Star.
London, England, 1819-10-02 00:00:00

valry had quitted and the hustings. Perhaps forty;
yards from the hustings.
The CORONER objected to the evidence of the wit-
ness as not applying to the case.
Mr. HARMER-. 1 did not think, Sir, that there was
any necessity for me to repeat the law. I now say
distinctly, that all persons present, and aiding and
abetting, are equally criminal--equally liable to the
consequences ofintruding themselves into a peaceable
Meeting and causing death, with any individual who
might be identified as the perpetrator of the crime.
Mr. AsuwdaTn—l dispute this doctrine, and I
could cite authorities, but I will not fill your already
crowded Court with law-books. I insist, Sir, that
distinct acts against the person of John Lees must be
proved against each individual here to be accused,
and I reiterate, that evidence of the nature now offered
does not apply, and before you receive it that you
must have some person identified. I deprecate the
mention of the name of any individual who was not
in some way accessary to the death of John Lees.—
My blood curdles at the idea of any one being held
up to the indignation of the populace. This is a mere
wanton attack, from first to last, the motives of which
are to agitate the public mind at a period when it is
desirable that every thing should be buried in obli-
vion, and all effervescence subside. There is another
object in view—to set one class against another, and
that to answer particular purposes. I hope, Sir, that
you will not countenance such conduct, by receiving
this evidence, nor any that does not charge some
person, by name or description, with inflicting wounds
or bruises on the deceased ; at all events, malice must
be shewn on the part of those whom I understand to
be accused, and for whom I attend here to-day.
Mr. HARStRRI agree, Sir, with the Gentleman, '
that I must shew either that persons named must be
identified as inflicting the blows, or, as present, aid-
ing and abetting, but I deny that any thing further
is required. When the Gentleman asserts that no in-
dividual is implicated in the death of the unfortunate
subject of this inquiry, who did not actually commit
violence upon him, does he make that assertion as
law? Will he give such an opinion in writing? or
can he produce a single authority to that effect ?
The witness has identified one man. It is for the
Jury to decide upon this evidence. When the Learn-
ed Gentleman first addressed you, Sir, he stated
himself and his employers to be anxious that truth
should be elicited, and the fullest investigation take
place,, tor the satisfaction of the Public. How does
he prove this? Strange to say, by requesting that
you should suppress what is most material. In a case
like this, we can only arrive at the truth by patient
research. The Gentleman has stated, that his blood
curdles in his veins at the idea of any individual
being named. He was on the field, like the witness,
and I ask him—Did his blood curdle then ?—[This
was said with tremendous emphasis, and produced a
strong expression of feeling.)—ls it possible that this
Gentleman's sensibility sympathizes only with the cri-
minal, and is indifferent to the victims of criminality ?
'The generosity, let me tell him, is singular and irre-
concileable with justice, that would recommend obli-
vion to oppression and refuse, relief to the oppressed.
Such a feeling is inconsistent with universal huma-
nity, and peculiarly repugnant to British law. I
repeat that this is proper evidence, and I am right
in insisting upon its going to the Jury. As to sikhce
prepense it will be shewn most satisfactorily, and
among other means by the fact of the swords of the
Yeomanry being sharpened some days previous to
the Meeting. The Gentleman, who in the first in-
stance stated himself to attend here fox the town of
Manchester, and now professes himself the advocate
of persons likely to be accused, has attacked my mo-
tives. They are as proper as his own, whatever those
may bet and I should ill discharge my duty were I
to act otherwise than I do.

