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    ^ ~~ THE TRIAL . gOYERNMENT PROSECUTION OF FEAHGTJS O'CONNOR , ESQ . AND OTHERS , FOR AN 3 XLEGED CONSPIRACY . 1 AXCASTER . —NISI PRIUS COURT . "WeDSISDaT , SLtRCH 1 . jjr . Baron Rolfe , the Judge of the Assize , having jj 5 ( j i £ is morning for the commencement of the 5 ^ 5 of Mr . Feargus O'Connor and others , charged wjjer Majesty ' s Government , under the "monster hicnneni , ' ( a copy of which "we published a few fuli » £ 0 inibe Star , ) for a conspiracy , by violence , to ^ nng » boat a change in the Constitution , the to t * The mTTT' nf ~ D TIT

    y ^ oBS aeaT proceedlngB . 3 > odj of the fjginras crowded lo excess , and included a large ^ gportion of th e defendants , who mixed promisjaoaslj among ihe general body of spectators . On ^ Ibeaca were a number of fashionably-attired jjges , the daughters of the gentry resident in the jgslslxHirhood of Lancaster , who probably graced jjjj Coari with iheir presence , for two reasons , firat , jjissrthe evidence , and secondly , to hare an opwjtiisijj of seeing what shocking people these Fvirtjasare . hi 3

    ^ Learned Jxtdg x took sea t on the bench jjge-t-T at nine o ' clock j x soon after which Mr . Jr Connw , accompanied by Mr . Scholefield , Rev . tf . Hai . Md W . Roberts , Esq ., solicitor , of Bath , o ^ int o Court , and took their seats immediately v ^ ica ihose reserved for the members y f the bar . lae Conn hating been opened with the usual jgjjaJines , lit Clerk of Arraigns called over the jjjpesofihe Jnrots summoned to serve . Fonr of ga Spee ^ l Jnrors , upon whom notice had been regn-Jjkj served , < hd not appear when called , and no egoeat excuse being tendered for their absence , g £ rere fined £ 25 each . fi » feDowing gentlemen were then sworn on the Jsj- - SPECIAL .

    jEoesIbthwell Barnes , Somer-field , Great-Lever , i&o . Bentley , of Farnworth , Esq . Junes Anderson , of Bargh Hall , Duxbury , Esq . jdward Brook , of Melbourne-place , Rusholaje , jjrehiBt . jsjai . AshEn , of Great Mersey-street , Kirkdale , ynSast . Somas Edgeley , of Park "Tiew , Rosholme , merh& Jtesjih "William Smith , of Wellneli-plaee , Toxjsi Park , merchant . ~ { & » les Armstrong , of Si . George's-road , Everton , estkist-3 sBE 5 Blythe , ofPlymoutb . -gro" ? ej Chorlton upon-^ jdlo ^ nierchant . HomssHiigh , Elm Hall , Aintree , merchant .

    X& 1 XSXE 3 . Bieliari Harrison , of Barmby , tallow chandler . Giarles Swire Kennedy , of Ulverstone , gentle-JftB-^ SUlisaj Scott , of TJlversfcone , gentleman . fhe Jnxss , addressing the Attorney- General , aidthUin objection to serfe on the jury had been Bide by Mr . Bentley , of Farnworth , on the ground fiai ^ ig » magistrate , and having taken an active pn in the proceedings against the parties with Tricn the trassicrioBs about to be investigated , tts said to have originated , he did not think he jbssld"be an impartial perwmfor ihe discharge of -gs aniy . He Obe Judge ) did not think the reason iscSuient one . but as the objection had been made , Wvished to stale it .

    SB Attoxskt-Gekerxl said thai if his Learned Jriads on the other side had no objection , he had ^ io tbe withdrawal of Mr . Benxley ' snamB . Hr . Dvyvxs said , that as appearing for two of 2 » defendants , he had no objection to be tri ed by gjiEi ^ i strate , i ^ esaltory conTersation followed , which ended in ] fc . Bender ' s name being retained on the list . 5 ? 7 bedx . Poiaock , Attorney-General ; the Hon Jii 5 . Woetlkt , M . P . and Q- C ; Sir Gsegobt Ijiec , Slight i Mr . Hildtaed ; and Mr . F . Pol-153 , appeared to condnct the prosecution on the jrrof the Crown . MtBjjsis , QC , appeared tor James Scholeleld i ^ Villiim Scnolefield .

    TFab reference to the last mentioned defendant , K Attobbet-Geiterai , said he would at once is ? T 8 Ms Learned Friend from all tronble by consagloa verdict of aequiilalbung , taken . XtltefDAS , Q- C , appeared for Thos . AiMn and ISua Brook . & Sergeant Mitepht appeared for Thomas iiiori , William Johnson , and John Derham . Jb . Athebtos appeared for James Fenton and liiao Stephenson . Ml M'OtmaAT appeared for one or more of the a ' auais , bat we did not distinctly understand fseL

    -Mr . P . Pollock opened the pleadings . The in-Ssaneirt charged the defendants with i ^ mng iBebSj conspired together , and whh divers Olher bciaocs to ike jnrcra unknownj unlawfully assemblei icge&ex , uid by riolecoe , threats , and iutimiiitJon , to&aapd persons to desist from their lawful Mccpstiom , ail tending to bring about a change in $ hi ixn and the constitution as established in these ra ! a ? . Ho this indictment the defendants had seve-^ j pleaded no ; guilty , on which issue was joined TCskisne It was for the jnrors to try , and say easier tbe defendents were guilty or not guilty . Mr . D'Cossob applied to hare the witnesses for mjB 3 aaon ordered * out of court , which was imme-Qit ^ complied with .

    & . O'Connor then said , he understood two re Krias were present , v ? bo woald hare to depose to saaal fact * connected with the present case ; and fesfore he trusted his Lordship would request SasWTeiire . Tjs Coart , after hating been made acquainted iSda fact thai ihese reporters would only hare fci » B « tonoie 3 of proceedings taken by them , re" sa lit application . B » ATrOB-NEY-GEJSERAL then rose , and ^ 3 sang the Jnry , saidhe could assure them most s ^ ignedly that be neyer rose to discnari « a more FEfci dnty tian the one which fell to his lot to-day ,

    * os » nnrhica he considered that tbe responsibility 23 b ? Q 2 those who adri ^ d the Crown , was greater fin 0 B the present occasion . While for a moment fcKTErted to circumstances which , more or less , isjbe iritbin the knowledge of eTery gentleman as ? najig the Jury , as probably of almost jgj person in court , —while he alluded to « W one moment , in order to caution them teas icy impressions which they might hare ?*^ irith respect to any indmdual charged , ^ gK Asy came inu > tbat box , it wa 3 scarcely pos-2 i « 2 S 5 to entertain the strongest impression of tbe *? 3 and ihe mischief that znighi ensue from

