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Leeds :—Printed for the Proprietor FE A RQ VB O'CONNOB, Esq. of Hammersmith, County
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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.
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LANCASTER ASSIZES . CCoalinued from our sevtn& ^ tpe-J I gaTe you notice at the Hall of Science , at Manshester . Why ?—Because you said that parties had made coal—i nk . What did I say thai parties complained of ?—Ton € id net say . You said that yoo coulinetstop . On one occasion at a meeting at the Hall of Science , did I not tell yon to be more particular in yonr reports , fcecauae complaints had been made of their inaccuracy T ~ You said I -was to report properly , ^ ecauss parties had complained , hut yon would not giro me their name * . Did I not say that -various complaints had been made te se by parties that you had made -wrong reports of their speeches ?—You said you had erery confidence in •*• & ¦ . Did I --= -J 8 yon to "b e particular in- the report you ¦ were da taking ?—Yes . " .
Can yen bring your mind at ail to bear on the time when you first gaTe information to Mi . Irwin?—I cant to a day . Can yon to s week?—I think it was about the 12 th or 14 th of September . You are sure " you are not three days out ?—I can't say . Can yon be four ?—1 might l > e » Can you be fire days out ?—I might be . Can you be six days out?—I can ' t be more , I think . Were you in any work at that time ?—I was reporting for the Northern Star . How soon after Mr . Irwin first made the application to you did you give him any information ?—Perhaps from four ta five days . Did you consider yourself offended by the application being made to yon ?—1 did at first .
Why were you offsnded at firat ?—Because Mr . Irwin was not in the habit of coming near me . I thought he had taken too much upon himself in asking me the question . Did you state to any body that you were offended ?—I dont recallect that I did . Did you mention it to any body to put them on their guard?—1 wrote . To whom did you write ?—To the Evanng Star . When you wrote to the Evening Star , did yon state that no one had anything to communicate , and that it wsa of no ubs Mx . Irwin asking ?—I did not . You win swear that ?—I will . After Mr , Irwin had been with yon , did yon write a letter announcing that fact?—1 did . Did you write a tetter to m « ?—No ; not to yon . Did you write a letter to the Editor of the Evening &ar ? Did you know that I was the Editor of the Evening Star ?—Yea .
And yet you did not write to me ?—I wrote to the office . Yon wrote to whom yon knew to be the Editor , did you not ?—1 wrote Mr . Pardon , Was he the editor ?—I did not direct to the editor . Did you not consider Mr . Pardon the editor ?—No . Was the letter to him ?—It was to the Evening Star Was it to me ?—Not particularly . - Was it to Hjb Editor ?—It was to the office . Do you mean to the house—( laughter . } Was there say application in it . Did you write to me for money to go to America , to take you out of lrwin ' s way?—2 did not . You wIQ swear positively that yon never wrote for money to take yen out ef the country , because Irwin was tampering with you ?—1 wHL „ Did yen write for money at all ?—1 . did , because it was owing to me .
Why you know that 1 had nothing to do with toe fi-n ^ -nmni department of the Star ?—You told me to write to Mr . TTTfl- While 1 was under you , 1 was paid far my serneea And you did not write a letter for money to take yon out of the country ? Tbo Attorney-General—1 olgect to this mode of examination . If there is any such letter , let it be produced . Mr . O'Connor—Does the Attorney-General think that there is no other way of pro-ring it ? The Judge—1 know of no other proper course bnt to produce the letter . Mr . O'Connor—Then , my Lord , after I hare dona with tire witness , I shall ask for him to be retained . Crots-Exunination resumed—Were yon not in a great state ef poverty before Mr . Irwin applied to yon?—I was rather short of money .
Did yon complain to Mr . Irwin that you were starring ?—No . Did yon borrow money from Leach ?—I said that if I depended upon the Chartists , I might starve . Did you borrow money from Leach ?—No . Never J—If ot at that time . Did yon borrow sixteen shillings to bury yonr children ?—No ! he paid me fifteen shillings for writing a lecture . After the Conference you liave spoken of had broken -op , what did you consider it was that perpetuated the disturbances ?—A strike for wages .
How much money did you receive from "Mr . lnHn , prior to going before the Magistrates , at Manchester ?—2 cant say . About how much ?—Perhaps a sovereign . Wag that all you received ?—I think it was . " Will yon swear it was ?—I -will not . Win -yon swar ; yoa ~ 7 na noTreeeTve two sorerelgns ? 2 will not , butl think 1 only rtceived one . Will you swear that you did not receive three ?—Before 1 gave in my deposition 1 Yes?—YeSjlwilL After yon gare in your depositions , and before yon left Manchester , how much did you receive?—Perhaps three soYereigns . How many Chartist meetings do you think you have attended ?—l can't calculate them . Hare you been in the habit of sending the resolutions passed at those meetings for insertion is &e northern Star 2—lhave .
1 ask you , if the general tenour of the principal resolution has not for years past been— " and we pledge ourselves to continue the present struggle until the Charter becomes the law of the land ? " —It has . You were the Secretary to Hunt ' s Monument Committee ?—l was the paid secretory . 1 &sk you on yonr oath , was not Mi . Scholefield , in particular , most anxious , that every thing should be given up which had the slightest tendency to bring the people into collision with the authorities ?—1 thought so . Did you write a letter to the Northern Star , relative to the Monument Committee ?—Perhaps I did . Perhaps yon did . Did you or did you not ?—When ? On the 11 th of August . Here , Sir , is a file of the Jtarfhem Star of the 13 th of August . Is that letter yours ?—It is . The officer of the Court read the letter . It was as follows = —
" Hrjrr uoxntEKT conaniizE . "TOTH-. CHJLB . TISTS OP MiSCHESTEB , ASD THE -SCS 2 O 0 SDIS 6 Iow > s AifD Villages . —The Committee appointed to superintend the erection of a Monument to the memory of the late Henry Hunt , Esq ., feel sorrow at having to inform you , and those other friends whs had intended to honour us with their presence at the procession on the 26 th-of August , that after , duly considering upon the present awful and truly alarming state of this district , and after every member present had given his opinion upon the matter , the following resolution was passed unanimously : —
•• That , taking all tilings into consideration , the committee deem it tbe most advisable , safe , and judicious course to be pursued , under the circumstances , to abandon ihe Procession announced to take place on the 16 thof August ; and that the Press 1 » -requested to insert this resolution and short address in their cur rent publications . " "The district is certainly in a very unsettled state , and the members of the Committee believe that if any disturbance ensued on that day , the enemies to the Chartist movement would snatch at the opportunity , -and throw the blame on the Committee and the -Chartists generally . They perceive that the Manchester Guardian has already begun to charge the Chartists as the originators of , and as taking part in , the disturbances already had . A charge as false as it is cowardly ^ nfl Huffimiw
"The meeting , respecting the Monument , win be fcolden on the 16 th of August , in the Rev . James Scholefield ^ borixl ground , Erery-street . The ground is private property ; and the meeting will , therefore , be strictly safe and legal The delegates are expected to be here according to previous announcement ; likewise Peargus O'Connory Esq . The tea party and ball win al » beholden in tie evening , for which all due arrangements are being made . "In adopting this course , the committee feel that
they best consult the interest and Baf ety of the Char tist cause . . Were they to-go on with tae procession , and bring upon _ em the interference of the msgis ttacy , iwjudt might be the consequence . Life would be e&oangered , blood spffled , and our righteous movement geaay . endai ^ ered and retarded . We want to obtain SeanT ^ , ? J f ' ******* , and const itutional means , and not by force and -tumult Signed on behalf of the Committee , "August 11 th , 1845 » " W * - o ™*** - *! .
