The Sun. — London, England, 1822-04-10 00:00:00

MANCIIESTER TRANSACTIONS. LANCASTtR, 111017 DAY, APRIL 3. FOURTH DAY. • REDFORD. V. R1414,EX AND OTHErt3. inOthing, a few minutes after eight o'clock, Mr. Justice •: - Plornotia entered the Court; the names of the Jury were 4144 over, and.. ti proceedings in the case of Redford v. tiael• aid others were resumed. -16hrt Moore examined by Serjeant litmaococ.—l was one - fA the chief constables .of Manchester in the month of August, .4s; Hunt entered Manchester by the Stockport road ; the erest of the intended meeting was felt for some time before it sock place, insomuch that the Manager of the Theatre was re -s.aasted to close it ; the town was altogether unsettled; refresh enet'eould only, be obtained with difficulty ; a week before the is the case was the same, and all this was owing to the expected visit of Mr. Hunt ; the theatre was attempted to be kteed open, although placards were circulated that it would be eksied ; many excesses Were committed by the mobs who con ::; sally assembled in different parts of the town ; and altoge deo., from January until August, our attention was principally '-gagged about the proceedings of the people, within 12 miles !oda • we felt great alarm from the state of the public mind ; :hoed it could not be otherwise from the means taken to de hide the ,people, according to my opinion. Many attempts Neve made to force otrr doors, without success ; from January , enitl August the duties of my office had increased ; we attri hitt% that increase to the discontented state of the working - 16.saes ; my attendance at the police office was almost continual 'aring that time ; we had opportunities of knowing the state ti the public mind about Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Middleton, and Stockport ; these places are all within e 12 miles of Manchester; we had communications from those t• ang es from the most respectable individuals ; we were anxious to be correctly informed, and therefore made those inquiries ; we heard of the training some weeks before the 16th of Au gust ; I saw the advertisement for the meeting of the 9th of August, soon after it was published ; we had information of drilling before the advertisement of which I have spoken ; I toctived information from various places. In consequence of the information thus received, my duties became almost in tolerable but still they were essential for the preservation of the public tranquillity. The responsibility became so great, that we begged of those gentlemen who before filled certain cffices to assist us, and form themselves into a committee, and they complied with our request. These persons were of the - first consequence and character in the town of Man chester. The committee were men of large property, and con sisted of at least sixty or seventy. It was an open committee, • chosen and appointed some time between January and August. iFemetimes they met daily, at the Police-office, and sometimes they were convened by the Borouglireeve and Constables. They so met in consequence of the great burthen which was thrown Upon our shoulders ; every measure we subsequently adopted hotel their concurrence; and we acted on no measure which was not necessary to preserve the publiepeace; from all I observed, a visit from Mr. Hunt was likely to endanger the peace of the town ; I did not see him on the 9th of. Augost ; on the 16th of August we felt it right to take every precaution for the pre servation of the peace, and of course I had frequent communi cations with the Magistrates; that resulted from the nature of my situation ; I communicated all the information I received • to - the Magistrates from time to time; I believe they knew all that I previously knew on the morning of the 16th of August the Magistrates were of Cheshire and Lancashire, ten or twelve - of whom were appointed as a committee, and assembled to my - own knowledge from time to time; these gentlemen came from :a distance, and I think they met almost daily ; of these Gentle men, some lived in Yorkshire, some in Cheshire, and some in remote parts of this county ; the meetings of the Magistrates were entirely owing to the state of the public mind, in and about Manchester; I went to the meeting of the 16th of August, aheoteleven o'clock ; the Special Constables were men of con siderable respectability, and amounted to between 3 and 400; many of them came voluntarily forward. The Magistrates assembled at Mr. Buxton's house before eleven o'clock, and they expressed a wish to keep up a communication with a cart, which was afterwards used .as a hustings. In order to effect that, we had two lines of constables about two yards asunder. --In the first instance they reached the cart ; the communica tion was subsequently interrupted, but I did not see it take place ; I went to Buxton's house, and during that time the in terruption had taken place, in consequence of the intervention of a great body of persons I endeavoured to restore it; I could not do it without creating•ill blood, and avoided it; I begged the people to make way, on which occasion I showed my staff of office ; all my efforts were directed to preserve the public peace. .1 saw Hunt arrive, and went_ to an upper room in Buxton's ;loasise to see how he would he received. Ile was tePeived by i_remendous shouting, . and az a person who had unbounded influence over those assembled. The car in which he came was ~i.arounded by a vast multitude, and those who were assembled nave: way in ordcr.to let him reach the hustings. Colours and owners were 'then displayed near the hustings. Very shortly efier Hunt's arrival I was sent for by the Magistrates, and .Mien I got to their room I found a warrant was issued, which believe was in the hands of Nadin. Mr. Hulton (the Chair roan) took it.froni Nadin and gave it to me.—[The warrant s‘aa handed to the witness, and he said he believed it was that wbich was issued.]