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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th August 1842, Edition 1 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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    • THE VETERAN OLD RADICAL. GEORGE
    • THE COLLIERS' TURN-GUT
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      Untitled Article

      TALES WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE "N OBTHEBN STAR . " BY CHARTICS . LAST JlLICS LZSLS . —>* O . II . We left the unwilling -witness , Dunn , " cluttered out of his senses , " by a brew-beating judge , who , becansa be oonld not force him to bear false witness against an hospitable old * lady , ordered an information of . perjury to be filed against Mm . Penraddocfc , the Colonel , who tad taren iady lisle , was now called to testify against her . Sbe , knowing him to be a prejudiced man , for that her late husband bad sittea in judgment upon his fetter , as joon as the heard his name called , said -with solicitude , —" T hope , my Lord , I ahall not be condemned unheard . " "No , God forbid ! Mrs . Lisle , " Baid , JeSHes , rolling his tongue in his cheek and winkieg significantly at Penruddoek , " that was a practice in your husband's lame ; bat , ( Jed be thanked ! it is not so now . " ==

      One of Penrnddock ' a soldiers being called into the ¦ witness-bar , Lady Alice protested against him 'being heard ; for sbe said , he had stolen something out of her boose when he came to seize her , and , therefore , he was interested in procuring her condemnation in order to prevent her from prosecuting "him for the theft . JtJHea took no notice of this reasonable objection . X > onn now spoke again . Fearing that the Jadze T ^ onid pnt iiia threat sgamgt him into txecutl&n , and fchfofrjng the lady would be convicted anyhow , hs thought t « saTe himself by telling all he knew , bnt nothing conld he tell of an inculpatory nature- Nevertheless , Jeffries listened with malicious joy , thinking , like Shylock , that now he should hare the lady " on the hip ; " bat being again disappointed , he affected to pity Dann , prayed that God would forgive him . ( what piety 0 and said that all mankind would hold him in

      abhorrence—( what for?—hia humanity . ) The jury were coBTinced that Donn had told all ; but Jt fines made in ft » T >< M » of the crrcamstanca , by saying tbatf as the uneoosequential particulars which he had uttered , had teen wrung from him with such . difficulty , it pro-red that much remained behind of a more serious nature , and he even west so tar as to declare that he knew this to be the case . Thus nst centent with being Judgenot content with being counsel—he descended at last to trituess against the prisoner—s most estrsjadicial proceeding ! ~ WoaId not one thick that instead of the Lord Chief Justice , some vulgar wretch , doubly inflamed by liquor and passion , had usurped his aesattm the bench , and fiat he was sitting ir judgment , not on & loyal lady , whose age called for reverence , wcoae rex claimed compassion , and whose humanity merited the highest eulogium , but on the vilest cf creatures , vbo abonld be destroyed atone * ?

      In her defence , Lady Lisle spoke simple truth , and Ehed tears of suffering innocence . Sbe declared with sokinn esrneEtoess that she had never heard that Hick 3 had been in the rebel army ; there had been no proclamation naming him ; and that she had harbonred him merely as a Nonconformist , which was not penal , although wseranta had been issued against him for preaching . That her friends among the nobility in London could speak to her loyal character ; for ai though her husband had been a Judge under Cromwell , and had even sat in judgment on CharlesX , she had been ever averse to his proceedings , and had wept on hearing of that monarch ' s death . She humbly submitted to the consideration of the Court , that she could not be tried for habouiing a traitor until he had first been convicted of treason , and said in prsoT of her ignorance of Hicks * implication in treason , she had arrived in the country only five days before her arrest

      Jeffries , reddening with rage at her vindication of herself , instead of being pleased at it , interrupted her by gobbling out , " I cannot tell when yon came into the ooontry , but it seems you came to harbour rebels . " The odd Jady was nettled at this misconstruction , and while all the spirit of her long past youth seemed to reanimate her feeble frame , « he replied , timt as a proof of her loyalty she tad sent her son to fight for the King . " It was I , " she said , kindling with enthusiasm , " that bred him up to fight for the King . " " Well , have you done ? " asked Jeffries , sharply . " Yes , I have , " she replied ; and she sat down in the Culprit t » hair -with a glow of indj ^ natioi :.

      Jeffries now summed up . He aggravated the horrors of the rebellion—praised King James as became a loyal subject—interlarded his speech fey many religious professions , proving thereby that " the devil can quote Scripture to serve his purpose "—insinuated that she was beholden to the King ' s clemency for her property forfeited to the crown by her regicidal husband , and that harbouring traitors was all the gratitude she had shotru—and concluded with a Bolemn appeal to thfeit consciences , saying that the preservation of the Government—the life of the King—the safety and honour of religion , and the welfare of their own bouIs depended upon the verdict they should bring .

      Moved by this evident prejudice against her by one eo likely to influence her fate , and who , therefore , should have avoided all pssti&l or criminatory expressions , the prisoner would have Bald something ; bnt Jeffries interrupted hfei the moment she opsaed her mouth , by txclaiming , with asperity , " Mistress , you have had your turn . " She gave a quiet look of resignation towards the jury , and remained silent . By way of helping them to a speedy decision , Jeffries told the jury , when they were abont to withdraw to consider their verdict , that it was all the same in law whether Hicks "were convicted of treason before or after ieiog harboured . The Jury staid long . In . tbe mean time , the spectators anxiously whispered each other , or waited in breathless suspense . Jeffries showed his

      impatjecce by furious and involnntary starts , and at length said audibly enoush to be heard by the whole court , " I wonder they should hava gone out at all in so clear a case- " His impatience at length qnite got the- better of him 80 fax that h 9 was about to dispatch a messenger to inform them that he ¦ would adjourn the court and lock them up together all sight ; . but their re-appearance saved him this trouble . They came , not to deliver in their verdict however ; but to say that they were in doubt whether the prisoner knew that Hicks had been in the rebel army . Jeffries tatty Teplied , that he tould not help their doubts ; that for " his part , it was as de 3 r to him Be the fan at jjeoB &aj-, sad be mentioned some circumstances cot adduced by the evidence , but ¦ which had come to his

      knowledge prrotely ; a piece of hearsay which was to weigh more than the evidence . The Jury again withdrew and returned again to reiterate their doubts ; they said they remembered nothing in the evidence that COUld eonviet the prisoner of knotringly harbouring a traitor . Exasperated at their honest pertisacy , the Jndge reproached them for their bad memories , and sent them back again . The prisoner would have spoken ; but again she was silenced by her unjust Judge . The spectators were convinced from the forions demeanour of Jeffries that he was determined to ¦ victimise the body , and that the law ( wrested from its true intent ) wonld be used to subvert justice , and to punish humanity ; they sighfd and shook their heads The JuTy returned a third time , and now they broneht

      in their verdict of Not Groilty . " A murmur of gratification ran through the Court , which the Judge instantly suppressed . Stamping with his foot , he swore that the case was so clear to him , that if she had been his own mother , he wonld have found her gnilty ;—almost cfcofced -with choler , his face sroln like a drunkard ' s , his eyes sparkling with fwy , and his whole feme violent !/ agitated , he told tbs jary that if they did not bring her in guilty , he would attaint them all of treason likewise . Overcome by fear they were induced to reverse their verdict—shime on them for it !—shame on their memories ] but their memories have perished with them- Had they -remained firm they would have saved the Old lady ' s life , and not bare been forsworn—they would have

      prevented the Jndge from pronouncing a doom cf murder , and they would have saved the court and the country from the insult and injury of a mock trial and an iniquitous judgment The spectators looked simultaneously and sympathetically at the prisoner , to see how she took it—but , overcome by the tedium « f the trial , and weak with the infirmities of age , she heard not the fatal verdict—she was fast asleep I Jeffries roughly awakened her by pronouncing her condemnat ion , telling her , at the same lime , that the king had left to bis own discretion the time of execution , and he appointed hers to take place that same afternoon . This-was somewhat sudden : but she heard it with

      pion * resignation . With her epectaeles on ,, and bible before her , she sat like a saint , around who £ e head the blessing of God wreathes a perpetual halo of joy , and peace , and love . She had two daughters who attended her In court—they felt the EtTcke more than did their aged mother—it fell and cltft their hearts , but Jeffries was without pity—his conscience was sesred by Eelf-interesV for he hid been promised the property of the lady , if she were convicted ; and , Dot content : with the murder of their mother , he robbed the daughters of their patrimony—all under the mask of justice , and with the pitiful prttence of law and loyalty .

