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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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YORKSHIRE ASSIZES , ( Con&vued from our fifth page . ) - ' ¦ ¦ - ? " CROWN COUBT . —Wedssbdat , Maech 11 . [ BEFOBB XB . JUSTICE BBSKIHB . ] THE BBASFO&S CHABT 1 STS . Robert Peddie , 37 , William Brook , 37 , Thomas Drake , SB ) James Holdsworth , 26 , and Paul Holds-«» riA , 24 , were indicted for seditiously conspiring to raate '» riot and disturbance at Bradford , on the SJthof January , and for seditiously meeting sad naing for the purpose of carrying these intentions fato effect . : The AnoiWBT-GEHEaAL , Sergeant Atcherlet , and Mr . WiGHnurt conducted the prosecution . Mr . Watsoji defended the prisoner Brook ; the Hon . Mr . WoaTiBT appeared for Drake ; Mr . Wixkins fuz the two Holdsworths ; and Messrs . Watson and "Wilki 5 s , conjointly , for Peddie , , M \ Wightmak opened the ^ leadings . ¦
The ATioRKBT-GETmAithen rose and said : —May it pl < jase jour Lordship—Gentlemen of the Juryfhe five defendants standing at the bar are indicted ftr the crime of misdemeanor ; but , although it is only for a misdemeanour , h is of a grave and serious kind , sad indeed bordering on the crime of high treason , the greatest offence known to the laws of this countey . Perhaps H might haTe been possible to hare pros * cuted these men for the higher offence , but greatly rejoice that in the discharge of my public duty I have been enabled to follow a milder course The defendants at the bar , Gentlemen , had meditated fee higher crime , but they were disturbed and thwarted before they had made much progress in the wicked scheme which they had laid ; and I
, therefore , think , myself , that I should not hare been justified in laying the case before you as a case of Egh treason , because there does not appear , upon a Consideration of the case , that a military affray look place , which . 1 consider to be necessary to constitute me crime of levying war . It gives me , as I have Already stated , sincere satisfaction to follow the . JBjlder course . Bnt , Gentlemen , they are charged - with a riot and misdemeanor , and after you have gJlBMd-the evidence wbieh will be laid before you , it' will tw ""entirely at -year * discretion » r my whether they are guilty or n 6 t of fce crime imputed to them . I will state to jm a brief outline of the case , which I am instructed , to say , will be fully made out to yon in ^ evidence .
Toe scene of this disturbance was the manufacturing tows of Bradford in this county , and that there was a riot there on the night between Sunday the 26 th and Monday the 27 th of January last , cannot admit f a moment ' s doubt . There were armed men walking about in the streets of Bradford , for an uulawful purpose . Gentlemen , on the nights in question , there Iras much disturbance in the town of Eradford ; two jratjbmen were taken and secured and sentinels were placed OTer them ; and there was great appfe-Beasioa that tha safety of the to-svn might be in danger . But luckily the disturbance was quelled , and order restored without a more serious crime being committed . The special constables came to the aid of the police , the military were
• ailed oat , and tranquillity was restored . That there was a riot , and a previous concert for that riot , could admit of no doubt whatever . The question , therefore , would be , waat part the gnsonera at the bar had in it . It would be for the Jnry to say whether they were engaged in it , and if be did not lay satisfactory evidence before them that they were engaged in that riot , they would be enthied to a verdict of acquittal ; but the evidence , ie considered , would be sufficient to prove the guilt ef tBe prisoners . On the evening of . the Saturday there was a meeting at Mrs . Hargreaves , in Bradford , waere schemes which had been previously planned were again discussed : " at this meeting the taisoaers , Peddie and Brook , were present . Now ,
sue eenemes laid were of the most alarming character , and would astonish those who were not accustotoed to courts of justice . But , as was said by Lord . Tenterden , when an attempt was made to take the town of London by two men—Lord Tenterden told the Jury that they over-calculated the support they were likely to obtain . So in this case they saw no betaele * in the way , and plunged into their schemes which were abortive , being determined to resort to physical force for the purpose of obtaining the p ang . - They were in Bradford on the night between Saturday night and Sunday morning t . they were on that night to take possession of the town , then they-were to proceed to the neighbourhood and take possession of certain iron work 3 , called the
¦ Low Moot Iron Works , which were in Ihe possessor of Messrs . Dawson and Hardy . In those iron , works were some cannon , and they fxpeeted to get some pieces of artillery , which would assist them , is their proposed schemes—then they were to go to Dewsbnry , — -and after they were to |« roceed to the Metropolis and take possession of the Government . It was agreed on that occasion that She * should meet on the Sunday evening , at a place ailed Udget Green . They accordingly met there , when , Peddie and Drake , and Brook were present . ! Upon that occasion , they further discussed and manured the details of the plan . They agreed that they were to coxae armed- ^ and ii was resolved that they should provide a considerable quantity of
ammunition and arms . They were to meet at an earlier lionr at the house of a person called Smith , who keeps an orange shop . They were to wait till two sb the morning and then sally forth , then go to the ¦ ttrket-Dlace and carry the scheme into execution . They accordingly met at Smith ' s , the orange shop , * ud there were present besides those he had meatumea the two Holdsworths . They remained there | w » i considerable time—and then sallied forth with Peddie at their head . Peddie had on his person a taiiitary belt and » dagger , andtbeothers were armed witb / diSenxit kinds of weapons—and a considerable ffuaafcityof ball cartridges had been provided . They aid sally forth and met a watchman named Croft , whom , they took prisoner . He ( the Attorney
General ) was thankful they had not the barbarouB scheme of assassinating all whom they met on the way—and it gave him pleasure to state that oa bekalf of the defendants . Their object was to take all fee watchmen prisoners . Accordingly , they took < 3 roft prisoner , and Peddie was there when he was taken . Then they met a man ealled Hillingworth , a special constable , whom they took a prisoner . But -si this period of the transaction the constables came mp , and followed the mob , which immediately dispersed . Now , if these facts were proved , it did ^ ^ ieem , to him , with all deference and respect to the ¦ - '^ Jury and to his Lordship , that there could be no 4 oobt of the guilt of the prisoners . How , then , was ke t » establish these facts ! It would be proved by
witnesses who were beyond suspicion , and of whose testimony no doubt could be entertained , that on the might in question Peddie was in the streets of Bradford , having on a military belt , and armed with a Jaeger , and that he did assist in assaulting CrefV , -anoin patting him in charge of the sentinel ; and there could abo be no doubt that upon that occasion " Brook was likewise present , that Drake was likewise , -present , that the two Holdsworths were likewise present , and that they took a part m this proceeding . As to a riot , therefore , having been committed by them it did seem to him that there could not be a doubt , for a single moment . He ehrald lay before them speci mens of the arms that were taken ; he should also
produce some of the ball cartridges , and he should hew the jury by a number of witnesses , upon which kk learned friend ( with any hope of success at least ) ke apprehended would not be able to make any attack , ifoat the five defended at the bar were all implicated fai that unlawful disturbance . But as to the particulars of the scheme which was laid by these defendants that would depend upon witnesses of a different deseriptien ; yet without showing whaf the particulars of the scheme were , he apprehended that lie should be fully justified in asking the jury for a Terdiet of guilty : stSL however , that the particulars ¦ m tais « Me aright be folly laid before both the jury « nd the public ce was anxious to withhold nothing . Be should , therefore , according to his instructions , fiEW r ^^ AVA tltAMt + l « A # nll WAV + ^ nvilBwa nf * . % «_* H& # . » K ot vuowi tui 1 Vi frlUkfr UClifcxiUUo
* j ww * w *» * uv > fc * wl » VUMS plan . Bat while he stated them , he at once allowed that the parties who would state these particulars -would come , before them under circumstances of ¦ ospicion . They would see whether with regard to 9 m occasion , they were the witnesses of truth , and the Jery would see how far they could safely trust to M statements they would lay before them . One vt them was net an accomplice , but he ( the Attorney-General ) at once told them that he waa s penas employed by the police of Bradford to obtain information , and might therefore fce denominated a spy . He did not at all mince the Writer , but stated fairly bow H was , and the Jury wottldfona their own opinion upon the matter . That ip&i bad been improperly employed it was impos-¦ a lbltt > . to dmrr . Tn unm * nynntnw itiav intoWoT-o /?
