Star. — London, England, 1819-10-02 00:00:00

:Tr) n:Q rirsT:AT OL6II:4Jr. OF Mg PROCODINGS ON 'WEDNESD*Y. a. 4 . the request of Mr. ASHWORTH, :::C cvi.:!.nce of Simeon Shaw. Several mx.te by the witness, and some alter- Cocc, w hen the Jury were appealed to ‘vha deckled that he was accurate. i.xon-rir cross-examined the witness, as to on ef the informers to the Meeting. ,;I:a•.\ - --T saw them march with banners, :nat. Giey marched in a military step. fbLep, if it may be called tnili ara ant 4cquai,ited with Saddlcworth, and do ri.i:iy pillsof it are twenty miles from J J.) n ot k now that Itoyton is a part of • , s of Manchester and Salford. I have lived ..! scars. I believe Oldham to be a do not know how many standards by t:le Reformers. 1 used my senses information, and I have said as car.. The stAidirds were not all in my a bb .k flag, which I thought a very ; a npcat-ane. It had Liberty or Death, words of that description, upon it. I t:::,t it had " Equal Representation or I saw another flag, with a figure ‘'..) rot know if any words were upon were about 15,000, from adia .l. an hour in passing the I;.s -came in about an hour after by about e . 0,000 people; .and. was a female, bearing a flag, the ..!; %%Lich I did not see. I believe I saw 1 .1 not recollect any more. Ido ‘l,;hr tc Lave seen five caps of liberty. I and huzzaing as never was, , !,u ):card in Manchester again, as I . caiiel far three tim2s three, pre. .nq and huzzaing. I went to the • .:* •u: an hour after the appearance of I saw nothing going on in the l •t c: at the \leeting, and believe' cpi;et. I saw the Yeomanry pro -1::c nit-tings, after remaining still in .• U;.:y cr three minutes. They came and took their position, previous f...:1t 0: the house where the Magistrates on, with a man on a pyebald ii ;. .,1-;t-coloured clothes, leading the way ya:d: before them. A. short :a,: more than half a minute, occurred, ; were riding on among the people. I could ,!.oncs thrown so as to occasion it. The y ILr great. The military ran with fixed ..; :•• surround Barnes when he fell. The peo- P t.,at body of the military, used abusive -.,u,e their retreat was obstructed by the ::.:I:. The soldiers of the bBth Regiment did .C 1 Iv . " i Mt:Ch • .scit inquired for some witness to the • eagaged in the affray. : . are witnesses forthcoming :....1.1 ii :t. The first I propose is Mr. Robinson, ,•.. perfectly well known in Manchester, to several Members of this Court. of Manchester, merchant, sworn • 1.-1 went to the Manchester Meeting ct A:l„tia. about a quarter before one icr.,air.e,l on the ground about ten mi- I a..t, joi.ted by a friend. At about a wd, near the house where the • • %.•• •ierrilded. ' I was much surprised •ia itirh the Manchester' Yeomanry Cottage upon the ground. They • at s ca .1 rre, that I had. great difficulty in . way, and • had almost fallen in t') i pct sons were knocked down, a f me, by this rapid and Clic Cavalry. They formed at a 1;, , n, me, in front of the houses, in one were. After they had been c:tn?p .1 07' two, they brandished their • t,:ree Front:;. They then charged I 1..)0'.:ed very attentively, and 00 the ground, who had been ••a cc.... b t',c Cavalry, I was much shocked. tit: hustings, I saw the horsemen ,:.le. I had seen more than enough. • -" , ilcs horror. My feelings were such, I t • i•.; 1 ) r,O loager, and I retired to a friend's •• 1 1. , • , .::::;. , ireet, a back window of which pre• el a part of the ground. I remained at 20 minutes, and during that period galloping after men, women, and dheetion. Some flying from them down L. : ; "rceti (: , )oper-street, and towards St. Peter's ,---;,••• I 'rein down Lloyd- s treet, behind the • • •rni - Lora, to my house in Quay-street. I .. I?..ad, keeps the Globe Tavern, near : . ." 7 '"e•q•;c•:, Oht± of the Yeomanry present, and Lc whose nrne , , 1 do not at present know.— : 4 t•t: lead min front of tlic Yeomanry, . • , , .• t:eir char e, as:umc a very menacing ::•;tl , l thc , ...ght it very strange. I did not see ••••'• ck.. J .10 not know any of the people on the and did not see whe- I w•as about yards from .