      At the intercession of some clergymen , the day of her death was deferred . In tie meantime , she petitioned the ting , not for - pardon , ithat > Ehe knew was Tiin . ) but that , as the was related to several of the most noble families in the kingdom , she might not be burnt , bet beheaded . The gracious Monarch , out of the abundance of his tender mercy , cruelly yielded to her request , and , on a scaffold , in the middle of the maiket-pteee , in "Westramster , or Wincbefter , ( I forget "Which ) , ihe met her fate with the resignation of a niirtji . Not a man who witnessed h , had be been a man , bnt would have died rather than have suffered such an ontoage on humanity to disgrace the criminal records of this country . Bat Jeffries had Pp&iysed the minds of . the people by the cruelties of Oi r ~*~ -

      » Woedy a . sfzja . AH the lawyers in * he kWdom who heard of this ^ i ?? ^ TeT 7 * * n > ly about one particular point eoncaBing it , and irhat was that ? Was it that ihe tow of man had been made to counteract tie 1 st of God-that a humane nature which « fc ° ni < i have been honoured and rewarded had ceea disgraced and punished to the discouragement of all humanity and the scandal of all jostlce ? That ctaraaWe feeling which , should be eheKshea for ibe «* e « f an saBertra had in this case been cruefcy conflenmed , to pleas * the hard keait of prosperous guilt , and to minister to its rapacious cupidity . That the judge had done vrong in doing his best to make it Crkamal to relieve distress , for thereby ha had interacted hospitality itself , and interdicted it pnblidy by mEiiss t . f the law that ehould protect and favour it .

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      That -he had made bimsel judge and jary , an accuser and false witness too ; and that it was a poor triumph over a poor old lady worthy of such a judge . Did not the lawyers feel that the law of which they were members , was 4 isgraced by these proceedings , and themselves brought into odium ? Did they not resolve to quit the profession unless such a chief justice was unseated ? No ; none of these things occupied their thonghta ; bnt they wrangled and debated with each ether whether it was lawful for the king to alter any part of the sentence after condemnation passed j for

      Baid they , the king cannot alter the law , and the sentence is part of the Jaw ; therefore the executioner , said thay , might have been tried for beheading , instead or burning the old lady . By thus standing up for the law , did the lawyers . prove themselves worthy limbs of it The troth ia , few lawyers know anything of law but its perverted practice . By the aid of quirks and qtiibbles they make the law murder justice , and when they have procured the condemnation of the innocent they say , "Not I , bufc the law did it . » " What kind of . a la ^ r is it that spares such . lawyers ?

      Lady Lisle's case was hard enough ; but a much harder case occurred shortly after . Mrs . Gaunt , a charitable woman , bad given meat and money to a fellow under hidin ? , who went away and saved his own life jy turning King ' s evidence , and swearing away hers . Have these things been done in England ?—have we a law by -which religious -women can be put to death for their very charity ? for , say what you wi . l , this was done in both these cases . How many villains the law sufivrs . to go free—nay , rewards , while it murders the honest and humane . ' Mrs . Gaunt was convicted by the evidence of a monster who ought to have been punished for his ingra-. itude to her , more than for the treason that made her generosity to him a crime . " She gave me meat and drink , and lodging and money , " said he . The Judga told her that he said so , and she replied—'' He was the more beholden to me , " But he was pardoned , and she was condemned and executed !

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      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sin , —I herewith send you the cases of two paupers which . your las > t week's papw referred to , and , by inserting the same in . your valuable journal , you will much oblige Ycur ' s , The Inhabitants of Houghtox Eaves , In Public Meeting Assembled . CASE OF WILLIAM H 0 ULD 1 NGK " I am a handloom weaver , and have a ¦ wife and four children ; and I have received 2 s . per week for the last nine months from the parish . I owed lid . for a poor ' srate . I-was summoned before the magistrates for non-pdyment t-f the same . I told them my earnings and that 1 had four day ' s work at weaving , and 2 s . from the parish , which the magistrates' clerk considered to amount to Is . per head per week for us to live upon , and then said to the magistrates—•• You see , gentlemen , he is not able to pay . ™ He then turned to me , and Baid— " We have dene with you . " I then thought it was settled ; but in a short time after , a person came with a notice , and said if my poor ' s ^ rata

      was not paid , a warrant of distress wonld come . My wife Baid , " Well , we' cumot help it , for we are not able to pay . ** Next came two constables , who ' epened the door , saying Where is he ? " And , although I ¦ was laid on the bed at the time of their entrance , they were net able to see me , in consequence of the darkness of the cellar in which I live , but my wife , pointing to the bed , said , "He is there . " They said , " Thou must go with us . " I got up , and begged they would not handcuff me , as such a thing never happened me before ; so they took me away , and when we got to the dungeon , they forcibly pushed me In , and locked me up . -The following motning , they handcuffed me to a cart , and the other three were chained by the legs .

      Thus we started for Lancaster , the rain pouring down so rapid that we were Boon wet throngh to the skin , When we got to Blackburn , we begged they would allow us to go to a fire . The policeman langhed , and said , " We ^ rill take you to a fire , you shall see J " Tims saying , they thrust us into a cold , dark hole , in which there was a privy , -which stank so very bad as almost to suffocate us . We were forced to remain there about forty minutes , and were then brought out again , wet and shivering with cold . The rain still fell in torrents . In tkis * tite we were hurried throngh PrtstoH to Lancaster Castie . The turnkey cried shame on the policemen , tei u .- > ing us in the manner they had done ; but when we got -within the prison -walla , -we soon found we had got aaione the frieuda of humanity .

      We could not muster one penny amongst us all ; but the kind strangers , when they heard what we were , very kindly invited us to a fire , and something to e * t There was « ne man in particular , if ever 1 Bee him again , I will do all in my pawer to s- rve him . A subscription was entered int « , -which paid our lates , and S ^ d . each , to come -with to Burnley . I had been out of "Work & short time , bnt I had got work onr ' er the Manufacturers' Reiief Committee , and had worked three days , when they took m >< off to prison . I expected my wife to be in labour hourly , and she Wis delivered of a child in three days afterwards , and was left without any attendant for two nights ; and , had she been seized with the pains of labour in the night , she must have perished before any assistance conld have reached her . "

      CASE OF EMANEEL BEAUMONT . " I am a power-loom weaver , and have only worked three weeks tinea last Christmas , and those three weeks were in February 2 ast I have lived on cbarity , and what I could get from the parish , until June , when my goods -were sold for rent , and at the same time a warrant of distress -was takfcn out against me for non-p ;; JJBent ef poer ' S-r ^ te . I was Ihoa turned into the street , and the week following I got \ rork under the ilanufacturtrs' Belief Committee , and worked about ax weeks , when they took me off to prison . My poor ' srata iras Is . lid ., and I have a wife , and two smaH children ; and my wife was delivered of a third child jnst fetfore my goods were sold , bnt the child died In Cvnsequence of my being unable to procure a doctor to attend her . Therefore , I consider my child w-js mnrdere * l by the system which mates me poor . I was chained by the legs , and my treatment on the way to prison was similar to that of Wi . 'liam Honlding , "

