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October 7, 1848. THE N0rtheRN STAR g
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TO TBE WOEKJNG-efi&SSESr < Words art thi...
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THE 'POWELL PLOT.' Bboibk* Psolruuhb, Tb...
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FORTHCOMING MEETINGS. CHARTIST. Dswebdby...
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LAND. BiBuiROHAH —The members of the Lan...
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THE IRISH TRIALS FOR HIGH TREASON. The s...
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
October 7, 1848. The N0rthern Star G
October 7 , 1848 . THE N 0 rtheRN STAR g
To Tbe Woekjng-Efi&Ssesr < Words Art Thi...
TO TBE WOEKJNG-efi & SSESr < Words art things , and m small drop ef ink Falling—like dew—upon a thought , prbdaces That which makes thousands , perhaps minions . think . ' Sita * .
The 'Powell Plot.' Bboibk* Psolruuhb, Tb...
THE 'POWELL PLOT . ' Bboibk * Psolruuhb , Tbe curtain hMjostfitlten npon another actof that drama which commenced with the incarceration of Ebmmsi Joxrb and Ms fellow sufferers , for the' crime ef 'open and advised' denunciation of the oppression committed by the rich upon the poor . Amucnmore terrible down baa been awarded the tietims just 'disposed et * Imprisonment for two years under the existing gaol regulations , ia a severe punishment , amounting , in fact , to a deprivation of life for that tern . ua « ideraerjoa 6 onofamanofacfiTe 6 odHT habit * , restless and oatiriug intellect , eager of speech , and pose ^ aszDgarfeatagectionsfor nomewid friends , -mink of raeh a man condemned to solitary
confinecent , or the horrors of 'the silent system / denied the privilege of writihgmateriala , and restricted tomerely teeing bis family for half an Jiour ones in three months . This man . est off from the life of the world and the fire-side affections of hia own home , is in reality deprived of two years of his existence , with the additional punishment ef being too fully conscious every hoar of each day , and every minute ot each how , of the lingering firing death to which 'the law * has doomed him . Snob is exactly the portion of Ebwst Joxas and many others . Their punishment , too , wil not cease with their imprisonment . At the close oi each victim ' s term of incarceration he is to be gagged for * nnmber of years , to ensure his 'loyalty * and obedience to tha lain . ' A patent mode of making Ben loyal and contented ! a
Bat howmueh more terrible is the doom cf the unfortunate men whose long premeditated sacrifice was consummated on Saturday last ! Toe weary days and nights of two years * imprisonment will come to an end , bat poor Cbftay and his fellow victims are doomed to know no end to their sufferings bat the Erave . The sentences ! TRANSPORTATION FOR IFE is a sentence of fife-long slavery and misery , with no alleviation of hope to sustain the sufferers . I may be asked , is my pity lavished only npon Ccrm and his fellow ' conspirators '—bave I nnne for those who were to be the victims of that ' cob-• piracy had the' plof succeeded—thst is the police , the soldiery , the government , & j ? Ianswer , no inch victims were possible . It is true the Attorney Ge
fieral has said : —* Were not eleven men found at the Change Tree armed with knives and with combusti He balls in their possession ? ' « Were not thirteen Ben also found atthe Angel with pikes , pistol * , & o *' Eieren and thirteen makeJHSt twenty-four men , who r begrrmmg wrth Saven Dialr—were to take London by storm ! This u too ridiculous to reply to ; it carries with it ita own answer . The twenty-four Ben were to * levy war * against the police , the soldiers , and the holy army of « 8 TjedaIs ' --the ouch jarmtod * 20 p , 000 specialar Tfainkofthat , Master Brook ! The plan of campiignhad been prepared by government agents , and the hour of 'rising ' fixed by government spies . Even a child would see that such a 'levying of war * is an bosh
The 'caaspirae ? was maanfactured by govern ment spies , and from the very outset theonly victims designed were the poor feDows who have just been sentenced to TRANSPORTATION FOR LIFE . and various terms of imprisonment . The chief Jems was active from the very commencement of the secret meetings ; busy day by day , and night by night , in . stimulating and dragging his victims to their doom . Other fiends in human shape lent their aid , and every false aad hellish device waa employed by these setf-eoafessed miscreants , to sednoa . ensnare , and guide their victims to destruction . No maa ' s life or property was perilled by the proejedraga of Ceffat and his friends , nor was the peace of the
metropolis menaced for a single moment . The socalled ' conspirators' were mere poppets in the hands of the government agents . The ' plot * might have been nipped in tha bud three months ago , and would bave been , had the government really believed there was any reason to apprehend danger to the peace , property , or fires of the pnblio ; bat nothing of the kind was imagined , the sole intention of the real concocters of the' plof was to plot away the personal liberty of the honest-hearted bnt thoughtless men whom they designed to victimise . The attempt Bade by Pores to entrap the honourable member for Nottingham , shows that the real conspirators aimed at the destruction of men much more obnoxi ous to the government than Cottat and his friends . Unfortunately for . the Whigs , the ' Chartist leaders ' were not to be cajoled by the blandishments , nor
awed by the threats of Po will and his accomplices In spite of persecution and black-hearted treachery there will not be wanting men to face the vile Whigs Upon the hustings , and bring them to account when the day of reckoning arrives . Although the Whigs were believed to be btse enough for almost anythisg , it was hardly anticipated that tbe Attorney General would anb ' othingly defend the employment of spies , and still less that aneh horrible immorality wonHhave found conntecasce on the judicial bench . On file trial ot Bow . Sao , the Attorney General said : — 'Be hoped it would be a lesson to persons who conspired together , that they eoald not do it without having traitors among them to expose their designs ; and it was a wise dispensation of Providence that this should he the ease . ' Tins will remind toe reader of
Wordsworth ' s ' pretty pedigree for murder : — ' Carnage is God ' s daughter . ' If there is any reality in the offence called 'blasphemy , ' it is too bad that the Attorney General should escape ita penalties . Imagine 'Providence' iBjpiring a set of wretches to earn each his ' thirty pieces of silver' by seducing innocent , and entrapping imprudent men to their destruction . Imagine this done , too , for the special benefit of Sir Jobs Jxbtb and his colleagues , who hope to escape that public contempt their official imbecility has so well earned by making a great show of ' vigour' in'putfiag down' a bobble plot , blown by their own dirty
tools and unscrupulous mercenaries ! 'Oh Liberty !' said Madame Rolakd ' what crimes areeoramitted in thy name . ' Change 'Liberty'to'Providence * and' crimes' to ' blasphemies , ' and we have words which too truly picture the mingled hypocrisy and audaci * y of the Whig Attorney General . The head of the bar laving claimed for Powsix the sanctity of divine patronage , Mr Justice Ears followed op the good work by lauding the civic virtues of that model patriot , and claiming for him the thanks of the honest part of the community * The judge said : Powbll ' s own explanation waa
that—He did not enter into this confederacy for the parpose of deceiving or entrapping any one , and that he was actuated only by a lore of his cosatry . II that wereso , he thsught that instead of being called a traitor and a PJ » * be honest part of the coramuairy should rather exprats their thanks to him . The reports of the judge ' s address vary in words though the same in substance . Does Mr Justice Era * really admire patriotism and love of country suchaaPowni confessed to in tha foflowmg admissions when under Grots-examination !—Z did not preusnytelf forward . I was desirous to get Into their confidence gradually in order that I might be tray them the more securely .
