Policing the Gate
The Times, Tuesday, Feb 13, 1827
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" 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 police 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.
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" 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 police 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.