Wednesday 18 May 2016

18th May 1816: Norfolk magistrates issue Proclamation about rioting

A Proclamation.—The Magistrates being determined to make use of every means which the Law allows them to preserve the peace of the City, hereby give notice, that if any number of persons shall hereafter unlawfully assemble themselves in any part of the City, they will cause them to be immediately dispersed. And they give this public notice of such their intention, that no attempt may again be made to repeat the late outrages. And should any person of persons, in wanton riots and illegal proceedings, after this solemn warning, receive any hurt or damage, or be apprehended and committed for trial, they must take the blame wholly on themselves.—The Magistrates also strictly charge and command the peaceable inhabitants to keep their families, and particularly their boys, apprentices, and servants, at home, as much as possible, in evenings.—They thanks those who have already joined them in their exertions to preserve the peace, and they request their further assistance; but they strictly warn all other persons of every description, not to wander in the streets or markets, from curiosity or any other motive; because, when necessity requires that the civil and military powers make use of force in suppressing of tumults, it is not possible to distinguish the innocent from the guilty; and, therefore, all present, let their motives be what they may, will be in danger of receiving injury, and of being committed to Gaol, to answer according to Law, for being even found amongst or near rioters.

Guildhall, May 18th, 1816

This was published in the Norfolk Chronicle of 25th May 1816.

No comments:

Post a Comment