• li.ozistrates were. Ido not know :..,lied in front of that house; it rag ';' 3 :.:C..... lf.*Ql ,~i •'•• : , ose Of formic; more regularly. • • . e , but did not see any person • '! !•e(); , 1t, to exhort them to dis-1 • •••• Riot Act read, or meet with I did hear a shout from ••• • tavairy first came upon the ' Any shoat. before that of thoir swords. I can r .!!1 , !... t l .:.:C.v.ilry ranged in front is Cavalry made the best • ••! ,,, arently in sonic con• t: - upon their way. L.L! , ;ot about half :ved this contusion to :..••. •••; more humanity than '.:or.cs in consequence. • se!inits interruption to if they had allowed the \.-.ty. I saw the Yeomanry bat:l44s, but Cannot identify . I saw no person fling stones ‘ Inow the person of John •, lying on the ground weie • twt.n. the giound which the Ca- ~' i ~,,~~. ; 0. :..1ti;7 l• I , )Iy valry had quitted and the hustings. Perhaps forty; yards from the hustings. The CORONER objected to the evidence of the wit ness as not applying to the case. Mr. HARMER-. 1 did not think, Sir, that there was any necessity for me to repeat the law. I now say distinctly, that all persons present, and aiding and abetting, are equally criminal--equally liable to the consequences ofintruding themselves into a peaceable Meeting and causing death, with any individual who might be identified as the perpetrator of the crime. Mr. AsuwdaTn—l dispute this doctrine, and I could cite authorities, but I will not fill your already crowded Court with law-books. I insist, Sir, that distinct acts against the person of John Lees must be proved against each individual here to be accused, and I reiterate, that evidence of the nature now offered does not apply, and before you receive it that you must have some person identified. I deprecate the mention of the name of any individual who was not in some way accessary to the death of John Lees.— My blood curdles at the idea of any one being held up to the indignation of the populace. This is a mere wanton attack, from first to last, the motives of which are to agitate the public mind at a period when it is desirable that every thing should be buried in obli vion, and all effervescence subside. There is another object in view—to set one class against another, and that to answer particular purposes. I hope, Sir, that you will not countenance such conduct, by receiving this evidence, nor any that does not charge some person, by name or description, with inflicting wounds or bruises on the deceased ; at all events, malice must be shewn on the part of those whom I understand to be accused, and for whom I attend here to-day. Mr. HARStRRI agree, Sir, with the Gentleman, ' that I must shew either that persons named must be identified as inflicting the blows, or, as present, aid ing and abetting, but I deny that any thing further is required. When the Gentleman asserts that no in dividual is implicated in the death of the unfortunate subject of this inquiry, who did not actually commit violence upon him, does he make that assertion as law? Will he give such an opinion in writing? or can he produce a single authority to that effect ? The witness has identified one man. It is for the Jury to decide upon this evidence. When the Learn ed Gentleman first addressed you, Sir, he stated himself and his employers to be anxious that truth should be elicited, and the fullest investigation take place,, tor the satisfaction of the Public. How does he prove this? Strange to say, by requesting that you should suppress what is most material. In a case like this, we can only arrive at the truth by patient research. The Gentleman has stated, that his blood curdles in his veins at the idea of any individual being named. He was on the field, like the witness, and I ask him—Did his blood curdle then ?—[This was said with tremendous emphasis, and produced a strong expression of feeling.)—ls it possible that this Gentleman's sensibility sympathizes only with the cri minal, and is indifferent to the victims of criminality ? 