    « fcss 3 ncn as those mentioned in tbe indictment , | 325 ei they had been committed by the defendants . " * w > ald an therr aMenrion exclusively on this ^ oa to the facts that wonld be brought before " ^ sad be would state in the oniset , without tha ^ 5 « st fiifienliy , that if they were not satisfied of ? l * uy panicipation of every defendant , * * 2 those who had by their own ^ ase or not implicated themselves , if the evi-^* ffren on the part of the proseenrion shonld ?^» sj fair or reasonable donbt in the minds of ^* aj , hav e the benefit of that doubt , and by their -g ks keacqtittted . The offence imputed to the ®

    r ** Ets was that of endeavouring , by large as-^* ses of persons , to accomplish by force , vio-^ menaces , and intimidation , such a degree of g ^ * od terror throughout the country as to progf * eh ^ e in some of- the fundamental pans of ^^ sitcnon ofthe country . He should not stop j ^ V ^ JB gnire , nor should he , moreover , attempt vjP 60 ® lor one moment , the merit or the de-£ ? " * the change , or the beauty of SJ ^^^ ion , or the happiness which it might or 5 ^ - * sot shed npon those who had tbe blessing t « - oaae r it . He was there—not to disenss asy l *^* S&W . t -sF > mtc-PDT Vfa m iRTe merelv ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ mtmrn

    B » * ' ^ ^ * * + * &mv ^ - W WX * - * * * »**^^ - ^ ^ — -- — - ^ i-tvi parpDie of vindicating the > aw , and he j «^ £ o : tQat j ^ x ^ rdshi p wonld tell the tl ^ ^ CDVLr ^ of proceeding which he ( the j ^ J-feneral ) had ad voted to was illegal—that Vj * 3 f by such proceedings that any change , of £ jFpsott ,-wa 3 to be brought abontinthe conjT ^^ . tfle ^ onntry ; and if they were sa tisfied ii iSv eridence that the respective defendants > vT ^ . J part in a proceeding which had this vCfJ * Jeet , and those meanB to which he had isjf ^ were the mean 3 to be resorted to by ihe UJ ^ . thea it wonld be the duty of the Jury , j ^ - , PUnfnl , to find them guilty . As little had jj ^ o-snth the politic al origin of the meetings to ^¦ Mtt nst first call their attention . He proposed i ** & 2 into the secret history of the motives of ^ Tfilr 1231 aa ^ rior to the time when first the law tjnT ?* "' He proposed not to enfer into any in-Li i . *• tt > -what Tp «> r » iha /• ir # > nmst : anees that

    Vjjj ^ eommi ^ on of these offences , beyond j ^ ** s absolntely necessary to render the ^ ^ m ected with them intelligible to she 16 " ^^ stated to them the dnty he iad % ^ 5 ^ and entreated them to dismiss from fcjjj / scoiieciionB any circumstances tending to fe ^ . f ^ jodiee , or to -weigh against any of tbe d ^ T * 316 indjYidnaDy , or as a body , is sboaia pro-W ^ Ay Gorily &s J ^ toald , to narrate the facts t ^^ Proposed to lay before them as matter ot » ^ S" Somewhere about the 26 in of July last , ^^ f was held at Ashton-nnder-LyBe , the *^ rtf wi"ch » as they were probably aware , fogjAT ^ ceto Mancbester , was abont six miles ^ efi ^ 5 & * to' « ni- At the meeting , one of tes /^ ants , William Woodruff , was the chair-?» uS J ? ° » of the defendants , Rd . Pilung , lifii ^ Z-P ^ nt , and the Jnry would find that tbe T r&iiiTgL 1156 " ihaj occaaon could leave no doabt tf fht-to *? ^ * fiat w ^ re the objects and intention fc ^ io S . ! Wew ^ hen assembled . He pro fc » Cb ^ a Ter J *« w sentences of what fell from ^ " ^ from Pilling , when he addressed

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    the meeting , because he beHeved there was no doubt ftat evidence would be given to confirm th ? state gfrvpSsSseyi get a fair day ' s wage for a fair dav ' s wor ^" He then called upon PiUing to « dS « S a 3 & Thfr langnage he used w&a very strong , and was personally directed to owners ofmHbfi ^ nei ^ StJ ? £ * LV * \* * precinct 3 of & ** o ™ tt ? &J ? J ?* F * * . ? ° ** poling on : and some ihe tnAAtfna hoMnoa v » v _ i : j ,, '

    S& ^^ i ^ ^^ wo ' uld reckon M ^ " % th . e reckonin 8 day was near , and a tw \ re * 0 D ^ g " was lika-to be . " It appeared that shortly bsfore this there had been some reduction made by the master manufacturers in the wage 3 of the various workmen whom they employed . He believed that two or three of these reductions ocenrred- m the month of April last year and some of the observations made by the defendants were with referenoe to a still further reduction that was saspeoted . The meeting on the 26 th of Jnly was adjourned to tbe following day , but either no meeting took-place , or else it was so tbinlv

    attended , that it excited no public attention whatever . Vb the 1 st of August , Moorhouse , the bellman of ilyde , gave notice of another meeting , and at that meeting , George Candelet , another of the defendants , acted as the Chairman , and notice was then given of a further meeting for Snnday , the 7 th of August , to take place at Mottram Moor , or Wednesoff-green , four miles from Ashton , where the Chartists were in the nabii of holding iheir camp meetings . The Jury wonld find that on Sunday the 7 th of August , two meetings were held , one in the morning and the other in the afternoon , to which he must call their attention , because in the meantime , the manufacturers who had given notice of an intention to rednce their

    wages , at least all , he believed , with the exception of one , withdrew the notice of reduction . On Knday , the 5 th of August , one house having persisted in their intention , a sort of meeting *> f the masters and workmen of that factory oecurred , at which Bomelhing was said that gave ofienceto the-men . He could hardly suppose that such offence was intended j but undoubtedlv some offence was created , and the men immediately abandoned Iheir work , and that he believed was the first commencement of what was called the turnout . On Saturday , the 6 th of August , there was a procession of not less than 1 , 500 or 1 , « QO persons , TFho went through Newton , headed by John ft ? *™ ^ - . John ., Cro 2 ! y- ** the meeting held the 7 th

    on Sunday , of August , Moorhouse addressed the people , and then , perhaps , fox the first time , the object of the meeting was ^ distinctly avowed- He told the meeting that it was neither a wage question nor a religious question—it was a national question—and that their object was to make what was commonly called the * People ' s Charter" the law of the land . At that meeting Candelet , one of the defendants , spoke , and a man named Wild , who was now suffering under sentence , at Chester , also addressed the people . At two o ' clock in tbe afternoon , there was a larger meeting , and on that occasion , the defendants John Leech , Thomas Storah , James Stephenson , and Thomas Mahon , Bpoke , and it was then stated that on the following day , there would be a

    great turn-out , and that no one should return to work until every principle of the People ' s Charter should become the law of the land . On that occa sion , Moorhou&ensed langnage , of which he believed this was a correct statement . He said , " Yoa have been told of the evils under which we labour , and I am requested "Mr . Dusdas—There is no such person in the indictment . The Aitobnkt-Gejjebai , was not aware that he iad mentioned Moorhonse as a defendant . He was alluding to langnage used by the chairman of a meeting , and he believed he should be perfectly correct in stating to the Jury , that that which a chairman , uninterrupted , and without opposition , was permitted to Btate

