Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 14th August 1852, Edition Town of 2, Page 766

Page 766
Page 2
2 of 24

On this page

  • Text (4)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      no one knows when Parliament is to meet , and the general idea is that Ministers desire to put it off as long as possible . There is a prospect that affairs will be somewhat complicated by an adverse harvest : the rain has feeeH Ifceady aSA heavy for five days of the W 6 ek * Wheat rose fh price by 2 s . on Wednesday , and JPiotection re * ceives its coup de grace from the Weither . The more stirring incidents ha # 6 been in the law courts , and on raiftfy ' s . r £ tm -action brougfc | against a Lady Superior in the convent at

      Norwood , for ill-using a little orphan girl , is interesting , as a proof that sectarian bitternesses -have not totally warped British juries . The case broke down completely , and the Lady Superior was acquitted . But the trial involved disclosures as to the severe regimen of the place , even for young girls , which will not fail to influence public opinion adversely to such institutions ; a further proof that publicity and full information are the proper counteractives to any encroachments from Rome .

      The further inquiries into the accident on the North-Westem Railway , near Coventry , corroborate the belief that the accident was caused by the wearing of the bolts which secured the ashpan of the engine ; and the more general conclusion , that railway companies do not care to take the pains sufficient for securing the safety of the riding public . These inquiries cannot fail , in time , to obtain a better discipline .

      Untitled Article

      THE AMERICAN FISHERY QUESTION . Mb . Webster seems inclined to play the part of an able second to Sir John Pakington in precipitating the two nations into a war . The American Secretary of State has a country residence at Marshfield , in Massachusetts—properly , his " home "—and there he visits , when relaxing his mind from the fatigues of office . The Marshfield people are naturally proud of him , and when he returns he is received with hearty demonstra .-tions of respect and affection . In reply to these kind people , who , headed by the Honourable Mr . Sprague , received him at Marshfield , on the 25 th ultimo , Mr . Webster delivered the following speech : —

      " Gentlemen , —Mr . Sprague has been pleased to refer to recent occurrences . As to some of them , or at least to one , it may not be fitting in me to say one word now . The time has not come . But I would say , I may venture to hope , without presumption , that I am not entirely unknown at home or abroad ( cries of ' No , no !') , and I further say further , if I have anything good and valuable , I hold it in my own keeping , and will not trust it to the waywardness of others . Friends and neighbours , tho time you offer me this welcome is not altogether inappropriate . I am about to bo among you . Tho place I occupy must soon bo vacated in tho ordinary course of events , and it may be vacated very shortly . I am sensible of the kind manner in

      which tho events of my life have been recited . I am willing to admit that I am glad to receive the approbation of my countrymen , in any manner they may be disposed to oxpresa it—I am willing to believe in relation to the occurrencoB alluded to by Mr . Spraguo , that by tho blessing of Providence and the favour of my countrymen , I have done something to uphold the constitution and liberty , and main lain tho rights of ray country . There is an end to iill human labours and ofForts . I am no longer a young man ; but I am thankful , nevertheless , for the measure of strength I still enjoy . I hopo to enjoy tho pleasure of your kindness and society for Homo years to corno , if such may bo the plcasuro of the Almighty . Mr . Spraguo has made allusion to recent occurrences , threatening disturbances on account of tho fisheries . It would not become

      mo to nay much on that subject until I speak officially , and under direction of the head of tho Government . And then I Hliall speak . In tho mean time , bo assured that that interest w £ ll not bo neglected by this Administration under any cir cumstances . Tho lisherinon shall be protected in all their rights of property and in all thoir rights of occupation . To uso a Marblohead phrase , they shall bo protected ' hook and line , and bob ana sinker . ' And why uhould they not ? They employ a vast number . Many of our own peoplo are engaged in that vocation . There aro , perhaps , among you some who perhaps have been on tho Grand Hanks lor forty successive years , and there hung on to tho ropes in storm and wreck . The most potent consequences aro involved in this matter . Our fisheries Jiavo boon tho-Xiirv nurseries of our navy . If our ilag-Hhipn have cc | |[ i | £ l | r J 9 | f ^ f 0 fc £ J Li 10 Hoa » < lie fisheries have been atiihBjjhpttom '| of n ?* - < Bi < Btiheri < is are where- tho fishing in tbJKnB < tfjpi % Br l ^ fiL ^ ftho oamo coast , in which and along wmonJnoCroo wiiljojp corno that they shall bo no longor allowed these privileges . Now , this cannot be juHtilleul without notice A more indulgence of too long continuums , oyon if tho priyileif © wt » ro not ftfl indwigeno © ,

