The full particulars of the late riots

THB

Fnll Paptic«lap» of

THE LATE

R I O V fS^

With a View of tlie
burning of tlie

@)iti®iLrj mmmUg

St. MICHAELS ^C St AUGUSTINES,

Published at ^3 N, Second street Philadelphia,.

1

PREFACE

In presenting" this description of the ever to be re-
membered and unfortunate Riot and blood shed of the
<lth, 7th and 8th of May, it has been the aim of the
publishers to avcid all party or sectarian views, wishing
to famish th^ most impartial account from the best re-
courses, which it is confidently hoped, will rather dimi-
Hiish than add to the already over heated passion of an
outraged populace. This pamphlet is designed to give
all a full description of the buildings burnt, aad aL^o
(Containing correct drawings of the Churches destroyed, ;
with every other detail that could be collected fronr *^\^\
different reporters as well as h^ eye witnesses toy'ie;
deplorable scene.

According to announcement a meeting^ of the Natire
Americans was convened on the afternoon of the 3d of
May, at the corner of Second and Master streets, Ken-
sington, for the purpose of expressing their political
opinions, a privilege g-ranted to every citizen of the
United States by a consiitutional right. The following
was the call for the meeting-.

AROUSE, NATIVES BORN!
Take the scales from your eyes — take a peep through
the curtain, and behold the sun arise.
A meeting of the Native born Citizens of the Third
Ward Kensington, was held on Monday evening the 29h
ult. After electing officers they adjourned to meet in
mass meeting on FRIDAY AFTERNOON, May Sd,
at 6 o'clock, at the corner of Second and Master streets^
All friendlv to the cause are invited to attend.

CRAJG, Pres't.

John M'Manus, Sec'y.

The American Republican citizens of Third Ward,
Kc «ington, having been forcibly driven from their
]:li.. of meeting, Second and Master streets, adjoining
the ; ublic School House, adjourned to the George Fox
Te nerance Hall, when Mr. WM. CRAIG was called
to tae chair, and Mr. M'Manus appointed Secretary.

Mr. Longacre, of Spring Garden, was called for and
addressed the meeting in an able and spirited manner,
which was loudly responded to by those present.

The following preamble and resolutions were then
adopted.

Whereas, The citizens of Kensington have been vio-
lently assailed and maltreated at a meeting called for
the expression of their opinions on public policy and for
the declaration of their feelings, and have, in pursuance
of this same violent spirit, been driven by outcry and
clubs from the place designated for their meeting—
therefore

Resolved, That we, the citizens of Kensington in mass
meeting assembled, do solemnly protest against this fla-
grant violation of the rights of American citizens, and
I call upon our fellow citizens at large, to risit with Jioqi

iflig-nation and reproach, this outrage of a vindictive,
nti-repu>'iican spirit, manifested by a port it^ of the
lien popui ition of Third Ward Kensing^ton. '^^
Rtsoluerl, That in view of the above transaction, wein-
ite our fellow-citizens at larg-e to attend the next meet-
ig to sustain us in the expression of our opii ions.

Resah'pcf, That when we adjourn we ail journ to meet
1 nu<is meetinw; on Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, at
le corner of Second and Master streets.

Our frie ids in Kensinj^ton made a mistake last nig^ht.
nsteaH of assembling* in force, to beat off the foreig^a
abbie. they were few in uumbers, as peaceable men nre
ront, and of course were assailed in the most shameful
Tanner. The staging* was torn up under the speak* r's
3et, an 1 sliouts and hootings and chibs were resorted to,
[) f rce the Natives from the ground. These are ihe
leople who are deemed most worthy to be hailed Amer-
•an citizens. We have but one word to say, a popish
riest was seen to leave the vicitiity within an hour of
be riot.

Otir whole community was excited to an unojovernable
litchjby a most bloody and terrible riot, which occurred
II the district of Kensiryj^ton. We have never heard of
. transaction in our city in whic)i so much s.ivniy-e feei-
ng and brutal ferocity were displayed. There was a
lew element at work in the causes which led to the riot,
•ne, which, when excited into action, is productive of
nost serious consequences. Such, unfortunately, was
he case attended with the distressin^r and deplorable
onsequences following, but no one will hesitate to say
hat the Na ive American party havinij^ called a public
neeting^, had a perfect right to carry oi> their proceed-
n{^3 in peace, undistiu'bed by any persons, and that the
listurbuice they met with, from persons opposed to the
)bjects of the meeting, was as gross an outraji^e as was
5ver perpetrated upon Ihe rig;hts of anv body of free
litizens. The citizens who comp'»sed the meeting" werei
lisembled in the exercise of a rig^ht which is gfuardnteed
:o them by the Constitution, and it has come to a pretty

they are to be assailed by others, and their lives sters-
ficed in the streets.

They were assembled by public call, their ohject being
a perfect le^al one, and the presumption is that those
who w»re opposed to the meeting were attracted there
from some mischievous motive. They were not em-
braced in the call, they could have had no proper object
in bein^ present at or in the nei^hborho )d of the meet-
ing, and the consequences which resulted, indicate very
plainly the folly, if not to say the wickedness of iheir
desij^ns, in ^oing" in numbers to the place The prc°
sumption that mischief was intended is confirmed by th©
conduct of a reckless set of ruffians, who, a lew evenings
before, broke up a meeting* assembled for a similar pur°
pose. Such conduct as this is not to be toleraied with
impunity in any country, much less in ours, where th©
hand of fellowship and good feelinj>* has always been
extended to the emijo^rant from olher shores, and politi-
cal equality so liberally offered \hem.

ft is a poor return for these favors if they are to turii
round and strike at the liberty and rights ^f those who
have so generously g-iven them the power to do so.
I'he circumstances which occured are to be deeplv de-
plored, both on account of the bohl ailernpt to interfere
with and ahridge the rights of' American citizens, and
on account of the persons themselves who ate charged
with the act, against whom» judging from the nuture of
men, a determined hostility will he waged, and Upon
whom the effects of their own folly will be made terribly
to recoil.