—l left the room with the warrant. Mr. NidinhMr.Andrew, and the Borouglireeve were in the room Vik he:l I went in. In my judgment, it would have been im- Vite-doable to execute the warrant without the aid of the mili .naty ; that was my judgment at the time, from the appearance trthings. We want down stairs, and the Boroughreeve mount ltorseand placed himself on - the left of the Yeomanry, -W4 , a• had at that time come up ; Major Trafford comrarnded :t4.dztroop, but I don't remember seeing him at that moment, Saw him on the field after. I - requested the Borough rativn..h.otiismohnt, as I was afraid we could not keep up with o hi - serrif he remained on horseback • ' •he dismounted, and we ta - p yid on. When we came near thediustings, in consequence isdthe extending of the cavalry outwards, there was a great pres `wade of the crowd, and I was thrown down, and remained so - fazia short time. •I was thrown down by the pressure of the i.roard - in' the:first instance ; 'I think a minute or two must have eiviaed before I waa.able to get up; I hail not seen any of the c.stsiirystrike at the people up to that time; if any thing of that sort had place near me I must have seen it, but nothing St 'the ,sort occurred. The warrant was in Natlin's custody at'this time ; 'was thrown down a second time by one of titealfitli Dragoons. The warrant was then executed. From withat I saw that incening I considered the town to be in very irontrhient•danger ; the crowd under the direction of Hunt was veil much calculated to endanger the public peace on that •I was entirely engaged on the field on the 16th ; we had between3oo alai 400 special constables there. The aid of the gailitiry . Y 73.3 absolutely necessary, as the civil power was un equal to the task. Cross-examined by Mr. Br.t_cErAi N am not in any 'trade:; •I was a gentlernm residing at - Manchester at that time ; ▪ -don't •live there uow. We requested the proprietor of the th4s. - tre to shut it up that night, and he did so ; we undertook to . get the bills, sae-tin - 1 that there would he no play, posted up, hut I saw metre m'ysett ; my duties in the Police-office after 4antrarrbecame very irksome; we were frequently obliged to 'sit up all night ; I was frequently at the Police-office ; I was Pat-there iirlmmlittmt 'mine tojnquire whether there was any eissiae•against - him. I was at Buxton's, having been unwell nut the :fatigues of office. When we formed the double line stl tonstables there was only one cart on the ground ; I saw two afterwards. I don't think the second cart had arrived when I liactthe interruption of the.line of constables take place. I Should think that the interruption took place. The line of (*stables still continued, I should think to within ten or twelve ifirds of the hustings ; I believe there was a shout at the com p/sir-of tath party ; I-believe Hunt came only with one party ; his :carriage came slowly on the ground ; as it approached the •aopk -they gave way to let it pass ; I think the warrant was f4s4 in Alitdin's .hands; I think he was the first of the con starts : -the - cavalry were a very little before us ;• we endea v6tirdd to ' keep- hi line with theni • I won't swear that Nadin Withdrew - the line of constables before this. When I rose after efirst - time of being Mocked down,the cavalry had surround ed:Abe hustings - ; between my first fall and my second I was in - Anil a state-as no: to be able to see what was - passing around me ; I *is; I should think; 20 yards frtim the Iniatings'when I first fell; kiselieve Captain Birley led hp the cavalry ; 1 did not know fdesigher ; there was a erumpeter there ; Mr. Withington was akin there ; I don't knotv the number of yeomanry present on that day. Re-examined.--Orders were -given to print the play-bills, sad put them up with all diapatch. I was not at the Police a4 Oldie WI. Was 'a6aid that unless I retired a few 410 'I alioijlet be unable to be at the Ace on the 16th ; istoluEl pbt 'lave returned • 'to soda 'hitt -for `-the 'Meeting ; I it/et tettember Seeing - Kr. Vithingteat wilt ' that ' troop on tl4& It. Ifli..,l l 6SephNidin•eitiminedby Serjeant Caoss.-4 was the Peputy Constable at the time those - transactions Of the :l6 th of 'lolft.usteeittnted, - did had been for tear twenty years before ; Lase slate retifod from the offite of .Deputy ,Constable ; but tAtri ; I reciAleef the niri*Or . tturit in Jtin. • ;'t fotifidttheltilien itiOre treifttibitt than' usual during' the Asek he *aid tbOre teithOeone time or other.. ,the day there Oat somewhat to-do about him ; was. at the„theatre onenight ; rire WasyaratirbancetliLle6y'Hunt ;;Tobit'son and Chapman . ilfereWith ?Arno -ba tlitevi * ere to he ~s tigaeit; Egtt; atk- Ode . itinr ge;*na Wto returned . I " aga in ; • from- Jatimary i e der *eb. • vitat . a.4* . rn— _4l4olool'Auglikt; '11146, r,i'ltittlitie**l6ol4 thtte • were from there -b;0140 , 41101410.**te: Vivre t tat were statioii&l . " SVPaer - Y4e4`.1.7 a stale' ; I mo' up and down between them frequently before Hunt came.— They were near the hustings until the black flag came,_ and then there was a considerableruih, and they were separated a good way from the hustings ; I observed them linked together "before the black flag came, they linked together more after it came ; two or three of the people were poorly, and I saw them unlink to let those persons- out; they were linked arm in arm. When I got the warrant, I should think they Were linked ten Or twelve deep round the:hustings. When I was in the line of constables the Reformers came to look at us ; they said, ". that's Joseph ; " others said, " he is great guts, he has more meat in hs belly than we have." Another set said, " this is the black mob." I took it that they alluded to the constables. Another set said, " they have very good coats on their backs—better coats than we have." I saw a man enter the crowd with a roll of papers ; when he entered they unlinked : he appeared to be going towards the front of the hustings ; I thought I would-follow him, and see what he was about; I went on seve ral paces, and somebody said, " a spy." I had then passed some who were linked ; as soon as the word " spy" was mentioned, they stopped the men ; I was following ; he did not go any further ; some one in the crowd said " it is Joseph." Some one repeated, " lower down, knock him down, and keep him down," or " put him down and keep him down," I can't recollect which. I then went back- As they marched on