Game / tela me to get some paper andpowder in order so maie cartridge * . I expected they were to be ssed against the Qieea ' s troopt and the police , hat yet I assisted hlra to sbtain them . I do not know whether this wu patriotic or not . I always Indignantly repudiated tbe charge cf being a spy . I epeke te two men about * firing' the hoatet aad premises , and oae of them agreed to do at I desired , but the other did aot appear willing . I thought I wat htand to carry out the retolatfon of the committee , that « ach delegate should engage some men for the purpose -of firing houses , or else I should have been sutpeeted .
I know James Bennett , a shoemaker . * I believe I have said to him that I had been making foot hsad-grenadet that would go hah ? way through an inch feiard . * * It was not true that I had been making han & greasde * . I only said so for talking take . * * I also told them how I made the grenades , that wat a lie too . Mr Ballastms : A » d are yon aot called * lying Tom ?'—Kot to oy face . Mr Ballutine : How were these grenades made , did yon say?—Witness : Why , I teld them that gunpowder most he put into an luk-bottle with aa « p ! os £ r » cap , and I daresay I did taj ih % t it would be » capltd thing to throw among the police if it had some nails in it . I betters I did say to a man name ! Carter that I wanted four desperate men who would do any kind cf wsrk .
( HrBalZanoaa here handed a small iron instrument , vtlth a spike ia it , calculated to lame a herself thrown On the road or pavement , and he asked the witnett if be had ever seen such an one , and he admitted he had , and that he had made it . ] Here it another made on a similar plan , expecting this would be produced . These are the only two I made . I made them to ascertain thatthey wen making those things at Cartwri * ht i . I threw it down on the ground and the table . I expected that some would be producedat Cartwrighft like this . Mr
Ballantine : Ton did it for a trap!—I did it to detect the parties . Baron Piatt : Did you do it for a trap , to d ' teover the parties who were making them ?—I did so , my lord ; that is &» solemn position I am placed in . ( A laugh . ) * I said at the same time that I had a large quantity at home . Mr Ballaatine : Was that true or false f—False . Mr Bauanttae : Ton tees proud of it ?—X wish to speak the truth , and say what I have done . Mr Bauanaae : Aai that was another falsehood!—It was . Mr BaEeaBse : Bare yoa formed an Idea of the number
The 'Powell Plot.' Bboibk* Psolruuhb, Tb...
" of falsehoods ' jeBTivTtoH inthe coarse of these proceedugi f—I dare say I have told several . These are bnt a few of the « gems' that abound in ttie confessions of the patriot Powau , who , Mr Justice Eblx says , deserves the thanks of the honestpart of tie community ! Hkhbt Wakos gave evidence on oath that Powill had advised him to go armed to the Kennragton Common meeting . Mark what follows :- 'I said I had no arms . Se advised me to grwdahufeupsharp , and if apoUccmm interfered tnthmetotHei it into his belly , and he would not want amend stab ? Hsd Watsohacted onPowan ' s advice he would have been hanged , and the Attorney ( zeneral and the Tuus would have gloated over what they would have called 'A Chartist Murder . ' Insuch a case Mr Justice Eels wonld doubtless have demanded a civic crown for Powill . That precious
ssmple of English law— 'thegreater the truth , the greater toe UrjeVU now outmatched bytbeaewreve latioaofjudicial wisdom— 'thegreater theviUain . the greater the patriot !' It appears that such patriots abound at the present time . The Attorney General in his reply to the counsel for the defence said , ' There were hundreds of men—and it was right that those who entered into illegal combinations should know it—there were hundreds of men who would give information in the same way aa Diva had done . ' If this statement is not a horrible falsehood , if it is indeed true that there are hundreds of spies prowling about , or if it be true that there ve even hundreds of wretches whom the Attorney General can calculate upon as ready to betray their fellow men ( query—with Jodas ' s or La-MABTnre ' s 'kiss of life ' !) , what a state of society dees such a fact—if fact it be—reveal !
. * We've neither safety , unity , nor peace , Fer the foundation ' s lost of common good , ' And what an unprincipled , disreputable , rotten system must that be which props itself with such vile instruments ! Here I may remark , that if Powell , Davis , and Co ., are such good patriots , it ia passing strange that out of the ON Bailey ao one will do homage to their patriotism . On the contrary we find these' patriots ' confessing they have to be guarded by the police , and kept out ot the war to protect their lives . Davis owns that on the mere suspicion of being a spy he had lost his trade , the people of Greenwich refusing to do business with him . Further proof ia not necee *
sary to show that—happily for the honour of the English name—there is no likelihood of the people acknowledging the ' patriotism' of a Powell , even though vouched for by a judge . Mr Baron Plait when about to pats sentence on the convicted prisoners , reproached them thatthey had 'chosen to call that which the canititution of the country had branded as felony , patriotism . ' The prisonersmight have retorted , that that judge ' s' learned brother * had chosen to eallthatwhich the common sense and right feeling of all men , ia all ages , had branded aa vfilany , patriotism ; an error—to use the mildest term of censure—much more worthy of indignant reprobation .
