Star.
London, England, 1819-10-28 00:00:00

W.ARRIOGTON, OCTOBER 26.

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(From The Monting Chronicle.)
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Yesterday evening Mr. PEARSON arrived here, ac-
companied by Sir CUARLES WOLSELEY, with a view
to apply to Mr. Itmeax, a Magistrate, for a warrant
-against Ilambiet, of the Manchester Yeomanry,
for cutting Thomas Richardson, at Manchester, on
the 16th of August last. Before they proceeded to this
town, they had, I understand, an interview with Mr.
Bortaaa, at his. own house, which is some distance
from hence. At this interview, Mr. --116RRAN ex-
pressed his disapprobation of the proceedings of the
Magistrates. at Manchester ; but declined to make
any promise of a warrant upon this occasion, until
he should have an opportunity of consulting his Bro-
r!.et Magistrates: Mr. BORRAN therefore appointed
t•-1 rneet Alr. PEARSON here to-day. In consequence
of this appointment, Mr. PEARSON carne here, toge.
ther with some witnesses from Manchester, not only
to substantiate the charge against Harablet, but also
a charge against Meagher, the Trumpeter. The lat-
ter charge is by Alice Kearsley, who was, I remem-
ber. adduced upon the Inquest at Oldham; but her
evidence was rejected as inadmissible by the Coroner,
because the wound which she received was not in-
flicted near the hustings, within that line of demarca-
tion which Mr. FERRAND thought proper .to pre-
scribe. This poor wontan, who is now 71 years of
age, states, that she was standinupon some timber,
year the wall of the Quakers Meeting-house-yard,
on the 16th of August, when, soon after Mr. HUNT
was taken away in custody from the hustings, she
received two sabre cuts from one of the Manchester
Yeomanry. By ons of these cuts her left ear was
nearly severed from her head, and by the other she
was severely wounded across the shoulders. I have
seen the ear, and the spectacle is really shocking,
particularly from the age of the sufferer. The pour
being was three weeks confined to her bed, and her
wounds are even yet uncured. From the state of her
ear, she says that she cannot endure to lie on the left
side. William Quin states that Meagher was the
person who inflicted those wounds.
Thomas Richardsoi, Robert Rimmer, and Alice
Kearsley, three of the witnesses upon this affair, ar-
rived at Warrington yesterday, and took up their
abode at the Three Crowns public-house. When they
had been there a few hours, several persons rushed
into the room where they sat, all of whom were in
the costume of Gentlemen. Those apparent Gentle-
men addressed the most offensive language to.the
witnesses, asking them what brought them to War-
rington? desiring them to begone, arid taunting and
sneering at their wounds ; nay, some of these seem-
ing Gentlemen, threatened to take those sufferers to
llridewell if they did not immediately quit the town.
The person most offensive, especially in threatening
tire witnesses with immediate imprisonment, said he
was a Constable. Thomas Richardson claimed the
protection of the posse, earnestly urging, that as he
came here solely to seek for justice, through an ap-
peal to the Magistracy, the Constables were bound
to give him every protection in their power, instead
of subjecting him to any insult or ill-treatment. This
appeal to the Constables was quite vain, for Richard-
son has this day identified among the Constables
acting through the town, the greater number of the
posse by whom he was yesterday *tacked. But not-
withstanding the rudeness and violence of these peo-
ple, the witnesses were protected from further an-
noyance for some time, by the prompt interposition
and manly decision of Mr. PEARSON, who took ano-
ther room for their accommodation. This room had
scarcely been taken possession of, when the same
posse again returned, and behaved with the utmost
rudeness, threatening to throw Thomas Richardson
out of the window, because he appeared resolved to
r:main, in order to give his evidence. But the most
b:alal part of the conduct of these loyal rioters was
to Alice Kearsley, who, instead of meeting that com-
pa:sion which her age, her wounds, and her poverty,
were peculiarly calculated to excite, experienced the
ri.o3t rancorous abuse; one of the Constables tell-
iag her, in a taunting tone, What, you have been
v..ounded, have you ?" and thrusting his hand under
her bonnet, added, I. they have only cut your ear,
I see ; I wish they had cut your head off, you d—d
old devil, and then you could not have come here
to trouble us." Nay, more; this fellow gave the
poor woman a thrust of his umbrella, and also a se-
vere blow upon the hand. An assemblage of people
served to protect the witnesses, and to disperse those
assailants. - •