vm ^ y ? *** " meabei * <»*«* Did you ever yourself recommend any means fed ™ resorted to exceptpeseeable andqSS n 2 n ? S rSe That job swear on yonr oath I—I do . Do you know "Hitcbin and Doolan ?—Yes . stoSw-Y fZ * 1 *** " * 1 ro * lion »** Stockport is Did yon evermake any application to those two men & any other two , to bnnr down the workhouse ? —w « . Tfisi you swear ?—I do . ' Upon your path did you « ot propose iha establish zuentflf a r ifle * lu > , and that you would procure s sergeantto drill them?—This is the first time I ever heard of such a thing . The Judge—I see no use in your asking an irrelevant question . . Mt 6 * Cbnnor—Why , my lord , I thought the -wit , aess : would have the candour to atZmit file fact—OMghterj . Do you know a person of the name ef Brook , -who wozked fa 2 to Sebolefield 7—14 a
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On your oath , did you not tell Breok that you would be a nail la o * Connor * -s- « omn , andtShat you bad it is yonr power to destroy -fcrm?—I dl ^ 'not .. JTor-anythujg of a similar nature?—Perhaps yon will allow -me to explain . < X said that a . would expose you through the press , for the -manner in which yon had served me . Ibat is for paying you -your wages?—Ne : for bringing lae from a situation , _ ad then leaving me to starve . Sid you not give-me notice to'Jeave ?—Mr . Hill said that the only fault we have to * &nd with our excellent co-respondent is , that he has been too industrious—< laughter > Sid you , at any time , at Hatgreaves ' s house , Bay that you would be revenged on me before you died JI did not .
Did you try to induce other peneos to give information to Mr . Irwin 1—Yes . Who were they ^—Mr . Cartledge . When did yon try to induce him ?*—While he was in the lock-up . What did you state as the inducement ?—I told him that there was the prospect of = a Jong imprisonment before him , if the charge was pressed , and that if he thought proper , he could go into ibe witness box , instead of into the duck . Did you tell Cartledge that if &e went into the witness box instead ot the dock , tbe prosecution would not be pressed I—Yes . Did yon tell him who sent yon ?—I -did not . Would you have been admitted to see any other prisoner?—I should .
Did yon go?—I did not How did you live while you were in Ireland ? Did you look ont for a job of -work ?—Idid not . Did you do oae day ' s work ?—No . Is it not a fact that yon were in a state of the most abject poverty before Mr . Irwin came to you ?—Not abject poverty , fur I had credit Are you a good ChartUt ?—Yes . Do you subscribe to the six points of the Charter ?—I do . Let me ask you a fair question , what was the state xit Manchester , after the conference had separated ?—It was in a very excited state . What was your impression as to the disposition of the people generally , at the several Chartist meetings you have attended ?—Peaceable . , What have been the principles which have generally indeed , 1 say unreservedly , been inculcated on the people ?—Tending to peaee .
Have yoa heard me explain at every meeting at which you have attended , that there was no man in this world whose intentions had been so much mi £ . represented as mine ?—1 have . : 1 ask you , have you or have you not , at these several meetings , heard me tell the people , that the very moment an attempt was made to force them into a violation of the peace , from that moment their cause was destroyed ?—1 think 1 have heard yon say something to that effect On your oath has not that been the spirit of my addresses at all the meetings you have ever attended ? —Latterly , it has been so . 1 have heard you speak strong , bnt not so exciting as some . Bnt you say that the general tenour of all my speeches has been to preserve peace , law , and order . Have you beard the northern Star , and myself , and a great many of the leadera reprobated for not sanctioning the strike ?
The Attorney-General—I must olyecfc to that question . Mr . O'Connor—The Attorney-General charges the Northern Star with causing the strike . Here is the reporter , and I want to show you what character the Northern Star has gained for itstlf by the course it has pursued . The Judge—The Attorney-General alluded to a particular passage in a particular paper as having that tendency . You can't set off your exhortations to peace and quiet on other occasions , as against exhortations to the contrary contained in a particular paper which the Attorney-General has put in . Mr . O'Connor—It is perfectly competent for me from the 1 st of August to the 1 st of October , to put all my acts into evidence dnrins that period .
The Attorney-General—In my opening , 1 gsre Mr . O'Connor credit for having , on Vinous occasions , exhorted the people to quiet and peace . What 1 object to now is , that Mr . O'Connor &eki the witness if he has not beard that complaints have been made against the Northern Star tot having done so and so . Anything as to Mr . O'Connor ' s general character , or the general character of bis newspaper , 1 object to . Mr . O'Connor—Tery well , then , 1 dont press the question . Cross-examination resumed—Are you acquainted with the newsvendors of Manchester ?—Not generally . Do you know when any society , or any individual , having a placard ta publish , send them to the shops ot newsvendors , for the purpose of being placed on boards for public exhibition ?—1 believe they are . How long have you ktown James Leach ?—Two years .
1 will venture to put s question to yon on his behalf . What is your opinion of his character ?—He is a very honest man . Has he at all times been opposed to violence ?—In my bearing , he has . Is be not esteemed as an excellent man by all parties —1 have heard political parties speak highly of him . 1 believe yon are aware that very angry discussions bavB taken place between the Corn Law Repealers and the Chartists during the last year and a half ?—Yes . Woe you present on one occasion -when yoa saw me knocked down three times , and taken out of the meeting bleeding , in consequence of a blow on the temple with a stone ?—1 was not present , but 1 heard the report Were you before the Magistrates , when 1 applied for protection against these parties?—1 was not .
la it the general feeling in Manchester , and have you not known it for two yean , that the working classes feel that the police rendered them no protection ?—Not generally . Has it not been stated that the policemen were the bludgeon men of the League ? The Attorney General—1 must object to that question . It is really out of all character . Were yoa at a meeting in St . Stepaenson ' s-equare , at which Mr . Cobden attended ?—Yes . Did yon see the authorities there ¦?—I did . Did you see the working-people there ?—1 did .
