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CORRECT RETURNS FOR THE LONDON DISTRICT.
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FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ, AT MANCHESTER.
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BLOODY AND FEROCIOUS ATTACK
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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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OF A BAND OF ASSASSINS , HIRED BY THE LEAGUE , UPON PEAEGTJS O'CONNOR AMD THE CHARTISTS OF MANCHESTER IN WHICH O'CONNOR AND THE REV . MR SCHOLEFIELD ( THE CHAlRldAN ) WERE SERIOUSLY , AND MANY OF THE CHARTISTS DANGEROUSLYWOUNDED .
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS . My Beloved Fhiesds , —What the Birmingham ruffians failed to accomplish , was nearly effected by % hired band of the same faction at Manchester , ob Tuesday last . Yon are aware , that for a length of time , I had been engaged to deliver three lectures at Manchester . I had an object in view by these lectures : that of expounding my notions as to the necessity of establishing a system of small farms , and also my notions upon the Repeal of the Union , and npon the principles of general legislation .
On Monday , I addressed one of the largest , most orderly , and enthusiastic meetings erer held in Manchester . My subject was the Lasd . My second object was to enable oar Chartist friends , by my services , to pay off a htavy arrear of debt incurred in keeping up the Chartist agitation . The ReT . Mr- Scholefield was unanimously appointed Chairman for the course of lectures ; and you will best judge of our numbers on Monday night , when I inform you that at one penny admission , the sum of £ 15 10 s . Id . was received at the door .
During Tuesday , I learned that the League had hired a large body of blad / jeonmw to attend the 11 Repeal ** lecture . A publication , bearing the axme of Edward Watkins , extracted from the Manchester Times , and paid for by the League , was extensively circulated among the Irish , setting forth various fabrications as to iie attacks by the Northern Star and myself upon Daniel O'Connell , and professing aa anxious desire for an honourable union of the good of all classes , for the purpose of acquiring a repeal of the Corn Laws , Universal Snffrage , and the Ballot . This inflammatory document was long in denunciation of Feargos O'Connor . I also received a letter , of which the following is a copy : —
Sib , —Circumstances prevent me from seeing or bearing you "while in Manchester ; but , believe me , I do not natter whea I « ay my spirit and best wishes ire frith yon . O ! Sir , beware of the Danites , Blndjeonites , Cobdenites , and the bloody Whig League , who -will , if they csn , perform the last act of the Birmingham -attempted tragedy , and rid us of oar Fesigas . Test be who hath preserved me for sixty-six years , may protect you , and crown your Iabeura with success , is the constant prayer of yoor Humble Servant , Patbick W . Buchanan . P . S . The bearer is my son ; Please to excuse the imperfection ! of the other side as they are
owing—To want of light and time to thins , Better paper , pen , and ink . Paring the day I learned that officers had been selected for the purpose of marshalling a large body of Irishmen , who , under the command of Warren , Darby , Finigan , aad Duffy , were to receive wages and money for admission . At seven o ' clock , Hargraves , who had contracted for the Hall of Sci « nee , came to my hotel in great excitement , and informed me that a body of about 300 men , with bludgeons , poker 3 , hatchets , and
other weapons , had forced their way into the Hall , and that many of their leaders had taken possession of the platform . He asked ae if he should send for the police 1 I answered "Decidedly not . " Shortly afterwards ihe Rot . Mr . Scholefield arrived at the hotel , and hating learned what was going on , he asked me if he should send for the police 1 My answer was , '"No ; I never will attend a public meeting under tie protection of a police force , neither will I ever be instrumental in procuring their attendant . "
Well , precisely at eight o ' clock , Scholeneld , Lack , Campbell , Har £ reave 3 , Bailey , and myself ^ started in a coach for the Hall of Science . When we entered , the cheering from all parts was deafening . Whan the cheering ceased , & partial howl ww set up on the platform just behind me , and which was responded to by a band in ihe centre of the Hall , and immediately under' the platform . Dofff then proceeded to more that a person named Doyle , ( sot the Chartist J should take the chair . This was seconded amid loud cries of " Scholefield ,
Sehol efiald . " Duffy then proceeded to tike a show of hands for Doyle , when about six hundred hands of three hundred persons , each holding np both , were displayed for Doyle , and for Seholeleld the whole of the remainder of the meeting "held up both hands , giving Scholefield a majority of ii least ten to one in the estimation of many disinterested persons . When the show was taken for Doyle , a person behind me said , You see , tee have -amajority . " » Wait a bit , " said I ; "if yon hare , Doyle shall have the chair : it matters not to me who ihe Chairman is . "
When the show was so manifestly decided in favour of Scholefield , Daffy turned round and said , " Gentlemen , Mr . Doyle will now proceed to take the ehwr , " Mr . Scholefield at this time occupying it . Upon the instant , Seholefield , chair and all , was Hfted from the platform , by a set of rnffians , who collared him , and tore hia clothes to titters . The signal wa 3 then given by a fugleman on the platform , when instruments of all sorts were brandished in the air . I and others seized ScholeHeld and &b chair , telling the Chartists to defend their chairnao- In Ies 3 than half a minute , the mahogany tibls , chairs , g& 3 pipes , and every available article
" « m pieces , some of the chairs and fragments of tables being thro ^ vn down by the ruffians on the platform to the nrffian 3 in the body . These missiles wen immediatel y flung at the platform , some of the assassins having jomped off and several more being knocked off in the general scuffle . I saw one raseal aiming ablowatScholefield ' 3 head with the leg of a table . Scholefield avoided the blow and it came with tremendous force npon the head of some young xatn . I am informed that he is seriously injured . I struck that man in the mouth with my left hand , and knocked him down . At this time , Leach , Campbell , * nd another Campbell , a fine fellow , seized fast hold of Scholefield , keeping him in front of the meeting , w&k another party vraa endeavouring to drag him sway .