After this achievement, the gallant party, consist-
ing of 14 persons, proceeded to the Inn at which Sir
Cita nuts WOLSELEY had stopped, and finding that
he was alone, rushed into his room in a body, ex-
claiming, " What the d-1 are you come here for,
you h—d Baronet ?—begone ! leave the town im-
niediatcly !—torn him out !—kick him out." Sir
CHARLES naturally asked, " Who is the gentleman
that will be r,!si;onsible for this extraordinary party?
Please to 14 me know hirname and address; I shall
then know how to act. I am not accustomed to this
mode of attack, and it is such as I know not how to
retaliate. You use weapons which I know not how
to wield—l cannot descend to scurrility. But recol-
lect that I will not be ill-treated with impunity. I
advise you to begone. My only motive for coming
here syas to seek justice for the oppressed, and I am
not to be terrified from my purpose. This is my pri-
vate room, and the landlady told me that it should
not be invaded." " Yes, Sir," said the landlady, " I
did say so ; but you see how it is." Sir CHARLES
then finding that he could not be properly accommo-
cl.tted in this lan, immediately ordered his horse and
gig ; but while waiting:in the yard, this corps con-
tiaued to hoot nod hiss him, while several flung mud
and dint at him." Upon the attack, however, be-
coming known in the town, and the people assem-
bling. they espoused the cause of the Baronet, so as
to render it expedient, on the part:of the Constable's
•••• he gang of Constables as they are
peectily to disappear. Sir CHARLES,
. cheeri of the people, proceeded to
•hiclt he could find accommodation,
iort distance froth the town.
leparture of Sir CHARLES, the Con-
:olleagues again proceeded to the
4 Mr. Yeansou and the witnesses,
!wed•their rudeness ; but Mr. PEAR-
ie people, called their attention to
slunk away, one by one, leavinp
the midst of above 1,000 people,'

