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£t>3r tte* 3Snt*I%me.
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THE THIAL.
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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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Ou&ra . —On Sunday last , M ** Wright lectured in displace . At the close of his lecture it was an-SmBeedtbat £ 10 hid beensubscribed for the Defence ftna . ¦ ¦ : . _ .-KCTTCiSitK . —Mr . Kidd , of Glasgow , lectured In ' * £ cbxras&-EaB , Goat Inn , Cloth Market , on Gnafoy ereBiBi * :-. ¦ : ¦ ¦ - ¦ : " -. ¦ - . - . " ; - — . jpaiCaxsngsheld thwiweeldjlmaneBs meeting « . Monday efwring , Mr . Tonng ia the Chair . After wtoig and confinniBgihe minutes of the previous
aeefing- a good deal of local bsBine&s waa disposed tf * % n& th& » eeting adjourned . > ' Heddebsfield . —At *^ meeting at the Associa * on Koom » Upperhead-row , on Monday Bight , it -as again ordered that no communication from any peyson , addressed to an j other than the Setffetary , j ^ Chipm&nV ^ hall be noticed by the bodjv It , 03 also agreed that lhe next iiistriet Chartist meetmu should be held in their usual meeting room , «? § BD « J » y next ( w-nwrrow ) instead of
Almond-Biamx . —On Saturday and Sunday evenings , ^ r . jjohn Brown , irom l / mdorijdedivera two eloquent and interesting lectures in the room over the ( Jo-op erative Stores . Wischestkb . —Air . R . G . Gammage of Northamp ton delivered a lecture on the principles of the People ' s Charier , » n the High-street on Friday evening iasL Sh effield . —Mr . Edwin-Gill addressed ihe Charjigs of Fig-tree-lane , on Sunday evening last . Idle—The Her . W . T , Jackson lectured here on Holiday evening . - Bbosotox ( kzab Uobthaxeekton ) . —The libera gon « rilr » Wm . Brooke , from Kbrthallerton , was cd ebrated here by a tea party on Saturday . We hiteno room for balance-sheets .
jsortisGBAM . —The Chartists met at the Demopane Chapel , on Sanday morning . The following resolutions were passed : — " That each locality be reves ted to pay one-halfpenny per . member to the iucideoial fund , at the same time that the returns are made of the paying and non-paying members , Tiiich will be the first Sunday in every month . "— - last the "Working Man ' s Hall Committee do meet ja lie Chapel , fiice-pl&ce , at two o ' clock in tneaftern oon of Sunday , March 19 th , ai whichtime and place delegates from the varions localities in Nottin gham are particularly requested to Attend . " 5 rocKPOiT . «» On Sunday evening last , Mr . Glos » p , of Mancbesier , lebsHred in the large room , Hillgjje , id a nnmerona and attenQfe audience ; after iriuii , Mr . Black delivered a short address on the present aspect of afiairs .
TFjysncs . —The Chartists met , as nsual , at the Association . Room , on Sunday last ; after the usual business was transacted , the sum ot I 83 , was handed is for the Defence Fund . DnrsBCxr . —A district conncil meeting was held Bi Sanday , in the large room over the Co-operative iJlOTes , When delegates were present from most pjns of the district , ^ The sum of £ 5 was forwarded to Mr . O'Connor for the National Defence Fund , a Tola of thanks was giren to Messrs . Clissett and Sheldrake , on their departure for York to take their bills at ihe Assizes . It was resolved that the next cohdc 3 meeting be held oa Sunday , in the large room , © Ter the Co-operative Stores , at two o ' clock 1 b the aftfirnoon .
Hnx—The liberation of Mr . Robert Peddle was tek&r&ted by a public tea party , on . Monday even-~ kg , Jn the Bev . W . H 31 s chapeL Mr . Peddle was liberated on Saturday last , hi three years of impnsonment having expired . His Scotch friends were Bat ejecting his liberation till the 17 ihinst . As K » n as he left the walls of ^ he Beverley * Hell" he ms greeted by the enthusiastic welcomes of the Beveriey Gnarnsts . Babsslet . —A Tote of thanks to Mr . Duncombe ha 3 been agreed to here .
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GOYER ^ iLENT PROSECUTION OF FEABGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ . AJiD OTHERS , FOR AH : ALLEGED CONSPIRACY .
LANCASTER . —KISI PRITJS COURT . ( Continuedfrom our last treeX * * paper . ) THURSDAY—Secosd Dat . Hh Lordship took his Beat at nine o ' clock , immefiately on which 31 r . O'Connor rose and said—My JLord , as several iritnesses hare arrived since jesterday * I beg to renew my application that they may be requested to retire . I observe ihe Bight Hon . Secretary of Sjate f « ihe Home Department , Sir James Graham , on lae bench , and I mate an exception in his ease . The Judge—Hare the other defendants any-wish . { hat Sir James Graham should retire from the Const »
J&x . O'Connor—I caa answer lor inrm , my lotu j atme » talL Thfi Attorney-General—The penalty for remaining in Coart after a witness has been ordered to retire , isjnzs ^ une nt by the Court , and not exclusion from gjring eridenee . Tae Judge—It 13 coatempt of Conrt . Aitomey-Generd—Just bo , my Lord . Tee following evidence was then proceeded with : Joseph Sadler—I am a-police officer aiSioekport . iTras at that plaee on the 11 th of August last . I itmember between 20 , 000 and 30 , 000 pereonB coming Sxn . They came in the direction of Ashton and Bid * . ThfcT were armed with bludgeons and-sticks
When I first jaw them , they were making a great mse , bat nothing else at that time . I went to the Xfean House , and gare information to the Magistxates . We had military in Stoekport : part of item rere stationed at the Court House ,. part in the iUrket-place , and some of the yeomanry in their Merent quarters , The number of the multitude tzdtedalarm , and in eonseqnence , the shops were ^ sed . The hands in the different mills were fcraed out , and the works stopped . I went to the Union workhouse , with the authorities . On getting
Sere , Ie&w a number of persons coming from the irwkhouse , haTXDg ipaTes of bread with them . "We ) ad * nnmber of prisoners ; some of them were taken iathe workhouse , and others outside . Three or four Persons applied at the lodge of the workhouse , to an an interview -roth the Magistrates . The name « f one of them-was John Wright ^ and I understood fiaj « all another Leach . I saw him afterwards , isrjBg the inioriew with the Magistrates , bnt I ifc ' i remember erer sedDg him before , I beliere Ks nime was John Leach , and 1 heard that he came fttm Bvae . 1 do notknow that 1 could identify him
Mr . Dandas objected to the qnesUon and answer . S * whnes 3 belicTed that the ^»™ of the party was ftim Leacb , tut that did not a . t all-identify him ijthresppctio any other transactions . Tae Attorney-General contended that there was aSrient to go before ihe Jury to pnnre the identity tf the defendant . He would call their attention to Safacl tiatthe defendant was well known in the BCRhbonrnood of Ashton and Hyde , and in ihe toarscof hi 3 speech , he admitted that he had been K Swciporl . aad that , h& tthe Attorney-General Md to be sufficient .
