which had been formed by a few of the principal inhabitants, in September, 1817, was fully organised in the latter part of 1818, and placed under the command of John Taylor, Esq., of Hargreaves, hat manufacturer. On the 4th of January, 1819, another large radical reform meeting, held on Bent green, terminated as usual, in an orderly manner; and these meetings were resumed in June and July, when they were frequently held in the radical reform room, Bent. The radical reformers, being determined to be as orderly in their movements as possible, formed themselves into drilling parties, and selected the hills and other remarkable spots as places of exercise. On the 30th of July, several troops of horse and foot soldiers were quartered at Oldham, and royal proclamations appeared prohibiting illegal assemblages. Although it is not my province to describe the memorable meeting which took place on St. Peter's field, Manchester, on the 16th of August, 1819, it will be necessary to allude to the connection which that event had with Oldham. The numbers assembled on that occasion amounted to 140,000, of which the processions from Oldham, Royton, Lees, Mossley, and Saddleworth, seemed to have formed a proportion of about 15,000. Mr. Henry Hunt,afterwards M.P. for Preston, acted as chairman, and immediately after he had commenced speaking, the Manchester yeomanry cavalry dashed into the meeting, and forcibly dispersed the multitude; hundreds were trampled upon by the horses, and wounded by the sabres of the cavalry; three or four persons were found dead upon the field, amongst whom was John Ashton, of Cowhill, near Oldham. In the whole, eight persons lost their lives, and from four to five hundred were bruised or wounded. Of these, twenty-one individuals were from the parish of Oldham. Mr. Hunt, and most of the intended speakers, were apprehended, and subsequently imprisoned. Attempts were made to prosecute the yeomanry and the magistrates, but they were unsuccessful. Hopes were, however, entertained, that by means of the

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