Of coarse I have not space at command to allow of the reproduction of all the damning features ef this memorable trial , but after the confessions of Powell it is only fair that I ' should give a specimen of tbe candid avowals of Davis , who said : — * I was not a Caartist , hot merely joined them for the purpose of obtaining Information . I wished to ingratiate myself wiih these people oa purpose that I might betray them . I was not employed as a spy by any oae , but I created myself a spy . ' This ' respectable shopkeeksr' confessed that he secreted himself in a room adjoining to that in which certain ' Confederates' were meeting , and that the conversation he overheard he reported to the superintendent of the Greenwich ponce . When a pro ?
position was made to dissolve the Greenwich associa tion , he opposed it , and by abusing the supporters of that proposition as ' cowards' strove to pia his rieims to illegal courses . - Worthy patriot ! 'Worthy / asMr Justice Eblx would say—' worthy of the thanks of the honest part of the community !' The characters of these worthy patriots , as dascribed by . those who bave known them too well , reflect credit oa the taste of their patrons . Powell stands out frem the common herd , a man of mark , ' a bright , particular star . ' He has been ' a sort of sporting man , ' everybody knows what that means . He adds with artless candour : 'I know what the 'thimblerig' means ! ' Six witnesses who have known Mister Powell tor three , seven , ten , fifteen years , & c , swear that they would not believe him on
his oath ; so , net even were he on his death bed For their reasons I must refer the reader to then evidence as given in the report . It would appear that in bygone days the ' Welsh Novice' ( very like a novios !) was somewhat heterodox both in his politics and his theology . Witnesses swear that he has been in the habit of abasing both thaViBGia Mast and Queen Victoria in terms bo impious , disgusting , and offensive , that the reporters , who are in toe habit of dishing np the abominations revealed at tbe police offices for the mental repast of maids , wives , ani widows—even thesenot very nice gentlemen shrunk from recording the frightful expressions impcted to PovrstL by a host of witnesses . Some men adopt enrions methods of attaining notoriety : for instance , M ashb , who set fire to York Minster , desired to emulate
The fool who fired the E ^ hesian deme . ' Powill takes Judas for bis model , not without a hope of being able to outstrip that worthy . Richabd Pxhhjll giving evidence , Baya , 'He would not believe Powell on his oath , because be bad heard him say , So help him God , ' that he would swear any thing if he got paid for it . * • He called the disciples the greatest scoundrels he had ever heard of , and said that 'Judas was the best fellow of the let . Be got paid for his work ; but he ( Powell ) would have done it for half the money !' Te think that England should owe ita safety to such a CuBTiua ! Fer had it not been that Powell jumped into the Chartist gulf for the purpose of fishing np its terrible secret * , preparatory to bis jump into that lower deep , the gulf of infamy , ' this unfortunate metropolis '— ' tir ' a unhappy city , ' as Mr Baron Plait says , might have been turned upside down ! The Roman-like devotion of Powell cannot be too highly commended !
The other' Queen ' s Evidence' do no discredit to their leader . One of them confessed to having been a convicted thief , although in the exercise of bis prigging propensities his acquisitive genius does not appear to have as yet soared above a quartern loaf , and a pewter pot . No doubt he will yet reach higher grades in his piofession . Indeed , I should be very sorry to witness the abolition of capital punishments until these gentlemen have previously been elevated to the full height that , doubtless , their merits will yet entitle them to . A remarkable circunstance should not be lost sight of—the regard for ' moral force' avowed by the Crown witnesses . It may be anticipated that the slim y brood of sham Radicals who call
themselves 'moral-force men , ' will seize upon this trial to attempt to excite odium against the men whom they are pleased to denounce aa ' phyrical-force Chartists , ' by representing the objects of their hatred as responsible for the fate of Comr and the other victims . Now let this not be forgotten , that while Davis represents himself as no Chartist at all , Babbitt bajs he joined the Emmett Brigade as 'a sincere moral-force Chartist' He now came forward to give evidence 'for the good of society . ' Tildih who will' not be ashamed to take anything toe government may give him , ' says 'He joined the Chartists as a moral-force man , * * * He waa always determined to betray the physicalforce movement . ' Lastly , Powell is the ' moral man , tor example : —
Powxtt . —There are strange characters that go to Cartwright ' s , who would astonish any moral man . Mr BaUAtmxx . —You are a moral man , are-yon not ! Powill—I am . These ' mnaV and ' moral-force' men remind me of the celebrated Doctor Era , who isreported to have lately delivered a speech at the National Hall , in which , applying his words to 'insurgent mobs , ' he said : ' Bad I the command of an army , I would ¦ weep the streets with cannon aa coolly aa I would cut down cucumbers in my garden . ' Brutus was an honourable mtn , acd Powell is a moral man . Dr ErTi is the champion of * mo : al force , ' and so is TnsKx !
The conduct of Cdffat throughout his trial was that of a mm . A somewhat singular appearance certain eccentricities of manner , and a habit of unregulated speech , afforded an opportunity to the ' suckmog' reporters , {^ principled editors , and buffoons of the press to make him the subject of their ridicule . Tbe 'fast men' ot the press—toe frequenters of * Coger'e Hall , ' tha ' Coal-hole , ' and the * Cider-cellar */ did their best to smother their victim beneath the weight of their heavy wit , and the filth of their dirty diatribes . They succeeded in driving him into the meshes spread by Powell . Yes , in a great measure . Cuffat owes his destruction to the Press-gang . Bnt his manly and admirable conduct on his trial afforded his enemies no opportunity
either to sneer at or abase him . His demand for a fair trial by his peers , ' according to tbe princi p les of Magna Charts , ' and his protest from first to last against the mockery of being tried by a jury anima ted by class-resentments and party-hatred , showed him to be a much better respecter of' the constitution' than either the Attorney General or the Judges on the bench . Cuffat ' s last words should be treasured up by the people I'iatkno pity—1 ash no mercy . I pity the government and the Attorney General for convicting me by meant of such base characters . * * * Every good aot was set aside in Parliament—every thing that was likely to do any good to the working classes was either thrown out or set aside , bnt a measure to restrain their liberties could be passed in a few hours . '
Ia passing the cruel and vindictive sentence of TRANSPORTATION FOR LIFE on men possessing—as . tbe Judge acknowledged—feelings of manly energy and independence , Mr Baron Purr went out of his way to say to them : ' What right had yea te set np your understandiag against the
The 'Powell Plot.' Bboibk* Psolruuhb, Tb...
experience of mankind , and the result of ancient wisdom ? ' This offensive interpellation was easily put to men who were not permitted to reply . The only reply I shall deign to offer , is to ask ' his lordship' whether he considers such language befits the dignity and impartiality which should be his attributes as a Judge ? The 'impartiality' of our Judges it all oh one ride , witness the offensive remarks permitted to be addressed by the Attorney General to Mr Kenbalst and the manner in which this last named gentleman was put down by 'the Court' whenever he attempted to give the government functionary ' a Rowland for his Oliver . ' Again , MrPABBv proposed to ask a witness , ' whether the class-leaders of the National Charter Association were not appointed upon the same principle as in the Wesleyan Connexion ?*
Mr Baron Plait said he was of opinion such a question coald not legally be asktd . /( tad nothing to do wift the natter . Immediately following this 'opinion' the Attorney General delivered a fierce tirade against the National Charter Association , which he described as an illegal confederacy . A short time before Mr Pabbt attempted to put the question above stated , * the Court' permitted the following : — Daniel Burn , witness fer the defence , under cross * examination : — I know nothing about clatt-leaders , bat I have heard there are such persons connected with tbe Chartists . I belong to the land Company also . The Attoenii Gehesai . —When do you expact to get your share of the land ?
