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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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LANCASTER ASSIZES . ( Continued' ^ f . -omxiur second page . ) liE e-itions here apply for nothing— ( laughter ) . 3 jaight hare written m toe book as I should have ^ ri aen ia any < iaer book , but not wiito . the in--jentjon «/ giving evidence . JLeaeh was an inhabitant of Bjde ; and I paid more attention to his speeches gan those of any other party , because I knew iini better than any of the others . I inew that j ^ ach va 3 a staun ch advocate of the Charter , and a ^ rennons opponent of the Anti-Gorn I » aw League : } kli . O'GonEor—Then yon hare confined ail the alterations jon have made in the book to the Chmer ? The Attorney-General—Don't let it be said that ye bsve made -wholesale alterations . I obsexre in ^ me place th ere is the word " not" omitted .
jar . Dnnoas—There are several other alterations 322 < » not of a very trifling nature . By George Johnson , defendant— I am not aware && * many distraints hare been mide upon the inhabitants of Hyde , during the last eighteen months , . or what has been the increase in the number of paupers there . The Poor Law Guardians meet at < Lieekj > o » , and not at Hjde , and sberefore , I know jiDlhi 33 ^ about the facts . Sloekport is on * of my ^ vision . Bj WSfiara Pilling , defendant—I don ' t know that one factory labourer in Hyde , is now doing the work of three men ^ 1 don ' t know what yon mean of
It the " coupling jennies , " / or I never was in a factor v more than three times in my life . Defendant—Tnen you don ' t know what yon ongbi to know—< Laughter . ) frX " JLr . Duadas called the attention of-the Court to tie alterations which appeared in the book of the ¦ jrijBess , and especially to one part of it where in speaking of one of the speeches made fey l « eacb , the ^ words ** tbey should do as was done in the time of Jgng John , the people went to the KlDgin a large hodj , and demanded" * Magna Charta , ^ nd it T > a 3 granted ; and he ( Leach ) would recommend the people to keep out of work , and the Charter -would soon become thelawof iha 4 and / were added after lie general body of the report had been written .
The Attorney-General objected to the course of proceedings on the ground that his Learned Erienda sbo appeared for some-of ihe defendants , were auaing upon a cTossNex&min&iion of tb « part of fhs book which had not been given in evidence . If thsj would consent to put the book before the Jury , as evidence , he should , no ; object to the examination . JJr- Dandas did not see that he wa 3 bound to offer ihe book io evidence . The Judge said thai Mr . Dundas had a right to shew , if he coald , the insertion of any fraudulent msner is -the book , because that would go far to impugn the general accuracy oi the whole . It was then agreed that the book should be put in as evidence , and Mr . J > ondas proceeded with his
^ roas- . Tae -jviccess , on being ; called upon to explain the Tiss-jn of the addition-to Leach ' s speecb , said that he njade & pr&cnce of examining all the speeches previous to SHbmitiing them to the Magistrates ; and he riistmcdj remembered that on looking at the cue nude by Leach , he made the addition pointed ¦ 0 31 . The Jad ^ e—When yon did make any additions , B-cre licv . u > the best « f yonr belief , in Strict COnfonniiy -with they trait I VTith ^ ss—They were , my Lord .
Mr . O'Connor— 1 find , on further lookiBg at this b » i , that from the com £ i £ BCeni « : i of tne pitied at which the "snaiess as Special High Constable of Byde , began to HJakB his reports io the Magistrates , to ' the * nd of the transactions , of which be has betn speaking , not a single iifteriination occurred ; but ante lhsn , they werenumerons . The Judge—Bai that is merely an observation . Mr . O'Connor—It would go fax . my Lord ^ o prove tkit ihs entries in the book have been taken from rates , which are not before the Court . The Attorney General here asked his Lordship HieiLer he intended to take any jfurtber witnesses to-daj I His Lordship replied that hs would sit till seven o ' clock .
A conversation ensued between the Attorney-General a = d ilr . O'Connor , tne result of which was ihii Sir Frederick sxaved to Mr Baron Roife , lhat hshac been reqn ^« rd on the part of the defendants fe ask thai ihe Conn night ihen adjourn . His lordship hesitated , hat on beius informed that the spplieation was merely wiih reference to suiting the ccT . venitnce of the first day , he consented to the adjjommfciii , intimating init he should sit late the -loilowiiig day . Tae Court rose precisely at sis o ' clockl
THURSDAY—Seco > -d Dat . His Lord = bip took Ms seat at nine o ' clock , immefiaiely on which Mr . O'Connor rose and sad—My Lord , as several ¦ sritnesses lare arrived since yesterday , 1 beg to Tdew my application that life ? may oe iwjaested to Tears . I observe ihe Hi ^ bt Hon . Secretary of State forAe Home Department , Sir James Graham , on the beach , and I make an exception in hi 3 ease . The Jndge—Have the other defendants any -w : * h Out Sr James Graham should retire from tba Ccari ? Mr . O'Connor—2 can answfrfor them , my Lord ; issue at alL
The AUonuy-GimsEil—The penally fe-remaining p Conrt after a witness has been ordered to retire , jspnnishmest by the Court , and not exclusion frcm ^ rbg evidence . T 2 BJadge—It Is contempt of Couri . Attorney-GtrBeral—Jnsl . 5 o , my Lord . The following evidence was then proceeded with Joseph Sidler—I am & police oScar at Siockport I was ai thai place on the Uth of Angusi last , I Temembu-between 20 , 000 and 3 & , 009 ptr » ous coming Ewe . Th # y came in the oirection of Ashton and Bjde . They were armed with bludgeons and sticks "When I first saw ihtm , they were making a great Kase , bnt nothing else at that time . 1 went to the CosrtHonse , and gave information to the Magistrates . We had military in Stockport ; part of them ¦ ffere stationed at the Court House , part in the
¦ Market-place , and some , of the yeomanry in their CJSkreai quarters . 1 'be nnmber of tb © multitude tidied alarm , and in eonseqnence , ta © shops " » rere Ot ^ d . The hands in tae difitrent mills were topsd obi , and the works stopped . I wenl to the Uiaon workhouse , with the suuioriue ? . On getting fisre , I saw a nnmbar of persoDs coming from the * oikiouse , having loaves of bread wiih them . We ha ^ number of prisoners ; some of tnem were tak en is tbeworkhouse , and others ont = ide . ThTee or four Persons applied at the lodge of the workhouse , to are an interview with the Magistrates . The name tftme of them was John Wright , and I understood &ey * ail another Ltaeh . 1 saw him afterwards , 'feringthe interview with the Magistrates , bnt 1 « Si * t remember ever ^ eeing him btfore . 1 believe fe aune W 23 John Leach , and 1 heard that he came from Hvde . j do not know that 1 could identify him
