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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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6 EHE&AX * ctmvxxnownarssfty , Jfc » 9 . Mr . Mom , delegate fre ^ GJaipip ^ iBAe cite . Mr . SKEnxGTox obtained leave , of absence to one - t » rim Ins &J » 3 y , a-member of -wiac * has Been ill the whole time of his _ bang in London . The Secretary wad a leUeifcria the Cfcarbstsoi XnaresbTo' to Mr . Peter Boswy , stating that the nfinrities ted mMfe dae * BsoBej-gette » _ of that -place wrre umrwii ' C in their exertJMis , to put down the Charter agitation . . Mr O'BmiB * Tno ? edthattl « CeBrfenticndoas > € » - We to-XBotrov at eleven o ' clock for the dispatch of ^ nunxt ??** - ThMbsnr « ee » aed , « aspaBWd . Mr . S « ibe Ckass saked what weie the . pecttniary miimugrmapn . it with . regard to the adjwnti'Ertfit to fiirBOB f bem . His reason for thus asking was that fee fcjond that a rale had been passed which made it necessary to grre three days notice on tteae ; * e * es
. Jir . rorrrr , in replr . stated tat the Fiaanee Committee had it in thnr power to being forward a resolution wllLuut * yieTiflBS » ctice . Bailie Craig—A tzrfy acKManodmrins r ^ e . iBRM TO TBS FBDKS . Mr . O'BtftEB , a * one of the ccmmlttee appointed to draw-up the address , bad fue ^ med &e one which be was about to read ; it had wet the approbation of those gentlemen with whctn he acted , and if any « ae preent etjected to it , new to fte tme to state rin ^ r olgectkais , is order that it night he referred lack to the Committee . ( Hew , bear . ) If it was * oo stwsng let it be weakened , to « ownnBedate . ihsae "people who thought so 5 and if it -vas too weak SL i- 1 i — ¦ * - - - - ^ ill ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦! . IIMmI ^ JF fMI ^ UM suocfwutK i ¦
_ jnii'Oe Kaoe , u » Mpnn » v . »» ... wfttst © pinion . ( Hear , bear ^ fife had , to the best flf his ability , drawn it op 10 as to meet the emergency which had occurred , tie agreed with Mr . Janes that the present nomxient in Wales was frirwi y fct on by the Gcvenaient , in order feat the peopVe might be lurtber cortaDed of their Hber&s . ^ Ai > d it was with the same object the people of Lancashire were instigated to an oefbreak ; the arrest of the seven men in Manchester the other weht was wdih this intention . He then read the * 6 dress " : it tu as follows : —
jEjiO-Br COCHTB . TWXS , — "When yen elected us ¦ to take charge of the Xttional Petition , yon limited « bt trust to the exercise of functions truly Ccnstir - ^ Btjnr el and legal ; beyecd the bounds of that treat we cannot step , without betraying you andpTeju-Savf cur cause . It is therefore , -our first doty , cenretent with oor present instructions , both to bey the law oorMfces , and to assist yon in maintaining it . If we continue lo obey the law , no poser on earth can pretest our bcc < w « . If we once violate the law , or countenance a violation of it , our cause Brest be inevitably raised . Aware of x > ur ¦ position , your oppressors are oozing heaven -and earth to bring aa into collision with the enemy . They tre pouring roie * and traitor * into joor
xarks , in order to «< 2 uce tbe nowary into iilrgal practices . Thtj lht-n poont * upon tb « r Tictiio » , i-nd , by brntal and EECcn * unJtional treainjent , > eek to em-fer&te the people lo MADKESS and n-btLlicn They have already sneceeded in fcmeBting dis-¦ tnr bauc-es ia "Wale * , and they have Mdnced a few incastionj indindcals in Lanca > hire Jto practice training acd driliirg , io contrarention of tbe Six Acts . By tbege and the like perfidiocs ageccies tb * j hope to excite a premature inFurrecticn , of nhieh they might tsie aovzntege to dissoWe tie CoDrentiofi , to fnt dewn all pablic rceeDDps for the Charter , and to aboiieh tie snrmiBg constiatic-Ea rigbts and safe-gcarej tirccgb wkien alcne we can te ^ s to c btain tbt salvation of the cocnt ^ y witb-« nt aEarckT acd bloods ted . Not conttntvritk tttse
Esacbicatiots th-e tyrasts are abo Feeling to arm tie rich against the poor under prete& < - « of protecting life and property , of which tbe tyrants tbfm-¦ elres are the osry destroyers . Yes , ccuntryEsen , Utej are acroalry eneooraging a project of arming the ectmies of tbe country at the expense of tbe State , whilst at tbe same nine tbey are hunting cot yretexts ( biTing tbe semblance of legality ) for disyaawing tbe Chartists of their rightful arms . I * the public pres tell c # truly tbe Ministers jc * t Tefflgned bare been base enough to engage to fbrBitn 200 aristocrats in MonttODttsidre with arm « paid far oat of tie taxes . Here , felloweo&BtrygtfB , is an openly-aTowtd M-btsie which , if we scfitr to be earned into execnuon , imj < t crcsb for eTer yonr rir ' ng bopes and lisenits . "What course , tbtn , do we advise ? Our adiiee is , that yon uieiDLT obkt the i _ & . w ; but at tbe
nae tuoe be prepared to mtke tout oppressors Ekewise cbty it . B * cpon yonr gnxti * g » m * t » p jes or madmen , whe wcrnld crge tob to illegal practices , Tjnt at tbe same time bear is . micd tbat you have tbe aoe rigbt to arm that year enemies bare ,. and that if j « u abandon that right yeur liberties are gone for ever . Be prudent atd eantioBS , but at tke same time firm and unflinching . Parade cot joar mrot > at public mtetiegs , but kt * p them bright and ready at home , so as to be ready at all times and all weasottt to defend yoar Qceea , yonr ccsntry , and ¦ yoar nberty . Gi" » e your oppressors no excuse for xnradug your inviolable right to meet aad discus * jonr grieTaBces by Eeedkifsly carrying arms to p * bKc places , but at the same time tail not to be prepared with tb « e arms to resist any and eVery unconstitutional attempt to suppress joor peace Able asitadoo br pbrsical riolenee . "
Mr . Sasket otjected to an expre ^ soa th » adfytss relating te the right of arming , which objection was not persisted in . Mr . Lor lit mored the adoptica of tte addre » . Hr . O'C ^ Bxoa , in seeending the address , s « . id lhat Mr . Sankey had no ; kmn <\ out e-rea a technical objection against it , for if people bad rot arms , what would be the necessity of keeping them bright . _ - He thfmgbt that the Convention and the country were under immense obligations to Mr . O'Brien for the " * ery able document which he bad prodnced , ' and -which he hoped would be unanimously agreed to . It was aid by alL exen Sir Bojk Roach , that the test way to preserve peace was to be always prepared for war , which be thenrbt was a d ' octrine
incskated by this address . This address was necessary , in order tbat tbe people should not be without Mane guide as to the way in whick tbey fhculd act ift this Tery important crisis . Every one knew that the Tories would be assisted by the Whip in many instances against the people ' s exertions in the caB * e of liberty . Erery one knew that- O'Connell would also scs&t them m striving to pat down the Chariitta . Bss sot that political scoundrel boasted tbat Ireland cap Dot only afford t « send the thret redmeats wbicii she has already sent , bet Till fire three more for the same object as that with which those were come to this country . It is impossible Cat three parties can exist in the State , there can be only two , and as ose of these is already down it
•¦ ras their duty to keep them so . ( Hear , and cheers . ) If rier they came into existence again , or if em they came up , it mast be witbshe people . If ever tint party should take power again , they must came into the arms of tbe Chartists ; if eTer they obtain that station from which they have been hurled * it voold only be through the aid of the Radical Inces . Ii ii not the powerfal that the new Goremment will attack , they will be sore to pnt down the veakeet ; and Master Daniel , tboBgh he seems not to think so , wil be the first person that will be assailed—Darnel will be attacked in his den . ( Hear , 'hear . ) He is not such a fool as to be gulled by after Whig or Tory . They coold not he deceived —th « assault will be made on poverty by propertr .
