On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
LANCASTER ASSIZES . { Canth . uedjrom < mr third pcgcj afterwETdf , the mob re ' reat ^ d , v- d we reiumed to © or qcar-. rs . The mills ui-xt day resumed -work , and ii ] v . a 3 perfectl y qnie- Four persona died in eetscqreEce of the injuries they had received . By 3 Jr . O'Connor—Ai the time lhe military came np , Lhe constables -were laying iheir staves aboni the people . I can ' t say how long the firing continued £ ? * ! cr the people were motionless . It was deliberate and not rapid —« m > sht be fifteen fires a minute , but 1 can ' t say . I have no ; heard the 3 Utot blamed for his rash conduct in
ordering the military u > fire upon the people ; bui 02 the contrary . I b 3 Te ht-ard his condnc : praised 15 ! nil quarter ? , under ibe cacumstancea , I admit thai I went siEf-Bi ; xhs people myself , and wished them to disperse , cut the military and ifce constables mre clo ? e ai hand . 1 dio not hear a rumour that h was tbr im-ec ? .-n of ibe Messrs . Hsinswurth , of Preston , to recvee ihrir wa ^ e ^ , nnnl after the meeting . ¦ 1 am quite positive of ths . t _ 1 was not ai the " firs ; wquen held upon the parties kified . 1 din" cot Fte tije bodies . I don ' t fcnow that two moa were w « nr . d' d m the back .
By Sir y . pollr-ck—The town was not in a general faieof disturbance until after the arrival of Aittan s-cd Challrigcr . Some shfcht disturbance had taken place before . It beiiijj lK-w seven o ' clock , the Court adj ^ nrne ^ till the fclio'snng morning .
FBiDAY—THIRD DAT . In cojisiqa-nce of M Baron Roife having arranged this m ^ raibg to ai > p . > 5 * cf 3 charte t > f znurOrr araia .-t a yoscs vtcaan cm ^ Alice Greenwood , of Biavkcuin , ri ' sjrd to cave bt ^ n coaimuUsd by her . in thr month of JJacusry last , upon iise bo < sy cl her illegitimate male child , the resumption of tha evidence in tbf prosecution of the Ciiartista , d-d iiot take place till nearly iwJts o ' clock .
The verdict m ths case of murder was 2 * ot Gaury . Th- Learned Judgt took biB test in tiie Nisi Prius Cmtri at fsrtJve o ' clccfe , "s-rfien tie Jury , in tue case of " The Qaeea avainsi Iftargus © Connor and otters , " ¦ was tailed orei . Brfore the evidence Tras resumed , The' AttcrDij-GraeKil stated to bis Lordship , that having carefully looked r-vtr the depositions as tff ^ ctxd » John Wiia , oce of the defendants , who cross-txaxnined tlis TFitns = a . Buckley on the pluvious day , be lad tome to the conclusion , in concurrence with his Learned Friends , not to vaVr any fu ' rcher evidtnee trains ! WO : ! A verdiet of Arquj * tal was accordingly taken * The ssrae conr « s was adopted with regard to Thomas Pitt , another ef the tief--nasals .
The Attorney-General made an application to the Conn ¦ with rtfcitree "the attendance of the Bcv . J-i ' . n Taylor , Incnmbent of Dcckinfiald , -who "wished to * . ff * r « Tidence ts 10 tht eLarsrter of John Crossley . dec of the defeisdasvs . It "would jbe inconvenient foi the Rev . Gentleman to be detained in Lancaster otbt Sunday , and the lr = &m = rd G . nUesjsn . accordingly proposed ifi * t the evidence of Mr . Taylor fihonld then be taken . The Rev . GtEtlvman M ? as iWnrc , and he save a very faTonraWs opinion of the character of Grcssley , as a peaceable and orderly man .
Mr . Joseph Hibbert , deik to the Magistrates at Hyde , examined by the Attorney-General—I remember the di * turhaBces at Hyde , in An just Jast . There is a l ^ k-iip tLere , bnt it -wss not safs to confine the parties in it , chained with rioting , li -was the duty of Air . Little , Special H gh C . eatable of Hyde , to make daily it-ports to the M ^ Tsirstes , as to tht- state of the town . The book now prodacs ;! . is the One which has been used for that purpf . se . J have frequently seen LUt ! e use it . By Air . O'Connor—1 consider Mr . Little as competent as authority na any ctber f . r ths dipebanje of the dnry . 1 am cleri to the ila ^ ir . ratts , and 1 nsTer beard that in the month of A-mrasi lss \ , s Eumber of the mi ]] - cwnaK ga" ? e rofice to thfcir hands to leave "work . The Attoraey-G-oienl objected to a witness being tsi&d as to irba * b" bad heard . Tiiere ironld be no * fid to Hie case if scch lailrcde ¦»«« allowed .
In reply to a farrier qn = stion by Mr . O'Conisor , the witness said thai the diirnTbaxicea in Hyde endeu about the 20 th of AnfUit . By KIchard Otk-y . dtfen 53 R*—I did not hear of any paticalar distress in Hjds during the month of August list year . jit . John Brook -cxTniineiJ by the Attorney-General—I am booti : e < per ^ td inscager to J ' r . Pratt , cotton EpiBTici , of Staly ^ r ifige . On Mon iay , tbt Sdi August , I r-rnember a eo 1 ) c * nm > 3 to lhe mill , a littJe before nine o ' clock in tie mornine . 1 can't leil the number ,
hut the street ? p * 3 toll 1 should think there were thousands , 3 was in lib nr 3 ] -yard , and having had an intimation that the mob was there , I . along with the overlooker , get outside , just btf jre they came , np . I askM the people srbat thty "sranted ? They said they "vrmled the tinds oaL I askrd what for ? -Oar iands are paflsSed -with tcslr wa ^ ts , and do not want to corns wiL " Tpey replied . — •¦ We will have them out : they must go ^ witfc us to get our lights" I said , — ** If -our bands coise wit . tbty 'will not go "with you ; we shall start the engine tt-morrow moraing , and tbey win come in acini . **
Mr . 3 > zsds 3 obj ~« - * A to ztua evidecica , inasmuch as , hfi nn-ierstood Ir ^ m the Atio .-aey-Q-euenil , thai the ! witness ciald not prc-ce that say of the defesdants had bad anything to do with tbs these trmtactioM . The Attorney-Genera . ! said that h& bad certainly ' made that admission , but he did not intend it to affect , hi- Tight to fi-ir the tvidence . \ The Judgt—Proceed . [ Examination resumed—The people replied " Neilher , your mill -aoi any mill shall -work again , until we get ; onr righli . " 3 « iid *• Jt is fery srrong in you to force ] persons ag ^ usi thtir 55111 , for our hands are gfcttiiig J mcra wages than thry were twenty-five years ago The mob said it "was a lie , and they jostlvd me about , to j force ma to open the door . They said that if the doors j were not opencil , and the hands turned out . thf-y ¦ would j
break the "srinQo-B-s . Tht fcwge doora were opened from I inside , and tie mob rusted into the yard . They sent a ] deputation into each rcon : of the mill , to ascertain that : an the b 2 BcLs -were turned out- They tflen . left the pre- j zslses . Oar -srefefeSy peopja we TeceiviDg m ^ re wages than they trere twectj-Sve years a § o . The spinners are paid by the quantity cl wori they do . Tbf-re has been tio alttraUon for some 5 ftajs tscept & trifling ndvasce . 3 i- > August last , those wbo worked by piece suffered a reduction of ten per coat . A s < pinner will earn from 22 s . to 36 s . 3 WEeK The smonnt varies according to the quality of tke irr , r ^ wid the qaantity of machinery employed . The 2 Terag « is 20 s . 3 "week . I do not know that any spinner in our niill Tan ^ Lrnina less thsn 22 a . in August last- If there "were any , they would not be producing the prcpsr quantity of work . Ms . Platt does not employ any -weavers .
