The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-02-10 00:00:00

`- i fib.: ._._ brella in his hand. I saw another piper in the hands of the patrole, but I did not soe +these it caine from. They were all taken into custody. I continued at the Oakley Arms, will they were all sent to a place of security. Before they were all. gone, a person came to the hope, who turned out to be Thomas Windsor. I was en the tap-room. The man by his dress looked like a labouring brick layer; he called for a pint of he and a pipe. I Lad a long conversation with him. I took down his name and place of residence, and desired hini to call at Union Hall the next day. He told me he was a bricklayer by busies,, and a soldier in the Guards. He attended at Union Hal He was ex amined, and produced another paper, [This paper , was p.oduced to the witness ; it was a copy of the termer]. He said he knew Colonel Despard, James Sedgwick Batten, John Francis, John Wood, and it was then Wood admitted himself to be a soldier. John Francis, who had described himself as a shoemaker, also admitted he was a soldier in Colonel Lambert's company of the Guards. Wind sor said he also knew Emblin and Samuel Smith. The prisoners were severally committed. I think it was that very day, (Tuesday 16th) the Parliament met. It was the next Tuesday the King went to meet his Parliament. (The paper found on John Francis was read in evidence.] Charles Bacon, excnivicd by Mr. Serjecust SliLPti E a n. --.I am one of the patroles belonging to Bow-street. I was present with Mr. Stafford at the Oakley Arms, where I saw the prisoners ; there was not any other person, except the prisoner, dressed like a gentle man. I searched Thomas Broughton. I found three printed papers upon him [The papers were pro duced, they were the same as the one just read.] I saw Colonel Despard in the room. He addressed himself to the company, and wanted to know why he seas detained there ? They all jumped up, and (clone! Despard went towards the door and ex claimed, one and all follow me. I took care of the person 1 had ; the other officers were called up, and secured all the people. jet&l Misjse-4 am one of the police constables of this county. On the 16th November, I went to the Oakley Arms. I went up stairs with Mr. Stafford. We found thirty persons. I searched one Phillips, alias Jackson. In his left hand pocket I found one of the papers produced. I knew Colonel Desperd ; he was in the room when I went there. The seve ral persons named in the indielment were there. Santis! Danton.—l am a police constable. I went to the Oakley Arms, in November last. There were twenty-eight or twenty-nine there. I searched a man of the name of M'Gray. I observed an oei_ car pick up a paper from the ground, exaelly under the ch where the person had been sitting. 1 tan ner gave me the paper. (It was produced • its contents wereal4 same as the one already stated.) joirph Hanner, one of the Bow-street officers.— I attended at the Oakley Arms on the 16th No veniber. I found a paper under the bench, where the man I was searching was hitting. I gave it to Samuel Danton. join Rivet, one of the constables at Bow-street. —I was pre sent at the Oakley Arms. I was the first or second who went up. After I had been in the room some minutes, I saw Colonel Despard. I had known him before. Thomas lirodsor, exar:ired by Mr. Gstitow.—l am a private soldier in the grenadier company of the first battalion of the Guards. I know Colonel Despard and John Francis. I was with my regi ment in March last at Chatham. I, soon after the regiment returned to town, received sonic printed papers from Jehn Francis. I delivered them to Mr. Bownas, of the Transport Office. I commu nicated to him under what circumstances I had re ceived them. I left one with him. I received advice from him, as to the subjc*fl matter of them. Francis advised me to unite ourselves, and overturn the pre sent tyrannical system of government—to unite our selves in different companies, and get arms. John Francis applied to Thomas Blades, of the same eompany. There ayes a meeting at a public-house in St. Giles's. Upon the delivery of the cards, Francis offered a printed card or affidavit, similar to the one I had given to Bownas ' • he told me to road it and kiss it. I read the oath to myself, and 'hen I kissed the tard. 1 know that is the usual mode of swearing in the soldieri. If the person sworn in cannot read, the person who brings him reads it for him. It was about a week after, he gave