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As the day crept on； still more unusual sights were witnessed in
the streets。 The gates of the King’s Bench and Fleet Prisons being
opened at the usual hour； were found to have notices affixed to
them； announcing that the rioters would come that night to burn
them down。 The wardens； too well knowing the likelihood there
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was of this promise being fulfilled； were fain to set their prisoners
at liberty； and give them leave to move their goods； so； all day；
such of them as had any furniture were occupied in conveying it；
some to this place； some to that； and not a few to the brokers’
shops； where they gladly sold it； for any wretched price those
gentry chose to give。 There were some broken men among these
debtors who had been in jail so long； and were so miserable and
destitute of friends； so dead to the world； and utterly forgotten and
uncared for； that they implored their jailers not to set them free；
and to send them； if need were； to some other place of custody。
But they； refusing to comply； lest they should incur the anger of
the mob； turned them into the streets； where they wandered up
and down hardly remembering the ways untrodden by their feet
so long； and crying—such abject things those rotten…hearted jails
had made them—as they slunk off in their rags； and dragged their
slipshod feet along the pavement。
Even of the three hundred prisoners who had escaped from
Newgate； there were some—a few； but there were some—who
sought their jailers out and delivered themselves up： preferring
imprisonment and punishment to the horrors of such another
night as the last。 Many of the convicts； drawn back to their old
place of captivity by some indescribable attraction； or by a desire
to exult over it in its downfall and glut their revenge by seeing it in
ashes； actually went back in broad noon； and loitered about the
cells。 Fifty were retaken at one time on this next day； within the
prison walls； but their fate did not deter others； for there they
went in spite of everything； and there they were taken in twos and
threes； twice or thrice a day； all through the week。 Of the fifty just
mentioned； some were occupied in endeavouring to rekindle the
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fire； but in general they seemed to have no object in view but to
prowl and lounge about the old place： being often found asleep in
the ruins； or sitting talking there； or even eating and drinking； as
in a choice retreat。
Besides the notices on the gates of the Fleet and the King’s
Bench； many similar announcements were left； before one o’clock
at noon； at the houses of private individuals； and further； the mob
proclaimed their intention of seizing on the Bank； the Mint； the
Arsenal at Woolwich； and the Royal Palaces。 The notices were
seldom delivered by more than one man； who； if it were at a shop；
went in； and laid it； with a bloody threat perhaps； upon the
counter； or if it were at a private house； knocked at the door； and
thrust it in the servant’s hand。 Notwithstanding the presence of
the military in every quarter of the town； and the great force in the
Park； these messengers did their errands with impunity all
through the day。 So did two boys who went down Holborn alone；
armed with bars taken from the railings of Lord Mansfield’s
house； and demanded money for the rioters。 So did a tall man on
horseback who made a collection for the same purpose in Fleet
Street； and refused to take anything but gold。
A rumour had now got into circulation； too； which diffused a
greater dread all through London； even than these publicly
announced intentions of the rioters； though all men knew that if
they were successfully effected； there must ensue a national
bankruptcy and general ruin。 It was said that they meant to throw
the gates of Bedlam open； and let all the madmen loose。 This
suggested such dreadful images to the people’s minds； and was
indeed an act so fraught with new and unimaginable horrors in
the contemplation； that it beset them more than any loss or cruelty
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of which they could foresee the worst； and drove many sane men
nearly mad themselves。
So the day passed on： the prisoners moving their goods； people
running to and fro in the streets； carrying away their property；
groups standing in silence round the ruins； all business
suspended； and the soldiers disposed as has been already
mentioned； remaining quite inactive。 So the day passed on； and
dreaded night drew near again。
At last； at seven o’clock in the evening； the Privy Council issued
a solemn proclamation that it was now necessary to employ the
military； and that the officers had most direct and effectual orders；
by an immediate exertion of their utmost force； to repress the
disturbances； and warning all good subjects of the King to keep
themselves； their servants； and apprentices； within doors that
night。 There was then delivered out to every soldier on duty；
thirty…six rounds of powder and ball； the drums beat； and the
whole force was under arms at sunset。
The City authorities； stimulated by these vigorous measures；
held a Common Council； passed a vote thanking the military
associations who had tendered their aid to the civil authorities；
accepted it； and placed them under the direction of the two
sheriffs。 At