    , was , at least evidence of the intention of those who were assembled at that meeting , and he believed several of the defendants were actually present . Moorhonse said , " You hav * been told of the evils we labour onder , and I am requested to tell yon thai to-morrow a meeting will take place at Stalybridge , at five o ' clock in the morning , when we shall proceed from factory to factory , and the hands that will not willingly come ont we will tarn them out , and when we are out , we will remain out , till the Charter , which is the only guarantee for your wages , becomes the law of the land . 3 hope to meet yon all to-morrow morning , when we will join hand in hand in this great national turn-out . " On the following morning , a

    meeting was held at a place called Haigh , near Sralybridge , at which from 2 , 000 to 3 , 000 persons were present . There were two placards exhibited , on one of which were these words : — " The men of SiaJjbridgc wi ! 2 follow wherever danger points the way ; " and upon tbe other : — " They that perish by the sword are better than they that perish by hunger . " After tbe meeting was over , the people proceeded first to the mill of Messrs . Harrison , where they ntrned ont all the bauds , and stopped the mill . Tcey then went to the mfll of MesEJenra . Leea , where they did not find the same willingness to receive their proposal to stop labour . They burst open the door , and by force they did that which at the . Messrs . Harrison's they were

    enabled to do merely by ttoeir presence and appearance . It was arranged that they should meet the followins morning , and something was said about going to Manchester . At a very early honr on the morning of Tuesday the 9 th of August , the people were meeting at Hyde , at Stalybndge , and at Ashton ; and from the place where they all assembled , they determined to march to Manchester . Accordingly some thousands of persons , with certain descriptions of arms , with bludgeons , and banners , having something the appearance of military array and order , marched into the town of Manchester , and finding the military very near the entrance , they halted , and there was a sort of parley between them and the Magistrates . To the

    remonstrance ofthe latter , they answered that their object was peace , law and order , " and they promised faithfally to keep the peace , and to commit no disorder of any kind . On these assurances , the Magistrates withdrew the military , and placed themselves , not exactly at the head of the people , as leaders , but for the purpose of pointing out where they might go , and to watch that they did no mischief . The people then -marched into the town together , tbe military having withdrawn to prevent any hostile conflict . They had scarcely got into the town when those who were rather in the rear , separated - themselves into different bodies , going -from street to street , and from house to house , and took possession of tbe town . For three

    days the shops were shut np , —all lalxjor w& 3 suspended , and portions of the mob went from place to place , noi merely to the mills , but to every place where the labour of man was used , and they obliged a cassation from labour . In some instances they demanded bread , in others they accepted money , and for three days Manchester was in a state of the most lawiess riot and confusion . The following week , proceedings manifested them-Eelves of a still more threatening aspect than perhaps was indicated by the assembling of the people in the manner he had described . It appeared that at that time there had been a meeting , at Manchester , of delegates , or persons from the Trades ' Union ; and he begged to call the attention of the jury

    to a resolution which was put forth on Friday , the 12 th of August . It was this—* ' That we , the delegates representing the trades of Manchester and its vicinity , with delegates from varions parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire , do most emphatically declare thatitis onr solemn and conscientious conviction that ill the evils which afflict society , and which have pr ostrated the industry and energy of the great body of the producing classes , arises solely from class legislation , and that the only renftdy for the present alarming distress and wide spread destitution , is the immediate and nnmntilated adoption , and carrying into law , the document known as the ' People ' s Charter . ' That this meeting recommends the people of all trades and callings , forthwith to cease becomes the law

    to work until the above document of the laud . " He might here incidentally remark to the Jor _ y , that if a number of persons had formed the design of going into tbe country , from place to place , for the purpose of causing a cessation of labour , and compelling the public authorities in different parts of the country to adopt particular changes in the constitution , all those who , in any way , offered encouragement of any sort to the persons so acting , become what in the law was called accessoriesbefore or after the fact , made very little difference , for in a case ef misdemeanour , which this waSi all accessories were principals—all who used encouragement to parties committing this description oJ offence , were themselves guilty of that which they encouraged in others . And it would be for the Jury to say whether thiB resolution ,

    and other resolutions of a similar kind , being brought home to certain parties who were before them as defendants , could leave any doubt on thBir minds as to the object for which resolutions of this character were par forth . It would be fox them to Bay whether those who adopted this method of enconraging and producing a system , and giving effect to the designs of others , mnst not be held , m point of fact , by them , as adopting such a course with a view to Assist &ni promote tbe desijpas of others . If that were bo , he i > elieved his Lordship would tell them that sueh persons , altogether and entirely , participated in the full guilt which they thus encouraged . Sow . by this time , tbe state of Manchester had attracted the attention of the authorities there , and the authorities in London , On the 14 th of August there was a proclamation issued by the Magisteates on their own authority , and , on the 15 th , another

    proclamation was issned in the name ol the y , ueen by tbe Executive Government ; and after that proclamation , calling npon evtry one to preserve the peace , and to abstain , from giving any encoarasement to the violence of others , it became stfll more and more the bonnden < iuty of all ptrsons who W- \ re determined to obey the

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    , and who were determined not to disobey it , to abstain from any proceedings that could give encouragement , directly or indirectly , to persons going about the oountry endeavouring to turn out those who were anxious to continue to work for their masters . On the Monday following this , a meeting was held ^ &t 5 public-house in Tib-streefc , Manchester , which was afterwards adjourned to the Carpenter ' s Hall . The Jury would find that at the meeting vanoDs resolutions were carried , and at length it waB determined to issue a placard , to which he thought it Tigiit to call their attention . It was worded thus : Liberty to the trades of Manchester and surrounding districts ! Fellow-workmen , we * }*? * ° * before y <« i the paramount importance of this day ' s proceedings . The delegates from the manufacturing districts have been more numerous