Did you see the police there ?—I did . What occurred ?—There was a great deal of fighting , and a row . On vhose part was the fighting ?—I did not distinguish the party , but I understand it was your own ountrymen —( Laughter . ) Why to be sure , my countrymen axe famous fellows for fighting . It was they who knocked m downlLanghter . ) Bat to which party did they attach themselves ?—I understood to the League . Did you think we were conspirators when we met ! The Attorney-Gsneral objected to the question . Mr . O'Connor—You may go .
By the defendant Otley—1 have been in Sheffield once . 1 have not heard you speak tit any meetings in Lancashire or Yorkshire . When 1 was at the Conference 1 took you for M < Arthur , the chairman . 1 know yon now . The tendency of your speech wasagainst the strika 1 never read anything written by you in favour of physical foree . By M'Cartney 1 spent my time in Ireland in reading and writing , and taking moderate exercise . 1 have neither hunted or fished . 1 have shot at snuU birds for amusement 1 have not been connected with the Irish police establishment I borrowed a carbine from a man who keeps a shop . He is not connected with the Irish constabulary force , l do not think there wag the slightest anticipation of a strike throughout the country at the time the Conference was called together at least it never came to my knowledge . 1 thought that particular care was taken at the Conference to see that every delegate had been legally and properly elected the he
by meeting proft&sed to represent The reason why 1 said that 1 would not tell in whose hand writing the corrections of the Executive Committees' address were , was because 1 did not know . The barrister said Youmust teD , " and then l said «• WeU , then , 1 think it is 2 fr . Cartledge ' s" 1 remember having a conversation with Campbell , one of the defendants . i did not say to him that there were some Chartists in whom 1 eonld place no confidence . 1 attended some of the trade ' s delegates meeting in Manchester . 1 have heard it remarked that when the first meeting of the trades delegates took place , that the excitement in the town of Manchester was beginning to subside . I never said so myself . I think the tendency of the Trades' Meetings was to keep up the agitation . I did not think they had a tendency to repress the disturbances . I remember visiting you in prison , and sympathising with you , and also congratulating you on your liberation . I accom panied yon to the railway . We adjourned to a tavern .
Witness—I would advise yoa not to go into that because it will injure yourself . Defendant—At the time yon were shaking hands with me , and congratulating me on my liberation , had you not given that information on the strength of which I was again arrested . Witness—Not officially . A little information had been given , I told you so when I was at Manchester . By Sir P . Pollock—At the meeting of delegates , Mr . Scholefield brought in information that Turner the printer , had been arrested . I have been out of the way because the Star and British Statesman were condemning me . Information was brought to me at Manchester , that if I appeared in the witness box , I should be assassinated . The summoning of the Conference had
nothing to do with reference to Hunt ' s monument Therewasnoaiingdiscussedattheconferencebuttnsreso laUons and the address which I hare mentioned . There rwasnoVhing said about settling differences . AUthedis-« astion related to the Charter and thestrike . There was nothing said respectinfpnnt ' s Monument . 1 took a note « f Mi . © -Connor- s speech at the Conference . 1 did sot take a verbatim reports the speech , but the spintof it The substance of it was to slter the word « . recemaend" to » approve , " and to take advantage of the strike , because the trades lad joined , and would be a great auxiliary . He assigned as a reason that it ¦ woold make it more legal , and evade the law in the cassofthefallnisoftbeetrike . Mr . John Hauler examined fcy Sir Q . Lewin— . ^ Mr . Dundas—Hare jon not been in court during the
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Witness—1 have , by tae permission of your XordsWp , . - • " ¦ . •; Examined—In the month of August last , l was a reporter for the Manchester Guardian . On the 15 th of August , a meeting or the trades' delegates was held at taa Sherwood Inn , Tib-street , Manchester . It was convened by a placard . Alexander Hutchinson was in the chair . There were a number of persens called 11 scrutineers . * ' They exanTmed the credentials of the , various delegates , before they were admitted into the room . 'After that , an sdjemenment was moved to Csrpenter' «* HalL 1 went tuere . The chair was taken st one o ' clock by Hutchinson . M'Cartney , John Leach , of Hyde , George Candalett , Augustus Frederick Taylor , David'Morrison , William Woodruff , and Alfred
Wolfenden , were there . A man named Duffy spoke . The character of his speech was that the anti-Cora iaw League were the originators of the dktuxbance . He mewed a resolution to the effect—that the delegates now . assembled view with the greatest indignation a proclamation to the inhabitants of Manchester , in the name of the constituted authorities , and that as representing the great mass of the working classes , they feel themselves called upon to express their firm determination to stand op for their constitutional right of discussing all matters in which they consider their interests involved . They recommend every man to apply to the constituted authorities to be sworn in as special constables , such a course affording the best proof of their disposition t ®
preserve peace , law , and order . ' This amendment wasj seconded by M'Cartney , and tbe consideration of itj adjourned until the delegates had made their report There was a tea-party , at Carpenter ' s Hall , on the 16 th .: I know Mr . James Scholefleld . When I got there he was addressing the meeting . He told the assemblage " that their day was coming , and when it did come , it would come with a vengeanoe . " He called upon them to enjoy themselves , and to remember the occurrences of . twenty-three years ago . He tben left the meeting . At the meeting , at the Hall of Science , the same day , a resolution was moved by Benjivnln Stott , recommending to all trades' societies " that from henceforth they make political discussions lawful and necessary In their assemblies , and that they embody , in their rules , a law for the adoption of this great principle . " This was . seconded by a person named HigginboUem , but
ultimately withdrawn . Tbe next resolution waa moved by William Stott , to the effect " that an immense majority of the delegates were in favour of the Charter , and that in conformity with that opinion it was at that stage of the proceedings necessary that & definite decison should be come to relative to the future course of action , to be immediately adopted by the werking classes , stating definitely whether labour be further suspended or again resumed / ' Joseph Mainwaring then moved a resolution to the effect , — "Xhat . tke delegates here assembled recommend the people to take all legal means to carry the People ' s Charter ; and that they issue an address approving of the strike ; and that they stop work until It becomes the law of the land . "' Frederick Taylor , from Boy too , seconded the resolution . He was sometimes , called Frederick Augustus Taylor .