ilr . Daadas cfcjecied to the question and answer , ittinaea believed that the name of the party was « bn Leach , bnt that did not at all identify him * Bhreppctio ai-y other transactions . Tne Attorney-General contended -that there was ^ finest to go beiore the Jury to prove ibe identity * tbe defeDdam . Be wonld call their attrention to «* 'f « t thai the celendaut -was well known in the E £ 0 itxHiihood ef Ashion and Hyde , and in ihe eoars e < irius speech , he admitted that he had been « j Sioekpon . sad trat , he tthe Attorney-Gtnera ] tedtobesuEdGt . Mr . Btmdas submitted that nntil they had ex-* MKed-the whole ef the John Leach ' s , of Hyde , ^ s Leaned Friends on the opposite side had not ^ vj&eea one step to stow that ihis ^ was the John iaciiaquation is
. . . _ , The Jne ^ e—The objecti on not made by John ^ aehj bat by others . _ , * » . O'Consor—But I beg to remind yonr Lord-* % that xhe witness rajs he does not think he ?*« identify ihe defendant again , and that , I think , a SW > a objection to the proof of identity . ¦ &e Judge—I think there is sufficient proof to ^ t sd with the evidence . , , . ^^^ iMation resnmsd—Leach said that he had *®* 5 s the revest of a public njeetiu ^ j oa behalf of HSt aisoserswfco were inen in cask dy , and rrqueied ®** a © stiates thai the prisoners might be released ** ¦*« i aformtil by the Mayor that the prisoners * ae in custody oim charge of felony , and that they f aldonry be ' dischawrfid bv the proper conrse of
{?* Oneo ! the pariv said in the presence of Leach , " Msaehvras the eititement , if the prisoners were »• KltaEtd , thty could not answer for the consefl ^ s- The prisoners were not rescued . There y * a aeeting at Siockport , the same day , on an jjat Eisee , called Peterloo-road . 1 should think 5 ® 10 , 000 to 15 , 000 persons would bo present . I ^ e tbe speakL-rs stood upon a wal L 1 was not j wr -enoagh to hear them . The Riot Act was read « tte Market-place , between one and two o ' clock i «! in -ranember whether this was before or af ^ r ^^ tack pa ihe irofkhoase . for sev eral days the ^ aTras in a disturbed state , particularly for ten a . ™ f days ai : er , ihe lOih . Darirg ibis period , ¦¦
_ T » -. - -. v t * vyyiU | UUb Uiv Ciiuj / J v *** —x ¦ wf J « r . Dnnd&s—S «« iport m seren miles from irff jeaer , &Bd fite from Hyde . 1 am not aware ^^ eiiiot Act wa 3 read after the 21 li . . . « J % SIr . CCoDuor—Before 1 put any question to ^ Tntaess , 1-vtish him to be retained , because it * S Mi ncees&ry to examine him afterwards . ^ JudK ^ -Certainly , H ^^ s-l have been at the head of the police £ TR * T ?? aitei 1 Jears . 1 remember the riote JbiX ? difficulty in getting ey idenc * at ¦ £ **«¦ Iknowa ma £ nam&AVm . Gnffin . 1 j ^ tti by ccmtEg into the Court Bouse to report . ^« erptood that he was a reporter for the N orthern j ^ - J did not hear asy exciting language in the tJsefe ^^ what i h * Ta stated . I have not heard * £ * tv ?* language nsed ;— " I do not believe WJ 7 !>» Pl 6 wiD break ont unless ihey are abso-W Ce P IlT ed of food . If jou are not prepared ***>^ j v . i 2 be jaauatdia oKaiiood
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for themselves and their families , " I believe I have seen it in gome newspaper , handed about by the people , but cannot remember whether it v ? as before or after the attack on the workhouse . I don ' t know who the language was attributed to . I have seen the speech alluded to , as having been made by the Mayor of Stockport , both in the newspapers , and in placards on the walk of Stockport . It was on the wall for several days . I did not pull down the placard , or wish it to be done . I don ' t remember seeing a placard headed " A warning voice , " with the following lines upon it : — There is a cry throughout the lana , A fearfnl cry and full of dread J Woe to oppression ^ heartless band . ' A starving people cry for " Bread . "
That cry was heard when ffuiliy France On the dread brink of ruin stood ; Tet sound the viol , speed the dance ! Tib but tae bunsry cry for food ! / charge ye , Englands riders ! grant The justice thai her sons demand ! Or aroused , ihe demon power of want Shall snatdi the PJE . B ai . d vrieidlhc BR . AMD . There were sd many placards that 2 can ' t remember all . I saw one headed " Murder , murder , murder I " There
were a great number of violent and inflammatory placards on the walls . The authorities did tot order them to be taken down . 1 should think the tendency of them would be to excite a hungry people to acts of violence . There have been considerable reductions in wage 3 in Stocfcport . 1 don ' t know by whom the placards were put up . Some of them bad the name of the printer affixed , and others had not . I recollect the names of Gadsby , Dutton and Lambert , as printers . I heard no speeches at the meetings av
Stockport-By Sir Frederick Pollock—I was not near enough to hear any language , and therefore , 1 can ' t say whether it was exciting or not . I know Bradshaw ' s premise , at Stockporr . The hands were turned ont . Mr . Bradshaw sent to the Town Hall , for assistance . 1 have seen a placaru similar to that now produced ( "Tae Executive Committee of theKatknal Chartist Association , to the People of Englana" ) on the walls in Stockport . 3 can ' t remember the words but I am certain 1 read one similar . It was during the period of the disturbances .
By Mr . Dnndas— I can ' t speak with certainty as to the time at which 1 saw it , or whether it was before the reading of the Riot Act . I only read it cursorily , but 1 cant retain the subject matter in my memory . It was an address to the Chartists , but I don t know what about . By Sir F . Pollock—1 am certain from the heading of it , aud the general appearance , that 1 have read a similar placard . Thomas Barrinjiton , examined by the Attorney General . —I am the governor of Stockport workhouse . On Thursday , the 1 hh of August , my attention was called to a crowd round the workhouse . I
went to vhe lodge to see what was going on . I saw several thousand persons . They had sticks and blndgeons . I then went imo a yard , and I had not been there more than two or three minutes before an alarm was given that ihe people had broken iuto the yard . Some thonsancis entered the house , and took possession of the place . They took all the food there was in tb . 6 * hoase—npwardso ; 700 7 ib . loaves . They took money also , shattered stvt-rai tiaors , and broke a number of windows , till at length the military came- and drove thtm awsy By Mr . Dnndas—Now , pray Mr . Bumble—( much laugnter )—1 beg pardon— ilr . Barrington , 1 didn ' t mean it . —Witness—1 can ' t say whether the people knew that we had so much br < ad m the house . Jt happened to be pay day , and probably some money would be laid out for the paupers .
By Mr- O'Connor—Taere was a great rush on the premises , and such as would be likely to cause damage . Tae number of . paupers ia the workhouse had increased at that time . Toe mob did not injure me personally , bnt 1 was ia gnat doubt about it . 1 hafe not heard of great reductions in the wages of the working classes at Stockport . I can ' t say whether masters of workhonses arc unpopular in exciting times . The Major of Stockport was not with the people when they came .
