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(Prt^mal Csrrestoomiente (Prtawal CsrresfcBomienfc
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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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TO THB JSD 1 TOB OP THE SOBT&EBiC STAR . Sis , —1 hope you -will be kind enough to insert this letter from R . J . Richardson ( to the Bumky National Association ) is your valuable Joaraal this -week , And you will oblige yours , Thomas Pickahd . Burnley , July H . 18 * 0 .
-THE CA . STLE ,- JULY 9 TH , 1840 . " Sweet are the uses of adversity . "—Shaktpeart . Deab Sib , —Though I am immured within the precincts of a dungeon ; though I am surrounded by the instruments of despotism ; though I am doomed to nine long months of tbe most rigorous confinement nay , though I hare to bear ' " * * The -whips and scorns of time ,-The oppressor's -wrong , the proud man ' s contumely , And ail the ilia -which flesh is heir to , " Yet , in the very midst of my adversity , I discoTer that
there is still a Tirtue that shines resplendent through tbe mnriy gloom of misfortune : that Tirtue stands the highest in the scale of human actions , because it adds jaore lustre to the human character . Need I Bay that it U gratitude ? Yes , it is gratitude , the most inestimable of all human blessings . It is a Tirtue that most adorns the individual character ; and wherever it abounds most there will public Tirtue be predominant over the subtleties of vice . In mine adversity I needed hope , and whilst contemplating upon the sentiment of a line in the works of our immortal hard :
" The world is not thy friend , nor the world ' s law , " Your grateful token of my serrioes reached my hands . Then did I feel , yes , indeed , I felt the " uses of ad-Tenrity . ' - Accept my grateful thank * , at present they are all I can bestow , but be aBsnred , and let this bear the record , your tribute of respect tat my poor services in jour cause shall not be lost upon me . Though in a dungeon , shut out from the world by the cruel hand of the Jaw , still am I with you , battling against the enemies of freedom ; and so long as I exist upon this mortal stage , you may command my poor
• emcee . I cannot distemble : my doctrines an before the world in a tangible form . The British Constitu tion—King , Lards , and Commons ; popular elections lor those who make the laws , and for those who administer them ; an armed militia of the whole people to vphold . the laws , and the authority of the Exeeattre ; and aa impartial trial by Jury of ill persons charged with offences against the laws . These are the fundamental principles of my political doctrines r they are the rights of Englishmen , and as such you will ever fine me ready to defend them .
As a Protestant—a member of the Church of Rngland , I am tolerant , supporting only the doctrines of the Reformation , and not the corruptions that defile many of its ministers , or the impurities that disgrace the sacred order of our religion . I am opposed to all Church patronage , pluracies , clerical sinecures , and Toluptuom dignitaries ; the improper use of tithes , glebes , offerings , oblations , dues , surplice fees , and other elerieal exactions : and whilst 1 -would support my own Church with a ) l the fervour of a Christian , 1 would not oppose any heterodox notions in others , nor exact from any man a farthing in support of my Church or my religion . These are ray opinions . I record them freely , that you may not be deceived in me ; and I hope 1 shall be rrer found a consistent advocate of any question relatiTe to the aboye doctrines .
The people have been most grossly deceiTed by false leathers , hypocrites , and woItes in &beep " s clothing , by plausible sycophants well versed in all the language of foQe and dissimulation . Their gratltade has been abused ; those on whom public faTour smiled and reaped a golden harvest ia the sunshine of poplarity , have turned round upon the people and their honest leaders , and assailed them and the principles they advocate . Such conduct on the part of some individuals for a Bme hath stemmed the tide of public gratitude , but I am happy to see the people throw off that fceEng of reluctance and come forward to support those who are within the merciless snap of the law . it is ikeir duty ; patriotism demands its performance , and 1 ippe the peopte will not relax in their endeavours to wpport everyjfan new suffering in the popular cause . It will eheer the solitary moments of those who pine in prison , ^ Bay , it -wfll disarm persecution of its terrors and mortify the TindictiTe hearts of their persecutors .
Tell the men of Burnley and its neighbourhood I am still the same man I was when 1 first addressed them . Tell the women too , I am still an adTocate for their rights , Ball the fearless enemy < rf the accursed Jf ew Poor Law , tat would separate them from the partners of their affections , from their children , the ot&pring of their loTe , still an enemy of the heartless , greedy , grasping , cotton masters , who drag them from their homes , their children from their b-da , to toil and swe&t away their existence to enrich their sordid hoards . O , tell Bwm it would gire me great pleasure to aid inrestoring them to their homes , where they ought to be , following
their domestic employments , their children to the school and to their play-ground , encouraging nature In her efforts to mature and perfect the image of their Creator . Deeply do I deplore their situation , and neartOy do I condemn eTery cause which compels them to fiy to the manufactories for the means of support , andj am . exceedingly indignant at the infamous conduct of the Legislature in tampering and playing ii £ h the lives of the factory -workers , and under the jretfence of compassionate legislation , they pass acts which are a blot upon the statute book , repugnant to humanity , and a disgrace to our Christian country .
I will take the earliest opportunity of ratifying these By opinions before the Radical Reformers of Burnley ad the neighbourhood . Time alone can prove my bOh and sincerity . Unta then , pursue you year duties te yonr God , yocr country , and your Queen . B- J . RICHAB . DS 05 . T « tt » President of the Burnley National Association .
