On this page
-
Departments (1)
-
Text (7)
-
TO FEAltGUS O'CONNOR,M. P. Sir,—I demand...
-
TO MR. D. M'GOWAN, PRINTER. Sin,—Will yo...
-
t ^ - , Wmdmill-street , April 26th, Sih...
-
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P.. Sia,—We...
-
Bolton', April 15. Friknd Harney.—Have t...
-
EmiJtttal ftaritomtttt
-
Monday. Aprui 23. HOUSE OF LORDS. — Salb...
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
The Stanfield-Hall Murders. Executiotof ...
ing , however , that he was deceived in this hope , and . that he could not impose on them a doubt of his guilt , he became dissatisfied with them also , and his last interview with them , as will be seen , terminated in a violent altercation . The chaplain , who had determined to refuse to him the sacrament while he remained impenitent and without confession , was apprehensive that he would request to nave it adininistered on the day of ins execution . He , However , expressed no such wish , but about five minutes before he left the chapel to be pinioned he said he had hoped that it had been the intention of Mr . Slack and Mr . Andrews to receive the sacrament with Mm . The chaplain came to him about halfpast eight o ' clock this mornings and he seemed glad to join in devotion , but whenever his guilt was
assumed , and confession and repentance were urged on him , his constant reply was , " God knows my heart ; He is ray judge , and you have prejudged me . " Last night at nine o'clock Sir . Pinson went to speak to Rush relative to a letter sent to him by his eldest daughter , expressed ; it is said , in a very Sroper and feeling manner . Mr . Pinson had two oors to unlock close to the bedside ofthe prisoner before lie could approach him , yet Rush professed to hare been in a profound sleep when awakened by him . He had not retired to rest more than an half hour previously , and Mr . Pinson -was perfectly satisfied that he could not have been asleep as he pretended . He kept his bed till 11 or 12 o ' clock , and told the turnkeys in attendance on him that he had had a beautiful sleep , yet no five minutes in the
interval had passed that his eyes were not wide open and fixed on theirs . About two o ' clock becoming very restless , he got up and commenced reading a religious book , passages of which he interlined , expressing at the same time a wish that the book might be given to his family . Thus two or three hours of the short time remaining to him passed away . He then got into bed again , but could not rest , and was up and down constantly until the chaplain came to him . For breakfast he requested that a little thin gruel might be given to him . He was then engaged in reading till after ten o ' clock , when he went to the chapel and heard service performed with the other prisoners . This lasted till twenty minutes to twelve o'clock , and at its elo « lie was left with the chaplain and Mr . Andrews .
They again solemnly urged upon him the duties of repentance and confession , but he became much irritated , repeated his innocence , and said that the real criminal would be known in two years . He was proceeding to quarrel violently with them , when Mr . Pinson entered the chapel and removed him , Mr . Pinson slates , as a further illustration of the prisonei- 's state of mind , that he hardly ever visited him without his saying " Thank GoiLAlmigbiy all is right . " At one of the interviews with his family at which he was present Rush asKed whether the Queen would be in a harry to hang him , and upon be ' . ag expostulated with for using such an express sion , added , " lam all ready for that . You cannot suppose that having prepared my defence ,. I am not ready in that respect Thank God Almighty , I am
quite prepared to die . " JSothmg in ins conauct is more remarkable than the reliance which he placed upon his defence of himself , his confidence in his power to convince others of his innocence , and his anser at hearing that the world was unanimous in thinking him guilty . On leaving the chapel he went into the prison yard and washed his face and hands and the back of his neck with cold water at the pump . From the prison yard he was conducted to the room of one of the turnkeys , where Calcraft , the executioner , was waiting to receive him . On observing him , Rush said , "Is that the man who is to perform this duty ? " To which Mr . Pinson replied that it was . Calcraft then desired him to sit down , which he did , and the operation of pinionanr commenced . The prisoner , who appeared
perfectly calm and collected , said with a shrug , lnis don't go easy , I don't want tie cord to hurt me . " His request was complied with , and the rope was moved a little to give him relief . He then said that he was comfortable , and the sad procession having been formed , he was conducted to his doom . These details will furnish some idea of what had taken place within the Castle previous to the moment of execution , and of the frame of mind in which the wretched being was when about to be referred from the justice of man to the awful presence of his Maker . It is now necessary to give some description of the preparations which had been made for rendering tho execution of such a criminal as solemn and impressive as possible . For this purpose the situation of Norwich Castle and the style
of its architecture are strikingly adapted . It is a line massive structure , the principal feature of which is an immense square tower , supported by buttresses , between the intervals of which a profusion of small blind arches are panncllcd . From this tower extends on each side a low battlemented wall , within which the prison is placed . It stands on a hill or mound which forms the highest ground in Norwich , and has a commanding view of the city with its cathedral and numerous churches , and also of the surrounding country . The strong gray walls are surrounded by a spacious terrace , beneath which is the moat , and beyond that again an iron railing . The principal approach is from the marketplace , and is about one hundred yards in length , the centre being formed by a bridge over the moat . On this
bridge the drop was erected , and so situate , had , as may be imagined , a very striking effect . This was heightened by an immense black flag , which was suspended over the entrance to the Castle , and which , as it surged slowly in the wind , was well calculated to solemnise the minds of the spectators . Although it was market-day , there was no great collection of people on the fatal scene until the iiour of execution had almost arrived . The morning was cold , dismal , and cheerless , and the few groups collected on the hill were principally farmers , attracted there as much by business as curiosity . They eyed , at a respectful distance , the dreadful apparatus of death , and in little knots , with bated breath , talked over the fate of the wretched man , whom many of them had no doubt known and bargained with , and
whose occupation in life was similar to their own . As the day advanced , the sun shone out , and the inhabitants of the city came up in greater numbers to the spot . Shortly before twelve o ' clock the number of spectators received a great accession . The trains from Yarmouth and other places came in loaded with passengers , and the population of the whole surrounding country poured towards the spot . There might have been 12 , 000 or 13 , 000 people present—a large number , certainly , to be attracted by curiosity and the love of excitement to a spectacle so painful as a puhlic execution . Among them , as is usual upon such occasions , were a large number of women and boys , eagerly looking for the appearance of the prisoner , and passing the interval in tne tne oi iuea
mucn same manner as ganeries our - tres do between the acts on a Snakspere night with Mac-ready as the star . Some housetops had a few spectators upon them , and wc observed a great number of people perched upon the square tower of one of the city churches . The short space between the Castle entrance and the drop was lined on one side by the magistrates gf the county , and on the other by the representatives of the press . At last the death knell began to toll from the spire of St . Peter ' s Maneroft , and shortly after 12 o ' clock the procession emerged from the Castle , and took its way to the drop . First came the Sheriffs and javelin men , and then followed the convict , attended by the Governor and executioner ; on their way they were met by the chaplain , who read the funeral * service with a
loud voice . The wretched prisoner moved along with great firmness . He was dressed in black , wore patent leather boots , and had his shirt collar , which was scrupulously clean , turned over . As his head was bare the features of his face could be distinctly marked . They had undergone no perceptible change since his trial . Perhaps he might have looked somewhat paler , but his determined expression had not changed , and the man was in all respects the same unwavering , resolute being , who for six days conducted his own defence in a court of justice , though oppressed , not only by the conviction of his enormous guilt , but also by the knowledge that it
had been so clearly brought home to him . His step never faltered , and he regularly marched to his doom . On catching sight of the scaffold he lifted his eyes to Heaven , raised as far as he could his pinioned hands , and shook his head mournfully from side to side once or twice . The pantomime was Perfect , conveying almost as clearly as words a protest of innocence , combined with resignation to his fete . As he walked along , he asked the governor what the words Were with wnicb . the burial service ended . He was told that it was with the benediction , " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , " < fcc , and he requested that the drop might fall when the chaplain came to those words .
