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workofdi the first THE NORTHERN STAR ^ J...
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C&arffct ftitrfliflnwe
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LONDON. , , tsmiEBs Towx.-On Sunday even...
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DODWORTH, NEAR BARNSLEY. A Public Meetin...
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Ixquesis at Liverpool.—On Monday the fol...
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THE NOETHERN STAR SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1845.
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LORD STANLEY'S IRISH LAND BILL. " -4 lan...
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TEE TOYMAN'S " SHARE" OF COMFORT. TUE SA...
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OPENING THE COAL MINES PURCHASED BY THE ...
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S. BiWADirrasT, OLBBDitr.—We think the e...
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Co mrnm & titomfpanM
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Transcript
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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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Workofdi The First The Northern Star ^ J...
THE NORTHERN STAR ^ June 14 , i 845 ———^ — — ' _ . ^ f ~~
C&Arffct Ftitrfliflnwe
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London. , , Tsmiebs Towx.-On Sunday Even...
LONDON . , , tsmiEBs Towx .-On Sunday evening last a crowded JSA assembly met in the Hall o . Wj , Engross , to hear Mr . Philip M'Grath deliver ^ jture on the " People ' s Charter , as the means of obteinnig possession of the Land . " Mr . Thomas Edwards was unanimously called to the chair . Mr . M'Graih commenced bv eulogising the members ot ihe Somere Town locality for their strenuous and unwearied exertions in the cause of democracy and con-Tatiuatcd them on the position they had now ssunied . In speaking to the highly important subject announced for his lecture , Mr . M'Grath , in a straiu of glowing and fervid eloquence , depicted the dcrodation aud slavery to which his fellow-men were subjected , exposed the grinding and nefarious system of robbery practised towards the working classes , and its prostrating effects on their energies ;; pourtrayed with patriotic feeling and deep pathos the many nnnn ^> S . C -. tf . — . l ~*! 4-..-: A « . ml ctlTOrliinTl flail ? f miserydestitutionand starvation daily
scenes o , , exhibited in the narrow , gloomy , and noisome courts and alleys of this vast metropolis , as well as in the cold and damp cellarsof Manchester and other places , where masses of human hemes avcjuddlcd together , inhaling a fetid atmosphero " necessarily producing nestilenee and death . He vividly contrasted the above picture with the reckless extravagance , the luxurious magnificence , the pomp and splendour of a gamblingandbloatcdaristocracy . Heexpatiatedonthe equality of man , asserted the inherent right of all to the Land , quoted the opinions of the Earl of Lauderdale , and other eminent scaticians , as to its capabilities ; elaboratelv detailed the plan of the Chartist Co-operative Land " Society , and concluded a most excellent address amid the rapturous cheers of an enthusiastic audience . A vote of thanks to Mr . M'Grath was carried with acclamation . Ten enrolled their names as members , and after a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting separated .
Hall of Sciexce , 19 , Cumberlaxd-row , Iuxo ' scaess . —On Sunday evening next , Mr . C . Bolwcfl , of Bath , will lecture in the above Hall , at half-past seven o ' clock precisely . Cameeettell . and Walworth . —At a meeting of the Camberwell and Walworth Chartists , held at the Moiit p elicr Tavern on Monday evening last , it was unanimously resolved , — " That the Land plan , wisely directed , wiUprovcavaluablcauxiliaryto the Chartist movement . " " That Messrs . Rhodes , J . Simpson , Ingram , SewcII , Murhall , and Jordan , be a committee for the pnrnose of forming » branch of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society in this district . " Victim Committee . —This Committee met at ihe Hall , Tnjnasain-lane , on Sunday evening , June Sth : Mr . G . TH . Tucker was imanimously called to
the chair . A letter was read from Mr . F . 0 Connor , storing that he was absent from town , engaged on the Land project , which prevented his attendance on the occasion ; also stating that he had written to Mr . J . Cleave , but had notyct obtained a statement of the Victim Account from that gentleman . Oa the motion of Messrs . Milne and Cuffay it was unanimously resolved , " That the secretary be instructed to mite to Mr . O'Connor , and request him to wait on Air . Cleave personally , and report the result of hismission to this Committee at its next sitting . " A letter "was also read from the veteran John Richards . On the motion of Messrs . Cuffay and Milne , it was unanimously resolved , " That thesccrctavy be instructed to write to Mr . John Pdehards , assigning the reason why his request and the rote of the Committee have not been yet complied with . "
The Chartist Meeilvg , at the Standard of laberty , Brick-lane , Spitalfields , has voted 10 s . to the unfortunate Mrs . Ellis , to be paid to her by Mr . Newby , who is authorised by the committee to pay debts , and receive all contributions .
MR . CLARK'S TOUR . To tlte Chartist Body . —Friends , —As I announced in my last , I attended a largcjmblic meeting of the inhabitants of MACCLESFIELD held on Park-green , on Wednesday the 4 th inst . Mr . Allen , an old and staunch Chartist , was called to the chair , and , after a few preliminary remarks , introduced Mr . John West , who , in his usual happy and eloquent strain , moved the adoption of the petition on the Land , as pet forth by the Executive . Mr . West entered into a detailed account of the robberies that have been perpetrated in the name of the
Enclosure Acts , and concluded a most masterly speech by recommending the meeting to re-commence the agitation for their political rights , wluch would enable them all to partake of the benefits which the posses sion of the soil invariably confers upon those who are So fortunate as to enjoy it . Mr . John Warren seconded the motion of Mr . West , and I supported it , finti ng out the value of the land to such parties as knew in different parts of the country occupying small portions of it . The petition on being put was unanimously adopted . After which it was announced that I would , in connexion with Mr . West , address another meeting at tlie same place on the following Tuesday evening .