{ Cheers . ) The Tnidflie classes will asost tbe Tories as wifl also the Whigs , for the Tories wHl protect than as mnch as tbe Whigs did . ( Hear . ) It will ' bm -die Bukm of the few against the thousands , ¦ &ereiorc will the battle be to tbe strong aad tbe race to the swift . ( Cheers . ) These were the times for every raaa who value * m > life , bis liberty , « r bis < uuutrj , to raHy round the flse oi liberty . These wen the times for them to speak out , or their toicm "would be lulled in such a manner that they would serer be beard again . ( Cheers . ) Be had great jdeasore in secfindmg this address , it was drawn np « n sneh a manly , firm , temperate , and independent TBanwr , as to be satisfactory to the country , and ¦ oladng to the people . ( Hear , and cheers . )
Mr . Halltt said he would oppose the address ; ^ vest very plaialy to recoiEinend the people to arm . Thk bad hitherto been the great obstacle te our progxaa , and the object of it plainly was to incite to aetsof nolenee , and this would compel every one to eppose «* for their own defenise , Mr . O'Connor said *• « w « ojd be a war between prepertr and poverty . " Row bethought them were two parties &t the opposite extreme *—the one wishing to arm to keep down &e poor , the other wishing to arm the poor against ^ property 3 was opposed to both , becaueae felt loth were enecmes of tie people . Eott honest £ efcanerwho « oBght to promote the well bein * of
las eann _ try w * oi 4 endeavoxir tonmte aBehuses , and ant tmjbux them in hostfle array against each other . . As a working man be did not come here as a class Retainer , seeking ihe benefit of one class at the expense of anothec , or wishing to raise one by depressing anefher . Hi « bject , and the object of Aose who sent kirn , were , to obtain their " jost and < qBsJ rights , to secure good GoTemment that will frasote the true interests of all classes . His sastmetions were , aad he wosld religioQslj- abide by thesfi , to adapt none but legal and eonstitntional Wkmvr , and by peacefol agitation endeavour to unite 4 ie jaajoriiy oi the people to join with tLem in their
- Mr . Lofett had always been in favour of peaceialateans snd he had incurred odhnn for so favouring them ; but now that the Govezzunent and the snddW classes were detennined to put down their Beacefal agitatjou—as their meetings were to be pit hsmn at tbe vfll » f a manstr&te , or eren try a pro .
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chma « on ,- » Jdeli » a » » ot « -if their members wecelo te lJBftinjto « l oa tbe iafe-teatkn of a poHcernan , thrnhlwrrywas to ceptrt back in place of gong forward . ( Cbeers . ) They mnst then aa ^ iirst tbtir dttermrnaticBj to oppose tyraany is tl » brcac >^ cbeeT ») --othprwij > e tktywonld be put down . Tbey bad yet seme measures in store mveh more effective than arms . The middle classes pw . their faith in Ae standirg artoy , and tbe p « Kce , abd o&xt mrsns of oppressing tbe people ; bet , and be spoke fan own fcefisn , be wt « l « rather , thas be reduced to the-condiaDCof tbe people of France , that they ibonld not meet more than three or tour toge tber—theniewptareednp ^—ratrer than afl thai , he
said , let England be a drsrrt . ( Cberrs . ) - After a ks » c ffisenssiBO , in wkicb many delegates took pert , tbe address was carried by a majority of 33 to 7 . Eight delegates being absmt , and three refbsinr to vote . Mt . OTwiko * then fcked Mr . « tketbry to postpocehifiiBotMO , in "order that he teightmove that U was necessary to ttrow the protection of the Co * YTBtkn aremd Mr . Vincent , nsp > csii : e him to have Jbebsffed properly , asd that Mr . Viostoe duected to ytotjesnl to Wales far the purpose of sscconring him forAwirb . After readiag a paragraph froaa a mcraib < waper . be said it was absokrtery mt-tSBati totive
all the protection in the pdwer of the CcBventkm , and it was necessary to send a man in wbcm they bad implicit eos 6 oence ,-and mo man had that saote Than Mr . Frcwt . - ( Cbeers . ) Mr . Vincmt was * good tempered , en elcxroAt , and a talented yoaug man , acd was doing all that was in his power for the benefit of tbe canre , and was deserting of their protection . Tbey must first get hfm conatel , asd whea they bad the raport of Mr . Frort they would take snch other * trp * ss would be foc » d necessary . Mr . Tattok was tfraid that by acceding te the ttMion they might prejudice the case of Mr . VincarL
Mr . O'CoKKna ssad be aid net thi&k it woold , or be wonld net haw proposed it . Tbe real brgbear was Universal Suffrage , and that wonld pnjsdkx fcis caOFe more than anything eVe . After a few words frcm Dr . Tatlob , the motion was adopted rnisprmotiriy . Upon tcesotion of Mr . CCoxKoa strangers vm prdered to withdraw , a » the CoBvenrion « nc « oiog into Committee os soire £ saxcial boanest . ^— - When die ream was again open lor tbe « dxni « sion of strangers ,
Mr . O'Cojwroanxvtd . that in rassFqveoce of the frequent redgnaticn * withost cansr being assigned of many delegates , this Convention bold any person te he a traitor , if he resign without tbe ccsisent oi his constkurnts . Mr . OCorxor ' s object was tbat every delegate sbculd ghe r » elv » day » ' notice , in order ihat n fficient time she bid be given for the electjen of a new delegate , to replace the pencn * ho wculd recgn . Mr . Sasezt ebjected to the n ? e of tie word traitor , as persrnal liberty was as much to be respected as abstract tiberrr . ? -
Mr . Clzate—Ko one had a right to prescribe to him but the con * titseccy who rent him there . It was an abominable tyraaxy , which , if not met at due . would be tbe retcne of iie * d < in of tbtucht . If this motion passed , it was only fcr three or tonr ill-disposed persons to get * p m mpery charges to denuge tb « m in the eyes © f their country men . Mr . O'CosKoa wcnld -viicdraw it . Mr . RecEas moved tkat the Treasurer ' s accounts up te tbe 6 th instant be print , d . Secorded by Dr . Tat Lea , xnd carried .
