The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-16 00:00:00

They passed me in the public road, and were 15 or 20
minutes in passing. I followed them to a public-house
called the Cotton Tree, which was at the end of my juris-
diction, I being sworn in for the township of Dukinfield
only. I saw another body corning in another direction with
torches; there was no noise. While standing at the Snipe
Tavern door a pistol was fired near me, and there was a
small laugh. Another was discharged close to my head, and
then there was a larger laugh. My whiskers on the right
side of my face were slightly singed. Was not alarmed,
but the constable who was with me was. I heard several
other pistol shots from time to time.
Cross-examined by Mr. STEPHENS—I did not see you
there. I have lived at Dukinfield about 19 years. I
believe you have lived there some years. I have heard
you speak before.
Mr. STEPHENS --Have you ever heard me speak against
the Monarchy ?
Witness—l have heard you speak language that had a
tendency to excite the people to burnings, &c. I don't
know that you have ever advised the people to do any wrong
act. I was not alarmed. I sent no person ,further with
the procession, having no authority to do so.
Re-examined by the ATTORNEY- GENERAL—I heard Mr.
Stephens on a former occasion at Ashton, speak about
burning down Bastiles. He said one had been burned
down at Wales, and I at the meeting contradicted him, and
said it was not true, and he said he believed it was.
William Tinker, examined by Mr. JERVIS—I am a
surgeon, residing at Clarendon place, Hyde. I was at
home on the evening of the 14th November last. I saw a
large number of persons coming towards my house about
eight o'clock. They came in the direction of Ridling-lane.
They passed my house towards Newtown. That would
lead to the Cotton Tree. There were about 1,000 in the
procession. They were walking in the middle of the road,
about three or, four abreast. They had torches and a band
of music. There were also banners. On one of them
there was, " For children and wife, we will war to the
knife." I afterwards saw another procession in about an
hour, coming horn the direction of Lane-head. They
passed the corner of Clarendon-place. They were going
or the direction where the meeting was subsequently held.
There were about fixe or six thousand altogether. They
had in all three bands of music, and a great many torches.
There were banners and transparencies carried in different
parts of the procession. I saw several caps carried upon i.o'es.
'They wore red caps. The second procession was walking
sor 6 abreast. 1 have lived in the neighbourhood nearly
20 years. There were very few (1 don't think even one)
whoni I knew in the procession. The road was com-
pletely filled. It was at that time quite dark. I heard
the report of a great many fire-arms at different intervals.
On one of the banners was—" He that bath no sword,
let him sell his garment and buy one." On another—
" Ashton demands Universal Suffrage, or Uuniversal Ven-
geance." On a third—" Remember the bloody deeds of
Peterloo." I think " Liberty" was inscribed on the red
caps. I saw also the motto—" Tyrants believe and trem-
ble." The procession passed on, and I went to the place
of meeting. There were hustings erected in a large open
space—there were several persons on the hustings, and
amongst others the defendant Mr. Stephens. He ad-
dressed the meeting, and opened by saying these words,
Banner knights, artillerymen, sharpshooters, and my
little powder monkies, I have good news for you. I have
attended several meetings this day, and the people are all
of your mind, and determined to have their rights." lie
said he had been at Bolton, and other places, the names
of which I don't recollect. That the authorities and
Magistrates of these places had waited upon the military
authorities, and requested the assistance of the military
on the occasion of a pubic meeting—that the officer had
answered, that if the civil power was notsufficient he must
then call upon him, and he should be ready to attend
with the military, but " I (said Mr. Stephens) had a
friend in the barracks, who assured me that, if the soldiers
had been called out there was not one of them that would
have acted." There were many shouts of applause during
the address of Mr. Stephens. He also recommended the
people to arm, and instanced that various clubs were
doing so. The Forresters' Club was one that he in-
stanced. That they were applying their burial funds
to the purchase of arms. I heard a person near me say to
another " Ah, that's the thing I put forward at our last
club night." Mr. Stephens also said a great many other
things I don't remember. He asked if they were ready,
and were they armed ? That was answered by two or
three shots in the middle of the meeting. He then said,
"Is that all ?" That was followed by a greater number
of shots. Upon that he said, " I see; it is all right, and
I wish you a good night." I heard other shots discharged
while other persons were speaking. The procession was
in my opinion calculated to excite alarm. I remained till
eleven or twelve o'clock, I left them there.
Cross-examined by Mr. Stephens—l believe there were
placards announcing the meeting. I don't recollect the
particulars, or whether they were called together on your
authority. There was a chairman, but you was not the
chairman. You took no part in the business of the meet-
ing, except to address the people. I am a surgeon under
the Factory Act. I have known you seven or eight years.
I often heard you preach. Once within doors and fre-
quently out of doors. I don't remember hearing you speak
against the Monarchy, or against the constitution of King,
Lords, and Commons. I don't remember hearing you
speak in its praise. I believe you capable of speaking "so
as to excite the people to deeds of violence and blood."
I heard you say that the right or title of the 'working
people to Mr. Howard's mill was written in letters of
blood in every brick and stone in that factory. More yet,
" He (Mr. Stephens) advised them to get a large carving
knife, which would do very well to cut a rasher of bacon,
or run the man through who opposed them."