Wil' -ram Moot ? , examined by the Attorney-Gene * r&l—1 am a d * &sie * of cotton yarn , at Marple , five miles from Stockport . la the month oi August Jast 1 was at work at Mr . Sheplty ' s mill . I remember a number of persons coming to the mill on Wednesday , tne 10 th of August . 1 weut to my master , and we came on to the canal bridge . Ti . e people said they wanted the men to be turned out . Mr . Shepley did turn them ont . The next day I paw a body of persons coming on the Waterloo-road , in Stockport . They came a dtzsa abreast , and had sticks in their hands . A meeting was held , and 1 believe the uame of one of the speakers was Christopher Doyle , another Leach , and another Moorhouse . A resolution was pnt to the people , whether they should resume work , or csase until the Charter became the law of the laud . " Tire latter vras carried . I saw the person
who was called Leach there . Somebody said that two or three persons msst go to the workhouse , and see if they could get the pn ^ ners released . I afterwards saw a number of persons coming , from the direction of the workhouse . The man called Leach , and Doyle , were linked together . Leach addressed the meeting , sayiDg that he had seen the Major and Magifctra' . es ; tiiat they took him to a drawer , from winch some money bad been taken . He &afd they were very candid with Dim . He asked them if they would release the prisoners . The Mayor replied , it would be contra ^ to law , bnt if the people wonld go away he might probably rtlesse them in half an hour . He adoed that the cavalry had been ordered out , and-they trembled like aspen leavea . 1 remember tne I 5 tb of August . There was a meeting at Marple . Leach wa 9 there . I was too far off to htar wnat passed . The meeting occupied half an honr .
James Croropton , examined by Mr . Wortley—1 am a police-constable at Marple . 1 remember a meeting at Hawk Green- Joseph Taylor was in the chair . 1 took notes of what he said while the meeting was going on . He said , " friends and feilojr workmen , —we are met here this morning , not t © discuss a question of w » ge 3 , but to see whetheryouare content to live slaves , or whether you are mllm ? to use every exertion in your power to make the Ch » rver becoms the law of the land , that you may obtain an eqnal representation , and placs yonrsplf on an eqnal footing wiih your tyrannical masters . If you were to go to work tomorrow , you would be a hundred times worse than ym wa 3 before you left work , but if you will resolve to work no more until the Charter become the law
cf the land , you will make them glad to give you anything you want . " This was received with chetrs . He then introduced Mr . Cnris ' . opber Doyle , of Manchester . He said , " Friends and fellow workmen , — we are not met here for any parry object , ' but for a national object , —an object on which depends your slavery or freedom . " A- ' ter a great deal of abuse of tbe < 3 &verament , be said , " Perhaps they would want to knew how they must get the Charter ? Ii weuld ba by working no more till the Charter became the law of the land , and yen that have money in banks or other places , must fetch it out , and stop tbe Fnpplies of Government , and then they will be glad to grant you anything yon may want . " He also said M perhaps yon will how to at He went
want to know yon are get me . " <« i— " Lord Kinuard saia in the Honseof Lords , the o'hey day that if he was in want of food he would tske it wlsere he conld find it . Now . surely , your tyrannical masters can have no objection to telling jou to do what Lord Kmnaird said He would do . 1 tell you if you aie in want of food , and your masters will Dot relieve you , take it where you can find it . He ihen proposed a resolution that the people snouid not work until the Charter became the law of the land The meeting were nnanimons in favour of it . Doyie then said . " 1 see you are all Chartists , and there is a meeting of Chartist delegates at Manchester on the loth . You must elect a person to go there . "" He then proposed Taylor , the chairman A show of handBwas taken , and the election fell d tfiat
upon Taylor . The latter said he felt prou tney had elected him as their representative . He said they must stick firm one to another , and work no more till the ' Charter became the law of the land , and he would go to Manchester and . representijem there . Themeetine was adiourned to Possett-bndge , Sr Se purpose of giving tneir ddtpte to w *** lions . When the mob moved on , 1 saw that a great many of them were armed with bludgeonB . lbey were headed by Taylor and Doyle . At the junction of the Peak Forest Canal , there were a number cj boats passing . The mob took away tbe hones , t ed the boats ttfthe sides , * nd told "the boatmen that if they went further , thry would sink the boats . There would be seven or eigDt . 1 didn ' t see Doyle do any S at the boats ; he was probably fifty yards in See . Tae mob went to the lock , and I went Ton . T « ev threatened to throw me in if 1 lateront colt wnicn
rnnted them . They then pulled a on Se door of the lock hung , and-threw it across the canal They were probably twenty , minutes m « i fer ^ s ^ t 1 ^« . ' ^ r tenft ^ r ^ tf g r a good deal of shouting , when they had got the d 0 t > Mi Dnrhim-I -was not oTdercd Z go to the ^ fikSt iSSi & S'SJE Msem * ot so warm , ^« JJJ ™ My object in going D 0 ^ SXSS S ^ flM ?^ P ^ ed any !?_ 1 & 2 ! ffiX £ Wrty . . I knew it was a resviuiivu — iook
~ " a 7 admit that l ouwn Chartist meeting , and I ^ mi ^ n . ^ ^^ Wb 3 * ^ ' ^ iSfpi ^ t , but I beJieve were two other c 0 ^ * o \ * Tiley are not here as ^ SfHr-
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By sergeant Murphy—I should be known to tbe paoplo at the meeting as bti » g a constable . Sjme of them would sea me taking jhu notes . 1 uiJ it openly . . No molestation wnaievt r was offered io me . By Mr . . sroubray—I know ihonatur * of an o $ uh . when I took the notes , I knew that . I should be called to give evidence in a court of justice . I am conscious that 1 havejiot told all that passed at that meeting , but I have stated : truly what I did take down , I could not rehearse ah that I left out of my L 0 " 6 « .
By Mr . O'Connor—I stood four or five yards from the cart . 1 -wrote down every thing that occurred at the time , with the exception of the chairman , which 1 wrote immediately afterwards . 1 have never been a short hand writer or reporter . 1 did not know that the meeting was composed of Chartists . 1 thought they were turn-outs . 1 am aware that a large redaction of wages was proposed at Stockport , but 1 don ' t know the amount . 1 dia not hear any expressions of violence at tbe meeting , beyond a recommendation to the people to take food , and 1 thought that was rather Btrong . 1 do not know that the Mayor of Stockport recommended the people 1 O lake food . 1 nerer heard him say 60 . 1 don ' t live at Stockport . 1 have heard tho working classes complain that their wages were reduced below existence point . They complained also of the masters turning them out of work .
The note-book was here handed to his Lordship , at the request of Mr . O'Connor , for the purpose of hearing his opinion , whether an unpractised and unprofessional person could take down a consecutive report of a speech in long hand ? Tho Learned Judge having looked at the book , said that the question was rather oue for the Jury ; and it wasundersJosd that they should have an opportunity of inspecting it before delivering their verdict . Witness re-examined by Mr . Wortley—I had a very favourable opportunity of taking notes . 1 was not jostled at all by the crowd .
