The Sun. — London, England, 1819-10-07 00:00:00

- --- "C - ORO NER'S INQUEST OW JOHN LEES. OLDHAM,' Orr. . --4sIXTH • DAY). :(From Tire Illdrithig Chroqicle.) James Wheriell deposed . astfollow:—l saw John tees. whom I have kno.wtt 'for many years, at St. Peter's-field on the 16th of August. It was on the hustings 1 saw him, alittle after tu-elve o'clock. 1 did not see him again until the Caval ry were among the people. I have net , been at the ground since the Mit. I was nearer 'the hale trues than the houses of Windmill-street. Coroner—How far from tire htlflinga Witness--I cannot say 7tlr. Ashworth (angrily)—Answer, Witness--I do not wish to be crossed, in the way. Mr. Harmer (to Mr. Ashworth)—That .mode of addressing a witness is not the way of getting at the truth IVitness—l might be a dozen or fourteen yards front the hustings. Mr. Ashworth smiled, and observed, absurd to be so nice." Witness—The field was very mticit crowde We could not move at that tune.. I Sittig no more of Lees until the Cavalry came—and then f saw sour,: Cavalry, Special Constables, and a Trum peter, the last of whom struck at John Lees with a sword. Lees pot up his stick to keep off the bl-w, and a constable with a dark green coat on struck him with his truncheon. I made my escape from the field, and fled into a house. We were driven away by force of - artns by the Cti:- valry, and one swore " by that lie would cut me down, which put me in fear of my " It Witness underwent a very lung cross-examina tion by the Coroner and Mr. Ashworth, in the course of which the Coroner expressed his sus= picion of the witness, in what:(speared to me a very ungenerous manner. - Mr. Ashworth echoed the Coroner's sentiment. Mr. Harmer--I beg it it may be taken down, that both the Coroner and the Barrister express their suspicion of the witness. I never saw any thing like it in a Court of Justice. Mr. Ashworth—There is an insult offered'to the Court, such as 1 never before saw mani fested. 1 know the reason, but I will not say what it is. Examined by Mr. Ashworth—Swears he had his eyes on J. Lees for two minutes before the blow was struck ; observed no other per son but Lees ; did not notice any other ; knowns the person who struck Lees to be a trum peter ; knows him to be a trumpeter, because be has been a soldier himself ; will not swear to his facings nor to the colour of his horse. James Glover, Market-street, Manchester, ta vern-keeper, deposed, that he was a Special Cott stable on the 16th. [His evidence was objected, to by Mr. Harmer, because the foregoing wit ness had sworn that Lees was struck by Special Constables ;_ therefore this person might be one of the Constables implicated. He might be sup posed to have come here in vindication of him self ] His evidence, however, was taken. Witness bore a constable's staff, bearing his Majesty's arms. Upon further deliberation, this evidence was refused, and he withdrew. Hugh Williamson deposed, that he lives in Oldham•road, Manchester, weaver. Did not know Lees. %V.►s on the ground on the near St. Peter's-field, about 20 or 30 }aids fron: the Church. Was in the waste ground on the side of Peter's-street, Alter a variety of questions were put by tiie Coroner, the evidence of this witness was deemed inadmissible. Robert Hall lives at 8, Bond•street, Salford, talesman in a cotton warehouse. Not a Yeo man. Not a constable. Did not know Lees. Never saw him. Was at 7, Windmill-street, on the 16th August, from half. past 11 till Mr. Hunt was taken. Saw him taken. Saw the Manches ter Cavalry come to the ground, and Cheshire Ca valry, and the 15th Hussars. The ninchester Cavalry came about a quarter past one. They came from the street facing Coopet's, to Buxton's Louse. Dare say he was there near two boors before they came: The ground wAs covered with people; he dare say 100,000, when tire ca. yalry charged. Soon after the cavalry came on the ground, they formed themselves facing Mr. l'inxton's house. Did not see or hear any person addressing the people previous to that time. Saw several persons likewise improperly upon the hustings before they were finished. One person addressed the people, telling them Mr. Hunt was corning. Heard a cry " make room for the Fe male Reformers." Then a party from Deatisgate cried out that Hunt seas coming, and the band struck up "See the conquering Hero comes."