. wiUijrirate life to an intolerable degree , and if such * « y « fito of espionage were to be established in this oontry it would be unfit to live in , for all safety 'andsoiifftrt would then be at an end . He was sorry , BWevfr . tosay that is this country there bad been tfa&es when spies were improperly employed , add who be waa much afraid often instigated men to the eunmission of crimes which they were afterwards , to iisclos * . But at tiie same time he thought he should t on worthy of the sxtoatioa he had the honour to fill , were b * to shrink fwa hj * dntry and to say that per-• tes so enpkved were never worthy to be believed AST & Jura BSkn tV * 4 H i ^*^ m S * .... ^ Mk . k . ^^ . » .. ^ YT - - - _? . .
to resort to so « h a mode of obtaining a conviction . £ [* »»» known to &e magistral of any particular fteee that there was strong reason to believe and to jp ^^^ ltwwas plot was in agitation whereby SL" ^ S <* , ** ** $ ** be endangered , and iMJ eonld sot get any laformation without emploviw apenon tojo and obtain it , it esuld not beTsaid -Jht 4 flttfQebapartioalar occasion they were not justi--4 W i » r « sort « g to such amode , Tbetown of Bradford »* fh « i ;» irai « h there waa great reason to think JJMfcty ¦ rillslB was laid to endaMer the peace and WpjfHyV thai town . It waa known that there iMM € « Brtast s * eetmg 8 and physusal-fbroe Qiartirta , Sssl 4 » sBs ^ intoj sawsssa indieatiou ai led them
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to believe that most dangerous filings wen in agitation , and they thought , for the safety of the town , that it was indispensably necessary to employ some person to obtam information . For that reason they employed a person named James Harrison to attend the meetings . He had never , however , » s it was understood , taken any part in the proceedings by making speeches , or anything of that kind ; but he had obeyed commands which had been given * to him , and oh several occasions he had been sent with communications to Halifax and other places , regarding those proceedings . By acting in this manner he was believed to be a Charti )? t , without which they would not have disclosed their secrets to him , bnt believing him to be one , they had without any
hesitation communicated all their plans in his presence . He would tell them that he was present at the meeting in Halifax , on the Saturday night , and that he was also present at the meeting held at Lidget Green oa ihe Sunday , and the man would tell them all the particulars of the scheme which was agreed npon . The Jury would see when he came to be cross-examined ( whicB he would very properly be by the Learned Counsel for the prisoners ) , where they saw any reason to diwredit his testimony , or to believe that he was not worthy of credit . He ( the Attorney-General ) did not know why the man should be disbelieved . He was not any worse than an accomplice who was always believed by a Jury , if he received any confirmation or corroboration . Now
Harrison would be strongly and clearly corroborated as to each and every one of the five defendants at the bar . It seemed to him ( the Attorney-General ) that had this prosecution assumed a more eeriotushape that the Jury would hardly hare felt themselves justified in disbelieving the evidence which would be laid before them . The Jury would bear in mind that certain schemes were imputed t » the defendants of the most dangerous description , and it was therefore of the last importance to the peace and welfare of the community that such schemes should be detected , and that the authors of them should be bronchi to trial and punished for the offence 3 of which they were guilty . But how was this to b 8 effected unless they h&d as witucsses those who were either accomplices or spies ! It was impossible the object could be acoamDlished by anv
other mode . But bt fk-classes of witnesses be repeated were to be looked upon wi& great distrnst and suspicion . After strict inquiry , however , there did not appear to be any reason why the evidence in this case should be disbelieved , even though it had been adduced in support of a charge much more serious thau the present . On the contrary he thought it was such as they might act upon with safety and advantage . There was , it was necessajjy to say , another witness , likewise of the second class , to which he had alluded—an accomplice—who would give material evidence before them . He repeated that they must regard his evidence with suspicion ; but still he ( the Attorney-General ; thought it was such as they might act upon . These were the circumstances of the case , and after hearing the evidence , it would be for them to say whether they had any doubt of the prisoners' guilt .