Wrasse . —Ob , I am quite satisfied with the Land Scheme . It has been much misrepresented by the prei » . This most irrelevant question—this elap at the Land Company—this back-banded blow at Mr O'Cohnob , was not checked by 'the Court , ' though it would have puzzled Mr Baron Plait to have shown what the Land Company had 'to do with the matter ' under investigation . On Monday last , Joseph Ritchie , another of Powell ' s victims , who , by pleading ' Guilty , ' saved the Attorney General the trouble of prosecutine was sentenced to TRANSPORTATION FOR LIFE . Several of the accused were discharged on their own recognisances , and the remainder sentenced to imprisonment . The men discharged were acknowledge J by the Attorney Geaeral to be innocent , yet to the disgrace of the system the law awards these men no compensation for the six weeks imprisonment they have unjustly suffered , to sty nothing of loss of employment , and the misery and
anxiety of their families . Amongst the prisoners sentenced to the severest term of imprisonment , be-| cause found with arms in their possession , was Hugh Cohwat , who waa armed (?) with % pihe head . Now note how Cohwat became possessed of this pike head . Chablbs Bald * ihbos , one of the' approvers " who gave information to the police ' about three o ' clock in the afternoon of the 16 th of August / said , when nnder cross-examination , 'He was taken into custody with the others , and had a loaded pistol in his pocket at the time . He had a pike haad a short time before , bat he gave it to Coaway to take care of , and it was found upon him when he waa taken . ' In fact , Baldwihson gave the pike head to Conwat that it might be found en the person of his victim when arrested . Is not the sentence passed upon this man immeasurably and grossly unjust ? Of course BALswarsojr is ' an honourable man , ' and , like Powell , deserves the thanks of the honest part of the £ commnnity !
I must here direct the attention of the reader to the extraordinary denunciation ot a witness for the defence , by Mr Baron Platt , who insinuated that Charles Goodfellow , the tailor , whom Powell tried to entrap , under pretence of meeting him at the Orange Tree on the evening of the 16 th of August to measure him ( Powell ) for a coat , was really ' one of the guilty parties . ' Supposing even that Mr Baron Plait may have evidence ef which the pnblio are ignorant , and on which he grounds his doubts as to Goodfbixow's' innocence , still such a display is most unseemly on the part of i judge who might be regnired to try the person singled out for this denunciation . Imagine that the government arrested Goodfellow , and that he was put on
his trial before Mr Baron Putt ; could the accused man , or the public at large , have faith in a 'fair trial ? ' If the laws are to be respected and obeyed , Judges cannot be too jealous of maintaining unsullied their character for impartiality . I will not trust myself to comment on the speech addressed by Mr Baron Platt to Mr Jobs Shaw , who , convicted of ' sedition , ' has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment , to pay a fine of £ 50 to the Queen , and to find security himself in £ 100 , and tivo sureties in £ 50 each , to keep the peace for five years . When Jobs Shaw ' s speech ia contrasted with the violent orations delivered by Sir Jobs Jotis ' s faction when ont of office , and the incitements to assassination , insurrection , and
overthrow of 'toe aristocracy- ' delivered by the spoolers of the League , and when we see the rewards achieved by Whigs and Free Traders in place and in parliament , and contrast with those rewards the punishment meted ont to Jobs Shaw in the dock , there needs no other answer ( though volumes of answers might be written ) te expose tbe fallacy of tha Judge ' s declaration , that the law makes ' no distinction between rich and poor . ' The very virtues of John Shaw are made the pretext for his punishment ; because being himself in comparatively comfortable circumstances , he strove to raise his fellow creatures from the slough of
misery ; because , himself possessing political franchises , he laboured for the emancipation of the helots of his race , therefore , he has been condemned to a most cruel punishment . If , on the other hand , self-satisfied with his own position he had viewed with indifference the miseries of his fellow creatures , he would have been complimented as * a good citizen . ' If he had taken a special ' s bludgeon in his hand to help the government to make the starving lie down and die . he would have been praised as ' a loyal subject . ' If he had expressed an opinion that ' all the Chartists ought to be hung , ' he would have passed for ' a highly respectable man . ' 0 times ! 0 manners !
A truer man than John Shaw never trod tbe streets of this metropolis . His time , his purse , his services , were ever at the command of his political and personal friends . " Shame on those friends if they allow his business to perish and his family to be beggared . John Shaw ' s antecedents demand for him something more than lip sympathy . And—if the people are notes despicable as their rulers—the families of Coffay and the rest of Powell ' s victims will be looked to . Although undoubtedly Chartism has been injured by this affair , nevertheless , let the Chartists succour the unfortunate . Out of the pale of poverty there is no allowance made for the errors of the poor , nor sympathy felt for their sufferings . Let poor men have charity , pity , and aid for each other . This letter is very lengthy , but the importance of the subject would justify a still lengthier commentary . In taking leave of Powell , Davis and Co .,
'Their country's c urse , their children ' s shame , ' it is a difficult matter to restrain one ' s pen ; bat the creatures are not worth wasting words open . Denunciation cannot deepen tbe blackness of their guilt . They have attained the acme of infamy in this world , and can have no hope of redemption in another . ' Heaven cannot make them better , nor hell worse . ' * Bnt what must be said of those who employed P owBLL and his confederates in crime ? ' The Artful Dodger' who steals your pocket handerchief , or the ' Bill Sykes' who breaks into your house or breaks open your skull , undoubtedly deserves the execration and punishment due to ruffianism ; yet both the thief and tbe house-breaker are respectable characters compared with the' Fagin' who employs them . The parallel will suggest itself to the reader . The political Flows stand self-numasked , ' With all their blushing honours thick upon them . ' IMmi pu Peupie . ^ hnreday , Oct . 5 : h , 1848 .
Forthcoming Meetings. Chartist. Dswebdby...