His Loraship here interrupted the Learned Counsel for the purpose of saying , that when he came to sum up the case to the Jury , he should adopt th « same course as that pursued by Lord Chief Justice Tindal , at Stafford , namely ^ to explain the gene ral character of the indictment , and afterwards to point oat the comparative guilt of each defendant . He did not see how he could do justice to the defendants unless he adopted this course . Mr . Wortley ^ -The Jury may find them guilty on different counts . There are sevoral in the indictment . The Judge—Thia is an indictment for a misdemeanour , and you must find them guUty of atv offence arising ont of the same transaction . Mr . Sergeant Murphy-It is quite clear that the course yonr Lordship has pointed out is the proper one , for 1 and some of my Learned Frieuds appear for defendants who are charged with different offences .
Abraham Longson , examined by Sir G . Lrwin—I am a police officer at Stockport . On the 15 th of August I was at a meeting on the Waterloo-road ; John Wright was in the chair . Immediately after the meeting broke up , 1 made notes of what had passed . I did not write the noies myself , but I dictated them to an assistant . I read them over afterwards , and ionnd tbem correct , a man named Johu Newton , not a defendant , spoke , after Wright had taken tb ? chair . He proposed ** that whoever introduced any not nected with
Eubjeot con that of wagts , should be put down ; he told them they must get tneir wages , and iT they could not , they must ask their masters why they could not give it them ; and if they told them it was through the * top shop , ' they must ask their masters to go with them as commanders and sergeants , and fin-J them with bread and cheese on the road , and to go to the Duke of Wellington , and it that wouldn ' t do , to go to Buckingham Palace , and the House of Commons or Lords , or whatever they had a mind to call them , and to demand from them to take All restrictions efi ? ' The Chairman
then got up , and said he would not go io London , and that tbej must take tbe responsibility upon themselves . James Ellison , not a defendant , moved an amendment that the question be left open , and let the meeting decide whether or not they would ask for their wages . 1 am not certain whether this was all he said . Richard Pilling , one of the defendants , ntxi spoke . He said , — " Fellow townsmen , lor 1 may so call you , having lived among joa so long , and having been at so many meetings , and having been in prison , I do sol know whether h would be safe for me to own it or liot ; but I may avow that J have i . he honour to be the lather ot the movement , and the sole cause of your being nere , ladies and gentlemen , at the present time : for the masters of Ashton
had thought proper to vHer a reduction of twentyfive per cent , upon their wages . I then called upon the bellman to go round , and call a meeting . We there came to a resolution , swearing by the God of Heaven , that if a reduction took place , we would annihilate the system , and cause ihe day of reckoning . I then aaoresfred the meeting of ) " 2 , 000 , afterwards another at Sialybridge , of 10 , 001 ) , and at Dukinfield , of 5 , 000 . At every meeting , they came to a resolution to work no more till they bad got the same wages as they had in February , 1840 " He then said he had addressed a meeting at Royton , who came to « the same resolution . Ao then called a meeting * ' at OJdham , but they were taktn by surprise , aud he had to come back with , five
other speakers . In consequence of that the people or oidnam were not vai , but he was determined next morning to go and drub them out . He went accordingly , and mot them at eight o ' clock , where one of them attacked him , and he gave him a floorer . All their masters were then williDg to give them their prices , bnt one of the Anti-Corn Law League , of the name of Bailey , of Stalybridge . In the course of the last three weets , he had addressed 300 , 000 in oifferem pamof Lancashire and Cheshire . They then went to Droylesden , and the people there swore by the God of Heaven that they would not work any more until they got the prices ot 1840 They then came to Stockport , and caused all the mills to stop . They ( ihe meeting ) had not turned
out ; it was the Asbton lads who had turned them ont , and if they went in again they would come over and give them a d—d good hiding . They then went to the bastile , but he ( Pilling ) , did not think that right , but that winter tney might all become thieves , and then toe soldiers and police would have to look after them , and that would eat up the system , as there were more "ways of doinS that than one . If the Ashten lads had not been there , they would not have known that there had been such a p ' &ce . He went on to say that he had been in all parts of South Lancashire , and thj tthe two Tory members for Blackburn -were engagod in working patent looms , at J ^ d . less per cut than other masters were giving in the neighbourhood , and stopped 91 .
per week for every loom . Gn going to Todmorden , the worthy member for OJdham was actually giving more wages for some kinds of work than was actually turned out for , and when the soldiers went to him to protect his factory , he told them he could do without them , as the arms of the people were his protection , and when that ceased , he hoped he should cease to live . He iPilliBg ) then said there is that d—d rascal , Marshall , and that d— -d foloodhonnd of a thief , Jem Bradshaw , both particular friends of his ; he loved them well and they knew it . The meeting must be sure to stick out , and not to go to work , because if they did ; they might depend upon it the masters would crpsh them down , and then the Ashton lads would come oTer again and give them a d—d good hiding . _ And wonld they not
destrvp it 1 The meeting called out , " Yes , my lad . " They might call that intimidation , but he knew the I law of conspiracy , and nothing over good was got without some one suffering for it . ' He said they might put him within tbe prison I walls , for he didn ' t care a d—n . He concluded by exhorting them to remain out of work . There was i another meeting at Peterloo on the 16 th , to appoint ; delegates , at which John Wright was elected . On ' . the 17 th a farther meeting took place . Wright ad- 1 dressed them , and said , I have come "—Here the witBeBS , after bungling for some time , in attempting ' to make either sense or any thing else of the manu- ' . script , was ordered by the Judge to hand it over to j one of the officers of the Court , by whom it was
read . During the time that the officer was reading the document , Mr . Dundas rose , arid said that this mode , of reading a speech was merely refreshing the me- mory of the witness . He complained th ^ t the witness had been staring about the Court instead of . attending to what was going on . i Sir G . Lewin said that if his Learned Friend j wished , Longson should read the manuscript him-: self . Mr . Dundas replied that he should be sorry to ; take up the time of the Court in such a manner , and ; the officer proceeded with the | reading . The con- j tents of the speech were quiteimmaterial '
Examination resumed—I remember attending a ] meeting , one at Carpenters' Hall , on tbe 15 ih-of 1 September , and another at Boinber ' s-brow , on the 16 ih . John Allison , a defendant , was there . H e recommended the men to-go to their work , and Ca rr did the same ; but Carter , not a defendant , & dd they must have the Charter before they wen ' * to work , and that it did not matter if a few lives / were lost in the struggle . Two placards were read at the meeting , one headed "Bun for gold , " and y . nother similar to tbe address of the Exectttne Cof jmittee . The former was read , bat with ie 3 pec ' , to the latter , the Attorney-General said he shr -uld prefer offering the evidence to which he alluded in his opening address .
Cross-examined by Mr . BuEdas—P Neither of the parties who wrote to my dictation > re here . We were about three quarters of an hor , r in writing ( be speech of Pilling . I have- attend ed several meetings , and dictated speeches to our own ofBcew . The man who wrote Filling ' s speecJv for mo is Bobeit Swan . He is a Sheriff ' s office r . He never wrote any for me before the late tv rn-out . I can carry a decentish long speech in m » y memory , but a good deal depends upon the su ' eject . I think I could remember a speech of hatf an hour ' s leugtb . The ttvbtiug oi vh « itnh wicliaaied peaceably .