Hr . Dondas Eabmitted that until they had ex-™ sted the whole ' ef the John Leach ' s , of Hyde , « 3 Learned Friends on the opposite side had not * frsnc © d one step to show that this was the Joha LEith in question . Bie Jndge—The objection is not made by John - *^ tfci bn t by others . ^ r . O ' Connor—Bnt I beg to remind your Lord-« ip , ftat the witness gays he does not ihink he * wW identify the defendantagain , and thafe I think , fl *»» d objection to the proof of idenfity . iie Judge—I think there ia sufficient proof to ^ eeed with the e-ridence ,
Exwnination resumed—Leach said that he had * ae « the request of a public meeting , on behalf of weprisoii ers who were then in custtdy , and requested ^ nagistratts that the prisoners might be released , f *^ formed by the Mayor that the prisoners * a * in custody on a charge of felony , and Aat they « ala only be discharged by fee proper conrse of « ff . One oi tits party said in ihe presence of l > eacli , ?" atsach was the exdtemfint , if tha prisonfirs were *« released , they could not answer for the conse-^ cts . Th e piisoneK were not rescued . There ¦** » meeting at StockporLlhe same day , on an gen spice , called Peterloo-road . I should think ««» 10 , OC > 0 to 15 000 mnons wonld be T > resent . I the
*^«* speakers stood upon a walL I was not «» enough to hear them . The Riot Act was read ^ tttteet-pliee , between one and two o ' clock *« ffli remember whether this was before or After ®« « iaek on the workhouse . For several days the l ^ a Was in a disturbed state , particularly forten ^ eJerea days after , ihe 10 th . Daring this period , ^» if Were sto ppedj but iha shops-were open . \ rr 3 Mt . Dundas—Stockport is seren miles from SSx ^' fae ^«> m Hyde . I am not aware ^ theRio t Aetwasread after the Ilth . . ^ f ? Mr . O'Conno r—Before I put any gnestion to * os'Witless , I wish him i « ha retained , because it
^ . ' T ^ f 6635 *^ to examine him afterwarda . _^ : Se Jndg e—Certainly . - - Wfr ^"" **** i * ^ «* £ be Lead ««? & « Police V ? & « t for seten years . Irem « nb « - thB » ots S ., ** »• Had no dffioalty in eettmg eTidence at SL ^ I taMw a ma / name ^ W ^ . Griffin . _ I fr ^™» iy coining into the Court House to jreport . ^^ ° d ^^ he rns & reporter for the Northern ?**• a aid not hear ^ any exciting language in the O 5 ^ what ITiare stated ^ I haTe notheard g » wuowmg language nsed : — " I do not belieye Si ^ Pecple will break out unless they are abBOm . ^ of food . If yon are not prepared j . *¦ * leaed y , ftBJ ^ ai be justified hx taking food
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for themselTes and their families » I belieTe I have ^ J « i Borne newspaper , handed about by the 2 ? i £ i 11 ^ f ^ ememb 1 Aether it was before £ Zi Z ^ the attack on the workhouse . I don ' t know who the language was auribmed to . Iltare Beenfteepeechalluded to , as haTingbeen madeby the Mayor of S ^ ckport , both in 3 , e newspaper ^ w 0 "wds on tholwalla of Stockport . K ^ on the wall for « ereral days . I did Sot imll down b « ^\ v ^ ^ f / ° ^ SS «^ w ^ f it ^ ^ beaded " A warning voice , " with the following lines upqn . it : — There ia a cry throughout the land , A fearful cry and full of dread l Woe to oppression * heartless band 1 A starring people cry foj "Bread . "
That cry -was heard when guilty France ¦ On the dread brink otruin stood ; Yet sound the idol , speed the dance I Tis but the hungry cry for food i I dua-ge ye , Bnfianit rulenlgnad The justice that her tons demand J Or , amused , Hut demon pouxr p / uxmi Shall snatch ihe pjks and wield ihe brand . There were bo many placards that I can ' t remember an . l saw one . headed " Murdermurdermurder V
, , There were a great number of violent and inflammatory placards on the walls . The authorities did not order them to be taken down . I should think the tendency of them would be to excite a hnngry people to acts of violence . There have been considerable redactions In wages in Stockport . I don't know by whom the placards were pat up . Some of them had 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 at Stockport .
By Sir Frederick Pollock—I was not near enough » tear any language , and therefore , I can ' t say whether it was exciting or not . I know Bnwlshaw ' s premises , at Stockport . The hands were turned out . Mr . Bradshaw sent to the Town Hall , for assistance . I have seen a placard similar to that now produced < " Tie Executive Committee of the National Chartist Association , to the People of England" ) on the walls in Stockport . I can ' t remember the words but I « d certain I read one similar . It was during the period of the disturbances . By Mr . Dundas—I can't ^ p eak with certainty as to the time at which I Baw it , or whether it was before the reading of the Riot Act . I only lead it cursorily , but I cant retain the subieot matter in
my memory . It was an address to the Chartists , hut I don ' t know what about . By Sir P . Pollock—I am certain from the heading of it , and the general appearance , that I have read a similar placard . Thomas Barrington , examined by the Attorney General—I am the governor of Stookport workhouse . On Thursday , the 11 th of August , my attention was called to a crowd round the workhouie . ' I went to ftp lodge to Bee what was going on . I saw several thousand persons . They had sticks and bludgeons . I then went into a yard , and I had not been there more than two or three minutes before an
alarm was given that the people had broken into the yard . Some thousands entered the house , and took possession of the place . They took all the Jood there was in the houBe—upwards ot 700 71 b . loaves . They took money also , shattered several doora , and broke a number of windows , till at length the military -came and drove them away . By Mr . Dnndas— Now , pray Mr . Bumble— ( ranch laughter)—1 beg pardon—Mr . Barrington , 1 didn ' i mean it . —Witness—I can ' t Bay whether the people knew that we had so much bread in the house . Jt happened to be pay day , and probably some money would be laid out for the paupers .
