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_ fc — — ~ ^- - THE "REBECCA" MOVEMENT SOUTH WALES.
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Leeds :—Printed for the Proprietor, FEAR G U 3 O'CONNOR, Esq. of Hammersmith, County
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2T$e €*llievtf Jfi£o&em*nt
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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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_ Fc — — ~ ^- - The "Rebecca" Movement South Wales.
_ fc — — ~ ^ - - THE " REBECCA" MOVEMENT SOUTH WALES .
; Irom oar own Correspondent . ) Cf-rUCT 32 XWZES TEE POLICE A *~ D RI JECCaITES . V AlPianders , je Cae ^ axs , yp Kapoleons , all je ¦ wur—ors of bygone times , ye hosry-headed raansl 2 y > Ts of the present day , all you whose bleeds of bju-. rl . rv and blood have rane tHrougK every land , go h-is yoar diminished b . ead ? l Your bold exploits , jOivr daring feats , your brilliant actions , and all your ieeds of ctivslron ^ renown have been cast into th- -: sde , nay totally r-dipsed by the achievements of GiPf-siu Kspier as iho Pontarddnlais-gate .
Ca :--t . iSspier , be it known to yon , is not the Corujned re who battled « i-: h Ibrahim on the plains of SpK- Ko ! no ' our Cantain Napier Is 3 far greater ms ' . for he is Captain Napier of the Glamorganshire police . ' '!¦ - koi Alexander the Great , indeed ! he was a foi-i ' -- < Cap : a . n iSapitx ; to him Csesar wa- a child , an <> Sapoieon only a sucKing pig . Alexander con-? u - i ; b : rtit vras at ihe head of a mighty phalanx , a . r conquered , hv > % hs wielded the cohorts of im'vr-aj Home . Napoleon ccrqiered , bu ; it vrss on < x when siipportei by the cho ? en . chivalry of Pt j ; -e . Evtr * the iron-heaned Dak ? , the coTiqneror in ¦ -. nuii : rid battles , "was backed by the bull-dog bii '" - T sf British arms , bv the tli-ciplined array of
it * sJisy cf England : bat Capias Napier , ai-ied xm 1 \ i-y fonr rnrals , two Serjeants , oiie inspector , thr-- magistrates , and oaa limb of the law , slew , tcnK -r" - " -nrr ? , asd rou : ed 3 wiole army of R&bccc&r- -. So ai least 3 ny one won d conclude , from the Soar -i of tnnnper ? vmh which the affair has been ieri ' .-ied in l > y the Welch newspapers . They tfll us of a tireadnu battle which lasted a full half hour , anjis * he groans of the "wounded and the ratle of the 3 e-snas , and which terminst&d in ihe sigpal over nron of Rebecca and her daughters , se ^ en of ¦ wb . iti were caplared in the strnegle . Strar . ge to say . -. o ^ ever , not one of ihe police , not ODe of the jnajTs . Tares , not one of the sergeants , neither the ia-p . _ ^ r , the cleik , cop the captain wpre either
Mlir-j or wounded in the murderous eoaiict . No ; no : i- v of them has even a scratch to exhibit as a pro-r af his vaiour . although the combatants are Xer- " ~ * -d to hare waged the war at duelling Gistance , only ¦ ncr fifteen yards interposing between the pol-.-v and the rioters dnripg tae whole psriod of the btnody battle . This circumstance led your cor-Te ? y- " - oeiit to snspect that a msgnifying-glas ? , of soni t-venty-horsepower , had been made use of by tie r .-Dor ; ers in drawing up their accounts of the affray . He has accordingly been at some trouble in £ . -rins at the truth of the matter , and siiast sue - e < -ed la obtaining a correct version of the si « y , free- in individual whose veracity may be depended up-.-, fti he was an eve-witness of the whole aiL _ -T .
0 Wzdsesdat sight 1 J . ST , about half-past eleven o ' clv . i , a large body of Rcbeccaites mustered in . a j &alr n the immediate neighbourhood of LI anon . Ma ^ r of the m were armed with gucs or pikes , ajfd iron : iO lo 50 were vrtll mounted . They wsro disguised in i- - - -ale attire ; some of them with women ' s cloaks , Boro- - -frith bed-gowns , others with shirts ov « r their clci :. .-, and no : a few aped the conduct of their beti - — . , _ for want of better shift , contented the * --- ' : ves with merely turning their coats . Altoyeii ' iht 5 mustei-sd about a hundred strong ; and h 3 v . u 2 formed their line of march , fired a rocket , aid > " - c 5 for Pontarddulais , which is situate on the cci-fh ^ s of Glamorganshire and GLnaartbenshire .
On : r- ir way thuher they amused themselves , as nsusl with blowing cows' horns , firing guns and rfje * r ^ rtg from time to time & 3 they passed along . They- ^ vere joined m their route by various persons who w-ere determined to witness the spree ; and whe- - . bey leached Pontarddnlais , their nnmbers ssaormei ' to abont one hundred and fifty , many of v ? h ± ^ were pers boys . They gave three cheers on pas-ing the Inn , which irere distinctly heard by ihe tee-j- ! r of the gate , who concluded that it was time he sh-jsld be somewhere else ; and fear lending him ¦ winirs be was speedily out of the reach of danger . The noters were not slow in levelling the gate , Em ^ mg in the doois and windows , and otherwise
eoirp " : , -- < Ij guning the house . Having finished the work ' .-i destruction , they gave tiree cheers more , llev . : beir horns , fired off their gnns , and look their departure . About half-a-doz = D lookers on a ad three or fi vir of those who presupposed to have belonged to tit ? sard , remained behind their comrades , contern p ^ i ling the desolation which had been thus Epet -:.. ' y tffi ^ 5 ted , and perhaps axrangiDfi ior future seen- - t-f a , similar kind . Information had been recav cc by ihe authorities en ihe previous day , that on that n :-iht this particular gate was Jo be attacked ; and'Japtain-Napier—iht gallant Captain Isapieriras ii-OTicted to take measures for its defence , and if p ^ -: ble to secure the persons of som e of the ring-2 ea < i'Tr . That hero ( having prevailed upon J . D .