to the ground, I saw some sticks, and some large ones too. From all I had seen that morning, I did not deem it practicalle to execute the war rant without military aid ; I durst not attempt it from the re ception I received a few days before that. The Boroughrceve, two or three beadles, and myself, went to New Cross, (We had sent two men to put up bills ; I don't know for what) ; we were told that our men were in the house, and that the mob were stoning it. When we got through the mob, a shower of stones came upon us. Mr. Moore and Mr. Clayton got away ; I could not get away so soon, and myself and the beadles were stoned down Oldham-street. We met Mr. Moore and Clayton bringing the military to our assistance. What I saw then con vinced me of the impracticabilityof executing the warrant, with out the military. Mr. Hulton, I believe, gave me tte warrant, and I said that it would be out of our power to execute it without the aid of the military. After I got the warrant, I went to wards the hustings the first ; I went along the line of special constables to where the crowd was; I before that wanted to get in to hear what was saying about knocking down their ene mies, but I could not get into the crowd. I think it was Hunt who used the words. I could tell that the people were linked between the constables and the hustings, because they swayed backwards and forward in a uniform way, which those who were unlinked did not. I returned to the house, and the Man chester Yeomanry come ' • I drew the special constables back to the house before the cavalry advanced ; I did so to enable the cavalry to advance ; a stone came from a house where there were some Quakers, and fell among the constables ; I followed the military down ; I did not go with Moore and Andrews, they started before me ; my being behind gave me an opportunity of observing how the military conducted themselves in going towards the hustings ; I did not see them cutting the people with their swords from right to left, as they went along ; I did r not see them cut at all with their swords ; if they had done so in going to the hustings, I must have seen them ; 1 took the ringleaders into custody ; I was most in the habit of taking persons into custody. Cross-examined----It was after I got the warrant that I drew the constables : I shouted out ; I heard that one constable was trod to death near the hustings, until the cavalry reached the place where the people were linked together. They were all before me ; I think that was 20 yards from the hustings. There was an immense mass round the hustings ; it was the largest crowd I ever saw in Manchester ; they were mostly men ; I can't swear that I saw 100 women, but I saw some ; I went back to the Magistrates ; Captain Birley commanded the troops ; either he or the trumpeter (Meagher) went first ; I did . not see Lieutenant Withington on the field that day ; I never knew Oliver until I saw him in this town ; I don't know where Mr. Moore and Mr. Clayton were; I think Mr. Andrews took Johnson from me after I had pulled him off the hustings ; I kept the warrant in my possession ; I did not give it to Captain Birley. Mr. Justice HOLROYD—It was not directed to Captain Birley ? "Witness—No, my Lord ; I kept the warrant until I gave Hunt and others copies of it; I don't know the people were fed ; some of their coats evere very bad ; when I heard the word " spy" 1 turned back ; the shower of stones at New cross did not knock me down ; they made me black in several Iplaces ; some of them were as large as a man could throw ; if they had hit me on the head, perhaps I should have gone ; I saw one of the Reformers hit with a stone. Mr. BLACKBURNE—Then there were many Reformers at Manchester ? Mr. Nadin—Yes, a great many, too many. Mr. BLACK]SURNE—YOU and Mr. Serjeant Cross were of opinion that there were too many Reformers ? Serjcant HuLLocx—Serjeant Cross did not say any such thing. Mr. BLACKBURNE-I beg your pardon, he did so express himself. Re-examined—We went into a house from the crowd. Serjeant CRoss—You went into a house for shelter ? Mr. BLAcxnu ItNE-I beg your pardon, the witness did not say for shelter—you . put words in his mouth. ' Examination continued—l was very ill ; we were followed, and we ran as hard as we could to get away ; I can't say that all the special constables came back to Buxton's house ; I don't know the number who came back. _ . _ Mr. Peter Statham examined—l am a drysalter, and reside at Collyhurst, near Manchester. I was in the employ of Schlessinger and Co.'s, Manchester, on the 6th of August. I then resided at Hardwick, near Manchester. I came into town about half-past eight on that morning; my business led me to call at several warehouses in different parts of the town ; I had, by that means, an opportunity of seeing-what was going on ; I saw a body of men, about 3,000, in Oldham-street, about eleven o'clock ; I saw a black flag, with a bloody dagger on the top ; I saw people with very large sticks, much larger than those generally used in walking ; most of them were sharpened at the end, and shod with iron ; no business could be done at our warehouse on that morning, nor could I trar pact any business at the warehouses I went to; the people appeared very much alarmed; 1 went to St. Peter's-field about twelve o'clock on that day; I took my station opposite Mr. Bukton's house ; I saw a line of constables from Buxton's house up to the locking of arms ; a large body of men had their arms locked round the hustings ; when Mr. Hunt and his party came on the ground he was received with a shout of triumph ; I was , much alarmed, and feared the con sequences of such a meeting ; many of the constables were much alarmed, expressed themselves so ; I heard seve ral of the persons use many insulting words to the con stables ; I saw the Yeomanry arrive ; the special constables opened right and left to let them go to the hustings ; I saw the Yeomanry advance towards the hustings ; the mob shouted as if in defiance of them; I observed the mob throw stones from both sides ; I saw them have their arms locked ; I was rather elevated above them. As the Yeomanry were advancing to the hustings, the people struck their horses