, when Lieutenant Terry imme diately dismounted several of his men, and pursued them into the peas. The soldiers had their carbines, which they loaded, and on the word "Present!" being given, the mob fled, leaving about one hundred muskets behind. Twenty of the mob were secured by the military, and the whole were completely put to rout. One of the mobi made a dash at Lieutenant Terry's bridle but he spurred on his horse, dragged on the man, and delivered him to a City officer, from whom he escaped.

The effect of the seizure of the arms at: Mr. Beckwith's was like that of an electric shock; it was felt almost all over London with incredible speed. Exaggerated and, most frightful reports were rapidly cirenlated in the vicinity; and the shopkeepers of: Snow-hill, Holborn-hill, Fleet-market, Ludgate-hill, the Old Bailey, and Newgatestreet, put up their shutters, withdrew their goods, and made fast their doors, under the expectation of being assailed by sanguinaryand irresistible mobs, who were said to be plundering various parts of the metropolis.

The previous report of the seizure of fire-arms, and the authenticated fact of a man being, shot, increased the dread; and all places of business in the great thoroughfares of the City, and their vicinity in every disection, were shut up in the course of ten minutes. The banking-houses in Lombardstreet and Cornbill were closed, and the clerks armed. All business both public and private was suspended, not only in the City, but in the Strand, and several other streets in Westminster: the Inns of Court had their gates closed.

A considerable military force had been called forth for the protection of the dif ferent public buildings. An extra guard was placed over Newgate; the Bank and the Public offices were all strongly guarded; and the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs were at the Mansion-house, ready to receive the different reports from those sent out to watch. In the King's Bench prison, a strong body of cavalry and infantry was placed within the outer wall; there was also a company of the guards in the Poultry comp ter: but none of the persons in any of the prisons, under previous confinement, evinced the least disposition to refractory conduct.— At the Tower the strictest regulations were adopted: from the first opening of the Tower gates, measures were taken for the safety of the stores, and to repel any attack that might be made.-About one o'clock the mob approached the Minories. The:

drums in the Tower beat to arms, the gates were all closed, the draw-bridges raised, and the guns upon the different batteries commanding Tower-hill were loaded. A message was received by the resident governor, Major Elrington, from the Lord Mayor, to apprise him of the state of affairs in the City. He had, for the special protection of the fortress, the Coldstream regiment of Guards, and Royal-artillery; the men of which were under arms until all alarm had ceased. The Ordnance labourers were mustered and equipped with belts, cartouches, and firelocks, and paraded on the glacis. All the male inhabitants of the Tower, able to bear arms, were also in readiness, and no person was admitted into the place, but upon special business, and after a minute inquiry. Many of the gunmakers in the eastern part of the town sent their arms to the Tower for protection, where, it is said, they were refused admission.-After the affair at the Exchange and Minories, a Lieutenant's party of the Lifeguards arrived at the west end of Cheapside; and after them the whole of the 9th dragoons, with the exception of one troop of lancers left at the Queen's riding-house: about three o'clock this troop was also sent for. The regiment halted in Cornhill, the people flying before them. A party of horse was afterwards stationed in the Minories, to protect the arms and valuable shops in that quarter. At the instance of the Lord Mayor, the inhabitants of the several wards pressed forward to be sworn in as special constables; and in Candlewick ward alone more than one half of the householders were enrolled in less than an hour. It is supposed that several thousands were, upon the whole, sworn in; and, among others the members of Lloyd's and the Stock Exchange.-One of the Life-guards was very much hurt, about six o'clock, in Snow-hill, by the mob, which he was endeavouring to separate. He was carried to his quarters in a dangerous state.-At eight in the evening there were not more people in the streets than may usually be seen at eleven. At the Mansion-house, at ten o'clock, the ward-constables, the patroles, and the marshals made their reports, quiet." Detachments of the horse and foot guards, the 9th light dragoons, &c. were still drawn up before the Mansion-house; but there was no assembly of persons beyond that which the sight of the troops might create. Every thing was perfectly quiet in Westminster at the same hour. The Lord Mayor, the Marshals, &c. paraded the streets of the City the greatest part of the night, and visited the different watchhouses. At two o'clock in the morning, sball parties of cavalry were parading the Strand; and a strong corps of police officers remained at Bow-street, ready to attend when called on, but every thing wore the appearance of complete tranquillity

" All

A party of the life-guards did duty in the Old Bailey during the whole night. This regulation was in order to prevent any attempt which might be made to liberate the prisoners. No disorder, however, of any sort occurred.—The City was well farnished with soldiers, both horse and foot: the horse paraded all parts of the metropolis during the evening and the night, and preserved order every where.-The Bank and East-India-house were provided with sufficient force to repel any attack; and the City Militia kept watch in the Royal Exchange. The Lord Mayor's personal exertions were beyond all commendation. The most active officer could not keep pace with the rapidity with which he moved from one quarter of danger or apprehension to another.-Several of the Aldermen conti nued to sit at the Mansion-house during the whole of the evening.

The following notification was circula ted from Lord Sidmouth's office, through the country, by means of the Post-office:"London Dec. 2, 1816.

“Exaggerated accounts will probably reach the country of what is going on here: The most effectual means, civil and military, are taken by Government to prevent mis chief; and the same vigilance and activity, if there should be any appearance of disturbance in the country, will doubtless produce the same good effects."