— The ground was much crowded before that. Then cam: a landau, with Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Hunt, arid a Lady upon the box, bearing a flag. Mr. Johnson was there also.—There were, perhaps, between 2 and 3000 people after and before them. Lir. Hunt made a small speech. The people gave the Yeomanry three huzzas, waving their hats, sticks, &c. The Yeomanry waved their swords, and, he supposed, by ;he order of the Magistrates, cleared the field. Saw Meagher arld Capt. Birley next to hint. Saw Meagher hit one person with the fiat of his sword. Does not know whether ire cat him or not. The cavalry surrounded the hustings, and took the speakers into custody.— Au Officer said he had a warrant ; cannot say who it was. After Mr. Hunt was taken, they begun to disperse the people, not by any violence; it was with the flat side of their swords ; they cleared the ground, by asking the people to go home ; they did no more that I 3 W. Did not see any stones thrown till after Hunt was taken away. At the end of Jackson's-row, a pistol was fired at John Hulme. Mr. Benson, of the Fox, was one of the Yeomanry. Saw a green flag and gold let ters ; thinks it was inscribed " Hunt and Li berty." Saw one inscription, " No Borough mongers." One of the flags said something was unjust and tyrannical. One " No Corn Bill ;" and one " Equal Representation or Death."— Has taken notes of the various inscriptions upon the flags ; thought, from the behaviour of several persons on the hustings, that evil consequences might ensue ; saw two daggers on a flag, one ot Awn a rolnoily ilagor. Saw but oneinvin struck before they got CO the hustings, who would not go out •orthe - way.' Was . neer enough -a ,nd so si , Waled, he could hsve seen any *person who was struck. Saw a man lift up his sadk, as if to save him , elf; he seemed as it• . stupitiedl law no riiing done by the Yeomanry in their advance to the hu,tings which was not necessary. What e, as the effect of the cavalry coming rO the hustings ? Saw but one man knocked down by the flat slat of the sword. Saw nothing done but clearing tire way. The -Cheshire Yeomanry were coming on the ground when stones were thrown.; the stones appeated eo be throWn at he Yeomanry. The stones were thrown alter they had surroinkled the hustings and taken Hunt. The conduct 'of the Yeomanry was the Sallie after the storm were thrown as before. Saw no difference. Sal" the Hussars come in. They came at ac quick a pace as the Yeomanry. They came from Cooper's Cottage. Saw nobody cut till stones were thrown. SAW tire ground before the .crowd_ assembled ; saw sticks and stones upon the ground before the peirple assembled: •After•the crowd was dispersed, time were sticks left npon•the field. There might be 100 or 200 sticks of various sizes and thick ness. Did not observe the 9tmies. Cross-examined by Mr. Harmer—Wirness said be was . a salesman. r Had been out of a situation twelve months. Has seen Prinnott. Has 'seen Mr. Harmer in L.ndon. rrinnott, the police of , ficer, asked him to go and ger a s!ielt, and go along with him. Has lived with his lather. • W en t with Prinnott and others. Here an altercation arose betweet) Messrs. Har mer and Ashworth respecting SpecialrConstaldes, and Mr. Ashworth attempted to give a legal de finition of the ttrm speCial. Was•sworn special 'cons able on the woroing of Wednesday, The house to whi t ,l l ; le was a d. m!tted was Mr. Benyon's. Mr. Harmer—What took you to this house— were you sent these Witness—Do you, mean that 1 was a spy ? Mr. Harm& r—l did- not suggest that you was II Spy. Witness went to observe the Aleetioe. Saw people in large bodies. Many women wer amongst the bodies of Ihe people. Women con- 4% . ith the Mel; t the c:lvidry