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TO THB KDITOB OP THE KORTHKBK STAB . Sib , —I haTe been a constant reader of your widely onalated paper since it first made its appearance , faring which time I haTe carefully obserred the different plans which haTe been talked about to organise , md form a steady union amongst the working classes . One has one plan and another has another plan , a n d so oa . Where there is a great deal of talk and a great Onl of projecting , there is generally -rery little real work
done . I always said , and I now say , unless the wDeciionj , in the shape of money , are paid up regularly ^ OTrtceanng . tberewninotbemuehworkdone . Money « the sinews of war , and without it we cannot carry ob oar moral-force war , no more t >« m Kings and Queens ran carry on their physical-force war if the money sup-P * w be stopped . It is unreasonable for us to expect to ^ e any peat progress by agitation , unless there are j wsd * . thinixps , and penc e gathering at the same time ; w * a must go en at the same time , particuJarly the
I know there are men of property , both honest , a-ented , and energetic , who are ready to come out to * Swe the great question of Universal Suffrage , if there » a * money to back them out in the great struggle . ««* y has an enchanting power , and without it " w do nothing . We might as well expect to animate a oad horse by siBging psalms to him , aa to expect ««* to < m to a 0 the desired good without being baekfcd o « with money . There U no society knows to be poor , ntf what is always considered helpless , consequently ™ f » Pected ; just like a poor needy man amongst the ™ " ; they disrespect him and dispise him ; they will Jttcrat of
« gD his way fat fear he would become trou-° wonie to them ; it is exactly so with a society ; so we ° Bst become rich before we can expect to be ** peeted or become powerful ; money answers all *™ gs , and without it we can do nothing . I know " ^ e iB a very great deal of money could be gathered , = at is not , if there were proper ways adopted for the P ^ pose . I know men that are "willing to pay if they *» e asked—there are men who do not like to make jtemselTes publicly known for fear of being discharged tea their employment I myself am one . I thought * » plan , if it west * acted upon , would be the means of Whering a deal of money from those private individuals :
« this town , and eTery other large town and Tillage , Mi-rided into Tery small districts , the smaller the tetter for clean gleaning- There is no real Radical in a * ° j » n district , but what knows those in the neighbour-* °° 4 that are favoar&bie to the cause ; from these he «* W collect a good deaL His enemies he may pass by ™^* ey will not know bia business . There must be an r ^ e system established amongst the professed Ra-~ " ™ to collect monies from private persons . There ° J * » l » o be confidence established amongst the people , ^ P Qdar iy amongst private supporters of the cause , «« monies collected ire honestly funded and judicii » ti ** aafed If this confidence be established , it ^«» e * neans of collecting more money than eTer . "Witnessed ; yet , I hare a very much acquaintance « n nspectawe men . and the / mlv okWtS ™ tb » h »«
prsjmg , \ i having no confidence in the manner * hS ^ J * C 0 DdBeted . ttey w « rt to see a fund raised , ** a « fund , then they will haTe eTery confidence ; « 4 * 27 , . " nottlinS * m make the cause popular »* Terful , but a rich fund , and nothing short of per-¦ y « t applies will make it so . log ] ££ bought of another plan , and I belieTe in my ? wild I * PTlt k * P *** a * * nrm ) y acted npon it J ^ S ?? tbe me * M of doing more good work , and ^^ ag more general confidence of the good , than et iTft ^?^ * " « ^ k down - ^ there be an H _ T ? had committee formed of respectable and peTrrf me » » a Leeds , or where eTer you think proe « fc T ? ** " committee get a good supply of small «» esdTi *? play tickets or ^ let tt" *™ ^ printed j ^ r ^ wa , the UniTersal Suffrage Association , with a th ^^ V e n « mber on each card , eitoer under or over Ala r « Pbou . Then let the number of eTery Radical t ^^ ° a in the Kingdom be sent to this committee , ** a Assn *^ 1 *** BWBber ° ' members belonging to fr ^^^ oa , then let every Association be served pj ^ j T" « ead Committee with cards having the proigj ^ nttmbers on « the same time the Secretary to
bft j ? "mplan , and this mode of acting , the maa-^^ gjj ^^ aacms , together \ rith tbe nnmbep of p ^ -lng ^ Ute b il ^ aocittion , can bs knownat one iook j ^^ ^ ead Committee , and also every member ^ " 6 » any of these Associations , will have the
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Sttiwaefcion of knowinjr tha ntnrh » nr ~ . » i ^^*^^*^ 28 %£ Z ^ S " p * P erBt tbeend of « T eTT month . ^^ J ^ fT ^ V" ^" ^ " " 8 * o be sent to and St ^ ^ K ' V ™ " ** ** Sn& Association Fund ; toteS ^ h ^ ? f <* blea * nief 0 rthefaQd- Nomoney to leave this fund for any purpose except to the support of Missionaries , and the distressed families of those PeSS ^^ L ^ T ^ ff 8 riDg for toe «« «? K ^ mi v ^? l 6 t ^ *• Iuune of t * ** » i = h . khJX "" ^ ^ mort inflaentialbody n the kingdom . w 6 ^ xi ^ titnet ) e aMe to e ^^ ^ JSSt laT ? ^^^ to * ^^ try . men of proper ^ SS ^ f ^ » eD 8 rnr ' wm join " •** ow gre » t atrigVle and without money we will get no one of influenci to Si % thiDg 8 tand need satisfaction of knowin . ** nmi » ., , __
a ^ T 7 U P ^ T * we ta of , and that is the only thing we are short of at present Up , then , my brethren , and look and seek out and get what w « most stand in need ot Men who areiot rsady « d willing to pay a hMfpanny orapennya week , they are satisfied to remain willing slaveVT lthis SidHlS . ? ^ 0111 " i . ^ y ^^^ t Radicalshfre and Radicals there , but unless the system of gathering money * be put int » praeUce , and continued ; and the money paid weekly in each district , and by them Si £ « t ££ r £ S ^ As 8 Od&ti on Fund . ± L * L- ******* » no such spirit amongst thl ^^ ? ° f ^ ^ " ^ C ^ cus -the proof of iSfiSf ^ i" « ^ f tiDg ° * ¦ Md tbe Pro ° f of the axnoeoty of the KadicaU is in the amount of the money collected monthly . Our honest , realous , unflinching patriotic
O'Connor , one of nature ' s noblest Bons has sixteen months to oerre yet ; and if he could only learn that the Universal 8 uSrage Association Fund ww getting nch , what consolation would it be to him in nis tyrant ' s murdering oell ! Yes , It pats me in mind of what Solomon says in his ProTerbs , " Good news makes fat the bones . " Yes , it would giTe poor O'Connor more strength than all the wines and barks combined in England . Money is what we want , and if we had money , O'Connor would not be where he is , nor none of the rest of our leaden . The people ' s petition was * gned by a million and a quarter . Well , Ml suppose the quarter of a million careless of what they were doing , that leaTes a million understanding what they were doing . Well , I'll say a million . One million half pennies will amount in one week to £ 2 , 083 6 s . 8 d ; it four weeks it will amount to £ 8 , 333 6 s . 8 d . ; in thirteen weeks It will amount to £ 27 , 083 6 s . 8 d . ; hi
flftvtw « 1 weeks , It will amount to £ 108 , 333 6 s . 8 d . ; and in sixty-four weeks , it will amount to £ 133 , 333 6 s . 8 d ., which will be the time we expect our invincible and inflexible advocate of our righU ( O'Connor ) to come out of one of the hell holes of England . One halfpenny per week from each individual of one million will amount to the above money . A beggar going from door to door could spare one halfpenny per Week . This will show whether the working classes appreciate their rights . If one halfpenny a-week from each ol the working classes would in time gain themtheii
rights , and would refuse paying that half penny , they are not worthy of the Suffrage , neither are they worthy the notice of any patriot to disturb his peace , or squander his time with them . But I still have a better hope and a better opinion of the English people . Unite , get unanimous , roll up your monies . Money , like charity , covers a multitude of sins . If we were rich , if we had handsome supplies in our fund , our advocates would not be in prison to-day . It is money , it is our subscriptions weekly , without ceasing , it is our rich fund that will enable us to astonish the courts of Europe .
