Sancho Describes the Gordon Riots

Ignatius Sancho's shop was just a few hundred yards from the Houses of Parliament and he had a ring-side view of the Gordon Riots of June 1780. The riots began with Lord George Gordon's protest against an act for a small measure of toleration for Catholics, an act deeply resented by many in Protestant England. Soon, however, the protest got out of control as 'the mob' - the ordinary working people - vented their anger at the hardships of their lives. Political protest turned into anarchy as groups of Londoners broke windows, burned down the homes and chapels of Catholics, and finally set free the inmates of Newgate, London's main prison. Along the way over a thousand people died. Hundreds were burned to death in an inferno after a distillery on High Holborn was set on fire. Fire-fighters mistakenly pumped raw alcohol onto the flames, thinking it was water. After more than a week the army finally brought the disturbances to an end.

Sancho wrote several eye-witness accounts of the riots in letters to John Spink. This letter is the longest and the most immediate, clearly written while the disturbances were taking place. Sancho ironically comments on the 'worse than Negro barbarity of the populace' while staying true to his ideals by declaring that 'I am for universal toleration'. In this letter I have retained eighteenth-century spellings and expanded Sancho's initialisation. Excellent notes to this letter can be found in Vincent Carretta's edition of The Letters. See my online bibliograpy for details.

To J[OHN] S[PINK], ESQ.

Charles Street, June 6, 1780.

DEAR AND MOST RESPECTED SIR,
In the midst of the most cruel and ridiculous confusion, I am now set down to give you a very imperfect sketch of the maddest people that the maddest times were ever plagued with. - The public prints have informed you (without doubt) of last Friday's transactions; - the insanity of L[or]d G[eorge] G[ordon] and the worse than Negro barbarity of the populace; - the burnings and devastations of each night you will also see in the prints: - This day, by consent, was set apart for the farther consideration of the wished - for repeal; - the people (who had their proper cue from his lordship) assembled by ten o'clock in the morning. - Lord N[orth], who had been up in council at home till four in the morning, got to the house before eleven, just a quarter of an hour before the associators reached Palace-yard: - but, I should tell you, in council there was a deputation from all parties; - the S[helburne] party were for prosecuting L[or]d G[eorge], and leaving him at large; - the At[torne]y G[enera]l laughed at the idea, and declared it was doing just nothing; - the M[inistr]y were for his expulsion, and so dropping him gently into insignificancy; - that was thought wrong, as he would still be industrious in mischief; - the R[ockingha]m party, I should suppose, you will think counselled best, which is, this day to expel him the house - commit him to the Tower - and then prosecute him at leisure - by which means he will lose the opportunity of getting a seat in the next parliament - and have decent leisure to repent him of the heavy evils he has occasioned. - There is at this present moment at least a hundred thousand poor, miserable, ragged rabble, from twelve to sixty years of age, with blue cockades in their hats - besides half as many women and children - all parading the streets - the bridge - the park - ready for any and every mischief. - Gracious God! what's the matter now? I was obliged to leave off - the shouts of the mob - the horrid clashing of swords - and the clutter of a multitude in swiftest motion - drew me to the door - when every one in the street was employed in shutting up shop. - It is now just five o'clock - the ballad - singers are exhausting their musical talents - with the downfall of Popery, S[andwic]h, and N[ort]h. - Lord S[andwic]h narrowly escaped with life about an hour since; - the mob seized his chariot going to the house, broke his glasses, and, in struggling to get his lordship out, they somehow have cut his face; - the guards flew to his assistance - the light-horse scowered the road, got his chariot, escorted him from the coffee-house, where he had fled for protection, to his carriage, and guarded him bleeding very fast home. This - this - is liberty! genuine British liberty! - This instant about two thousand liberty boys are swearing and swaggering by with large sticks - thus armed in hopes of meeting with the Irish chairmen and labourers - all the guards are out - and all the horse; - the poor fellows are just worn out for want of rest - having been on duty ever since Friday. - Thank heaven, it rains; may it increase, so as to send these deluded wretches safe to their homes, their families, and wives! About two this afternoon, a large party took it into their heads to visit the King and Queen, and entered the Park for that purpose - but found the guard too numerous to be forced, and after some useless attempts gave it up. - It is reported, the house will either be prorogued, or parliament dissolved, this evening - as it is in vain to think of attending any business while this anarchy lasts.

I cannot but felicitate you, my good friend, upon the happy distance you are placed from our scene of confusion. - May foul Discord and her cursed train never nearer approach your blessed abode! Tell Mrs. S[pink], her good heart would ach, did she see the anxiety, the woe, in the faces of mothers, wives, and sweethearts, each equally anxious for the object of their wishes, the beloved of their hearts. Mrs. Sancho and self both cordially join in love and gratitude, and every good wish - crowned with the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, &c.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours ever by inclination,
IGN. SANCHO

Postscript
The Sardinian ambassador offered 500 guineas to the rabble, to save a painting of our Saviour from the flames, and 1000 guineas not to destroy an exceeding fine organ: the gentry told him, they would burn him if they could get at him, and destroyed the picture and organ directly. - I am not sorry I was born in Afric. - I shall tire you, I fear - and, if I cannot get a frank, make you pay dear for bad news. - There is about a thousand mad men, armed with clubs, bludgeons, and crows, just now set off for Newgate, to liberate, they say, their honest comrades. - I wish they do not some of them lose their lives of liberty before morning. It is thought by many who discern deeply, that there is more at the bottom of this business than merely the repeal of an act - which has as yet produced no bad consequences, and perhaps never might. - I am forced to own, that I am for universal toleration. Let us convert by our example, and conquer by our meekness and brotherly love!

Eight o'clock. Lord G[eorge] G[ordon] has this moment announced to my Lords the mob - that the act shall be repealed this evening: - upon this, they gave a hundred cheers - took the horses from his hackney - coach - and rolled him full jollily away: - they are huzzaing now ready to crack their throats
HUZZAH

I am forced to conclude for want of room-the remainder in our next.

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