Ue ^\ iya , L LI . DiHwin , and 2 kL Moggridge , Esiju-. TeSj togeiher with plain Mr . Atwood , to accem ; --ssy him ) took charge of the party of police , cons-sims ., S 3 above staled , of one inspector , two Berji ^ -its , and four full privatPr of the GcTils breed ol " b-ii ; b&ttles . " They arrived long before the zicier ? mace their appearaDee . acd icok up their poFf 1 . ; .- ^ behind a hedge , about a honored yard 3 froEi the fated sate . Here they lay , shaking in their shoei . wliile the work of demolition waa carrieji on 5 and it vras only wten the more dj .-tant sounding of the hvns announced that the retiring foe tad withtlraTv ^ , tnat thej screwed their courage to the £ tkk- s , place , And rentured to approach the scene © faction . The newspapers iJJ us that they were
ancti *; and in ihis matter si l-. a £ t we may give them credk for being right , as these gentry seldom venture their pTeciou 3 carcass in the .-r .-cLnty of a row withont bVing absolutely armed to ihe teeth . "When they Baw vha party of straggleis , who , as already stated , rem £ ned behind at the gate , the police immediately openc-a their fire , which such of the riotera as wert : a possession of a gna ao prompily returned . In nuiat' -rs the parties were pretty nearly equal , but j n po-at of weapons tie police had decidedly the a-svaiage , as in addi : ion to fire arms each of iheni bad a stout cutlass by his side . The contest "Was maintained for about ten minutes with great spirii : when tie leadeT of the Rebeccaites had his lorse ihot under him , and his arm was shattered by
a bullet which penetrated the elbow ; but even then he w . uld not give in , but fonght stoutly hand to hand until he fainted trom loss of blood . The trampling of the dragoons , who were approaching at a hand gallop , warned those who were still maintaining thr nnr § aal strife that it was lime for them to be off , ard Itave the police victorious for once . But Vrkiki the = e things wo- ' - going on , where was the gallaB * . Captain Kapler ! s « d were where the sworn conservitora of the pnbiic peace ? Knmour says Ihat iiie Captain wa ^ sau ^ ly esconced behind the eorrtr of the toU-house ; bn ; yet doing his best to nrge < -m his dare-devils to close with their oppoHents ; and if "what rumour adds be vrne , he is better qnalijjed to be a " bowler ai cricket , " iban an f > Seer in cf rsral But moral
comnisnd -police . no tongue can tell what part the magistrates took in the affray ; for i ' - s- shrewdly surmised that they wholly iorgot to avT >? TT uiitil the fixing had ceased and the rioters jgd . '" The police now enjoyed a little bresthing time to St -vre tbe horse 3 ar . d handcuff the prisoDtrs , iefor ^ tbe cavalry came up 10 deprive them of their laurt !? . They accordirgly made fast the three men - whom ihey had taken , lwo cf whom were severely Trouu " -d . " Tne dragoons were forthTriLh despatched in pur-cit , but were unable to capture a single indivicu 3 i . They bad , however , the honour of cscortino' tfi three prisoners to Swansea , whje 1 am ¦ h 3 j > PT t-o be able to ftate that they have met with fiT erv ii ' . iention whicb ^ their simarion rt fnires ; and
it ii " -, * ptd that although seriously wounded , there is ec v little danger of their h juries proving mortal . I now -. urn to the doings of auother division of the foree ~ Jr > ployed on lbat « ventfnJ night for the capture -3 * R-becca , A division of the 76 ih Kegimen ; of for ' , sraticnedin tie Poor Law bastile , Llanclly , snarcit-i towards Pontarddalais , under the cominaii- of Captain Scott , who was accompanied by Mr . W . Chambers , jun , who officiates as a CarinartheEM : 1 : e magistrate , Ticy were uncertain wht iher theHtndy-Bridge Gate , or that at Pontardduiais ¦ jvas * o be the object of attack , and consequently concral' -d the soldiers bthind a Ledge n&ar the GwillT-bridge which is about midway between , the two . While they were tkulki-jg there thev heard
the Gnng of gnus a"d the blowing of horns in the direction of Poniarddubis , when their officer ordered them to load , and fix bayonets . They were ^ tbse qu ently div-dcd iniu two bodies , one cflmmaniJiid by Captain Seott , a-d the oiher by Mr . Paji > e . with orders to cut off ihe retreat of the nouTs between Bendy Bridge and Llanelly . ' Those vrho have read the foivjoing account must hav « obser ^^ - that when the gare was destroyed the main body of the rioters wivhdrew . They , iowerer . took an entirely different ron * e frum that trhicE ibe soldiers were guarding so carefnlly ; bnt one Died of the name ol l * wis X > ivies happened 10 te pass : ng by this roid at the time , and he wa 3 imme'iiately grabbed by Captain Scott arsd Mr . Chambprs , and wasleJt , ra charge of Sergeant Gibb . The prisoner was airirrd in his usual dress , but he had a woman ' s cap in his packet , which was produced against him by Mr . Chambers a ^ proof that HebeecaHis facs
he belonged to . was also distoloured with black paist and ochre . Sergeant Gibb was directed to detain him a prisoner , -whilst Jhe party sored off ** donble quici" towardB the turnpike road leading from PontardduLuB to Llanelly . Hereagaia thay ware pi 2 C « d behind a hedge , and , » s a party of three or four of the rioters were retreating by this route , they observed Mr . Chambers peering orer the hedge , and sent a little boy , who was dressed in girls' clothing over the gate , to ascertain who the parties might be who were Btationed there . Thi 3 yooxgstor , after a smart chase , was secured , but the others made their escape . 'The sergeant , who had been left near the Gwiliy Bridge captured two others ; and the four prisoners were forthwith taken to Lianeliy . Bnt prior to this , they advicced as far as the Pontardduiais gatej where they had . nearly been charged by the dragoons , who supposed them to be Reheccaites re-
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turning to tin a-tack , and h was with no small difficulty thai they could convince them of their mistake . Th 6 four prisoners who were removed to Llanelly were brought up next day for examination before the Magistrate ? , when it was agreed tha t as the toll bar which the prisoners were charged with destroying , was situated in Glamorganshire , the magistrates of Carmarthenshire had no jurisdiction in the matter but to order the removal ot the prisoners to Swansea , which order was carried into iffect at an early hour on Friday morning . Your correspondent witnessed the arrival of the prisoners , and a greater exhibition of weakness he never saw manifested on any previous occasion . The ocort , which was composed of s strong detaehment of the 76 ih , was headed by
inspector Ross on horseback ; and if ever two made a pair in thi = world , Rosa and his horse were certainly the couple ; the Fsme amount of intelligence , the same reasoning faculties , and about tho same amount of brutal force being displayed by lbs biped and quadruped in question . The prisoners were handcuffed ; n pairs in the centra of the party , and lest the threo boys and a man should have attempted resistance , the whole of the party marched with fixed bayonets . The very soldiers hang down their heads and Mushed as they proceeded through back lanes 10 the house of correction , amid tb « jeers of those who witnessed their progress . At the time I write ( Mtadsy ) , the examination has not taken phce , but when it dots so I shall forward you full pirticulars .
llfbecca is in no wi ? e disheartened by the misadventnri which she ms t with on Wednesday night ; for ob the foOowiug Fr iday - -ho and her children demolished another gate in Carmarthenshire , and also si-: fira to a straw rick , 'he property of Mr . Chamber .- - , who headed the military on the previous exeurrion . Oa Saturday nigHi ihey demolished another gate and toll-house somewhere near Pontardduiais , saii the old woman who iras at the gate teas thot fc / ihe rioters .
On Sunday night , the rioters again mustered to the number of about seven hundred men , when they pmcetded to the houu occupied by Mr . Cimmbera's gamekeeper , which they wholly demolished ; they cext proceeded to a farm-yard , which is in that gemlemaii's possession . They set fire both to the grain in the stack-yard and the office houses adjoining , all of which were speedily in a bias ? . Yrhen they had completed their work of destruction , they proceeded to that gentleman ' s residence , but he had got the hint and was nowhere to be found .
I forgot to mention that an attack was made early on Wednesday morning , on the house of Mr . Lucrofi , R . N ., harbonr master of Lianelly , who had rendered himself obnoxious to c-. rtain parties by the introdicron of new regulations regaioing the pilotage . They threatened him that if these new regulations were not abolished in a fortnight , he should receive another visit , which would not bo so well for him . Several shots were fired into his hou .-e , but no one of the family was injured . Tuey passed Mr . Seville ' s copper-works , where they fired i-everal volleys , and afterwards proceeded to the village of Yslinfoel , where having obtained some letrebhrnents , they quietly dispersed .
EXAMIUATION Oy THE PRISONERS . At the time of my writing the above , I was informed tbat the examination of the prisoners was going on at the Town Hall , and having proceeded thither , I found the magistrates examining the wit nesses . 1 obtained a copy of the depositions , and new abridge them for the information of your reader .-. Joha Hugh , John Hughes , David Davies , Lewi > Diviea , Wm . Hughes , la icero boy about ten years of age , ) Henry Rogers , and Tnomas Williams , were placed in the do ni :, charged with being participators in the outrage at Pontarddolais .
