Thomas Padmore Eyewitness Account

• Place: Manchester
• Role: Spectator

Account

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Name: Thomas Padmore

Occupation: N/K

Home: Portland St, Manchester

Date: 2 October 1819

Source: Lees Inquest 163 - 166

Summary: Witnessed demeanour and comments made by gathering Yeomanry before they approached St.Peter’s Field. “….. ordered to load their pistols, which they did, and then put them up again…… when they were then ordered to draw their swords…. and brandished them in the air, righting and lefting; and they galloped off about a minute or two afterwards, as though they were mad”.

Done by: CW
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THOMAS PADMORE called in by Mr. HARMER, sworn, and examined by the CORONER.

Q. Where do you live?
A. In Portland-street, Manchester.
Q. What do you know of the death of John Lees?
A. Nothing.
Q. (to Mr. Harmer)—What then is the gist of this man’s evi¬dence?
Mr. Harmer—I call him to prove seeing the Yeomanry, imme¬diately before they went to the field, and heard some expressions.

Examination of the WITNESS resumed by the CORONER.

Q. Were you at the meeting?
A. I went to the field, but went back again directly.
Q. What was the cause of your going there?
A. I had lost my lad, and suspecting him to be at the meeting, I went to look for him; but my wife had already found him.
Q. Did you see the Yeomanry Cavalry?
A. Yes; on my return I saw them drawn up in Portland-street, near to where I live. They were called together and ordered to load their pistols, which they did, and then put them up again. They then continued in the same position for about half an hour, when they were then ordered to draw their swords; which they did, and brandished them in the air, righting and lefting; and they galloped off about a minute or two afterwards, as though they were mad. I then went home much alarmed.
Q. Who ordered them to load their pistols?
A. I heard Mr. Birley order them to load their pistols, which they did.
Q. Where did they gallop to?
A. Towards Mosley-street.
Q. Who ordered them?
A. Mr. Trafford and Mr. Birley.
Mr. Barrow—I object to these questions. They only go to fix a serious charge on two gentlemen without just cause?
The Coroner—It is not evidence. I must stop it.
Mr. Harmer—I submit that it is evidence (to the Witness) You saw Major Trafford and Mr. Birley manoeuvring the Cavalry?
The Coroner (with great warmth)—He never mentioned the word manoeuvring.
Mr. Harmer—No, he did not, but he said “righting and left¬ing.''
The Coroner—No, he did not.
Mr. Harmer—I beg your pardon, he did; although perhaps, you have it not in your notes.
The Coroner (with increased energy and warmth)—He never used such expressions.
A Juror (to the Coroner)—Yes, Sir, I heard him say “righting and lefting."
Mr. Mellor (the Constable)—Yes, Sir, he did say so.
The Coroner (after a pause)—But what is his evidence; he only saw the Cavalry gallop towards Mosley-street; does that prove them principals?
Mr. Harmer—No, God forbid it should; but I shall carry the proof further. They must have come to Mosley-street in order to go to St. Peter’s-field, and I shall show that they went onwards until they reached the field.
The Coroner—I shall not take that evidence.
Mr. Harmer (handing in a written paper)—There, Sir, is what the witness can prove. I tender it as his evidence. If you think it ought not to be received, you will hand it back to me.
The Coroner—I shall not read it. I am not to be entrapped. But how comes it that you take depositions of witnesses out of court? I understood differently the other day.
Mr. Harmer—I consider it my duty to enquire, in many cases, what witnesses can prove; it would be a neglect of duty not to do it. I have, however, on a former occasion, truly said, that many witnesses were brought forward by me, of whose testimony I had no previous knowledge.
The Coroner (to the Witness)—Is what you have said, all that you have to say?
A. Yes; but one thing I forgot to mention; after the Cavalry had waited about half an hour in Portland-street, a man came down in coloured clothes, and brought a letter to Mr. Birley.
Q. Do you know the contents of that letter?
A. No.
Q. What did Mr. Birley do with the letter?
A. He gave it to Mr. Trafford, who read it, Mr. Birley over¬looking him.
Q. Did Mr. Trafford return it to Mr. Birley?
A. Yes; and he put it into his side bag.
Q. What did Mr. Trafford and Mr. Birley do afterwards?
A. They turned round to the men and bade them draw their swords; they then spurred their horses and galloped furiously off.

The WITNESS cross-examined by Mr. BARROW.

Q. On what horse was the man who gave the letter to Mr. Birley?
A. On a bay horse.
Q. When the letter was read, did the soldiers do any thing?
A. Yes; they galloped on as though they were flying.
Q. Did you know Mr. Birley before?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you know Mr. Trafford before?
A. No; not until he was pointed out to me by the people.
Q. Do you know who was the senior officer?
A No; I think I heard some people say Mr. Trafford.
Q. Did you know what the letter contained?
A. No; I had no possible idea of it.
Q. Do you think it contained any orders as to the Yeomanry?
A. It certainly had that appearance, for the Yeomanry instantly galloped away.
Q. Do you happen to know whether it is regular for soldiers to have their swords drawn or their pistols loaded?
A. I do not.
Q. Did the officers go before the men?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you hear any orders given?
A. No.
Q. Where do you live?
A. In Portland-street. ,

Re-examined by the CORONER.

Q. Did you go home after the Cavalry had galloped off?
A. Yes; and remained there.

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