with their sticks, and stones were thrown at them from, both sides. As the Yeo manry got nearer to the hustings, the mob closed behind them, and the throwing became more violent; I did not see the Yeo manry strike any person as they advanced, and I must have ob served it if they had done so, from the situation in which I stood ; when the Yeomanry got to the hustings the mob began to disperse, and I followed them ; 1 saw the trigger and but end of a pistol in the pocket of one of the mob ; it would have been madness to attempt executing the warrant without the aid of the military. Cross-examined by Mr. Evaxs—Schlessinger and Co. my employers, were shippers; I bought and sold goods for them, and had the management of making invoices ; I had none of the sticks in my hand, but I saw many hundreds ; I won't swear they were all larger than walking-sticks; I saw, however, many hundreds which were larger ; most of them were sharpened at the end, and shod with iron about as thick as my finger; I ex amined the sticks, my attention being attracted to them by the noise they made on the flags ; I swear the dagger I saw re presented a bloody dagger ; I am now a dry salter, with a part ner ; I saw most in front of the hustings linked, and I was ex tremely alarmed ; when the Yeomanry advanced I retired to the Quaker's Chapel ; the cavalry surrounded the hustings be fore I so retreated it appeared to me that the constables di vided right and left to let the cavalry pass, and that I swear ; I was about five or six yards from the Yeomanry ; I was then fifty yards from the hustings : I was looking towards the hustings as the Yeomanry advanced, being placed about mid way between Buxton's house and the hustings, towards Wind mill street ; I don't know Mr. Gregg. The stones increased when the mob closed upon the rear of the Yeomanry—when they went among the locked people; I can't tell if they took the stones off the field, nor did I see whence they got them ; I saw the mob strike the cavalry horses as they were advancing, I being then at a distance of thirty yards from them. Mr. George Brown examined—l am a merchant at Man chester, and attended at St. Peter's-field on the morning of . the 10th' of August. In . consequence of the directions I received, I placed myself within about six yards. of the cart, in the first instance. Thateart was afterwards removed back from five to 'stir . yards.; and also from the' line of consta bles. The . cart' being removed, I heard an order given by a person of the name of Swift, to link arms, 'and to stand firm. After - that there was . a very , great pressure, and I was closed in py those who were linkW. The pressure Was between the duiltables srrd thosewho werajoeked. There Wat very greit Er:ss, ‘Fc'.,PZA constables 441. back-.they did net fall bw444 1 .0' their'grouPd :I was within one nian Of the hustings, being a speci4 -coasts*. The body of coo. stables did 1144 :etytilerel*theY 'vere formed in o - roir. It myselfi~s9' only and few. ohe`a "WV were of course separated froin the rest. A gteat many between me tail the congtablca were linked, by which mean* 1 wag - cut off from the body of them. The linking was done to preserve the hustings from the constables. The linkings extended to ten or twelve yards or more, but being near the hustings, I could not well judge. I was near the hustings when Hunt ar rived ; there was a most newt - Wong shouting. I heard Hunt speak of the all-powerful right which the people had to as semble for the purpose of petitioning ; he made a very long speech. I heard him say, If the enemy showed any symp toms against them that they were to put them down, to quiet them, and keep them down." In answer to this, two men who were linked said each to the other, " I reckon. mon, he means we mun kill 'em." To which the other replied, "Aye, to be sure, you fool, he does." I saw the Yeomanry approach, when Mr. Hunt said to Johnson, "They are always in disorder." And when the Cavalry formed in front of Buxton's house he (Hunt) pointed with open hand at them, and said, " There is a pretty sight for you Mr. Hunt then desired the men to be firm.— As soon as the cavalry had formed, he said, " Let us give them a shout or cheers," I can't tell which. Three several loud shouts then followed, Mr. Hunt waving his hat, with Johnson and others. As the Yeomanry advanced, nothing offensive was done, except the men who were linked together, saying, " Be firm, stand fast." They then turned about and faced the cavalry, and I turned with them ; the cavalry were advancing, and the peo ple's sticks were endeavouring to keep them off; at that time I should suppose the cavalry were nearly 30 yards from the hust ings ; the men or inob, were striking to prevent their approach to the hustings ; I saw a great number of stones directed against the constables and the cavalry, just as the latter so approached ; pieces of brick were also thrown, which I noticed particularly ; I supposed that to be the case at the time; the constables were distinguished by holding up their truncheons ; as the yeomanry advanced there was a great and tremendous bustle, and those men who were in locked arms appeared to get in the rear of the constables, who were acting with the cavalry ' • and at that period there were more stones thrown ; then I h ad seen stones throwing at the first advance, and I was myself knocked down by a stone or a brickbat. It was some time before I could recover ; and before the approach of the Yeomanry, a man threatened to knock me down with a stick ; I prevented the blow by striking the man just under the elbow , . The man who struck me was one of those whpm I heard to use the ex pressions I have already mentioned : he stood before me : this was not more than two minutes after Hunt told them to " keep them down." Those who were linked arm in arm in the rear of the cavalry, and the cavalry being interrupted, began to make way ; they hit the men with the fiat side of their swords, spurred their horses on, and got round the hustings. To my certain knowledge the Yeomanry did not act in this manner until they were assaulted by the mob. I saw thousands armed with sticks, some of which were very large, and exactly of