NATIVE AMERICANS.
The American Republicans of the city an<l couoty of
Philadelphia, who are determined (o support the NA-
TIVE AMERICANS in their Constiiuiumal Uights of
peaceably assembling to express their opinions on any
questions of Pul>lic Policy, and to
SUSTAIN THEM AGAINST THK ASSAULTS

OF ALIKNS AND FOKKIGNKK^.
Are requested to assemble on MONDAY AFTER-
NOON,^ May 6th, 1844 at 4 o'clock, at the corner of

Master and Second street, Kensington, to express their
indignation at the outrage on Friday evening last, which
was perpetrated by the Irish Catholics, in tearing and
trampling under their feet the American Flag, to take
the necessary steps to prevent a repetition of iit.

{From the Native A merican,)

Concerns not alone Native Americans — we should
say, American Republicans — that being the name by
which our associates have agreed they shall be desig-
nated. The meeting does not concern them alone — it
concerns every citizen who desires the preservation of
freedom and democratic institutions — it is a practical
test of the doctrine, long doubted by aristocrats, that
the people are able to govern themselves. They certain-
ly are not — nor never will be — so long as they put gags
upon the mouths of those who advocate reforms of
government; they certainly will not be, so long as a
party renegade, a democrat in profession and a whig*
by purchase, can send a band of cudgel-armed ruffians
to beat out the brains of any one who has the hardihood
to utter truth and reason to his fellow citizens. We are
not in error, we cannot be mistaken, in imputing the
violence offered to the meeting of Friday last to the
joint influence of political demagogues and Catholic
Priests. VVe know that the Irish population, if left to
themselves and not instigated by religious emissaries or
political movements and too-free-and-easy, to bother
themselves with arguments either .for or against their
privileges. We then boldly announce the man who
sold the naturalized vote to the present Sheriff, to grati-
fy his wounded vanity, with being at the bottom of this
movement ; and we now call upon our countrymen, whe-
ther native or adopted, who respect the right most dear
and of most value to freemen — that of publicly discussing

any and every question — to rescue public proceedings of
every kind from mob interference. As conductors of
the press, we would make no distinction in favor of such
a gross outrage on the rights of citizens — be it perpetra-
ted by whom it might. We would condemn it as strong-
ly, if the act of our own party, as we now do knowing it
to be the act of aliens ; and we take this opportunity
most solemnly to rebuke the indignant threats of some of
our own friends under the exasperation occasioned by the
late desperate and anti-republican violence of their oppo-
sers. Our cause must not be sustained by any Lynch
law exhibitions of revenge. Leave it to those who haye
already violated their oaths of allegiance to this nation
and to liberty, by brandishing their cudgels in the air,
and boasting that the "have been stained in American
blood years ago, and are ready for it again."

Our fellow citizens at large, but chiefly those who
happen to be in party minority in any portion of the
coutray, are deeply interested in this subject as the
American Republicans. How can thoy ever hope to
have their reasons heard, to have the slightest voice in
public affairs — should this doctrine of submission to the
strong arm of numerical force be received as the order
of the day. If men are to be beaten into submission to
the wills of others, we would much prefer the bastinado
of a Sultan or the knout of a Czar to the cudgel of ii
lawless and infuriated mob. One of the complaints of
these colonies in their declaration of independence was
that the people were prevented from assembling for the
redress of grievances, and we are now about to have
fastened upon us this same slavish restraint by a foreign
mob in place of a foreign tyrant. In either case the
essence of the tyrany is the same and the mob tyranny
is rendered the more hideous inasmuch as it adds in-
gratitude to despotism. It assumes the most frightful
aspect, when it exhibits itself among those who have
been raised from the most degraded condition in therr
own land to the dignity of freemen in this. How worthy
they have shown themselves of this high honor is well
proved by their resorting to brutal force to crush down
pinion.

These remarks are not mnde in an inflammatory
spirit. On the confrary wedesirp only to wake up the
feelings of those who love law and order — we desire our
friends to sliow themselves in such force as not to invite
a^gjression — that the meeting;* sh( uld be of such an im-
posing^ character as to cow down at once the few refrac-
tory and intolerant men, who have respect neither for
their own great privilei^es nor the rights of those to
whose benevolence thoy owe them. J^et the people
turn out in their majestv, and at once frown into silence
the turbulent spirits whose intolerence and ij2;norance
have been so si|i;nally displayed; and above all let us
remember our own motto <*F1HMLY BUT MODE-
RATEI.Y."

Agreeably to a call of the Native American Republi-
cans of he city and county of Philadelphia, a Mass
Meeting was held at the corner ot Mas er and Second
streets, in the district of Kensington. After certain
preliminaries having been setiled, Mr. Kramer was call-
ed for by the meeting, appeared, and addressed the con^
course of citizens assembled, in a speech which elicited
much applause. Gen Smith heinii; irjiroduced, enter-
tained them for some time, by a ver) portinenl speech,lhe
people upon the subject nf the principles which guide
the Native Republicans, in the course they have marked
out for themselves on lheg?eat leading and important
question of foreign inflnence upon the civil, political
and religious intiuilions of our country. After which,
Mr. Levin was introJuced upon the >tand, and was
about proceeding to speak tipon the deleterious effects
of Popish interference in the elective lranchise,and her
consequnce upjn American liberty, through their
minions of the poor <legr.i«h d slaves of the churchy
when a storm blew up, and th« rain began to pour
down. A motion was then made and carried, to adjourn
to the Market House. The meeting being there orga-
nised, and the speaker about to proceed in his speech^
an onslaught was made by a band of Irishmen, said ts
be all Catholics, upon the citizens composing the meeting
and cfiort^maUs Xq disband and break it up. A large

number of determined spirits being present, an attempt
wa:< madr to defend and resist the outrajre of the Roman
Catholics, and to retaliate u )0'i the Priest's menials i^n
their effort to violate the coiistilutional rights of Ameri-
can citizens.