By Mr . Balnea—1 stood upon the platform near to Mr . Scholefleld . By M'Cartney—1 have been reading from print , cat ont of the Manchester Guardian , but 1 have my original notes with me . 1 recollect yonr moving a resolution at the Hall of Science on the following day , that as there was no dependence to be placed on the newspaper press , they might as well admit tbe public . No such resolution was proposed at the Carpenter's Hall . It waa not my duty , as reporter for the Manchester Guardian , to take a verbatim report of the speeches , because 1 knew , that the editor would not allow full reports . It was my duty to give a fair expression of what was done , and not of what was Baid . So many speakers uttered the same thing , that 1 could put in four or five
lines what had been done In six hours—( laughter ) . As far as 1 can recollect the general tenour of the speeches was to inculcate the preservation of property , the preservation of tbe peace , and respect for the constituted authorities , so far aa , they acted legally . The meeting of the 15 th broke ' up in a quiet and orderly manner . 1 waa at the beginning of the meeting at Carpenters' Hill , on tbe following day . The general character of the speeches delivered there were not to hold proper ty sacred . Caodelett recommended the people to go to the hills and take the crops inte their possession , and live on them . 1 dont remember that this recommendation was reprobated by the meet ing . 1 think he was not turned out ; if he had , I should have noticed the fact
The witness here rend his notes of what Candelett had said , on which , the Judge expressed it as his opinion that the language did not bear out the construction which had been put upon it by Mr . Hanley . Cross-examination resumed—The chairman objected to leave the meeting at Carpenter ' s Hall , on the ground that the magistrates had no authority to interfere with them . During the ten minutes allowed them in which to disperse , they passed the resolutions 1 have alluded to . The Attorney General said he now proposed to call some witnesses to speak to what occurred after the 17 th and 18 th
August-Matthew Marsden , examined by Mr . Hildyard—1 am constable of Ashton . 1 was at the Town Hall , on Thursday , the 18 th of August A mob came there armed with sticks . 1 know Robert Lee . He was heading tae mob . They went to Mr . Barrowa's new buildings . There were some bricklayers and labourers at work . The superintendent refused to allow the men to be taken away . A riot ensued , and the men ultimately desisted from work . The Riot Act was read . By Johnson , a defendant—1 mean by a riot , there < asa general disturbance . The mob brandished their sticks , and said they didn't care a d either for the riot act or the magistrates . They told the bricklayers that if they did not come down from the scaffold they would fetch them . By William Woodruff , defendant—1 don't know that any person was iojured before the Riot Act waa read .
Samuel Newton , examined by Mr . Pollock—1 was at Ashton , on the 18 th of August last 1 was at Hulme ' e mill on tfeat day . 1 remember a number of persons coming thereabout ten o ' clock in the forenoon . 1 should think at that time there were 300 came together . They had sticks and other weapons . The mill was at work when they came . The mob desired the master and overlooker to stop the works . . The latter said that the muster was not present , and he conld no nothing . As the people were golDg away , they said , " We have not force enough here , let us go to fetch the others . " They returned In about two hours after . 1 should think there would be 900 then . They walked to the mill , and then the hands turned out . After that they wanted the young master to premise that the worka
should not start again . He replied that so long as their hands were willing to work , the mill must run . The mob tben raked out the fires from under the boilers , and Borne of them called out to pull the plugs away so as to let the water ont One plug and one fire was drawn , and the soldiers then came up and dispersed the mob . James Whittam examined by the Attorney-General —I live at Carlton , about ten miles from Colne , and two miles from Skipton . On the 16 th of August , a mob of 2 . 000 or 3 , 000 came to Skipton . They stopped tbe works of Mr . Dewhurst and Mr . Sed&wick . The latter made resistance for an hour or better . The mob got
a reinforcement and overpowered Mr . Sedgwick ' s people . They turned out the bands , and stopped the boilers . I know James Mooney . He lives at Colne . He told me about having been to the Conference at Manchester , as a delegate . He said they were broken up at the Carpenter ' s Hall , and then they went to Mr . Scholefield's place . He further informed me that a few met afterwards at Chatmoss . He said they wuie well prepared , and that if anybody had gona there to break them up , they would have repelled them force to force . He told me that , they had four double-barrelled guns , and two or three single-barrelled ones . This was said at tbe end of August Nobody was with us when the conversation took place .
By Mr . M'Oubray . —1 was once a Chutist myself . 1 am a weaver , and am in employment now . 1 have a respect for the laws . 1 never sold tea in my life . , Charles r-lar&ck examined by Mr . Woitley ^ -In Aog . last , I was employed as a designer to Messrs . Wanklin , at Ashton . On the 18 th of Augusta mob came and turned out the bands . We returned to work on the following day , but they turned us ont again . We then remained out till the 22 ud . On the 24 th , the mob came again . Upwards of 400 er «* 00 come to the c&tes , and there were thousands about The gates were fastened , and they broke them down . They threw stones into the engine houBe , and a number got into the wheels . The Magistrates and special constables came up -while this was going on , and they were stoned by the same parties .
Grattan M'Cabe , examined by Sir Gregory Lewin—I am a police superintendent at Burnley , l apprehended Beesley , one of the defendants , on the 3 rd of Septem-i ber . 1 found a printed paper upon him . 1 now produce It : The officer of the Court read the paper . It was a resolution approving of the continuance of tbe " struggle" until the Charter should become a legislative enactment . ' By Mr . O'Connor—1 did not attend a meeting of shopkeepera at Blackburn , adopting ths People ' s Charter . 1 did not hear you speak at Burnley . X had other speeches reported but not yours , it was too difficult . The procession through the tewn was quite contemptible , We had been led to expect a very formidable processUn , and the police were prepared for them . When we saw that the number was so very small , we did not take any farther notice of them .
Mr . Issechar Thorp examined by Mr . Hildyard—I am a manager of the bleach works of Meaare . Neild , at Stalybridge . Our works had been stopped . I understood that there was a body in Stalybridge who granted licenses to renew work . I went to the plaee at which they were represented to meet , and saw a number of persons there . I communicated the object I had in wishing to meet the committee . I told them that we wanted ; tbe power to work up the cloth , which was in process of bleaching . In consequence of what was said , I went to the Moulders' Arms . A small piece of paper was produced purporting to pant permlssioa to renew work .