me two cards to distribute, as I was a person capable of commanding a company. The name of the public house in St. Giles's is the Brown Bear ; they used to meet at the Runing Horse; generally from sixteen to twenty met ; they were principally leishmen, of the lower class ; the meetings were once a week. John M.Namara, who we called Mr. Mac, proposed that we should change the houses, to avoid detedion. His advice was fol lowed. I attended meetings at the Bleeding Hart. John Francis attended. them. Thomas Broughton accompanied us to one ; about twenty-five at tended. The ()tied was to unite ourselves, to raise subscriptions, to pay delegates to go into the coun try, and to pay the expences of printing affidavits. The principal objva was to overturn the Govern ment, and destroy the Royal Family. There ...ere ten men in each company, and the eleventh, if he had raised them, was the captain. He was called the Captain of Ten. The society was di vided into divisions. There was a division in the Borough, in Marybone, in Spitalfields, and for Black wall and upwards. Ihe oldest captain of fifty tool the command. He seas called the Colonel o f the sub-division or company. John Francis end M.Namara told sr.e, they should appoint me cola. act of the Borough division. They called themselves Colonels under the head Colonel, or Commander in Chief. 1 know the Spread Eagle, in Mill-lane, was a !dace of meeting. 1 know James Sedgwick Batten. l'he meeting of the Blackwall division was for per sons belonging to the Navy, and those who had been eon,. to the exercise of great guns. Batten called: himself a Colonel. I know the Hoop and Ram in the Mint ;it is where Batten holds his division. I Allow the Oakley Arms. I have attended them upon Broughton 's summons, about seven or eight weeki before 1 gave in my evidence ; it was on a Sunday 1 met Arthur Graham, Lander, and about half a dozen more. • Nothing particular was done. h ., the 9th November, there was a meeting at the Oakley Arms. It was on Tuesday, the Lord Mayor's day ; the room w .ls almost full : there were a:rout thirty. 1 had been at a meetieg at the Ram and Windmill, si here Broughton told me, they had received about 15s. 6d. to pay for delegates ;4 ( . erg to the country, and for printing the oaths. arse were about sixteen persons present at the ....6___ . ! 4 Ram; they were encouraging each other to take cards, and got as many recruits as they could.— MsNatuara was resent. The. delegates were to take the papers into the country to be distributed. 'I hose who took cards paid Is i for them. 1 remem ber a meeting at the Hoop and Ram about a fort night or three weeks before Lord Mayor% day ; the same plan was pursued. Breeightou, Wood, and M'Gray were there, and Batten was in the chair. I know the. Bell in Tower-street. I was ordered to attend, but it being during evening .service, the , landlord would not let us in. We went to the can teen or stone kitchen in the Tower; that was on a Sunday, about eight weeks before Lurd Mayor's day. When they first met on Tower Hill, they were about thirty, but they dispersed, and only about thirteen went into the Tower. They were planning that some should go to Woolwich, to the Warten, to try if they could rot get some of the people there to unite with ahem. I remember a meeting the Friday after Lord Mayci's day. I was at work at No. lb, West-square. Broughton called upon me ; he said, " Windsor, come wiili me to the Flying Horse, Newington ; I wiil introduce you into good company." I told him I could not negleel my business, I had a wife and family to maintain ; he said, damn you, you must negleel your business ; I negleel mine. 1 went with him. I remained in the tap. Brougleoa said, don't stop . there, come along. I found a gentleman in the parlour, who called himself Colonel Despard, Broughton said, that is Colonel Despard. I made my obedience to him, and took my scat. Mr. Ensb lin was there, and Samuel Smith and Arthur Gra ham. Graham and Colonel Despard fell into con versation for some minutes, and then Emblin. I did not hear what passed. Graham offered a piece of money to Colonel Des pard, which he refused, and then les said, you shall + have something to drink, and then ordered 1 s. worth of brandy and water. I heard Emblin observe tu Colonel Despard, that there ought to be a regular orgatzation in London. Despard said, No ; a re gular organization in London was dangerous, as it was under the eye of Government, but a regular organization in the country was