The missiles now began to fly in all directions at ftose on the platform , when I went in front , took off icy hat , and cheered the Chartists on . While I * fc in the act of cheering , four or fire of the Charb » 5— young Campbell being the only one I knew—Tnd to the front , and seizing me by the collar jBii bod y , attempted to drag me back , saying Feargus , they'll murder yfcu , that ' s what they have com for . " As they were in the act of pulling ne back , I received a blow of a large stone on the
k" ^ that knocked me down on a heneh . I got op , and now stones , from a pound to three pound ^ agnt , pieces of iron and missies of all descriptions began to fly round me . Whittaker and two « three others seized me by the collar , and while < f » £ S" > g me back , I received a blow of a stone on * ae breast and one in the neck . I then turned ^ OMd to those who held me , and said , "for God ' s » ke let me loose , I must jump down . " Just * s I turned round I received a blow of
» ffle sharp instrument behind , which-cat my hat wwngh , and as I fronted the meeting again , 1 lecemd a tremendous blow from a large stone just above the right eye , which knocked me down , the Wood gushing out copiously . Higginbottom , j HutUfar , and two or three lifted me up and «** &ied me off the platform . Higginbottom and WMtt&te took w into a public house , where I ** shed &e blood off and then we proceeded to my hotel .
Shortly after , Mr . Scholefield arrived with his face « £ fi £ uered in a most shocking manner . He received * dreadful blow from a stone in the mouih leaving * J * ?* cut and loosening hfe teeth , and a shocking wound , —two indeed—one on the nose , ted the other one just in the corner of the eye . ** aj others sahseiuently arrived , all mere or less
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injured . Doyle with bo many wounds , that on leaving the hotel he fell , and was obliged to be taken home in a coach : he is horribly crushed , beaten , and trampled and jumped npon . Campbell got a violent blow on the head ; and Bailey ' s face is wholly disfigured . But this is only a list of the comparatively slightly wounded . About eleven o ' clock , Dr . Hulli , who had been on the pl atform , arrived , and informed us that he had been engaged for more than two hours in dressing the wounds of the Chartitt 3 , two of whom , he said , were likely to lose their intellect and become
idiots for life , while many others were dangerously injured . Oae man fainted while he was dressing his head . Besides those whom I have seen , and those dressed by Dr . Hulli , there are others here much more dangerously wounded . Poor old Swires , a veteran of sixty-seven , is nearly killed . Murray , an I rishman , and also a veteran , president' of the Redfern-street Association , is shockingly mangled ; while poor Raiton has had one of his arms broken in two places , and has been otherwise seriously injured , his head fractured in several places .
Fresh accounts are hourly dropping in of parties who hare been brutally treated , and as those in the body of the hall-were leaving they were knocked down on passing through ten or a dozen ruffians in the streets with huge bludgeons in their hands . Young Mr . Lerercshe , reporter for the Man ~ Chester and Salford Advertiser , was knocked down by those ruffians , and had his head and other parts dreadfully wounded . He is now confined to his bed ; on getting home he discovered that his waistcoat pockets were full of clotted
blood . About eleven o ' clock , Sir Charles Shaw , accompanied by . Captain Sleigh , waited upon me , and in the presence of James Leach , the following conversation occurred : — Sir Chas . Shaw—Mr . O'Connor , I have called in oonsequenee of what has happened , to apprize you , that if any riot or injury to person or property should occur during your stay in the district , I shall hold you responsible , and I am determined when such occurrence does take place , to remove the cause by arresting you .
Mr . O'Coknob—Sir , you have given your determination j now hear mine . Should any violence be done to ne , or to my party , or to the property of my friends during my stay in this district , I shall hold you responsible for every such act of violence . If you are an inspector of police , I am a barrister ; and as you are neither the law or the constitution , take care how you act . Last night , when no disturbance was apprehended , your police were at the
meeting ; when you might have anticipated , from the current rumours , that a disturbance would take place , you had no force near at hand . On Whitsun-Tuesday , you allowed Messrs . Cobden , Potter , Walker , ani others to create a disturbance , and a . gross violation of the peace , and you never interfered ; and you knew that the offenders of that day were to be marshalled for the same purpose , and similarly instigated for this night ' s proceedings .
Sir Chahles Shaw—Mr . O'Connor , I have nothing to do with the magistrates , and I could not , consistently with my duty , weaken the necessary force at other points for tie purpose of sending men to the meeting . A man has been lodged in the lock-up to-night for having struck you , and I shall require your attendance to swear against him to-morrow morning . Mr . O'CojrsoH—I cannot swear to any man , and will not appear . Sir Charles Shaw—If I send a message by a policeman , requiring your attendance , will you come 1 Mr . O'Conkob . —No , becaose I hare no evidence tOgiTSr
Sir Charles Shaw—Well , I thought that more courteous than summoning you ; but I must send you a summons . Mr . O'Cosnob—Then , of course , I pfoll obey the
summons . Sir Charles Shaw—Mr . O'Connor , I hope if I should FIND IT NECESSARY to send a policeman to apprehend you , that you will make no resistance . - Mr . O'Coxsob—Sir Charle 3 Shaw , I understand tou sow : this is but PRELIMINARY to anothkb stop ! however I know my duty too well , and have too much respect for the laws to violate them by disobeying-anthority ; if yon sead a policeman for me , I shall go quietly with him : bat take care what you are about , for , most assuredly , after what has transpired at this interview , I shall feel myself bound to apply to the Secretary of State for the Home Department as to your jurisdiction . You appear to have wholly mistaken yonr power .