CORONER.—Mr. Harmer, I do not think Mr. Ro.
binson's evidence applicable, because he does not say
that he saw the. blow. He does not say that he saw
him trampled upon. Mr. HARMER—Sir, it is for
theJui y to decide upon .the nature of the evidence.
.Mr. Robinson examined by Mr. HARMER.—I saw
nothing but when I was upon the field. Previous to
the military coming there I saw no tumult among the
people. If I bad I should have gone home instantly.
Every thing was peaceable and the people appeared
well disposed.
Cross-examined by Mr. Asnwoanr.—l saw some
flags, one of them dark coloured ; I perceived no in-
scription upon it, for it was at some distance from
me; there were. some Caps of Liberty, but I cannot
say how many. I was on the ground from 30 to 40
minutes before the Cavalry came to the field. There
was a large body of people already assembled when
I first went there. I cannot swear that there was no
Proclamation, but I heard of none. There was A
shout set up about the time when Mr. Hunt ap-
proached ; but I heard none subsequently, of any mo-
ment, to the best of my recollection. Ido not know
whether the Yeomanry were two or three abreast or
more; I conceive their advance was a charge. When
they had got about half way to the hustings there
was some confusion. The line was not so perfect as
when they started. Ido not think they stopped ; I
do not know what created the confusion ; if stones,
had been thrown I think I should have seen them ;
but I certainly did not. Mr. Hunt was upon the
hustings when the Cavalry moved, and was there
when they cut at the banners; I saw the Yeomanry
pursuing men and boys along Cooper-street after Mr.
Hunt had been taken from the hustings.

Samuel Davenport, of Manchester, engraver.
The CORONER was proceeding to question him in
the absence of the Jury and before he was sworn, to
which Mr. HARMER objected.
I did not know John Lees, but saw violence corn-
mitted„which may, probably, have been upon him.'
I saw Mr. Birley and the Trumpeter.
The CORONER stopped the witness.
Witness.—l saw Mr. Birley and the Trumpeter
cut with their sabres.
CotioNEß.—You shall not'go on.
Mr. HARMER.—I insist upon the witness's words
going to the Jury, for they ought to be. in possession
of such facts.
cosoNEL.—Mr. Harmer, I will tell you, and I
know it, that you act as a fugle-man to the witnesses.
Mr. HARNIzu, in reply to a speech from Mr. Ash-
worth—l wish the evidence of the witness to go to
the Jtiry, and merely that. I do not know what he
has to say, and I wish the Coroner to take this testi-
inony, as he has done that of others.
1 Mr. Asnworrit—As I remembei to have heard

said, oh one occasion, the judge Will do What the
Judge thinks proper.
• Witness continued—l saw one man cut near the
hustings, both on the arm and the head ; I do not
know which arm ; I was forty yards from him. Mr.
Hunt was speaking on the hustings at the time. I
did not see Mr. Hunt taken. I saw them cut at him ;
I. am certain he must have received a wound from
the manner they cut at him ; I am certain lie was
wounded. I did not see the first man after he wai
wounded ; he was wounded on the top part of the
arm, one wound inside, and the other on the out-
side of it; he had a cut on the outside of his head.
I could not see how he was dressed. Is don't know
what became of him after he was struck and fell ; I
did not see that his coat and hat were cut. There
were many hundreds of the populace betwixt him
and me, and some Cavalry; I saw the man fall.—
Mr. Birley, of the Manchester Yeomanry, was the
person who cut him. I remained there afterwards
about ten minutes. I saw a number besides cut and
fall upon the ground. I was standing at the time
four doors from the Windmill: I don't know whom
I saw cut. I saw them cutting a little from the hus-
tings towards Peter-street. I saw a second man cut
at by the trumpeter, but do not know wirethyr he was
wounded. I cannot speak to the dress of this man.
I was about forty yards from the hustings. the nearest
part, during this time. I saw nearly all the Yeo-
manry Cavalry cutting at the people on all sides.
From the manner is which the Cavalry behaved, and
cutting so furiously, I am confident that many must
have been wounded. I saw, as I before said, one cut
twice, between the wrist and the elbow, afterwards
on the shoulder, and then he fell down. There were

'several wounded, but I cannot identify them.
Witness, examined by Mr. HARMER.—.-I identify
two persons that were cutting. I saw a great deal of
blood on the field atter the Meeting, near the Hust-
ings. At the time I saw these cut 1 saw several others
of the Yeomanry using their swords, cutting at the
people. Previous to the military coming in I was
there about an hour.