necessary, and he believed general. He said the people were every where ripe and anxious for the moment of attack, and I believe this to be the moment, particularly at I.ceds, Sheffield, Birmingham, and every capital town in England. I have, said Colonel Despard, walked twenty miles to-day, and the people are , every where ripe, where I have been. He said, the attack was to be made on the day his Majesty went to the House • and his Majesty must be put to death, and the Mail coaches were to be stopped as a signal to the people in the country that they had re volted in town. After this convcrration, Windsor says he, Wood has mentioned you to me. I shall he glad i f will meet me on Monday morning . on Tower Hill, at half-past eleven O'clock, and bring with you four or five intelligent men, to consult on the best method of taking the Tower, and securing the arms. I promised to meet him. In the course of that alerting, he said, I have weighed the matter well, and my heart is callous. I believe he said this after he said the people were ripe. I promised to meet him, and bring the intelligent, persons he re quired. The servant girl came into the room, and Emblin gave her 3d. saying, I will kiss you when I come again. I might have staid there about an hour and a half. Upon the Monday I met Colonel Despard at the Tyger, on Tower-hill. I took Wine terbottom, a soldier of the same company, with me. I was there ezasals at the time appointed, and the , Colonel came about Ave minutes before twelve.— When he came in, I and Winterbottom were in the tap-room. Colonel Despard made a motion, and I went out. He said, are those people belonging to us. (There were four or five in the tap-room.) I said, Yes. He said, bid them come with me. I replied, there is only one I can depend upon, and that is Winterbottom. He said, as you are in your regi mentals, and well known, do you take one direection and 1 another, and meet me at Whitechapel-church. I returned to Winterbottom, and went with him according to appointment. Tice Colonel walked gently before us till we came to Whitechapel-church. He pointed to a public-house, the Two Bells, and said, I will find a man who will give me information teapeaing Lynch. He asked me if I had got money ? I told him I had. I remained there about half an hour before he returned. Ile brought a man of the name of Heron, a discharged soldier. At the Flying-Horse, the Colonel had desired me to enquire for Lynch, who might be trusted with any secret. He beckoned me out of the public. house, and we walked up and down Brick-Liao, and during that time, Windsor said we are deceived ae to the number of ar.ns in the Bank ; there are but 600, and they have taken the hammers off to ren der them useless, so they must have been apprized of our intention. We went to the Coach and Horses in Whitechapel, and had two pots of porter and some bread and cheese. The Colonel said, Windsor, do you know those two soldiers at the top of the table ? I said, I knew them by sight; he said he believed they were two of us Ile 'Ask Windsor, his Majesty must be put to death, acid the will be at liberty ; he afters' ards invited 4 the fin i e e rs to eat and drink, but they refused. lie said he would make the attack himself the day his s Majesty went to the House. If he could get no;, assistance from this side of the water, he should', make the *truck with what forces he had from Blackwell, Allitechapel, and the other divisions in Middlesex. It was then understood, that the 94th of Nov. was the day his Majesty was to meet Parliament. There was, however, a new appointment; he asked me if I would meet him at the Oakley Arms, en Wednesday, with eight or ten intelligent men, to consult on the best method of attacking the Tower, and getting the arms ? I told him if he would come forward at the different divisions, and shear the people there was such a man at the head of them, they would be satisfied. Colonel Despard paid for the refreshment we had, and them we parted about a quarter before two. In the course of the same day, I saw Ratten and Wood ; Wood said he would post himself sentry over the great gun in the Park, load it, and fire it at his Majesty's carriage as he passed it to go to the House. kle might in the course of duty be on that guard. I went to the Oakley Arms, on the 16th Nay. I arrived there about nine o'clock. I found the officers were in possession when I went there ; I went into the tap-room ; I had a pint of porter ; I saw Mr. Stafford. Introduced