John Ellis Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Officer
• Occupation: Bookseller,Special Constable

Present at SPF. Saw many flags, people marching. Testifies that Ashworth died by being ‘crushed on the chest’. Knocked down during the tumult.

Attended Ashworth, a Constable crushed by crowd.

Account

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John Ellis examined by Mr. Littledale—I am a bookseller in Man­chester. I was a special constable on the 16th of August. I went to Peter’s field and saw the different parties come up with flags. On a can of liberty was ”Annual Parliaments and Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, and Success to the Female Reformers of Stockport.” On a flag under­neath, ”No Corn Laws”, on a black flag; ^“No Boroughmongering”— “Unite and be Free” – “Equal Representation or Death;“ “This is the Saddleworth, Lees, and Moseley Union;”on the reverse, “No Corn Laws” “Taxation without representation is unjust and tyrannical ” On another flag, “Labour is the source of wealth; Royton Female Union.” On a flag-with a pike on the end, “Annual Parliaments.” In the centre were the rose, thistle, and shamrock; under that, “Election by Ballot,”on the reverse was a figure of Britannia, “The Rights of Man,” “No Corn Laws,” “No Combination Acts,” “Oldham Union.” On a red flag with green borders, “Let us die like men and not be sold like slaves”; reverse, “Liberty is the birthright of man.” This flag was, I believe, inscribed “Middleton.” The next was a cap of liberty and flag. The inscription on the cap: “Hunt and Liberty;” on the flag, “Major Cartwright's Bill.” In the centre was an emblem of Justice, with scales and sword under it. “Election by Ballot,” reverse, “Annual Parliaments.” On a blue flag, “Unity and Strength”: reverse, “Liberty and Fraternity. ” Green flag, “Parliaments Annual;” reverse, ”Suffrage Universal. ” White flag, “Universal Suffrage,” “Annual Parliaments” and “Election by Ballot.” I saw several other flags, but did not take down their inscriptions. The hustings were removed about six yards while I was on the ground. I think the meeting was calculated to produce a most appalling effect.

Cross-examined by Mr. Hunt — The parties marched in regular order into the field; I can't tell whether that was the best way of keeping the peace. I noticed the dispersion. I was occupied attending to Ashworth, a constable, who was injured by the crowd; he was crushed on the chest; he died afterwards. Any one swearing that he died of cuts, would swear falsely, as I conceive. When I copied the flags, I did so fairly. I cannot conceive that I made any omission respecting the black flag. There was one with “No Corn Laws.” I do not know whether the pike I saw was of wood or of steel: it was in the form of a pike The caps of liberty 'did not in themselves alarm me. (Here Mr. Hunt handed to witness a Not­tinghamshire militia button, with a cap of liberty upon it).

Mr. Hunt—Look at that button, is that a cap of liberty on it? Witness. —I believe so.

Mr. Hunt—-There is a sword to protect this cap of liberty: were they his words to protect those at the meeting?

Witness. No. I saw sticks in the hands of the people; they did not take them. I was, however, knocked down in the hurry of dispersing the crowd. I was not knocked down by a brother constable, nor by a horse, by a person whom I did not know, who struck me a violent blow.

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