      cannot be withdrawn a « 1 fflfk VtffiMH of the year , when our people , according to tfeSi * fcuSWih , nave engaged in tne business , without Wist and aedejpnable notice . I cannot but think the la # § lespatchea from the Colonial-office had not attracted , fd « sufficient degree , the att ention of , the principal MttWfcr of the Crown , ft * I see matter in ttUga Suite Wsttliitent * fth the arlwftg ^ iaent made uv l »*> W Ae Earl « f Abera ^ fa . and Edfftrd Everett . Then m , jfefcrl of Deftfby , thel { present Fitt * Minister , was Coloni *! Secretary . It . coulfll iiot well hate taken j > lace without ktt fcfiowledg * , tod , in Ifceti without Ms con « irrence or san * tie * . I c «« i » ot btft tkink , therefore , thflfc its being oV e ** looked is an fatftffogrtence . The treat * of 1818 was time with the Crown- of England . -If a fishing-vessel is captured by one of her vessels of war , and brought in «> r adjudication , the Crown of England is answerable , and then we know who we have to deal with . But it is not to be

      expected that the tTmted States will submit their rights to be adjudicated upon in the petty tribunals of the provinces , or that they will allow our vessels to be seized by constables and other petty officers , and condemned by municipal courts of Canada and Newfoundland , New Brunswick , or Nova Scotia ! No , no , no . ( Great cheering . ) Further than this , gentlemen , I do not think it expedient to remark upon this topic at present , but you may be assured it is a subject upon which no one sleeps at " Washington . I regret that the state of my health , caused my absence at Washington when the news came of this sudden change in the interpretation of the treaties . My health requires relaxation . I shall feel it my duty , as soon as my health and strength will j ustify me in undertaking the journey , to return to my post , and discharge the duties devolving upon me to the best of my abilities . "

      Meanwhile the excitement was increasing up to the 28 th ultimo . A telegraphic message , dated Philadelphia , July 27 , says that the commandant of the navyyard at that port had received orders to have tbe steam frigate Saranac overhauled , provisioned , and manned with all possible despatch . The Saranac would , it was said , form the vanguard of a fleet destined for the Gulf of St . Lawrence . Later accounts name the Mississippi , and state that Commodore Perry will command the squadron . In the navy-yards considerable and unusual activity was apparent . The press teemed with war articles—the New York Serald already counting on the spoils which would accrue from a war with England . Some of the papers are , however , very moderate ; but all indicate the high state of public feeling . The St . John ' s New Brunswicker of the 26 th says ,

      that Mr . Webster labours under a mistake when he gives the impression by his circular that her Majesty ' s Government is about to enforce the convention strictly , according to the opinion of the law officers of England . Such the News believes is not the case . For some years past there has been a tacit understanding that American fishing-vessels should only be excluded from those bays and inlets of the coast which are less than six miles wide , and within which American vessels could not of course fish unless within three miles of the land on either side . To do this the News thinks will be sufficient , as nearly all the American vessels are in the habit of fishing near the shore during the best of the fishing season .

      Since writing the above the Humboldt has arrived . The following , extracted from the New York Herald , of the 31 st of July , gives the latest intelligence regarding the fisheries dispute : — " One of our correspondents at Washington informs us , that tho steamer Mississippi , which was designated as the flag-ship of Commodore Perry in the Japan expedition , and is now lying at anchor in tho East River , opposite this city , haa been ordered to repair forthwith to tho fishing grounds , to protect our rights under tho treaty of 1818 . Sho has all her coal on board , and Commodore Perry wjfl no doubt bo prompt in obeying tho order . All other vessels , it is said , which can be got ready in timo , will be

      despatched to the banks , under command of tho Commodore . By recent arrivals from the Bay of St . Lawronce , we learn that an anchorage duty of 6 rZ . por ton hue been demanded upon all United States vessels in tho provinces . On tho 23 rd inst ., two of our fishing vewels were seCn in tow of a British steamer , oft * Gospe Head . At last accounts there- were l < t English men-of-war on ¦ tho ground , and four more were fitting out at St . John ' s . All this looks as though our provincial neighbours , backed by their mothercountry , wore really determined to give us considerable trouble . Our Washington correspondent states that

      nothing serious is apprehended by thoso who aro best informed in that city . Indeed , it i « intimated that President Fillmore is not exactly pleased with Secretary Webster ' u recent courflo on tho Hubject . It in anticipated that tho matter will soon bo amicably arranged by negotiation ; but in tho meantime , Commodore Porry will proceed to the eastward in tho steamer Mississippi , with the view of protecting , if nocoBsary , tho rights of our own citizens . The operations now going on at the Brooklyn and other navy yards throughout tho coufitry , denote that th « Govoriimftnt is actively preparing' for any emergency that may arise "

      The Kiuno pnper kIiows that tho United States cnu send a force of 12 vessels , mounting a total of 161 guns , into tho fishing grounds by the 16 th of August ; and an additional force of 5 frigates , mounting 832 guiiH , l > y the 20 th of August .