the conversationtu him, and told him who I was. I communicated to him that I was acquainted with circumstances re lating to that night's business. He told me to be • .41C. at Union-Hall, a quarter before eleven o'clock. I never saw Erablin before, and was introduced to Colonel Despard. The saltness produced a card similar to the one he had left with Mr. Bownas. Cross-examined by Mr. Beer. I have been a soldier eleven years. lam twenty- fire years old last October. I belonged to this con spiracy about six weeks after I came from Chatham. John Francis swore Blades in. I was at the Oakley Arms on the 16th. I took a man with me of the name of Mayhan, who said he had been united in Ireland. I might have invited people who had not attended before to make them believe they were part of the conspirators, for my own safety. Bovensu (examined by Mr. Costinoe SER.. JEAN I. )—I am an army agent in Derby-street. I believe I had the card produced left me byWindsor. I gave him advice as to his conduct. It was about July last. William Campbell (examined by Mr. Woon.)—l am a soldier in the Guards, stationed in the Tower. I know the Coach and Horses in Whitechapel. Was there with Charles Dean, on the I.sth of November. We sat in the box fronting the fire. I remember four persons coming in, two soldiers, and two others in coloured clothes. One was better dressed than the other, and had an umbrella in his hand. The two soldiers were Windsor and Winterbottom. They were discoursing together, but I did not hear what they said. They asked the landlord. if they could have some bread and cheese ? and he said he did not keep any, but they might buy some a few doors further. We were asked if we would have any bread and cheese ? but we told them we had just dined. The other man in coloured clothes ' asked after several men in our regiment. The two soldiers went up towards the Tower, and the other two down Whitechapel. Charlet Dean (examined by Mr. FIELDING.)—I am a soldier in the Guards. I remember being at the Coach and Horses, Whitechapel, on the 15th No vember. I and Campbell were sitting by the fire. I know Winterbottom and Windsor ; they came in with the prisoner and another. yorepb Waller (exam:tied by Mr. AIIIIOTT.).-4 keep the Coach and Horses, in High-street, White chapel. Campbell and Dean were quartered there. I was in my cellar. When I came up stairs I saw two gentlemen, decently dressed, drinking alpot of _porter. They asked, if they could have bread and . cheese. I said they could not. Windsor was one of the two. 'While they were drinking, Dean and the other soldier came from the Tower, where they bad been on duty. Thomal Blatt (exam Med by Mr. See jeant SttEP HERD .) am a private soldier in the first regiment of Foot guards. I know John Francis. Remember a con versation with him in the presence of Windsor. He said, a number of free and independent gentlemen had established themselves, to form an independent Constitution, for the old one was much broken. 'l'hat the gentlemen wile had established themselves were determined to risk their lives and fortunes to form a new and independent Constitution. They desired me to take an oath to join them. No oath was produced at that conversation. The Sunday following I had another conversation with John Francis. Windsor was along with me at some pqt of it. A card was produced to me by John lirta,ncis. I read it. I can't recollect the whole of it. lewa. s to this effect We do swear to unite our safes." We swore in the presence of Almighty . 1 150 d to get those tights we took the oath to obtain. kissed the card. :Icahn Francis told me to do so. This passed upon the parade. We then went to the Hand and Windmill, in Windmill-street. I was there the latter end of June, on the night the balloon went up from Lord's cricket-ground. I went there with William Francis ; John Francis af terwards joined us, with a man of the name of Con nelly, and M'Namara: there were some more per sons. whose names Ido not know. M'Namara ad dressed the company, and said he came from the Executive. He exhorted them to stick together, and arm themselves, so as to make head against Government. He said he had full power to appoint a colonel to command the first regiment of National Guards; he appointed John Francis, and autho rized him to appoint three more, and likewise an officer of artillery. Nl‘Namara desired he would appoint the others without partiality. He appoint ed me as one, Connelly another, and a little man, whose name I do not know, to