Here the conversation ended . One of the parties who was foremost in the fight was apprehended on Tuesday evening , and handed over to the police . He was brought up for examination this morning , and having been convicted , wa 9 bound over to keep the peace . I was called on as evidence againrt him , but knew nothing whatever about the man . Well , to my surprise . I learned that Duffy , the ringleader of the Plague , had applied for a warrant against me for striking him , and knocking him off the platform into the body of the Hall ; and , after a very long and patient hearing before Mr . Mande , the
very best Magistrate I ever saw , the case was dismissed the Chairman stating that he much preferred a blow of a fist to the cowardly practice of throwing stones in a crowd . I should , in justice to the Chairman , state , however , that one of Duffy ' s witnesses * plamply contradicted Daffy ' s evidence , - by stating that he did not see me strike Duffy , nor did he think that I could have done so unnoticed by witness . It is now over : and I most solemnly declare that I
did not touch Duffy any more than the man in the moon . The whole of the furniture of the splendid Hall was smashed to atoms ; some of the forms were cut up with HATCHETS brought , for the purpose , and my only surprise is , that some hundreds were not mnrdered . Resolved not to be intimidated , we have issued placards that I will this ( Wednesday ) night deliver my lecture upon the Repeal of the Union . And no . satisfied with last night ' s work of destruction , the town is posted with large posters to the following effect : —
" Ibishken Rkpealebs of the Uhion , assemble to-night at the Hall of Scibscb is toub THOUSANDS , TO MEET THE ENEMIES OP DaJUEL O'Connell , we have gained a victory—attend to-night aiid we will complete ocr victory . " Now , there are forces immediately at the disposal of ihe moral-force Corn Law Repealers of Manches * ter , and to their use has a portion of the £ 10 , 000 made at the Bazaar , been appropriated ; and these forsooth are the parties with whom the Chartists are asked to unite . Chartists , this is the second
attack made upon me and other Leaders , as an earnest of the good intention of those who cry out union . I bare the heartfelt pleasure to inform yon that the trades of Manchester hold a meeting this evening , to be attended by delegates from every shop , and the prevailing opinion is that , in a body , all will come o at for the Charter , but only on condition that it is not to be mixed up with any other question . Is this , then , the time fob surbejtdek 1 No , my friwids , oswam > aicd we cokqoee , back-WABD AKD WJi PALL . THE ChABUSB AJfD NO
SUB-&ENPZB . The Second EditkHi will contain a report of this night's proceedings , with a » y further circumstances which maj fetawpire in connection with the bloody attwnnt of the League . Mind : I blame no * tb-s Irish half so much as those moral-force coward T fisd . paj and money to defray all the exper . ce of ^ $ seal-ibwe aggression and printing , " i ^ fr
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now are the" moral" and who the ** physical-force " parties ! Not one Chartist at the meeting had even a rodi n bis hand ; and were brutally set upon as I haTe stated . Unite and e firm . Ever your faithful friend , Fbargus O'Connor . ¦ Manchester , Wednesday . P . S . I have just seen Leach , and . he informs me that £ 5 were offered to any man who would throw me off the platform into the body of the Hall , and , moreover , that many of the Irishmen of the Repeal party are thoroughly disgusted with the brutal affair : and it will shortly be proved that each man
who attended was paid one shilling for his services , and a penny for his admission . The League has paid for the reprint of Watkin ' a inflammatory publication , and also for the bills now generally posted , calling on the Irishmen to complete their triumph to-night . Men of all parties and politics , with the exception of the League , are disgusted beyond expression , with this last kick of the expiring faction . One Chartist jumped from the gallery , a great height ; he is secretary to the Miles Platting Association . I regret to Bay that the poor fellow is seriously injured . The greatest excitement prevails as to this night ' s meeting . , Yours , F . O'C .
Thursday Aftebnoon . —The Manchester Mail has just brought us an account of the Wednesday evening ' s lecture , which went off as peaceably as if no one but the lecturer had been in the room , though the Hall was " wedged until not another human being could be squeezed into it . Ruffians are ever cowards , and so the "League ' s" bludgeon-men , when they saw the working men ready to receive them , were as quiet as mice . The night before they had it all their own way , few working men being present , it having been agreed that they should attend the first and third lecture , and leave thesecond to the Irish O'ConneUite Repealers , with whom it appears that Mr . O'Connor's arguments are far less powerful than the 14 League ' s" blood-money .
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During the last week , this town has been placarded , announcing that the above gentleman would deliver three lectures . The following is a copy of the placard : — " Men of Manchester , —Feargos O'Connor , Esq . will deliver three lectures , in the Hall of Science , Campfield , on Monday , Tuesday , and Wednesday , the 7 th , 8 th , and 9 th of March next , 1842 . The lecture on Monday evening will be on the land and
its capabilities . That on Tuesday evening , the 8 th , will be on the Repeal of the Legislative Union between England and Ireland . And that on Wednesday evening , the 9 th , on Clas 3 Legislation and Government . Admission to the bodv Of the Hall one penny ; Gallery twopence ; and Platform sixpence . The proceeds , after paying necessary expenses , will go towards the payment of the outstanding debts of the National Charter Association . Doors open at six o ' clock . Chair to be taken at eight . " Signed by order of the Committee ,
" John Murbay , Secretary . " Mr . O'Connor having promised , when he first entered Manchester after his liberation , to deliver a course of lectures at the first opportunity , great anxiety was manifested as to when that would be . The notice having appeared upon the walls last week has led to very great excitement , both in Manchester and surrounding district . The Committee , in arranging for the doors to be opened at six o ' clock , took a very creditable , because wise and judicious step , inasmuch as it prevented the rush which would have been the
consequence had they been closed till a later hoar . Two hoars before the time of meeting , groups ( in order to secure a place , anticipating that the capacious room would be crowded ) were seen wending their way to the place of meeting . When we entered about seven o ' clock , the room , which is capable of holding upwards of three thousand , was three parts filled , and was filling at the time very rapidly . In order the better to pass the time , the Salford Chartist brass band ,, who had volunteered their services to the good of the cause , played a few lively tunes . The hall was briliantly lighted up with gas . A large number of middle class men were in the gallery , and a good sprinkling of females . The platform was crammed with respectables to excess , and the body of the hall was completely wedged
with Mr . O'Connor ' s real genuine "blistered hands , " fustian jackets and unshorn chins . So anxious were the people to get a glance of the expected lecturer , that as gentlemen entered the platform they , expecting it was the great chief , commenced cheering and continued until they discovered their mistake . By eight o ' clock there was one dense mass of closely packed human beings . About ten minutes after 8 , Mr . O'Connor entered the platform by a side door , and the effect produced on his appearance was truly electrifying , and beggared all attempts at description . There was one feeling of euthusiam through the whole meeting . Mr . John Murby moved , seconded by Mr . G . Hargraves , that the Rev . Mr . Schofield do take the chair , which was carried by acclamation .