The scene which pro<?ented itself begficars all descrip-
tion. A ii,eri(-ra! and indiscrimi:iate fit^ht between
the Irish Catholics and the American Citizens. All
kinds of weapons of d« fetire and offence were used
which could be collected within ihe vicinity of the
meelitij^ Dnrint^ the ihtowm^i; of hrickhais and stones,
several of the Xative Uepiiblicans were strurk, and so
seriously injured that ihey were carrif:-d off the jj;round
into houses of citizens of the nt ii!,hborhood, their
wounds dressed, and themselves properly taken are of.

During; the hottest of the fi^ht several reports of fire
arms were h«'ard, and the groans of men vv ho proved to
he wounded, and the lamentable exclamations of their
friends, toii;ei her with the c»ies lor ven^;eance from all
quaiters, were truly ten iiic and appalJinti;. One man
named Patrick Fisher, on the snie of the Native
Americans, was carried out by tour men, Mr. Albr'ght
at the head, sh.ulin^ "Ameiicaii Citizens Arouse,—
defend yourselves! one of your number has heeix
wounded; shot down in the street." Fisher was taken
to the Druy, store of Dr. Davis, and his lace and neck
which weie found lo be wounded by buck-shot or slugs
was dresseci, and he was afiet waid- Uiken to his home.

Immetlialeiy followed anotlser crowd of persons a
portion of whom were carrying the dying body of a
Naliv£ American, named Gioiy^e Shtfiier, a morocco
dresser, residing in St. John street below Beaver, who
was shot '.viih a whole .charge ot buck-shot in the right
side of the breast. The scene which exhibited itself
around this dying man was too much for every one
possessing the ordinary feelings of sympathy to bear
without shedding a tear. The old and the young
appeared to be weeping; and the lamentations appeared
to be contageous, for the whole cr«nvd wept, in sorrow^
One gr-ey headed old man, in the midst of his tears,
raised his staff aloft, and exclaimed in the fulueg^ of Jhj^

10

leart, "On, on Americans! Liberty or death." At this
hrilling cry the old man led off. and the whole crowd
ollowed him to avenj^e the death of their fellow citizen.

Another Native American, named John Deal, was
vounded with a bullet, but we could not ascertain the
)articulars of this cnse. He was,- however, carried off
he ground in a perihu's situations.

Another Native Republican named Geo. McCailister,
vas shot in the face and arm; and the wounds are such
s to disfigure him, and arrest the performance of his
(usiness for some time to come.

Another Native American, named Samuel Beatty,
vas shot in the lip. The ball came through the lip
nto the mouth. He « as taken to his home.

Another Native American named Chas. Vanstavern,
vas shot in body with buck shot.

Mr. Shiffler it ajjpenrs was an apprentice to Mr.
5hora, a morocco «.resser. His death is mourned by^
;very one to whom he was known.

IVIr. S. had scarcely been carried off before another
!rowd was ob^eivtd, carrying a young man named
tienry Temper, a Naiive American, residing on Frank-
"ord road, near Master street, to the drug store. Mr.
Femper, had been shot in the hip with a bullet, but not
t^ery seriously injured. Whilst this young man was
3eing canied off, an elderly lady came rushing up to
he Reporter, who was prepent, perfectly frantic, and
with despair pictured in her face, exclaimed '^My God,
Sir, do tell me is that my son?" It proved not to be
tier son.

Another Native American, named Edward Spain
was shot in the hip.

An oIlI man, a Native American, was struck on the
head with a brick bat, and seriously injured.

Another Native American, named David Ford, resid-
ing No. 123 Moyamensing Koad, received a severe
wound on ihe head by a ball from a gun; also a serious
contusion over the right eye from a brick-bat!

There were hundreds of others who received wounds
from shots that were fired, but in the crowd and confu-
Ainn ivhio.h nrf»vail(»d. it wuh imnoj^sidlafor f.he Renorter

11

to collect one fourth of their mme§, or the extent of
their injuries.

The Reporter of the Native American, who, with
others had been designated for a sacrifice, had a narrow
escape of his life. By mistake he retreated into the
IRISH CATHOLIC ranks, when he was assayed with
clubs and bricks from the assailants, and slightly in-
jured.

General Smith received some wounds about the
body,

A. R. Deale, was •^lightly iBJared in the arm by a
bioiv from a brick,

Wm. Springer [Carpenter] was seriously wounded.

Lewis Co Levin, Esq,, Editor of the Sun, was vio-
ienlly maltreated.

- ■ MORE MURDERS.

Mo?'£ Jlmeruans shot Doivn.
The Meeting at the State House yard, contrary tvO the remon-
strance of the Oifscoi's, moved off hi a solid column, formed and
marched. in piocessioi\ op Fifth sreet to Kensington. The meet-
ing organized in the Market House, above Master street. Just as
Col. Jack mounted the rostrum tospeak, a shot was fired from
the direction of the iiibernia Hose House; when a rush was made
upon the hose house, and a volky of musketry was poured into
the meeting, and SIX MORE NATIVE AMERICAN CITI-
ZENS, were? woanded in the legs, body and arms, and one man
named John Wesley Rhinedollar, living in Front st/ent, Northern
Liberties, was shot through the back and instantly fell dead. All
the stores and private dwellings in Second street, from Coates up
were closed. The American flag was planted in front of Bark's
Grcpery store, and maintained its position until tho last. Mr
Lee, a son of a distiller, near Second street and Poplar Lane, was
also shot dead. Col, Albright was wounded in thp arm, and was
obliged to leave the ground of battle, after displ-aying a spirit of
great bravery. John Brodhead, residing in Eleventh street below
George, Locust ward, was struck on the coat button by a spent
ball, and also on the cheek with a small. shot. An Irishman,
named John Taggert, fired a heavily loaded musket into the crowd
of Natives, and wounded three. He re-loaded the piece and level-
led it at an old greyheaded man, who dodged at the instantihe
gun went off, and the shot did not, therefore^ake effect. The
old man sprang forward, caught the Irishman R^' t.he throat, and
the crovfd rushed upon him, and before he couhi be rescued he
was nearly killed. The Hibernia Hose House was then attacked,