Charles Frederick Napier ol being sworn deposed that he is captain of the police , and in consequence of information he received he proceeded with a party of men to Pontardduiais . He arrived there between twelve and one . He heard a great noise of horn 3 blowing and guns firing . He heard also a voice like an old woman ' s crying " come , come , come . '' He heard other sounds like the mewing of cats . Taese sounds seemed to proceed from the direction of the Red Lion Inn , which is a short distance from Pontardduiais gate . When we caino witnin sight of the gate we saw a great number of men present ; they were in various disguises and seemed to have been destroying the gate . Some had white dresses on , others had bonnets on , and most of them
appeared to be dressed like women ard had their faces blackened . About three of those who were mounted seemed to take part in the proceeding ? at the gate . They had their hordes heads towards the gate at ) d their backs toward me . There was a continual firing of guns kept up by the rioters . I formed my men and called on the parnes to stop . I made use of the word " stop" three or four times . Uftpa coming up to them one of the tnounttd nun who was disgnised as a woman tunud round and fired a pistol at me . 1 was close to bim at the time . I moved on a few paces and a volley was fired by the parties assembled in the direction of myself and my men . The volley was fired at us ; at least this was my impression at the time- 1 then endeavoured to take the parties into custody , but we mot with considerable resistance . John Hugh , David Davies , and John Hughes were among them . John Hugh wa 3 dressed in a white clojk ar . d had something
like a feather in his hat . I saw the prisoner David Davies aim a blow at L . LI . Dillwin , E-q ., but cannot say whether it icok effect or not . A fler the pistol shot and volley were fired at U 3 , I fired ana shot the tho horse on which the man was monnted . We returned the fire , and a general skirmish took place , during which 3 nnmber of shots were fired oh both sides ; but in a sh- ^ rt space of time the rioters dispersed . Three of the horses riddtn by the parties on that night are in my custody . After the rioters were dispersed 1 found that the turnpike-gate was de-troyed , with the exception of the posts . The gate-house was gutted , the windows , w i ndow-frames , and doors were driven in , and a portion of the wall of the honse was pulled down . I discovered the marks of shot in the sash of one of the windows . I found two sledge-hammers , twocrowbars , and a pickaxe , which are now in possession of my men .
Price , a police-officer , depo = ed that he was on dnty at Pontardduiais gatr on the night in question , where be saw a crowd . He pulled a man irom his horse ; that man was the prisoner , John HugheB . He saw him on horseback , in front of the mob . He had then a white cloak over his body , a white cloth over bis hat , and a red hanakerchief about his neck . He had also a gun , and a tin horn in h ' -s hands . He fired the gun in the direction of the police . He was about ten or fifteen yards distant at the time ; was sure he wa 3 not twenty yards distant . This was from five to eiuht minutes before he took the prisoner , which he effected at last in front of the Red Lion .
William Lewis sworn . —is a shoemaker by trade , and h 3 s been gate-keeper at Pontardduiais for the last year . Recollects last Wednesday night ; cannot remember aiiy thing particular , as he ( witness ) ran away . Between eleven and twelve he removed his good . - , as he heard " Becca ' was coming that night . He stopped some time in the house afterwards . TVhiie he was standing at the door , between twelve and one , he sav , ' a great number of persons on the road near the Red Lion ; but when he saw them comfi » s far as the bridge , he ran away . He heard sho-s fired in the crowd . He went about sixty yards from tne house , when he hid himself . He remained there tor three-quarters of an hour ; when he retarn <> d to the gate-house he found that the door and windows were broken , and part of the house pulled down .
Grorgo Jone 3 , sworn—Is a sergeant in the Glam « rgan ^ bire police ; was at Pontardduiais on duty last Wednesday night . He was certainly afraid . He heard firing of guns and blowing of horns . There was a large concourse of people . After the mob had dispersed he saw David Davis run out of the to- ' -bouse . Witness pursued and laid hold of bim He pushed witness aw&y , when a regular sccS ¦ en ~ ued . Witness succeeded in keeping him in < - > i-u-dy , for he handcuffed him . Wiliiarn Chambers , iun ^ the magistrate , and
Serjeant Gibbs , of the 76 ih Regiment , deposed to the lacis o' ihe apprehension of the other prisoners , as I havt r-tated already , when the magistrates agreed to remand the first five prisoners on the list until tomorrow , ai eleven o ' clock ; but there being no evidence against Henry Rogers and Thomas Williams , after a strict caution from Lord James Stuart , cuairman of the magistrates , they were dismissed from the bar . Mr . Hu * ih Williams , of Carmarthen , took notes on behalf of the prisoners , but was not allowed to
cross-. La ? t week , two wheat stacks , the property of Lord DyntV'jur , were set on fire , and information was given implicating a person whose name I have been - unable to learn . The case was heard by the magistrates at Llandilo , on Saturday ; but after sitting 10 a very late hour , the evidence was not conshJe-ed sufficiently strong to autherise the magistrates 10 commit , and the accused party was consequently discharged . In the Times of Wednesday appears the following relative to the burning of the stacks and barns belonging to Mr . Chambers , and the firing upon the
woman-keeper of the Hendy-gate- This step is the boldest yet taken by Rebecca . " It will , most probably , have a considerable effect upo » the measures adopted to " put her down . " In my letter of yesterSay I stated to you . that the revragefnl feeling of the Welch people of this district was exhibiting itself in acts of incendiuisn agAiDft the property of a magistrate ( Mr . William Chambers ) of thiB town , who has rendered himself , it would appear , obnoxious from his efficiency and activity . I am sorry that I have to-day again to record similar cowardly and alarming acts against the property of this gentleman .
Mr . Chambers owns and cultivates a farm , called Tynywern , about seven miles from Llanelly , on the Pontyberrem road . Yesterday morning , between one and two o ' clock , the barns and outbuildings of
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this farm were set firo to , together with the hay and corn stacks , all of whioh were completely consumed , and about £ 200 worth of property destroyed . One of the farm boys was awakened , and on looking out saw the outbuildings on fire , and about fifteen men disguised leaving them . The same men . were then seen to go across tho country to another farm occupied by Mr . W . Chambers , called GelbygUnoy , and there they set fire to the corn aud hay stacks . Three stacks of corn and one of hay , worth about £ 150 , were entirely consumed .
The most shocking part of the night ' s history remains ? till to ba told . On the road from Llanelly to Poxtarddulais , and within 500 yards of the latter place , is a tarnpike-gate called Hendy-gate . This was kept by an old woman upwards of seventy years of age , who has received frequent notices that if she did not leave the gate , her house should bo burnt down . Aboat thteo o ' clock yesterday morning a party of ruffians set fire to the thatch of the tollbouse . Tne old weman on being awakened ran into the road and to a neighbouring cottage within twenty yards of the foil -house , shouting to the people who lived in it , For God's sake to come out and help her to put out the fire ; there was not much . " The occupier of this cottage , a stout able man , whom I saw las : night , told me tbat he was afraid to go out , and begged the old woman to come into his cottage
, winch she refused , and went back to try and save seme of her furniture . It appears her exclamation had been overheard , for tho villains returned and set fire to the thatch again . The old woman then ran across the road , and , 39 I am informed , shouted out , "She knew them ? ' when the brutes fired ai her and shot her dead . She staggered as far as the neighbouring cottage door , and there sunk dow » dead in the arms of the cottager's wife . I drove over there last ni&ht . The ruins of the toll house were still smoking . In the neighbouring cottage lay the body of the poor old woman . She appears to have been shot in the face , which was covered with blood , and the cottager said there were slug marks in the cheeks . But I turned away from the shocking sight . I could not bear to look at it .
