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AGITATION INT SCOTLAND . „
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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.
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Continue d from our Second page . ) fjje people ( even if the provision * of the Bill were in fljemselves neither harsh nor unreasonable ) , appears to w more calculated , to add weight to calumny , and to gjjsperate diwontent into hoatflity , than to defeat the assigns of turbulent men , ox to reclaim the alienated affections of a mistaken multitude . " Secondly . Because the powers entrusted by this 33 } to Magistrates are liable to great abuse , and those Tho disobey them exposed to dreadful and dispropor tionate punishment . On the surmise that a stranger is present in a crowd , or on the application of a vague definition to the words of a notice , or to the language oi » o orator , & jostise of peace may proclaim a meeting to he unlawful , and &a Englishman roar become a felon ( Continued from our Second page . ) ^ aMS Etaiasfsss ^_«~ . . t ~ n Tml A < t *« * aa «~ , <_ s . t »„ —* JJL *^ T * » .
for continuing , even through inadvertence , half-an-hour \ in a spat where no breach of the peace has been com- J pitted . »« Thirdly . Because the numerous assemblies alleged , in the preamble to be the occasion and justification of the Ell have been confined to particular districts , but the restrictions and penalties thereof are generally ex- tended to the whole kingdom , and even to Ireland , i There no such practice * have ever prevailed . ' , " Fourthly . Because this Bill , combined with the restrictions of the press , which have already passed , or | have been announced in this House , is obviously in- ,
tended to fetter all free discussions , and to repress , if not stifle , the expression of public opinion . Large' meetings , in periods ef political ferment furnish the 1 means of ascertaining the designs and measuring the J j strength of the malcontents ; they tend to disunite and i discredit the rash and mischievous agitators of a mis- \ t taken multitude , and they not unfrequently serve as a ; ¦ rent , comparatively innoxious , of that ill-humour and j , discontent which , if suppressed , might seek refuge in ' j secret cabals and conspiracies dangerous to the safety ] of individuals in authority , and subversive of the peace sad happiness of society . - , " ( Signed ) \ " Vassal Holland , "Dosoeghmoue , 1 ; : j ,
" AUGUStCS FREDKBICK , " GKOSVENOB , j " THANET , . "ERSKIXE . " ' Similar sentiments were expressed during the last re- ¦ cess by the Noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies . ¦ He ( Mr . Duneombe ) wished that with regard to these ¦ tjnfortunate men the I ^ oble Lord had acted upon the ! doctrines so laid down by him at Liverpool . ( Hear . jj He complained also of the different mode of punishment 1 which was observed with regard to different offenders , i While Messrs . Lovett and Collins , and the other per- \ * ons to whom he had referred , were treated in the man- ! ner that had been described , the Rev . Mr . Stephens , i ¦ who cad been coirrieted of a similar offence , was actu- ! * U jr li-ring in the goaler " s Loose , and enjoying the ' . society of cis fritaids . . Hear , h « -ar . ) Mr . Bronterre ' : ; j ! j j ! 1 , :.
O'Brien and Mr . M 'Douall were also treated in Chester ; ^ goal with much less severity than was observed towards \ Messrs . Lovett and Collins , though not so well as the j Rst . Mr , Steph- ns . As an instance otthe petty severi- j ¦ tits that were inflicted on Mr . O'Brien , he would men- j rion that his snuff-box was taken away frem him , i ( A laugh . ) This might appear to some Hon . Members \ an absurd ground of complaint ; but those who were ' in the habit of taking snuff ( as Mr . O'Brien was ) would j tell them that to be prevented so doing was a source -of much annoyance and inconvenience . The sort of treat- meat which he had described as being inflicted on these prisoners was not sustained by public opinion . The effect which it would have , if continued , on the minds of the lower orders was deserving of the attention of the House . j , ' J , I j j > j I j t ;
Be implored those connected with the rural districts to i lend their aid on this occasion , for they might depend ¦ spon it that there was scarcely a village or a hamlet in ¦ widdi the reports of tiie sufferings of these prisoners did ! not penetrate , and where there did not exist a strong ; feeling that these prisoners were unjustly detained , ! and treated with undue fr ^ wftinpre The address which ' < be was about to move did not in any way trench on ' the prerogative of the Crown . He did not ask for a ! curtailment of the imprisonment of the parties , "but only that an end might be put to a system of treatment ; which , thank God , had never been heard of in this conn- j try since the days of the Star Chamber , and which was very litUe exceeded by the worst cruelties of the Spanish Inquisition . ( Cheers . ) The Hon . Member concluded by ttoTing the address .
Mr . WAKLEY seconded the motion . He would ssk whether it was intended to restore the punishment of the rack ? Was it the intention to restore the daj 3 of torture , sufficient to disgrace and brutalize tbose who suffered h ? ( Hear , hear . ) No ; one of those persons could come out of their prisons withou ; entertaining feelings of the bi wrest vengeance . He trusted it would be proved that the complaints had been made to the House before they were submitted to the exeeotive Government , for he eoald not believe that any Government whatever could have heard of such exoessive cruelty inflicted upon persons convicted of no felony , but merely of political offences . All gaols ought to be placed tinder the immediate control of the Secretary for the Home Department ,
and he ought to have a seat in that House , so that he might be questioned from day to day , whenever grievances > uch as those contained in the petitions Before the House took place . Contrast the treatment of these men with that of Sir F . Burdett , whom he had certainly expected to have seen in his place uron such an occasion . He wa 3 convicted of a seditious libel , was sentenced to three months' imprisonment , under & Tory Government . He was allowed to walk ont and take the air—to hold his levees—no torture was shown to him—indeed , his treatment after conviction did honour to the Tory Government of the day . He knew not what course his Hon . Colleague intended to pursue . Ho had fully brought the wnole cases of torture under the notice of ihe Executive , and unless that system was entirely altered , the entire blame must rest npon the Government , and with them alone . He trusted his Hon . Colleague would not divide the House , but that
the Under-Secretary for the Home Department would assure him of a change in the system , which would be satisfactory-Sir G . STRICKLAND had long intended to have brought forward the case of the political offenders incarcerated in Wakefield Hous * of Correction , but he thought it was better in the hands of the Hon . Member for Finsbury , because he considered they were treated in a mast shamefully haT-jh and severe Banner . He oonsidered that their punishment was wholly illegal—that they should be put to the hardship of diet and dress of the wore ; felons—that they should be put upon the silent system , was , in his opinion , wholly illegal He was glad to see that an Act of Parliament was to be introduced to classify sock offenders as those of whom he was speaking and he trusted that all ability of abusing their powers would be taken from the Magistrates , and the power of regmlatmg gaols , be kept in the hands of the Home Secretary .