Ihe paper was put in and read . It was as follows : — " We , the Committee of StalybrMge , think it our duty to allow yon every protection in our power to finish the
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pieces already in danger , but we will not go beyond that point" ; J l ' --" On behalf of tbe Committee , " To the Dnkinfleld Bleach Works . " After 1 received that ; paper , our mill was allowed to -work until we had finished the pieces then in process of manufacture , when the works ceased and stopped for ¦ eeven ' or eight days .-By Mr . O'Connor—1 do not know what Committee 1 went to—whether it was the committee of " pablk safety" or not Mr . Peter Jamison examined by the Attorney-Ganeral I am a tailor , and live at Stalybridge . My men were
tnrned out- 1 had orders for mourning ; after that 1 went to a public house at Stalybridge , to get permission for the men to make the mourning . The first time 1 went 1-saw Fenton and Durham , two of the defendants . They said that they had baslueBS of importance to attend to , and I must come again . 1 afterwards received apiece of paper from one of ray men , for per mission to work . In a day or two , two persons came to tbe house to see whether we were making mourning or not They found a coloured jacket which a man had been repairing , and they . remarked that that was not mourning . My wife suggested that the men should take the work borne , in order that there might be no
disturbance . William Barber , examined by the Attorney-General —1 was in theemploy of Mr . Jamieson , in August last 1 remember going to the Moulders * Arms , in Stalybridge , to present my master's compliments to the committee , to ask permission to make mourning for a funeral , in order that we might snow it to the mob . 1 received a small piece of paper which 1 did not read , and gave It to my master . By Mr . O'Connor—Have you ever had any quarrel with your master ? Witness—No . Have you ever been charged with any offence by him ?—No , not by him . Who then ?—Some of the men ebarged me with taking two or three " rags" from the shopboard , but they couldn't prove it Why , what did you take tbe rags for ?—To put In my hat , to carry a small bundle on .
What , was your bead soft ?—( laughter ; . —1 pot ' em In to carry some swill on—( laughter ) . What sort of swill ?—Swill for pigs . Was It your own swill ?—WaB It your ' s ?—( laughter ) . It was bought and paid for . Now , tnese rags . What were they ?—The other men said they were . ' " spare trimmings '—( laughter . ) is that what you call cabiage ?—( great laughter ) . — No , now'fc so good—( laughter ) . But your master being a Bwell , " you wanted something soft on whicb to carry the swilli—1 defy you or any other man to charge me . Were you threatened to be brought before the Magistrates for it?—1 was threatened to be brought before an attorney . Bat you see 1 am not brought to justice yet No , you are brought to justice now , and as you have got before the Attorney-General , you may go down—{ laughter ) .
By the Attorney General—1 was never charged by my master with any offence . 1 am not in his employ now . Mr . George Roberts , book-keeper to Messrs . Potter , of the Dinton Vale bleach works , Duckenfleld ; and Henry Roberta , in the service of Messrs Robinson , bleachers , Duckenfleld , were called to prove that they had received a license from a committee of operatives , to enable the above firms to resume their operations . At the conclusion of tbe examination of tbe last-mentioned witness . The A"ttt > rney-General rose and said 1 am extremely happy , my Lord , to toll you that tbe case for tbe prosecution is closed . :
The Judge called the Attorney-General ' s attention to the case , and to the indictment , especially as to the counts for riot . As to some of the defendants there was no evidence at all ; as to others there was evidence of their being present in assemblages with sticks , ( fcj . ; and as to others there was no evidence of such acts ; but there was evidence as to their assembling as delegates . The Attorney-General—In a case of misdemeanour It Is not At nil necessary that all defendants should be convicted on one count .
The Judge—1 think you can't have an indictment for a misdemeanour , in whicb you charge A and B for stealing money , and then for an assault , and find A guilty of one offence , B of another , and C of a third . Attorney-General-7-My Lord , 1 will state what did occur before Lord Denman when I remember taking precisely the same objection as that now stated by your Lordship . Some persons were charged with a conspiracy , some with obtaining money , and some with obtaining false evidence . In that case some of the defendants were convicted on one count , and some on another . Lord Denman ruled that it was perfectly competent , In case
of misdemeanour to indict for a riot and assault , if there were two counts . This rule waa acted upon , and a number of the defendants were convicted on the first count , and some on the second . And I think , my Lord , that this furnishes a striking illustration of the importance of tbe principle . One of the counts in this indictment is for a riot . Tour Lordship knows that a riot in essentially different from an unlawful meeting , and the punishment is different I take that some of these defendants might be found guilty of riot I don't mean to say that any such charge can exist against Mr . Seholefinld .
Mr . DundaB—The Attorney-General opened his speech in this wiy . He said the question was , whether the defendants had unlawfully conspired together to bring about a change in the Constitution by taking advantage of the late strike . We , on the part of the defendants , understood that that was to be the question in this case . I understood that if these parties were to be convicted , tbey were to be convicted for the same offence ; 1 understood that that was acquiesced in by tbe Attorney-General . The Attorney-General—1 beg my Learned Friend ' s pardon , 1 did not acquiesce in any such thing . Mr . Dundas—Surely then , the Attorney-General ought to have stated that he intended to depart frpm the course which he chalked out In his opening . Tbe Judge—What be now says Is , that it is competent for him to find the defendants guilty of separate offences .
Mr . Wortley—So far from acquiescing in the course pointed out by the other side , 1 said 1 could not then discuss the question . Now my Lord , 1 beg to call your lordship ' s attention to a case which 1 think especially applies , and which was tried before Mr . Justice Cresswell , at Liverpool . Tbe name of the defendant was Kelly , and the indictment was something very similar to the one now under discussion . There was a count for a conspiracy , a riot , and for an unlawful assemblage . There was no evidence of a conspiracy . Then as to the riot There was a large meeting held at Ashton , amounting to an Illegal assemblage . The mob proceeded to a mill In a body , and there was a riot . At the first flush of the case , Mr . Justice Cresswell waa of opinion that two separate transactions must be referred
to , in order to allow one Bet of the defendants to be convicted on one count and seme on another . We shewed bis Lordship , however , tbat the transaction was all one , by tracing the mob from one place to another , and thus we obtained a conviction of riot against some , and against OtU ||^ i ^ An unlawful asaeai-The Attorney-General—i ^ j ^^ Bpre you , my Lord , that this indictment has bee | £ § Mnuly framed with a view to that ; same object . ^ W f ^'"'; The Judge—But is it not & great hardship against the defendants , if they do not know to what charge to direct their attention , when they come to defend themselves ? 1 mean those who do not appear by Counsel . The Attorney General- * -l will put a case , my Lord , l will suppose that there are a number of persons out * side Manchester , and they join those inside the town ,
for some purpose or other . They divide themselves , one part going in one direction , and another in another , and each party doing certain acts , one exceeding in magnitude the other . 1 think you might indiot them along with others who took a subordinate share in those transactions , and by proper counts you might include them all in one indictment Mr . Sergeant Murphy—Your Lordship will perceive tbat all tbe defendants are charged with conspiring together . Supposing it should appear that twelve persono conspired together to cause a cessation from labour , in order to effect an advance of wages , and tbat twelve others were to conspire to effect a change in the law . Shall it be said tbat the former are to be convicted because the others took advantage of the strike .