THE POTTERIES . On Thursday evening I entered upon the first of two nights' discussion with Mr . W . Evans , editor of ihe Potters' £ . mminir , ~ on " Home Colonisation versus Emigration . " The discussion took place on that evening in the Christian Brethren ' s large room , which was crowded to suffocation . Mr . C . Stanley president of the Emigration Society , was agreed on by both parties as chairman for the occasion . I opened the debate in a half hour ' s speech , in which 1 laid it down that it was rank delusion to lead the people to suppose that the " surplus population " could be removed by cither emigration or home colonisation , but that by the adoption of the latter we could afford the people a practical proof of what might be
done , did they possess the land nationally ; and also that for the same sum of money as 400 families would have to pay for their passage to America , they might be comfortably located upon at least two acres of land , with a comfortable tottegc , well stocked , at home ; and thus avoid all the dangers consequent upon transportation . Mr . Evans , in reply , admitted that home colonisation was preferable to emigration , If it was practicable , but it was not practicable ; and therefore he preferred emigration . He then entered into the details of the emigration scheme , laying particular stress upon the price of land in America , and contrasted it with the price of an equal quantity of English land . I , of course , admitted the difference in ihe price of land in both countries , particularly in back woods and deserts of the Western States
ot the American continent ; at the same t imepointing out the value of produce in both countries , and the facilities for disposing of English produce , when American grain would remain unconsumed for the want of a market . But leaving the price of hind entirely out of the question , I contended that as it would cost £ 30 , according to Mr . Evans's own shew ing , to remove a family of five persons , and as they would sacrifice at least £ 10 in loss of time in getting to their destination , that the same amount , £ 40 per family , would make them comfortable at home . The discussion was continued the following evening at the Sea Lion Concert-room , and adjourned until Wednesday , to take place at Bursleni ; and as it is to be concluded to-morrow night , 1 shall reserve my relaaris upon is for next week ' s Star ,
STOCKPORT . On Sunday evening I lectured to a numerous and attentive audience , in the large room , Hilkjate ; and on the Mowing evening in the Castle-yard , on the Land . At the close of the second lecture I entered info a icfi ^ Iiy discussiou wtt ! i tile renegade AlHnson , who offered some ignorant and silly objections bo iuZ Land scheme . I lecture to-night * here ; Mr . West -will assist me . I forgot to state that I enrolled twenty-five members at Stockport in the Land Society . One person , Mr . Beswick , paid me £ 10 Ss . 4 d . for four shares . Macclesfield , Tuesday . Thomas Clakx .
HALIFAX . West linnxs Delegate Meettxg . —This meeting was held on Sunday , ihe Sth hist ., in the Working Man ' s Hall ; -Mr . R . Sutcliffe in the chair . The minutes of last meeting were read over and confirmed , after which the following sums were paid in for the Executive : —Bradford , & . 4 d ., do . cards , 7 s . Gd . ; Bebden-bridge , 3 s . 3 d . ; Halifax , 4 s . 4 d . ; Littlctown , Is . Gd . ; Dewsbury , Is . Sd . ; Sowerby-hehii , 4 s . Id ., do . cards , os . ; Lower Warlcy , Is ., do . cards , 3 s , The delegates , after discussiiii ; several subjects , and
particularly the Co-operative Land plan , adopted tlie following resolution . - — "That in the opinion of this meeting a tour from our worthy president , Mr . M'Grath , on the Chartist Co-operation Land Association , in the West Riding , would be of essential service , and tend greatly to forward that object we , the delegates of the various localities in the West Riding , respectfully request Mi ' . M'Grath to take a short tour amongst us as soon as he can make it convenient . " After tlie transaction of other detail business , the meeting adjourned to the second Sunday in July .
Rochdale . —On Sunday last a public meeting was held in the Chartist Room , Mill-street , to consider the Land question , as passed by the la te Conference —Frederick Greenwood in the chair . The rules from the Northern Star were read , and a very instructive discussion followed . At the close of the meeting eight members enrolled their names , when it was resolved to adjourn to Sunday afternoon next , in the same room , when further information will be afforded .
STRATFORD-ON-AVON . A Pcbuc Meeting was held on Monday at the Temperance Hall , to enrol members and explain the objects of the Co-operative Land Society . -Mr . Iteming was called to the chair , and ably opened the sW ^ nl fS % Staunton , in an eloquent address , a 5 ^^* i * fc t o ** deriTCd from the societ ^ S ^ lled ^ f * uded - ^ nymembe ' rs evenmntflic Sl ^ T * T * ^ Monday Wil ] iWncld Z tiio fri ^ '• ( ^ P ttbllC meCtin S theTrnpe ^ cU-if ^ - <*«» y of eveiy month at
Dodworth, Near Barnsley. A Public Meetin...
DODWORTH , NEAR BARNSLEY . A Public Meeting was held on Monday last , and a branch of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society formed . Officers were chosen , and fifteen members enrolled their names and paid entrance money . There is every encouragement that we shall get a great many members . BLACKBURN . A meeting of the members of the Land Society was held at Mr . Norton ' s Temperance Hotel , Ringstreet . Eleven new members wercenrollcd , and took out cards . Another meeting will be held at the same place on Tuesday next , when others desirous of becoming members are requested to attend .
LIVERPOOL . At a Pcbuc Meeting in this town , a committee was appointed to carrv out the objects of the Chartist Land Co-operative ' Society . Mr . Win . Parsons was appointed treasurer , and Mr . John Arnold was appointed secretary . A number of members were H-. S
Ixquesis At Liverpool.—On Monday The Fol...
Ixquesis at Liverpool . —On Monday the following inquests were held before the borough coroner : — On Saturday evening Bernard Rocheford , a shi pkeeper on hoard the Isabella , lying in the Victoria Dock , was found stretched on the quarter-deck . It was supposed he was in a fit , but on examination was found to be dead . The deceased had been seen sitting on the companion a short time previously , apparently in good health . There were no external appearances to account for death , and the case was adjourned for further evidence . —On Friday , Mary Owens , daughter of Mr . John Owens , of Park-street , died suddenly under the following circumstances . The deceased complained of headache about seven o'clock in the morning , and did not get up as usual . She was waited on dining the day by her sister , but on her father going up stairs between two and four o ' clock , she was found in bed quite dead . The cause of death waspubnoiiary apoplexy , induced by disease of the heart . Verdict accordingly . —On Sunday night last , John Fisher , a nightman , was suffocated in a privy in Burlington-street . The deceased with two others , went to remove the night soil from the abovementioned place , when one of them , Emery , went down , and shortly afterwards called out that he was being suffocated . Deceased descended , and tried to render assistance , but being overpowered also with the smell , fell into the soil , head first , and was suffocated . Emery was with difficulty extricated , and now lies in a very dangerous state . —Verdict , Accidental Death .