Up , then , my brethren , and be doing . Moral means sre-best ; we can fight all our b&tUes by moral force . If my plan be acted apoD , yon will have the satisfaction , through the columns of the Northern Star , of stating the number of the highest card , and you can also judge of the amount of money paid in . There should be no money taken out of the fund for the expense of meetings ; make the meetings defray their own expenses . The fund should answer no demands , except the pay of the missionaries , the families of those in prison , and law expenses . I will suppose
there are 10 , 000 paying members , at one penny per week each , which would amount every week to £ , l \\ ! 13 a . 4 d . Well . IH say there are eighty families de- { pending throngh their husbands being in prison ; these families shall get £ l each weekly : this deducted , will leave the principal £ 336 13 s . 4 d . Then I'll suppose there are ten missionaries , at £ 3 per week each , if they need so much ; this deducted from the latter principal , leaves a remainder of £ 306 13 s . id . This subscription ' permanently kept up weekly , after paying theaa neces- ! sary expenses , will leave us in our fund , at the end of j fifty-two - » re * ks , £ 15 , 946 13 s . id . The expenses of j the Managing Committee and Secretary must also be
paid . To petition any more foi pity would be weakness , and to demand jnstice without money would be foolishness . We are sold like cattle in our tyrants' markets , deprived of every privilege of man . If we had a rich fund , ¦ we could not be sold so cheap , neither would we lie down" so tamely at our tyrants feet No , no ; if we had a rich fund , we could very soon put an end to all these things . Oh ! if the people eonld only see their position , and could only see what there was in their power to do , they wonld no longer slumber . I'll make a few more remarks . There must be general satisfaction and general confidence established in the country for . the security of the money collected . If this can be done , I assure you . . it will establish new and strongei energies in the country than ever , i speak from my own knowledge of a wide circle of acquaintance ; they want to Bee how their money is treated , like all other Associations .
I know my plan wonld tend to give them very great satisfaction . There is no fund in the universe fchould be so powerfully enriched as the Universal 8 uffrage Association Fund , considering the numbers of advocates there are . If the people irere only to feel for our unpaid and inflexible patriot , Feargns O'Connor , Esq ., they would subscribe to the full amount . Up , 'then , my brethren , with determined exertion . Subscribe , subscribe ! agitate , agitate ! He will hear of your zeal through the prison walls , and all the rest of our patriotic advocates . Let our enemies see we are net going to die in the Bhell yet No , I'll say with a certain Irish agitator , " We'll get the Suffrage yet , and a tilly over . " Be unanimous , be united , and we will gtt all we want " United we stand , divided we falL " " Um-tersal Suffrage , and No Scrbender !" Sir , be pleased to giro the insertion of this in your widely-circulated p * per , and you will much otrtige
A Constant Reader Chorlton-upon-Medlock , Manchester , July 14 th , 1840 .
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ARREST OF MARSDEN . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOBTHERK STAB . Dear Sir , —In your paper of this day 1 perceive a letter , dated Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Tuesday evening , " signed . ' John Gilchrist , " alluding to the arrest of Richard Marsden at Bolton , and informing you that he was taken to Newcastle on Sunday morning last , and that " a ptreun calling himself an attorney , who defended several" ( Chartists , I suppose ) " at the Yorkshire Assizes , came several miles on tbe coach with him , and pressed him to plead guilty to the Whig charge of creating routs , riots , and insurrection , for the sake of getting lees imprisonment , " which Marsden refused- Now , as it is pretty notorious that I was
engaged to prepare the defence * of all the poor unfortunate fellows charged with political offences at the last Spring Yorkshire Atsizcs , and did conduct tbe whole of their defences , with only three exceptions , and in one of those I assisted ; and as Marsden , on being arrested at Bolton , was brought directly to bradford for examination , as announced in a previous number of your widely spread journal , it is not at all improbable that your readers or some of them may imagine that Mr . Crilchrist ' s reaark applies to myself , and as its import apparently tends to cast reflection npon the person alluded for giving advice to the effect abovementioned , I regret that Mr . Q . has not favoured you with the attorney ' s address , whose rejected advice may be good or bad , just according to circumstances ; but notbehig acquainted with the particulars of Marden ' s case , I cannot vesture to express an opinion . Should this meet the eye of the gentleman alluded to , probably he will explain the reasons for tendering such advice .
Marsden ' s determination to meet his accusers , upon principle , is virtuous and manly ; Mb legal adviser , should he have one , will be able to judge upon its policy . And here I may be allowed to remark , that it was not without much persuasion and reasoning , that those for whom I was concerned , who pkaded guilty , both at York and Liverpool Assizes , were induced to adopt that course , and which was not agreed to without mature deliberation and full conviction that their political principles were not compromised ; for instmce
Walter Scott , a young lad from Button , whose due attendance in Court , for the satisfaction of his b » ij , who had the confidence to seed him alone , fruin morning till evening each day , from the commencement of the Assizes up to the time of being called upon for trial , and whose singular cognomen and unsophisticated appeamnce attracted the attention of the whole Court , who , on Judge Coleridge offering to set him at liberty upon hit own recognizance , on condition of not attending any more Chartist meetings , frankly but emphatically answered , " I am a Chartist , and must attend the
meetings , my Lord , " and his Lordship , on application of the Attorney-General , immediately ordered poor Walter to give additional sureties , which were readily found ; . and that staunch old veteran , Wheeler , of Manchester , notwithstanding my earnest entreaties , and the repeated recommendation of counsel , stood out to the very last moment before he could be reconciled to the doctrine , espous « d by » very learned and exalted personage , that conscience is absolved from the consequence of submission to legal fiction . Others , who like Marsden rejected advice not consonant with their feelings , and some whose cases rendered it politic to pursue a different course to that generally recommended , are now unfortunately suffering a lengthened incarceration in Tarious prisons of Yorkshire and Lancashire for their patriotic adherence to , and public defence of , the great principles « f social M < 1 political regeneration .
I am exp ee < nnglT Bony that Ml . Gilehrist states that he has reason to complain of the apathy of the vxlipaid working men of Newcastle and its neighbourhood , in espousing the case of Marsden and others , on their
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trial , whilst money is collected for other IndiTldual suflerera ; and it is much to be regretted that one com-^ J ^^ FM v » * " *« nalional « sectional , is Dot preferred and better supported , which I feel confident is only the consequence of tho want of a good system of organisation . Whilst Marsden was at Bradford , I was instructed to attend to Mb defence , and was informed by the authc nties that he would be liberated upon bail ; but he to soon afterwards removed to Newcastle . I had a
short interview with him , and was struck with his pauia , emaciated countenance : he was so impoverished that he had not tasted food for a considerable time , and afnend or two were so kind as to provide some refreshments . From his appearance , I ddn't wonder that he felt indifferent aboufbeing bailed out , and submitting to prison fare ; but surely the . men of Newcastle will not allow a feUow-man to pine in a dungeon , who , though destitute of the means of supplying himself with common physical requisites , has moral courage enough to meet the fiery ordeal of trial
Trusting that Mr . Gilchrist will receive these few remarks in the same spirit of reciprocity in which they are made , I remain , Dear Sir , Yours , respectfully , r . ,. , J « CLARKSON . Bradford , 1 st August , 1840 .