    ** * ni s da 7 ' 8 meeting than yesterday , and the spir it of determination manifested for the people's rights has increased every hour . In consequence of the unjust aud unconstitutional interference of the magistrates , our proceedings were abruptly brought to a close by dispersing the meeting , but not until , m their very teeth , we passed the following resolution : ' That we , as delegates m public meeting assembled , do recommend to the various constituencies we represent , to adopt aU legal ^ means to carry into effect the * People ' s Charter , ' and further we recommend that delegates be sent through the whole of the country , to endeavour to obtain the co-operation of the middle and working classes , in carrying oat the resolution of ceasing labour until the Charter be made the law of the land . ' Englishmen I rigidly determine to maintain the peace and well being of society , and show by your strict adherence to this resolution that we

    are your representatives . Do your duty and we will do ours . We meet again to-morrow , and the result of our deliberations will be fully laid before you . " Now , he had read to the Jury the wordB of this placard . There were expressions with respect to "legal means , " and " keeping the peace . " He was afraid that those who directed the framing of that paragraph differ in the view which his Lordship would lay dowu as to what were the " legal means" by which suoh an object could be carried into effect . It would be for the ; Jury to judge whether those upon whose lips hung the language of " peace , law , and order , " were not actuated by very different motives . It would be for them to judge how far the

    expressions which were used in » placard , put forth to the public , really conveyed the intention of those who used them ; or whether they were nsed with an intention to depart from those professions whenever a convenient opportunity might occur . On Tuesday , the 16 th of August , a meeting , not of trades , but of delegates , was held , for the purpose of assembling a sort of Convention of persons from different parts ofthe country ; and in accordance with the recommendation , he believed thai not fewer than from sixty to seventy delegates arrived in Manchester . At one of the meetings , undoubtedly about forty attended . At the meeting , an address was considered and approved of , to be printed and published to the people of England . It was an

    address from five persons styling themselves , —* ' The Executive Committee of the National Association , for carrying the Charter ; " and he begged to call the attention of } he Jary to the contents of that document . The proof Bheet , corrected in the handwriting of one of the defendants ( Peter Murray M'Douall ) would be produced in evidence . The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to read extracts from this address ; the first of which called upon the people never to resume work until full justice had been done to the working classes , their wives and families , by ! the enactment of the People ' s Charter . He ( the Attorney-General ) regretted deeply to say that at Prestoa aud Blaokburn , there had been a conflict with the military

    which unfortunately did terminate in bloodshed . The language used in this address with reference to the event was this : — " Fellow-Chartists , the blood of your brothers redden the streets of Preston and Blackburn , and the murderers thirst for more . But be firm , bs courageous , be men . Peace , law , and ordei " , have prevailed on our side . Let them be revered until our brothers in Scotland , Wales , and Ireland , are informed of our resolution , and when a universal holiday prevails , which will be the case in eight days , then of what use will bayonets be against public opinion I" Then again , in allusion to tbe stoppage of the mills , the address said " every hand is at rest , save the peaceful sickle of the reaper in the fruitful fields . " That was perfectly true .

    Within fifty miles of Manchester , all was still , bat in what way that stillness had been produced , whether by the spontaneous wish of all the persons who were compelled to observe that stillness , the jury wonld that day judge by the evidence ; and thvy would further judge whether those who prepared this document could by possibility be ignorant , that although , undoubtedly , a large portion of the rest from labour was acceded to cheerfully by many , a very considerable portion ofthe people—he believed he should not be wrong if he said the greater part , yielded a reluctant assent , and were acted upon by the force and threats of those who went from place to place to produce a complete abandonment of labour . Th © address concluded by asking the

    people to le&Te the decision of their rights to the " God of justice and of battle . " This placard was extensively dispersed over Manchester . It became a sort of rallying point at various meetings that took place afterwards , and the question that the Jury would have to decide was , whether all those who were connected with the framing and putting it forth , —whether in the entire scope and object of the production , they did not find a direct encouragement given to those persons , who were going about the country , from factory to factory , and almost from house to house , to suspend labour of every kind , and to do it by forca , in order to carry out that change in the constitution , which would be effected by carrying the People ' s Charter into law ? The Jury would

    have evidence given them of what occurred at the meeting of delegates ; and as against one of the defendants—he meant Mr . Feargus O'Connor—they would have the stTongeBt evidence of his participation in it , in a direot allusion to it in his own newspaper , the Northern Star , to which his name was affixed _ as tbe proprietor , and for the contents of which he was responsible . He proposed to read from the Northern Star , a few expressions which wonld clearly connect Mr . O'Connor with the publication of the document . He thought it perfectly right , however , to say that before the date of the paper to which he was about to refer—the 20 th of August last , many paragraphs had appeared in the Northern Star , disenading tbe people from taking

    the course which they seemed to be bent upon ; and whatever benefit , in any way , Mr . O'Connor could derive from a candid admission on his ( the Attorney-General ' s ) part , that prior to tie 20 th of August , the Northern Star was apparently directed against the strike , the benefit of that admission he should certainly not seek to withhold from him . But he had not the least doubt , from the paper he held in his hand , that , for some reason or other , —whether because the impulse seemed to be so strong—whether the' current teemed to be so irresistible that it was no loDger of a » y use opposing the stream—or whether Mr . O'Connor was carried along by that current—or whether , seeing that there was such a prospect of Chartism becoming

    the law of the land , he thought the time was come when use might be made of the crisis , he ( the Attorney-General ) knew not ;—he dealt with the facts merely as they were before him ;—and he found in the Northern Star of the 20 th August a statement of a meeting of delegates in conference at Manchester ; and he used this against Mr . O'Connor to prove tie fact that was there stated—that there was a meeting of delegates . He should confirm it by notes that were found in the hand writing of one of the members , who took notes of what passed ; and , last of all , he should confirm it by the testimony of a person who was present , and who now thought proper -ffith whatever spirit it would be for the jury to jud ^ e—to give evidence of what took place in he

    that assemblage . But in order , as was aware that remarks might be made on testimony of this description , and as tbe Jury bad a right that such testimony should be confirmed by every document that he could have recourse to for the purpose , he should prove , against several of the defendants , as it were , out of their own lips , that they were present , and what took place . He would now read the statement which appeared in the Northern Star ot the date he had mentioned . £ Tne Attorney-General here read the report of tne " Meeting of delegates in conference at Manchester , " as it appeared in the Star of the 20 th of August last . ] He wanted to show that this was as good evidence against Mr . O'Connor as could possibly be given , because it was deliberately published by him , in a

    newspaper of which he was the sole proprietor . [ He also read another extract from the same paper . ] un a subsequent day , the 3 rd of September , Mr . O'Connor published another number of the Northern Slar 3 in the leading columns of which he gave an account of the meeting of tbe delegates . It was is the form of a letter , but nserted as a leading article , and was addressed to the " Imperial Chartists . " [ Here he read Mr . O'Connor ' s answer to the letter of the "Old Chartist , " in the British Statesman , which answer necessarily contained a succinct account of tbe Delegate Meeting at Manchester , and Mr , O'Connor ' s proceedings at it . } } Sir Frederick then went on to describe the part which Mr . Scholefield had taken in promoting the object of the strike , by lending his chapel for the use of the meetings , and having tea parties of Chartists at his own house .