B y Mr . O'Connor—There was a great rush on the premises , and such as would be likely to cause damage . The number of [ paupers ia the workhouse had increased at that time . The mob did not injure me personally , but 1 was in great doubt abont it . I have not heard of great redactions in the wages of the working classes at Stockport . I can't s > ay whether masters of workhouses are unpopular in exciting times . The Mayor of Stockport was . hot with the people when they came . William Moore , examined by the Attorney-General—I am a dresser of cotton yarn , at Marple , five miles from Stookport . In the month of August last 1 was at work at Mr . Shepley ' s milL I remember a number of persons coming to the mill on Wednesday , the 10 th of Augubt . 1 went to my
master , and we came on lo the canal bridge . Tre people said they wanted the men to be turned ont . Mr . Shepley did turn them out . The next day I saw a body of persons coming on the Waterloo-road , in Stockport . They came a dozen abreast , and had sticks in their hands . A meeting was held , and I believe the name of one of the speakers was Christopher Doyle , another Leach , and another Moorhouse . A resolution was put to the people , whether they should resume work , or cease until the Charter became the law of the land . The latter was carried- I saw the person who was called Leach there . Somebody said that two or three persons mast go to the workhouse , and see if they could get the prisoners released . I
afterwards saw a number of persons coming from the direction of the workhouse . The man called Leach , and Boyle , were linked together . Leach addressed tiro mwiiug i caying mat lie naa seen me Mayor and Magistrates ; that they took him to a drawer , from which some money had been taken . He taiii they were very candid with him . He asked them if they woald release the prisoners . The Mayor , replied , it would be contrary to law , bnt if the people would go aw&y be ought probably release them in half an hour . He added that the cavalry had been ordered ont , and they trembled like aspen leaves . I remember the loth of August . There was a meeting ax Marple . * Leach was there . I was too far off to hear what passed . The meeting occupied half an hour .
James . Crompton , examined by Mr . Wortley—I am a police-constable at Marple . I remember a meeting at Hawk Green- Joseph Taylor was in the chair . I took notes of what he said while the meeting was going on . He said , "friends and fellow workmen , —we are met here this morniDg , not to discuss a question of wages , but to Bee whether you are content to live daves , or whether jon are williHg to use every exertion in your power to make the Charier become the law of the land , that yon may obtain an equal representation , and place yourself on an equal footing with your tyrannical masters . If yon-were to go to work tomorrow , jon wonld be a hundred times worse than yen was before you left work , but if you will reBolve law
to work no more until the Charter become the of thfrland , you will make them glad to give you anything yon want . " This was received with cheers . He then introduced Mr . Christopher Doyle , of Manchester . "He said , " FriendB 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 . " After a great deal of abuse of the Government , he said , " Perhaps they wonld want to knew how they must get the Charter 1 It would be by working no more till the Charter became the law of the land , and you that have money in banks or other places , must fetch it ont , and Btop the supplies of Government , and then they will be glad to grant you anything
yon may want . " He also said " perhaps you will want to know how you are to get meat . " He went on— " Lord Kinnard said in the House of LordB , the other day , that if he was in want of food he would iakeifcwiiere lie « onld find ii . Now . surely , your tyrannical masters can have no objection to telling you to do what Lord Kinnaird said he would do . 1 tell yon if you aie in want of food , and your masters will not relieve yon , take it where yon can find it . " He then proposed a resolution that the people should not work until the Charter became the law of the land . The meeting were unanimous in favour of it , Doyle then said . I see you are all Chartists , and there is a meeting of Chartist delegates at Manchester on the 15 th . You must elect a person to go
there . " He then proposed Taylor , the chairman . A show of hands was taken , and the election fell upon Taylor . The latter Baid he felt proud that they 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 woald go to Manchester and jrepresent them there , The meeting was adjourned to Possett-bridge , for the purpose of gising their delegate his instructions . When the mob moved on , 1 saw that a great many of them were armed with bludgeons . They were headed by Taylor and Doyle . At the junction of the Peak Forest Canal , there were anmnbei of " hnat . fi -nsssme . The mob took away the horses , tied
the > boatB to the sides , and told the boatmen that if they went further , ihey would sink the boats . Inere WQuld be seven or eight . 1 didn't see Doyle do any thing at the boats ; he waB probably fifty yards in advance . The mob went to the lock , and 1 went too . Tney threatened to throw me in if I interrupted them . They then pulled out a bolt on which the door of the lock hung , and threw it across the canaL They were probably twenty minntes in accomplishing ibis . The effect of this was to stoptbe navigation . It remained so for two days , w ^ t ? one portion of the mob were breaking downtne look , the other wenttowards Possett-bridge . There was a good deal of shouting , when they had got the door off . . . . ...
By Mr . "Durham—I was not ordered to go to the meeting by the Magistrates . I went of my own accord ; 1 thought it was my duty as a constable , sselne the damage that had been done , to go and see ^ h ^ tSrlntettded to do farther . I did not take . 11 lewnihit was said . There were bo man * figures quoted as to pensionsand salaries , and the speaker Jot bo warm , that I could not take it £ > wn . I did iot think itnecessaxy to do so . My object in going to the meeting was to hear whether they passed any Wution to destroy property . I knew it wasa Chartist meeting , and I Admit that I took y d pwn whafwould i £ ke against the Chartists . There 5 S--t £ Hf t « Ton 2 blM present , but I beheve ^ did not take any n otete . They are not here as SS&s . raid " notknow ^ & Doyle was aturn-out , KtjaSSr & ** Taylor Ae chairman was .
