The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-20 00:00:00

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS.

ASHTON, JAN. 18.—The prisoners Paxton, Rowbotham,
and Irving, and another, Joseph Mowcroas, since arrested
at Oldham, were this day brought up for examination
before Messrs. Jowett, Lord, and Wright, Magistrates of
Ashton-under- Line.

Mr. Alcock, superintendent of police, stated, that the
four prisoners now before the bench were apprehended
under warrants, charging them with having on the 30th of
October, with other sawyers of Manchester, conspired to
injure and oppress the master sawyers, of Ashton in their
trade.

Benjamin Goldthorp being called, said that he was a
n aster sawyer ; that early in the month of October his
hands had turned out. Garland (the man murdered) was
one of those whom he afterwards got to work for him,
and he continued with him up to the 31st of October. He
frequently saw the turnouts
.passing his timber-yard, in
bodies of from four to twelve. He saw none of the pri-
soners now before the bench amongst them, but Mowcross
was one of a deputation appointed to meet the master
sawyers.
Peter Keogh said that he was a sawyer, working for Mr.
Cowley, of Ashton. He had worked for him seven or
eight weeks, and lived in Manchester. On the 31st of
October he want there with his brother, Patrick Keogh,
and his nephew, James Keogh, John Harvey, and Tlioinaa
Garland. They were on their way from Ashton to Man-
chester, when they were met, between tile hours of four
and five o'clock, about a quarter of a mile from the Ash-
ton Church, by from 12 to 15 men coming from Manches-
ter, and who commenced beating them with bludgeons,
because they were not members of the union.
Cross-examined by Mr. Foulkes—l could only recog-
nize one man, named Roberts. He stepped up, and
struck my brother on the left eye. I interfered, and
prevented him. What took place after I cannot tell. I
thought it best to make my escape. A man followed
me. He struck me with a "bludgeon. I don't know him
now I saw only one stick. Garland was mortally
a 0 n led. The men with me were sawyers not in ti e
union. I know the man who struck my brother, and no
other. He was the man who came into Stone% yard.
His name is Thomaa Roberts. I have known him for
five years back. There was light enough for me to
see half an hour after this took place. I have seen three
of the prisoners before, but they were not present. I hare
always bad a great esteem for them, and they for me. I
mean Rowbotham, Paxton, and Irving. Ido not know
the other man, Ido not know that they belong to the
union. I had not time to recognise any of the partici', on
the loads, but believe the prisoners were not there.
Thomas Butterfield said he lived in Manchester, and
was a sawyer. He worked for Mrs. Horner, of Manches-
ter, who was a cabinct-maker and timber-merchant. lie
was top-sawyer, and Patrick Lenand was his partner.
They were not in the union, and had not been for four or
five years back. On the 31st of October they were at
work, and at seven o'clock in the evening two men came
to them and said, Patrick Lenand must go to the Smith-
field Tavern, as he was wanted there. Ile went on to
state other particulars, involving coercion and com-
bination. When his examination in chief, and cross.
examination was brought to an end,

---Mr. Foulkes, the professional advocate of the prisoners,
addressed the Pctanhgceah, in6astind h tineoGenot,regnail,ed that his
infringed ;
tly.rsche.
47ianrts had
di6,h,:,
common laws of
for,the land,
held that tehiet breyr proceedings came indisputably within the
re,ofgpised limits of the law. Every man had a right to es-
timato his own scryices, without certainly resorting lo
lance, a d suCII was not the errand of the prisoners. ppon
the very evidence of fiutteriii2Ja they were entitled tq an
acquittal, for, according to his own showing, whit the de-
leuates were sent to do, they were instructed to do it