12

md thft hose carri'ciL'C taken and shattered into fra^enta,nnd tisfd
(onae of the pieces as a means of defence, 'roin the attacks of
i^Jatholics. l>urJn'_' this fiijht, the fires fro>.i the Irish came fast
md thick, and several oi the Americans were wounded. Amonj
he number are tlie following', every one of whom arc Native
American citizens: George Younij, irplding in Alari- t's Lane
lear Sixth >tret-t, was wounde 1 by a slug- or musket hall in his
eft breast, passing' through his iunof, and cmninjjr out through his
»aek, beneath his shoiiLier. He. ^ave one leap and fell upon the
?arth SToanifj'*- and wiiihinor in his blood. Augustus R. Peale,
vound.-d ixi the ar.u badly, by a musket ball — \\i^ arm is suppoSf^d.
o have h't-n fractured by the ball. C. Salisbury, the keeper of
he Washington house, in the Western part of the city, was
mounded. We could not learn the nature or extent of the wound.
Willis H. Blaney, constable, it is reported was shot through ono
3f his leors, but tlie wonnd is not considered serious to any ex-
;ent. VVriL»"ht Ardis, a ship ca penter, re^idincr in SouthAark,
ilso wounded in tlie hip, but could not ascertain the nature or
jxtent of the wound. At jliis hour baU' past six o'clock the ex-
jitsment in Kensinoton is unprecedented. Affairs have now
^aken a turn.— The Americans at this moment are triumphant,
md the stars and stripes which was tattered and trampled upon,
low ftoat in victory. A small number of the Natives who were
irraed, surprised the Irish, who had possession of the market
louse, charged home upon them, when they precipitately fled the
rround. The military are now on their way to the scene of blood-
shed, having two field pieces.

EIGHT O'CLOnC, P. M.

John Fagan, residin;; near Fifth and Cherry streets, was shot in
the left shou'.dcr, and was taken to the drugstore of Mr. Horer.
His wound is not danrerous. Lewis Greble, residing in Fifth
near Chrisiian street, had part of his head blown otF by a musket
[)all, and fell dead. He was shot in the right temple. We saw
this victim of C?aiholic fury expire. Thomas Funston, residino^
at No. 620 N. Second street, was shot in the head but iioi killed.
Matthew Hammitt, a nephew of Mr. Hammitt, ship builder in
Kensington, killed. William Hillman, a turner, residing in
Kensington, was shot in the head and his wound is regarded a»
dangerous — he was carried into a neighbor's house. John
Shreeves, house painter, residing in Front street above Green, waa
shot, but whether his woun Is are serious or not, we are unable ta
ascertain.

HALF PAST EIGriT O'CLOCK, P. M.

The alarm of fire at this moment was caused by the burning of
a row of frame buildings in Cadwallader street, in the neighbor-
hood of Master street. • hese houses, it is s.^id, were occupide
Xq some Irish and burned to the ground. A rope maker in tho
district of South wark, whose name we could not get, was shot
(dead. Kevser. brother to Mr. Kevser who keeos a taver«

13

near Market street wharf, was seriously woMnde'f. A boy, name
onkuoAn, was sUot in the left shoulder, while standin* in tlw^

®^^^** ET.KVEN O'CLOC P. M.

The Hibernia Hose house vias theftfst place where the fire wai
discovered. Tf»at building was burned to the earth, tnd the con-
tjo-uous houses caught, and the flareifts spre.^d with fearfiU and
alarming rapidity. '^Aboiit thirty houses, north of the Hibernia
Hose house, have already been cojisu.ne*!, and the fire is still
ragintr. What became of the inmates no one can tell. Probably
a number have been consumed in the Haxies. The excitement i«
intense, Th*^ military, to the number of several hundred, are up-
on-the grownd, lv>f)king passively onj endeavoiing to keep the
people irora rushing forward.

The Carroll Hose, with one or two
other companies, were throwing water on the fire. Charles Siill-
well of Southwark, has died from ' is wounds. A man lesiding in
Shackamaxon street, was mortally \vounded in tho breast. A
number of persons were injured in consequence of the falling in of
the walls, &c. of the burninsj buildings. An Irisliman, name un-
known, had one of his eyes knocked out by a blow from a club,
about 9 o'clock, while looking from his window. The Catholic
Church was strongly fortified, but no disposition was manifested
to attaclv the same. Gans were heard firin*^ int-very direction,
TWELVK O'CLOCK
All is quiet. The fire is nearly out. I he military are still upoa
the ground. Two Irishmen are reported as having been burned
to death.