Thomas Croft , one of the watchmen who was taken into custody by the Chartists at Bradford , was then examined as to the circumstances of his detention on the morning of the 27 th July . The next principal witness was James Harrison , who was examined by the Attorney-General—I live at Bradford . I know Briggs , the superintendant of police there . He employed me . I went to him and tola him what I had heard , and he employed me to see the Chartists occasionally , and give him information . I received small sums of money from Briggs at different times . I recollect the evening of Saturday , the 25 th of January . I know Har ^ reaves , who keeps a beer-shop at Bradford . X was there between seven and eight o'clock
at night on that day . I was in a room up stairs and Peddie and Brook were there with others , about a dozen in alL They were all delegates or councilmen , and mentioned as such in the presence of Peddie and Brook . Peddie and Marsden were strangers to me : when I went in they were introduced to me by Brook and Flinn , as being the two men from Leeds ; they shook hands with me . Peddie then told me he had just come from Edinburgh to Leeds , Bradford , and Dewsbury , to take the command of the men of the North Hiding of Yorkshire . Peddie said he understood some of the parties had the command , some of ten , and others of twenty , but he would not take the command unless they all cave up to him , as where there
were so many commanders things never went on well . It was agreed by those present to give up the command to Peddie . It was agreed that we should have another meeting on Sunday evening at Turner ' s , at Ladget-Green . Peddie said it was necessary that all parties in the neighbourhood should know how to oome to this meeting on the Sunday . It was then ordered that notes should be written to different distant parts of the neighbourhood , and notes were written by George Flinn ; four or fire of them were giveu to me ; one was to go to Halifax , one to Queenehead , one to Horton , and the other on the road . The men to whom these notes were to be delivered were delegates , or principal men , who had the
command of the men . I remained at Hargreaves till near ten o ' clock on that night , f Before we separated several plans were spoken about ; Peddie wished to kcow what preparations we had for the break-out . Different parties said the men in their neighbourhoods had guns , pistols , and different things of that sort . Brook lived at Low-Moor ,. three miles from Bradford . There is an iron foundry there . Brook said he eould furnish him with any quantity of cannon , shells , and mortars from Low-Moor . Brook and Peddie agreed to go on Sanday to look" about the works , whsre th » cannons , shells , < fces . were . Brook said he knew where everything waa , and he said they were to take the horses , put them into carts , bring them into Bradford , ant
form batteries in different parts of the town . This was to be done on Sunday . It was before the notes were written that they fixed the outbreak to take place on the following ( Sunday } night . I went with the note 3 to Halifax next morning , bnt I delivered none of them . I returned the same day , and went in the evening to Turner ' s , at Lidget Green , at near six o ' clock ; Peddie was there , and Drake and Brook came in after I got there ; there was about a dozen there besides Peddie , Brook , and Drake ; a ' this meeting Peddie asked me how I had gone on at Halifax ; I told him the person I had the note for was not at home , that at Queenshead I inquired for the person to whom the note was directed , and they told me he had gone from home , that another
of the same party had come to me and asked what I waated with him , and that on his telling me he belonged to the same party I gave him the note , that he opened it and read it , and gave it me again , saying they had agreed amongst themselves to go to no more meeting ^ and to subscribe no more money ; but any time when they were wanted , let them know and they were ready . The person to whom the note was addressed at Halifax was from home . After I had made my report , Peddie said he was glad to hear that the Queenshead people were ready . In the course of a quarter of an hour Brook came in and said he had been at Queensnead , and that he was in the school room when the man came out to me ; Brook said we must not expect the moa that
night , for their ammunition was aamp and it would take half a day to dry it ; Peddie said it was time for these to go who had any distance to go , and that they were all to meet in the Green Market not later than two o ' clock the next morning ; the Green Market is one of the principal squares in the town . ' Peddie said , before we part you must all be aware to come as near the time as possible ; those who have ¦ the command of 100 most bring 50 without waiting for the rest , and those who have the command of " 20 or 30 must bring half of them , and not wait , if you meet with a watchman or constable in the street , bring him with yon . if he will come quietly , and if he will »« t iea 7 e . 4 utt so that he will not make a noise . ' when they got to the Green Market they were to take possession of the Baaaar ;
the Piece Hall was to plat their ammunition in , and the News Boom was to be the depot for the body of men ; Peddie said he would soon get some picks and set the colliers to work to make the hole through the wall to pnt the cannon through . They were to get all the food and clothes , ' for / said he , 'my men shall neither want food nor clothes . ' They were to go with bread , butchers' meat , and what they could get . They were to go from Bradford to Dewsbury , and they would gain strength as they went ; their W 0 in the morning would become 2 . 000 before night . They were to go on to London , ' and after the first storm , ' he said , ' yon will give me leave of absence for a day or two , bnt I will leave as good a man as myself . I will then take a post chaise and
four and go to meet Dr . Taylor and bis army in the north . ' It was near eight o ' clock when we left Turner ' s , at Lidget Green ] I and two others left them ; Brook saidf he would go home and change his clothes , and get his men together as fast as he could ; Drake said he would not be too late ; he would be in time enough with his men , though he said be had a long way to go . On leaving Turner ' s I came to Bradford , and went to the Green Market a little after two ; I saw Peddie there , and George Flinn , and Isaac Holloway , and Paul and James Holdsworth ; thers were nearly thirty there , but I could not tell how many , as I did not count them ; the ; were armed ; some had guns , some pistols , and some spearo
Peddie had a belt round him , and Bomething stuck in it like a small dagger on one side , and a pistol on the other ; he wore a low- « rowned fiat with a broad brim . When r first went into the Green Market , Isaac Holloway na driving two strange men out of the market ; he had a ran pointed towards them ; he put them oat himafttf . One man came to me that I did not know , and asked me what business 1 had there . Peddie was the only one of the defendants whom I saw there ; he said I was one of their friends — " we know him ** Peddie said * ° Hart yon seen Turner ? " I said , " I hare not seen Turner since I left him at home , * He said , " I don't know what they are about ; I hare had possession of the Green Market for half an hoar ; w » hare got two watchmen prisoners ; and h * said , " piked uder a shed ,
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near the public-house , at the end of the market ; we must go as quick as we ean to the New Ian , and hasten Turner up with his men ; for if the men did notcome up better than they had done ;; ha should lose possession of the market / ' I went aorous-the market to where the watchmen wereftjMned , I saw Brook" that night ; he passed jttSr ^ ss I was standing near the New Inn . after I . arabdfnaHhe market ] thai , waB the place to witieJT Peddie desired us to ' go ; I should think ii ijrguld . be half-past two when I got to the Ifew Inn . Brook was with another man there . I did , not a , t taai time see that he had anything about his person . He had his coat buttoned up . He was coming into the town from towards his home * He stopped and spoke to me , and I told him that I had
been up to the market , and seen Peddie and * few mors , and Peddie had ordered me to wme there to wait of Turner , to hasten him up with , hisJoeo . Brook said , * I am going to the Market and I will tell him yon are here . ' He went ' in a , dlrefetioi towards the town as though he might be going to' the Green Market . He returned in about ft . quarter of an hour ; he would have time to go to the Green Market and back ; he Baid he had been up at the Market , and he asked me if I would take a walk up with him into the town to see what waa going on , as I had been there long enough . Brook had w same man with him whence came back as he had before . I went with him , and ^ hat man past the Bowling Green in a direction towards the Court House .