      "I visited William Honldin ? at his dwelling , and the above statement was made to me and a respeetable member cf the Methodist connexion , whose same I atfl at liberty te publish . The ceilar contained one poor bed , in which ) hj the mother and her newly-born babe , and three other small children , which was very anBoying to the mothtr and her infant ; and how this English labourer would find a place to rest Mb head in that nest of human beings surpasses my con : prehension ; bnt so it ie , that six persons must Bleep on that

      mi&aaDie bed . There was also one old chair , which is not worth twopence , one three-legged stool , one mug , one tin cup , and oeb old tea chest , which was used as a table , inese 8 re all the gcods in the bhape of furniture und -utenailB -whieo , this miserable ceil contains ; and , . as regards the characters of the men , let it suffice teat Htulding has been a member nl the . Methodists ' Sc > c . ety , and a Sunday school teacher , for many yeurs , and at this time he is a class leadar in that body . B . aumciit is now , and has been for four years a stoadj- and con feLsunt Eitmber of the Total Abstinence Society , "

      Thomas Marquis , Benjamin Suuth'Wab . k , James Metcalfe , The Committee appointed by the rate-payers of Habergham Eaves , at a pnblic meeting , duly called by the Constable of the parish . Burnley , August , 1 st , 1842 .

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      TO THE EDITOR OF THE N 0 R 1 HERN STAR . Sin , —in my last I stowed the danger like to btfcil the movement in SceUand , if not placed under the controul of an txecutWB council , elected by , and held responsible to , the people . There are various indications that the Chartist movement in Scotland is in danger from the opposite evils . The first which shall be noticed may be said to be a Government plot , originating "With the class Who fatten upon corruption . In many of the districts in Scotland most noted for their activity in Chartism , there are now to be found men unknown in the district , and unknown to those who have taken the most active part in the msvemeflt , going about , talking of what they

      have seen and heard in the country , stating that the time for resistance to oppression IS now come . Their conversation i 3 carefully marked down ; and there can be no dcubt but these men would be thoss who would appear tn a witness-box to swear away the liberty or life of those who they have thus made their victims Such characters are al ? o found insinuating to the people that the leaders of Chartisia have no spirit ; that they are destitute of true courage ; in shert , that they are deceiving the people by talking so long without acting . Such men must be carefully -watched ; and it is a duty that all lecturers have to discharge to the people , at the clcse of their discourses , to give no ear or countenance to such men .

      The other evil to which I referred is one that re' quires vigilance on the part of the people , and can only -be successfully combated fay an Executive having their authority from the people , to defend and extend the present organfsition of the people for the Charter . There is a considerable portion of the middle class cf tais country who feel it necessary tot many reasons to agitate certain questions in Parliament affecting their own interests . Beyond this , mearores of importance to the people seldom move them ever to act Since the Chartist agitation began tbef have been powerless within tie Valla of Parliament , being destitute of the strength which the multitude girea them

      from -without Ihia want of confidence on the part of the people enables our aristocratic Parliament to lacgh at their efforts , and treat them with derision , scorn , aad contempt . Conscisus of this , a great portion of them have adopted the Six Points of the Charter , and employed renegade Chartist Lecturers to break up our organization , and place tfea whole body of the people at the disposal of these men , to fellow the ignis faiuus reforms which their oa-n selfish interests aaj proanpt them to demand , leaving the people , as of old , the victims of ^ p « legislation . Let these renegade lecturers pick up the serfs aisd slaves , and form them into an Association , creatures who never can discover the justness

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      of a principle until those who hold the whip at their backs give their nod of assent ; . Let the people be aware of these political pedlers . Whatever their motives may fee , whether good , bad , or indifferent , the result ot their policy would be to destroy the most powerful organization ever created in this or any other country , au organization which laid upon the floor of the House of Commons a petition demanding their rights of the House of Commons of England , Ireland , and Scotland , signed by three milioDs and a half of the people , which demand will require to be considered before there be any harmony between the name aud the character of the House of Commons No honest middle class man seeking for justice to the nation but -will feel proud to belong to such an organiziUon , S 9 one who had a part in rearing this noble edifice wonld leave it to build another , except ho was actuated by some considerations apart from principle .

      A short description of the several districts of Scotland , with the probable success attending this new mov « , will not be uninteresting to the English , and Irish Chartists . Glasgow , which is the centre of the Western district ; it was upon its public green that the National Petition was first adopted in this country ; eve * since its citizens have taken a most important part in the movement ; in its progress , however , a number of expediency mongers ¦ who formerly enacted a prominent part in . what Iflight be called wild msaeures , have now become farions tor moderation , timidity , and repose ; but so long as the capital of the West has such men as Moir , Proudfoot , and Ross , the integrity of the movement there is upon a snre basis . *

      In Edinburgh the movement has undergone a variety of phases . Of those who have sowed the seed of Chartism in that city , some have played curious parts since ; others are standing true to the cause as the needle to the pole . The expediency-mongers , who have arisen here , . have declared ' iff ; , their external character being like the coat of Jacob ' s son . The Committee of Edinburgh , however , are men of integrity and high character , active in extending the organisation throughout their district ; and in connection with the labour of Mr . Lowery , the organisation is too firmly planted to bs materially affected by the men of soft sawder .

      In the West Midland district the first meeting hem in the district for the Chattel was in the summer of 1838 . It was in the town of Alloa , at a large ont-door meeting called to hear Mr . Abram Duncan expound and explain the principles of political equality . On the succeeding evening he did the same in the town © f Alva . Since then Mr . Duncan has laboured in every town in this district , and been instrumental in fixing these principles so firmly , that the men of expediency have never attempted to shew their face , or take any part in the movement ; and it may be said with perfect propriety of language , that the Associations and Committees in all the towns of this district ( which comprehends all tbose from Falkirk to Kinross , and from Cruff to Alloa ) , know no other way but to march onward for the Charter , and that they know no way of retreat from their present position .

      In the south of Scotland , Dumfries , the queen of that district , the Chartists there have always played a mast important part . Expediency and faction have often attempted to take the lead , but the devotion and integrity of the Chartis ' s of Dumfries have b ; ffl-d every tifiiculty and triumphed over all opposition . Under many difficulties they have been successful in extending political information far and wide around them . The North is divided into other two districts , the first comprehends Forfarsbire and part of Perthshire . Kenmuir and Forfar oncv played a most important part , but in these places the men of expediency have prevailed ; their treachery , however , has done the factions no service—they have thrown Chartism into a state of inactivity , from which it will soon emerge into its pristine glory .

      Dundee and Arbroath now take the lead , and from what appears in their own organ , the Dundee Chronicle , the council in Dundee appear to be sadly embarrassed with the soft sawder and slime of expediency . From the same source we learn that the Association in Arbroath have purged themselves clear . of this poisonous root , and that nothing can resist the onward progress of this Association , which holds two large public meetings evtry week , tearing tip the very root Of . the tree of political corruption . The Political I ' fdlar will find a small portion of vermin to ferm an expediency Association th » re—but it will only be formed to die .

      In Aberdeen , the Chart ' wta have long battled with expediency , sometimes for peace sake ; they patched up a uni « n , but they have found it as impossible , to unite expediency and principle , as it is to unite fire arid-water . The political pedlar is to visit the Northern -Metropolis soon ; it is undeistoad that the men of principle there will permit him to work away among the vermin there , so far as his powers will carry him ; but that if be attempts to play any tricks up vn honest men , they will play him some music to the tune of the " Rogues ' March , " and m ^ ko him feel that the honesty and integrity of Aberdeen , ia a more powerful master than the one he serves in the South .

