Newport Chartists Vol.8, p.21

Description

21
Reg v. Etheridge

William Graham of Chepstow in Monmouthshire
Sheriff's Officer says In the Autumn of 1838 I went to the Bush
Inn Newport to look for a man of mine - whilst I was there
some one asked me if I was going to the meeting - I asked
what meeting - I was told there was a large Chartist meeting
up stairs - that Mr Frost had returned from London & was
going to make a speech - I said I never was at a Chartist
meeting & I thought I should go - Etheridge (the Prisoner)
came into the Bar - I asked him if I could go up to the meeting
- He said yes if I would pay a penny - I said I thought
it was not worth a penny - He said I should not go in
without paying - He then left the Bar - I soon after
followed him up stairs - He was then sitting at the door
of the meeting Room smoking his pipe - He had either a glass
of Ale or Grog before him - He would not permit me to go on
until I had paid a penny - I paid & went in - I also saw
others pay him - Mr Frost was speaking - he continued
for an hour and a half or two hours - talked about his
Journey to London - his being taken off the Commission
- that he should like to have an hour's conversation with little
John (meaning Lord John Russell) and exhorted the Company
to persevere in endeavouring to obtain the Charter - & he had
no doubt they should have it - Another man then got up whom
I do not know - he read an account of the monies received & the monies
paid & exhorted the members to pay up their money - He then said "I
must tell you all the truth - me and my Brother Auditor made out
the accounts on Sunday last for we have no other time to do
it ["] - A vote of thanks was given to Mr Frost for his manly
conduct & exertions as a Delegate from the Convention which was done
with great noise - I stopt there until the meeting was nearly over -
When I went out Etheridge was still sitting at the door - Before I went up I heard
somebody say Etheridge was Secretary & Treasurer - I heard more than one say
so but I cannot remember who they were - this was the only Chartist meeting I
ever attended - I have known Etheridge for four years