Where 13 all this to end ? A most foul and " cowardly murder has at last been committed . Much have those to answer for , who have produced this state of society . The stupid excuse— " Wa knew nothing of it , " will not exonerate those whose duty it was , from their position , to know it and to provent it . As way naturally bo supposed , this town is in a strange state of excitement . A party of dragoons , in addition to the infantry , have come to the town , and were last night out scouring the country .
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Delegate Meeting of Colliers . —A meeting of Staffordshire delegates was held at the house of Mr . James Kollaaon , Oldbury , on Monday last , September lllh , Mr . William Thomason , chairman . The nnmber of members having been reported from each place , Mr . Richard Butler , delegate t » tha North , gave in his report . Tho following objects are among those to be carried out : —A reduction in the hours of labour . That the death club stand as befote , viz ., that tho widows of deceased miners receive three shillings weekly , and one shilling for each child . That the men be not compelled to go to work so early in the morning . That there be an equalization of wages between tha thick sod thin coal men . That the stone men have 3 s . 3 d . per day , for einht hours ; and that miners have 4 s .
daily . Mr . Butler gave some cheering reports on the prospects of the Association . The following resolution was adopted : — " That this delegate meeting returns tbivoks to Mr . Butler , as the Staffordshire delegate , and we recommend our fellow workmen to aid us in breaking down oppreesion , and defending the sacred rights of labour . " Mr . Thomason then read the balancesheet It was moved and seconded , " That the books of each lodge be brought to the district meeting when next assembled . ' Two delegates were deputed to go to Shropshire . A Shropshire miner was appointed to accompany them as a guide ; and it was agreed that
money be forthcoming against Monday , 18 th , to meet the necessary expeucea . Mr . B . Pvle moved , and Mr . George Jones seconded , " That it is the opinion of this district meeting , that the Coal , Lead , and Iron-stone Miners' Association be kept inviolate by all the members and 1 districts ; and that no man be called out among us to lecture who is not brought up to the trade ; and that all who are now employed as lecturers be discharged from their office , to make room for those members who are out of employment on account of the Association , —the engagement of any but member * being bpposed to its rules , and against its prosperity . " " That rhe resolutions be transmitted to the Northern Star for
publication . " Halshaw Moor . —A public meeting of miners was holdea in the above township , on Monday last , Sept . 11 , which was ably addressed by Messrs . Lomax , Auty , Swallow , and other friends , upon the necessity of union as one means of improving the condition of the miners , and raising them from the awfully degraded position to which they have been reduced . Each speaker was listened to with the most marked attention ou the part of the audience ; and Messrs . Lomax aud Swallow , in particular , were loudly Applauded . The meeting Was a very good one ; and the following resolutions were passed unanimously : — " That we , the miners of Halshaw Moor and neighbourhood , are convinced , by sad experience , that the present rate of wages paid for our
labour is wholly inadequate to procure even the common necessaries of life ; we therefore cannot consider ourselves sufficiently remunerated . " " That wo now resolve , as one means of improving our condition , to immediately connect ourselves with the Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland . " The business of tne public meeting having been dispensed With , the delegates from the various collieries proceeded to the Bowling Green Inn , and the chairman who bad presided over the public meeting having been again called to the chair , he briefly addressed the meeting . Tbe secretary then read over tha various items of Income and expenditure , which , upon being indited , were
found to be correct . The following Bums of money were then banded over by the delegates , a * the contributions of their constituent * for tbe last fortnight : — Bradford Colliery 6 s id , Chorloy Mour 3 s lid , Wigan , Crofter ' s Arms £ l lfa 8 d , GIszton Colliery la 3 d , Hurst Brook 7 b 8 d , Coppull 6 s 3 d , George and Dragon , Wigan 6 s £ d , Bull ' s Head , Ditto 5 s , Hanging Bank 9 s 4 d , Bolton £ 1 6 s 3 ^ d , Fleece Lodge , Bolton £ i 4 a 8 d , Little Bever £ 1 19 s 7 d , Stand Lane , Pilkton 3 s lOd , Darcy Lever 17 s 5 d , Top o'th Line 8 s lOd , Bank Top 4 s 5 i , FarDhill 33 lOd , Ratclrffe 10 s , RiDgley Horse Shoe £ 1 Is 8 d , Ringley , Grapes Inn £ l 3 a 6 d , " Halabaw Moor It 2 d , Dixon Gresa 12 s 6 d , Lane End , Over
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Hutton £ 1 16 s Id , A&pell Moor 18 s 3 d , Edge Green 12 s 61 , Collier ' s Arriis , New Spring £ 2 19 s 7 d , Bacup 10 s , Pendlebury 10 «; Bradbury lOd . Total £ 21 13 s 9 d . Tbe following resolutions were then apreed to by tbe delegates : — " That a subscription of 3 d . per member be requested from th » various lodges in Lancashire for the purpose of assisting our Cumberland brethren in their resistance to the unjust requirements of their employers . " " That John Lomax accompany D . Swallow into NoTtb Staffordshire ; and tbat their expenses for the present be borne tojtbe Lancashire District . " " Tbat we will not countenance any partial or sectional Strikes ; nor will we recognise any Strike whatever unless sanctioned by a general Delegate meeting . " " That a
public meeting bn holden on Aspell Moor , near Wigan , on Monday , 25 th of Sept Chair to be taken at eleven o'clock in the forenoon . The Delegate meeting to take place immediately afterwards at the Brown Oow , Scholefield-lane , near the infant school , Wigan . " " That Mr . John Be ' rry , be elected a lecturer to this society . " " Tbat Henry Dennet and John Berry labour in tho Wigau and St . Helen's district ; Mr . Auty in the Burnley , and Mr . Thompson in the Oldham Districts . " '' That two- gentlemen be appointed by the Executive to go into jtbe neighbourhood of Poynton , in oider to agitate more . efftc ' -Uftlly the district of Cheshire . " Tbanks being voted to the chairman and to the editor of the Northern Star , the meeting terminated .
Redding , Stirlingshire . —Messrs . Daniella and Hammond visited this colliery on Tuesday , the 5 th instant , and faml nn interview with some of the men , and were very favourably received . This work belongs to tbe Duke of Hamilton ; and notwithstanding the Act of Parliament against employing females in coalpits , yet there ora notjless than sixty women employed in Redding works alone ¦ Bentasktm , nea& Falkirk . —The men of this extensive colliery held a meeting on the Public' Green , on Wednesday , th << 6 th instant , Mr . Hugh Dyrample in the chair . The meeting was addressed for upwards of two hours by Mr . William Daniells . after which , a resolution was passed in favour of joining the Miners ' Association . After a unanimous vote of thanks had been given to the Chairman and lecturer , the meeting , which was a most enthusiastic one , separated .
Boness , Li > lithgowshire . —A public meeting of the colliers tif this place , awl the men of Grange Panns , was held 0 : 1 Thursday , the 7 th instant , on the seashore . > lr . James Barnes was called to the chair . The meeting was addressed at great length by Mr . Wm . Diuiells , on the objects and laws of the Miners' Association , also by Mr . [ Hammond ; . when it was agreed " That tho men of Boness and GraDge Panns join their English brethren " ^ his was a larg e and spirited meeting . The ubual votes of tbanks being given , the meeting terminated . \ Bent Ekd , by Falkirk . —The colliers of this district beM a public open-air meeting on Friday , 8 th instant , Mr . TVomas M'Kwen in the chair . Messrs . D . miells and Hammond addressed the meeting , when the meeting pledged themselves to join the Miners' Society . Votes of thanks were given to the Chairman and each of the speakers , when the meeting broke up .