By Mr- It an ^ as—i not kneTr that the men Mr Bailey ' s mill , -spfe'ch ia about three hundred yards from our's . were , in the is-jnth of August last , under notice of » reduction of " - " ^ lges amounsing to twenty-five per cent 2 £ t . Bailey ' s mill - » as closed in the month of August 3 « aa ' t say positiv-ly "whetter it was ttepped for a month or i « ct , but I thisJr that wonld be about the time- Wht-n the psopla came to Mr . Plait ' mill , they ^ id not do sij I ' su ^ gt tot he property . 1 $ j Mr . O'CfHser—We have about three hundred hsnds , and «« p ^ y about £ per -week . We have fcisfhi pi « -cers to s *¦ aoa ^) e derked mule . " We have five of these , aEfi three of them require eight piecers to attend tb = in , and two of them seven- W « s have twenty-seven pair tf sinels decked mnles , atd funr
pitcera to each . \\ e have thirty-five spinners . It was only the thirty-five spinners that reccivtd from 223 . to 36 s . To ease this rate , the spinners wort upon a angle decfa-d majp , trhich requires four piecera each . A man working a full srefk aims at £% 6 s . for the fort night . From this there ia a deduction of ten per cent ., and gaslight , 2 a . a week ., reeucing itio £ 5 Sj . 64 . A man working at a double decked mule , will aim at £ 13 % fortnight . From this there is a deduction of 20 per ceirt The £ 310 of which 3 have spoken as paying to the men , is paid every fortnight For a doubledscked mule , tiere is a deduction of 3 s . 3 wetk for gas . There axe ns > £ ne 3 accept for spoiled "work . 1 cant ay wliat is the largest an » i > ni ? t of dedaetioEs that lias been made at any ons lime . Tit amount paid to the
men weekly is about . £ 155 . Oat of that thirty-five of the spinners earn from 22 s . to 36 s . a wrek . This would lesve an acerage of 7 s . 6 d . a ireck / or ( he rtmainitig 26 a hand * . I am not airare ihat the spinners make any deductions from the wajes of ? he piectra . It was represented that the dieueas cf the working people in Hyde , in August last , -was very great 3 also heard that committees ol the Bhtpk ^ rpsra were appointed in consequence , l do not > now of my own knowledge that several of the m ; iU -roers gavr notice that the hands should not h * ve any more troii ndess they would » nbmit to a considerable reduction of wages . When the mob cameto our nan , they pashed against the deors , 5 ? ^^ T * ^^ -open . My master ordered ttemtobeopeneuf ^ iafeaT . Htis nothedrf tThe
ByJames L ^ h ^ aan- description of the workmen to which we paid the same wages Ss we did 25 yean ago are a , follows : _ We had atttiat ta 3 carter 17 s . a week ; 3 itnpper and grinder 1 at 12 * . and another at lls ; 1 frame Vaterer g » 6 d . ' " We have HOW 1 carder at 19 s ; 2 esdas ^ cb 27 S ; i grfnder 13 »; 5 grinders each Us ; EtrippeiBnow on pkeewo * make from 13 s to 17 s ; first class frame tentera , io 8 . second class . 9 % ; teird class Sj 6 d- lam noi aware of the number of hands in the mill twenty-five years ago . I was not in the concern at that time . 1 took the wages 3 have stated from the books . I was . in the concern 20 years ago , but only as a warehouseman . 3 fiont think there are the same number of . hands -making the same amount of work because "we bare altered the principle of lhe machinery ! We are spinning 80 ' s and 160 * now . I dont know What we paii per pound ; twenty-five years since . I to
began ^ pay wages seven years ago . l can't remember tiie rate we paid at the time . I d « n * t know that spinsea in S » lybri « ire are only earning 12 ? . a week . Twenty years ago men were spinning on 300 spindles ; ten years ago , on 1800 j now we havB as * h as 1648 . I dont remember bow many spinners we " * twentj years ago . 1 ihink we have t 2 jirty-fiTB now The Judge—1 can ' t understand the meaiuEg ol jonr examination .
Untitled Article
Defendant—My objeci is to show , my Lord , that th > y a . re not paying anything like the amount of ¦ syages jiow that vraa paid two years ago . Witness—1 say that we paj as much in the gio ? s amount , and I will maintain it . Some of the hands in out mill live in honseB belonging to the firm , and other ? do not . It is expected that they will do so , bat nothing particnlar follows if the expectation h not complied with . We have several houses to let now . The rents vary from three shillings and fourpence to about four shillings weekly . The rents are stopped when the wapes are paid , but not in all cases . When the men returned to work after the turn-out , we did not stop the rent for the week . There are some hands in our will earning from seven to eight shilliag 8 per "wetk , bm I don't krow that
ary of them live in these houseB . I am not aware that we have a single hand earBing only seven shilling * a-week , from whom we stop as much as three and four-pence a-week for rent . I can ' t swear it , but 1 don ' t believe it . My business is to attend to our own mill . I know there have been complaints by the operatives in Stalybridge , as to the small amount of remuneration paid for their work . I heard the same complaint twenty five years ago . I have heard them ever since 1 " lived . 1 know that the owners of these houses are grumbling very much about the low rents they are getting . There are a many houses to let in Stalybririge . The Attorney General said be must really object to this style of » xamination . He wished to be as forbearing as possible , but what they heard had no relevance whatever to the record .
The Jadge tfid not see the relevance of the examination at all . He understood both the witness and th <> defendant to be correct in their views . The witness had stated that a man of ordinary skill and industry , working a full week , wonld receive more money than he did twenty-five years ago ; the detetdani , on the other hand , maintained that the man gave a larger produce for the amount , and that therefore , in pomt ot fact , he got Ie 33 . Witness—That is what 1 infant , of course taking into amount the alterations of machinery between this period and twenty-five yeaTs ago . The IX-feadant was proceeding with hi ? examination , bat his Lordship interposed , and Mr . Leach consequently sat down .
Mr John Bradshaw , examined by Mr . Hildyard—1 am a mill-owner , at Stocipert . On the 11 th of August last , & mob , amounting to several thousands , and armed with sticks , approached the mill 1 ttood at the lodge door . The mob came up and demanded to be admitted , for the purpose of ruming the bands ont . 1 refused to allow them to enter , on the ground that it was dinner hour , and that very few people were there . They said they must be in . 1 pushed them back , and locked thb door . Th « y made an attack upon the lodge gates , and broke the windows . They succeeded in forcwg aa entrance inio the mill yard . Very considerable violence was offered to me . 1 wjs surrounded by the mob , and so severely beaten with sticks , as te confine me to bed for several days , l escaped out of the yard , and met with similar treatment in the street .