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS . CHARTIST . Dswebdby —A district delegate meeting will be held in the Chartist meeting room , on Sunday , October 8 th , to enter into arrangements for the intended visit of Mr O'Connor , when delegates from each locality in the district are requested to attend , and bring the district levies with them . Chair to be taken at eight o ' clock , p . m . The following persons are duly authorised to receive subscriptions to defray the expenses of the demonstration on Mr O'Connor ' s visit—viz ., the secretaries of tbe Land and Charter Associations , and Druid ' s Arms , Spinokwell , Dewsbnry ; Benjamin Bromley , F . W . Chap * pell , Batley ; Frederick William Sucksmitb , Birstal William Lacy , hair-dresser , Cleokeaten ; Abraham Schofield , E . Clegg , the secretary of the Charter Association , High Town ; and the district secretary , Henry Summerskill , cooper , Heckmondwike .
Louobbobouqh —A Chartist meeting will be held on Monday , the 9 th , at eight o ' clock in tbe evening , at the Wheat Sheaf . Halifax —A district delegate meeting will be heldatNicholl ' s Temperance Hotel , Broad-street , on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock . All localities in the district are expected to send a delegate . Nottdioham . ——The council representing the Chartist body of Nottingham and the surrounding districts are particularly requested to meet at the Seven Stars , Barkergate , on Sunday next , October 8 . at two o ' clock , p . h . i on particular and important business . Each locality will be expected to send their representatives punctual to time , without delay . Bibmisohah —The Chartists of the Ship Inn locality have resolved upon keeping their townsman , John Fussell , from the degradation of oakum picking by paying the fine , and bave forwarded £ 1 for that purpose . They also call upon the Chartists , generally , to follow their example , and not to trespass upon Mr O'Connor ' s unbounded generosior . At the
Forthcoming Meetings. Chartist. Dswebdby...
ssme tgie thirty shillings was given to the Victim Committee . NoBiHAMproK . -A county delegate meeting will l ? „ -fru " onday next . October 9 th , at the house of Mr John Corby , Nelson-street , ^ near the Barracks , Northampton , at ten o ' clock in the forenoon , for the purpose of adopting some efficient plan foi ; the better organisation of the trades of the 0 DnntT ¦» theNational Association of United Trades , when delegates from the following places are expected to attend : Daventry . Towcestor . LongBaokby , Wellingborough , Hishamferrers , Rushdeu , and Rounds , the Flints of Northampton , and the Basket
makers , are invited to send delegates . Halifax—A West Riding detonatemeetine will be held at Nioholl ' s Temperance Hotel , 16 , Broadstreet , on Sunday forenoon , the 15 th instant , at ten o ' clock . All parties in arrears to the Riding , are requested to settle the same , Corpm . —A tea party , concert and ball will take place on Friday , October 13 ; h , at the Eelphant and Castle , Hill Field ; the profits to go to the Victim Fund . Tickets may be had at the above place , or of any of the Chartist Council . Hrjii . -Me 6 ting 8 of the Chartists aw held at the Temperance Hotel , Blanket-row , every Sunday evening , at seve n o ' clock .
„ - fV A , n ) Shklton . —The members of the National Co-operative Benefit Society are requested toattend a meeting on Monday evening , October 9 . h , at seven o ' clock , at Mr Yates * . Miles Bank , Shel ton . rersons . desirous of becoming members may apply at Mr Yates ' , on Saturday and Monday evenings . .. . ; Newcastle otoh-Tinb-Mr Jobn West will leoore in M . Jude ' a long room , on Sunday , October-8 ib , at half past six o ' clock . , Halifax —Mr Shackleton will deliver a lecture in the Working Man ' s Hall , on Sunday , the 8 th inst . D jots open at six o ' clock , lecture to commence at half-past . South Shields . — A district delegate meetine will be held in the house of Mr W . Gilroy , Cross Keys , West Holborn , on Sunday , October 8 ih , at two o ' clock in the afternoon ..
Mr West ' s Rohie fob the Next Week . —Swall well , October 8 th , at two o ' clock in the afternoon ; Newcastle , October 8 th , at half-past six in the evening ; Berry Edge , October 9 th and 10 th ; Winlaton . October 11 th ; St Peter ' s Quay , October 12 th ; and Felling , October 13 th . Mr DoiiOTAii ' fl Rem * fob nbxt Week . —War rington , October , 9 th ; St Helen , 10 th ; Liverpool , llch ; Bolton 12 tb ; Middlaton , near Manchester IScb . The members of the Chartist councils in those localities are requested to attend to the getting up meetings in the different places named above . The
obiecof Mr Donovan ' s visit is to explain the conduct of different parties in connxtion with the arrests in Manchester , and to make arrangements as to the best means of preparing for the defence of those men that are threatened with persecution ; Manche'Tsb —Mr Jamea Leach will deliver a lecture in the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , Oct . 8 tb , on Co-operation Discussion invited . Chair to be taktn at six o ' cUtk in the evening .-A members' meeeiig of the National Charter Association will be held at two o ' clock in the afternoon . —A female members meeting will be held in the antiroom of the above Institute at the same time .
Land. Bibuirohah —The Members Of The Lan...
LAND . BiBuiROHAH —The members of the Land Company meetingat the Ship , and the friends of Chartism , are requested to meet oh Sunday evening next , October 8 th , upon business in reference tb the future policy oftheChartistbody . Liitletown beab Leeds — A special meeting of Land members will be held at Charles Brook ' s , on Sunday , October 8 th ; at ten o ' clock in the forenoon , on business connected with the Conference , when every member is requested to attend . Stourbridge—Mr , Feargus O'Connor will deliver an address on Monday ' evening , October 16 th , at the Theatre-Royal , at seven o ' clock , on the subject of the Land Plan , when he will propound his views of
working it under its amended form . On this ( Saturday ) evening , attendance will be given at the Crown-rooms , at eight o ' clock , to receive the monthly contribution and levies which are now due . Keighlbt . —A meeting of Land members will be held at seven o ' clock on the evening of Monday next , in-the Working Man's Hal ] , when it is hoped that all the members of the branch , including those of Bingley , Callingworth , Harden , & i-, will attend . Bahbubt . —A general meeting of this branch of the Land Company will be held at the Butchers ' Arms Inn ; at half-past seven o ' clock , fer the purpose of nominating a delegate to the forthcoming Land Conference . ,
Stalybbidob . —A delegate meeting will take place on Sunday afternoon at tea o ' clock in the Land Company ' s meeting room , Cross-street , Springstreet , when the following places are requested to send delegates : —Ashton , Daokinfield , Hyde , and Mottram—to take into consideration the propriety of sending a delegate to the forthcoming Conference . —A meeting ef the members of the Stalybridge branch will tsVe place in tbeafternoonattwoo ' olock . Nxwoastle opoh-Tyhe . —A general meeting of the Land members will be held m M . Jude'n long room , on Sunday afternoon , October 8 th , at four o'clock , for the purpose of discussing the propriety of sending a delegate to the Conference to be held in Birmingham on the 80 th of October .
