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NATIONAL LAND COMPANY
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TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. Dzab Sir...
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TO THE ABERDEEN MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMP...
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TO THE TJNLOCATED LAND MEMBERS. Mr PtUSD...
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i AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL. wl
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These castles t be without entrust! m-lm...
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, -<«..„ *_; . _: . SECOND VINDICATION O...
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Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis ...
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Then onward, the green banner rearing, G...
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TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. Deak Sir...
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Liberation of Chartist Prisoners prom Eo...
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f SI t
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
National Land Company
NATIONAL LAND COMPANY
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Dzab Sir...
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Dzab Sir , — "We , members of the Aberdeen branch of the National Land Company , in meeting assembled , are of opinion , that in accordance with a previous resolution , passed at a general meeting of this branch , that unless some prospect of a speedy settlement take place , in the Court of Queen ' s Bench the affairs of the Company benow immediately wound up . We were all anxiety to await the decision of the case pending in the Court of Queen ' s Bench regarding the registration of the Company ; btttseeing that the case has never been brought forward , or , at least , never been made public through the Northern Star , our hoses of success are now
blasted , and seeing that there is so much trouble required in making some of the located members conform with the rules , and pay their rents , after so much—in fact , far too much—lenity has been shown them ; we therefore maintain , without hesitation , that as-the funds hare now entirely fallen oft ; and the reproduction so small and uncertain , and , as a climax to the whole , the Company never at all likely to become legal , we see no other alternative but to wind up the whole affairs of the Company , and thus prevent it from swamping itself with the liabilities attending directorship , & c But , dear sir , we do not attribute the failure of this scheme unto you , —far from it ; never man did more to elevate our order than have donethe
you ; blame rests with the government and ourselves . The government has refused registration simply because the members of this Company have not , by keeping up . their contributions , shown that determination to carry the thing out , which they so enthusiastically displayed at the commencement of the undertaking . But , sir , we are of opinion that there is no chance of any company succeeding that has for its object the amelioration of the working classes , until the people be fairly represented in the Commons House of Parliament ; and as you have always already done > we trust that you will unswer-TingTy support ; -wita your great abilities , everj motion that has for its end the 'hastening of that great object , never forgetting occasionallv to dismay
before their view the whole hog , bristles and all . But , sir , we must confess we are astonished to hear you repeatedly saying in your letters " that the Land Company shall go on . " We declare that we see no possibility that it can go on , or that it can stand any length of time without being stamped , the liabilities being so very heavy , and nothing coming in to meet them . Dear sir , this our opinion , and wrote in the kindest of spirit towards you , and we trust that you will seriously consider it , and let us know what grounds you have for maintaining that the Company can , and shall go on , after the dear-bought experience yon have had to the contrary . Signed forbehoof of the meeting , David Bobss , Chairman .
P . S . —I trust that the above , with your comments , will appear in the first publication of the Northern Star . —D . B . Aberdeen , loth December .
To The Aberdeen Members Of The Land Comp...
TO THE ABERDEEN MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Fbiesds , With every sentiment contained in the above letter I most fully and cordially agree . Nearly two hundred thousand pounds more than has been paid into the Land Fond was guaranteed , and should have been paid ; and if the Company is completely registered daring the ensuing term , which commences on the 11 th of next month—and it is set down for hearing in that term—then every shareholder who has not and does not comply with the rales and provisions of the Company , will have forfeited his claim ; while , should it be
out of my power to carry the Company on wider provisional registration , Parliament is bound , by the unanimous recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee , to pass an Act of Parliament to . wind it up ; and , in that case , every member who has complied with the roles would receive back the full amount that he has paid , even if the properties purchased were to fetch over 20 , ( KK ) £ less than they cost ; and for this reason , because over the sum of 20 , 0001 .- " Bas been paid in shillings and halfcrowns / the contributors of which have put the Company to as much expense as the paidup shareholders , bnt who would not be entitled to receive back their driblets .
As to carrying on the Company , my friends mnst understand that I mean the location of the working people upon the land under another Company , - which is already enrolled ; and opposed as I may be , and persecuted as I may be , and robbed as I have been , I never will abandon the Land Project , because it is the social question on which the working classes mnst be instructed , when they achieve the Charter , as the political means for carrying it out nationally , and when it will not be in the power of tyrant governments , griping employers , and quibbling lawyers , to resist its legal realisation .
1 have straggled for the Charter , and adhered firmly to its principles , against as frightful and dangerous odds as I have had to contend against with respect to this Company ; but I am determined to persevere in both against all and every opposition—thatis for the LAND and the CHARTER—the only reward that I desire , being to live frugally , support an unblemished character , and leave the world better than I found it . Your faithful Friend , Feargus O'Cgsxob .
To The Tjnlocated Land Members. Mr Ptusd...
TO THE TJNLOCATED LAND MEMBERS . Mr PtUSDBKED Fkiesds , — I invite your strictest attention to the following letter , written by one of the allottees of Minster Lovel to his son . Here it is : — November 25 th , 1849 . Deis Soj :, — You will think me long not answering ; I have been so unwell with a cold and cough , but I am much better , and I have been waiting to send you all I could about rent day ; it has been much talked of here , but the day has gone . The Directors was to have been here on the n'thjM'Graflianda lawyer came on the Mth ; we met M'Grath in the school ; the lawyer sat in a public-house , and one who wanted to speak topiim , mustgo there .