Air . Sjiakt moved tbst a a sm . iltee of five be appointed to stop in Londcn , to mperinietd the pre-^ ectatitn of the Petition , and to tran » et any other bnocecs that say be necessary . He would not expect sut objectcn to tiie ifHilotCE , «* it wouk ! net be prudent to Itaie tie PebtiiB in JUjreiwEi CE ^ r ctf ctf d state wittomt m n . e ptr > c& < to attend to iu secsrity . ^ Mr . Mills seeended it Mr . Skakt withdrew his xot : « a after feme further discussion .
Dr . Titlok wculd Kove tlat tbry should aQgo to Birmingham by tbe eai'iett train on Mi . nc ' ay mcrnicg , in crder that thev Kifht have a public meerrf . Frcm what he t £ « cgbt , ibe Coniention w-culd | et such a reeeptica as vcnld add ntsch u > the cense of tie people . Mr . O'Cokxok seconded the r « ehrtiea . yir . Pcwzli . and Mr . Csx ^ i . £ &oa lEpj-ortcd it { It was nsaitimocsly adspted . After going through Kme oiler bcsiBew , tbe ui-nal vote oi thanks was patvd to Mr . Mob , the Chairman . After which the meeting dirservei .
Friday , Mrg 10 . Mr . Dui , Dekgale frcm Manchester , in the chair . Aiter the preliminary bBsinds lai been gene tLrocta the S-ecretxij proceeded to temA 1 V 0
C » B * £ S 7 O 3 * XJT tX . Frcm "B sbcpwearmoutl—The Cornell of the Ccnnty of Don em , hivin | drimoirrd to have a great demcB&r&titn en Wlrt-Mtxcav , va tie Town Moor , Snnderland , tT er recanted the Convention wo ^ ld srnd dewn a Delegate to trait at the meetirg . It also stated tbat the gfxtlrars who wrreto attend tbe Tiewcaitle demccttraticn wcnld be enabled to ettcad both meetiscs on the nice day , A 3 the Town Moor meetisr woidd be held late in . the evening . They woalalave a public tea party in Bit-bopwearsicutb on the eTndzg of thesareting . From S ' ewp crt , Wonmcnthihnr , ike so ne of the late outbreak . A letter states that three troops of the 29 th Foot , with their officers , arrirrd at Newport la » t week , by the steam-necket , frcm BrirtoL harinc
come by forced marches frrm Flymenth in eight days , under the ssostalarmii g rnnovr that Newport vuifit state of uproar—tbat ike eolHers in the hills were all up ia arms . On their entrance into the town they were cheered by the Chartists , with Mr . Etheridge at their head , and they were told that they were mach wasted to protect the poor against their enemie * , there Magistrates who had told the people to aim ana "keep theirpowderdry . " The seleiers are yet quartrndosi the inhabstsxts , but on Monday tbey were to go out to the sew . Union Workhouse , which was beixg prepared for them ; arms , ammuaitica , and bt e » beixg sent in to it ; the soldiers state tbt rr abhorrence sgaiast going into fsch lodgings in no set terms , la order te allay tbe feelings o ! the tradesmen aad others the Secretary of tbe Chartist Association issved the following proclamation , in answer to ihat put forth by the Magistrates : —
THE BKWTSkT t * AB . TlST 2 r necVULkTXIS . " To lit l * Uhtm % tt ef h ' nrperi ni iU J'idmUf . u We think it expedient and seceatary , on behalf of the Working Men ' s Asaoeratic * ia this town , to make it known te- the pvbnc generally , that we , as a b * dv , aw . t > ci » rtwg tegetbrr Imr tk « parpeae of petitjoninf fcr oar rights n a Vjal ssd eesutits-Qtaial mannw , aa esntaiasd is the F ** ple ' s Charter , do not approve ef the conduct af aaj penoa that has , or doesbeteng to the A « aoci » tioa , saakin * rse of the violent langnage that ban s « ea attrihstoa te them , and in some cases falsely attnbale * to then , by that lying , dirty priated paper , eafied The Matin . We are satnned tbat the esertisas of Mr . Edwards in the cause have beca " of sa »« h serrise is awaken ing the sinds of the people to a sens * of the erils of which we complain , aaecr the presnt systen of Government ; and the represeatatjo n of the people in tbe House of Comsaoaa bat we , as a body ,
totally denounce all ssch vkdeat htagaage aad eendnct as he has beea asiag towards those ttat are opposed to os , and we aavo doae so fcr a length of tnne—his zeal having aoua his ksowledfe es subjects of a political aatai * . We visa , hexebyvto allay the fears of all that ar » Of poaed to ma . We are not destractrres , bot wiB we uniiiti ¦¦ i > hi those that are . We are detercraed to act peaceably and quietly—we wiD , at tbe risk of ami lives , protect the persons aad the property of all s&eu , whether opposed tons or not , so kssg as we shall be allowed -peaceably and quietly to petxoea Her ear rights at citizens , to obtain a voice ib saaaiag those laws by which we are to be governed . Oar awtto is that oi T . Attwood , Etq ., M . P ., 'Peace , Law , Order , Loyalty , and Union ' . ! t ' ^ Written for and signed on behalf of the Newport and PiBgwenllj Working Men ' s A i ** rirt tion by
"SAMUEL ETHERIDGE , 44 Honorary Secretary . " Fair Oak Cottage , May 7 , 1839 . " From Breciis , with vote * ef csxfidasce ia the Convention . From Dumfries , with a susoSar object , and requesting that Messn . Frort aad Ltrwery be sent to the public meetiag which was to be held at Jedbnrgb . From SBtton-in-Asbaeld , saylag that Mr . Woodhense iu not properly elected , fire days * notice only having been gives .