      A few remarks to conclude this address , I will reserve for your next publication . Yours affectionately , Dayjd Thompson , Secretary to the Alloa Chartist Association .

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      TO THE EDITOfl OF THE NORTUEfiN STAR . Sib , —As one of the Leicestershire delegates at the time when * he resolutions in reference to the Executive or rather the late one , were past , you will , perhaps , allow me a Email space in your invaluable paper ; and 1 st In reference to your own observation , that it might have been as well if the delegates had communicated -with the secretary before they had published their resolutions . To this I would reply , they had not an opportunity so to do , Inasmuch as they were only chosen for the day on which they sat ; and besides , they had to complain of what had been made public , and had therefore become public property . 2 nd . As to the remark of our champion , O ' Connor , about a cabal . Of Buch a thins I know nothing , nor of any

      private communication made to him ; Cur do I think we are to be prevented from making observations respecting the conduct of our officers , in order to prevent corruption from creeping into our body ; for if so , we may as well submit to preatnt misrule . 3 rd . As to the reselutions themselves , notwithstanding the hanteur of the Executive or the Secretary , I think they are deserving the attention not only of that body , but ef the Ch&rtists in general . And here I may remark that the last published account of < xpences ltd to the passing of the same . In that account Mr . Phiip appeared to have received his salary every week , and hence aross an inquiry what he had done for it ; this led to further investigation , and others were found to

      be regularly paid , whose services were appropriated , if not altogether , nearly to one locality . This was either right or not so , and they were or were not employed in the service of the body . As regards tbeir continuing in cfice aft ** the ti ; ne sptciSad , as one of the uelegateB wben the plan cf organization was finally adopted , 1 had before given my opinion . Had the s . ut ject affected myself alone—had it been even an act of jDjustfee , I would have put up with it for the cause sake ? but thinking with others that an ir . quiry -was required , I sanctioned the resolutions , and am willing to bear my proportion ot censuie if aDy is liestived ; at the same time I declare , that I had ne person . il eeling on the subject , no ill will to anv of the members of the Executive , nor

      any improper motive to gratify . Leaving it , therefore , in the hands of the people , having for myself the satisfaction that I did my duty , I am , yours in the cause of right against ' might , John Skevington .

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      THE CAUSE , TEE EXECUTIVE , AND "LEEDS CHARTISTS . " TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir . —Every man who has paid the least attention to the workings of our Chartist machinery , will have seen defects therein at which he will manifest little surprise , Beeing that plans of such vast importance as those ¦ which have for their object the peaceful extfrpstion of one of the most consummate systems ot tyranny that ever disgraced the annals of any nation , and the firm establishment of the rights of man , cannot be brought to perfection in all their parts at once , though

      the men at the bead of the movement may be the most sage , considerate , prudent , honest , and patriotio of their generation . We may conclade that as improvements have continually been suggested and adopted , so will they be for a length of time beyond the present struggle ; therefore it is worse than folly for any body of H . en to preach up tbeir own infallibility , or evince chagrin when universal consent is refused to their E&tions , as the most preposterous dogmas have been frequently interwoven with the msst sublime and paipable troths .

      I allnde not to the refusal of the people to subscribe to the absurdities of the " new move" gentry , the " new new move party , " the "Christian Chartists , " the " Teetotal Chartists , " or the " Corn Law League . " No , the doctrines taught in such Dame schools are not improvements ; they are harmless missiles , which traitors , renegades , and unprincipled charlatans sefza to hurl at their betters when their cupidity , tergiversation , and knavery have compelled them to retreat from the camp of democracy . I allude to the Executive in the first instance—to men who I am proud to say have never swerved from their avowal of the glorions principles of the Charter , but who most assuredly evince a thin-skinnednesli in matters affecting their mode of conducting the affairs of the Association , "which little COUV port with thelc unflinching seal for the incontrovertible doctrines they propound .

      The Leicestershire delegates saw a slovenly arid un . satisfactory method of keeping the flnnnctal accounts of the association—they spoke out in a manner truly commendable—they asked for explanations—not ^ ehJwiging the Executive with dishonesty , either directly or indirectly—but such explanation was refused and that in a manner wbjch shews wounded pride anddesporio presumption may worm their way even into hearts wedded to democracy . I am afraid that pride and egotism Is gaining too great an asoeBdancy otee many ol us , and may be more fatal to the cause than we now imagine . However , to say the least , sncha reply as the one published by the Executive —the senxinls of the Chartist body—dofs them no honour , and it requires no extraordinary acumen

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      to discern how cutting have been the remarks of the Leicestershire lads , and to what a poor flimsy Bophism th © writer or writers of the reply have been driven . ¦ ¦ . - . ' : ' -- ¦ . ¦ ¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ -X-v- ' - ¦ ¦ .. . /¦ ¦ " ¦ - ' ,: •¦ Thebetter signed" John Campbell , Sfec , " saya > ^ "They decline bringing the pfivc ^ e / a ^ rs a / the Association before those who are not members . " . . Then why haw they uniformly published : their receipts and disbursements , Sec ., In the Star ? Werei hot these " private affiirs" ? Were not these brought before thase who are " not members" ? CtSrtawJy ; then wJby liava doneso up to the very moment that explanations were required ? This mode of procedure must convey to every observer a strong impression of something being wfoinc , which the executive alone can remove ; and this they roust do or the cause muss suffer m the estimation of every good

      man . ¦• ; . . - , . , .: / . -. - ¦ ¦ . . . ¦ . ¦¦ : ¦ ¦ . ' . ¦ , ¦ •¦•¦ , ¦¦ .: ; , . - ,. ; ¦ ; : The members of the Executive hold a . most important offlce-r-great reponaibility rests upon them , and it behoves them to take great heed how they discharge the dutte 3 of their vicarious power ., ; By strict attention titheir duty , they can do incalculable good—by negligence or the manifestation of a despotic spirit they may infiiot immense injury on-the cause . ¦ •• Leji them nofc think themselves too wise too err , nor too high to receive correction . / W : ' : ' ' ¦ : :. V- : ; : " ¦ - ' "¦¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦' ¦ ¦'¦ ' ¦¦¦ ¦" ' ¦ ¦ . ' ¦'¦ X . v I shall nexfc call your attention to the proceedings pf the' ? 19638 Chartists" as repotted In your Iaat . Thuy seehivery " angry ^ ith the Leicestershire delegates , and in the out-pouring of this anger , they widen the breach they profess to heal . Admirable physicians i

      But why should the resolution condemnatory of the Leicestershire delegates be " wt forth as the opinion of the Leeds Chartists" ? The Council might recommend its adoption , but it does not follow that the reoommendation was complied with . The fact , Sir , is that the concoctors of the resolution are the disciples of the vaccinating James O'Brien , ' - ' or as he hM named himself , BrOnierre OBrien } and of course , they feel veiy sore < m account ot the drubbing he received at the hands of Cooper , tho General of the Leicester " brigade , " and they aigh for an opportunity to slap the successful antigonistof their pet politician . Thpyhav ? now

      h » d their : go at him , while the bona jide ChartistB of Leeds are djtegusted at the -trick played off iii their name . It is true the resolution was agreed : to by a majority of -those present at theVxaa ; but it ^ s also true that the majority of those who had attended the lecture had departed to their horaea , and only a small fraction of the Chartists who frtquent the- room ¦ v » eie aware of such resolution being concocted , until they saw ft published in your paper , and having Been it , they do not hesitate to gire expression to their disgust a * the conduct of the parties who figured in the business / . ' - . - ¦ . ¦ ; -,.- ¦ ,-. ¦ ¦ ¦ - . -. ' . ' ¦' :. ' ' " . ¦ ¦¦"¦• ¦ - ' ¦ ¦•" "¦

      You , Sir , are not culpable for giving ineertfon to the article ; feut the individuals , who sent you the report , ought to be prevented from again foisting their spleen upon the public as the feelings of thei " Crhartista of Leeds . " : , ¦ . /¦"/ - - ¦' X . '¦/ .: / , ' v ' ; I trust the Executive , ar id others , will profit by reproof , and , in future , allow the will of the mass to bridletheir own , in matters affecting the interests of the whole , if not , O'Connor , and others , may sacrifice their health and fortunes in vain , and every effort to establish the principles of the Charter will prove abortive . f ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦'¦ ¦ " ¦ - ¦¦' . ¦¦' - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . . ' . I am , Sir , Yours truly , An Old Radical . Leeds . August 10 th , 1842 .

