Part 2

I saw nothing that gave me an idea of resistance, except in one or two spots where they showed some disinclination to abandon the banners; these impulses, however, were but momentary, and banner after banner fell into the hands of the military power.[5] The extent of their defence may perhaps best be estimated by the gallant conduct, which I particularly noticed, of a man on horseback, apparently a gentleman's servant. Unarmed as far as I could perceive, he separated from the cavalry, and rode directly into a compact body of people collected round a banner; a scuffle ensued highly interesting; the banner rose and fell repeatedly, but ultimately fell into his hands, and he galloped off with it in triumph.

During the whole of this confusion, heightened at its close by the rattle of some artillery[6] crossing the square, shrieks were heard in all directions, and as the crowd of people dispersed the effects of the conflict became visible. Some were seen bleeding on the ground and unable to rise; others, less seriously injured but faint with the loss of blood, were retiring slowly or leaning upon others for support. One special constable, with a cut down his head, was brought to Mr. Buxton's house. I saw several others in the passage, congratulating themselves on their narrow escape, and showing the marks of sabre-cuts on their hats. I saw no firearms, but distinctly heard four or five shots, towards the close of the business, on the opposite side of the square, beyond the hustings; but nobody could inform me by whom they were fired. The whole of this extraordinary scene was the work of a few minutes.

The rapid succession of so many important incidents in this short space of time, the peculiar character of each depending so much on the variation of a few instants in the detail, sufficiently accounts for the very contradictory statements that have been given; added to which it should be observed that no spectator on the ground could possibly form a just and correct idea of what was passing. When below, I could not have observed anything accurately beyond a few yards around me, and it was only by ascending to the upper rooms of Mr. Buxton's house that I could form a just and correct idea of almost every point which has since afforded so much discussion and contention.

The cavalry were now collected in different parts of the area; the centre, but a few minutes before crowded to excess, was utterly deserted; groups of radicals were still seen assembled on the outskirts, screening themselves behind logs of timber or mingling with the spectators on the pavement. The constables remained in a body in front of the house waiting for the reappearance of Hunt, who (with his colleagues) was secured in a small parlour opening into the passage to which I had now descended. I believe the original intention was to send him to the New Bailey in a carriage, but it was soon after decided that he should walk. When this was made known it was received with shouts of approbation and "bring him out, let the rebel walk," was heard from all quarters. At length he came forth, and notwithstanding the blows he had received in running the gauntlet down the avenue of constables, I thought I could perceive a smile of triumph on his countenance. A person (Nadin, I believe) offered to take his arm, but he drew himself back, and in a sort of whisper said: "No, no, that's rather too good a thing," or words to that effect. He then left the house, and I soon afterwards also went away.

I saw no symptoms of riot or disturbances before the meeting; the impression on my mind was that the people were sullenly peaceful, and I had an excellent opportunity of forming an opinion by suddenly coming in contact with a large body from Ashton, who met me in Mosley Street, as I entered the town.[7] They were walking at a moderate pace, six or seven abreast, arm in arm, which enabled them to keep some sort of regularity in their march. I was soon surrounded by them as I passed, and though my horse showed a good deal of alarm, particularly at their band and flags, they broke rank and offered no molestation whatever.

As soon, however, as I had quitted Mr. Buxton's house at the conclusion of the business, I found them in a very different state of feeling. I heard repeated vows of revenge. "You took us unprepared, we were unarmed to-day, and it is your day; but when we meet again the day shall be ours." How far this declaration of being unarmed men may be relied upon, I cannot pretend to say; I certainly saw nothing like arms either at or before the meeting; their sticks were, as far as came under my observation, common walking-sticks; that some, however, were armed I can have no doubt, as a constable, when I was leaving Mr. Buxton's house, showed me a couple of short skewers or daggers fixed in wooden handles, which he had taken in the fray.

