Star.
London, England, 1819-11-26 00:00:00

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timent of those present at York, in saying, that there is en cause
for suspectietany disposition of the people of this Riding, to
torhalerce or commotion : if :here be any discontent in their
minds, it has nothing to do with constitutional considerations,
but arises out of the improvcmeuts in the art of manufacture,
which diminishes the calls for their exertions and industry, and
has become to them a refl afllicrieg grievance.
I add, likewise, as the prevalent, and, I believe, universal nisi-
nion of the Gentlemen I met at York, that no step that could in
. --sny.way convey a suspicion or jealousy of the Pt:ople's views and
wisfies',•atould be adopted ; but that, on the contrary, we shwald
prove to them, by our own demeanour, our opinion of their
. good disposition, and our confidence in their good conduct. I
lia7e the honour to be, my Lend, yoUr 'Lordship's most obe-
dient, .kc. WF,WTWORTII FITZWILLIAM.
Itk.coont St. motrit, &c.
11. A Le;ter from Stoclaport, announcing the Assassination
of Birch the Constable, dated :.24th July.
12. A Letter of sth August, from Mr. Norris to. Lotd Sid-
ftinuth, int-losing, VS, a' copy of Advertisement calling a Re-
form Meeting for 9th August j. and, 14, a copy of Requisition.
• 15, 16, t 7, A Letter from John Ravald to Henry
(lilted Augur i r ; and Informatioos taken against George Green-
haigh and onion; and examinations thereon. These relate to
the Drilling of men on Cockney Moor.
19. A letter of loth August, from Mr. Crossley, a Lanca-
shire Magistrate, to Lord Sidmouth, relating to secret Night
Drillings near Rochdale and Tandle
19. F.xaniinations taken thereon. •
- 20. Letter front Mr. Fletcher, a Lancashire Magistrate, to
Lord Sid;nouth, of tOth August, relating also to Military Train-
. ing, at a place between Bury and Bolton. Some of the persons
were apprehended, and " one of the persons confessed that he
had imbibed his reforming notions from the Manchester Obscener;
which, it seems, he was in the habit of reading for the infor-
mation of his neighbours. From this corrupt source has flowed
a considerable portion of that disaffection that prevails in Lan-
eashire."
21. An (anonymous) Account of the Leigh Reform Meeting,
dated 11th August.
Letter from Mr. Norris :

Manchester, August 12.
Mr Loan—Herewith I have the honour to transmit your
Lordship certain Depositions, as well respecting the situation in
which certain parts of this town have been dosing the last week,
as respecting the practice of Drilling, which has so extensively
taken place in this and the surrounding neighbourhood. Many
more are in existence, and may be added to the number; but
I apprehend those which I now send will be sufficient to assure
your Lordship of this alartni••g practice. They affect to say,
that it is for the purpose of appearing at Manchester in better
order, &c. on Monday next; but military discipline was not
requisite for this purpose,' and a more alarming object is so pal-
pable, that it is impossible not to feel a moral conviction that
Insurrection and Rebellion is their ulterior object.
To Lord Viscount SEDUM:US, &c. J. MORRIS.
Here follows the Depositions.
23. Leiter from the Earl of Stamford, of August 12, inclosing
the following Resolution of the Adjourned quarter Sessions for
the County of Chester:
Resolved—That it is the opinion of this Court, that Meet-
ings are held in mix and the neighbouring Counties, for the pur-
pose of Training to Arms and Seditious purposes • and also,
that there are Sch.rols, consisting of souse thousand's of young
persons, in which principles of a most dangerous tendency to
the community at large are industriously disseminated—which
facts can he verified on oath. And it is the decided opinion of
this Court, that these Meetings and Schools ought to be sup-
pressed ; and if the existing laws are not sufficient for that pile_
pi,se, that other laws should be immediately framed for their'.
prevention.
94. A Letter from Mr. Lloyd to Mr. Hobhnuse, dated 14th
August, stating, that the Tenants of a Gentleman, near Stock-
port, bad refused to pay their Rents, till they should know the
issue of the Monday's (Manchester) Meeting.
25. A Lettet of 14th August, from Mr. Norris, inclosing-
-26. Three examinations relative to Drillings on the high-road
near heap Ilridge.
27. Letter from the Earl of Derby to Lord Sidmouth, of 15th
August, informing his Lordship, that he had issued a Precept
to the ANisrrates for a partial execution of the Watch and
Ward Act.
28. The W.tch and Ward Act put in execution.
29. A latter from Mr. Norris to Lord Sidmouth, of 15th
August, announcing arrangements to preserve the peace " to-
morrow."

