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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th March 1843, Edition 5 of 5, Page 3, Untitled Article

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    • THE TRIAL.
    • €%zvU$t 3Entemsence.
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      Untitled Article

      : -ovdsxh . —On Sunday last , Mr .. Wright lectured tiiKkjSliee . At the close of ws lecture it was anise ed that £ 10 lad been ^ ubscribedfor the Deface jnad .- - - - - - " . - "" - - ;¦ ¦ . '¦ - ¦ - ' TlEircisaE . —Mr . Kidd , of Glasgow , lectured in g ^ rci ardstB Hal ^ . Goat Imi , Cloth Market , on g aBdajerouDg . : ^ :- ; : ^ 5 " hb Chjbhsts held their weekly business meeting -a Monday « TBBirig , Mr-YquBgiaine Chair . After and of

      i ^ ing confirming are minutes the " previous Meeting , * gpocljdeal of local hpinesawas disposed Hir ffPEBSFisiu . —jSlthemee&ifi afc iihe-AssociaganBoom , Upperhead-row , on Monday" night , it « s again ordered that no communication from , any T > ersfm , s ^ dre 5 sed to any other than the Secretary , ^ B Gapjian , shallbe joqtieed by r ifce : bodv £ It jaaalso agreed ttai _ ihe next district Chartist meetin g should be ieldin their usual meeting room , an Sunday next ( to-morrow ) Instead of

      Almond-- BiBsxiL . —On Saturday and Sunday eTenings , jjr . John Brawn , from London , delivered -two elogaent and interesting lectures in the room over the jjxperaiive Stores . TFischestkb . —Mr . R , & . Gammage of Northjjnpion deliTered a lecture oh the principles of the Peopled Charter , i n the High-street on ^ Friday evenjiiglast . SHEFTiEtD . —Mr . jSdwin Gill addressed the Chargsfcsof Fig-tree-lace , on Sunday evening last . 3 DtE . —The Her . "W . Y . Jackson lectured here on Holiday evening . Bboshtox ( meab TCo-rtw itt ^ tptqx ) —The liberagoa of Mr . Win . Brooke , from If orthallerton , was celebrated here by a tea party on Saturday . "We jure no room for balance-sheets .

      2 fanE < GBA 3 i . —The Chartists met at the Demogafie Chapel , on Sunday morning . The following xesolnaons were passed : —** That each locality be requested to pay one-halfpenny per member to the incidental fond , at the same time that the returns jiemi&e of lie paying and non-paying members , ^ tfjich -will be the first Sunday in every month . "—* Thai the Working Man ' s Hall Committee do meet Ib ihe Chapel , Hice-plaee , at two o ' olookin the afternoon of Sunday , Alareh 19 th , ' at Tvhicji time and . place delegates from the Yarions localities in Not-BBgh&m are particularly requested to attend . " _ -: Sxockpobi . —On Sunday evening last , Mr . Glos sop , of Manchester , lectured in the large room , Hillgale , to a numerous and attentive audience ; after jrhich , Mr . Black delivered a short address on the present aspect of affairs .

      Wxbwick . —The Chartists met , as usual , at the Association . Room , on Sunday lastj after the usual business was transacted , the sum of 18 s . was handed in for ihe Defence Pond . DrsfSBirBT . —A district council meeting was held XB&mday , in the large room over the Co-operative Stores , when delegates were present from most parts of the district . The sum of £ 5 was forwarded ioJSi . O'Connor for theNational Defence Fund . A Toteof thanks was given to Messrs . Clissett and Sh eldrake , on their departure for York to take their trials at the Assizes . It was resolved that the next council meeting be held oa Sunday , in the large xooin , over the Co-operative Stores , at two o ' clock m ihe afternoon .

      Him—The liberation ^ Mr . Robert Peddle tos eekfcrswd by » public tea party , on Monday evening , in the Rev . W , Hill ' s chapeL -Mr . Peddle was fiberaied on Saturday last , hi three years of imprisonment having expired . Hib Scotch friends were not expecting his liberation till the 17 th inst . As soon as he left the walls of the Beveriey " Hell" he traa greeted by the enthusiastic welcomes of the Beveriey Coarfists . - - Bakctet . —A rote of thanks to Mr . Duneombe has been agreed to here .

      The Trial.

      THE TRIAL .

      Untitled Article

      BOYERNMENT PROSECUTION OFFEAHGUS O'CO ^ OR , ESQ . AND OTHERS , FOR AN ALLEGED CONSPIRACY .

      LANCASTER . —NISI PRIUS COURT . 4 ( Continued from our last iceek ' s paper . J THURSDAY—Secosd Dat . H 13 Lordship took bis seat at nine o ' clock , immedi&iely on which _ 3 dr . O'Connor rose and said—My Lord , as severa witnesses- lave arrived since yesterday , I beg to renew my application that they may be requested to retire . I observe theTtigbi Hon . Secretary bJTState forthe BomeTtepariment , Sir James Graham , on the bench , and I msie an exception in his case . The Judge—Hare the ; other defendants anj wish tint Sir James Graham should retire from the Conri I - - ¦ : ,-.-Hi . O'Connor—I can answer for ihem , jnyXord % JSseatalL

      5 ie Attorney-General—Tbe penalty Tor remaining ¦ Ja-Cosrt after a-witness has been ordered to retire , B putashBient by the Cqnrt , and not exclusion from firing evidence . . TheJudge ^ It is contempt of Court . Attomey-GenerS-rJust so , my Lord . The following evidence was then proceeded with j Joseph Sadler—I am & police officer at Stockport . l ~ ms at thai place on the 11 th o ^ August last . I wmember between 20 , 000 ana * 30 , 000 persons coming "fijgre . They came in the" direction « f Ashton and Hyd * . They were armed with iludgeposand sticks . When I first saw them , they were making a great soiae , but nothing else at " that time . I "went to the ComHouse , land gave information to the Magis trates . We had miHiary in Stockport : part « f Ithem were steSioned at ihe Court House , part in the Marketplace , and some of the yeomanry in their

      ifierent qnartera . The Dnmber of-the nralbtude exdxed alarm , and in eonsegnence , the shops Trere titsed . The hands in ihe- di&rent iniUs Tvere toned out , and ^ ie -works stopped . I Trent to the TJiiioBworkhouBe / with the audiorities . On getting fitere , I saw a number of persons coming from t"he * orii <> ase , iaTisg loarres of bread Tfith them . "We iadannmber of prisoners ; some of them "were taken in the workhouse , and oihers outside . Three or four persons applied at the lodge of ihe -workhouse , to im an interview with the Magistrates . The name cf one of them was John Wright , and I understood fi » y call another Leach . I saw him afterwards , ^ nriBgthe interriew with the Magistrates , but T fei ' t remember ever seeing Mm before . I beliere Msname was John Leach , and 1 heard that he came fesmByde . 1 dojiot know that 1 could identify him

      " ^ -hir . Dondas objecied to Ihe question and answer . Ifce wimess believed that the name of the party was John Leach , but that did not at all identify him in&resppetto any other transactions . Tne Anomey-Gsneral contended that there was sEeient to go before the Jury to prove the identity tf the defendant , fie wonld call their attiendon to defect tiaithe = defendanf "was Yfell knovnin the sdgbbcrariiood' of £ ,= Qton and Hyde , and in the course of his speech , he admitted that he bad been ^ t Siotkport . and ti > at , he tihe Attomey-GeneTal Mdtobesaffieient .