I have heard from the most respectable authority that the cavalry were assailed by stones during the short time they halted previous to their charge. I do not wish to contradict positive assertions. What a person _sees_ must be true. My evidence on that point can only be negative. I certainly saw nothing of the sort, and yet my eyes were fixed most steadily upon them, and I think that I must have seen any stone larger than a pebble at the short distance at which I stood (from thirty to fifty yards) and the commanding view I had. I indeed saw no missile weapons used throughout the whole transaction, but as I have before stated, the dust at the hustings soon partially obscured everything that took place near that particular spot; but no doubt the people defended themselves to the best of their power, as it was absolutely impossible for them to get away and give the cavalry a clear passage till the outer part of the mob had fallen back. No blame can be fairly attributed to the soldiers for wounding the constables as well as the radicals, since the chief distinguishing mark (the former being covered and the latter uncovered) soon ceased to exist; every man for obvious reasons covering himself in haste the moment the dispersion commenced.

Such are the leading features of this event, to which I can speak positively; comments and opinions I have avoided as much as possible, my object being to give a clear and impartial account of facts, which whether for or against the adopted conclusions of either party must speak for themselves.

The Evidence of The Rev. Edward Stanley

in the Trial of an action for assault, brought by Thomas Redford against Hugh Hornby Birley and others, members of the Manchester Yeomanry, before Mr. Justice Holroyd and a Special Jury, at Lancaster on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th of April, 1822.

_Second day of the Trial._

The Rev. EDWARD STANLEY examined by Mr. SERJEANT BLACKBURNE (_Counsel for the Plaintiff_).

You, I believe, are the Rector of Alderley, in Cheshire?--I am.

Brother to Sir Thomas Stanley?--Brother to Sir John Stanley.

On the 16th of August, 1819, had you any business with Mr. Buxton?--I had.

How far do you live from Manchester?--Between fifteen and sixteen miles.

You came into Manchester on the morning; about what time?--As near twelve o'clock as possible I entered Mosley Street.

In your passage up Mosley Street, did you meet with any number of people?--I did.

Walking?--Walking.

In what manner?--They were coming down the street, walking in a procession, six, or seven, or eight abreast, and arm in arm.

Were you on horseback?--I was.

Was there any interruption to your passage?--No. Should I explain?

Tell us the reason?--As I was going down the street, some persons on the pavement desired me--

I do not wish to know what the persons on the pavement desired you to do; I do not wish you to tell us the conversation, but simply to relate what happened?--I passed through them.

By their opening to give you way?--Certainly.

Did you go on that day to Mr. Buxton's house, and what time did you get there? I got to Mr. Buxton's house, I should think, a quarter after one.

Did you go into a room there where the magistrates were assembled?--I did.

How long did you remain there?--I should think about from eight to ten minutes.

During the time you were in the room, did Mr. Hunt arrive on the ground?--He was called Mr. Hunt; he was in a barouche.

And a multitude accompanying him?--A vast multitude.

I believe there was a cheer given by the populace at the time when he did arrive?--A tremendous shout.

Did you remain in the room or did you go elsewhere?--I did not remain there; I went into the room above it.

Were there any other persons in the room besides you?--Several.

Did you see the Manchester Yeomanry come on to the ground?--I did.

And form in front of Mr. Buxton's house?--They formed with their left flank a little to the right of the special constables, and a few yards to the right of Mr. Buxton's house.

You say to the left of the line of special constables?--Their left flank was on the right of Mr. Buxton's house.

You saw the line of constables; where did it extend to?--It extended from the door of Mr. Buxton's house, apparently up to the hustings.

Was there more than one line of constables?--There were two lines of constables.

What was the interval between them?--Near Mr. Buxton's house and the mob, three or four feet.

Afterwards, the line was closed by the pressure of the mob, expanding again when they came near the hustings?--According to my observation; to the best of my judgment; such is the impression on my mind.

Of course you saw the people collected?--Certainly.