The wretched man then mounted the scaffold , but instead of looking to the crowd without turned his face to the Castle walls . Calcraft immediately drew the white nightcap over his head , and , fastening the fatal rope to the beam , adjusted the noose to his neck . The unhappy man , even at this dreadful moment , bid not lost his coolness . " This does not go easv , " he said , put the thing a little highertake vour time—don ' t be in a lurry . " These were his List words . The rope was in the right placethe drop fell—and in ah instant the murderer was dead . No struggles ensued , and the dreadful ceremony was performed as quickly and well as is practicable , and with fewer revolting circumstances than nsual . During the whole time the crowd without sounds
niaintained a solemn silence , and the only that accompanied the fall of-the body , and jerking ofthe tightened rope , were one or two faint shrieks . After being suspended for one hour it was cut down and carried hack to the Castle on a litter . There a cast was taken from it , after which it was placed in a shell previous to interment within the precincts . At five o ' clock the features had undergone so great a change that no one could recognise ^ them . The "air had then heen shaved off , and the craniological development might he accurately observed . The appearances presented certainly seemed to justif y the verdict of the jury . Thus perished , wMe still in the prune of life , James Blomfield Rush , the perpetrator of the Stanfield Hall murders .
To Fealtgus O'Connor,M. P. Sir,—I Demand...
TO FEAltGUS O'CONNOR , M . P . Sir , —I demand insertion for this letter in the ensuing number of your own paper ; and , if you are not afraid of its appearance , you will comply with that demand . Y ou speak of conferring- " alms , " and . of the " largest recipients invariaoly being your greatest revilers . " You have never " conferred alms" upon me . I have never been one either of the " largest " or least" recipients , " or a recipientof your
, money , in any shape * , nor have I heen one of your " greatest revilers . " You say " He gave me a bill for £ 26 5 s ., which was dishonoured , and has never yet been paid , except in unmiti gated abuse . " You know that I never gave you- a bill , in mv life—either for the sum you mention , or . for any other sum ; and you ought not to tell such . an untruth . You Know that neither younor I were parties to the transaction to which you refer ; and as for " unmitigated abuse , I have never dealt in it , either towards you , or any other person .
You say " The Poet waited upon me , with his child under his arm , and told me that he had waited upon Disraeli , Douglas Jen-old , Dickens , and several other literary characters , in the hope of receiving their assistance to bring out Ms poem . He told me that they all gave him fair words , but added , with tears in his eyes , that I was his onlr hope . His tears softened my heart and opened - " ? pocket . I gave him an order upon a prir « r . , print and find paper at my expense , "—and'hen follows your statement about the bill ,- including your account of your own conduct *« d mine ; but which account I must , if you ph ?* * render in to a true version . I did not" wait unon von " *« 7 "" d under my
arm . " Some weeks aft " ' 7 liberation from Stafford Gaol , my friend - * ° d former acquaintance , Mr . M'Gowan , desired -, ne t 0 caU uPon You- * ta \& him you had used ir * fll » having denounced me while I lay in prise ** . " and that , although you had withdrawn soi" * of your charges against me , publicly , — vet yo * had not withdrawn your untrue charge abo >^ my having had your money ; and until you jiaplayed honour enough to do so , I would not call upon you . Mr . M . 'G ; assured me , in return , that you had charged him to request me to call on you , that you were deeply sorry for the misunderstanding between us , that you respected me highly , and that all would bo explained , if I would call . Upon these assurances , I called on you ; but I had « ot my
poem with me . I came with no idea of showing it to you . You sprang up , when I intimated that I expected your explanation , and said we would have none—you were glad to see mc—and we would be friends again . We did , however , enter into some explanations ; and though I blamed your want of wisdom in believing the stories of the degraded man who had left the gaol , and who , although an utter stranger to you , and an avowed enemy to Chartism , you had believed , —I acquitted you from the charge of culpability , in a great degree , when you showed me a calumnious letter , signed by persons to whom my conduct had been as kind and open , as theirs was unkind and underhand . I gave you my hand , and therewith my heart . My nature is not vindictive ;
and I should hate myself if it were . You had my attachment again . It might not be worth much ; but I gave it sincerely , —and that without any thought of ever deriving any wordly or pecuniary advantage from you . I sat with you some time , and I at length told you how I had called upon Mr . Buncombe to thank him for his kind and persevering attention to my case , in Parliament ; and how he had given me an introduction to " Mr ! Disraeli . I then told you of Mr . Disraeli ' s kind reception of me , and of his persevering attempts to get a publisher for my " Purgatory' —all of which failed . I did not tell you that I had " waited upon Douglas Jerrold , Dickens , and several other literary characters , in the hope , < fcc . " I had not then seen either Mr . Jerrold or Mr . Dickens . This . lam conscious , is simply a mistake ,
and not . in intentional untruth , on your part . You are confounding several conversations in one : I have often known you do this ; but I set it down to you not as a fault ) but as the result of multifarious business in confusing your mind . Therein you are only like other men . I did not tell you that only " fair words" were given me by any literary man ; this expression was applied to the fashionable publishers , to whom I had been recommended by Mr . Disraeli . That , again , is merely a slip of memory on your part . I did not " add , with tears in my eyes , that you were my only hope . " I had no hope whatever in you—no expectation whatever , as it regards my poem , Nor did I shed a single tear in that interview . 1 was not at all in dolorous mood . A reconciliation had taken p lace with one to whom I had heen formerly strongly attached ; and any one who has the least kindness in his constitution can
understand that the heart is not much disposed to melancholy at such seasons . Besides , you laughed and cracked your jokes— -you told your tales of rich humour ( and none can tell better than yourself)—and you " wrapped yourself round me" ( to use a Lincolnshire phrase ) completely . As for " hope , " it was so far from bein" extinct with me that I felt the fullest confidence I should yet find a publisher , and that my prison-rhyme would make me remembered in the future , though it might not benefit me much during life . Hope ! who can suppose that , after trampling upon all the difficulties which had surrounded me , I was without hope , now I knew my mind-lahour was finished ?
