He accompanied the army in its onward march to Manchester, where it arrived on the 29th. Though he had joined them only two days previously, he was shown on his trial to have been one of the most prominent actors in the proceedings that took place in that town. The Pretender was received at Manchester with demonstrations of high satisfaction, and a large number of the inhabitants enrolled themselves among his supporters, under the designation of “the Manchester Regiment,” the command of which was offered, in the first place, to David Morgan. He, however, declined the position, and the unfortunate Colonel Towneley, {20a} who, Morgan said, “was much fitter than he was for such an office,” a Roman Catholic gentleman of ancient family, high reputation, and more than ordinary attainments, consented to assume the command. But, though declining to undertake any special command, he marched with the army as a gentleman volunteer, was particularly active and prominent, and appears to have been invested with considerable authority. He obtained an order from Secretary Murray {20b} to search for arms, and for their surrender on pain of military execution; and it was proved by one of the constables of Manchester that he had obtained possession of arms, which he had delivered at the lodgings of “Squire Morgan.” He wore a white cockade in his hat, and a sword by his side. It was likewise shown that he paid the expenses, when the officers and he dined together; and as one of the witnesses stated at his trial, “gave all the directions about everything,” and rode at the side of the Pretender, mounted on a bay horse. It was further given in evidence against him, that, “being at dinner with several rebel officers at Derby, he asked Lord Elcho what number of men they had? to which his lordship answered, about 4 or 5000, and 17 pieces of cannon. That he then asked, what religion the young Pretender was of? and Lord Elcho replied, shaking his head, that he believed his religion was to seek. That the prisoner advised to beat up for volunteers, and said that it would be an easy matter to march to London; for that there were not above 3000 soldiers between London and that city, and those mostly dragoons, except a few undisciplined troops lately raised by Lords Gower and Cholmondely, who could make but little opposition.” {21} They departed from Manchester on the 1st of December, and, marching through Congleton, Leek, and Ashbourn, they entered on the 4th December into the town of Derby, which was only one hundred and twenty-seven miles distant from the metropolis.