In a large mass?--In a very large mass.

What was it enabled you to distinguish the special constables from the rest?--They were superior-dressed people, had their hats on, and their staffs were constantly appearing, and they were nearer the hustings.

And the people round the hustings had their hats off?--My general impression is, all, to speak accurately.

The people on this side of the area of St. Peter's field were not so numerous?--There were more stragglers, and no crowd.

You saw colours and caps of liberty on the ground?--I did.

What number of either the one or the other? Perhaps you do not distinctly recollect?--I cannot say.

You heard Mr. Hunt speak?--No, I could just hear his voice, but I was not able to distinguish what he said.

How long had that taken place before you saw the cavalry advance towards the hustings?--From their halt, I should think three minutes.

From the time you heard Mr. Hunt?--Not from the time I heard Mr. Hunt; he was speaking before I arrived.

Then from the time of the halt?--Two or three minutes.

When you saw them advance towards the hustings, with what speed did they go?--They were formed in an irregular mass. Those on the left advanced in some sort of order. They went on at first, for a few paces, at no very quick pace; but they soon increased their speed, till it became a sort of rush or race amongst them all towards the hustings.

Did you observe the effect that this had upon the people, whether it caused them to disperse or not?--They could not disperse instantly.

But on the outside of them?--On the right, in front of the hustings, they immediately began to melt away, as it were, as far as they could at the extreme.

The outward edge of the meeting?--The outward edge, in front of the hustings.

Did you observe the cavalry when they got first among the thick part of the meeting?--Their speed was diminished as soon as they came in contact with the dense mob.

Well?--But they worked their way to the hustings still, as fast, under existing circumstances, as they could.

From the place in which you were, I believe you had a very commanding view of the hustings?--I looked down upon it like a map.

I understood you, you had also been in a room below that, and looked through there?--I had.

Which, in your opinion, was the better place for a correct observation of what passed after the meeting?--Decidedly, the highest room.

Did you watch the advance of the cavalry from their place up to the hustings?--I did.

Did you see either sticks, or stones, or anything of the kind used against the cavalry in their advance up to the hustings?--Certainly not.

Did you see any resistance whatever to the cavalry, except the thickness of the meeting?--None.

Do I understand you to say you saw them surround the hustings, or not?--Surround I could not say, for the other side of the hustings, of course, was partially eclipsed by the people upon it.

But you saw them encircle part?--Encircle part.

Did you see what was done when they got there?--Yes.

Will you tell us what it was that you saw done?--I saw the swords up and down, the orators tumbled or thrown over, and the mob dispersed.

In your judgment, what length of time elapsed between the cavalry first setting off into the meeting and the time of their complete dispersion?--Starting from their halt to the complete dispersion of the meeting, I should think from three to five minutes; but I cannot speak to a minute.

In your judgment it took from three to five minutes? You did not observe it by a watch?--No.

Did you see any other troops come into the field?--I did.

What were they?--

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: He says he saw what?--

Mr. SERJEANT BLACKBURNE: Other troops come into the field.

When was it that you saw them come into the field?--When the mob around the hustings were dispersing rapidly, and I think Mr. Hunt was taken off.

What were those troops that you saw come into the ground then?--First came in, on the left of Mr. Buxton's row of houses, the Cheshire Yeomanry, who filed to the left.

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: You mean to the left, looking from the house, then?--From the house.

Mr. SERJEANT BLACKBURNE: Where did the Cheshire Yeomanry take up their position when they came on the ground?--They took up their position in the rear of the hustings, rather in advance, I think, of some mounds of earth.

Do you know Windmill Street?--I know no street.

You don't know its name?--I know no name.

You say near a rising ground?--There is a sort of little elevated bank or ground.

Had the multitude from that part been dispersed?--The multitude in the rear were pretty much as they had been at first. I think they were dispersing, but not so rapidly.