The Judge—The only things which staggers me is the case quoted by Mr . Wortley . 1 don't see that there is anything unreasonable in the proposition which has just been submitted by the Attorney-General ; but In this indictment , the defendants are indicted for a conspiracy to cause riots , and another for tbe perpetration of riots , which are perfectly distinct acts . Mr . Dundas—Yes , and met by different punishments . The Judge—I have a record to deal with , and 1 don't know how to get at it , but by taking the opinion of the
jury on each case . Some of the defendants are in the last indictment , who : are not in tbe first , and some are in the first who are not in the last 1 feel considerable doubt whether any judgment could be got in such a record . Thero is no doubt that it is the commonest thing in the . world tbat where a party is charged with a felony , he make bis election , ' and 1 confess 1 don't see the difference between a felony and misdemeanour , on such a subject Tbe difficulty Is , that the defendants will have great difficulty in knowing which charge is intended to hit them .
Tbe Attorney-General—That which appears to your Lordship to be a difficulty , has been very well considered by these who have advised the Crown . The Judge—As the Attorney-General says that much discussion has taken place upon this point , my view of the case may be erroneous . All 1 can do , however , is this—if there is no count abandoned 1 must take a verdict on each . The Attorney-General—Then , my Lord , 1 will at once abandon the count for riot Mr . O'Connor—Come Mr . Attorney-General , abandon the whole thing-wita a good grace —( laughter . ) The Judge—Tbat implieg the four last eonnts . The Attorney-Qenerai—Your Lordship knows there is an obvious reason , The J udge—That exonerates all the defendants . The Attorney-General—Your Lordship is aware that the punishment in cases of riot ifl different , and
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may proceed to a length to which I have no desire to expose some , of the defendants , against whom that oharge cannot be sustained . The Judge—I think you will see , ihat that applies to all the last four counts . [ The Judge read tbe seventh cou ^ nt , and referred to the sixth . ] The Attorney-General—1 will take any course your Lordship thinks right . The Judfle—I confess I think yoa will do much wiser to abandon the last four counts , which really relate to actual riot , of which , as against the bulk of the defendants , there ia no evidence at all . "the Attorney-General—My Lord , I put Mr . Scholefield forward as a prominent instance of one of the defendants who was certainly not within that : and it is but fair to say , that I should not propose , or at all desire , to deal so very differently with some ,
as compared with others of the defendants , as to expose them to punishment so very different . The Judge—The question we may take to be in the five first counts—are all there conspiring to cause an alteration in the laws and constitution , by making thej people cease from labour , or inciting them to do it , which will be nearly the eame thing 1 Then , as to ] the fifth count , I have some doubt whether tbat does strictly charge the defendants —[ his lordship read the count]—with conspiring not to do anything by violence , bat merely to persuade the people to cease from labour . I know there are different opinions in very high quarters as to whether that constitutes a crime or not . It then becomes a question whether you will confiae them to the first four counts . Therefore we may consider the riot as entirely out ) of the question . The Attorney-General assented ; but added—I do not think the sixth and seventh counts involve an
actual not . ? The Judge—No ; they do not . You may choose to go on with them ; but it seems to me very desirable to limit the number of counts as much as possible ; and I think you will find that , substantially , the first four counts compromise all . The Attorney-General asked to see the indiotment , and at this time the jury retired for a few minutes to | take refreshment . After their return , the Attorney-General intimated that the Judge would give ( him till the next morning to consider what course he would adopt , and therefore be would only say now , that he abandoned all charge of riot against the defendants . The Judge—That leads us substantially to know what you will do ; and I think , if not in point of form , at least in substance , that limits it to the offences as { charged in the early counts . ¦ There is conspiring , [ and inciting to desist from work , and by seditious placards , &c , with intent to bring about a change in the laws and constitution .
The Attorney-General—I believe that , the offence of riot subjects the parties convicted of it to hard labour . I have no desire to make any distinction between one set of personB and another , with respect to any thing of that sort ; and I beg that that may be distinctly understood . ( Other placards , including that headed " Run for gold , " were put in , and taken as read . ) At half-past two o'clock , Mtf Dundas then rose , and said tbat the case for the prosecution having now closed , the Attorney-General , In his discretion , eaUing no more witnesses on the part of the indictment which he was there to sustain , it became his ( Mr . Dundas's ) duty to present himself before them , ! as counsel for Robert Brooke , one of the
defendants , and to state U the Jury fairly , aa a freeman ought , what were the grounds on which-he said not guilty to this charge . Bat before be proceeded to enter into this case , allow -him to remind them , as in common conscience to tbe other defendants , be ought to remind them , tbat be appeared but for Robert Brooke alone , tbat tbe other defendants we ' re some of them represented by learned friends of his , whom he rejoiced in having associated with him in this work of ( privilege , defending those persons whose interests were entrusted to their charge ; and others of the defendants appeared there by themselves to receive at the hands of the Jury , upon what they might say for themselves , tbat fair and liberal construction , wbico be bad not tae slightest doubt they
would pay to the humblest of them all , as much as if be were represented by a gentleman , the highest in his profession , whom be bad tbe honour of sitting by at that moment . He would- add one more fact , which he trusted the Jury , from the beginning to tbe end , would bear ! in mind—that each and all of the defendants , though they were joined in one common charge in this indictment , stood severally on their own deliverance , and therefore their charge was not in tbe first place against them all , but it waa , in the first place , with respect to each , to see whether , by the force of truth—by tbat necessity which ought to weigh on just-minded men ,-they found themselves compelled by what was given in evidence to find any one of the defendants guilty on this
indictment . Having made these preliminary observations , which be trusted tbe jury would not think ill-timed , he would , with ithelr permission , proceed t ® say something on behalf ef { his client They would remember tbat in tbe calm and formal opening of tbia case , whicb was made by the Attorney-General on the previous Wednesday morning , that the name of his client , Brooke , never transpired—that although he ( Mr . Dundas ) sat , longing and ! wanting to know upon what grounds Robert Brooke was to be found guilty of this charge , from the opening of tbe address to the close of it , he never had hia attention pointed to it at all . He did not complain . He did not complain of the want of candoar on tbe part of bis Learned Friend . Tbe multiplicity of the defendants made it no such easy matter for a man to
point to particular evidence applicable to each . Bat he did find this 'difficulty , and he had found it not only a grievance , bat a very considerable burden , th&t he bad not from the first an opportunity of knowing what was the particular charge to be preferred against his client , and upon what species ] of evidence it was that a ! conviction was sought at their hands . He knew by the indictment the nature of the charges that were going to be brought against Brooke , but when be told them that that indictment contained nine counts , many of them of a different sort from the other , they would easily perceive tbat it did open the door , to a certain degree , to vague and undefined accusations , if the Crown did not make a particular count fit against tbe defendants . See what was the consequent of this .