'The generosity, let me tell him, is singular and irre concileable with justice, that would recommend obli vion to oppression and refuse, relief to the oppressed. Such a feeling is inconsistent with universal huma nity, and peculiarly repugnant to British law. I repeat that this is proper evidence, and I am right in insisting upon its going to the Jury. As to sikhce prepense it will be shewn most satisfactorily, and among other means by the fact of the swords of the Yeomanry being sharpened some days previous to the Meeting. The Gentleman, who in the first in stance stated himself to attend here fox the town of Manchester, and now professes himself the advocate of persons likely to be accused, has attacked my mo tives. They are as proper as his own, whatever those may be t and I should ill discharge my duty were I to act otherwise than I do. CORONER.—Mr. Harmer, I do not think Mr. Ro. binson's evidence applicable, because he does not say that he saw the. blow. He does not say that he saw him trampled upon. Mr. HARMER—Sir, it is for theJui y to decide upon . the nature of the evidence. .Mr. Robinson examined by Mr. HARMER.—I saw nothing but when I was upon the field. Previous to the military coming there I saw no tumult among the people. If I bad I should have gone home instantly. Every thing was peaceable and the people appeared well disposed. Cross-examined by Mr. Asnwoanr.—l saw some flags, one of them dark coloured ; I perceived no in scription upon it, for it was at some distance from me; there were. some Caps of Liberty, but I cannot say how many. I was on the ground from 30 to 40 minutes before the Cavalry came to the field. There was a large body of people already assembled when I first went there. I cannot swear that there was no Proclamation, but I heard of none. There was A shout set up about the time when Mr. Hunt ap proached ; but I heard none subsequently, of any mo ment, to the best of my recollection. Ido not know whether the Yeomanry were two or three abreast or more; I conceive their advance was a charge. When they had got about half way to the hustings there was some confusion. The line was not so perfect as when they started. Ido not think they stopped ; I do not know what created the confusion ; if stones, had been thrown I think I should have seen them ; but I certainly did not. Mr. Hunt was upon the hustings when the Cavalry moved, and was there when they cut at the banners; I saw the Yeomanry pursuing men and boys along Cooper-street after Mr. Hunt had been taken from the hustings. Samuel Davenport, of Manchester, engraver. The CORONER was proceeding to question him in the absence of the Jury and before he was sworn, to which Mr. HARMER objected. I did not know John Lees, but saw violence corn mitted„which may, probably, have been upon him.' I saw Mr. Birley and the Trumpeter. The CORONER stopped the witness. Witness.—l saw Mr. Birley and the Trumpeter cut with their sabres. CotioNEß.—You shall not'go on. Mr. HARMER.—I insist upon the witness's words going to the Jury, for they ought to be. in possession of such facts. cosoNEL.—Mr. Harmer, I will tell you, and I know it, that you act as a fugle-man to the witnesses. Mr. HARNIzu, in reply to a speech from Mr. Ash worth—l wish the evidence of the witness to go to the Jtiry, and merely that. I do not know what he has to say, and I wish the Coroner to take this testi inony, as he has done that of others. 1 Mr. Asnworrit—As I remembei to have heard said, oh one occasion, the judge Will do What the Judge thinks proper. • Witness continued—l saw one man cut near the hustings, both on the arm and the head ; I do not know which arm ; I was forty yards from him. Mr. Hunt was speaking on the hustings at the time. I did not see Mr. Hunt taken. I saw them cut at him ; I. am certain he must have received a wound from the manner they cut at him ; I am certain lie was wounded. I did not see the first man after he wai wounded ; he was wounded on the top part of the arm, one wound inside, and the other on the out side of it; he had a cut on the outside of his head. I could not see how he was dressed. Is don't know what became of him after he was struck and fell ; I did not see that his coat and hat were cut. There were many hundreds of the populace betwixt him and me, and some Cavalry; I saw the man fall.