The Noethern Star Saturday, June 14, 1845.
THE NOETHERN STAR SATURDAY , JUNE 14 , 1845 .
Lord Stanley's Irish Land Bill. " -4 Lan...
LORD STANLEY'S IRISH LAND BILL . " -4 landlord of straiu can break a tenant of steel . " We have read Lord Staxiei ' s speech introducing his " Tenant Compensation Bill" to the House of land-lords , with more than ordinary attention , and have been not a little struck with the confessions forced from his Lordship on the occasion : forced from him , not from any love of justice , but from the apprehension that if a " little bit / ' is not offered , " more" will he taken . When the State physician was summoned to attend the Empress Maria Louisa in her confinement , Napoleon , a good judge of
human natur e , and not slow to discover the effect of circumstances on the mind , observing the physician ' s timidity , exclaimed , "Doctor , remember she is hut a woman . " If the noble lords , whose aid Lord Stanley would now enlist to cure the Irish landmalady , had merely to deal with the complaint of their patient only , we jcould understand a great por tion of his Lordship ' s speech , which under the real circumstances of the case , appearedrather perplexing and enigmatical . The Irish fond-malady is the grievance complained of ; and the noble lords , whose co-operation was sought , knew well that the rea
question at issue was one affecting their own health , condition , and constitution . In fact , the House of Peers , for the most part composed of land-lords who have large Irish estates as well as English titles , was the very worst tribunal to which an appeal for bettering the condition of their tenants could be made . When we read the appalling accounts of Irish destitution arising out of fond-lords' tyranny in the Devon Report , we expressed our conviction that Sir Robert Peel merely required a feasible pretext for dealing with the whole question of Irish agriculture—Irish land-lord justice—tenant
compensationand . above all , the qnestien of tenure . Much importance , then , as wc attach to the speech of Lord Stanlet in introducing the measure , the measure itself fades into utter insignificance as a remedy for the admitted grievances . It has been our lot on several occasions to canvass the probable effect likely to be produced by the Ministerial measures proposed for the amelioration of Ireland : and , however those measures may differ in their character or object , we are irresistibly led to the conclusion that the effect of one and all must inevitably lead to an increased power being placed in ihe hands of the land-hrds .
The Reform Bill , intended to extend the franchise , had , after the first experiment was tried , a directly opposite tendency . The prescriptive dominion and controul of the fantf-lord class induced them , in the first instance , to make the franchise as extensive as possible ; but when the secret was discovered that priestly influence was more powerful than the landlords' controul , the " lords of the toil" waged deadly warfare against those tenants who would not vote for them . Hence the country constituencies have diminished year after year . So with Lord Eliot's
intended Registration measure . Had it passed into a law , a further inducement for ousting the Catholic tenantry would have been presented to the Irish Protestant land-lords : and while Lord Stanlet supposes that he is proposing a- substantive measure for the improvement of Irish agriculture , we , with a better knowledge of the character and practice of those whom he would coerce into justice by law , beg to assure him that the inevitable result of his proposed bill will be , either a further clearance of Irish estates , or a large increase in that class called , "tenantsatwill . "
Ihe leading features of the proposed measure are , —compexsatioh for buildings , drainage , and conversion of unprofitable fences into profitable land : the compensation to be awarded by commissioners paid by the job , and to be regulated by a graduated scale of occupancy : the noble lord fairly enough reducing the price of compensation according to the amount of benefit that the tenant may have derived from the improvements . There are three mam ingredients , however , indispensable towards the realisation of the proposed benefits . Firstly , tenure ; secondly , capita ! . ; and , thirdly , cheap law , for the defence of the tenant .
Lord Stanley dispenses with lata as a means ol aiming at the question of compensation : but he docs not dispense with the present expensive system , by which a landlord of straw is at all times able to break a ^ tenant of steel . Now , to deal with a case precisely such as Lord Stanley ' s bill proposes to meet , let us see the mode by which an Irish landlord could drive a coach and six through the proposed Act
wita as much ease as his Lordship says the farmers can drive a cart on the top of au Irish fence . What more easy in a case where a tenant contracts to take a farm without offices , with the full share of the proscribed mounds , and requiring drainage , than for the landlord to insert a condition in the lease , setting forth that the performance of any of those three acts protected by law shall amount to a forfeiture of the lease ?
The notion which Lord Staxley had uppermost in his mind was some means by which he could compel the Irish landlords to grant leases of such duration as would make expenditure in improvements mutually beneficial to landlord and tenant . He was , however , aware that the open and undisguised question of tenure would have carried with it an amount of " Ministerial interfcrance" that might have perilled the measure . He cannot for a moment suppose , however , that the Irish landlords can be forced out of their habitual practice , or that they can be brought
under obedience of laws now , while their contempt of all law , human and divine , has become proverbial , and is unblushingly admitted in every line of their own report , when they were called upon to sit in judgment upon their own acts . His Lordship assures us that there is an incredible amount of money in the possession of Irish farmers ready to be called into active operation the very moment the prospect of compensation is presented to them . We entirely concur with Lord Stanley ' s assertion . We admit , and it is beyond doubt , that there is an inconceivable
Lord Stanley's Irish Land Bill. " -4 Lan...
amount of " gold guineas" in the possession of Irish farmers , especially those holding large mountainous districts ; but we further assert that the preference to bear any privation , rather than to spend a single one of the said guineas , proves the fact , that an amount of distrust exists , which no law , save the righteous law of " PERPETUITY , " can ever remove . The tenants possessed of money arc fully aware that " a landlordof straw can breakatenant of steel ;"
and are likewise conscious of the fact , that if their money was expended in improvement , ejectment would very speedily follow . An increased rent would be demanded , or the tenant would he ousted , to make way for a higher bidder . A lease in Ireland is no guarantee for possession : and what Lord Stanley should have endeavoured to have enforced is , the certainty of tenure . But again we say , it was too delicate a subject to meddle with . His Lordship tells us , that the incoming tenant is invariably compelled to give the landlord , by way of fine , that capital which of right should be expended upon
improvements . We have said the same thing over and over again . We have said , that frequent oustings are resorted to as a means of frequent lettings , to ensure fresh capital by way of fine—the heartless , ignorant landlord invariably taking care to extract the last farthing as a fine from the incoming tenant . Surely , then , when this practice constitutes the greatest portion of the " middle-man ' s" wealth , Lord Stanley cannot for a mi rient presume th ;; t he will kill the goose with the golden egg by depriving
himself of the means of replenishing his exchequer by repeated oustings ? For the grievances described by Lord Stanley we have long ago prescribed the onlyremedies : namely—leases for ever , with a corn bent—abolition of the ri-jht to distrain—a county registration court to keep records of all documents between landlord and tenant—a cheap and easy mode of ejectment when tenants will not pay their rentand an equitable jurisdiction , without the power of appeal , to be given to the assistant Barristers at Quarter Sessions .