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ARREST OF MARSDEN . TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN 9 TAK , Sm , —I inclose the following , requesting its publication . I b&ve forwarded to the Liberator office my humble mite , regretting much that my private circumstances will but allow of my Bending a mite indeed . I wish some friend of Mr . Marsden ' s would publish in the Star and Liberator the number of his ( Mr . Marsden ' B ) children , and the address of his unhappy and afflicted partner . By inserting the annexed in your columns , you will oblige Your obedient servant , George Julian Harnet . . Edinburgh , August 2 , 1840 . TO THE DEMOCRATS OF THE TYNE .
Mt FRiENDS .-With ftelings of heartfelt anguiBh , I have read in the newspapers an account of the arrest and committal for trial of Richard Marsden , delegate for Preston to the late Convention , charged with sedition , that is , with having vindicated and asserted tbe eternal rights of man . 1 waa horror-struck to read , in the letter of a Correspondent of the Star , that this noble patriot " is in a most wretched condition , from actual starvation . " Again , a Correspondent of the Liberator sayB , " From his ( Marsden's ) appearance , ' we would say he has been suffering the greatest privations both from want of food and persecution . " Good God is it thus that ray dear friend has Buffered in tbe service of an ungrateful people ?
Men of Newcastle—men of the Tyne ! I have sickened with indignation to read of the treatment of this faithful patriot When that , in the Nelson Street Hall , he made that speech for which he is now ( in all probility ) to be cast into prison , you could then cheer him most lustily ; but when dragged before the minions of tyranny , he appeared all pale and emaciated , where were ye Wen , ye " noisy Chartists" ? Alas ! there-was no one to aid him in the time of need—no one to assist him in the hcrar of his distress . Righteous Heaven is this to be the treatment of the peoples leaders ? Is it not enough that they bave to brave the shafts of tyranny ; must they likewise have to struggle with the heartless ingratitude of those for whom they live—for whom they die ?
Hear me , je people , for I u > i ! i speak to you ! Ye allow your leaders to want even the common necessaries of life , while ye are ever ready to doubt their honesty and impeach their integrity : ye can cheer them on to the dungeon and its chains , while when once in the jaws of danger ye leave them to the tender mercies of the despots whose power for you they have dared to defy . As ye value the character of men—as ye would emancipate yourselves from tyranny—as ye love your children and yoar country , I app e al to ye—I demand of ye that ye give your assistance to the suffering patriot !
I have a right to demand , I served you faithfully as your representative in the Convention : I neither shrank from performing my duty , nor have / misled you to commit any act of folly . I have , therefore , a right to demand that ye now testify your sincerity . This appeal may come too late to serve Marsden before trial , but if so , remember that he has a wife and children existing , in all likelihood , in a state of destitution . I shall not dwell upon the merits of Richard Marsden —his claims npon your sympathy : enough that I assert he is an honest man and a true p&triot—that be nobly did his duty in the Convention , and was one of the people ' B leaders truly faithful found .
Men of Newcastle , let me , I pray yen , not hats ' Wr itten this in vain . Men of Winlaton—men of Bedlington , I am much indebted to you for past acts of kindness ; grant me one more favour ; come to thu help of Marsden—shew your sympathy for his afflicted family , and my eternal gratitude shall be yours . I am , Your ever faithful friend , George Julian Harue-j .
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TO THE RADICAL ASSOCIATION OF
PRESTON . " Let us apply , with hiarte sincere as truth , Our mental might to this ennobling work , Mankind ' s regeneration ; and become Messiahs in the cause of liberty , Nor cease nntil from out the book of life We blot the name of tyrant and of slave " Friends , —To my devoted attachment to the principles of the Charter , and the ardent zeal with which 1 laboured to promulgate them during the eight monvhs which I eerved in your political council , you bore ample testimony when , on my return from Bolton last summer , I had the honour of being elected president of your Association by the unau £ moas vote of not less than six hundred members . To those circumstances I refer merely because I conceive , that by the confidence you had reposed in me , I am fully warranted in thus addressing you on the present occasion .
I am induced to do eo , my friends , from * fear that vou are lagging behind your conmrymen in their laudable exertions to emancipate our country from the merciless tyranny of those brigands—thoBe cormorants who prey upon the vitals of the industrious classes , and not content with appropriating to themselves about four-fifihs of what , by our industry and incessant toll we are enabltd to produce , and leaving us scarce a sufficiency to satisfy the cravings of nature , but are seeking , by every base means which villany can suggest , to shut up every avenue of hope thai remains ; and stifle OUT cry for redress
by thrusting into the most loathsome dungeons every individual who would dare to raise their voice on behalf of suffering humanity . Every week ' s Northern Star furnishes me with the most cheering reports of the progress which the cause ( or rather tho struggle of right against might ) is making in almost every town in England ; and , believo me , most anxiously do I search its columns for something to shew me—something to convince me tha < i the men of Preston are at their post , but in vain . There is no account of your gatherings in Chadwick's Orchard as yon were wont to do .
How is this , my friends ? How does it happen that , at a time like the present , when your country bo loudly calls for yonr assistance , and when the men who have had the manly courage to stand forward to assert your rights , are suffering every species of torture and degradation that the " base , bloody , and brutal" Whigs dare inflict upon them , you are sunk into such a . state of apathy and indifference . My friends , although removed to the distance of 200 miles from you , not only my devotion te the cause , but an anxious Boliciiude that you may still preserve the name which your former exertions procured for you , makes me take a lively interest in your proceedings . Let me , therefore , exhort you to arise and once more assume the tone and dignity of men worthy of freedom ; Bhake off that apathy which has for this some time past made you appear to your
fellowcountrymen to be the willing slaves of your tyrant oppressors . Agitate ! agitate !! agitate !!! Bear in mind that " it is only by making the ruling few uneasy , that we can have any chance of obtaining a redress of our wrongs . " Let every individual ask himself the qnestion , how much have I done to effect this desired object ! and believe me there is none , however much he may have done , but will discover there remains something still further for him to do . It will be cheering for you to hear that in this quarter Chartism is making very rapid progress . In fact , in Glasgow not a single public meeting can be got up for any purpose whatever , but the Chartists , ever on the alert , invariably succeed in turning it to their own account . In PaiBley it is the same , aud in the country districts everything appears to favour ub . The Non-intrueion , Church Extension , and indeed all parties , share the inconsolable fate of the Corn Law repealers .