      Mr . Dcndas submitted that until they had exgfflsted the whole ef the John Leach ' s , of Hyde , M 3 Learned Friends on the opposite side had not Ranted one step to show that thiB was the John ^** f b in ^ nestion . The 3 udge—The objection is not made by John ¦ k ^ & j but by others . _ , . ^ CPCtajajor—But I beg to remind jour Lordfiup , fiist-lke ^ witness xa . js he does not dunk lie prald identify the defendant again , and that , I think , B ««> d objeci ^ on to tbe ^ roof of identity . ¦ Qse Jndge—I Jiink there is sufficient proof to * & !>< & £ with the evidence " - -txainination rt ^ s umed—Leach said that he bad

      * Hne at the request of a public meeting , on behalf of ^ Prisonerswho we Te then in laistody , and requested g magistrates that fhe prisoners might be released ne-uas informed by the Mayor that the prisoners * aein enstody on Wct-aise of felony . and ^ that they RRUdonJy be lisekan ^ d by the proper coarse of *?* . One of the party sai'din the presence of Leach , ¦ ttli aichwas the excitement , if the prisoners Trere ^ released , they could iH ) f answer fox theconse-5 ° aces . The prisonera w . ^ re not rescued . There " « s * meeting at Stockpoit , the same day , on an 2 ? space , called Peterloo-. Toad . I shoula think P ^ lO . OOO to isnftfVTu > ranTi « would be present . 1

      ™» the jpeakers stood -upon" a wall . I was not » ea enough to hear them . Th 0 » B ^ ot Act was xead f * e Market-place , between on . * and two o dock . Jaoa ' i remember whether this wa ' -s before or sftor ^ aek on the workhoase . For several days the ^ Tns in * disturbed state , par- bculady for ten ? « Jeven days after , th&lOdu Dur ing this period , * 1 » were stopped , but the shops w ^ e ^ © P 611- - 1 Bj Mr . Dimdas--StockportJs seven ? "les from faster , and five irom ^ Hyde . I am' »<>* *™* ««^ fiio t AetTrasreaaafter ibe Uth . -J f Mr . O'Cwmor-B ^ fore I pni * ny go estion to Jy ^ WaKB ,. ! widiiha to be detained , b ^ « Me it -Q KJ '

      wVh . ^^^^ v ^ r ^ rkp ^ J ^^^ A V ** - ^ J ^ M ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ JJrf ^ fe * - ^ V ^ v ¦^ W' ' ' ^^^^ ^^^^ ;« e . gnd ge--Certa 3 nIy . * ,-rf ^» oes 5-I haTe been » t the head of ihe po ^ ce £ lg * PM * &r seren years . I remember the n ote 3 « 39 . h ^ m c 3 fB * & getting evidence M r ^ me . I know a man named Wm . Gnffin . * $ wwhiml ! y coming into the Court House to reportl ^ k ?* * fl »* ie was a reporter for the Northern 22 ; 4 did not hear any exciting language m the gf ^ J k yoadwliatlfcaTe stated . I have not beard &T ow 5 l « -l « ogMgBmBds- ^ I do not believe & P «> plo win break out unless they are abso-2 gt deprived of food . If yon are not prepared ¦¦ « & ¦ - * lemedj , they will be justified in taking food

      Untitled Article

      rort&emselYea and iheir families . " I believe I hare seen it in some newspaper , handed about by the people , but cannot remember whether it was before OT afterihe ^ attack on the workhouse . ; I dont know who ihe language was attributed to . I have seen the Bpeech alluded to , as having been made by the Mayor of Stockport , both in 3 ie nevSpapeS and in placard * on the . walla of Stockport . It wa ^ on the wall for several tlayB , I did not puD down the plaoardj-orwish it to be done . I don ^ t remem-*^» ftt f , * Pl 80 ^ headed « A warning voice , " mth the following lines upon it : — Ihere ia a cry throughout the land , -Afearfol cry and fall of drtad I "Woe toopprfesaioa 'B bearUess i » ad 1 A starving people cry for " Bread . " . That cry was heard -when gidliy France On the dread brink of ruin stood ; Tetaonnd the Tiol . speed the dance I Tib bat the hungry cry for food I

      J diargt veyEnglcaida niters ! grant The justice Oiat Tier sons demand ! Or ; aroused , Hit demon power of xcanl Shall snaidi ihe pike < tnd urield the brakd . There were bo many placards that I can't remember aU . l « aw one headed Murder , murder , murder 1 " There were a great number of violent and inflammatory placards on the walls . The authorities did not order them io be taken down . I should think the tendency of them would be to excite a hungry people to acts of Yiolenee . There haYe been considerable reduotaons in wagesin Stockport . I don ' t know by whom the placards were pntup . Some of them had the name of the printer affixed , and others had not . I reooBect the names of Gadsby , Dutton and Lambert , as printers . I heard no speeches at the meetings at Stockport .

      By . Sir Frederick Pollock—I was not near enough to-hear any language , and therefore , I can ' t saj whether it was exciting or not . I know Bradshaw ' s premises , at Stockport . The hands were turned out . Mr . Bradshaw sent to the Town Hall , for assistance . I have Been a placard similar to that now produced CTne Executive Committee of theNatk-nal Chartist Association , to the People of England" ) uii the walls in Stockport . I can ' t remember the woTds but I am certain 1 read one Bimilar . It was during the period of the disturbances . By Mr . Dundaa—I can ' t speak with certainty as to the time at which I saw it , or whether it was before the reading of the Riot Act . I only read it cursorily , but I cant retain the subject matter in my memory . " It was an address to the Chartists , butl don ' t know what about .

      By Sir F . Pollock—I am certain from the heading of it , and the general appearance , that I have read a similar placard . Thomas Barrington , examined by the Attorney General—¦ I am the governor of Stockport workhouse . On Thursday , the 11 th of August , my attention was called to a crowd round the workhouse . I went to the lodge to Bee what was going on . I saw seYBral . thousand persons . They had sticks and bludgeons . I then went into a yard , and I had not been there more than two or three minutes before an alarm Y / as given that tha people had broken into the

      yard . Some thousands entered the house , and took possession of the place . They took all the food there was in the house—upwards ot 700 7 lb . loaves . They took money also , shattered several doors , and broke a number of windows , till at length the military came and drove them away . By Mr . Dundas—Now , pray Mr . Bumble—( much laughter )—! beg pardon—Mr . Barrington , 1 didn ' t meas it . —Witness—i can't say whether the people knew thai we had so much bread in the house . Jt happened to be pay day , and probably some money would be . laid out for the paupers .