By Mr . O'Connor—1 did bo ! hesy of any violence bfiiig offrred to any other rnillowcer , in Stockpori , or any auaek upon any other mill . There was very little excitement in Stockport bs-fore that day . 1 believe there has been a great deal of angry discussion at Stoekport , between the Chartists and those called " Corn Law Repealers . " 1 believe there are some millowners in Siockport , who have taken an active part in such discnssions , but 1 don't know of inv own knowledge thai they belong to the anti-Corn Law League . 1 once attended a meeting of this de-cription , two years ago , and 1 have not attended any since . 1 am not a member of tbe anti-Corn Law League . Bv Sir F . Pollock—iline is the onJy mill in Stockport at which resistance was offered to the mob . After that resistance , 1 am not aware that any other mills in Stockport were attacked .
M *\ Joe Cooper examined by Mr . Wortley—1 am a cotton spinner , and live in the township of Chi 3-w ^} L , near Glossop . ily father 13 the owner of a mill , and 1 and my brother assist at it . Ou the 11 th of August a mob of about 150 persons came to tbe mill . They said if we did not turn the hands out they would rake the fire out . We then stopped the wcrking . The hands left lhe mill , and went in various directions . When they turned out , the mob w *? nt away . Some of the hands returned , but we said we did not tva ;> t them , as the mob had said that if we smarted they would stop us again . At the request of the hands we resumed operations on the 24 th of August . They came almost every day to see when we started , aa they wished to begin again .
Durirg the interval 1 attended a meeting at Glossop . Several hundred persons were there 1 kuow John Lpwis , one of the defendants . He was at tho meeting , and made a speech . He said he had attended SfcVtx . il meetings of the delegates at Manchester . He read a number of papers , and 1 understood that they -were resolutions and addresses agrred to at Manchester . They were printed papers , like a placard . James Coe , no ; a defendant , made a speech . He paid s ^ mrthing about tho " three glorious da } a " in France , wh ? re , thongh all the streets flowed with b ooj , property was respected , and he wanted ii to be so in England . He advised tbe meeting to be peaceable . On the 21 h , the day after the laettiug , s > mob of 300 or 400 came to tbe milL 1 saw anioii /; them several of the same m « n who had attended the m- ^ euEg the previous day . My father met them , and asked them what they wanted . They said they wanted the hands out , and they would have them
out , or they would puu the mill down . Thty shouted and flourished their sticks . My father began to reason wnh them , but they rushed past him , and he then ordered the engintman to s : op the mill . Many of the hands had fl .-d for fear of being injured . Two of the mob went into the mill and made a search . Some men were taken np for these transactions . On the 29 ih I went before ihe magistrates . My father , my brother Joseph , John Howard , and my uncle , James Cooper , went with me . As w « were leaving to go borne , the mob got between us and the inn . Taey began to stone us , and we ran . They followed us about a mile stoning us all ike way . Before that John Howard , being much frightened , had left n « . I and my father , biother , and uncle took refnge in the house of Mr . Howard , cotton spinner . My brother did not succeed in getting into the house . 1 saw him again that evening ; he was insensible . It was SLVtral weeks before he recovered from his wounds .
By Mr . Dundas—I could hear very well what Coe said at the meeting at Glossop . He advised the people not to molest the special constables , as they must be sworn in . By Mr . O'Connor—I don ' t remember the following words by Coe : — He had read the pages of history , and had looked at the bloody scenes that had ocrnrrtd at the c'ose of the last century uoon the soil of France . He saw that at that time the first cry of the people was , * Give us bread , and none of your gabble . ' They were led by forms in women ' s guise , but of masculine
energy , and called up in the Court of the Tuilleries for immediate food ; for that they were djing , and , dying , would not endure it . " J don ' t remember the following language being used by Coe , — You must wait , " said Sir Robsrt , " till February ; you must wait till March ; you must wait till the dog-days of next summer , when , perhaps , you may have three such dayB aa you have had in Paris ; but we will have hundreds of thousands of troops to mow you down . " This I conceive to he the policy of the party . I think that is worse than Coe ' s language .
Mr . Thomas Rhodes , examined by Mr . Pollock—1 am a cotton m&tufacturtr , and live at Glossop . My mill was at work on the 10 th of August- 1 remember a number of persons coming to the mill on that day , in the direction from Stalybridge . The nnmber was not very large—perhaps 200 . The mill door was closed when the people came . When they arrived they demanded that the hands should be turned out . 1 opened the door and the mob rushed in . They were armed with large stickB . 1 told
them there was no necessity to use violence , as we would stop without . Notwithstanding this , they rnshed into the mill , and drove the hands forcibly ont . When they saw all the hands out , 1 heard gome of them say , that if the hands attempted to reaumB work , they wonld make them incapable of following their employment . After this there were several meetings in the neighbourhood . 1 attended one at Wednesoff-green , on the 17 th of August . A man named Booth was there . 1 believe his Christian name is John .
Mr . Atbenon here took the opinion of his Lordship , whether the simple fact of the surname of two parties being the same was to be taken as proof of identity ! The Judge said he could not at that moment say to what the examination might lead . It might be that Booth had done nothing but what was perfectly legal ; or it might he otherwise . It was necessary , therefore , to know what was said at these meetings , in order that they might judge- of their character .
Examination resumed—Booth had a piece of paper m his hand ; and he told the people what expensive a thing monarchy was , and what a quantity of wine the queen drank , fie also said that the working classes would never obtain justice from the magistrates , for the Bench was composed of men from the middle classes of society . They must hare men of their own stamp . He then referred to the church , and said if the Bishops got so much for working one day , how mueh did they ( the working classes ) deserve for working six ! It was discussed whether they should
stop the railway hands , and 1 understood the meeting to decide that they should be Btopped . On leaving the ground they went in th © direction of the railway . There were two roads to it , and they took the longest . We began work again at our mill on the 25 th of August . We had no difficulty in getting the hands to come . The major part had expressed a wish to return to work any time we thought proper . On this day , several hundred persons came to the mill , about twelve o'clock . The fir » t thing 1 saw was a mob surrounding the ^ oor . The cry raised by the raob was
Untitled Article
*• turn them out , " we'll have them out . " We defended the door , and kept the mob off . There were two attacks . The first might continue for more than an hour . They dispersed , threatening that they would send a large force . We continued at work rill Friday , the 30 th . 1 returned home in the afternoon of the same day . 1 found the windows of the warehouse destroyed , and those of my own and father-in-law ' s house . The military were there . I know the hand-writing of John Lewis . 1 have seen him write his name once . I believe those now produced to be the same . 1 was at a meeting on Mottram Moor on the 19 th or 20 th of August . A placard was exhibited . There is no doubt that the one now produced ( the address of the Executive Committee ) is the Baaae .
By Mr . Dundas—The plaoard was given to the chairmaBj but he did not appear to be able to read it , and it was given to another to read . I have uo doubt ibis is a copy . B 7 Mr . Atherton—During the last four years there has been a gradual reduction in the rate of wages . I don't know that the workpeople in tho month of August had the feeling that a further reduction would be made . I was giving a farthing a cut more than my neighbours , and I contemplated making a reduction to the standard of others . That is all I can say . I am not aware that there was general discontent among the working classes on the subject of wages .