came. Mr. Hunt said, it any person made wriisturbance put; him down, and ,keen him down People were not very silent. They were peace able as such a collection of persons could be. Previous to the cavalry coming saw no riot.. People were not tumnittions. Was look ing from the upper - story in front of Mr. Bux- ton's house, Could see it. There was a row of constables from the crowd , to Mr.liuxton's house, 100 or 200. Though looking particularly at the hustings, saw no riot or tumult ; 80,000 or mo►e persons were upon the field tthen the cavalry came opposite Mr. Buxton's house. The Yeo manry Cavalry were disordered. The people gave three huzzas. The people cheered when Mr. Hunt. came. He could not tell the difference be tween one cheer and another. Cheered the Ca ►-alry the same as Mr. Hunt; yet witness said they gave one from defiance, the other from plea sure. Cannot say what number of sticks. Two hit - mired sticks—not so much. 'Knew to of the Manchester Yco►naury Cavalry, Mr. Benson of the i'ox, Mr. Hulme, Mr. Birley,. and Meagher the.. trumpeter. Saw some Gentlemen at Mi. Buxton's house, but could not indemnify their faces. Supposes the cavalry would not act, with out the Magistrates' orders. Tlicy flourished their swords after three buzzas. Ti , e 15th sloped swords. Some of tire Yeomanry Cat airy bad --. Before they got to a hody, they might have to come 40 or 50 yards. The crowd extended to witl:in a few yatds < f Mr. litixtou's house. The cavalry tint not halt on their way to the dustings. Won't swear the trumpeter did trot strike with the edge of his sword. Won't swear any o ilier per sons were not cut down in their way to tic hust ings. They nrght have been en( (t o w n l oo m ( icy seeing them. Sri A' s everal struck wi7b the flat of the ~ .word, but cannot say Icy whom Did not see bricks thrown till after Mr. Hulme was taken. People were disper,ing. Gorton tell how loog the soldiers hart been cutting with their swords before the brick was thrown. The mass of the people were not dispersed before the brick was thrown. Perhaps one-third or one-half of the people were dispersed._ 'Some of the Yeo manry I believe were pursoint; the people when they were running away. -Did not see any win dow broken in Windmill-street. Cannot tell that the brick was ai likely to strike people as Yeo manry. Only saw two women lying down, and many persons from the pressure. Denies he had before only said one woman. Supposes ilie peo ple pressed to get awby from the horsemen. Saw people leaping down into the cellars. Did not see or hear any of the Yeomen threaten to fire upon people it they - did not come out. Saw Yeomanry Cavalry and Constables attempt to take persons into custody upon the field. Saw Hulme fired at from a window near the wall of tire Quake's' Cha pel. Saw the flash, and beard the report. Did not see from what hand. There were some Yeomanry Cavalry at the side of the wall. Mr. Holum was betwixt the dye-house and gates. Did not see Hulme strike arty one at that time. Not one of the Yeomanry Cavalry kept his sword upon his shoulder. Witness was in Watson-street ; believes it to be the report of a pistol shot, either from the top or window of the holm in Watsou•street, corner house ; it wan at four o'clock ; (lid not see whether from the window or the top of the house; did not see the hand from whence it came ;cannot say whetlier it was fired by a special constable ; thinks the black flag had tor it " Liberty or Death !" Thought the words horrible, when he saw Death upon a flag borne before the people ; has not heatd the song of " (live us Death or Liberty !" Saw nothing terrible io tie Cap of Liberty ; has seen Britannia with her staff; saw t.e.'o daggers, one of which was red ; saw no blood upon the field ; saw Yeotnamy Cavalry come to the hustings ; they did trot remain there stationary ; did see them with their swords at the hustings; saw them strike with the that aide of their swords at the hustings,after they had taken Hoot ; cannot say how marry he saw struck: saw hats, boonets, caps, shoes, and clogs. Exainjued by Mr. Abbworth—Withess did not see svvorili lianclrester Veotuaury used more frequently, or in a different manner, from those of the •Cheabite Yeomanry or the 15th Hussars. Mrs. Lees., ire trtep.motlrer of tire-deceased, was called to state tvliether Mr.flarmer was employed by her or her lorstand.