Robert Mutrie Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Merchant

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HO 40/16 f.299 Statement of Robert Mutrie

Robert Mutrie Manchester in the county of Lancaster Merchant maketh oath and saith.

That while standing at the Albion Hotel Piccadilly in the morning of the 16th August last he saw from 3 to 5,000 men marching like Soldiers apparently in Rank and File, many of them with very large sticks all inconvenient for walking with and  some had them over their shoulders and others walking with them. That he saw a Coach with people in it and some preceding and some following. Moorhouse was there with his white hat, on the outside. He shouted and the crowd also frequently shouted as they passed the Albion and from appearances he this Deponent was very much alarmed. Soon afterwards he saw a still larger Body of people (perhaps half an hour after) they came much in the same manner as the others with caps of liberty and Flags. That he saw some white marks in their hats like white paper to distinguish them he believes – he can't say all had – that he then went down to York Street to see an Officer of the Yeomanry and afterwards St. Jame's Square and from there to the Ground in Mount Street near the houses their. That he observed the different bodies of people coming in and stopped a little on this ground and went to the Quakers meeting house and saw from thence Mr Hunt come to the ground. That he saw Mr Hunt waving his hat and a great Body of people with him. That he this Deponent then left that house and came to the  ground again in an elevated spot about 30 or 40 yards from Mr Buxtons house and observed Mr Hunt upon the hustings and address the people for a 1/4 of an hour and then saw the Yeomanry at the end of Mount Street near a Cottage Wall. That they occupied the ground near where this deponent stood. That he went 15 or 20 yards from the hustings. That he saw the Yeomanry on the ground. They halted for a few minutes and then came forwards towards the hustings -the people on the ground when they, the Yeomanry came up, shouted and waved their sticks and the yeomanry on their way to the hustings waved their swords and cheered. That he this deponent ran with the crowd a little way before the horses towards the hustings. That the left flank of the Yeomanry passed this deponent. They had not passed long before he saw tones and bricks bats thrown among them then the confusion which followed became general. That some of the Yeomanry were around the hustings. That the stones fell about 10 or 15 yards from the hustings. That they fell about 3 or 4 yards from this deponent. That he this deponent saw other Soldiers coming upon the ground the Cheshire Yeomanry Cavalry and the 15th Hussars. That several went past this deponent towards the junction near the Quakers’ meeting house.

That he saw Mr Hunt taken into custody by Mr Nadin and was backwards and forwards until he got among the constables. That he saw Hunt descend from the stage. That there was apparently a temporary pause made by the Yeomanry on their way to the hustings which this deponent conceived was occasioned by the people opposing their progress. That some of the Constables and this deponent went before them – they appeared thrown into some confusion and did not go right in. That Mr Birley preceded the Yeomanry Cavalry about 5 or 6 yards - is not certain about the Trumpeter. That many of the constables were before Mr Birley. That this deponent did not see a blow struck at that time by the Yeomanry Cavalry before they arrived at the hustings. That it appeared to this Deponent Hunt wish to address the people at the door of the Magistrates house and when he was taken, he this deponent remained outside and when Hunt came out he this deponent went part of the way with him towards New Bailey. That he then saw at a distance stones thrown and when they were taking Hunt from the hustings he heard the report of pistols apparently in the neighbourhood of Deansgate. That he heard them several times. That he considered it to be the people firing because the soldiers had not got so far. This deponent was at this time near Mount Street. That after the reports of the pistols he saw the Military galloping on the ground - the Manchester Yeomanry Cavalry and Cheshire Yeomanry Cavalry and the 15th Hussars they appeared to be in pursuit of the people – this was before Hunt was taken from the ground – and whilst he was in the house. The ground was cleared in a few minutes and before Hunt was taken away. That he this deponent did not observe any thing near the Quakers Meeting House but what he as before stated. That he felt alarmed for is own safety as soon as Hunt was taken. He did not see any wounds given by the Military on the field. That it was about 11 or 12 o'clock when this deponent saw the people come in as from Stockport – they were marching in file like soldiers. He never saw people going to Market Church or any where else marching as they were. That he this deponent heard no commands given by Moorhouse saying [shout?] They appeared to be in divisions with a party of women in one. Never saw persons come in the same manner into any town except Soldier. That he this deponent made some observations and from their appearance said he was sorry for them and was afraid there would be blood spilt before night.

That he does not recollect any other expression being made use of by any person, but they must be of the same opinion as himself or he should not now have mentioned it. That Mr Barret said as soon as they had passed "I wish to go home and protect my property from these people.” That he caused  Deponent to go with him in his Gig. That there was with this  party 3 or 4 Flags.

That upon one was inscribed "Liberty or Death" (this was he believed the Stockport party) another "No Corn Laws". That there were others but deponent does not recollect their inscriptions.

That he saw another with Justice and the Scales on. That he cannot speak as to the others having figures on them. That this deponent then went to the Infirmary Gardens and saw another body of people coming from towards Oldham [sic] and thinks that the Stockport people had a band, it played as it passed the Hotel. That there were a greater number this deponent conceives came from Oldham than from Stockport. That they marched a little and Deponent believes they could not march in the manner they did, without previous preparations.

That there were about 5 or 6,000.

Robert Mutrie.

Given at Manchester the 9 November 1819 before me

J Norris.

Deponent saith that the confusion on the field became so great, on the apprehension of Hunt, that it was almost an impossibility to distinguish friend from foe and Deponent belives that but for Mr Fox an Officer of the Manchester Yeomanry, his life would have been endangered.

Robert Mutrie.

 

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