    [ Our Reporter teas obVxged to send off his first packet before he had transcribed the whole of

    his notes of the Attorney-GeneraPs speech . The following witnesses were thes called : — Joseph Haigh . —I live at Ashtoh-under-Lyne . I was living there in July iast . I am a milkman . 1 remember meetings taking place at Ashton last year . I remember one on the 26 th of July , it was held on an open space of ground called Thacker ' s Fonndry . Iwssata meeting in the evening from eight to nine o clock . 1 should think from 3000 to 4000 persons would be present . Ther < - was a chair

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    dXicWa uTt WM Y Mm Woodruffe ^ oae of the SjS& ^ & se ° fe&s SKS ESSKsffi-S- * known him h ? ' ano hf * of *« defendants . I had S-gfeS SSS'S ShS ^ swss wi ? h \ omithf * ^ ? card on ^ e walls of Ashton ZhZle- 'KA *^ ° il - 1 think the words wIi m ^ &T P e ™ ld * h « reckoning day is at ¦ mtn xespeot to the reckoning dav I was at a Swn c 1 iaSel ^ iday ' ? e 13 " ^^ S-t . MSAi town Obapel or meeting room , adioinina A * ht . ftn

    s ^^ r s ^ fr ^ at Smt T WH & *? J « Qty P ersons would b « Present . I heard Woodruffe say that he had a resolu-L ° t « th ° / T Set 0 th i 8 effe ' ^ ™ oXto faoil Stcart nn ill ™ ° ! u Waf * aU labour do oeaSen 5 h& wn ^ S ^ ? hair ' said he hoped that fhlte m I - bfl ^ * ht fonvard a * the meeting , StLi t Pi ** JT elfw them ^ in the pale nnf ™ 1 kT IV 8 hehad taken th « chair , he would wft ^ Ve 80 Jutlon 8 a \ the meetiDg thought proper . S ^ 01 ?^ Sweated ! the priuoiple of the resolution

    ^ . . . He was in an elevated situation . It was a kind of a pulpit . I oan t recollect what he said in particular . W ^ nf . v 8 Ba # ?* that he was oae of the persons instrumental in calling theimeeting . I left the meet-S&St ^ rtWu !! ' . l was a * ° ther meeting on » f , « £ ?« l&b of Au « ust- ft ^ held a little alter nine m the morning , on Thaoker's ground . A person of the name of Joseph Hilton was in the chair . He is not a defendant . The meeting begun before I got there . There was some singing . One or two verses of a hymn were sung . Alexander Challenger , one of the defendants , was there , and another , George JohnBon . The latter gave out the hymn , I remember one verse . It ran thus : —

    A charge to keep I have , A God to glorify , A never-dying soul to save , And fit it for the sky . "( Johnson afterwards gave them a religious exhortation , and when he had done , others gave exhortations . The chairman then said that he had received a communication from some one , whom he did not know , which he would read . It was to this effect ; , that the committee had come to the determination that labour should not be returned until the Charter had become the law of the land . At the time this was said , much confusion took place , as the people seemed dissatisfied . Johnson and Challenger were present , when the chairman read this out . There is

    a street called Stamford-street , in Ashton . I was there about nine in the morning of the 30 th of Aug . In going up the street , on the way to the Town-hall , being at that time a special constable , I saw a prooession going up . It consisted of men , women , and boys . There were four or five men abreast in front , and then a lot of women , and lastly , a number of boys . Woodruffe was one of the four men in front . The whole number would atnount to sixty or seventy . I had heard something said as they passed . They cried " fall in , fall in . " They went to Stalybridge . I followed them as far as the Globe Inn , perhaps 200 yards from Stamford-street . Ashton , Dukinfidd , Hyde , Stalybridge , and Mottram , are in the neighbourhood , and Glossop a little more to the East .

    Cross-examined by Mr . Dundas—The reason I went to the meeting on the 26 th of July , was from having seen a placard on the wall . 1 did not take notes of what passed . I have a tolerable memory I went to the meeting before I had been sworn in a special constable . I was not sent by any person , but went of my own accord . There are three or four magistrates living in Ashton . They were at the Town Hall , at ten o ' clock in the morning of the 12 th of August . Tho bellman had gone round before I had received the suinmous to be sworn in . I believe Alexander Challenger is a faotory operative , and George Johnson is a hatter . The exhortations given were religious ones . There were several thousands present . After the ' Chairman had read the anonymous note , there were divisions and murmurs , and agitations , in consequence of the meeting being put into a sort of moveable position . —( A laugh . ) Whil » t tbe consternation was going on , I came

    away . Re-examined by George Johnson—I wish to ask the witness whether the meeting on tbe Sunday did not begin by prayer ! , The Judge—He has said so in substance , but he did not get there till after the meeting commenced . Defendant—Did you not Bwear oa your examination that there was no prayer \ Witness—I do not remember , for I was not there at the beginning . Judge—He said there were religious exhortations . Defendant—I have no further questions to ask him .

    Henry Brierley , examined by Sir G . Lewm—I live at Stalybr idge , and work at a factory . On the 22 th of July last , I was present at a meeting held on a plot of ground , called the Haigh , which is in Stalybridge . 1 am not aware how it was called . I went to the meeting near eight o'clock in the evening . I think there were some hundreds of persons there . The Chairman was James Fenton , of Ashton , one of the defendants . I was there at the time he was called to the chair . He was unanimously chosen . After being elected , there was a resolution moved , I rather thiukit was proposed by Challenger , but I should not know the person again . The effect of the resolution was , that the reduction of wages was injurious not only to the workmen but also to

    the masters and shopkeepers . The motion was carried unanimously . I remember seeing Richard Pilling , and Brophy , and William Stephenson , three of the defendants , there ; Storah was there , too , but I should not know him again . _ Pilling moved another resolution , which was something si milar to theformer . They said they wanted a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , but th ^ y were of opinion that it qould not be obtaiued unless the Charter became the law ofthe land . The resolution was oarried unanimously . A third was then moved by Brophy . I knew him by name and Bight at the same time . The nature of the third resolution was to draw up »

    memorial to Sir R . Peel , for ten thousand stand of arms . ( Laughter . ) It was for the purpose of protecting the lives and property of the working classes against those who refused to pay the property tax . No particular persons were mentioned as having refused to pay the tax . This resolution was also passed unanimously . The meeting then broke up peaceably . They adjourned the meeting to Hyde , but I am not aware whether the proposition was put from the chair . A meeting did take place at Hyde , but I did not attend . I was present at another meeting , at Duckisfield , on the 2 nd or 3 rd of August , at eight o ' clock in the morning . When I got there , I found Storah moving a reso * ¦

    lution . ' Mr . Dundas contended that there was no evidence to show that Storah was at this meeting . The Attorney-General maintained tnat the evidence was sufficient , because the indictment oharged the defendants with having conspired with divers other persons , to the jurors unknown , and the general character of the meetings , held from time to time , must be taken iuto account . The Judge concurred in opinion with the Learned Gentleman , but thought the evidence with regard to Siorah was weak . Examination resumed—The resolution moved by Storah was to the effect , that a fair day ' s wage could not be obtained until the Charter became the law of