DlSGRiCETCt rSOCZZVnCSS OF TMX TBMUSBT iSS aTDCUt COaBTAaUX AT VDIBBBI . On Monday evening , May 6 , Mr . W . Potts , » srf asfijr « fe <^ , of Trowbridgf , proceeded with a few Chaitista to bold a peaceable meetisg at Westknry , fire miles distaat . About a aaarter of anikftOB the town , ia a narrow lane , the party being previ ously inaeaied by sea , wossen , aad thfldnji , to ftbonttaree hundred , they were vrertakea by a troop of yeomaary , who rode asooBg taesa to theaaminenf danger of the Eves of the people whe were wafting
peaceably , orderly , aad vnarmed , HoaiwtBBg their swords about , and scattering the procession . No sooner was this done , than a party of 900 or 380 special constables met them ia frost , and commenced a brutal attack , aymg eat fax Potts aad other speakers , oa whom taiy violentrr seixed , theaghnotashadowofresistaBce vasaBade . Three pewms were takaD » fa > castodj ; bat Mr . Potts being by some accident nleased , « f conrse , Bade his way home . The three mes wbo were taken w re the next mezniaecoaLmitted to SaKsbury Gaol , to take their tnal far beinx pneest at a notau Keetiaz besooft ,
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when the only riot was caused by the irruption ot the yeotoaary , and the brutal and illegal conduct o ' the special constables . That those apprehended . who are working men , may stand no chni . ee oi baQ , two hundred pcunds is required by the Magistrate for each person . The first intimation given that tbe peace ef tip town was to be ' disturbed was given on Sunday evening , by the arrival by post of twenty-five of the A division of police , who were forthwith quartered in the barracks . On Tuefday morning the Magistrates held a meeting , and hand-bills were circulated in the afternoon , cautioning all persons that a Chartist meeting , of which aotice-bad been previously given , to be held in the Market-Place , would
net be permitted in the town ; which meeting was on U > is account adjourned . About four o ' clock , a party of police was marched into the Marketplace , aimed with pistols and cutlas'es , who ssrronnded the house of Mr . W ^ Potts , surgeon , < fcc ., of this town ; aed be not being at hime , tbey carried his brothsr , Mr . F . J \> tt ? , before the Magistrates , where be was charged with having been present , the last evening at We * tbcry , and while he wats waiting tbe annal \) f witneoes to prove bis being in Trovbridge , duriug the whele of < he time he was alleged to have been in Westburv , Mr . John Clark , oceof the Bench , contrary to all fentlenlanly and fast fceting , wks endeavouring to prove he most have been there . During the « ame time his bouse
was searched fey a constable and cne of tbe police , without airy warrant , and nwmy articles earned off to the Magistrates' rocm . tfhile this wa « about , a ^ oficcsnan knocked dowa a younger brother in the sbon , and for feme time kept a loaded pistol pointed at his breast , though he offered no resistance , and « aid not a vord . On the appearance of his witnesses Mr . F . 'Potu was of coune difcbarged . A party of police sow proceeded on the Bradford road , where JMr . W . Potts bad gone to meet with W . Robert * , Esq . of Bath , who was to have addressed the meeting , in order tbat be might give him notice of its aojeurnsent . They arrested him jus-t as he was entering the towr , and carried him before tbe magistrates ,
where , aft r a short examination , be was remanded till the next day . In the meantime he was incarcerated ia the blind bouse . Before leaving tbe town , W . Roberts , Esq ., addressed the people , who were assembled in great-number ? ( Mr . Petu being onwersaDy beloved and respected b y tbf m for hh strenuous enflincbixg advocacy of their just rights , ecd his unremitting and successful exeniocs in hie professional capacity ) , lor about three minute * , entreating them to disperse aEd return Lome peseeabry . There were row in the town three t re ops of Hassars and a troop of Yecmacrr . in addition to the police aad special constables . The people behaved in the most peaceable and orderly manner throughout .
The Market-piece was ordered to be cleared by nine o ' clock , and tie conduct of the special constables and police was most brutal and dastardly . Before the numbers asstmbled could possibly / jet away , at tick 8 were made in various quarters with blodfeon * . Wcmen were » t ! uck down , and the x . oiae of the blows aimed at the heads of tbe men was tcrrfic : the whole Marketplace rung with th « m , tnd the peeceable , unoffending inhabitants were ftlJed to tbe earth like oxen , and their blood flowed like « ater . Kot a blew was given in return —all having laid a > ide ev ^ a their walking cane ? , owing to Mr . Roberta ' s advice . In other parrs of tbe town men acd worr > tn were struck down while reinming b < me from their various avocatiens ; they were beset tven irside their own door ? , and one woman , frr gene with child , whe had been to fetch
hi r brer for srpptr we » struck down , and when down so violently kicked en the abdomen" by a pe-Hcem&n , and that her life is defpaired of . How many othtrlhes are eEcangered we have Botyet been able te ascertain . Aocut ten o ' clock on We . dnrsdaj momirg , Mr . W . Pctts was taken to Wegttiiry , etccrtf d by a party of police , a troop of Hussars , with drawn sword ? , and five or tix carriages . The tame Kmmary mode of clearing the town wx « adopted on this night , though throughout the day tbe people were mctt quiet and cT < ferly ; and if anv breach of the peace be made it will be attributable to tke intolertble violence , insolence , and tyranny of tf e po'ice and special constable * . Do such proceedings n quire any cMEmett ? Trey only prove , that till we have the Charter we are in a state of greater davery than even Rcssian serfs .
TaOWSaiDGE . —DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AND MORE SPECIAL TYRANNY . A boot twelve o ' clock on Wednesday night a large fire was discovered in the direction of A » Lton , near this town , a barn , belonging to Mr . Mill ? , having been fired by tke lightning , which was forked , and more vrvid and awful than we ever remember to ha * e ceenit . The fire was got undtr about three o ' clock , but tte amount of damage is cot yet ascertained . Mr . Francis Pott ? , chemist , on hearing the alarm , mstantJv ran to the engine-house , leaving a broti » t-r , about fifteen years old , on tbe"wny to rouse
aad bring additional help . While doing this Mr . Trench , a Tory special constable , parsing , eaw Lino , seized him , and pullirg out a pistol , told him he should have a Tory pill . He then took him to the George Inn , and kept a guard over him for two hour * with a loaded pistol presented at his breast , a ter which be searched and discharged him . The motive ( or this illegal and ill-timed action , by which several pemiw were prevented from rendering any asiis tance at the fire , is the well-known attachment and advocacy of Chartist principles by bis brother * , the Messra . Potta .
MR . BAILIE CRJIGS MISSION . Mr . Bailie Ckajo Kaid although be bad gone through an rxtensive district of country , an-i had addressed a great variety of meetings , he would sot cow enter into a minute detail of tie proceeding * , as the time of the Convention wonld be better taken up in disenmer tbe measures which were to be brought before tLem . He wonld merely advert to the places which he had been at , that be might confirm to them what he had before described by letter . ( H ** r , bear . ) Upon setting cnt he proceeded to Irvine , where fee bt-ld a good meeting . At Mauchtine , Lorn , Mcirkirk , be had also good XEeetingti . At Eagle-sham there were pretty good meetings . At Paia ! ey , Glasgow , and Johnstowne there were
held immense meeting ?; in those places he was met by processions of the townspeople . At Kiiburchan , KibnamocE , and Riccarton there were alsu great meetings ; and atSanquhar and Dumfries there werenOTnereu * and respectable meetings . At Casde Douglas tbe holding of the meeting was opposed by the authorities . At Kirkcudbright , Gatehouse , and Creetown there were crowded meeting *; at Newtoa Stewart , Girvan , and Maybole , vast meetings attended with music and banners . At the latter place , the meeting was attended by many persons of respectability . At Cumnock and Tarbolton , and ateo KOmamock , there were immense meetings . Thus had he been successful in hi * efforts to roase the country ; he had attended fifty-fonr out door public meeting *—( cheer *)^ -and stood a contested election in defence ef the principles of the Charter ; and with reraid to the election he would say that he was determined to test the principles of the county of Ayr on
tbe subject of Universal Suffrage , and he was bound to ray in ju-tincatiea of that great county , that only for th * tyranny of both Whir and Tory landlords he would have been successful , for tbe farmers , if they dare , weuld to a man support him in bis efforts to free the county . ( Hear , hear . ) And notwithstanding the sneers that had been made against him for the part he took in that election , he could say that , ontil he stepped forward , the Whigs would not come forward to oppose the Tories . ( Hear , bear . ) They had not the courage to oppose their opponente until he had the courage to take the field . Tbe reason of bis being unsuccessful was he had not employed or paid agents—and he said to the electors that be would not have the vote of any but on p rinciple . ( Hear , and cheers . ) The Whits were , however , down in Ayrshire , and never shoald they raise their heads there ia future , so much had their acts tended to change the people against them . Mr . O'CexHOR move 4 tbe thanks of the meeting to Mr . Bailie Craig , which passed with acclamation .