The evil is much too deep to be removed by the proposed palliative ; for the administrators of the balm would have the rowEB , and would convert it into poison . His Lordship should therefore take care to have a cotemporaneous measure of Emigration : for he may rest assured that , cheerfully as we receive his tardy admission of wrong , the Irish landlords will be yet more tardy in giving effect to a measure calculated to disarm them of most anomalous , iniquitous and disastrous powers . Upon the whole , we repeat an observation we made on the Queen ' s speech at the opening of Parliament—that we gather much more
from the sayings than the doings of Ministers : and what we value in the speech of Lord Stanley is , that whatever the fate of Ins measure maybe , those whose position enables them to judge of public opinion , have come to the conclusion , that wrong icill no longer be borne by the many—and that tyrannical dominion is unsafe in the hands op the few . The grievanccs admitted by Lord Stanley equally existed in 1833 , when , instead of remedying them , when his party had the power to do so , he hoped to coerce the sufferers into a tame submission to the usurper ' s will .
Our joy is that the land question has new become a value : that the cry for its possession makes the tyrant usurpers tremble ! The "little nostrum" of the Noble Lord is merely intended to hush the loud shouts of " RESTORE ! " " RESTORE !! " " RESTORE !!! " which will ere long . penetrate through the black wool in their Lordships' ears . Let our readers look to other portions of this sheet for evidences of the deep interest taken hi the Land
question , and let them from that fact take courage . Already the drunken would-be-protectors of the labourers pence , see danger in their co-operation , and , as is their custom , cry out" Beware ! Beware ! Beware !!! " Next week wc shall put an extinguisher upon tho alarmist ; and preserve that confi dence which the people ' s enemies lose no opportunity of destroying . The Land ! The Land !! Hurrah for the Land \ \ \
Tee Toyman's " Share" Of Comfort. Tue Sa...
TEE TOYMAN'S " SHARE" OF COMFORT . TUE SANATORY . COHD 1 TION OF OUft LAROE TOWNS . The extracts that we give in another place , from the lucid aud business-like Report of the Working Woolcombers' Committee in Bradford , cannot but have their due effect on the mind of the reader , whose es » pecial attention wo beg to direct to the horrible and humiliating revelations therein made . The reflections and the feelings which a perusal of the few samples we have given from the frightful mass of similar detail laid bare by the said Committee , will excite , will assuredly be of amost painful character ; hut we trust that they will result in a full determination on the
part of the workers to embrace every opportunity , and use every exertion , to procure for themselves a greater "SHARE" of the " good things of life , '' which their labour causes to fa—that the scenes of squalid misery and dire destitution to which they alone arc subjected may bo changed into those of plenty , happiness , and contentment—and the foul blot of extreme poverty and extreme luxury that disfigures our national escutcheon he effectually removed . The evil is as extensive as the order of labour itself . It is by no means confined to Bradford . Were
similar means taken—similar inquiries generally instituted—the mass of want and misery thus exposed to view would be overwhelmingly frightful ! What a picture of the " highest state of civilisation " would be presented ! Let the sinks and stews of Leeds , Manchester , Liverpool , and the great wen itself , with those of the intermediate towns , be but explored as in the Bradford case , by parties willing to tell the truth , and the prudish morality of the age , all stiff and starched as it is , would start back with affright at the hideous reality thus made apparent . It is impossible for pen to describe , or even the
mind to conceive , thc / uK ment of the atrocities and infamies that would be thus dragged to the face of d-iy ; but one tiling , and one thing alone , iii relation to the matter , we ' may set down for fact : the parties enduring the misery—subject to the want—destitute of every comfort—abiding amidst filth , and squalor , and disease , and wretchedness of every description -. the parties to whom is apportioned these things , as their " SHARE" of " National wealth , " ivould be found to be those tuho labour with their hands—those wno produce wealth is & BUSDMCE to make life a joyous existence for all , did the principle of equity
in distribution at all prevail . Our life for it , that you would not find any of the tax-eaters dwelling in the " Victoria-streets" of Bradford , Manchester , Leeds , or London , except it be some old soldier-pensioner , whose reward for glory is not sufficient to provide him with '" bacca and heavy-wet" for one week out of the thirteen . You would not meet with any of the " pretty misses" of the pension-list in your "Duke" -streets or " flolgate-squares . " Lady Juliana Hay , so intimately connected with John Cam Hobhouse , late Secretary-at-War under the Whigs , would not he found dwelling in " Commercial-street . " The recipients of the dividends on account of the debt , would be found located in far different localities to that
of " Back-lane , Westgate , Bradford ; " nor would one of the dead weight men , or the receivers of halt-pay , be found in " Nelson-court ! " You might as well hope to find rovjEttunassociatcdwithi # «< n » J > > as a banker reposing his limbs on THE BED OF SHAVINGS at" Spihk ' s-buildings , White Abbey f and a millowner or merchant occupying the BED IN THE COAL-HOLE of "Victoria-street , " would be as rare as frugality and humility at a court ! Nay , you will not be able , throughout your whole searchaud you may run the whole number of courts , and alleys , and stews , and dirt- " places " thro ugh— -to find a single petty huxter or chandler * s-shop keeper , obliged to herd with " fifty-five persons in eleven apartments , with onlv nine beds , being six persons to bach bed ! " No . Those of all these
gcnuses and classes will be found far otherwise situate than the wretched inmates of " Case No . 83 , at GRAOE-cAurcft-strco ' t , White Ab bey , " where "« man , his wife , and four
___ - children , together with his mother , LIE IN ONE BED ! " No , your " Club-houses , " and your " ( Mfoi-squares ! " with their "four persons working in an upper apartment where a man and liis wife sleep ; " and where " they had to cease from work whilst the woman zvas lying in ; " and where " they now work , with her lying in bed exposed to tUr gaze , AND HER DEAD CHILD IN THE SAME ROOM !"—these places , and your " Thomson ' s Buildings , " with their eight people to one
bedroom of an average size of seventeen feet by fifteen , where "the brother and sister had to work together , with only one apartment and one bed !"these places and these things are exclusively " ENJOYED" by the workers—the toilers—the rnobhcebs ; arc all that a "high state of civilisation " can afford in return for that superabundance oi wealth which has enabled our merchants and manufacturers to exchange the comfortable dwelling for tlie mansion—the land-lord to leave the manor-house
for the palace ; and all who live without labour to wallow ill luxury without end . And we are told , by high authority , that this is fate!—that it is ordained- to be so , and that we cannot help it ' . This very week , during the discussion ou Mr . Villiers ' s motion for a repeal of the Corn Laws , in answer to the argument that the state of the working classes was most uusatts / actovij , as compared with the state of the other classes , Sir Robert Peel said : —