" He knew what the old women liked he knew
what Englishmen liked. In one instance it was rum,
in the other it was beer, and in Mr. Howard's cellar they
would find them, and if there was not sufficient there they
could go to Brereton." I don't know the precise time
that this was said, but I know the place. I did not take
notes of the words, but I remember them perfectly. I
have given the beginning and end of your speech on the
night of the 14th November, but I don't recollect the
middle of it. I have no recollection of it, although I re-
member the beginning and conclusion distinctly. I know
its general tendency, but cannot recollect the words. I
did not take notes of that speech. I think I was called on
about two months ago to give evidence with reference to
that speech. My alarm did not prevent my continuing
at the meeting, although I did not feel very easy. I at-
tended from curiosity and for my ovvn information. If I
thought it would have been of any use I should have
given information at once to the Magistrates, but I did not
think the Magistrates would interfere. T believe you said
You bad been at Bolton on that day. I will not swear it
positively. I recollected all that you stated from No.
vember up to two months ago, when for the first time I
stated it to the Magistrates.
[Mr. Stephen then read an extract from a speech at-
tributed to him, and quoted by Lord Brougham in the
House of Lords, and asked the witness to give it, or the
substance of it, to the Court.]
Witness—lt is impossible to do it. It would be folly
to attempt to do it.
Re-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The speech
about Mr. Howard's mill was made at Hoverley Brow, about
100 yards behind myhouse, and about 400 yards from Mr.
Howard's mill. It was in a place where Mr. Stephens
was in the habit of preaching. Howard's mill is a very
extensive place. He employs 800 hands. Mr. Stephens
lives at Dukinfield, about two miles from Ashton. Mr.
Howard resides at Brereton, about 25 miles from Ashton,
where he has a large estate,
Joshua Pickford, examined by Mr. WELSBY.—Is a
cotton manufacturer at Hyde. Was at home on the 14th
of November last ; between nine and ten o'clock at night
heard a noise and music in the Street. In consequence
of inquiries he made, afterwards went to Shepley's Field,
near Hoverley Brow. Found many persons there, and a
platform erected and persons on it; the people surrounded
the platform ; the defendant was on it. Saw some ban-
ners planted irr a half circle round the front of the hust-
ings. About 3,000 to 4,000 people perhaps were within
that half circle ; many more were outside. Some torches
were on the hustings, and some within the banners. Saw
three or four transparencies; on one saw in large letters
the word " Blood ;" there were other smaller letters, which
witness could not read. Heard Stephens speak. He said
he had been addressing the people of Wigan and Leigh
the day before, and that the people of those places sym-
pathized with the meeting, and would go with them.
Witness also understood Stephens to say that the soldiers
had been ordered out, and were in readiness at one of
the places, " but," defendant said, " you need not be afraid
of the soldiers, they will not act against you." Defendant
said something about the officers, which witness could not
bear. He then said " the time has gone by for petition-
ing and remonstrating, and the time has now come for
acting," but witness won't be positive as to the last word.
He then said he had been advising the people of Wigan
and Leigh to arm, and that there should be no mis-
take there that night, for he should advise them to
arm. He said then " You men, women, and (address-
ing the children) you my little powder monkeys,'
You that mean to buy arms, put up your hands with me,"
and Stephens then put up his hands, and some hundreds
in the meeting put up theirs. There was a general shout-
ing and firing of arms. Don't particularly recollect any
other part of Stephens' address. Did not see the fire-
arms. Stayed there till half-past ten, and left the meeting
there. After going home, witness remained up till one
o'clock, but went out at intervals from eleven till one.
After twelve heard music playing, as if the meeting were
then dispersing. Stephens told them to procure "guns,
pistols, swards, or pikes, or anything that would tell sharper
tales than their tongues." The meeting was undoubtedly
of a character to alarm the neighbourhood, but as an in-
dividual he did not feel alarmed that night. His wife and
children were much alarmed, and his wife stayed up till all
was quiet. Has lived in Hyde nineteen years. A great
many of the crowd were strangers to Hyde. Only saw
about half a dozen whom he knew.
Cross-examined by defendant—Has been a cotton
manufacturer two years. Was previously engaged in Mr.
John Howard's factory, of which, with Mr. Josiah Mer-
rick, witness is now part proprietor. Has known defend-
ant about five or six years. Became acquainted with him
by seeing him pass through Hyde. Defendant went to
the house of Mr. Howard very often, and was a frequent
guest at his house. Defendant has regularly preached at
Hyde. Knows that defendant has taken part in the
factory question from hearsay. Has been told that
defendant has had occasion to speak of witness
in connection with that subject. Complaints might have
been made against his factory. Don't know they were
made by defendant. Might have heard it said, but if he
believed all he heard he should believe a deal. Witness
was at the meeting at Hyde all the time Stephens spoke.
He spoke half an hour or twenty minutes. Distinctly
recollects what he has told the Court. Don't remember
anything else distinctly. Those were matters that struck
him the most. Took no notes, and gave no information.
Thinks it was about a month after the meeting that wit-
ness was called on, at the instance of the Magistrates, to
give information. Was not himself alarmed at all at the
meeting.
examined by the ATTORNEY-GaNERAL
Howard,
Charles
I men
ndien
iatn. and
My
ayv ed millg ther e
house.
elmapmloya
fmreamnu6faocotutreer6saot
is very near to the mill, in a
place
The hustings were erected at le s s ati a calledgut e
rHeyfd Hyde-lens.
ne.
mile
from my house, in the night of the 14th November. I