Mr . F . M . AULE could assure the House that nothing was further from the intention of the Government than to press harder upon political offenders than their sentences warranted . He would pass to the cases mentioned . First w& 3 that of Lorett and Collins . Their case had been fully discussed . Their first sufferings were admitted to be hardships , and the Government had greatly ameliorated their condition . The Hon . bentleman , however , had gone out of his way to palliate the offences of which they had been convicted . They were fairly tried By an impartial tribunal , yet the Hon . Member said he avowed the Tery same expressions as were contained in the placard upon which they had been convicted . He was
sorry to near that such language was at all countenanced b j any Member of that House , especially when n was remembered that it was issued the day after Birmingham had been the scene of a gross and dangerous riot . The placard was published at Birmingham on the 5 th of July , after a public meeting condemnatory of the interference of the London Police , and caused great excitement against that body , in consequence of which , and speeches there ¦ and in various parts of the country , such opposition was excited to the London Police as cansed the disturbances on the 15 sh . These police , however , did not interfere , until their intervention became ¦ absolutely necessary , -when they dispersed the crowd without any person being abie to say that a single
person was injured by them . Compare this with the < iisturbances which to « K place on ihe arrest of Sir F . Burdett , and how wide the difference between the two events . There was no good citizen in Birmingham who did not admit that they were largely in-Qebied to ihe police on that occasion , for the protection of their life and property . ( Cheers . ) So ffinch for this part of the Honourable Gentleman ' s caw . With regard to his assertion that the police were employed as spies , it was an assertion altogether unfounded , that body not being employed in any way but was just and necessary for the prevention and detection of crime . It was very easy to throw out in sinuations of this nature , but he trusted to the good Be'ise of the people of this country to properly , appreciate them . With regard to the imprisonment of 1 v an ( ^ C 0 ^ ^ that was now drawing to a close , » od but a ghort time since they had been offered a remission of their sentence , on the lowest condition . 1 —•»•» uwvvwwj VA * * UV 1 U Tl C ^ l WUUillUii
wat could be offered to them , that of entering into reognaano eB for their good behaviour for twelve fcOBUui . They had , however , by advice , or of their own free will , rejected this offer , and therefore upon k&enuelTes and their advisers rested the responsibility or the two month 8 '"impriBonment which would otherwise have been remitted by the Government . The « fV f ^ * droied to by the Hon . Gentleman was to * of B&rtlatt and Baldwin , These persons were *«« imprisoned for political libel , the former being wimcied Of & direct act of sedition , and all they Payed for , he was informed , was to be placed oh the looting of Mr . O'Connor—they complained of no war dships whatever . He , therefore , passed on to ^ JO ** of Edwards ; and with reference to this PWBon , and Vincent , and Shellard , these persona ~™ med they should not have petitioned , but for an sJ ^ u " from a Member of Parliament that they wioni d do so on any oomplaint they might have to
{ to . DUNCOMBE-I wrote that . ( Laughter . ) t « *• MAULE proceeded—The only complaint J ^ perBOBs made was the very reasonable one—«« they were not allowed a knife to eat their food , "M were « wjpeile 4 to use a spoon for that pur-£ * e , which , on being informed of , the Government " Waediftiely ordered to be rectiied . Of the two
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former ik > other complaint was made ; but with reference to Shellard , a statement of his case was drawn np by himself , bat np to that moment had never been transmitted to the Secretary of State . The next case was that of Crabtree and WhiS The latter was sentenced to hard labour , and it was one of the grounds of Mb complaint that he had been P ij r ? labonr » WQich . being his sentence , could not be matter Of eomplint against any person h } ™ h " 1 . ( Hear > hear - > The Hon . Gentleman said ihZl d ^ A * SecreUry of State whose power shouia extend , m these caBes , all over the kingdom : hlS """ t ^ « ° f ^^^ raUsation were adopte d he thought the Hon . Gentleman would be the first "to CTT put against it , and to agree that this T > ower former no other complaint was made but with Sr& ^ Sf w ^ iso never Deen transmitted to the Stt \ r « t > . ro nf . «?«?«
\ \ \ , coma oe placed m no better hands than that of the ^ M f ^ - . With "" P ** Crabtree , he TdSitf ? ^ £ case was now w » dw consideration . He would now ask whether there was any ground for the accusations of the Hon . Gentleman of the unnecessary infliction of torture upon persons whoworeincarcerated for political offenees ! Jle thought the conduct of the Government throughout was a sufficient guarantee that they had acted ^ t ^ ° i fv , ° I - enge towards a ° y individuals , Dutjsolely with a desire to maintain the peace and good order of society . He could not but thin * that ihe-persons who advised these misguided men to " Lu « ommo"on and sedition , were far more 7 ° a ? a » condenu » aAion than those whom they delaaeo . A Government which punished these nnlaw-^ . Procfedinp must be subject to some degree of odium , but the Government which on this account shrunk from the discharge of their dutv wonlrt nnt
. ! oniy be unworthy of the confidence of the House and the country , but would be guilty of indirectly promoting those crimes which it was their duty to restrain and punish . ( CheerB . ) Mr . D'ISRAELI said the question was whether a great ohanee had not taken place in the punishment . of political offenders ? ( Cheers . ) Was it denied they were treated as felons- ( hear , hear ) - and that this treatment had been carried on to an ext * nnve scale . The Hon . Member for Finsbury had shown that sines the year 1792 , no political effenders had been treated as they had been by the present Government . He would maintain that in no period , except the worst period of history , had they been bo treated . It was a constitutional maxim that the primary object of the Dunishment or th ***
¦ | persons was the security of the State , and even in the days of the Star Chamber this had been adnutted , as was instanced in the celebrated case of * £ ' " rynne , who , when imprisoned for political Offences , revenged himself on Laud by writing forty pamphlet 3 against the Bishops . ( Laughter . ) The h Ijoble Lord denied that which had been conceded by the . Star Chamber . ( Hear , hear . ) The Hon . Gentleman had said he would not divide the House , but he thought , after the speech of the Honourable Lnder Secretary , he would not be doing his duty to the country unless he did so . ( Hear , hear . ) He fought the House should not separate until they had remedied these grievances , which were as great and intolerable as had ever been suffered in this country . Wa 3 not the punishment enormous , and its infliction more severethan the law permitted 1
, rhe case of Mr . Roberts had been treated with ? reat levity by the Hon . Under Secretary , who stated he was now free . But why was he free 1 Because he had broken a blood vessel . But did that affect the case against the Government ? Had he not already suffered far more than that sentence passed upon him ? He had . He had suffered as much as was suffered by the political outcasts of Siberia , and it was the duty of the House to inquire into M 3 case , and redress his wrongs . It was important the House should bear in mind the statement of his petition . He ( Mr . D'lsraeh ) did not question the sentence , but the manner in which it had been carried out . ( Hear , hear . ) He did not approve of the conduct of Mr . Roberts , but there was a
