The National Register. — London, England, 1821-08-27 00:00:00

;. ~. , .. :~ T " I rlieW i le 76 ° O P erS • N • plow, rot .. 1 No. 1,3. 0 9.—V0t. XIV.] MURDER AT CUMBERLAND GATE. A DJOURN ED INQUEST UPON RICHARD HONEY. [TIIIRD DAL] On Monday, at twenty minutes past two o'clock in the artet no. n. the coroner's inquisition resumed its labours at the New Inn, in the Eilgware-road. The Coroner took his seat, and the names of the Jury having been railed over, he informed them that, in conse quence of the requisition presented to hint on Friday, re quiting him to make an application to the Secretary of State, for the regiment, or that part of the Life Guards employed on the day of her MAjeiity's funeral, to be drawn sip, in order to ascertain if the witnesses or any of them, would be able to identify the person who ;hot the deceased, he had applied to Mr. Hoblionse, in the absence of Lord Sidniontli„ and he had received an answer from Mr. H., which he would lead to them. It oas nearly to the fol lowing effect Sin,—Flaying sent to Earl Bailinrst, in the absence of Lord Siilmouth, your letter containing the request of the Coroner's July now sitting upon the body of Richard Honey, that tiie Life Gnards employed near C berland Gate on Tuesday, the 11th of Angust, should be drawn up in the same necontrements and mounted on the same horses, and the witnesses permitted to view them, I have to acquaint von that, in compliance with that request, his Lottlsliip has given directions that the First Regiment of Life Guards shall be drawn up to-morrow morning at half past eleven o'clock, in the Barrack-yard, in Hyde Park, and the officers and men on duty near Cumberland Gate on the lit It, will be mounted, clothed, tuld accoutred exactly as they were on that day. The witnesses, on re• ceiving tivkets from nue, will he admitted, iu the presence of too magistrates, to view the regiments. "Tam, &e. &e. " HOBHOUSE. " Whitehall. August YO, 1 , 21." A long conversation then ensued among the Jurors, as to the p ropriety of their being present at the inspection of the regiments ; and it was agreed that the Jury should attend with the witnesses 1.1 half past eleven o'eleek on Tuesday morning, and that upon their rising they should ailgurn to that time. r. Waithutan said, he wished to mention the course lie thought it beat now to pursue. He should call six or seven more witnesses himself, and lie should then hand a list of Si/ or 40 to the Jury, who might have them called or not. as they chose. This arrangement was finally agreed to. Brook Page, of N 0.9, Warwick-street, Golden-square, French polisher, was then called and sworn.—He came with the proCc•siutt at Hammersniit h. When the attempt was made by the soldiers to turn the procession into the Palk by the Kensington Gates, lie saw them gallop about very furiously among the people, and out at them, and he saw one sold it r ent Twice at n pour Mall, who was lying 011 the ground. He had fallen down in running assay from the Guards. The soldier cut up and down at hiin, but missed him. Witness then described the route of the pro cession until it Caine to Cumberland Gate, where lie at rived just us the hearse was coming out into °slut il street. He saw the soldiers then gallop about, owing at the people, and usilig a great deal of iinnecessary vio lence. They did not behave in a soldier like manlier. When they cut at the people, "it caused a _rent many stones to tly about." This continued for about two or three minutes, when he saw a young officer take oat a pistol, and fire in a direction, partly towards St. Giles's, and pat tly towards Comb.•' land-street. This, witness believed, was the first pistol that wa• fired. The other soldiers then fired at the people, and the witness received two shots thimigh his bat, anti another through the skirt of his eoal.—(He chewed Ilia list and coat to the Jury, who examined the perfoiations.)—He theu made the best of his way to a distance from the scene of action, and did not return again. He was dreadfully alarmed. lie heard no Riot Act read, nor did lie see any Magistrate warning the soldiers to desist from their attack upon the people. He heard no warning given to the people to disperse. Mr. Hanson, u Ito attend► for the regiment, asked the witness if he could make it convenient to attend at the Barrack - yard, where the soldiers were mustered? The w hoes& said be could, but he MY not sure be should know the officer olio fired. Mr. lidllolllll.Nli, but some of them might know yew. A Juryman said, if that was the motive fur requesting the attendance of the witness, be should object to it. Mr. Hanson.