every M'Grath said he came here to collect the rent for Mr . O'Connor , he was our landlord ; he was told by Mr . Beatfe , that ire had nofeith in Mr . O'Connor nor the Director ? , neither would we acknowledge him as our landlord-there was very few that paid . The next day we heard that ' tbe bumbs were coming to more that sixty of us ; on Thursday came two bumbs to Seattle ' s ; he told them tfiej had ao business there ; a great many came to help Beatue drive them off ; they had a scuffle , and got the big drum and other instrument , and beat thein off the estate , and promised them , if they came again , they would serve them out ; the women did their part . On Thursday met the Justices oi the Peace at Witney ; Beattie said he owed O'Connor nothing—he never agreed to paj hun > njtlung , neither
would he . The Justices said O'Connor had not estahlishedhis claim as landlord , so they cannot trouble us ; we have since had a letter-from Lowbands—they acted iost the same wav we have . A lawyer in Witney is very tood , he gives his advice fiee , and says he will do all in his Sower to assist us ; the Witney people generally sjmpa-? hises with us : we did not come here to pay rent , Imt to pay as according to what was laid out ; if we pay rent we lose the vote ; that is what we came more particular for , and we think they charge too much . There is a builder in Tfitnev , readrany time to build two houses for the same money they charge us for one—that is one hundred aud Hfty pounds—it makes our two acre lot come very high , that is nine pounds twelve shillings ; there is not one
amongst tis but that witt pay what is just , we are ae . ertninednoi ' to be imposed on . Th « war isoimmenced , they talk of takingit to the Queen's Bench , were O Connor has declared that the estates are none of his , but -the Comoanv's . M'Grath said , thereis no Land Company , O Connor Sour legal landlord ; so we shall see how it will turni oi £ time wS prove . I think you witt see « f » S ° fitinthe Ster-soieofushassenttothe / hjpate * . Whydoesnot G-Connorcome amount "W ^ ^ - ^ SmES tints' Itissuretobreakoutsomeday . I tmnkifhebelia \ ea himself he would not share the same fete as the bumhs . The cowslips are in full blow in front of my castle ; what a Mr tkular mild season . I am very backward owing to going iflireshimr ; that time was wanted , Iharcnotgotanyof tte Su ^ 5 upT ° or soweaany wheat I have got the man gels Sdsold . TheywerenotsogoodacropaslMpected thev would have been a month or two back ; owing to the drvness of the season . The Sweeds are still growmg ; they wmie
have been much injured with the mildew- ^ mte - « Aed over , a greatmany rotten ones , andother , - stopped Swth . ThJ potatoes ' turned out three parti ; rotten iufthrVare better than last year for ™ hadnotonewe e » Dld eat - this rear what are sound areverr good ; wh * t m Sis « rjlo £ I donot mean to sell any more of the crop ill can help it . lam going to send two porkers UP to London tte week , and then IsbaU have more stock to eat ^ croiTWe sh all nev er get on tul we rais e ¦ ndcJocoB , Mme thecrop . I have been obliged to throw to the dungkefpwhatwouldhavekept morestock . Wheal eomp lam ^ FthpfclurhttheT t ell me that I have m ore crop than ^ vfoKelWdl l want is more stock , and that I S ™ £ iwe . Ms farm looks beautitully green , hko
tLTmio'dlc of the summer . That gentleman called on you , Ido not know him ; he came with others to see tho estate , ind Gilbert , bom Banbury . They came to see my tot ; they Mid I had plenty to keep two cows ; they liked . my lot hTMer * an any they saw . Be asked me where I came ££ ? - fie said he * L going through Suneatou . " I ttfced huV toeallandgiremy respects . . I hope wo & f }* 8 f IKong better now . Bent day is gone by , and ! tknkto " & T .. £ vBnrfli ) WS * 0 London by Christmas . If they could 2 SS toSKSS ™« M !»««¦& sadslaughter here ; ? S ^ . ave ^ d their little stock and crop , and been
To The Tjnlocated Land Members. Mr Ptusd...
These castles must be our own , without paying , I entrust ! Accept our thanks for all favours . j I remain , your affectionate father , i T . Clabkb . . " Nov , let me ask if the above requires one > \ ford of comnient ; and am I not justified in al- lowing the mortgagees of this estate—who hold the title deeds , according to law , and who can make a clear and unexceptionable title—to sell that estate , to compel those honest voters , who supposed that you were to pay 300 Z . to give ThBCO « , ( Wm „ .. l „_ _ 5 » 1 . x . . 1
them a vote for 5 / . 4 s ., to return you that money ? Only think of one of my dupes having enough on two acres to feed two cows , his domain , adorned with cowslips in November , and hircottage a castle , built with your labour , and for which he considers it dishonest to be called upon to pay any rent . Will not this show you the difficulties against which I have had to contend ? and will it not convince you of the prudence of getting rid of such an honest set of tenants ?
iSow , my friends , read the following poor mouth . It is a resolution adopted b y the occupants of the same estate with respect to which Mr . Clabke has written to his son . Here it is : — " That from the various estimates of the cost of our cottages , previously given by Jfr . O'Connor in the Northern Star , and in the Lahwirtr , we are ot opinion that the attempt now made to estimate them at £ 150 is unjust , as we believe that sum to be deuble the real value thereof—and
that in consequence of . the Directors hiving neglected to fix the value of our allotments , according to the quality of the land—we do hereby pledge ourselves separately and collectively , to refuse and to resist the payment of any rent charge or interest on the capital laid oat on our allotments , until the Directors have set an equitable value on the cottages—properly adjusted the value of the respective allotments , in accordance with the quality of the land , and given us such security of tenure , as is guaranteed by the rules of the Company . " John Shart , Chairman .
