[2] It has been stated, upon evidence which I should be unwilling to discredit, that the body of persons more immediately in contact with the hustings were of Hunt’s party. My reasons for believing them at the time to be (as I was told) special constables, were because they resembled them in appearance, were connected in their lines, had their hats on, and staves of office occasionally appeared amongst them. Mr. Hay, in his official letter, says: “A body of special constables took their ground, about two hundred in number, close to the hustings, from whence there was a line of communication to the house where we were.” This is precisely my view of the case; doubtless, had the communication been cut, he would have noticed it.
[3] Some, by being better mounted or rather in advance, might have been more moderate in their pace, but generally speaking it was very rapid, and I use the word gallop, as conveying the best idea of their approach.
[4] I am particular in mentioning these minute circumstances, because in this and some other points in which I could not be mistaken, I have been strongly contradicted.
[5] It has been often asked when and where the cavalry struck the people. I can only say that from the moment they began to force their way through the crowd towards the hustings swords were up and swords were down, but whether they fell with the sharp or flat side, of course I cannot pretend to give an opinion.
[6] On quitting the ground I for the first time observed that strong bodies of infantry were posted in the streets, on opposite sides of the square; their appearance might probably have increased the alarm and would certainly have impeded the progress of a mob wishing to retreat in either of those directions. When I saw them they were resting on their arms, and I believe they remained stationary, taking no part in the transaction.
[7] On entering Mosley Street at 12 o’clock I stopped to question some persons on the footway respecting the proceedings of the day. When about to proceed, I was recommended to move from the middle of the street to the path, as the mob were advancing. I declined, suspecting my advisers might be radicals, adding: “I am on the King’s highway, and shall remain where I am.” I mention this because I have heard it reported that I was insulted by the Ashton people, which may have originated from the above account.
[8] [In the copy of Farquharson’s verbatim Report of the Trial, which is preserved at the Reference Library, Manchester, this “not” is omitted. The omission is, of course, due to a misprint, and someone has inserted “not” in pencil. Similarly, in my own copy of Farquharson’s Report, someone has inserted the “not” in ink. McDonnell, in his “State Trials,” inserted the “not.” Mr. McKennell’s evidence, as reported in Farquharson, is as follows (pp. 169, 170; he was cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Hullock):—
By whom was the Riot Act read?
—I never heard it read.
You heard no such thing?