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Northern Star (1837-1852), 24th August 1839, Edition 1 of 1, Page 3, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      ( Continued from our 2 nd page . ) tration of that wealth which you create . The barren gnrface of the soil itself hi * uo Take—raw OOttQn h&B no valae—gold ea » procure no substantial value until one &xd all receive the sterling marit ¦ cwajoot sinews and from yonr muscles , ( Greet cieering . ) Your mlers cannot eat earth—thej cannot « at cotton—they cannot eat gold , aeither an they bay with it without your exertions . ( Cheers . ) He might then be asked how he would remedy that—the answer was easy , and might k « effected without plunder or robtery . He Conkenrled tkat bat for the anomalous and destructive condition ? sanctioned by eastom and legalised by raw ^ kich ( CoTtiinued from our 2 nd pare . ) l »» 5 M « f » v ^ v _ ,., ¦ mt ,

      landlords are allowed to annex in leasing power tkatthe land of the three countries i * capable of supporting in afflueact , comfort , and spleadoar , six times the amount of ti ^ ir present population . ( Loud efeeers . ) In order to prove the iniquity of the system , he would convincingly expose the results produced by class legislation , from-which « nanated that tooial diwidcr wbjen the preser ratios of political distinction engsEdered . One hundred acre * of land in Scotland , nay , one thou * unJ acres w « s considered a small farm , and let thrin * ^ whether or not a more conrenieat and jast

      disb bntion would be to increase the comfort of the bjuaau family , vrhile at the ' same time it would toerease the rent and by fifty-fold increase the security of the landlord . ( Load and long continaed cheering ) Take then the minimum of 100 acres—it will soppSrt » m * a , his wife , and five children , with three laboure-B , ui leave them little profit save responsibility ; while tha earae hundred acre * subdivided into lets of five acres each would open the field for very man ' s indtwtry , would supply to every man a tore of wholesome food , would fornish to erery man the means of healthful and natural emnlonaent .

      would make every man a national soldier , would support ia c * mfort hinnelf , and wife , and five children , thus gmBg comfort to one hundred and forty instead of ten individuals , while it- increased the ecurity of the landlord from one pair to twenty pair < rf strong anas and surrounded wit * affectionate , with twenty grateful hearts , a better and more valo-» hle garrison for the protection of his life , his liberty , t * d his property , than the musket and tke bayonet of tfce mercenary , whether he be a soldier or a policeman . ( Cheering which lasted for several minutes ) This system would be retorted to b y the landlords themselves , if exclusive legislation was one * dtprived of iteptwer of distributing the -wealth of the nation , but so long asexclasioa gixe political pawer , and political power the right to . plunder , *) lone

      wonld the word Laiversal Suffrage , even morally msed , earry with it the magic physical horror of the torch , the dagger , and the canoan . ( Loud cheer * . ) And yet . said Mr . O'Connor , the moral philosophers preserve this power by physical force of the v « ry worst descriptioQ . O'Connell jygnificantly asked Lord John Russell whether it were true that ' lreland had been able to spare another regiment for the establishment of order ia England P and Lord John SKtfWered in the tffirnncra , ( Groins aad hisses . ) But the moral liberator of hij country forgot to tell tie people that before Ireland was in the condition to pare five thousand uooja for the suppression of opinion in Eoflaad , that he , Daniel O'Coanell , had

      • aded And abetted in procuring a substitute of nine thousand policemen . ( Beaewed groans and hisses . ) And let it be understood , that although there is something awfalin the name of standing aray , that cine thousand police-sen cost as much a * " tweatj thousand soldiers . ( Hear , hear , and " Shame . " ) Mr . O'Conaar then explained wherein it wu impossible to keep up this state of thiajs , suedriag that the positive act * of the Radicals did not more i * rve them than the acts of the Whigs thtsnelve * , which ooner or later must destroy their ewn power . ( Cheers . ) He said , lei the people weigh the differeoce between the profit on their production and the profit on their consumption . The profit of their labour

      upon ten pounds worth of raw cotton , was not more thin five shillings , while ths profit oa ten pound ' s worth of wheat ia fifteen pounds (* hame , shame ) , just sixty times tie profit that there is upon the productiSn * . Now wheat being the commodity which regulates the price of ail other production * , ought to 03 regulated by i » master , which is labour . ( Cheer * . ) But * oreg » rdles * were tie gainbivrs in fictitious nioDey as to a'l rales of demand acd supply , that . kboar , ¦ waieh ooght to be master , has become the servant , and = s tubserrien : to all fluctuations in trade , commerce , and agriculture . ( Cheers ) By all thw , he . wUbed to show them , that , although a mm won ! 4 ce * r ! T

      starve on £ 20 a-year , rf forci * hed with a field for his labour , hi would both p » y tke rent acd live and support hi * family in afflaence . He ^ Hr . O"C ] would then direct them to the effect of the Stform Bill , which was to place the manufacturing intere * : la the ascendency over the landed interest . Tnlandlord , if he was a tyraat caaid csly be so twice a year , while ajaole space was l « s , ' c iar repent » nc « « nd ctntriaooj but the man wha 3 eriTe 4 wraith froav eTery streike oi the steain-eDgiae mast , froxi tte systeai of eompetiti ^ D , either be a tyrant or i beggar eTery hour ^ in the rUy : rf he rel « x ' ed he vrai reined—if he perseTered he was * tjr * nt . ( Chr « r * . J Sometime a ^ o they had bsen joiaed by Muntz ,

      DoTiglas , sai Co ., trarelleri wiu samples of mo * - kets , asd prtaecer * of Peace , L * w , aad Order . ( Load l » ugbwr , ch * ers , aad groaat . ) He ( Mr . O'C . ) too was for Peiee , Law , and Order , provided that it existed for * U ; bat if not for all , it ought not to exist for any . ( Cheers . ) The Reformers hid got their share of Reform—Muntx and Co . hsd jrot their share of UciTcraaJ ScflFrage—and thus it ¦ sras Hill the ptople were erer beat bj tbe artful maaEtrr to . wiich their leaders were battled one aga " : ut the other . He asked , then , whether or n » t it w »? not marrelloaj : hat the General Couteatioa—oppwjd by a ^ s interea ; and con ^ trueuon « law—surrounded by Pnjsical Force— beset by traiiora , and weakened

      by desertion—aaxi htli itt groaod sl * it bai done ? { Aye , and cheers for the CouTenuou . ) The men r >{ Lancashire were very angry about the Sicred Month , because , in ignorincs of the Scottish rami , they had escalated apsn your entire snppnrt—for they are s ^ tout-hearted , a br * ve , and a e ' eterraited people—not ea « ily disturbed in their aff-stioc * , without just cause beiiig sho-irc—alwayg patieat ia hearing , and pradent ia ginnp ju-igmeat—ifiey too had a shot ia tbs l > cker jeu ( Cheers . ) They now fiaa they , too , wanted more organization ; and tcev

      would hail with eutborfiuin and becoming de ' . igbt the beamiag sun of liberty which had risen on the Fourteenth in brightness and splendour , before whose refulgent rays th « thick mi- < t of oppression must fade , and for ever . ( Loud aa « long coctinue . i heeriag . ) Mr . O'Coaaor thu « concl-aded tbe ab :- » t of his many addresses in Glasgow , whi ; -b occupied Dearly two hours in delivery , and which , thracghout , w »» responded to by cheer * -which li > er » Uy shook the bsiidiag to its eeatre . I 2 ihe buiidinj , th ? tile of rbJca is un ^ ease , and upon the itreet opposite , there pould not be lau thaa 20 , 000 souls present .