who, on being joined by Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY,
walked in procession through the town to the vicinity
of the Inn where these Gentlemen ,took up their re-
sidence for the night, and upon an appeal from Mr.
PEARSON the people dispersed in the most peaceable
and orderly manner.
This morning, at an early hour, the people of
Warrington and its vicinity were seen, proceeding in
crowds to the Inn in which Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY
and Mr. PEARSON were lodged, and at about ten
o'clock those Gentlemen moved towards Warring-
ton, cheered by the acclamations of the multitude,
who accompanied them until they reached the Cloth
Hall, where they thought the Magistrates were as-
sembled as usual. On the attempt to walk up the
stairs of this Hall, Mr. PEARSON was pressed upon
and annoyed in every possible manner by a compact
body, headed and directed by precisely the same in-
dividuals as those who the evening before were
guilty of the outrageous irregularities which I have
already described. Mr. PEARSON finding that no
Magistrates were in the Hall, proceeded to the house
of Mr. LYON, the Magistrate. Here, after some dif-
ficulty, he obtained admission ; and, upon his intro-
duction to Mr. LYON, that Gentleman asked (cer-
tainly, not in a very gracious tone), " What is your
business with me, Sir 7' Mr. PEARSON replied—
" My only business with you, Sir, is to inquire for
Mr. BORRAN, and to request your assistance to find
that Gentleman, who made an appointment with me
' yesterday to meet him in this town to-day." Mr.
BORRAN immediately entered from the next room.
Upon his appearance, Mr. PEARSON stated, that
he had witnesses to offer to his examination, in order
to found a charge against some of the Members of
the Manchester and Salford Yeomanry Cavalry for
felony. Upon this, Mr. LYON, one of the Magis-
trates present, took out his watch, and requested Mr.
PEARSON to be short, as the Magistrates could not
have their time taken up by such matters as this.
Mr. PEARSON shortly replied to him, that his address
was directed exclusively to hlr. BORRAN, and that he
should occupy just as much time, and use just so
many words as were necessary to convey his ideas to
that Gentleman. This silenced Mr. LYON. Mr. WAG-
STAFF, the Clerk to the Magistrates, then requested
to be informed, whether the cases now brought un-
der their consideration had been before the Grand
Jury, or the Magistrates of Manchester? and was in-
formed, that they had not. At this moment, the
business was interrupted by Mr. Wnosrarr address-
ing Mr. BORRAN with—" Sir, as the senior Magis-
trate of this Division, I call upon you to suppress
and dispetse this tumultuous and riotous assembly."
The whole of the persons present seemed much asto-
nished, and in doubt as to what assembly the obser-
vation applied. Mr. WAGSTAFF, however,-gave the
Magistrates to understand that it referred to the mul-
titude collected round the door, who, however, so
far from exhibiting any symptoms of a disposition to
riot, maintained the most perfect tranquillity and
good order. Mr. BORRAN replied to this extraor-
dinary application, that he saw nothing on the
part of the people to justify such a measure, and
therefore refused Mr. WAGSTAFF'S request. Mr.
BORRAN requested Mr. PEARSON to state to him
the circumstances attending some one of the cases
which he could give in evidence ; that Gentleman
accordingly said, that the first charge was against a
of the name of Hamblet, a Member of the
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Manchester Yeomanry, who on the 16th of August
was riding furiously up a street called Jackson's-
' row, leading to St. Peter's-arta, some considerable
time after the Meeting, and met the prosectrtor,
Thomas Richardson, going down the street in a con-
trary direction; he was alone, and there was not any
disturbance or noise in the street proceeding hum
himself, or any other person, when Hamblet rode up
to him and made a stroke at his head, Richardson
raised his hand to protect his face, and received a
sabre cut on the hand, which at -the same time cut
completely through his nose in a transverse direc-
tion ; Richardson fell from the violence of the blow,
and while in the act of falling, Hamblet levelled ano-
ther blow at his head, his hat was, however, suffi-
ciently strong to preserve him from further injury,
although the cuts on the hat bear evidence of his in-
tention. Robert Rimmer, from the window of an
adjoining house, was witness of the transaction ; and
will also prove these circumstances, as well as the
fact of Hamblet having, immediately afterwards, with
the most savage barbarity, inflicted a desperate wound
upon the head of an unoffending man, sixty years of
age, at the top of the same'street. Mr. Pit-Aargau then
observed, that he charged this individual with having
wilfully and maliciously cut Richardson, and thereby
committed a capital felony, provided for by the 4S
Geo. 111. c. 58, an Act, the beneficial provisions of
which were too plain and intelligible to require any
explanation ; he should, however, call in his witnesses,
who were at the door, and that when their examina-
tions were taken, he should again address the Magis-
trates, for the purpose of applying the law to the
evidence. Mr. BORRAN then requested to retire Itiithl
Mr. LYON and the Clerk, Mr. WAGSTAFF, to ebrisi•
der the case. Mr. BORRAN returned in about 15
minutes, and addressing himself to Mr. PEARSON,
spoke to the following effect :
" Sin—ln reply to the application you think proper to make
to me, as a Magistrate acting for the division of Warrington, to
tredve information against certain individuals of the Yeomanry
Corps, for cutting and maiming some of his Majesty's subjects
on the 16th of August, at Manchester, allow me to observe,
that I conceive the situation it places me iu to be one of pe-
culiar delicacy.