Do you mean in the rear of the cavalry?--In the rear of the hustings.

The Cheshire Yeomanry's position was in the rear of the hustings?--Part near amongst these people.

What other troops beside the Cheshire Yeomanry did you see come on to the ground?--Soon after the Cheshire Yeomanry had come in and taken their position, a troop of Dragoons, I think the 15th, came in under the windows of Mr. Buxton's house.

You say you think they were the 15th Hussars?--They were called the 15th Dragoons; they had Waterloo medals.

Where did they take up their position?--

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: "Near Mr. Buxton's house," he said.

Mr. SERJEANT BLACKBURNE: Did they continue there?--They halted or paused for a moment or so, a little to the left of Mr. Buxton's house, a very little to the left, almost in front, inclining to the left.

What others did you see come on the ground, besides them and the Cheshire Yeomanry?--At the close of the business I saw some artillery driving through the place.

Was there any other besides those that you saw take up any position on the ground?--None, on the ground.

At this time, was the whole of the multitude dispersed?--It was dispersing most rapidly; I may say dispersed, except in partial spots.

After leaving the hustings, to which part of the field did the Manchester Yeomanry go?--To all parts. I think more behind the hustings, and on the right; they did not come back to me so much.

Do you know the Quakers' meeting-house?--I have heard where it is since; then I did not know.

Was it that way that they went?--If you could point out, in a plan, the Quakers' meeting-house, I could tell you if they went that road.

There is the Quakers' meeting-house, you will see written on the plan?--Some went that way.

Some of the people, too, dispersed in that direction, did they?--The people dispersed in every direction.

I am not sure whether I asked you before, whether from your situation in this window, if any stones, or brickbats, or sticks, had been raised against the cavalry, on their way to the hustings, you must have seen it?--I think I must have seen it.

Cross-examined by Mr. SERJEANT HULLOCK:

Will you venture to swear, Mr. Stanley, that no stones nor brickbats would be thrown during the advance of the cavalry towards the hustings, without your perceiving it?--I can only venture to say that I saw none.

I believe you have favoured the public with an account of this transaction?--No, I have not.

You printed or wrote something?--It was in circulation among my friends. I wrote something which was never published.

There was a document, written by you, circulated among your friends?--Among my friends.

Before that time, had you seen yourself and read any publication, either in manuscript or print, on this subject?--I had read the reports in some papers, naturally, after that time, and I might have seen a pamphlet printed at Manchester.

Then you had seen several accounts which had been given to the world before you wrote?--Yes, I saw the reports of the papers immediately after the meeting.

Whose account did you see, besides the reports in the paper?--A Mr. Phillips's.

You, it seemed, entertained a different view of the transactions that had taken place upon this day from those which had been given to the world before that time?--I do not know; I should say a different view from some, perhaps, and coinciding with the views of others.

Coinciding with the views of some, and differing from the views of others?--Respecting stones.

No matter what. You are a magistrate, I understand?--I am not.

Of neither Cheshire nor Lancashire?--No.

I beg your pardon. You, however, were in the magistrates' room, I think you said, at Mr. Buxton's?--I was.

Of course you had an acquaintance with the gentlemen who were there assembled, as acting magistrates of the committee for the counties of Chester and Lancaster?--With two or three I had.

Probably upon terms of intimacy with one of them?--Certainly.

Was that gentleman there at that time?--He was.

Did it occur to your mind at the time that the cavalry were sent for (because you went back to a window, and saw the messenger crossing the field, for the purpose of bringing them to the place, and were told or heard there was a rumour in the room above, that the cavalry had been sent for) did it occur (attend to my question) to you, at the time, from the observations which you had made on the subject, that that step was improper or premature?--I don't think it occurred to me either one way or the other.

Am I to understand from that then that you exercised no judgment upon the subject at that time?--I certainly did exercise some judgment, some opinion on it, at that time.