      Mr . Mxsoy , frors the Northern Political Lcion , then stepped forward , acd was reeeived with lv > ud eh » eri . He said he hid been sent to ? ee if tbf-y were «' Hp to the mark "—were they so ? ( "Yes , " " . N ' " ) Were they prepared to exercise the right of citisssb ? < Ysa . ") A-nd jet , in 1339 , UDuei a Br " : t » h Gorerninent , they had the hoaour of being » laTe « . England , who had beenraUed by her artisans to that height of power , a » to be able to bid defiance to tbe worid , was reduced to so low aa ebb jw to appeal

      to Franca for an amount of money to sappsrt her System . Mr . Mi « n then -poke at eonie length on the unequal distribution of property , and the flagrant abuse * the people had t » « ubaiit to , and stau-d ihxt the peo ^ l-e 0 / England were prepared for a cfcaage , acd that taey onry wailed for Scotland and Ireland to join them ; and when the standard of iiberry was raised in Britaia , it would he the beginning of the reign of liberty throngh the world . During the delirering of his speech , Mr . if . was Trequentiy cheered .

      Mr . il'CaAB , from Ajrr . next addressed the meeting in a gpeeeb , teemicg with poetical rffusiong . He » aii k giaddened his heirt to see' Seatxmen oroe more taka to their heathy hills in defence of ciril liberty ; acd tbe time wag corning waen the' tj rants wuald tsuce to their bsnd ^ d kaee , and impltre thoie thiigs which they denied to those whom they , oppressed . Mr . DrjNCAS , delegate from Edinburgh , sbcfrtly sdcreited the meeting . He recommendrd them to fora tbemselTes into Araoeiatioa * , acd to enrol tbeir names in the lists of Badica ' j , &ad _ that the qne * - tioa of moral force rtould be bari ?^ in ' obniioa . Toeir watch-word ought now to be union , ewgi , and prudence .

      Mr . Gilles ? ie thenrtad & petition to tbe Queen in behalf of the three men who were cDndenced to be executed , and moved ib * t it be id- > pr * d rs the petition of ihe meeting , which was seconded , and passed uu inimously . Tote 3 of thanks were then § iren to Me «« r 3 . O'Coaacr and Mason , ws . 3 reruroed thank * . Mr . O'Coaccr mored a vote of thacks to rha Ch . vrwan , and tooi occasion to pa > s a hi = h eul ? g ^ tu sn ti ; ciaratur a * a iaaa and a pstrio " . 'Three c f ? T 2 we ; -. ; then s ^ t ? e ' or r . tc - ? t . ~ » ti » : *> : ' . E . ca ize a-r-.-d-a seriarsts ; .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND . Fellow MBK ,-flaring bees delegated by 70 s L 5 ; j' " »^ ot prepare !^ o f Tr Seo ^ h brethren tn tbe achiereinent of the People ' s ««? A ' t v i aTe the rao 8 t 8 ineere P leas «« to report that ^ Cauu&u . of Scotch del ate , ha ' e tZl ^ -JT" ^ eTidence ^ S ^ » ¦ SL ^ S hi - ^ t ****™*™ aeeeasary for tbe uka . two of the interests ef every class of society in this uanappy ootmtry » t this serious aad momentous CT 1 « 1 S . jq THE PEOPI F fitTT ^ TT " V ,,,,. xr . ^ „ f , . . AND

      The ConTention conferred the highest marks of respect open us aa yonr representatives , by allowing urtolay before the ConTention the state of England , ihe proceedings of this important body have given us the most gratifying satisfaction . The manner in which Scotland has rallied to the proposal of this meeting may be easily described by stating that every important city and district had iUrepretenia five , the entire number being sixty-seren . Their proeeeuings haye been characterised by calmueM , wisdom , patriotism , and energy . They hare done : heir du-y to tbeir c :-uctry . They have dona tbeir duty to England and Ireland . They have done their duty U the immortal patrio t * , Lovett , Collins , vinoeDt , and Powell . Ako , they have done their duty to the three unfortunate citizens of Birmingham . In a word , it has laid a basis for the establishment

      of liberty , virtue and happiness in Scotland , in conjunction with Ireland and England , which must at no distant period , bless « ur unhappy i * ks . Fkargtjb O ' Connor . John Mason , Representatives of the Council N . P . U ,

      Untitled Article

      CROWN COVSLT . — Wednesday , Augxut 14 . CHA * OK » P CONSPIRACY A 0 AIX 8 T GK 0 B 9 K THOMPSON , JAMBS MITCHELL , CHABLBS DATIK 8 , AND TIMOTHY B 1 QGIK 6 . About eleven o ' clock , the Grand Jury came into Court , and returned true bills againeTthe abovenamed prisoners . The foreman of the Jury , Sir Bijhard Brooke , Bart , asksd his Lord-hip whether it was competent for them to find a biil for High Treason a charge which , in their opinion , the evidence would fully bear out . Tbe Learned Judge in reply naid he would recommend the Grand Jory to take th * bill as preferred by tbe prosfrcatioaj . for it frequently happened that the shades of difference between conspiracy wid high treason were difficult to determine ; and it was gtEerallv left to the

      Crown , who prosecuted , to consider tbe course they should take . He suggested to the Jury , in the course of hi * address , that » iiose things , if not stopped , might and probably would amount to big * a treason ; and he should certainly recommend , supposing the evidence that bad come b « fore them to correspond with the depositions which he had read , to tike tbe bill in the shape in which it was found , rather than to exercise the judgment of jurymen re-* pecticg the higher offWnee . It" the Crowa thought proper to pros * cute for misdemeanour , it was merciful that it j > bould be so ; so ii might be inconvenient to the public to take a question about which a doubt might arise , * uj » po » ing it might be high trwason , and cot & misdemeanour . If the evidence warraated a true bill against them , it would be better to find tbe bill in that shape .

      The Foreman of tbe Grand Jarr wished to know whether they had the power to tiud the hill for High Treason . Tbe Judob—You hire the power to find a bill er to reject a bill ; but I think you hid better find such a bill as had been * eiit iD , if tbe evidence warrants if , It would be for the de .-ision of the Crowi to determine whether a charge of high trea * 0 H should be preferred- Tbe Graad jury could not command tbe Crown to prefer snr charge . The chirge preferred was the charge thought proper to be preferred . If tbe evidence w ; is of such & nature as to warrant a charge of high treason , and if the proiecution tbeught proj > er to adop * the more lenient course , that coarse was one which be never heard complained of . The Foreman of the GriLil Jurv then stated that

      taev caj touBd true b : iis again ? : a ' l the foir prisanws for Conspiracy . The Attounx \ -GenebaL . Sir Jobn Camp-BELL , men ro » e , and ad < ms ^ ing ; be Beach , said that if i : « uit ^ d tke public buiint »«« , he should be giai if thoue caaes vrtie proceeded with as soon as possible . The Learned Judos then stated that be would take tboec cases us ? ooa as the one with which they were then engs + rcd wag Seized . The ca « e alluded to beiDg tiu ) . «' neieooD afterwards , t ^ e pr Uoaera were a . Traignfd , a . aa , tt >» Jury baviiig beea sirom . Sa « ue « Fic * ford , aad Thiiaw iloiiui-S 03 , of Stockpurt , requested 10 be excu *< -d rtx- ^ wix oa ihe ground of r »« : aing at Stccky-ott . They were excas ^ d aeeordintir .