" When you informed me yesterday of your intention of ap-
plying to the Justices of this Division, in consequence of the
_Magistrates at Manchester declining to interfere, as they them-
selves might possibly be implicated, I told you that I should con-
sult my brother Magistrates before I gave you any answer. I have
now to say, that viewing those transactions through the medium
of the public accounts, and to no other have I access or recourse,
I cannot, in any manner, approve of the proceedings on that day,
inasmuch as they tend to infringe on the indisputable right of the
subject to petition* or remonstrate on any public grievance, such
being addressed to the Prince Regent or to Parliament, at a
Meeting of any town or place, legally convened, and peaceably
conducted ; which tendency none would more strongly condemn
Alan myself, as destructive of the Constitution of the kingdom.
But when I consider that one view only of the transactions is
before the Public, and that the Magistrates themselves have ab-
stained from any official communication, it seems only decorous
to wait, till, before some higher tribunal, which I cannot doubt
will take cognizance of their proceedings, they may be heard in
their own justification. And alio when I myself entertain strong
doubts as to the legality of the Meeting in question, so far as
relates to those parts of it which came from distant, large and
populous townships, creasing great and serious alarm in the
minds of numerous people for then own safety, facts-which may
perhaps not be considered as concluded under the notice for
Manchester as given according to law, I cannot help entertain-
ing a reluctance to proceed on these exantinatioas, which might
only prejudice any future MI retiL4un Ittfort:lar higher audio-

2ity, and keep alive the unfortunate state of ferment at presea
existing. Further, knowing, as Ido from long experience, the
general character for humanity and discretion which the
trates have hitherto possessed, I must beg leave to decline any
official interference with regard to individuals who can with
s.ifficulty be separated from them on legal grounds.
" I by no means, however, wish it to be understood, that I
shrink from any responsibility on this OCCAtiOII, from personal
inconvenience or trouble ; and that, if I am directed by the
Court of King's Bench, to which you intimate your intention
to apply, I shall fearlessly, and without regard to any parties,
proceed to investigate the charges submitted to me—charges
which, not being now entertained, cannot be attended with any
further consequence, than securing the persons of the individuals
charged, during the interval to the next Assize' when Bills of
Indictment might be preferred, which my refusal does not pre-
judice—a circumstance, which, considering the lapse of time
which has intervened, from the day on which the cause of com-
plaint arose, without the parties absconding, gives rise to little
apprehension of such an event taking place."
Mr. PEARSON then asked whether be was precluded
from making any observation or comment on the
speech which Mr. BOBRAN had just delivered? when
that Magistrate observed, that his determination was
final, and that Mr. PEARSON was precluded from any
further remark. This business being ended, Sir C.
WOLSELEY claimed the attention of Mr. BoRRAW to
the treatment he had received from the Constables
of Warrington. It is but just to Mr. BORRAN to ob-
serve, that however opinions may differ as to the pro-
priety of that Gentleman's decision in reference to
the main object of Mr. PEARSON'S application, his
conduct was characterised by that temperance, po-
liteness, and moderation, which should always distin-
guish the character of a Magistrate and a Gentleman.
During the time that Sir C. WOLSELEY was stating
his complaint, some little confusion appeared among
a part of the crowd, in consequence of their experi-
elm-dig some interruption from the passing of a cart.
Mr. LYON immediately took out his watch, and pro-
duced a small paper from his pocket, and stating
that it was the Proclamation mentioned in the Riot
Act, signified his determination of reading it to the
people, and commanding them to disperse.
The deposition of Sir C.WOLSELEY was taken with
regard to the attacks made upon him yesterdy, by per-
sons of the name of Caldwell, Shelmerdine, and others ;
hut Caldwell was not called upon to give bail, Sir
CHARLES finding the Bill of Indictment was.to be
preferred at Liverpool, which is so distant from his
residence, and therefore requiring time to consider
whether or not he would prefer any Bill of Indict-
ment. Caldwell was in the room during the exami-
nation of the witnesses. Shelmerdine was sent for,
but did not attend.

About half an hour after the Riot,Act was read, a
letter was written by Mr. CLOUGHTON, the Magic.
trate, addressed, as we understood, to Sir NVILLIAM
GERRARD, and requiring him to bring the Ashton
Yeomanry forthwith. This letter was presented by
Mr. LYON to Peter Ashton, one of the Cheshire Yeo-
manry, who appeared on horseback in full regimentals,
and to whom Mr. LYON emphatically said, Now,
Peter, you will not be long."