We saw Beveral persons walking 'about , itndVwe met some soldiers leaving the Coatt House . — There might be forty . Brook Baid if he hid bad his men there he could kill all the soldiers before they got to the Bowling Green . Brook and I went past the Court House . When we got nearly to the farther end we saw the horse soldiers coming out of the yard . When Brook saw that , he said , ' Now the plain truth is that we are all deaeived alto-i gether , ~ for the magistrates know as much about it as we know ourselves . We turned about and came along New-etreet towards the Bowling-green " , We saw a body of men advancing , and Brook said , 'If you be constables I shall be taken . ' I asked him why he thought so . He said he had something about him that would make them lake Wm . He did not then say what it was . We met them in Jialf a minute . At this time Brook infdl ^ and ths-otheH man , were together . They took Brook « d the
other man into custody . Theydid-nOt take JDQeybut tbey eewched me . I walked away from thetn / and left Brook and the other man in their custody . On the Sunday night I saw Paul Holdaworth . I know where John Smith , the orangeman , lives ; it is down a passage in NeUon-street . I heard that there was a meeting at that house on Sunday night , and I saw people going there . I saw Paul Holdsworth going there down the passage . I was not there that night , but I had been thera before . I had never heard of a Chartist society at Smith ' s before . Paul Holdsworth had something in his hand like a brush handle , about six feet long , * I saw him again that night in the Green Market . He was one of the two men wno were standing sentry over the watchman in a shed . He had a speir . I afterwards saw James Holdsworth in the Green Market Taxraed with a spear . He was walking about with ethers , about thirty in number ; they were walking about armed with guns , pikes , and pistols . ¦ ' . . " *
Cross-examined by Mr . Wobtlev—I am sure that there were more than twenty ; no persons we . ee admitted to the private meetings but delegates . Brook came to the muster with one man ; I did not see any arms they had ; it was Brook and not me that proposed to walk up to the Court House . I don ' t know that Brook is a Bradford man ; he worked close by the Court House ; he told me that he had worked at Low Moot , and knew everything aboa $ the place ; the Court House ia * ls « -the police office . I hare been four or five months in Bradford ; I am forty * wo ; I think I shall be forty-two on the 2 nd of June . I came to Bradford from Preston ; had lived there about twenty years , I should think , but aot altogether ; I have a house at Preston , and have
had many years ; I have lived at Preston about ten years , I should think ; before that I lived at Wigan about six years . I did not live in the SoholeVat Wjgan , but in the Hardybuts ; before I went to Wigan I had lived at Preston the greater part of my time . I have been at Blackpool ; X Jfrcd there a short time , about a fortnight or three weeks . 1 have lived at Walton about ftr . e or six years ; that is a good end of thirty yeass since : when at WaKon I was gentleman ' s servant , a house servant ; that gentleman ' s name was Hatcliffe ; I was the only servant he had m the house . Mr . Ratoliffe was a clergyman ; I was not turned off from Mr . Ratcliffe's . 1 was never discharged for cheating my master . I know the shop of Mr . Tates , the grocer and tea-dealer . I was entrusted with money
to go to Yatea ' s , bat I was not discharged for something about the money . I left to go to a- *«* tet place , and if I had done anything wrong he would not have recommended me . From him I went to be servant with Mr . Woolley Masters , a « lenryman . t was his travelling servant till I got married , a fev ? months after . I never was in the ser ^ iee of Mr . Carr , at Black p ool ; but I was at Blackpool with Mr . Masters . I was never accused ot-totginftjhe character which I took' to Mr . Masters . There was no need for that , as they dined together . J never made a public acknowledgment or apology for haviog forged a character . 1 became turnkey of Preston gaol many years ago . It is about twenty , years since I left it , and I was there seven years .
Mi . mudell was the governor of Preston Gaol . I was not discharged by him , but through him laying false information before the magistrates . He discharged me for being drunken and neglectful . The charge was made at three different Sessions , and then I was discharged ; and afterwards the magistrates inquired ^ into it . At Wigan I was a cotton weaver . 'Whilst at Blackburn I laid some informations against beershops , but they were no benefit to me . At Burnley , also , I laid informations , but not at Haatingdenor Rossendale . At Boltou I was a witness under , some informations , but I laid no informations . I was paid for what I did , and the penalties made no difference to me . I never was driven out of a town by the
people as a common informer . I bave been a witness , in this Court before ; it is now some time since . I hare been in Ireland ; 1 never was there above a month or five weeks at a time . It is eight years since I was there . I was once a witness there . It was at Carrickfergus against a prisoner . It was for forgery and makiug silver money . It was a similar case at \ ork . I never was confined in Lancaster Gastle , I have been in the New Bailey at Manchester , and in the Liverpool GaoL I generallv made a point of visiting the gaols in all the towns I went into , to ascertain their condition . I never waa in prison , but I was in custody about a fortnight since . I always kept out of prison . I was in custody a short time ago ier
deserting my family . I never asked a man named Talbot , of Preston , to become a spy as well as myself . I never told him that the' magistrates of Yorkshire had employed the Superinteudant of Burnley to employ men to go into Yorkshire at 30 s . a-week , I have received part money for going among the Chartists of Yorkshire . I don't know how much I hare received ; there is ne settled sum that I an to receive . I am not paid better the better I do the joib . The notes that I took to Clayton Heights were not delivered to the parties they were sent for . I laid them on the table . I was first examined before thejnstices about a month or five weeks ago . after this matter happened . I have been examined only tvfice , I think .
Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkins—I call myself a labourer ; it is not very long since I did work as a labourer . It iB since I cam « to Bradford ; I helped to bare some ground for stone towards Thornton , but I don ' t know who for ; one of the workmen took me with him , and paid me ; I got IO 3 . M . for three or four day ' s work- ; it was in the secoud-orth « week in January ; I came into Yorkshire ia the first mstance , to seek work ; I had only been in Yorkshire a few days before I obtained work .: aponmy o * th I was not sent for ; no intimation by-note or otherwise was given to me that my serooeawere required in the West-Riding of Yorkshire ; I do not recollect anything of the kind ; I should have recollected if it bad been so : I never received anv
message of the sort ; I came" from Prestoa to Bradford to seek anything that I could get to do ; heard that men were wanting abont Bradford or Halifax ; or Todmorden , for railway work . There are no railway works at Bradford . There is at this time a railway making between Preston and Lancaster . I was working in a brick yard before I left Presten . I never was in custody but once in nay life . I can't speak to why I hesitated so long before I gave an answer . I never was taken up oa any charge . I * never was taken np on suspicion . I have n ^ ve ' r been detained in custody till I gave my evidence ^ I was taken up in respect of my family , as mentioned a little while since , but there was no neglect 1 in the case . I never Bismed to anvnlac&rd that aAoearad
on the walls of Preston or Blackburn , nor did it appear on the walls with my consent . I hear of it now for the first time . A short time after I left Preston , I purchased some cheeses of a farmer at Chipping ; he afterwards got them back , because he said the note was a bad one , and I believed it was a bad one ; it was a £ 10 note ; I did not give him back the cheeses to avoid a prosecution . * I go * the note back , sad gave it to the man I got it from at Wigan j his name was Hargreaves ; I don't know if he fives there ; he dealt hugely ia bacon and eggs ; ke lived in Standishsate thwre : he did not keep much of
a shop ; it is not far from twenty yean since ; the first information I got about forgery and making money I got in the House of Correction from a woman ; I don't know whether it was before or after the cheese affair ; I gave sash for the £ 10 note ; Briggs has not paid me 4100 , bnt I ean ' t say that I d » n ' t know that I have received £ 80 ; I offered my services to Briggs ; a pound is the largest turn I ever receivedfrom Bnggs ; he paid meaootirdW to his own conscience , sometimes a shilling more than at other times ; I hare treated the men with many a pint and * they have treated me ; I never took np a pistol whoa Peddieblamed me for meeting
