James Brettargh Eyewitness Account

• Place: Lancashire,Pendleton
• Role: Demonstrator
• Occupation: Wharfinger

Was in Windmill Street at time of the disturbance. Heard Hunt exhort crowd to be peaceable and to silence any agitators. ‘He heard “God save the King” played, and “Rule Britannia” as he thought, by the beating of the drum, and nothing disloyal in the conduct of those who attended the meeting.’

Account

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Date: 23rd March 1820

Source: Trial of Henry Hunt 123-124

Summary: Was in Windmill Street at time of the disturbance. Heard Hunt exhort crowd to be peaceable and to silence any agitators. ‘He heard “God save the King” played, and “Rule Britannia” as he thought, by the beating of the drum, and nothing disloyal in the conduct of those who attended the meeting.’

Done by: RH

 

James Brettargh, a wharfinger, residing at Pendleton, was with Mr. Hernshaw and another member of the Society of Friends, in a room looking over the meeting on the 16th, Business was not stopped, and nobody expressed alarm to him on the subject of the meeting, nor did he feel any himself, if he had felt any alarm he^r should have stopped his own teams, which proceeded to their destination as on another day. The processions he had seen were accompanied by many decently dressed women (apparently wearing their holiday clothes) and children. Saw large sticks or bludgeons. There might be some common walking sticks, but nothing more. He must assuredly have seen their weapons and they carried anything more than common walking sticks. Went to the meeting. Was in a room in Windmill-row, or Windmill-street which overlooked St. Peter's Field. Described the assembling of the meeting. He heard “God save the King” played, and “Rule Britannia” as he thought, by the beating of the drum, and nothing disloyal in the conduct of those who attended the meeting. Witness did not belong to any of the Unions for Reform. Thought the meeting the grandest sight he had ever seen in his life. Saw no violence offered to Mr. Nadin, or to any of the constable; saw Mr. Hunt arrive; he was received with cheers and the people pulled off their hats, when ‘God save the King’ was played, but the constables did not; heard Mr. Hunt speak as if complain­ing of something behind the hustings; said he (Mr. Hunt) ”if any person attempts to create a disturbance, put him down and keep him down. ” It was impossible that he should have applied these words to the military, for they were not in sight at the time. The ad­vance of the military caused some confusion, and the people began to run, Mr. Hunt cheered, and those with him cheered, and this caused the people to stand still again; saw the military put themselves into line, but saw no attempt to resist them on the part of the people. Witness never took his eyes off the military till they got round the hustings; they advanced in a canter or gallop, as fast as they could go. Saw no bricks or stones thrown; could see the place as well as he could see that Court.

Cross-examined by Mr. Scarlett. —Has lived at Pendleton thirty-four years. Witness shook a handkerchief from the window of the room where he was on the morning of the meeting; he did this on the arrival of Mr. Hunt and joined in the cheers then given. Could not say whether the bigger cheer was given for Mr. Hunt or for the soldiers. Witness had subscribed a one pound note towards Mr. Hunt’s election at Preston.

Re-examined by Mr. Hunt—Never saw Mr. Hunt till the 16th of August, when he came on the ground in the carriage.

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