Falkirk Delegate Meeting . —A delegate meeting of the colliers of this quarter was held at tbe house of Mr . Brodie , Blue Bell Inn , on Saturday last , Mr ; Thomas M'Ewen in jthe chair ; Mr . Wm . Daniells as secretary . The meeting was well attended , and was shortly opened by Mr . Wm . Daniells , who said he trusted that meeting jwas met for business—not to hear speeches . He showefi the meeting how they should conduct the affiirs of the district , and advised them to choose a district committee to direct the s-tme . A committee of five was then chosen , whose names for obvious reasons it would be dangerous to give . A report from the different works \ was then given in , which was very favourable . A jirrwit deal of district business was transacted ; and they ! agreed to meet again on Saturday ( this day ) at the Bame house .
Glen End—A public meeting of tbe colliers of this place , St'iiie-rigg , and Rtrddington waa . held on Monday last ( lltb instant ) , at Wallace Stone , Mr . John Patterson in the chair , for the purpose of hearing Mr . ; Wm . Diniells deliverla lecture 011 the 1 > ws , organizition , and objects of the Miners' Associatitm , which he did evidently with good effect ; for the meeting immediately after he had finished his discourse passed a resolution ' in favour of the Association . The pHcs of holding ' this meeting is one of ; tha most remarkable in Scotland , being the ground where the battle of Falkirk was foueht , between the English and Scotch , in the year 1298 ; and Wallace Stone is a square pillar eTected to commemorate that event . On one side of the pillar is a latin inscription , signifying that a battle was fought there on the 2 nd and 3 rd days of August . 1298 ; and on the reverse the following : —Erected to the memory of that celebrated hero , Sir William Wallace , 3 rd August , 1810 .
Glassow . —A numerous meeting of the miners of the Glasgow Coat Bridge and Hollyton districts took place on Monday , near Tolcross . The meeting was addressed at c nsideruble length by Mr . Hammond , delegate from England on the necessity cf a National Union . Mr . H ., whose silvery lucks bespeak the work ot the unerring hand of time , spoke with considerable fluency , urged the object of his mission with great earnestness , and sat down amidst tbe repeated cheers of the meeting . Mr . Clochan , of Hollyton , recommended that they petition the Lord Lieutenant of the county , and that a copy of said petition be sent to every magistrate in the county : he would also urge upon them the propriety of appealing to the masters before doing anything further . Mr . Buntou , of
Shittleston , deprecated the idea 01 going to the masters . Let them go to tho authorities , : vnd if nothing was done there for them , then it would be their duty to do societhinj ; for themselves . A m . in said the wen in the Tankurton Pit did not know whether they should be allowed to work any more . The master bad expressed his determination to aiki 4 cwt . to tU « standard ; the standard 3 aa 12 . ] cwt ., but tkey were putting out near 18 . Another man said , that in his pit they were putting out nearer 19 than 12 cwt . ; but there was worse than even tbat ; there were wen in that meeting who could prove that ; a few days ago one of their men was standing on the pit-head wheu his own work came up ; but the man dirt not know at tbe time it waa bis own work coma up ; near half a cwt . thrown
off one of his hutches into a dross heap , the hutch weighed 14 j owt ., yet it was declared to be below the standard ; consequently the mau lost his whole day's work . That was the ; way the masters made their fortunes ; they were not 8 atit-fled with giving the men low wages , but , ia many ; instances , they gave them no wages at all . If 7 lb . \ of stone was found in a hutch , the man lost the whole , and the men dare not complain for fear of losing their work . They wished to be paid every fourteen dajs . Another man said , that in one case , where forty-ei ^ ht men wt = re employe- ! , no less than sixty-four carts were condemned in one week . It was not a question of * wages so much as a question of justice . Previous to coming to any decision as to what should be doae , the ¦ various districts separated to
consult amongst themselves . On their re-assembling , it was unanimously agreed tbat tkey should net in concert as hitherto Mrj Clockan said tbe mun of the Hollyton district were ' jfor a strike ; several belonging to the Glasgow district 1 condemned the very idea of a strike . A draft of a pi-titum , in t « rms of Mr . Clochau ' a motion , wai read by > ir . M'Nee , the Secretary . to the Glasgow dictrict , and unanimously agreed to . The petition briefly jset foVth the ina , in grievances complained of . Anii . n ^ sijotljer things it evinced that the iniquitouy truck system uiiuht be done away with ; that they should be puul at leu » t every fourteen days ; and in particular that their work tnoulu be weight-d at tho pit-bottom in their oiwa presence , instead of , as at
present , on the pit-h . ad , whereby the man are prevented , from having any chf « . k again -t ibe masters . It was moved and agree' ! to tbat a delegate meeting * be held at Lahglone on Thursday . Mr . Hamruimd cailcd tbe attention of the meeting to the ot j-.-ct of his mission , and appealed to them , 'to ^ ive him an answer either for or ajainst a National Union . Mr . Cloeh&n recommended that every oue present should press the matter on the consideration of Vbriv rbspecUve works , so that the delegates should be present to stite on Thursday the feelings of their respective comtitueuts on the subject . Tho motion beint ; seconded , was put from the cliair , and carried unanimously . A vot « of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings , which lasted from twelve o ' clock , till four .
Wingate Grange Colliery—We are glad to hear that the persecuted men of ttvs colliery have , thanks to the gallant labour * of Mr . Roberts , got back to work again . We understood that this is tbe result of an agreement between Mr . Roberts and the solicitor for the pit-owners , the obnoxious wire-rope has been removed , and is at present under tho safe custody of two loc&s , the key of ] ene of which is kept by Mr . Roberts . An action for the men ' s wages will shortly be commenced under the management of Mr . Roberts . EaRATUM . —The Is lOd from Hopple , published in our last , shou d havt >! b-. en £ 1 10 s . Tne following is a further list of subaciiptions received for the Wingate men : — !
Subscriptions to Wingate Men , Sept . i * t , 1843 . —Ouston £ 3 8 s ; K'n * Pit 7 s ; Soutb Shields £ l 14 s 3 U ; Nova Soot a £ 1 14 s ; SeaVon Deleval £ 2 18 s 5 : 1 ; WalridgeFell £ 1 las ; Darwent Iron Worfca £ 1 6 s 3 d ; South Moor 7 s 9 1 ; R . tcliff £ 2 63 6 d ; East Cr imlington £ b [ . 81 ; Heiton £ 3 13-s 8 * 1 ; Whilley £ l 2 s ; Oxclose ilOs 10 1 ; Wylam £ l 14 s Id ; Netherton £ 2 7 s 3 d ; Spring well £ 2 , 2 s 6 J ; Goose £ 2 ; Gisfortb £ 1 10 s lOd ; Snith TanBeld 12 s 6 d ; Pontop 16 s ; Fawdon | £ l 2 s 81 ; West Moor £ 4 5 s 6 d ; East Holy we 11 £ 2 4 s ; Steekburn £ 2 Is ; Boraucepeth £ 2 is l £ d ; Earsdon £ 1 la 6 d ; Walleend £ l 17 s 0 d ; Benwell £ 1 2 s Sd ; Jarrow £ 2 15 s ; Greencroft 14 s 6 d ; Marlow Hill 13 s 6 d ; Rlbleaworth
£ l 6 b id ; West Townley £ 2 4 a fld ; Seg bill £ J 8 s 7 d ; Andrews' House Us 5 . 1 , South Elswick £ 1 14 a ltd ; Washington £ l ; Farnacrea £ 1 13 s , South Peplow 9 b ; Sheriff Hill Quarrymen £ 2 ; West Cramlington £ S ITS ; Sheriff Hill Colliery £ 2 « 8 ; Trindon , £ 15 Is < d ;\ Castle Eden , £ 8 14 s ; Thornley , £ 4 I 83 6 d ; Cassoss , £ t 10 s ; Kelloe , £ 5 ; Quarrington Hill , £ 1 15 s ; TysocSfs , £ 3 59 lid ; Hfjtton , £ 1 13 s 7 d ; Ellemore , £ 2 Os 6 c 1 ; South Hetton , £ 4 12 s 3 d ; Datton , £ 1 16 s . lid ; Heug-h Hall , £ 1 16 s 6 d ; Prmerton , £ 4 16 a ; FramweH-gate-moor , £ 2 11 s fd ; Hnnwick , £ l 6 a 84 ; Cragg Head , 11 s lOd ; Wingate Frie » ds , £ 2 is ; Black Boy , i £ 2 9 s ; St . Helen ' s Aucklaad * lla 3 d ; Scuth Moor , ! £ 1 3 s .