      Tbe indictment was then r « ad , charging them with pro- 'nr . ng arm . " , attending Ulegil meetiegs , and distributing p ! a-ard .-,, * cd no forth , \> ith oeing wieied aid eril di » po »* d pi » rsoa * , with trjing 10 excite her Msjoiy ' a liege luojecti * to a tcrasicuous breach of the peace , and to tacite to cisaffeccion aaJ disobedience to tae Gover-rasnt and the Iak * oJ ihii rralui . Tne Atto »> 'ey-Geneual , in opining thec « ue , said the efiWace vrith which tie prfocer : * srood charged w * 3 one of a verr serious nature . The

      Jury mizht hare been present id Court when the Grand Jury of thh county expressed a great relac-ticce : o find a . b : l . of iDaictmeal % gai&& ( the pfiRoncli , in the for . 11 i » which it waj prc . irred , tfery beiug of opinion that fr .-m th « evio-ace tbe crirnE amounted to treason . He had bo oVjtction to take upon him « elf , z * he wu bound to co , the re « pon * ib ; iity of directing tLii pr « t » ecstioa ia a miiier form . He hoped the tnat » f justice would » i caaiple - . eW secured by tie autaoritaave promulganon by the Judge of A ? sr * e , iwptctiDg the lilezalitT cf the conduct which those defendants

      were pursuing , and if they w&re found guilty—for a » yet they were presumed to be inuoc-eut—but if tb * y were found guilty , dy a pQ ! ii » hmect being awarded against 'hesi . which uv . ght operats as an example t « tbe rest of the eomrauninr . Ha did cot wonder at the doubn of the Srmd Jury . The ac * j which , ai be wa < ia ^ tructed , would be proved ag ^ irizt the ccfendanu , at le ^ st weald warraut something more than a natre charg- cf c « n * piracy , and aa his Lord . * h ; p iuforraed the Grand Jury in hi » charge at the cocuroecceKtat of tiieae Assixe » , if carried forward , would amount to that « f high treason , whereby the lives of tbe defendants weuld be liable to be forfeited to tbe law . Tke shape

      which tfaat pronecutiou bad ajiumed was that » f a misdemeanour . He must xay that the law mrcned to him to be rather defective , for having no medium of offence * of this kind between misdemeanour and high treason ; bot * o the ia-jr was , at : d is vu their cuty to administer tbe law as they found t . Upon grave ceE ^ iderition , those who si vised the Crown thought t 33 t th-i defendaaa could not se charged with any indictment for felony , whereby they mi ght be subject to tran « p « rtation ; bjj the indictment might easilj iis « me the shape of high treason or of misdemeanour . He hoped ke should net be condemned for pur * uirg thtr milder course , in caljcg cpsu them to anjxer tbe charge for misdemeanour , ' or which they would

      be liable only to punishment by fiae and imprisonment , according to tbe discret 0 Ti of thp Court . Ii ths evidence w < i < such as be wa < instructed it ww , ibat they weregcilty » eemed to hi a to ftunsit of un doubt , tiiat th' 7 bad conspired together to violate the law , and t » excite to a vitiation of the law . Some of them , be was afraid , nuight be ac ; u % t * d by mercenary mo'ivw—others night be drluded . A great pervtrsion of tbe l * w had recently takrn place -iinoT g a ceTtain cia * s of the communitr , respectic ^; tbe use of arm * . TLe law of Eagland al ' . owed e \ ery Englishman - to use aroxs to defend himself ajtain . 't violence , ct that he might defend himself or defend his dwelling . house , where

      a fcioay wtuld be committed by those against vinora those arms were to be used . But the law of tbe country did not allow , ac-J tbe law of bo country eo&U allow , Lhat subject should ooiiecc annE for the purpose ef violating the lavr , or of resisting lawful RUtkority . It would bo for : he Jury to say whether there had not beta a cobc-. t : bu-tweeu tV . e ^ e four prisoners to vioiate the law , and to excite others to a violation of the lavr . The defendant Thompacn wai a gnn-maier st BinniDgham . He , tibej would find , applied the arm * . 1 ha defeD ^ aat Mitchell kept a fceer- » hcp in thii county . By him arms were

      obtained for tie purpjse of beir . ^ j 'J i » tributcil . Davits likeHi . 'e lived at Stockp-Tt , aui ih <) ' would fiaJ tht share that fce took was a very : iciive > haie in the conspiracy . Higgia . ^ , the fourth defeadsBt , livtd at Ashton , in tb < county of L * nfa « tpr . He likewise was tctira under Th .-rop-on for the iixtributicn oi arms for those unlawful purp > ts . This ooeppiracy was aupposrd to be in aid « r irbat was callrd the People ' s Charter , an ^ with the view ? , as it w&s * s ' : J , to re ? tcr < r t . i the ir .-iii < rr : r . u . H c ! a . ses cf the countr y their rigbts For the ir-lus'rioas classes ci the courrrj h ? felt the- jivate ? : resp- ' .-t . To them r « •^¦ > r 7 i > iECvt- "!*! fnr : he c ? s * w > - ; -Ub si . "i y-cwtT ^ ; t ¦ ' :. ' * ¦ ' ;••;¦ - " ' . ? y-rc •¦ : ' ¦ , ' ¦ ' ¦ ' ' -y vier » 1 vcr 10 ;^ > rriiU-i witi L"o ?« . ijc . 'iion a :-u :.-y * c :. Bw . ihe . v

      Untitled Article

      vrere certain persons , wio for their own private purposes had be «» w « king groi-Siy to delude and to lead them into a eoarae from which tiieindustrious classes more than any others of the country , were likely to be the greatest sufferers . Th « y had instilled into the mindd of the industrious class * a feeling of discontent ; but bj a proper administration of the law . the precarious influence of the excitement would be ( "topped . Among a certain elas ? , a delusion had gone abroad , that they were justified even by force ofarmsinaskiBgwbat was utterly untenable ; and m steaMnj property—in sacrificing life—and in doing that which would be an utter subversion of law and liberty in this ceuntrr . He should now dewere ?«? " »» persons , who for their own private p * r-

      tail to them the evidence which he was instructed to bring against such of the prisoners at the bar . As to Mitchell , it would appear that he belonged to an association at Stockport , where he teok an aotare part in the proceedings of that aeaoclation ; and that on the 1 30 th of Jol y , there being a tumultUOOJ Mid nnlawful assembl y at Stockport , he took an active part in that meeting , and addressed the people who were there assembled , recommending physical force ; a « d , as to firearms , eaid , that ae once entertained dsubts as to the legality of having arms , but now , since tbe publication of the letter of Lord John Ruwell , those doubts were removed . Now , he ( the speaker ) recommended them to get a guna pistol

      , , a s word , or any thing to protect themselves . It was their duty to have arms , and to place them over their mantel-pieces . It was theii dnty t * havt arms ; and to swear that they would never cease to agitate until the Charter had become the law of the land . He should show that there was in his posaessien a box containing muakete and bayonets . He ( being a beer-seller ) wanted no firearms for sale ; but there were found two copies of a most abominable and mischievous publication , called ' Defensive instruction for the People , " and so forth , by Col . Macerone , and they might see by the plate in the front of that book what was the nature of it . It represented a mob being armed against the militaryand putting —» ¦ •~ mmm