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By Mr . O'Connor— I believa I could repeat Pilling ' s speech , as l ibavo it ri » vf ; i now . I am nor mu ^ h of a politician , but 1 rra * i the newspapers . I occasionally read the Manchester Guardian , l noversawarepovtof Filling ' s hptcch in the paper When bwann and I were writing out the speech , ho occasionally refreshed my memory . 1 don't know the reason why he is not here . Tnese are our notes conjointly . When Pilling heard that the people had sonfe to the Stockpprt workhouse , he expressed his d sapprobation . 1 can't remember whether Newton , a master ma&on , who was at the meetingsaid that
, unless the Corn Laws were repealed , they would turn London upside down . When he recommended them to *; o to London , to the " iop shop , " tho meeting hissed , and a person called out , " Master , you are a tool of the Ami-Corn Law League . " 1 believe it is trne that the meeting charged Newton with having been sent there by the manufacturers , to create a disturbance . 1 have not placed this in my journal . 1 was sent to the meeting to give a faithful report , and 1 did so as nrar aB 1 can . 1 didn't think about what was said to Newton at the time . 1 have never read the following resolution ;—
"That this meeting bein « $ convinced that the Government haa no intention ef afiurdiqg effectual relief for the acknowledgedrfistreBses of tho people , hereby avow the solemn determination never again to past , or io retain for twenty four hours without exchanging for gold any Batik of England notes , until , by the total and immediate repeal of tbe Corn Laws , Parliament shews its willingness to commence a real redress of our grievances . " I remember seeing a placard on tbe walls at Stockport , beaded " Murder , murder , murder , " but I can't mention tbe mine of tbe printer . I can ' t say whether Gadsby's name was affixed to it or any other . I can't remember whetber Allison recommended the people to resort to legal and constitutional means to obtain the
Charter , but I think ha used the word peaceable . I am o « rtitn that Pilling used tbe word '' drub" and not divm , when he talked of going to Oldham . I can't say whether Pilling , when he was speaking as to the consequences of persisting for the Charter , said "he did not care for fool or dick , " or he said he d ^ d not care for " Hool * ' or "Dick , " alluding to Mr . Holland Hoole , a magistrate , anct to Mr . Cobdtn . I am aware that mauy angry public discussions have taken place between tbe Chartists and the ami-Corn L : tw party , at Stockport , and that a very bad feeling exists between them . I don't know tbat the Chartists have upset Corn Law meetings , at
Stockport , but they did once upset a meeting of the Bible Society . 1 can't recollect that Pilling ever told me that in consequence oi being turned oat « f work , he wus in such distress , that be could not bury bis child . I don't remember ever seeing a placard on tbe wails of Stockport , to the tfleot that the Mayor of Stockport had recommended the people to take food , If they were starving , and could not obtain any . Mr . Sergeant Murphy stated to his Lordship that Pilling had wished to know whether he ( th 6 Judge ) would allow a question to be asked of the witness , Longson , whether , when speaking at the meeting alluded to , ho bad not confined ' "his observations to a recommendation of the wage question .
His Lordship informed Pilling that he might ask the question himself . He accordingly did so , and said , amidst great laughter , that hnuse I and Longson were old cquius on the factory and wage question . At tuts stage of the proceeding , she Jury letired for a few minutes . On their return , Sir Frederick Pollock , addressing bis Lordship , said , —I wish to call your Lordship ' s atteutiou to the attendance here of Sir James Graham , as a witness . It has been intimated to me by Mr . O'Connor , tbat he intends to call a witness of the name of Wilcox , and in that case there wil < be no necessity for the attendance of tho K 4 ght Hon . Secretary . Mr . O Conner—Certainly not . The Judge—Ja there any other defendant who dons not appear by Counsel , who wishes to examine Sir J . uues Ur&ham ? If no answer is it turned , 1 ahull conclude that no person wishes to do so .
. Mr . O ' Connor—I trust that it will be found that we have summoned Sir James Qr . ihaiu for no idle purpose , but having secured the wituets who will answer our purpose , we have no wish to detain the K ght Hon . Stcretaiy . Sir J&mea Graham remained bohiq time in the Court , makiag anuutes of the fcxauiiimuou of some of the witness , and retired in the course ot' the afternoon . John Rjbinson Scott examined by Mr . Hildyard— 1 am a policeman . On the 13 th of Auaust , I attended a meeting at Koyton . The defendant , Augustus Frederick Taylor was there . A Chairman was appointed , and a person named Thomas Kituhffii asked whether tbe meeting was got up fur the purposaof discussing wages or politics . It was received with general hooting and
hissing . A person named Hoyle spoke , and said be was glad to see me there in my proper clothing , for if I had cuuie as a spy , they would strip me and send me about my business . This was said in the presence of Taylor , the defendant . The latter then got up , fi . ' . d after speakiog in a savage manner respecting the Government , he turned to me asd eald tbat if i was a principal in this undtntakiug , I should never rest till I was at the top ef tbe tree , fur they were determined to upset the villaaoua system , and he added tbat hs would scale that d—d infernal place ( meaning the gaol ) in less than a month . On tUe 16 th of August unotner meeting was held at tho same place , whun Taylor was again present . He said that he could give Che meeting no sati&filction , but said he hoped that something
would nave been done that day . After lha fund accounts were read , a motion was proposed that Taylor should be sent as a delegate to Manchester . A collecwas made , amounting to five shiilii gs , which was banded over to Booth , the secretary . The meeting was again adjourned to the following day . Taylor was again present . Something was said about money-clubs and batiks , and Booth advised tbe people to draw the money out of them . This was saia in tbe presence of Taylor . Booth said he did not know how things were standing , but they ought to go for tbe Charter . Hoyle then addressed the meeting , and saia that at a meeting of the delegates , at Manchester , there was a majority of 200 to 50 for tbe Charter . He then explained the d . ffcrent points io it , and taid what benefit it would
confer if they could send their friend Frederick Taylor to Parliament . He said the Magistrates bad made the soldiers drunk , and sent them after the mob to fire upon them and butcher them up . Taylor then addressed the meeting . He b \ M , " Ladita and Gdiitlemen , we have arrived at one of tbe most important subjects that ever was undertaken . He said that a resolution had been passed at Manchester , on the previous Monday , in favour of the Charter , and that no doubt something serious would happen before long . He stated that tbe Magistrates of Manchester , and Mr . fits wick , entered the Carpenters ' Hall , and told the persons assembled tbat tbe meeting was illegal , in consequence of tbe out-door pressure . Tbe Chairman refused to break up the meeting , and tbe
Magistrates and police returned again , and would only allow tbem ten minutes to disperse . First one of them nibbled , and then another , but none of them would take bold . But I tell you that I took hold of the grand question , which was the Charter , and it was received with loud applause . We had then only five minutes to disperse , and -we had a considerable portion of the work to be dune today , and I consider that you have not a moment to lose , so that you who wish to have a hand in this undertaking must do something this morniDg , for the men must use the eword , and the women will know where to direct tbem . Taylor then said , as soon as tbe delegate from Birmingham came and brought the decision , he immediately ran to the trades to communicate thu news , and no doubt they would come forward in thousands to join thei * ranks , and before this day Wtek there will nofc he one trade at ¦ werk . But I fearlessly tell you that I was the man who grappled the Charter yesterday at
Manchester , and I should like to witness a bloody revolution oi revolutions , and the time was not far off . " On the following raerniog , the 18 tn , there was another meetingl Taylor was present . He said he was very sorry to inform the meeting tbat Turner , who printed tbe placard which I brought home with me last night , has been taken . ( This , was tbe address of the "Executive Committee , " and bore the imprint of Chas . Turner . ) He added that Taraer ' s printing press and all his furniture had been taken , and whatever might be the event of this undertaking , he could not tell , but if tbe meeting thought the ; bad the slightest chance , thej would go forward . But he said it appeared to him that some of the people were getting tired , and wished to return to their labour . If they did , however , ( bey urou d leave tim m a most dangerous position , but be could only " be put in prison , and should be one among the rebt- At tbe conclusion , Taylor was again elected as a delev&te .