Mr . Clarke , in his letter , tells you that a builder at Witney would build two cottages for what one of those cottages cost . Let me ask him if a builder would get timber cheaper or better than I did at the wholesale price , receiving estimates from several timber merchants ? If he would get slates cheaper ? If he would quarry stones cheaper ? If he would get masons to build cheaper ? Carpenters to work cheaper 1 Ironmongery cheaper ? or
painting cheaper , than I did at wholesale prices ? Timber merchants , quarrymen , masons , carpenters , ironmongers , and painters , all competing , and I , the trustee of the poor man ' s fund , being much more niggardl y than I would have been of my own . But suppose I had built them by contract with a builder , he would have charged nearl y double the price , and the roofs would have tumbled in in less than five years , while now the youngest man that lives the longest life will not outlive their
soundness . But let me give you a proof of this . When commencing operations at Lowbands I thought I would try the experiment of building the cottages by contract ; I met a master builder , by appointment , in the presence of Mr . Ctjllingham and Mr . King , at the Bell Hotel , Gloucester , and he told me that as he was friendly to the Scheme he would undertake to build the cottages for 3207 . each . Now to the resolution . This is my answer ; the same that I have given many a time bef * e . That every allottee who is prepared to pay
up the full amount of rent due shall receive a lease at the exact value of his allotment ; Init I dare say , as the wjenpariti' have * -4 i landhearted solicitor at Witney , who gives his services gratuitously , if they apply to him lie will inform them , that a lease to those who have not paid would be a recei p t , in full , up to its date , and a legal set-off against rent previously due . Moreover , I am not going to put the Company , or rather myself , to the expense of paying a surveyor for critically examining , and fairly adjusting , the rents of the several allotments , until they are prepared to
pay-These gentlemen will very speedil y find that they have been deceived in their expectation to frighten me by slander and Press denunciation . The mortgagees are now their landlords , and they will very speedil y discover the difference of the treatment they will receive from them , as compared with the treatment they have received from me . Now , read the following letter from Salford , relative to the deplorable condition of a nfan and bis wife who have been revelling in dissipation upon your property . Here it is : —
TO THE DIHECIGBS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPOST . Salford , Dec . 16 th , 1849 . Gestlbmes , —Having noticed in a statement of A . How , that he defied Mr . O'Connor , or any of the Directors , to find a drunken man on the estate ; it is well known that there is one of the occupants at Lowbands here , and has been here eight or nine months out of twelve months , doing nothing but drinking ; his wife also doing nothing , and left one of his family to keep possession of the property , from which they receive the means of subsistence ; and I suppose him to be one of those rascals that refuses to pay the demand of
the Directors :. If men can do without labour for the time mentioned in this note , it is necessary that steps must be taken to make them pay rent , or to quit their holdings immediately , and do justice to all parties connected with the Land Company . t am , Gentlemen , Your obedient servant , John HojiiNio . v , Secretary of the Salford Branch . r . S . —The party ' s name is David Webster , of Lowbands Estate . It is left to jour own option how you act with this note .
You will also read , at foot of my letter , the irrefutable reply of Mr . James Bltow , the Preston secretary , in reply to a fellow who has dared to assume the name of the immortal "Andrew Marvel . " You will also read the account of a " WE , " though it does not profess to be the Editor of the Daily A ews —which appeared in that paper of Wednesday last . I have no doubt that it is the note of the " WHISTLER , " who has escaped from his cage . I shall make bnt rerj few observations , and they shall consist in merely calling your attention to the absurdity of the author : —
1 st , —From an eighth of an acre , to a quarter , is as much as any prudent man will undertake to occupy ; in other words this is , or would lead to , the retail feudal system ; for , as I have often told you , that so cherished is any portion of land by those who hold it , that the man is completely the slave of his employer for whom be works at some other avocation , and to whose reduction of wages he will
submit rather than leave his plot of ground . 2 nd . —Think of a man requiring 200 / . capital , or 50 / . an acre , to work four acres of land—that is , that a farmer renting one hundred acres should have 5 , 000 / . capital , whereas , practical agriculturists consider 500 / . or 51 . an acre more than enough ; while the occupants of a hundred acres at O'Conuorville , have received 750 / . capital , and had neither horses nor implements to purchase .
3 rd . —The " Whistler , " if he expects to be credited , should be critical . There are thirtyfive , and not thirty cottages , on the estate , and the occupants were not located early in the spring of 1847 , but in the August of that year . 4 th . —The commentator appears to know nothing of the rules of the Company , as the occupants were not to pay five , but four per cent , upon the outlay . ath . —If the land is worth from 15 s . to 25 s . per acre , and if we take the average at 20 s ., it is much more than I paid for it , and more than , deducting cultivation , the allottees are charged ; but I am glad that bo good a jndge has set so high a value upon it . I do not think the occupants would wish to jplect him aa one of tfw appraisers .
To The Tjnlocated Land Members. Mr Ptusd...
6 th . —As I have often predicted } I am clerk of the weather office , and am responsible for the wet season of 1848 ; but as " one swallow does not make a summer , " I presume that one wet season does not make a failure . 7 th . —This BOAR saw some goals ' that were fed upon weeds , whereas , when I visited Griffith ' s allotment , I could see no food for the animals ; it was in a high state of cultivation , and I never saw a man better pleased with his situation . Well , this critic has disn , t ¦ -r «* — ... . . _
covered what I have often stated , that a man working from four in the morning till nine at night , cannot sufficiently cultivate an acre and a half ; and now I will pat a clincher upon him . If this man—working at free labour from four in the morning till nine at nighfc- ^ cannot exist and pay lent , how can the agricultural labourer—who works , and not so hard , from six till six , five hours less—pay rent , and make profit for his employer ? Now , is not that a finisher for you , " Mr . Whistler ? " - - - -. .
• -8 th , —Think of a man being aBlo-to support himself , wife , and three grown up sons , upon two acres , and hoping to buy a cow ; and think . of two acres giving employment to four men ; and think of the man having a cough that prevented' him from working when he came from his HEAVEN to my HELL ; and think of the hard work to which he is now subjected , curing the cough ; and think of his being able to buy a cow after supporting such a family ; and think of his not being able to pay any rent . Did he pay rent for his house when he was idle from a cough , in his paradise ? Is it not enough to make a sick monkey bite its mother ?
