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Robert Greg Eyewitness Account
- Place: Manchester
- Role: Spectator
- Occupation: Merchant
Testifies to the meeting being peaceful. Felt no alarm for himself or his property. Saw the Yeomanry ride in in disorganised fashion. Saw one person lying down as the field was cleared.
Account
Download accountMr. Robert Greg sworn: examined by Mr. Blackburne
Q. I believe you are a merchant in Manchester?
A. Yes; l am.
Q. Were you on Saint Peter's field on the 16th. August, 1819?
A. Yes; I was.
Q. What time in the day did you go?
A. I went on the field a little before twelve o'clock.
Q. Where did you go; what part of the field?
A. I shortly after left the field to see Mr. Hunt pass.
Q. Did you afterwards come on the field again?
A. I afterwards returned to the field.
Q. Where did you take your station?
A. I took my station on a spot behind the hustings; on a rising ground.
Q. Near to the Windmill public house?
A. I do not know the public house.
Q. From that station, had you an observation of Mr. Buxton's house and the hustings?
A. Yes; I had.
Q. It was a rising ground?
A. A rising ground.
Q. Did you see any Cavalry advance on the multitude?
A. Yes, I did; I saw the Yeomanry Cavalry advance from Mr. Buxton's house towards the hustings.
Q. How far did you see them advance towards the hustings?
A. I saw them advance and surround the hustings or nearly so.
Q. In their advance to the hustings did you see them do any thing?
A. I cannot say I saw them do any thing in advancing to the hustings.
Q. At what speed did they advance?
A. They advanced at a very quick pace; it might be a canter; it was irregular; they did not all go at the same pace.
Q. You say you saw them go up and surround the hustings; in the course of their passage from Mr. Buxton's house to the hustings did you see any resistance offered to them?
A. I did not.
Q. Did you see any stones or brickbats or any thing of the kind thrown at them?
A. Nothing.
Q. You say you was on a rising ground; how far was that from the hustings?
A. It might be forty yards, about half way between Mr. Buxton's house and the hustings; rather in the rear.
Q. Did you afterwards see any person who was wounded?
A. Yes; I did.
Mr. Justice Holroyd.—He saw some person who complained.
Mr. Blackburne.—A question has arisen whether any were wounded.
Q. Did you see any person wounded?
A. I saw a person lying down, afterwards, when the ground began to be cleared.
Q. Did you see any constables between Mr. Buxton's house and the hustings?
A. Yes, I did; a line of them.
Q. Tell us where it began and how far it extended?
A. It began not far from Mr. Buxton's house and extended near to the hustings; but whether close up to the hustings, I cannot say.
Q. Have you a warehouse in Manchester, Mr, Greg?
A. Yes; we have.
Q. I think I understood you to say that you saw several parties come on to the field?
A. I saw Mr. Hunt's party.
Q. Will you tell us what your impression was of the conduct and demeanour of the multitude?
A. The conduct of the meeting was perfectly quiet and peaceable in every part.
Q. Did you feel any alarm?
A. No; I felt no alarm.
Q. I mean for the safety of your property?
A. No.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—I will not trouble you.