question which would be asked throughout England , and it was this—Were the same crimes which were rewarded in Ireland to be punished in this country ? The Hon . Member had before seen the triumphs of Ministers over the liberties of the people , but he hoped that in the present instance they would be successfully resisted . Mr . WAR BURTON was willing to give Government credit for the suppression of the disturbances which had lately agitated the country . The result justified the course which the Government pursued , for - in every case which had come before juries a verdict was found against the prisoners . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) That showed that the feeling of the country was with the Government , so far , at least . ( Hear , htar . ) But it was manifestin his opinion
, , that the bounds of justice had been overstepped in the punishment of offenders , and hence it was that public feeling now ran in their favour . The Hon . Member proceeded to sLow how much more severely political offenders were now treated in prisons than they had been in former times . He would give as an instance the case of Mr , Cobbett , who , so far from having been refused the use of paper , which was denied to prisoners at the present day , actually conducted his newspaper during his imprisonment . There wa 3 a material change also in the diet and other comforts of prisoners . The Hon . Gentleman having referred to individual cases of severity protested against such harshness , which was calculated to make one ' s blood boil . ( Hear , hear . ) Such a
course of proceeding only served to defeat the purpose for which it was intended , and enlisted public sympathy in favour of prisoners . Such a course was not consistent with the policy which had in former times keen pursued by the Whig party , who used on all occasions to put themselves forward as the friends of the oppressed . Notwithstanding the present severity of the law , he believed that Ministers might , if so disposed , have effectually interfered in mitigating the punishment of offenders , and he thought that they had not done their duty on that head . ( Hear . ) The magistrates , also , might have acted with more leniency than they had done . They
; might , for instance , by the Prisons' Regulation Act I have removed prisoners from one ward to another , 1 and in other ways mitigated the harshness of their 1 sentence . It was only necessary that the Governi ment should interfere , and they would certainly in-! flaeoce the magistrates . The Hon . Gentleman con-! eluded by advising his Hon . Friend , the Member ] for Finsbury , to withdraw his motion if the Govern-I ment would now give any pledge to interfere for the ¦ parpose of mitigating the punishment of the parties , j but if they were not disposed to give such a pledge j he should certainly feel it Mb duty to divide in favour I of the motion .
Mr . WARD did not think that , as the law now stood , the Government was responsible . He thought that Borne change should be introduced in the law , and if the Government did not give any pledge on that subject , he should like his Hon . Friend the Member for Bridport to divide in favour of the motion . Mr . BRUGES said that the statements contained in the petitions of Potts , Carrier , and Roberts , imprisoned for political offences in the gaol of Wilts were , in very many particulars , incorrect , and the charges contained in them of ill-usage on the part of the Magistrates , had no foundation in fact . He therefore thought it would be well for Honourable Members , before they presented petitions , to
ascertain that they were founded on the facts . ( Hear , hear . ) It was his firm belief that Mrs . Roberts , though represented aa on © of the petitioners , knew nothing of the petition —( hear , hear)—but if she did sign it as had been represented , that she did so without any knowledge of it 3 contents . An individual named Carrier , had said at a public meeting , " there is such a thing as lucifer matches—the people know how to use them . Talk of physical force ! You may have more physical force for a penny , than is to be found among a whole regiment of soldiers . " Yet it was said those were mere political offences , . and ought not to be punishea too severely . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) He could only state that property to the amount of £ 3 , 000 had been destroyed in the
neighbourhood in which that speech was delivered a Bhort time afterwards , and that the loyal and peaceable well-disposed inhabitants were kept in the greatest terror and alarm . ( Hear , hear . ) In his opinion punishment ought to be regulated by the extent of criminality , and the dangerous consequences of the crime committed . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Sergeant TALFOURD haviDg presented a great many petitions upon the subject under discussion , could not refrain from offering a few observations . What was complained of was , that where imprisonment was all that the law had assigned , and all that the Judge had awarded , that by some means or other that imprisonment had been turned into something different from what had been intended . They did not complain of punishment according to
law , but the complaint was that the punishment was carried beyond the law . —( Hear , hear . ) It might happen that in some of the petitions that had been presented there had been great exaggeration ; but the House was bound to see that injustice was not committed , and that moral torture was not inflicted . He thought that a new system had sprung up which called for the interference of that House . In the case of Mr . Cobbett and Mr . Hunt , the treatment complained of at the present time was unknown , At this time there were prosecutions for libels against some of the most respectable booksellers in London . Manchester , and other places . A prosecution had been instituted against a man for publishing the works of one of our greatest poets . Those prosecutions were disgraceful to the age in which we lived ,
and would be disgraceful to the Attorney-Genera ] if he did not stop them . ( Hear , tear . ) He should vote for the amendment of the Hon . Member for Finsbury , believing that it became ihe House to take some steps to put an end to this sew system , which was contrary to law , humanity , and justice . Lord J . RUSSELL said that if any hardship had been inflicted , the proper way would have been to have brought in a Bill to alter the prison discipline —( hear , hear );—but the object of the motion before the House appeared to him to be to have some great sympathy excited for political offenders . ( Hear , hear . ) " 'was no easy matter , when the country was in a state of great disturbance—when they heard of houses being destroyed in one place—of people marching in arms in another—and people coming on « J 1 sides , asking for the protection of
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Stroops , for a more vigorous enforcement of lawfe , and for new and more severe laws . It was not an easy matter to meet all those dangers , and to apply Sw f ***** be applied , without being mistaken as to the cases , so as to obtain the punishment of those persons who were putting in jeopardy the persons and property , of the well-disposed part of the community . ( Hear , hear . ) That was no very easy task ; but when that task had been executed , and W ° ? dy felt alam aQy longer , it was not very diincult to get up complaints of one person being harshly treated with regard to a prison dress , ' and another with having diet of a particular quality , and other grievances of that description . Ha begged to observe that they had only been treated as persons convicted of misdemeanours . Then it had been said they had been treated differently from those who were in former times convicted of political offences and seditious libels ; but he bagged to state . troora f XisHraSS ^ * v . 1 ^ ¦ , .: . " »<«»> aangers , ana to apply
that exciting the people to rebellion , as many of these prisoners had done , oould not be compared to an ordinary and seditious libel . He did not doubt that , in some of theBe cases , the operation of a change in our laws with regard to prison discipline , might for a time have borne with undue severity on some individuals ; but he thought the cases in which complaints had been made , had been treated by his Noble Friend the Secretary for the Home Department with all the attention they wanted . The Noble Lord then defended the course which the Government had taken with regard to Lovett and Collins , Feargus O'Connor , and others , and concluded by saying , he trusted the House would not agree to the vague resolution of the Hon . Member for Finsbury . it was impossible to say what would be the effect of it ; but it was one of those kind of resolutions that only made complaint of the general administration of justice , and could answer no good purpose . ( Hear , hear . ) r '