PETITION TO THE QUEEN . Mr . Jakes Taylor said that as there bad lately happened a great change in their affairs , inasmuch as they could not perhaps send in their Petition , and therefore the Charter princi p le would not be tested before tbe meeting on VV hitsan-week , he thought some steps should be taken to give the people jome intimation as to how tbey should proceed at their proposed meetings . With this view he would mote that this subject be taken into immediate consideration . Mr . Mills seconded tbe motion . The Chairman having put tbe question , tbe Contention affirmed the resolution .
Mr . O'CosKoa , with the consent of Mr . James Taylor , begged leave that tbe letter of Lord John Rosseu to certain Magistrates shoald be taken into eoeaderaikm , in order to found a motion oniL This was seconded aad passed . The Sccsetaby having read the letter , Mr . J . Taylor—That letter is a serious attack on the liberty of the people . ( Hear , hear . ) It state ? that Magistrates may seize on individuals who attend meetings without having any intention of going to an illegal seeting , as the meeting might be made illegal by two or three persons . Between tbe
Tories and Whigs there maybe fighting going on until they get tired for all that he eared . It was now evident that they should await patiently within the Law for an opportunity to obtain their objecttkat opportunity might soon offer itself , for in the city article of the Tone * this morning , there seemed to be something wrong in the financial state of the country ; this was a subject on which the press of the country abstained from entering on—all parties took ears not to mention anything of this , bnt they did not fail , bo matter what party they belonged to , to notice the speeches ef aoy one who should speak of the people ' s right to arm . ( Hear . ) It behoved tbna to act within the law- u here was no
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portion of the cooiitTjr moreloyal than the Chartists , he ^ thought it wonld be a prudent act t > f them , at this crisis , to present an addiws to the Queen , to be passed at the ensuing eimoltanecus meetings , in order that her Majesty might haVe an otiportmiitv of havine the people ' s opinions at this juncture " . He wonld move " that it be an advice to these who convene the simultaneous meetings tbat one of the resolutions to b > proposed to those meetings be the propriety of-petitioning the Queen , praying her Majesty to take intoconrideratioti the Bufferings of her people , and with the aid of Parliament to trace oot the cause of those sufferings , and promptly to aw " / 'oe Pjoper remedy . Tbe petition to be signed by the Cbaannan , on behalf of such meetings . ' Mr . Deeoan seconded the resolution . Mr . Saxkey moved the following amendment , to be appended to the resolution : —
" ThaVin order to give greater weight to the National Petition , and with a view to obviate any objectwn that might be made as to the hmajidc character of the signatures , it be the declared object 01 all public meetings about to be called to recommend that the inhabitants of every town , village , and jMuaiet , prepare distinct petitions to tbe Hobs * of Comnonsinsanport of the prayer of the National Pe-S ? ° ' P- ^ 5 ? . ^ P *" ** petition * be signed only by * e male inhabitants oftbe place , ofw above ' the ape of -31 , who I shall distinctly append to their signature * their place of residence , trade , occupation , or profession ; aho stating whetber elector . or nonelector- ; . sod a dupbeato of the same be made and
aoiyieg » teTed . further , that it be strongly recommended tbet care be taken by all persons addressing the meetings to impress upon the minds of the assembled multitudes the neceraty « f abstaining from all acts of aggressive violence , as impolitic and onwue , calculated to impede the onward progress of the cause . That this Convention gladly embraces thM oppottonity cf disclaiming every thing like s wanton desire to have recourse to bloodshed , or lightly throw the country into anarchy and confusion ; their object in seeking to obtain Universal Suffrage being to place the live * , liberties , and properties of all classes , and evtry member of society , ¦ under the equal protection of f » . w * wifely and equitably framed , and impartially administered . "
This amendment was seconded by Mr . Haxley , and on being put by the Chairman was lost . Mr . O'Connok would support Mr . Taylor if he would define it so as that it would call on the people at the meetings on Whitsun-wcek to call on the Queen to dismws both parties . He would , with this view , propose an address instead of a petition . It was absolutely necessary , knowing as they did tbat they had such technical ruffian * to deal with , they ought to be circumspect , nnd how easy it was to convert ft legal meeting into an illegal one . It would be no haim to go to the Qaeen ; he had doae w before . He had paid fifty guineas for a court dress some time back , and he would do so again , in order that no constitutional effort might be « actiug on their part to gain their object . ( Hear , laughter , and cheer * . ) He would , therefore , move the follovriE 5 amendment : —
"That the especial object of tbe simultaneous meeting * during Whitsuntide be toaddresa the Queen fc > dispense with the services of both the factions of VV nig and Terr , and to call to the ministry such mt-n of principle and justice aa will use their exertion to procure for the people their equal political and social rights , which can be effected by Universal Suffrage only . " Mr . Craig seconded Mr . O'Connor ' * amendment , and after some little discussion and explanation , in which Mr . Warren and Dr . Tavlor took a part , the amendment was carried , and tb . e original resolution was negatived .