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these man , and threatened to blow his brains oat if he flinched . ' Re-exittined by Mi . 'Sergeant ATCHStoBT—I often eommunic * ted ' with Mri Briggs . I at times receiTed moofiy from him . When I was engaged respecting the forged notM , I waa paid by Messrs . Haxby and Stiioley , ( Alioitprs ; at Wakefield , to an association of bankers ^ in the northern counties . Sergeant Atcheblbt then called John Brigg—I am a deputy-constable of the town of Bradford . I know toe last witness , and Was the person who principally acted under the orders of the magistrates , ana haye made payments to the last witness of 10 a . or 12 s . I let him have money from time to time . Ofl the 26 th January . I went to tha Green
Market , near two o ' clock . Seven special constables went wuh me . Joseph Foster was one of the seven . I saw nothing particular at that time at the market . I , know Darley-street , where I observed a watchmaa ' s lantern . I went into the place and found two watchmen . Croft was one of them , and was in a shed , IUingworth was the other . There were two men beside them . I asked Croft what ha was doing there . He replied they were taken prisoners . I want up to John ABhton , and took him to the lockup . The other man was taken into custody by the special constables . He had a spear with him . The p risoner that I had taken called for assistance iu a language which r did not understand , and there was a rush made toward 3 us * . I took mv man to the
look-up , and then went back to the Green Market , along with nine op ten persons , where We saw about a dozen persons , having pikes and guns . I went towards them , and picked up a gun 1 saw lying on the steps . I examined it when before the magistrates .. It was'loaded , and the charge was drawn by a soldier in my presence . There were in it fifteen balls and some powder . The gun produced is the one I fouad . The pike produced I also found in the course of the morning . I saw Brook in the New-street betwixt two and three . He was in the company of , two other persons , I apprehended him , and partly searched him in the Btreet , when I found upon him the patent fuse now produced . I took him to . the office , and searched him again , when I
found upon him , tied up in a handkerchief , five and aha ^ lf po unds weight of bullets . Cross-examined by Mr . Woetlkt—I took Brook Jus New-street , at ( he end nearest the Court House . "In going from New-street to the Court House , JBrpok mast have crossed a stream- . He made no resistance wh , en taken . Ash ton was charged with high treason / bo were Brook and Peddie . The most I saw togetheritbat night was twelve . Two constables were cut on the night in , question . I have been nearly fifteen years residing at Bradford . I have seen many large and noisy meetings with banners of flags and poles , in the " West Riding . I remember the time of the Reform Bill when there were many meetings and great excitement . I have seen a
meeting at Peep Green , in the spring of the year before last . It was a large meeting , and there were at it a great many banners , and it created great alarm . I was at a meeting on Wibsey Moor , four or five years ago . It was a very large meeting . We never had a torchlight meeting in toe town of Bradford , Torchlight meetings were held about a year ago . The magistrates asked me about these meetings , and last August the Government issued some directions about them . Although dangerous in their appearance , no injury was done to fife , to property , or to persons at the meetings I have been speaking of . On this occasion , the military were present , more from what was apprehended , than from what happened .
And the apprehension arose principally from the statements of the last witness , whom I nave known for sixteen or seventeen years . Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkins—I have employed the last witness as a spy before , in order to detect some burglars . vRtt-examinedUyMr . Sergeant Atcheblet—None of the meetings spoken of by Mr . Wortley were held at two in the morning , nor were the people assembled armed with guns , pikes , or fuses . Henry Leah , Esq ., examined by Mr . Wightmak—I have some works in which blasting is used . The article produced is a patent fuse , and is employed foi blasting ;
Cross-examined by Mr . Wortxet—There is a good deal of blasting ia the neighbourhood of Bradford . I live at Biertey Hall , near Bradford . William Illingworth examined b y Mr . Wightman—I was a watchman at Bradford on the 26 th of January . I was on duty at that time at the Green Market . Whilst there , five men came up to me , about twenty minuteB to two—two were armed with pistols—three with spears . They said I was to go along with them . They said they had taken my comrade' to the shed , and they would take me to him . They took me . I found Croft in the shed .
There were two guards at the shed . I saw Peddie walking about . He had on a large hat and a drab great cqat . HeTbid on a b * elt ; He had something fight coloured in the belt . I was kept in the shed thirty-five minutes , when Mr . Briggs came . Before he came , a man came into the shed and demanded our rattles , which we delivered up . Cross-examined by Mr . Watsom . —This would be about twenty minutes to . two o ' clock . They said they would not hate me , and never saw Peddie before ibis night . I next saw hia » in a week after that .
Sarah Hargreaves examined by Mr . Sergeant Atcherlkt—I am wife of William Hargreaves , and live at Horton , withia about fifty yards of the liberty of Bradford . I know Nelson-street . I haveseen Peddie before . I saw him first oa the Friday night before the disturbance , when he came to our house and called for some beer . He came on the Saturday night . On the Friday night some persons came into the room where he was . A man of the name of Smith , the defendants ( Brook , George Flynn , Isaac , and Holloway . ) were in the tap-room , but in a Bhort time George Tlynu asked if they could hare a private room , which they got . I am not aware that James Harrison was there on the Friday . On Saturday ,
about six or seven o ' clock ia the evening , Peddie , a man named Turner , Harrison , and George Flynn came and went into the same room as-they had on the Friday . I believe Brook was not there on the Saturday . On Sunday Peddie and Flynn came in . Cross-examined by Mr , Wortlkt—There Were a great many other people in the house on the Friday evening . I believe trade has been bad in Bradford for the Jast twelve months . Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkins—I believe my husband did not go into the'room . Perhaps they might be an hoar in the tap-room amongst the people . The door of the private room was not locked . "* ¦ ¦ -
By the Judgb—There might be a dosten people in the private room . Job Ashton examined by Mr . Wightman—I never waa a member of the Chartist Association . On Sunday , the 26 th of January , in consequence of a message I received , I went to Smith ' s , in Nelson ' ecourt . Whilst then * , I was in a private room ; Peddie and the two Holdsworths were there . When I hrst went into the house Pe idie was there . Peddie was a Btranger to me , and enquired of Flynn who he waa . Flynn told me his name was Peddie , and that . they had sent for him from Carlisle or Newcastle , b'lynn told me that the Bradford Chartists were going to meet before two o ' clock iu the morning . Then they expected to be joined bv a cemoanv of
men from Leeds . The Leeds Chartists intended to seiae some ammunition at Leeds . The Leeds people were to take the town , and then send what men they could sparo to assist the Bradford Chartists . The Dewsbury people were to send what men they could spare ; that there were two companies of soldiers at Halifax , most of whom Peddie knew , and they were expected to come to their assistance . Peddie had a pistol in his belt—and Flynn also was armed with a pistol and a bag of ball cartridges hanging by his side . Holloway was there and waa armed with a pistol and dagger and a bag of ball cartridges . There were 8 or 9 people there altoge-Uase * - IiMacd ^ edtHe asy thstihose who were not armed" should be armed * Hollowav and Flvnn w « nt
out and brought in some spear shafts—spears were put on them by Flynn and Holloway . About a quarter before two o'clock Peddie said it was time to go and addressed us . At the conclusion of his address , he said England expects every man to do his duty , * " we then all got up and Flynn handed me a spear and one to each of the Holdsworths . We then went out of the house—8 or 9 ia number . We were all armed bnt one . We took the direct road to the Green-Market . Peddie had on a drab top eo » t , with a belt round his waist , he had also a large hat oh . We passed the Bowling Green when we met a watchman—Holloway weat up to him and said-he must go with as , we took him up—he went between Peddie , Holloway and Flynn . We took
him to the Green Market , when he was placed in a shed by Peddie and I was placed over him as seatifael—Peddie charging me strictly not to let him go . Sentinels were placed at the three openings at the market—one to each opening . Another watchman was brought and put into the shed along with him , andanother sentinel was placed over him , Peddie all this time was going backwards and forwards . I was armed with ' a spear . Mr . Briggs took me into cvtttody . The pike produced was the one I had ; Holdsworth had oue like it . The rattles . were taken from the watchmen . Gross-examined by Mr . Wobtmit—I was nine or tenJday ^ in custody before I made the disclosure . I was then under a charge of high treason . I got terribly frightened as to what was to happen to me .
