The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-07 00:00:00

derly. They called loud enough that they were going
for the prisoners. I was two or three yards from them
then. Heard them call out twice at least. There were
only a few voices called it out, but so loud that persons
might hear it a good way.
By the Foreman—As these men came down Stow-hill
they cheered. It was after they called about the pri-
soners. Did not hear any noise as they come down Stow-
bill. Could see the whole of the front of the Westgate
where I stood. The shutters were closed, all the lower
shutters, and I could see no soldiers. I did not know
there were soldiers in the Westgate.
Benjamin Gould examined by Sir F. Pollock—l live at
Newport. I have been there for fifteen years. Am a
painter and glazier. Was there on the 4th of November.
Was asked to go to the Westgate, as a constable. Was
then a borough constable, and was asked to go as such
constable ; and I then went there about twenty minutes
before the firing commenced. I was provided with a
constable's staff. I was at the front door. I went there,
but I was not put there. Others were there with me.
Saw persons come round from Stow-hill, with arms. Some
of them came forward (two men) to the steps leading into
the Westgate. They went np some of the steps. Mr.
Hopkins, the superintendent of police, was at the door,
and asked them what was it they wanted? The answer
given was, " We want our prisoners." Then there was
a sort of groan made behind me from some of the
special constables. The man who said, " We want
our prisoners," had a stick in his hand, with a piece
of iron at the end of it. It was about six feet long
altogether. A hand was reached out to take this spear
or stick by one of the special constables inside the
Westgate. There was a general rush into the Westgate,
and the special constables went away. I went to the
back, and next I heard firing. That was in the conrie of
about a second or two after the rush, just as I got into the
back way. I was constable in May last. I was so at the
time I was apprehended. There was a great collection of
persons in the streets at the time, and much angry feeling
between the people and the constables. Frost went out on
the leads in front of his shop, and addressed the people to
be peaceable in the name of God, and to go to their homes,
and not to molest the special constables. I have heard
him give similar advice on other occasions more than once.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Ludlow—lt is about
twelve months before the 4th of November that I heard
Mr. Frost last give this peaceable advice. I have been a
constable twelve months. I was applied to about eight in
the morning of the 4th of November to go to the West-
gate as a constable, by my employer, Mr. Francis Camden,
master glazier and painter. Knew that the Magistrates
were at the Westgate. Did not know that till seven in
the morning; that is, did not hear that there was a
body of men coming down from the hills till then. I heard
it from the people in the streets. Most of the shops were
shut. Did not know that the Magistrates were assembled
at the Westgate till half-past eight. Was at my employer's
house, which is just by Stow-hill, at seven o'clock, and re-
mained there till half-past eight, when I went to the West-
gate. Knew the soldiers were usually at the poor-house.
Did not see any of them form in the front of the Westgate
that morning. Did not know any soldiers were there t ill
the firing took place. When I stood in front of the door,
could not see the yard gates. Hopkins was in the
passage near to the front door when the men came up.
Don't know John Waters. Knows Mr. Richard Waters,
attorney, of Newport, by sight. Did not see him there
as a special constable. Did not see Mr. Latch there as a
special constable. Did not see Mr. Frost any part of that
morning. When I last saw Mr. Frost at Newport, it was
about four months previously. Am not a member of a
Chartist Lodge or Working Men's Association. About 18
months ago I attended a Chartist meeting at Devonshire..
house. That is the only time. The man who held the pike,
which was attempted to be seized, held it upright. No
offence took place till the special constables began the
offence. The people were very quiet and peaceable till
the special constables began the offence. One said, " We
want our prisoners," in a low voice, like a man asking a
cool question. About as low as you speak now, or as I do
—[ Witness spoke very audibly.] The butt of the pikes
rested on the ground, and nothing was done to create any
disturbance before the special constable seized the pike,
but the groan from inside the door which immediately
preceded it. Then followed the rush, and the special
constables ran ;salty. The special constables made more
noise than any one else. Did not hear any one of them
call out, " No, never." The sort of noise they made
was rushing towards the back door, as if the roof of the
house was falling. Did not see any mob rush in; there
were two men at the door. The rush was the rush of
the special constables to the back door. The persons
behind the two men, who came up to ask this ques-
tion, might be about six yards behind them—from six
to ten yards, more or less. I believe it was as much as
six yards. Don't know who the persons were. Can't
swear that either of them had a gun. Did not see the
two men move from the spot after they spoke. They
might have stoodi two or three minutes by themselves six
yards before the others, during which I heard nothing but
the question and the groan, and heard no answer made. I
heard there were prisoners in the Westgate when I first
went there at half-past eight, and that they were prisoners
taken early in the morning. Only knew that by being
told. When the special constables ran away I ran
away. I saw nothing to threaten or molest them before
that time. I was before the greater part of the special
constables. I do not think any were before me. I was
quite in front. If any offence or violence had been used by
those persons before us I must have seen it. There was
no violence or threat. Did not sec these two persons, or
any of those behind, come into the house. I went away to
the backyard when the special constables went away.
When they did so, their superiors, some of them, ran
away. I followed. I thought they might be going
to do some good somewhere else. Mean by that they
might be wanted elsewhere. Thought it my duty to fol-
low them. Went for that purpose, without knowing where
they were going. I heard the firing when I got into the
yard. I went away then. It did not occur to me that I might
be of any use where firing was with a stick. I saw Mr.
Hopkins, the superintendent of police, run away, and I
this ight it might duty to run after him to assist. I went home
to my wife and family to see if they were safe. I did
not follow Hopkins. I thought I had a right to protect
them. Know a permits named Oliver. Did not see him
there. Know O'Dwyer by sight. Did not see him
there. Saw Scard there ; that I know. ' Do not remem-
ber at the door or in the passage any person in Newport
I knew ; had they been at the door in front I must have seen
them. I did not see the persons you have mentioned there.
They might have been behind. I cannot say they were not
there. Can't bring to my recollection the names of any
of the special constables I saw there. When Frost recom-
mended the people to be quiet on a former occasion, did
not hear him tell the people to be quiet, " for the time was
not yet come." Did not hear all he said, but, to the be ge
of my knowledge, I did net hear him say that, or any words
to that effect. Stayed at home after that. Except from
hearing the firing, I don't .of my own knowledge know of
any breach of the peace that day, nor of any fault in the
special constables.
Re-examined—l may be about six feet from that gentle-
man who has been putting the questions (that was about
the distance.)
Sir F. Pollock—You have been asked about time as
well as distance. How long has the gentlemen been put-
ting these questions ?
Mr. Sergeant Ludlow—As long as I pleased.
Sir F. Pollock—Of course you have.
Witness—l can scarcely tell how long. Time goes
lightly with me. I was at the right hand side.
The door opens on the right side of the West-
gate. There might have been forty or fifty per.
sons in the passage when I was there. This was about
nine o'clock. They all crowded to the passage to
see the mob coming. They did so more out of curiosity