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To the Citizens of Dublin , and lo Hie ConiUtnersofCoal in the various low / is on the N . Coast of Ireland , and tt Ihe People of Great Britain . We , the colliers working at Whitehaven , In the employ of tbe Right Hon . the Earl of Lonsdale , in conjunction with our brethren in other parts of Cumberland , having been forced from our employment , for exercising the privilege which every British subject is entitted to , namely , the right to unite or combine to reduce the honrs of toil , or to increase our wages , hasten to lay before you eomo of tbe grievances under which we labour , and to remedy which , we are now forming a general union of our trade throughout Great Britain and Ireland . In Whitehaven , two-thirds of the colliers are Irishmen , who have been forced from the land of their
birth , to eke out a miserable existence in the sunless mine ! and to suffer greater privations than any other class of men in employ . Within the last ten years , the wages of the miner have been reduced , in most caseR , one half ; and , in many instances , two-thirds . It is true , the nominal price for " bagging" tee coal has not undergone bo great a reduction as is here stated ; but tbe enlargement of the baskets , and a diminution in the price of such baskets , warrants us in saying tbat the above reductions are consideraWy under . In Croft Pit , the price formerly paid for " bagging and trailing" a basket of from 11 A cwt to 12 cwt . was 7 d ., and from Is . GJ . to 2 s . 6 ; 1 . yard price ; that is , for every yard of coal from six to eight feet wide , and from four to fire feet high , the Miner bagged out of the mine , he ( rot
the abeve-named yard-price . The present price is 6 jd . and no yard price ; and for this sum the miner h ? s , after bagging , to trail or drag these baskets from 100 to j 200 yards . In many cases horses are used to draw the I < oal from the bagger : when it is so the miner gets but 5 £ 4- la some places tbe coal rises from the level from seven to eight inches to the yaid . The miner was formerly paid for every fifty yards one halfpenny per J basket ; he is now paid the same Bum fer the first 100 I yards , but not a farthing after , although , in many in-I ttauces , the poor miner has to trail them from 500 to j 600 yards , and the distance ia continually increasing . j The average hours are from fourteen to sixteen , and the wag 83 for such hours , when there are no off-takes , from 2 a . to 2 s . 6 d .
At Wilson Pit the yard priee , which waa a shilling , has been taken off : the miner is paid 8 d . per basket , same size as above , and has to hag and trail them a distance of from 400 to 500 yards , rising some seven or eight inches in the yard . The men work from fifteen to eighteen hours for not more thai 2 s . per day . At Duke Pit the basket is ten cwt ., for which the miner receives 4 id . for nagging and trailing it upwards of 300 yards . The hours are fifteen , and the wages fer such hours 2 a . 4 d . The basket at the Countess Pit was formerly but nine cwt ; it was then eightpence : it ia now eleven and a half cwt . and is only sevenpence . The hours are from twelve to fourteen , and the average wages about 2 a . 6 d . The William Pitt . ( alias , the " Slaughter House" )
former price 6 d ., present price 5 | d ., fur hasrging and trailing 150 yards ; the hours from twelve to fourteen , the wages Is . lOd . At Ougbtefside , the honrs are from twelve to fifteen ^ the number of days worked in the fortnight from five to twelve , and the average wanes , exclusive of off-takes 2 s . 84 per day . At Oughterside-raoor and Gillcrux , tbe hours are from fourteen to seventeen , the number of days in the fortnight , which the men work , from four to twelve ; the wages about 23 . 6 d . Mr . Wood ' s Pit , at Dear ham , from four to twelve days , from twelve to sixteen hours ; average wages 23 . Mr . Walker , of Dearham , his pit works from six to twelve days in the fortnight ; from"twelve to fourteen hours ; average wages , 2 s . 6 d . At
Green-Kill , tbe pit works from three to twelve days * from twelve to fourteen hours each day , the average wages 2 b , Cd . The men in this employ are compelled to deal in a " Truck Shop" where they have to pay from 4 d . to 6 d . a stone more , for flour and meal , and every other article which the poor miner and his family consumes are higher rated than at any other shop or market . CUfton Colliery , the men work from three to eleven days , from twelve to fourteen hours ; the wages 2 s . 4 d . Greysouthen , from one to twelve days , from twelve to fifteen hours ; average wages is . 9 d . But here , the men , as well as the men who work for the same owner at Oughterside , ate supplied with beef at fmm a penny to three-half-pence per pound more than the fair-dealing butcher would sell it for .
These are a few of the facts connected with the price , the weight , and the hours which the poor miner works , and which be bears and receives . But bad as the prices are , hard and unremitting as the toil is . we would be content did we get that fi >? which we labour I Bat , it not unfrequently happens , that after a man baa toiled and produced a number of baskets of . coal , he will have from four to six taken irom Mm in the week ! and these baskets of coal for which the miner receives not a farthing , are sold at the same priee tbat other baskets ^ having the same quantity of coal in are sold at . We by no means deny that there are unprincipled men , as well as unprincipled employers ; men Who would take an advantage , and send to bank baskets containing foul coal , or short of measure ; but while we
admit that the employer has an undoubted right to make such rules and regulations as will secure good coal and good measure , we are willing l « prove upon oath before any of her Majesty ' s justices of the peace , that thousands of baskets are taken every year from Colliers tba \ - had no bad or foul conl in them , and that were not short of measure . With facts like these before you , will you say we have not a right to be united to put a period to such injustice ! 1 ! But thiB is not all , the majority of the men in the employ at Whitehaven are , as we said . Irishmen , whose circumstances are indeed poor ; but bad as they are , they are made worse
1 by the fact that they are worse treated than tbe natives . The employer , or rather his asrent , takine advantage of the poverty-stricken circumstances of the poor Irish-1 man , employs him at such prices , and uses sueh means , as make him more the child of misfortune than be otherwise would be . Every species of insult exists , and that exterminating and intolerant spirit which so generally characterises tbe enemies of Irishmen is fully pourtrayed in the servants of the Earl of Lonsdale towards the ! Irishmen in the employ . They are not only deprived of i the full value of their labour , but they are frequently ( insulted by the " dogs in office , " on account of their religious opinions .
I We produce an article of vital importance ; yet we are robbed of the real value of our labour . We toil some sixteen or eighteen hours ; yet we must increase these honrs . We are liable to greater and more numerous acclden a than that of any other class—we are accounted the most ignorant ; yet this ignorance is to be coutinued . We are accounted immoral and profligate , yet we are to be denied the right to unite to reduce the hours of labour , as a means to increase our moral and physical condition ! and to secure' to us a better remuneration for our labour , and to put a peribd to the manifold grievances under which we groan , and which our unmerciful taskmasters wish to continue !
