The Sun. — 1841-01-20 (London, England)

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS.  ASHTON, JAN. 18.—The prisoners Paxton, Rowbotham, and Irving, and another, Joseph Mowcroas, since arrested at Oldham, were this day brought up for examination before Messrs. Jowett, Lord, and Wright, Magistrates of Ashton-under- Line.  Mr. Alcock, superintendent of police, stated, that the four prisoners now before the bench were apprehended under warrants, charging them with having on the 30th of October, with other sawyers of Manchester, conspired to injure and oppress the master sawyers, of Ashton in their trade.  Benjamin Goldthorp being called, said that he was a n aster sawyer ; that early in the month of October his hands had turned out. Garland (the man murdered) was one of those whom he afterwards got to work for him, and he continued with him up to the 31st of October. He frequently saw the turnouts .passing his timber-yard, in bodies of from four to twelve. He saw none of the prisoners now before the bench amongst them, but Mowcross was one of a deputation appointed to meet the master sawyers. Peter Keogh said that he was a sawyer, working for Mr. Cowley, of Ashton. He had worked for him seven or eight weeks, and lived in Manchester. On the 31st of October he want there with his brother, Patrick Keogh, and his nephew, James Keogh, John Harvey, and Tlioinaa Garland. They were on their way from Ashton to Manchester, when they were met, between tile hours of four and five o'clock, about a quarter of a mile from the Ashton Church, by from 12 to 15 men coming from Manchester, and who commenced beating them with bludgeons, because they were not members of the union. Cross-examined by Mr. Foulkes—l could only recognize one man, named Roberts. He stepped up, and struck my brother on the left eye. I interfered, and prevented him. What took place after I cannot tell. I thought it best to make my escape. A man followed me. He struck me with a "bludgeon. I don't know him now I saw only one stick. Garland was mortally a 0 n led. The men with me were sawyers not in ti e union. I know the man who struck my brother, and no other. He was the man who came into Stone% yard. His name is Thomaa Roberts. I have known him for five years back. There was light enough for me to see half an hour after this took place. I have seen three of the prisoners before, but they were not present. I hare always bad a great esteem for them, and they for me. I mean Rowbotham, Paxton, and Irving. Ido not know the other man, Ido not know that they belong to the union. I had not time to recognise any of the partici', on the loads, but believe the prisoners were not there. Thomas Butterfield said he lived in Manchester, and was a sawyer. He worked for Mrs. Horner, of Manchester, who was a cabinct-maker and timber-merchant. lie was top-sawyer, and Patrick Lenand was his partner. They were not in the union, and had not been for four or five years back. On the 31st of October they were at work, and at seven o'clock in the evening two men came to them and said, Patrick Lenand must go to the Smithfield Tavern, as he was wanted there. Ile went on to state other particulars, involving coercion and combination. When his examination in chief, and cross. examination was brought to an end,  ---Mr. Foulkes, the professional advocate of the prisoners, addressed the Pctanhgceah, in6astind h tineoGenot,regnail,ed that his infringed ; tly.rsche. 47ianrts had di6,h,:, common laws of for,the land, held that tehiet breyr proceedings came indisputably within the re,ofgpised limits of the law. Every man had a right to estimato his own scryices, without certainly resorting lo lance, a d suCII was not the errand of the prisoners. ppon the very evidence of fiutteriii2Ja they were entitled tq an acquittal, for, according to his own showing, whit the deleuates were sent to do, they were instructed to do it