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By Sergeant Murphy—I should . be known to the people at the meeting as being a constable . Son » e of them would see me taking the notes . I did it openly . No moU&tatien whatever was offered to me . _ By Mr . M'Oubray—I know the nature of an oath . When I took the notes , I knew that I should be called to give evidence in a opurl of justice . I am conscions that 1 have not rold all that passed at that meeting , but I have slated truly what 1 did take down . I could not rehearse ali that I left but of my notes . v
^ 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 , lam aware that a large reduction of wages was proposed at Stockport , but I don ' t know the amount . 1 did not hear any expressions of violence at the meeting , beyond a recommendation to the people to take food , and 1 thought that was rather strong . 1 do not know that ihe Mayor of Stockport recommended the people to take food . 1 never heard him say so . 1 don ' t five at Stockport . 1 have heard the 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 bearing MB Opinion , Whether an unpractised and unprolessioaal person could take down a coneeeutive report of a speech in long hand ? The Learned Judge having looked at the book , said that the question was rather one for the Jury , and it was understood 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 . I was not jostled at all by the crowd .
Hib Lordship here interrupted the Learned Counsel for the purpose of saying , that when he came to mm up the case to the Jury , he should adopt th " same course as that pursued bj Lord Chief Justice Tindal , at Stafford , namely , to explain the general character of the indictment , and afterwards to point out 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—Tie Jarj maj find them gUlity OH different counts . There are several in the indictment . The Judge—This is an indiptment for a misdemeanour , and yon must find them guilty of an offence arising out of the same transaction . Mr . Sergeant Murphy—It is quite clear that the conrse your Lordship has pointed oafc is the proper one , for 1 and some of my Learned Friends appear for defendants who are charged with different offences .
Abraham Longson , examined by Sir G . Lewin—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 noteB of what had passed . I did not write tne notes myself , bat I dictated them to an assistant . I read them over afterwards , and found them correct . A man named John Newton , not a defendant , spoke , after Wright had taken the chair . He proposed " that whoever introduced any Fnbject not connected with that of wages , should be put down $ heioldtbem they must get tneir wages , and if 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 find them with bread and cheese on the road , and to go to the Dake of Wellington , aud if 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 off . " Tne Chairman then got up , and said he would not go to London , and that they must take the responsibility upon themselves . James £ Uibon , not a defendant , moved an amendment that the question be left open , and let the meeting decide whether or not they wonld ask for their wages . I am not certain whether this was all he said . Richard Pilling , one of the defendants ,
next spoke . He said , — Fellow-townsmen , for 1 may so call you , having lived among you so long , and having been at so many meetings , and having bees in prison , 1 do not know whether it would be safe for me to own it or not ; but I may avow that I have the honour to be the lather of the movement , and the sole cause of your being here , ladies and gentlemen , at the present time : for the masters of Ashton had thought proper to offer 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 the day of reckoning . I then addressed the meeting of 12 , 000 ,
afterwards another at Stalybridge , of 10 , 000 , and at Dnkinneld , of 5 , 000 . At every meeting , they came to a resolution to work no more till they had got the same wages as they had in Febrniry , ] 84 t ) . " He then said he had addre&sed a meeting at Royton , who came to the same resolution . He then called a meeting at Oldham , but they were taken by « rorprita » and bo bmd to obtne back with fire other speakers . In consequence of that the people of Oldham were not out , but he was determined next morning to go and drub them out . He went accordingly , and met them at eight o ' clock , -where one of them attacked him , and he gave him a floorer . All their masters were then willing to gixe them their prices , bnt one of the Anti-Uorn Law
League , of the name of Bailey , of Stalybridge . In the course of the last three weeKs , he had addressed 300 , 000 in different parrs of Lancashire and Cheshire . They then went to Droyleeden , and the people there swore by the God of Heaven that thfcy would not work any more until they got the prices oi 1840 . They then came to Stockport , and caused all the mills to Btop . They ( ihe meeting ) had not turned out ; it was the A&bton lads who had turned them out , 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 ( Filling ) , did not think that right , but that winter they might all become thieves , and then the soldiers and police would have to look after them , and that would eat up the
system , as there were more ways of doina that than one . If the Ashton lads had not been there , they would not , have known that there had been such a place . He went on to eay that he had been in all parts of South Lancashire , and thxt the two Tory members for Blackburn were engaged in working patent looms , at 1 &d . less per cut than other masters were giving in the neighbourhood , and stopped Sd . per week for every loom . On going to Todmorden , the worthy member lor Oldham was actually giving more wages for some kinds of work than was actnally 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 ( Pilling ) then said there is that d—d rascal , Marshall , and that d—d bloodhound 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 oat , and not to go to work , because if they did , they might depend upon it the masters would crush them down , and then the Ashton lads would come over again and gire them a d^—d good biding . And would they not deservp it ! The meeting called out , "Yes , my lad . " They might call that intimidation , but he knew the law of conspiracy , and nothing over good
was got without some one suffering for it . He said they might put him within the prison walls , for he didn't care a d-4 n . He concluded by exhorting them to remain out of work . There was another meeting at Peterloo on the 16 th , to appoint delegates , at whieh John Wright was elected . On the 17 th a further meeting took place . Wright addressed them , and said , " I have come" —Here the witnesB , after bungling for some time , in attempting to make either sense or any thing else of the manuscript , was ordered by the Judge to hand it over to one of the officers of the Court , by whom it was read .
During the time that the officer was reading the document , Mr . Dnndas rose , and said that this mode of reading a speech waB merely refreshing the memory of the witness . He complained that tho witness had been staring about : the Court instead of attending to what was going oh . Sir G . Lewin said that if his Learned Friend wished , Longson should read the manuscript
him-Mr . Dnndas 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 contents of the speech were quite immaterial Examination resumed—I remember attending a meeting , one at Carpenters' Hall , on the 15 th of September , and another at Bomber's-brow , on the 16 th . John Allison , a defendant , was there . He recommended the men to go to . their work , and Carr did the same ; but Carter , not a defendant , said they must have the Charter before they went to work , and that it did aot matter if a few lives were lost in the struggle . Two placards were read at the meeting , one headed "Run for gold , " and another similar to the address of the Executive Committee .
