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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th November 1848, Edition 1 of 2, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      morning , tad it could not , therefore , be charged ¦ gainst him tint he was , in any wiy , connected mth Ae nutter in question . Ha thought thit , as there were pecoliar circumstances attaching to the ease , it would be well to bring it before them . He would endeavour to put the Conference in posses sum of the case in the shortest and simplest way in Ids power , and he would then leave the subject in their hands , conscious that they would do Bradshaw full justice , and , psrhaps , relieve him from the emtamssment under which he then laboured . The case wa 3 this : —a man named Sykes had been successful in the ballot , but he himself did not go upon the estate . He had instead entered into an

      arrangement with Bradshaw on these terms—that he ( Bradshaw ) should enter upon Sykes ' s allotment , he ( Sykes ) retaining Bradshaw ' s , when he should dance to get balloted , and receiving from the latter , until that period should occur , £ 10 of a yearly rental , over and above that paid to the National Land Company . Bradshaw , in entering into this arrangement , thought that he would be entitled to the aid money secured to every allottee—but , by the rules of the Company , the aid money was to be confined to the persons who had been successful in the ballot , and individuals , who obtained their rig ht to location by means of transfer , were precluded from the benefits ' thus afforded . Bradshaw had been

      one of the most energetic of the allotted individuals in their Company . Notwithstanding the serious disadvantages under which he laboured , by the re * fusal of the aid money , he did not slacken in his exertions , but had particularly distinguished himself as a person fitted to carry out the views and principles of the Company , and to show to the world that , not only was the land capable of supporting himself and family , but also of y ielding a surplus , which would elevate himself in the scale of society . It would be for them to say whether , under such

      circumstances , Bradshaw should not he entitled to the aid money granted by the Company to the original allottees , seeing that he was to remain upon fiie estate . He thought it would be more to the interest of the Company to g ive this aid to the person who proposed to expend it upon the land , rather than to a man who only sought to advance his pecuniary interests by selling the allotment at its highest value . He felt that Mr Bradshaw would be satisfied with the decision of the Conference , although an adverse decision would be to him the

      most utter mm . Mr Clam £ said it was quite impossible that the directors could take cognisance or be aware of all the arrangements entered into between individuals . He believed that the whole statement , as respected Mr Bradshaw , was quite correct , bnt he would ask the Conference to look how these things were done , rarties who did not wish themselves to go and cultivate their allotments sent friends or acquaintances to do so , and it sometimes happened that the allot , aients were transferred altogether by persons who at the very first had net intended to settle upon them . The directors considered that no person had the power to transfer his aid money , for it might happen

      that a person mig ht go to his allotment , receive bis aid money , reside there a week , then transfer it to mother person , and thus rob the land of that money which was to assist in cultivating it . The directors were not aware of this arrangement ; and , therefore , when Mr Bradshaw took possession of the land , and wrote to them for the aid money , he was informed , that as he was not balloted he was not eli gible for this sum . He wrote a second letter , informing the directors that he had made an arrangement with Sykes , and a reply was forwarded to him again ,

      tell-Big him that no allottee had the power of transfernng his aid money . It was for the Conference to deride whether they onght to go beyond the rales of the Company in such a case , but he trusted that , at all events , they would sot adopt this course as a general rule . He sneerely hoped the example , if thus set . would not be adopted as a precedent . He was quite aware , from inquiries made atHuddersfield , that Bradshaw was a most worthy man , but tfcis favourable character did not in any degree alter fiie features of the case .

      A long discussion ensued , many of the delegates being favourable to the assistance being rendered to Mr Bradshaw , by way of gift , while a greater number proposed that it should be given by loan ; another portion of the delegates thought it would be affording a precedent for similar demands which it would be for the interests the Company to discourage . They argued that if ihe favour was accorded in we case it must in all . Many resolutions were soved and amendments proposed upon them , but the greater number of these fell to the ground for want of seconders . Ultimately , it was decided by a peat majority , that Mr Bradshavf Should be accom-« aodated witfe a sum equal ia amount to what the aid money would hare been ia the first instance , he giving security ftr the repayment of the sum in such time and way as the directors might appoint .

      MrCLABKthen stated , that as the programme would be the next matter for consideration , he must ask a further postponement ) as Sir O'Connor had Hot yet arrived ( just at this time the hon . member for Nottingham entered the Hall , and was received with enthusiastie cheering . ) Mr O'Connor had now arrived , but as the hour for bringing the morning sitting to a close was nearly expired , he thought it would be well for delegates having notiees of motion to make to give notice of them now , so that they might resume and continue the business of the dav unbroken .