-- , -There came some Gentle men to our house and asked if we wished the per sons to be brought to justice I said, to he sure we should ; cannot say exactly what more passed. said I believed he lost his life at Manchester; had no reason to disbelieve its cannot say 'ex •artiv .what more .passed; did not say much more..-a—(Pointing to Messrs. Harmer ski De nison) I think I saw those two Gentlemen. The account given is the most can say of Whet passed at that time. Thinks she has seen one or both since her son was buried. When I said I wished to have justice for the death of my son, I did not believe my husband would like to be at any expente on account of law-suits. They said " God forbid.' Nothing to do with employing any body ; told Mr. Mellor that my husband would not undertake any law S he said it was not likely should. Does not recollect whether either of the Gentlemen saw her husband. I said i should wish the persons to be brought to justice. 'Mr. Harmer produced a letter, but she did not know her husband's signature. Does not expect to pay either of the other Gentlemen any thing for this. Expects it to be as other Inquests are ; never heard of ally family having to pay for that. Mellor, the constable, was then called and swot-IL—lie did not summon the Coroner's Jury. his apity did. Lees died on a Tuesday. Witoe%s was nor at home when the _summonses were issued to the Jury. He had a conversation with the step-mother. air. Harmer objected to this ; it was not evi dence. Coroner—The Lady has already said that she thought the Ingoest would have Bern conducted as at 1 it nest. Air iiarmer- 2 And so it would. were it not for unt tuterlerence — ( ro the constable) : When did you vet ve the summonses ? M-t:01—I did not serve them. I‘l3-. 41 riner— %Viten did you call upon the wit nes,rs which were to be brought forward.? Mellor--1 did riot call any ; I did not know that the Inquest was to be held on Wednesday. Mr. Ashworth—Those questions are put for the purpose- of impugning your conduct, Mr. Con. stable. Mellor-1 believe not, Sir. Harmer--Certainly not. Mellor—l am sure they are not, Mr. Harmer. It would, perhaps, be better if I state all - 1 know about this matter.—[After some objections from the GirOner and Mr.• Ashworth, witness pro ceeded]-1 called on Robert Lees with a list of the witnesses, and asked him it he bad any_to add to them ? He said he had not, and seemed per feci ly satisfied. Mr. Ashworth (to Mellor)—Do you feel yourself in the same situation iu which you were, or do you feel yourself elevated since you have been illuminated by those wise Gentlemen front London, who have cast such a lustre - upon Old ham ?—[This was said with a pointed sneer.] Mellor—No ; I feel jast as I always felt. • Mr. Ashworth—l thought, that before these gentlemen from London made their appearance, the neigbhomhood of Oldham was sufficient to conduct a business of this nature. Do you not think so Mr. ?Mellor 3 ?ir. Harmer—ls this necessary to the present inquiry . ? , Coroner . (to the Constable)—Do you not think, from what you have seen of my conduct on for mer occasions, that I would of myself have gone into every necessary inquiry on this occasion ? Constable--I have no doubt but you would. [The Coroner thus cAlling the Constable to his character uxcited a teehng of astonishment in the Cour .] Mr. Ashworth—lf it had devolved on you to collect witnesses, would you have gone to the toronike-gate, three-quarters of a mile off, in or der to ascertain who had pasi e d th a t way ? Constabl , --1 had brizer not answer that ques tion. 1 ant not sutheiontly aware of the cult to decide 't hat 0w2,11t to be done. 111 r. Ashworth (to the Constable)—Do you nut think that the evidence of one-half of the wit nesses produced here had nothing to do with the quest ion ? Mr. liarmer—" Tahe that down." Constable-1 cannot answer that question. Mr. Ashworth—For my part, I should not ob . crude myself upon the Court were I not legally employed to attend here.