The Reverend James Coles examined by Mr. Kelly—l
am one of the Magistrates for the town of Newport. I
reside within six miles of Newport, on the Cardiff-road.
I am aware that Vincent was sentenced at last summer
assize. lam not aware that any person but Mr. Frost
interested himself for change of his treatment in prison.
Mr. Frost addressed me on the subject. It was in October
last that he directed the letter to me. I have not the
letter here. I was not requested to produce it here. The
letter was inserted in the newspaper, not by my
directions.—( A paper was here handed witness, contain-
ing a copy of the letter, which he was ordered to read to
himself. )—He said I have no doubt that is the letter.
The letter referred to an application made on behalf of
Vincent to obtain an amelioration of his treatment in gaol.
Examination continued—l know not 'whether an altera-
tion was made in his treatment after that. lam not a
Visiting Magistrate.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General--I am not a
Visiting Magistrate. I know nothing of the relaxation of
discipline of the prison.
Abraham C. Hanbury Leigh, Esq., examined by Sir F.
Pollock---I am the Lord-Lieutenant of the county. An
application was made to me by Mr. Frost on the part of
Vincent. I have that.letter,

[The letter was here put in and read, and was to the
same effect as that alluded to is the Rev. Mr. Coles's
examination, with the exception that it stated that a pe-
tition on behalf of the prisoners was getting up, and prayed
that Mr. Leigh would use his authority as Lord-Lieu-
tenant to prevent a relaxation of the treatment.]
Examination resumed—l cannot say that any alteration
was made in eonsequence of it. I made no application for
their comfort.

Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—l am not a
Visiting Magistrate. lam not aware that any alteration
has been made in his treatment.

Mr. Edward Thomas examined by Mr. Kelly—.l am a
draper, residing at Newport for eight years. Letters for
Birmingham from Newport go by Bristol, and thence to
Birmingham. lam not aware of any mail-coach to
Birmingham. Yy correspondence does not enable me to
show whether le .ters by mail to Bristol pass Newport
about ten o'clock ill the day. It goes through the old
passage. The mail coach does not pass over the pas-
sage. I get into another mail coach when I got to
the passage. The passengers and letters pass the
ferry in a boat, and another boat conveys them
to Bristol. At present it arrives about four or
five o'clock at Bristol. I never went north from
Bristol. Ido not know how or when the letters go.
have known Mr. Frost about eighteen years. I have had
opportunities of witnessing his public and private conduct.
I believe he is not a person likely to subvert the State or
Government from all I could observe. His character is
truly benevolent. He always supported the character of
benevolence and kindness among his neighbours.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—l am a Char-
tist. I entertained the opinion about ten months. lam
not a member of a lodge. I have not been a member
since the 22d of July. I have attended a Chartist lodge
in Newport. I have attended Chartist meetings; I bad
attended one at Blackwood, in June, at the Coach and
Horses. Mr. Frost was present at the meeting. I at-
landed one at twelve o'clock in the open air. It lasted one
hour. On the last occasion the meeting was held in the
open air beetween:six and seven o'clock in the evening. We
were addressed from the window. I don'i, recollect attend-
ing meetings before day-break, nor do I know of any. The
meetings are generally held when the people are out of
bed. I knew notbirg about the Newport meeting on
the 4th of November. I interested myselt for Vin-
cent. I was not aware that a me.ting was to be
held on the 4th of November in favour of Vincent.
It is usual for the working men to hold meetings on
Sunday. Public meetings are generally announced by pla-
card. I had my power for conveying thal on the 4th
The mail-boy passes the Passage, although the coach does
not. So do letters from South Wales to Ireland.

Examination resumed by Mr. Kelly—l don't know the
distance of Birmingham from Bristol.
Mr. Alfred Williams sworn and examined—l am the
proprietor of the Tredegar Arms, Newport. I have lived
there eleven years. I have known Mr. Frost for eleven
years. During that time his character for humanity has
been good so far as I know of him.
William Townsend,.examined by Mr. Kelly—l am an
iron merchant at Newport. I have known Mr. Frost more
than twenty years. During that time his character has
been good—none better that I know of. I have not of
late years corresponded with people on business. I don't
know what time the mail goes from Newport to Birming-
ham. I suppose that a letter put in the
,Newport office
would, go by Bristol to Birmingham.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Wilde—l do not know
that the mail from Bristol gets into Birmingham at mid-
night. My son was convicted with Mr. Vincent at the
last Summer Assize:. I never said that the Charter should
be the law of the land by force, if by no other means. I
never said that Mr. Vincent should not be committed if I
was well at that time. My feelings for a moment were
excited, but I never said so. I did not say that if I was
sufficiently well neither my son nor Vincent should be
committed.

Sir B. Hall, Bart., examined by Sir F. Pollock—l first
knew Mr. Frost in 1831. I had frequent communications
with him, and I saw him frequently from that time to 1834.
He rendered me assistance during my canvass. From that
period I first knew him to the last period when my connec-
tion with him ceased;; I never knew anything of him but
what was very good. I believe letters from Newport go
by Bristol to Birmingham. The mail is changed at Pas-
sage and then at Bristol.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—The last
time I had any correspondence with Mr. Frost was while
the petition against my return in 1825 was pending.
The Court rose at six o'clock. After the examination
of one or two witnesses to-morrow (Tuesday) Mr. Kelly
will sum up. Such he stated to the Court to be his in.
tention.

The Duke of Portland arrived in town, last
week, horn Welbeck Priory, Nottinghamshire.