Throughout the whole of the next day (Tuesday) all was peace and order in the City. A few troops remained in the neighbourhood of the Mansion-house, in case of necessity, or for the purpose of conveying dispatches between the offices of the other Magistrates, or that of the Secretary of State, with whom the Lord Mayor had frequent communications. But the soldiers were removed from the Bank and Royal Exchange; and there were only a few of the guards stationed near Towerbill.

Mr. Platt's deposition, taken before a magistrate, states, that on the 2d of Dec., at half-past twelve o'clock, he went to the shop of Mr. Beckwith, a gun-smith, int Skinner street, to speak about the repair of the lock of his gun. As he was quitting the shop, a young man appeared at the door with a pistol in his hand. He entered the shop, crying out, “Arms! arms! I want arms!" He cocked his pistol, and presented it to Mr. Platt, who attempted to seize his' arm, but failed. He then presented a pistol at Mr. Platt's belly, fired it, and the ball entered near the navel. He then attempted to strike Mr. Platt with the butt end of the pistol; but Mr. Platt seized him, and the pistol either fell to the ground of was taken from him by Mr. Beckwith's man. Mr. Plait exclaimed, "This man must be secured!" and, placing himself near the door, desired the person who had fired the pistol to retire into a back shop

er counting-house, into which he followed him. Mr. Platt said to him, You have shot me." "Oh !" exclaimed he, "I am a misled young man. I have been to Spafields. Send for a surgeon-I am a surgeon myself." And he desired a constable, who had now arrived, to empty his pockets, to shew his lancet. "These," said be," will convince you I am a surgeon." He wrung bis bands, bit his hat, and frequently exclaimed, "Oh! I am a misled young man!" -Mr. Platt asked him, whether the pistol was loaded with a ball or slug? He answered, "I do not know." A person said, in an angry tone, “You must know which it was loaded with-was not it a ball?" He said, "I believe it was."-Mr. Platt, the youth who fired the pistol, and several other persons, remained in the countinghouse for nearly a quarter of an hour, when the mob broke into the shop, and Mr. Platt was obliged to make his escape over a wall at the back of the house. He went to the house of Mr. Barnard, a printer, where Mr. Beveridge, a surgeon in Newgate-street, first saw him, and took him to his countryhouse at Brixton.

After the Watsons and their lawless associates had left the original scene of action, Mr. Hunt arrived in a tandem at five, minutes before one, and was received with the greatest applauses. He soon after entered the public house; and, taking his station at the window he formerly occupied, proposed that Mr. Clark should take the @hair.

Mr. W. Clarke, the, former chairman, being called to the chair, said, that as this, was an adjourned meeting, it was unneces-, sary for him to read any advertisement to them. He had only to recommend them to be orderly and peaceable, as that meeting was called not for the purpose of rioting, but for that of asserting their justs rights as Englishmen; and those who were urged on by the spies and informers among them to be guilty of any outrage must be considered as enemies to the cause.

Mr. Hunt then proceeded to address the meeting at great length; and concluded by reading his proposed resolutions.

He then announced, that the gentleman who was coming forward to second them, was a Mr. Hayden, of Wigmore-street, Cavendish-square.

Mr. Hayden said, that after the very able speech the meeting had just heard, it would not be necessary for him to enter into the general merits of the Resolutions, or to Occupy much of their time. There was however one thing in which he differed from Mr. Hunt; viz, as to the mode in which they sbould petition parliament. It might be thought novel, but in his opinion it was the best way in which they could act, instead of sending one petition signed by them all, to go to their respective bomes, and each individual draw up a petition for himself,

expressing and praying for redress of those public grievances under which he laboured, This would do away that calumny which bad been so industriously circulated-that the petitions which had already been agreed to, owed their origin to the evil influence of inflammatory statements. Each man should draw up and send in his own Petition, and by this means let the Government know, that it was to individual feeling, and vot to any faction, the complaints were to be attri buted If 40, or 50.000 such Petitions were. presented (and so many might be sent from the present meeting), no one would hereaf ter dare to call the individuals who sent them a set of ignorant ragamuffins. The minister would then tremble, and the redress they required they would quickly obtain. [Applause.]

The Resolutions were then read by the Chairman, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Hunt again came forward, and put a Petition to the House of Commons into the hands of the Chairman who read it to the meeting; and which was seconded. by Mr. Waddington, a man who was well. known to the public-a gentleman who had devoted a great part of his life in opposing that war, and those other ruinous measures, from whence the present distresses had arisen.

Mr. Waddington observed, that he had been most anxious to second the Petition. He thought it an honour to address so res pectable a meeting. He had been present at public assemblies of the people in the revolutions of America, of France, of Portugal; but so numerous, so orderly, so well-conducted an assembly, he never before witnessed, as that which he had thea the honour of addressing. After a long speech of very extraneous matter, Mr. W. concluded by seconding the Petition.

Mr. Allprice, of Abergavenny, said, that with respect to the question of signing the Petition, he hoped five acres of parch ment would not be sufficient. He expressed. himself a well-wisher to the cause of bis countrymen; and assured the meeting, that their sentiments would be regarded. would subscribe one pound towards defraying the expense of purchasing parchment, and hoped many others would follow his example.

He

The question on the Petition was then put, and carried with acclammations.

Mr. Hunt then said, the next question to be considered was, how the Petition was to be carried to the House, If he had been so unfortunate as to have a seat in that Honourable House-if he had been so far disgraced as to be obliged to associate with such company, he should deem the carrying up the Petition to be the highest honour that could be conferred upon him. But as he could not have this honour, he wished to recommend to their notice a man who was. labouring under the iron hand of oper