Mr . HUME was sorry that the Noble Lord had attempted to justify the treatment which had been adopted towards the Chartist prisoners . The complaints of the petitioners were that , under the present Government the treatment of political offenoes was sush as it had never before been in this country . He _ could not forget the agitation that was c 3 r . ® ated throughout the country upon the Reform Bill , when the whole country demanded constitutional reform . There was not one on the Treasury bench who were not as culpable as Potts , Carrier , and Roberts , if these unfortunate persons had attended seditious or unlawful meetings . All that those meetings had been called for was an extension of the suffrage , and one of the largest petitions
ever presented to tnat House was in favour of that measure . He was sorry that the Noble Lord had assumed the tone the House had heard that evening , instead of looking to the causes of the discontent that existed among the working classes . He hoped his Hon . Friend would divide the House upon his motion , and he ( Mr . Hume ) would cordially register his vote against that atrocious conduct which , for the first time in the annals of our hiBtory , had been introduced by the present Government . Sir R . PEEL believed he had advised the Government to try the efficacy of the existing laws before they sought for any new powers . He had more sympathy for those who were ignorant , and who had been goaded on to commit overt acts , than he had
for those who deluded others , in order that if successful they might come forward and reap the fruit of the harvest . At the Bame time they ought not to be subiected to any inflictions the law did not warrant ; but the question was , did the law warrant the infliction of punishments wnich those parties now complaining had experienced ! ( Hear . ) If it did not , surely they had a remedy . The law would not tolerate any illegal imprisonment , and if the law had been broken , and they had been subjected to punishment which the law did not warrant , why did not those who felt a sympathy for them appeal to the Courts of Law for redress ! ( Hear . ) And if the Jaw ought to be altered why not submit a preposition to Parliament for its alteration ! ( Hear
, hear . ) In 1823 , he ( Sir Robert Peel ) had introduced a Bill which become law regulating the discipline of prisons . ( Hear , hear . ) It was not magistrates or gaolers , therefore , but the House of Commons that was responsible for the deviating from the former system . It was formerl y said the law made no distinction between the rich and the poor , and it was on account of the prevalence of those feelings that the law was altered , because men of education and men of intelligence deserved less sympathy , if they committed offences , than those who were their deluded victims . ( Hear , hear . ) But he would also contend that the House of Commons vras not the proper tribnnal to appeal to in cases of this description . He did not mean to say the House of
Commons was not the authority which the State contemplated should take jurisdiction of these matters in cases of abuse , bat if they once began mistrusting the Executive Government , the four nights of the week on which such questions might be brought forward , would not be sufficient to adjudicate on tbose questions . He objected to dealing with the Bubject by resolution ; if any alteration was required , the only ejfectual way of accomplishing that object was by altering the law . He should decidedly vote against the resolution . Mr . AGLIONBY , after all that he had heard from the Right Hon . Baronet , the Noble Lord , and the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department , was confirmed in the opinion that it was his
duty to vote for the resolution of the Hon . Member for Finsbury . ( Hear . ) Tho Hon . Member then referred to the rules and regulations of the Warwick gaol , and contended that they were not only a disgrace to the laws of our country , but that they excited sympathy in favour of offenders . The Right Hon . Baronet said " alter the law , " and it had been proposed to do bo in that House , but had been rejected in another place . Was it a new precedent to refer to that House in cases of this description Nothing was more common and these complaints had been entertained at all times , and generally referred to a Select Committee . With respect to Bympathy he begged to repudiate the supposition that in voting for this motion he had any sympathy
whatever with persons guilty of sedition or other political Offences . ( Hear , hear . ) One great evil of the present system was the multiplicity of Acts , and the extreme uncertainty of the law —( hear , hear)—and though it was supposed it was understood in that House , he doubted whether there were many Hon . Gentlemen who did really understand it . ( Hear , hear . ) The Noble Lord had somewhat misstated the fact , and had been cheered in doing bo with respect to the imprisonment of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , who had himself stated in his first petition , that he was placed with other prisoners at his own request , and had not complained of this , as he was represented to have done . ( Hear , hear . ) It was to be remarked , with reference to the various
statements that had been received , that the statements of the prisoners were received with great susp icion , while those of the Visiting Magistrates were immediately adopted as correct . The Right Hon . Baronet had not stated in his speech , and he begged to call his attention to the fact , that he approved of the treatment as felons of persons convicted of political offences . He voted for the motion , and not upon technical details , thinking that no person convicted of a political offence should be treated as a felon . Mr . C . BULLER rose amid lond cries for a division . He would detain the House bat a few minutes . He begged to call attention to the fact
that the persons whose cases were then before the House were guilty of those offences which had ever been designated as political . Their cages were the Bame in principle as those of Sir F . Burdett , Leigh Hunt , Mr . Cobbett , and others , who were never treated as felons , employed in degrading occupations , fed on felons' fare , made to be their own tailors , or to suffer the illegal punishment of the itch . ( Laughter . ) He thought this was not the time to increase the severity of punishment for these offences , and that the doing so would only create a feeling among the people that it was done with reference solely to the interests of a class . ( Hear , hear , hear . )
Mr . HAMILTON had told the Hon . Member for Finsbury he should support his motion , and , with all deference for the Right Hon . Baronet the leader of his side of the House , he had heard no argument which induced him to do otherwise . He hoped that the effect of the debate would be to produce the desired alteration in prison discipline . Mr . WILLIAMS rose to move that the debate should be adjourned to Friday next . ( No , no . ) He thought the question was one of great importance , and that as many Hon . Gentlemen were desirous of expressing their opinions , an opportunity should be afforded them of doing so . ( Go on , go on . ) In compliance with the wish of the House , then , he
would proceed . The Hon . Gentleman then proceeded to contrast the treatment of former political offenders with those whose case was now before the House . Would the Right Honourable Baronet have suffered Sir Francis Burdett to be imprisoned and treated in such a manner t ( Hear . ) He was certain that he would not ; and , moreover , that if be had been in power , he would not have suffered it ia the case of these persons . The question was net whether these men had been guilty of Beditioas offences of greater or less magnitude , bat whether their treatment in prison was such as it ought to have been ! ( Hear , hear . ) He thought the conduct of tfce Government had beenlughly reprehensible , and ite should therefore vote for ihe motion o £ th « Hon . Member for Firisbniy . ( Hear , hear . )
