John Stavely Barratt Eyewitness Account

Ordered to look after a Green Flag and Crimson Silk one by magistrate Trafford Trafford, also claims to have been hit by Brickbats.

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‘A Statement of what John Stavely Barratt* saw during the Meeting at St Peter's Field Manchester on the 16^th of August 1819.

I saw Trafford Trafford Esq^r one of the Magistrates who attended the Meeting, along with Nadin and a parcel of Special Constables, the Green Flag which I have in possession with the words on viz. Cartwright universal suffrage, on the other side Henry Hunt Esq^r the undaunted friend of liberty, Wooler, Wolseley, Cobbet, this Mr Trafford had in his hand and one of the Special Constables got it afterwards, then Capt. Newtons servant had it, from the Constable and kept it till it was deliver’d to me along with a Crimson Silk one, which John Robinson took from one of the Special Constables – the colours were delivered to me by order of Trafford Trafford Esq^r which I have kept ever since, there was a large white Flag with Black fringe round it, and apparently a Black Dagger on the top of the flag. I took it from a Country Man – but being in such a hurry I did not read what Inscription was on it – the man was running away with the flag, when I took it from him, it was 100yds or more from the hustings. I took it in my hands to the troop which I belonged and threw it down immediately & 10 or 12 of the Constables tore it to pieces, it was the largest flag that I saw at the Meeting. I saw several Brickbats, thrown at the Manchester Cavalry, I received three blows with Brick bats during the Meeting without giving any offence. They were thrown principally from the tops of the houses.

30^th Jan^y 1820. To John Lloyd Esq^r.’

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