Page:Letter from a gentleman in Glasgow to his friend in the country.pdf/10

Rh attend him; and in a few days after he was perfectly cured of his wounds; and got money to carry him to Edinburgh.

As soon as the news of this matter reached Edinburgh, a most scandalous account thereof was published in the Caledonian Mercury, of the 29th of June, reflecting on the magistrates of Glasgow, and containing gross insinuations of their being accessary to all these disorders. It was said, "That capt. Bushell, as soon as the mob began to assemble, at Mr. Campbell's house, sent to the magistrates for orders to disperse them, but they answered, that they did not think it convenient to make use of his assistance." From what I have said you will see, that the mob began to assemble at ten o'clock at night, and the foresaid message from capt. Bushell, did not come to the provost till near twelve, when the mob was most numerous and outragious, and when it would have been the greatest imprudence to beat up the soldiers out of their quarters. It is also said in the foresaid news paper, "That capt. Bushell when insulted by the mob, at the guard, caused a constable read the proclamation, the magistrates it seems not thinking it safe to countenance him." Whereas in truth there was no constable there, no proclamation read, and the magistrates would have willingly, without any apprehension of danger, countenanced capt. Bushell, and suppressed the mob, but the captain did not advertise them of it, but of his own accord fired upon the mob, and killed sundry of them upon the spot. Its further said, "That capt. Bushell fired at first blunt shot, hoping thereby to affright the mob." Whereas by the first fire two persons were killed. Its also insinuated in the foresaid news papers, "That when the magistrates advised the captain to retire with the detatchment out of town, there was no necessity for it;" and yet if they had not retired, it is highly probable they would have been all cut in pieces. It is likewise said, "That on Saturday the mob continued ringing of fire bells, &c. and pulling down the roof and floors of Shawfield's house;" this is also false, for there were no fire bells rung after Friday, when captain Bushell committed the above mentioned slaughter: Neither