    the land . At this meeting , I heard Pilling giving a lecture on the state of the country . He said things were in a bad state , that it was difficult to get a living , but he recommended the meeting to observe peace , law , and order . It was about halfpast nine before the meeting concluded . Another meeting was held at Droyisdenon the following day . On Friday , the 12 ih of August , I eaw a procession coming from the direction of Mr . Bailey ' s mill . There were several hundreds . They went to a plot of land near Cheetham ' s mill , but no meeting was held . They then went to the Haigh , wher e James Fenton was chosen as chairman . I saw besides Thomas Mahon , John Durham , and William Stepbenson , three other defendants . They were the principal speakers . They said nothiag

    particular , but exhorted the people to stick out until they got a fair day ' s wage . Tho procession was part of Bailey ' s workmen . They met again- in the evening , at the Haigh , between seven and eight . 1 saw the same four defendants and Brophy there . They delivered lectures , exhorting the people to try to obtain the Charter by lawful means . There was another meeting on the following morning , at five o ' clock , and they went in procession thiough Duckenfield to Hyde , and returned by Newton . They then dispersed to go for their waees The same evening they met again at the Haigh . Ihe same persons were there . A man from Liverpool gave a lecture . He said he was sorry to find the country in such a state as it was , and advised them to go to work again . He thought it was not possible to get the Charter then . The lecture , on the wnoxe , lecture

    ymiB well received . It was a very good . Brophy gave a leoture , and : recommended people to turn teetotallers , and keep sober . On Sanday morning , the 7 th of Au |« Bt , there was another meeting on Mottram Moor , t Some thousands were present . The bellman of Hyde was in the chair . William Stephenson addressed tbe meeting on the principles of the Charter . No resolutions were moved in my hearing . In tbe evening of the-same day there was a meeting in a preaching room , at Stalybridge . From forty to fifty persons were present . Stephenson and Mahon were there . A man came in , and said that he understood that Mr . William Bailey wiBhed to see some of the members of the committee . Some of them thought it advisable to go , and others not . Mahon said he thought it was of no use going to the masters . He said they

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    had turned out for the Chi \ rter , and would stick to it . Mahon is not one of B . liley ' s men . The meeting determined they would . not go , and they broke up . On the following mornin ' A , another meeting took place at the Haigh , at five o'clock ; Brophy addressed the meeting , and sai d they must gel oat those who had gone to tb eir work . He said they must get them out by leg-, il means , if possible , or stop them as they were goin& ' . Durham said they would have a procession through Duekinfield and Ashton , to let the masters s . ee that they were out . Mahon and Stephenson said that they were going in procession through' Ashton after breakfast . The people divided into lota , aad they fetched tho hands out of all the mills . I then

    returned to the meeting at the Hai ^ h , and Durham said they must get Bailey ' s men out first , and go in procession through Ashton . He ordered them tc go peaceably . Durham , Stephenson , Mahon , Brophy , and several other persons , whom I did not know , were in the procession I saw Crossley talking to Brophy , going down DuckinSsid-faiiJ . The procession went down Caroline ^ streefr , over Duckinfield-brow , to Mr . Hiudley's mill . i They were linked arm-in-arm , and walked four or five abreast . Tuey had no sticks , only two or three flags and musio . Before they got to Hiudley ' s mill the men had turned out . There was no mob near the mill at the time . A few boys had preceded the procession . I went to Hyde , about half-past four .

    None of the men who came from Stalybridge were there . I found the j handa of one factory fetching out the hands of another . I saw Durham , Stephenson , and John Leach ^ of Hyde , at a meeting in the evening of the j same day . Leach was addressing the meeting when I got there . He said he thought it was the mast proper to turn out for their wages , and not for the Charter . He thought it would be impossible to get the Charter then . Mahon said that the Ashton and the Stalybridge people must have a meeting oa Thacker ' s Ground , aud go in procession to Manchester , but that they were not to take any sticks with them . I was at the Haigh , next morning , at five o ' clock . Fontoa was chiefly the ! chairman .

    Durham , Stephenson , and Mahon . were there . A leoture was given by Fenton . He recommended the people to keep in peace and order , in going to Manchester . On the following morning , another meeting took place , at the Haigh , at five o ' clock . Fenton , Durham , Stephenson , and Glossop were there . They said they would go to Glossop and see bow the people there were coming ! on . I did not go with them , and I don't know whether they went or not . Tho next morning another meeting took place on the Haigh , at the same time . Tney were falling out between the wage question and the Charter . Fenton thought one thing at a time was enough , and Durham also advocated the wage queatiou . Stephenson and Mahon advocated ! the Charter . I did not seo Crossley there . I understand that the object of the people in meeting every

    morning at the Haigh , was to keep the people combined together . On the 12 th of August all trie workpeople wero out . Ou the 13 th , I saw a procession at S : alybridge There was a publio meeting held in the evening . Fenton , Stephenson , Durham , and Miihon were there . I think Aitkin , Woolteuden , John Leaoh of Hyde , and Johnson , were there also . Wild opened the meeting in favour of the wa >; e question . It was suggested that a list of delegates should ascertain what were the highest and lowest rate of wages which the masters would give , in order that they might strike a medium , ! and go to work . In the meantime the operatives could not return to work , as the masters had shut up their mills for a month . They agreed to do so after the men had turned out . At tho meeting on the evening ofthe 13 th there were several thousands there .

    Nothing was said about what the opeTatwesi-wef e to do until the Charter had been obtained ; but that they were to keep pence , law , aad order . The Charter was forced upon the meeting by tbe Glossop people , who came armed with sticks and bludgeons . Oa the Sunday afternoon another meeting took place , at which Woolfenden , delivered a lecture , but I went away just as he was taking a text . ! Woolfenden said something about the Charter , but not in connection with the wage question . In the evening another meeting took place , at which a lecturer from Manchester attended . He said he wa ?> orry that the people were out of work ; and that it hurt his feelings to think that they had come out on the Charter . Oa the morning of the 15 h

    they again met . Fenton , Stephenson , Durham , and Mahon were there . Aikin was also present . A discussion took place between the wage question and the Charter . Mahon and Stephensoh thought they might as well go for both , but the ; would give in to the majority of the meeting . They recommended the people to beep peace , law , and order , and not to icjtiro any one . I know the Chartist meeting room , at Ashton . A moenug took place there on the evening of the same day . Maaoa was there . He read something from a newspaper , after which it was suggested tiiat he should go to Manchester as a delegate to the Conference [ there , but that auother meeting should be held to elect him .

