Samuel Dawson Eyewitness Account

Place: Manchester
Role: Spectator

Saw Yeomanry come up the line of constables to surround the hustings. They began cutting and trampling people nearby. Saw many wounded including a young woman with her hand almost severed at the wrist. He and others were chased into Roger’s Row by the cavalry.

Account

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Samuel Dawson sworn : examined by Mr. Evans.

Q. Where do you live?

A. The top of Deansgate, in Manchester.

Q. Were you at the meeting on the 16th. August, 1819?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. At what part of the field?

A. Between fifty and sixty yards from the hustings.

Q. Which side of the hustings were you?

A. Leading towards the Quakers' meeting-house.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—You were on the side between the hustings and the Quakers' meeting-house? A. The front of the hustings.

Q. You call that the front of the hustings looking towards the Quakers' meeting-house?

A. Yes.

Q. Of what did the meeting consist?

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—Some of them have spoken of it as being a meeting of men, women, and children.

Q. Was the meeting peaceable?

A. As peaceable as could be.

Q. Did you see the Manchester Yeomanry come on the ground?

A. Yes, sir, I did; they came up the line of the constables, and surrounded the hustings.

Q. What did they do?

A. When they came in, they began a cutting the people and trampling on them. I then turned myself round to make the best of my way off the ground; we turned ourselves round: there was so many people making their way off the ground, they tumbled one over the other, and I was one of the people on the ground. After being trampled down, I was a long time before I could get off the field: after recovering, I saw a great many very ill wounded ; one young woman with her hand nearly cut off from the wrist. I then made my way across the road into Roger's Row, me and many more, and two of the cavalry riding after us: me and five others took up an entry in Roger's Row. There was no way out at the top end ; one of the yeomen stood at the entry end.

Q. You knew the man?

A. Yes; Withington.

Mr. Evans.-—That is one of the defendants, my Lord.

Q. What did Withington do?

Mr. Serjeant Hullock.—This is no evidence on this action; this is an action by Redford.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—The way Mr. Evans puts it is thus; whether so made out or not will be seen in the event. He is stating, at present, that what the cavalry did at that time, was unlawful; the act of one, if it was for a common purpose, would be the act of the others ; and therefore they offer it as evidence in that way.

Mr. Serjeant Cross.—I submit they must prove that Withington was in company with Oliver, who is said to have wounded the plaintiff; for at present, there is no evidence these two were ever in company.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—At present, it only appears as if there was one company of the Yeomanry Cavalry rode up; whether there were more or not, we shall see.

Mr. Serjeant Cross.—Until it appears that Withington came with Oliver, or was with him at some time, I submit the fact of his being one of the Yeomanry, is not of itself sufficient.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—In order to bring the thing home to the persons, the evidence must consist of different parts; it cannot be given at once. If it appears it will not bear a connection, or is likely to bear a connection, we do not suffer it to be given at the first: they are stating that they make out the chain, as in the case of a conspiracy, and so on. You prove things against one man with respect to one part of the transaction, and another thing with respect to another: it may or may not turn out as common to all. If what they were doing was lawful, the act of one is not the act of another; or even if it was unlawful, unless it was in the execution of a common purpose.

Q. Do you know what situation Withington holds in the corps? was he an officer?

A. Yes.

Mr. Justice Holroyd.-—Was he an officer in the same company that Captain Birley was?

A. I do not know; he was an officer in the corps.

Q. You did not tell us what Withington said to you?

A. He presented his pistol up the entry, and swore if we would not come out, he would blow our brains out: I then turned myself round and saw ----------

Mr. Justice Holroyd.—You need not pursue that: what he did to this man is not material.

Mr. Evans.- lt is only to shew he was committing an assault.

Mr Serjeant Cross.—To create prejudice; we know what it is for.

Q.: Did you see any stones thrown?

A. I did not.

Q. Did you see any resistance made to the Cavalry whatever?

A. No; I took up a stick, coming out of the entry end.

Cross-examined by Mr. Littledale.

Q. You live at Deansgate?

A. Yes; Deansgate.

Q. What led you to this meeting?

A. I was getting a glass of ale, and I drank my glass up, and I went to the ground to look.