By Mr . O'Connor—I understood that when Taylor was spf aking of the people bein $ tired , and wishing to return to tbeir labour , he was speaking of Vhe people of Royf , n . Silvester Faraday , examined by Mr . F . Pollock—I am a policeman . I was at a meeting at Bacup between ni' jb and ten o ' clock on the morning of the 16 ta cf ^ ugust There were about 2 , 000 persona present They " were armed with stickd and bludgeons . Theyentered Baoup from the Rochdale road . , I followed them , and saw what they did . They proceeded to tbe mills and stopped them . They called upon tbe bands of the mills in a menacing way , to come out All the miflB in
Bacup were stopped on- that day . They afterwards divided into small parties of from three to twenty . They entered all houses that they found open , and demanded provisions from the inmates . There was a grocer of the name of Carter , and the people crowded round the shop , and provisions were thrown out to them . Their conduct was violent , but tbey offered no threats . I did not hear any tnreat at Carter ' s , bat in other instances , I beard . the people themselves threaten to break open the d » ora of the houses , if provisions were not given to tbem . Tbe state of the town was one of great violence and uproar , I first saw tho address of the " Executive Committee , " posted in Bacup , on Saturday , tbe 20 th of August
By Mr . M'Oubray—I only read one or two lines of tbe placard , tut I satisfied myself that it ia tie same . By Mr . O'Connor—I did not see any person that I knew individually , who were shewing the pe ' pie how to pull out the plugs . The millowners are not all dead , but I don't know tbat any of them are here to speak to the rnilis being stopped . By Wiliiam Beesleyi a defendant—I saw the placard in two different paita ot the town . I do
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not remember any provisions being found upon the prisoners at Bicup , or a * thejpoliee office there . William B * "ntlay ( xamined by Mr . F Pollock—I am a policeaiou from Kychiiale I saw ; the aUdress of the Executive Committee posted on the 17 tfa of August , and the hands turned ont on tho ilth . The Queen ' a proclamation appeared on the 15 th . About the 20 tb the hands returned to work . ; Jarass Buckley examined by the Attorney-General—I live at Stalybridge . On Sunday , ( the 7 th of Aueust , 1 was at a meeting at Wottram Moor ; from 3 , 000 to 6 . 000 persons were present . William Moorhousa , not a defendant , was in the chair . Pvthen I got there , I found the people singing a hymn . I A resolution was proposed that the people of England should give over
wotEing until they got a fair days j wage fora day's work , and the Charter became the hW of the land . A mail represented to ba John Leachi , of Hyde , spoke . Jokn Crossley and Wm . Stepbenson were there . All three supported the resolution . On the morning of Monday , the 8 th of August , I saw a great number of persons , some armed with , sticks , jin tbe Streets at Stalybridgc . More were without than bad tnem . I followed them down to Messrs . Hari-isons mill . They shouted and wauted to get the bands out Mr . Han isoon stopped bis mill . Tbe mob then went to Messrs . Lee ' s mill , and demanded admittance , but they could not get in . They broke a plank off the bottom of the gate , and effected an entrance , butf when they got in , the hands had been turned out at another door . They
afterwards went to Duckenfleld , and stopped all the mills on tbe road , between that place and Ashton . The mob brandished their sticks , and created great alarm . They then went to Hurst and stopped mills there . Above twenty were stopped . In the afternoon , I saw John Crosaiey , in the Market-place , at Ashtoa . I also B&w William Aitkin , auoiber 6 f the defendants . He " blacked" the mob most terribly for the way tbey had gone on . Pilling was there too ] and he proposed that the people of Asotou should go to OWham , and the people of Staly bridge to Hyde , in order to stop the mills . This was agreed to . There are many hatters in the neighbourhood , and the mob stopped them from working , as they came to thej hat shops . They said they muat give over 'working luntil a fair day ' s
wage for » fair day ' fl work was obtained , and the Charter became tbe law . I saw John jCrossley . He saw some loua attempting * to break a gate , and he ran to prevent them doing any damage . There did not appear to be any leaders at tbat time . From Denton the mob went to Hyde , and they called upon the batters to fall in , and march with them . Some of them did so . and others refused . They afterwards divided themselves into lots , and went to different mills . At Hyde they went to Mr . James Ashton ' s factory , and turned the hands out . Before the party broke up they went to Glossop , but I did not go with them . On the morning ot the 11 th there was a meeting at Haigh , of a similar character , which was addressed by Fenton , Crossley and Mahon . CrossJey saidlbe wonld nofc teil
them where to go to , as they had behnved themselves si ) bidly the day before . He told them they weie to follow him . About soven o'clock the next morning , the 12 th , another meeting was held at Stalybridge ; Crossley and Fdnton wore there , arid advocated the wage question , but Woolfinden advised them to stick to the Charter . He 8 pnke very ill , of shopkeepers , cotton masters , ami tbe Government . I aid not go any where with them that d&y . ^ but the next mornicg there was another meeting . Maaoa was there , and Crossley , Durham , and Fenton . IS was stated ' that there was to be a meeting that morning at Hyde , and that men were to be sent from Stalybridge to address the people on the wage question . I was ai a meeting at Hyde after ' his . Wm . Stephenaon and Crossley jwere there . They
wanted the people of Hyde to give tip the agitation of the Charter . Tbe people blackguarded tbem terribly for coming with such a tale as that iB > otb , the defendant , was one of the parties who did ! so . I went back to Staly bridge after the meeting was oyer . I found the people coming in fiom G . ossop to have a meeting at Stalybridge to discus whether it should be a wage queBtum or a Chartist question ; it was to be what was calledra great meeting . It was determined that the Stalybridge people should not have anything to do with the voting , because they would not haye anything to do with the Charter . It was afterwards agreed that the meeting Should stand Out for the Charter , and
it brolie up . John Wild was the chairman of the general meeting , at Stalybridge . Several persons were called , and at last Wild was fixed upon . He said he did not like to bave anything to do with the business , but as tbey had called upon him , be would do his duty as far as be was able . j by giving every speaker a fair and candid hearing . . ! Leach supported the Charter . Newton , Mahon , and ; Booth also took part for the Charter . Several persons .--poke for the wage question , and among the number Durham and Fenton . All present , with tbe exception of two , voted for tbe Charter . I should think that from 8 . 000 to 10 , 000 persons were present Tnis was tbe last meeting I attended . ; for