The Attorney-General , in bis opening , put the issue on this single point . He charged the defendants that , by large assemblages , they bad endeavoured , by force , threats , and j intimidation , to breed such alarm in the country aa to produce a change in some of the great features of the Constitution . Tbat was the general charge which the Attorney-General had heaped upon all the defendants , and against bis client , a poor , tame man , living at Todmorden , was all tbe strength of the Crown to be borne down by this single issue ? He ( Mr . Dundas ) on the part of tbat poor man , was there to eay that he bad dene no such thing ; that he had intended to do no suchj thing i but tbat hia intention and act , if they took the whole evidence , which touched him at all , wa 8 to induce the people who were ota on strike to
adopt the principles of the Charter . And ha would Bay , in the i presence of the Court , that that was quite a different thing from saying , that by threats and intimidation , be sought to breed such alarm in the country , as to ) produce a fundamental change in some points of the constitution . The object of his client was to induce the people , by reasonable means—by such means as when they ] came to apply their minds to the evidence , they would say these means were , to adopt the Six Points of the Charter . What was the strike ? and then they would see what was the Charter . He ( Mr . Dandas ) would say , tbat if the men were out on strike , and if he were a Chartist , be contended that be might take advantage of the circumstance to induce those men to accomplish that which by legal
enactment only could be accomplished , and which they thought would cure the mischief that had brought the strike about . He knew that this was a bold proposition , but one which , in a free country , a free man bad a right to make , and on the part of his client he was . prepared to abide by it , and to show tbat beyond that he had no intention , by force , by threats , and by intimidation , to do anything tbat might induce the people who were oat on strike , to come into the principles of the Charter . If lie had sought by bayonet , by pistol , and violence of tbat kind , to bring about the Charter , no doubt it would have been illegal ; but they would find that he had done no such thing . It was by moral ; and not by physical force that be had endeavoured to implant the principles of the Charter . He woUld now ask them what was the strike T
All those wno lived in this county would remember the beginning and origin , very likely , of the differences between the workmen and their masters . He was not there curiously to dive into the particular causes which brought about tbe disagreements between tbe working men and their masters . It was enough' for him that tbe working classes , in different parts of tbe country , Were extremely dissatisfied with their wages , that they were , whether well or ill founded , under the impression that their wages were about to be still further reduced , and , consequently , they did that ] which by law they were entitled to do , assemble together , and under the law in that behalf , consider for themselves that question which had again and again met the ears of the Jury in the course of this
inquiry—whether for a fair day's work they could not have a fair day ' s wage . By law , every Working man had a right to sell bis labour to the best advantage , and that as the masters were protected , so were the men , and that as the masters might combine to see what wages they | would give , so might the working men combine to see what wages they really would accept from their masters . Every man might meet to do this thing without any fear of consequences , i The 6 th Of Gteo . IV . c . 128 , made in July , 1825 , folly bore him out in this particular . The 4 th section of ] that act specially provided that it should
not " extend to subject any persons to punishment who should meet together for the sole purpose of considering tbe rate of wages or the prices which the persons then present , shall require for his or her work . " There was a protection to every person . Every working man , whether wisely or unwisely , whether reasonably' or unreasonably dissatisfied , had a fall right , under tbe sanction of this law , to meet his fellow workmen , and to consider in what { manner they might bring about a better rate of wages ; The Jury would find that at all those meetings , which were alluded to before what was called tbe invasion of Manchester ( although be was not going to defend any violence ot intemperance of
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language or conduct , ) that the object Was a discussion of wages , though very often the Charter supervened Did any man donbt that , the original objeot of these meetings was to eSecia better remuneration for Jabow and that they tho ^ ht ^^ r ^^ r ' vewo ^ bly ' ^ : ^ ' ^ would not stop to Inquire ^ tfmt their wages > ouW remain tothefcitiaastateotdepression ,: imMltho enact ment of the Charter had . been accomplished ? He life Dandas ) . was no Chartiat , but be - differed lnuneaselj with many ; persons ' . who -thought that the Ctorter cos tained nothing of truth . He had strong opinions jn politics , but he never looked upoa a man as a bad snb . ject , who differed with him In some fundamental prln clpla He had lived to see som » of those opinions
which , in his youth , were reprobated as bad , as hersi tical , and dangerous , adopted by the tery peotte whose language was eTex . r ^ ily- ' « inploye ( l ; : -iQ ° ^' smearing those who dare to indulge rtheni , » n in denouncing them as open enemies to tiaconstltution . One of the points of th * Charter was ffie Vote by Ballot Who did not remesW ber that twenty years ago , any person advocating thar ballot , would have been pot down by tbe common coik sent of all parties , as a madman , whereas now , itwu impossible to go into any company or society , in ¦ whidj this much maligned mode of voting did not find defen . ders . He knew that many honest and Well meaniaj men were opposed to the ballot , as he knew that man »
bad yielded a reluctant assent to tbe principles of the constitution , aa it now existed . If there was truth la a principle , it would sooner or later establish Itself , Jn spite of all the opposition tbat might be raised against it It seemed as if a man who sought any change at all , was to be looked on by some parties as dangerAat , and who Wished to upset the constitution , as though ha had no idea that by moral means he might put forth m views and take advantage of the generally expressed opinion of the country . Now , the strike , as he had before saidr * aa upon wages . His client was a Goartist , He thought among ether things , that it waa not nee * sary that members of Parliament should have any qua . lification while sitting there . He ( Mr . Dundajj should be a very on worthy Scotsman , if he were to
say that he did not think that that was a very bad lay There were fifty-six members for Scotland , arid not one of them bad a property qualification at all , ao that there were some things in the Charter that were sot so ridiculous and reprehensible as some parties seemed to be disposed to think . Now , then , there being a strike , th « men who composed it thought they never would be better off till they obtained the Charter ; and bo would say tbat a Chartist had a right to say to thosa parties who were discontent with their wages , if lawfully discontented , — " 1 approve your remaining out of work until the Charter shall become the law of th& land . " He would now ask to carry back the recollections of the Jury for a moment to what was the cos . dition of the country , from the beginning of Jaly no