—lie may attend or not, as he likes. The witness soh', he would be present. William Di loraine Jones, a young gentleman from Ox ford, on a visit in London, sworn.—He joined the rroees• own at Kensington, and saw the stoppage there. lie saw toe Guards on the road several times gallop about, di*. nothing the people standing at the sides of the wail. The people a ere hissing and hooting repeatedly at the soldiers. When th e pi. ee.sion took the direction through Ilyde Park witnes s r.w ou , a i m got to Combed:id Gate just bemire it. lie ban a great imattiret of people there, and there was much noise and confusion. The Guards were ✓iding about among the peeple,and the latter were calling out " Piccadilly butchers," and other offensive names. ‘Vhile this was going on, mimesis heard two shots fired, and nmil and bricks began to fly about at rho soldiers. Witness begged the people show him not to the ow Noy thing, which one of the soldiers heard, and he said, " sun had better remove, ►ir, or you will perhaps be t." Hat "" saw a filing, and he moved towards Cootherlitati steeet, of lof the Park. Ho did not see so many people there. He saw an officer fire, but did not see any man fall. He thinks he should ►now the olii:er again, because Our Sing, Concititution, anD Fetid. ,~_. atio nal( __~„_. 'li tft,era Puirx 90. I had to be present at the inspection of the regiment, aml the gross manlier in which we have been repolull and insulted ; and I do hope we shall not separate without coming to some determination upon the insult ice received.—(Hear, hear I)—One of us even got a blow in the mouth, and sorely such an outrage will not be suf fered to pass unnoticed."—(Hear.) A gentleman stated, that he was the bearer of a mes sage from one of the wi.nesses (Mr. Jones) who had re fused logo in without protection. Mr. Dean, another witness, said, he really did not not like to go alone, for although he did not suppose any personal violence would be ofkred, vet some advantage might be taken. Mr. Green, a third witness, said, he had just heett refused admission, and his ticket had been taken front him. In the course of a general conversation, it was sug gested that some of the troops might possibly be kept back, upon which Mr. lVaitliman said, he would re commend that the Adjutant should be summoned to produce the twister-roll of the day, and be questioned upon oath to that point. The Foreman said, that should be done. Here the other witnesses returned, and said they had been rudely refused admission, Mr. Dean came in a great hurry into the room, and said the witnesses were all shut up its a small place, ai.d that he had escaped by stratagem. Mr. Waithinan and several of the Jury made some warm observations upon this circutts-tance. the Foreman observing that the witnesses must be intimidated l.y beiti4 thus treated, and it must be done on purpose. The Jury had been grossly insulted in this and every matter con nected with the day's business, and he should resent It to the uttermost. A witness returned at this time, and said he had been grossly insulted by the soldiers A very stormy dicussuni, which occupied nearly two hours, then took place, and the room was a scene of the greatest confusion and disorder. During that time se veral witnesses came in and said they had been itirned back and insulted. The Foreman observed, that the whole was a piece of jockeyship, to tire out the Jury. At length Mr. 11.' 0 . ratite Jones mired from the barracks, and was examined!. He stated that lie had attended lute in most:tilt ce of a summons to view the regiment of Life G•.ards, .11 order to see if he could identify the man whom he hat; seen • shoot another.