Mr . Schofiexd , on coming forward , was greeted with several rounds of applause . He said he was happy on the present occasion to meet his fellow townsmen again . He and they had come together for the same purpose , viz . to hear their worthy friend give them a lecture upon the land . As the subject would , he had no doubt , to them equally with himself be a new subject , they would feel as much interested in it as he was—( hear , hear ) . He then claimed a fair hearing for the lecturer , adding that after he had finished he ( Mr . O'Connor ) would answer any questions which might be put to the satisfaction of every individual . He would preside to the beBt of his ability , and as men of judgment , he conld entertain no doubt that their conduct would
be creditable to themselves as well as gratifying and satisfactory to their esteemed lecturer —( cheers ) . Having made these few remarks , he would with great pleasure introduce the worthy lecturer—( cheers ) . Mr . O'Connob then rose , amid general cheering , clapping , stamping , and other marks of applause , which lasted a considerable time . On silence being restored , he said that , as had been observed by their Chairman , he was going that night to propound to them a subject which was somewhat new . He did not think there could be a more appropriate time to advance his opinions upon this subject than the present —( hear , hear . ) He did not come there as a hired lecturer , to support principles to which his
heart was not attached . He came there to advocate principles to which he had been long wedded—the developement of which would , he trusted , be highly beneficial—as a thorough knowledge of them was requisite for the future stability and progress of the cause which he and his friends bad espoused—( cheers . ) His lecture that evenisg would be divested of personalities , abuse , slander , and declamation ; and , as such , he believed it would command their attention . They were called upon , after tea years' administration of the Whigs , which was- to have been a cure for all evils ; and seven or eight months ' of administration of the Tories , to look for a medicine for a disease of the body politic wbisb would become chronic , if it was not destroyed bv
some skilful hand . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) And sorry should he be , for the purpose of popularity , to propound to them a principle , which was not practicable . It would be for him that even * ing to make a breach upon prejudice , and thus-make converts to their principle . There was no good to be obtained from a medicine , however eScacious so long as the bottla was kept corked . There was no nse in propounding a remedy , without the ability and power to appls it— ( ch « ers ) .. There was no use in propounding any thing so long , as eoual , fair , and unrestricted legislation wa&desieti ; until the people were fairly repBesentei , his scheme oouldnotbe of any avail . For tea . years the system had been is a state
of political abase . It waa known that the remedy of its Whigs &ud Tories was quackery , as » nostrum for the present evils of society . The land gave parties unvotes and votes gav © the power in the GoyennwaL I * 1832 , the Government was elected uvier & perfect understanding amongst the people tb . at it would for ever destroy and prevent a boroughraongtring Parliament ; yet , after ten years influence of suck Parliament , they saw Bobby again in office , supported by a majority of 123 borough * moagerB in the House 01 Commons . Then they would ask themselves who they were that had placed the present party in the ascendancy ? So Ions ** one man ' s property constituted anv-ther man ' s tifcte
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to vote , aided by other influences which at present existed , so long would the power be monopolised for eiass interests , and they , the people , would be placed m the condition they thea were * Mr . O'Connor then showed how the ten pound tote with ^ its qualifications was nearly the same as £ 20 for a house before the vote was secured ; and that the land gave the votes , and the Totes gave polK tioal power . He then went into the system of wholesale letting the land instead of retail , and thus being applied for the sustenance of the people . The distress of the country was admitted on all hands ; and tho man who could produce a remedy , with the least possible disorder and with the least confusion , would prove most beneficial— - ( hear .
hear . ) The land produced wheat , and wheat , bread . Mr . O'Connor then went into the system of rentals ; and argued that under a proper regulation , there would be no necessity for the people to be dependant upon Poland , Russia , or Prussia , for a breakfast . He then showed how the land had secured the farmer ' s vote ; corroborating his statement by the fact of he himself being a barrister-at-law , and a practical agriculturist , which had given him every opportunity of having a proper knowledge of the subject . He next showed the relative position of the artizms under the smoke-ocraoy , and the labourers under the sodrocraoy in doing which ho elicited loud cheers .. As they could not , with any degree of propriety , either ttx , restrict , or stop the
improvement in machinery ; the question came next , how they could so regulate ic as to prove man ' s , holiday instead of , aa now , his carse—( greats cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then made a supposition of a man - ' -. placed ' upon land a distance from Manchester , and a man in the manufacturing town ; and argued , ( having given his statistics as to what the man upon the land could produce , ) that as soon as the manufacturing operative was thrown into the streets by tho introduction of machinery , he would go out to the man upon the land , and ask how he lived , and the . answer would be , that he worked so many hours to the day , and 280 days to the year , and his family , seven in number , eat plenty of good bread , garden vegetables , and thus lived as
God and nature designed—( cheers ) - —and have at the end of the year £ 40 to spend in the market—besides the quantity of wool and flax which he would be enabled to obtain—( hear , hear . ) He then showed up , in a clear and logical manner , the artificial system , which forced man to fill the pawn warehouses with goodB , while he was himself going naked . Mr . O'Connor here challenged refutation respecting his calculations . Parties who scarcely knew whether they dug potatoes but of the ground raw , or that they grew ready buttered , may attempt to contradict hia statement in their newspapers , but never to confute them by fair argument , indeed , instead of confutation , it was botheration—( cheers . ) In the artificial system of life , there was
manhood , middle age , and mtancy , rising , eating , and sleeping all at once . Mr . O'C , argued then upon the efficacy of the Charter in putting an end not only to this state of things , but to prevent crime , and drunkenness , and elevate character . He then shewed , by fair calculation , that instead of not being Capable of maintain ^ 27 , 01 ) 0 , 000 , it would provide sufficient for 80 , 000 , 000 to live in comfort , peace , and happiness : and contended that tho universal cry should be , restore , restore , restore?—( cheers . ) The railway travelling bad been the same to the horses , as machinery had to them . In proportion as railway travelling advanced , the horses were reduced in value and deprived of their corn . They were reduced in their feeds until they were sold to the
knacker for horse flesh for the dogs—( hear , hear . ) He then shewed the sayings of the man , who lived upon his estates , doing the work by hand instead of horse power , giving facts and figures for every position he took ; shewing that what it would take in food te keep thirty horses would maintain three hundred nun , in addition to what he shewed could be saved by his plan of manuring the land and deducing likewise from his foregoing arguments and premise ? ! that it would stop the influx of foreign corn , give high wages , cheap bread , and plenty of employment . He looked with little confidence and gre » t suspicion upon those who were for making them comfortable all at once . If they were pained at the heart , as he was , to see the gaunt
