A Trumpeter Discharged: William Affleck
This print purports to show the interior of the hay loft in Cato Street where the conspirators
met and where one of the arresting officers, Richard Smithers, was stabbed and killed.
At the subsequent trial, witnesses claimed that Davidson had been posted as sentry outside
the premises at the time of the police raid. He was said to have resisted arrest, using both
the sword and the carbine that he was carrying; and, according to one policeman, ‘damned
and swore against any man that would not die in liberty’s cause’.
Guildhall Library 23638 (28 Feb 1820)
Davidson Addresses the Court April 1820
...I appeal to any man that was in court, whether, in the
summing up of the evidence, Judge Garrow did justice to me, as
a prisoner at the bar. Was he not inveterate against me? did he
not influence the minds of the jurymen, and almost insist upon
their pronouncing me guilty? did any person identify me to be
the identical person except those officers who, we all know, and
every Englishman must know, have always been instrumental to
the death of innocent men.
...
in what manner is it I could ever be guilty of high treason? it
was never pretended I had ever said any thing, directly or
indirectly; I must have been a silent spectator from the nature
of my colour. I should have been immediately remarked if I had
taken an active part. I have got a deal to say for myself where I
feel it to be proper; but there is not one single witness has ever
said that I said any thing, consequently I could not be a person
that was in the conspiracy; they have said, only that there was a
man of colour, and, unfortunately, I was caught near the spot,
and was fixed on by them...
Would you not rather govern a country of spirited men, than
cowards? I can die but once in this world, and the only regret
left is, that I have a large family of small children, and when I
think of that, it unmans me.
The Newgate Calendar states
that 'William Davidson was the
son of the Attorney-General of
Jamaica and a native woman of
colour. He was sent to England
to receive an education suitable
to the rank of his father. In
Liverpool he studied
mathematics; later on he was
impressed into the king's service.
He received a legacy from his
mother of £1,200 and set up a
business in Birmingham. After a
failed attempt at marriage to the
daughter of a Liverpool
tradesman, Davidson married a
Mrs Lane who was left with six
children, two of them being
Davidson's sons.'
Richard Carlile, letter to Sarah Davidson (May
1820)
Little did I think that villain Edwards was the spy,
agent, and instigator of the government, and Mr.
Davidson his victim. I now regret my error, and
hope that you will pardon it as an error of the
head, without any bad motive. Be assured that
the heroic manner in which your husband and his
companions met their fate, will in a few years,
perhaps in a few months, stamp their names as
patriots, and men who had nothing but their
country's weal at heart. I flatter myself as your
children grow up, they will find that the fate of
their father will rather procure them respect and
admiration than its reverse
Ira Aldridge
An American, Aldridge was descended from an African
clergyman. He developed his enthusiasm for acting while
still a youth, at the African Free School in New York.
He found there was little opportunity to use his acting skills in America, so
decided to travel to England.
It was on board the ship bound for Liverpool, in 1825, that Aldridge became
personal attendant to the British actor James Wallack, and the seeds of his
future career were sown. Two years later he appeared on the London stage. On
his first night at the Royal Coburg Theatre, his performance was reported as
'novel…excited much attention…Aldridge had a very excellent conception of
the main character in The Revolt of Surinam or a Slave's Revenge'.
Ira Aldridge married a woman from Yorkshire, Margaret Gill, and the marriage
provided Aldridge with the valuable support he needed to overcome some of
the negativity he encountered. The Times was highly critical and dismissive of
the Black actor's work. Aldridge was working at a time when attempts were
being made to end slavery in the colonies. The pro-slavery lobby organised a
campaign to destroy the actor's career.
After playing major roles in Oroonoko (Thomas Southerne's dramatisation of
the novel by Aphra Behn) and The Ethiopian, Aldridge took to touring the
provinces, and reached a high point with his portrayal of Othello at the Theatre
Royal in Dublin. On his return to London's Covent Garden, once again to play
the Moor in Othello, The Times was scathing yet again. But this time it was not
about Aldridge's performance, but because 'of the indecency of a lady-like girl
like Miss Ellen Tree being subjected to the indignity of being pawed by Mr
Wallack's black servant…'.
Aldridge continued in his chosen profession. He was encouraged no doubt by
unprejudiced reviews both in Europe and England, such as the one from the
Standard that described him as having 'the fire and spirit of a first-rate actor'.
Described as a gentle man of manners, Ira Aldridge was also very aware of the
effect slavery had on the African psyche and this contributed to the passion
with which he played his roles.
Learie Constantine
Learie Constantine, the son of a test cricketer, was born at Diego Martin,
Trinidad, on 21st September, 1901. He worked in a solicitor's office before
beginning a career in cricket. He made his test debut while touring England in
1928. The following year Constantine moved to England and joined the
Nelson team in the Lancashire Cricket League.
Constantine became captain of the West Indies and led the team to their first
victory in a test match in 1930. He also played an important role in West
Indies winning the series against England in 1934-35. After retiring from test
cricket he became a commentator for the British Broadcasting Corporation.
During the Second World War Constantine worked as a welfare officer for the
labour ministry. Based in Liverpool his main responsibility was to help West
Indian immigrants find employment in Britain. In 1943 Constantine was
refused service in a British hotel because of his colour. He took the owners of
the hotel to court and won his case. Later he wrote Colour Bar (1954), with his
friend, C. L. R. James. The book dealt with the subject of racial prejudice in
Britain.
After studying law Constantine gained entrance to the English bar in 1954.
Later he returned to Trinidad where he became involved in politics. A member
of the People's National Movement, he served in the government as minister
of community works and utilities. When Trinidad gained independence he
became his country's first high commissioner to London.