You pressed me to come and breakfast with you next morning , and to bring my poem with me that you might hear some of it read . I did so ; and now J wept while rending the stanzas in the third book , which refer to my dear mother ; and wow wept while listening to them . I took it to be a proof of your right feeling ; and I do not think that either you or I have any need to be asSuned of our weeping together on that occasion . You say that my tears softened your heart . I am glad of it . May the tender influences ever remain with you ! But you add—" and opened my pocket . " I beg . your pardon , sir : indeed I had no such magical influence upon you ; and the " open sesame" would have had little value , if I had possessed the secret—for your
pocket , as I learnt from your own confession soon after , had little or nothing in it about that time . The following morning I breakfasted with you again , —for you would not be said " Nay ; " and again you sat a long time to hear-mc read passages from my "Purgatory . " You frequently exclaimed , «• ' Equal to Milton ! " — " Sublime I" and I know not what beside ; and , at the conclusion of that sitting swore ( forgive mo , hut it is a fact !) that you would jjublis \ my poem . I jeered at what you said ; for I thought it absurd , at the moment . But you repeated it , with the same orthodox emphasis . I asked you hoit you would or could publish it ; but
you replied it did not matter—you would publish it , and I should see that you would . You say "I gave him an order upon a printer to print and find paper at my expense . " You know that is a mis-statement . You . never gave me any such order . Mr . M'Gowan told me some days after my third interview with you , that I was to bring my manuscript to him , for that you had given him an order to print it . I sought you again , and asked you what you meant . You replied that " you would print the * book and find a publisher for it—you would bring it out—did I suppose you were mocking mc V You spoke angrily , and as if you were hurt , by my questions ; and I could not doubt your sincerity—so thanked you and withdrew .
When about half of the poem was printed , Mr . M'Gowan said to me that I bad better call upon you again , and remind you it was time a publisher was found , and that advertisements began to make their appearance , announcing the poem . Yousaid "Good morning , Mr . Milton , " in your jocular way , as I entered your room ; but your behaviour was utterly changed when I told you my errand . You told me that / must find a publisher , for you could not ; and as for advertising , you could not advertise the hook : it must advertise itself ! I felt so shocked by this answer , that J could only answer you with difficulty ; but I told you you had brought me into a difficulty . You saw I was hurt ; and you immediately softened your tone , and said to me with a
look 6 f distress that I shall never forget , " Cooper , I have not the money to do it . I declare , if I could afford to pay for the 300 copies and g ive them away , I would . However , I will undertake to dispose of 200 copies for you , by some means or other . But I have not the money to advertise for you . I declare to you that I often know what it is to dine upon ninepence . I often go and get a basin of soup , and have nothing more , because I cannot afford a . dinner . " Your words distressed me ; hut more on your account , than my own . I replied " Mr .. O'Connor , I cannot expect you to do what I have asked , under such circumstances ; but I am sorrythat you have p laced me in such a predicament . " , . After such a confession from you , I easily
understoodwhyMr . M'Gowanpresentedmewith a written memorandum , which he requested me to sign—observing that he had drawn it up by your request , and that you had said Cooper would have no objection to Sign it . By this paper Mr . M'Gowan and I hecame the contracting parties ; and you were , thenceforward , excluded , m my . mind , altogether ,, from responsibility . A copy ofthe document will show that I COUld haW » o eiier thought , after signing it . X remarked to Mr . . M'Gowan , on signing this document , " You now take my responsibility instead of Mr . © Connor ' s ; and I am better pleased that it is so . My only doubt remains about findinsra
uublisher to teke a printed book : and how is it to be advertised ? » Mr , M « G . replieu Aat he could not advertise it , blithe would gowitbme in search of a publisher . We went , a few days afterwards , to a publisher in the Strand , and tried our luck , hut found none . Mr . M « G . told me to be of good cheer , for he had » 0 doubt we should Succeed somewhere , and we parted . On leaving him , Imetwithmyfriend John Cleave , and seeing me look thoughtful he asked what was the matter with me . I told him of my difficulty ; and . he immediatel y offered to give " mean introduction to Mr . Jerrold , that I might ask his aid in getting a publisher . Mr . Jerrold received > me lilse a brother , showed , the half of my poem
To Fealtgus O'Connor,M. P. Sir,—I Demand...
which was printed to Mr . Dickens ( who aftei wards received hie in " the same fraternal spirit )—and then used his interest with Mr . How , who consented to fu blish my poem , and assured me , with the greatest inducss , that he would undertake the expense of advertising it . Overjoyed , I paid you another visit , told you how Jerrold had revived me , and of the prospects that were opening . I felt no unkindly spirit within me towards you . I considered that you had purposed , at first , to do more than you found you were able to do ; and I respected you for your good purposes . I talked over the whole affair with some who said your only purpose , from the first , had heen to damn my book , and who talked very bitterly about you . I did not believe them or regard them . They Have since joined you again , and become your humble servants .
