The Sun.
London, England, 1819-10-11 00:00:00

SATURDAY, OCT. 9.

The Court opened this morning at half-past
'On o'clock. The room was immediateiy filled
t,11141, spectutois. Mr. Ashworth 1,,..1s not present.
The Jury having been called over, -
Mr. Harmer observed to the Coroner, thlt
there was a pet son naMed Daniel'Astley, 'wino
could. give evidence of a pistol having been fired
near the Qoakers' Chapel, on Ifillt August; Ire
wished to obtain a summons for his attendance.
Mr. Barrow said, the'Coroner had previously
tetused summonses for persons who were to give
similar testimony,
Mr. Hamer replied that several witnesses had
given evidence of having heard a pistol shot in
the direction alludtd to, and lie wished the Jury
to hear this witness, as he could state by whom
the shot was filed.

'!'i►e Coroner—Recollected mention baying been
made of a shot fired in Deansgate; he did not re-
member any other..

Air. Harmer answered, that Mr, Entwistle, Mr.
NAdin, and others, had mentioned that a
shot had been heard near the-Chapel ; if it could
be proved who fired that shot, it would form an
important featdre in the case.
Coroner—l have no objection to the man's
being examined ; won't lie attend without a sum-
mons ?

Mr. Harmer—l understand not, Sir.
The Coroner issued a summons, and a con-
stAbie wis dispatched to serve it.

Mr. Harmer called T. Hopkins, who being-
sworn, sans he was a plc we frame Hod looking-
glass manufacturer, residing in Bridge-street.
Mt. was about to examine this witness as to
Ihe orderly demeanour of this meeting, when he
teAs sropped by
The Coroner, if further evidence of this kind
were gone into there would be no end to the In-
got-sc.

Mr. Harmer said, he wished to prove the as-
sault by the military.
Coroner—You have already proved it, and it
has also been disproved. You say you have a
hundred more witnesses to the fact. On the other
side they say that they have hundreds to diSprove
that fact.
Mu. Ilarrrier—l challenge them to that disproof.
I ,vis toll that evidence would be brought to
prove that tSe military had been assaulted, .but
that I should afterwares have an opportunity.
of rt butting that evidence. Now, however, that
they have one through all their. evidence, I am,
prevented.

Coroner—All ! •
Barrow—No, no.
Corotier—Mr. Ashworth asked-if I would al-.
low itim to examine any more witnesses ; I de-
clined. though he said he had several others to
bring forward..
Mr. Harmer—l thought that they contented
themselves with the evidence of the constables.
Mr Barrow said, it teas necessary to the health
of the Court and the Jury, that some limit should
be pu; to the loquest. About 13 years since,
there was a case tried at Lancaster before the pre-
sent Lord Cbancellor of Ireland. It was a fitdiery
,case, it; which there. were 150 witnesses on one
side, and 120 oo the other. The judge said, that
'if such a number of persons were to be examined
to the same Isets, there would, be nu eud to the.
inquiry.; it would stop ell the other business of
the Court. His Lordship observed, that he was
ready to let the case proceed, provided the Coun-
sel on each side would select a certain number of
witnesses in support of their cases. Now, if in
this cese there -were to be 500 witnesses examined
on the opposite.side, he (Nlr. Barrow) had also a
considereble number to bring forward on his ;'
and this would protract the Inquest, which bad
a !ready lasted eight days, to an indefinite period.
He had dealt fairly; he had called but a very
small number of witnesses, and on the evidence
of those witnesses he was satisfied to rest his case.
But if other witnesses were called to prove the
good order of ,the meeting, he also would feel
himself• bound to call others also to prove the
contrary.
Mr. Harmer said, he was not moved from his
determination. The case cited was not anal,:-
goes, •inasmuch as there the Judge said, " if the
parties agree to select a certain number of wit-
nesses," shewing that lie himself had not the
power of compelling them to make such selection,
He pledged his memory that an agreement bad
been made, by which he (Mr. 11) was to call
evidence to rebut the testimouy of those who de-
Peseti to the Cavalry having been first assaulted
by the meeting.
The Coroner said, that if Mr. Harmer was not
satisfied with that part of his determination, he
would allow a fixes.' umber of addi6onal witnesses
to be called on each side, but he would not allow
the Inquest to be prolonged ad infinitum, fur the
amusement of Mr. Harmer or arty body else.
Mr. Harmer--I assure you, Sir, it is not the
slightest amusement to me.
' The Forethau of the Jury expressed a hope that
the Inquest would not be needlessly prolonged ;
several of the Jury were ill last night from their
long attendance.
Coroner7-Yet I was rather smartly observed
upon for clearing the Court yesterday, in order to
obtain air. Do you, Mr. Harmer; fix upon any
motlerate number of witnesses to be examined,
and a similar number shall be examined on the
other side.
Mr. Harmer—! will not enter into any cornpo•
skims which is against the law. If I am not al-
lowed to examine witnesses upon this, I must go
to some other paints or my case.
Coroner--Very well; I told you my determi-

; you have had plenty of time to collect
414(1 examine your wiinesses.
Mr. Harmer—l have tlium here.
A Jaryntan observed that there kid been tuffiii
dent evidence giVen alrrany.
he examination of witnesses was proceeded in.
111 my Kinkina(i, weaVer, examined by Mr.',
Harmer--1 was on the field at the Mt-cling of the
16,i). I saw Mr. Fletcher Bolton; hear the
lugs, with the constables.
Were the Constaille tt ha het(' been Sent to serve
the summons upon Daniel Astley, entered the,
Court.