      The Veteran Old Radical. George

      THE VETERAN OLD RADICAL . GEORGE

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . SIR ,- * - ! beg to inform you , and , through yon , the readers of your paper , that Mr . George , long known as tae advocate of Republican principles , died this marning . ¦ A few week ago , an appeal from him to your readers for some little pecuniary assistance appeared in your columns . ' ' -, ' . . It does not appear that it was very profitably or efficiently answered ; for tho poor old mau has died in the greatest distress . For several wetka past he has been almost without even common necessaries . Application baa been made to me for the means to buvy him . It is totally out of my power to comply with this request ; and the only course that I can see . open to bis friends on this occasion is to appeal once more to your readers for assistance .

      Mr . G-, whose age : was seventy-five , -was one of the associates ef Hardy and Horne Tooke In the Corresponding Society , and has ever sinco remained a flrm and consistent advoftite of R : publican principles . His widow , aged seventy-four , who is very innrm , has unfortunately had a bad fall , which has bruised and disabled her . Under these circumstances , I trust that you , Sir , and your readers will do something to enable her tobury her deceased , husband . I am , Sir , your ; 4 c . j George HuGGETT . No . 3 , North Place , Lambeth , August 9 , 1842 .

      P . S . Mrs George rtqaesta that subscriptions may be transmitted to the Lambeth Coffee House , No ; 3 / Notth Place . Lambeth .

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      TO THE ESPECIAL NOTICE OF THE . . .:. ; ¦ : ; LEAGUE . ¦ " England , I've loved thee . ' not as my native soli Alone I've loved thee ; but I see in tbee , Deep-seated mid the struggling world ' s turmoil , A dogged resoluUbii to bo free ! A stern endurance amid want and toil ; ' Ignorant impat ence' too , t 6 bend tlie knee To twice five hundred brigand parvenus , ' Foal refuse remnant of the Norman stews ! " - . ; ; : ;; " ; x . '• ; ¦ . ; -. ;; ¦ . : ' . ; ' , mss .. - ,: When the people of England were being deluded , humbugged ; and sold , transferred in a mass , like slaves , ftonl one vjle faction to another Btill ( if possible ) Viler , during the ever ineinoiabie period of Rtiform \ 1 ) , his Grace of Wellington complained , from his seat in Parliament , that the comluct of the people was marked by

      by an " ignorant impatience of taxation !'" Times are , however , slightly »; ttred , and xh ^/ brbcarance of the people is now landod by Parliament to the skies , while the faction out of place , that is ,, on : the wrong side of the Treasury benches , through its chief Organ the League , or more truly named tfce Prague , has been daily pouring forth its hypooritlcal Jerciniadds for Free Trade in Com and Extension of Commerce , aud showing to the wondering world , from their own lips , that the members who compose it merit most fully the stigma which the Duke applied ten years ago to the people , but would fit most appropriately the cap to the heads of the Whig rainp -who have lately displayed each an alarming " ignorant impatience of taxation j ° Gentlemen of the League , now your plaguey

      Conference is oVer , and that you have vanished from Palace Yard ,, do moderate your temper , and restrain a little the panting tiger within your bosoms , when you go intp the country to tell the famishing millions of their injuries , inaddcn the peoplt ) by a recital of ^^ their distresses , catsse riots , disturbances , and destructicn of property , every where by means of your emissaries , urge the government to shed the blood ef the people by calling out thetroops and police tohiassacre them , and then like a parcel of sneaking cowards as ye are enrolling yourselves aa special conEtablee , aud calling on the yeomanry to keep i the peace , twhich your ovm villanies might caUEQ to he bvoken . Yaat . heu « v « a . m , of frighteuing the Tories to resign , and seizing on the reins of government yourselves . These were your objects—*

      these the sole end and aim of your Covn Law agitation / but your rascally projects have signally failed ! The good sense of the . peopje have triumphed for once over faction , and the intelligence and honesty , of their leaders working simultaneously through the guidance of the Northern Star , has kept them en the right ' path for the attainment of their political and / social freedom , in spite of all the sbnm-friends , all the open eneniieti . and all the spies , traitors , renegades , and ruffians ¦ which faction could command . All honour be to the people , look not to the right or to tie left , but unite among yourselves more , firmly , tban everr—no petty fquabbling , it is unworthy of our glorious cause . The factions cannot beat you , but by disfu . ion you can beat yourselves .

      Romember-" To vraiiing aects e ' en mighty Rome bowed down , And yielded Alatio her triple crown . " ¦ ¦

      ¦ ;¦ - ¦ ¦ ; . - ¦¦ . - . ;; .. . -: ¦ ; .. - mss . . ¦ ; . Tho League , in their farewell address to the people , say— " Your own intelltgence , your own vhtuef yoof own energy must deliver you . ' ^ They ; are so far : right iu their eatiKiate of the people , they have ( delivered theiueelves from you I That , at any rato , is a happy deliverance 1 They have , moreorer , the Impudence te state that there is no 'firm and honeiat-heaicfed pilot at the helm . Certainly not ; among their clique we cannot discover any forthcoming Cromwells , Hampdensj Waohlngtonsi Bolivars , or Esparteros , anipng them , but some striking likenesses ot ; a R 3 ynolds , ( the betrayer of Lord Edward Fitzgerald , ! an Arnold , ithe American traitor , ) Old Gloryand Ws man , ( Sir John Cam Hobhouse . ) v » ith a few . Talleyrands , wlthont the

      quantum of brains , might , without much difficulty , be discovered and traced . Now , we - . the ChaitlBts , opine that ire do boast of a firm and honest-hearted pilot at the helm in the person of Feargu * O'Connor , besides many others we could name from out our ranks , but which we suppress , from motivea of delicaey r Wfl are proud to acknowledge O'Connor aa our guide and leader , and we are prouder still to avow that be merits © very inch ot our confidence ! He has galiied a great moral victory—ay © , and a physfcal one , too—over the combined Whig and Tory faction at ifpttlDgbam— -we will throw in their faces the 1 , 801 gallant voters , there , and let them boast such another of their victories ,

      and than we shall witness the last kick of the donkey We have little doubt but groas bribery haa been employed hy the Tory scribbler and hia myrmldonp .: Xet us di 8 cpvO ! 5 it . tf pQBSible ^ an * unseat Wmi and oar victory will find no precacent In the annals ot history I The eyes of all Europe are upon you , and America , North and South , utters fervent prayers for your delivemice ; — a political and social ^ revolution effected by the people themselves ^! No page in history can recount Buch a triurpph , they bavo bsen made use of hitherto to farther the views of political tradeis ; and of scheming factions , and we earnestly taplore you not to sully y « ur eeciitcheoa by one false step or blot . WWleiaina-

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      rant , you have been enchained , and your lords and masters have used what knewledgathey possessed to perpetuate that ignorance . They are ttow half a century behind us ! ¦ ¦ ¦' ; - •' .. . v . ' ..-V ¦ . ¦¦ ¦ ¦ -. ' ., ¦ ' . " - ''¦; ' : ¦ ' : ' " A little learaing tiiaght tbem how to vrin iti Superior ekill might wrest it in a minute . " 7--- - : , ¦" .: '¦ ; : ¦ .- : .:: X : . X ; : : X - * X . MSSL ' Go on as at present , and it will oe strange if plumpudding and roast-beef , -with plenty of the juice of Jonn Barleycorn , does not chear yooe ; Christmas flre-Bides , ^^ er e ; i » e can number thei year of onr Lord 1843 , and the skDieegolee of the Union Bastiles go to fatten pig * . instead , of starving by lingering deaths the Christian popu ation of the British isles ! Should Parliament venture agate to meet , we . '' , aay with all oar hearts , oh ! for another Cromwell , ! . ' : vX / .: '" ; ' "' -:, ... ' : ' . .. - '¦ A Wqolwich Cadet . Chichester , Aug . 8 , 1842 .