The former was read , but with respect to the latter , the Attorney-General Baid he should prefer offering the evidence to which he alluded in bis opening address . Cross-examined by Mr . Bucdas—Neither of the parties who wrote to my dictation are here . We were about three quarters of an hour in writing the speech of Pilling * I have attended several meetin £ B , and dictated speeches to our own officers . The man who wrote Pilling * s speech for me is Robert Swan . He is a Sheriff ' s officer . He never wrote any for me before the late turn-out . ¦ . I can carry a decentish long speech in my memory , but a g » od ^ eal depends npon the Bubject . I think I conld remember a speech of half an hour's l « ngth . The meeting of the 16 tb terminated peaceably .
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By Mr . O'Connor-nl believe I could repeat Pilling ' s speech , as I have it down now . I am not much of a politician , but I read the newspapers . I occasionally read the Manchester Guardian . I never saw afreport ' bf 'Pilling ' a speech jn the paper . When Swann and I were tvriting pat the epeeoh , ho oooa 8 ionally refreshed my memory . I don't know the reason why foivia not here . These are pur notes oenjointly . ; When ; Pill ! ni heardthatthe people bad gone so ; ttoBStookport workhouse , he expressed his disapprpbatioa . I cai't remember whether Newton , a master : mason , who ; was at the meeting , said that unless the Corn Laws were repealed , they would turn London upside down . When he recommended them to go to London , to the "top shop , " the meeting hjssed , and a person oalled put , "Master , you
are a tool or the Anti-Corn Law League . " 1 believe it is true that the nieeting charged Newton with having been sent there by the * manufaoturers , to create a disturbance , ilhave not placed this in my journal , 1 waaaeut tq the meeting to give a faithful report , and 1 did bo as near as 1 can . I didn ' t think about what was said to Newton at the time . 1 have never read the following resolution : — ' That this meeting beiflg convinced that the Government has no intention •{ affording effectual rettet for the acknowledged distresses of the people , hereby avow the solemn determination never again to pass , or to retain for twenty-four hours without exchangingfor gold any Bank of England notes , until , by the total and immediate repeal of the Com Laws , Parliament skews its willingness tq commence a real redress of our grlevaccea , ''
I remember seeing a placard on the walls at Stocbport , headed " Murder , murder , murder , " but I can't mention the name of the printer . I oan'fc say whether Gadabs'a name was affixed to it or any other * I can't remember whether Allison recommended the people to resort to legal and constitutional means to obtain the Charter , but I think he used , the word peaceable . I am certain that Pilling used the word '' drub" and not drum , when he talked of going to Oldham . I can't say whether Pilling , wheti he was speaking as to the consequences of persisting for the Charter , said "her did not care for fool ot dick , " or he said he did not care for " Hool '' or " Dick , " alluding to Mr . Holland Hoole , a magistrate , and to Mr . Cobden . I am aware that many angry public discus&ions have taken place between the Chartists and
the anti-Corn law party , at Stockport , and that a very bad feeling exists between them . 1 don ' t know that the Chartists have upset Corn Law meetinga , at Stockport , but they did once upset a meeting of the Bible Society . I can't recollect that Pilling ever told me that in consequence of b&ing turned oat ef work , be was in such distress , that he could not bury bis child . I don't remember ever seeing a placard on the walls of Stocbport , to the effect 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 ( the Judge ) would allow a question to be asked of the witness , Longson , whether ,, when speaking at the meeting alluded to , h » had 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 himself and Longaon were old chums on the factory and wage question . At this stage of the proceedings , the Jury retired for a few minutes . On their return , Sir Frederick Pollock , addressing bis Lordship , said , —I wish to call your Lordship ' s attention to tne attendance here of Sir James Graham , as a witness . It has been intimated to me by Mr . O'Connor , that he intends to call a witness of the name of Wileox , and in that case there will be no necessity for the attendance of the Bight Hon . Secretary . Mr . O'Connor—Certainly not The Judge—Ib there any other defendant who does not appear by Counsel , who wishes to examine Sir James Graham ? If no answer is returned , I shall conclude that no person wishes to do so .
Mr . O Connor—I trust that it will be found that we have summoned Sir James Graham for no idle purpose , but having secured the witness who will answer our purpose , we have no wish to detain the Rght Hon . Secretary . Sir James Graham remained aome time in tbe Court , making minutes of tho examination of some of tbe witness , and retired in the course of the afternoon . John Bobinsou Scott examined by Mr . Hildyard—I am a policeman . On the 13 th of August , I attended a meeting at Royton , The defendant , Augustus Frederick Taylor was there . A Chairman was appointed , and a person named Thomas Ratcliffe asked whether the meeting was got up for the purpose of discussing wages or politics . It was received with general hootine and
hissing . A person named Hoyle spoke , aud said he was glad to see me there in my proper clothing , for if I had come 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 np , and alter speaking in a savage manner respecting the Government , be turned to me and said that if I was a principal ia this undertaking , I should never rest till I waa at the top ef the tree , for they were determined to upset the viljaaous eyatem , and be added that , he would scale that d—d infernal place ( meaning the gaol ) in less than a month .. On the 16 th of August another meeting was held at tbe same place , when Taylor was again present . He said that be could gWethe meeting no « atUf&ctio& ; bat aaid he hoped that something
'woaidf bdve been done that day . A / tor Uio fund accounts were read , a motion was proposed that Taylor should be sent as a delegate to Manchester . A colleowaa made , amounting to five shillings , which was handed 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 banks , and Booth advised tbe people to draw the money out of them . This was said in the presence of Taylor . Booth said he did not know how things were standing , but they ought to go for the Charter Hoyle then addressed tbe . meetlng , and said that at a meeting of tbe delegates , at Manchester , there was a majority of 200 to 50 for the Charter . He then explained the diffbtent points in it , and Bald what benefit it would
confer if they could send their friend Frederick Taylor to Parliament . He said the Magistrates bad made the soldieis drunk , and sent them after the mob to are upon them and butcher them up . Taylor then addressed the meeting . He s \ id , " Ladies and Gentlemen , we have arrived at one of the most important subjects that ever was undertaken . He said that a resolution had been passed at Manchester , on the previous Monday , m favour of the Charter , and that no doubt something serious would happen before long . He stated that tbe Magistrates of Manchester , and Mr . B&swick , entered tbe Carpenters * Hall , and told the persons assembled that the meeting was illegal , in consequence of the out-door pressure . The Chairman refused to break up the meetiug , and the
Magistrates and police returned again , and would only allow them ten minutes to disperse . First one of them nibbled , and then another , but none of them would take hold . But I tell you that I took hold of the grand question , which was the Charter , and it was received with loud applauae . We had then only five minutes to disperse , and we had a considerable portion of the Work to be done to-day ; 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 morning , for tbe men must use the sword , and the women will know where to direct them . Taylor then said , as soon as tbe delegate from Birmingham came and brought the decision , he immediately ran to the trades to communicate the news , and no doubt they would come forward in thousands to join their ranks , and before this day week there will not be 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 or revolutions , and the time was not far off . " On the following merning , the 18 th , there was another meeting . Taylor was present . He said he was very sorry to inform tbe meeting that Turner , wbo printed tbe placard which I brought home with me last night , has been taken . ( This was the address of the " Executive Committee , " and bore the imprint of Chas . Turner . ) He added that Turner ' s printing press and all his furniture had been taken , and whatever might be the event of this undertaking , be could not tell , but if the meeting thought they had tbe slightest chance , they would go forward But be said it appeared to him that some of the people were getting tired , and wished to return to their labour . If they did , however , they would leave him in a most dangerous position , but he could only be put in prison , and should be one among the rest . At the conclusion , Taylor was again elected as a delegate .
