| Citation |
NEWJ.736.029
30 Nov 1736:12,13 (504)
[From the London Magazine, Septemb. 1736] From Edinburgh,
Sept. 12. 1736.
We hear, that a very extraordinary tumult and execution
happened there last Tuesday the 7th current. About 10 at
night, some men, by surprize, entered the city, seized all
the fire-arms, battle-axes, and the drums belonging to the
city-guard. The mob in a few minutes lock'd & secur'd all
the city gates, & with drums beat an alarm,then attempted to
force open with hammers and other instruments the prison
door; but these failing they set fire to it, & burnt it. . .
It was observ'd that this mob was under a stricter concert
& better conducted than usual; for as marching along to the
execution, Porteous [an officer who ordered men to shoot
into a crowd of civilians] observing a gentleman of his
acquaintance, he gave him a purse of 23 guineas, which he
desired might be delivered to his brother. They left the
prison doors open, & liberty to the prisoners to make their
escape; and after the execution was over, they left the arms
& drums on the place of execution, where they were found the
next morning: During the tumult, parties of armed men with
drums, patrolled in the different streets, to prevent any
surprize from the King's forces, quarter'd in the suburbs. .
.
Some other circumstances were also related; as, that 'twas
almost certain, that those who took upon them the direction,
and began & carried on the riot, came from the Westward, &
enter'd the West-Port; that they seiz'd the West-Port drum,
& some of them beat a call to arms; then call'd out, Here!
all those who dare avenge innocent blood. . .
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