—But even now that I am SO; I am ready to give tip the question—to retire from the field, arid leave the enquiry to the C , ,roner, if the agency on the other side would withdraw also—it those strangers who had ob truded themselves on the Court would retire, and pledge themselves not to interfere. The statute said, th.t you, Sir, were to receive all evidence inculpating as well as removitq7 the charge from the accused. I am, Sir, employed by the town of Manchester on the part of the accused. I ant an anthoti7ed agent. Ido not come here irregularly as others do, not mentioning my authority for in terfering. You, Sir, have seen my credentials, and know I have a right to act. It is for you, then, to B.:certain who are authorized on the other side—the statute vests that power in you. The Gentlemen said first, they were authorized by the relatives of the deceased—then by his n:o• ther—but all turns out not to be the fact [Mr. Harmer—lt is not so, Sir], and you have there fore the authority to prevent Messrs. Ilarmer and Denison from acting here without authority. it is for you to decide whether these Gentlemen are to constitute themselves the organs of the Court. Mr. Denison--I can produce a letter from the lather of the deceased which proves our authority troll) the mother. Coronci—You stye not s‘voru. Mi. Denison-1 Hin ready to he sworn. tot oncr—Such evidence teas-rcitv,t before. Mr, 1)ellk011—DIC evidence is trout 'AI ~ not front Mrs. Lees. The Coroner refused to have this letter read, as the Itaod-tvritiog coold not be Inoved. Harmer, by whom do you cxpLct to be paid in this business c 4? r. Tratmer•7.-suctitrneitions . are extrajudicial , o'ntl 'I will not answer them. . 1 1 1 - Mr. Ashworth-1 41) not hesitate to state,,thst am employed, anti to be paid by the town of Alanthes!er. Mr. Ilarrner-1 ant ready to put the quet , tiott upon that issue,- if time be only allowed to make the necessaty inquiries at Manchester. Mt.Ashwortli-1 ant employed by the Borougb' teeve and Constables. Mr. Harmer--Some of whom are accused ono this 'occasion. In answer to an observation from Mr. 1-larmer,, The Coroner said, you may trca me as ou please in toy private capacity, but I require of Cott to state by whom you are employed and paid oa this occasion ? Mr. Harmer-1 am not to be paid ; but I ACC on the part of the mother of the deceased. Mr. Ashworth—She is no authority. Mr. Harmer—She is, as her hoop ‘. 13 bound by her act. Coroner---You stated, Mr. Harmer, that yon were employed by the Crown. Mr. Harmer-1 appear on the part of the Crown. Coroner-:.-Doeithe Attorney-General know ant thing of this.? Mr. Ashworth—lt the Gentlemen be employed, let them prove it. Cot oner-1 shall-e6nsider them as not employ c•d Kt present. . • Me!!si-s. 1-tanner. and Denison said they would pi t.‘ve the writink of :ne father of the deceased. arts try whom you expect to' be pa;(11. . Mr. liartner—,l cannot answer that question.., Coroner—lt we go on t are you deterrniued to proceed as you have dune ? Mr, Harmer—l am certainly deterniined to pro* cure witnesses, and to 5 uggest to you such goes,- tions as I shall deem necessary to the eltieldal ion of the troth. The Coroner observed, that the inquiry Its hi. !hello conducted was not calculated to facilitate the end of justice. After a few additional ()bier• vat ions, the Cut otter determined to call one more witness. Mr. Entwistle, attorney—Neither yeoman nor constable. Did not Know John Lees, nor how he was hurt. Was at the Field on the 16. at Angus:, Saw several thousands marching in procession towards the hnsrings,' near ‘vhert they were erected. Saw . one • party marching past the Albion Hotel, from Stockport ; at the very least four or five. thousand, with flags and caps of liberty. Went to the Field between, and 12 o'clock ; there were