PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JOHN FENNO, No. 69, HIGH-STREET, BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD STREETS, PHII.A DELPHI \ [No. 41, of Vol. lII.] Saturday, September 17, 1791. LONDON. TO put the public in pofleffion of every fact relative to the late riots at Birmingham, we find ourselves under the necelfity of giving Them that inflammatory and treasonable hand-bill which vvas circulated by the Preibyterian party 011 Wednesday last, in tiie following words: ' My Cnuntrymtn ' The second year of Gallic Liberty is nearly expired ; at the commencement of the third, on the 14th of this month, it is devoutly to be wifli ed that every enemy to civil and religious des potism, would give his fantftion to the majestic common cause, by public celebration of the an- niverfary ' Remember, that on the 14th of July, the Baf tile, that high altar and callle of despotism fell ! ' Remember the cnthufiafin, peculiar to the cause of liberry, with which it was attacked! ' Remember that generous humanity that taught the opprefled groaning under the weight of intuited rights, to save the lives of the op prellors ! ' Extinguish the mean prejudices of nations ! and let your numbers be collei r (ed, and Cent as a free-will offering to the National Aflembly. ' But, is it polfible to forget that your parlia ment is venal-, your ininifter hypocritical; your clergy legal oppreflors ; the reigning family ex travagant ; the crown of a great peilbriage 100 weighty for the head that wears it; too weighty for the people who gave it; vour taxes partial and opprelfive ; your representatives a venal junto upon the sacred rights of property, religion and freedom. ' But on tlic 14th of this month prove to the fycoph.mts of the day, that you reverence the Olive Branch ; that you will facrifice to public tranquillity till the majority ill ai I exclaim— ' The pcace of /hue rj is worse than the War cj Freidom!—of the clay let Tyrants beware!' Can any man of honest principles—can any loyal fubjecft—can even the boldelt of our anti ministerial senators read this without fiiudderinji at the dreadful scene it was meant to realize : — Rebellion is featured on its countenance—and Republicanism centered in its bosom. Hewho withes to defend his property —he who loved the Conllituiion under which that property flourifli ed—muft no doubt have taken the aiarm at so darinj; a libel against all that was dear to Eng lifhinen. The public however was determined before they proceeded to violence, to have fomefurther proof of the intention of (hole Conimeinoratioii ftlen. This hand-bill might be a forgery—or might be an infidiou* scheme to raise a mob far the purpose of plunder ; —they therefore waited till they heard what was said at table—how the political complexion of the company would ma liifett itfelf—and whether any thing more than a mere scene of commemoration conviviality was intended. They had indeed their suspicions, and these fulpicions, after the fir ft course, were realised, by the following toall being drank : " DESTRUCTION TO THE PRESENT GO VERNMENT—AND THE KING's HEAD UPON A CHARGER." The inhabitants, and they were almost to a man refpe«siable house-keepers and manufatfiur ers, who waited outiide the Hotel to watch the motions of the revolutionists within, no sooner ■was this treasonable toast made known to tlieni, than Loyalty fwift as lightning fliot through their minds, and a kind of eledrical patrjotifm animated them to instant vengeance. They rulh ed into this conventicle of treason, and befoie the second course was well laid upon the table, broke the windows and glafles, pelted and ini'uli ed these modern reformers, and obliged tliem to seek for fafety in an immediate flight. By eight o'clock, upwards of two thoufancl persons were collected ; their fir ft a<ft was to break all the windows of the hotel—they then proceeded to Dr. Priestley's new meeting house, which they Siortly con fumed—ihe old meeting houfc became next the objecft of their fury, and shared the fame fate. Irritated by one another against the Dilienters,tbey determined (una voce) todeftroy Dr. Priestley's dwelling-houle at Pair hill, one mile from Birmingham. It according ly was beset about midnight, and before ten o'clock, the following morning, was entirely de July 19 inoliilietl. We lament to hear his library and elaboratory, with ail Ills phiiofophical aparatus, were confunied, as well as every other article in the house. The Dr. was apprised of their in rentions in time to escape with his family to a house in the neighborhood. Oil Friday morn ing nine persons were found dead in the ftieers, and several others have been dangeronlly wound ed, by the falling of lioufes, &c. &c. At York, Manchester, Derby, Bristol, and some other places where the Revolutioniits aflembled on the 14th in It. the populace {hewed ttrong in clination to rile, but were prevented by the pre cautions taken by the magistrates. RIOTS A-T BIRMINGHAM. Friday Evening, "July 15. This Jay, afrer the 1110b had completed the deltrucftion of Dr. Priestley's house and tory, by fire, and also his garden, the Eail of Aylesford, and fume oilier gentlemen, led a great part of the rioters from Sparkbrook 10 Birming ham, in hopes of difperling them, but without effect A great number, about one o'clock, afTembled round the eleganr man lion of Mr. John Ryland (formerly the residence of Mr. Baikerville, the celebrated printer) which had lately been en larged and beautified at great expence. The most foorhing means were adopted to make them desist—money was even offered them to induce them to retire, but to 110 purpose ; for, firft ex haufling the contents of the cellar, they then set fire to the house ar.d furniture. The conflagra tion was dreadful ! About half past three, the inhabitants were summoned by the bell-man to afTemble in the New Church yard ; two Magistrates attended in an adjacent room, and swore in several hundred constables, composed of every description of in habitants, wl)o marched away to disperse the rioters, who were employed in the deltriic-'tion of Mr. Ryland's house. On entering