In conclusion , let me once more entreat you to agitate , and do what you can to extend your organisation , and I trust that , ere long , success will crown our efforts , if firmly united . "All the power Of hell and mammon leagued , dare not revile The justice of our claims ; let not the lower Of thickeniBg storms a arm yon , twill be shared ; Bo calm , be resolute , but be prepared . " I remain , dear friends , Yours , true to the Charter and Democracy , Duncas Robehtson , Coal Miner . Short Iroa Works , July 25 th , 1840 .
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TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE POWER-LOOM WEAVERS . If you are on the present stragglei overpowered , I ahomd be glad to see a union of all branches vigorously maintained . If so , you may change the system of warrar e , and be shielded by the law , and each individual be better able to carry on than trusting to precarious con-Wbnjions . You haTe wealthy mastera to contend with nut their cafa paws of overlookers are their army ; and »» taey are paid by a poundage earnings of the weavers , you may cook up a sauce that may serve for both goose ana gander . Now , although the masters are very anxious for the accomplishment of their object , yet , they square , weigh and count the cost , and set to work very judiciously . At a first sight Tiew , they seem to take the longer route ; but . the short way presents to them dangerous swamps ; therefore , they select a branch at once Instead of attacking the whole . Be not too confiding , nor led astray by the duplicity of the masters of Ashton and neighbourhood . They drew back from attacking von .
but not to be neutral nor idle . They attack a different branch ; thus if they can gain district branch victories , when assembled at the central market , to inform each other , they may agree to claim a general victory . Now , the law allows you to combine , not only with your branch , but with other branches ; and to conspire with other mills and districts , to advance or fix the rate of wages ; or to lessen or alter the duration of the time of working , or to decrease the quantity of work , or to induce another to depart from his service before the end of the term for which he is hired , or his work be finished . Mark , not by violence or intimidation
^ but by persuasion . The law allowB the rights en each side iobe secret and inviolable ; and you shall not be subject or liable to any indictment or prosecution for conspiracy , or to any other criminal information or punishment whatever under the common or statute law . Then , unite all branches ; let all be at work ; select your object of attack ; let all hands at such mills give notice that tBey will not work more than ten hours a day till they have their full price . It might not be amiss to hold out that you would reduce to nine hours a day , if no compliment within a fortnight ; and let such masters who give the price run full time a * a guarantee .
Adopt this system , and you put it out of the power otViotf ) masters , who are giving the price , of using the weapons they have bo often subdued you with before , namely , other masters have reduced and we cannot meet them in the market . Adopt it , and you encourage the humane masters and discourage the tyrants . Adopt it , and you unnerve the cat ' s pa w s of overlookers . Adopt it , and you wilt find this the spirit and letter of the law- ~ -your castle or defence . Do not you know that many of the humane members of Parliament said to your short-time delegates : —You have a law that you can adjust your hours of labour by , without our Interference . It is an imperative law ; it delineates the course to be pursued , and doth not permit itself to be set aside by the discretion of a magistrate , without the consent of both of the disputants ; and if you had made oath before a magistrate who is independent of trade , touching the intimidation practised the
by masters , they intimidated each other from conspiring with you , which is an offijnee against the law . They practised both violence and intimidation ; what can be a greater violence than to turn a man out of work , because others will not go to work over whom he has no controul ? and very often te prevent him getting work elsewhere , which amounts to murder , and operates , by intimidating others , which is an offence against the act , and punishable ; and you may set aaid any interested magistrate ?—sucll a magistrate who , although he may not be a practical cotton manufacturer , he may have interest in factory building , the law will defend you against improper enactments for work done ; and you may demand an examination by experienced persons in all cases of dispute ; and you may demand proper samples or materials , such as whtn properly worked will produce a satisfactory article or commodity fit for market R . H June 28 . 1840 .
Untitled Article
PETITION OF ROBERT PEDDIE . To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland ^ in Parliament assembled , the Petition of Robert Peddie , late Manufacturer and General Agent , 15 , West Richmond street , Edinburgh , present Prisoner in the House of Correction ^ Beverley : — Humbly Showeth , — That your petitioner arrived in Leeds in the way of his business , ea Tuesday , the 22 nd day of January 1840 ; that prior to that period , distress , to a very lamentable extent , had existed amongst , and was severely felt , by the operatives and working population M *?^ ^ f ° York 8 hire i * tat four months before the 22 nd of January , a perso * . then residing in Preston , Lancaahire , of the name of Harrisonwhose
, r ^« ^ lb ! 8 T by the ' < " * nR foots , elicited from himself when he appeared in tbe witness box , to give evidence agaln 8 t your petitioner , on his trial 1 m * March ^^ s ** York : ~ He had" Been employed by Bnggs , constable , Bradford , to discover for him a burglary , which ha did by giving evidence against his associates , and bringlug them to the . just punishment of their crime , so far back as seventeen years ago . That he ( Harrison ) had been a turnkey of Preston gaol , but discharged for misconduct That he bad associated with , and by afterwards informing upon , forgers of bad money , brought them to punishment in both . England and Scotland . That he had bten detected himself , the s * id Harrison in passing a £ 10 forged note , and only escaped
punishment by having made resiitution to the party injured , and that so late as between the apprehension of your petitioner and his trial , he ( Harrison ) had been taken into custody upon a warrant from Preston for desertion of his family , and was bailed out of prison ( as your petitioner was informed ) by one or other of the magistrates of Bradford , for the purpose of giving evidence against the petitioner . That there , as he was justly termed by the Counsel for the defence , and not denied by the Crown Counsel , a most indescribable villain , was written for , and brought from Preston to Bradford by Brigga ( as Briggs himself swore ) with a full knowledge of his character ; and there having been introduced to the much suffering working men , under tho narue of Smith , passing himself an a labouring man .