    Cross-examined by Sergeant Murphy—Iihave been a carder in a cotton factory . 1 was not engaged as a turn-out on this occasion , but 1 have had experience connected with a turn-out twelve years ago . No mention was made then of the Charter . A committee of working men was formed to direct the movements of the turn-outs . Oue of tbe j obj cts of that committee was to confer with the masters on the question of wages . At that time there were fifty-two masters who determined to atop their mills , in consequence of the turn-out . They would not let them work . I believe delegates were chosen on that occasion , to go from one factory to another , to notice the course of proceedings of the different

    turn-outs . Tne Attorney-General did not see how his Learned Friend could make what had occurred twelve years ago , matter of argument in this case . Surely his Learned Friend did not justify what had recently happened by a precedent of twelve years ago-The Judge had thought that as the cross-examination was going on , the object of it was to show that the fact of delegates having been appointed twelve years ago , to ascertain the proceedings © f the different turn-outs was not in itself per se criminal , Mr . Serjeant Murphy—Precisely , my Lord , at the meetings 1 have referred to . ; Cross-examination resumed—On all occasions in which * the Charter was mentioned , peace , law and order was inculcated .

    Re-examined by Mr . Atherton—The jwagea of the working classes at ABhton and Staly bridge , were extremely low , during these latter turn-outs , and consequently much dissatisfaction prevailed amongst the working classes and shopkeeper *? . A great amount of distress prevailed , and some persons could scarcely obtain anything to eat , Wages have been declining ever since 1826 , and the distress has inoreasedin proportion . Shopkeepers have had meetings , aud have said that tney would support the operatives in getting a better remuneration . None of them have interfered to prevent the operatives ' holding their meetings . )

    Re-examined by Mr . O'Connor—Wakes are an annual feast , and strangers flock from all parts of the country to where they are held . The first great gathering was held on the 15 th of August- I believe that on that day Bailey ' s men had ] received notice of a reduction in their wages , amounting to 25 per cent ., and that they must turn out unless they would submit to that reduction . They would not agree to the reduction . Tne men complained that the Baileys had said they should play for a month , and therefore they said it was of no use to try to go to work . I remember meetings held after the 25 th of August . The owners of the chapels opened their doors for them . They oommisserated with the working classes , because they jvvere out

    of work . The owners of the chapels were not Chartists . One of them belonged to ( the Methodist New Connexion . At the meetings of shopkeepers the general rumour was that they complained of the masters having turned out th « men . During all the meetings 1 attended , I never saw a single breach of the peace . It is true that Bailey ' s men went in a body to the mill , and asked to be taken into work again , I saw them go . The fact is as well known to me as any other t » which I have sworn . Some of the masters would not open their doors till the month was out , and in the meantime the men were ready to go to work . ) Mahon was appointed a delegate on the 15 th of August , and by the 25 th the whole question respecting the Charter and wages was settled , and the men went

    into work again . A . lr By the Attorney-General—I repeat that l saw no breach of the peace committed . There are twenty-five or thirty mills in Asbton . By the Judge—The people came out of the mills , generally , of their own accord . I do not know any instance in which they did not do so . At this stage of the proceedings , the Court adjourned for a few minutes . ; Mr . Win . Clayton , constable of Hyde , examined by Mr . Hilyard—I was at a meeting held at Hyde on the first of August . George Candelet acted as chairman . The assemblage was addressed by several persons . Candelet , John Leaoh , Robert Wild , and William Moorhouae . A resolution was put to the meeting by Candelet . It wa . 3 to the effect that if there was another reduction of wages offered by

    tbeir mastera , would they , one and all , turn out There was a cry of " Yes , yes . " The Chairman proposed a show of hands to that effect , and Candelet afterwards addressed the meeting . { He said he hoped the men at Hyde would prove true one to another , and then we will soon have our rights—that will be the Charter and nothing but the Charter . The other speakers then follo ^ d in turn , and after announcing that another meeting would take place on the following Sunday morning at Wednesoff Green , at nine o ' clock in the morning , the people dispersed . 1 remember Monday the 8 th of August . I saw a procession enter thej town of Hyde on that day . I should imagine there would be seven or eight hundred . A few of them had sticks . There wa 9 a suspension of labour at Hyde for some time . 1 lemember there was a meeting held in the

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    -- - — — .. i _ , I , ,. ^ ii , . j Market-place , Hyde ; , on the 11 th of August , and on the I 7 oh , but I can't state any particulars . None of the oljfler Learned Counsel or any of the defendants asked the witness further

    questions . Joseph Little cross-examined by Mr . Pollock—I am tbe Special High Constable for the division of Hyde , in the county ot Chester . I remember attending on the 7 th of August , at Wednesoff Green , in the township of HolliDgworth . I have a number of notes which I can produce . I made them as soon as I could when the meetings were over . At » meeting oa the 7 th , about 4 $ Q ' persons were present . George -Candelet , one of the defendants , was there , William Moorhouse , not a defendant , acted as chairman . Speeehea were made . Moorboese said : — * ¦ My friends and fellow worfanen—I am appointed chairman to this- meeting , and anst inform you that we are not me * here for a wage qaestioav or for a

    religious question-, —it is for a national question ; but I will not intrude on your time , as you will be addressed by my brother Chartists from Stalybridge , A \ shton , Hyde , and ether places , who are more able to address vou thaw I , and thty will explain- to you that we are met here as Charfcfr is for a notional question . I willstt down . " Be then called up another rcan , whom I did not know , and I left the meeting . These were all the notes I took-. In the afternoon I was at another meeting : the same day . About 760 or 8 O 0 » persons were * there . Moorhouse wa&in the chair . Robert Wild ,. John Leach , and George Candelet were there also . Moorhonse spoke ; At ihe close of tha afternoon hebaid , — "You have been told of the evils-wider whiote

    we labour , and E am requested alse to tell youthat to-morrow a meeting will take place at Stalybridge , at five o ' clock in the morning , - when we will proceed from / factory to factory , and all handsthat will not willingly come out , we will turn them , out ; and friends , when we are out we will remain out , until the Charter , which is the only ^ guarantee you have for your wages , becomes the- law of the land . I hope to meet you all to-morrow morning , at Stalybridge , when we will join hand inland im this great national turnout . " Candelet also spoke , but I dont think 1 have notes of it . Jrthn Leach spoke . I entered what he said the same evening . It is my duty to make a daily report to the- magistrates . Leach began by pointing to me . He said .