misery , wretchedness , and distress , stalking through the land , and to witness the pale countenance ? , and the emaciated constitutions , as the result Of long confinement , noxious atmosphere , starvation , hunger , and despair , they would assist in the alteration of the system . After touching upon several other topics , the talented lecturer said , that it waa his conviction , that if the Almighty was to send down a shower of gold in Stephenson ' s Square , the authorities would form a line of military round it , backed by a line of rural police , to prevent the people from receiving any benefit from it , so that in due time they might reap the benefit of it ; themselves . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) He then gave some excellent and well arranged calculations on
the land question , and when he had explained this part of his subject in such a manner as to come home to the capacity of all present , he declared that if the Whigs had performed their promises and had done their duty to the people , and introduced the principles of the People ' s Charter , they would have destroyed Toryism , and for ever— ( hear , hear , and loud cheering ) . Mr . O'C . then showed the fallacy of the steam lords who assert that there were more mouths than food to feed them , and illustrated very plainly that they had themselves made food dear to the operatives and filled their own pockets . If a cotton master having 1 , 000 hands under his employment reduced his hands 4 s . per week , he took from them more than would supply them with bread for a
week , and put £ 400 into his own pocket every year of his life . The lecturer went on to shew how it operated to the injury of the shopkeepers , by taking money out of circulation , preventing the people from purchasing necessaries , and , consequently , prevented it from coming into their tills—( hear , hear , )— -and argued that it would ultimately fall upon the smokeocracy themselves , by reducing them to beggary . He next showed how the large manufacturers had competed against the small ones , and driven them out of the market and to bankruptcy ; and to such a pitch was the system brought , that there was no certainty in the investment of money . A widow , through the inducements which had been held out respecting the large per centage she would
receive , had invested £ 10 , 000 m a railway or some such undertaking , at the time whea she expected to receive the interest due , she was met by the directors , who told her they were very sorry to inform her , that owing to the speculation being a failure , both interest and stock was ftwallowed up—( cheers . ) He then adverted to the tract published by the Rev . Baptist Noel , who ho said had been made chaplain for writing fallacious nonsense , aod he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had not been made a Bishop for answering it . ( Load cheering . ) Every man , said Noel , in order to shew the benefits of machinery , could produce £ 200 worth of goods by it and steam . What , or how much , was the working man ' s share ? Mr . O'Connor then compared the relative position of
the landlords , who had many of them their estates mortgaged , with the cotton lords , who had boaetod of being able to purchase the estates- of the landlords . He then handled some statements © f Dr . Bowring . This gentleman had stated that a working man eat a quarter of corn pet annum , and shewed how many ( juarters of wheat the money taken from the operatives would purchase , followingnpthis b y comparing how much the working , man bad for his share with what our beautiful ; Queen received , contending by such rules-the Queea either eats or drinks all tbe oats and barley which are imported into thi » country , adducing , figures according to " Cocker "' to- bear him ou > - ; ( cheers , ) The lecturer then went through the / various hands into
which the loaf had to fail before the working man could have his ViiB ^ mtt ; h as £ 10 , 000 { 900 tothe Church ; £ 29 , 000 , 000 to pay the interest of the National Debt ; £ 23 , 00 « # 0 Q . to support ^ the Government ^ and Standing Army , ; profit class ¦ £ 140 , 009 , 000 ' ; besides the idlers , paupers * and pensioners , who had to be kept out of the poor man ' s earnings „ and taken from tne sack—( cheers . ) He wished them to take the clog off , and Level the waters which they «© old only do by giving , to every man a vote . Did they want 2 , 000 , 000 of quarters of whea >! Why ,, then , take £ 4 . 000 , 000 front the churcS . Did they want 4 , 000 , 000 £ qparters ^ take £ t , 000 , 0 fift from the church , and if more , take £ 1 ^ 000 , 000 ; which would open to tbem them the sanctuary of 5 , 000 , 000 of quarters £ wheat , for themt—OaughtusO Did they , want mace , sweep off the Itebt . the Army money .
&o . &c—daughter and applause . ) Then the nobisb men might have their parks , race caarees , andpkftsure grands . But neither party would do that ; | o * . would thej ask them ( thojeople ) to doit- ( hear , hMr ) Although the Government of the oawitry was a Tory one , the y * the people , were under local authorities : their lives and properties were -wider tho command of th » local authorities . Whea Masters wished to rednee wages they applied to the local authorities to furnish them -with Rural PoKee to assist them to cany their designs into execution . There was the police to bold them in subjection or walk the streets , and the . ' BastUe yawning at them if they dare kick against oppression ; they knocked them down with the Poor taw and kept them down with the Rural Pop . ce . Mr . O'Connor explained the manner in w \ iich the manufacturers induced the people to come from the agricultural districts in the plenitude of
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their prosperity , and how whole families were sold like goods in the markets , and now machinery had rendered them useless they turned their backs upon them , which had , in the first . place , taken the labourers from the land , and in the second place had been the means of preventing more corn from being grown than what was , and threw the land into grass ; land —( hear , hear , and cheers . ) They wished them to turn back again ; the operatives answer no , they would not ; they womld rather remain slaves-aa they were than adopt a s £ ep which would shew their own folly , and howgrossly they had been deceived , and their , the master ' s , iDgratitnde . The conduct of the masters in that respect put him in mind of a gentleman , or rather a Scotch carrier , who made a practice of tossing ud as to whether
his horse should have a feed of corn , or himself a glass of grog ; but it never happened that the horse won . At length he tossed him over a cliff , and killed the animal , which brought him to reflection ; a . ad then he exclaimed , " Would to ( Sod he had looked to the animal that supported him . " The manufacturers would ere long turn and say , that if they had looked more to the interest of the people , instead of all to themselves , they would have supported them . ( Cheers . ) Lord John Russell would say , "Would to God he had depended upon the people , instead of the aristocracy , " and then he would have been able to destroy the sting of Toryism , which will , sting him to death—( laughter . ) The people would have been satisfied had he not cried " finality . " . but wroflresaion . Yes . bat some of
his opponents asked whether there was not the same misery in Ireland aa in England . Mr . O'Connor then alleged ' -that it was the same circumstance in both countries which caused the poverty , namely , the labourer being deprived of his vote . The labourer knew that if he laid out £ 2 in lime for the improvement of the soil , he would be doing it for the landlord to receive the benefit instead of himself —( " hear i heari ? from the Irishman . ) The lecturer then went through many statistics , Kroving the capabilities of the land , and showing . bir ' . ji . wpnld produce more wheat , cattle , butter cheese , frnit , lie ., and contended that the industrious portion , of the community could get none of it . The question with them was how they could get it ?