Constable—Mr. Harmer, I have served thet
summons personally Upon Astley; but he says be
cannot attend.
Mr. Harmer—Very well, I move that this con.
stable be called in and sworn. [Constable sworn.]
Mr. Harmer—What answer did Astley give
when you served the summons upon him ?
Con•table—Lie said he could fiot attend.
1%4r. Harmer—Did he assign any reason for his
non.:•attendance ?
Constable—Yes ; he said, that if he gave evi-
dence, and that his noble was to appear in %the
papers, be would be, thrown out of bread and
ruined.
The Constable of the Court was then ordered
to call Daniel Astley at the door by proclamation.
The Constable returned and said that no one ai-
peered.
Mr. -Harmer—Very well ; let him take the
consequences.
WitnesS resumedl saw ( 01. Fletcher strike
several persons with A, staff; I saw the soldiers
striking with their swords. Colonel Fletcher
said, " be off from the field, or you will every one
be killed."
Cross-examined by Mr. Barrow---4 will not
swear that Malty pCISMIS did not stop near the
hustings, and would not go away. When Colonel
F. was striking the people, I was fleeing towards
Moseley-street, about 30 or 40 yards from the
hustings. I had my back upon the hustings : I
could see Colonel Fletcher, because I went past
lino ; I was on the coach which Mr. Hunt came
-in. When the Manchester Yeomanry had clear-
ed the hustings, 1 jumped from the coach, and
ran away. What Colonel F. had said to the
people before I passed him, 1 do not know. Mr.
F. is a Magistrate ; 1 was first ordered yesterday to
attend here. Mr. Baron, of Cocky Moor, or-
tiered me to come^. I first told it to Mr. Baron.
Mr. Baron is a statesman (meaning a person of
estate). I cannot. tell whether Colonel Fletcher.
was speaking violently or not. He struck some
people bet I do
.not know who they were. I can-
not say that those.'whom Mr.F. struck fell down.
They did not appear to me to be very ill hum.
He struck them with a staff ; I cannot say whe-
ther with a constable's staff or.a stick. He struck
persons who were .running " away. He struck
them over the back. I was not above half a ad-
mire in passing kim.' I was running as fast as
the crowd would allow me. ,There was a vacant
place, which was. cleared by the Manchester
Yeomanry; I cannot say how many he struck.,
He had his-eane.or staff in his hand. I know the
difference betwixt a cane and_a staff, but will not
swear which' it was. I will not swear whether
be struck one or two. I will swear I saw burn
strike one. I cannot swear lie was not advising
them to go away. .1 do not know whether that
was not his object. •
Examined by. Mr.. Farmer--I would not have
liked the blow trieselt. The vacant space had
been cleared by the cavalry. They had cleared it
by galloping over.it. When Mr. F. was speaking
in that manner lie had his staff or cane lined up
[showing how].
Examined by the Coroner—The Manchester
Yeomanry had reached the hustings when I went
from the carriage. •When. I saw Mr. Fletcher I
had proceeded 20 or 30 yards from the hustings.
The carriage was four or five yards from the bus.
.tin; s.-1 will swear Col. F. was not nearer the
hustings thau 24 yards. I did not know any
thing of John Lees. I cannot say Col. Fletcher
was alone. I did not see any other Gentleman
striking, hnt I know him particularly well. I saw
him strike one than upon the hack and shoulders.
The man fled from him in the way I did. I did
not know whether be followed ur not, he was
getting away.
By a Juryman—Do you koow Col. Fletcher ?
Witness—Yes, very well.
Mr. Harmer—l wish to call Mr. Buckley, who
was before examined, to a new fact. It appears,
that one of the cavalry has told him who it was
that fired the pistol.
Coroner—Where will this end, if witnesses who
have been examined are to be called a second
time.

Mr. Barrow,—Besides, if Mr. Buckley be called
to a new fact, I shall feel it my (Lily to cross-ex-
amine him upon the whole or his evidence.
Mr. Harmer—Undoubtedly, if you wish. I
believe Mr. Buckley was not cross•examined
br:fore.

Co.roncr—My only objection is, that it is *
procrasiinai;o9 of business of the Court.

I must here observe, that from the time of my
entering the Coon this morning I had openly
taken notes. I was so situated that I thonght
the Coroner must have seen me. The Coroner
at length called to me, and the following dia
lognc ensued :
Coroner—Uow long have you been taking
notes.?
Reporter—Since the opening of the Court this
morning.

Coroner--Do you not know I have directed
that no noles'sbould be taken

Reporter—l rook notes yesterday in your vies•,
and you did not prevent me. On one occasion I
perceived you looking at me, and I held up my
book, in order to ascertain if I had your permis-
sion. You did not say any thing. I concluded
you bad no objection to my taking notes
Coroner—What is your name ?
Reporter—l gave my name.
Coroner—You are here for Tl►e Times;
Reporter-1 am not, Sir.
Coroner [looking sharply at me]—l think

you are.
Reporter—l assure you, Sir, lam not:
Coroner—For what Paper, then, are you
%%ritiog ?
Reporter.—For The Alorain4 Chronicle.