On the evening; of the 7th the military were called
out by order of the Sheriff, when the Natives had got
their blood fully up, and were fast jj^aining; the ascen-
.deticy, the peace officers thought it high time to^ inter-
pose the authority of the lavr. '

14

Whilst we were proceeding to the place where Avne-
can citizens were shot like dogs in the street, we en-
)URtered a bodj of men who numbered several hun-
reds, coming" down Second street, towards the office of
Llderman Boileau. We followed the crowd to the
Llderman's office. Two Irish Catholics, named John
rConnor and Owen Daley, were brought in, haying"
een arrested in the second story of a house near the
)rner of Second and Master streets; one of whom was
3co^nized as the man who fired several shots from the
windows of that house, wounding a young" man in the
3g, and is supposed to be the man wlio shot poor Shif -
er. The other was recognized as havinp; been a very
ctive participant in the Catholic ranks on Monday even-
ig". As no officer could be found to make these arrests

Mr. Alburger, a citizen of South wjrk, volunteered,
nd at the imminent risk of his owii life, proceeded to
tiis house walked boldly up stair?, seized a gun which
tood in the corner loaded with buck shot and bail, and
lemanded these men to yield, and go with him. tie-
istance having been made by the reckless, infuriated
nen; assistance was procured, and they were taken be-
ore the Alderman. So intense was the excitement of
he people, who surrounded these nien on their way jo
he office, that it was with the greatest difficulty that
'iolent hands were kept from their persons. The cry
>f the people was, ''Kill them, kill them! Blood for
)lood!" Every moment these men were in the streets
—and they hurried with great precipitation — it was
bought they would be forcibly dragged from the hands
)f Mr. Alburger, and sacrificed in the public street, to
>atiate the vengeance of an outraged people. But
;hrough Mr. Alburger's firmness and determination, at
ill, hazards, to have them dealt with according to law,
hey were got to the Alderman's office in safety. It
ippeared, while there, these men were two of the lead-
ers of the Roman Catholics, by whose violence some of
3ur citizens have been sacrificed; and, evidence before
he Alderman, that O'Connor had fired repeatedly from
:he vvindows of the house in which they both were ar-

restpH iva«: nrnrlnrfifl -nnrl tiic orllil^ rviorli» wianinoaf

15

The circumstances which led to the arrest of these two
individuals., was a train of blood traced to their door,
and their appearance, with the ^un in hand, almost
every moment, at one of the windows, looking as it is
presumed, for an American to fire upon.

The frag-ments of the bursted ij^un was found near the
school-house, together with a man's thumb. It is sup-
posed that an Irishman had over-charged it, and conse-
cjuently caused it to burst, carrying with it his thumb.
This man it is supposed, was taken to the house where
O'Connor and Daley were arrested, the bed clothes of a
bed in the second story being; saturated with blood, and
the floor considerably stained.

Alderman Boileauheld these two men, O'Connor and
Daley, to bail for another hearing, in the sum of ^1000
each.

The Coroner held inquests upon the bodies of the two
young- men shot dead, Wright and Shiffler. No def-
finite verdict rendered.

Brigadier General George Cadwallader, at one
o'clock, called out th^ volunteers of the First Brigade,
for the purpose of quelling the disturbances in Kensing-
ton, which it is said, existed there at that hour, and to
check the Irish in their ruthless and lawless violence
against the rights and liberties of American citizens.

The Sheriff came upon the ground on Mon<lay even-
ing "solitary and alone," for tlie purpose of quellini> the
disturbances, and arresting the ring-leaders. After
viewing the scene for a few moments, he proceeded to
the office of Alderman Clarke, and gave directions to the
Irish about the Alderman's office, to put away their
fire-^ms, and then made his exit.

A large; number of arms were secreted in St. Mi-
chael's church, and St Aug;ustin*^'s church, there were
several hundred Irish congregated.

A number of Native Americans were attacked at the
corner of German town road and Second street, with
paving stones, which were hurled from windows and
and the tops of houses by the Irish. The Natives rallied,
stormed one of the houses, and put the Catholics to
flij^ht. The Irish held complete possession of the Mar-

16

:et-hou8e, and erery man of them was armed to the
»eth,^ — many wiih rifles, musket* and shot g-uns. This
100 of aliens were intensely excited — brandishing their
uns, cursings and swearing-, and threatening death and
estruction to every man who interposed even to pacify
hem.

Tho district on the eai 1y part of the 8th inst, presented
uite a peaceable aspect, and order reigned throughout.
Jut towards the middle of the day, crowds of persons
rom the adjoinihg and other districts, and from the city,
ocked there by thousands, perhaps more from motives
f curiosity tiian for any thing else. Congregating in
ififerent parts, and coming in contact, discussions arose
pon the all absorbing subject of the riots; a.nd inflam-
latory language being used, the excitement. again broke
ut with redoubled fury, and the consequences are la-
lentable to record.

The entire row of houses on Cadwalader street, most
f which were frames, extending i'rom Master to Jeffer-
on street, in addition to one or two on Master street,
/ere destroyed; atid four on Washington street. From
II of these houses guns were fired by the Irish.—
Nothing remains of the Market house but the brick
illars.

During the morning, an Irishman named Oliver Cree,
^as taken from his Isouse in ihe vicinity of Cadwallader
treet, and two ioa»ied uujskels were found in his pos-
ession. In conveying him to Mayor Cannon's Office,
e was taken from the hands of the officers and beat
lost unmercifully. He w^s, however, got before the
/layor and placed in the lockup-house.

About noon, a beautiful brick dwelling, at the corner
f Washington iind Jefferson streets was fired.

17

An alarm having gone forth, the firemen repaired
and spared no efforts to arrest the proj^ress of the flames.
Before they could be arrested, the fire communicated to
an adjoining building", and both were distroyed.

Large numbers oi' individuals about this time were col-
lecting around tlie Seminary, and at St, Michael's
Church,

At S o'clock St. Michaers Church was fired, m*^
with such rapidity did the flam 'S spread that th^
church was enveloped and consiimed in an incrediblo
short period ol time, Tliousantis gazed upon the burn-
ing e()ifice in silence, and n"t one effoit was made to
■aye it. The firemen who were upon the ground put
Iheir apparatus in motion, b it p fiyed only on the build-
ing« south of the church. From the church the raging
•lement communicated itself to the dwelling of the Priest,
Mr, Donahue, on the north, which was totally consumed.