When my poomwas brought out , and the nobly generous review of it appeared in the Britannia , I told vou the news , and « " seemed pleased and gratified , and I belief y > n sincere . But when 1 asked you about < sne 200 copies , you said , " No ; I only said 10 a' and laughed . I laughed likewise , for I felt 'are . * hat such a notice as that in tho paper jp /* mentioned , would cause a speedy sale of the c"t edition ; and so it fell out . You after-! ^ -rds backed out of your promise altogether , and refused to take oven a single copy . But I care nothing about that . The publisher , encouraged by the rapid sale of the first few days , offered to take the whole edition , and Mr . M'Gowan consented to it . I was discharged by Mr . M'Gowan from my part of the' Agrttmmt with him ; and , thenceforth , the whole affair became a matter of business between him and my publisher . The latter paid him his bill
of £ 40 19 s . for printing the 500 copies ; but the bill for the paper Mr . M'Gowan said he could not furnish until he had it irom your stationers , the Messrs . Yenables , by whom the paper had been supplied . Mr . How * told me this ; but neither ho nor I had the sli g htest suspicion that you had anything to do with it . My Agreement recited that Mi-. M'Gowan was to " find paper" for printing the poem upon ; and when , at length , the account for the paper ( about £ 15 ) was sent to My . How , he considered himself as indebted to Mr . M'Gowaii—not to you , for it . Afterwards , Mr . How having made himself responsible for all demands , agreed to pay for the advertisements in the Star , as well ; and gavo Mr . M'Gowan an
acceptance , which , it seems , including the cost of paper and advertisements , amounted to £ 26 5 s . When you first announced that this acceptance had been dishonoured , I was uneasy about it ; and went to Mr . M'Gowan to tell him , that though I had not received any profits from the sale ofthe 500 copies , if he would procure me the returned bill , I would borrow money and discharge it . He said he would try to do so . I called again , but he said he could not get it , since you had paid it away to Messrs . Yenables . I told him to obtain it as soon as he could . Lately , I learnt that Mr . How had been asked for the money again . I went to Mr . M'Gowan , and told him to consider me as the debtor ; and he told me I need be under no uneasiness about it . I
am sure it is not by his will that you thus renew your ungenerous and untrue statements . I am not your debtor . Mr . How was not your debtor . I have consented to stand as debtor to Mr . M'Gowan . He has no claim upon me , legally ; but he shall not lose the money , I know nothing of any arrangements between you and'him ; whatever they may be I ain sure he will not defraud you ; nor shall I break my promise to Mr . M'G . He shall be paid , as soon as I can earn tho money . Let me beg that , henceforth , you will not repeat your untruth that I " gave you a bill for £ 26 5 s . " And let any man say if honester conduct was ever shown by a poor poet than I am showing in this instance . I shall spend but lew words on tho remaining part of your letter . You say , " Tom is a most comical genius . " I think my readers will say that you are mistaken , and that the " comic" is not my
peculiar vein . Whatever my " genius" may be , however , it will live when you are forgotten . You apply the term " Atheist" to me . It is misapplied , Sir . I have never been an Atheist . "Infidel is a term applied to almost all who think for themselves , and who happen to have been either " Protestant " or " Dissenter , " and afterwards see reason to reject some orthodox mystery . You are welcome to employ such a term to me , if it suits your taste ; but , remember that you are not orthodox , and that , therefore , others may apply tho term to you . You ought to be ashamed of applying tho term " boozy " to one who was never degraded by drinking habits in his life—who never was in a public-house to drink even the smallest quantity till he was thirty years
of age—and who , in the succeeding fourteen years of his life has never been in such a house , except to obtain refreshment when he was exhausted by talking or journeying , and then—never to incur any danger of inebriation . You know that I only broke my teetotalism of some years from sheer exhaustion of frame , and medical advice , after my imprisonment , and that I would willingly resume it if 1 could . I never give offence , however , to conscientious teetotalers . Let the Bolton men witness for me . I never took any other than their teetotal drinks while with them . I am too glad to see temperance spread to throw any obstacle in its way , willingly . I need scarcely notice your Bolton correspondent's letter . You tell your readers that its
perusal will repay them . How unworthy is your conduct of a gentleman by birth and education ! You ought to be above pandering to the ignorance and prejudice of the poor man who writes you this letter . Tou ought to have written to him , privately , to advise him to read the lives of the glorious Hampden and his Commonwealth compeers for himself , and to learn that so far from being " infamous , " they were grand and noble exemplars to Englishmen . Unless he meant that the "Blessed Martyr , " Strafford , and Laud , were " infamous ; " and if he did he ought to have said so , and to have acknowledged that 1 did well in teaching my own order to have better and more correct views than the "Book of Common Prayer'' gives them , about Charles I .
I did not say I believed you to be insincere in carrying out your Land Plan . Experience has taught me that there are fewer human monsters than some people say ,- and that good motives are often mixed with less praiseworthy motives , in mos men . You would he a monster if you were insincere in your Land Plan : a cruel monster . But I do not believe you to he one . You would take real pleasure in seeing working-men happy on your estates : and not the less because vou would be tlie
instrument of their happiness . I think you were in error in proposing your Plan , but it was an error of the head not of tho heart . Why should you he angry because I express now what I expressed in your own room , when you were starting your Plan ? Ihave waited , and would have confessed my error , if I had learnt that your Plan had succeeded ; but your Star docs not assure me of your success . I state now what I stated at Bolton , and have often stated , from your own confession of poverty , and from tho information of Joshua Hobson and John
Ardill , who were fully acquainted with your concerns , that one strong motive for your commencing the Land Plan was " to recruit your exhausted means for carrying on the Star , " and to enable you to keep your position . I never said that you had used the Land monies without paying them back . I never thought it of you . I stated what I did think , and I have now stated it again . If my thoughts and information were correct you have only done as many other public men have done : projected an intentional good for others , with the view also to help yourself . You are only like hundreds of other men in this respect . Why should you claim a character superior' to theirs ? I have never " solicited the patronage of the Free
Traders . " My sympathies do not lay that way , and all who know me , or hear me talk publicly , can testify it . But if you were to sec what Mr . Arrowsmith has done for his workmen you would rejoice at it . I enclose you a copy of the last number of my " Plain Speaker , " that you may read my description of what he has done ; and if you visit Bolton you will find it all confirmed . Your Bolton correspondent finds a mare ' s nest . He discovers that my " errand was the circulation of my penny paper ; " and that I had sent a man round the town with circulars . Just so : I had a two-fold purpose—as you often have—to sow moral and political truth , by talking to the people , and also to spread my paper . This latter purpose was so little in my mind , however , that my publisher had to send the circulars after me , and I had none to deliver before I reached Manchester . And have not 1 as much rieht to spread my penny paper , as you have
to spread your fivepenny one ? You ought to be glad that Chartists are reading my letters to " The Young Men ofthe Working Classes . " You ought to advise them to read thoseletters ; you ought to leave off your injudicious and bad-tempered habit of raising and renewing quarrels ; and to pursue better plans than you have ever yet done for spreading Chartism . Since your party expelled me , I havo unceasingly toiled for Chartism . I shall help it , whether you like me to do so , or not . I shall labour for the relief of all who are suffering for it , as far as my strength will allow . Chartism is as deartomoas my life ; and though cast out by your influence ; you can neither prevent my labouring for it , in London , nor prejudice . mo with any who mark my daily life and conduct . By allowing any poor , mistaken man t « apply such an epithet to me as that of " viper" —you are stinging yourself , and de-< Tadin" your own character , both in tho minds of working men in London , and all over the country .