— Mr. Birley, of the Manchester Yeomanry, was the person who cut him. I remained there afterwards about ten minutes. I saw a number besides cut and fall upon the ground. I was standing at the time four doors from the Windmill: I don't know whom I saw cut. I saw them cutting a little from the hus tings towards Peter-street. I saw a second man cut at by the trumpeter, but do not know wirethyr he was wounded. I cannot speak to the dress of this man. I was about forty yards from the hustings. the nearest part, during this time. I saw nearly all the Yeo manry Cavalry cutting at the people on all sides. From the manner is which the Cavalry behaved, and cutting so furiously, I am confident that many must have been wounded. I saw, as I before said, one cut twice, between the wrist and the elbow, afterwards on the shoulder, and then he fell down. There were 'several wounded, but I cannot identify them. Witness, examined by Mr. HARMER.—.-I identify two persons that were cutting. I saw a great deal of blood on the field atter the Meeting, near the Hust ings. At the time I saw these cut 1 saw several others of the Yeomanry using their swords, cutting at the people. Previous to the military coming in I was there about an hour. CottoNza —I will not allow any further questions of this sort, until John Lees he identified. Mr. HARMER.—It is not for me or you to decide, but the Jury, what evidence is necessary. CORONER.—I will determine what evidence shall be allowed or disallowed. Mr. HARMER.—The evidence to which the Jury is entitled, is to refer to the conduct and legality of the Meeting, because upon that may depend whe ther John Lees was or was not murdered. Mr. .Ashworth here interfered, but the Coroner would not allow him to proceed. Mr. HARMER put a question upon the Riot Act, but the Coroner said he would not allow any farther evidence of that nature, until John Lees was identi fied. Enough of evidence had been adduced already as to the reading of the Riot Act, and the conduct of the Meeting. The FOREMAN said—That Me Jury were already fully satisfied from the evidence, that there was no riot or tumult; that the Meeting was peaceabli; and that the Riot Act was not read. Mr. HARMER.—Let it be distinctly understood, that if any evidence be adduced to contradict that which has satisfied the minds of the Jury, I shall be allosved to offer faither evidence in confirmation. The Coroner assented. Mr. HAamaa.—l have now, Sir, to produce evi dence of the identity of several Yeomanry who were active, for GOD forbid that I should attempt to im plicate those who were passive. I also propose to bring forward Mr. Richardson, the cutler, who sharp ened the swords of the Yeomanry, in order to shew the animus with which they acted. I assert, and I am prepared to support my assertion, that every man proved to have cut was a principal in the corn mission of murder. The CORONER stated that he should now adjourn the Court, and— Mr. DENISON applied for some summonses. After an observation from the CORONER, Mr. DE- NISON stated that the object in summoning Serjeant Gregson, was to obtain a Muster Roll of the Corps, which was told over by him on the 16th of August. CORONER—I shall object to the evidence of any man who may turn out to be a party in the alleged attack upon the people. Mr. HARMER-I shall adduce many witnesses who have been wounded on the 16th. Mr. ASHWORTH-it was intended that I should have attended the Inquest from the outset, but I was prevented by other business; and I now apply to you, Mr. Coroner, to adjourn till Saturday, on that day and Monday 1 can attend ; and I believe the matter will then have an end. CORONER-It is extremely inconvenient for me to attend, but I wish to accomplish the ends ofjustice. Mr.