      , * »* (^ - — — — m ^ m mr 9 ^ tr WM K them to flight , and slaughtering them without nurcy . Ihere were found opon his premises two letters from a person of the n » rae of Broadbent , in these words ' : — " Joly 29 , 1839 . Dear Sir , —I write to inform you to say that I am unwell , and cannot come to Stockport , as I prom > sed . I have received the case of guns ; but he infermei me that ha could not make muskets with percussions under three week * . If you wish to bare the articles sooner , you should gay * e , and then I have no doubt that I could have tome aai brought them with me . The price is a deal more ; asd I want you to send m » word as « ooo as possible . Tke of

      price those on hand is JElls . Od . " TLis letter ahowg you that communication had passed be tweeu the parties , and that th » prisoner was actually engaged in preparing and distributing those arms . Another letter from Broadbent was read , addressed to Mitchell , requesting him to send a mm of money to Birmingham . Another letter was then put in from Higgiiw , addressed to Mr . Thompson , of Birmingham , relative to the sale of tbfse arms . These letter * clearly show that Mitchell v tt 8 not a regular agent employed by Thompson , merely in the way of fraud to sell commodities which he had sent to him , but that he was a member of the Radical Association ; and that he took an active

      part m organising the multitude for the purpose of conspiracy . With regard to Davien , he understood that he was Secretary to the Association at Stockport . He was present at the meeting on the 30 th of July ; and in his po . « sension there was found a bullet-mould , and tome manufactures of Mr . Geo . Thompson . There were likewise found various papers showing that he was implicated iu the conspiracy . There wag also found a bill from Mr . Thompson informing the inhabiUatB » f Ashton and

      its environs , lhat he bad taken a hosee in Bentincketreet , Aahton , where he could supply them wit » any description of defensive weapons , such as muskew , pintoU , guns , and so forth . There was found upon him likewi » e a paper which he ( the Attorney-General ) supposed had been submitted to the Grand Jury , and from which he did not wonder at the scruples which tbe Grand Jury entertained . There was also found upon him a doeurnent relating to the different amount * of arms posseestd by different parties , « uch as the foUowiiix ;—

      Asbton , 900 strong , ready for physical force . Staljbridge , New . Mill * , ana Ecchdale are well prepared . Glosmep , 3 l ) ft member * ; Manchester , 5000 strong ; Duliinrield very well organised ; Hydd given an order for 400 arm * ; move lhat a council ef public safety be appoiuted . " A * to Thompson , it appeared that he was the per * on who supplied them with arm * , and that he could not be ignorant of the purposes for which they

      were supplied . Upon hi * premise * were found several paper * , nome » f which the L » arned Counsel read , whicn were chieiy orders for arms . Thompnon teemed to have had in view the turning t » ptofic the people ' s delmioo . On hia premises was found the following inscrumenr . " \\ e hereby agree to become sureties for tbe payment of all arm . * cent to Timothy liiguin * t » tae Biwh Inn . Signed Jarneu Dukts and " Peter M'D ^ nall . "

      Puke kept a publio bouse in Ashton , aad b * ( the Auorcey-General ) would a « k fer what plrfftiO would Taompso . T believe that L > ake , kci-pilg n . publie-houae , would order eightetn muskeu and bajaaeu ? Ho had now only to state to them the evidenca agiinst Higginj ' . ( The evidence against Higgins was ihen gone through , being precisely the aame &a haa appeared in several paper * . ) The following placard was read as beiriK found in hiu posgtssion : — " D « ar Brother * , —Now are ths times to try men ' * soulu—are your aims ready ? Have you plenty of powder and shotP Have you screwed ap your courage to the sticking pitta ? Do tou intend to

      be fre « meu or slave * ? Are you inclined to hope for a fair day ' s wages fora iair day ' s work ? Ask yourselves the * e que « ion 3 , and rrmember that jour » afety depends upon tbe strength of your own ri fiht arum . How lor . g are you goiu . s to allow jour mothers , your wives , yotr children , and your gweetbeara to be for ever toilicg for other people ' s benefit ? Kouiajj can coavinee tyrants of their felly bu : gunpowder and ste « lj go put your truat in God , my boys , and keep your powder dry . ' Be patient a da / or two , but be ready at a moment ' * warning : no man knows what to-morrow may bring forth . Bi ready , then , to rourlsh tbe tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants . You can get nothing by

      cowardice . France isinarmi ; Poland gro * n » beneath the bloody Russian yoke ; and Irishmen pant to enjoy their liberty . Up , then , because tbw whole world depends upon you for support : if you fail , the working man ' * sun is set for ever . . Tke operatives of f ranee havo again uken possession of the city . Can jou remain patuive when all tbe world is in arms P No , brave b « ys ; up with the cap of liberty : now or never iu the time . When you strike , let it Dot be with stick or stone ; but let tbe blood of all you suspect moisten the soil of your native land , that you may for ever destroy even the remembrance of poverty and shame . " Then earne some doggrtl

      verses—In tjranU Wood b * pti * s your bom , And evrr y villain BinUjjLltr . By pike an 1 sword your freedom try to g » in , Or uiuke me blood y Alo * cow oi' Old £ inglana' ' a plain . The Attoknbt-Genkral , afier reading one or two other paper * , said he ohuuld now call his evidence . Joseph Sadler , the superintendent of police , Stockport , wa-t then called and uaid . I w . eiit on the 30 th July : e ihe konge o- James Mitchell . It was about tae minutes keibro eleven o ' clock at night , and 1 tool * i : h me a watchman . Tho watchman kLooked at the door , and afemale came to the doar , whom I supplied to be tbe prisoner ' s witV . Jshe asked wh » t wai wanted , and the watchman told ktr that it was he . The door wrasr . ot opened until after having remaiKed there a short time . The door wax knoeked

      at again , and the prisoners came to the front of the house and asked what was wanted . I told then 1 wanted to look throagh his house . He «< ud he had co company in , and he -hould not open his door for anybody . I then Paid 1 must tell you that I mspeet jogbiiearms in jour house . He then turned to go tiil I had searched his house . To © door was again knocked at , and he told his wife not to open it for aBy ose . I then left him in custody of two of the officers , and I went to the back door and broke it opea . Mitchell was then brought in , a : id I asked h . m whether he had any arms in hi * pes ^ e .-sion . He na ' . d he had authority to « ell si-il * , acd ie produced a written paper frea ThomnsM , of Birmiagkam ( The li-f-er has vilieady frequently appeared . ) I have i > een Mr . Thomp > on write , and believe ftat io be hi * Land writing ^ After the production of this authority , 1 went into hia chamber and there 1 lound a wocden

      ea . « e , couiaimr-g five fowling piecrs , three musketH , and thtee bay out ts . Those the priioner t aid he had from Th ' . « in »? ou . The nas-. e of Tiomp * on was on them . Ithen went with Mitchell into th-. cellar and foundabta . ee of pUtola . They were iu a small big at the side of tbe wall . Ogb of the r . fficers found two pikes and some pike handles . The officer ' s name is Bowes . I also found two or three printed papers I revived frura-Walker , one of tha o : ! icer ? , twr > \ vo : ks on training by Coljuei MacerfEe . Notlrn . T « -k ? pa- « -i b " -i r « T « - n " in ? ^ nti MiteViull . 1 w = s ; - . - . i-. ixif-trtia . ^ ! n ^ : c-c k y j ;; cn t ;^ ' 20 ¦ : ¦ . > . July . 1 ? n ± 3 s . mvi-uag cc-uvtutu by thx CLA ; ust 8 . Th ? re

