When the real magnitude of the battle of Waterloo was known, subscriptions were raised up and down the country in aid of those who fought and suffered. I have in my possession a circular which was issued to members of the “Oldham Committee.” As it is, no doubt, a complete record of the men of light and leading at that time who formed the war party in Oldham, I give it in full:- Waterloo Subscription for the Township of Oldham, County Lancashire At a public meeting of the gentlemen, tradesmen, and inhabitants of the township of Oldham to consider the propriety to enter into a subscription in aid of our brave countrymen who so nobly suffered in the severe and decisive battle fought at Waterloo under our pre-eminent commander, Field-Marshall, the Duke of Wellington, on the 18th day of June last, in conjunction with Prince Marshall Blucher, held at the Angel Inn, in Oldham aforesaid, the 31st day of July, in the forenoon, John Lees, Esq., constable in the chair. Resolved – That as a just tribute due to the services of our brave countrymen in arms, and particularly for their valour and unexampled exertions at the battle of Waterloo, a general subscription of all classes within the town and neighbourhood of Oldham, be now opened in aid of the fund raised in London for the special relief and benefit of the families of the brave men killed, and of the wounded sufferers of the British army under the command of the illustrious Field Marshall, His Grace the Duke of Wellington. That the different clergymen in Oldham who are not of the Established Church be requested to preach sermons and cause collections to be made in their respective chapels and places of worship in aid of such subscriptions. That a committee be appointed, to consist of: The resident clergy within Oldham James Lees (Clarksfield) |
With power to add to their number (any five of whom shall be competent to act), and that such committee be requested to meet as early as possible to carry the following resolutions into effect, and promote the object of this meeting by soliciting subscriptions corresponding with the London, Manchester, and other committees appointed for similar purposes, and using every exertion to increase the funds intended to be raised:- That Mr. Joseph Jones, junior, be appointed treasurer to receive such subscriptions. That Mr. Barlow’s offer of his gratuitous services as secretary be accepted. That these resolutions be immediately printed, and a copy thereof be transmitted to each gentleman upon the committee. (Signed) JOHN LEES, Chairman The chairman having left the chair, it was resolved that the thanks of the meeting be given to John Lees, Esq., for his readiness in convening the same and promoting the object thereof. (Signed) THOMAS BARKER This circular was accompanied by a printed letter on the flyleaf as follows:- Dear Sir, -Herewith you receive a copy of the resolution of a public meeting, held at the Angel Inn in this town yesterday, , and as one of the committee for carrying the same into immediate effect, I am desired to request your attendance at the Angel Inn to-morrow evening (Wednesday), at six o’clock precisely, to make proper arrangements for that purpose. _ And remain, sir, yours most respectfully, HY. BARLOW. Oldham, August 1st, 1815 July 12th -Was the prize ringing at Liversedge, Yorkshire, the prize, a large silver cup, was won by the Oldham ringers. The following ringers also rung:- Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds, Solsby, Yollans. About three weeks ago died Mr. Samuel Barton of Cowhill. He had been long afflicted with Lameness. Far advanced in years. July 16th -This day a little boy, son of Mr. John Winterbottom of Fog-lane, Oldham, had his foot very much brused by a lying shaft at the factory of Mr. Jones, Fog-lane. Generally understood to mean a line shaft. July 17th -Died, James Hall, bricklayer of Maygate-lane. Disorder, a fever. Age, 28 years. A few days since a man upwards of 70 years of age hanged himself on the wall of the catthedral, at Winchester and on him the following lines were found:-
July 22nd -A child of Charles Smith, the engeneer at the coalpits, New-road, within Chaderton, unfortunately drowned this day, and a child killed by a cart at Middleton. July 22nd - was Hollinwood Wakes. Two rushcarts and a deal of morice dancers. July 24th -Died Mally, wife of Benjamin Bloomaly, of Burley-lane, shuttle maker, aged 34 years; disorder, consumption. Monday, the first stone was laid at Free School, at Cowhill. It is to be builded on a plot of land which was lately a bowling green, at the Bell public-house, Alder root. The ceremony was grandly attended with numerous company and a band of musick. |
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This, I suppose, would be the school taken down a few years ago, to make way for the new railway line to Manchester. The memorial stone was thus inscribed:- Cowhill National School was built by subscription, and the land given by the Rev. Sir T. Horton, bart., L.L.D., of Chadderton Hall. The first stone laid by the Rev. T. Fawcett, July 24, 1815.- J. WILD, Scripe. July 25th -This morning Sergeants Heap, Kershaw, Bamford, and Barlow, of the Oldham Local Militia, aprehended Tom Hutty, at Mathew Cocker’s, at Burnly Gate, on a charge of being a deserter. July 31st -Sergeant Wilde, of the 2d Lancashire Militia, with 35 recruits, left Oldham for Liverpool. They where, as usial, on such ocations, acompanied by a large number of females, who proved there sorrow on the above ocation by a flow of tears. Thomas Rowbottom was one of the above party. July 14th -Bunoparte and his suit surrendered himself to Captain Maitland on board the Bellerophen of 74 guns. Oldham has in its fine art gallery a picture of Napoleon on the Bellerophon. People who hardly know anything of the transaction often stand to admire the excellence of the painter'’ work. I may therefore give some particulars as to how Napoleon became our prisoner. After Waterloo Napoleon ran away to Paris, where he abdicated. He then went to Malmaison where his wife had but recently died. His wish was to embark to America, and the French provisional government offered him facilities for doing so, General Becker being sent to escort him to Rochefort. He durst not, however, face the British cruisers, which were keeping strict watch in that port. He seems to have hesitated what course to take, but eventually he decided to throw himself on the generosity of the English. Napoleon wrote to Captain Maitland, who was cruising off Rochefort, to solicit leave to go to America, either in a French or neutral vessel. Captain Maitland sent word that his instructions forbade him to comply with the request, but if Napoleon liked he would take him to England in the Bellerophon. Napoleon then wrote to the Prince Regent as follows:- |
Your Royal Highness – Struck at by the factions which divide my country, and by the hostility of the great powers of Europe, I have terminated my political career, and I have, like Themistocles, to place myself beside the hearth of the British people. I put myself under the protection of your laws, and claim that protection from Your Royal Highness as the powerful, the most constant, and the most generous of my enemies. – NAPOLEON. This letter was sent to Captain Maitland, who offered to send it to London, adding that if Napoleon went to London he must consider himself entirely at the disposal of the Prince Regent. On the 15th July Napoleon embarked on board the “Bellerophon” saying to Captain Maitland, “I come to place myself under the protection of your Prince and Laws.” He was received with the honours due to his rank as a general, and he appeared pleased with the attention paid him on board. The vessel arrived off Torbay on the 24th July, and the letter was sent on to London. On the 31st July Admiral Lord Keith and Sir Henry Bunbury, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, arrived at Torbay, and went on board the Bellerophon, informing Napoleon that it was the irrevocable determination of the allies that he should not remain in Europe, that St. Helena would be his future place of residence, and under such surveillance as to prevent evasion.. At first he remonstrated violently against such treatment, saying it was a violation of the agreement under which he delivered himself up. When he heard of his destination he exclaimed, “It is worse than a cage of Bajazet.” The picture referred to evidently pourtrays this protesting attitude. He was afterwards transferred to the Northumberland, which arrived at St. Helena on the 10th October with Napoleon on board. (See Life and Times of Palmerston.) July 29th -Was intered at Middleton, James Haywood, in an advanced age; he had been saxton of that place upwards of 30 years. |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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