October 1855 French exile in London Félix Pyat published a letter questioning the relationship between Queen Victoria and Napoleon III, this letter was later published on the 10th of October in the newspaper “L’Homme” printed from the press of Zenon Świętosławski (who was in London at the time), the press known as “L’Imprimerie Universelle” was situated at 19 Dorset Street, St Helier where he lived, the letter caused great concern amongst some quarters, especially those that were not happy with the politically active exiles in Jersey, whose activities were continously scrutinised by Russian spies and undercover actions of the British, led by Police Detective John Sanders.
October the 13th a meeting was advertised to be held at the Queen’s Assembly rooms in Belmont Road, to discuss the publishing of the letter, the meeting was to be held in English so as all those attending could understand it. On the night the meeting was opened by Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan proposing that the constable of St Helier Nicholas Le Quesne chair it, Constable Le Quesne then went on to address a crammed room of some 1800-2,000 people criticising the actions of some of the exiles and the newspaper “L’Homme”. The first resolution was proposed by Mr W V Le Quesne in that this country should at all times offer asylum to political and religious exiles and they should submit to the laws, this was seconded by Mr J Q Rumbold who was not a resident of Jersey, and he called the letter a scandalous attack on the Queen by a newspaper published in this island. The second resolution was in regards to the actions of the newspaper with its suppresion of christianity, propagation of socialism, and the destruction of all thrones. Seconded by Captain W Childers many years in the 42nd Highlanders and he thought the meeting appeared to want to address the best way to suppress that scandalous publication “L’Homme”. Mr F Godfray suggested it was the letter itself and not the paper that should be judged, with the crowd calling out “All! All!” in response. Godfray stated it should have been a court decision not that of a meeting, there was some discussion as to whether it was the newspaper, the publisher, or the letter that needed to be taken up, the suppresion of the publication was passed by the majority of the meeting by a show of hands. Dr J Dickson with a third resolution that immediate measures be taken by the authorities to do everthing to suppress the newspaper, which he described as the most disgraceful outrage on moral laws. Seconded by Mr G Bisson. An amendment by Mr Godfray that the publisher be prosecuted by the Constable was deemed unneccessary. A deputation was then appointed to wait on the Lieutenant Governor and lay the proceedings before him, the deputation was to consist of the Constable, Colonel Hemery and Dr Joseph Dickson.
About an hour after the meeting a mob of some 100 people, some said to be plain clothed military in disguise, went to Dorset street with the intention of smashing the printing press, Colonel Teleki had heard of this and went to Victor Hugo’s house to warn him and the assistance of Centenier Philippe Asplet was called for. Within the building at Dorset street was several proscrits armed with iron bars protecting the press, these were Francois Tafery, Claude Victor Vincent, Louis Jego, Dr Louis Gornet, and Kosiell, and 3 policeman protecting the building which the mob was threatening to burn down, the mob attempted to enter the building stating they were representing the Queen, a police officer George Henley stood in their way stating that he was also representing the Queen, Captain Childers offered Henley a bribe if he would stand aside which he declined, and Childers then threatened to return with 3-400 men, and the mob started shouting “Down with the reds!” Then a heavy downpour seemed to disperse the crowd, and at 10pm Constable Le Quesne and Centenier Asplet arrived and assured the exiles that the press would be protected and they would be no future attack.
The following day a sunday the deputation from the meeting met with the Lieutenant Governor Sir James Love as a result he instructed the law officers to prosecute the journal “L’Homme” they replied that the author of the letter was a resident in London and not Jersey, so did not come within the law. The Governor then decided to expel the editor in chief Charles Ribeyrolles, the administrator Colonel Luigi Pianciani, and vendor Alexandre Thomas. Also a list of 29 other exiles to be expelled was handed over, the eventual number was greater and they were ordered to depart by November 2nd. Some questioned if the Governor had the authority to expel those named.
Prior to the riot Constable Le Quesne had managed to get the editor of the “Chronique” newspaper sacked. The paper had been supportive to the cause of the exiles. Another Jersey newspaper the “Impartial” had received French financial backing. With the “Jersey Independent” also anti the exiles, all the islands main media was against them.
Some weeks later Centenier Philippe Asplet was taken to court by Constable Le Quesne for assaulting the editor of the “Impartial” a Mr Le Moine, the case was disputed in court, with contradicting evidence from witnesses, and it was sent to the Royal Court which deals with the islands more serious cases, there Asplet’s lawyer argued that an honest man would not be able to contain himself after reading such foul and calumnious insults as had been published about him. The jury found that the “provocation extenuated considerably the assault”. They also found him “more innocent than guilty” of several other charges laid against him by M. Le Moine. Asplet was fined £5.
Thomas C Jones writes: “These were the only explicitly political deportations of foreign nationals from any portion of the British Isles between 1823, when government powers to expel aliens granted under a succession of Aliens Acts during the wars of 1793-1815 were used for the last time, and 1914, when “enemy aliens” were detained and repatriated during the First World War”
Nicolas Jouault 