CottoNza —I will not allow any further questions
of this sort, until John Lees he identified.

Mr. HARMER.—It is not for me or you to decide,
but the Jury, what evidence is necessary.
CORONER.—I will determine what evidence shall
be allowed or disallowed.

Mr. HARMER.—The evidence to which the Jury
is entitled, is to refer to the conduct and legality of
the Meeting, because upon that may depend whe-
ther John Lees was or was not murdered.

Mr. .Ashworth here interfered, but the Coroner
would not allow him to proceed.
Mr. HARMER put a question upon the Riot Act,
but the Coroner said he would not allow any farther
evidence of that nature, until John Lees was identi-
fied. Enough of evidence had been adduced already
as to the reading of the Riot Act, and the conduct
of the Meeting.
The FOREMAN said—That Me Jury were already
fully satisfied from the evidence, that there was no riot
or tumult; that the Meeting was peaceabli; and that
the Riot Act was not read.

Mr. HARMER.—Let it be distinctly understood,
that if any evidence be adduced to contradict that
which has satisfied the minds of the Jury, I shall be
allosved to offer faither evidence in confirmation.
The Coroner assented.

Mr. HAamaa.—l have now, Sir, to produce evi-
dence of the identity of several Yeomanry who were
active, for GOD forbid that I should attempt to im-
plicate those who were passive. I also propose to
bring forward Mr. Richardson, the cutler, who sharp-
ened the swords of the Yeomanry, in order to shew
the animus with which they acted. I assert, and I
am prepared to support my assertion, that every
man proved to have cut was a principal in the corn-
mission of murder.

The CORONER stated that he should now adjourn
the Court, and—
Mr. DENISON applied for some summonses.
After an observation from the CORONER, Mr. DE-

NISON stated that the object in summoning Serjeant
Gregson, was to obtain a Muster Roll of the Corps,
which was told over by him on the 16th of August.
CORONER—I shall object to the evidence of any
man who may turn out to be a party in the alleged
attack upon the people.
Mr. HARMER-I shall adduce many witnesses who
have been wounded on the 16th.
Mr. ASHWORTH-it was intended that I should
have attended the Inquest from the outset, but I was
prevented by other business; and I now apply to
you, Mr. Coroner, to adjourn till Saturday, on that
day and Monday 1 can attend ; and I believe the
matter will then have an end.
CORONER-It is extremely inconvenient for me to
attend, but I wish to accomplish the ends ofjustice.
Mr.- HARMER expressed his wish that the business
should proceed without further delay, but at length
acquiesced in the wish of the Coroner and Mr. Ash-
worth ; and the Court adjourned till Saturday, after
the Jury had expressed some dissatisfaction at the
adjournment.

A Meeting of the Common-Hall of Rochester was
to be held yesterday, under the sanction of the
MAYOR, to consider of the late transactions at Man-
chester. A Meeting of the Town of Lewes is also
announced for Monday next; and the subject of a
Requisition for Staffordshire is said to be on the tapis.
The MAYOR of Coventry has declined complying
with the Requisition presented to him for a Public
Meeting on the Manchester transactions, but we un-
derstand the Requisitionists are determined to call
one on their own responsibility.
MANCHESTER SUBSCRIPTION.—Last night a Meet-
ing of the Inhabitants of the Borough took place at
the Three Tuns Inn, High-street, Sir Roeumr Wtt.-
sou in the Chair, to adopt proper measures for car-
rying the Resolutions of the late General Meeting
into effect. The CHAIRMAN and several Gentlemen
addressed the Meeting. It was finally agreed that
Subscriptions should be opened, on as extensive a
scale as possible, and the promotion of Pari,h•Meet-
ings was strongly urged.
The Female Reformers at Manchester, as a contra-
distinction to the male white hats, wear mob caps!

The good effects of an advance of wages to the
Leicestershire Fame-work Knitters, is strikingly ma-
nifest at Burbage. Some weeks ago the amount paid
weekly to the poor was from 00 to £4O. The sum
imw paid is only about £5 per week.