to the end of August . In different parts of the country there were thousands of persons out of work . Ha believed they bad it in evidence that some of these parties conld not get Into work again , —that whether it was true or false of many , it certainly was trie of one or two millowners , that they intended to close thtfi works for a month , and they would not take into tkeii employment the men who applied for work . The Jan would find that there was no great disapproval on the part of the shopkeepers of those partfes who were on the Btrike , but they would nnd that they were tattght to believe that it would be a good thing for them , % j well as for the working classes themselves , if th » Charter sould be constitutionally enacted , and , therefore , those persona who were Chartists ^ -he waa ni *
now defending their intemperance—sought toaccom plish that object , and from the very moment at whica they first found his client in tbe field , they would Ss 3 that all be asked for waa a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , and until they could obtain that to remain out of work . He ( Mr . Dundas ) maintained that this was perfectly legal . Bat although the views of same of these men on Chartism were so very strong , what hap . pened ? It was & moat astonishing thing that so many persons should be in so many different parts of the conntry , should be under no particular leader , but undo some benign influence which he supposed arastbe called alovo of "peace , law , and ord « , though toy broke peace here , and did not keep order there , —yet generally under some such influence , they were ont of
work for many and many a day , they congregated in great numbers without doing any great violence to person or property . His Learned Friend , the Attorney . General , had given his full admiration to these partieg , and he ( Mr . Dundas ) firmly believed that this could not have happened in any other country , that thousands of persons should be ia the greatest necessity , and jet 6 no act of violence to life , and that acts of violence , committed for their own personal gab , were almost nothing at all—when they saw this , he repeated that it was a most surprising and astonishing thing , and he could not help wandering at the conduct of those men , who , nnder no guidance bnt that of " peace , law , and order , " which the Attorney-General bad said were words only put into their
mouths—that this large body of men should nave bean so long on the face ot the country , and no violence , or scarcely any , offered to the life , limb , or property of any individual . However , the people got info Manchester , and he would take the Jury from the time when Manchester was first spoken of on tbe 9 th of August , when a great meeting was held at Ashton , and when the people were going into Manchester , where there was to be a meeting ot delegates . What was the evidence on this part ot the transaction ? Where were the people to go to ? Why , they bad the evidence of Turner to show tbat Pilling , one of the defendants , had said that fee wished to go with the body of the people , to meet the masters , as the masters would not meet them , to obtain a fair day ' s
wage for a fair day ' s work , and not to be satisfied until they get the Charter . Some mills were stopped , but no further damage waa done by this iBrge body who marched into Manchester . Before this time , there could be no doubt that tbe Chartists intended to have a great meeting , in Manchester , on the 16 th or 17 th of August , on several grounds . First , there had been some falling out in the body , and they thought it desirable to have a meeting of delegates , so that they should in some way or other , settle these things among themselves ; to take their organization ( for they had a right to be organized , if they kept the peace ) into consideration , in order to see whether it required alteration Secondly , those persons were to meet as delegates , were to celebrate the 16 th of August , tbe day when Mr .
Hunt ' s monument was to be fairly opened to the public . Well , Mr . Brooke was appointed a delegate to this Conference . Was there anything illegal in this ? He apprehended that there was none whatever . The first notice they had of his client was the evidence of bis having been seen at the Conference , at Manchester , on the 17 th ol A-ugust , in Mr . Scholefield ' s ckapeL If they took the evidence of Cartledge and Griffin , both of whom had been put forward on the other side as parties who must know the truth , they weuid find that that Conference was wholly irrespective of any turn out in different parts of the country . There could be no doubt that for weeks and weeks jibia Conference bad been originated before the ' strike took place . Cartledge tad said that be was a
delegate at the meeting , and tbat he did not intend to do anything illegal , but that on the contrary , the Conference was met to consider the Chartiat agitation , and the celebration of the opening otHunt ' a monument They had the evidence of Griftm to the same fact , that the meeting of delegates was projected before the strike , and he had stated the objects of tbe Conference to be the same . But was Mr . Hunt ' s monument a reasonable thing tbat the delegates should meet at Manchester on the 16 th of August , or was it only an excuse for their being there ? Wby , they had the evidence of most respectable parties to shew that for years past there had been an assemblage of the people at Manchester op tbat day . Mr . M'Mullin , an Inspector of Police , had seen these assemblages—that the
year before last be witnessed an assemblage of 2 , 000 persons in honour of the memory of Mr . Hunt ; and that on the last 16 th of August , a similar manifestation waa intended . But waa this gathering to be the means of breaking up all the leading Interests of Manchester , in order to bring about the enactment of the Charter , and tbua to upset the Government ? Now the announcement of tbe procession was placarded all over MancaW * ter . and then arose the strike . What was done ? Wfcji if the people had desired to over turn the Constitution , w break the peace , or to upset tbe civil government ox Manchester , aa was alleged by the Learned Gounselon the other side , would it have been believed that finding the excitement which prevailed , they issued a placard , giving the people to understand that the monument would not be opened on the I 6 th of Aneusfc , tor feat
that any breach of the peace should occur ? On the 15 th of August , there came out an announcement , stating that in consequence of tbe unexpected excite ' ment occasioned by the turn-out for wages , the procession in honour of Mr . Hunt ' s monument would nottake place . Tbat waa a reasonable announcement , whicb t&S authorities saw with their own eyes , and if there was any meaning in language , it must be taken that this , placard was issued by the Chartist body , and intended by them to keep the pcacefend to promote order in that part of her Majesty ' s dominions . Now , some of the partiea woo had a right to talk about their wages , conducted themselves in a very tumultuous manner , out still the meeting of delegates took place . Brooks was appointed delegate for Todmorden , and he went to the meeting of Conference . What happened ? ^ 1 ^ 9 c ' - £ - ( Continued in our first page , -
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Middlesex , by JOSHUA HOBS 0 N , ali & » rruur ing Offices , Nos . 12 and 13 . Market-street , Briggate ) sad Published by the said 7 Joshua Hobsos , { for the said FEAUGtisQ'CpONHO ^ , ) at his Dwelling-house , No . 6 , Market-street ,. Briggate ; aa Internal Cenununication i * < 'tf n g between the saw No . 5 , Market-Btxeet , and the said Nos . 12 Laud 13 , Market-street , Briggate , thus constituting thft whole of the said Printing and Publishing O& * one Premises . All Communications must be addressed , Post-paid , to Mr . Hobson , Northern Star Office , Leeds . ( Saturday , March 11 , 1848 . )
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g THE NORTHERN STAR , i
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 11, 1843, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct641/page/8/
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