Newport Chartists Vol.6, p.8

Description

8
William Simpson sworn says I am Gardener to Mr Cordes
The prisoner was in my Cottage yesterday morning about 11 o'Clock
I did not see him before 11 o'Clock - he was in my house when I
came in he left his Gun there till night - he left my house about
one o'Clock in the afternoon or between that and two, he was there
two hours - he did not say that he had not been to Newport
nor that he had been to Newport that day - there was a young man and a young woman who
saw you there - I dont deny that I have enrolled myself as a
Chartist - before I saw Aust I had been to my master's house
and returned home and found the Prisoner there - I saw a
party coming along the Road - they made a great noise
a Gun was fired - they were all the way down in different
groups - I went into my House and Aust was there - his
young man came in a few minutes after - Aust had a Gun
in his hand - I had not seen Aust before 11 o'Clock that
morning - at 11 o'Clock that morning the groups I saw were
going & returning to and from Newport - At the time Aust came
to my house at 11 o'Clock I believe he came there to conceal
himself and his gun - when he left my House at half past
one that Evening he left his Gun there to go to Newport to see the
state of things there - When he returned again to me it was not
dark - it was about five o'Clock - he was at my Cottage about half
an hour - he took his Gun with him, if persons met him they
might perceive he had a Gun unless he hid it - the reason the
Prisoner gave for having a Gun was that he was pressed and if
any one was to have the Gun he would take it to defend himself
I have met the Prisoner at Chartist meetings, I dont deny that
I am a Chartist up to the present time - I have paid subscriptions
and attended the Chartist room - I have been with Mr Cordes four
years and a half -
William Simpson.