When the Yeoman had received this letter, we
heard with surprise several of the Special Constables
exclaim, " Peter, go through them,' pointing down
Mill-street, towards the Market-place, where the
people were assembled. Many people said, " No,
no ;" but Watmetigh, the Constable, loudly and
earnestly cried out, " Peter, do go through them."
Upon which, Ashton, although King-Itreet, which
was the way he came, was quite clear and open for
him, immediately rode down Mill-street, and clapping
spurs to his horse, dashed through the crowd in the
' Market-place : the temperance and good order of
the people were not, however, to be disturbed by this
violent action. What the consequences of this action
were, or whether any persons were injured, I have
not yet been able to ascertain.
While Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY and Mr. PEARSON
were in the room with the Magistrates, there were
several attacks made upon the people by the Special
Constables, under the profession, of course, of a de-
sire to keep the peace. William Quin, one of the
witnesses brought from Manchester by Mr. PEARSON,
was arrested by une of the Special Constables, and
detained for some time in custody. N. Wadsworth
was taken up by Turner, the High Constable, and
committed to Dridewell for wearing a white hat, and
still continues a prisoner.

Party spirit runs here very high. You-may judge
of its violence from the facts 1 have detailed; but
the following note, which was this night received by
the landlord of the house which gave accommoda-
tion to Sir CHARLES WOLSELEIT and Mr. PEARSON,
you will deem conclusive upon the subject:
idr:BENJAILIN Las,

" Sin—We are beyond all bounds dissatisfied at your receiv.
ink the people called Reformers into the house you now occu!,y,
and as a mark of our resentment, I khan send no more beer at
all.—The balance of your account will much oblige yours, &c.
" For Lyon and Greenliall,
"£4 16 0 " JAMES MASON."
This letter was in reply to an application for some
beer, which was made this afternoon ; it is from the
brewhouse of Mr. LYON, the Magistrate. The 1.1,d-
-lord states, that the balance is comparatively int-
nificaurt, and that he has paid fifty pounds to the
house within a short time. Upon the character of
such a letter I think it unnecessary to make any
Comment.

Before Mr. PEARSON left the Magistrates, he de-
livered the following note to Mr. BokitA),
" I appear before you, John Arthur Borran, lesq. one of the
Justices of the Peace in and for the County Palatine of Lau-
caster, in the name and on the behalf of Thomas Richardson,
of Manchester, Yeoman, to prefer a complaint against
Ilambkt, of Manchester aforesaid, for having willfully, mali-
ciously, and unlawfully cut and stabbed the said Thos. Richard-
son, on the 16th day of August last, in the {wish of Manchester,
the said Thonias Richardson then being in the peace of our
Lord the King, such offence being contrary to the form of the
4.74 Geo. 111. c. ss; and I do hereby offer the said Thomas
Richardson and Robert Rimmer to be examined before you,
the said J. A. Borran, touching and concerning the said corn.'
plaint: and I do hereby give you notice, that the said Thomas'
Richardson and Robert Blamer are enabled to give such evi-
dence as will ideutify the said Hamblet, and prove hint to
have been guilty of the said offence so laid to his charge; an' I
do hereby require you, as such Magistrate as aforesaid, to admi-
nister an oath to such witnesses, and to take and receive their
depositions, and if their evidence shall prove sufficient to establish
such charge as aforesaid, to grant a warrant addressed to all con.
stables and other peace officers, to apprehend the said am-- I lam-
blet, and to bring him before you, J. A. Horran, or some other
Justice, to be then and there examined touching and concern-
ing the premises; and I do hereby give you notice, that if you
refuse or neglect to hear such evidence, and to take such exa-
mination, I shall apply to the Court of King's Bench on the
first day of next Michaelmas Term, for a Criminal Information
against you, the said J. A. Borran, for having, for fear or favour,
refused to hear and examine witnesses, touching and concerning
a felony committed within the said County of Lancaster, of
which you are one of the Justices as aforesaid.
" Yours, &c. CHARLES PEARSON."
" Dated this 26th day of October, 1519.".

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