John Fell Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Grocer

Saw crowd at SPF – says there were no long staves, only walking sticks. Saw no resistance from the crowd. ‘I saw no sticks held up against them; the people was making way as fast as they could.’

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John Fell, by Mr. Hunt—I live at Manchester, and sell groceries, flour, and meal. I saw the parties march into the field on the 16th of Au­gust. It was about eleven o'clock that I went to the field; and I remained there until the cavalry dispersed them. Stockport and Ashton had not then arrived, but I saw all the rest. The people received them with cheers, and they went towards the hustings. Their conduct was peaceable. I saw some few sticks, but not many. They were common walking-slicks. I saw the party with the black flags. They were the Moseley, Lees, and Saddleworth. I did not observe that they had many sticks. No portion of them had long staves shouldered like muskets; if anything of the sort happened, I should have seen it. The persons went right up to the hust­ings, and seemed to form round it. —All tried to get as near it as they could. There was a double row of constables from the hustings near to Buxton's house. I got outside, and could not get into the crowd, I stood quite near the constables. This might be some yards from the house. I ob­served several gentlemen in the windows looking over the meeting.

By the Court. —Did you see who were in the window when the order was given? — Saw Mr. Hay, Mr. Fletcher, and Mr. Wright. They were with Mr. Hulton. I have seen them since in York.

Did you see any one give orders?

I saw a tall gentleman with a pen in his hand give order, and he called for the Boroughreeve, and then for Mr. Nadin who came, and the yeomanry soon after came. I saw a gentleman call from the window ”forward” after the cavalry had been cheered by the people at the hustings, and they had returned them. These were the Manchester cavalry. I don't know who the person was who gave the order; the officer had his back turned upon me, and I don’t know who gave it.

Justice Bayley checked this, as going to the conduct of the magistrates.

Mr. Hunt said, he did it only to discredit the testimony of Mr. Hulton.

Witness. —When the cavalry advanced I was so situated, that I could see if the people made any opposition to them. No opposition was made. There were no stones or brickbats thrown at them, or up in the air. I saw no sticks held up against them; the people was making way as fast as they could.

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