The Manchester Observer was formed in January 1818 by a group
of radicals that included John Knight,
James Wroe and John
Saxton. Within twelve months the newspaper was selling 4,000 copies
a week. It has been argued that the newspaper pioneered popular journalism
with its racy style aimed at an literate working-class.
Although the newspaper started as a local paper, by
1819 it was sold in most of the large towns and cities in Britain.
Henry Hunt called the Manchester Observer
"the only newspaper in England that I know, fairly and honestly
devoted to such reform as would give the people their whole rights."
Despite its sales figures, the Manchester Observer was always
in financial difficulties. The owners had problems persuading local
businesses to advertise their goods in the newspaper. Most weeks,
advertisements made up only one of its twenty-four columns.
Journalists working for the newspaper were constantly being sued for
libel. Several of their journalists, including John
Wroe, John Saxton and T. J. Evans had
been sent to prison for articles they had written criticizing the
government.
In March 1819, three of the men involved in the Manchester Observer,
Joseph Johnson, John
Knight and James Wroe formed the Patriotic
Union Society. All the leading radicals in Manchester joined the organisation.
Johnson was appointed secretary of the Society and Wroe became treasurer.
The main objective of the Patriotic Union Society was to obtain parliamentary
reform and during the summer of 1819 it decided to invite Henry
Orator Hunt to speak at a public meeting in Manchester.
The men were told that this was to be "a meeting of the county
of Lancashire, than of Manchester alone. I think by good management
the largest assembly may be procured that was ever seen in this country."
James Wroe, the editor of the Manchester
Observer, was at the St. Peter's Field
and described the attack on the crowd in the next edition of the newspaper
and is believed to be the first person to describe the incident as
the Peterloo Massacre. Wroe also produced
a series of pamphlets entitled The Peterloo Massacre: A Faithful
Narrative of the Events. The pamphlets, which appeared for fourteen
consecutive weeks from 28th August, price twopence, had a large circulation,
and played an important role in the propaganda war against the authorities.
The government wanted revenge and James Wroe
was arrested and charged with producing a seditious publication. He
was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months in prison, plus a
£100 fine.
With the arrival of the Manchester Guardian
in 1821 the Manchester Observer decided to cease publication.
In its last edition, the editor wrote: "I would respectfully
suggest that the Manchester Guardian,
combining principles of complete independence, and zealous attachment
to the cause of reform, with active and spirited management, is a
journal in every way worthy of your confidence and support."
(1)
The Manchester Observer
(21st August, 1819)
The morning of the 16th was hailed with exultation by the many thousands,
whose feelings were powerfully excited on the occasion. At an early
period numbers came pressing in from various and distant parts of
the country, to witness the greatest and most gratifying assemblage
of Britons, that was ever recorded in the annuals of our history.
From Bolton, Oldham, Stockport, Middleton, and all the circumjacent
country; from the more distant towns of Leeds, Sheffield, etc. came
thousands of willing votaries to the shrine of sacred liberty; and
at the period when the Patriotic Mr. Hunt and his friends had taken
their station on the hustings, it is supposed that no less than 150,000
people were congregated in the area near St. Peter's Church.
Mr. Hunt ascended the hustings about half-past one o'clock, and after
a few preliminary arrangements, proceeded to address the immense multitude,
recommending peace and order for their government. Whilst thus engaged,
and without the shadow of disorder occurring or likely to occur, we
were surprised, though not alarmed, at perceiving a column of infantry
take possession of an opening in the assembly.
Our fears were raised to horror, by the appearance of the Manchester
and Salford Yeomanry Cavalry, who came galloping into the area, and
proceeded to form in line ready for action; nor were they long delayed
from their hellish purpose - the special constables were called in
from their previous stations - the bugle sounded the charge - and
a scene of murder and carnage ensued which posterity will hesitate
to believe, and which will hand down the authors and abettors of this
foul and bloody tragedy to the astonished world. Men, women, and children,
without distinction of age or sex became the victims of these monsters.
The people in the crowd were so compact and stood to firm that they
could not reach the hustings without halting. Few, if any of the meeting,
even yet, supposed that this martial display was intended for anything
more than securing Hunt, Johnson, Knight and Moorhouse, for whom they
had warrants. Mr. Hunt was called upon to deliver himself up, which
he offered to do to a Magistrate, but not to the Manchester Yeomanry
Cavalry. A gentleman in the commission presented himself, and Mr.
Hunt acknowledge his authority, and departed for the rendezvous of
the Magistrates; where Mr. Johnson and Mr. Saxton were taken, and
from thence conducted, along with Mr. Hunt to the New Bayley prison;
Mr. Knight escaped, but was afterwards arrested at his own house and
Mr. Moorhouse was soon after taken into custody at the Flying Horse
Inn.
It is impossible for us to ascertain the extent of loss in lives and
limbs which has been thus wantonly and inhumanly occasioned - people
flew in every direction to avoid these hair-brained assassins, who
were supported by detachments from the 15th Hussars. The latter, however,
did not deal out death and wounds with the same liberal hand as our
townsmen.
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