      By Mr , O'Connor—There was a great ruBh on the premises , and such as would be likely to cause damage . " The number of fpaupers ia the vroikhonse hid increased at that time . The mob did not injure me personally , but I was in great doubt about it . I have sot heard of great reductions in the wages of the working classes at Stockport . I can't say whether masters of workhouses are unpopular in exciting times . The Major of Slockport was not with the people when they came . William Moore , examined by the Attorney-General—I am a dresser of cotton yarn , at Marple , five miles from Stockport . In the month of

      August , last I was at work at Mr . Shepley a inifl . I remember a number of persons coming to the mill on Wednesday , the 10 th of August . 1 went to my master , and we came on to the canal bridge . The people said they wanted the men to be turned out . Mr . Shepley did turn them out . The next day I saw a body of persons coming on the 'W aterloo-road , in Stockport . They came a dozen abreast , and had sticks in their hands . A meeting was held , and I believe the name of one of the speakers was Christopher Doyle , another Leach , and another Moorhouse . A resolution was put to the people , whether they should resume work , or cease until the Charter became the law of the

      land . The latter was carried- I saw the person who was called Leach there . Somebody said that two or three persons mast go to the workhouse , and see if they could get the prisoners released . I afterwards saw a number of persons coming from the direction of the workhouse . The man called Leach , and Doyle , were linked together . Leach addressed the meeting , saying that he had seen the Mayor and Magistrates ; that they took him to a drawer , from which some money had been taken . He said the ; rrsre very candid with nim . He asked them if they woald release the prisoners . The Mayor , replied , it would be contrary to law , but if the people would go away he might probably release them in half an hour . He adaed that the cavalry had been ordered out , and they trembled like aspen leaves . I remember the loth of August . There was a meeting at Marple . Leach was there . I was too far off to hear what passed . The meeting occupied half an

      hour . James Crompton , examined by Mr . Wortley—I am a police-constable at Marple . I remember a meeting at Hawk Green- Joseph Taylor was in the chair . I took notes of what he said while the meeting was going on . He said , " friends and fellow workmen , —we are met here this morning-, not to discuss a question of w&ges , but to see whether you are content to live slaves , or whether yon . are williag to use every exertion in your ^ power to make the Chtrver become the law of the land , that you may obtain an equal representation , and place yourself on an « Qnal footing with your tyrannical masters . If you were to go to work tomorrow , yon would be a hundred times worse than

      you was before you left work , but if you will resolve to work no more until the Charter become the law of the land , yon will make them glad to give you anythingyou want . " This was received with cheers . He then introduced Mr . Christopher Doyle , of Manchester . He said , ** Friends and fellow workmen , — we are not met here for any parry object , but for a national -object , —an object en which depends-your slavery or freedom . " After a great deal of abuse of the Government , he said , " Perhaps they wonld want to knew how they must get the Charter ! It would be by working no more till the Charter - became the law of the land , and you that have money in banks or other places , must fetch it ontand stop the snpplies of Government .

      , and then they will be glad to grant you anything yon may want . " He also said * perhapB you will ¦ K-ant to know how yon axe to get meat . " He went on— " Lord Kiimard said in the House of Lords , the other day , that if he was in want of food he would take it where he could find it . Now . surely , your tvrannical masters can have no objection to lelling you to ^ o what Lord Klnnaird said he would do . 1 t « ll you if you aie in want offood , and your masters will not relieve yon , take it where you can find it . ' He then proposed a resolution that the people should not work until the Charter became the law of ihe land . The meeting were nnanimon 3 in favour of it . Doyle then said . " 1 see you are all Chartists , and there is a meeting of Chartist delegates at

      Manchester -on the 15 th . "Yon must elect a person to go there . " He then proposed Taylor , the chairman . A show of hands was taken , and the election fell upon Taylor . The latter said he felt proud that they had eleeted him as their representative . He said they must stick firm one to another , and work no mere till the Charter became the law of the land , and he woald go to Manchester and irepresent them there . The meeting was adjourned to Possettrbridge , for the pnrpose of giving their delegate his instructions . When the mob moved on , J saw that a great many of them Trere armed -with bludgeons . They were headed by Taylor and Doyle . At ihe junction of the Peak Forest Canal , there were a number at boats -oassine . The mob took away the horses , tied

      the boats to the sides , and told the boatmen that U they-went fnrther , they would sink the boats . There would be seven or eight . 1 didn't see Doyle do any thing at the boats ; he was probably fifty yards in advance . The mob went to the lock , and I went too- They threatened to throw me in if I interrupted them . They then palled out a bolt on which the door of the lock hung , and threw it across the canaL They were probably twenty minutes in accomplishing this . The effect of this was to stopihe navigation . It remained so for two days . While one portion of the mob were breaking down the lock , the ' other went towards Possett-bridge . There was a good deal of shouting , when they had got the dooroflu- . ... to to tha

      By Mr . Dnxham—I was not ordered go meeting by the Magistrates . I went of my own accord . 1 thought it was my duty as a constable , seeing the damage that had been done , to go and see what they intended to do further . I did not take all down that was said . There were so many , figures quoted as to pensions and Balaries , and the speaker lot so warm , lhat I could mot take it down . I did not think it necessary to do jo . My object in going io the meeting was to hear whether they passed any resolution to destroy property . I knew it was a {/ tiftrtist meeting , and I admit that I took down whs * woi 2 d < make against the Chartists . Tnere were * w © other ; constables present , but I believe they did not take any noteB . They ewe not here as witnesses . I did not know that Doyle w .-vfi ft turn-out , but I knew that Taylor the chairman was .

      Untitled Article

      By Sergeant Murphy—I should be known to the people at the meeting as being a constable . Some of them would see me takitig : the ¦ notes ; I did it openly . No molestation whatever was offered tome . By Mr . M'Oubray—Iknowthenatureofanpath . When I took the notes , I knew that I should be called to give evidence in a court of justice . -I-am conscious that 1 have not told all that passed at that meeting , but ! have stated "truly what I did take down . I could not rehearse " all that I left out of my notes . ; : -

      By Mr . O'Connor- ^ I stood four or five yards from the cart . 1 wrote down every thm £ that occurred at the time , with the exception of the chairman , which 1 wrote immediately after wards .: ! have never been a short hand writer : or reporter . -1 did hot know that the meeting was composed of Chartists . 1 thonght they were turn-butB . 1 am awarethat a large reduction of wages was proposed at Stockport , but I don't know the amount . 1 did not hear any expressions of violence at the meeting , beyond a recommendation to the people to take ' food , and 1 thought that was rather strong . 1 do not know that the Mayor of Stookporf recommended the people to take food . 1 never-heard him say so . 1 don ' t live at Stockport . 1 have heard the working classes complain that their wages , were reduced below existence point . They complained also of the masters turning them out of work .