with the knowledge and cunsequent approbation of Briggs , wliothus became a party in frand and deception . That it is la your petitioner ' s powei to prove , that Harrison immediately , upon his arrival in Bradford , associated with a person named Smith , resident there , who some time before had taken measures to have himself elected a class-leader amongst the Chartists , and who , iwith Harrison , set about purchasing and distributing pikes , pistols , and other descriptions of arms amongst the distressed workmen in the neighbourhood . It is also in the power of your petitioner to prove , that he ( Smith ) busied himself to gather together the disaffected , and urged upon them tho adoption of the most violent and treasonable measures for the relief of their distresses ; and that he wa so employed up to the moment
of your petitioner ' s arrival in Leeds ; that at that time John Frost and others were lying under sentence of death in Wales ; that much interest wag felt in the fate of those individuals by a large portion of the inhabitant of Britain ; that the Radicals of Yorkshire , in common with the friends of humanity throughout a 1 the country , were anxious , by memorialising the Queen , to prevent , if possible , the execution of the sentence pronounced upon these misguided men that it having become known to the Radicals in Leeds ' that your petitioner was in that town , they waited upon him , and earnestly requested him to take part in a public meeting to be held in favour of Proat . &c , in Bradford , on the morning of the Monday following dhia being on Saturday , the 26 th of January ) ¦ ' that this the first
was , and the only connection y «> ur petitioner ever had with tbe Radicals of Yorkshire . That prior to this time , he was personally unknown to anil never had any connection or correspondence with them . That from a motive of humanity he unfortunately complied * with their request , and went to Bradford after business hours that evening , ho never having been in that town , or even having seen any of the Radicals residing in it , previous to that period . That he met several persons , amongst whom was the witness Harrison , and made with them some preliminary arrangements for the conducting of the anticipated mtetiug on the Monday tnwning ; after which he was taken by them to the house of the person Smith , the associate of Harrison , and one of tbe witnesses against himself , where he was provided with a bed , and where he accordingly lodged ; and that after spending the Sunday in company of some friends to whom
he had been introduced , he again went to the house of Smith , about ten o'clock at night , to lodge as before , and which , to Ui 8 aatoniahnumt , he found fun of armed men ; and where , to his inexpressible grief he was informed that Harrison had represented that he ( the petitioner ) had come from a distance to lead an armed attempt to establish the People ' s Charter . That up to this moment , he knew nothing of , or ever dreamt , that so foolish and ridiculous an attempt was even imagined . But having thug fallen into the trap «? cunningly and artfully laid for him , your petitioner was compelled , under dread of personal violence , to remain in company , and also to go with them to the Market Place , about half past one on Monday morning , where , with difficulty he succeeded in preveuting much property , and perhaps life , from destruction , by opposing the measures of the said notorious Harrison , aud in persuading the people to disperse quietly . . .
After succeediug in this laudable attempt to preserve peace , your petitioner returned to Leeds , in which town he remained ; and so conscious was he of innocency and fearless of any bad consequences accruing to himself , that he continued publicly doing business till within a few hours of his apprehension . Further , to shew your Honourable House the extreme villany aud dtep-laid scheming of the witness , Harrison , your petitioner will take the liberty of mentioning one circumstance to the point—that On the Friday after the affray , HarriBOn called upon your petitioner in Leeds , and told him that he was extremely sorry to leam that suspicion bad fallen upon your petitioner- — that it was a cose of High Treason , and safety was now only to be found in goirg t > rward ; and that if your petitioner would only say th * . word , then were 800
Untitled Article
well-armed men in Bradford alone , and that they only waited his giving his consent to lead them where he ( Harrison ) would pledge his life for success in anj attempt , but he wanted to burn Bradford . It is in your petitioner's power , by most respectable witnesses , to prove this proposal , which was rejected indignantly by your petitioner . Harrison , however , insisting that he ( the petitioner ) should take time to consider of it , and that he would call upon him the night afterwards . It is also in your petitioner ' s power to prove , that Brigga , the employer of Harrison , was in Leeds at that moment , and roust have known where
your petitioner was to be found . From which circumstanee , coupled with the fact that he did not apprehend the petitioner until the Saturday evening following , and that too after he had again refused to entertain the propoBal of HarriBOn . The petitioner concludes , that the only motive for so acting was the wish to get up a more extensive riot than that which had been partially defeated by the petitioner . That , on Saturday , your petitioner was apprehended , and was cruelly refused , by the officers who took him Into custody , the liberty of putting on his great coat , or shoes , he being in unSress and slippers at the time , in which state he was carried to Bradford , and confined in a dungeon until the Monday , when he was carried before the magistrates for examination , by whom he was co . emitted to York , on of treason
a charge high , and to which place he was carried , on the Tuesday , in the same state . That he at the York Asaiaes ensuing , was tried , not for high t reason , but upon the minor charge of sedition , conspiracy , and riot ; and that a conviction was obtained against him , chiefly upon the uncorroborated evidence of Harrison and Smith , hired and acknowledged spies , one of whom admitted that he bad for his labour in this business a sum of £ 80 ; and that he ( the petitioner ) was eondemned on such questionaWe evidence , and had pafased upon him the rigorous sentence or three years' imprisonment , hard labour , and to find security besides—a sentence which your petitioner believes to be without precedent in the history of English jurisprudence .
That , in pursuance of this sentence , he was carried to Beverley , in a manner very hurtful to his feelings , being chained , feet and hands , to two felons , one Chartist and a woman ; and in that disgraceful state placed upon the'top of a stage coach in open day , and in tbe most pubrfo manner carried to Beverley , a prison where the soul-subduing silent system la strictly in force , and tbe discipline extremely severe . That your petitioner was immediately subjected to that treatment which , in all former periods of our history , was reserved for the wont of felons . His hair was cut off , he was dressed In the prison garb , and put upon the tread-mill , aud subjected to what is termed hard labour , but which to him is positive torture ; to ¦ which he - * & * subjected for nine hours , exclusive of
meal hours , every day , the consequence of whioh , together with a scanty and uncomfortable diet , was rnoBt injurious to his health , and the production of most threatening and most dangerous symptoms ; to such a state of extreme weakness was he reduced , that the surgeon of the establishment felt himself called upon to order the addition of some milk and mtal ; that the consequence of such labour has been very injurious to his health , and his personal sufferings extremely great ; that although he has not constantly been upon the tread-mill , yet his days areBpent in unceasing toil , and his nights in cheerless solitude ; confined in a solitary cell from six at night to half-past six iu the morning , the window of which is placed so far above his reach , that from it he can neither see the green