By Mr . O'Connor—On tho 11 th , 12 h . and 13-h of August , I heard Robert Wild , Samuel Lees . John Fairhurst , and Gibson speak . At the meeting I attended , it was not wade a wage question . Robt . Wild said he was receiving 5 * . a week more than in 1840 . Fairhust stated ihat the block printers were rectivine the same as they had done for eleven years . The meeting of the 11 th and 12 th unanimously resohed that it should not be made a wage question ; that it was tho Charter they wanted . Tnat motion was put repeatedly . We opened the doors of the mill on the 26 th , and the men came back .
Mr . Hibbert recalled and examined by tbe Attorney General—1 produce a placard delivered to me by Littlo . constable of Hyde . It was given to me about the middle of August , but I cau ' t fix the day . It has never been out of my possession since . My writing ifi 1 at the back of it , but it was only written yesterday . The address of tho Executive Committe was hern produced , and Lit *? , constable of Hydo , stated that ho ordered one of bis constables to pull down the placard from the walla of Hyde , between the-15 th and 19 th of Augnst , He delivered it to Mr . Hibbert , clerk to the Magistrates . The Attorney-General then put in the address , which was read by the CJerk of the Arraigns . Tho placard bore the imprint of " Chales Turner , printer , Turner-street , Manchester . "
Mr . Geo . Nasymuh , examined by Sir G . Lewin—1 am the owner of premises , at i * atricroft , in the township of Ecclcs , cailed Bridgewater Foundry . On the morning ot the 1 hh of August , I got up early , and saw a number 01 men going in the direction of Ecclea . 1 went there , and found a meeting collected . I knew the president , David Morrison , one of the defendants . He spoke a few words , and introduced a man named Bel ) , who addressed the meeting 1 was so far off , that 1 could not hear what was said . Morrison bubinitled a proposition that a deputation should go to the various mills , and order the hands to turn out . This was sot agreed to .
Another was proposed , that the whole meeting should go , and it was adopted . Within a day or two 1 saw Morrison parsing my house , accompauied by a procession . Several 0 ! them had sticks of no great size . They were walking fi ^ ur or five abreast , and going in the direction ot Patricroft . On the night of the 12 th of August , 1 heard a number of speeches . The speakers recommended peace and order , and to continue that until the Charter had become the law of the land . A pit ce of white cloth was exhibited having an one sio \— "Peace , law , and order , " and on the other " Political equality . " 1 afterwards saw a number of the party enter the gates of a Jlr Teriey , a retire-i gentleman , near the canal .
By Mr . 0 Connor—Morrison has worked in my employ for six years . As far as his conduct in the works is concerned , we had no complaint to make . Nathan Fryer , examined by Mr . Hildyard—I am foreman ol the blacksmiths at the Bridge water works , near Worsley . On the morning of the 11 th of August , a number of persons at-sembled at the works . Morrison was there , and spoke to tho inspector . Mr . Smith and Mr . Pearson are the managers of tho works The latter bad a communication wi ; h the mob , aud he then ordered them off , and paid ho would Vend the mm brlouging to the works 10 them . I went to hear what happened . Morrison spoke , and alluded to the distress that was existing , and g-did Urn although we might think ourselves well
tiff , the distriss would ultimately reach us . He said it was now our duty to sympathise with them , and he added that if we " did not turn out quieUy , they would bring a body of men to compel us . Ecclus also addressed the meeting . U ¦ said they came like a clock , and gave warning before they eiruck . In consiqutnce ol what pas .-ed , our mtn wore ordered to cease working . The same afternoon 1 was at a mfeting at Eceles . It struck me that the i .. ob was tho Siine . Tho meeting was addressed by M'Cortney , one of the defuidanta . I don ' t know who the ch&ijura )) was . M'Cannuy bvgan by addres > ing them as fellow-slaves , " and 6 aid , " this is the beginning of the end : this is a stru ^ ul ' betwfcn rampant capital and prostrate labour . " Hu informed them that at a mealing of delegates ,
held at Manchester , it was determined that they would not identify themselves wuh any olasa that were turned out for an advance of wagti . The Cr . artcr was referred to , and he said the struggle must bo purely poiiiicaJ , and that all labour mubt ciase until the Charter had b > coine the law of the land . He mentioned many places , and said " above all , you have the men of Birmingham , who carrind the Reform Bill . " On Saturday morning , the 13 h of August , 1 was at a meeting , at Eceles . There was an address read , purporting to be from Mr . Lock , one of tho Dake of Bridtewater ' s stewards . It was proposed to burn this do ument . Morrison again addressed the mob in terms of encouragement , and they then marched off in procession .
By Mr . M'Cartney— 1 have stated briefly the substance of what you spoke at the meeting . You urged the people to persevere in their cosrse and ultimately they would be successful . 1 am quite positive that you aro the man . 1 did not hear you recommend the people to abstain from everything that might tend to destroy a single blade of grass . 1 could not consider the mating a peaceable one , after what 1 had seen . The presence of the men who had stopped cur works was a sufficient indicatiou of the character of the meeting . 1 observed a gentleman on horseback outside of tho meeting ; he was
not a magistrate-. 1 did not see a Magistrate nresent while you were addressing the meeting . You approved oi tho conduct of the meeting , and therefore J consider you were one of them . 1 dio not see you in Worsley that day . 1 do not know that gentlemen of property in the neighbourhood have supplied food to those who were on strike . 1 do not know of any attacks upon person or property in the places 1 have here alluded to , on the 11 th . 1 did not hear you urgo the meeting to respect even the opinions of thosa who differed from them . If you did do so , 1 had lou the meeting .
George Wroe , examined by Mr . Pollock—In the month of August last , I was in the service of Mr . Greenwood , coach proprietor , of Eccles . I remember seeing M'Carmey , in the Bull's Head , in Eccles , on the 11 th of August . I remember his engaging a carriage of my master , to take him to Leigh . Ho started from Eccles about ten minutes past six ih the evening . He said he must be at Leigh a little before eight . The distinct is about 8 or 9 miles . 1 drove him to Leigh . In half an hoar afterwards I w&a coming home , and I saw him about to address a meeting . I didn ' t hear what he said .
Samuel Turner , examined by Mr . Wortley—1 am a farmer , and live at Ashton-under-Lyne . On Tuesday morning , the , -9 b of August , there was a meeting at Thacker ' s ground , at Abhton , It was appointed to commence at six o ' clock . 1 know Pilling , one of the defendants . He spoke , and said he wished to go along with the body to meet the masters , at the Exchange , at Manchester , as the masters would not come to meet them . He argued for a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s labour , and said th < y must sot resume their work , until they had got tbe wages
of 1840 . 1 know a man who goes by the name of General Lee . He was at the meeting . The mob afterwards moved off to Manchester , and Lee went with them . 1 got my breakfast , and went algo . We passed through Holt Town , and they stopped two or three factories . 1 saw one factory whore they forced open tbe gate . 1 did not see Lee after leaving Ashton . At Manchester a Magistrate met the people ; Mr . Maude was the gentleman . There was another gentleman with him . 1 saw the military in Stephenson-squaTe . 1 faw Mr . Maude speaking to the mob . 1 never saw Lee in Manchester at all .