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said no one regretted more that he did any unnecessary harshness that might have been shown to those convicted in the recent prose cutiona . He believed that when such cases were brought before the consideration of the Governtaen' ; , they had been corrected as Boon as theinformatiori had been received ; but when he found attempt g made to excite sympathy in favour of those convict edby exclaiming againBt tne new hardships © f ibb * . Hating these convictions , he felt it his duty to ent' jr bis protest against it . In former times political offences were understood to be attacks npon the Minister of the day . Whatever gave offence V j the feelings of individuals was a libel , and the AtV jrney-Generals of former times used to file infwant uions « r qfficig for such publications as libels
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SHe was not then going to enter into an invidious Jdistinction between the present and past Govern-° W Put the prosecutipM for what were now called political offences ,, were for direct incitemeuts 0 u xm ?' . He had had the honwir of being Attorne \» General longer than any individual during the present century , yet he had filed only one « r offido information for a libel , and in conducting that pro-^ H iu . H i oId the i « y tiMfcanlew they believed the defendant ' s intention was to incite to insurrection and plunder it would be their duty to acquit him . ( Hear , hear . ) That gaestion was put fcuml * * * % ^ * he mry , who , without hesitation , ? n « l tK r r a ° ¦ f F lltJ - Nowt . he said the individual thus found guilty ought not to be treated with &va ? tt 2 j&s £ ments . but the nraflAftiitinaa fin > vhat «» . » m »
unnecessary narBhness , but was this persoa to be considered as guilty only of what was called a poli-« iw ? ^' - an £ to * i ? ve the sympathies of mankind caiiea tor tn in his favour as one who waa persecuted and oppressed ! ( Hear . ) He was engaged in proaecutions at Newport , Bradford , and Sheffield , in which tne prisoners were convicted , and were now undergoing the sentences of transportation or imprisonment . Mr . Feargns O'Connor boasted that he had not appeared in any of those transactions , but he v I A l , ! y General ) said that the publication of that which had a direct tendency , and with the intention to excite to crime , was one equal to that of which those persons had been convicted . This was the only ex-qffido information he had filed . He had presented Bills to the grand juries , and it was 0 Wing j to the 8 e an < * the E ettv juries having done their duty , and taken a different view of the case to
some Hon . Gentlemen ,, that the peace of the country had been preserved . ( Hear . ) He thought it his duty to protest against exciting sympathy in favour of those who had violated the law and committed offences which the safety of the country required should be visited with severe punishment . Mr . MUNTZ said some Hon . Members had expressed surprise that he had taken no part in the debate , but at the period the disturbances which bad ™ £ m ened t 0 occurred in Birmingham he was ^ Ul > miles distant from that place , and all he knew on the subjeot was from hearsay . But with respect to the motion before the House , whether the blamefor there was blame somewhere—attached to the Government or to the Magistrates was the same thing to him ; and to Lovett and Collins , and as the resolution only stated that blame attached to some one , he should support it . ( Hear , hear . )
Mr . T . pUNCOMBErose to explam , with reference to the petition whioh he had presented , and to which allusion had been made . Vincent wrote to him , informing him of the hardship he endured from the severity of t | he prison discipline , and added "If you think that a petition would have any effect , and will make it known to us by letter , we will immediately forward one for presentation , '' whereupon he ( Mr . D . ) wrote him— " I have received your letter , and think the best thing you can do Will be for each to send me a petition , setting forth all the circumstances connected with hiB case , takinjr care
that the allegations are short and clear , and above all , that every fact touching your treatment is rather under than over-stated , and I will again call tho attention of the House to the subject . " ( Hear , hear . ) There was , therefore , no ground for saying he sought the petitions , for the petitions sought him , and he felt it his duty to present them , as he now did , to take the sense of the House on the motion . ( Hear , hear . ) After a few words from Mr . F . MAULE , which were inaudible , strangers were ordered to withdraw , and the House divided , when there appeared—For the motion to go into Committee of Supply 117 For Mr . Duncombe ' s amendment 29
Majority against Mr . Duncombe ' s amendment —88 The Committee of Supply was postponed till Monday .
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. The Banished Cotton Spinners . ——a crowded meeting of the inhabitants ' of Glasgow was held in the Mechanics'Hall , on Wednesday evening last * to adopt the most efficient . measures to give these men a welcome home , ' suitable to the cause-for which they have suffered . Mr . H . Alexander , being appointed to the chair , read the placard calling the meeting . He then remarked , he hoped jthat the meeting -would separate the case of these men altogether from politics . It was entirely the cause of labour against the power of capital , in which the cotton spinners had suffered ; and he trusted that all who took part in the business would confine themselves to the real objects of the meeting . It was actions—and not mere harangues—that would best testify the interest they felt in the fate of these men , and it was for them to do their duty , as they had always dona , hitherto , when , the claims of justice or suffering humanity were brought before their notice . ( Cheers . ) He concluded by Introducing Mr . H . IX araham , who , on rising , was received with a . bant of
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«cheering . He said , often aa he bad claimed the indulgence of a Glasgow public on former occasions , never did be appear to take part in a public business with greater pleasure . He would submit a resolution for their consideration . It was to the effect— "That this meeting dd sympathise with the five men who have suffered in the cause of human liberty , bat who are now free from the chains of slavery , severed by the ¦ virtuous clemency of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen—while we feel satisfied that the men have experienced the fate of felons , unmerited by any crime but that of the patriot , it is our decided determination to enter into arrangements to procure a sufficient sum to place them beyond the reach of want on their arrival in Glasgow . " Aa other speakers were to follow , he . s * sri ^ l a \ a i > -a . a ~~ . _ T _ » . £ - * . ""™ ««»» ' « m » . never
would not take up their time with farther comment Mr . John Nibloei , in an eloquent and feeling speech , seconded the resolution , which was then put from the Chair , and unanimmsly agreed to . Mr . John e&irdner moved the next resetation , which was for " the appointment of a Committee » f the various trades , to- raise subscriptions to place * the five cotton spinners in cwesmstances worthy of the cause in which they had suffered . " Mr . R . Malcolm , jvm ., seconded the motion , ' wnich was also carried unanimously . A large and influential committee , from amongst the trade , was then appointed , with power to add to their number . Mr . H . D . Graham again rose , and Baid—As it was of the greatest importance to the Buccess of the cause , that they should have an individual to met as treasurer , whose
reputation for integrity was beyond suspicion , he thought there was not a man answering that description better than Mr . George Ross , of Prince ' s-street He was a man in whom the trades of Glasgow could place unbounded confidence—he would , therefore , move his election as treasurer to the fund for these men . Mr ; John Gairdner seconded the motion . He said the appointment of Mr . Ross as treasurer was not a matter of politics at all . It was not because Mr . Ross was a Chartist—but because he was au honest man—that he seconded his appointment This was a matter in which Tories , Chartists , or Whigs mind lend a hand . It was the shrine of . suffering humanity ; and men of every grade could bend at it ( Applauss . j The motion was then put , and unanimously carried . Thanks being voted to the Chairman , the meeting broke up .