18

The Seminary on the corner of Phoenix and Second
streets, was about the same time discovered to be on fire,
together with the building-s on the opposite corner, occu-
pied by a man named Corr, who kept a grocery, and
was reported to have sold ammunition to the Irish.
The Seminary and the other building* were burned to
the ground. Whilst these buildings were burning the
Volunteers of the 1st and 3d Brigade, commanded by
Generals Cadwallader and Hubbell, and headed by the
city troop, marched and arrested further operations by
the mob, in this portion of the district. I'he military
kept parading in all quarters, where an outbreak was
anticipated; but Alderman Clarke, who, we be-
lieve, is a Catholic, and suspected of having
instigated and urged upon the poor priest-ridden souls to
commit the first outbreak at the meeting on Monday last,
appeared to be an object of revenge for the mob. They
sought this residence, made an attack upon it, as well
as upon the adjoining house occupied by his brother Pat-
rick, and the furniture ot both were thrown into the
street, the windows and shutters broken, sash and doors
demolished, and the houses themselves left untenanted
wrecks.

The store and dwelJing of Patrick Murray, S. VV, corner of Jeffersori
and Cadwallader streets, was broken into and racked of every thing.
The furniture was tumbled into the street, and torn into piecas. Mur-
ray and his family left the premises early in the morning. The excite-
ment in the. Vicinity was intense. A portion of the Military, w ith Gen-
erals Patterson and Cadwallader, and Sheriff M'Michael, ;it their head,
soon appeared. Great dise^atii-faction was manifes ed at the appearance
of the latter person upon the ground, and frequent groans were heard
from the ruob, while cheers were given in favor of the commanding
generals.

During this time the presence of the military were required in Third
near Jefftrson street, a crowd having collected in that vicinity, exhibit-
ing a disposition to attack certain houses there. Up lo seven o'clock
last night the military kept the mob in check in thi.^ neighborhood, and
no daniage was done thai we could ascertain.

Out of the windows of nearly every Native American and Protcstani
Irishman in the district, hung the American and tn-colored flags. This
was regarded as sufficient protection from the mob. Upon someof tfoft
doors were observed the words " Native American," written with char
coai, and or* others were posted the "Native American" newspaper — re-
garding tJjese as a better protection than arms ..r the military. They
were indeed a full protection, for instead of violence being offered to pro
pert-^ bearing evidence of tfee Native principles of the occupant, tho

rNASD/^no nroro rrroeticA vrr { fh otinoro n&u nrtrnh:) t inn.

19

Duringr the aAernoon hvndreds of families of Catholics moved out of
the district ; and we observed women and children piled high up on
furniture cars upon their goods apparently delighted to escape the
scenes of turmoil and bloodshad which presented themselves to their
eyes, for the last three days." f *t

"We learn, the military being informed that in the Priest's house were
firearms secured, Col. Fairlamb, with a few of his men, repaired to his
house and requested a search. They found a heavily charged r»usket
with slugs, and took the gnn in possession and drew the load. The
Priest was politely informed that if he desired his own safety it would
be well for him to leave the district instanter. The advice was fol-
lowed, for he took a cab and made his exit.

We annex, so far as we have been able to collect, the names of ihe
persons who have been killed and wounded, since the commencement
of hostilities on Monday evening.

KILLED.

Geo. Shifflcr, residing in St. John below Beaver streets, an apprentice
to a morocco dresser, shot in the right breast with a load of siugs^

Wm. Wright, son of A. Wright, salt merchant, residing in Fourth
above Tammany, shot through the heart with a ball. John Shreeves,
painter, residing in Front street above Green, shot through the head
and died instantly. Lewis Greble, carpenter, residing in tilth street
near Christian, shot through the head. J. Wesley Rhinedollar, shoe-
maker, Front street. Northern Liberties, shot in the back, the ball pass-
ing through and coming out at the right breast. Wm. E. Stillman,
turner, residing in Kensington, shot m the right shoulder. Joseph
Rice, an Irishman, shot through the head with a ball, by a boy. Mat-
thew HammiU, nephew of Mr. Hammitt, shipearpenter, in Kensujgton-
shot through the head, tlie bull entering one of his ears. Geo. Young,
residing in Marriofs Lane, near Sixth, ball enterfed his left breast, pass,
ing through his lungs and coming out at the back. John Lrsher, re-
siding in Shackamuxon street, Kensington, ball entered his left breast.
A lad, name not ascertained, ball entered the lower front of the abd».
men, killed on the spot.

WOUNDED.

Augustus R. Peale, dentist, 176 Locust street, wounded in his arm by
a musket ball— bone fractured— his arm since has been amputated.
Henry Heiselbaugb, keeper of the Hund-in-Hand tavern. Third and
Poplar streets, woufided in the fleshy part of the hand. James Whita-
ker, residing in Frdnt street below Spruce, wounded badly by a ball en-
tering his thigh, striking the bone. Wright J, Ardis. ship carpenter-
Southwark, kali entered his ^h, badly wounding him. S- Abbot

Lawrence, of Boston, tfrtK-k in the mde by a ball, and his lir« was only
«avedby a p»;nr.v in his vest pocket v hich was sttHck bv the ball, bfndo
in^ and bruising il conr-iderable. WiMix H, BUmey, Ex. lieutenant ol
PoIice,shot i i the heel. Peter rtlbright,i«n«keei»er. Second Btreet aboTc
Coats, woiin)ed by a slug in ihe hand. Joiin Figan, re>iding near
Fifth and Cierry streets, bail entered his 'eft breast c<»minj? out the
back below the slionlder blade — serious wound, Thomas Funston, re-
siding in North Second street, woutsded by a ball. Key^er, bro-

thcr of the tivern k' eper of th-it nnine, near Vlarket st'eet wharf KCiinue
wounded. Jutin Taggtrt, and Iri-hinaj», badly beaten and b^ni^ed about
the head an«l body arrested und w^w^ Vjoyamei'siiig prison. —

Taylor, butcher, Soulhwark, a sper#ball struck liini in the eye — the
wound danger-'iH. James Briwn UM his leg broken by running »iginst

a lamp post. Was'iington IleybeTjer, -eriousiy wounded. Mait=

land seriously wonnd<:d, Andrew Gates, wounded. Yocura,

wounded. A keeper of Dry Gonris Store in Second street btlow Pine,
wounded in the leg, A hid, htlfgrovin, v\oui:ded in the groin. Aifth-
er young lad struck in the brea t by a spent ball, a tiesh wound. Seven
Other boys were wounded thai we heard uf but could learn n^) names.