MBD JOHN RUSSELL ' S LETTER . Mr . O'CoNXORread the followingresolutian , which he propojied : — ** Tuat the General Convention of tbe industrious clause * , an Association formed for the protection ef life and property , deems it iw duty to apply to I > ord John Russell , according to his notification , for the necessary gum for providing one million two hundred and fifty thousand stand of arms , with commissariat , ammunition , < fec . suitable to the emergency anticipated by the kt ' . er of the Noble Lord . We further assert that if the law allows a search for the arms of the poor , the law also justifies a search for the arnw of the rich ; and , therefore , should onr application be refused , we are are of opinion that the resolution of Lord John Russell , exclusively extended to the rich—will be a violation of the Bill of Rights , and a declaration of war against the industrious classes . "
Mr . O'Connor had no doubt that the Tory Administration would found all it * tyranny upon the groundwork that they had beea set the example by their predecessors in office . ( Cheers . ) There could be no doubt that Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington would bo extremely glad to carry out the reconimendMtion of Lord John Rcssell in the letter which had been read . Now what was the situation in which the people were at the prtseut moment placed ? From the papers thev had an outline of a Tory Administration . Lord ' Whamcliffe , from that outline , was to go to Ireland , and there could be no doubt , from the letter of Lord John Russell , that he would support the new ministry in their attack upon the people . ( Cheers . ) Every party who had read O'Connall ' s le ; ter must be w »« ll
a&r . rvd that a party would be raised against the Chartist * by him , even under a Tory Admin ' stration of Sir Robert Peel and tbe Duke of Wellington , and tbe enly protection th «* Convention had was b y Lord John Rassell acceding to the request contained in the resolution he had proposed ( Cheers . ) There could be no doubt that O'Connell would join the Torieaif he could do nothing with the WLiijs . ( Cheer * . ) The people , therefore , had nothing to expect from him . Ireland would be thrown into the opposition ranks—OCounell would in his agitation lose sight of the questions of land and tenure , and therefore it would be necessary to provide for an agitation in Ireland . ( Cheers . ) As he considered that a Tory Administration would be for worse than a Whig one in England , he mu » t persist in putting his m 3 ticn to the Convention .
Mr . Bailie Ck . ug seconded the motion . He considered if the Secretary of State granted the present motion , which was doubtful —( laughter )—peace would be secured . He thought the country were indebted to the Contention , and it alone , for the peace that had prevailed throughout the country . ( Cheers . ) J Mr . Marsden considered that the Convention ought to bear in mind that they had now not geese but foxes to deal with . He thought the motion of Mr . O'Connor ought to be acceded to , inasmuch as there could be no doubt that a Tory GoverniEent would do all in its power to destroy the Convention . ( CheenO
Dr . Fletcher thought every persicn , after reading Lord John Russell ' s letter , oug ; ht to apply to hi » Lordship for arms ; and racn being his opinion , he would move an amendment to that effect . Mr . Carpenter could neither support the original motion nor the amendment , but at the same time he considered that the Couvention ought to express its opinion upon the conduct of the late Government . ( Cheers . ) He should therefore move as an amendment , that the Convention bad seen with feelings of deep regret and strong indignation the letter of Lord John Russell , recommending the rich to arm against the poor . After considerable discussion , the motion and the amendment of Dr . Fletcher were put , and the former was declared to be carried .
Mr . Carpenter then msyed the amendment in the shape of a substantive motion . Mr . Deeoan seconded the motion of Mr . Carpenter . Mr . James Taylor opposed the motion on the ground that the country would infer from it that the Convention were not sincere . Mr . O 8 borne supported the resolution of Mr . O'Connor . The Chahuhs then pat the previous question as moved by Mr . Deeg&n , which was negatived , whereupon Mr . O'Connor ' a motion was carried , as were also Dr . Fletcher ' sand Mr . Carpenter ' s amendments , which were put as subsi antive resolutions . Upontiie motion ef Mr . Bailie Cbaig , the Convention went into Committee on the Scotch simultaneous meetings . After a short time it resumed , as it was found more convenient to postpone the subject till further information was nad , upon which a resolution was passed to continue the sittings to-morrow for the last tim- »
Dr . Taylor proposed that to-morrow ' s sitting be held with closed doors . This motion not being seconded , fell to tbe ground . Mr . Woophouse , a Delegate deputed to attend a meeting to be held last night at the Birdcage Walk , Bnthnal Green , reported that no meeting was held , in consequence * f the interference of the Inspector of Police . That official waited « n the landlord of the public-house where the meeting wag intended to be held , aud told him tbat if be should allow any assembly in his house , be would run the risk of losing bis license . ( Shame . ) This threat had such an effect on the landlord , that he would not . permit the meeting to so on . Soon after the thanks of the meeting wera given to the Chairman , upon which the meeting dissolved . Saturday , May 11 .
The Convention met to-day , Mr . Gill in the Chair . Mr . RichARD 80 M said ke had been informed that certain charges had been made against him , which were utterly and entirely false ; and in order to give him an opportunity of vindicating himself , he begged permission to read a letter which had been written to a delegate by some person—he did not exactly know who—but if it were the person he suspected , he knew him to be one of the mest veritable scamps in Notingham .
A Delegate said , if it were the " William Brown " he knew , no Radical in Nottingham wonld countenance him .
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Dr . Taylor said he murt protest against the reading of the letter , believing that it wonld set a most dangerous precedent . ( Hear , hear . ) Why , if private letters were to be read containing charges against members of tbe Convention , he could read a bunTHe tlat would srarrle the Convention , imputing charges to some of their best men . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) _ . Mr . Cleave concurred in most earnestly raggestmg that no further steps be taken on this fetter . ( Hear , bear . ) He knew kimself of most delectable things which had been said by delegates themselves respecting tbe Convention , and which was now runnin < j the rounds of tbe press . Bnt all such imputations he treated , as he did all threats against hir life , with the most thorough contempt . ( Hear , and - ?¦¦ * ¦ ' —
laughter . ) . . The matter here dropped , and the minutes of the last meeting were read . A letter was read from Alloa , announcing a meet * ing of deputations therefrom the Working Men ' s Associations of Alloa , Tillicoultry , Kincardine , Clackraannen , Falkirk , and Dnmblane ; and a demonstrator was agreed upon , to take place in Stirling , on Friday the 31 st inst ^ Messrs . O'Connor and Frost being invited to attend . The Convention recommended an address to her Majesty , in case the petition was refused , as it was not intended to petition again . One pound was announced from Kincardine , asd 10 s . from Norwich . From seven operative pewterers of the City of London , 8 * . were received .
The following programme of meetings to bs attpnded ib future was agreed to ;—¦ Glasgow . Monday , 10 th June . —Messrs . Frost , O'Brien , Lowery , Collins , Buwey , and Richardson . Renfrewshire Meeting , Tuesday , 31 . —Frost , O'Brien , and Lowrey . Ayrshire , 12 th and 13 th June . —Messrs . Frost , O Bri ^ n , and Lowrey . Stirling , 11 th , —Messrs . Collins , Bussey , and Richardson . Alloa , 12 th . —Messrs . Collins , Bassey , and Richard Kon .
Dunff rmline , 12 th—The same . Kirkald ) -, 13 th—The same . Cupar , 13 th—The same . Penh , Hth—Tbe same . Dundee , 14 ft—The same . Mcntrose , 15 tfe—Tke same . Furfar , 15 th—The same . Aberdeen , 17 th June—The same . EdiabuTgb , Wednesiay , the 19 th—Messrs . Frost , O'Brien , Lowery , Collins , Bussey , and Richardson . The Jeobnrgh and Dumfries meetings to take p ' ace immediately after tbe Newcastle and Carlisle meetings and days to be fixed by Messrs . Lowery and Knox , who are appointed to attend them .