Chartist Meeting ik Shotts . —This meeting was held in the bam of Mr . Russell , farmer . The numbers present , showed that Chartism in this quarter is in a very lively c ndition . Mr . John Robertson , on being called to the chair , briefly stated the object of the meeting , and called upon Mr . Duncan Robertson , who , after delivering an able and convincing address , moved the first resolution , which was to the effect- ^ " That this meeting feels highly indignant at her Majesty ' s present Ministers , and cannot refrain from expressing the contempt and scorn , which the actions » f these pitiful imbeciles has excited . That we sincerely sympathise with Feargus O'Connor , and all others Buffering for political offences , truly considering them the victims of malicious tyrants , and we
thereby pledge ourselves never to relax our exertions , until our persected brethren of England and Wales are restored to liberty , and the now enslaved millions of these realms are put in possession of the rights and privileges of freemen . " Mr . John Kyle , after a few excellent remarks , seconded the resolution , which was put by the Chairman , and carried unanimously . Mr . James Walker then came forward , and after delivering a spirit-stirring address , moved , " That this meeting agree to petition the Commons' House of Parliament to restore Frost , Williams , and Jonea to liberty , their country , and families , and to grant a free pardon to Feargus O'Connor and all others incarcerated for political offences . " Mr . Duncan M'Arthur , after a number of pointed observations , showing it to be a duty incumbent « n every one to endeavour to alleviate distress
and that every being , whether rational or irrational , if in a Buffering state , ought to share our compassion , seconded the resolution , which was put from the chair , and carried unanimously . Mr . James M'Donald , of Dundyvan Iron Works , was then introduced to the meeting by the Chairman , and delivered a long and admirable address , which was received with loud cheers . The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to Mr . M'Donald for bis visit and address , which was heartily responded to . Mr . Ferguson , in a speech which did honour to his head and heart , proposed a vote of thanks to Mr . Russell for the use of the barn , which was heartily responded to . Three cheers was then given for Feargus O'Connor and the other persecuted Chartists . A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting broke up at a late hour .
Public Meeting . —Triumph of the Chartists . —A public meeting was held in the Old Low Church , Paisley , on Wednesday , 1 st July , to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament against the contemplated reduction of the duty upon India manufactures . Mr . Cochrane moved the following amendment : — ' That this meeting is of opinion that the contemplated reduction of the duty upon India manufactures is one . of the many proofs of the evil effects of exclusive legislation , and that justice will not be done for the people , till the franchise is extended to
every male of lawful age , of sound mind , and unconvicted of crime . " Mr . Cochrane spoke at some length in . Bupp « rt of his amendment ; and Mr . Leich , in a very able address , seconded it After some discussisn , in which Messrs . Flnlay , M'Callum , and Parkhill took part , a show of hands were taken for the amendment and the motion , when the former was carried by a great majority , a few hands only having been held up for the motion . Three cheers were then given for the Charter , and the incarcerated patriots , and the meeting broke up .
pollockshaws—Public Meeting . —On Monday evening last , one of the largest and most spirited public meetings ever held in this burgh , was convened in the Town Hall , to hear a deputation from Glasgow on the principles of the Charter , and on other interesting matters connected with the popular cause . From the number present , including as it did nearly the whole of the venerable and most zealous Radicals of the working population , who have signalised themselves by their energetic advocacy of the principles of Chartism on
former times—also not a few of the middle class men ; and from the order and marked attention paid to the different speakers , we augur a powerful reaction in this ancient burgh in favour of the Chartist movement The enthusiastic plaudits which greeted several of the appeals of Messrs . Malcolm and Jack , formed a striking contrast to the breathless attention with which other parts of their addresses were listened to , and sufficiently proved that our principles have taken deep root in the minds of the men of Pollockahaws , and are likely to yield a harvest of agitation .
Calton and Mile-End Female Universal Suffrage Association , Glasgow . —a public meeting of this Association was held in the Marlboroughstreet Infant School , on Wednesday evening last , Miss Elizabeth Lindsay in the chair . Mr . A . Dickson , Secretary to the Association , having read the minutes of the previous meeting , intimated that , in obedience to the instructions of committee , he had prepared au address to the females of Calton and Mile End , oa the necessity of their enrolling themselves as members of the Association , which he would read to the meeting . Mr . Dickson then read the address , which was ordered to be printed and circulated throughout the district The chairwoman introduced Mr . Jack , from Glasgow , who addressed the meeting upon the interest which females have in the affairs of the country , and the part they ought to take in the Chartist agitation . Mr . Drummond then sung , with taste and effect , two excellent songs ; and after transacting some minor business , the meeting broke up .
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PROCLAMATION AGAINST TEETOTAL PROCESSIONS . By the Lord Lieutenant-General and General Governor of Ireland . A PROCLAMATION . Ebrington . —It having been represented to the Lord Lieutenant that processions of Temperance Societies have , in some instance . * , borne an appearance hurtful to the feelings of a portion of their fellow-subjects , as seem ing to partake of the nature of party displays , his Excellency feels bound , especially after his proclamation respecting other processions , to give a caution to the members of these Societies .
To the benefit which the temperance pledge has conferred upon Ireland , in the improved habits of the people , and the diminution of outrage , his Excellency bears a willing and grateful testimony ; but it is not the less his duty to impress upon all persons who have associated themselves under that pledge , that their processions become amenable to the law equally with those of any other Societies , if they exhibit any party emblems , or are accompanied by music playing party tunes . He trusts , therefore , that all friends of sobriety and good order will be particularly studious to avoid any demonstrations which can possibly be construed into party exhibitions , or can give reasonable cause of offence or alarm to any of their countrymen .
Given at her Majesty ' s Castle of Dublin , this 7 th day of July , 1840 . . By hiB Excellency ' s command , N . H . MACDONALD , —Dublin Mail .
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WESTMINSTER COURT OF REQUESTS . A' 1 * pppy in Court . —Richard Morton , a young man rus ' tily dressed , but with wristbands turned some six inches over the cuffs of his coat , rings on his fingers , an eye-glass attached to a heavy brassy looking chain , and a puppy in . his arms , attended to show cause against his paying his washerwoman ' s bill to the amount Of 6 s . 4 jd . The plaintiff having stated her oase , The , defendant pleaded his shirts had been so scandalously washed that they were not fit to be seen in ,, and that he told the plaintiff if they were not better " got up , " he would not pay for them . The washerwoman declared that there was not a speck upon the linen when it was sent home , and that it was as white as snow .