9 th . —Now , just think of a cripple occupying two acres , having a cow and some pigs , and being in a prosperous state because they are well managed by his wife . Does not this show what management will do , and am I to be charged with the mismanagement of others ? 10 th . —The discontented , members are not suing Mr . O'Connor with success . 11 th . —I beg your attention , to the three propositions of this practical agriculturalist : —
First , not to leave their actual employments and stake everything on a plot of land , hut to endeavour and acquire a bit of land as a secondary means of subsistence or for enjoyment ; secondly , to be content with a small and manageable piece ; and , thirdly , to acquire the absolute ownership . Now , what do you think of that ? " The first and second are the same , They never meet but to complain . " while the third tells you that men , who are not able to pay four per cent , upon the wholesale price of land and buildings , ought to
purchase a piece of land out and out . Suppose an operative purchases a quarter of an acre , or half an acre , within a convenient distance of the town in which he works artificially , he will pay three or four times the price that I have paid for land in the wholesale market ; he would not have much time to spare from his " rattle-box , " and if he is out of employment he mnst leave his estate , and go to some other factory town to look for work ; but above , and before all , where is the money to come from to purchase it ?
12 th . —The farm-house and land atDodford has been sold for 1 , 400 / ., and not 2 , 000 / . 13 th . —The Oldham gentleman , Mr . Kel-SHAW , did notpay 55 / . bonus for his allotment , he had the " pick" of the estate , with the exception of one four-acre allotment , and he bought it OUT and OUT for 55 / . an acre ; and the house was built by contract the price for labour agreed to by himself , and materials were furnished to him at the wholesale price . I 4 th . —The neig hbouring farmer who has told our informant that he would not take the crops upon the estate , at the expense of taking them to market , is a Mr . Jones , whose farm
bounds the estate , and through whose farmyard the road to the estate passes , There never was a greater opponent or enemy of the Land Plan than this gentleman , believingas he gathered from the press—that the Company consisted of Chartist ruffians . But to show that this gentleman does not estimate the depreciation in the value of produce by the Great Dodford estate , he assured me , more than once , that Free Trade would compel him to throw up all his farms , as even HIS OWN crops WOULD NOTBE WORTH TAKING TO MARKET ; so you see the valuo of this gentleman ' s testimony as regards the Land Company .
I 5 th . —Mr . O'Connor did appear amongst the allottees , until he discovered that their frequent appeals had too great an effect upon his generosity , as regarded his duty to the urilocated members ; and the scheme—that is , of locating occupants upon land charged at four per cent , upon the outlay—will outlive every FREEDOM FOR THE MILLIONS humbug , and flourish as the index of national regeneration , when every bubble scheme is blown into air .
All other schemers try to hide their work ; but in July , 1848 , I took Lord Ingestbienow Earl Talbot — Lord Dkumlanrig , Sharman Crawford , Mr . Maunsell , and Mr . Sullivan—all members of Parliament , and all members of the Land Committee—to visit the estates of Lowbands and Snig ' s End they said , they never saw such crops , they never saw anything that gave them greater delight . That was the second year's crop at Lowbands . It rained when Mr . Crawford was inspecting the estate ; he is not one of the
best , but the very Lest landlord in Ireland ; he is a great advocate of the Small Farm system ; he said that he could remain till he was wet through to witness such a sight , that much as he thought of it , he had formed no conception of it . These five gentlemen I submitted as witnesses to the committee , but the HAYTER the chairman , the juggler in English and foreign railroads , and who for his good services has been elevated to a higher office than he then held , WOULD NOT HEAR ONE OF THEM . Now what think you of that ?
In conclusion , let me assure you my friends , and also my enemies , that not all the power at the command of my enemies so lavishly displayed by their press , shall ever turn me from my two great objects , namely , the CHARTER AS THE POLITICAL MEANS , and the LAND AS THE SOCIAL END ; for , as I told the men of Stockport in 1836 , when I first opened my commission as a Radical missionary , I would not give you twopence for the suffrage to-day , if the land was locked up to-morrow ; and ere long the Protectionists will discover that their only hope of salvation , is in bringing the land into the retail market ,
when the Government can interpose no obstacle to the title , and the people , aye , and the shopkeepers too , will shortly discover , that there is no hope of escape from ruin , except by the application of the NATIONAL RESOURCES TO NATIONAL PURPOSES . Those who are catering for a little popularity , are nibbling at the Land scheme with their freehold bite , while I tell you that it is moonshine , and I defy the world to base opposition to my plan upon any other grounds , than the DISSATISFACTION OF THE MOST FORTUNATE , and the dread of it entertained by employers . Your Faithful Friend , Fbargus O'Connor .
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, -<«..„ *_; . _: . Second Vindication O...
SECOND VINDICATION OF THE CHARTISTS AND THE LAND SCHEME . " To tho Editor of the Preston Guardian . Sib , —In your last Guardian I find that " Andrew Marvel" has thought fit to address you again . I did hope for , and doubt not that your readers naturally expected , some explanation of the gross misrepresentations contained in . your correspondent aprevious letter ; but it appears that "Andrew Marvel has no desire to ' grapple with facts . He seems destitute of those principles which always guide the conduct of an honourable mind in search of truth , and desirous of dealing justly with an opponent . Before ! am justified in entering into a discussion uP ° n Questions altogether foreign to the subject , it will be necessary to call your readers attention to your correspondect ' s original charges and their refutation .