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      were fro » 1 . 500 o 2 , 000 persons prmnt It began ia the evening and was fceld for abeat tw « hours . I saw Mitchell and Davies there . I heard both ef them address the meeting . I recollect that Mitchell said to them in one ? part pf his speech that he had ence an opinjoa that it was illegal to arm , but that he should now advise them to have both gun ? , pikes , and pistols , and to Hwearby the God ef Heaven that they would never ceam agitation till they got their rights . There was a cars to apeak from . I recollect Davies saying that he exhorted them to go to church the following morning . He said it was the last time we shall meet there together . The church is the people ' s , and they ought to have it to were from 1 . 600 o 2 . 000 oersons ures ^ nL It Wan

      meet in . Mi tchell spoke a considerable time—perhaps half-an-bour , but Davies not bo long . Thi * was on Saturday evening . On ihe Sunday 1 went to church , and saw both of the prifrsers there . At the church there was a great concourse of people assembled . The church * raa almost immediately filled . I saw both Mitchell and Davies th « sv The church wa 8 filled with persena wh « m I had seldom seen there before and who usually attended meetings of the Chartists . Cro 8 » -exaniined b y Mr . Cottinoham-I iave known Mitchtll three or four year « . He left a small shop before . he came to the beer-houre . There is a s-gn over bis shop ; and another was , lbund in eis house , which was delivered to me . It waa an

      agency for the sale of guns , pistols , &c . I kaow that Birmingham is a great place for . the manufacture of arms . I have another sign about Ihompeon ' s agency . A fowliDg-piece was produced , which was highly ornamented . He could not tell what value it was . He stated that he had arms , and showed me where they were , and produced the authority for the sale of them without hesitation . I attended the meeting , and took notes , not at the time , but in . the course of that evening . I have not the notes of that meeting . I have lost them , and

      cannot lay o » y hands upon them . I don ' t recollect that I have seen my note * of that meeting since the 20 th of July . I said that Mitchell had » poke about hall an hour . He said he had oaee been of opinion that it was illegal to have arms ; but he had changed his opinion since he had seen Lard John Russell ' s letter , and it was iu conncquenc » of it that he had changed his opinion . I know we have had a copy of Lori John . Russell ' s letter . I don ' t know whether it was posted up and down Stockport ; but it was in the newspapers .

      Tbe Attornky-Genkbal—There ia a copy there in Thompson ' s Writing . By the Axtounev-Gkmeral—When these persona we » t to-church , it was to the exclusion of person * regularly going . Wm . Walker « worn— It one of the police officers of Stockport , and accompanied Sadler to . Mitchell ' * house on the 31 st of July . Went with him to the front chamber . Found in Mitchell ' s tw » pikeheadu , and two books ) , which have been produced . Abraham Longson—I assisted Sadler ia examining the premises of Mitchell , and found two letters , one in the cellar , and another in the cupboard in the second room . Broadbent ' s letters were then read .

      James Hammond sworn—I was with Sadler at tbe rime Mitchell ' s houne was searched . I found that paper Kign » d " Tim . Higgins" ( already given ) . I know the man E « sler , and another mentioned in the postscript in the letter . I have heari them addreBs ChartHt meeting ? . ¦ William Hough—lam a constable at Stockport . I west to the premise * of Charles Davies , living : at a pkee called Hope-hill , Heaton NorriH . I believe Davits is a spinmy- by trade . He ha « lately been employed by attending Charti * t meetings . I searched bia premises on the 31 « t of July , about a

      quarterpast threw in tbe morning . I found a pistol , bulletmould , and a quantity of papers , and a small book ia his pocket , « ud a bullet , and Rome percussion cap * . 1 have tbe mould here . I cannot gay whether the moulds are of the same manufacture . ( A handbill being piodactd , the witness said he found it up stairs in his closet , " G . Thompson , gun manufacturer , informs hit friends , &c . " Some other papers which have already been published , were then read . One of them related to the last Kersal Moor meeting . )

      Crosi-examiaed by Mr . Cottikqham-I don ' t know that the la * t meeting went ofl" pssoeably . Joseph Sadler was again eallad to prov * .- what lie found in Thompson ' s hou . < e . Thompson \* a gunmaker at BirrainghasQ . I met him about half-uaut tec in Wniital-atreet , Birna' . igham , for having jios-» eg 8 ion of a quantity of arm » at Chester . On going to his house , I found a namber of letters and three boeks . I charged him with having Bold arms to Junes Mitchell and to Higgim . He said he bad eold nothing but what he had doae in a workman-like manner . He was not

      connected with the Chartisto . He ha £ only on one occasion neen some Men exercising with musketa , and he told them immediately to leav * the place . I told him I must have hi . * correspondence , and he wa * reluctant to let me have it . I toid him it wa » no use objecting to it , ! or if he did not I sheuld take them by force . I had wm « of the Birmingham Police with me . I found several papers and letters . Hipgins ' * letter was produced aad read . Mr . MDju » li ' a and Duke ' s guarantee tor muskeu was We read « l *» o ; andJifcewims an order from Puke for mu-ketn . Anotberr letter from Livaev of

      Manchester was read , which has tiUo appeared . Another letter was read from George Henry Ssaith . Another from Ilawaon , of Bury , orders two fowling pieces in addition to ten muskets . Another was read from Peter Buwey , to the effect that he intended to call at Thompson ' s for arras as be returned from London . There was a great number wanted at Bradford and the surrounding towas . He revoinniended hin \ to come aud bring a few musket * , large pistols , rifles , and matckets . The people were anxiously waiting for them . This letter was directed to George Thorapioa , aa well aa all the other- * . The order boek w < u then piodueed , and neveral memoranda were read . Cross-examined by Mr . Trafford , bat nothing material wan elicited .

      Robert Newton , the deputy-constable of Ashton , was then called . He said he knew Higgins . He had bt-en a spinner , and was once necretary to the Radical Association . He had eeen him at their meetings , and heard him speak . He then related to the Cotrt how he proceeded to seize the aria * at Higgins ' s house , which baa already been fully reported . A paper was put in which is mentioned above in ihe Attorncy-General ' s addrees ,

      headed"Dear Brothers . " Thig bill wan parted on the walls of Aahton-under-Line , on the 6 th July last , in the market-utreet , about a quarter of a mile from Higgins ' * house . They were posted all over the town . A book being handed in to the witness , he said he fouDd it in Higgins ' * bouse . " Col . Macerone ' s Defensive Inntructiins , " and another called "National Convention Subscription Book" wan abo found . Amongst the disbursement * was " eilk for cap of liberty , 2 s . 3 d . "

      Cross-examined by Mr . Hartley— It was two o ' clock when I went to the house . There were no obstruction * offered . I will not answer whether I had any warrant . I knew that there were arm * fn in HigKinn ' * houne by informanon . The ATTORNEif-GENEHAL said this was the case on the part of the Crown . Mr . Cottingham ( Q . C ) , who defended Mitchell and Davis , then rose ani delivered an address cf considerable length , contending that tbe parties had not been proved to have been guilty of an illegal ac , anrl that the prisoners had acted under the advice of L « rd J . Ruiusell in procuring arms . Lord John ' s l « tter to ihe Lord Lieutenant of Chester was read . and severely commented upon .

      Mr . STAiBORt * , who defended Thompson , argoed that in gelling arms he was only following his ordinary aad lawful occupation , and that he was not at all connected with the Chartisis . Mr . Sardley , who defended Higgina , contended that nothing had been proved by the papers found in hia possession , and as to the disorderly meetings , s » far as the evidence yet went , they were proved to be perfectly orderly . The ATTenNH . Y-GEN * RAi , briefly replied , and after the Learned Jud ge bad summed up , the Jury , aftrr having retired a few minutes , returned a verdict of Guilty agaiust all the prisoners for conspir * cy . They were then removed from the dock , to be brought op afterwards for judgment .

