[Editor: This is a chapter from The Eureka Stockade by Raffaello Carboni. A glossary has been provided to explain various words and phrases that may be unfamiliar to modern readers.]
LXXXVI.
Coglione, il lazzarone in paragone.
Charles Henry Hackett, police magistrate, cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“There was a deputation admitted to an interview with Mr. Rede, on Thursday night, November 30th. The prisoner was one of the deputation. I think Black was the principal party in the deputation. The deputatation as well as I remember, said, that they thought in case Mr. Rede would give an assurance that he would not go out again with the police and military to collect licences, they could undertake that no disturbance would take place. Mr. Rede replied, that as threats were held out to the effect, that in case of refusal, the bloodshed would be on their (the authorities’) own heads, he could not make any such engagement at the time, nor had he the power of refraining from collecting the licence fee.”
By the prisoner:
“I recollect Commissioner Rede saying, that the word ‘licences’ was merely a cloak used by the diggers, and that this movement was in reality a democratic one. You (prisoner) assured him that amongst the foreigners whom you conversed with there was no democratic feeling, but merely a spirit of resistance to the licence fee.”
Mr. C. H. Hackett you are a lover of truth: God bless you!
James Gore, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I am a private in the 40th, I was in the attack on the Eureka stockade.The prisoner and two other men followed me when I entered the stockade, and compelled me to go out. Prisoner was armed with a pike.”
Cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“It was day-light at the time, but not broad day-light; I had fired my musket but not used my bayonet. I ran because there were three against me. I was one of the first men in the stockade. There was no other soldier or policeman near me when the prisoner and the other men pursued me.”
Patrick Synott, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I am a private in the 40th regiment, I saw the prisoner and two other men pursuing Gore from the stockade on the morning of the attack. It was almost as lightsome at the time as it is now. I could distinguish a man at fifty yards off, and the prisoner was not fifteen yards from me. He was six or seven minutes in my sight.”
John Concritt, examined by the Attorney-General. This witness was a mounted policeman and corroborated in all particulars the evidence of the previous witnesses.
Cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“I fired my pistol at the prisoner. It was very good daylight. From what I saw of the soldier that morning, I should have known him again, for he stood with me for some minutes afterwards.”
John Donnelly, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I am a private of the 40th regiment. I was at the stockade on the 3rd December; I saw the prisoner there. I had a distinct opportunity of seeing.”
Cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“I saw him for about a minute at first, and I saw him again in about ten minutes afterwards. I also saw him at the Camp the following day.”
John Badcock, trooper, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I was at the stockade on the morning of the 3rd December. I was on foot. I snapped my musket at the prisoner, and it missed fire. I was quite close to him. I saw him again at the lock-up next day.”
John Dogherty, trooper, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I was at the attack on the stockade. I saw the prisoner there. I knew him personally before. I have no doubt that he is the man. I saw the prisoner run towards the guard tent, and in a few minutes after, I saw him again brought back as a prisoner.”
Sergeant Hagartey, examined by the Attorney-General:—
“I am a sergeant in the 40th. I was in the attack on the stockade. I was beside Captain Wise when he was shot. He (Captain Wise) was shot from the stockade. I saw the prisoner at the stockade. I was in the guard which took him to the Camp. The prisoner did not get away, I know. I saw him a prisoner in the Camp about five o’clock.”
Cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“I do not know that the prisoner did not escape on his way from the stockade to the lock-up.”
Robert Tully, sworn and examined:—
“He was inside the stockade on the Sunday morning: saw the prisoner there armed with a pike; he was in the act of running away; saw him twice in the stockade; was sure the prisoner is the man.”
Cross examined by Mr. Ireland:—
“Never saw the man before this; he was running in company with two other men; it was very early in the morning; it was some time after the stockade was taken that he was arrested; the firing then had not wholly ceased.”
Private Don-syn-gore, drilled by sergeant Hag.
Trooper Con(s)crit-bad-dog, mobbed by Bob-tulip.
The pair of you are far below the ebb of our Neopolitan Lazzaroni!
Why did you not consult with spy Goodenough?
This having closed the case for the Crown, the Court adjourned at half-past two.
Source:
Raffaello Carboni. The Eureka Stockade: The Consequence of Some Pirates Wanting on Quarter-Deck a Rebellion, Public Library of South Australia, Adelaide, 1962 [facsimile of the 1855 edition], pages 111-112
Editor’s notes:
*coglione, il lazzarone in paragone = (Italian) “jerk, the slacker in comparison” (*rough translation)
lightsome = well-lit, bright
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