Mr . Marvel ' s charges against Mr . O'Connor were expressed as follows : — ' Your subscriptions enabled hna to purchase the above estates and carry out the Chartist Land Scheme , wherein all were to become freeholders , but I find , in the Northern Star a public . notice demindmg rent . from the dupes vhofancied they Uved ^ dih ^^ rfdi e ^ Uuid"' Tie then gives a list of thesu raa tvltteti ttierabt ^ iB ' t r ^ tow ^ oBht * ing at O'Conno ' rvillo for a four acre allotment to £ 43 15 s ., and on the other estates in the same proportion ) , and added that " Feargus O'Connor threatens to take possession and cause a general ejectment . " In my answer it was clearly-proved that neither Mr , O'Connor nor the Land Company ever professed to make the occupants freeholders till they had purchased or redeemed their
allotments , and then that no notice had ever appeared jin the Northern Star stating that £ 43 ISs . would have to be paid , or Mr . O Connor would cause a general ejectment ; but that a notice had appeared which said that JSC 15 s . would have to be paidjon tho I 2 th " of November , 1849 . I would now wish " Andrew Marvel " to give some explanation of the reason which induced him to make the above false and apparently malicious statements . Either he is totally ignorant of what the Land Company is now or ever was , or he is not . If not , then in the absence of any proof or mention of the same , in support of those charges in his last communication , we can only come to the conclusion that he has deliberately made charges against a gentleman which he was
entirely unprepared to substantiate . Nay , he had n « t the manliness to refer to the subject at all , for he felt that he had been detected in a gross misrepresentation . "Wh y , just imagine for a moment the absurdity of Mr . O'Connor giving four acres of land that cost £ 50 per acre , a goodhouse , and the land cultivated , with £ 30 in cash to commence operations , and the party receiving it not to be called on to pay anything as compensation for all this property and privileges ! Will any sane man' believe that such prospects had been held out ? The original rules of the company stated that six per cent , should be paid upon the first £ 100 expended , and five per cent , upon tho amount exceeding that sum ; but since that time the members have thought fit to change it to four
per cent , upon all tho capital expended . If " Andrew Marvel" wants proof , he will find it in the printed rules of the company . But he says that he has been to Redmarley , and that " not one of the occupants was satisfied , " < fcc , & c . What gurantee have we that this is more deserving of credibility than the other statements of this marvellous man ? But admitting that he has made such visits , I , too , have visited the estates of Lowbands , Snig ' s-End , and tbc Moat , and was present when the reports of the committee appointed to examine into the condition of the allottees was given in , and publicly read before an assembly comprising most of the allottees and families , the statement of each being road separately ; and if the assertion of " Andrew Marvel" be correct , it would
have come out on that occasion , put there was no statement that would justify such a conclusion . lie again asks why M . O'Connor is afraid to visit the estates ? My answer is , that I saw Mr . O'Connor daily during the Conference , traverse the estate , visit the bouses , and mingle with the allottees , and there" was no sign or necessity of fear about , him . Ihaveliow clearly demonstrated the inaccuracy of Mr . Marvell's letter , and shall not follow him into any extraneous matter till he has answered my first letter , as to tbe trutiror falsity of the ciiarges he made against Mr . O'Connor . But he is not satisfied with these charges ; he basely insinuates that I am a well-paid agent , an official . If ho had and knowledge of the Land Company , he would Have Anown that $ e statement was without
foundation , I went to the Conference as the representative of the district , to represent their interest , and as such received from them remuneration for my icrvices , but to talk of O ' Connor paying me is a rank sbsurdity . I hftve been the secretary for the branch in this town for the last four years and a half , and who has paid me ? Why , the man of money to bo sure—O'Connor ! So , sir ; I have g iven my services gratuitously . Although I was entitled , according to rule , to a salary from the members who appointed me as their servant , I never received a farthing , and this is being a well-paid agent , " is it , "Andrew ? " Poor fellow , you arc most unfortunate in your attempts to destroy other men's characters . You are unable to meet my facts , so you wish to insinuate that I have an interest in
the matter . But , sir , I was paid ; my wages were tho consolation of knowing that I was labouring in a cause calculated to benefit my country ; and whatever may be the obstacles thrown in the way to impede its progress , the change that is working in the public mind upon this question of the Land convinces me of what will be the ultimate result of the principles we have promulgated , and in their success I shall be amply compensated . If I had been an opponent of Mr . O' Connor , and knowing he facts which I have stated , it would have been my duty to have refuted the unfounded charges brought against him ; but when he happens to be one with many of whose principles I coincide , there was no other course but the one which has been taken , whatever may be the fiery ordeal of persecution to which it may subject me .
I now ask " Andrew Marvel" to substantiate the charges he has made , or stand convicted of slander , and then I shall be prepared calmly to discuss other queries . Hoping , sir , that you will give insertion to this , I remain , yours , 4 c . James Browx , Preston , December 11 th , 1849 . > are inclined to think that the present discussion has now been carried to sufficient length ; but still we are not unwilling to afford " Andrew Marvel " another opportunity of meeting the charges fixed upon him by Mr . ' Brown . We feel called upon , however , to" intimate that in doing this , " Andrew Marvel " must adduce facts , in lieu of mere aspersions and insinuations . The two latter are not the staple of honourable controversy . —Ed . ]
Who Steals My Purse, Steals Trash; 'Tis ...
Who steals my purse , steals trash ; 'tis something , nothing ; 'Twas mine , 'tis his , and has been slave . to thousands , But he that filches from me my good name , Robs me of that which not enriches him , And makes me poor indeed .
