Statement from George Edwards (catalogue reference HO 44/6/275)
Transcript
I never was in Montague Street or do I know what part of Whitechapel it is situated – never was in any coffee shop belonging to Ings or anyone else in the neighbourhood of Montague Street, Whitechapel – Never spoke to him relation to the Disturbance at Manchester [Peterloo], never saw him in Smithfield. I never asked him to stand treat – (by his own request I went with him from the White Hart to his lodging in Primrose Street Bishopsgate Street and took him to a Broker [Pawnbroker] to sell a sofa bedstead. But I had no conversation with him on Politics, never saw him in Fleet Market – never went with him to Fleet Street – never told him there was something to be done, never took him to the White Hart or eat bread and cheese with him (I have been in his company at that House). Never went in the name of Williams, nor had I any reason to be ashamed of my proper name – Never gave him or any other man a sword or any other deadly weapon in my life – he never was at my lodgings or did I ever give him a farthing in money or morsel of vituals [food]. On the 23rd of February I was not nearer his lodgings in Primrose Street, Bishopsgate, than Holborn – He was not on that or any other Day near my lodging to my knowledge. Never gave him bags or belts or conversed with him about gin. I never took him to the stable in Cato Street or was I near Cato Street on that night or have at this moment a knowledge of where it is except from what I have seen in the Public Prints and heard others say.
I verily believe that Thistlewood had advised the unfortunate men (that he has by his wicked designs brought to an untimely end) to lay their misconduct on me to remove from himself the just odium he so justly Deserves. Indeed it is apparent from the admission of Monument – who said on his oath that Thistlewood desired him to say Edwards took him there and described my person to him knowing that Monument has never saw me in his life. I would not have given publicity to this or anything else that might have been injurious to him on his trial. Previous to his conviction by a jury of his country nor do I blame him from making any sort of a defence to save himself as he was not on oath – But I have much to complain of respecting the conduct of one individual who comes forward and makes a voluntary false oath without the slightest provocation and I do promise for the sake of justice to transcend against him immediately after the conclusion of the present trials for High treason.
G. Edwards