Prkbtoh . —A general meeting of Lacd members will take place on Monday evening , at eight o ' clock , in MrFrankland ' sRoom , Lune street , tom « kearrangementa for the forthcoming Conference . The secretary will attend to receive tbe weekly subscriptions for the shares and aid fund . Absbdeen . —The quarterly general meeting of this branch of the National Lasd Company will be held in Mrs Brine ' s Hall , 63 , Castle-street , upon Monday evening , 9 : h inst ., at eight o ' clock , when the quarterly report will be submitted to the meeting , and
officers elected for the ensuing quarter . DraiNPiELD . —The members of this branch of the Land Company will meet on Sunday , October IS , at the house of Charles Hurst , Old Hall , Dukinfield Hall , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , when all are requested to attend , and those who are back with their levies are requested to come and pay them . Mabcbesieb —The monthly meeting of the Land members will be held in the People ' s Institute , on Sunday morning , October 8 th , to elect delegates for the forthcoming Conference . Chair to be taken at nine o ' clock .
Hull—A general meeting of Land members will be held on Tuesday evening , October 10 th , in the Wilberforce Rooms , to decide on the delegate to the Conference , and to elect officers for the ensuing quarter . .. . ... Covbbibt . —The Land members are requested to attend a meeting at Mr Pritchsrd ' s Coffee-house , Gosford-street , on Tuesday evening , October 17 th . at seven o ' clock , on important business , when all levies * due will be expected to be paid . Bust . —The shareholders of this branch are requested to meet on Sunday evening next , in Clarkestreet . The quarter's accounts will be brought forward , and officers for the ensuing quarter elected , . ,
Bristol . — The Land members are requested to attend at Mr Richard Castles , Mill-street , on Monday evening next , to take into consideration the electing a delegate for the ensuing Conference . Nottingham . —The next meeting of the Land members will be held at the New Inn , Carrington , for the purpose of devising the best means ot locating the poorer members , and transacting other business , on Sunday evening , at seven o ' clock . Loughborough . — The Land members , of this branch are requested to attend a general meeting , to be held at the Wheatsbeaf , on Sunday evening , 8 th of October , at six o ' clock . SrocEFdBT . —A meeting of this branch will take place oh Sunday next , October 8 tb , at the ball of the Ljceumi'Wellington street , at two o ' clock iu the afternoon .
Birmingham . —The Lsnd members , resident in Birmingham , are requested to meet in the People ' s Hall , on Wednesday , the 11 th instant , upon business of importance . Every member is earnestly requested to attend . Rochdale . —On Sunday afternoon , attwoo ' olock , a special meeting of Land members will take place in the Chartist-room , Yorkshire-street , to consider the beat means of sending a delegate to the forthcoming Conference . Bbasfobd . —The Land members are requested to attend a meeting in their room on Sunday , the 8 th of October .
a Hydb . —The Land members of this breach are desired to meet in their room , on Sunday afternoon , at two o'clock , to discuss the best means of locating the members of the Company , and to nominate a delegate to the forthcoming Conference . Liverpool —A special general meeting of Land members will take place at Mr Farrell ' s , 62 , Richmond-row , on Monday evening . October 9 th . Subject : 'Theconsideration -of the new laws , and to give Instructions to Delegates going to the Con * ference ,
Htde . —The quarterly meeting of the Land members of this branch was held last Sunday , when officers were appointed for the next three months , after which it was resolved ' That this meeting approve of holding a Conference at Birmingham , as recommended by the directors . ' Mosslet . —A public meeting will be held is the Land Company's room , Bagly on tSunday afternoon , Oct . 8 th , at ten o ' clock , to appoint a committee to raise a Defence Fund for the political vbtims of Moisley .
Hbtwood . —A general meeting of the Land members of this locality will be held in the Chartist room , Hartley , street , on Monday evening , October 9 ; h , at seven o ' clock . Merthtb Tydvil . —The adjourned debate on the helding a Confereace willlbe held on Sunday afternoon next , at two o ' clock , at the back of k the Three Horse Shoes , and will be continued for three ni ghts . South London Chartist Hall , —Mr Shorter will deliver a lecture on Sunday evening next , October 8 th , at eight o ' clock . Subject : 'The social position and influence of woman . '
The Irish Trials For High Treason. The S...
THE IRISH TRIALS FOR HIGH TREASON . The special commission appointed for the State ml * nd commenced its formal proceedings on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., at ClonmeL A very large number of persons assembled at an early hour m the neighbourhood of the Court-house , anxious to he present at the proceedings . The Attorney General applied that Mr Smith
O Bnen and the other four prisoners included in the same general indictment should he brought into court and called on to plead . —James Orchard , Denis Tyne , and Patrick O'Donnell , and afterwards Mr Smith O'Brien were placed at the bar . He looked ^ excellent health , aod appeared in much better spirits than on the occasion of his last appearance in the same situation . When . he bad taken his place at the front of the dock , the Clerk of the Crown was about to indict him in the usual terms , when
Mr Whiteside , Q . C ., rose . The application he had to make was that the prisoner should not be called on to plead , and that bis trial should be postponed until such time as the court might deem right and sufficient to enable him to prepare his defence in a complete and satisfactory manner . The short question to bediscussed was , whether Mr O'Brien was entitled , under the acts of Parliament now applied to Ireland in cases of high treason , to a copy of the jurors' panel , and a list of the witnesses to be examined on the part of the crown . It was very extraordinary that living , as they ( the people of
Ireland ) were paid to live , under laws equal and similar to those of England , a prisoner tried in this country should be denied the advantage of a privilege which every Englishman enjoyed , and which went to the very root of the offence . In England parties tried for high treason were allowed to have a copy of the panel , and a list of the ciown witnesses ten clear days before the day appointed for the trial to take place ; and it was for the court to decide whether Mr Smith O'Brien should not enjoy the same advantages ( being tried in Ireland ) which he would obtain as a matter of right had he been tried in England . The learned counsel drew attention to several acts
of parliament—especially that of 57 Geo . III . —and to authorities bearing on the point . If their lordships entertained a doubt on the subject he would respectfully call their attention to the rule of law now generally adopted in all cases of doubt arising in courts of criminal judicature , viz ., ' that it should be rejected were it made against the prisoner , and be received if likely to prove favourable to his defence . ' The Attorney General submitted that the prisoner was not entitled to be furnished with a copy of the
hat of jurors and witnesses before he was arraigned . It was conceded that at common law np such right existed . The only question was , whether there was a statute in force in Ireland entitling a prisoner to a list of witnesses or a jury panel ? The present indictment was altogether framed under the statute of Edward . The section of Geo . III . merely applied to a new treason and not to the . old class of treasons under the statute of Edward , and inasmuch as the present prosecution was under that statute , he contended that the application should not be granted .