SO. Letter from Mr. Hay, a Lancashire Magistrate : •
,11fancliester, 16111 August, 1819. Quarter past Niue.
hle Loan—Mr. Norris being very much fatigued by the
harassing duty of this day, it becomes nine now to inform your
Lordship of the proceedings which have been had in cense.
quence of the proposal put forward for a Meeting. The Special
Committee have been in constant attendance for the last three
days, and contented themselves till they saw what the complexion
of the Meeting might be, or what circumstances might arise,
with coming to this determination only, which they adopted in
concurrence with some of the most intelligent Gentlemen of the
town, net to stop the numerous columns which were from va.
rious roads expected to pour in, but to allow them to reach the
place of their destination.
The assistance of the military was of course required, and
arrangements in consequence made with them, of such descrip-
tion as might be applicable to various circumstances.
About eleveiva'ciords the Magistrates, who were very mime-
rous, repaired to a house, whence they'might see the whole of
the proceedings of the Meeting. A body of- special constables
took their ground, about two hundred in number, close to the
hustings ; from them there was a line of communication to the
house where we were. Mr. Trafford Trafford was so good as
to take the situation of attending Colonel L'Estrange, the
manding Officer.
From eleven till one o'clock, the various columns arrived,
attended by flags, each by two or three flags.; and there were
four, if not more, Caps of Liberty. The ensigns were of the
same dethription as those displayed on similar occasions, with
this addition, that one had a bloody pike represented on it; as.
other, " Equal Representation or Death." There was no sp.
pzarance of arms or pikes, but great plenty of sticks and staves,
and every column marched in regular files of three or four deep,
attended with conductors, music, &c. The most powerful
accession was in the last instance, when Hunt and his party
came in. But, long before this, the Magistrates had felt a do.
tided conviction that the whole bore the appearance of insult.
rectam ; that the array was such as to terrify all the Knigh
Subjects, and was such as no legitimate purpose could justify....
In addition to their own sense of the Meeting, they bad very
numerous depositions from the inhabitants, as to their fears foe
the public safety ; and at length a man deposed as to the parties
who were approaching, attended by the heaviest column. On
a barouche box was a woman, in white, who I believe wee a
ktrs. Gaunt, from Stockport, and who, it is believed, had a Cop
of Liberty. In the barouche were Hunt, Johnson, Knight, and
,poorhouse of Stockport ; as soon as these four parties were
ascertained, a warrant was issued to apprehend them. The
Troops were mustered, and Nadin, preceding the Mancheawr
Yeomanry Cavalry, executed it. While the Cavalry was farad*,
a most marked defiance of them was evinced by the Redonda(
part of the mob ; however, they so far executed their pit=
as to apprehend Hunt and Johnson on the hustings:
and Moorhouse in the moment escaped. They also took nth*
hustings, Saxton, and Sykes, who is the write) to The ilinalse-
u• °tamer, and which Saxton had before been oddment( dio
:rob. The parties thus apprehended were brought to the host*
where the Magistrates were. Meantime the Riot Act was read,
and the mob was completely dispersed, but not without very
serious and lamentable effects. Hunt, Ac. were brought d
t a the New Bailey ; two Magistrates and myself. having p
tr':ed them protection, preceded them; we were attended
S2ecial Constables and some Cavalry. The parties were lodged
in the New Bailey ; and since that have been added to them
Height and Moorbouse. On inquiry it appeared that many had
soffered from various oc:cm nitres • one ut the Manchester Yee-
czalry, Mr. Ilolme, was, after the parties were taken, struck
by a brick-but ; be lost Ids power over his horse, and is supposed
to have fractured his skull by a fall from his horse. I am afraid
-that he is sine dead ; if not, there are no hopes of his recovery.
A Special Constable, of the name of Ashworth, has been killed
—cause unknown ; and four women appear r4ee lost their
gio.so by being purred by the crowd; these, we, are the
feud efteets of the .Meeting.
A variety of instances of sabre wounds occurred, but I hope
none mortal; several pistols were fired by the mob, but as to
their e(l,..sct. save in one instance deposed to before Colonel
II ether, we have no aceotmt. Ire cannot but deeply regret
all the settous effects attendant on tiai*, transaction ; but we have
tie. Isstafiction of widowing the very grateful and cheering
ceuta oninces of the *bole tows : in fact, they consider them-

