Newport Chartists Vol.1, p.23

Description

23

To prove that from seven to 10 men came to witness's house
on Sunday Evening the 3rd November armed, they had a Gun
or two, and a pike or two- they told witness he must go to
Blackwood to meet Mr Frost at the Coach and Horses (it is
kept by Richard Pugh) witness was compelled to go thither - witness
saw Frost there, and another man with him, a stranger- Frost
had a light drab Coat, cased hat, and red Cravat- there were
a considerable number present - Frost advanced about 30 yards
upBlackwood and said he would scour that first - some of
them said they would rather it should not be, and it was
not; Frost desired them to follow him to the Cefn - when they
got to the Road which turns to Abercarne, some turned thither
others continued along theTram - Frost said Zephaniah Williams
with about 5000 men would meet them at the Cefn - that Jones
of Pontypool would meet him with about 2000 - witness met
said Frost at Pye Corner - on their way thither they met a
man on horseback with a Candle & Lanthorn near Cross' house
who told them to proceed on - that Frost was there with a body
of men watching for them - some said there was no good in
going thither without arms - answered that there were plenty of
Guns Bayonets and Ammunition there at Pye Corner -
witness heard Frost order the Guns to the front the pikes
next - Witness said to him "In the name of God what are
you going to do, are you going to attack any person or place
- he answered yes, that they wold attack Newport & take
it that he would blow down the Bridge to stop the Welch
mail proceeding to Birmingham - that there would be delegates
there to wait for the mail for an hour & a 1/2 after time & if it
did not arrive there after that time it would be the signal for them
to attack Birmingham & it would go thro' the North of England &
Scotland & all the Nation. Witness replied that he might as well lead
them to the Slaughter house - it imitated a Butcher leading a flock of
lambs to the Slaughter house and said for God's sake desire the men
to go to the hills" - Frost asked if I thought so and turned
away scornfully - witness effected his escape. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
_______________________________________
Call

[in left margin:]
Blackwood Coach & horses
number Frost

Frost

Pye corner

ordered March

[in r. margin]
Jas Hodge

116

[at foot/encircled]
9
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