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      NISI PRIUS COURT—Thtjk sd * y , Aug . 16 . TRIAL OF THE RET . J . R . STEPHENS . This important ciuie was heard oa Thursday last . Long beford nine o ' clock ( the honr appointed for the opening of the Coyrt ) a considerable crowd surround-4-d tke court , wr . itii % with intense anxiety to hear the case . About a quarter past nina the Learned Judg * , Mr . Justice Fattjson , took hia seat upon the bench , and a Kfcueralrush was made on tha part of those outside to gain admission . The cenrt , which ia a small building , not c : \ pabls of holding more th'iu 300 persons , was cranansedin a few minutes . SsvtTftl Jadicr ; wre present * and most of the aaagwtr * v * ' --I- the coi : ity . About t «'*» nty minstes vast uic : L ( j ( ipt-ck ; jury Vtu ; Cdlid upon tj aasv / t-r ' t © ikeir liases . The following is the Hit : —

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      SPECIAL 9 VB . T . John Hoskyn Harper , of Datenuarn , Esq . James Dull , of Birkenhead , merchant . John Wright , of Marple , Esq . John Murray , of Liscard , £ -q . Samuel Rowe , of Malpas , Esq . John Griffiths , of Birkenhead , merchant , James Kemp , of Tranmere , marchaot . Joun Manthall , of Brinnington , merchant Henry Wood , of Tranmere . merchant . John Meredith , of Tatteuhall , Esq . Fredflrick Berner , of Biritnhe'd , merchant . Robert Hadfield , of Winning ton , rnvrchaat . Mr . Weujby read the indictmoat , charging thn Rev . J . R . Stephens with , " atttendintt an nnlawfcl meeting ; at Hyde on the 14 th Nov . 1838 , seditiously and tomnltnougly met together by torch-light , and with fire-arms , disturbing the public peace , " . fcc The mdictaaent , in two other coohts , charged Mr . Stepneas with , speaking at that meeting . ' . »« . « .. „—

      Sir J . CiJirBKLL ( tbe Attorney-General ) , Mr . Hi . ( the Attorney-General for th&city ) , smd Mr . Jtsnvta appeared for the Crown . The Rev . Defendant appeared inpersoa , and sat * t the bar next to the Aiierney-Genera ) . He waa atlecded by hw 8 > licUor , Mr . J . Law , of Maacheater . The ArroRNEY-GEJiERit ( Sir John CAJiPBfeU ) then rose and said : My Lord , Gentlemen of the Jury—I have tbs honour to attend you a « couaael to conduct this pro ^ ecntiou against the defendant Joseph Ravner Stephens . A bill of indictment tin been fouud against him by a grand jury of the county of Ckeater . You are dow to determine wb . ctb . or he is jjuiltv cr not cuiltv of the offence laid

      to bi » charge . Gratlemen , it humbly seems to me that it in indispensably necessary under . circum » t » nces 8 Uch as will bn detailed to you in evidence , tbat the law should be vindicated , and that rocn offence * should be repressed and punished . The indictment as you heard it opened by my learned friend , Mr . Welsby , charges Mr . StpphenK with a miademeanour , in attending > n unlawful assemblage , and in inciting thwe who were present to disobedience of the law . Gentlemen , this prosecution in no degree trenches upon fair inquiry , which I hope will ever remain unrestrained in this land of liberty . 1 tin no degree interferes with the right of the subject of this free country to meet in a quiet and peaceable manner to concider any grievances that they may

      think they labor niidrr , and to apply by constitutional meant ) to have these grievances redressed . — Gciitlrmen , there may be the freest enquiry , there iaay . be the most ampls means of obtaining riedreas > f grievance ? , without any violation of the law . — Neither in tbix nor in any civilised country can it be endured that meetings should bo heM whero the law in Bet at defiance , and where language may be naed that necewarily and inevitably lead * to a disturbance of the public peace . Gentlemen , as the defendant is charged with having attended an unlawful meetiug , aud taking part there , I would , under tha correction of my lord , point out what , from undoubted authority , i * the law on the subject . In Hawkins ' s Plea * of the Crown , a book of the . highest authority

      there is a definition of an nnlawful assembly which hag been repeatedly recognised—and recognised several times by judge * dariug the present summer circuit in IS 39 . Gentlemen , the indictment cere does not charge Mr . Stephens with an actnal riot , and an actual dutorbacce of tUe peace at the time that this assembly met together . But it charges that he was present and took an active part at this meeting , and that he exhorted the people to do what the law must condemn . Now , gentlemen , a * to what is an unlawful assembly , Hawkins ; alter statin ? the law with regard to riot , and actual disturbance of the Sublicpeaee , * ays , "An unlawful ayseiaWy , " accoring to the common opinion , w a < Ustnrbdnco of the peace by persons assembling together with an

      intention to < io things which , if executed , would wake thtra rioters , but neither executing it nor making a motion to it . This seems to be much too narrow a detiuition . Then he gives a true definition . He says , "for any meetings whatever of great numbord ot people , with such circumstance * of terror as cannot but endanger the public peace aad raise fear * aad jealoosies among the king ' * « ubjecta , seems properly to be called an unlawfulassetably , as where great numbers complaining of a common grievance meet together armed , aad in a war-like manner , to seek the most proper means for the protection and recovery of their interests ; for co ono can foresee what may be the effecr cf such an assembly . " If there be h meeting attested with such

      circumstances as will e&d&c |( er the public peace , and that will caus # terror and alarm among her Majesty ' s nubj * cts , ttiat is to be eonfddfired an unlawful assembly , Hiwkius here gives by way of an example , " where person * com * ; kriatd and in a war-like manner . "He only gives it by way o ^ an example , but by no mt > an . s indicatic ^ that that i » anesgeuiialrequiiita ia a definition of asunla ^ tul assembly . And to remove all doubt upon the .-uhjecr , I would beg leave to refer to the law as laid dovtn by that rsvored and learned judge , Mr . JujticeBnyley , up&n the trial of Mr . Hunt , at York asuize : ? , in the year 1821 . This is the law as laid down by that most learned judge of thu land , and this law has likewise bucu repeatwUy lecognised by his brethren of tha bench , lie , upon that

      occasion , stated the passage from Hawkins 1 have now read , and then he goes en thus—Now tha descri ption theri-, ^ -eutle&sen , k * " great numbors of people meeting with circumstances of terror , as cannot but endanger the public peace , and raise fears and jealousies among the king ' * subject * , " and ha put * for " ¦• ay ctrconu > tances , " ' -armed , mooting in a warlike manner . " This , by no me ana it * necessary to con * stitutc * an assembly aa unlawful a * s * mbly . If , taking all the cir « uin 9 Uuices into coi ^ ideradon , it is iich aa oininot hut endaag « f the public pe&ca , and raue fears and jealousies eiuung th ^ feiug ' a unbject * , it is aH unlawful assembly . " Of that position there could be no doubt , 'l'htreforo , one of tha questions which you will have to consider in thu case

      w—Whether thu was u meeting ot » uch numbers of people , and under such circumstance * , as could not but endanger the public peace . Now there can be no doubt that that in the law , and there can be as little doubt that that is what the Uw ought to be . It is impOKeible to tolerate such meetings of vast nambers of people , attended with such circunutantaa as will eudab ^ er the public peace and causa terror and alarm iu the minds of those who are peaceably disposed . You never can tell what will be tha results of Kuch an- exsembly . It i * wholly ttunecessary for people so to meet ; they can deliberate , they can petition the crown , or either house- of Parliament , without any such circumstances of alum , and without any danger of a violation of the l * w . It will

      be for you , gentlemen , under the direction of my Lord , upon the facts that I will shortly state to you , to determine whether this assembly , of which yon will have an account from th * witnesses , wa » an unlawful aosembly ; whether Mr . Stephens , the defendant , took an active part iu that asawnbly , and whether ke did not upon that occasion use langnege to the multitude which amount * of itself to misdemeanour , and cne of a very aggravated nature . Gentlemen , this meeting took piac * on Wednesday , the 14 th day ui November last . It took place after dark . There was a vant aweablafo of p ^« ple from different parts of that portion of the comity ef diestor , and the adjoining county of Lancaster , Athton .