It is my confident belief that , establish what system of Corn Laws you please , you must expect to find such differences in this country and in a state of society like this ; you must expect to find those extremes of wealth and poverty , ( Hear , hear . ) They exist , I believe , in every country on the face of the earth . Indeed , the more civilisation and refinement increases , there is a greater tendency towards these extremes . Here is a doctrine ! " Civilisathn" and "Refinement" means more riches to the rich and more poverty to the poor \ What apostles of " civilisation" wc
ought to become ! What a call duty has on us to extend "refinement . " It follows , then , according to this doctrine , that the poorer the mass of a people become , in comparison with the livers out of their labour , the higher is the "state" of civilisation such nation has attained—the greater her progress towards absolute refinement ! Ireland , therefore , when she had her millions existing on sea-weed , and her thousands dying for want of even that means of sustaining life , was in the highest state of beatitude and bliss any of our people have yet realised !
We now learn the reason why our " tew-givers , who arc not sent to protect us , were so anxious to " reduce tho people of England to live on a coarser sort of food . " It was an earnest desire to promote " civilisation ! " —to extend "refinement ! " But i f increased poverty and misery for the toilers , with all their attendant woes of depravity , vice , and crime , on the one hand , and increased means of dissipation and profligacy for " the favoured ones of fortune " on the other , is the " tendency" of " civilisation " and " refinement , " are not these rather curses instead of blessings ? Would it not be better / "or the
workers at least , that we should remain rude , and uncooth , and uncultured , and uncivilised ? Where is the advantage of " refinement" to the ( producer of wealth ? Where is the inducement for him to become a " civilised" being ? Man here below requires comforts and conveniences . He will haw them if he can get them . This is apparent in the deadly struggle constantly going on even in " refined" society —each one endeavouring to secure to himself as goodly a " SHARE " of the creature-comforts as his ingenuity and cunning can contrive to compass , regardless of whom he deprives . Plenty has always
been considered the forerunner of happiness and contentment . But if with " ervnisation" there is no hopo of securing plenty to the mass ; if the tendency of " refinement" is to widen the extremes of wealth and poverty ; if up-hcaped piles of gold , princely residences , splendid equipages , and all the blandish ments of art to the few , and potatoes and sea-weed with tbe Irish hovel or tlie Bradford "COALHOLE" to the many , is to bo the award of " civilisation , " is not the " savage" state to be preferred , where the principles of equity , equality , and fai play have an intimate bearing on the co ndition o the whole people ?
If Sir Robert Peel had said that it was the ten dency of our taxing-system—the tendency of our Banking-system—the tendency of our fictitious capitalthe tendency of our debt and its Dividends—the tendency of our manufacturing system , with its machinery monopolised in the hands of a few leviathans—the tendency of our stock-jobbing , our sharebrokering , and all our other infernal modes of usury and gambling—the tendency of our blessed profitmongering system : if Sir Robert Peel had said that it was the tendency of these hell-devised schemes to " absorb thy wealth out of the hands of the producers into the lap of the greediest and most incx . orable of tyrants , " and thus make the rich richer , and tlie poor poorer , he would have said what was
the truth . But these are not the result of , or consequent on , true civilisation . These are measures of iniquity , compared with ivhich , for devastation and ruin to all that should constitute true nobility and true greatness , the most barbarous engines of oppression of the most savage times were innocence itself . Thespavc bars to the progress of civilisation ; and when they are removed out of the way , we shall find a state of society developc itself in which equity and justice will obtain , aud individual interest be absorbed in general weal \ but until the causes abovenamed arc effectually removed , the evils of extreme poverty and extreme wealth can never cease out of tho land . Effect will follow cause , as surely as that water will find its level .
With the measures taken to bring the sanatory condition of the working population before public attention we most heartily coincide . The more inquiry there is on that head—the more the facts are made public , the more manliest will be the injustice of ( loom ing the workers to unremitting toil and abject misery , while those " that toil not neither do they spin '" arc arrayed in all glory and power . The stronger the contrast between tho luxurious ^ prodigality and sensual profligacy of the high and mighty , and the filth , disease , and wretched vicionsiiess of the laboiu'er , the sooner an end is put to disproportionate
inequality , if ' cavc be taken to hold up the humiliating contrast to public gaze . Let us have St . Giles and St . James fully laid open to view ! Let us see the Bal Costume with its single persons bearing the spoil of kingdoms on their backs , on the one hand , and the inmates of the dwelling in "Back-lane , Westgate , Bradford , " on the other , with its " thirteen persons lying huddled together on two bundles of straw , on a damp floor , four of them being females / ,- '" Let us see the silks and satins , the velvets and the blonds , the lace and the ribbons , that flaunt through the state apartments of Buckingham Palace , in
contrast with the nakedness of " Goldcn (!) -square , White Abbey . " Let us have the wearer of £ 00 , 000 worth of jewels at a state ball set up for the public to gaze at—and then tlie pariahs of "Duke-street" and '' Holgatc-square ! " O yes ! Let us havo the facts a ? to the actual condition of both sections of " civilised " society truthfully sot forth ; and we shall have done much towards preparing the public mind for the consideration of a remedy for the destitution consequent on our nefarious polity . Let the workers , therefore , hi Manchester , in Bolton , in Ashton , in Oldham , in Bury , in Rochdale , in Halifax , in Iluddersfiold , and in all other place ' s , follow the example of their
brethren of Bradford and Leeds . Let them organise their Committees — form their districts — visit each house—record the facts—and publish them , that our rulers and the people at large may know what England really is . Be it the business of such Committees to take attention below the surface of things . Outwardly , the aspect of society is calculated to deceive . Who , that traverses the streets of this ixpkunal wen , and sees the piles of wealth up-heaped on every hand-who , that strolls " into the park" on a fine summer ' s afternoon , and sees the countless throng of " beauty and fashion , " vicing M \ exhibition of means— who , that sees these things and a thousand other such , can think of the dwell
« - -r Tf * _ il 1 FW . - * ¦• •« •* ers in " Lower West-street , Tetley-row , " unless the fact of their existence is thrust beneath his nose ? Dive , therefore , into our alleys . Explore the back courts . Turn up the sinks and the stews of our large towns . Never mind the hideousness of the sight the intolerable nature of tlie stench . Those are the means by which you will arrest attentionby wluch you will induce a misgiving Ih ought that aU is not right . Those are the means by which you wil ] aid in . the desire pretty fairly set in , to promote Sanatory Reforms .