      The Colliers' Turn-Gut

      THE COLLIERS' TURN-GUT

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE N 0 BTHERN STAR . SiB , —As tho bne and cry has gone abroad , that the coal and iron miners in arid ar 6 andAirdre 8 , Hollytown , a » d Glasgow have atvucfe wor 6 ,. and that rioting , robbingpotato-flelds , Btealing sheep , and shop-bre&kiag , has already begun ; the authorities were obliged to bring the military from Glasgow and Edinburgh , to Airdrie , to protect property , &c . The above has been circulated to the world by both Tory , Whig , and anti-Whig papers . Part is true I admit , but the greatet part is not •'• . ¦ . ' ¦ . ¦ ¦ : •¦ :- - ; - > :- . - ' - ' ¦¦ : . ¦' '' ¦¦¦ - ¦ "¦¦¦¦' . ;¦ ' :: ¦ ' :. " ¦¦'"

      Tins last reduction of wages has driven both coal and iron miners to that state of misery and want that any o ^ der of : society , but a patient and endnring class of beinRs , such as miners are , would have long ere this , repelled . even in the tecth . of all tin licensed robbers and murderers oar glorious constitution can parade . Be it known to the public , that . thernles ^ and laws made b $ our employera , over ! which we have bo control , are such , that we must work , when and where they think proper ,, and that tbey pay us much

      The average wages of the miners ol coal and iron , vary from Is . 7 id . to ? s ,: $ ^ d * , for putting pat one-third of mote ' labuur than they did , oneryear ago , receive . 4 s per day for j and at said time could , in many instances , get theirmoneyv » henearned , while now , we go to Our masters * store and take our labour in geoels ; or if the employer has oot a etore , he , according to his laws , makes ua pay one penny for each shilling lifted before pay-day . The original weighty known to be the statute rule , between the employer and the employed , was 12 cwt per cart round Glasgow ward , 13 C ( Vt . for the Markiand canal , and High ward ; this difference : the miners gave into , to make good the in-drink occasioned by boating , ' waggoning , ice , which the coal owners , in the Lower ward of the ceunty ol Lahatk ate iaot troubled with , and the original weight , understood to be the statute for tho iron miners'hutch of stones , was 7 . j cwfc . The ease stands different now , because every redaction that the miners' peacefully Bubtnitted to , was

      ; ittbntlt : ( l With an additional demand by the employers for an : incte ^ e of weight ; bo that now the col liers are obliged to put up 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , and in many places as high as 22 cwt . ef coal passed over a scree , the ribs of which are two and a half inches wide , and all that passed down through these ribs or wires , is called dross , for which the miners do not gei ; a farthing , while their employers retail the same for tne use of mills , engines , furnaces , && at six shillings , and six shillings and sixpence per waggon of 30 cwt . ; likewise the iron miner is obliged to put out from 15 cwt to 19 cwt ., and some worts have obliged to put up a ton . which is nearly two-thirds more than the original btatnte weight ; this , the public muafc know ia the cause of the miners making such an immediate reaiatance . They cannot suffer longer , and of course have resolved , that if their eiuployera have a power grnuted them from a class-legislating faction to starve them , that they will not be wrought to death and starved .

      Constquently , at a public meeting , held at Meadowhead , East from Airdrie , on Monday last , when Mr . Gibson , Chartist lecturer , and Mr . L&e , delivered fible speeches , relating to the present condition « f miners , as well as other labouring people , Sir . John M'Lay moved the following resolution : — " That we , the coal and iron miners , as a c ass of peaceful artizans , are , by the rapacity of an overbearing system of tyranny , borne down to actual at ^ rvation , and that we cannot suffer longer , propose that a deputation wait on the employers of every coal and iron-stone work , requesting four shillings per day , and onr original weight , payment of out wages in money , witbout per centage , and that we meet the Hollytown District ; , and Glasgow District , on Tuesday , at four o ' cltHjk ia the afterneon , to b ^ ar the report from our employers , and should we even get our grievances redressed , as a trade , that we never coase our agitation till the Charter become the law of the land . "

      The resolution was carried unanimously , and acted up ^ tov ' - ,- .... ¦ ¦ ' .. . "¦¦ ¦ ¦ - . ¦ - " ' . ¦ ¦' . ; ' •; - ¦ ' ¦' .. ¦ ¦ ¦ , ;¦ ' . ¦ - .. Accordingly we met , and got tne report from all the delegations , which was to this effect , that one or two were willing to accede to our wishes , and all the employers , with the exception of Mr . Wilson , of Dandyvan , ' - ' ( who browbeatingly would not hear tbem . V felt for us , and said they were willing to advance if others would . : . -.- ¦ . - ; . . . ¦ . . : - ¦ - ¦¦ - ; - ' ¦ .. "'"" '¦ A wetting of the whole three district ? was proposed to be held at Dalmarnock , from which a deputation was to be chosen to wait on and present a pstltiOn at the meeting of coal and iron-mastew in Glasgow , on Wednesdayi - - ¦ - ' . - . . ¦ .. - '¦ - . ¦ -. •• -. ' . ¦ " : ¦ ¦ - ,. ¦ This ineetiDg took place . The deputation went to Glasgow , an « l found that our employers did not meet as a body , they only met in parties , at different places . - . " ¦ : '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' . ' .- ... ' .. ¦ ¦ ' '¦ ¦' . . - -

      A general meeting of the whole body of miners met at Bailieton , on Thursday , from which all parted peacefully , as they formerly had done , according to a resolution passed to that effect . We that evening served each employer with a printed card , requesting tbum to meet at the Eagle Inn , in Glasgow , at twejve o ' clock at noon , on FriJay , when a petition from the coal and iron miners would be laid on their table , praying them to attend to the e&me . y Two large meetings were held on Friday ; one at Govan Iron Works , and the other South from Airdrie .