Dr . Fletcher moved that the delegates out on the timultaneous meetings be put upon the same footing as to expensed with tbe late missienarie * . Mr . BrssEY moved , as an amendment , tbat coach fare only be allowed . A discuuion ensued as to the peint , several delegat- ' ti thinking it unfair that those who received no allowance from their constituents should be thrown entirely on their own resource * . Mr . Carpenter said it could harilj be expected that the delegates tbould p * y out of their own pockets tbe necessary expenses of discharging their public duty . ( Hear , hear . ) He thought that not only coach-fares , but all requisite expensesshould
, b *» paid , if not , he certainly . hould not go . He wat quite willing , at tbe same time , that a lull and accurate account be given of everv shilling—nay , of every penny-piece expended . It was quite enough that th ? delegates should encounter the personal inconvenience nnd danger , for danger there was . ( Hear , h < = ar . ) For himself he should go on the mis « ioD , if appointed , with tbe full ^ eisuasion that he should never come back . ( Hear , hear . ) And every delegate must go out with tbe sam » feeling . ( Hear , hear . ) During the last few dayc , men who had been acting as legally a * possible—how had tbey been treated by'the Magistrates , who had shown a determination to wrest the law from iu real and proper meaning , in order to put down a
constitutional right claimed bv the people ' ( Hear , hear . ) He declared , with all reepwet to the Convention , that be shoul-1 feel happy if the amendment was carried , as it wonld at once relieve him from an onerous and dangerous duty , which he would gladly relinquish could he do so with honour . He did not wish to run causelessly into danger ; bat at the same time , if just regulations were adopted , he should n < = t shrink frcm any duty that might be impouad . ( Cheer * . ) Mr . Jones said he wonld give one short reason for supporting tbe motion : be bad on his last xounob spent £ 15 out oi bis own pocket , and be would never do S 3 again . Mr . Marsden observed that it was much more difficult to board one ' s self in the country than in the town .
Dr . Fletcher , in reply , said be only wished tbe absolutely requisite , extraordinary expenses , to be paii ; and it wonld be better that delegates were uol sent at all rather than to go without proper means of subsistence . On a division tbe numbers were—For the motion 20 Amendment 11 It was then carried tbat the expenses of the Convention to Birmingham be paid .
Dr . Fletcher then ro « 8 to bring forward the report on ulterior measures —( hear , hear)—a snbject of ti . e deepest importance , for as the simultaneous meetings had been agreed upon , the country would doubtless expect that they should fulfil the expectations which had been raised as to future proceedings . ( Hear , hear . ) Circumstance * had recently arisen which rendered it imperatively necessary that they should take a decided position . The Government had declared war upon the people —( cbeers )—and put arms into the hands of one part of the nation to keep down another —( hear , hear , )—and had declared , in terms not to be misunderstood , that these arms were to be used in suppressing the movement , in which the Convention were now
engaged . ( Hear , hear . ) It was necessary , therefore , that they should show the stand which they too were prepared to take —( hear)—and the measures which tbe Convention recommended to adopt . But this would only be put in the form of questions : they would not be called on to decide positively on any step , but simply to say that they were willing that , under certain circumstances , likely to arue certain steps should be adopted . ( Hear , hear ) The Secretary would perhaps read the address . Mr . Lovett accordingl y proceeded to read the Addrtss to the people , which , after adverting to tbe measures adop'ed recently by Government for arming a portion of the people , went on to say , that pabhG opinion had been concentrated , by means of the labours of the Convention , in favour of the National Petition , to an extent Quite nnnreefldont ^
It had been signed by millions of the workingclasses—of these who dared to brave the menace * ef employers , and the threats of power—and millions more , of those who dared not brave the starvation of themselres and families—bad responded to the Petition ia silence . The answer to this peaceful and Constitutional application might have been anticipated . The Convention were prepared to meet the subtle sophistry of Whiggery ; bat the worst was now to be feared—both Whigs and Tories had resolved to unite to maintain their unjust supremacy Butthe spirit of Englishmen , the suffering millions of Great Britain would not submit to the insultthey would rise against the systematic oppression under which the working classes were morally and politically degraded . Mr-Carpenter moved that the report just read be received and adopted .
Mr . Lowery seconded the motion . Mr . Whittle opposed tbe motion . They had been elected to watch tbe presentation of the National Petition to Parliament only , but now a manifesto was proposed with regard to ulterior measures . It contained a long argument on the rectitude of the principles for which they contended , but it did not contain one word of advice to the people . It was utterly unsuitable to the discharge of that task which he conceived they bad to perform . The production of the document at the present time he thought
, , wag a manifesto to the ceantry that the Convention did not know what to do . ( Hear . ) He was against publishing any such manifesto . He was for returning back to their constituents and for surrendering into their bands the trust they had reposed in them . Their constituents might return better men , if they could , or might adopt ulterior measure * , but he thought that all the members of the Convention had to do was to go back to them and gi ve them advice and counsel , and he should therefore move an amendment that the Report be negatived .
Mr . Sax key seconded the amendment The recommendation in the manifesto to refuse paymett of rents and taxes , was recommending them to do that which was contrary to all the principles of Christianity and morality . K Mr . Lowery said the manifesto had been long and maturely couadered . The whole country , when they rfected their members , thought thepTesSt turn of the petition was onlr part of the business theywere to perform , and if the Petition was rejected , they were to point out the way in which the people might make it the law of tbe land . If thev weiic
oacK to the country without showing them the ZV d ° * T ? so ' they wonld be "ting as traitors lite .-Petition was not yet presented , and he Would urge tbat it should not be presented until the new Administration w «» formed . ( Hear , hear . ) As to tae Christianity and morality of the principles put tortu in the manifesto , he contended that tfcoughhe was bound to pay a man every legal charge , yet circumstances might arise in which , he might ; coimder-huaself . to be exempt from the payment of such 1 ., tor instance , a landlord leagued himself with tte oppressor * of the tenant , and made use of the
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suffrage which the property gife niarto n > t > f | g tenant of his earnings , by compelliap him CO p » unjust and heavy taxes , then , he contended , the tenant was 'bound to resist lisa * ( Hear , hear ) There ws * a great many People—manitfa * t « renL shopkeeper * , and others , who were quite apathetic in regard to politics , and who did not care whether Whi g * , Radicals , or Tone * ruled , so long as their factories went / on and their profit * increased , but who would , if they found by the measures which Lh industrious classes were determined to pursue , that their factories would be stepped and their profit * cut short , join them in their endeavours to get justice . He supported the nuiaifesle , becaaea he th ought some address of the sort was absolsuly ae . cessarr .