earth or the blue skies ; and so strict is the discipline , that even the solitary cell does not afford protection from observation , in the door of which is a hole through which a person in cloth shoes , walking in the passage , notes and checks every trifling and extra motion of the prisoner ; that the cell in which the greater portion of the petitioner ' s time is spent is entirely destitute of furniture , having no table , chair , btool , or form , its only furniture being a straw-bed without a pillow , and an iron bedstead ; also , that he has not the convenience of a candle or lamp , or any other light ; and moreover that he is not permitted the heat of a tire either summer or winter , so that the suffering from the cold in the latter season of the year must be anticipated with horror j that the Sunday is
passed in a manner , if possible , more disagreeably painful than even labour itself ; that with the exception of the time Bpent in chapel , he is placed on a narrow and crowded form , with one of the same dimensions before him , placed between ; two thieves , having an officer to watch , him , immediately before him , without the liberty of motion ; as looking to the right hand or to tho left is a breach of the rules that may subject the offender to a punishment of solitary confineintnt on bread and water for three days ; that to epeak to , or look at , any of your petitioner ' s companions in misfortune , would subject him to Bevere punishment ; but that it ia impossible for your petitioner to find words to convey to your Honourable House one-teuth of what he painfully feels to be the misery of his present condition ; that while he has no reason to find any fault with the manner in which the
Governor and his principal officer do their duty , yet , In UBtlce to hinissif . he mu * t tell your Honourable House that it is not easy to imagine a state of existence more mise / ablo— a state of slavery more degrading to the human mind—more humiliating—more complete—than than the rigorous one be is , for three years , by a Christian Court , doomed to lead ; and that such are its effects , that amongst those subjected to the labour of the mill and the operation of the unnatural silent system , that , in attempting to rid themselves of it , self-destruction has been by no means a rare occurrence ; and if such are the effects on the mind of the hardened in vice , -what must they be Upon the mind of the sensitive and well-informed ; that , in addition to confinement , your petitioner is deprived of everything that can render life desirable—deprived of books ( with the exception of the Bible and some tracts ) —deprived of writing materials , shut out from all
intercourse with his friends , even by letter , with the exception of being allowed to write one letter a month to bis wife ; and , besides , what he considers a positive act of injustice , deprived of all profit of his own labour ; reduced , by his aenteuce , from a station of respectability to the state of a slave , and subjected to the treatment of a felon ; reduced from ease and comfort to a state of toil , misery , and much suffering—his prospects in business ruined—his credit lost—and that too upon the testimony of a hired , and disrespect able , and acknowledged villain ! upon whose blackened evidence he was convicted . And for what crime has he been thus cruelly condemned ? For a moment tary , though perhaps misguided and mistaken , ebullition of popular feeling . In regard to sedition
he never spoke or wrote on politics in Yorkshire ia his life ; in regard to conspiracy , he was only a few hours in Bradford , and , therefore , could neither concoct , nor bring to maturity any conspiracy ; in regard to riot , there was none , as was sworn to by a witness—the Clerk of the Sessions at Bradford , who accompanied the Magistrates to the Market-place there , to read the Riot Act . but saw neither man nor woman iait ; and yet , for such a riot , your petitioner ia doomed to pass three long years of want aud misery—a fate to which he would have considered transportation to be a mercy ; and had he now the liberty of choice , he would most readily prefer death , rather than endure the three years ' infliction of the inhuman torture of the treadmill . Why be was sileeted to be the first person Cftnvicted
of a political offence , in a country whero he had come merely by accident , as a casual visitor in the way of business ; and upon which such an unprecedented and severe sentence nhould have been passed , he cannot comprehend , as , in his case , there cannot be pointed out one aggravating circumstance—no damage to person or property , nor even a breach ' of the peace . Your petitioner , therefore , humbly prays , that your Honourable House will take his case into your serious and merciful consideration ; and implores that you will address her Majesty , praying tliat she may be graciously pleased to order such mitigation of punishment and present amelioration of his condition , as tire dictates of humanity and sound policy demand . ; And your petitioner will ever pray , < fcc Robert Peddie .
Untitled Article
A CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE . On Monday , an interesting yonng female attended the Union Hall Police Court for the purpose of soliciting the Magistrate ' s advice . The applicant , about six months ago , came up from the country on a visit , and while staying at the house of her friends she became acquainted with a young man , whose father was a retired tradesman in affluent circumstances . They became mutually attached , and in March last resolved to marry , without the sanction of the parenfcioneither side . They were accordingly married in St . Pancras Church , in the latter end of last March ;
but her husband had been induced by bis father to desert her and go home to hisfrienda . She had seen him but twice since , but only for a moment on each occasion ; and that , being ashnmed to return into tbe coun try or see htr friends , she had supported henelf by mantua-making , never having received the least assistance from her husband . She bad called at the house of her husband ' s father to endeavour , if possible , to effect a reconciliation , and to obtain his consent to their living together ; but the old man was inexorable , threatening to disinherit hia son if he lived with her . Under these circumstance * , she was at a loss what to do .
Mr . 'Jeremy—Was the young man of age at th # time you married him ? Applicant—No , he was not quite twenty-one . He was an apprentice , and , I believe , is not yet out of hia time . Mr . Jeremy said that the fact of the young man not being of ago , at the time he contracted the marriage with her , absolved him from contributing to her maintenance , and proceedings in the Ecclesiastical Courts would render the marriage null and void . Applicant—I would prefer that proceedings of that kind were adopted , rather than having a husband and yet be debarred from all the indulgences and comfort of the marriage state , " It was very unfortunate for me , " she added , "that I ever formed such an attachment . '
Mr . Jeremy would advise her to make known her sentiments to her faUter-iu-lBW , and there was very little doubt that he would institute the necessary proceedings to dissolve the marriage between her and his son . . ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ' ; ' ¦ ¦ ¦ . " ¦ •¦ - ¦ ¦ The applicant , who appeared « great deal affected , left the Court , expressing her thanks to the Magistrate ( or his advice .
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MANSION HOUSE . JACK AND THB LORD MAYOR . An . old Bailor , who was rather deaf , waa called upon to « ve evidence against a man named Giles , accused of bavinjjstolen two cheeses , the property o ! the Glerk of the Great Western Railroad . » H « appeared neuhcr to understand nor to relish hii situation at all . "Well , my good fellow , " said the Lord Major . what have you to say !"
Sailor—I say I an ' t guilty at all . Never war guilty . The LoTd Mayor—I don't say yon are . Nobody accuses you . Sailor—What do you want to make me guiUy Mr f I war never in sich a place as this afore . What do you want wi' me 1 The Lord Mayor—Don't be afraid . Sailor ( to the officer next to him ) - 'What doeVn Bay ! . Officer ^ -His Lordship tells you that you needn't be afraid .
Sailor—A feerd ! I a'int afeerd ( looking round cuspicioO 8 ly . ) I don ' t like this here place . What do you want wi me , I say 1 ¦ - \ The Lord Mayor—We only want you to speak the truth ! Sailor—Why , my eyee , I do speak the truth . I say I ain't jrnilty . ( A laugh . ) The Lord Mayor—Did you see aay one take the cheeses ! Sailor—Aye , to be sure I did . Ax him if I didn ** ( pointing to the prisoner ); didn't I , mister ! Do y « u ( to tbe Lord Mayor ) ax the gentleman . Tho Lord Mayor—Well , what did you see ! Sailor—Oh , 1 don ' t like this , — -myeyes . Ill swear I ain ' t guilty if you like . Hand us the book . The Lord Mayor—Nobody suspects you my good fellow .