- HARMER expressed his wish that the business should proceed without further delay, but at length acquiesced in the wish of the Coroner and Mr. Ash worth ; and the Court adjourned till Saturday, after the Jury had expressed some dissatisfaction at the adjournment. A Meeting of the Common-Hall of Rochester was to be held yesterday, under the sanction of the MAYOR, to consider of the late transactions at Man chester. A Meeting of the Town of Lewes is also announced for Monday next; and the subject of a Requisition for Staffordshire is said to be on the tapis. The MAYOR of Coventry has declined complying with the Requisition presented to him for a Public Meeting on the Manchester transactions, but we un derstand the Requisitionists are determined to call one on their own responsibility. MANCHESTER SUBSCRIPTION.—Last night a Meet ing of the Inhabitants of the Borough took place at the Three Tuns Inn, High-street, Sir Roeumr Wtt.- sou in the Chair, to adopt proper measures for car rying the Resolutions of the late General Meeting into effect. The CHAIRMAN and several Gentlemen addressed the Meeting. It was finally agreed that Subscriptions should be opened, on as extensive a scale as possible, and the promotion of Pari,h•Meet ings was strongly urged. The Female Reformers at Manchester, as a contra distinction to the male white hats, wear mob caps! The good effects of an advance of wages to the Leicestershire Fame-work Knitters, is strikingly ma nifest at Burbage. Some weeks ago the amount paid weekly to the poor was from 00 to £4O. The sum imw paid is only about £5 per week. jritONTAOrie Ater& aiOrP Ot ME M& LIVINGS ON AND SADLER. (From The iirerpool ifcreury) The balloon in which these Gentlemen ascended had been some time in preparation. Its exhibition commenced in the Music-hall here on Monday.week. Its dimensions w ere greater than any balloon hitherto made, haring been constructed by Mr. LiviNcsTox for the express purpose of crossing the Channel to Ireland. Its diameter was 32 feet, and its height 38; it contained 31,880 cubic feet df gas, and its power of ascension was equal to 1,100 pounds. The form of the car was oval, the ground an azure blue, painted in clouds, having on either side the Star of thelgt ders of Saint George and Saint Patrick, and at 'each end the Regent's plume; a gilt hand-rail and trelli s . work, from which were suspended festoons of flowers ; the whole surmounted with a canopy of blue and yel low satin. Its decorations were extremely elegant and beautiful, beyond any thing ever u itnessed in Liverpool. On Monday evening last, the exhibition closed, when the balloon was removed to the area of the [loose of Industry. Tuesday was appointed for the ascent. The wea• tiler, early in the morning, seemed rather unfavour ablwfor the purpose. The face of the heavens was overcast with masses of dense clouds. The wind blew a fresh breeze from the South-west, and at once destroyed all hopes of Mr. LIVINGSTON at tempting the passage to Ireland. During the.morn ing, however, the clouds slowly dispersed, the atmo sphere partially cleared up, and at intervals we were cheered with gleams of sunshine. The company gradually collected in the spacious area of the [louse of Industry. The galleries on the west side, as well as the rooms in the front of the House were princi pally occupied by elegantly-di essed females. A con siderable part of the company promenaded the area; among whom we noticed most of the rank and beauty of Liverpool and the surrounding country. We also observed the Earl of SEFTON and family, Lord STA ID LEY ' and others. The children of the House and of the Blue Coat School were all assembled, dressed in their best clothes ; and their parading the area with their drums and fifes formed not the least gratifying pit of the spectacle. The Band of the 71st Regi• ment, which had come from Chester for the occasion, was stationed in the area, and relieved the tedium till the ascent of the balloon, by occasionally playing ani mating national airs. The spectators on the outside of the House were immense. The windows and tops of every house, from which a glimpse of the balloon could be ob tained, were crowded. The Botanic-walk, Mosslake, and the other fields in the neighbourhood, Edge-hill, Low-hill, Everton, in short, every place and every eminence favourable for viewing the balloon, teemed with spectators. Never, we believe, was such an immense mule titude congregated on any former occasion in Liver pool. It resembled a fair—and refreshments of every kind might be piirch tsed on the spot. Most of the shops were closed for a few hours, and the streets, which, in the forenoon, werecrowded with rople pressing to the scene of attraction, n ere quite deserted, and this full-peopled town resembled a so litude. The process of inflation commenced at an early hour, under the direction of Dr. TRAILL. At half. ,ast one, a pilot-balloon was launched into the air.