sAves as saved by our exertions. All the shops were shut, and,
for the most part, continued so all the evening. The capture of
Hunt took pl.Ke before two o'cleck, and f forgot to mention,
that all their colours, druids, dte. were taken or destroyed.--
Since that, I have been to the Infirmary, and found myself jos.:
rifled in making the report Lhave: but Mr. Norris now tells
me, that one or two more than I have mentioned may have lost
their lives. The patties apprehended will have their cases pro-
ceeded.on tomorrow; but it appears that there may arise diffi-
culties as to the nature of some of their crimes, en which it may
be necessary to consult Government. The whole Committee
of Magistrates will assemble tomorrow, as usual. During the
afternoon' and part of the evening, parts of the town have been
•in a very disturbed state, and numerous applications made for
military. These have been supplied, but in some cases have, in
the Irish part of the town, been obliged to fire, I trust without
any bad effect as to life, in any instance. At present every
thing seems qnict ; the reports agree with that, and I hope that
we shall have a quiet night. I have omitted to mention, that
the active part of the Meeting may be said to have come in wholly
from the country ; and that it did not consist of less than 20,000
men, Ste. The flag on which was " Equal Representation or
Death," WAS a black one • and in addition, on the same side,
had " No tioroughmongering—Unite, and be Free;' the

bottom, " Saddlegs-vorth,-Lee;,_ and Morley Union :" on the re-
verse, " No Corn Laws; Taxation without Representation, is
unjust and tyrannical." On the Middleton flag was, " Let us
die like men, r.nd not be sold like slaves;" reverse, " Liberty
is the Birthright of Man."
I close my letter at a quarter before eleven ; every thing re-
mains quiet. Many of the troops have returned to the barracks,
*ith the c.wsent of the Magistrates. I have to apologize to
your Lordship for the haste in wads this is written, but I trust
that tht haste will naturally be Replanted for.
I have the honour to be, my Lord, with sincere respect,
Your Lordship's faithful and obedient humble servant,
To the Rt. lion. Vises SmMoUTH, W. R. IIAY.
Ore of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, &c.

51. Letter from Major-General Sir John Byng to Lord Sid-
mouth, inclosine,
32. Letter from Colonel L'Estrange :
Manchester, Argun 16, 1619, Eight o'Clock, P
Sra—The Magistrates assembled here in consequence of the
disturbed state of this district, directed me to have the troops in
readiness to assist the Civil Power in case of necessity, at the
time of the Meeting proposed for this day.
In concurrence with their wishes, and after consultation with
them, the military were prepared and arrangements made, such
as then seemed calculated to meet any occasion in which the aid
of the troops might be required to assist the Civil Power. The
Magistrates were in attendance near St. Peter's Church, and Mr.
Trnfford, a Justice of the Peace for the Counties of Chester and
Lancaster, was Appointed' to remain with the Cavalry. Early in
the afternoon, the Civil Phwer finding it necessary that the
troops should act in aid of them, it was deemed expedient that
the Cavalry should advance; and a warrant was executed, pre-
ceded by the Civil Authority, under which two persons, Hunt and
Johnson, named therein, were arrested; as were also two other
persons, named Saxton and Sykes, who were active, as I ens
told, on the hustings. This service was performed with the as.
sistance of the Cavalry.
The Infantry were in readiness, but I determined not to bring.
them in contact with the people, unless compelled to 'do so by
urgent necessity ; not a shot, therefore, has been fired by any of
the military, though several- have been fired by the populace
against the troops. I have, however, great regret in stating that
some of the unfortunate people who attended this Meeting, have
suffered from sabre wounds, and many from the pressure of the
crowd. One of the Manchester Yeomanry, if not dead, lies
without hope of recovery ; it is understood he was struck with
a stone. One of the Special Constables has been killed. The
Manchester Yeomanry under Major Trafford, and tile Cheshire
Yeomanry under Lieutenant-Colonel Townsend, who had come
en a very short notice from the County Magistrates (many of
them from a great distance), were most active and efficient in
discharge of their duty. The Committee, now sitting, consider
it necessary to keep all the troops ready, though every means
will be adopted to prevent the necessity of their acting.
I have, _ GEORGE L'ESTR ANG E.
31st Regiment.