By Mr . . Dundas—Tho reason 1 went to Manchester was this : —1 had & lad who followed the mob in the morning , and 1 went after him to get hold of him lest he should get into a scrape . I heard Mr . Maude advise the people not to stop any factories , but to go to the meeting in Granby-row-fiolds , where they would find everything " right , square , and comfortable "—( Laughter . ) Tho Magistrates escorted the people through the town , and gave them every praise that could : possibly be , for being so peaceable . 1 1 saw no mob assembled in front of tho Exchange at Manchester . They all seemed in good humour , and 1 saw nouft to fait about . —( The witness retired amidst much laughter . )
Archibald Mc . Mulhn , examined by Sir G . Lewin—I am one of the inspectors of police , at Manchester . On the morning of the 9 th ,. of August a large body of men entered the town , and when they arrived in Ancoats-s ' . reet , they divided into bodies . Women were mixed in the procession . Some of them had small sticks . Mr . Maude , tho stipendiary magistrate , met them at the corner of Pollardstreet . Hs spoke to them , but I could not heft
Untitled Article
what was said . They then went down Great AncoiatB-treet . I went to Mr . Murvay ' s mil ! , and I found a mob of fifty persons there . Taty insisted upon the hands being turned out . About four o ' clock in thfafteraodr , I went dowii to the Cotton Twist Company ' s mill , aud found tho windows broken . The military were there , and they had twelve persons in custody . The hands had turned out , and the mill was stopped . I then saw the mob attack Mr . Burley ' s mill , aad break the windows . The gates leading to the yard had been brokon . I should think that 3 , 000 or 4 , 000 equates of glass were broken , and the window frames were forced out . From Burley's they proceeded to Mtssrs . Stirling and Beckton ' s . I found
the squares broken . The town continued m a state of disturbance for several days . Tho shops were shut up , and the mills were standing . I know a man named James Leach . He keeps a small book shop . I had a warrant to apprehend him . When I got into the house I noticed a board , on which was a large placard . I took it away . This was on tho 17 th of August . ( A . copy of the Executive Address was put in ) At the time I went into the shop the placard was leaned against the wall . By Mr . O'Connor—I have resided in Manchester about seventeen years . I believe that for that time , there has been a procession in the town on the 16 th of August . I believe it was the intention to havo a procession on ; the last 16 th of August . I believe , also , that in consequence of the disturbed state of the town , the magistrates recommended that tho proce .-sion should not take place . I um not aware that it was in contemplation to have a
mreti ) ig in a private piece ot ground belonging to Mr . SchoJefield . I do not know of my own knowledge that Mr . Soholefield gave notice that he would not have a meeting there . I am not aware that there was any breach of the peace in Manchaster on the 16 ih of August . I never saw so many persons in Manchester . I believe that notices had b en cironlated throughout the whole country for some weeks , to have a procession on the 16 th of August , to open Hunt ' s Monument . The notice , abandoning the procession , was a short ono : 1 can ' t say whetor it was in consequence of persons in the country rot having received their notices , that the influx of persons into the town , on the ] 6 uh , was bo large . Tranquillity was not restored for five or six day ? . 1 passed the house of Leach several times in the afternoon , but 1 did not go in to ascertain whether ho was in or not 1 apprehended him at eleven o'clock at night . 1 don ' t know how long before that hour Leaoh was in his house .
By Sir F . Pollock—Tho state of the town was extremely alurming . Business was quite suspended , the shops wore shut up , and the military and special constables were parading in all directions . Mr . Richard Beswiok , examined by the Attorney-General—I am the chief superintendent ol police in the borough of Manchester . On Wednesday morning , the 10 th of August , the town of Manchester was in a very disturbed state . A few niachino shops wero at work iu tho morniDg , but they were stopped during the day . I saw large bodies of persons go and order the mill-owners to Stop their works , or they would break the windows . Some parts of thn day , all parts of Manchester were interrupted . I could not form any opinion of the number of
persons , but I never saw so many . 1 am aware that processions have taken place for maiiy years past oh tho 16 th of August . They have been very little attended for some time past . It has not bevn customary for persons to assemble for six or s veu days beforehand , to be ready for the procession . 1 know instances in which bodies of persons won : to the shopkeeper ? , and demanded bread . In some cases it was refused , and in others , it was thrown out to them . 1 remember the meeting in Granbyrow-ficldB . Christopher Doyle , one of tho defendants , was in the chair . Several thousands were present . Tho Mayor spoke to Doyle , aud tho meeting generally , tolling them that iho town was in a most excited state , and that he could not
allow tho mooting to continue any longer . 1 believo Doyle wished the meeting to disperse . After a parl * y of about ten mioates , tho people be ^ an to walk away . On the 17 th 1 eaw a placard simiiar to that now produced ( address of the Executive Committee ) extensively pasted in Manchester . The first time 1 saw it was in the morning of the 17 th . That wa 9 the day after the intended procession to Hunt's monument . 1 apprehended Turner , a printer . Mr . Ewart , in my presence , found a placard on the premises , which he gave to me , and 1 afterwards marked it . That now produced is the same . To the best of n > y belief , it is in tho ssme state as 1 found it . The corrections are in ink . 1 don ' t know the hand writing . I . seized a printing press belonging to Turner . Leach was taken on ihe night
of the 17 th , and in the morning I had seen the placard at his door . I found another copy of the placard on Leach ' s counter . ( Produced . ) I also found a book . When I first saw the placard at Leach ' s door it was on a large board six or seven feet high and several persona in tho street were rfaditig . t I r . member going to tho Hall of Science , Manchester , on tho 10 ' th of August . 1 found Beverul hundred persons there . A majority called themselves dele gates . 1 knew Alexander Hutchison . Ho is not a defendant . 1 could not identifying of them . Tho Magistrates informed them of the excited state of the town , and gave them ten minutes in which to di-sptrso . ¦ ' % the lapse of that time they did disperse . 1 think M'Ca . rtney was there , but 1 can ' t swear 0 him . 1 cannot sia . o the n-mbcr of military in the town .
By Mr . Dundas— The pcoplein the Hall of Science dispersed quietly . There were a great number outaide . 1 havo known 5 , 000 or 6 ' 000 persons attend the procession in honour of Hunt ' s festival . 1 don ' t think there was any procession at all last year but one . The last time 1 noriced a procession , 1 think 2 , 000 persons would bo present . These processions were always knawn to the authorities . 1 knew on the \ o : \\ of August last , that no procession would tako place . 'By Mr . Jlaines—1 am not exactly clear about the day when I first kuew of the warrant against Mr . O Connor . The Attorney General—My Lord , 1 will just say that . 1 should like to Fee this warrant produced . Mr . Baines— 1 merely want to fix the recollection of Mr . Beswick , as to the day on which he first saw the warrant .
Mr . Beswick— I am mistaken about the warrant as to Mr . O'Connor . It was against Dr . M'Douall . The Attorney General—1 was so satisfied that no such thing existed , that 1 interposed to save my Leanifd Friend the trouble of pressing the questiou . By Mr . Bainca—1 am aware that early in the spring of last year tho foundation atone or' a monument to the memory of the late Mr . Henry Hunt was laid in tho burial ground attached to Mr . Scholefield'e chapel . 1 remember an announcement being made that a large procession would assemble to commemorate the event , at which
Mr . O'Connor would ba present , lho procession did tako place , and a tea-party was held afterwards . 1 believe it was understood lha ? the monument should bo completed by the last annivorsary , on tho 16 th of Au ^ u ^ t ; when another procession was to take place . 1 believe a placard was posted in the town , stating that in consequence of the excitement in the town , the procession would not tako place . It did not take place 1 understood from some ot the other constables that after tho proclamation of the Queen , and that of the Magistrates , appeared , <• meeting fixed to be held on lho premises of the Rev . J . Scholefield , was abandoned .