1 naa no intention or killing any body with my pike . - . ¦ ¦' ¦ . - ¦¦ - • ¦ ¦ ¦ •' . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' •¦ - Cross-examined by Mr . WoBtLBT—I saw two men walking about in the Market-place . Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkijw—The two Holdsworths are hard working lads . I first onfessed this matter before two of the magistrates . I have said thai I made this onfession to save myself or something to that effect . Re-examined by Mr . Wkzbtkax—Before going oat of the house , Flvnn told me that they exp ec » 4 the people from Leeds , and the soldiers from Halifax , to join them at five o ' clock in the morning . John Smith examined by Mr . Sergeant Atchbblbt—I am a green grocer and sell oranges . I belonged to the Chartists thirteen months ago . I
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know a man ealled Isaac Hollaway . I remember Sunday , the ^ eth of J [* nuwy rwl » n there was some disturbances . I know tho , two Holdsworths . They are two brothers . I went to tell them to come to my hoase . Ikjww John Ashtoa , he came lL | , i * l 7 ^^* and nine o / olock on Sl ^ ftt " my CMn 8 about nine & i * . * nd ¦«** ¦ # « w was going to be a rising that night for the Charter . I told him- " I ' m not going to rise , and iVwould adtise all here present to do the same . ' * HoUoway then began SK and swearing , and called me i d-d fool ™ iFe ?!? body were lite me , " he said ^ there never wonldU any rise . " . Peddie came there about ten o ' clock . He brought George Flynn with him . There were m the room the Holdsirorths , Isaac Hollowa *
John Ashton , Peddie , and myself . Peddie when he © ante in said " Nowmen , yoa know what you are about . " I said w I think they hardly do , or tfcej would go to bed . " Peddie said they must not g * to bed , for there waa ( going to be a general rise in the West Biding of Yorkshire . " I said , " I think there are not many physical forcemen at Leeds . " Hesafd there were , and that there were four tonsof gunpowder in themagazine , which they were going toblaw up , and thai he had seen the train . He also Baid that ( he Leeds Chartists would be in Bradford that morning at five 0 clock . The Dewsbury men were to come ia the afternoon . He said oae hnndred would come from Leeds , and that they would have all the money in the banks before four o ^ clock the next morning
readie said he would send oae hundred mea to the Low Moor , for two mortara and some Bhells , to face the military with . I said ' . I thought they would have something to do to get the money . They said they would get it very easily . Peddie said when he got the money in the banks , he would get a chaise and four and ride into the North , and whenever it was known that there was a rise in the West Hiding , Dr . Taylor would come at the head of 5 , 000 men . He said there were one hundred soldiers in Halifax , and as soon as they knewthere was a rising at Bradford , and him at the head of it , they would pe at Bradford in five minutes , and fisrht up to their knees in blood for him . Peddie took out a pistol , and loaded it with two balls . I said there has been
a good deal of talk about Frost lately , and you aw very near his situation . He replied , "No , 1 anv not like . Frost ; if any man attempt to take me , I'll blow his brains out . " I saw Fiynn load hi * pistol with powder and ball . There were three pikes brought , one of which was given to Peddie . Peddie left my house at half-past one . When they left the house they said they were going to the Green Market , and would first take the watchman . Holloway had a great many ball cartridges , part of whichJ » e gave to Peddie , about sixty rounds . Flynn had about 100 rounds . Holloway would have two or three hundred left , which he kept in a bag by his side . As soon as they got out I locked the door , and went to bed . Cross-examined by Mr . Wortlet—All this was spoken up by Peddie . I neyex w * s a delegate . I nave been a class leader .
Cross-examined by Mr . Watson—I sell fruit , and have done so two years . I was a woolcomber before . I was a class leader two months , perhaps . I was examined before the magistrates on the 21 st of * ebruary , I have met Harrison at different times . Cross-examiied by Mr . Wjlkins—Ashton was a member of my class . Classes were first established among the Chartists in June or July last . By the Judob—My class was a moral-force Chartist class .
Joseph Foster , examined by Mr . Wiqhtmas—I was one of the special constables that were out on the night in question . I accompanied Mr . Brigg to the Green Market , where we found two of the watchmen in a shed . There were two men piaced over them . Paul Holdsworth was one of the guards , Ashton was the other . ' They were both armed with pikes . I seized Holdsworth . I took his pike . The pike produced is the one he had . I gave bun into custody . I have no doubt the defendant Holdsworth is the man I seized with the pike ; After this I went with Mr . Briggs into other streets of the town . Amongst others , New-street , where we met Brook and two or three more , and Mr . Bnggs took Brook into custody . I assisted in searching him , and found in his waistcoat pocket the ball cartridge now produced . Cross-examined by Mr . Wohtlbt—I cannot say whether Harrison was with Brook .
Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkins—I did not seo Harrison that night . John Wilkinson examined by M r , Wightsiak—1 was one of the special constables on the night in question . I went to the Green Market , where two persons were standing sentinel . Paul Ho'dsworth was one of the guard . W . Foster delivered him ojw . to me , and I dragged him across the Greea Market . As I was taking him he called onf "Hey "M ' *» - <* ten or a dozen came rnnniag towards m , 5 y were armed with P ' « 8 - * " « away and left Holdsworth oathe ground on his back . Holdsworth said , " Yon ' s the limping devil . D—nhim , shoot him . "
Cross-examined by Mr . Wilkins—I went with a stick and wasjrery lame that night . Samuel Laycopk examined by Serjeant Atchebley —1 am postman and watchman to the Low Moor Iron Company . I remember Sunday , the 19 th of January , the week before the disturbances happened . I was watching the Works on that day . Brook and another man came to their work that day , they were in the forge . I said to Brook , "Wh ;» t are you doing hereto-day . " He replied , "Nothing . " He had a friend with him who had never seen the Works . I said Well , Brook , you know as well as I do , that master does not like strangers on a Sunday , do get yourselves away . " They then went through the tllACIAl fslAi * A on / 4 T anxm Dma 1 » ma : m « Sh «* kA aLa « .. J . l
room . I advanced towards them and they went away . Cross-examined by Mr . Wobtlet—Brook used to be employed at the Low Moor Iron Works . Some thousands of people are employed at the-Works . Wm . Bellheld , who said he lived near to Bradford , proved that he saw Brook on the night preceding the outbreak , and heard him say there was « omg to be aa outbreak , and that he waa to be ready by two o ' clock that night . Rafus ^ Priestley sworn—I am a coal weigher at North Bierley . I believe the disturbance at Bradford was on the morning of the 27 th of January . I saw Brook that night , and he said there was going to be a meeting . I asked him , if at a public-bouse .
or a private one . He said at a private house . He said there were two men over from Newcastle , and one from another place . He said there was to be an outbreak , and they were going to make the arrangements that night . He asked me if I would go with him . I said no ; and I did not go . That was on bu nday night . About half-past one in the morning , I was called up by William Btook and Elias Pearson . I went down stairs to them . William Brook asked me if I would go down to him ; and 1 said no . They then went away . By Mr . Wortlet—I Had no idea of setting fire to the town or marching to London . I am a moral force man .
bamuel Baker—I am a blacksmith , living next door to Jonas Taylor . I remember the Sunday night before this outbreak . When in bed that night , heard a noise . I got up and went out . I found there was Thomas Drake making a noise at Taylor ' s door . He did not say what he wanted Taylor for . He only said Daniel Bland wanted him . Taylor would not get up , and Drake swore as he went away , and said if they volunteered no better than that , they should have a weak army . I said what ' s that Tommy ? and he said they were going to have a general rise , and would I got I said no ; I'd go to bed . Abraham Hill called—I live at ' 'Thornton ,- and remember the night of the Btir at Bradford . I remember a knocking at the door that night after I was in bed . I heard a personspeak whom I knew by his voice to be Thomas Drake . I had known bun before lor tea or fifteen years . He inquired fora young man that lodged with me . He did not say what he wantod mo for . ¦ J
By > Mr . WiutiHs—You do not mean to swear positively to his voice that yon knew him ! No . To the best of my knowledge it was between twelve and one o'clock . Drake is a man of good character . Thomas Wagstaff— I am an attorney at Bradford , lam one of the clerks of petty sessions there . I remember the night of this disturbance . After I went tobed some of the constables called me to go to the Court House . I went to the Green Market that , morning , with Brings and some special constables , where we searched a stable , and at the door of it found a spear . We thea went to j the Butter Market , and there we found a number of ball cartridges wrapped in a Northern Star . At the far end of the Butter Cross I heard a tramolnur of feet . I
could not judge whether there weremany persons there . I went oat and saw in the street a number of people armed with pikes or muskets and bayonets . There appeared to be about twenty of them armed . The whole number appeared to be about forty . — What order did they come in ! A sort of marching order I went and told the magistrates that we had seea a body of armed men in the streots . I afterwards accompanied the magistrates and soldiers towards the Green Market , to read die Riot Act ; bat the people were jfone . The ball cartridges are in possession of ' Mr . Shepherd , governor of the Castle , [ Mr . Shepherd produced them and the pike foand at the door of the stable . } . . M ** Wqwrwr-Sp yon and the magistrates tound
no one ! No ; we saw eae man and chased himi-Oh , so you , and tha magistrates , and ihe soldiers all chased one man ! . By Mr . WiLKiKs—Have yon never told any oae that yon ^ beheTed your friends ealled you up out of jofcethat mght ! -t did think it was a joke then . Charles Ingham , constable of Bradford , deposed to going to the Batter Market on the occasion referred to , and seeing ten or a doaen men running round the Butter , Cross corner , armed with pikes and guns . They were running towards the Lower Market . I wa » fter them and overtook three of them , one a - Wlth * . » * * wilVpikw .: I seised one of them with a pike in his hand . His name is Francis Ruahworth . Some of the ether constables acsompanied me , and one seised a man named Smi
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thies , armedjwith % pike . JRoBhworfMi sifee wi § produced . ) Bashworth straggled with vuL *** * & his beat toroseiprat I got CftomS ^ rfeSRS theman with the , gun between me and Smithies , anl , be raised it up to his shoulder , bat I knocked m asiol ' with the pik « , '" Two or three more eoaatablefc came up , and the man Jiang down his gon and rao away . I afterwards went to Leeds . It was on ibS 31 st January . I fonnd Robert Peddie ther ^ I fount him in a public house , and asked him his name . H * said his name was M'Gregor . I took him into egsw tody . I told him it was for being connected with the disturbance at Bradford . I went to Low Moor to search the hoase of Brook , on Monda y * the 27 tb * i at mx in the morning . I fonnd there a quantity leaden bullets in a dish . I found some papers and a > lead pan there . It was oa theiop of the rtM * th » tl > overtook them . ¦¦¦ - »
^ Francis Mitchell called-I am the aonof Joh * ^ W ™ ** B ^ ol ejv between LowMoor ana nraaTord . ' . ; , . ; . Joseph Warr called—I lire with my fiithef at Horton . On the night of the last day of Febmart a spear shaft was brought into our house , and f - searched a dnng-heap , in which I foond twenty-loae epear handles . I gave them to a constable . « Cowling Ackroyd called—I am a constable of Horton . I remember receiving twenty-five spea » shafts from Warr . and I Went and made a further search at Lidget Green , where I fonnd . two speait ' and a shaft . Itwasonthe 3 dof March . : The Hon . Mr . Wo » tley asked if his Lordship in . tended to proceed any further this evening , as it was already seven o ' clock , and the remainder of thr business must necessarily occupy them for Boma . hoars .