Once more , however ,. ! will test your influence . I declined going to Stalybndge last Sunday , as soon as I saw your letter , and set off from Manchester for my home , on Saturday at noon . I wilt not go to any of the other towns in Lancashire , nor to any of the towns in Yorkshire , Northumberland , & c to which I have been invited , until I am sent for a ^ ahi Your tvill has hitherto been law , among Chartist societies . I wait to see if it sfill be so . I wm thrust my humble , service on ague . If they do
To Fealtgus O'Connor,M. P. Sir,—I Demand...
not . choose to hear one . whom you havo again denounced , I do not wish to speak in their hearing ; but if they desire me to-visit them , in spite of your denunciation , I will go . I wait to see vour power tested , once more . . . Thomas ' Cooper . 5 , Park-row , Knightsbridge , April 9 th , 1 S 40 . -
To Mr. D. M'Gowan, Printer. Sin,—Will Yo...
TO MR . D . M'GOWAN , PRINTER . Sin , —Will you be kind enough ; within the shortest possible space , and most distinctly , to answer the three following questions . 1 st . —Who was security to you for tho printing of Cooper ' s " Purgatory of Suicides . " 2 nd . —Who holds the bill for £ 26 5 s ., given by the publisher for pap "' . Is that sum due to mo or due to you 1 3 rd . —If the work had failed , who would you have held responsible for the printing ? I don t ask these questions for the purpose of showing that Mr . Cooper has written an intentional falsehood , but merely to show him that he is in error as regards the fact . ¦ - Your obedient servant , Fbarqus O'Conxoh .
T ^ - , Wmdmill-Street , April 26th, Sih...
t ^ - , Wmdmill-street , April 26 th , Sih ,--I have already stated the facts connected with the publication of Mr . Cooper ' s Poem on two former occasions . I now state them for the third , and , I hope , the last , time . l . —You were security for the amount of our bill for printing . you gave the order , and , of course , gave a guarantee at the same time . 2 .-rou hold the bill for £ 20 5 s . ; it was handed to me by Mr . Cooper in payment of tho balance due for printing , paper , and advertising , and I handed it to you to pay for the paper , which had been supplied by your stationer . 3 . —Had the work been a failure , you would most certainly hare been responsible for the amount of our account . Your obedient servant , _ B . M'Gowa . v .
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P.. Sia,—We...
TO FEARGUS O ' CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . . Sia , —We , the members of the Westminster locality of the National Charter Association , hereby assure you that we duly appreciate your arduous labours in behalf of the oppressed and despised vrorking classes ; and also , that it is with deep regret that we now feel compelled to address you in the language of remonstrance , but believing that , thereby , we prove oarselves more your SINCERE FRIENDS , than the fawning sycophant , or the mawkish flatterer , we shall proceed respectfully to state the subject matter to which we desire to call your serious attention . It was only on last Saturday week , that the columns of the Northern Star closed on a very unwise and indiscreet discussion , relative to
Republicanism . On last Saturday we find the columns of that paper opened for a wanton , unprovoked , uncalled for , invidious , and violent attack on private character , and this t < o on a man that we believe to he NOT A . VIPER , but a sincere and sterling Chartist , an unflinching Democrat , and ( by his great and transcendent talents ] an ornamrnt to our order ; and further , in saying this of Mr . Cooper , we are i f opinion , that we express the honest convictions of thousands of our fellow men . < In our humble opinion , it would have been far better in you , as a noble-minded Democrat , instead of publicly thanking your friend (?) at Bolton for
tne information , to have committed his communication to the flames , and treated the writer with the silent contempt that he deserved ; on the contrary , we contend that by the course you have adopted , it is giving an unbounded licence to every little narrow jaundice-minded scribbler , who fancies he hears something or other , and that he shall curry favour by so doing ; he at once forwards it and the same is published ; and what , W 3 ask , are tlie results of these petty jealousies and squabbles ? Why this ; a great movement is split up , we are made a laughing-stock of by our enemies , and the true and sincere Democrat filled with heart-burning and sorrow .
trusting , Sir , that you will receive this in all sincerity , We remain , Sir , your Brother Chartists , The Members of tho Westminster Locality . P . S . —We would also suggest , that there ought , to be no distinction made between Chartists of old standing and new converts ; and that all your letters should be addressed to the Chartist body generally , and not to the "Old Guards . "
Bolton', April 15. Friknd Harney.—Have T...
Bolton ' , April 15 . Friknd Harney . —Have the kindness to insert this , my defence , in answer to the one you received from Bolton , signed by the secretary , J . Vose . Sir , I feel myself honoured by the notice which Mr . O'Connor has taken of my communication of the 1 st inst . Had I thought it worthy of such notice , I would have given him full liberty to publish my name . I cannot conceive why the committee should feel so sore about it , except it be that dreadful monitor , conscience ; there was no allusion whatever to them . I shall not say a word about my own character , I am willing to leave that with the Chartists of Bolton , who know me . But ,
what will the readers of the Star think of the character of a man who can say one thing on one day and deny it the next . Prom the terms used in the denial of this fact , lam compelled to mention the name . JohnDore , oneof the committee , gave me the information , which was corroborated on the following day by another person , who was present when the Conversation took place . There was neither meanness nor malice intended by me . Both belong to private scandal , and particularly so when that scandal is directed against a gentleman and a man that has worked harder for the cause of the people than any other man that ever lived before him . I shall not trouble you any more on this matter , as I am willing to meet them face to face . Yours in the cause of right against might , James Lord .
Emijtttal Ftaritomtttt
EmiJtttal ftaritomtttt
Monday. Aprui 23. House Of Lords. — Salb...
Monday . Aprui 23 . HOUSE OF LORDS . — Salb of Ancient "Wokks op Ar . r . —Lord Brougham wished to call the attention of his noble friend opposite ( the Marquis of Lansdowne ) to the existence of reports which asserted that those good-fornothing persons who occupied the place of the government at Florence—now happily put downand those who usurped the government at Romewho were at present not put down , though he hoped they soon would be—an usurpation which was upheld first by murder , and next by pillage—had , for the purpose of maintaining what was begun in assassination and completed by plunder , laid their sacrilegious hands on the immortal monuments of human genius .