be captain of artil lery, because he was used to the great guns. John Francis and the little man went out together. John .Francis came back; he had a paper in his hand; there Vac wrote upon it, " First Regiment of Na tional Guards," and an appointment of colonels to command the regiment: There was one of the men said something about commissions, but M'Namara said, that suing out commissions would be signing their death-warrants. He said, the officers should receive their commissions the night before the at- I was the tack. The next time _ saw . ~ V ancis tith of September. I was on the main guard at the Tower. The next after that was the 12th, the Sun day; he came to me at the Stone-Kitchen in the Tower. On the Monday following, I was at the Bleeding-Heart, where I saw Lloyd, Wood, Tyndal, Pendril, M'Namara, and Winterbottom. There were sever-. 1 other persons with them. Bat ten spoke up. He said he had come from the Bo rough,_ with Tyndal, to know the determination of the Executive, as to when the attack was to take place. They said it would have been sooner, if it had not been for two or three cowards : but it should lose nothing on his part ; he could bring 1000 men into the field at any time. He said, if he saw any man assume the least symptoms of cowardice he would blow his brains out. John Francis said it would be better to make the attack as soon as possi ble, at least before the den of thieves met, a term by which he meant the Parliament. He said, if they discovered our plan, they would ena& such laws as would prevent the possibility of meeting again. Pendril said it could not happen. He had belonged many years to the society : many had beer, taken up, and not divulged the business. If any man did divulge it, he should have a dagger in his breast dire&ly. Wood said if he should not be there at the grand attack, he should be where he would be equally useful. He said ammunition would be provided . M'Namara and Pendril both used the word Executive, but it appeared to me Pendril was one of the Executive. One Sunday I met with John Francis, gad he asked me to go with him to Tooley-street, to the Black Haven. I did so. There were Hatton, Tyndal, Wood, M'Na mara, and six or seven Irishmen, in a state of in toxication. There were about twz..lve or thirteen. We had similar conversations. The conversation we had was concerning the form of government. I remember being at the Oakley Arms, on Tuesday the 9th of November. 1 was going from East Smithfield, and I met Broughton, who told me there was to be a meeting prior to the attack. He told me the heads of the people would be there to settle it. I went into the tap-room, and called for a pint of` beer and a pipe of tobacco. I asked the landlord if he knew a person of the name of Broughton ? He sent a boy up for him. Broughton came down, and took my pint of beer, and as we were going up stairs, he said, the Colonel is there. I went into the room, and a gentleman presented me with a shillingsworth of rum and water to drink round. It was Colonel Despard. The way..l be came acquainted with him was this: Wood said the people who are come to settle the business should retire to one end of the room, and those who came to skew their good-will should go to the other end. They were called representatives from different divi sions. The men who came to chew their good-will retired to that end where there was no fire. Colonel Despard sat at the table nearest the fire. I did not hear what passed among those who were at the fire. I conversed with Broughton. He said, there is the Colonel; did you ever see him before? I said, No. He said, he is a very fine man. I asked if he was fluent of tongue. He said, yes, he was. Wood said the properest place to attack his Majesty would be between the private gate at St. James's Palace and Buckingham House, as the Life-Guards would have left him. Broughton said, at the same time the Parliament House must be attacked, and after that hie away to the Tower. I never afterwards saw Colonel Despard, or any of the others, till they were taken up. Cron-examined Ly Mr. GURNEY. —I have been a soldier nine years and four months. I have been punished twice. I have been tried three times by courts-martial : once for absenting myself, or deserting. I never was charged with any theft, or brought to a bar. I never had any charge made of any theft. I know a person of the name of Tit). betts. I worked for him, and some Lather was lost. He said I had made away with it. With regard to that leather, I paid Mr. Tibbetts for it. In absent ing myself from the regiment, I contrived to get 200 miles off. Re-examined.