We subjoin the substance of each of these placards read by Mr . Baiiies , which are highly important to th « Chartists , as showing the spirit of law and order by which they were actuated : — The following is the announcement of the
procession : — " Hunt ' s Monument . —Men of . Manchester , Salford , and the surrounding towns and villages , be at your posts , la conformity with tho announcement of the committee in the placards recently issued , wo hereby give instructiona to be observed on ihf 16 ch of August , 1842 , when a grand processiou will take place to celebrate the completion of the monument in memory of the late Henry Hunt , E > q . Those tradeB who resolve to join the procession are requested to meet the members of the National
Charter Association , and other friends of Henry Hunt , Esq ., in Stevenson ' s-sqiiare , precisely at ten o ' clock in the forenoon , where the procession will be formed , and thence march in due order , headed and conducted by two marshals , through the following streets , namely , Lover-street , Piccadilly , London-road , to Ardwick-green , there to meef- the patriot O'Connor . " ( Then follows the further programme , and the announcement of a tea party and ball , in the Carpehter ' ff Hall , the same evening , at which Mr . O'Connor had promised to attend . The placard was dated August \ .
In the mean time , the disturbances broke out in Manchester , and the Committee for conducting the procession issued the following notice : — •' The Committee for the erection of Hunt ' s Monument , respectfully inform the public , that in consequence of the very unexpected excitement of the town of Manchester , and its vioinity , occasioned by the ' Turn out for an advance of waobs , ' they have decided that the phocession , as announced in former bills for the 16 th of August , 1842 , will not take place , lest it should give an opportunity to increase the exoitemeut , the odium and consequences of which have been attempted to be fixed on the Chartist body . The meeting will be held on the premises ot the Rev . J . Soholefield , where the monument can be seen . The gates will be open at ten o ' clock , aad the meeting will be addressed by Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., and other delegates at eleven o ' clock . "
In the meantime , the disturbances having assumed a more formidable appearance , and two proclamations having made their appearance , one by the government , in the name of the Queen , and the other by the Magistrates of Manchester , the committee issued another placard , prohibiting the meeting on Mr . Scholefield ' s premises ; alleging as a reason , that given in the preceding notification . By Mr . O'Connor ~ Mr . Leach is a newsvender , I am not aware it is a common practice when any printer executes a placard , to Bend thm to a news-
Untitled Article
vender . I dontt know that I have seen placards at newsvender ' s doorB of a more exciting caaracter than this . ] , The Attorney-General objected to this qaestion , which the Learned Judge Held to be irregular , and consequently Mr . O'Connor did not press it . Examination resumed—1 know it has been your practice for several years to attend demonstrations at Manchester ! on the 16 * , h of August . 1 have seen you there frequently . Those demonstrations wero perfectly well known to the authorities , -ldont know that they were attended by any breach of the peace . I should say that the tranquillity of Manchester was restored in about a fortnight after the 9 ih of August . ' 1 was confined 111 the Town Hall , in a great measure , for a month , and , therefore , 1 don ' t know ' so much about tho town as others . 1 believe the days on which 1 received the worst re » or < s , were onfthe Wednesday , Thursday , aud tndavthe 10 thJ 1 Lthand 12 th of August . _
. , By Mr Leaoh . —1 am not aware that it is the custom in Manchester for bill stickers to paste bills on the boards which stand at newtvenders doors . 1 bVlieve you were not at home on the day on which 1 saw tbe placarjd in your shop . You were certainly uot in the shop ; for i looked as 1 passed . 1 had been searching for you during the day . Mr . Williaoi Drake was called to produce a declaration from the office of Mr . Seymour Montague , one of the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes , signed by Joshua Hobaon , Market-street , Leeds , declaring that he was the printer and publisher ot the Northern Star , and that Feargus O'Connor , E ? q . of Denham Cottage , Hammersmith , was the sole proprietor . ! ..,, » ,, »«¦ In answer ito a question by Mr . Wortley , Mr . Drake stated that the declaration was executed in his presence .
| _ The Attorney-General read the imprint jof the Northern Star ,, and was proceeding to read some extracts from | a publication of last year , when , at the request of Mr . O'Connor , the Learned Gontleman consented to postpone the reading till the following morning . . The Court rose at seven o ' clock . It is not expected that the Attorney-General will nni&h his c&ee before Tuesday , so that it id probable the trial will occupy a great part , if not the whole of next week .
SATURDAY , FOURTH DAY . Mr- Baron Rolfe took his seat on the bench at nine o ' clock . ' > A person in the body of the Court stated to his Lordship that he had been subpaened on bebaif of one of the defendants , but finding thai he could not obtain his expunces . he wished to know whether he should be compelled to remain or not ? The Judge replied that he had no jurisdiction in the matter . The witness , therefore , must exercise his own discretion aa to jvbether he continued or not . The Foreman ] of the Jury asked permission for them to go bome by the train at five o ' clock iu the even * ng , and return early on Mo day morning . Tbe Jarors bad sustained much inconvenience , and they hoped hia Lordship would accede to their application .
The Judge aaid that he was suffering under a severe cold , but ; he could have no objection , personally , to complying with ; their request They would see , however , what progress tbe case made to-day , aud hs would then determine . Tho AUorneyVGeneral supported the application of tbe Jury , and ultimately bis Lordship consented not to sit later than five o ' clock The Attorney General then put in a copy of tbe Northern Star of tha 20 th of Aui ? . 1842 , con-mining an article addressed to toe Chartist public , and which was read by the Attorney-General in his opening speech . This ftrticlu having been read , the Ltarncd Gentleman saidj that in order to prevent any misunderstanding be begged it to be distinctly understood th- < t the document there alluded to was tbe address of tbe " Exocutive Committee . ''
Mr . O'Connor begged tocalltnea tention of his Lordsnip to tbe fact that tbe Attorney Gmeral , in his oppning speech , told the Jury that the Northern Star , or anything contained ! in it , could only ba evidence against him ( Mr . O'Connor . ) If , therefore , the Attomey-Ganeral meant the article which had just been read , to apply to the Executive Address , be must also admit that that only applied to him , and not to the rest of tbe defendants . The Judge—That mayb ; matter of observation to the Jury . What I take the meaning of the Attorney-General to be : ip—that the person who ¦ wrote this article in the Noithern Star , alluded to tbe placard , entitled the ' Artdrew of tbe Executive Committee . " Tbe Attorney-General—Just so , my Lord ; and , therefore , I made tbe observation in tbe outset , in ordtr that there might be no misunderstanding on tbe pttint :
His Lordship here announced that as there appeared to btj no possibility of getting through * the case for some days to come , be had commnnicated with tbe Lord Chancellor , and had obtained a new commission for Westmoreland , which would set him at liberty for tbe following wetk . James Hindley , examined by Mr . Hildyard—I am a driver of a fly No . 10 , and live at Manchester . Esrly on tbe morning of the 16 th of August last , I was employed hy Mr O'Connor to drive him to the residence of Mr . Scholetield , one of tbe defendants , in Every-Btrcet . 1 tjok him up at the Birmingham station . By Air . O Connor—I know a man called " Pope Joe . " I was not in com .-any with Inspector M'MuIHd , and two cabmen , on Friday last . There was no conye : sation that we should all be of one mind as to what we were to say here .