During the early part of the eveni g, the Orphan Childien were re-
moved from St. Joseph's Assylum Seventh and Siiruce: and most il not
all the property of St. John's, and thf> o'lier Catholic ChnrcheF.

The military had assenib cd in front of S*. Mary's Church, Fourth
street below VViiinni fisr the purposeof piese vingoider and saving the
church and afljoiiiing pir.pertv, mo attempt was made.

About halt past 6 o'clock information was rec«Mved ly Mayor
Scott, that an attack was contemplated upon the St. Augustine
Church, in Fourth street below Vine, and that a largfe crowd had
already gathered in its vifiuity. He immediately repaired upon
horse-back to the spot, with a body of city police, and addressrd
the crowd, the police were posted around the Chapel. The mass
Btiil increased uniil the streets were completely blocked up, the
first City Troop were immediately ordered cut, and were upon
the ground in a short time hut tc no purpose, in consequence of
this Slate of things, the Mayor issued a Proclamation calling upon
the good citizens to mt el iamiediately at the place of their usual
Ward elections for the purpose of assisting the authorities in sa-
•ving the property from destruction by the mob. Nevertheless
the crowd still continued to increase .at the Church aLove refer-
jed to.

Erhatum.— In page 19 th, we mentioned that ^r. John Shreeves,
was killed, but we since learned that he was but slightly wounded.

SI

#

^fl

Scene of the Conflna;!ation of St. Aiiii;ustine's Church,
ill 4ih SI. beioA Vme, in the Evening; May, 9, 1844,
Ab.ut iialf j)..si 9 o'c oek tlie thro\. ing of stones and
brieks ("omimfiKted vv.liv unceasiiicj- ropidif}' unlil the windows
and doors vvcie tor. ed amid the eciicinv fdionts of the enormous
muitiiHde, when soni*' entered the (^'hurch rf->ji;ard]pSH of the troops
andpolirv. At about u-h ininutesbeft re ten o'clock fire was com-
municated to one or" the window curtains, -and we believe the
other part.s o the Church. A boy it is said but eleven years of
ao:e was the inc.nidi;.ry, the fire ii-creased with g^reat rapidity, and
dense mas^e^; ot !?mo.^e curled oi;t from every window, and the
incense vv'hich pn-iented the most beautiful y- t terrifying appear-
ance weaver wKnes^ed before of the kind, in m few minutes the
flames reached the Selfry.and burst out Mom the upper windows
in broad slieel?,t'fte whole steeple was soon wrapt in the devour-
ing element and presented a terrific aspect, the clock s.ruck ten
while the fire w is raging in its lituiost fury.

At twenty .idiures p tst ten o'clock, the cross which surmount-
ed the :-teep!p. and which remained unhurt iell with a loud crash,
amid the plaudits of a large jsoition of the spectators, in ten
minutes aftir A ards the steeplevVvltich had stood until burnt to a
meie skeleton tell, throwing up amass of cinders which fell like

22

L shower of gold upon the buildings and streets. Northeast of
he church the heat during the height of the fire was so intense
hat persons could, hardly look at the flames at the distance of
lalf a square or more, and the light was so brilliant as to dim even
he gas lamps.

The houses on the corners of New street opposit the St. Augustine
hurch, were iu imminent danger daring the fire, and that on the
fortheast corner ignited upon the roof from theexireme heat, the fire-
nen, however, maintained their ground manfully, and threw copious
treams of water upon all the surrounding property — through their ef-
arts an immense amount oi private property was saved, the building
11 the south side of the church, which etood within a few inches of its
/all, was greatly damaged by the fire. The inmates, however, moved
ut in the afternoon, and thus escaped the devouring flames; the house
n the Northeast corner of Third and Vine streets took fire from the
parks carried by the wind from the church, as were several others in
he direction from the fire, happily the flames were suppressed before
luch damage was done, through the vigilance and activi-ly of our fire-
iien.

The parsonage of tlie St. Augustine church in the rear fronting
'rown street, took fire from the church at the southeast corner of the
oof, and burnt downward untillall was consumed to the ground. While
he fire was burning in the third story, and the bacji part of the second
tory, men were buisily engaged in the front of the second story in
hrowiug from the windows and doors, books, which flew in every di-
ection at the heads of those below — but little furniture was saved, we
aw a sofa, and a large clock, with several small things of household
oods, such as beds, small tables, chairs, Mahogany stools, and among
he next we observed a man come from one of the cellar windows, hav-
ng a large loaf of, we though home made bread, which he was throw-
ng into the air and catching it, we suppese he was for feasting while
(thera was amusing themselves by distroying the books. Half past ll
'clock, the City Councils are now in- session to adopt measures to
ubdue the riot. Fears are entertained that attempts will be made

0 fire two other Roman Catholic Churches, and the military have
»een posted in the vicinity of them. Theconflagation of St. Augustines
las nearly subsided, the parsonages yet buniH, several houses in the im-
nediate neighborhood were injured. At this place several of the Police
)fficers were knocked down, and the Mayor was struck in the breast with
, stone. 12 o'clock, — All the avenues leading to St. Mary's and St.
Joseph's Churches, in Fourth near Prune, and in Willing's Alley, have
>een guarded by troops, w^ho suffer no person to enter the space unless
hey live within the square.

1 One o'clock, A. M. the alarm of fire is caused by the renewal of the
turning of the parsonage house of St. Augustine. Every thing is quiet
n the district of Kensington, Southwark, Moyamensing. A slight de-
monstration was manifested by a collection of persons at the corner of
Harket and Thirteenth street, but it was promply met and checked by
the military force est-iblished in Thirteenth street, for the protection of

tJohn's Church, between Market and Chesnut. The City Councils
ire still in secret session.