By Mr . Dundas—I did not bold u ^ ray hand the resolution . I am a married man aud have a family . In the month of August my wife aud children were in the Workhouse , at Hacldlewortn . This wks in consequence of my being out of work . They are not theru now , because I have got work . I am working at Mr . Kirk ' s factory , and have been in work for Sixj weeks . My wife and family left the Workhouse three or four months ago . 1 can't say whether I was in work or not when they returned . I was a special constable at the tirae , at St&lybridge . The reason'why I did nofc give that answer before was , that I thought you would not think being a special constable worfeing . I wts a special constable fur six weeks , and had 3 s , a day . I never was discharged from being a special constable , because 1 had no regular engagement . I was ( ordered to give over because there was no demand ! for me . I was
afterwards a watcher under tbe police of S ' . aiybridge , at 16 s . a-week . This was in consequence of their being a watchman short for about three months . Wben i applied whether I was to have tt e situation permanent , the Comruibsioners at Stalybridge said that if tbey appointed me , they were afraid tbat the rate payers would not pay t&eir rates , because I had sworn agaii st tho Charti 8 ts . I will swear tbat I wap not discharged by the Commissioners , for any other reason . I was told by some body io go io the meetings , j I got paid for going ! ( Hisses from the body ot the Court ) I shall not tell you who sent me . I was told before I went tbat it would be worth my while . I got Sve shillings . That is not all I got . I have received' £ 5 at different times , und I expect to receive more . ( Renewed hisses . )
By Mr . Atberton . —The first information I gave waa about a fortnight after the meeting of the 7 th . Before I gave thatjinforruation 1 had not seen the Queen ' s Proclamation offering a reward of £ b 0 . JThe first time I saw it was in September . I am not fcertain whether I had seen it b * fore . 1 w&s examined by the Asbton Magistrates . I admitted having told a woman named Susan Greenwood , mother of my first wife , that I had seen a lad break a gate at Messrs . ; Lee ' s mill , and tbat I might as well have £ h& as any body else . She asked whether I would go and swear against my neighbours 7 I don't remember what answer 1 made to the old woman . I acknowledge having been questioned as to what I knew about tbe Chartists , and I said that if it had not been for the speakers , there would have been a great deal more disturbance . I was not a turnout on the 7 th of August I bad nothing to turn out
upon . I was three weeks and had \ nothing to do . 1 scarcely know how I lived , j I bad bread , but very little meat I got the ! a"ur from a shop , at Stalybridge . I did cot payj for it I have been living on credit Wben I went up and down to these meetings , I did not take any part in the proceedings . I neither hissed nor shouted . I have taken notes , but I have burnt all tbe papers'I bacl < When I was examined before the magistrates , in September , I could not be sure whether Fenton was at the meeting on tbe 12 th of August . I examined the papers afterwards , and found that it was corrrect j The paper was burnt before I gave eivdence at Chester . I knew it might be wanted for these assisss , but I thought I could carry it all in my head . I was examined before tbe © rand Jury respecting these transactions , and I burned the papera afterwards . ¦ M «
Cross-examined by Mr . O'Connor—When wotT the first instalment paifl to you ? < It happen might be about the 16 th or 17 th of August . ; ggMight it be a fortnight before ? ¦ It might You say you got between £ i aud £ 5 altogether ? Yes . ; Are you certain you did not got morej ?—I am . On the 17 th of August , when you followed tho meeting , before the mills were stopped , you say that the people were riotous and created great alarm iu the neigh bourhood that they passed through ? Yes . Did they alarm you ?
Yes . How does it happen , than , tbat if you were so much alarmed , you followed tbe people ? I did not follow them . Then you went fcefore tbetn?—( Laurbter . ) I attended their meetings ! Did you not follow thtm when Crossley prevented the the boys from doing damage to a batter ' s premises ? Yes . ' j Upon your oath , sir , did not Croseleyj say to you , on the Monday about which you bave been speaking , tbat he would go with you to the meeting , if you would
promise to abstain from violence ? [ He never said anything of that sort to me . » Did you tell all to the Magifltratesj that you have told here to day ? j No . 1 ¦ Did you swear that Leach had been at the meeting on tho 13 th of August , at all ? ' I have notbiDg to do with Leach at all . Oh I but you have . After your examination before tbe Magistrates , were you bound over to give evidence ? : Yes . ¦« . ! Did you give evidence at Chester ?
I did . Were the men against whom you swore convicted or acquitted ? * One was convicted , and two were acquitted . Did you get anything for that job ? Not much . How much ? Fifty shillings . : And how much do you expect to get for this job ? I dont know .
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Has no one told you ? No . W ere you not toM that you would get the £ 50 , if you co nvtctd the whole of tiie parties ? NO . Did yo a say it yourself ? I never t > aid that I mi § ht as well have the £ 56 for those person . «• It was for the job at Chester that I said f might as w&'i hive the £ 50 . Did yon evei show your papers to any one before you destroyed them 2 No . Upon your oatii , did any one tell you to destroy them \
No . What did you get for going to Liverpool ? Fifty shillings . Have you told the whole truth ? Yes ; to the beat of my belief . D j yon remember what you swore , when you were before the magistrates , in September test ? Wbat about ? - That is what I waut to know . Wss what you swore before the magistrates , read over to J «» , or given to you , to be read by yourself ? It has been read over a time o ? two . By whom ? I don't know : I don't see him here . When was it last read to jon ( The witness hesitated for a long time , and Appeared quite unwilling to answer tbe question . ) Mr . O Connor—Upon your oath , I must have an answer to the question . The witness still hesitated .
The Judge—Why don % you answer tbe question . Witness—The depositions have been read over to me to-day —( a strong sensation . \ Mr . O'Connor—Go dawn , Sir . The defendant , Wild , here asked if he could be allowed to put a few qu-istions to Buckley . The Judge—Certainly . Defendant—As I am not defended , my Lord , and have do means to obtain counsel , I wish to know when my trial will come on , so tbat 1 may be prepared to defend myself to tbe best of my ability . The Judge—Your trial is going en now—( laugnter . ) Defendant—At the meeting at which you said you saw me , did I not object to the Charter being carried out ? Witness—Yes .