—After wa;ting three quarters of an flour he requested to speak to Mr. Milne, but he ernild not 5... e him until half-past four o'clock. He then encpared of Mr. Bultie why they were detaintd so long, and the Magistrate said he would forward the business as !tool as possible. The room in which they were kept was excessively hot, and nut one was allowed to get near the door. A ceutmel was placed at the entrance, and the door was shut whenever an officer passed be. IVitness afterwards complained again of the heat of the room to Mr. Biride, who 3a id he hail not yet ceei'ed instructions front Government. At len i .ttli a meesage came front Mr. Broke that the reatn2ait was drawn it;), and witness went into the yard and inspected! it. Ile Came up to an officer, and it struck him that lie was the person he had seen fire, but he was too conduced s.:tr,eiently to be pa siti% e. He went on, sold when he nail tz, , :n. Anna :he whole liue , he requested! to •.da again to the officer allu led to. This, howe‘er, theContnianTii.: refused to permit, and said he had imp, raise ord,o; nun ;o suffer any wituue3i to go m ore titan (MCC .110:1g line. Toe Magistrates however interfered, and he tea, per 11111!;•; to go again to the spot, and he saw the Officer, trnt he o ,. ; ! t i not swear pus . tivaly that he was the mats. Ile belie% ed he was, but could not s%vear. He Bute a grc.it f.WlZl blanCe to the officer. Mt. Rink, anot her witness 'iv. ire, that lie ha.l seen the regiment, and tie fixed upon the iitiicer syttri wkon he had the comers t ion described in his former der) , 111011. He told Mt. 11::, in , h e til e man, and requested to know ;he 111311 . , 11.11111• ; hut th s W.:s lint told to biro He then went 011 lip the low, and as lie Was g g along he was abant to look back to another 4 dicer, whim) lie thought lie cool] aho rec.Gnise, velum he was lON "to keep his eyes to the right." (A laugh.) Mr. Birme and Mr. Stafford took tiown what witness said, and he has no ilotil)t that those gentlemen are well aeqiiaints:d with the officers he pointed out. William Cleaver sworn.--He had inspees • I she regi. went. and lie saw an officer on the right h tad .rsi le of hint whom lie thought he recognised. and he 11.. iii to the Magistrate, " I have every reason In 111• isle this is tile man." lie asked that Mit pet's halm., but the Magistrate said... We Cannot hire ai.y mantra here." • William Alexander sworn.—lle had seen the set t imei.s down up in the Baru:kr Ile nein up 1.1/ the rigi.t hand hoe. Several of the corps had cloi,ks oi. T.ie soldiers hurried loin oil vpi L i st. 1113,•ti l e r g ,t t o 1 1 1 c tap. 1W tin !ICU 1011:11I to tile r.alu. and its is. it ,ern use ()disr front to the gee where hr inu entered. .1s ne was cuing 310112. nie SOltiltl3. sacral of them. 'awaked and gnashed their teeth at hint As he et as ads t0 .i.. 4 In another direction, he saw a youtiii otli.er, amJ pointed • • ‘'' .' 1 : - • - 8 " .... '',4 *T. i . ' \ I ~ i • . ~. _ -. • 4- MONDAY, AUGUST 'V, 1821. lie believes him to be a person whom lie had seen before in plain clothes, and whose family lie was perfectly well acquainted with. He saw Sir Robert Baker repeatedly, and he seemed much distressed, and motioned (o the people to be quiet. He braid Sir Robert say to the gen tlemen of the committee, " If you have any influence, use it with the people to keep them quiet." Angier Peacock Cropley, of 3, Fortune-place, Mioories, carpenter, was next sworn.—He was standard beater to the Society of Carpenters on the day of the funeral. He came out at Cumberland Gate, and was going down Ox ' ford-street s towards Park-lane, when lie saw die soldiers riding and cutting about. Two of them passed his left, and turning round came back to the right side of him,and one of them struck him and knocked him down, and his banner with him. He got up and moved a, well as lie could to the pavement, and sonic friends got hold of him, and lie was taken to the Middlesex Hospital very much hurt. He was cut on the head and on the arm. He could not tell whether there was any firing or not, he was so much hart and confessed. He was very badly wounded in both places.—(lle produced his hal, which was cut through.)—He saw no stones or bricks thrown. The witness seemed very ill, and appeared with his bead tied up, slid his arm in a sling. He added to his testimony, that tithe man who cut him would conic forward and ac knowledge himself, lie would demand no oilier punishment than lie could give him with his own hands. Mr. W. Grieg. of the City Road, was neat called, and being sworn, observed, that perhaps it would save trouble it he informed the Jury that he left the procession at Hyde Park Corner, and he could only state what occurred previously to and at its arrival there. When lie arrived at Kensington Gate, he saw the soldiers beating the people with their swords, and much ill using them, and they were ru ming about in confusion. There were screams and cries