After some fuither arguments on beth sides , the court ruled that the prisoners should at once plead to the indictment . Mr O'Brien then pleaded Not Guilty in a clear and audible voice . Mr Whiteside then asked , as a matter of favour , that Mr O'Brien ' s counsel should he furnished with a copy of the jury panel for a few hours before the commencement of the trial , in order that they might have an opportunity of looking over it , To justify tbe reasonableness of his request the learned
counsel cited some English trials for hi gh treason where the prisoners had been allowed a copy of the panel one day before the trial was appointed to take place . These cases occurred , he said , before the act of the 7 th Will . III . was passed , and , therefore , showed that even in England it was the custom at that period to allow the prisoner a copy of the panel at least one day before trial . He , therefore , submitted that the same favour should be extended by an Irish court of justice to prisoners tried for the same crime in Ireland , although they might not be entitled to it as a matter of right .
Tbe Attorney General opposed the application . He said he could not perceive any line of distinction between the present case and the ordinary cases in which men were tried for capital offences . Tbe Chief Justice observed that whilst the Attorney General withheld his consent , it was out of the power of the court to accede to the application . The Clerk of the Court then called over the jury panel , The jurors upon it were , for the most part , persons of property , and were taken , some from tbe town of Clonmel and the remainder from the county at large . The attendance was most numerous—201 jurors having answered to their names out of a panel of 288 .
Mr Fitzgerald put in a challenge to the array , which was to the effect that tbe act of parliament required the clerk of the peace , within a week after the commencement of last October quarter sessions to deliver a precept to the high constables or col lectors of grand jury cess , requiring them to make out within a month a true list of persons qualified to serve on juries ; the list so made out to be returned by them to . the clerk of the peace to be laid before the justices at quarter session for their signature and from the list signed the jurors' book was'to be made out and delivered by the clerk of the peace to the High Sheriff . The prisoner challenged the array upon the ground that the clerk of the
peace for the county of Tipperary had not within the proper time , or at any time delivered the precept to the high constable or collectors of grand jury and other cess , nor was any jurors' book made at present pursuant to the statutable provisions , nor had the Hig h Sheriff returned the names of the jurors from the books of tbe county for any year . The next ground of challenge was that the panel was returned with reference to the religion of the jurors , to his ( W . S . O ' Brien ' s ) prejudice . The several panels which for three years had been , from
time to time returned by respective sheriff ;) to serve upon juries had consisted of 380 persons duly qualified to serve as jurors ; out of said panel not less than one-third consisted of persons professing the Roman Catholic religion , two-thirds of them Protestant , and of the jurors returned , not more than oneeig hteenth were of the Roman Catholic religion , and the residue ( 17-18 ths ) were professors of the Protestant religion . The prisoner further stated that the panel had been partially and unindifferently arrayed to injure and prejudice him upon his trial .
Tbe crown counsel then ( half-past one o ' clock ) retired to their room to consider the replication to the challenge , and did not return into the court until a quarter after three , when The Attorney General handed in a replication to the challenge , in which he set forth that the panel ought not to be quashed , because there bad been a jurors' book prepared in the current year for the county Tipperary , and because the jurors' book was still in existence , being then in fact in the town of Clonmel . Oh these grounds he submitted that a challenge to the array of said panel should not be sustained , and that the array of said panel should be considered as having been well , equally and impartially made in the jury book , by the high sheriff , according to the duties of bis office ,
The counsel for the prisoner then received permission from the court to retire for a short time , in order to consider what rejoinder they would make to" the foregoing resolution . On their return into court , Sir Colman O'Loghlen stated that the prisoner ' s counsel had decided upon joining issue with the crown , and requested their lordships to nominate triers to hear the evidence , and find a verdict on the issue . Mr Whiteside suggested that the court should not nominate the triers from the grand jury panel . The court could see no reason whatever for adopting the suggestion , and recommended that the two first persons on the grand jury panel should be selected for the required purpose , namely , the foreman , Lord Suirdale , and the Hon . Cornelius O'Callaghan .
Lord Suirdale begged that some other grand juror should be selected in his stead , on the ground that having acted in the capacity of high sheriff during the previous year , it was not at all improbable but that he might be examined touching some of his own official acts . Sir Colman O'Loghlen suggested that the second and third names on the grand jurors' panel should be taken in lieu of the first and second , which course was accordingly adopted , and the name of the third juror in the list , the Hon . F . A . Pritties , was substituted for that of Lord Suirdale .
Mr Whiteside then briefly stated the questions which the triers had been appointed to decide . The first question was whether the jurors' book had been made for the current year , pursuant to the Act of Parliament . The second was whether the panel had been fairly and impartially arrayed between the crown and the prisoner . The learned counsel
The Irish Trials For High Treason. The S...
having recited the provisions of the 3 & 4 Wra . IV . chap . 91 ( the substance of which is contained iu the challenge made to the array above given ) , proceeded to contend that the October sessions mentioned in the act of 3 & 4 Wm . IV ., c . 91 , s . 9 , were the same sessions which were mentioned ia the 4 th sec . of said act . If this construction was the true one , he was of opinion that their lordships would decide that the Clerk of the Peace should have issued his ^ , prec ept within one week after the commencement of the October sessions . This course the Clerk o f the Peace had not taken , having ia fact issued his precept in tbe month of July , a course that was altogether contrary to the Act of Parliament . The learned gentleman then contended that the jurors' book was issued in July , and not in October , as the Act of Parliament required .
G . P . Prettie , Esq ., Clerk of the Peace , examined . Had been served with a subpoena that day to produce the precepts and lists ; could not produce the precepts , as the high constable did not return them to him , but could produce the jurors' lists as revised by the magistrates ; the lists were generally affixed to the precepts ; the former were returned to him the latter were not ; produced the lists of two baronies , one the 12 th August , 1847 , the other for 1848 , but it bore no date ; produced lists for othe r baronies , all of which were received before October ; did not issue any other precepts . —To the Attorney General : The lists were revised by tbe magistrates at a special session last December .