Mr . O'Cokkor rose to give bis opinion on the manifesto then presented , and he thought that nothing was more important than that they shoald not issue anything bearing a counterfeit stamp on it , but that it shoald bear the sterling mark of their own determination . ( Hear , hear . ) The manifesto asked tte people to abstain from paying their rent , were t * e delegates themselves prepared to refuse toe payment of their own rent , and to submit to Mzure . He believed that every one of those tbincs mentioned in the manifesto mnflt follow before theeanse . of the peoBle woold be gained—h « believed that confosion would have to be created , bat the holding ap of hands at public meetings , in faTimr of arms , or in favour of a run upon the Banks , and reiusai
me or tie payment of rents and taxes , as proposed by the manifesto , would only create a d-luwon thronghoBt the country ! He shoald net eppose the document , but he would recommend the Convention to lock at the position in which ther might place themsehre * if it was published and * ent h ^ Vte flF- uL ** «* » anifeS ; he wonld hold him » 9 lf bound to refuse the parment of all rents and taxes , fiat the day on which that operation was to commence was not appointed . The people would go back from the public meetings , and wonld ia such small sections retuse paymento ? rent as would bring their proceedings in contact with too authorities ; but he was convinced they would not «« t men : to thrpjir their families intoT the streets , houseless and without shelter . The document wa * ¦
eloquently and ably written ; it wtlld : fined tha opinion of the Convention , and laid down the routino of business that should be acted on ; and although ne should not oppose it * reception , yet he thought it might with propriety be amended . Dr . Fletcher supported the manifesto . The refusal of the supplies was the old comtitntional weapon ef the people , and so far from thinking with Mr . Saukey , that it was contrary to the principles of Christianity and morality to refuse the payment of rents , he thougkt it was against Christianity to ask lor rents . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) It certainly wa * most unchristian and immoral to take from tke poor such exorbitant rents as were at the present dav exacted . ( Hear , hear . ) J After some further proceedings the Convention adjourned to Birmingham .
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TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS AT LEEDS . A meeting of the Town Council was held on Monday morning last . The Mayor ( James Hold , forth , E * q ., ) took the chair at eleven o ' clock . A motion that a watch-rate , for raising £ 3 , 117 6 * . 7 d ., be laid on all property within tbe town of Leeds , and within one mile of the bars of the said town , was carried unanimously . A watch-rate of £ 166 7 : lid ., to be levied on all property wittin » bat part of the township of HaDsUt beyond the limits of ene mile from tbe b * ro of Leeds was then moved , and likewise earned nrm . con .
Dr . Baker ( in the absence of Alderman Tottie ) then brought up the report of the Finance Committee , which recommended a vote of £ 2 , 292 9 * . 4 d . to defray the expenses incurred in carrying out tke provuions of the 5 th and 6 th Will . IV ., and other Acts , relating to municipal corporations . On the motion of Mr . Markland , the Council thea resolved itself into committee , with a view to consider . the expenses in detail . Mr . Alderman Alupgrave , in the « bair . On the item ef £ 381 Us . 8 d ., tbe amount of ttw Town Clerk ' s bill in the celebrated Chancery suit pending between the present corporation and some members of the old one , being put , Mr . Markland moved that the bill should be read item by item .
This gave rise tu a long and angry discussion between Messrs . Buttrty and Hubbard ' on one sideaod Messrs . Charlesworth , Markland , and Howard ! on the other . The Wbi g » accused the Tories of protracting tbe suit by unfair means , in tbe hope Ihat they would one day have a majority in tbe Council , and so be enabled to throw it overboard ; aud the latter returned the compliment by asserting that their opponents carried on the war by dipping their hands into the pocket * of tbe Burgesses , the great majority of whom desired that all further proceeding * should be quashed . Mr . Markland ' s motion was then agreed toby a majority of 20 to 13 , and tbe bill was accordingly read .
The other items having been gone through by the committee , and the gross amount of £ 2292 . 9 « . 4 dbeing about to be put to the vote , Mr . Vtkinson said he had to move an addition to the vote in question . The Finance Committee bad recommended that tbe sum of £ 88 . 15 s . 5 ^ d . due to the Coroner for fees and disbursements ^ should not be paid to tbat officer till he consented to render them an account of the cause of death and the verdict of th « jury at each inquest over which
he presided . Now in requiring this , the Finance Committee had exceeded their power * . Thev had no right to make any demand of the kind . " The Coroner had taken the opinion of Sir John Campbell oa the subject , and that eminent lawyer stated that the Committee had no right whatever to the returns demanded . Besides , Mr . Town Clerk bad himself told the Coroner , tbat the Committee wished the returns to be made that they might reduce the number oT inquests .
The Town Clerk denied he had made any such statement-Mr . Bower said tbe Coroner was "more nicer baa wise ; " and characterised his proceedings as " all humbug and stuff . " Mr . Alderman HuBBARD , as a member of tbe Finance Committee , would state that the Coroner bad been politely requested , and not required as a right , to furnish the information demanded . Mr . Atkinson said that it was inpossible te show that the Coroner had been courteously treated since the report before them proved ha wa » threatened to be kept out of his money , if he did not comply with tbe demands of the Committee .
Mr . Hat ward thought ill feeling existed on tb » part rf the Town Clerk towards tbe Coroner , and called on him to explain his conduct in thi » respect . The Town Clerk defended himself with considerable warmth . He had alwavs done the Coroner justice . There certainly were * rumours prevalent that unnecessary inquests had b « en held , particularly one some time since in Marsh-lane . He had thought it his duty te make iaqairies into the matter and the result was , that he was perfectly satisfied tbat the rumours in question were totally destitute of foundation . He protested he had no ill feeling towards the Coroner , The * vote of £ 2292 . 9 s . 41 ., with the addition » f £ 88 . 15 s .- S ^ id . due to ttie Coroner , was then put and carried .
The nine outgoing Directors of water-works were then re-elected * Mr . Potts withdrew his notice of motion to petition Parliament for a uniform rate of postage , on account of , " the depressed state of Ministers . " The remaining business of the day was then postponed , and the Council broke ap .
Untitled Article
Last Week ' s Lie . —The gullibility of liberals is unfathomable ; otherwise the impudent pretence tbat the creation of Peers , announced last week was for the purpose of strengthening the Reform party , eou ! d not have been credited for a day . But w » find from many provincial newspapers ' that it was hailed as evidence of the Ministerial determination at length to adopt an Anti-Tory policy ; and this upon no better authority than the assertios of a Dawning Street paragraph . The Peerages were given to pay eff old political obligations . Lord Melbourne * a w that he had no time to lose : he had
secured a Peerage for his brother , and a Commis-Bionersbip for bis nephew , and was prepariDg to take leave of Downing Street , when he pre » ailed upon the Queen to create another batch of Lords . The idea- of streBgthening tbe liberal party , or pursuing a liberal policy , never entered bLumaginatica . But ike Wkigs could : net eyen . Tdie . with troth ob their lips . ? JFsJse metires w , ere alleged for ibtir last act—Spectator . \ ; ¦ Physical -iF 6 bcb ~ MovkMsnts — There has
been considerable activity in the Ordnance Department of the Tower of London during the last few days , in sending off stores , arms , and ammunition , for the use of the military in what are now considered the disturbed districts , where the Chartist ? have assembled in large numbers . Monday and Tuesday stores of all descriptions were for * ardtd by railway and by water conveyance to tbe Northern aud other parts of England from the Tower , and the stay of the troops U expected to be of long duralViQ >~~ Mitrning Pott .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 18, 1839, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1057/page/6/
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