of" to the City I to the City l"—lie saw a military officer, and he asked him his name, under whose orders lie acted, and if the riot act had been read ? He said it had not been read. —He said he was acting under the authority of Sir Robert Baker, and witness asked him his name, and how they, (the Guards) dared to cut the people if the riot act was not mil ? His reply was " If psi do not go out of the way," or " if you strike me, I will cut you down too." Witness then called to Sir R. Baker, and said, " do you see, Sir Robert Baker, what the edifiers are doing? has the Riot Act been read?" He replied in a mild and pleasant tone, "No it has not." Witness said, " then at your peril allow a man to be cut, for I shall hold you answerable." He made no answer, but called to the soldiers to tome away. They then proceeded along the road, Sir Robert Baker accompanying them. Witness again rode up to him, and addressing him, said, " Sir Robert Baker, the minds of the people are extremely irritated, and I fear if you insist on not going through the City, lives will be lost." He answered, " I think so. and I have made up my mind that we will go through the City." Witness said, " which route will you take? " and he replied, " the most usual way; St. James's Street and Pall Mall, I suppose; but if you have any influence, pray use it to prevent confusion opposite Carlton House." Witness answered, "if I possess any, 1 cettainly will." Ile said, " yes, I am sure you will ; every tespectable man would wish to see order preserved, when sussing the Palace of the King." Witness then asked, if he had Sir Robert Baker's authority to inform Lord Hood, Alderman (Vaithniaffi, and the other gentlemen, that it was his determination the procession should pass through the city ? and he replied in the affirmative. Witness did then inform ?Ir. Waithman, &c. of the answer. Ile rode on to Hyde lark Gate, and announced it to tne people as he went along. He stopped near the end of Park Lane, and after waiting about II minutes. he learned that the hearse had gone into the Park. Ile immediately went to Sir Iliffiert Baker, who was in conversation with an officer of the Guards, and said, " Sir It. Baker, knowing you to be the chief magistrate, I took your word the precession should gn through the city ; you authorised time to proclaim it, and you have now been persuaded to depute front your word. On your own head be the cuuseq.tences !—I dread the result."—S!r Rolitst made no reply. Witness then went to Hyde Park Gate, and, after some conversation with Mr. Hume. &c he went away. Another witness, named Wm. Benningfield, was then exa. mined. His examination, which was the same in substance as the last witness, occupied till past ten o'clock. A long desultory conversation tbllowed, and it was finally arranged, that all those persons who believe they cot identity the officer, who; fired the pistol should attend at tile White-horse, at Knightsbridge Barracks, at one o'clock, when they would be admitted to the inspection, and to that place the Inquest adjourned until Tuesday. [FOURTH DAY. On Tuesday theJ airy met, pursuant to adjournment, at the White.hoise, at Koight,nridr, and afterwards went to the Rose and Crown. From thence they proceeded to the barracks, with the witnesses, and demanded entrance, i•ut were refused. Those gentlemen of the jury who stood in front, were most ruddy pushed back by two or three dragoons; but um appearing to retreat as quickly as was expected, an officer said its a harsh and ntenacing tone, '' Soldiers, du your duty." This order was no sooner given than such ot the jury as still cow. tintit:d in trout were most re .ely repelled by the soldiers, one of wholn struck a j ur o r a siulent blow on the face with his tilt, with such force as would have knocked trim down if he had nut been he l& up by those behind. Some of the jury had by this time gut its, but three or four who stood in the doorway were forcihly driven hack, and the door shut its their faces. A great crowd collectem and a loud hissing was heard at this outrage. Tne gates were closely shut, and nut a person was at this time per. milled its vistur. Th., Jury then retired with the Coroner, and they or the convenience ut' a larger room, to .toe Ohl K mg . 's Held, opposite to the entrance 01 . the 11.1111 Ck When they were seated a Jur', wan roar, 111.1 ooh great wrrauth said Gutlaueu, you all Itttuw the WIS:1 We i ~~