He would fain hope that these rumours were without foundation , and he knew that in one respect at least they were so , for it had been asserted that the greatest work of sculpture in the world ( the noble and learned lord was understood to allude to the Apollo Belvidere ) had been purchased by some person to be carried over to the United States . Now , lie had inquired into the truth of this report , and he found that it was destitute of all foundation . { Hear , heai * . ) He had also been told that the Transfiguration of Raphael had been purchased by a noble person who was a member of their lordships' House . He was happy to say that that rumour also was entirely without foundation . Even if such a thing
had been done , he was quite sure that it would only have been by way of ransoming the noble captives from the bondage in which they were held , and without a thought of holding ; them longer than till the time when they could be restored to their lawful owners . He wished , however , to call his noble friend ' s attention to the more probable report that some works of art , of smaller bulk , and therefore more easily exported , were finding their way towards this country . He hoped , therefore , that some such steps would be taken as were adopted some time ago , whenaquantity of armour was stolen from the Arsenal at Vienna . He hoped that his noble friend would be able to say that these reports were exaggerated .
'J he Marquis of Lansdowne was understood to say that he should be very glad if he were able to give , from official sources , a satisfactory answer to the question put by his noble and learned friend . He entertained , however , a perfect conviction that the reports which bad-gone abroad on this subject were greatly exaggerated . He believed that with all lovers of art the love of art itself would induce them to repudiate such a mode of obtaining possession of the statues of antiquity as had been referred to . Neither did he believe that any member of their lordships ' House , or any person or body of persons in this country , who were responsible to public opinion , would stoop to such a mode of acquiring treasures of ancient art . He could only say , as far as public bodies were concerned j that the trustees of the National Gallery , and of the British Museum , had publicly declared that they Would not purchase any works which were surreptitiously brought here from foreign countries .
Lord Rbdesdale observed that the pictures of Charles I ., on the disruption of the monarchy , were bought even by those states which refused to acknowledge the Republic . It must be recollected that if ever there was a di facto government , such a government existed at Rome now , and was not likely to be displaced , unless by external interference . Though no gentleman would , under the . circumstances , treat with the parties who were offering these works of art for sale , yet speculators might , and he did not see how their titles could be disputed . The conversation then dropped . Thb Rivkr Piatk . —The Earl of Haurowby then proceeded to move for copies or extracts of all instruttions riven to her Majesty ' s Envoys in the River Fl & te for their guidajacs , in , the intervention
Monday. Aprui 23. House Of Lords. — Salb...
of Great Britain for the pacification of affairs in that river ; and in doin ? so , in tho course of an able speech , he enter ? d into a lengthened detail of the circumstances which had led to the present state of affairs in that quarter . In conclusion , he called upon the government , for the sake ofthe mercantile community , whose interests were so deeply at stake , to explain what course was intended to be pursued with regard to both the Republics on that river . The Marquis of Lansoowne , in reply , said that he had reason to believe that Rosas was anxious to come to a satisfactory arrangement with this country , which must include a clue regard to the interests of Monte Video . He opposed the motion , and declined to enter upon any detailed explanation , lest by so doing the difficulties of effecting a satisfactory conclusion in the negotiations now being carried out , might be increased . After some observations from Lords Beaumont and Colchester , the Earl of Hahkowbt withdrew his motion .
HOUSE OF COMMONS .- Irish State Prosecutions . —Mr . Hums wished to ask the government whether it was their intention to offend the feeling of justice by proceeding against Mr . Duffy for the fourth time ? He thought that justice ought to be pure , and that no individual should be subjected to persecution . Sir Gkorgb Gret said , all he could tell the hon . gentleman was , that the individual named was out on bail , and the bail would continue till the next commission . Mr . Humb hoped that the House would be favoured with a return of the expense ofthe prosecutions which hadalready taken place . ( Loud cheers . ) Sir G- Grby replied to Lord Duncan , that tho Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests had chargn of a billfor preventing interments in the metropolis , but it was not intended to extend its provisions to provincial towns .
Lord J . Russell intimated , in reply to Sir H . \ V . Barron , that the government had some propositions to submit on the subject of arterial drainage and railways in Ireland , but they could not do so until the rate in aid bill had been disposed of . Navigation Laws . —Mr Labouchbre then moved the third reading of the Navigation Bill . Mr . Hkrriks thereupon moved , as an amendment , that the bill be read a third time that day six months . The longer the measure continued under discussion , the more cogent appeared to him to be the reasons assignable against it . He would not then dwell upon the arguments so often preferred , and which might now be taken as established facts in the discussion , that it was our interest to encourage , bv every means in our power , our mercantile marine ,
and that in this wealthy , highly-civilised , and overburdened country , it was impossible to compete , in the business of shipbuilding , with poorer and less burdened states , but proceed to state the circumstances which had arisen since the introduction of the bill , and which had , in his opinion , rendered utterly valueless the whole foundation on which it was made to rest . The delusion which for some weeks had been palmed off upon tho House , to the effect that the public mind at home was favourable to the measure , had vanished . The current of public opinion had set strongly in against the bill , which had been framed , irom the very first , in so exceptionable a manner that no modifications could render it acceptable to the Opposition . It was now attempted to be shown that , after all , there was nothing to surrender . This
he flatly denied , and it was obviously the opinion of ihe government itself that it was not an unimportant matter that they were called upon to give up . This part , therefore , of the foundation of the bill had failed it . The opinions and wishes of the colonies were also relied upon for its support . But what the colonies wanted was not a repeal of the Navigation Laws as an equivalent for the loss of protection , but a return to protection , amongst other reasons , as an equivalent for the Navigation Laws . Here , again , the foundation of the bill had given way . The third ground on which it had been made to rest was , the assumed willingness of foreign powers to meet us in this matter . But , neither from the continent of Europe nor from America had any tidings been received to justify such an assumption . The golden
promises which had been made to us with respect to the liberality and generosity of America , were now at an end ; and here again the foundation of the bill had proved itself to be one of sand . He thought that the consideration of all these circumstances should induce the government , if not entirely to abandon the bill , to postpone it at least for another year . He then went on to show that commerce bad emphatically spokeu out in opposition to the bill , and thit . iu a revenue point of view , it would be disastrous . He afterwards urged that its adoption wouW alienate masses of the population from the government , and thus strengthen the hands of the " Manchester demagogues ; " and concluded by imploring the House not to enter without reason or necessity on so dangerous an experiment .
