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by exemption of their Meeting-house * from rates , at least one occasion for such rudeness should for ever end . Mr . Wilks then referred to ca $ es partly pecuniary . They included expensive offices improperly obtruded on Dissenters , and monies improperly withheld * At Barnstaple , a minister was proposed
as constable , although certainly exempt . The corporation of York had also occasioned unexpected trouble and expense . They had assailed one of the benefits Incident to Dissenters from their partial proscription—one of the lesser rights resulting from a greater wrong . Corporations had occasionally wished to practise
strange oppression . By the Test and Corporation Acts , Dissenters were excluded from corporate offices of emolument and honour , because they did uot conform—and these corporations sought to impose on them fines for the non-acceptance of offices which , without
conformity , they could not legally accept . This plundering persecution was formerly attempted by the Corporation of Loudou . Jt was firmly and successfully resisted . For the information of that part of this audience whose cheeks glowed with the tints of health and whose bosoms glowed with the love of freedom , he would
mention the decisions which ought ever to have exempted Dissenters from a renewal of those attempts . In the case of The King and Grosvenor , the Court of King ' s Bench would not grant an Information against Mr . Grosvenor for Refusing to act as Sheriff of London and Middlesex when chosen to the office . But
the great case of jEva ? is 9 against the Chamberlain of Londony was the pole-star by which Dissenters might securely steer . The corporation of London made a byelaw , imposing a fine of 600 / . on every person who being elected should refuse the office of Sheriff . Mr . Erans was a
Dissenter , was chosen and refused . An action was brought for the fine , and was determined on appeal by the House of Lords . The judges acquired immortal honour . The speeches , especially of
Judge Foster and Lord Mansfield , should be inscribed on the memory of every statesman , on the heart of every British youth . " Conscience , " said Lord Mansfiel d , " is not controlable by human laws , nor amenable to human tribunals .
Persecution , or attempts to force conscience , will never produce conviction , and are only calculated to make hypocrites or martyrs /'—" Thau persecution , there is nothing certainly more unreasonable , more inconsistent with the rights of 'human nature , more contrary to the spirit and precepts of the Christian religion " ,
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more iniquitous , more impolitic , more umust . This attempt is as bad perseci * fedo is that of Procrustes , and is contrary to , th * law of the land . " The non-liability of Mr . Evans was decided by tfcjs highest tribunal , and the judgment in his favour was unanimously affirmed . Yet the Corporation of York would revive the
attempt which a great lawyer and a great statesman had thus denounced . They too had their b y-law , and they would have another Procrustean bed . But though the spirit of freedom slumbers H does not expire . Mr . Oswald Aliew , an eminent surgeon and well-principled Dissenter , was chosen Sheriff for that
ancient city . He would not hold an office on sufferance , and as a criminal under an Indemnity Act , for which , as a Dissenter , he was disqualified . He dared not qualify ; nor did he dare consent to pay any illegal fine . He applied for advice . The recommendation of the Committe suited
his principles and purpose . He refused the office ; an application was made to the Court of King ' s Bench , and the validity of his refusal was proclaimed . Success and honour were again the reward of firmness—and another buttress was added to this little citadel of Dissenting rights ! ( To be continued . )
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Intelligence .- ~ Phiienthr 6 pic Legacy . 583
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Philanthropic Legacy . John Maclachlan , Esq ., formerly teacher of Mathematics in Glasgow , who died in spring last , in Calcutta , has bequeathed a handsome legacy , supposed to be about £ 20 y 000 , the residue of his fortune , for the establishment of
freeschools in Glasgow , for the education of male and female children of poor Highlanders residing in and about the city , and supplying books and stationery to those who are not able to purchase them . We have seen an extract from Mr .
Maclachlan ' s will . The trust is confided to the Lord Provost and Magistrates of the city of Glasgow , the Ministers ancl other Members of the General Church Session , and the Ministers and Managers of the Gaelic Church or Churches of the' said
city , for the time being , and to their successors in office for ever . The boys , besides a grammatical knowledge of the English language , are to be taught writ ing , arithmetic and book-keeping ; the girls , besides a proper knowledge of the
English language , wr iting au ^ L thte tfrst five common rules of aritfrmelfe , are to be instructed in needle ^ work , " and such other ireful employments ra may enable them to gain an honest ftrtitg after leaving school . This interesting circumstance
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1822, page 583, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2516/page/63/
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