Sailor—Well , I must go , I can't stay here any longer—that'll do I expect . I never was here afore , and I won t stay for no one . The Lord Mayor ( to the prosecutor)—I hope yo » have other witnesses to support your case ! Therprosecutor replied in the affirmative . ¦ The Sailor—Well , I can't stay longer , I expect ; I never war in such a place .. I won ' t come no moreno use in axing me , for - — my eyes , if I come . I expeot .. fhe old fellow then moved towards the door , and was heard muttering very indignantly as he weak down the steps . The prisoner was remanded .
; THE WISE SIR PEIKB AGAIN . : James Selwood was brought before Sir Peter Laurie ( who sat for the Lord Mayor ) for final examination , charged with having plundered- hi » employer , Mr . Tarsey , of Lad-lane , warehouseman , of a great deal of property . Mr . Tar . 8 ey having received information that oneof his servants was robbing him , watched the movements of the prisoner , and detected him . It was subsequently ascertained that a great quantity of goods whioh belonged to the prosecutor had been pawned by the prisoner at the shops of pawnorokera , ten of whom appeared , and produced the various articles" upon Which they had len him money . Th « prosecutor stated to Sir Peter Laurie that he had received the most courteous facilities from the pawnbrokers .
bir Peter Laurie—There is a vast deal of plunder of this kind going on now . Pray what do you calculate that you lost by the prisoner ! Mr . Tarsey said that he had already ascertained the loss within the last year of 20 S yards of broad cloth , and 207 yards of caaaimere , of the value of £ 175 . There were also some articles , as appeared from duplicates in the prisoner ' s possess i o n , which appeared to have been stolen upwards of twelvo months ago . Sir Peter Laurie—Had yon a good opinion of him always ! Mr . Tarsey—Alwayp , until this discovery . Sir Peter Laurie—What have you to Ray , prisoner f Mr . Wolff ( who attended from Mr . Flower ' s offloe f or the prisoner)—He does not wish to Bay anything in this stage of the proceedings .
Sir Peter Laurie ( to the prisoner)—Oh , you dont wiBh to say anything . You don't deny your guilt , then ! The prisoner made no reply . Sir Peter Laurie—If you don't speak you admit the correctness of tho charge . The officer produced a very long list of the goods pawned . , Sir Peter Laurie—He confesses his guilt , although it is quite unnecessary . The case is a very bad one . Let him be committed .
MARLBOROUGH-STREET . Aristocratic Amusbmemt . —On Tuesday the Earl of . 'Waldegrave and " Captain , Duff , who stand indicted for having , in company with others , barbarously ill-treated a policeman , named Whtatley , appeared before Mr . Henry , to put in bail for their appearance at the next Middlesex sessions , to answer a very serious oharge against them . Mr . Henry asked if the defendants were sufficiently identified , and on the production of the proof of the bill . of indictment , expressed himself satisfied on that head . Mr . Hobler intimated , that the bail offered by the defendants were unexceptionable ; he tmsted , however , that the magistrate would make the sureties sufficiently heavy to ensure tho defendants' attendance , when the time arrived to meet the charge .
Mr . Henry , on being informed that the bail required by trie magistrate who heard the case befor * was not more than £ 100 , said that the fact of the Grand Jury having subsequently found a true bill against the defendants very materially altered tho case as far at least as respected the amount of baiL The Grand Jury , by finding the bill , proved ihat they thought tho evidence was sufficient to support the oharge , and therefore it became his duty to require a considerable increase ia the amount of th » sureties .
Mr . Beyan , the solicitor for both defendants , said he was willing to provide any amount of bail the Bench might require . Mr . Henry said the defendants were persons « f distinction , one being described in the indictment as an earl and the other as an esquire . Officially he knew nothing of the facts of the case , but , taking th * rank and the charge against the defendants into consideration , he should call npon them to find two sureties in £ 150 each , and themselves in £ 300 each . Mr . Smith , of Albemarle-street , and Mr . Morgan , jeweller , presented themselves as bail , and were immediately accepted . The defendants , who merely gave their addresses , then left the office .
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CARLISLE . Horiublb Destitution of thb Hahd-look Weavers — On Monday last a deputation , consisting of twenty persons , waited upon the Mayor , with a requisition , requesting him to call a publio meeting in the Town Hall , for the purpose of taking immediate steps to lay before the publio the suffering condition of the hand-loom weavers , with ft view to improve it , and to enter into such resolutions as may be deemed necessary under the present depressed state of trade . This was signed b y the deputation . The Mayor , Mr . Dbcon , who ia a very extensive manufacturer , saw no utility in calling a meeting , as their case had been repeate < JlyUid before the public In answer to this , the deputation urged the
necessity or a puoiic meeting , as there had lately been very great reductions made ; and was it not absolutely necessary that their wretched condition should be laid before the public 1 The Mayor then said , h « would consult with his brother magistrates , and they might call on Tuesday , and he would giv * them an . answer . The deputation accordingly waited on the Mayor this morning , and received the following answer : —There will be a meeting of the magistrates . held to-morrow , when the case of the hand-loom weavers will be taken into consideration , and the result of their deliberations conveyed to the deputation . It appears , from enquiry we have made , that since the Commission was here there have been reductions to an
enormous amount . At that time a weaver could only earn five shillings and sixpence clear , after the necessary deductions , Buch as loom rent , winding and other casual expenses . Now he can only earn front three to four shitlinga clear , so that hundreds of poor men , their wives , and children , must be faet sinking into premature graves . It is now two yean since the Commissioner , Mr . Mugeridge , was note , and to the eternal shame and disgrace of the Government , the result of that inquiry has never been brought before Parliament , though the Commission has cost the country soma thousands of pounds , ao < L the wretched condition of the hand-loom weavers called for immediate interference . Whilst snob * state of things exist , very general discontent mnsfe necessarily prevail , and a feeling be engendered subversive of that peace , law , and order which ought to be Btrietly observed ia all well-remilated
communities . We would strongly recommend the Maw ' strates , as conservators of the p « bUe peace , to look into the dreadful state of suffering of this body of men , and those dependant on them , for while sum a state of things exist , there cannot be any security for property ; and should depredations prevail to a great amount , many may be involved who are not at all concerned in the cnpidUy of tn « master manufacturer , nor the maladnunistration our laws . Our surprise ifl that , under this horrible mass of misery and starvation , property fraj boUQ held so 6 * effid . Should thaw -miewrtle weatwtt apply for relief , as the law prescribes , fliey a *« badgered by some insolent overseer , or threatened by the Board of Guardians with beiig sent to the poorhouse , or bastile , or , ifi cisee ; witere ; * hejL « iTao * panahpners , sent aWay altogether . " Shonld theM honest and industrious men be thus driven ta despe ration , who ban tell what may be the resnlti
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 8, 1840, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2696/page/7/
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