The Virginia Gazette

Birmingham, August 31. Last Friday evening some sailors who had been engaged on board a Guineaman fitting out in one of the docks at Liverpool, having finished her rigging, demanded their wages, at the rate of 30s. per month, for which they were engaged, but were given to understand by the owners, that as there were plenty of hands to be had they would give but 20s. upon which they returned on board the vessel, and in a short time after cut and demolished the whole of the rigging, and left it on the deck. A party of constables immediately seized nine of the principals, and brought them before the magistrates, who committed them to prison; upon which a great number of sailors (supposed to be upwards of 2000) armed with handspikes, clubs, &c. proceeded to the goal, the windows of which they soon destroyed; upon this the riot act was read to them, which having no effect, as they were determined to rescue their companions or destroy the goal, eight of them were accordingly dismissed, with whom they marched off in triumph; but upon mustering, and finding one had been detained, they instantly returned to the prison and brought him off, together with a woman, who had been also committed for aiding and assisting in the riot; when, after parading and terrifying the inhabitants till near twelve o'clock, they dispersed, and on Saturday morning all was quiet.