Irishmen I—Countrymen ! and Brethren !—haters of oppression , lovers of justice and of liberty , we appeal to you . as tho consumers of tbe produce of our labour . 1 We ask . is it rii » ht to force us from our labour , for I exercising the right which a corrupt government dare I not deny , —the rah t to unite to protect our labour ? 1 We- Itave sought no advance of price . We have asked no j reduction or alteration in the sisa or weight of the j briskets ; al . we ask ia , the right to unite to protect our labour—the only estate a poor man has . Irishmen I Cip ains of Vessels , used to transport coals from the ! W ; st of Cumberland to Ireland : we conjure you , by the love that you hear to your country and your countryman , and to your English brethren , to speak out against . j tin ' s act . of oppression , concocted aud carried into
operation by John Peile , Enquire (?) for the express purpose I * f depriving the poor man of bis rights . Weaskyoa I to feel for , and sympathize with us . This is all we b * k , this is all we ask . But let it be remembered , that John Pelle , agent to the Earl of Lonsdale , was the ! first man who askad the men to sign a paper of his : drawing-up Cor drawn op at bis instigation , we know . not whether . ) which paper precludes the possibility of : the working man ever be ng enabled to stem the torrent of injustice which is likely to be cast at the ; feet of every honest miner . Many signed a similar paper , in 1831 . —and by it they secured more misery andi
; wretchedness than they before experlenced-i-tnlBeri such as is not excelled in any colliery in Great Britain . G < od G < dt Irishmen ! Lovers of Virtue ! think of . mothers and ot daughters baviDg to prostitute themselves to over-men and deputies , in order to miti * ate or lessen the penalties imposed upon husbands , sons , and brothers , and to secure to either of them an additional days work . Think of the « e things ! and then say whether or not we are justified in uniting to protect the virtue and property of our children ! We are , Fellow-countrymen , f < ir and on behalf of tke Miners of Wnitehaven and tbe West of Cumberland generally—
Leeds :—Printed For The Proprietor, Fear G U 3 O'Connor, Esq. Of Hammersmith, County
Leeds : —Printed for the Proprietor , FEAR G U 3 O'CONNOR , Esq . of Hammersmith , County
Middlesex , by JOSHUA HOBSON , at his Printtag Offices , Nos . 12 and 13 , Market-street , Briggatei aad PublUhtd by the said Joshua Hobson , ( for the said Fearsus O'Cokkob , ) a * Ms , Hjeiling-hoH 8 « , Ho . « , Marketsitreet ; , Briggster « internal Cwnmnnication txisting between the sal * No . 5 , Marketrstreet , and the eald Nos . 12 and IS , Market-street , Briggate , thus constituting thr whole of th » said Printing and Publishing Office one Premises . All ComPiunications must b 8 addressed , Post-paid , to Mr .-. Hobson , Northern Star Office , Lee t Saturday , September 16 , 1843 j
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This address bears the signatures of three hundred and thirty-six of the oppressed and ill-used colliers , and is the one alluded to in our report of the meeting of the Irish Universal Suffrage Association , at Dublin . We give it insertion in our columns , in the hope that the exposure of tha heartless tyranny it details may ba the means of putting an end to It .
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Correspondence with General Secretary . — Anv of the miners wishing to correspond with the General Secretary , may address to John Hall , care of Mr . Martia Jude , Three Tans , Masor Chare , Newcastle-upon-Tyne .
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Newcastle . —The delegates of the National Conference of the Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland reassembled at nine o ' clock on Tuesday morning . Mr Wakinshaw having been elected to the chair , the minutes of the previous sittings were read and confirmed . The Secretary read an address to the eoal owners , showing ibe objects of the Miners' Association , "which was adopted , ordeied to bo printed , and a copy sent to the Northern Star for insertion . The Wingate delegate brought forward a resolution adopted by the men of Wingate , at a public meeting of the colliery , presenting their most sincere tbanks for the support afforded them by each respective colliery in Northumberland and Durham during the lime ; they felt it a duty to desist working until the masters would give them some guarantee for the safety of their lives by the removal of the damaged wire rope by which
they wanted them to descend the pit . It was received , ana the tbanks of the delegates added thereto . Mr . Beesley gave an account of tbe arrangements made with Mr Roberts , on the part of the Wingate men , and the masters , wherein the latter agreed to remove tbe wire rope , and substitute one that the men might go down tbe pit with safety by , if the men would go to work Immediately upon it being rendered safe . Mr . B . said the men wonld go to werk ; bnt unless they would pay tbe men ' s wages for tbe time tbe pit was nnssfe , he ( Mr . R . ) wonld be under the aeccuityof trying if the law would compel them to do is ^ e men justice , by remunerating them for the time which they had lost , before the removal of the unsafe rope . Mr . Beesley was loudly applauded throughout bis address , of which the above only forms a part , and the vrbule of the deiegttes approved of tbe manner in which Mr . P . oberts acted for the men . Mr . Thomas Mycroft , of West Auckland , was appointed a lecturer for the Miners' Association . The Executive were then requested to retire to another room to make
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out tbe routes for the lecturers , with instructions that one ov . more be appointed to Wezrdale . That our brother Halliday ( one of the Cumberland delegates ) be requested to state the grievances of which tbe colliers of that district had to complain , which be did in a very minute manner , and was corroborated by several other delegates . Wo omit inserting the Cumberland grievances here , as they appeared in the repjrt of a former' . part of the proceedings . A delegate proposed" Thateach delegate be requested to lay the Cumberland case before his constituents , and that they be entitled to the same support as-the Wingate men were-, and that each district send their remittances ,, for the Cumberland men to Mr . Jude , who will make arrangements with Mr . Halliday as to the mode of conveyance . " Agreed to
unanimously . Mr . Roberts then entered tho room umid enthusiastic applause , and stated the arrangements he had made , , so as to prevent any disappointment to any colliery that might be necessitated to call upon him in his official capacity , when his duty to them mi *> ht require his absence from feis office . Mr . R . said that , having procured tha services of Mr . Beesley as cltrk , Mr . B . would be in the office in his absence , during office hours , and would take down the statements that any of the colliers might have to make , and lay them before him at his earliest convenience , which would be equally attended to as if he was present , and ha < 1 seen the men on the sulject . Mr . Roberts' offics is No 11 , Royal Arcade . The fallowing resolutions were then agreed to : — " That a general public meeting of the
miners on the Tyno and Northumberland bo held at Scaffold Hill , on Saturday , Sept 16 tb . Chair to bo taken at twelve o ' clock at noon . " " That a general Diiblic meeting of tho minors of Durham bu hel 1 at Pittington Hill , on Situtdiij , September 23 rd . Chair te be taken at twelve o'clock at noon . ' On both which occasions Mr . Roberts will be present ; " That each delegate be instructed , in tbe event of an accident ( injurious to the lives of any of the miners in his locnlity ) occurring to consHer it his duty to apprize Mr . Roberts of the same rs soon as possible that he may attend and arrange such evidence as he may meet to adduce on tho coroner's inquest ilf lives should be lost , ) or in any other way to show the real cause of such mi ? sfortune . " —Cairied unanimously .