Whatever will improve the character of the dwellings and the neighbourhoods wherein the workers arc by hard necessity compelled to herd , will undoubtedly be a benefit not only to the immediate residents themselves , but to the whole of society . Health is incompatible with filth . Poverty is the parent of disease , as well as of crime . Fever and bad ventilation are constant companions . Whatever , therefore , will serve to cause cellar dwellings to be given up ( if better are provided )—and the streets and houses to be drained , paved and flagged : whatever will induce h ahits ( and give the means ) of clean
lincss , will be . of benefit , and ought to be promoted by every friend to his kind . But while a helping hand is thus given to the efforts of the Sanatory Reformer , it will be necessary to guard against the notion that even the utmost he can do will remove the monstrous disparity that exists between the two extremes of society . He may make the condition of the workers more tolerable . lie may somewhat improve the character of their "homes . " He may provide " pettys , " and drains , and ash pits , and cause their dwellings to be whitewashed out : but he will not much increase their store , or add to their
means of procuring food and suitable clothing . That will have to be the result of other measures . He will do good , much good , as far as he goes : but if the £ 50 , 000 , 000 a-year taxation is to be exacted ; if the bees is to continue ; if EO . vjnAB 5 . Ti uwustmbst be not resorted to ; if paper money lie not wholly and entirely put down ; if the Land be not in the possession of the people ; if the workers do not learn how to retain for consumption the main of that they produce without the intervention of profit-mongers of any kind ; if the infernal system of stock-and-sharejobbcry , and all usury , be not abolished , root and branch ; if these things are not done , farewell
to all hope of stopping the " absorption of wealth from the hands of its producers into the lap of the non-producers" —and farewell all hope of making the condition of the workers at all befitting human beings . Measures of Sanatory Reform are excellent in their way : but they are not all that are needed . However , wo are quite content to "take the good the gods send us . " Sanatory Reform wDl aid materially in hastening the day when the workman will be " first partaker of the fruits . " The question is one on which all parties and all sections can unite and co-operate . It will bring otherwise antagonistic elements into contact . It will make those who have
hitherto been held aloof from each other , somewhat acquainted . It will break the cordon of exclusiveness , and uproot much prejudice . It will show to those " above" that in the mass "below" there are human feelings and sensibilities—human affections and sympathies , which need hut the opportunity to chord with their own . It will induce an amount of kindliness , of forbearance , of true charity for the motives and actions of each other , that will of themselves be the prelude to a happier day , when both sections can see each other as they really are , and not attribute to each other a monstrosity of feeling and action which neither inherently possess .
The promotion of altyneasurcs of Sanatory Reform , therefore , is a dtdy mcurabent on us—one which , as far as we are concerned , shall never fail performance to the utmost extent of our power . But while wc do this , we shall at the same time inculcate the belief that other measures—measures effecting our fiscal , political , and social polity—are needful and indispensable to enable the working portion of the community to enjoy the fruits of their own industry . The first of these is toutical power , as the means ; social happiness is the end : and the measures we have indicated above are necessary to that end . With political POWER ' those measures are easy and safe , and the end certain : -without it , the workers ill always be serfs and slaves .
Opening The Coal Mines Purchased By The ...
OPENING THE COAL MINES PURCHASED BY THE LANCASHIRE MINERS' PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION .
( irom our occasional Correspondent . ) We are about to commemorate an event which will be regarded by our readers as one of no ordinary importance . All struggles" of the people are worthy of attention ; and the struggle which takes the shape of work—putting its own shoulder to the wheel—appears just now to offer strong hopes of success . The great fact we have to commemorate is this : the Lancashire Miners have purchased for themselves the coal situated under the surface of eighteen Cheshire acres .
Tuesday last was indeed a proud and glorious day for the Lancashire working Colliers : we say working Colliers , for the distinction between a worker and an idler is , in this case , a most important one . To the former , the day was one of glory and pride : to tho coalmastcr—magistrate—idler , it brought terror and dismay . Our readers are aware that for the last sixteen weeks there lias been what is called a strike at Messrs .
Swires and Lees , one of the collieries near Oldham . These gentlemen have lately introd uced some new agents on their works ; one of whom , at the outset , avowed that he was come to reduce wages—that he should not be content until he had reduced the men to 2 s . 8 d . per day . He had come from the north , where the men , for the last six months , had been working for less than ten shillings a week , and he had been hired at a large salary to introduce the system into Lancashire .
Then commenced a series of fravKls / sucliaTwril hardly be defended , except by those who have learned their morality in the school of the coalowners . We shall give one instance : in some part of the work the men are paid by the yard—so much for twenty yatds —measured by a chain . Our friend from the north said lie thought it was hotter to measure with tape . It was arranged accordingly . Things went on very well until it was found that the tape ttretelMl—that twenty yards of tape were equal , under the skilfu l management of the viewer from the north , to about
twenty-two yards of chain ; this produced murmurs , and at last the workics found out that they would rather ( idle dogs !) work by the old plan , the chain ; and they complained ( lazy rascals !) of the Durham man ' s stretching process ; nay , we have heard from what wc consider good authority that some " discontented scoundrels ! " ventured so far as to affirm that the tape plan was altogether a " damned piece of roguery , and no mistake . " The cud of it all—and the fraud wo have mentioned was one of the least of the many that were practised—was , that they " wouldn't stand it no loncer . " They struck .
