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BRISTOL RIOTS—THE RECKONING.
Mr. Sergeant Ludlow, in an address to the Grand Jury at Bristol, on Monday, made the expected but not pleasant communication, that the whole of the damages of the riots, as well as that part of the ex- penses of the Special Commission which fell to be defrayed by the town, must be paid out of a county-rate. The rate he estimates, in round numbers, at 50 per cent. of the entire rental of the city ! The citizens will have full time to consider of the subject, and, the learned Sergeant says, may shift the burden from their shoulders if they can. 'We suspect this is what both Reformers and Anti-Reformers—all but those whose houses have been burnt down, and who have in conse- quence no rental to be assessed—will be very anxious to do : it requires no hint. The Sergeant also announced, that a police establishment was contemplated ; the control to be vested in the Corporation ! "if it [the Corporation or the proposal ?] agrees with the general wishes of the inhabitants."
There are two rumours in respect of Captain Warrington—one, the London rumour, cashiers him, but with a recommendation to mercy; another, the Bristol rumour, acquits him on all the charges.
It is not generally known, that application was made to Lord -Hill on behalf of Colonel Brereton's children, that they might receive the difference from the officer who was promoted on his death : his Lord- ship refused the application—he could not, it seems, under the cir- cumstances, recommend the case to his Majesty's consideration. So much for Lord Hill's mercy : he is probably of the Newcastle school, and deems the evidence for the prosecution sufficient for condemnation.
It is at length announced, that a legal inquiry will be commenced against the Magistrates of Bristol, for their conduct during the riots. This will be more an object of interest and of importance also than the military inquiry. The form of proceeding, it is understood, will be that of ex officio information by the Attorney-General; to be tried at the Summer .Assizes, in one of the neighbouring counties.
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