Robert Hindmarsh Eyewitness Account

• Place: Salford
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Dissenting Minister

Testifies that the crowd were peaceable and did not offer resistance to the cavalry while he was on the field. Serjeant Cross his testimony is unreliable because of his shortsightedness.

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The Rev. Robert Hindmarsh sworn: examined by Mr. Blackburne.

Q. Was you in St. Peter's Field, on August 16th., 1819?

A. I was.

Q. You, I believe, are a dissenting minister, and live at Salford?

A. Yes.

Q. Had you observed any persons going towards the field on the morning of that day?

A. I observed a few, when I was near the 'Change.

Q. A few persons?

A. I understood there had been a company: the remains of a company.

Q. You did not see it?

A. I did not see it.

Q. What time did you go on the field?

A. About twelve o'clock.

Q. Were all the people assembled at that time, or did some come afterwards?

A. Many came afterwards.

Q. As you saw them coming on the field, what was their conduct and demeanour?

A. Very peaceable; in a remarkable degree, peaceable and quiet.

Q. As the different parties came on the field, did you observe how they ranged themselves?

A. I think they generally went up towards the hustings.

Q. Did you remain on the ground till the Cavalry came?

A. Yes; till the crowd was dispersed.

Q. Then I understand you was there from twelve o'clock till they were dispersed?

A. Yes; not in one situation; but I traversed the whole field.

Q. Will you tell us, during the whole of that period, what the conduct and demeanour of the people were?

A. Remarkably peaceable, as I before observed.

Q. Up to the time of their dispersion?

A. Yes.

Q. In what part of the field were you at the time the Cavalry went towards the hustings?

A. I was coming away; I was near the Quakers' meeting-house; I was returning home, and nearly got out of the crowd.

Q. Will you tell us whereabouts on the ground you was, at the time you saw them advancing to the hustings?

A. I think I could point out the place on the map.

Q. Have the goodness to do so?

(The map was handed to the witness, and he pointed out the spot to which he alluded.)

Q. That is not very far from the Quakers' meeting-house?

A. No.

Q. Which way did you come from?

A. By the Quakers' meeting-house.

Q. By Dickinson-street?

A. I passed over some timber, and between the new buildings and the meeting-house.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—You was in the place you are speaking of when they came?

A. Yes; I did not move till I found it necessary to see after my own safety.

Q. When you observed them going towards the hustings, did you see any resistance offered them by the people?

A. Not the least.

Q. Did you see any sticks, or stones, or brickbats thrown at them?

A. None at all.

Q. Did you watch their progress up to the hustings?

A. I did.

Q. Entirely?

A. From the beginning.

Q. Had you seen the constables there?

A. I did; a line of constables opposite Mr. Buxton's house.

Q. Where did that line extend to?

A. Towards the hustings.

Q. Did it extend to the hustings?

A. I did not observe whether it did or not; I thought not quite.

Q. Within what distance of the hustings was it?

A. I did not exactly go to the further end; I was at the upper end by Mr. Buxton's house, and I could see down the line.

Q. You, living at Salford, would know Mr. Nadin, the officer at the head of the police?

A. I have seen him once or twice.

Q. Did you see him on that day?

A. I do not recollect that I did.

Q. You do not recollect seeing him among the constables?

A. I do not recollect that I did.

 

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Cross.

Q. Mr. Hindmarsh, you say you saw no bricks, or stones, or sticks, used against the Cavalry?

A. Yes.

Q. You do not mean the Jury to understand that there were not such used?

A. No.

Q. If others swear that there were, will that be untrue?

A. It did not take place in my sight; I can only swear to what took place in my sight?

Q. You do not see well I suppose?

A. Not without glasses.

Q. You are short sighted I presume?

A. Yes.

Q. So they brought you, who are short sighted, to prove that no stones were thrown at the Cavalry?

A. I do not know what I was brought here for, but I suppose it was to bring forth the truth.

Q. It seemed quite a pleasant thing then, till the Cavalry came?

A. Yes; I was pleased to see the temper of the people.

Q. You was surprised that they were alarmed?

A. I did not see any alarm.

Q. None of your neighbours were alarmed?

A. I held no conversation with my neighbours.

Q. Then you are a sort of spectator in life?

A. Very much so.

Q. You look on, but do not interfere?

A. I do not interfere.

 

Re-examined by Mr. Blackburne.

Q. Did you hear of any body that was alarmed before the meeting; did you hear any body tell you of their being alarmed on account of the meeting?

A. I heard of some one's about that of the 9th., but it was because, that was considered an illegal meeting.

Q. Did you hear any thing of alarm on account of this meeting of the 16th.?

A. No.

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