Wc pass by what followed . Suffice it , that the men were honest—true to the cause of labour . There was no power either of worrying thorn or bamboozling them : allthetwaddle about their " starving wives and children" they treated as so much moonshine . They had not been to college , but they knew ( blessings on their broad hearts !) that twenty-two was a couple move than twciify ; and as they never wanted to be paid for twenty-two when they only worked twenty , so , " wicoy warsa , " they stuck out that they wouldn't ( ignorant scoundrels !) work twenty-two while they wcro only paid for a score . *
The result was that the men determined on uniting with the men of Oldham , to carry out a project which had long been a subject of discussion : they determined upon joining their labour and their earnings together , and taking a pit themselves—to be their own jjroperty ! No move tape measure—no more thirty pecks to a score;—no more twenty-nine hundred weight to a ton—no more paying a man threepence , and fining him a shilling : so they bought the coal of some eighteen acres about three miles from Oldham , having first persuaded the honest tradesmen of that thriving locality to assist them in taking up live hundred shares at fifty shillings per share , to pay for the shafts , engines , and all the rest of it .
Tuesday last—the 10 th June , 1845!—a memorable day— -was appointed for breaking the earth : and to W , P , Roberts , Esq ., was deputed the honorabl e
Opening The Coal Mines Purchased By The ...
workofdiggmg the first clod" and " nam ; "" pit . " At the appointed time , eleven ' clock / were present on the ground some fifty „„! . ! Cl more , who were anxious to witness the com 8 ment of an undertaking so novel , aud oftei > i n r . ' '"' a prospect of success . As they travell ed > r . ° so tai scene they passed by the house of -C " ^^" the property—Harry Thomas . There ^ T ' ' old man , leaning on two sturdy sticks !< ! ' i ! i : with the honorable age of fourscore years ; ' T \ '*' —a genuine specimen of an old v ,., ? i' ! , ; w . nv * . 1 , rt IaJ . a . 1 -1 * i » i ¦» * ' 'C * ' --H Vo » he looked cheerful ' = . t Ptt . IT il f . t , . . ~ - ^
„ man : and baupy-, " evidently proud of the work that V , ™ . ' ) : * Scores , nay , hundreds of pounds , had h * v t ? * induce him to break his bargain with " . ; ' .,, ' i ***' purchasers of the mineral ; but the heav- ^ -n ' ^ ran felt it was "too late in life to toll a ^ . , visited the proposal with all the contemJ ¦ . /'• ? difference . In reply to several application ' s '* ! , ' . ? i : that if he did not sell the coal to * tho v ^ u-.- ' - !*' " * liers it should lie > vhcro it tvas-aml * ^? !'" would ; for Harry Thomas the youngc- ' , ! ' - Harry Thomas the elder , appears to ^ iiU ^ : ^ similar sentiments to those of his father ' *
The happy group passed on , and soon avri-. -,, ! ground . Mr . Roberts took the spad- -i-i ' . ^ quickly completed his pa » t of the cevcmo-, v-, r „ ' ' " the clod and giving to the ground the u :- ' 3 Protective Pit of the Lancashire } . }• ' -. ' , !" • ciATiox . " This done , each took ills Wa ' ' i *! - * spade , and before twenty minutes had t ! , in ..-1 ? earth was removed than all the coaiimw- " ^ ^ , ';" cashirc would havo turned in a month . ' " * Tlie good work has now commenced in Wn 1 i i f im . tools and materials continually striving an tin > « J '; and there is strong ground for the confident hop ,, *! before six months have expired the first loailo . - ^ will be on its way to Mr . Roberts' office ' ' ' ^
That t-jo working Miners are deeply i atcK- ^ v , the work so auspiciously commenced is plain oa ^ but the shopkeeping classes arc pcihaos evvnil dwjply interested in its success . Amongst ili ,. ' ] lV . ' . all the profits will he expended—no- " m ,., ' ^ ' ! , ' ' wages of the labour , but the profit of the spc ; - ^ Under ordinary circumstances— with a Jorif ' c '' ' lord ' s tool for an owner—more than two-thini ' the money produced by tiio coal would : y | I ' way to London , or perhaps to the ceii := i ' onu ministering probably to the pleasures of a i' ^" " dancing woman , or laying in a , stock erf ^ for tho decoration of her ladyship ' s pale-facet ! , Ci
ter . Now the whole produce will be expe / ifo } " Oldham , or its immediate neighbourhood , 'ffe is reason to believe that the trading classes inc-p coming thoroughly alive to the necessity of support * the claims of those who live by their labour , anil , their labour ' s produce contribute far more tliaui master class to the support of the local trade-was . "' What tJio twenty-lwo yard tape man will this ;' * £ alljis indeed a mystery , but not one of much w quence . His masters will send him to thr ^ about as soon as they discover that his u ^ has ceased to be profitable . Perhaps in tlie agocj the moment for the Northern Stark regularl y ^ to him on the sly , he will read everv worilifo
we have written—he may be shattered into ft strange fancy of telling the truth . We should m ^ very much surprised to hear that on Sunday mote at ten o'clock he waited upon Messrs . Swires a Lees , and solemnly assured them that his ha was altered , and that he had now arrived ati conviction that the world was wiser than it e to he , and that in dealing with the sons of late honesty is the nasi policy . If , indeed , he liiauge to get so far as this , his visit into Lancashire niB have beenaltogetherunprofitable . He will discard tape measure , and go back to the men of Durk ( for he will never do any good here ) a much wis man than he left them .