    " There is one of the Government men , one who is like the black coated gentry who attends that place , ( pointing to the church , in Wednesoff Green , ) . built for a good purpose , but now filled with thieves and rogues—the cotton fraternity ; but we would all be parsons and * blue bottles' ( police ) , if we were paid the same » 3 these , by the Government— £ 30 a-year , a nice sain for a man ¦ working one day out of tho seven , and for looking after us poor , honest , industrious labourers ; but let me tell you that the church is an open hell , and filled by the cotton lords ,, who are a set of thieves and . rogues , and good honest people they will not allow to enter ; but , friends , let us be true one to auother , and there is property

    in this plentiful country , sufficient for us all , and H you have not the common necessaries of life , take them , and who can withstand against you ? ¦ None . The prisons are full , and in the prisons they do not want you . The police is in no fault . I wish you . all to be quiet , you must not damage property or person ; , and above all , keep out of public houses , and tomorrow there will be a general turn out , throughout both the counties , Chester and Lancaster , and the Charter will then be obtained . " He then wished them to be true one to another , and they would soon have the Charter . I have no more notes of that meeting . Leach said a great deal more , but I did not lake it down .

    By Mr . O'Connor—Did you take down what was said by Candelet ? Witness—1 did not , Sif-Examination resumed . —I was at a meeting , oa Monday , the 8 h of August , in the Market-place , at Hyde . John Leach , George Candelet , William Moorhouse , and a man named Stephenson , whom I don ' t know , were there . No Chairman was appointed . [ have no notes of this meeting .. The speeches were in the same strain of language , recommending the people to keep eut , as they were out , till the Charter became the law of the land . The people dispersed peaceably and quiet , and went away to their homes . I attended a meeting on the following morning , the 9 th , ia the Market-place ,

    Hyde , at nine o ' clock in the morning . Mtoorhouso was chairman , and-John Leach and George Candelet were present . They also spoke . 1 have notes of Leach ' s speech . He informed the meeting that " they intended to go and join the Ashson people ; from Ashton they would go to the Exchange , at Manchester , where they would meet the cotton lords , and he doubted not that they would have the advance ; and never to go to work until they had either tbe advance or the Charter . '' I dont remember anything further that was said . I remember the day on which Messrs . Horsneld's mill was stopped . It was on Tuesday , the 9 th . 1 saw a number of people going towards the mill . There was a large body coming from the direotion of Ashton and Staly-bridge , towards llsde- They wet * not walking in any sort of form . On Wednesday , August 10 ih , there was a meeting at Hyde , at which Moorhouse , Georee Candelet . and John Leach were

    present . 1 have merely an outline of the notes . The speakers desired the people to be quiet . Moorhouse said they were to proceed to Compstail-bridge , Glossop , and ail the mills , aud make the hands turnout Leain spoke , but I have not his speech down . The substance of his speech was recommending the people to keep out , but exhorting them to be peaceable and quiet . Iu the evening ofthe lhh there was another meeting at Hyde . Leaoh and Candelet , and a Mr . Crossley , a draper , were present . I have notes of what parsed . Leach Slid he had attended a meeting of the shopkeepers at the Working Man ' s Institution , and they had come to a resolution that they would keep the turn-outs for two weeks ; but he requested that they would not be led to put any tru . it in the false shopkeepers . He further said he wished the people of Hyde to be true one to auother , and on the following Wednesday they would be met by Mr . O'Connor at Manchester , when they would come to a resolution what to do . He

    cautioned the people to be honest , not to take anything that was not their own , and not to damage person or property . Candelet . followed nearly in the same attain , Hyde was in a very riotoas state the same day , and all the week . Labour waa completely stopped . A very large number of persons came into Hyde . Thej were walking in a sort of broken procession , with clubs and sticks ia their hands . They went towards Stockport . There were two departures ,, one in the morning , and the other in the evening ; that in the morning was the largest . I was at a meeting on Friday , the 12 th of August , in the Market p ace , Hyde . Several hundred persons were' there . Leach and Candelet were there . There was another man named Switt » dells , who got up and called silence . Another ,

    called Wardlaw , then said they were not to come there , day by day , talking and speaking , but to come to the determination how to get bread , and he for one would go to the masters , as he knew they could not get the Charter at present . He demanded a show of hands in favour of going to work , out he was hiBsed down . Leaoh next addressed the meeting . He told them that a man named Rayner , who had addressed them the night before , bad beea deputed by the shopkeepers of Ashton to come and try to get them to go to their work , but he wished them to be quiet and true to one another , and to submit to nothing but the People's Charter . He

    then made several remarks on a meeting which had taken place at Stockport the day before . He said that he headed the people up when they went to the bastile for bread , and blood would have been shed if he had not pr venied it . The Mayor of Stockport had shown him a drawer which had been broken open and £ 7 stolen , but he ( the speaker ) wished them not to do any thing of the sort . He said this in a laughing sort of a way . He added , that the Mayor of Stockport and hundreds of others had told him " that there was plenty in thestore rooms and mills , and if they would not give to the people , let them take it . "

    The Judge—You mean that the mayor of Stockport said this ? Witness—Leach told me , my Lord , that the mayor of Stockport said so . Examination resumed—Leach said that he dij not wish ihe people to do as the mayor recommended , but to do as was done in the time of king John , when Magna Churta was obtained in one day . The people went in a body to the King , and it was granted . He advised them to be true on ? to another and the Charter would soon becomo the law of the land . Samuel Sidebottom , an auctioneer in Hyde , proposed to go to their masters and ask for the wages of 1840 . He was hooted down and put out of the cart . A man named Booth ne-xt spoke , and

    he went on in a similar strain . 1 did not take it down . There were a number of " navigators " in the meeting . Booth said the " navies" were in great distress , and- 'wantedsupport , but they might do as they pleased , as the Major of Stockport said , go to the stores and help themselv-s . Leach said he did not advise so , but when a great man like the Mayor advised them so , tliay might please themselves . Some of the excavators swore they wonld act on this recommendation , and go to the first shop and help themselves . A provision , shoe was near at hand , and a rush was made towards it , but one of the navigators stopped them ; ' Candelet then began to address the meeting , and I was obliged to leave

    to attend the magistrates . I remember being at the Sheffield and Manchester railway on tbe same day . There was a large number of them assembled , who conducted themselves very riotously . A detachment of the rifle company of brigade arrived , and I left them with the magistrates . Ot the 14 lh of August , ! was at a m J | jffijbif *»> «• «•* at Mottram Moor , about half-past two in tnei 31 MiW * li AH uoon . Wild , CaTteledge , and another man , w ^ S * * vj ^ R , name I understood to be Glossop , were / rtfg ^ g ^ ij ( i .. * ^ , —v Wild was the chairman . He opened the " ^^ g ^ sri * P * j& \ recommending the people to be true one i f ^^^ x ! u ^ il > s ^^\ f \ and theCha-nex would soon become the ify&W fcZr ^ J&fcsr ' \ land . He said that another meeting 1 B P ^ v' ^ S ^» l ^^ - * jy } ( Ccn ' . xnned in our Eighth Pa S ' \ ri % ^^^ f !^^ i < ' iJ ^ J HildVct SM ^

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    — THE NORTHERN STA R * > ' . " " : —¦ ' —> - — - : ' *»

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 4, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct924/page/5/