—l was forgiven, and have served since twice on the Continent. Franca examined by Mr. PLUMER.—I be long to the first battalion of Foot Guards. I have been two years in the army. I know of a practice to swear soldiers. I have been applied to by the pri soner, Despard, at the time. It was on Bartholo • mew fair-day. I had been applied to by Wood and John Franci., my brother, to be sworn to their inten tions against the King and Government. Cards were produced. What I understood was, that the oath bound us to overthrow the Government, and kill the Royal Family—so help me God ! They proposed to me to kiss it; but I never did. [The prisoner was shewn the cards and bills, and identified them.] Colonel Despard asked me what were my principles as to the cause going forth respe&ing taking the Tower that day ? I told him I did not approve cf it. He said nothing was to be done on that day, for he expected money and news from France. The people on Tower-hill dispersed, be cause the plan could not be carried into effe!t. John Francis said they could do nothing that day. It was at the public-house Colonel Despard first pro posed to swear me. He read over the oath. I saw him afterwards at the Bleeding-Heart. John Francis. my brother, Wood, M'Namara, and many others, were there. The paper was read over containing the plan for taking the Bank,Tower, and Horse-Guards. He read over the same paper in the corner of the room, and desired me to kiss it. He said he hcpcd my principles were mended. I did not comply. He said it was very odd my principles were not the same as my brother's. The Sunday after the Guards came from Windsor, I was at the Coach and Horses. Francis was there, with M'Namara, Wood, Newman, and many others. That meeting was concerning a paper Ratten brought from Wmd sor, respelling the plans of Government. They drew their bayonets, and wished to have the plan carried into effed. They went to the Flying Horse to settle the business. M'Namara said he expeded to find Colonel Despard. We drew our bayonets as before. M'Namara said he would convey our desires to the Grand Committee. It might be a week before I saw Colonel Despard. We had one shillingsworth of gin and water at the Running Horse, Tottenham-court-road. The prisoner hand ed a small card, wishing I would kiss it. I said, no; I had been sworn once to be true to my King and Country, and I never would be sworn again. Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant BEST.— I have been a soldier two years. Never got A flogging, or was tried by a court-martial. I did desert, if you can call it so. I was not twenty-four hours from one battalion till I returned. I came from Chatham with a person of the name of Cassel. A corporal and two privates were sent after us. Cassels had some watches, one of which he pawned at Cha tham. My brother never charged me with robbing him. Re-examined.—Cassels was a watch-maker by trade. When I came to town I voluntarily gave ruswif up, and told where the watches had uteri pawned, and I was forgiven. Patera Connell was next sworn. Mr. Serjeant BEST objected to his giving evidence, as in the notice to the prisoner of his being a witness on the part of the Crown, he had been stiled yobs Connell. It appeared that when he was taken up at the Oakley Arms, he had, by the desire of Colonel Despard, said his name was John. ATTORNEY GENERAL.—" I had rather we should not have the benefit of this witness's evidence, than that there should be any doubt upon the sub ject." Lord Et EN aottouon.--ig This is very handsome conduct on the part of the Attorney General ; but when it appears a false christian name has been as sumed, at the instance of the prisoner himself, for the purpose of a fraud, he has no right to avail himself of the objection." The witness was put aside. John Bird (exani nal by Mr. Gaakow.)—l know a person of the name of John Francis. I remember his coming to mt- at my lodgings at New Windsor. He asked me who I worked for. I told him M'r. Grant. He asked me who he worked for. I told him the Royal Family. He said he would be bound for it he was a "reity villain. He came again. It was the beginning of August. He told me the King would be dethroned ; and he also told me how the next Parliament was to be raised. Every parish was to form itself into a committee of fourteen, and then into a committee of sever. ; and one out of the ■