Having exercised some judgment upon the subject, I ask you whether, in your judgment, such as you exercised upon that point, the step was either improper or premature?--I saw no necessity for it.

Then you deemed it premature?--I saw no necessity for it.

It struck you then as an unnecessary act?--Certainly.

Then you would go down, of course, immediately and speak to your friend upon the subject?--No.

Nor ever expressed to that friend or to any other, at the time, your opinion with respect to the impropriety of the step?--I had no other friend to speak to.

Did you speak to him?--I did not go down into the room again.

Probably you might, being a gentleman of considerable acquaintance, meet with some friend on going home, and might ride home with some gentleman, at least part of the road?--Part of the road I did.

Mr Markland, I presume?--I overtook Mr. Markland.

Did you express any opinion to Mr. Markland upon these proceedings?--Probably I did; but I have not the most distant recollection.

I ask you, upon your oath, Mr. Stanley, if you did not express to him your entire concurrence in, and approbation of, the measures adopted by the magistrates?--I answer, upon my oath, that I do not recollect having said any such thing.

Can you tell me whether you expressed any disapprobation of the measures which it had been deemed necessary to adopt?--I have no recollection whatever of the conversation.

Then you mean to represent to us now, that your feelings upon the subject were so indifferent, that you cannot tell now, whether you approved or disapproved of these steps at the time?--I have not the most distant recollection of any conversation I had with Mr. Markland.

That is not an answer to my question. I ask you whether you mean to state that at this time, you don't remember whether you entertained feelings of approbation or disapprobation of those steps?--I thought it was a dreadful occurrence; but I hoped that there were some grounds for it.

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: You are speaking of what you thought?--It was in answer to the question.

Mr. SERJEANT HULLOCK: I am speaking of what you thought then. As I understand you, you cannot recall to your recollection the impression under which you laboured at the time you travelled home with Mr. Markland?--I thought it a dreadful occurrence, but I hoped there were grounds for it.

Did you mention that to Mr. Markland?--I cannot recollect.

It is very important that I should endeavour to extract from you, Mr. Stanley, without meaning the slightest disrespect to you, every fact within your knowledge on the subject; you say that after the meeting had been dispersed, the first cavalry which appeared on the ground was the Cheshire Yeomanry?--Not after the meeting had dispersed, but whilst in progress to dispersion.

Do you mean to state now, to the best of your recollection, that the Cheshire Yeomanry were the first cavalry advancing on the ground after that?--It depends on what you call the ground; the Cheshire Yeomanry were the first, after the Manchester cavalry, that advanced at the left.

Tell me, according to the best of your recollection, which of these troops came first upon the ground?--The Cheshire Yeomanry; but you will observe that, at this time, the disposition of the hustings occupied a good deal of my attention, and I did not expect the others.

The Cheshire Yeomanry came over broken and uneven ground?--I cannot tell.

I observe that you use the word "apparently" twice, in answer to two questions which were put to you, which were a repetition of the same question--whether the two lines of constables surrounded the hustings or not; I think you said they "apparently" did?--Apparently they did.

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: Surround the hustings?--Apparently.

Mr. SERJEANT HULLOCK: Do you mean to state, then, that in your judgment the avenue which was formed by the two lines of constables extended from the house to the hustings?--At that time the impression on my mind was, and it now is, that it certainly did.

But of course you won't swear that it did?--I cannot swear; I can only speak to the impression on my mind.

In the same way that you swear to the existence of brickbats and stones?--To the non-existence.

I think you say you saw Hunt come upon the ground?--I saw the barouche.

You saw the ladies and gentlemen both. Did you see any female?--I saw a female.

What was her use?--I have no conception of that.

Mr. JUSTICE HOLROYD: Of what?--

Mr. SERJEANT HULLOCK: I asked whether she was for use or show.

You did not know any of the parties inside?--I had not the most distant knowledge of them.

You had heard of Carlile?--I heard of him in London.