By Mr . O'Connor—I understood that when Taylor was speaking of the people being tired , and wishing to return to taeir labour , be was speaking of the people of Royton . Sylvester Faraday , examined by Mr . F . Pollock—I am a policeman . I was at a meeting at Bacup between nine and ted o'clock oil the morning of the 16 th of August . There were about 2 , 000 persons present They were armed with sticks . : and bludgeons . They entered Bacup from the Rochdale road . I followed them , and saw what they did . They proceeded to the mills and stopped them . They called upon the bands of the mills in a menacing way * to come out All the mills 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 totbem . Tneir conduct-was violent , but they offered no threats , I did not hear any ,, threat at Carter's , but in other instances , I heard the people themBelvea threaten to break open the d « ora of the ; houses , if provifilons were n » fc given to them . Tbe state of tbe town was one of great violence and uproar , I Scat saw the address of tbe " Executive Committee / ' posted in Bacup , on Saturday the 20 th of August
By Mr . M'Oubray—I only read one or two lines of the placard , but I satisfied myself that it Is the same . By Mr . O'Connor—I did not see any person that I knew individually , who were shewing the people bow to pull out the plugs . The millowners are not all dead , but I don't know that any of thorn are here to speak to the mills being stopped . By William B&esley , a defendant—I saw the placard in two different parts of the town . I do
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nob remember any provisions being found upon the prisoners at Bacup , or at the police office there . William Bentley examined by Mr . 3 F . Pollock—I am a policeman from Rochdale . I szw the address of the Executive Committee posted on the 117 th of August , and the hands turned out on the Ilth . The Queen ' s proclamation appeared on the 15 tu . I About the 20 th ihe bands returned to work . j Jam « s Backley examined by the Attorney-General-I live at Stalybridge . On Sunday , the 7 th of August , I was at a meeting at Mottram Moor ; from 3 , 000 to 6 . 000 persons were present William ] Moorhouse , not a defendant , was in the chair . When I got there , I found : the people singing a hymn . A resolution was proposed that the people of England should give over
working until they got a fair day ' s wage for a day's work , and the Chatter became the law of the land . A man represented to be John Leach , jof Hyde , spoke . John Grossley and Wa Stephenson were there . All three supported the resolution . On ! the morning of Monday , the 8 th of August , I saw a great number ef persons , some armed with sticks , in the streets at Stalybridge . More were without than had them . I followed them down to Messrs . Harrison ' s mill . They shouted and wanted to get the hands put Mr . Harrisoon stopped his mill . The mob then went to Messrs . Le&'a mill , and demanded admittance , but they could not get in . They broke a plank off tha bottom of tbe gate , and effected an entrance , but when they got in . the bands had been turned out at another door . They
afterwards went to Duckenfield , amtj stopped all the mills on the road , between that place and Ashton . The mob brandished their sticks , aud created great alarm . They then went to Hurst and stopped mills there . Above twenty were stopped . In the afternoon , I saw John Crosaley , in the Market-place ' , at Ashton . I also saw William Aitkin , another of the defendants . He " blacked" the mob most teitiblyjfor the way they had gone on . Pilling was there too , and he proposed that the people of Ashton should go to Oldham , and the people of Stalybridge 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 the hat shops . They said they must give over working until a fait iiuy ' a
wage for a fair day ' s work was obtained , and the Churter became the law . I Baw John Crosaley . He saw some lads attempting * o break a gate , and he ran to prevent them doing any damage . There did not appear to be any leaders at that time . From Denton the mob went to Hyde , and they called upon the hatters to fall in , rod march with them . Some of them did so , and others refused . They afterwards divided themselves into Jots , and west to different mills . At Hyde they went to Mr . James Ashton ' s factory , and turned the hands out Before the party broke tip they went to Glossop , but I did not go with them . On tbe morning of the 21 th there wad a meeting at Haigh , ef a similar oharaoter , which was addressed by Fenton * Crossley and Mahon . Crossley said he would not tell
them where to go to , as they had behaved themselves so badly the day before . He told them they wete to follow him . About seven o ' clock the next morning , the 12 tli , another meeting was held ) at Stnlybridge ; Crossley and Fenton were there , and advocated the wage question , but Wooiflnden advised them to stick to the Charter . He spoke very ill iof shopkeepers , eotton masters , and the Government . { I did net go any where with them that day , but the next morning there was another meeting . Mahon was there , and Crossley , Durham , and Fenton . It was stated that there was to be a meeting that morning at Hyde , and that men were to be seDt from Stalybridge to address the people on the wajje question . I waa at n meeting at Hyde after this . Wm . Stephonson and Cros . sley were there . They
wanted the people of Hyde to give up the agitation of the Charter . The people blackguarded them terribly for coming with such a tale as that Booth , tbe defendant , was one of the parties who did so . I went back to Stalybridge after the meeting was over . I found the people coming in from Giossop to have a meeting at Stalybridge to discuss whether it should be a wage question or a Chartist question ; it was ; to be what was called a great meeting . It was determined that tbe Stalybridge people should not have anything to do with the voting , because they would not have anything to do with the Charter . It was afterwards ; agreed that the meeting should stand out for the Charter , and
it broke up . John Wild was the chairman of the general meeting , at Stalybridge . Several persons were called , and at lust Wild ; was fixad upon . He said he did not like to have anything to do with the business , but as they had called upon ) him , he would do bis duty as far as he was able , by giving every speaker a fair and candid hearing . Lsaoh supported the Charter . Newton , Mahon , and Booth also took part for the Charter . Several persons spoke for tbe wage question , and among the number Durham and Fenton . All present , with the exception of two , voted for the Charter . I should think that from 8 , 000 to 10 , 000 persons were present This was the last meeting I attended . .