The Attorney General drew the attention of tbe court to the points at issue between the crown and 'he prisoner ' s counsel which are set forth in the challenge and replication . The crown bad not taken issue upon the allegation that no precept had been issued a week after the October Quarter Sessions , hut they had raised an issue upon the existence of a properly constituted jurors' book , and were prepared to produce it . The learned gentleman contended that the proper time for issuing the precept was in July , and not in October . The Solicitor General followed on the same side . Samuel M . Going , the sub-sheriff . —Produced the jurors' book which he got from the Clerk of the peace in December last .
Mr Fitzgerald then argued in support of the challenge . He contended that there was not a jurors book according to the acts in that case made and provided , inasmuch as the jury lists were returned prior te October . The Chief Justice then addressed the triers .- The panel was taken from the names found on the jurors * hook , which was proved to have been delivered by the Clerk of the Peace to the Sheriff of the county before October , 18 i 1 , that it was made from lists revised at the quarter sessions , and that the lists were returned prior to October , pursuant to the precept issued before August . The question there
raised , was whether or not the precept issued before the October Sessions , was issued pursuant to the acts in 'that case * made and provided . It was alleged , on behalf of the prisoner , that the precept should have issued after the October Sessions , and not at an antecedent period . It , was his duty to tell the jury that it was not necessary that the precept should have issued after the October Sessions , and that the Act of Parliament dil not contain a syllable justifying the construction which had been put upon it . The objection to the panel was , therefore , untenable , and he would direct the jury to find against the cbaltenge upon the first count .
The jury found accordingly . Mr Whiteside then addressed the jury of triers upon the second question—namely , whether the panel had been fairly and impartially arrayed between the crown and the prisoner . His client , Mr Smith O'Brien , was then on his life , and , to speak very shortly and simply his opinion in the matter , he believed that if he was not tried by a fairly and impartially selected jury , it would make little difference whether tbe crown tried bim with such a jury or took him out of court and shot him through the head upon the high road . The court would tell them there must be no management or contrivance with respect to the concoction of the jury panel ; and that if there was , it would be an unfair , partial
and unconstitutional panel ) And if the triers were of opinion that preceding sheriffs of that county had not fairly discharged their duties between the crown and the prisoners 'to be tried , ' during the last three years , it was impossible for them to say on their oaths that the present panel was an impartial one . On all former panels arrayed during the last three years , there was a certain proportion observed by the High Sheriff who returned the panels ( which proportion was considered to be a fair one ) —namely , two-thirds hsd been invariably returned during the last three years of the Protestant persuasion , and one-third of the Roman Catholic persuasion . However unequal that proportion might appear to be it gave satisfaction .
Evidence was then given on this point , in the course of which Mr Pennefather , High Sheriff of County Tipperary , stated there were several names which had been omitted at the instance of the persons themselves . Did not leave off any one because he was a Roman Catholic . Did make a difference in the construction of the panel . He always did so at special commissions . At the assizes he summoned only one-half of the riding , while he summoned the whole county at special commissions , which enabled him to leave off a great number of names , which be put upon the panel when be summoned only half of the riding . There might be the omission of Roman Catholic names , but on his oath they were not left off for their religion ; three Roman Catholic gentlemen of respectability had sent apologies and were left off the jury ; could not tell how many Romas Catholics were on the panel .
The Lord Chief Justice then addressed the jury of triers at considerable length . He reviewed and commented upon tbe whole of the evidence adduced , and iu doing so stated his opinion that there was nothing in any part of it which in the slightest respect proved that corruption or partiality had been evinced either by the High Sheriff or the Subsheriff in the discharge of their several duties , ia relation to the preparation ef the panel . The jury found against the challenge upon the second question , as they had already done upon the first . The court was then adjourned to ten o ' clock on the following morning .
The Lord Chief Justice Bkckburne , Lord Chief Justice Deherty , and Mr Justice Moore , took thenseats on the bench at ten o clock on Friday morning . The court was even more crowded than on the previous day . The Attorney General , tbe Solicitor General , Mr Scott , Q . C ., MrSausse , and Mr Lynch , appeared as counsel for the crown . Mr Whiteside , Q . C ., Mr Fitzgerald , and Sir Colman O'Loghlen , for the prisoner . There was a very full attendance of jurors , and when the reading of tbe panel had concluded , Mr Whiteside applied to the court on behalf of Mr William Smith O'Brien to select the jury by
ballot . The Attorney General said that if he consented to the application , it would infer that he acquiesced in the imputation of partiality sought to be prove ! against the High Sheriff . The Chief Justice said that as the Attorney General did not agree to the application , the court could not consent to its being granted . The Clerk of the Crown then informed the prisoner that he could challenge twenty persons peremptorily as they came to the book to be sworn , and before they were sworn , and as many others for * cause' as he could sustain .
Counsel for the prisoner having availed himself of this right , and the prisoner exhausted his right of challenge , having set aside twenty jurors without cause , Mr Whiteside claimed for him the right of challenging fifteen additional jurors peremptorily upon his behalf , and cited the 9 th Geo . HI ., c . 54 . The Attorney General , in reply , contended that the 9 th Geo . III ., in amending the administration of the criminal law in Ireland , specifically stated that a prisoner on his trial for high treason should have but twenty peremptory challenges . The court disallowed the challenge , and the jurors were accordingly sworn .
The following is the jury sworn to try MrO'Brien : R . M . J . Mansergh , Grenane , foreman ; E . C . Moore , Moore's Fort ; R . Gason , Richmond ; J . Going , Birdhill ; J . Lloyd , Lisbum ; S . Perry , Barrona ; i . Lussell , Ballydavid ; E . Pennefather , Marlow ; T . Sadler , Ballingarry ; J . Tufhill , "RapJand ; R . Manser , Gralla ; C . Going , Castle Cranna . The Clerk of tbe Crown then read the indictment against Mr Smith O'Brien . ' Mr Fitzgerald applied to the court to oblige the witnesses for the prosecution to leave court . The Attorney General wished to know if it would be necessary for Hodges , the government reporter , to leave tbe court ? He was theie to take a report of the proceedings , and would also be examined as a
witness . Mr Fitzgerald said , he had no objection to Mr Hodges remaining . The Attorney General next said , that he saw Mr O'Hara in court . He was oae cf those that had
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 7, 1848, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_07101848/page/5/
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