      Stalybridge , Dukwheld , and other quarters . They assembled in great numbers after daik—i think seven or eight o ' clock —» t a placo called the Otton Tree , about a mile and a half from Hyde , which , in » great manufacturing village in this county of Chester . Gentlerafn , there were assembled , I believe , about 5000 persoa ^ , almost all strangers to the town of Hyde . They had along with them fire-arms . They h « d aim along with then banners of a most inflammatory and culpable nature . Among the banners with inscriptions there were- the following : — "Tyrants believe and tremble . "—¦ ?' Liberty or eath . "— " Ashton demand * Universal Suffrage , or Universal Vengeance . "

      "For children and wife We will war to tha knife . " " He that hath do aword Ut aim ma'l his garment and boy one . " . " ¦ ' : Then there were some- transparencies with inscriptions , and on one of these there vtaa the word "Blood . " Gentleratt , they marched ia procession , six , seven , er eight abreast ; there were loud xhouts from time to time , and from tiaae to time they continued to discharge tire arms . Hansg met as I told yon at the Cotton Tree , they cama jnto procession ¦ U ) aplaco called Flowerj-fiold , aad thence through the town of Hyde , to' a place in the centre of loo town by tho turnpike road , whara hustings were erected . There they assembled and speaking began ,

      there being from time to time shouts and discharges of firearm . ' ) . Gentlemen , you may imagine tha * tae inhabitants of Hyde were very much , alarmed at this proctediBg , and know not what might take p lace before the mornicg dawn . Gentlemen , the leader upon that occasion waa Mr . SfepheBB , » bo defendant . Gflntlemen , I abstain most scrupulously from any allusion to tiie coaduct of that gentlemen , except upon tiii « particular occasion for which ho is now called upon to answer in a court of jnstiCfl : but it ia my dnty to deta . ll ii > yon his conduct and hislauguage upon that occasion . Gentlemen , he mouatod ( he hustings , and address ^ thd atBembl ^ d . multitude . They applauded the aenimen *« which h «» expressed , aad with , their aftpUuse he atillcon .

      tinned to address them in tha same strain . Gentlemen , you will hear from the witnesses lh » language that fce employed . Gentleman , amongst other things ho told them that he had m . ws for them ; tkat he h » d bet n in iho barracks , and that the soldiers would not act against them . He said tint there were several clubs that had bought arms wiih their burning fnnda , aud that the funda set apart by these cIubh for the purpose of the decent iatenae ? it of their member !? , were diverted from that i > unn »«» aud approprialed to tlie buying of arias .. He asked th « nif they were armed . By way of " an . answer ^> that qneistipn there waa a dijch . ' - » rgft of fi > e » : i : >> i . Ho thca -aid , " I 8 ;^ you we r . adi- . " and h * wishej them " '( iood j . i fcbi . " GeiiOn- ^ Hlw «^ eu ; U ¦ , « och as 1 have described ccntinoed iiil ^ % && ¦ ¦^ ATJ ^*'"

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      nearly midiii j 5 ht . They thon took theirMSjjjjjmE i There we pereral baada of anisic ; ri ^^ SiS a BHaiber of torches ard at ciddghv ' -tK torches were 3 t-en blazing through the street * of Hyde , and oh th « roads leading into tho conntry , and at la * t the mnjio died away upon tee distant ear . Now , G ntlf men , if this case be maa ' e out before yon . ttprat evidence , I humbl y conceive that there can beno donbt of the gtdlt of the defendant . This was nnqsestiooably ab u&iawfdl ' wseihbly ; ' " It endangered tne public peac ## and carried terror ant alarm into tbe minds of- tho intabitants of , Hyde . Can th $ re ba any coubt that tho defendant is a !* o tfuilry of the other part of the * charge . Gentleman , kim minist-r of iifi « M » el ofeeac ^! aad 1 do ex . n ^ w « , ?*»« . hT -n , « « . . ' ^ v « .-:- ^ d

      pre « a my cn 5 fcign « d aitonwhasent that a gentleman like Mr . Stephe n * , * hoTunderstand ha « had a liberal edacshtm , 'and from Wn * in , both from his education , and frtan tbe sacral eaUinf tto . which it was supposed . he bad 4 evo » edJum 8 elt . other things misrht bee * pe « tedfromhim than ! he shetdd , tins infla « e the public nund , andnse . langnag « which mjiat neeessarily ltad to conaeqnences of the roost dreadful desenption . When he tells them that ho has been in the banracka , and thafctiw , soldiers wnuld nofr act wainst them , « not that a direct ir ^ citenient fc a disobedience of flielaw ; aye , and > tf insurrection ; tint they are to defy the Jawfoland coostttyted au ! cuontieB of the country ? They need not lje afraid of SPP&QV . ' &t **« # * * S * . *? .. roppreBs . riot and uisrarDwice

      , DecftBift theTamfary win not kct ^ at wui join With-the mob . He then wjolcelt&Se people are--aming ~ that - ^ toft clob » - * ¦ ar « bpy-JDg arms ^ with , their burying fonds . Genflem » n , is not that inciting them to armand to arm for what ? to arm for their del fence agaisst personal violence , pr any attack upon their property ? No , Gentlemen ; " but it is agamst the law , and against ihe lawful authority , to bring about insurrection , and revolution , in the country . He asks them if the / are ready—ready lor wbat , Gentlemen ? Ready for tomult , ready for confoiaon ^ and , I am afraid , jbr bloodshed . Gentlemen , I will not refer to the melancholy effects that happened since that speeca was delivered ; but I ask yoa , as reasonable and intelligent men , whether such a meeting and . » nch a speech , have not a necessary and almost an inevitable tendency to Drirg about a violation of the law , to incite the ooor

      deluded persons who « aay be present afterwards to do acts for which their lives may beccnw forfeited to the laws of the country . Gentlemen , I understand that Mr . Stephens is tD defend himself , an tondoubted nght . that he eajoy » . 1 understand , Gentlemen , that he powessei very considerable talent , and I hava no doubt they will be e *» ted in trying to vindicate himselfagainst thecharge nowbTeoiht against him . You will listen , ao doubt , with oandonr , patience , and attention , to every thing he may urge in his defence . Bat nnlesa he can call ' witnesses , and contradict thftiacts which Twill larbefore yoa , all his eloquence . and ingenuity , Gentlemen , must be in vain , and it will be your duty to . find a verdict of gnilty against him . Mr . STEPHENS then rose , and applied that tb » witne ^ sw might be ordered oni of Coorti Tha * pplicatioa was immediately complied with , and the examination of th » witnesses for the prosecution was entered upon . ,

      William Manley called . By the AttorneyGimeral of the Palatine , J . Hill , Esq . —I am a police , officer at Dukinfield . I was at Dokinfield onthe 14 th of Novp » ber Jast , ; in tbe evening , when an assemblage of a great body of psrsong attracted my attention . ' They were raarcnju * in procesrfon , six abreast . It was about half-past seven o'clock . They had with them lighted torches a&d pots of fire , and banners . They had eotae from Ashton , part of them ; the other part from St&lybridge , and wew proceediag towards Hydt * . I heard a noise—* he report of pistols organs : I counted eleven . I * aw tha prcceesien for about 2 J miles . I left them at a place called Flowery Field , just on the vergi of Hyde . I called on George Miller , the constable , a *