Mr . Robinson seconded the amendment , and repeated his objections to the bill wi'h reference to its effects upon the employment of our artisans , and upon our . naval supremacy ; but his main objection was , that the bill would throw open the direct trade between the colonies and the mother-country ; and the indirect trade between the different colonies . It was a delusion to say that this measure was necessary in order to reduce freights ; the evidence of seventeen principal merchants showed that there had been no difficulty in any part of the world in procuring British freight at a moderate rate . Mr . M'Grkoor supported the bill , observing that he complained not of what it did for foreign ships , but what it left undone for British ships ; he wished that ad the burdens upon the British
shipownerinsurance , manning , victualling , light dues—should be removed , and then he feared no competition with other countries . He could not discover rhat the Navigation Laws had at any period been of the least advantage to the British shipowner , and he showed the inutility and consequent impolicy of Navigation Laws from tho practice of other naval and commercial nations , lie undervalued the apprehensions respecting an open competition with the United States , which could be hazardous only upon the supposition that the physical and moral qualities of the Americans had attained a higher piteh of perfection than those of Englishmen . Mr . Walpolu viewed the question of our Navigation Laws in three points of view - namely , historical , conomical , and national . In the first he traced the
laws through the different modificationi ihey had undergone , and drew the conclusion that the reciprocity system , which had been forced upon us , had been , upon the whole , advantageous , and being so he asked why it should be abandoned . Under the economical view , he summed up the facilities and gains which the change proposed to secure to the consumer , and he set _ against this small fractional benefit the loss and risk with which it menaced a capital of £ 16 , 000 , 000 employing 210 , 000 men and boys , and put it to the House whether , if the result of the experiment should diminish our mercantile navy and deteriorate our shipping interest , it
believed they could ever be restored . But if the economical advantages were not , as they were doubtful-if they were certain and great , they should not be purchased at the expense of national objects : and Mr . Walpole insisted that , with one exception , all the witnesses had declared that this measure would impair our mercantile marine , and that tha * marine was the foundation of our naval supremacy . He suggested certain relaxations of the existing laws , iu the spirit of the reciprocity system , and concluded a sp ? eeh of much ability with a eulogy up n the po'icy of the Navigation Laws , and by deprecating a rash experiment which would probably impair , and certainly hasard , our national
resources . Sir James Graham was anxious to give expression to his views upon the measure , before the House fically decided upon it . Mr . Herries had endeavoured to show that the commerce of the country was opposed to the . bill . But aU that he had to justifv such an assertion was a few petitions which had been signed by a few parties , respectable it was true , but insignificant in point of numbers , as compared with the mass , not of the whole population , but of the population of the outports themselves . If anything wore wanting to show that the commerce of the country was in favour of the measure , it wou ' . d be found in the course pursued with reference to it by the representatives of the great emporia of commerce . ( Cheers . ) The measure
was introduced on the responsibility of a Cabinet presided over by the . noble member for London , whilst it had been supported throughout by the representatives of the chief seats of commerce , amongst which he instanced Liverpaol , Glasgow , Newcastle , and the West Riding . It had also the support of the head of the house of Baring , who now presided over the Royal Navy ofthe country , and who was not likely to take any step to the manifest injury of that mercantile marine to which he and his family owed so much . "With these facts before him , how could Mr . Herries assert that commerce had spoken out against the measure ? The right hon . gentleman then , with a view to refuting his objections to the bill , closely followed Mr . Walpole in his historical , economical , and national review of the subject . In doingso . hcmtimated'during the course of his remarks , that he attached but little value to proofedto
ing in this matter by reciprocity ; ana as rne retaliation clause contained in the bill , he hoped that it would not be mado a rule which would be frequently carried out . To retaliation , as a rule , he was opposed , and he was prepared to . give his sanction to the bill , because , without having recourse to reciprocity or retaliation , it would tend to increase the general commerce of the world , an increase from which this countrv would derive the greatest advanraS as the Won ' sshare would fall to it . Admitting that ' the superiority of our mercantile marine was the keystone of our naval power , he supported the measure without any apprehensions as to its impairine ' or compromising our superiority" on the seas : He then quoted Adam Smith and Mr . Huskission in refutatiohof some of the objections which had been offered to the bill ; after which he proceeded to stow the reasons on which he grounded his conclusion that the re peal of the Navigation Laws would not hutto
Monday. Aprui 23. House Of Lords. — Salb...
mm—p ct ^ m "" iriMtrgii—a »—n—w * Ma ** tfU ' jj ' .-- w * -w * - ^ , the mercantile marine , which was the mauistnv of the royal navy . Ho was not dispose ! to follow Mr . Herries , and set at i . ought the menaces of foreign powers , in reference to the subject . On the contrary , he regarded the attitude assumed bv those powers as lunu « hin «* cogent reason why some step should be at once taken in the Matter , Another reason f-. r putting our navigation system upon a more simple and intelligible basis than that now occupied by it , was to bo found in the complication of our reciprocity treaties , a complication which rendered it difficult for us often to lenow where or how we stood . The right hon . gentleman then proceeded to glance at the injurious mode in which the Navigation
Laws indirectly affected the different interests of the | country . After this he came to the consideration of the calonial branch of the subject , and expressed his astonishment at the levity with which Mr . Herries had treated it . The colonies had very generally remonstrated against car present navigation system , bnt tho remonstrances of the others were of secondary import , as compared with the urgency of the question raised by the attitude of Canada respecting it . He bad the fullest conviction that unless they returned to the system of prot ' Ctive duties in favour of Canadian corn , the loss of Canada would be inevitable if we persisted in retaining the Navigation Laws . [ This declaration created a profound sensation in the House . ] He would repeat , that if they
attached any importance to the retention of Canada amongst our colonial possessions , no time was to be lost in pacing this bill . Nor was it by any means certain that the laws in question were favourable to the shipping interest of the country . Indeed , it was not difficult to show that they were not . Nor were sailors benefited by them . In his opinion , the old reliance on impressment was greatly to be attributed to the laws in question . And if a change was to be made , thii was the time at which to make it . The measure before the House was necessary to consummate the policy on which the country had already embarked . On this point Sir James said : — " Sir , I should only express to you a portion of mv opinion on this
subject if , after having endeavoured to follow my lion , and learned friend through the historical and economical portion of his speech—1 should only bait" express my opinion , if 1 did not deal with tlie political part of the subject . Now , sir , the gentlemen who sit round me , and more particularly my right hon . Mend th » , member for Stamford , make constant reference to the recent changes which have taken place in our commercial policy . They say that they consider it fatal—fatal to the agricultural interest—fatal to the commercial interest—and I heard one gentleman say , this evening—I allude to ths honourable chairman of Lloyd ' s ( Mr . Robin 3 . n ) -that the working classes had suffered extremely . That being the opinion of a powerful party , and of the leader of that