The Learned Judgk said he would sit in the Couri ,. till twelve o ' clock if necessary , but if the Learned Counsel thought that he was too much exhausted ] with the labours of the day to do jastioe tohii ; clients , he would of course adjourn the Court . The Learned Counsel said he must really say that such was the case ; and the other ' gentlemen en- ! Seed in the case making a similar statement , tbV urt was adjourned . Before the Jury , were discharged , his Lordship , ' cautioned them not to hold converse with any one - on the business of the day before they again cam *? i into court , bat said there would be no impropriety ia ^ anything they might think proper to discuss amongthemselves . ¦ ¦ . - ; . ¦'¦ - . ¦< - ¦ . ' ¦ - . -. ;¦ ' ¦ . - ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦/ -I SECOND DAY—Thubsoat , Maech i » . -
Mr . Wortlet commenced his address to the Jury for Brook . He entreated them to disafeaae thea minds of any prejudice which might exist in conse quence of the Chartist principles . Not long ago a Minister of the Crown declared in the House of Commons that agitation was the proper means of carrying any object which they bad in view , and therefore it was not surprising poor men like the prisoners , suffering under hanger , should adopt the very means thus recommended . It < was not to be wondered at , that they should useirtrong language , and provide arms for their , defeuoeijrhen they had before them the example set them dfKng the agitation for the Reform Bill . That persons might have arms for their own defencewas admitted on all hands .
but daring the passing of the Reform Bill the same thing was done . At Birmingham large meetings were held , at which language equally violent and equally to be deprecated was used ; for at these meetings it was declared that they had a right to have arms , not only for their selfrdefence , but for the purpose , aa they boldly insinuated , of overturning the Legislature , and by that means compel the passing of the Reform Bill , and a petition was agreed to and presented to the House of Commons , by the Chancellor of the day , embodying the most dangerous sentiments , and in the course of his observations that member of the Government gave encouragement to these proceedings , declaring that the petitioners ^^ p * 4 k * % 1 ^ 4 MM rfh ^ b J * ^ Jm ¦ - ^^ 1 ¦ ^_ _^ ¦ - — _ 7 . ^^ A ^ L _ ^* " X ^ V ¦ -1 l vrwuiu buuvovu
^^ ^^ _ ^^_^ ^ ^ ^ , aim aenouncing me voice 01 on « branchof the Legislature as th « whisper of a faction . Thus every encouragement was in that day given to proceedings equally violent , equally dangerous to the public peace , as those which the Jury were now called upon , by their verdict , to condemn ; Why , when not one word of caution had been given b y those of the ruling and higher classes , who were mixed up in the Reform Bill agitation , Was it to be wondered at that men in the situation of life in which the prisoners were in should follow the example they had been taught ? Under these circumstances , the Learned Gentleman contended , that not ' , only was much to be said in excuse for these men , but even to show that they had no such intention as
that now charged against them . After taking a rapid glance at other parts of the agitation of 1832 , the Learned Counsel proceeded to argue that the whole of the facts proved were totally inconsistent with any such design as that imputed to fl » prisoners ; and to comment upon the evidence adduced , charging upon the spy , Harrison , prevarication ana falsehood , * and insisting that his eyidraee had not been corroborated in material particulars , so a * to justif y the Jury in fiading a verdict of gailty . Mr . Wortley animadverted severely upon / the conduct of the Attorney-General in bringing forward the testimony of a spy . The Solicitor-General had said at Monmoath that spies "too often fabricated the things they pretend to discover . " The Learned Gentleman , towards the conclusion of his able address , referred to the distress which had
prevailed iu Bradford , notwithstatiding which no damage had been done to life or property . He contended that his client was entitled to a verdict of acquittal . Mr , Wortley ' s address occupied about aa hour and a half in delivery . j Mr . WaIson next addressed the Jury in behalf of the defendant , Peddie , and contended that th # whole transaction was ' the result of a plot laid by the spy . He admitted that his client was out oath * night in question , but denied that he was the person spoken to by the witnesses as having done the arts charged . The evidence against his client was the testimony of Smith and the accomplice Ashton . Tha Learned Gentleman commented in severe and iadignant terms on the conduct of the-spy . who had
laid the trap for the defendants at the bar . He charged upon the spy that he put into the hands o £ the defendants the cartridges found in their possession , and that he spread throughout the town thef arms and ammunition afterwards discovered , for tW wilful purpose of obtaining the wages of ms dirtf work . He contended that the evidence in this casi was not such as should induce the Jury to bring in a verdict of guilty . _ Mr . " Wilkiks , addressing the Jury on behalf of Drake and the two Holdsworths , said—Gentlemen , You have heard from roy Learned Friends , that what is called agitation is no uncommon thing in this country . Yoa hare been told by one whoil especially honoured by the patronage of her
Majesty s uoverement , that the only way to obtain yourprivileges is to "agitate , agitate , agitate " —and what does this agitation mean , Gentlemen ! You go to the door of the starving man—yoa see his children looking to in his face with imploring looks , and asking him for bread , and then it is that your agitator comes to his door , and tells him that the cause of . all this misery is the Corn Law ; that the Corn Laws are alike inimical to toe laws of God and man ; that bis starvation , that * 11 his misery and suffering is thexesalt of a law which wasnvadeonly to fill the pockets of the rich , and which ought to be repealed , whatever may be the consequences of it . Gentlemen , thia is agitation . And do you wonder , Gentlemen , when the p oor and
ignorant and deluded man has been led to believe all this , that the father and the husband rise superior to every other feeling , and that he goes forth to vio ^ late the law ! No , Gentlemen , but you may wonder when you see in the person of that agitator a magistrate , sitting on the judicial bench , and dealing oat punishment upon the man whose crime has been the result of his own bad advice . Gentlemen , it was said b y the Learned Attorney-General , > ha other day—but , Gentlemen , I cannot address you with that affectation of candour lrOhose bland-And courteous terms—( here Mr . Wilkins imitated 'tht Toice of the Learned Gentleman with a felicity which caused roars of laughter)—which so peculiarly characterise the Learned Attorney ' s style . I cannot " smile and murder while I smile . " I cannot affect to be gaided with a feeling wjtich is a stranger to my breast , and then urae everv
argument against the prisoner which a vindictive spirit caa suggest to procure conviction . Gentlemen , the Learned Attorney-General speaks of his , good nature . I think myself that in something he has been to * good natured . I cannot bnt think : when I see the Learned . Attorney-General , sitting cheek-by-jowl with treason at the ^^ festiTe board , and whea f ' sei ' him Bitting in the Cabinet with men who wiakat treason when it calls loudest for punishment , —I cannot bnt think that he istoo easy and that he i » too good natured . You have heard of these men at the bar , Gentlemen , calling men together and using strong , language to them : have yoa not heard of another learned personage laying before the poor man a . detail of his Imaginary wrongs and stiaging him to madness ; and then , Gentlemen , have you not heard him conclude—¦ Hereditary ^ bondsmen ! know ye sot , Who would be feee , tbemselTes mast strike the blow ?" ( Conttnwed m our Fourth page . )
Untitled Article
O'Cohnor , Esq ., of Hammeramith , County Middlesex , by Joskoa HoMoir , at his Printing Offices , Nofl . 12 and 13 , MarketHstre « t , Briggate and Published by the said JFoihca Hobsow , ( for the said Fkarods O'Cojwob , ) at his Dwelling * house , No . 5 , Market-stree t , Briggate ; an Internal Commnnication existing between the satf No . 5 , Market-street , and the said Nos . 12 and IS , Market-street , Briggate , thus constitutin the whole of the said Printing and Publish ^ Ofllce one Premises . All Communications must be addressed , CPost-psii to J . Hobsoit , Northern Star mce , Leeds . Saturday , March 31 , 1840 .
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Leeds:— Printed For The Proprietor, Fcamo*
Leeds : — Printed for the Proprietor , Fcamo *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 21, 1840, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2676/page/8/
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