When was it published?

October 1, 1831 in The Liberator

Domestic News October 1, 1831

The Liberator

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Riot Or Protest, Death Or Funeral, Military

Q: What keywords are associated?

Providence Riot, Racial Violence, Troops Firing, Sailor Shot, Houses Torn Down

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts

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What is this article about?

A violent racial riot in Providence, Rhode Island, over three evenings last week involved whites attacking black-occupied houses, resulting in one sailor's death by shooting and later four killed and fourteen wounded when troops fired on the mob. A town meeting approved the authorities' actions.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

A riot, unequalled in New England or its desperate features, occurred at Providence on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings of last week, between some whites and blacks—the former having given the provocation. About a dozen houses, occupied for dissolute purposes by the latter, were torn down, and their contents scattered to the winds. A sailor, who was in the mob, was shot on Wednesday evening by some colored person or persons, and died instantly. On Saturday evening, the mob increasing in number, and refusing to disperse, the Governor ordered the troops to fire upon them! Four persons were killed, and about fourteen wounded.

A town meeting was held on the Sabbath, when resolutions were passed deprecating the conduct of the mob, and approving of the forbearance, moderation, and firmness of the civil and military authorities, and sanctioning the performance of the melancholy duty which at last devolved upon them.

We shall publish the particulars of this riot, which have been sent to us by a friend in Providence, in our next paper.

What sub-type of article is it?

Riot Or Protest Death Or Funeral Military

What keywords are associated?

Providence Riot Racial Violence Troops Firing Sailor Shot Houses Torn Down

What entities or persons were involved?

Governor

Where did it happen?

Providence

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Providence

Event Date

Wednesday, Friday And Saturday Evenings Of Last Week; Town Meeting On The Sabbath

Key Persons

Governor

Outcome

a sailor shot and died instantly; four persons killed, about fourteen wounded; about a dozen houses torn down

Event Details

Riot between whites and blacks in Providence, whites provoking by tearing down a dozen houses occupied by blacks for dissolute purposes; sailor in mob shot by colored persons on Wednesday evening and died instantly; on Saturday evening, mob increased and refused to disperse, Governor ordered troops to fire, killing four and wounding fourteen; town meeting on Sabbath passed resolutions deprecating mob and approving authorities' actions