      The note-book was here handed to his Lordship , at the request of Mr . O'Connor , for the purpose of hearing his opinion , whether an unpractised and unprofessional person could take down a consecutive report of a speech in long hand 1 The Learned Jndge baring looked at the book , said that the qnestion was rather one for the Jury ; and it was understood that thoy should have an opportunity of inspecting it before delivering their verdict . Witness re-examined by Mr . Wortley—I had a ¦ v ery favourable opportunity of taking notes . I was not jostled at all by the crowd .

      His Lordship here interrupted the Learned Counsel for the purpose of Baying , that when he came to sum up the case to the Jury , he should adopt th * same course as that pursued by Lord Chief Justice Tindal , at Stafford , namely , to explain the general character of the indictment , and afterwards to point OHt the comparative guilt of each defendant . He did not see how he could do justice to the defendants unless he adopted this , course . Mr . Wortley—The Jury may find them guilty on different counts . There are several in the indictment . The Judge—This is an indictment for a misdemeanour , and jou must find them guilty of an offence arising out of the same transaction . Mr . Sergeant Murphy—It is quite olear that the course your Lordship has pointed out is the proper one , for I and some of my Learned Friends appear for defendants who are oharged with different offences .

      Abraham Longson , examined by Sir G . Lewin—I am a police officer at Stockport . On the 15 th of August I was at a meeting on the Waterloo-road ; John Wright was in the chair . Immediately after the meeting broke up , 1 made notes of what had passed . I did not write tae notes myself , but I dictated them to an assistant . I read them over afterwards , and found them correct . A man named John Newton , not a defendant , spoke , after Wright had taken the ohair . He proposed " that whoever introduced any subject not connected with that of wages , should be put down ; he told them they must get their wages , and if they could not , they must aBk their masters why they eould not give it them : and if they told

      them it was through the * top shop / they muBt ask their masters to go with them as commanders and Bergeants , and find them with bread and cheese on the road , and to go to the Duke of Wellington , and if that wouldn ' t do , to go to Buckingham Palace , and the Honse of Commons or Lords , or whatever they had a mind to call them , and to demand from them to take all restriction ) off . " The Chairman then got up , and paid he would not go to London , and that they must take the responsibility upon themselves . James Ellison , not a defendant , moved an amendment that the question be left open , and let the meeting decide whether or not they would ask for their wages . I am not certain whether this was all he said . Richard Pilling , one of the defendants , next spoke . He said , —* ' Fellow-townsmen , for 1 may so call yon , having lived among you so long , and having been at bo many meetings , and having been

      in prison , I do not know whether it would be safe for me to own it or not ; but I may avow that I hare the honour to be the father of the movement , and the sole cause of your being nere , ladies and gentlemen , at the present time ; for the masters of Ashton had thought proper to offer a reduction of twentyfive per cent , upon their wages . I then called upon the bellman to go . round , and call a meeting . We there came to a resolution , swearing by the God of Heaven , that if a redaction took place , we would annihilate the system , and cause the day of reckoning . I then addressed the meeting of 12 , 000 , afterwards another at Stalybridge , of 10 , 000 , and at Dukinfield , of 5 , 000 . At every meeting , they came to a resolution to work no more till they had got the same wages as they had in February , 1840 . " He then said he had addressed a meeting at Royton , who came to the same resolution . He then called a

      meeting at Oldham , but they were taken by surprise , and he had to come back with five other speakers . In consequence of that the people of Oldham were not : out , but he waa determined next morning to go and drub them out . He went accordingly , and met them at eight o ' clock ) where one of them attacked him , aad he gave him a floorer . All their masters were then willing to give them their prices , but one of the Anti-Corn Law League , of the name of Bailey , of Stalybridge . In the course of the last three weeKe , he had addressed 300 , 000 in different parisof Lancashire and Cheshire . They then went to Droylesden , and the people there swore by the God of Heaven that they would not work any more until they got the prices of 1840 .

      They then came to Siockport , and caused all the mills to stop . They ( the meeting ) had not * turned out ; it was the Asbton lads who had turned them out , and if they went in again they would come over and give them a d—d good hiding . They then went io the bastile , but he ( Piiling ) , did not think that right , hut that winter they might all become thieves , and then the soldiers and police would have to look after them , and that would eat up the system , as there were more ways of doinB that than one . If the Ashten lads had not been there , they would not have known that there had been euch a place . He went on to say that he had been in all parts of South Lancashire , and that the two Tory members for Blackburn were engaged in working

      patent looms , at 1 id . less per cut than other masters were giving in the neighbourhood , and stopped 9 d . per week for every loom . On going to Todmorden , theTrorthy member for Oldham was actually giving more wages for some kinds of work than was actnaliy turned out for , and when the soldiers went to him to protect his factory , he told them he could do without them , as the arms of the people were his protection , and when that ? ceased , he hoped he shonld cease to live . He ( Pilling ) then said there is that d—d rascal , Marshall , and that d—d bloodhound of a thief , Jem Bradshaw , both particular friends of his ; he loved them well and they knew it . The meeting must be sure to stick ont , and not to go to work , because if they did , they might depend upon it the masters would crush them down , and

      then the Ashton lads would come over again and give them a d—d good hiding . And would they not deserve it ? The meeting called out , " Yes , my lad . " They might call that intimidation , but he knew the law ot conspiracy , and nothing over good was got without some one suffering for it . He said they might put him within the prison wallB , for he didn't care a d ^ -n . He concluded by exhorting them to remain out of work . There was another meeting at Peterloo on the 16 th , to appoint delegates , at whieh John Wright was elected . On the 17 th a fnrther meeting took place . Wright addressed them , and said , " 1 have come" —Here the witness , after bungling for some time , in attempting to make either sense or any thing else of the manuscript , ¦ was ordered by the Judge to hand it over to one of the officers of the Court , by whom it was read .

      During the time that the officer was reading the document , Mn Dundas rose , and said that this mode of reading a speech was merely refreshing the memory of the witness . He complained that the witness had been staring about the Court instead of attending to what was going on-Sir G . Lewin said that if hifl Learned Friend vfished , Longson should read the manusoript him self . Mr . Dundas replied that he should be sorry to take up the time of the Court in such a manner , and the officer proceeded with , the reading . The contents of the speech were quite immaterial

      Examination resumed—I remember attending a meeting , one at Carpenters' Hall , on the 15 th of September , and another at Bomber'a-brow , on the 16 th . John Allison , a defendant , was there . He recommended the men to go to their work , and Can did the same ; but Cart « r , not a defendant , said they must have the Charter before they went to work , and that it did sot matter if s few lives were lost in the struggle . Two placards were read at the meeting , one headed "Runfor gold , " and another similar to the address of the Executhe Committee . The former was read , bnt with respect id the latter , the Attorney-General said he should prefer offering the evidence to which he alluded in hiB opening address . ;

      . Cross-examined by Mr . Dundas—Neither of the parties who wrote to my dictation are here . We were about three quarters of an hour in writing the speech of Pilling . I have attended several meetings , and dictated speeches to onr own officers . The man who wrote PMing's speech for me is Robeit Swan . He is a Sheriff ^ officer . He never wrote any for me before the late turn-out . I can carry a decentish long speech in my memory * but & good deal dependB upon the subject . I think I coald remember a speech of half an hour ' s length . The meeting of the 16 th terminated peaceably .

