Feb 13 1827 Carlisle Police - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Feb 13 1827 Carlisle Police

The Times, Tuesday, Feb 13, 1827; pg. 4; Issue 13201; col A

                               CARLISLE POLICE.
                                     --------------
                            (From the Carlisle Journal.)

A head constable arrived hither on Saturday last, in the person of Mr. Benjamin
BATTY, of Manchester, to superintend the newly formed police of this city; and
his superior tact in the intricacies and manoeuvrings of police government bids
fair, we understand, quickly to quell our causes of complaint, without being too
ready to set the town in a blaze. He has had rather an unpleasant beginning. On
Saturday and Monday he was engaged in dividing the town into different
departments or districts; and completed the formation of a greater part; the
town to be divided into 15, and the neighbourhood of Caldewgate into three. On
Tuesday he was proceeding in his plans in Shaddongate, being accompanied by
George PALMER, the constable, who went with him to show him the town, when, just
as he was proceeding down Milburn's-buildings, a few stones were sent after them
by some boys. Mr. BATTY turning round, and observing them ready for another
fire, good-humouredly begged them to desist, "for (said he) we have only come to
look at the place, nothing more." A mob very soon collected, and at the earnest
desire of Mr. STORY, grocer, Mr. BATTY and George PALMER (the latter having
received very severe blows on the back part of his head and other parts of his
body), took refuge in that gentleman's house. Hundreds of "Shaddongaters" (the
very term) soon collected together. Old wives' reports flew about as usual, that
they had proceeded to rebellion, and, in short, for two hours business was at a
stand, and the town in complete dismay. Eight constables went down to the place
of action to rescue the voluntary captives; but no sooner were they observed to
be peace officers, than a volley of stones proved the welcome they were to
expect. To attempt further progress would be madness, so the constables
returned, and signified the utter impossibility of their force rendering the
police-officer any assistance. At this time the whole neighbourhood was in a
blaze of fearful expectation; the military were ordered out, and an awful
suspense indeed pervaded the multitude. Things remained in this state for about
three quarters of an hour, without any further disturbance or any diminution of
dismay. At length a party of the 5th Dragoons came down, with swords drawn;
these were followed by a detachment of the 90th Foot, followed by six or eight
artillery-men, the whole under the command of Colonel BIRRELL, of the 90th. They
proceeded in fearful array into Shaddongate, and the moment the crowd found this
determined course was pursued, they fled, and Mr. BATTY, thinking it high time
now to come to some conclusion, walked out of Mr. STORY's. In a short time the
military returned to their several homes.

Since Tuesday, special constables have been sworn in in abundance. Scarcely a
respectable individual in the town but is now on the alert. And the simple fact
that warrants were out against the ringleaders, but could not be executed,
savours of rebellion.

A watch is kept by the military in Caldewgate; and nine privates, sergeant,
corporal, and bugleman, are placed nightly as a guard.

FRIDAY. - Last evening, upwards of a hundred special constables were sworn in,
in the presence of Dr. HEYSHAM; and nearly all the householders in the town were
summoned to attend at the Coffee-house this morning, at 10 o'clock, where they
were also sworn in, and desired to attend at two o'clock; when they are to
proceed down to Shaddongate to take into custody some of the ringleaders
concerned in the disturbances on Tuesday last. In Caldewgate, and on the
bridges, four of the cavalry are stationed, together with a detachment of the
90th Foot, three of whom are placed as sentinels, to prevent the escape of the
ringleaders.

FOUR O'CLOCK P. M. - The following seven, all young men, have just been taken
prisoners by the superintendent of police, assisted by special constables, and
all lodged in the House of Correction for examination. They were captured
without much difficulty: - Robert ARMSTRONG, James HESLOP, John SHACKLEY,Thomas MATTHEWS, John CROMWELL, William MENDHAM, and Francis DORAN. The military remain on their stations.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. - Half-past Four. - There are now four dragoons, and thirty
privates of the 90th Foot, and some artillery men, on duty in Caldewgate,
besides one sergeant, two corporals, and a lieutenant. They are to continue
there all night. The neighbourhood appears peaceable at present. The military
were provided with between 30 and 40 rounds of ball cartridge; and the Colonel
was there to give orders to the bugleman, in case of necessity, to sound to
arms, as a signal to the rest of the infantry, who were in readiness under arms
in the Castle.

QUARTER TO FIVE. - In addition to the above, the following five have just been
taken into custody: - Daniel M'CRORY, John MURRAY, Thomas WITTEY, William FRILL, and George DALSTON.