y to the
proceeding--that the parties concerned in the affair were peaceably
disposed--and that every man of them would consider himself as a special
constable, upon whom the preservation of peace was incumbent. Their
whole object was to present to that house a petition, signed by between
five and six millions of the people. The present announcement would
certainly take the people by surprise.--Sir G. Grey could not see how
they could be taken by surprise. The government had, at the earliest
moment, taken the subject into deliberation, and resolved to take the
course he had indicated.--Mr. Hume was sorry to find the government
had taken up the subject so seriously, and advised them to rescind the
proclamation."

Notwithstanding Mr. Hume's advice, the government did take it up as a
serious matter, and the opinion of the public was with the government.
Among other measures which the executive took to ensure security, the
following were conspicuous:--"A large supply of fire-arms and cutlasses
have been sent from the Tower to the East India House, and their
different warehouses, the Custom House, Excise-office, the Post-office,
Bank of England, the Mansion House, the various departments at Somerset
House, the Ordnance-office, Pall-Mali, the Admiralty, and the different
government offices at the West-end; also to a great many banking-houses
in the city, and the dock companies. The clerks and persons employed
in these establishments will be ready to act, if absolutely necessary,
against any outrage that may be committed by a mob. The swearing-in
of special constables is proceeding rapidly in Lambeth, Walworth,
Camberwell, the Borough, and the districts on the Surrey side of the
water, where the tradespeople and householders all show their desire to
protect the public peace if called upon."

These preparations were followed by the following proclamation:--

"_NOTICE_

"Whereas the assemblage of large numbers of people, accompanied with
circumstances tending to excite terror and alarm in the minds of her
majesty's subjects, is criminal and unlawful.

"And whereas not only those persons who take an active part in such,
assemblage, but those also who by their presence wilfully countenance
it, are acting contrary to law, and are liable to punishment; and
whereas an act of parliament, passed in the thirteenth year of the reign
of his late majesty King Charles II., intituled, 'An act against tumults
and disorders, upon pretenc