powerful party , 1 cannot comprehend why they lose a moment in bringing that question distinctly before the legislature , to take the opihion of the House upon it . Being convinced that it is erroneous—that it is right to retrace our steps -why this hesitation ? why this delay ? Now , sir , it so happens that on the first evening of this session , elsewhere , I heard * a declaration made by a noble friend of mine , which stands i . n record , and about whose language there can be no mistake . With his characteristic frankness and boldness , he stated distinctly what I am about to read to the House . I allude to Lord Stanley . ( Hear , hear . ) lie said , ' I hear it s ; iid that free trade has been adopted , and that we must proceed in that course . ' Before I proceed , however , I may eb «
serve that my right hon . friend the member forTamworth , when speaking of financial c-anges , applied the quotationvwriV / ia nulla retrorsum , strictly to the Navigation Laws ; but Loid Stanley , it appears , took a more enlarged view , and gave this very quotation applied more generally . Lord Stanley says , 'I hear it said that free trade hm been adopted , and that we must proceed in that COHI'SO vestigia nulla rctroraon . From that doctrine I dissent . ( Loud Protectionist cheers upon the right hon . baronet reading this sentence of the extract . ) It appears to mo that the principle of Protection to British industry is a sound and rational one . ( Renewed cheering from the Protectionists . ) I wil 1 not consent to take it as a fait accompli that protection
to Brjtish industry must be abandoned . Every day's experience convinces me more and more that this country will nover prosper—that you will nevor be able to thwart the dangerous designs of mischievous men who think they have obtained a lever to upheave and uproot tho old foundations of the constitution ; that if you wish to see prosperity return to the interests of tho country , agricultural as well as manufacturing—and when I speak of tho agricul tnval interest , I mean not that of country gentlemen alone , but of the farmers and labourers of England —( cheers again )—every day ' s experience convinces me that you must retrace tho steps you have taken —( great cheering from the same quarter ); you must make part of your revenue depend on a
moderate import duty ; you must return to the principle of protection . ( Cheers . ) Such is my conviction ; but my belief , moreover , is strong , tliat to that conclusion within no distant period the full and deliberate opinion of the country will compel you to come . ' ( Continued cheers . ) And then he says with his characteristic frankness and intrepidity , leaving no doubt upon the point : 'My noble and learned friend professes himself to be still the advocate of free ' trade ; and with equal frankness I avow that , whilst I do not advocate any unnecessary restrictions on commerce , I am the uncompromising enemy of the miscalled , one-sided , bastard free trade , which has been introduced by the government for the benefit of foreigners , and to the
detriment of British subjects ; and I declare myself to bo tho uncompromising advocate of the old , just , and equitable principle which gave necessary protection , not monopoly , to tho labourers and pvoducuva of . this country , " and to our fellow-countrymen , whoreevor thoy were to be found throughout the world . ' ( Nearly every sentence of tho above two extracts from tho speech of Lord Stanley , as read by tho right honourable baronet , elicited the most marked and vehement cheering from the Protectionist members . ) That is , my friends , a manly declaration . 1 say , and with equal frankness and equal boldness , that this measure you arc now discussing is in my opinion the capital necessary to crown the work wo havo already done . ( Ironical cheers from tho Protectionists followed
by a burst of counter cheers from the I'YCC Trade members . ) I say that without it what we have done is imperfect ; that with it , what wc have achieved will not easily be undone . ( Hear , hear . ) Here , therefore , issue is joined . ( Hear , hear . ) I say that issuo is fairly joii . ed on this point , and I regard it as tho battle-field on which the struggle must take place between reaction and progress . ( Great cheers from both sides . ) I am now dealing with the political part ofthe question , and all the economical and historical parts of it arc , to my apprehension , in tlie present juncture , light as dust m the balance . I have calmly and deliberately reflected on tho part I have borne in the changes which have recently taken place , and so far from regretting that part , I may stato my conviction that I believe—firmly believe—that the peace and tranquillity of this country , and the safety of our institutions in the year which has just passed —( loud cheers here interrupted the right hon . baronet)—are
mainly to be ascribed to those measures to which I havo alluded . ( Cheers . ) And I think that the attempt to go back upon them—to return to prohibitorv duties , or under the guise of duties of import , to lay on duties really of protection , enhancing the price of corn and of articles of the first necessity consumed by the great body of tho people , would be a dangerous experiment , and one leading , as I think , to convulsion and the most fatal consequences . ( Cheers . ) At all events my part is taken . I take mv stand hero . I am opposed to reaction . I am favourable to progress tempered by prudence and discretion . It is upon those grounds I give my cordial support to the third reading of the bill ; and I am most anxious that it should , without any unnecessary delay , becomes the law ofthe land . " ( The right hon . gentleman concluded his speech amidst loud cheers " . )
Mr . T . Bmuso , in opposing tho measure , admitted the injurious influence upon commerce of restrictions generally . But whatever grievances might be traced to the Navigation Laws were far outweighed by the immense advantages which they conferred upon the country . It was not indispensable , in order to get rid of what was faulty in the Navigation Laws , that the whole system should be got nd of . He , for one , was but little alarmed at tho menaces of foreign powers . He regretted that Sir James Graham had introduced into the discussion the topic with which ho had concluded his speech . Ho ( Mr . Baring ) was not ane of those who thought that " they must have but one system of freetrade or protection . They should discuss each
subject upon its own merits , irrespectively of policies , ' established or abandoned .. Ho dreaded it , because ho knew that if it came it mu * t proceed from national distress . If reaction took place at all it would not be the work of a party leader but of a suffering people . He trusted that whatever might bo tho decision to . which tl » House mig ht come , th « - bill WOUld not become Ih & law of th * . land , and he called upon all who ataached any importance to peace and tho national safety to vote against a bill which he believed was forced upon a relustant people and a hesitating Parliarnsat . ( Cheers .. ) , Lord John Russku . scarcely know what to say in support of the measure , seeing that tho whole
subject had heen : exhausted , ey the masterly speech delivered by-SbJaanos Oraham . Not ono point of that speech had been either assailed or refuted hy tho honourahle-gentleman who had just taken hia seat . The restrictions-ihiposed by tho Navigation . | Laws injuriously affected trade and diminished tho , wealth ofthe empire , and no defence for thorn cou bj be found but such as . could he mado-to rest upo * their tendency to promote our naval power . But had they this tendency ? To show that they had not the noble lord followed Mr . Walpole in bis historical review , In his judgment , the Navigation Laws had at ne . timo proved of essential advantag « Uoowuational marine , " The . jncreage « QW W » i
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), April 28, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_28041849/page/7/
-