It was not by putting a large loaf and a small one upon the top of the pole which would satisfy them , because it was equally as easy to put a large one as a small one-H ( hear , near ) . Cheap and dear were relative terms , and it would make the poor man's heart burn to see the large loaf , if he had not , at the same time , the means of purchasing it —( hcar , hear ) . Mr ; O'C then shewed that a reduction in taxation , unless the people were properly represented would be of no benefit to the many , and instanced the tax taken off leather , and many other'things , had not made shoes , &c , any cheaper to the working man . He likewise iiamed several places where corn could be grown cheaper ; but under the piesent system , these who stood betwixt the corn and the working
man would monepolise all the benefits to themselves . He would put a question to the females present , who would be able to give him a correct answer . Had they not gone to the baker ' s shop for a stone of flour , for which they might pay , for the sake of argument , 23 . 6 d ., and in a short time after , perhaps only the next day , they have applied again , and there bad been in the meantime a storm , and without the least interference of Parliament , it has risen to 3 ' . a stone . ( Females- " That ' s true . " ) One night ' s storm would raise the flour ; but it would take three months' sunshine to bring it down again : the bakers' thermometer was regulated by " the sun -r- ( cVieer 8 . ) Mr . O'Connor then related an anecdote concerning himself and his butcher , the substance of
which is the following : —Hoiwanted a shoulder of mutton . The butcher brought him the whole quarter to look at . He ( Mr . O'C . ) told him to cut off the shoulder : the quarter itself was only 2 s . 6 d . ; but when the shoulder was cut off , he asked him tb > price , and the butcher told him it was 2 a , 101—( laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor asked him the reason , and the reply was , "that cutting off ; the shoulder had spoiled the ribs "—( laughter . ) , Now , it would be of no service for him : to go through the countiy if the people were well clothed , well fed , and well sheltered . Ho wanted to bo arrange matters as to Ut every man be a consumer as well as a producer , instead of the present system , which caused them to lire from hand to month . Tho masters took every
opportunity to make inroads upon the rights of labour , and when resisted and remonstrated with about it , they conceived they had accomplished a victory , when they had beaten their poor workpeople . They , when questioned upon such improper conduct , would reply , ** Do you think that we are going to succumb to the licentiousness of a domineering , ignorant , impertinent multitude ? " The lecturer gave this in a satirical tone , which nearly convulsed the audience with laughter . He nex t mentioned a case of reduction ofMorley and Bodeu , at Derby , and gave a true description as to how it would operate against the shopkeepers by taking to the tune of £ 300 per week ; from their tills . He mentioned this at the meeting whilst he was there , and the shdpkeers wished him
to repeat it again . He did so ; and then they could see it , and began to scratch their heads—( laughter . ) These gehilemenr , too , were Corn Law Repealers—( hear , hear . ) It was more politic , more prudent , more wise , more statesmanlike , more philosphical to look to the land of their own country than to look to the land of Poland . If they were to have a repeal of the Corn Laws , withV out accompanying measures , it Would bring about bloody revolutions , and nothing could prevent it but the Six Points of the Charter —( loud cheers . ) They wanted cheap food and cheap labour , in order to rneet ihe foreigner ; but , in order to do : that successfully , they would have to adopt a system of cheaper freightage , and other things , before they
could undersell the foreigner , if the present taxation was retainod . Besides , the inventions and iraprovements , and bringing ia now machinery , would be a barrier against the working man receiving any benefit , was there to be an extension of trade by a repeal of the Corn Laws—( cheers . ) The cotton masters had jumped out of fustian into broad cloth , but would they jump baek again i Whilst the Whigs were in office , the people were called destructives who called out for a change ; but no sooner are they on the other side of the Treasury Bench , and 123 of a majority against tbem > . than they are so enraged that they cahoot earry on their agitation without setting fire to straw men—( cheers . ) One of the ministers of the gospel had eH ^ aged to do the work of the fell destroyer . He would bring 100 , 000 starving operatives from Manehester to
groan at the Tory Members , and shout for a- Repeal of the Corn Laws . Mr . O'fconnor said he would chance that . He would take the command of them , and see that they-did not starve ; and , if they brought them up Repealers , he would tying them back Chartists . He then went into a vaxiaty of subjects—spoke for two hours—during whi « h . time he proyed himself a good genesal , a sound politician , a statesman , a clever reasoner , a patriot ^ and a Christian . He wa , s listened to by the audience with marked attention , Only interrupted with , cheers ; and , whea he concluded , the cheering was- really deafening . . ^ ¦ :. ; .. \ - V - ¦ -- . ' > C : ' ' . ¦ ¦' ; . . ';'" , ; ' ; - . . Three oheers Were given for the Charter , O'Connor , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and the Northern Star . '¦'¦ . : " - ¦ : .. ' - -v ' , ;¦ . : - - - ' ¦¦'¦ ¦ 'V ' A vota of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting dispersed , highly delighted .