— It continued in sight a few minutes, when it entered a cloud, which concealed it from view. The inflation of the balloon being completed, the car was attached to it. Every preparation was now finished. The sig nal-guns were tired a little after two o'clock ; and a breathless anxiety prevailed for the ascension. At this period, the atmosphere had considerably brightened. The clouds, in the direction of the wind, had ascended, and formed a fleecy aad almost spotless field, through which, at intervals, the azure of the sky was dis cernible. Messrs. LIVINGSTON and SADLER having entered the car, the flags were delivered to the zrial voyagers by the Countess of SEFTON and Mrs. BLACK• DORN. The balloon was then loosened, and, at six teen minutes after ts. o, sprung, as it were, into the air, amidst the congratulations and benedictions of. myriads of spectators. The ascent was most magnificent. It filled the mind of every beholder with overwhelming ideas of tlt sovereignty of human art and the extent of human daring. The balloon, after hovering . over the melti tude, and affording them an opportunity of contem plazing the sublimity and grandeur of its ascent, began to mount with rapidity : the zronauts mani fested the utmost intrepidity, and, unfurling their flags, waved them in the air, bowing, at the same time, to the innumerable spectators.. The balloon took the direction of N. E. by E. It soon attained a great altitude, assumed a globular shape, and gradu ally diminished in magnitude. When it appeared no larger than ‘‘ a cloud: about the bigness of a man's hand," it was obServed to be descending towards the earth; and, after having been in the air about twelve minutes, irthi'sappeated below the horizon a little.to the East ofEverton. In a few . minutes it was .seen ascending again, but winch ainmished,in raagpitode„ taking aliofth-Easterly direction; After continuing in view about thirty-five minutes, it was lost to human ken in the pathless regions of boundless space. " LlvEr-p 001,, Tiniurnav, Six o'Ci.oce, P. MI . (Front a Private Correspondent.) . 4 . The- balloon which left here on Tuesday with Messrs Livingston and Sadler, was,,se.:l on.the same day between three and four o'clock, over Skipton, in Yorkshire, about 50 miles in a straight line front Liserpool. It was then rapidly rising and making towards the East. This is the only authentic intelli gence we have bad of the intrepid aeronauts, who seemed deter. mined to cross the Idand, as the Wind forbade them crossing the sea." Tuesday the High Court of Justiciai at Glasgow by the Honourable Lords MEADOWCANK. The Marquis of Court, :mot sat a considerable time casionally conversing with Lord P. SIT EDWARD KNATCIIBULL has pointment of Receiver General of th , the County of Kent. His successor It is said that Rayner, the Kentish pedestrian considerable sum to go the distance of fitty The hopeful project offisking in the mud& for statues has been abandoned. There will be an invisible eclipse of the from this conjuncture of that planet with tide of the percent year may be expecatd V ii . 01 1 , , 11. : j/ , : 1 Al LIR , . 1 t ' I i L .., . • V • ' . • Iv, L ;, j i .1 •'. i l i I it . '.. • ' I 1 1 I • 4 1 . I. . .„ t I ' 1 t ' I $ I ! 0 ! ,1 i' 4 i .' I '. 111 1 . i ,; : f•: , 1 1 . .i I • . I k . ' ; , 4 , ; 4 1 ! i (i q ' 1 . i 5 4 • it 1 ' ticiary was opened irds PITNI ILLY and BuTE was in the .! On the Bench, oc- ).irmii.LT. LS reigned his ap. the Eastern part of •t i )ir is net yet named. :strian, 1 , backed fur a ty milesin seven hours. it ddy waters of the Tiber Moon tmorrow ; ; o- h the Sin, Cie highe,c • 11 1 1 on the fallowing 4.1. I r