Defendant—When I refused to meet the motion in tbe shape in which it was proposed , did net thepeo pie come before me . with sticks , and threaten tokuocK my bTains out ? Witness—Yes ; and they threatened to knock you out of the cart By Sir Frederick Pollock—The money whica I received was for my expences at Chester and Liverpool . I received 50 s . at each place , and my expeubes were rather more than £ 3 , Joseph Oliver , 'examined by Mr . Wortley—I am an overlooker employed at Mr . Hall ' s mill , at Duckinfield . I was at a meeting at Hall Green on tha 2 nd or 3 rd of August . I think Wild was in the chair , bnt I won't sweav it . Pilling and Challenger addressed the meeting *
and e > resolution was proposed tbat if the masters per * siated in their reductions , the men would cease from labour , until they had got a fair day's -wage for a fair day' 8 work , and tho Coartfer had become the law of the land . The resolution was not pat to the vote . I was at another meeting on the 10 th . Pilling was there . He said he bad been at Oldham , where he had n > et with some opposition . He added tbat some of his lads had been there on Monday , and raked out tbe fires , and pulled out tba plugs . Two men were come to Ashton , to eay whether they would turnout quietly or uat , because if they would not , he was afraid that some of his lads would break their heads . I was present at another meeting at Duckinfield , on tbe 15 th of August James Thorp was in tha
chair . Challenger , a defm Jaut , spoke in favour of tha Charter , and said that if they would pass a resolution in favour o { the GhatteT . they would go for the Charter and fight for it . He said he bad been at Preston a few days ago—the streets were barricaded , and tbat not a single soldier , or a blue-bottle was to ba seen , and ha bad no doubt the town , if it was then as be had left it , it would be by that time in a blaze . Ha ala » said tbat he bad been at Manchester , and that it was not for toe towns of Ashton , Dukinfleld , Stalybridge . and Hyde , to carry the Charter , but it most rest with tha great delegate meeting at Manchester' to carry it into
law . He said that less turn-outs than these had caused a revolution . He referred to the case of a great emporer ravishing a woman , and t ® the case of Wat Tyler , in England , and he said he believed tbe time was fust approaching when they would have such men as Fairfax and Cromwell . He recoromended the pec * pie te look up to such men as Feargna O'Connor , Broaterre O'Brien , aud Dr . M'DoualL I saw Challenger again iu the evening , at ABhton , where there wae a meeting . Some confusion took place , and tbe people said there was a dog battle . Challenger toid them thafc if they intended to carry the Charter they must not be afraid of two whelpb fighting .
By Mr . O'Connor—Sohib of my friends were opposed to my coming here , but a parson whom I did nofc know sent for me , and , I thought it . was my duty to come . I admit that 1 . bave been spoken to respecting my evidence . Mr . O'Connor—By whom ? Witness—I dou ' t know . Mr . O'Counor—You don't know ? witness—i was introduced into a room by some * body— ( laai $ tjter | . Mr . O Cjnnor— Where at ? Witness—It was ai the Commercial Inn , at Preston . Mr . O'Connor—Did you read over your deposition there ? Witness—I did . Mr . O Connor—Were there other persons there reading ? Witness—Yes ; they seemed to be reading pieces of paper like mine .
Mr . O'Connor—Now , Sir , having had your memory refreshed by the Attorney at Preston , I ask you whether you told the Magistrates tbat Challenger said the people were to leok up to Feargus O'Connor , Bronterre O'Brien , and Dr . M'Duuall ? Witness—No . Mr . O'Oonnor—Did you tell the Magistrates about Preston beiug in a bkzs ? Witness—No : I thought it was of no use , as Challenger had gone off to America . Mr . O'Connor—Why dk * yon not tell them ? Witness—I have told you tbe reason . Don't brine
things out so blvjr— ( laughter ) . I am getting quite dry . —( renewed laughter ) . Mr . O'Connor—Will you take a glass of wine ? Witness—1 hav « not come here to tell any lies . Mr . O'Connor—Then let us have the whole troth . Witness—I will speak the truth , man . ( Muca laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor—Then do , man . Now , is the evidence you ' have given to-day the same as you gave to the attorney at Ashton ? Witness—Yes : word tor word . ( Laughter . ) Mr . O Connor—After that , you may go down .
Samuel BanniBter , examined by Sir Q . Lewm—I am chief constable of Presten . There is a Chartist meetingroom there . I was at a Chartist meeting aboui a month prior to the 12 th of August A meeting was announced for the evening of tbat day . I went there . Two persons were at the meeting who were represented as Aitkin and Challenger . They were received as such , aud addressed the assemblage . Mr . Ath 6 rtou objected to tbe reeeption of the evidence proposed to be given by the witness , inasmuch as he contended that the identification of the party mereJj by name , waa not sufficient . The Attorney-General called attention to th © evidence of the preceding witness , who had stated that he had beard Challenger eay he had been at Preston , and also heard him describe the BSate in which the turn-out was wr . en he left it . The Judge—1 think the evidence as to identity is sufficient .
Examination resumed—Both speakers spoke at great length . One resolution was put , that they should again meet in a place called the orchard , at an early hour of the morning and at noon , to prevent such persons as were disposed to work from doing so . That resolution was carried . Others were proposed of a very violent character , but 1 can't particularise them . Challenger said that the masters of Preston , or the cotton lords , as he called them , were the most tyrannical men in the county , that they gave a less amount of wagea than others , and therefore could undersell their neighbours Aitkiu abus « d the mill-owners , and boasted that he had been in prison to serve the people , and would do so again . The next morning I attended the
orchard , about five o ' clock , aud found about 100 persons there at that time . 1 saw the number was increasing , aud 1 then went back to the station , and seut a report to the Mayor of the borough , having left some constables to watch the proceedings of the mob . On my return , 1 met one of the constables , who said that the mob had gone in the direction of one of the mills , to stop them . The next thing was the calling out of the military . - 1 then proceeded with the soldiers and Magistrates down Ftshergate , and . a short distance before we came to Lune-street , we met an immense mob of persons . We stopped them from coming up the street . We then proceeded in the direction of Paley ' s factory , and on our return up Lune-street showers of stones were thrown at us by the mob . We were ordered to bait and turn round in order to disperse them , but it was useless We then informed them thai Capfc .
Woodford had been Bent for , and that tbeBiot Act would be read . Amidst a shower of atonea , one of the mob exclaimed—*? Read and-bed—d . " 1 then " . went in company with Captain Woodford , to inform the mob that the ftiot Act had been read . We found tbat stones were then coming over the roofsj > fthe houses , as well as in our frog * W&Wf * Allfiff * canal in the lower part of £ wk ^ BiM ^ lnpmN& % number of Btones are depjdg ^ djtftt ^^^ g ^^ women bringing stontsin meiaribgBng , »| wW < raW < a deposit . Finding that M ^ H ^^^ B ^ the mob were frumeBSi lOsW ^^^^* 1 don ' t know the i ^ lliBHHSi the soldiers fired . I sawWafg ^ Plnk * ftM oi the mob drop immed ^ ateWTO ^ MW ^ aW i to my astonishment , nliuur jfjtlmwmTj i \ iifliiliiiiny thunderstruck . In the couW ^^ £ y « j j ^ utea Continued m our ^ aHJ-VOr
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR . __ 3
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 11, 1843, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1203/page/3/
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