" It ' s false , " said that the defendant in . a pompous manner .: -. ¦< ¦ ., - . ¦ . ; . - . - ¦ ¦ ¦ - ; -.. . . ' .-. ; - - " It ' s not false , " said the plaintiff pretty tartly , "and the reason why you refuse to pay me is , because you choose to go to sk \ Ule-pl » ying of nishtB , and in a boat up to Batterwa of a Sunday .
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to wS ^ '" exd »™ ed «> e defendant , in a very towe "n g nionumentish race . An ^ F ' ^ " * *" ' washerwoman . ^ SS S ^^ sSSS ^ 'i ^ l l ^ s ^^ v ^**^* « YnT , ° kn ^ w apti » ! " 8 nouted * W washeSmSl ar ^ UTt olHfso ^^ - ^ ™*» -W « J deStf ^ PUPPy hWe yelped aDd ¦ *»*« »«* ouf Smjo" ? ° ( lM * hing ) " ! : )®« e »» Pnt . Ae P »» PPy ^ - ^ n ^^ towerine . monnmnntiah »••»> ' *
Mr . Richard Morton looked hard at the Commissioner , and lost all his pomposity and half his cokmr The Commissioner ( to the plaintiff)—Woman be quiet . You ( addressing the defendant ) say that you ^ linen , when sent home , was not fit to wear ? Defendant—Certainly not . I'll swear that it was not . . , The Commissioner ( looking at the defendant ray tiier siguificantly)—Will you swear you did not weac the linen that was " not fit to be seen in 1 " The defendant held down his head , played with , his eye glass , and patted his puppy . The Court immediately decided that he was to pay the demand forthwith . " What , do you think of yourself now , puppy V said the plaintiff , with an aggravating grin of triumph .
. J > —you , " thundered Mr . Richard Morton , giving hia puppy an unlucky knock on the head as h ^ suited the action to the word , u X el P » ? el P » v « l Pt" mouthed tho animal . Turn that puppy out of Court , " said a Commissioner . „ " Ye 8 * . turn him out , " shouted the washerwoman . " Turn him out . " : ~ r . Mr . Richard Morton went off , " looking , " as the plaintiff said , " like a ha ' perth of soap after a hard day s washing . "
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THE MADHOUSE SYSTEM . "Publicity is the soul ef justice . "—Jeremy Bentham . x *^ followi ng expose of the abuses of the Private ) Madhouse System is extracted from a series of lettfF to tbe Editor of the Satirist , written by Mr . Richard Paternoster , whose case occupied so much of public attention sometime since : — "It wa 3 about eeven o ' clock in the evening when I was leftby Mr . Wing and the Rev . Mr . Worthington in finch s madhouse . Mr . Worthington sneaked away first , promising to come the following day and see mo . I need hardly say that he never came near me the whole time I was imprisoned . It was not t » be supposed that a clergyman who could take so conspicuous a part in such an outrage , would afterwards take any measures for my welfare , more
consistent with humanity and his sacred calling . From that time till my discharge he did what lay in his power to keep me in for life . " Mr . Wing ' s chief anxiety seemed to be about my escape , and he kept urging on Finch the necessity of looking after me , keeping me safe , not letting me go , &c , &c . When Finch had apparently quieted his mind upon this subject , he also departed in triumph over his victim . Now mark here the conduct of Finch to the lunatic . Mr . Wine was bo fearful of my escape , that he insihted on a keeper sleeping in the same room with me ; thia man would have been Launcelot Sharpe , the *••••*?*! And while I mention this circumstance , already alluded to in former parts of my narrative , I may take the liberty of observing that if one single atom of feeling of rectitude exists in the bosoms of those who ordered and abetted the atrocious outrage on me , they must
shudder at the knowledge of this dreadful fact , and on the reflection of what might have been the consequences . My delicacy revolted at the idea of having ' a low ruffian to sleep in the same room , and I earnestly protested against such an indignity . Of course all remonstrances with Mr . Wing were useless , but after some time Finch said that if I would pledge my word that I would not attempt to escape , I should be allowed a room to myself ! A lunatic required to pledge his word not to escape ! Mr . Wing afraid of losing hiB victim j and Mr . Finch afraid of losing his pay 1 Does this savour of insanity or punishment ! Of course I was bat too happy to to secure privacy on such terms , and had the unspeakable comfort of a bedroom to myself during the whole of my confinement ; I was , however , the only person in the place who enjoyed this benefitthe others were stowed away as thick as they could lie .
" When my two enemies had gone , I was ordered by Finch to follow him ; I was taken along a passage , through , double doors which divided the private part of the house from the prison , and put into a small room ; I felt myself now surrounded by all the horrors of ! a madhouse . Some wretched stuff called tea , and two slices of bread and butter , were soon after brought in , and I was desired to eat , but this was impossible . It required all the resolution I possessed to support myself in my forlorn and cruel situation ; I felt as if my heart would burst , but my pride would not let me betray the weakness of human nature before such ruffians as surrounded me ; I felt that I was in the most horrible of prisons , completely cut off from all association with the world , at the
mercy ot my inveterate persecutors , and without any power to appeal to for protection ; my property , too , was left without defence , and I suffered the agonizing idea that my enemies , having secured me , would at once seize upon my effects and papers , a thing whioh they did the very same night in utter defiance of all law , breaking open aniT examining all my letters from my brotherand others ; in short , every document I possessed , and carrying the whole away to make such use of as they required . 11 Mr . Finch never uttered one word of kindness or consolation to me ; all seemed to come natural to him , as a matter of business ; he had got another victim , and that was enough . Little diet he caloulate upon the exposure which the next moraine ' s
papers would produce . Had I been a wild beast , I could not have been treated with more brutality . To say I did not feel the most intense agony and despair , would be absurd ; but I thank God that I did not betray tho weakness of human nature before the beings by whom I was surrounded . My pride rose with the indignities offered me . I disappointed these low ruffians at least of a triumph . I bore up outwardly , and concealed my feelings ; but in truth I feared I should go mad . No course could by possibility have been pursued more likely to drive one to insanity , and that this result was hoped and calculated on , there cannot be the least doubt . " Now , I would ask , where in such a case is the protection to the liberty and safety of the subieot . so
much boasted of in this country ! Once captured , I was in the hands of those whose interest it was to ruin me bodily and mentally . I was surrounded by tbe brutal , hirelings of the private prison-keeper , whose , sole aim it was to destroy my reason , in order that he might be paid for my custody for life . Again and again do I reiterate the enormity of this principle , and declare that there can be no safety for any individual so long as private madhouses are allowed to exist . ' No time was lost in commencing their diabolical work . The keeper Sharpe was placed to watch over me in the room . Every now and then other keepers came in to stare at me , and insnlt me by all sorts of questions and remarks made to me and to each other . I remained perfectly quiet , keeping complete command over myself—for I saw clearly their object . Sharpe continued abusincr me
in the grossest terms , telling the others , " damn him , he nearly broke my head . By G-r-d I will teach him to be quiet here ; if I could but have pat a pair of handcuffs on him—damn him , " &c . 4 c . Another keeper , George Hillier , went on thus , I say old fellow ,. what ' a your name ? " T to ] d him , Pa-tbbnos-teh . What a name I It will be enough for me if I call you Mr . Noster , I . suppose ? " I replied , " You may call me what you please . " " Well , Mr . Noster , you ' re a tailor , arn ' t you ? I say , what ' s your father 1 Noster , isn ' t your mother **«?*?» and a vast deal more in the same style , which I cannot repeat , the other keepers laughing and jeering , and trying to provoke me by all possible means . I made no answer to all this . I Bat quiet , bearing all , and I must , Jn justice to myself , say that I think human nature never before bore such insults and provocation with equal patience .