      1 apprehended that a breach of the peace would be committed . I know a place called the Cotton Tree Inn : it is between DBkiDfiild and Hyde , abon | naif way . When th © procession got to the Cottox . Tree I perceived about 500 persons in it . Th ? first procession consisted of about 400 persons . There might be 300 more , or 400 , that joined them at tke Cottox Tree ; they were from New ton . They were walking in procession . They had banners , torches ; and p ots containing fire . They stayed at the Cotton Tree about half an hour , and then went altogether towards Hyde , walking fix abreast tha greater part of them . They want , a * processioni usually do , quifttly : they were firing pistols . 1 followed them a quarter of a mile . They wpre shonting . When I left them then ) vere about 800 men in

      t !« j whole . The Fiowery Field is on the road between tbe Cotton Tree &ad Hyde , and I accompanied them to lhat place . I lelt them there , aa it was the verge of my district aa ' -constable . Miller cot go on . Cross-examined by Mr . Stepbkns : I am a polioeofficer for tha township of D ukinfield . 1 am appinted to my office by the magistrates of the di \ wion , and uot by the rate-payers . Mj conduct has never been brought before tha salect vestry as I know of . 1 wan never brought beforo tha magistrates of AAton for misconduct . I have been brought b ' .-iore them for striking a person ; that I do not consider to b « nsiscondtict . Tke magistrates did not consider it to be misconduct , and I was fined by them for it . I h « ard eleven distinct report of fire-arnu . I did su > t

      • ea ^ those arms , and do not kn « w what they wer * Beiug apprehftnsivft of a breach of the peace , I watehed the procasdinga . I had no time to commonicate with the magitU-atea : I did sot consider it necessary . Tho question of this mef ting wag named io the magistrate * . I was brought before '" the ittxagistrat © respecting it some Aajs after . I -was called upon to-gir <« ^ formation , before tha magistrates at Hydo . These proceedings were inutitutcd against you , in con . « eqii * nce , a tew days afterwards I do not know of your being -called before U » e a »» - gistrates m consequence . The inform ? tion I gam to the magistrates was the same ia substance that I give now to the court . I hava said that the proceasion walked in a quiet and orderly maaner . Mi . Stephms—Are-you aware that any breach of the

      peace has occured svaca in cons quence ?—[ The Attorney-General hero interfered ; and the Juoai said : M I suppose he cuu . ot tell that . " ] I saw do breach ef the peace that night , beyond the Bkots being fir « d and vh » _ people shouting . George Miller , examiued by Mr . Thuplb — In November lvt , 1 was a Spocial Constable in Dukinfield . - On the 14 th of November , application waa made tome by Manley . In consequence of what he told me I went homo and brought my truncheon , and wont to the S > ipe Tavern , in Dukisfield . After i had been there ttoiae time , I obwrvfd a body of people walking i » prooessiea , four or five abreast , besides stragglers . They had banners and a band of music . They were on the public road . They

      were about fifteen or twenty minutes in passing km . After they had pas » ed , I followed them to the Cotton Trea . I did not go farther , as I had baen sworn in as a Special Constable for Dokinfield . ' I ¦ aw torch-light * in tha precession . I did not ae * any fire > pot « . They went quietly away , aad 1 did not mark any noine with this exception : —whilst standing at the Snipe Tavern doer , a mas flrad a pistol near mo , and there was a small laugh at it . Another man , after the laugh , tired a second pistol near my head . My whisker on the right side was jnst winged with the blaze , and on that there was a louder laugh . I wajnol much alarmed , but { he constable with me was alarmed . The shots continued from time to time . I had an op ^ ortwutytrf viewing this meeting from fifteen , to tweoty

      minutes . Cross-examiaed by Mr . Stefhins—I did not soft yon at the Cotton 1 ' ree . 1 have lived in Dokiaiield 30 years . Vhav « heard jron speak before . — Mr . Stephens—Did yon ever hear me speak against the monarchy , or-constirutien , or the laws of this la& 4 ? . I hava heard you excite the people-by speaking of burnings . —Mr . Stephens—That was not my qneatioii .- ' TKd yon ever hear me spemit ag&inst t ^ e monarchy , or the laws of this kiogdom ? I do not know that I have .. I was not alarmedmyself . ' :

      By thu Attobnbt-Gbnebaii—Did not Mr . Stephens , when he spoke about burning * , say something about burnisg biwtiles ? He said that one had boen burnt down in Wales . 1 ptiblicly told him that k was sot so . That was all that was aaid about burnings . Wm . Tinker , examined by Mr . Jsatia , M ; P . for Chester—4 live in Clarendon Place , iit Hyde . I was at Lobms on tho evening of the 14 th of ^ pv . last . I saw a number of parsons coining towards my nonse . ; The iir » t precession l ' saw'warf ' a * about eight o ' clock . Tjaey were in the direction of Rijldlmg-lanft . They were going in the direction of Overleigh Brow , and would lead io tbe Cotton Tree .: About one thousand persons passed rae ; they wera walking ia tha midoleof the road four a-breast . They had' a band of ausic , and torches and banners . . An , inscription on on © of ths , banners was— ' ' ¦ . > . ' - u For children end wife We will war to the knife . " I ' saw another procession about sa hour afterwards . They were coning in the . direclion irom Laae find , in Hyde , past Mr . Hownrd ' a house . I saw th ^ m pa 3 s the corner of Clarendon-place : they were going in a dirdctnm ' to ihe place oi meeting : there we » about five cr six thousand poHons aswsicbk-d . At thaf time I noticed thr-a bands of murtic , and * great many torches and' tr an iparoacien . They were carried about the procosaion in different parts . I saw several red caps carried on poles . " They weea wa ' . kisK from foar to six abreast . The sides of " the road wens qoitetilled . -I have ^^ d ahottbjMntr years in the neighbourhood . I don ' t knowT ^ fSYrt / -. knew cue person in tho procesrion , l looke ^^ li tu * » Fl dowa the pn » c » E 3 ioa , but ci >« ld not ve&xGtSfg iti \ $ 2 Wftila tho procs ? ss' « -ii wa « forming , I Kwtf 3 rc §| ^ V * fe s ^ oi ftfvvarnw at different ihtervuls . h ^ w ^ Sw ^ Al ^^' I w iEscripr ! osj « o- Va bat < sf » , aud 6 $ wJ * -& t ' i » *^ - ^ v " . ( Cou' ^^ i i » ^ Qify pafcfiMikHMti ^ a ? $ SMtt

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      Untitled Article

      AUGTJ 8 T 24 , 1839 . " ' . ¦" ¦ ; V ' '¦ ¦' . ' " ¦ ¦"•'¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ " - ' ""——¦ " ¦ " ^ - ^ ^ --r ^ r- ^^^ : ^ ^^ p——aBB > e ^ HBSBsp fiiin hi , i ig—aasgM — m »^ ~—irnM-rM THE NORTHfiRN STAR * . . ' •¦ ¦' \ x ^ i /^ - """" gggggg ——a « f h i iwniniwisiw m ¦¦¦»! »——i ssa » s » MsMB > s MttJBisMjii r ' i ' ii ¦ ti imiiiaii mi i Trr ^ »'"¦"" ¦ " ¦ " r-J ^ u ^ wj aiLaLJA ^ iaaaaj-Tiii an — iSsif ^ ^^ " l i zM ^ ifiPv

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 24, 1839, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1071/page/3/