the same description I saw used against the heads of the cavalry horses. After the meeting was dispersed I saw a great many sticks on the ground—many hundreds. A great quantity of stones I also saw. There was great hissing from the mob, as well as from those who were on the hustings, as the ca valry approached. I had been a special constable two years before the meeting, and as it approached, I felt very great alarm ; I consider Manchester was that day in very imminent danger ; at that time I had a warehouse in Manchester, which I ordered to be closed at half-past 10 o'clock, in consequence of seeing the people jest then coming in in such large bodies ; in Cannon-street and High-street that apprehension generally pre vailed ; these are two of the principal streets for warehouses in Manchester ; other warehouses were also closed, but I cannot speak as to numbers ; a general suspension of business took place on that day. Cross-examined.—l resided that day at N 0.32, Brazen-nose street, and now live at No. 5, Princess-street, in Manchester. My warehouse was at No. 15, High-street ; I was not more than three yards from the hustings when I was hemmed in by the people ; I made a memorandum of what I said ; kept it by me for six months, and, not knowing it would be wanted, I de stroyed it ; the people on the hustings had the best means of observing what occurred on the- field ; I could hear what Hunt said very distinctly ; I put down what Hunt said—" to put the enemy down, quiet them, and keep them down." The cavalry might be about twelve yards from the hustings when I saw the people use sticks as well as stones; some of the stones were as large as my fist ; its short, they were all sizes ; there were brick bats amongst them ; there were a great many spectators who took no part in the proceedings ; I did not see where the people got the stones, though I did the direction from which they came ; it was from Windmill-street • I did not see the Yeo manry cut down a single individual with the sharp edge of their swords ' • when the cavalry surrounded the hustings, I was hemmed in very near them ; I was pressed forward with the crowd towards Windmill-street ; 1 can swear I saw no one cut. ...... Mr. EvANs.—Will you swear you believe there was no one cut ? - . Wuness.—l saw no one cut. Mr. Sergeant HuLLOCIC.—I object to that—the witness's belief can be no evidence. Mr. EVANS—I beg your pardon. His Lordship hasallowed you to ask many witnesses as to their belief about alarm. He permitted you to ask those questions; but we are not allowed to do so. I contend it is evidence. Mr. Justice HOLROYD—I say it is not, and I am astonished to hear such observations coming from a Gentleman of the bar. It is singular you cannot see that in one of the issues the pre valent opinion of alarm is mentioned and mainly relied on ; why then not hear evidence to support that issue ? Virm. Hulton, Esq. examined—l am a Magistrate, and was so in August 1819. I was elected Chairman of the Committee of Magistrates when that Committee was appointed. A Gene ral Meeting of them took place at the July Quarter Sessions. All the Chief Magistrates of the district attended ; it was unu sually numerous, occasioned by the disturbed state of the coun try. That state of the country was the only topic of our con sideration. There was not the slightest difference of opinion between us on that subject. It was then considered necessary to appoint a Committee, and one was appointed immediately, of which I was the Chairman. The Committee was deemed necessary to provide for the peace of the country, and the safety of the inhabitants. As a Magistrate, I had opportuni ties of knowing the state of the country ; I knew that in almost every town and village there were Union Societies, conducted by Committees, who corresponded with each other by means of delegates. I should have added, there was a general panic throughout the district, arising from those and other circum stances. In three or four days after the appointment of the Committee, we commenced our measures—we were then eleven or twelve. Before the 9th of August we had meetings from day to day, and after that they varied ; but I won't be posi tive on that subject. We used the best means of acquiring information from the adjoining districts, and that information gave us a rapid increase of alarm for the public safety. We then took the best means of preserving the public tranquil lity. We had the Requisition for the Meeting of the 9th of August brought to us, and we forbade it. We had what we thought positive information of the drillings which were going on in the country, from various places, and from gentlemen of the highest respectability. That informa tion undoubtedly increased our apprehensions for the public peace ; similar apprehensions pervaded the people around, of all classes and of all conditions. The new notice for the meeting of the 16th of August was given a few days after that of the 9th was put off, as being illegal. After we were apprised of the intended meeting, the conferences of the Committee were almost continual, and I myself, though living 12 miles from Manchester, did not go home for several days before the meeting. Other Magistrates attended the Committee late at night and early in the morning ; Mr. Trafford and Mr. Tatton, I think, attended all the time in town ; I understood that Mr. Hay per manently resided for some days in .Manchester before the meet ing. e were in constant communication with the authorities ' of Manchester, solely for the purpose of preparing for the meet ing of the 16th of August. A Committee, called the Commit tee for Public Safety, was formed by the inhabitants of the town, with whom we were also in constant communication. That Committee consisted of sonic of the most respectable people in the town of Manchester--some of the most distinguished gen tlemen in the place. lam not aware of the number. We met on the 15th immediately after church, when we made such re gulations as we thought necessary to meet an impending dan ger, and preserve the public peace on the following day. On the 16th we assembled by nine o'clock at the Star Inn, and about eleven o'clock went to Mr. Buxton's house, as it com manded a perfect view of the area on which the hustings were erected. My impression is, there was one cart on the field at the period of my arrival, andi that all the Magistrates were pre sent with me, except Mr. Trafford; when attracted by any thing particular, I went to the window, and not otherwise ; a declaration was handed to the Magistrates, signed by above sixty gentlemen, stating their apprehension of great danger; it was not sworn before me, but I certainly read it ; I am ac quainted with a great many who signed it; they aremen of the highest respectability. Mr. BLACKBURNE objected to the witnesses stating what ether people said as to their alarm. They should be called to prove it. We have no issue on which such evidence can be re ceived. Mr. - EVANS—No evidence should be received which is not legal. This is mere hearsay evidence. 