S. Biwadirrast, Olbbditr.—We Think The E...
S . BiWADirrasT , OLBBDitr . —We think the eiisrye of :: for the delivery of the newspaper at tho place lie ac tions is an imposition , and would recommend fe statement of the facts be sent to the rostnia-. Uiv . fe ral . If the practice is without authority , ;'> . ie 5 r tionary will soon set the matter right . TuioTny Davis , Msbthtr Tidvii . —riiw . ogn | , hvr answer the purpose quite well . ThepriiK-f' / tiz system is correct . The characters are formed sm
represent the different sounds of speech ; ami ilitjl nographist therefore can " report" in any ln . nguaye . course , with phonography , as with the varioiissjsB of stenography , it is hard " practice" that can « J ! l make perfect , " A Five Yeaks * Sobscbiheh , London . —Yes : fovtliopi contracting the debt is only acting us fe « . jvni , «' party whose name is upon the place of business . Communications for the Chartists of Bolton should to dressed to "William Woodhead , Pfckvancc , Ite street , Bolton . "
"A Taib Dav's Wage tor a Faib " Day ' s Wom . llANLEV . —At this town ( in the Staffordshire Potierii there arc , it appears , a number of tailors on strike , to in the employ of Messrs . Hill ana Gillm .-m . thm ratives , desirous to avoid burdening the society ' s id have opened a shop in lamb-stveet ( Iianlfty ) , » bf they announce their readiness to execute all " onto their particular line of business . Wc hope that ; friends , the potters , andthftpuVmc gencvany . wft ? their support to these men , and show Messrs . lBi Gillman that they are determined to uphold the rtf of their order , by supporting the tailors in their s ! f gie for justice . The turn-outs announce tlisit thcyb secured the services of one of the first foremen is : district to superintend the work , and , if s'lppos they have no fear bnt that they will ultimately K up the priee of labour , at the before-nameil firm , w average paid by respectable employers in the TVS'
Co Mrnm & Titomfpanm
Co mrnm & titomfpanM
"St- — :. 30 N 1 ES RECEIVED BY MB . O'CONNOR . VOE THE BXECUTIVS . Preston , O'Connor Brigade ( donation ; , nor Mr . Sidwell it o ; Chartists of WcIIingbro' , per Wm . Parish !! !! 0 i Salford i ( ltobert Kamsdcn , Jonathan Pickering James Jloylc , and a few friends ,. .. ° . .. » :
CONTBIBHTIONS . From Dundee , per James Graham ( M CAKDS . Preston , O'Connor Brigade , v . cr Mr . Sidwell .. D Salford 0 i VICTIM FOND , From Dundee , per James Graham ' DUNCOMBB TESTIMONIAL . The followini'sains were collected by W . Morrisoa :-Mr , Davison 0 »! Mr . Melville 0 « Mr . Milno .. ., ,, „ „ 0 tf Mr . Gunning , „ ' , o 3 Mr . Banlch .. ., , o : ; Mr , "VV . C . Morrison ! " 2 (• Mr . "IV , Morrison " j 0 " — * '
HECL'IPTS PER GENERAL SECBBTAJlV . suBscmraoMs , s . d . ' ! Lambeth , Mr . Doyle lower Warley .. ! ! ( B . C . ) , 40 Hammersmith .. - ; ; City of London ., ., 3 9 Westminster .. ! Bradford 6 i W . Salmon ( J mmuU ' ' llebdcu-bridge .. .. 3 3 T . Salmon ( 1 montW- !¦ i Malifirc it Huffy liidlcy „ Littlctown .. .. 1 fi Dadiiy Kichards , Pot-, , Dewsbury .. .. 18 terics i ! Sowerhy Holm ., 4 1 CARDS . Leeds * 12 G Soweruy Helm .. .. «' Tunbridgu Wells .. 5 0 Lower Warl ev .. ¦• » Bradford 7 G Somei-s Town ., • •• • DONATION , Mr . Pindcr . pci-Mr . Dron .. „ „ ,. 0- C Fairfield , Mr . Rogers -, .. 0
testimonial . . . Mr . Chcetiiaro , traveller , per Mr . Cavill , Sbeffid'l "' " ' victim vond . Mr . T . Salmon «' ¦ *; Thomas Martin Wiieeieu , Secreo-i co- ; * Tiiis sum was acknowledged in last Sw . r a ? 1 , CU : 'CU : Land Cariis . , , RECEIPTS OF CO-OPERATIVE LAND S 0 Cl 2 ! 'I 3 "
PER SECRETARY . HBST INSTALMENTS , ,. ; ,. ; " - £ s . d . {; * . ;¦ Boulogne ( France ) 0 17 I ) Lower Warlcy ) . '¦> ';< F . Fr . inWmm .. 011 Somers Town » " '] p Mv . Oddie , Clitheroo 0 1 i Dewsbury district U ' W , Purcell .. .. 014 Blackburn .. « i i > V ? J . UlUv ** »» U X t JJlilUltMUi II i ' T jfj
F . Patterson .. 024 Asliton-umler . L . vnr if -i Lambeth .. .. 094 Kidderminster ]) i ' i ' Preston .. .. 0 14 0 Livei'iiool .. " , i ,, | i Darlaston .. 0 C 8 Sheffield .. SHAKES , . ; .: Boulogne ( France ) 0 14 0 Lower Warlcy . - ! i ' . ¦ T . B . C . and Sons * 1 16 0 Dewsbury district i i ] D . Gover . sen . .. 010 Lambetb , per » l - ' » >' D , Cover , jun . ., 010 CARDS AND RULES . j A > Derby , 13 4 0 Lambeth , rules .. ; : ; : ! Do ., 13 rules .. .. 2 2 Secretary , di > . ¦• " . ' , . ' ] , Nottingham , do . .. 0 4 Blackburn do ... : : ¦ Mr . Govev . do 0 6 Stockport , 'it « "" ' Mr . Patterson , do , .. 16 '
LASD . , ); , ); From Seth Travers •• ' , ' i \\' , ' ii ; jj From John Morgan ., .. _ t ' . ' i _ t ' . 'll From John Walsh " v . \ ' ¥ . \\ From Derby , per Wm . Chandler .. »' J I ' M From Bradford , per Joseph Alderson ¦• ' , i : , P From Stockport , per Thomas Webb .. - ffr /^ r /^ I ' ROlIAS MARTIN ' ,. ) f . v- ' ~ « i o , „ c i « inc mW ' i'Wiw ' ijW ' * The jeilfls of T . B . C . and Sons ft inr , ^ Lambeth . « , but is announced thus mi 0 ' tion they being enrolled in that district .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 14, 1845, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_14061845/page/4/
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