By Mr . Dundas—I did not hold up my band for the resolution . I am a married man and have a family . In the month of August my wife and children were in tbe Workhouse , at Saddleworth . This was in consequence of my being out of work . They are not there now , because I have got work . I am working at Mr . Kirk ' s factory , and have been in work for nix weeka . My wife and family left the Workbonse three' or four months ago . I can't say whether I was in work or not when they returned . I was a special constable at the time , at Stalybridge . The reason ] why I did notjgiva that answer before was , that I thought you would not think being a special constable JwcriiisftU ~~ x . »» # ' * - * p « rf » i constable for six weeks , and had 3 a . a diy . I never was discharged from being a special constable , because 1
had no regular engagement . I waa ordered to give over because there was no demand I for me . I waa afterwards a watcher under the police of Stalybridge , at 16 s . a-week . This was in consequence of their being a watchman short for about three months . When 1 applied whether I was to have the situation permanent , the Commissioners at Stalybridge said that if they appointed me , they were afraid that the rate payers would not pay tbeir rates , because I had sworn against the Chartists . I will swear that I was not discharged by the Commissioners , for any other reason . / was told by some body to go to ( fie meetings . J / got paid for going ! ( Hisses from the body of the ] Court ) I shall not tell you who sent me . I was told before I went that it would be worth my while . I got &ve shillings .
That is not all I got I have received ! £ 5 at different times , and I expect to receive more . ( Renewed hissea ) By Mr . Atherton , —The first information I gave was about a fortnight after the meeting of the 7 th . Before I gave thatjinformation 1 had not seen the Queen ' s Proclamation offering a reward of £ 50 . JThe first time 1 saw it Was in September . I am not | c 6 rtaln whether I bad seen it before . I was examined by the Ashton 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 . jLee's mil ! , and that I might as well have £ 50 as any body else . She asked whether I would go and swear against my neighbours ? I don't remember what answer I 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 tbe speakers , there would have been a great deal more disturbance . I was flot a turnout on the 7 th of August . I had nothing to turn out
upon . I was three weeks and had j nothing to do . I scarcely know bow I lived . ] I had bxead , but very little meat I got the ! bout from a shop , at Stalybridge . I did not pay ] for it I have been living on credit When 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 tiiepapcta I had . When I waa examined before tbe magistrates ^ in September , I could not be sure whether Penton ¦ waa at tbe meeting on tbe 12 th of August I examined the papers afterwards , and found that it was connect , j The paper was burnt before I gave eivdence at Chester . I knew it might be wanted for these assizes , but I thought I could carry it all in my head . I was examined before the Grand Jury respecting these transactions , and I burned the papera afterwards . Cross-examined by Mr . O'Connor—When was the first instalment paid to you ?
It happen might be about the 16 th or 17 th of August . Might it be a fortnight before ? It might Yon say you got between £ i and £ 5 altogether ? Yes . Are you certain yon did not get more ;?—I am . On the 17 tb of August , when you followed the meeting , before the mills were stopped , you say that the people were riotous and created great alarm ia the neighbourhood that they passed through ?
Yea . Did they alarm you ? Ybs . How does it happen , than , that if you were bo much alarmed , you followed the people ? I did not follow them . Then you went before them ?—( Laughter . ) I attended their meetings Did you not follow thtm when Crossley prevented the the boys from doing damage to a hatter's premises ? Yes . ' !
Upon your oath , Bir , did not Crossley say to you , on the Monday about which you have been speaking , that be 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 yon tell all to the Magistrates that you have told here to day ? No . Did yon swear that Leach had been at the meeting on the 13 th of August , at all ? : I have nothing to do with Leach at all . Oh ! bat yon have . After your examination before the Magistrates , were yon bound over to give evidence ? Yes . Did yon give evidence at Chester ?
I did . I Were the men against whom yon swore convicted or acquitted ? j One was convicted , and two were acquitted . Did yon get anything for that job ? : Not mueh . How much ? Fifty BhiUingB . And how much do you expect to get for this job ? I don't know .
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Has no one told you r No . Were you not told that you would get the £ 50 , If yon convictd the whole of the parties ? v Did you say it yourself ? I never said that I mlsbt as well have the £ 59 tor those persons . It was for the / 00 at Cheater that I aaid I might as well have the £ 50 . Did yon ever show your papers to any one before yon destroyed them f No . Upon your oath , did any one tell yon to destroy them ?
