Editing Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst (section)

===Gordon Riots===
{{Main|Gordon Riots}}

In June 1780, Amherst oversaw the British army as they suppressed the anti-Catholic [[Gordon Riots]] in London.  After the outbreak of rioting Amherst deployed the small London garrison of Horse and Foot Guards as well as he could but was hindered by the reluctance of the civil magistrates to authorise decisive action against the rioters.<ref>Mansel, page 126</ref> 

Line troops and [[militia]] were brought in from surrounding counties, swelling the forces at Amherst's disposal to over 15,000, many of whom were quartered in tents in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], and a form of [[martial law]] was declared, giving the troops the authority to fire on crowds if the [[Riot Act]] had first been read. Although order was eventually restored, Amherst was personally alarmed by the failure of the authorities to suppress the riots.<ref>Hibbert ''King Mob''. p. 102</ref> 

In the wake of the Gordon Riots, Amherst was forced to resign as Commander-in-Chief in February 1782 and was replaced by [[Henry Seymour Conway|Henry Conway]].<ref name=heath25/> On 23 March 1782 he became captain and colonel of the [[2nd Troop of Horse Guards]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=12280|page=1|date=19 March 1782}}</ref>