TO THE EDITOR OF THE IRISHMAN . [ Prom the Irishman , Dec . 15 th , 1840 . ] Sir—Before resuming my correspondence upon the subject of the People ' s Charter , allow me to express the satisfaction I derived from your letter to Mr . Duffy in last week's Irishman . No man is better aware of the difficulties against which an honest journalist has to contend than I am , and no man more rejoices in the co-operation of such a journalist than I do . The verdict in your case , sir , will not be
one of mere acquittal , based upon the insufficiency of the evidence adduced against you j but as one of the jury I would base my verdict upon the irrefutable refutation of every sentence contained in every count •' ' and knowing but little of you personally , I felt no small excitement after reading the accusation till I read the defence . It ' s neither my wish nor my province to take any part in such squabbles ; but my reason for writing is to
I inform you that , had it not been for your honourable and successful defence of your character , I should have abstained from making your paper the channel of communication with my countrymen . Sir—The Irishman stands high in the estimation not only of the Irish exiles in England , but also with the English Democratic party ; and as they are a shrewd and sceptical , because an oft-deceived people , especially by journalists pandering for their support , I hare
Who Steals My Purse, Steals Trash; 'Tis ...
considered it my duty to give your able , simple , and irrefutable defence a prominent place in this week ' s Northern Star , and have the honour to . remain the faithful friend of a faithful supr porter of his country ' s rights , Feahgus O'Coenor .
Then Onward, The Green Banner Rearing, G...
Then onward , the green banner rearing , Go flush every sword to the hilt ; On our side is virtue and Erin , On theirs is the Saxon and guilt . —Moore . . TO THE IrTsH PEOPLE . . Friends and Countrymen— Don't start when you read the above quotation , furnished by Tommy Moore , the Irish poet . I have g iven you one from Lord Bolingbroko , a Tory , and from Byron , a Radical , adopted as the stereotyped motto of O'Connell , and I now use the above , selection from Moore , to show you that the language -which was formerly not oiily to ! erate < £ uu ^ be co & sidered hig \ tresfoh >^ ' ' ¦ ¦ r ' ^ *> * % « •>* -. ' * '; ¦¦ « In last week ' s Irishman there appeared a letter just before-mine from Mr . Michael Seagrave , of Barnsley , a most excellent , sterling , and unflinching patriot ; but in order to show
you iho difficulties against which public men have to contend , I must offer a word of comment upon that letter . You are aware . that the power of every government has been based upon the antagonism of Celt and Saxon , and you are aware that the principal element of discord was the odium attached to the bloodthirsty principles of Chartism : and you are also aware that the chief object I had in view in visiting my native country , and in addressing you through a sterling Democratic paper , was to bridge that wide and all but impassable gulf which bad so Ion /? separated the English from the Irish people . We have been designated , nay , branded as
physical-lovce Chartists , " while I have often told you and the English people that my chief regret was that I had not a sufficient amount of physical force to overthrow tyranny and establish freedom in its stead ! and believe me when I tell you that nothing so much tends to weaken a party as a silly and impotent attempt to achieve rights with a force which it does not possess , . You would infer from Mr . Seagravc ' s letter that in mine I aimed a blow at John Mitchel the patriot , whose portrait I have given with the Northern Star , and wlip . se memory I honor . He assails me bocause I speak of achieving your rights by moral power which you cannot secure by physical power , and because I wish to see "the thhoke based
UPON THE AFFECTIONS OP IHE PEOPLE RATHER THAN UPON THE CAPRICE OF THE ARISTOCRACY . " NOW , I repeat those sentiments , and my words used in the House of Commons , that I care not who is upon the throne , provided the power behind the throne is greater than itself , and capable of hurling from the throne the occupant who would violate the people ' s rights . Now , if 1 was to base my letters to you upon those principles which Mr . S . appears to approve , but could not accomplish by the means in hie power , I should weaken the people ' s cause , and iustiiy the dire antagonism that has been created , and successfully perpetuated , between the English and the Irish people . With so much of a preface , I new come to the consideration of the question oi UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE .
I have before explained to you that Universal Suffrage was once the law of the land ; and let me now show you the flimsy pretext upon which opposition to this right is based , the partial use that is now made of it , and the beneficial result-to which it would load . Opposition to Universal Suffrage is based upon the ignorance of the people , and upon their inca pacity to select fit and proper persons to represent them . ••• To these charges ! answer : . Firstly—It is- their knowledge and not their ignorance that their oppressors dread , as the ignorance of a people is the tyrant ' s best tittle to power ; and , Secondly—If the people are ignorant , who are chargeble with the crime—whether those who are willing to learn and greedy to receive knowledge , or those who have assigned the fund intended for their maintenance and education to bloated bishops , bigoted parsons , tyrant Poor law Commissioners , and jailers of bastiles ?