"One . falsestep at this time would have ruined me . What protection to me , I ask , were the commissioners ! . Could I appeal to them , write to them , see them , make them acquainted with the treatment I experienced t Oh , no 1 I could not even tell them I was a captive , in order that they might see whether I was justly and properly there or not ; and had it not been for the exposure which so soon followed my capture , there might I have remained for months without seeing them ; and when , at last they did see me , in one ot ¦ their quarterly , visitations , in what state should I have probably have been , exoosed
during the whole period to every torture of body and anguish , of mind which my malignant persecutors could impose t Imagination can conceive nothing more horrible ; yet after all the exposure that has taken , place of the atrocities of the system , the l » w remains unchanged , and what I describe may be the fate of any of my readers ere another day has passed To talk of personalliberty , while the present law of lunacy ; exists , is * mere mockejry ; no man ' s P « i 30 B or property is secure a single hour . « W V » . *' Richard Patrwostkb . "Haymarket . "
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AmtrCoxii Law Agitators . —We perceive tha these worthies have announced a grana field-day on Monday next , at the Corn Exchange , Manchester : We presume this is to retrieve , if possible , the discomfiture they suffered on Tuesday evening last , when an operative named Leach so confounded and refuted : their cleverest lecturer , Row , as not merely to gain a hostile audience over , but to compel the exert fallen agitator to make his escape with precipitate terror . The truth is , the working elas ** an no longer to be deluded or excited by any such nonwnae . —Mmwhettrr Chrmkk .
Agitation Int Scotland . „
AGITATION INT SCOTLAND . „
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HOUSE OF LORDS .-A / on < % , July 13 . The Timber Ships' Bill was read the third time and passed . Lord Melbourne , in answer to the inquiries of Lord Lyndhurst , expressed bis belief that an arrangement had been entered into with the Sicilian Government on the subjeot of the sulphur trade—an arrangement securing compensation to British subjects so soon as their claims should become substantiated . Lord Melbourne delivered the following message from her Majesty [ on the subject of a Regency Bill ] : —
" The uncertainty of human life , aud a deep sense of my duty to my people , render it incumbent upon me to recommend to you to take into consideration the contingency which may hereafter occur , and to take such provision as the circumstances may seem to you to require , for the exercise of the royal authority . " 1 shall be prepared to concur with you in such measures as may appear best calculated to maintain unimpaired the power and dignity of the Grown , and thereby to strengthen the securities that protect the rights and liberties of my people . " Lord Melbourne gave notice that he should tomorrow move that her Majesty's message be taken into consideration . The Canada Government Bill , as amended , was , after some further discussion , read the third time and passed .
The Marquis of Westminster presented a petition against the Weaver Churches Bill , after which their Lordships adjourned . . m HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Monday , July 13 . Lord John Russell presented a message from her Majesty , similar to that forwarded to the House of Lords . His Lordship stated that a measure would , in consequence , be introduced into the other House , that being the most respectful mode of proceeding , in so far as her Majesty was conserned . An address upon the message was moved aud adopted . Sir E . Wilmot inquired , in regard to the Birmingham Charter , when its precise character and validity would be established ? Mr . Fox Maule said that , not being conversant with judicial matters , he could not answer ; and neither the Attorney nor Solicitor- General were present .
CoL Slbthorp wanted to know -why the Attorney-General was not present ? Lord J . Russell stated that th « Attorney-General had not quite so much leisure as the Hon . and Gallant Member . Sir R . Peel observed that he had made inquiry respecting some papers relative to the boundary question before the Easter recess . Those papers had been promised at an early period , but had not yet been produced . He should not think it a satisfactory answer to state that further papers had been since received , as the first batch ought at all events to be laid upon the table before this time .
Lord Palmerston answered that he must take the responsibility of the non-production of those papers upon himself . He had been anxious to present , at the same time with these papers , the report of the commissioners appointed to make the survey . These papera and that report were now printed , and would be laid on the table in a few days . Sir R . Peel—Will that report be laid upon the table in extenso f Lord Pabnerston—Yes . Sir R . Peel—Without omission or abridgement ?
Lord Palmerston replied in the affirmative . There was one point of the boundary which the commissioner ! had not been able to Burvey as mluutely as could be desired , and be afterwards appointed two other commissioners , who had since completed the Burvey . He thought it might be satisfactory to add , that her Majesty ' s Government , since the communication from the United States Government during the last year , had sent 'out to the United States for a definitive convention finally to settle the boundary question . Sir Robert Peel asked whether that proposition was founded on the basis of the proposition made by the United States Government , or was it & new proposition which the Government may feel itself at liberty to accept or reject . ¦ Lord Palmerston rejoined that it was founded on the basis of the proposition made by the United States .
Sir F . Burdett inquired whether any order had been sent to York Castle , to prevent Mr . Feargus O'Connor from forwarding any more petitions ? Mr . Fox Maule answered that he knew nothing of any such order . The House afterwards went into committee of supply , in which the resolutions on tbe remaining miscellaneous and civil contingency estimates , and on the extra estimates , were moved . Col . Sibthorp , in the committee brought forward the case of the various payments made to Dr . Bowring : and he and Mr . Goulburn spoke of the dangerons character of such precedents , of paying a Member of Parliament for services performed , and condemned the secrecy with . which such payments were made .
The Chancellor of the Exchequer defended the payments , contending that many similar payments bad been made to Members of Parliament , to Mr . Blackburn , Mr . Frankland Lewis ,: Sir Inglis , &c , for . acting as Chairman . There was much discussion on it .
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THE NORTHERN STAR . "' ' »? fl s
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 18, 1840, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2693/page/3/
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