'Mr. Justice HOLBOYD—If improper evidence be received, it can be rectified elsewhere. My duty is to exclude all impro per evidence ; but I think the present evidence ought to be re ceived. The proof here is, that declarations of fear were made to` the)Magistrates, which might be one of the reasons for indu- Fing'them to. call in the milita ry _ in aid of the civil power. This is not an option against the" Magistrates, but ag ainst some of the Yeomanry ; and one of the questions here is, 'Whether they acted in aid of the Magistrates or civil ,power? Another is, Whether the meeting were or were not illegal. If the issues can otherwise be shaped, the action should have been brought within six months. The Witness resumed—The declaration was put into my hands some time before Hunt appeared upon the ground ; the people marched on the ground in beautiful order, with music and flags, and, in fact, in such order as could only result from long previous preparation. This occurred more particularly with those petsons who came up 14Iosely-street—l could not distinguish from whence they came. I saw them come to the square, then wheel, and they turned up to the hustings, each party depositing their flags on or about them. I cannot speak to the number. A great proportion of the men had sticks. I mean of the crowd within our view. Such was my impression then, and it is so now. I went to the window, in consequence of the shouting that was set up on Hunt's arrival. I never since I was born heard any thing like it, and I hope 1 shall never see such a meeting again I remember a warrant was filled up (the warrant handed to him). This is the warrant, I know all the signatures, but that of Mr. Sylvester; and I believe it is his writing. I sent for the Borough reeve, and before it was signed, Andrew and Nadin were in the room. In the first instance, I gave the warrant to Nadin, tell ing him to serve it on Hunt, Knight, Johnson, and 11Ioor hoose. The warrant passed from my hand to his, but he said he could not serve it; and I remember the conversation that passed—" What ! said I, not with all those special constables ?" i• His answer was —. Mr. BLACKBURNE—Imust object to the answer being given in evidence. It was ruled by Mr. Justice Bailey, at York, that the conversations with third persons could not be given, while those third persons might be called. Mr. Justice H OLROYD said, the cases were different; here the excesses were not in question, while at York they were ; he himself, as Counsel for Sir F. Burdett, had argued this very point against the present Chief Baron of Scotland (Sir S. Shep herd), and the Court ruled against him. It had'been held by Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, that a citizen, in taking upon him the additional character of a soldier, did not put off his citi zenship, but was equally bound to interfere for the preservation of the peace. Examination continued—M y remark was—" 'What ! not with all those special constables ?" The observations which I heard from one of the boroughreeves and Nadin were such that I durst not have taken upon myself the execution of that warrant without military assistance ; and I am sure that all the other Magistrates concurred with me in that opinion ; in concurrence with all the other Magistrates present I wrote two letters, the one to the Commander of the Yeomanry, and the other to Col. L'Estrange the Commander of the Military in Manchester; Mr. Trafford was the Magistrate appointed to attend the mili tary, in order that if unfortunately we were bound to call them in, one of our body should be present; after mature delibera tion we had determined not to use the military until we found that no other means were left us of preserving the peace of the town ; I considered when I wrote the letters that the lives and properties of the people of Manchester were in the greatest dan ger ; I took it for granted that the meeting at Manchester was part of a great scheme in the district, of the existence of which we had received the most undoubted information some time before.—(Here a letter was shewn to witness.) This is a letter which I wrote to the corps at Portland-street; I did not then know the name of the officer who was stationed there at that time • but it was the nearest military station ; I re member the arrival of a squadron of the Manchester Yeomanry; they formed to the right of Buxton's house ; previously to this I had a glass to look through; I saw the arrival of a second cart loaded with planks; it drew up near the other; a considerable number of persons, bareheaded, rushed upon both carts ; after having moved them further from the house in which we were, they filled up a space between the constables and the hustings ; I observed the men who were bareheaded, but I do not say that all at the meeting were bareheaded ; I saw them surround the 'hustings. I should wish to remark, that towards the Magis trate's house the people were not so dense as in other parts of the field, and therefore a better opportunity was afforded of see ing what was going on. The impression on my mind then was, that they were linked, eight or ten rows deep, and 1 have since had no reason to change that opinion; my reason for think ing so was, that when the bodies came up to plant their colours round the hustings, there was no additional