the \va\ls which surrounded the house, then all in a blaze, a most dreadful con flict took place, in which it is iiupoffible to after tain the number of the wounded. The conita bles were attacked with such a fhow'erof stones and brick bats as it was iiupollible to refill. The iiote:s then poilefling themselves of some of the bludgeons, the constables were entirely defeated, many of them being much wounded ; one per son was killed, but of which party it is not yet known. The rnob being now victorious, and heated with liquor, every thing was to be dreaded, they began and soon effected the deflrutSion of Mr. Hutton's house, in the Higli-ltreet, plundering it of all its property. From thence they proceeded to the feat of John Taylor, Esq. banker. There, five hun dred poundi were offered them to desist, but to no purpose, for they immediately set fire to that beautiful mansion, which, together with its su perb furniture, stables, offices, green lioufe, hot honfe, &c. are reduced to a heap of ruins. This day the following hand bill was circula ted among the people : Birmingham, July 16, 1791 Friends and Fell'jiv Countrymen ! It is earneltly requested, that every truefriend to the Church of England, and to the Laws ef his Country, will refleJt how much a continu ance of the present proceedings moil; injure that church and that king they are intended to sup port ; and how highly unlawful it is to destroy the rights and properties of any of our neigh bors. And all true friends to the town and trade of Birmingham in particular, are entreated to forbear immediately from all riotous and violent proceedings, dispersing and returning peaceably to their trades and callings, as the only way to do credit to themselves anil their cause, and to promote the peace, happiness, and prosperity of this great and flourifhing to\vn. God SAVK THE KING ! J. Charles E. Finch R, Spencer Robert Lawley H. Gefwold I.ewis Robert Lawley, jun. Charles Curtis R. Moland Spencer Madan Edward Carver W. Villets. John Brooke Twelve o'clock at r.oon. The hand-bill has not produced the salutary effeifts which were wished. 161 HHS O [Whole No. 249.] This moment Mr. Button's country-house, a bout two miles from Birmingham, is 011 fire.' Eight o'clock in the Evtniug. The rioters are now demolishing the bearitiful house of Mr. George Humphrey's, and that of William liutfel, Elq. a Utile further on in the Oxford road. Ihe Ihops are still kept fliut up, and 110 military are yet arrived—dreadful de predations are expected in the course of This night ! The remains of several poor wretche* who had got drunk, and were burnt to death in- Mr. Ryland's cellar, have been dug out ; one so much burnt, that he was recognized only by the buckle in one of his shoes ; what could be collecfted of his remains have been jull taken a way in a basket. Another has been brought frdni the ruins of Dr. PrielHey's house, who is fuppol ed to have been killed by a fall of some of tba buildings. The people who demoiifhed Mr. Humphrey's house, laboured in as cool and orderly a manner as if they had been employed by the owner at so much per day. Sunday, eleven o'clock In the mortiing. No military vet arrived. Last night the peo ple of Birmingham were trembling fpetftators of the tremendous conflagration of Mofley Hall,the property of John i aylor, Esq. but in the occupa tion of Lady Carhampton. About two this morning a most aweful scene presented itfelf J four dreadful fires within a mile of each other ! Ic is certain that the house of William Rufiell, Esq. and that of Mr. Hawks, of Mofley, have shared the fate of Mofley Hall. The gaols have been broke open, and all the prisoners liberated. Another express arrived in London lad night, states, that between Sunday night and Monday morning, a parry of the military had arrived ; that notwithrtanding their exertions to Hop the diftnrbances, the rioters had made a very formi dable opposition, and killed many; that num bers having been soldiers, and in the pofleflion of fire-arms, the troops had fnffered a repulse ; but that having received a considerable reinforce ment, they were about to rally and to renew their attacks against the mal-conter.ts, who w#re actu ated by the greatest fury. July 20. By the Coach of La ft Night. It gives us particular plenfure to announce to the public, that peace isreftored to Birmingham, the tumult having ftibfidecl on .\unday night in that town, from which the mob had gone in a large body towards Worcestershire early in the morning. It was beiieved that a party of them was gone in pursuit of Dr. Prieltly. By a private letter from Birmingham, received yesterday morning, we are informed, that Dr. Priestly only Caved himfelf from the fury of th« mob by half an hour's notice. That his plate had been previously sent off to a friend's house, and that this and a pi ivate box of manufcripis are all he has saved of his property. The Insurgents of Birmingham had made a gridiron of i mmenfefize, which they brought to Dr. Prieftley'shoufe, where they said they meant to broil an Anti-constitutional Philosopher by the blaze of his own wri.ings, and light the fire with the Rights ot Man.—Mr. Paine's next pamphlet is to be called the Wrongs of Man—it is to be an inflammatory composition on the ruin of his friend Priestley. The French nobility in this country are in high spirits on the return of affairs in France, which they deem favorable to the Royal cause, and they every where uxprefs the mod certain hopes, that the counter-revolution will be fuc cefsful. Jiight hundred French officers have offered to etilift as volunteers in the counter-revolution ar my. The large ptircliafe of liorfes fop the counter revolutionilts has railed the price of that animal to an excessive degree. A jew of the name of Caulln, ha* contracted to furnifh uniforms for ij,ooo men, includin" 3000 huflars. The King of Spain's letter to the National As sembly, or rather to the people of France, mean# in nch more than " meet* the ear." It it mo de rate indeed in its feletftion of word* ; but it is a moderation with an If!
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