In
November, 1830, Earl Grey, a Whig,
became Prime Minister. Grey explained to William
IV that he intended to introduce proposals that would get rid
of some of the rotten boroughs. Grey also
planned to give Britain's fast growing industrial towns such as Manchester,
Birmingham, Bradford
and Leeds, representation in the House of
Commons.
In April 1831 Grey asked William IV
to dissolve Parliament so that the Whigs could secure a larger majority
in the House of Commons. Grey explained
this would help his government to carry their proposals for parliamentary
reform. William agreed to Grey's request and after making his speech
in the House of Lords, decided to walk
back through cheering crowds to Buckingham
Palace.
After Lord Grey's election victory, he tried again to introduce parliamentary
reform. On 22nd September 1831, the House of
Commons passed the Reform Bill. However,
the Tories still dominated the House of Lords,
and after a long debate the bill was defeated. When people heard the
news, riots took place in several British towns.
One of the most serious disturbances took place in Bristol.
Although the city had been represented in the House
of Commons since 1295, by 1830 just over 6,000 of the 104,000
population had the vote. On 31st October 1831, a large crowd protested
against the decision of the House of Lords
to defeat the Reform Act by burning down
100 houses, including the Bishop's Palace, the Custom House and the
Mansion House. The mob looted and burnt unpopular citizens' houses
and released prisoners from the gaols. The Dragoons attacked the crowd
and hundreds were killed and severely wounded.
The Dragoons attacking the crowd at Bristol
on 31st October, 1831.
(1)
Journal of Charles Greville, Clerk of the Privy Council.
11th November, 1832: The country was beginning to slumber after the
fatigues of Reform, when it was rattled up by the business of Bristol,
which for brutal ferocity and wanton, unprovoked violence may vie
with some of the worst scenes of the French Revolution, and may act
to damper to our national pride. The spirit of which produced these
atrocities was generated by Reform, but no pretext was afforded for
their actual commission; it was a premature outbreaking of the thirst
for plunder, and longing after havoc and destruction, which is the
essence of Reform in the mind of the mob. The details are ample, and
to be met with everywhere; nothing could exceed the ferocity of the
populance, the imbecility of the magistracy, or the good conduct of
the troops. More punishment was inflicted by them than has been generally
known, and some hundreds were killed or severely wounded by the sabre.
One body of dragoons pursued a rabble of colliers into the country,
and covered the fields and roads with the bodies of wounded wretches,
making a severe example of them. In London there would probably have
been a great uproar and riot, but fortunately Melbourne, who was frightened
to death at the Bristol affair, gave Lord Hill and Fitzroy Somerset
carte blanche, and they made such a provision of military force
in addition to the civil power that the malcontents were paralysed.
(2)
Lord Ellenborough, diary, (31st October, 1831)
In the course of the day I heard that the mob had fired from the windows
on the occasion of Sir C. wetherall's entrance into Bristol and killed
seven of the 14th Dragoons. The subsequent account was that 65 houses
were burnt, and the firing was going on when the coach came away.
This is the most serious event which has occurred. I fear there are
very few troops at Bristol.
At20 minutes after 10 I received a note from Mr. Edwards who is in
Cheltenham, in reply to my enquiry respecting the latest news from
Bristol. The worst seems to be past. The citizens are forming themselves
into a guard to protect property - but 100 houses have been burnt,
amongst these the Bishop's Place, the Customs House, the Mansion House
and the three prisons. The reports from Bath are not favourable. An
inn there has been nearly demolished. The crisis is arrived.
(3)
Reverand J. L. Jackson, letter to C. B. Wollaston (31st October, 1831)
During the whole of Saturday Bristol was in a state of considerable
ferment from the arrival of Sir. C. Wetherall, the Recorder. In the
evening the multitude assembled before the Mansion House in Queen
Square, and smashed the windows by a volley of stones in the front
of the building. Yesterday morning when I was going to Bristol to
serve the church of a friend, I learnt that the populace had actually
broken into the Mansion House, and forced the cellars and were destroying
and gutting the house. Three individuals were killed by the soldiers
and more wounded. In the afternoon we heard the multitude was assembled
in much greater masses, and about four o'clock we saw the new City
and County Gaol in flames; afterwards the Bridewell and prison in
the Gloucester Road, about a mile from Bristol. In the course of the
evening Queen's Square was fired and the Bishop's palace. Of Queen's
Square two whole sides have been burnt down, including the Mansion
House. Other property to an immense amount is also destroyed. This
morning an actual slaughter has taken place; it is supposed, though
of course nothing precise can be known at present, that about seventy
persons have been killed, besides a large who have been wounded. The
military charged through some of the principal streets, cutting right
and left.
(4)
Reverend J. L. Jackson, letter to C. B. Wollaston (Ist November, 1831)
The magistrates, police, and constables were wholly inefficient. It
is a fact that the Bishop's palace was plundered and fired by not
more than ten men and a rabble of mere boys. Just as I am closing
my letter I hear that two more fires occurred last night, and that
they would certainly have been multiplied but for the presence of
the military. Of course reports will be exaggerated, but may God preserve
us. Our wretched Ministers have raised a storm which, I fear, it will
not be in their power to direct or control.
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