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NpTTi « eHAM .--At the weekly meeting in the Democratio Chapel , several new members : were enrolled . Thanks to , and confidence in feargus O'Connor were enthusiastically voted ; V ONSimi > ATr AyxEBNop » Jlr . Dean TBaylor preached on Nottingham Forest to a numerous and respectable audience , and again in the evening at the Chartist Chapel , Arnold , to a mast crowded meeting . CoHt Law Repkaiers Canvassing fob Signa-Tuimsk— -A week or two ago , Wrn . Nelson and Wo . Sills employed as canvassers for signatures , went to BixmiBsham and Nottingham ; and stated to the
Chwttste there , that they had been authorised by the Chartists of Nottingham , to eaJl and request their sigoaiures to the Coin Law Petition , which proves to be a complete imposition oa the part of the hired Wkigtoola . ; :: --: : ' " . ' : ' ¦ ;' ' : ^ -: ' -- > - ' ^ i '¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ - ' . ' '" ' - . v . Thk € oNVEiirraeNJ—All persons having petitio * sheets on hand for the great national in Nottingham 8 hire , will be active and get them filled , and return them to the Secretary of the district , ( Mr . W . Russell , care of Mr . J . Sweet , Goose-gate , Nottingham , ) and all monies for the Convention most be made payable to Mr . J . Sweet , Goose-gate , Nottingham , as early as possible , by a Post-Office
MnHOutaoTD . —Any lecturer wishing to visit this place most have previous correspondence with James White . Mytholmroyd , and bring his credentials from the sub-Secretary of the association to which he belongs . ' : ' : ¦/ : y . ¦ : ¦; ; - ¦' . '¦'¦'¦ . ; ¦ : "; - \ -v - ' \ - - ; ,.: ;¦ , ¦ ' , V ; f ! :. ' / : . ' BoBTON-WoN-Tawra . —On Monday evening we had a splendid Chartist tea party , got up at a few days notice , by the active Chartist members of this place , when about ninety sat down to tea . TwssnAT ^ r-On this day , Mr . Taylor , from Nottingham , lectured in Mr . TysackV large malt room . It was said to be the largest in « door meeting ever held in thiB town .
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Ketttms furnished per Wheeler . Far Maynirf . Mr . M DouaU ...... 7 T > 6 ... 4 fr Mr-Ridley — .... MS ... 9 Mf , Stallwood ...... 251 ... 32 Mr . Parker ........ ; 218 ... IS Mr . Fussell ......... 165 w 1 Mr . M ^ Grath ...... 145 ... 2 Mr ^ Watkins ... 113 ... 9 Mr . Knight ......... 51 ... Mr . Benbow ...... ' 68 ... Mr ; Robert 8 ^ ... i ... 60 ... 5 Mr . Barmby ...... 58 ... 6 Mr . Balls . ; ..... ; ... ; 56 ... 19 Mr . Fox ............ 6 : ¦ v « 2 Mr . Rainsley ...... 2 ... I . Mr . Robsoa .. ; ...... 1 ... Mr . Martin ......... 1 ...
The London men will perceive that I have this week inserted the last returns from London , and the returns this week are for the three same individuals that were returned last week , viz ; M'Douall , Ridley , andStallwood . v ' ..- ? - ' :, - .- : ' . ; . - .. . ¦ ¦ . ' . ¦ ' . . ' . ¦ . ; .. ¦; ;; . ' - ' :. ;¦ . Mr . Morling has resigned , consequently Mr . Bartlett , of Southampton , will be the candidate elected in conjunction -vritn Mr . Woodward , of Brighton , for Hants , Sussex , and the Isle of Wight . ¦ : - ; - . : : . " - . - . ¦ y ' : - : - .- . . ¦ ¦ ¦;• ¦ - . ; - ; .. . : " / - . ¦ ¦' . ; Last week the number of votes from Wigan , Bolton , Chowbent , and Redfern-street , Manchester , oogh t to have appeared . I mislaid them , and did not perceive the error until the Star appeared ;
LANCASHIRE RETURNS . c vi :. : ¦ : . - . ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ - £ ¦ * 1 ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦§¦ ¦ ^ j Bfl " 4 ^^ , . . ¦ . . S . hi -. ;• , ¦« : . . * Q ' Last week ' s Star 548 606 1 « 66 165 Wigan . ... 33 14 5 47 Chowbent ... — 10 20 33 Bolton ... . ; ,. 44 54 AS 15 DERBY , LEICESTER , AND NOTTINGRAM , RETURNS . : I i'i i ' * 3 - * . >» > i . - ' & ¦ ¦ & ¦ : .. $ ¦ dS : Nottingham ... 650 471 345 283 Leicester ... 348 112 158 468 Derby ... 48 47 79 124 Total , 1046 630 582 875 The Derby * Leicester , and Nottingham returns arrived too late for insertion last week . - J . CAMPBELtj Sec .
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Sowerbv , —On Sunday last , Mr . P . M . Brophy , of Dublin , delivered a very able lecture at this place . : ; . .. ,-. " . ' -- - . .. ;; , ¦ : - ; .,- ; . ;• . .. . - ' ¦ :-.. ; ¦ Leicesteb . —Our * ' Shaksperean Association" this day ( Tuesday ) nambers 934 . The " complete spffragers are trying every scheme to draw off the people ; but all their efforts only serve to bring out the " workfes" in greater nambers , to the open and dotermined support of the whole Charter . Mr . Cooper preached to a crowded audience , in the
Shaksperean Room , last Sunday night ; and on Monday evening a densely crowded assembly listened with inconceivable interest to an address of two hours' daration from Mr . Duffy , the late tenant of the Northallertoh " Hell-hole . ' * The audience were alternately melted into grief , and kindled into exasperation , at the patriot ' s recital of his sufferings ) eneath Whig rule ; and , anon , urged to uproarious laughter by the flashes of the speaker ' s wit couched , as it is , in the richest vein of the brogue of green Erin . His visit will be lotg remembered .