some thousands there. Heard that the procession with Mr. Hunt was i i conning —went down Peter -street, and saw an open carriage with Moorhouse and several'othert. Afterwards took my place' near the hustino l "s. Itemaineil there until the soldier's carne up. lica . rit some person propose that Mr. Hunt should take the chair, which he.did, and began to address ",hi mob which was around Hunt,. about ten yards from the huttingi;„ on an elevation ; heard Mr. Hunt at the time he `congratulated .the Meeting upon its postponement ; saw the Ye'omautf , Cavalry make their appearance and trample opo ' them. Sortie gentleman or otii - er on hotsebita bad some :conversation with Criptliintirley, po!kte Buxt.On's house, veliere:the : lVagistrAttt were assenihlecl. Afterwards the Mlricliester'Yelo'- ntanry.Ca'vary at a trot advincefl towards' hustings, waving their swords in' time moment the soldiers matte 'their . ai;p l ererance Mr. Hunt's party cheered, as if: to set 'tfietri at dica. fiance. When they had rode o - yards trot the hustings, saw stones, bricks,mto . 4 tics thvoWa at the Yeomanry Cavalry; and tiiive..no elpoht they must have hit the Yeoinanly or their horses; whe,s seeing the outrage comwitted by the mob, tlireor himself into the pro , ent;ou o Speti,ll - Constables, perceieingTsouie violence Inns; he Os ti. Left sitting at a, quarter palt sev.en. DARING evenitle, belvreen seven and eight o'clock, the house or Mr. Blake, the Turk's Head, in the New Kent-road, wail robbed tinder very extraoidittary Girt umstances• Mr. Blake and a friend were taking a glas, of wine in the bar, when two genteel-looking me , . entered and walked into the coffee-room ; they remained about half an hour, and then departed very preci pi!ately. Soon after the I,, n dlady, i „ g t he bed-room, was surprised to ti.,el ihz bureau bloke open, Suspecting immediately that the place had been robbed, she searched the:drawers, and m i o ,ed about 1701. in lialik-notes and her husband's gull watch and seals. From the situation of the place , one of the robbers must have thrown the pro petty to the other into the yard. In the sante drawer were five bags of guineas, and seven '2Ol. bags of silver, which Mr. Blake intended to secia to Sheerness, that luckily es c aped them. This morning early an al;“.uting fire broke nut at Mr. HART's, wine and Irtandy merchatit, 59, Fenchurch-street. It first appeared in the vaults below, and burnt the interior to the roof. By the arrival of chgioes the Haunts wete preveuted tronl doing any further damage. COAL M A Itli F.T, Ocr. a. Ships at Mari,et. Ships :mid. Pl-.ces. 711 Newea,titt 2/ Swale' Ii411(1 • 21 1$: ad. to 44g. 6 4 ° .._ IS. On Tuesday. t I.e sth inst., ii, Montatm-place, the Lady o f it. V. :tichiads., Esq. Ufa still-1..4n Luit.d. On TuusCav, at her house iu voland-row, the Lally of Isaac (jinuln rtz, lay. of a son. MARIZIED. • On 'Clltrrsday, the soli ult., Etiwxrd Beck, t sq., Fennel' Cornnioner College, Can:bridge, to Sarah Elizabet h, nrly rhild of the ho Nathaniel Welto , ., of Poplar" Delieniuitu, its Lhe County et Still,,l!;. n t ; . n ..... On the 50; ir.st., at Patadiac-row, Stoke-Newington, WP l ' Moigati, jolt. Eiq. On the c2Ath of August last, at the Island of Corfu, ° I I* fever, on.his way to England, Robert E.!ward `Ste' phenson, Esq., late of Bombay. of Last week at Preston, in Eaneasli . :re, in tie 57th yea' . hi, age, John Hasleden, who served in the 15th Regiment the nionorable siege of Our het, tnid, , r-General Wolfe, and I L that time acted as the Utnerai's valet. t )I \ il )( )N Printud hy .1. B. CARS'IMItS, of No. in, Oriutiii-strctd., Queen-square; and published I , v SfAtill'S, of '.o. 7, South Niulturi-street. ,it Tur Office, N 9. 112. S!rand wlivrt Adveitisentents, Letter) s, &e. (poet-paiti) rust addressed. 1 •c - 3 per A LIFE hop! %illy I Pay Ut tleve Seven there' of Pr( Pal it plat able f Pol %Tater, in the has b( Pro th e C Lunde To s Gel Ass tt : I4tnie Jr ills Las n tht P b e „ tr Itith draw i iz. 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