1768.
September.

the Government, care and management thereof, to the Alderman
of Billingsgate ward in the City of London for the time being,
and had also furnished the said Alderman and certain
other Persons therein directed to be chosen with ample towers
and authorities for the purpose of making a Registry of
Coalheavers , an institution of public benefit; and that
the provident intentions of the Legislature in this respect, and
the endeavors of those employed in the Execution of the said
Act, were actually defected, is evident from the consequences
of the said Ralph Hodgson< no role > This name instance is in set 3684. 's interposition, which were a
total defection from, and desertion of the former legally
established Office, and a numerous resort and frequent
application of Coalheavers and others to this new one set up
by him of his own meer Motion and without any Warrant
authority or sanction whatsoever.

That the Facts above Stated together with the notorious
inactivity and supiness, with regard to any measure for quelling
the Riots aforesaid of him the said Ralph Hodgson< no role > , as also
the many factious and inflammatory advertisements and
Paragraphs, which were inserted in the public news Papers
about the time of the commencement of the said disputes, intimating
that the said Ralph Hodgson< no role > had taken the poor injured
Coalheavers under his protection, and was determined to procure
redress of their wrongs, and to defend them against their Oppressor
did in the apprehension of us his Majesty's said Justices afford
a ground of suspicion that the said Ralph Hodgson< no role > was an
Abettor and Encourager of the said Rioters or at least that he
connived at the Outrages and disorders by them from time to
time committed; but that these our Suspicious have now subsided,
and are resolved into Conviction, by proof made to us upon Oath
of the following facts vizt.

That on the 17th. day of March last, being the anniversary
of St. Patrick the tutelar Saint of Ireland , a mob of Coalheavers
to the amount of 400 Persons and upwards each of them with a
green here in his Hat called a Shamrogge, a Badge of distinction
constantly worn on that Day by Fishmen, assembled together