May the 9th, Fourth day of the Riot.

Tn <]bv thA f>roit«>m«>int ihroncrhr.nf thp. ritv is verv irreat. the feel*

23

ing of the people, m exhibited on Tuesday in Kensingt*!), seemed to
have oaaght the people of the City. Nothing but confusion nnddisnay
prevailed throughout the whole duy. In the early part of the day, large
crowds of persons collected in the vicinity of the Roman Catholic
Charch in 13th street ^bove Chesnut, the military, however, guarded it,

and saved it from the fury of the mob. Two pieces of artillery charged
with grape were posted at theg'ates, and these perhaps, were more effi-
cient in deternnff the mob from making an onslaught upon the church
than any other cause.

All the property ofvalue in t!>e different Catholic Churches was ear-
ly in the day removed to ssveral private quarters in the City and County.

Funeral of George Shiffler.
May 9th, — The funeral of George Shiffler, took place this morning at
10 o'clock. The procession was one of the largest and imposing ever
witnessed in that portion of the county. He was taken from his resi-
dence to the burial ground, at the corner of Hanover and Duke streets,
Kensington. His coffin was wrapped with the tattered flag which was
torn and trampled upon on Wednesday evening last. Several clergy-
nien, together with a large number of Native Americans, officiated in
the sole ma cere monies.

24

The following; as far ascan he ascertained ia the loss of property.
A two etory brick hous -n Grrmanlown road ahove M^.tiler, wan
riddled, loss of about $100, B nk house adjo'iiinp plij/hliy injurrd.
Alderni ill I Mark's loss about $1000 ; l^aJrick iViurray'n loss $4000
Mr. Murray has been aff cied it» his mit.d in cons- quenceof hip lo^^'e8.
Mr. Laverys house and fuuif use destnyed, his lo^s is jiboijl $2000-
house arij itrnrifj belonging to Mr L< y, d str..yed SI.^O, Four houses
on Cadwalader St. helonjiing' to Mr. Sherry, hII destroyed, loss :.but
$300, frame hous- belonjrinjr lu Mr. McKee, burnt to H8h« s, Ioh- $4'!00
Mr, McCotloUifii whf) occup eiJ t.he ab>ve house, iosi jdl he hud $1000
Thiee houses owned bv W •■ S errid'O ami oecupi«;«l by his 'rnanJH i«
his employ, lost ab "Ul $2j{ 0. 3/r,Ken;jn, frju»e h.)use and baek (uildo
ings burntd lo a:sh«s, h. ^ ab oL $500; on Washinyion st, six three
story bricks all occu iod, werd destroyed, loss about $Ja00. A large
brick a' ' he corner of VV.su Ojrtofi and Jefferson sis. suttVrril a loss of
about $1590. Sv'ven f.-aoie ho!is(;s in harmony Court, ;ill con-uuicd.
valued at, abo'jl $'200. a house on Cadwuiader >t. was* dama^td to
the amount ofaboul $*i!IO, the Iftss to the Hibernia Mose hou: e irK-ia-
ding all thing?, wjjs not less tri^n §1000, of the M ,rket house wl'icli
wsjs the property of the «1istrict of Kensinsjlon, nothi),x remains but
the bare pillars, loss l-.ree or four thotisajid dollars. A carpenter ^ho^
in the rear of Cadwala'ier st. enl rely dcstr'ycd, loss about $500, arjo
Other houe on the same st. destroyed, loss S1500, a fraii'e house on the
same street destrov ed lo-s not ascerf;.ine!^. F(»ii' fr mes rm t'-sdw;. I der
gt. burned to the ground, loss abo'it $-2600, the lo- h of the St. Michaels
Cf'hohc Ch'»rrh, the par.<onage house, and fMrniiore, m.d ornameiits,
the sdiooi belonging to tlie sisi« ts of charily, to'- the education of
bans, is estimated at about $75000, five f'ra < es on the righi of ihe.
ireh all consumed, loss about $ l300, Mr. Car's house at the corner
v fhcenix and 2rid. strcets,'whieh was sic'ed, loss about $1500, two
]a: ge Brick houses at the corner of 2nd and e !iSjcr sis. v/ere burned
« • s about $3000, a t« nant of one ol them lost about $600, a fratjie back
this valued at about $iCO.

St. Augustines Ctiurch, two brick houses in the rear on crown sto
cupied by the iiriest, all bun cd and nothiny^ but rl e walls left (stand.
g. loss about $65000, and much other prop< rtv diimaged in the iidgh-
urhood, which loss would amount to about $1000.
In estimating this dcstruct on ol° property, we h;;ve not tal^en into
count a vast anu)unt o' mat rial in the Ih-u cs. and we leel warranted
believing that the atuount far exceeds the above.

Friday, May 10th, the exciteujeni in t.'ie minrls of Hir people is ra.
..idly subsiding ; and a great many faiuilies are rtti. ruing to linejrde.
eerted dwellings, the military aie still under arms, and are stationed at
every Roman Catholic Chmch, Asylum, Semiuaiy, and the Jesuits
college on Race st. near Schuylkill.

May 11 i.nd 12th. order sti'l prevails tl r« ngh the city and countyc
As a precautionary mea-ure, hovevei, public worship was suspended'
on Sunday in all the Catholic Chutchcs, by order of the Bish« p.

The scene of the l.te riots was cowded • if'i - citi.-^ens, ointicu'srl?-
sabbath afternoon, and it isestimnted that at lenst ten lliousa- d nfcrsons
were on the ground, which had been drawn there trom ui< tives of cu=
riosity, numbers with their families h.*ve visited the gj)ot in cabs aiji
private carriages. \ c [:« 'Cn