The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

DUBLIN, May 14. Never was there known so much havoc and destruction in this city, as were made last Tuesday and Wednesday, by pulling down of houses, gutting them of the furniture, breaking open all locks, doors, cellars, vessels with malt drink, spirits, wine, &c. by which many families have been ruined, as well as some proprietors of houses. On this outrageous occasion many thieves mingled themselves with the populace, and stole whatever they could carry away. Their fury was not confined to Dublin, but even extended to Ringsend, Irishtown and Donnybrook, where they levelled houses to the ground, destroyed or purloined all the furniture; and had it not been for the activity of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and a party of soldiers, they would have demolished many more. Thirty-two of these riotous thieves were taken by his Lordship, tied on carts, and sent to Newgate under a guard.

On Wednesday they vented all their fury on the bagnio in Aungier-street, broke the windows, destroyed the furniture in all the rooms, which they threw into the street, unroofed the house, and in the pulling the timbers down, the roof suddenly fell in, and killed five or six of these desperadoes, who have since been dug out of the ruins: and what is most melancholy, this house belonged to a widow, who had 25 l. a year profit rent upon it, which was her only support.

On application to his Excellency Lord Townshend on Wednesday, his Lordship was pleased to give orders to the regiments of horse & foot in the barracks to attend the Lord Mayor and Magistrates, which they accordingly did, and patrolled the streets that night in different parties, which entirely suppressed these rioters: and we have the pleasure to inform the public, that there has been no disturbance in any part of the town since that time.

Never have been such great distresses known, as by the late unwarrantable riots, many unhappy, poor helpless women being cruelly abused, robbed of their all, under the censure and displeasure of their parents and friends, not knowing where to get a morsel to eat, any house to shelter them, or where to rest their distracted heads. How pitiable is the case of these deluded families, most or all whom have been seduced, and rendered incapable of getting honest bread by wretches who have betrayed them, and robbed them of their fame and virtue.

Yesterday above forty rioters were brought to the Tholsel for public inspection and examination, when the unhappy sufferers discovered several among them who were concerned in plundering and destroying their property, and made affidavits against them.