Major-General Sir Joon 131; o—, K. C.

33. Letter frem Mr. Norris to Lord Sidmoutb, dated 17th
of August, announcing the mission of Mr. Hay and Mr. Hard-
man that evening to Government, to give information respect-
ing the events of the 16th of August.
34. Examination of James Mutrey, of No. 2, Withy Grove,
Manchester, Confectioner, who on his oath saith :
That on Sunday last, the 15th instant, was at White Moss,
near Middleton, about five miles from Manchester, between
three and four o'clock in the morning, and saw there assembled
between 14 and 1500 men; the greatest number of whom were
formed in two bodies, in the form of solid squares, the remain-
der were in small parties of between twenty and thirty each;
there were about thirty such parties, each under the direction
of a person acting•as a drill serjeant, and were going through
military movements ; that examinant went amongst them, and
immediately one of the drill serjeants asked him to fall hi. He
said, he thought he should soon, or gave some such answer; he
then began to move away, upon which some persons who were
drilling, called out " Spies!" This examinant, and WM. Shaw-
cross, and Thomas Rymer and his son (all of whom had accom-
panied this examinant from Manchester), continued .to retire;
the body of men then cried out—" Mill them!"—" Murder
them !" Near one hundred men then punned this examinant
and his companions; they ovenoek them near a lane end, at the
edge of the Moss, and began to pelt them with clods of earth;
they at last came up to the examinant and Ms companions, and
beat then, very severely. Examinant begged they would not
murder him; but the general cry war-" ll—n him, kill him!
Murder him!" Examinant said, " you treat me very differently
to what nations treat each other's prisoners when they are at war.
Suppose that I am an enemy, you ought to treat me as a priso-
ner ;" they said, " How will you treat us if you take us priso-
ners when we come to Manchester ?"

Examinant knew at the time that a Meeting was appointed for
the next day (Monday) at Manchester.
The mein kept beating examinant all the time ; at last they de-
bated among themselves whether they would kill examinant or
forgive hint; and they determined to forgive him, provided he
would go down upon his knees and beg pardon „cot them, and
swear never to be a King's man again, or to mention the name
of a King. Examinant complied to save his life, they standing
over hint with sticks, as be apprehended, to murder him, pro_
vided he bad objected. They afterwards went away. Exami-
nant was not previously acquainted with any of the persons as-
sembled that he saw, but is certain that he should know again
two of those who beat him.,
The greatest number assembled had stout sticks, from three
to four feet long.
In consequence of the ill treatment received by examinant,as
above, he was confined to his bed for three days.
(Signed) JAMES MURREY.
Sworn at Manchester, before me, this List day of August,
1819. (Signed) RA. FLETCHER.
35. Letter from Sir John Thomas Stanley, incloeing,
36. A Communication from the Grand Jury of the County

•
Palatine of Chester:
(Private) Chester, .opt. 3, 1319.
We, the Grand Jury of the County Palatine of Chester, as-
sembled at the Assizes holden for the said County, en the first
day of September, 1819, feel it our bounden duty to represent
to your Lordship, that front the information we have just re-
ceived, we have strong reason to,consider, that in the Stockport
division of the Hundred of Macclesfield, in this County, and
in certain parts of the Prestbury division of the said Hundred,
the lives and property of his Majesty's loyal subjects are in
great peril; and that in an adjoining County, by the active mca-
aura of terror and intimidation employed, the danger has,
within the last fourteen days, assumed a more formidable cha-
racirer; and we beg leave to add, that we understand his Ma-
.../esty's Justices of the Peace labour under great difficulty from
waat of power to disperse Meetings fordrilling and for acquit-
lig military discipline.
JOHN THOMAS STANLEY, Foreman.
The Lord Viscount Suatourn, Ste.
37. A letter of the 7th September, from Lord Stanley, in-
dosing,
18. A statement from the Grand Jury of the County of Lan-
caster, as asllows :
Crowd Jury Rooms, Lancaster. Sept. 6. 1819.
The Grand Jury of the County of Lancaster have thought it
their duty to inquire into the present state of the disturbedghdis-
tricts of that County, anti they have examined persons who ap-
peared to them the most competent to give accurate information
on the subj.:cc.
From the result of that inquiry it appears, that the roost in-
flammatory publications have, for some time,bcen industriously
circulated, at a price which puts them very generally into the