" That all miners out of employment , be admitted members upon paying the usual entrance money . " — Carried . " That each colliery be allowed to take their members in as they may think most advisable . "—Carried . " That the Executive be not required to attend nil delegate meetings officially . "—Carried . " That the National Yearly Conference of the Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland , be held on the 30 Lh Oct . proxuna . "—Carried . " The yearly Conference waa intended to be btld in Durham , but we are given to understand tbat it is contrary to rule ( ami inconvenient toa majority of the societies now in the union ; to change tbe place of meeting nntil the six months are elapsed
which it was agreed to be held in Newcastle , and consequently the forthcoming National Conference will be held in Newcastle on tha 30 th of October , at nine o ' clock in the fort-noon . The Percy-main case was next considered , when it was agreed that tbe advice of Mr . Roberts should be had on the subject before the men should change their position . That Mr . Andrew Fleming be required to attend the annual meeting on the 30 th of October . "—Carried . ' Tbat a ' Miners' Journal' be immediately established in Newcastle , under tbe superintendence of W . P . Roberts , Esq and the Executive Council . "—Carried . Some local business was disposed of and the Conference was dissolved at five o'clock , having sat four days .
Tbe following is tbe address alluded to in the foregoing report : — The members of the Miners' Association of Great Britain and Ireland , do hereby set forth nn-d declare what our objects and intentions are in forming the above Association ; and we feel it our duty to do so on account of the many and serious reports got up and set abroad hj parties to whose own conscience we choose at present to say must deeide the motive for so doing . Our object in forming the above Association is to better our condition , and we beg to apprise you that we would rather by far that could be done by an amicable adjustment of all differences than by having recourse to a strike , which we feel inclined to believe is equally disadvantageous to you as to us , and the inevitable result of which would be to engender feelings of suck a kind as eught not to exist between master and servant .
Wo intend to lay before you the following specific and simple plan , vis ., that each colliery-owners shall be furnished with a copy of such prices as shall be thought necessary and reasonable , and which it is intended to go on the principle of making tho cost price as far as labour is concerned equal or nearly so at , every colliery in the trade , and to such uniformity of cost price the masters to add what they may deem a proper aud reasonuAle return for their capital ; it buint ; our firm and decided opinion that as we risk our lives and you your money to dig from the bowels of the earth a commodity on which it may truly be said tbe existence of Great Britain as a nation depends , it is not too much to request that the price of that article shall be such as to give ample remuneration to both tbe labour and capital employed .
Something of this kind must bo done . We have had to submit this year to a very great reduction of prices ; and we opine if you as coal-owners get once into the path of ruinous competition by underselling each other In the market , and then endeavouring to re < iuc « the wages to still keep a market , it is a process which is alike ruinous to both partieB , and which must have a tendency to keep up a contentious war of strikes and stagnation—Labour and capital contending for the mastery : ; while the public as consumers reap the benefit , without so much as soiling a finder in the dangerojis undertaking of raising an article inuispeuaibly necessary to their comfort and existence .
The moral and the physical consequences of a contentious warfare between capital and labour does app nr to us to be fully illustrated by the fable of two noble animals combating or fighting , for a piece of prey , and while the combat wns going on , anothor animal 0 / diminutive s ' . w and strength came and carried off the prize ; while neither of the two , such was their state of exhaustion , could prevent them . To conclude , we entreat you to bestow on this our earnest and sincere requisition , your careful and best consideration ; and if you should be pleased to agree with us as respects the principle on which it is founded , it will be alike creditable to your judgment and your interest . We remain , yours , &c , The Members of the Miners' Association .
Untitled Article
MORE OF REBECCA . " CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND POLICE , IN SWANSEA . ( From our own Correspondent . J Last night , Monday , wascharacterised by another of those brutal exhibitions which have lately been of freqiiLnt occurrence in this country , via . —a collision between the raw lobsters and the boiled . The quarrel setms to have originated as follows : —On Sunday evening , one of the horse soldiers now billeted in town had been taking a walk , in company with a female , when one of tho town police rather efScioubly interfered , and offered some indignity to his companion . This was resented by tbo soldier , who told the policeman that they should meet
again at , some future occasion , as he had no wish lo cause a row when a lady was in company . Last night , he was as good as his word ; for having fallen in with the policeman on his beat , he gave him a deuce of a pummelling , and it is said made " Charlie" go down on his marrow bones , and promise never to offend in like manner again . But as the soldier was going away some other policemen came up to the aid of their suffering brother , and as some of tbe infantry came up about the same time , the affray speedily became general . But while the soldier had been " hammering" the original offender , be appealed to the sympathy of the bye standers , imploring them not to see a Swansea lad ill-used by a stranger . But he found little sympathy at their
bands ; as policemen are considered to have lost all claims of citizenship ; and the soldier was urged on to pitch into him well . More polioemen kept pouring in , and the news of the fray having reached the barracks , the soldiers also began to increase , tbe late comers being armed with their bayonets . The riot now began to assume a formidable aspect , and continued for a considerable length of time . Tvro of the soldiers of the 76 th were at length secured , but tho affray oaly ceased on the appearance of the picquet . The two soldiers were brought up for examination to-day ( Tuesday ) , bnt were eventually remanded until to-morrow . The soldiers are : vowing vengeance against the police , and it is expected consequences of a very serious nature will result from this quarrel , the town altogether being in a very excited state .
TINAL EXAMINATION AND COMMITTAL OF THE PRISONERS . The five prisoners , charged with being participators in the outrage at Pontardriulais-gate , were brought up to-day ( Tuesday ) for final examination . The Court was crowded ai an early hour , and the utmost anxiety was manifested to know the 'result of the investigation . The Magistrates having taken their seats on tho bench , Lord James Stuart addressed the prisoners , stating that it was not the intention of tbe Magistrates to examine any more witnesses or to enter further into the investigation of the case , they being of one mind that the prisoners be severally committed to take their trials at the next General assize . The prisoners were committed accordingly .
Mr . Hugh Williams , solicitor , Carmarthen , applied that the Court would admit tho three prisoners , who wer « taken st the gate and stand charged with felony , to bail ; as he was prepared with bail to any amount they might see fit to exact . Lord James Stuart replied that the magistrates had taken Mr . Williams' application into consideration prior to entering the Court , and were of opinion that it could not be complied with . Mr . Williams wished to know if that opinion waa
u . Lord James Stuart could see no occasion to reply to tha * question . Mr . Williams next applied that the two prisoners , Lewis Davis and Wm . Hnghep , who , it will bo remembered were taken by Mr . W . Chambers , at some distance from the gate , and were chargod only with a misdemeanor , be admitted to bail . The application was agreed to . Lewis Davi 3 was then bound to appear , himself m £ 100 , and two sureties in £ 50 each ; and William Hughes , being a minor , in two sureties of £ 100 each . The required sureties being immediately forthcoming , the two prisoners left the Court , warmly greeted by the hundreds who were awaiting them outside . of
Mr . Williams next applied that the sum . £ 3 3 ; . 10 d ., tafeen from the prisoner John Hughe 9 , as al > o tho horse which he rode , which belonged to his father , and is now in the custody of tnc police , be returned . This also was agreed to . A coroner ' s inquest sat yesterday on the body of the old vfomon -who" was shot at the gave in the neighbourhood of Pontardduiais on Saturday iiijrht last ( 9 lh inst . ) Several medical gentlemen deposed to the fact , that death was the effect of gun-shot wounds , they having extracted several slugs from the body ; but tbe Jury , having doubtless a fellow feeling with the rioters , returned a verdict of— " Died by suffocation , produced by the effusion of blood , but owing to what cause this is to bo attributed , is to this Jury unknown . "
It is supposed that the old woman had seen some persons among : the rioters whom Bhe knew , and had thrpatened . to divulge the part they had taken in the affair . I re-open my letter to say that some more outrages took place last night at L ' anelly . Mr . Chambers had some more property destroyed , and 1 have heard that a policeman has beon shot . Placards are out in the country places stating that *• as tbe Authorities have shewn their taste for blood , they shall have plenty . "
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Untitled Article
THE NQRTIURN STAR
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 16, 1843, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1230/page/8/
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