Whereas , had the funds assigned to those parties by tyrant class legislation , been appropriated to their just and legitimate purpose—the education of the people—ignorance would be a crime . Many Irishmen who have sprung from the ranks of the people , and who have commenced their educational career as pook scholars , have been the greatest ornaments of the senate , the pulpit , the bar , and the stage ; and once let the Irish people be educated , and let education , and not money , constitute the basis of the franchise , and then Ireland , as of yore , would be a free and independent nation , My countymen , If knowledge , permanent , knowledge , which must remain with the possessor , and not transitory property that may ebb and flow , gave you the right to vote one of the first Acts of Parliament , elected by the present ignorant mind of the country , would be to educate the people , as
KNOWLEDGE IS TOVVEB . One of the chief objections to Universal Suffrage is , that it would create a ramble House of Commons—that was the objection to the Reform Bill : while , in truth , I defy you to select a greater ramble than constitutes the House at the present moment . If a recognised leader or a toauey spouts indescribable and unintelligible rubbish , he is cheered to the echo , while , if an independent member delivers a sound and eloquent speeehhe is "boo'd , " and " bah'd . "
Again , even now , both Whigs and Tories , when an election is about to take place , cater for popular support , by appealing not to the electors only , but to those whom , when they are returned , they designate the mob . And have you ever reflected upon this strange anomaly , as regards the present system ? Upon the day of nomination electors and non-electors attend—the show of hands is declared in favour of the popular candidate—the returning officer announces him to be duly elected , and he remains the representative of the majority of the people until their will and their voice is overpowered , extinguished , and crushed , by an
insignificant minority of voters . My countrymen , if you had Universal Suffrage to-morrow you would have laws based upon the knowledge , the wisdom , and the discretion of the majority of a well-educated people . You would have no thieves , no drunkards , no prostitutes—all bora with propensities which may be nurtured into virtues , or thwarted into vices , according to their training ; there would then be no sympathy for the criminal convicted of violating laws which lie had bis share in making ; whereas the criminal now —and justly—is looked upon as the victim of classlegislation . If the tool of a Member of Parliament can secure
a situation for his son , as an exciseman , or any other office which requires a certain description of education—and if want of that education is the only barrier that stands in his way , the father will soon inform the patron that the son can speedily be educationally qualified , while for seventy long years want of education has been urged as the curse of your disqualiication . My countrymen , only think of the folly , the absurdity—nay , the injustice , of a highly-intellectual man voting out of a house at this election , and from a reverse of fortune , being ousted out of that house at the next election , still possessing his knowledge , but deprived of his vote . If you had Universal Suffrage , all the channels would be so opened , that the reservoir woald be pure , and no one could attempt bribery or corruption . No theorist could then excite you to madness by a flaming hustings oration , or high-flown pledges of patriotism and nationality . Instead of that
antagonism which now exists , instead of legitimate disloyalty which is now manifested towards the present system , every freeman would fly to the cry of " My cottage and my country is in danger . " Every haiolet would be a sentry-box , and every peasant a volunteer , when he had rights to defend , and property to protect . Then those who create wealth would have a share in its legitimate distribution—then the rich would become richer , and the poor rich , when the owners of the raw material—Lasd—which is God's : ; ift to man , saw the necessity of measuring its value by increased produce , by the application of increased i labour , instead of by tho standard of patronage , Then the resources of the country would be so developed , that nature's pap would be cpened to nature s children ; there would be peace , plenty , happiness , and prosperity reigning throughout the land ; then , the industrious Irishman , foully calumniated as a willing idler , would not be compelled to
Then Onward, The Green Banner Rearing, G...
W < abandon his native country , in quest of some foreign refuge , where he may save , himself and family from the grasp of the tyrant landlord , the bloated bigot , and the law ' s persecution . Then you would require no bloated buffoons dressed like monkeys at a show , with coal-scuttles upon their heads , paid by you , for shooting or stabbing your order—nay . perhaps your frienus or family—no spies , detectives , or informers—no bludgeon-men , no jailers , r , o hang men , no Poor Law bastiles—not one law for the rich , and another for the poor , by whose construction there is more danger to the peasant that shoots tho squire's haro , than to the squirp that shoots tho peasant ' s head . HZ ^*
-Let me , in conclusion , give you the most graphic illustration of the present , system . Many years ago , when the late Earl Fitzwilliam offered himself as candidate for tho West Riding of Yorkshire , a clodpolo in tho crowd interrupted him with a question , The noble Lord observed— " What do you know about making laws ? " ¦ "Nout , " replied the clodpolo ; "I know noufc about making shoes , either ; but I know d—d well that when a chap makes a pair that pinches my toes , ho shall make no more for me ; and I know thy laws have pinched me . " " Is that all you know about it ? " rejoined the nobleLord .
"No ; " replied the clodpolc ; " I know that all the stuff in the world was made for al ! tho folk in the world , and that I han't my share of it . " Let me now give you another graphic illustration of tho present system . When Chunh and' State wore very much ia " dread of Chartist principles , in 1842 , a Right Reverend Father in God , who stood in dreadful awe of Chartism , waited upon a very intelligent shoemaker who took an active part in the Chartist movement . The Ithrht Itov . Bishop had baen dissipated in youtb , and was not blessed with a family , though he fleeced a large flock . . He called upon the shoemaker , and said" Daniel , I understand you are a Chartist . I am astonished that so intelligent . a man as you could lend yourself to such an agitation . Arc you nob aware that God never created a mouthin this world that he ''' ¦ did . not create wherewithal to ' out ^ b ^;^ ^^^ ' - ' ; -:-. > ' •• ¦ ' ' ¦
. ' ¦ 'Banlel'haateffofcildi ^^ andjeplted . - ' - ' VYeaf-iny lord , I know that well ; but the difference liea % re —God AiMioiiir sent ail the mouths to m ? shop , and Parliament sent all the meat to Thine ! " ; Now Jet me ask you , if tho man of twenty-one years of age who opposes . Universal Suffrage does not vote himself a fool , and- docs not give an unmistakable approval of the present system , whic ^ makes him a pauper—and , is he not , therefore , a self-created pauper , and a willing slave , an enemy to his home , to his family , and to his country ' s interest ? My countrymen , at the foot of this letter you . will read three letters written to me by that glorious young patriot , Meagher , from that dungeon to " which treachery , deception , enthusiasm , injustice , and tyranny consigned him . Your faithful friend and countryman , ' Feargus O'Cosnor . London , Dec , 1849 .
