Historical Notes

The Carnival Riots of 1879

“Attempts to revive masquerading in 1879 were greeted by a proclamation issued by His Honour Edward Laborde, the Officer Administering the Government. It read: “Whereas certain persons wearing masks in breach of the law have lately assembled together in the streets… And Whereas it is expedient to give notice of the law and to warn all persons from breaking the same.{{more}} Now Therefore I Edward Laborde…do hereby by this my proclamation declare and make known that all persons who shall wear any mask in any of the streets of Kingstown and all persons who shall assemble together in a riotous or tumultuous manner in order to abet any person or persons in wearing any mask…or in any way acting for an unlawful purpose will be proceeded against according to the law.” (February 12, 1879)

Edward Laborde to Lieutenant Governor Dundas (February 15, 1879)

“I regret to have to report serious disturbances in the Town of Kingstown in this week in which the Police were beaten by the mob and the Town for many hours was quite unprotected.

2. The disturbances arose in this way. Many years ago it was the custom for the lower orders of the people to dress themselves in fantastic attire, and wearing masks, to parade and dance through the Streets with sticks or whips in their hands… Several serious disturbances occurred, from this masquerading, and after many attempts it was successfully suppressed in 1872… Having heard that some persons had been seen masquerading in the streets in the evening of Saturday 8th instant I sent for the Chief of Police on the Monday morning and told him he was not on any account to permit the revival or continuance of it…

6. …When darkness set in, a little after 7 O’clock on Tuesday evening a dense mob gathered between Paul’s Gate and the Green and they attacked with sticks and stones the few Police Constables who were patrolling that part of the Town. The Chief took out all his available force, with batons to rescue his men who were being beaten. The mob in front attacked these with sticks, while from the rear and from the sides stones and broken bottles were hauled at them. The Police were driven back and the Chief, finding they were overbone by numbers order them to retire to their barracks. He remained in the street at some distance from the mob when suddenly the cry arose “there is the Chief! Kill him! Kill him! Stones and broken bottles were thrown at him and he was knocked down several times. Some friendly hands were

fortunately among the mob and they dragged the Chief within the gateway of a house in which he sought safety. The mob vented their rage on this house and continued to throw stones at it until they learnt that the Chief of Police had escaped through the back of the premises and by another street…

…I suggested to the Council, as a first step, that I should request Your Excellency to send down H.M.S Blonche which ship I believe to be in Barbados, and I proposed to transmit to you a telegram in the following words- “Can Blonche steam down at once? Serious riot in Town last night- her presence may prevent threatened recurrences this night.” The Council were of opinion that these words did not sufficiently show the urgency for the presence of the Ship of War and they suggested that instead of the words “her presence may prevent threatened recurrences this night” I should say “Police beaten- dangerous placards with threats to fire Town”