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      B y Mr . a Cbnnor-rI beliete-1 could repeat Pilling ' s speech ^ as I bave it down now . I atn not much of a politician , but I read the newspapers . I pwasipnallyfjread Jfie Manchester Guardian . 1 niBYCT sa % a report of Pilling ' Ei Bpeeoh in the paper . WQe ] ? : S ^ &Qri anti ' ¦ ' % yrste writing oat the speech , he occasionally refreshed my memory . I don't know the reason ; why h « is hot here . These are our noteB conjofntlytfWhen Pilline heard that the people had eotnei toi the Stockport workhouse , he expressed his disapprobation . 1 caii't remember whether Newton , a . master mason , whd was at the meeting said that

      nnless the Corn Laws were repealed , they would tarn London upside down . When he recommended them to go to London , to the "top shop / ' the meeting hissed , and a ' person called out , " Master , you are » tpolof the Anti" -Gora Law League . " 1 believe it is true that ihe meeting charged Newton with haying been' sent there by the manufacturers , to create a disturbance , i 1 have not placed tbiB in my journal . 1 * was sent tio the meeting to give a faithful report , and 1 did so as near as 1 can . 1 didn ' t think about what was said to Newton at thetime . 1 have never read the following resolution : —

      " That this meeting being convinced that the Government haa no intention ef affording effectual relief for the acknowledged distresses of the people , hereby avow the solemn determination never again to pqs 3 , or to retain for twenty four hours without exchanging for gold any Bank of England notes , until , by the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws , Parliament shews its willingness to commence a xeal redreaa of our grievances . '' I remember Beeing a piacard on the walls at Stockport , headed " Murder , murder , murder , '' but I can't mention the name of the printer . I can ' t Bay whether QadBby ' s name / was affixed to it or any other . I cant remember whether Allison recommended the people to resort to legal and constitutional means to obtain the

      Charter , but I think he used the word peaceable . I am certain that Pilling used the word "drub " and not drum , when he talked of , going to Oldham . I can't say whether Pilling , when he was speaking as to the consequences of persisting for the Charter , said "he , did not care for fool or dick , " or he said he did not care for " Hool" or ' Dick , " alluding to Mr . Holland Hoole , a magistrate , and to Mr . Cobden . 1 am > aware that many angry public discusslonB have taken place between the Chartists and the anti-Corn Law party , at Stockport , and that a very bad feeling exUta between them . I don't know that ( he Chartists have upset Corn Law meetings , at

      Stockport , but they did once upset a meeting of the Bible Society , Ican't recollect that Pilling ever told me that in consequence of being turned out ef work , he was in such distress ., that tie could not bury bis child . I don't remember ever seeing a placard on the walls of Stockport , to the effect that the Mayor of Stockport had recommended the people to take food , if they were starving , and could not obtain any . Mr . Sergeant Murphy stated to bis Lordship that Pilling had wished to know whether he ( the Judge ) would allow a qnestion to be asked of the witness , Longson , whether , when speaking at the meeting alluded to , ha had not confined his observations to a recommendation of the wage question .

      His Lordship informed Pilling that he might ask tbe question himself . He accordingly did so , and said , amidst great laughter , ithat himse . f and Longson were old chums on the factory and wage question . At this stage of the proceedings , the Jury retired for a few minutes . Oa their return , Sir Frederick Pollock , addressing his Lordship , said , —I wish to call your Lordship ' s attention to the attendance here of Sir James Graham , as a witness . It has been intimated to me by Mr . O'Connor , that he intends to call a witness of the name of Wilcox , and in that case there wili be no necessity for the attendance of the Right Hon . Secretary . Mr . O'Connor—Certainly not The Judge—Is there any other defendant who does not appear by Counsel , who witihes to examine Sir James Graham ? If no answer is returned , I shall conclude that no person wishes to do so .

      Mr . O'Connor—I trust that it will be found that we have summoned Sir James Graham for no idle purpose , but having secured the witness who will answer our purpose , we have no wish to detain the R ght Hon . Secretary . Sir James Graham remained some time in the Court , making minutes of the examination of some of the witness , and retired in tbe course of the afternoon . John Bobinsoii Scott examined by Mr . Hildyard—I am a policeman . On the 13 th of August , I attended a meeting at Royton . The defendant , Augustus Frederick Taylor was there . A Chairman was appointed , and a person named Thom&a Ritcliffe asked whether the meeting was got up for the purpose of discussing wages or politics . It was received with general hooting and

      hissing . A person named Hoyle spoke , a&d said he was glad to aee me there in my proper clothing , for if I had come as a spy , they would strip me and send me about my business . This was said in tbe presence of Taylor , the defendant . The latter then got up , and after speaking in a savage manner respecting the -Government , he turned to me and said that if I was & principal ia this undertaking , I should never rest till I was at the top of the tree , for they wero determined to upset the villanous system , and he added that he would scale that d—d infernal place ( meaning * tbe gaol ) in less than a month . On the 16 th of August another meeting was held at the same place , when Taylor was again present . He said that he could give the meeting no satisfaction , but said he hoped thai something would have been done ; that day . After the fund accounts were rend , a motion was proposed that Taylor should be sent as a delegate to Manchester .. A collecwas made , amounting to five shillings , which was handed over to Booth , the secretary . Ibe meeting was again adjourned to the following day . Taylor was again present . Something was said about money-clubs and banks , and Booth advised the people to draw the money out of them . This was said in the presence of Taylor . Booth said he did not know how things were standing , but they ought to go for the Charter . Hoyle then addressed tbe meeting , and said that at a meeting of the delegates , at Manchester , there was a majority of 200 to 60 for the Charter . He then explained the different points in it , and said what benefit it would

      confer if they could send their friend Frederick Taylor to Parliament . He said the Magistrates had made the soldiers drunk , and sent them after the mob to fire upon them and butcher them up . Taylor then addressed the meeting . He s \ id , " Ladies and Gentlemen , we have arrived at one of the most important subjects that ever was undertaken . He said that a resolution had been passed at Manchester , on the previous Monday , iu favour of the Charter , and that no doubt something serious would happen before long . He stated that tbe Magistrates of Manchester , and Mr . Beswiok , entered the Carpenters ' Hall , and told the persons assembled that the meeting was illegal , in consequence of the out-door pressure . Tbe Chairman refused to break up the meeting , and the