pressure ; when the cavalry formed in front of the Magistrate's house there was tremendous loud cheering; the people faced round, and waved their hats and sticks in the air ; I heard some lihses, but 1 don't mean to assert that the hissing was by any means general ; upon this the cavalry cheered and waved their swords ; I saw the cavalry advance ; I saw either An drews or Moore join them, but I can't say which ; 1 pursued them with my eye towards the hustings ; I observed them as nearly to the hustings as possible ; there seemed to me to he a general resistance ; I cannot swear that I saw any man or horse struck, but there appeared to be a general resistance on the part of the people ; I saw stones and brickbats flying, and no reasonable man can doubt where they were intended for; I beg ,to say, that this occurred when the Yeomanry were near the hustings ; there were missiles of all kinds flying ; among which there were sticks; this was just as they went up to the hustings ; there might have been a considerable quantity thrown which I did not see ; the space, if one could see any thing like space in such a crowd, was closed up behind the ca valry as they advanced ; the mass of people had entirely sur rounded the cavalry by the time they reached the hustings; I conceived the cavalry, amounting then only to sixty, and sur rounded by the mob, were in imminent danger ; they were separated from each other by the intervention of parties of the people ; I was induced by this to take other steps ; Colonel L'Estrange arrived at Buxton's house with part of the 15th, followed by a part of the Cheshire Yeomanry. Upon his looking up to the window, and asking " What am I to do," or " hat are they to do ?" I said, " Good God, Sir, don't you see how they are attacking the Yeomanry ? Disperse the inOb." I felt that there rested upon me that responsibility, that had I not done as I did, I should have been answerable for the lives of the Yeomanry. Cross-examined..—l was aware from information that there were Corresponding Societies ; I was not aware that I could suppress those Societies before the meeting was held. [Left sitting at four o'clock on Monday.] WARWICK ASSIZES.--lIIIPORTANT DECISION. COMBINATION. FARRINGTON V. LILLY AND ANOTHER. This was an action against the defendants, Mr. Chas. Lilly and John Cave, of Coventry, for enticing and seducing the plaintiff's servants from his employment. Mr. Serjeant VAUGHAN, in stating the facts of the case for the plaintiff, as afterwards proved in evidence, said that he did not seek exhorbitant damages ; the principal object of his client was to suppress the combination of the ribband weavers in Coventry, by whom a society had been formed for the sup port of those who refused to work far prices less than those fixed for the various kinds of work by a list agreed to between the masters and men in 1819. The defendants were described as the Treasurer and Secretary of this Society ; the former, Mr. Lilly, had at one time been a master ribband-manufacturer in Coventry, but was now retired' from business and lived upon his fortune. The plaintiff was a manufacturer, principally of what are termed doubles and galloons ; he had not, however, agreed to the list of prices. In consequence of this, his men were enticed, or induced by intimidation, to quit his employ ment one after another, until at length he was unable to meet the demands of his customers and London agents, who were therefore compelled to make their purchases elsewhere. By this means the plaintiff had sustained very serious injury, and this injury was laid in the declaration as the ground of special damage. No evidence was offered by their Counsel, Mr. DENMAN, on the part of the defendants. In charging the Jury, Mr. Justice BEST thanked the plain tiff that he had had the nerve to resist the combination of which the defendant, Lilly, had become the tool ; adding, that he de served the thanks of his fellow-townsmen for bringing this action. The Jury, which was special, after consulting a few minutes, returned a verdict for the plaintiff—Damages 501. ; costs 40s. CORONER'S INQUEST.—Last night an Inquisition was taken at the Grange Tavern, Carey-street, before GEORGE Hia Gs, Esq., Coroner for Westminster, on the body of John Smith, a sailor, who was found hanging from a lamp post in St. Clement's church-yard, on Sunday morning last.—Verdict — That the deceased laid violent hands upon himself, in a fit of delirium, produced by despondency and melancholy. EXECUTION.—(YORK, APRIL 6.)—This morning, at 101 minutes after 12, William Roberts, for highway-robbery, and James Moseley, convicted of cutting and maiming, with intent to murder, underwent the awful sentence of the law, upon the drop, behind the Castle. After fervently joining in prayer with the Ordinary, for about ten minutes, the last preparation, was made, and they were launched into eternity. Whilst un der sentence, they received much attention from different well disposed persons, for which they expressed great gratitude.— They appeared to die without a struggle. The remains of the four unfortunate men who suffered on Penenden Heath, on Thursday, as stated in our last, and which about midnight on that day were brought to the houses of their relatives in this city, were on Sunday evening con veyed in solemn procession from their late respective residences to St. Mildred's church-yard, where all were deposited in one grave. The bodies were preceded by a band of-singeri, chant-, mg the 100th Psalm, followed by ,their relatives and friends, and at iended by an immense concourse of spectators, on whom the day t . the hour, thetircumstance, seemedto conspire to press a parser= of decorum, • milted with pity_ and regret for the untimely end of the deceased. —(Kentish Gazette, April 9,) FROM ME LONtON GAZETTE, APRIL 9. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, APRIL 6. Royal Regiment of Artiliery—First Lieutenant VriMani Howe Dennis, from half-pay, to be First Lieutenant, vice Thomas Lovett, retired on - half-pay. Corps of Royal Engineers—Gentleman Cadet Jdhn Radcliff to be Second Lieutenant ; Gentleman- Cadet Edward Vicars, to be ditto. Commissions signed by his Majesty's Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk. Norwich Light Horse Volunteers—Robert Riches, Gent. to be Cornet, vice Page, resigned. Blofield Troop of Yeomanry Cavalry--Thomas Tuck, jun. Gent. to be Cornet, vice Saul, resigned. WHITEHALL, APRIL 9, 1822. The King has been pleased to present the Rev. Hugh Pear son, Doctor in Divinity, to the Vicarage of St. Helen, in Abingdon, and the Chapels of Radley and Drayton, in the County of Berks, and Diocese of Salisbury, vacant by the re signation of the Rev. Charles Richard Sumner. BANKRUPTCIES ENLARGED. W. Reed, Little Queen-street, Holborn, oilman, from April 13 to April 20, at ten, at the Court of Commissioners. W. Dansey, Bristol, brewer, from March 30 to May 18, at eleven, at the White Hart Inn, Bristol. BANKRUPTS. W. Gratty and M. Moss, Liverpool, cordwainers, to surren; der April 26, 27, and May 21, at one, at the George Inn, Li verpool. Attornies, Messrs. Adlington, Gregory, and Faulk ner, Bedford-row, London ; and Messrs. Frodsham and Tay lor, Liverpool. W. Jeaffreson, Framlingham, Suffolk, apothecary, April 15, at six, 16, and May 21, at eleven, at the Crown Inn, Fram.. lingham. Attorney, Mr. Edwards, Framlingham. W. Penrith, Bath, draper, April 26, 27, at one, and May 21, at two, at the White Lion Inn, Briztol. Attornies, Mr. W. L. Clarke, Bristol ; and Messrs. Jenkins, James, and Abbott, New. Inn, London. D. liandforth, Manchester, victualler, May 1; 2, and 21, at nine, at the White Bear Inn, Manchester. Attornies, Messrs. Adlington, Gregory, and Faulkner, Bedford-row, London; and Mr. J. Morris, Manchester. W. May, Newbury, Berkshire, maltster, April 15, 22, and May 21, at ten, at the Peacock Inn, Reacting. Attornies, Messrs. Hamilton and Twining, Berwick-street, Soho, Lon don ; and Mr. T. Smith, Reading. W. Monnington, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, grocer, April 22, 23, and May 21, at one, at the Commercial Rooms, Bristol. Attornies, Mr. T. Evans, Hatton-ga r d e n, L on d on ; and Mr. J. K. Haberfield, Bristol. DIVIDENDS. April 30, T. Thompson, Camomile-street, merchant—May 11, J. Archer, Ware Park Mill, Ware, Hertfordshire, miller— May 7, E. Clulow, New Mills, Derbyshire, cotton-spinner_. April 30, W. Baker, Ticehurst, Sussex, blacksmith—April 30, J. Horsfall, Gildersome, Yorkshire, cloth-merchant—May 1, W. Harrison, Liverpool, spirit-dealer— April 18, T. Sar gent, Milbank-row, Westminster, timber-merchant—May 4, J. Clark, Commercial-place, Commercial-road, ship-owner-- May 9, H. Worthington and W. Rowlandson, Bolton-le- Moors, Lancashire, braziers—May 1, G. N. Breeton, Devizes, Wiltshire, coachmaker—May 8, J. Wolfe, Birmingham, merchant. CERTIFICATES—Arum 30. J. Stocker, Doncaster, tinman—T. Riley, Wednesbury, Staffordshire, carpenter—'W. Compton, Birmingham, linen. draper. _ _ PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. 0. Cross and L. Bryant, Bristol, bottled liquor-merchants —J. Medley and T. Pantry, Kingston-upon-Hull, ship-build ers—C. Cooper and J. Tyars, Oxford-street, Middlesex, linen drapers--C. and J. Campbell and Co., New York, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Kingston—W. and C. Phin, Edinburgh, ha berdashers—R. Rogers, sen. and R. Rogers, jun. Liverpool, pawn-brokers—J. Gross and Co. Woodb r id ge , Suffolk, linen drapers—M. and J. B. Hipwood, Wapping-wall, mast-makers —J. Fawshaw and W. Miles, Manchester, wood-turners—J. Jackson and Co. Manchester, m erc hants--J. Page and W. Wise Long-acre, Middlesex, pawn-br o k er —T. Sh eat h , sen. and do. Birmingham, braziers. A shocking murder was committed at Corsley, near Warminster, on Monday evening the 25th ult., on a poor man, John Randall, who was re turning home from his work at Mr. Taunton's mill. METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL. BY R. BANKS. PHILOSOPHICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER. Thermo meter. Weather. z I t ., A e ? ias d • A- • rt; • 0 0 inches April 1 40 65 37 30.35 Rain* Cloudy 2 42 51 40 .38 Fair Do, 3 43 54 42 .37 Do. Do, 4 46 55 44 .25 I Do. Do. 5 47 52 42 .05 Do. Fair 6 49 53 40 29.90 Fair Do. 74450 39 .93 I Cloudy Cloudy 8 142 50 33 35.04 .09 Raiiit, Fair 0 Uncertain, by an accident to the Gauge. 35.04 I an acc With 1 dent to COURSE OF EXCHANGE, A pr il 9 . - Amstet dam Ditto, at Sight l2 4 Rotterdam l4 8 Antwerp l2 3 . Elamburgh 37 3 2i I% Altona Paris, 3 Day's sight 25 40 0 Us,. Ditto Bourdeaux, ditto Frankfort on the :train Madrid Cadiz Bilboa 364 Etteetiva Barcelona Seville Gibraltar Leghorn Gel.s , a 54 -Venice, Ital. Lie. 27 60 Malta 45 -Naples 4O Palermo , Lisbon Oporto Rio Janeiro Dublin .. • • 9.4 Cork 94 pet Cent. BULLION. Portugal Gold, in Coin I .0 0 0 pti Ot Foreign Gold, in Bars 3 ,17 10i New Doubloons New Dollars 0 0 0 Silver in Bars, Standard 0 4 BIRTHS. On Monday, the Bth instant, at Lavender-sweep, Clapham common, Mrs. John Ravenhill, of a daughter. At Brighton, the 7th inst., the Lady of Robert Coffin, Esq., of a son. MARRIED. Yesterday, at St. Marylebone, by the Rev. Archdeacon Hes lop, D.D. John Francis Davis, Esq., of llirdhurst Lodge, near Croydon, to Emily, fourth daughter of the late Lieutenant- Colonel Humfrays, of the Bengal Engineers. Yesterday, the 9th inst., at Lewisham, Mr. Samuel Overall, of Lower Thames-street, to Mary, widow of the late Mr. Tho mas Wilson, of the same place. f/I DIED. On the 7th instant, in Gloucester-place, New-road, John Champain, Esq. late of the Bengal Civil Service. Yesterday, the 9th inst., in the 66th year of his age, Mr. Charles I% atts, of the Bank of England these 35 years past. On the 26th February, 0. S. aged 31, Ann Catherine Brux ner, wife of G. A. Bruxner, of St. Petersburgh. On the 19th ult., at Nancy, in Lorrain, Eupitemia, eldest daughter of Thomas Pinnock, Esq., in her 22d year. Early on Sunday morning, the 7th inst., found dead by his side, Sarah, the affectionate wife of Chas. James Coverly, Esq., of Bengal-house, Woodford, aged 60. Last week_, at Salehurst, 'Elder, Gent. awl shortly after, Mrs. M ilder, his wife • both were interred in the same grave,:horne to the grotmd by sixteen persons, each dveVed a white gabardine. ftinuld and Published for the PRORRIETOM, Me, NO. 112, Strand, by J. B. CAROTAIAS. dr P, it