Thomas Bateman Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator
• Occupation: Gentleman of Property

Testifies to having a good viewpoint of the peaceable meeting. Saw soldier’s swords going up and down in the crowd about halfway from the hustings.

Account

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Mr. Thomas Bateman sworn: examined by Mr. Evans.
Q. Your name is Thomas?
A. Thomas.
Q. Where do you reside?
A. Middleton, in the county of Derby.
Q. Do you live there?
A. I live there.
Q. Pray what are you?
A. I am not in business.
Q. You are a gentleman of fortune, and live on your property?
A. Yes.
Q. Was you in Manchester on the 16th. August, 1819?
A. I resided there at the time.
Q. At what hour did you go on the field?
A. A little before one; probably about ten minutes.
Q. That was after all the parties had arrived?
A. I think in a great measure they had collected.
Q. What was the conduct of the meeting when you arrived; was it peaceable, or otherwise?
A. Quite peaceable, as far as I could discern.
Q. There were banners and music on the ground?
A. I believe there were.
Q. Was you alarmed at the meeting?
A. No; I cannot say I was alarmed at it, not at that instant.
Q. Not at the time I am examining you to?
A. No.
Q. Did you see the Manchester Yeomanry?
A. I did.
Q. Be good enough to relate to his Lordship and the Jury, what you saw; what part of the field was you in?
A. I stood between the Quakers' meeting-house and some timber; between that and the school.
Q. Be good enough to state to his Lordship and Jury what you saw?
A. I saw them advance in a broken line, as I thought, by a garden wall.
Q. Well?
A. They formed at the end of the house; I do not know who lives in it.
Q. Mr. Buxton's house was it?
A. I do not know.
Q. Is it called Mr. Buxton's house?
A. I believe it is.
Mr. Evans.—It is proved to have been his.
Q. Go on?
A. They then advanced rapidly into the crowd.
Q. Go on?
A. In a few moments, I left the ground, and saw no more; as soon as the people began to move from the Cavalry, I left the ground.
Q. Did you see the Cavalry do any thing with their swords?
A. I saw the swords ascend and descend; nothing more?
Q. How near did they get to the hustings before you left?
A. I think about half way.
Q. Did you see any stones thrown at the Cavalry?
A. None.
Q. Did you see any resistance, of any kind, made to the Cavalry?
A. No; I did not.

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Hullock.
Q. Have you come from Derby now?
A. Yes.
Q. I hope you will not consider it any affront, if I decline asking you any questions?
A. I shall be very glad to be released.
Mr. Serjeant Hullock—and I am very happy to release you.

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