      Magistrates and police returned again , and would only allow them ten minutes to disperse . Fixat one ot them nibbled , and then another , bat none of them would take hold . But I tell you thajt I took hold of tbe graud question , 'which was the Charter , and it wob received with loud applause . We had then only five minutes to disperse , and we had a considerable portion of the work to be done to-day , and I consider that you have not a moment to lose , so that you who wish to have a hand in this undertaking must do Bom . etb . ing this morning , for the men must use the sword , and the women wili know where to direct them . Taylor then said , as soon as tbe delegate from Birmingham came and brought the decision , he immediately ran to the trades to communicate the news , and so doubt they would come forward In thousands io join their ranks , and before this day week there will not be one trade at werk . But I fearlessly tell yon that I was the man who grappled the Chatter yesterday at

      Manchester , and I should like to witness a bloody revolution or revolutions , and the time was not far o&" On the following msrning , the 18 tb , there was another meeting . Taylor was present . He said he was very sorry to inform the meeting that Turner , who printed the placard which I brought home with me last night , has been taken . ( This was the address of the " Executive Committee , " and bore thu Imprint of Chas . Turner . ) He added that Turner ' s printing press and all his furniture had been taken , and whatever might be the event of this undertaking , be could not tell , but if the meeting thought they had the slightest chance , they would go forward But he said it appeared to him that some of the people were getting tired , and wished to return to their labour . If they did , however , they wouid leave him in a most dangerous position , but he could only be put in prison , and Bhould be one among the rest . At the conclusion , Taylor was again elected as a delegate .

      By Mr . O'Connor—I understood that when Taylor was speaking of the people being tired , and wishing to return to tkeir labour , he waa breaking of the peopla of Roytoa . Sylvester Faraaay , examined by Mr . F . Pollock—I am a policeman . I was at a meeting at Bacup between niue and ten o ' clock on tbe morning of the 16 ch of August There were about 2 , 000 persona present Taey were armed with stick ** and bludgeons . They entered Bacup from the Rochdale road . L followed them , and saw what they did . They proceeded to the mills and stopped them . They called upon the hands of the mills in a menacing way , to come out All the mills in

      Bacup were stopped on that day . They afterwards divided into small potties of from three to twenty . They entered aU bouses that they found open , and demanded provisions from the inmates . There was a grocer of the name of Carter , and the people crowded round the shop , and provisions were thrown out to th 6 m . Their conduct was violent , but they offered no threats , I aid not bear any threat at Carters , but in Other instances , I heard the people themselves threaten to break open the daora of the houses , if provisions were net given to them . The state of the town was one of great Yiolenee and uproar , i I first saw the address of the " Executive Committee , " posted in Bacup , on Saturday , the 20 th of August

      By Mr . M'Oubray—I only read one or two lines of the placard , feut I satisfied myself that it is the same . By Mr . O'Connor—I did not see any person that I knew individually , who were shewing the people how to pull out tbe pings . The millownera are not all dead , but I dont know that any of them are bete to speak to the mills being stopped . By William Beealey , a defendant—I saw the placard in two different parta of the town . I do

      Untitled Article

      ¦ J not remember any provisions being found upon the prisoners at Bacup , or at the police office there . William Bentley examined by Mr . | F . Pollock—I am a policeman from Rochdale . I saw the address of the Executive Committee posted on the : 17 th of August , and the hands turned out on the 11 th . The Queen ' s proclamation appeared on the 15 th . About the 20 th t iie bands returned to work . j James Buckley examined by the Attorney-General—I lire at Stalybridge . On Sunday , the 7 th of August , I was at ) a meeting at Mottram Moor ; from 3 , 000 to 6 000 persons were present William Moorhouse , not a defendant , was in the chair . When I got there , I found the people singing a hymn . ! A resolution was proposed that the people of England ] should give over

      working until they got a fair day's ^ rage for a day ' s work , and the Charter became the law of the land . A man represented to be John Leaeh / j of Hyde , spoke . John Crossley and Wm . Stephenson jwere there . All three supported the resolution . On ihe morning of Monday , the 8 th of August , I saw a great number of persons , some armed with sticks , in the streets at Stalsbiidge . Motb -were without than had them . I followed them down to Messrs . Harrison ' s mill . They shouted and wanted to get the bands ! out Mr . Harrisoon stopped bis mill . The mob then went to Messrs . Lee's mill , and demanded admittance , but they could not get in . They broke a plank off the bottom of the gate , and effected an entrance , but when they got in , the hands had been turned ont at another door . They

      afterwards went to Duck « nu * eld , and stopped all the mills on the road , between that place ) and Ashton . The mob brandished their sticks , and created great alarm . They then went to Hurst and stopped mills there . Above twenty were stopped . In thejafternoon , I saw John Crossley , in the Market-place , at Ashtoa . I also saw William Aitkin , another of the defendants . He " blacked" the mob most terribly for the way they had gone on . Pilling was there too , j and he proposed that the people of Aahton should gb to Oldham , and the people of Stalybridge to Hyde , | in order to stop the mills . This was agreed to . There are many hatters in the neighbourhood , and the mob stopped them from working , as they came to the ( hat shops . They said they must give over working until a fair ¦•¦ A y ' s

      wage for * fair day ' s work was obtained , and tbe Charter became the la * . I saw John Crossley . He saw some lads attempting to break a gate , and be ran to prevent them doing any damage . There did not appear to be any leaders at that time . From Denton the mob went to Hyde , and they called npon the hatters to fall in , and march with them . Some of them did so , and others refused . They afterwards divided themselves into lots , and went to different mills . At Hyde they went to Mr . James Asbton's factory , and turned the hands out Before the party broke np they went to CHossop , but I did not go with them . Oa the morning of the 11 th there was a meeting atHaigh , ef a Bimilar charaoter , which was addressed by Fenton , Crossley and Mahon . Crossley said he would not tell

      them where to go to , as they had behaved themselves so badly the day before . He told them they weie to follow him . About seven o'clock tbe next morning , the 12 th , another meeting was held at Stalybridge ; Crossley and Fenton were there , and advecated the wage question , but Woolflnden advised them to stick to the Charter . He speke Very ill ; of shopkeepers , cotton masters , and the Government j I did net go any where with them that day , but the next mornirg there was another meeting . Mahon was there , and Crossley , Durham , and Fenton . It was stated that there waa to be a meeting that morning at Hyde , and that men were to be sent from Stalybridge to address the people ou the wage question . I was at a meeting at Hyde after this . Win . Stephenson and CroBsley ' werti there . They

      wanted the people of Hyde to give np the agitation of the Charter . The posple blackguarded them terribly foe coming with euca a tale as that Booth , the defendant , was one of the parties who did ) ao . I went back to Stalybridge after the meeting was over . I found the people coming in from Giossop to have a meeting at Stalybridge to discuss whether it should be a wage question or a Chartist question ; it was to be what waa called a great meeting . It was determined that the Stalybridge people Bhould not have anything to do with the voting , because they would not have anything to do with the Charter . It was afterwards agreed that the meeting should atand out for the Charter , and

      it broke up . John Wild was the chairman of the general meeting , at Stalybridge . Several persons were called , and at last Wild was fixed upon . He said he did not like to have anything to do with the business , but as they bad called upon him , he would do his duty as far as he was able ; by giving every speaker a fair and candid beariug . . Leach supported the Charter . Newton , Mahon , ami Bootb also took . put for thfi Chart ** . Several persons spoke for tbe wage question , and among the number Durham and Feuton . All present , with the exception of two , voted for the Charter . I should think that from 8 , 000 to 10 , 000 persons were present . This was the last meeting I attended . !

