Extract from ‘The Bristol Gazette’ on a riot in Bristol, 3 November 1831, F

Transcript

The mob had, in the course of the morning, obtained possession of a quantity of iron-railings, &c. and early in the afternoon a party proceeded, armed with these implements, pickaxes, hatchets, &c. to Bridewell, with the avowed [determined] intention of liberating the prisoners that had been committed the preceding day. – The party was far from numerous, but not the slightest molestation [harm] was offered them! On reaching Bridewell, they procured a quantity of sledge-hammers from a smith’s shop in the neighbourhood, and immediately commenced an attack on the massive gates. These they soon force, and thinking that they might be used as barricades against themselves, almost instantaneously destroyed them, throwing the fragments over the wall into the Frome River.

After liberating the prisoners, they systematically proceeded to set one wing on fire, and the building was soon in a bright glow. About the same time a much larger party proceeded to the New Gaol, a very strong stone building, erected only a few years ago, at a very great expense.