      A deputation waited at the Eagle Inn , and got our petition : folded up into a blank piece of paper , and no answer . This was reported to the body of coal and iron miners , Who resolved to stand but , Uiey could hot be worse standing than thpy were working ; but they would -petition the *' ¦ Sheriff" to cau'i 9 an inquiry , over Which they wished him to preside . A petition was pteseiited to him ; but like our employers , he thinks we shonld flubmifc to our supi&ridrs , and resume our empibyment , work warnings / according to the rules of our employers' works , ' which ne considered to be law ;

      and alHo , Bays his Lordship , " the poorest of you spend mjid in a . " . year , in ardent spirits , than I am out vf pocket for wine , sugar , tea , &o , for a yearj for my whole family . " He ninst be a total abstainer .. He could fill : tho district round Airdrie with horse and . foot soldiers , at the request of pav ! a . 7 n , a baillie of said town . Besides his Lordship has sent ub a present of thirty-six bluebottles full of Sir jaraea Graham ' s specific esseace of bludgeon law , to fill our bellies . Kind man , he might have kept them at heme , we don't want them 'i ¦ . •¦ ¦ ¦' ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ :., '¦ ¦ ' ' . •' . - " ; ' ' ' -: ; ' "¦' •¦ ¦ ' . ' " : ' ¦ "' " " '¦ ¦ .: ¦ : ' - . ¦ ¦

      We have acted , as yet , peacefully ,, and are resolved to do so . We are speculating plans ¦ to . ' snppert ; ourselves , a more honest-way than stealing from either Bfaops , sheop-foldsv or potatoe-fields , by foriuiiig support CommUtees , whe will grant Bills payable three ' or six months after date , to those who have aU * eatly offered as much as wecboEe of victuals from their shops ou the head of such security . ¦ Like ^ yiae we / the coal and iron miners , and our drawers , have resol ved that we will , not yield one : hour longer under the lasn of misrule , Bhould the cousequences be wb ^ t they will ; and should Wilson apprehend everymaHin . his employ and consign tliem to Bridewell , they will not yield—rthey cannot be worse in Bridewell than ia his gervice . And now that our employers are hatching a cockatrice , they never will bring it into existence . ; X

      We h .-vv © aiso resolved that as the sheriff has lent a dearcar to our supplicationa , that we msniorializa the public , and also petition the various tradesj who are gronrid down like ourselves ; jjelow the scale of human contemplation , to look into the justies tf pur claims , and if our conduct is Justifiable in - 'ih ' e » eyes , we auppHcatetheir interest in our behalf , either supporting us or to come to the field as we are , aud leave the class legislating villains yrho suck the Bweets of toil , to toil themselves ^^ or starve ; We have toiled too long for them , experience says , in language too plain and easy understood . " '•'• : . .-

      There are ninety , seven coal and ironstone pits in the Airdrie district out ; there are thirty-two in the Holytown district ; : forty-three ^ in the / Coatbridge district out , and twenty-eight ccal pita in the Giasgow district out ; all idle : about 13 , 000 in the whole ; nor doea it appear to end here , the same commotion appears about to burst forth in the East and Midlothian , Fife and Falkirkniining dietrictsj so there will be some eouraing of cavalry and marchiDg of foot aoldiera , and whole trains flllod with " Blue Lamba" in a short time i that is to say , : if every place has . a Bailie Daviecn , as no doobt they wiU . HoweTW , if evety tioop of cavalry lose five , and ( jvery regiment of foot low sixteen In as short a time as these , in this quitter have , by desertion , they ' wil . ( tire of marching military into quarters of pur peaceful Isle , to satisfy the capricious whims of any " Bletherin Bailie . " / ¦ of

      I thertefpie , as » ttader anl ^ Bubewibwr Northern Star , sincft the tot sneat stared in the faee of tyranny , sincerely wish you to give tbis letter a placo in your eoltuaas of Saturcay nesrt , ttoat the leaders of your paper may see tiuth . There is no occasion for military here , and we are prbnd to » ee / tbrbugh the medium of the Star , that the miners of Stafferdshire and other places , have conducted themselves so peacefolly , giving the / i ? ta all theae fiinctzonariea who fatten , on the crimes of their country / ' ¦ ¦ ' " . ' ¦ ¦/ : . ¦ . . ' - / . ¦' - ¦¦ ¦ .. ' . ! , : : ¦ ¦' .. V . ;; '¦ : " ' ¦" . " - . . '¦ ' ¦ ' I . am / ' . ' . - - ' : ¦¦ ¦ ¦'¦' - . ¦¦ v ; . ; •' ¦¦ ' ' . '; . ¦ A miner , and a lover of liberty , / August Stb , lo ± 2 , JoHM M'tATfj Secretery .

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      TO THE COAL MINERS OF THE TYNE . The second meeting . ot the officers and friends of the Coal Minert Benevolent Society was held ; as announced In the Northern Star of the SOth ultimo , in Mr . Cnarles Haines's Temperance Hotel / CamdeD-street , NoHh Shields , on Saturday ,- tha 6 th August , 1842 . at two o ' clock , p-m ., when several letters were read from euch collieries as oould . not Wtend personally , expreasive of their approbation of-the object for whica they had metj 8 howing theit consciousness of ita utility , an ^ pledging themselves to : come forward , and unite with

      them , at their next meeting , and in the meantim <; remitting donations for the fnrtb ' rance of their c ^ use . It was unanimbusly agreed to that they should hold their next meeting in the same place , oa Saturday , the 20 th August , at two o ' clock : in the afternoon ^ -wi . en it is expected that all those , . ' . coliiers who have not yet joined will at once come forward , and unite on that occasion ,- and if they who cannot attend ou the day appointed for the meeting wcnld be so kind as to ttate a time" moBt convenient for thtm , we ¦ will feel great pleasure in suiting their accommodation . ¦ Benjamin Eyle , Chairman .

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      EXTEWSIVE STRIKE AMONGST THE MINERS IN SCOtLAND . ( From the Glasgow Chronicle ) YesterdBy evening information baying reached us of a serious turn-out of the coal and ironstone minerBia and arohpd this neighbourhood , and of other alarm : ng proceedings on the part of the nnemployed , Ve despatched a reporter to the scene of action to ascvrtain tha particulars . On going out on the coach he observed drovte of colliers oh their way to Glasgow to attend a large meeting , which was to be- held to-day at DalniarhoekJbridge , to decide upon tte terms of the Btiike . At first ; they appeared in small parties , and g » . ( tuaily increased in numbers as be neared Coatbridge . They

      were all clean , and some of tbEm dressed in their bpst apparel—all carried sticks , and appeared to be in tii ^ h spiritp . On makiDg Inquiry h& found many cf the sbopkeepers hi alarm , and a general exeittment prevailing all around the neighbcuThood > It is Baid that today there is not a colliery round Alrdrie or Coatbtiuge in employment , and it . is anticipated the ironworks wanting coal will be unable to continue operations a week longer .. At Eundyvan one half « f the furnaces are out , and at Qartshfeisie there ; is also alarge rniuber extinguished . Last night fonr sheep have been carried off from one pf the fieid 8 in ttiis quarter , end a fidcl of potatoes on tho eetate of DrunipeHer has been tntirely cleared without theI ' siiifii tho acijustomed digging pperation , It is said that one of the overseora , oh ^ oing

      down to the field ' in question , found upwards c £ 20 O of ; the ; . worknien ; bnsiiy ; engaged ^ filling bag s with the crop . Bsing a&ked what , tbey wtre about , some of them : jocularly remarked that they had begun their harvest . Purinjj the night two of the storea of the works , one of them at Dundyvan , had been ibrbken into , : and a quaatity « r provisions carried off The garden of the Bev . Mr , Stirlipg , rulief minister at Coatbridge , was also entered , and a quaatity of potatoes and other vegetables n > ade away with . Yesterday alarge meeting of the mJnera was held on tho banks of the Mbbklaiod ; canal ; they came faem all quarterfr ^ -ilirdrie , Holytown , Belisbill , ChaptlhfiU , &o . Their proceedings at the meeting weTe very orderly , but , as they passed through Coatbridge , to the number of of

      about 4 ^ 00 Oj almost them carrying t-tlcks , they cheered vehemently , to the great terror of the shopkeepers and other ; inhabitants . The farmers all round , of course , are in much tribulation ; and serious a ;> prehensloris are entertained that the starving collitra may take the loan of the provisions and other necessaries of life in their immediate vicinity . At the meeting referredto several propositions were gone into . One or two apeakers—these the more violent- ^ proposed an ihimediate strike , bb the only means of ijri"g ' K ; matters to a crisis . -: An amendment was proposed , to the effect that they shoald continue at work fourteen days , until they had earned a : little moneys and thtn ¦ tutu out . Another resolution was brought forward by one or two of tha Ctiartists amongst them , that they ehculd not strike at