Robert Ball examined by Mr . Pollock—I was employed by tbe Manchester police on the 16 th of August last . On the e ^ ning of that day , I saw Mr . O-. Cunaor go into Mr . Schoit-field ' s chapel . I was at the same place on the following day . I saw Mr . M'Douall come out of the chapel about half-past eleven o'clock . I saw him go in again a few minutes afterwards . In the afternoon 1 saw several other persons leaving—I should think about twenty . I n cogi ) z-i < I John Campbell , Christopher Doyle , and M'Cartnfcy , three of the defendants . 1 afterwards saw these three , in company ¦ with John Allison , go into tbe chapel again . On Thursday mornir . g , the 18 th . 1 saw Mr . O Connor . I saw him ltavirg Mr . Scbolefield ' s , in a cab , accompanied by Mr . Scholefield . They drove in the direction of the Birmingham and Manchester railway station . i
By Mr . Barnes—Two other persons were with me in Every-street I ! went there about nine o ' clock . On the 17 th , I eaw the parties going into Mr . Scholefleld's house at one o ' clock . By Mr . O ' Connor—The first time I saw you was on the evening uf the 16 th . I was sent into Every-street , at nine o ' clock , on the 16 th , to watch the proceedings of Mr . O Connor and others . I saw Mr . Scholefield ' a son putting up placards , announcing that there would be no meeting in Mr . Scholttitld ' a ground , 09 had be « n prtivioualy determined upon .
Thomas Noblistt examined by Mr . Wortley—I live at Manchester . My mother beeps a public-house in Whittle-street , called tbe Queen ' s Stores . I was at home on Tuesday , the 16 th of August . I know M'Douall . He came to our house about nine in tbe morning . My mother showed him a room upstairs . Whilst he was jhere , I saw two or three men go up stairs . They asked for Dr . M'Douall . I knew them . One was James teach , tbe bookseller , and another , Mr . Campbell . I dd not remember seeing Mr . O'Connor come into the house , but I was sent for a cab in tbe afternoon , and Sir . O'Connor and Dr . M'Douall , went away together , ii don't know which way they were going . I saw M'Douall again at six o ' clock in the evening . I went iuto a small room called the " snug , " behind the bar . He did not sleep in the house . I know a man of the name of Turner , a printer . 1 saw him at
his own house , ou Tuesday night . I was sent there by Dr . M Djuail . I was to ask if tbe placards were printed . This would be a little after six o ' clock , soon after he came in . I took back an answer that the type was not ready . jM'Douall did not tell me what placard h « meant . I know Christopher Doyle , he was in the bar . He walked through , and went into tbe snug to M'Douall . I know Bairstow , one of tbe defendants . He came to our bouse about one o ' clock , and went into the soug also . At dinner time , on Wednesday , I saw Turner , the printer , come to our house . He asked for M'Douall . I told him he was not in . He stayed for two or three minutes . He had papers under bis arm I saw no utore that day . I know a man of the name of Wheeler . He sitylea himself a printer . On Tuesday night , he was at ; our house . I am not aware . that he asked for anybody .
By Sergeant Murphy—Our house it a place of entertainment It is situate rather backwards , bat it is neat to a large market . We do not supply any victuals . An ; one that comes in ma ; go into the snug . It is retired , and more comfortable than the bar . By Mr . O'Connor—The house is close to Oltlhamstreut , but there { is no business doing there It is a great thoroughfare . T he house was as much open on this day as any other . No precaution waa taken . Many people went up stairs without asking for any one . I should think you ! would be in the house from twenty minutes to half an hour . I know that as soon as you arrived , a large number of persons got in front of the house . I am not' aware that you opened the window and told the people to disperse , and that if they did not do so , you would I k ow that you left by tbe back of the premises , in order to avoid the crowd .
By Christopher Doyle , a defendant—One part ol the house is in Olhdam-streeC . It is nothing remarkable to see you going into the house . You have often been in the habit of coming there to get a glass of ale , or spirits . I Defendant—A social glass . Just so . ( Laughter . ) By M'Cartney 4-Oldham-street is certainly famous for the expesure of various articles , but not for dale . ( Laughter . ) I mean that there is very little custom . For a public house , I do not prefer Oldham-atreet . I admit that it is ai great thoroughfare .
By James Leach—I have often seen you in ear house three or four times a week . I did not think there was anything remarkable in your coming in on the 16 th of Augnst . The snug is not the only room that we have where people whb wish to be quiet , can go . There is the bar aud the news-room . I have never seen you iu any other than quiet and respectable company . Tbe opinion of my mother and sisters waa that you were Vbiy quiet , and honourable in your potouqVb , I can't
Untitled Article
say tb . it year conversation referred to questions of : norality and good behaviour . I did not hear what y&n , said . Miss AgnewMary Noblett , examined by Sir Gregory Lewin—1 am sister to tbe last witness . I know M'Douail . I remember seeing him in our house on Monday , the 1 Sib of An ^ nst He came alone . He came again on the following day . He asked my mother if he could Lave a room . She told him the room waa unsafe- She did not give any reason why . He then asked to look at it When he had done so , be said it was safe , and that he wanted it for about eighteen persons . He remained there . Other persons came shortly afterwards . I knew some of them . There waa Campbell , James Leach , M'Cartney , Christopher Djyfo and Bairstow . I saw Mr . O'Connor there that day . At
that time the persons I have mentioned were there . He was cheered by the party who followed him . He went iuto the room where , the gentlemen were . When he had gone up stairs , my mother followed and said , that tbe crowd must disperse . Some went down stairs , and told tbe crowd to go away . They diA go . Those that remained up staira were Mr . O'Connor , Dr . M-DonalL and others , whom I dont recollect . Dr . M'Douall aj . dressed tbe mob , and told them they must go away , Mr . O Connor remained until a cab came for bhn . 4 person of the name of Baron lives next door . to us . Mr > O Connor went bf the back of our house to Baron ' s , " On the 17 th . Dr . M'Douall , Campbell , Bl'Csrtney , and others , tiame a « ain . They occupied the snug . They remained for about an hour and a half , and went away a few minutes before eleven .
By Sergeant Murphy—I have frequently heard Mr , O'Connor ' s name mentioned . I don't know that he is very popular with the people . The room was conadered un .-afe , the wall beini ; cracked . By Mr . O'Connor—I should say that you were in the bouse rather more than half an hour . The people were cheering outside . My mother requested that the mob might be dispersed . I believe you sent for a coach to go away . I did not hear you tell the mob to leave , or that you would leave Manchester altoge * ther . On the Wednesday evening , Dr . M Douall and Campbell were at our house between ten and eleven , and they remained an hour and a-half , I don't know
the distance between our house and Every-street James CarfcUsrfge examined by the Attorney-General —I live at present in Manchester . I have lived there for tweniy years . Pai t of the time I have worked in a factory , and part ; of the time 1 have been a schoolmaster . In the beginning of the month of August last , I was a member of the Chartist body . There were a number of persons who called themselves the Execa . tive Committee . There was James Leach , of Manchester , Jonathan Bairstow , John Campbell , Petej Murray MDouall , and Morgan Williams . On San . day , the seventh of August , I attended a Chartist meetim ; at Oldham . It was held in a room . It was a regular Chartist lecturer's meeting .
