George Burgess Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Military
• Occupation: Coachman,Former Pub Landlord,Guard

Member of the Yeomanry in 1819, states that they advanced on the Hustings with swords drawn, but swords were not used until after the speakers had been taken away when stones were thrown.

Account

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George Burgess sworn: examined by Mr. Blackburne.
Q. In 1819, you lived at Manchester?
A. I did.
Q. Did you keep the Hen and Chickens public house there?
A. I did sir.
Q. Were you, at that time, one of the Yeomanry Cavalry?
A. I was.
Q. Whose troop was you in?
A. Captain Birley's: I belonged to his troop, but I was not in it on that day.
Q. Who were the other officers of that troop?
A. I rather think Moon was the Lieutenant.
Q. Was Withington an officer in that troop?
A. He does not belong to the same troop.
Q. Did you see Withington on the ground that day?
A. I did Sir.
Q. And Oliver?
A. I cannot speak to Oliver; I hardly know him when I see him.
Q. Did you see Lieutenant Moon there that day?
A. I did, Sir.
Q. Where was the troop when you joined them on-that day?
A. At Pickford's.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.— I thought you said you were not with them that day.
A. I was with them, my Lord.
Mr. Justice Holroyd— Then I misunderstood you.
Witness.— I said I was not in Captain Birley's troop; I was disappointed of a horse by the man who generally provided me one, and consequently I had to go and hire and that drawed me out of the time of mustering, and I went to the place where I thought there was any of them mustered.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.- You was on the field that day, but not with Captain Birley's troop.
A. No.
Q. That was so, was it?
A. Yes.
Q. You say you joined them in Pickford's yard?
A. I did.
Q. From Pickford's yard you took your course up Portlands street?
A. Into Park-street, and towards the ground.
Q. Was Captain Birley with you in Pickford's yard?
A. He was not.
Q. Where did he join you?
A. In Mosley-street.
Q. That was before you got on to the ground?
A. Yes.
Q. You formed, I understand, opposite to Mr. Buxton's house?
A. We did, Sir.
Q. Who led you on up to the hustings—who commanded you?
A. I cannot say exactly whether it was Captain Birley or Captain Hindley; they were both there; who commanded them I cannot say.
Q. In your way up to the hustings, did you see any stones thrown?
A. I did not, Sir.
Q. Or any thing else of the kind?
A. Nothing of the kind.
Q. Was any forcible resistance made to you at all?
A. Not till after we had surrounded the hustings.
Q. After you had surrounded the hustings was any thing done to you?
A. When the orators were taken away, then, a little time after that, there were stones and bricks flying in all directions.
Q. How long after that, and where?
A. It was about ten minutes after; after Hunt was taken to the Magistrates; for I received a hit on the right leg myself.
Q. Where were you at the time?
A. Near Windmill-street.
Q. How long was that after Mr. Hunt was taken from the hustings?
A. Five or ten minutes.
Q. Was that after or before the people had began to disperse?
A. After.
Q. In your way to the hustings, had you seen any thing done to any of the people?
A. I had not.
Q. Did you ride up with drawn swords?
A. Yes, Sir.
Q. Was nothing done with them, in your way to the hustings?
Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—Ask what was done.
Q. Did you see any thing done with the swords at the hustings, and before you got there?
A. No; nothing at all was done before we went to the hustings, not with swords.
Q. When you got to the hustings, was any thing then done?
Q. I saw swords up and swords down, but what they did I cannot say.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—When?
A. When we had got to the hustings?
Q. You do not know what effect it had?
A. Not at all.
Q. With reference to this time, when was it that the stones were thrown—before or after?
A. After.
Q. Did you see any thing of any body after that; did you see any person that was wounded any where?
A. I saw many lying on the ground.
Mr Justice Holroyd.—When was that?
A. After we had surrounded the hustings, my Lord.
Q. Whether wounded or not; you cannot say?
A. I cannot say, my Lord, whether they were or not.
Cross-examined by Mr. Starkie.
Q. When was it you was turned out of the Yeomanry Corps?
A. I never was turned out.
Q. Do you mean to say that?
A. I do.
Q. When did you leave the corps?
A. I left them in December, 1819; I was not turned out, I gave up.
Q. Do you mean to swear it was not insisted you should leave the corps?
A. It was not.
Q. That you swear?
A. I will swear.
Q. What are you?
A. I am a coachman or guard occasionally, in Manchester; I take extra turns.
Q. What are you at other times?
A. A Gentleman's Servant; I have been, previous to keeping a public-house.
Q. Do you keep a public-house still?
A. I do not.
Q. Was not your license taken away from you for keeping a disorderly house?
A. No, never.
Q. When did you give up keeping a public-house?
A. The beginning of December.
Q. Do you mean to say your license was not taken away?
A. I do mean to say so.
William Entwisle was called: before he was examined, Burgess was called back, and his cross-examination continued.
Q. Major Trafford was the Commanding Officer I believe?
A. He was.
Q. And went up with the troop?
A. I cannot say, positively.
Q. Withington was not in Captain Birley’s troop?
A. He was not, I think.
Q. Don't you know that, in fact, he was stationed at another place that morning?
A. I know he was; he was not stationed with us.
Q. Withington is also a Captain in the yeomanry?
A. A Lieutenant.
Q. Was he so at that time?
A. He was.
Q. But he was not stationed with you that day?
A. He was not.
Q. Nor went upon the field with you?
A. Not with us.
Q. Was he in the troop that went up to the hustings?
A. He was not, to the best of my knowledge.
Q. You say Major Trafford was there?
A. To the best of my recollection, he was there.
Mr. Justice Holroyd— I have got that he said Major Trafford was Commanding Officer, but he did not know whether he went up with the troop.
Q. Do you recollect who went up with the troop?
A. I do not know.
Q. Do you know whether he went with you to the ground?
A. I cannot speak to that.
Q. Or where you first saw him?
A. Upon my word I hardly recollect seeing him that day—he was Major, commanding of the troop I served.

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