Glorious News . — -Chabtism in the Ascknpaht . --On Friday week , a gentleman of the name of Winks , a member of the Town Council , Chairman of the Select Vestry , ( and who , in the days of Reform agitation , took a very prominent part , but , like too many of the middle classes , has since beea pretty silent in the enjoyment of office , frequently opposing Chartist principles , and denouncing both publicly and privately the leaders who have figured conspicuously in defence of the people ' s rights ) announced by handbill hia intention to deliver an address in the ¦[ Town Hall , ¦ •* On the necessity of a union of the middle and working classes , to secure & full and fair representation of all classes in the Commons' House of Parliament . " The Chartists of All
Saints' Open , with Markham at their head , attended to watch the proposals of this middle-class conciliator , and adopt such step 3 as , on the spur of the moment , should seem most essential to the interests of Chartism . The Hall , which is computed to hold two thousand peoplo , was crowded to overflowing ; Mr . Winks appeared at the tiine , and was received coolly , without a cheer from Whigs or Chartists . Hd laboured through a long lecture , in which he professed an agreement with all points ; of the People ' s Charter , save one- —Annual Parliaments ; to this le objected , and preferred TrieDnial . The meeting , however , would admit of no exceptions . After
excellent speeches from Messrs . Markham and Bowman , they adopted unanimous ] / , and with load cheers , a resolution for the whole Charter , "bristles , snout , tail , and all , " as the only remedy for onr national ills . , Mr . Winks , eying Markham and Bowman , said , "I expect these gentlemen are preparing to ^ iyo three cheers for the Charter ; but let me first have three for 4 the right of all residents to a vote . " ( " No ; the Charter . " ) No sooner said than done . "Now , let me have three , " said Mr . Winks . (" No ; Feargus O'Connor , ") which was responded to as before . The meeting broke up at a quarter before eleven o ' clock , and all parties appeared highly gratified with the result . r
LoNDoK .-r-The O'Brien prefseommittee met last Monday evening at the Dispatch Coffee House , Bride-lane , Fleet-street , Mr . Johnston in the chair . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Mr . Latuche gave in his credentials to sit on the commiitee from the Chartist tailors of the Red Lion King-street , Golden-square . Messrs . Wm . Hogg and Johnson were appointed to wait ou Mr . Morton the late secretary of this committee , to obtain an explanation from him of circumstances of a distressing character as regards the interest of this coommittee . It was moved by Mr . Smith , and seconded by Mr . Watkins , that the whole of the subscription books shall be called in by the 28 th instant , agreed to . ¦ Tne secyetary read a statement of the receipts and expenditure . The committee trusfe that the members of the National Charter Association will become subscribers to the forthcoming raffle , at the Craven's Head .
WALWORsa ;—At the Ship and Blue Coat Boy , a strong resolution of thanks and confidence in Feargua O'Connor wm voted at the oanal weekly meeting , No . 55 , OiD Bailey . —MrcMead leotured here on Sunday evening . ' / V _ At a memiijo ; of the Chartist SUk weavers on Sunday evening last , the following resolves were past :--lst . " That a general meeting of the Chartist weavers be held on Sunday next , March j 15 th . to elect a delegate to the County Cooncil . " 2 nd . " That Mi . O'Connor receive our warmest thanks .
and that we express bue disgust at the cowardly treatment he received at Birmingham , and . we hereby , express our confidence in him for his uaflinchiog advocacy in the people ' s cause . " 3 rd . "That the thanks of tbis meeting be given to Mr . Preston , for the lecture he delivered this evening on the l * ud . " A vote of thanks was given to the Chair man * Several new numbers enrolled themselves . The meeting is held at the Buck ' s Head , James ' sstreet , Church-street , Bethnal Green , near Shorediiah . - . ^^ '¦ . -. '•¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' ¦ .-: ¦ ¦ ¦¦ .: ¦ ... •¦¦ . , - , " . - ¦ ¦ : . ' / : .:- ¦; -. -.. - ' . '
E 1 KCHON ^ ^ OF DElEeATES ; FOB ^ THB COCimES C * MjIDtDLESEX , KeO T , SUBBET , AND ESSEX . —At 8 i public meeting , held in the Hall of Science , City , Road , on Tuesday evening , Mr . Cameron in thechair . Dr . M'Douall , Mr . Ruffy Ridley , and Air . Edmund Stallwood , were elected delegates for thes& four Counties ; after which Mr . Parker moved the following resolution :-That this meeting pladge themselves to support to the utmost of their fewer both pecuniary and otherwise , the delegate * thpy had then elected . " Mr . Simpsoa seconded the resolution , which was put and carried unanisously A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and themeeting diteolred . .
PKPrroBD . —We are advancing ag well aj can fa * expected , « onsid « ring the opposition from ialerested parties . The following resolution was passed unanimously at our last meeting : —** That * vote of thanks be given to Feargua OTConnor i Bw .. for hia stern ma valiant condnct oh the . patt of the people at Birmingham , and for showing to the League that money will not buy , or threats intimidate , him ; and also a voto of thanks to those brave working men who stood so firm by our Champion ; likewise to those gentlemen who assisted him in his perilous situatien . '; - . . V ; ~ ; . ; ' \ .. -. ' \ ; : ' ¦ ' ¦ - ;;¦;;; . - . . ' •¦ : - ,:, \ . C * ; y - . . ¦ . - . Mr , Benbow lectured at the Horns , Crucifix Lane , on Monday eyeniDR . Six new membersiwere enrolled . ,. v .. ¦ -. - . - ¦ . - . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ,. ¦ ¦ ' , _ . - . : , — ..:- ¦
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THE BUDGET SPEECH . WjB shall pubKsK th | s i&y , ( 8 atiirdlay , ) about 12 p'Glpck ^ a ! O / rc ? jE ^ eiw , containing the Financial Statement of ; Sir Robert Pee ^ and tbe debate on tbe Budget . Agents should send their orders lor thk Edition immediately .
Correct Returns For The London District.
CORRECT RETURNS FOR THE LONDON DISTRICT .
Feargus O'Connor, Esq, At Manchester.
FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ , AT MANCHESTER .
Bloody And Ferocious Attack
BLOODY AND FEROCIOUS ATTACK
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yOL . Y . ffO . 226 . SATURDAY , MARCH 13 ^ ^
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* - ¦¦ ' ¦ " ' -JP ¦ - C ^ C ^ ¦ . - ! - ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦; . r ^ /—^; v ' - : ¦; ; ; AND LEEDS GEtEBAL iB ^ pTIBJIL i ^ ' lM .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 12, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1152/page/1/
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