Mr . O Connor—I wish to remind your Lqtdshi p that this man is in the indictment Tbe Attorney-General —I was not aware of the fact , and I am obl'ged to Mr . O'Connor for having mentioned it . I had directed a noli prosequi . ' Th < s form of proceeding was immediately adopted by tbe Attorney-General . The examination waa about to be resumed , when , Mr . Dundas rose and expressed it as bis opinion that tho evidence of the witness was ina ' dmissible . He remembered a case before Mr . Baron Bolland , hi which a qaestion arose whether a person against whom a bQl bad been found , could be received as a witness agaiast others accused of the same offence . He took the object'on now , in order that , if any thing should arise out of it afterwards , the defendants might not lose the advantage of it The Judge—A noli prosequi is as good to the party as an acquittal .
Tbe Attorney-General . —Nothing is more common than to apply to the Judge , at the sitting of the court , in order that tbe party may become a necessary witness . The Judge—There is no sort of doubt about it Mr . Dumlas—I merely mention thet matter now , in order , as I said before , that we may not lose the advantage of tbe oV > j-etion , if there shonld bs anything in it The Attornej-G- 'ner 8 l—As an objection has be « n taken , in order to be regular , perhaps your Lordshi f will allow tbe witness to be re-swora . The Judge . —Certainly . Tbe witness was re-sworn accordingly . The Judge—Then I have taken a note of the proceedings , that the defendants objected to tbe examination of the witness , on the giound that he is in the indictment , — that the Attorney-General entered a noli piosequi , -to discbarge Irim from the indictment , —the defendants still objecting .
Mr . Dandas—t may jns ^ observe , my lord , that in the case of " The K-cg -against Percival , " Lewis ' s Crim . Cases , vol . 1 , p . 151 , tbe Judge , Mr , Baron Bolland , sent back the bill to the grand jury , to be amended , before be would admit an indicted party to be heard as a witness . Sir G Lewin—But in that case the Grand Jory had intimated their intention to throw out the Bill against the party . The Judge—I think there is no analogy whatever in th s case and that of " The King against Percival . " In the JAtter , the question was whether tbe bill was a good one , but here- there is no dispute of that kind . Suppose A and B were indicted for a misdemeanour , you don't mean to say that B m : s . ht not be a witaesa against A .
Tte Attorney-General—Certainly not , my Lord , and I believe in psint of law that although it is usual either to obtain an acquittal , ot to enter a noli prosequi , for the purpose of preventing the supposition that the witness labours under any infirmity , it is perfectly competent for me to txainine this witness without either form . Mr . Dundas I have looked into the point rather more fully , my Lord , and I say that Gartledge is not a pood witness , inasmuch as he was put upon his trial from the firsc He was on his trial up to the moment of coing into that bo * . The rule of law , I believe , is
this . Iu ' Russell ' s Crown Cases , " vol . 20 , p . 597 , it is laid down that a party may be a witness , providing lie be not put upon his trial at the same time as the other defendants . And 1 beg to call your Lordships attention to the case of " Tbe K-. ng against Rowland and others , " for a conspiracy , in which it was held by Lord Chief Juatice Abbott , that tbe counsel , in fits opening , may enter a noli piosequi . But this ia not the state of things here . The defendant , Cartledge , is on his trial now , and jour Lordship did not know till the moment he waa put into the box that he stood in any other position than that of a defendant .
Mr . Wortley—I beg to cail your Lordship ' s attention to the last decision in these cases . In " Phillips on E ? idence , " p . 67 . it is Hid dewn that in cases of misdemeanour , a ' noli prosequi , entered before or after trial , enables the counsel to call a defendant as s
witness . Sir G . Lewia—Tbe same rule is laid down in *• Starkie on Evidence . " I bava frequently known that where two persons were indicted together , application was made to the Judge , to have one tried before the other , in order that the second might become a necessary witness against the first . The Attorney-General—I am very much ebngedtomy Learned Friends on the other side , for their anxiety to guard the prosecution against ony objection . Nodonbt if this person should afterwards be held not to be a § ood witness , they will be entitled to a new trial ; bnt I think I am entitled to examine him . The Judge—I think you are .
Mr . O Connor—I submit , m « Lord , to the Attorney-General , having entered the noli prosequi , has altered the record , and . the i 6 sue being a mitimus sent down from the Court of Queen ' s Bench , by certiorari , the Judge is obliged to send it back unaltered . I deny , therefore , the right of tbe Attorney-General to make any , the slightest , alteration in this record . The Attorney-General—My Lord , I will just read & note , page 141 , of " Roscoe ' e Criminal Evidence , which I think removes all doubt in the matter . The note is this : — < l The evidence of a person who has bee ^ j an accomplice in th « commission of a crime , with which * evidence
others stand' charged , is generally admitted against them . If an accomplice be not admitted , it would be impossible to find evidence against the greatest offender . Even where the accomplice has been joined in the flame indictment , still he may be called as a witnets . if he be not pul onhis tried . Therefore , there does not seem to be any objection to the admission of * witness in such cases . " It appears , therefore , m ? Lord , to be quite competent for me to apply to yoor Lordship to direct the Jury to acquit the defendant ; or on behalf of the crown , to enter a noli prosequi , thereby placing him in the same situation as if he had been tried .
Mr . Atherton—The view which Mr . O'Connor has taken , my Lotd , appears to me to be the correct ene . I contend that the course proposed to be adopted by the Attorney-General can not be taken on this record , because this is not au indictment returned by the Grand Jury , but a manuscript sent down here by milimvs , a& appears upon the record itself . The Attorney-General . —I admit that till this occasion , I have never entered a noli prosequi on the record itself , but I maintain there ia nothing , in point of la *» to render such a course irregular .
The Judge—I will give my opinion very briefly . I think , in the first place , that the Attorney-General may enter a noli prosequi for the benefit of the subject . There can ba no prosecution at the suit of the Grown , in which it is not competent for him to do so . Tf . e Attorney-General , therefore , may enter the noUprostq « i , and get rid of the defendant just as if he had ne « r been prosecuted . What I would suggest , howevef .-, is , that instead of e tering a noli prostquiyfovL ahoaUf . tai « an acquittal , which is at all times proper in sneb cases It may , indeed , be essential to the interests of tt a otbet defendants that this party should be acquitted . The Attoruey-Ganeral—I will take your rec jmmenda tion , my Lord . Mr . Dandas—I believe the rule is , thr t a cp-conaplmtor cannot be acquitted till the end of & 9 trial . The Judge—I hold that no co-defendair \ can be besr « on such a point
Mr . O Connor—The ground on whicJ" , the Attorney-General consented to the acquittal v , f the defendant Wilde , waa , that he had nothing agr jnst him- NoW ' in the ftaje of Cartledge , he baa something again " him . ( f ~ on'inue'iin ewr Seve nth page . )
Untitled Article
$ THE NORTHERN STAR . i
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), March 11, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1203/page/6/
-