      By Mr . Dundas—I did not bold up my hand for the resolution . I am a married man and bave a family . In the month of August my wife and children were in the Workhouse , at Saddleworth . This was in consequence of my being out of work . They are not there now , because I have got work . I am working at Mr . Kirk ' s factory , and have been in work for aix weeks . My wife and family left the Workhcnse three or four months ago . I can't say whether I was in work or not when they returned . I was a special constable at the time , at Stalybridge . The reasonjwhy I did not give that answer before was , that I ihovght yon wonid not think being a special constable working . I was a special constable for stx weeks , and bad 3 s . a day . I never -eras discharged from being a special couatable , because l bad no regular engagement . I was j ordered to give over because there waa no demand for tae . I was afterwards a watcher under the police of Stalybridge , at 16 s . a-week . This was in consequence of their being a watchman short for nhmit three months . When I

      applied whether I was to have tue situation permanent , the Commissioners at Stalybridge said that if they appointed me , they were afraid that j the rate payers would cot pay their rates , because I had sworn against the Chartists . I will swear that I was not discharged by the Commissioners , for any other reason . I was told by somebody to go to the meetings ' . I got paid for going I ( Hisses from the body of the Court ) I shall not tell you who sent me . I was told before I went that it would be worth my while . Ijgot five shillings . That is not all I got I have received £ 5 at different times , and I expect to receive more . ( Renewed hisses . ) By Mr . Atherton . —The first information I gave was about a fortnight after the meeting of the 7 th . Before I save thatiinformation 1 had not seen ; the Queen ' s

      Proclamation offering a reward of £ 50 . j The first tiaie I saw it was in September . I am not certain whether I had seen it before . I w&s examined by the Ashton Magistrates . I admitted having told jn woman named Susan Greenwood , mother of my first ; wife , that I had seen a tad break a gate at Messrs ! Lee ' s mill , and that I might as well have £ 50 as any body else . She asked whether I would , go and swear against my neighbours ? I dou't remember what answer I made to the old woman . I acknowledge having been questioned as to what I knew about tha Chartists , and I said thut if it had not been for the speakers , there would have been a great deal more disturbance . I wasjnot a turnout on the 7 th of August . I bad nothing to turn out upon . I was three weeks and had nothing to do .

      I scareely know how I lived , j I had bread , but very little meat I gofr \; the flour from a shop , at Stalybiidge . I did not pay for it I have been living on credit When , 1 went up and down to these meetings , I did not tabs" any ; part iu the proceedings . I neither hissed nor shouted . I have taken notes , but I have burnt ail tae papers I had .. When 1 was examined before the magistrates , in September , I could not be sure whether Fenton was at tbe meeting on the 12 th of August I examined the papers afterwards , and found that it was corrrect The paper was burnt before I gave eivdence at Chester . I knew it might be wanted for these assizes , but I thought I could carry it all in my head . I was examined before the Grand Jury respecting these transactions , and I burned the papers afterwards .

      Cross-examined by Mr . O'Connor—When was the first instalment paid to you ? It happen might be about the 16 th or 17 th of August i Might it be a fortnight before ? ; It might You say you got between £ 4 and £ 6 altogether ? Yes . \ Are you . certain you did not get more ?—I am . On the 17 tb of August , when you followed the meat-Ing , before the mills were stopped , ' you say that the people were riotous and created great alarm in the

      neighbourhood that they paused through ? Yea . Did they alarm you ? Yes . How does it happen , than , that if you were so much alarmed , you followed the people ? I did not follow them . ¦ Then you went before them ?—( Laurhter . ) I attended their meetings . Did you not folio * them when Crossley prevented the the boys from doiog damage to a hatter's premises ? Yea . ¦ f

      Upon your oath , sir , did not Crossley say to you , on the Monday about which you have bean speaking , that he would go with you to the meeting , | if you wonld promise to abstain from violence ? j He nevtr said anything of that sort to me . Did . you tell all to the Magistrates that you have told here today ? : No . Did you swear that Leach had been at the meeting on the 13 th of August , at all 1 ! I have nothing to do with Leacfi at , all . Ohl but yon nave . After yout examination before tbe Magistrates , were you b « uod jover to give evidence ? ¦

      Yes . Did yon give evidence at Chester ? I did . \ Were the men against whom you swore convicted or acquitted ? One Was convicted , and two were acquitted . Did you get anything for that job ?¦ Not muflh . How much ? Fifty shillings . And how much do you expect to get for this job ? 1 don't know .

      Untitled Article

      Has no one told you T No . Were you not told that you would get the £ 50 , if you convictd the whole of the parties ? No . Did you Bay it yourself ? I never said that I might as well bave the £ 50 tot those persons . It was for tne / eo at Chester that I said I might as well have the £ 501 ' Did you ever show your papers to any one before you destroyed them ? No . Upon your oath , did any one tell you to destroy them %

      No . What did yoa get for going to Liverpool ? Fifty shillings . Have you told the whole truth 1 Yes ; to the best of my belief . Do you remember what you swore , when you were before the magistrates , in September last 1 What about ? . That te Nthat I want to know . Was what you swora before the magistrates , read over to you , or given to you , to be read by yourself ? It has been read over a time or two . By whom . ? -

      I don't know : I don't see him here . When was it last read to yon ( The witness hesitated for a long time , aad appeared quite unwilling to answer the question . ) Mr . O'Connor—Upon your oath , I must have an answer to the question . The witness still hesitated . The Judge— Why doa't you answer the question . Witness—The depositions have been read over to mo to-day—( a strong sensation . ) Mr . O'Connor—Go down , Sir . The defendant , Wild , here asked if he eould be allowed to put a few questions to Buckley . % The Judge—Certainly .

      Defendant—AbI am not defended , my Lord , and have no means to obtain counsel , I wish to know when my trial will come on , so that I may be prepared to defend myself to the best of my ability . The Judge— Your trial is going en now—( laughter . ) Defendant—At the meeting at which you said you saw me , did I not object to the Charter being carried out 7 Witness- —Yes . Defendant—When I refused to meet the motion ia the shape in which it was proposed , did not the people come before me with sticks , and threaten to knock my brains out ? Witness—Yes ; and they threatened to knock you out of the cart By Sir Frederick Pollock—The money which t received was for my expences at Chester and Liverpool . I received 50 s . at each place , and my expenses wen rather more tha& £ 3 .