      Untitled Article

      The caao of Kaino woh not finally determined on the 28 th . It utood tkftt day for judgment , but Jadgo Ban *

      ford died , and" $ fc § iWterts only met to pass resolu tio of coiidotaDde , As fcaihe was on his way from the d" trict cWfffc < $ f W&r York , on the 26 th , escor ted by * strong body of gtflide , a mob of ruffianly Irish assaulted tb * escort , keejSflg up the attack throughout the whol route , until the fttliee dharged tbe mob , routed them and took several prisoners . '

      Untitled Article

      THE KAFIR WAE . The FV&pfrlriis reacbed Plymouth on Monday . She brings .. papers from &ie Cape up to to the 2 nd of July The war is still characterised by the same features military promenftdet , forays , and petty conflic ts ; with a good deal of cattle lifting and guerilla murders General Cathcart had not developed any general pla n until the 1 st of July , when the following proclamation was issued ; which , from tone , style , and substance , may be taken as a specimen of his policy . "By His Exceixetstcy IjErTEffiLisrr . GENEBAi , im , Hon . Geobge Gathcabt , &c . " Whereas the Caffre Chief Kreli , who resides beyond the Kei , and whose territory is separated from that part of Her Majesty ' s dominions called British Caffraria , by that river , although recently . chastened for bis well-known under-hand as well as open hostility , by order of Governor Sir Harry Smith , has not ceased , from the time the expedition was withdrawn , contumaciously to comfort taJl assist Her Majesty ' s rebellious subjects , now associated with the rebel chief Sandilli , Caffres as well as Hottentots , in carrying on a protracted war , and even to harbour rebel Hottentots in his own country .

      " And whereas the same contumacious chief Kreli , when mercifully called upon by me to desist from his evil practices , and use his well-known influence in putting an end to the Gaika rebellion , and in token of his good faith and due submission , to pay up the fine of cattle imposed by my predecessor , Governor "Sir Harry Smith , which the ; said chief had promised to pay , and on the _ faith of which promise the last expedition was mercifully withdrawn after the infliction of half the , punishment deserved , has insolentl y sent back mypeaceableremonstrance and justdemand in defiance : " And whereas it is necessary , in vindication of Her Majesty ' s authority , and in order to put an end to this war , that the said chief Kreli should , without loss of time , receive the full chastisement he deserves :

      " Now , therefore , I do hereby proclaim , declare , and make known , that , for the purpose of inflicting such chastisement , it is my intention , on the 6 th day of August next , to assemble a sufficient force of Her Majesty's regular troops , cavalry , infantry , and artillery , paid levies and enrolled Fingoes , with abundant supplies for the campaign , on the TJmvani Kiver , near Bram Neck , midway between Shiloh and the White Kei : —and that it is further my intention with this force to cross the Kei , and establish my head-quarters at Kreli ' s Great Place . " But , wishing to show Her Majesty ' s enemies that , besides the force of her regular armies , she possesses the loyal support of her faithful subjects , and that , at her call , they are ready and willing to take the field in her cause : " Wishing , also , to give to those who , as a body , have suffered severely from the war , an opportunity of recovering , by force of arms , some compensation for their losses , I hereby , in the name and on behalf of Her Majesty ,

      command all burghers , of the divisions of Graafl-Keinet , Uitenhage , Port Elizabeth , Somerset , Cradock , Albany , Albert , Victoria , Fort Beaufort , and Colesburg , capable of bear i ng arms , to take the field upon the old commando system of the colony , and join mo on the Umvani Kiver , near Bram Neck , midway between Shiloh and the White Koi , on the 6 th of Angust , whence I will lead them forthwith in person into the country of the contumacious chief , Kreli , to dispose him of his cattle , as tho best means ot effectually bringing him to submission , and thereby terminating the present tiresome hostilities . " I further hereby make known to the colonists ot all classes , who shall voluntarily join in this great co " " " ! ^ that all cattle that may bo captured by them shall » o divided among tho captors , for their own uso and bonoui , according to such oquitablo division as may bo determined on by their own commandants .

      " God nave the Queen . " Given under tho public seal of tho settlement , at tno Capo of Good Hope , this 1 st day of July , 1852 . " By command of his Excellency the Governor , "B-ICnA-BD SOUTHBY , " Acting-Secretary to Government . By another proclamation tho general declares hm intention of hanging any one , male or femalo , who can l > e proved to have supplied the enemy with ammunition ; and ho ofrera a reward of 60 / . for their appreh ension . Women are the principal powder purveyors . M ° ullt ^ rural police and military posts are to be established General Cathcart has made a tour of inspection ,, m tlie

      order that ho may become well acquainted with country . Besides tho ordinary assaults upon wugonfl , kraals , and out-lying detachmontH , two others of a au > astrouB nntnre have occurred . About hiilf-past eleven on the night of June 2 nd , a body of Hottentots , under Uithaalder , attacked tho cattle-kraal belonging to M » MiBMioimry Iiwtitutkm of Mount Coke . Seven men ^ the place wore killed and nine wounded ; but tho c » cut from the wagons would hnvo been proHorveu , » not a largo mounted reserve appeared . The " * was henrd at Fort Murray ; und General YorKo a patched a squadron of Lancora and Capo Corps , un Major Tottenham , who joined In the pursuit m »* Debo Neck .

      Untitled Article

      766 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 14, 1852, page 766, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1947/page/2/