      all ; but petition their masters for a rise , and also the Government for provisions free '¦ ¦ of exciae duty . Nothing definite , however , was come to , and the meeting waa adjovuned till to-day . So . far we have stated pubiio report and outward appearances . Turn we now to the statements of the colliers themselves , which are nofc denied Tby the masters . About a year ago the avernga wages of c 6 Hier 3 in this district were as high as from four to five shillings per clay , which , allowing them te work four days a week ( and this is considered a fair amount of labour for ; m ordinary woi-fcing collwr ) , gave them from 16 s . to £ l per week . They are now paid , and have been for many months ,. the irobatone miners : on an average of is ^ lOd . to 2 s / : aday , the colIiersatgSiSdi to 2 s . 9 ^ d . Offthis , supposing them te work anentixe week bt five or six doya , they have a drawback ^ -for school wages , the doctor , oil , rent , to . —of about 4 s ., leaving them , even when in full employment , a miserable pittance to support existence . Add

      to this , that few of them have more than three days ' work , and many of them only had two for a series of weeks , their condition , then , must be deplorable in the extreme ; The labourers paid last year at 12 a . a week are now , paid , at 8 s . Thty deairetohave them back to 10 s . The colliers and mineis ask 4 s . a-day , v ? b ^ ch they insist their masters can well afford to pay . The miners are most exasperated against tee contractors ; the contractors , on the other hand , blame the masters One of these meD , who stand between the masters and the employed , was waited upon this morning at hia own house by a body of t&e men , when be toid them to go to h—11 . When we consider that there is not less than about 50 , 000 inhabitants in this important district , and that the . majority of . that number are employed below ground , it is fearful to think of the consequences of a protracted strike . It is said that hundreds of the msn to-day departed for the meeting without breakfast - - : - " ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ; . ' ¦ ¦ ' . '¦'¦ ¦'• . ¦ ¦• ' ¦ / : [ ' - ' < - ¦ ¦ . -. .. ' ¦ ¦ ' -

      The following is a list of the places and numbsr 01 thei . pits ( stopped work , at all of wbich the men haya turned out : —Ironbuckle , 3 ; Carabioe , 3 ; Mmjstone , 9- GMcIe , A ;; Kipps , 2 ; Ka « T « ru , 4 ; StoneHgg , 7 ; Bosehillbck , H ; Govan , Whit ^ fl . it , . 3 ; Go van Whitsrigg / 14 ; Burufoot , 2 ; Holehill , 2 ; Easter Meadowhead , I ; Gartlee , 4 ; AirdriiehUV , 4 ; PiieEtrigg , 4 ; Chapelhall , 2 ; Cairnhill , 3 CHftonhill . 2 ; Dundyvaa , 10 ; Mp 8 soeuk , 4 ; Dtumcoulter , 5 ; Wattrmagpie , 1 ; Dvkehead , 2 ; Bouth Stonerigg , 3 ; TodiVs Pitt , Calder , 1 ; Greenend , 5 ; Gartuck , I ; liedbng , 1 ; Ballocbney , 4 ; New Carcbroe , 4 ;; Gkrtsherria and ( Jartgili , 6 ; GartcIosB ( ironstQiiei ) 6 ; Groengairs , 2 ; Skeepford Lacks , 2 ; Blackrigg , 2 . In all , 147 . The great body of the colliers are now encamped : en the bank a little above X > al marnock-bridge , where they await the answer of the deputation ; .

      THE STRIKE AMONGST THE MINERS , ; AND TURN-OUT AT AIHDIE . AND COATBRIPGE , IN THE NEIGHOURHOOD OF GLASGOW . (• From the Glasgow Journal of Thursday ) PKOCLAMATION . BY THE SHERIFF . The state of this district since the aTrival of tbe milJtary Ia 8 tnight , remains quiot . In the meantime , at in early hour thiB mprnipg , the foliowing proclamation was issued , and extensively placarded throughout the disturbed districts : — The Sheriff , having received authentic information that a strifee , on a very extended scaJe , hGS fclken p ) ac 8 on the pait of colliers and iron-workers In and around Airdrie , and that the combined workuien have proceeded to acts of depredation and violence , by

      plaudering , in large bands , fields pf potatoes , and forcibly entering shops and dwelling-houses , to obtain provisions by force i and that the lesolutiou to . kelp themselves to subsistence has been openly announced , as the pr inciple of their strike , both at public meetings and in private , by members of the strike—hereby publicly declarea that such : Violent proceedings are ; directly contrary to la ^ , and will be repressed with the utnjosS energy by all . the constituted authorities . A large military force ; composed of cavalry and infantry , to ba eappovtedylf necessaiy , by artilieiy , wiil be forthwith stationed at Airdrje and Coatbridge , to sapport tha authority of : tho : law ; and all well disposed psreoaa are hereby invited to give Immediate information to the

      Sheriff , at Airdrie , of any illegal depredations or asseiBblages of worbmen , with intent tw commit the same ; and the ¦ whole combined workmen , aad in particular the coiaravttee or leaders under whom they act a ? 8 hereby , in an eepecial manner , warned that ; , us tha violent and illegal purposes of the combination have been openly declared , and authentic eviclenca of it obtained , thty are by law responsible for all acts of deprodation of . violence committed by' tbe combined wprkuien , Jn pursuance of the common objects and declared purpciscs of the combination , though not committed ia their own presence , or by their immediate directions , and that the law will be enforced against them accordingly . " Sheriff Office . Glasgow , August 3 , 1842 . "

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      The Taut , of the YixBiot Throwers took place on Friday , at the Cork assizes , when Daniel Loflorgan , John Drew , Daniel Sullivan , and Timothy Herlihy - , were found guilty , and sen leaded , to ba transported for life . - ;; } : A StAfpordshibe NAitoi ^ at tne present rate of work , is obliged to make a thousand nails , two inches long , for one shilliiig and sixpence ; iuid a thousand is acebnnted a ^ cod day ' s work for tho generality of workmen , ii We should like to know the value of

      the ironi before it is wroirghfc into the cailfl / and tae price of the thousand naila afterwards . ~ . r / The FjaEEHCiiiiEis and " cDpyKolders of the parishes of Levton 8 t 6 ne and WoodJord , have , addressed a communication to the Verdnrer ? a . nd Ljeutenaat of Eppinp / Hainault , aad Wftliham Fprestfl , coaxplainina of various enoroaohnaents upon their aneisfcfc rights t » s ^ ell 8 fl the ri ghts of the ^ Crownjor sevaial years past , and requesting them , as the protects of those . priViie ^ esj to attend , to the ^ setdeniejitiPf this Subject .: \ -V ; : . . - ¦ - - ¦ ; ; : . . •¦' . . ; . ¦ '¦;•• ¦ :: ¦ : '¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦¦ -: X : Ti ; : ^* iii- ^ iv : ' ..

      From a xist of the slavo-veesels and . » t » aber « f elates captured : by her . Majesty s-vesselsiof « -waioa the west coast of Africa , and takeo to SL Helena for adjudication , it Appears that thirty-two veBsel 3 w thin the last two years h ^ ive been ssized , having ' , oh board at the time of their capt \ ue ho loss thwi i 5 , 13 Selavee . ' : ' . ¦ . ' - >'¦'¦¦ - ' - ;¦¦ - ' --. ¦'•'¦ ¦ . ¦ - '' - ¦ : ¦ ¦' . . " ¦• v

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      ^_____ == — - __ TH _ E _ NORTHERN STAR , 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 13, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1174/page/7/