LETTERS OF T . F . MEAGHER , ESQ . Ilichmond Prison , Dublin , April 23 , 1819 . My Bear Veakgus O'Connor , —1 have hecn n long ' time promising myself the pleasure of writing you a few lines , to thank you for the very kind interest you have taken in me , and the generous zeal you have manifested in behalf of the State Prisoners of ' 48 . To many claims , however , upon my grateful esteem , yo « have lately added one more , which to my mind possesses a peculiar weight and value ; you have . ' brought out" the very bent likeness that has yet appeared of me . All my friends are delighted with it . The execution of it , too , is very hcatiful , and has been greatly admired . We are all quite well here , and in right good spirits , for
it will always be to us a source of liappmcas to feel that we are undergoing some slight punishment for our love of the old country . Should a heavier punishment he in store for us , we shall meet it not only with light , but with proud hearts . Next to battling for the right , the best thing is suileringforit , and next to a victory , a sacrifice conduces most to tha progress and the glory of any great cause . When you see Mr . , and Mr , , both of whom I had the plensure of meeting on Patrick's Day twelvemonth , at the houte of the former , being introduced there by you , will you kindly remember me to them ? As a ' little jotiticnir of my esteem and friendship , 1 enclose for each of them a copy of the words I spoke in Cloumcl , and you must accept one for yourself . Believe me , my dear Feargus O'Connor , your sincere
and much esteemed Friend , Thomas Francis Muagiieb To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . L \
Ilichmond Prison , . Tunc C , 1849 . Mv dear Feasous O'Connob— You will have seen befor « these few lines reach you that our fate has been- decided . We are to leave the country ( probably to-morrow night ) as convicts for "Van Dicmen ' s Land . I wish to bid you nnaffectionato farewell , and to thank you , as I sincerely and most gratefully do , for the deep sympathy you have felt for me , and the efforts to defend my name anil conduct you have so generously and bravely made . May the good God , in whose justice all oppressed nations repose their trust , protect , aid , and , with his Almighty arm , esalt the cause of Freedom , which you have served so long and faithfully ; and may you live to witnessjn its triumph the reward of the sacrifices you have made in its belftdf . >
This , my dcfli' ,. excellent friend , ia tin ; sincere prayer of one who glories in the proud thought that the first days of Iiis youth have been devoted to the struggle of his country ; and that , failing in that struggle , he was doomed to be removed far , far from his old home in testimony of the love with which he clung to it , and the sincerity with which he strove to render her honourable before all nations—a bene , factress and a glory to humanity . Be so good as to hand the enclosed to that noble-hearted Englishman , Mr . . And ever believe me to remain , My dear Yeargus O'Connor , Wheresoever my lot maybe cast , Your sincere and affectionate young friend , Thomas Fiiancis SIeaodeb To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ,, M . P .
Ilichmond Prison , July 3 th , 1849 . Mr Deab Feakgos O'Con . wb , —I have this moment «?• ceived your very kind letters , and feel most grateful to you for these , as for your former proofs of interest . in my welfare , and the affectionate sympathy with which you regard my fate . ' I have hardly time enough to write these lines—few as they are , and must conclude with the assurance that my esteem and friendship for you , will be as enduring as the love I cherish for my country and ( he darling hope I entertain of her eventual happiness and independence . Believe me , my dear Feargus O'Connor ,
Ever to remain your faithful , warm friend , . Thomas Francis Meaghek To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P .
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Deak Sir...
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Deak Sir , —I enclose half-a-cvown ' s worth of postage stamps , to help you to pay off the money that you have borrowed to pay Macnamara ' s cost of action . Sir , I am sorry that the Chartists in general did not take your advice ; you have often told us to be prepared with a defence fund ; if we had done S 0 | we would , by this time , be with a fund that would make the government tremble , for money is
the strength of the law . Sir , I am sorry that you have to pay so much , and get nothing but abuse for it , from them that you have served the most ; but bo of good cheer , for you will have your reward . I wish you long- life to see your labours crowned with joy . I hope Mr . Buncombe will be able to help you this session . I remain , your wel \ -wisher , nnd old guard , for the " Charter and no Surrender . " Thomas Paris , . Blacksmith . Cold Bath , Greenwich , Dec . 19 , 184 'J .
Liberation Of Chartist Prisoners Prom Eo...
Liberation of Chartist Prisoners prom Eorsemonger-lane Gaol . — On "Wednesday afternoon three of the Chartist prisoners , convicted at the Old Bailey , in 18 i 8 , were liberated by order of the Secretary of State for the Home Department , from Horsemonger-lane Gaol , were they have been incarcerated fourteen months . Their names , are William Poole , Thomas Irons , and Thomas Herbert . They were apprehended in a publichouse in Webber-street , Blackfriars : road , and were tried at the Old Bailey Sessions in October , 1848 , and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment in Horsemonger-lane Goal , and at the expiration of that period to find good bail for their future
conduct during five years . The Secretary of State commuted their sentence to fourteen months ' - imprisonment , which expired on Wednesday ; and the required sureties being approved of by the Secretary for the Homo Department , they were brought to the Southwark police court by Mr . Keene ; the governor of the gaol ; and the necessary formalities being ^ gone through before the magistrate , they were . immediately liberated , and were joined by their families and a number of naxious friendsi - Thadbs Ukios Conspiracy at SnEFFiEtr , —At the York assizes on Wednesday , Cornelius Milncr . 26 , John Cundy , 21 , Daniel Wilkin , 35 , John Glossop , 33 , Gaerge Pickering , 25 , Thomas Eatcliffe , 23 , Thomas Cartwright , 21 , and WilJiam Windlo ,- 33 ,
were indicted for having , on the 11 th of July last , at Sheffield , unlawfuly conspired to force and compel two men named Joseph and William Snape , against their will and with violence to their persons and property , to attend a meeting of the "Tableknife Grinders' Union , " for the purpose of raising money for tho support of the said association , ~ Aftor tho examination of two or three witnesses , Mr . Justice Williams suggested the adoption of a course which would meet " the justice el the case . That course was , that the prosecutors should overlook tho violence done to them , and that all the
defendants should plead guilty , and give security for their good conduct in future , by entering into their own recognisances of £ 20 each , to appear and receive judgment when called upon . The « ounsel on both aides were ready to aecedo to this proposition , and it was accordingly acted upon . Tira lath Epidemic—From returns just pub lished , it appears that the number of deaths from cholera in Paris amounted to 10 , 050 , or , including those dying in the civil and military hospitals , t 20 , 000 . The most fatal month was June , when 5 , 769 perished . In London the most fatal month was September , when 6 , 6 M fell victims .
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 22, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_22121849/page/1/
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