| Citation |
NHG-P.780.005
2 Sep 1780:22,23,31,32 (1245)
A vessel arrived in an out-port from Europe since our last.
A gentleman who came in here has favored us with an Irish
paper, of June 13, in which is the following particular
account of the proceedings of a very numerous body of
Protestants in England, on account of some late acts of the
British Parliament, relative to the Roman Catholics of that
Kingdom.
London, June 2, 3, 5, & 6. Monday evening the meeting of
the Protestant Association was held at Coach maker's hall,
pursuant to public advertisement. At half past six o'clock
the hall was quite full, and exceedingly crouded. Lord
George Gordon took the chair exactly at seven and in a
nervous & elegant speech, addressed the meeting for near
half an hour. His Lordship observed that the Popish Bill
was carried through both Houses of Parliament with such
amazing rapidity, that the people had not time to form an
opposition, or make themselves acquainted with the
pernicious consequences that must attend its passing into a
law. That the indulgence given to popery by the repeal of
the act of William the third was in consistent with the
principles of the Revolution had a tendency to endanger the
succession in the House of Hanover, and threatened
destruction to the civil and religious liberty of the
country.
. . . [66 lines summarizing the speech and describing a
larger gathering the next day]
During the speech made by his Lordship, the crowd, in
their desire of hearing and seeing; pressed so closely
around him, that partly with the heat of the day, and partly
with the largeness of their number, his Lordship was near
being suffocated. The throng being then removed to a little
farther distance his Lordship marched them in four different
bodies, according to their four divisions of London,
Westminster, Southwark, and Scotland, three or four times
round the fields, after which his Lordship left them,
proceeding in his carriage over Westminster Bridge to the
House of Commons, in order to be at hand there, to present
the petition when brought up.
The Committee with several other members of the society,
went the same way. The rest, amounting to at least 50,000
men, took their route over London Bridge, marching in
tolerable order, and very quietly, about six or eight in a
rank, through Cornhill, Cheapside, &c. towards Westminster,
following their respective banners, on which was written the
name of the division, with the words "No Popery," and other
labels expressive of the business of the day. Each
petitioner also wore a blue cockade in his hat, some of
which were ornamented with gold and silver; and many
likewise had printed labels affixed to them of the same
tenour with those of the banner.
At the head of the Scotch division, a Highlander marched
in his country dress, with his sword drawn, and followed by
a pair of bagpipes.
. . . [7 lines, 61 lines describing how the march gradually
turned violent]
The mob twice attempted to force their way into the House
of Commons, and it was with difficulty the members got
either in or out. They attempted also the House of Lords,
but by the excellent management of Sir Francis Molyneux, and
the exertions of the door keepers, were kept out. . . [32
lines] Yet did not their rage stop here. At night the
Sardinian chapel was forcibly entered, the benches, and
other moveables, carried out into the streets and burnt, and
the inside with the organ, and a picture which cost 2000 L
destroyed. The like was done to another chapel in Warwick
street, and to two others in different parts of the town.
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