      Joseph Oliver , examined by Mr . Wortley—I am an overlooker employed at Mr . Hall ' s mill , at Dackiflfield . I was at a meeting at Hall Green on the 2 nd or 3 rd of August I think Wild was in the chair , but I won't swear it Pilling and Challenger addressed the meeting , and a resolution was proposed that if the masters persisted in their reductions , the men would cease from labour , until they bad got a fair day ' s wage for a fair day's work , and the Charter bad become the law of the land . The resolution was not put to the vote . I was at another meeting on the 10 th . Pilling waa there . He said he had been at Oldham , where be had met , with some opposition . He added that some of his lads had been there on Monday , and raked out the fires , and pulled out the to

      plu ^ s . Two men were come Aabton , to say whether they would turnout quietly or net , because if they would not , he was afraid that some of his lads would break their heads . I was present at another meeting at Duckinfleld , on tbe 15 th of August James Thorp was in tha chair . Challenger , a defendant , spoke in favour of the Charter , and said that if they would pass a resolution in favour of tbe Charter , they would go for the Charter and fight for * , it . He said he had been at Preston a few days ago—the streets were barricaded , and that not a single soldier or a blue-bottle was to be seen , and he had no doubt the tewn , if it was then as he bad left it , it wonld be by that time ia a blaze . He also said that he had been at Manchester , and that it was not for the towns of Ashton , Dukinfield , Stalybridce , and

      Hyde , to carry the Charter , but it must rest with tha great delegate meeting at Manchester to carry it into law . He said that less turn-outs than these had caused a revolution . He referred to the case of a great emporer ravishing a woman , and te the case of Wat Tyler , in England , and he said be believed tbe time was fast approaching when they would have such men as Fairfax and Cromwell . He recommended tbe people te look up to such men as Feargna O'Connor , Broaterre O'Brien , and Dr . M'DoualL I saw Challenger again in the evening , at Ashton , where there was a meeting . Some confusion took place , and tbe people said there was a dog battle . Challenger told them that ; if they intended to carry the Charter they must not be afraid of two whelps righting .

      By Mr . O'Connor—Some of my friends were opposed to my coming here , but a person whom I did not know sent for me , and I thought it was my duty to come . I admit that I have been spoken to respecting my evidence . Mr . O'Connor—By whom ? Witness—I don ^ t know . Mr . O'Connor—You don't know ? Witness—I was introduced into a room by some * body—( laughter ) . Mr . O'Connor—Where at ? Witness—it was at tbe Commercial Inn , at Preston . Mr . O'Connor—Did you read over your deposition there t Witness—I did . Mr . O'Connor—Were there other persons there reading ? Witpess—Yes ; they seemed to be reading pieces of paper like mine .

      Mr . O'Connor—Now , Sir , having had your memory refreshed by the Attorney at Preston , I ask you whether you told the Magistrates that Challenger said the people were to look up to Feargus O'Connor , Brooterre O'Brien , and Dr . M'Douall ? Witness—No ., Mr . O'Connor—Did you tell the Magistrates about Preaton being in & blaze ? Witness—No : I thought it was of no use , as Challenger hod gone off to America * Mr . O'Connor—Why did you not tell them ? Witness—I have told you the reason . Dont bring am

      things oat so bluff- ~^ laughter ) . I getting quite dry . —( renewed laughter ) . Mi . O'Connor—Will you take a glass of wine ? Witness--1 have not come here to tell any lies . Mr . O'Connor—Then let us have the whole truth . Witness—I will speak the truth , man . ( Muo& laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor—Then do , man . Now , is the evidence yon have given to-day the same as yon gave to the attorney at Aahton r Witness—Yes : word for word . ( Laughter . ) Mr . O Connor—After that , you may go down .

      Samuel BariniBter , examined by Sir Gh Lewin—I am chief constable of Prestos . There is a Chartist meeting room theve . I waa at a Cbartist meeting about a month prior to the 12 th of August A meeting was announced for the evening of that day . 1 went there . Two persons were at the meeting who were represented as Aitkin and Challenger . They were received as such , aud addressed the assemblage . Mr . Athorton objected to tbe reception of the evidence proposed to be given by the witness , inasmuch as he contended that the identification of the party merely by name , » ss not sufficient . The Attorney-General called attention to the evidence of the preceding witness , who had stated that , he had heard Challenger say he had been at Preston , and also heard him describe the state in which the torn-out was when he left it .

      The Judge—1 think the evidence as to identity ia sufficient . Examination resumed—Both speakers spoke at great leDgth . One resolution was put , that they shouid again . meet in a place called the orchard , at an early hour of the morning and at noon , to prevent rf Snch persons as were disposed to work from doing eo . That resolution was carried . Others were proposed of a very violent character , , but 1 can't particularise thorn . Challenger Baid that the m asters of Preston , or the cotton lords , as he called them , were the moat tyrannical men in the county ) that they gave a less amount of wages than others , and therefore could undersell their neighbours . Aitkin abused the mill-owners , and boasted that he

      had been in prison to servo the people , and would do so again . The next morning I attended the orchard , about five o ' clock , and found about 100 persons there at tha * time . 1 Baw the . number wa 3 increasing , and 1 then went back to the station , and seat a report to the Mayor of the borough , having left some eonstables to watch the ; proceedings of the mob . On my return , 1 met one of the constables , who Baid that the mob had gone in the direction of one of the mills , to stop them . The next thing was the calling out of the military . - 1 then proceeded with the soldiers and Magistrates down Fishergate , aud a short distance before we came to Lane-street , we met an immense mob of persons . Wo stopped theto from coming up the street . We then proceeded in the direction of Paley ' s factory , aud on our return up Lune-street showers of Btonea were thrown at us by the mob . We were ordered to

      halt and turarouud ia order to disperse them , butitwaa useless . We then informed them that Capt . Woodtor d had been Bent for ^ and that the Riot Act would be read . Amidst a shower of stones , one of the mob exclaimed— Read and be d—d , *» 1 then went in company with Captain Woodfdrd , to inform the mob that the Kiot Act had been r « ad . W © found that stones were then coming over the roofs of the houses , as well as in our front and rear . There is a canal in the lower part of Lune-street , in which a number of Btones are deposited ^ and vre could see women bringing stone sin . their aprons ) , which formed a deposit . Finding that all our efforts to disperse the mob were fruitless , an order was given to fire . 1 dou ' fc know the precise word of command , but the Eoldiers fired . I saw several in the front ranks of the mob drop immediately . The rest of the people , to my asuraishmeut , stood motionless , apparently thunderstruck . In the course of a few minutes Continued in our sixth page . J

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      THE NORTHERN STAJt . ¦ _^ ar _ .. J ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 11, 1843, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct925/page/3/