No . What did yon get for going to Liverpool ? Fifty shillings . Have you told the whole truth ? Yes ; to the beat of my belief . Do you remember what yon swore , when yonwei © before the magistrates , in September last ? What about ? That is what I want to know . Was what you swore before the magistrates , read over to you , or given to you , to be read by yourself 1 It has been read over a time or two . By whom ? I dont know : I don't see him here . When was it last lead to yon ( The witness hesitated for a long time , and appeared quite unwilling to answer the question . ) Mr . O'Connor—" Upon your oath , I must have aa
answer to the question . The witness still hesitated . The Judge—Why don't you answer the question . Witness—The depositions have been read over to ma to-day —( a strong sensation . ) Mr . O'Connor—Go down , Sir . The defendant , Wild , here asked if he could be allowed to put a few questions to Buckley . The Judge—Certainly . Defendant— 'As I am not defended , my Lord , and have no means to obtain . counsel , I wish to know when my trial will come on , so that I may be prepared to defend myself to the best of my ability . The Judge—Your trial is going an now—( laughter . ) 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 the shape in which it was proposed , did net the people come before me with sticks , and threaten to knock my brains out ? Witness—Yes ; and they threatened to knock yoa out of tbe cart By Sir Frederick Pollock—The money which I received was for my expences at Chester and Liverpool . I received 50 a . at each place , and my expenses were rather more t&aa £ 3 . Joseph Oliver , examined by Mr . Wortley—I am an overlooker employed at Mr . Hall's mill , at DuckinfielcL I was at a meeting at Hal ! Green on the 2 nd or 3 rd of August I think Wild Was in Ihe choir , but I won't swear it . Pilling and Challenger addressed the meeting ,
and a resolution was proposed that if the masters persisted in their reductions , the men would cease from labour , until they had got a fair day's wage for a fair day's work , and the Charter had become the law of the land . Tbe resolution was not put to tbe vote . I was at another meeting on tha 10 th . Pilling was there . He said he bad been at Oluham , where be had n » et with some opposition . Ha added that some of bis lads had been there on Monday , and raked out the fires , and pulled out tbe plugs . Two men were come to ABhton , to Bay whether they would turn out quietly or net , because if they would not , he was afraid that some of his lads would break their heads . I was present at another meeting at Duekin * field , on the 15 th of August James Thorp was in tha
chair . Challenger , a defendant , spoke in favour of the Charter , and said that if they would pass a resolution in favour of the Chatter , 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 that not a single soldier or a blue-bottle was to be seen , and he hud no doubt * the tewn , if it was then as he had left it , it would be by that time in a blaze . He als « $ said that be bad been at Manchester , and that it was . not for the towns of ABhton , Dukinfieid , Stalybridge , and Hyde , to carry the Charter , but it must rest with the great delegate meeting at Manchester to carry it into
law . He Baid that less turn-outs than these had caused a revolution . He referred to tbe case of a great emporer ravishing a woman , and t « the case of Wat Tyler , in England , and he said he believed the time was fast approaching when they would have such men as Fairfax and Cromwell . He recommended the peo * pie to look up to such men as Feargns O'Connor , BroEterre O'Brien , and Dr . M'DoualL I saw Challenger again in the evening , at Ashton , where there was a meeting . Some confusion took place , and tbe people said there was a dog battle . Challenger told them that if th&y intended to carry the Chatter they must not be afraid of two whelps fighting .
By Mr . O'Connor—Some of my friends were opposed to my coming Mete , but a person whom I did net know sent for me , and I thought it was my duty to come . I admit that I have been spoken to respecting my evidence . Mr . O'Connor—By whom ? Witness—I don't know . Mr . O'Connor—You don't know ? Witness—I was introduced into a room by some body—daughter ) . . Mr . O'Connor—^ Wjie * e at ? Witness—It was at the Commercial Inn , at Preston . Mr . O'Connor—Did you read over your deposition there ? Witness—I did . M * . O'Connor—Were there other persons there reading ? Witness—Yes ; they seemed to be reading pieces of papet like mine .
Mr . O'Connor—Now , Sir , having bad your memory refreshed by the Attorney at Preston , I ask you whether you told the Magistrates that Challenger said tha people were to look up to Feargus O'Connor , Bronterre O'Brien , and Dr . M'Douall ? Witness—No , Mr . O'Connor—Did you tell the Magistrates about Preston being in ablaze ? Witness—No : I thought it was of no use , as Challenger bad gone off to America . Mr . O'Connot —< Why did you not tell them ? Witness—I have told you the reason . Dont brine
things oat so blvf ^ - ( laughter ) . I am getting quite dry . —( renewed laughter ) . Mr . o Connor—Will you take % glaaa of wine 1 Witness—I have not come here to tell any lies . Mr . O'Connor—Then let us have the whole truth . Witness—I will speak the truth , man . ( Much laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor—Then do , man . Now , is the evidence you have given to-day the same as yon gave to the attorney at Aahton ? Witness—Yes : word for word . ( Laughter . ) Mr . O Connor—After that , you may go down .
Samuel Bannister , examined by Sir G . Lawin—I am chief constable of Prestffl . There is a Chartist meeting room there . I was at a Chartist meeting about a month prior to the 126 h of August A meeting w&a announced for the evening of that day . I went thera Two persons were at the meeting who were represented as Aitkiu and Challenger . The ; were received as such , and addressed the assemblage . Mr . Atherton objected to tbe reception of the evidence proposed to be given by the witness , inasmuch as he contended that the identification of the party merely by name , was not sufficient The Attorney-General oalled attention to tha evidence ot' the preceding witness , who had stated that he had heard Challenger say he had been at Preston , and also heard him describe the state in which the turnrout was when 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 pat , that they should a ^ ain meet in a place called the orchard , afc an early hour of the morning and at noon , to prevent Buch 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 Baid that the masters of Preston , or the cotton lords , as he oalled them , were . the most tyrannical men in the county , that they gave a less amount of wages than others , and therefore could undersell tbeir neighbours . Aitkin abused the mill-owners , and boasted that he had been in prison to serve the people , and would da so aeain . The next morning I attended the
orchard , about five o ' clock , and found about 100 persons there at that time . 1 saw the number waa increasing , and 1 then went back to the station , and seat a repott to the Mayor of the boiough , Tiaving left some constables to watch the proceedings of the mob . On my return , 1 met one of the constables , who gaid that the mob had gone in the direotion of one of the mills , to stop them . The next thing was the calling out of the military . 1 then proceeded with the Boldiers and Magistrates down Fishergate , and a short distance before we came to Lune-street , we met an immensa mob of persons We stopped them from coming up the Btreet . 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 halt and turn round in order to disperse them , but it was
useless . We then informed them that Capt . Woodford had boeasent for , and that the Riot Act would be read . Amidst a Bhower of stones , one of the mob exclaimed— "Read and bed—d . 1 then went in company . $ vith Captain Woodford , to inform the mob that ihe Kiot Act had been read . We found that stones were then coming over the roofs of the houses , as well as in our front and- rear . There is a canal in the lower part of Lune- street , in which a number of stones are deposited , and we could see women bringing ^ tori es in their aprons , which formed a deposit , binding that all-our effortsio disperse the mob were fruitless , an order was given to fire . 1 don't know the precise word of command , but the soldiers fired . I saw several inrvthe front ranks of the mob drop immediately . Thereat of the people , to my astonishment , stood motionless , apparently thunderstruck . In the course of a few minutes Continued in our sixth page , )
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The Thial.
THE THIAL .
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^ 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-ncseproduct641/page/3/
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