Newport Chartists Vol.8, p.33

Description

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33
Reg vs Etheridge

_____________Chepstow

Mr Graham of
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
someone 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 thought
I said ^ 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
_________of the meeting room
sitting at the door ^ smoking his pipe - He had either
a glass of Ale or Grog before him - He would not
permit me to come in until I had paid a penny - I paid
_____I also saw others pay him
& went in ^ - Mr Frost was speaking - he continued for
an hour & 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


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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 and the monies paid & exhorted the
members to pay up their money - He then said "I would
tell you all the truth - me & my brother Auditor made
out those 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 a 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 and 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 -
_____________________________[?]Jas Graham

[l. margin]
Xd Reg vs Etheridge

Depo: of Jas Graham

Copied on Brief the 13/1/40

[with pencil annotation:]

Phillips the Tailor

Fothergill St

will prove Etheridge

was Sec[retar]y of Chartists