      Toe Chairman said , that he mig ht at that time ask Mr Clark how it was that the former programme bad been abandoned and a new one submitted for consideration . This was rather unfortunate , as the different districts had called meetings and discussed the provisions of the former , while they had not even seen the newly submitted one . Mr Clark said , that in consultation with an eminent professional man , in whom they had great trust

      , it was found that there were objections in the former programme , that might render it difficult to get the Company legalised ; and it was in order to obviate this disadvantage that the new programme lad been framed . The only alteration that had teen made was in the second item , whica regulated Ihe locations ; and it would be competent for the delegates , when the matter came before them for con-^ deration , to suggest what amendments they might think proper .

      Mr Edwards thought notice of the alterations might have been given through the Northern Star . Mr O ' Connor said , that as the delegates would lave to take the items in the programme into their consideration seriatim , he did not think that this objection was a very sound one . The programme iid not constitute laws , it only suggested topics , and it would be for those present to deal with them . This Conference was Tery different from any that had tat before on the aSaSxs of any Company in any part of the world . The object of the Conference was , he fclly believed , to carry out in all its practicabilit y fite plan of the Land Company , any formal suggestions therefore offered by the Directors were not

      intended to , and could not control the collective wisdom ef the Conference . Be had had three consultations « fth his solicitor , and they found that to adopt the Kiginal programme would be to throw difficulties in the way of the enrolment of the Company . Thus they would he thrown back upon an Act of Parlia-» ent , and those present knew what this parliament was—the devil of a queerer parliament ever sat in any place . ( Laughter . ) Let them , therefore , look for protection to the law as it stood , and he would assure the Conference that however their enemies might try to strain it against them , they would find him no mere hoy , but a man determined to have the tame law administered in their case , that was ac corded to other parties . ( Cheers . ) Mr Linnet said , that as the hour for *' morning sitting had arrived , he - the adjournment . Mr O'Connop business - W ""

      Untitled Article

      Mr O'Connor then rose and said : Mr Chairman and my friends , I am now going to submit for your consideration , the present position tf the National Land Company as regards the finances of the Corn * pany , and also as regards the probable realisation of the objects contemplated b y its founders . It will be also necessary to frame new rules for oar guidance , which may , I know , be very safel y left to your own good sense . Now , ray friends , I think you have great cause for exultation , when yon are aware that the National Land Company and the managers of it , are in a position to lay a fair , open , and honest balance sheet before yon . ( Cheers . ) This is not always the case with large companies . We have had railway directors charged , and they did not dare to deny the fact , that they had been in the habit of presenting false accounts to their subscribers . In one instance where the directors had framed their

      accounts in this manner , they audited them themselves and thus escaped detection . But in the case of the balance sheet placed before you , the auditor is a gentleman connected with the public offices of the government . He is a gentleman whose whole family are more or less connected with the government offices . That gentleman has had . au account of every item of expenditure or receipt upon hand , from the very first hour the Company commenced , down to the hour when the sheet was made out , and on which he had reported . The Chairman of

      the Select Committee—not appreciating the sacrifice himself—could not believe that any gentleman would give up his time , his leisure , and his money , without some interested or pecuniary consideration , and it was for this reason that the accounts were examined by Mr Finlaison . Now I trust , my friends , that when you receive this account , which , remember , is not like the accounts of railway companies , such , as I have alluded to , I trust that you will see matter in them to astonish and to deli ght you . I will now show you the exact position in which the Company stands , and having proved to your satisfaction the favourable condition in which we are at present , it will be your duty to see to the realisation of theLandPlan . asfar asit is possible

      or practicable to do so . You will remember that when this Committee sat on the National Land Scheme , that the Chairman of the Committee was a government officer , and therefore interested in damaging my character , and so destroying the Land Plan . We submitted to that ordeal for three months , and the accounts were afterwards audited by two accountants . The Plan was attempted to be destroyed by landlords , and by Free Traders ; bv landlords , because wherever I came I raised the price of agricultural labour , and they were consequently obliged to give better wages ; and by Free Traders , because I sought to destroy the slave system by which they profited—because I sought to open up a wide field for the emancipation of the

      working man , which bo effort of theirs could fill up or circumscribe . ( Cheers . ) There is also another class to whom the National Land Scheme is objectionable—I mean the publicans and sinners * By this Scheme , men are induced to become good fathers , and good citizens ; they are saved from drunkenness , and prevented from wasting their time and money in debauchery and lemdnesv , but amongst &U those opposing parties , there are none to whom we owe so much obloquy and scandal as to some of the persons who were fortunate enough to get located upon the estates . I contend , and I have always contended , that you can effect no change for the better in men ' s characters , until you can individualise them . Every man is born into this world with sufficient

      capital to ensure independence , if he would only use that capital right . Every man has his hands and his head , and it may he health trad strength , and these furnish the very best capital on which to warafortune . By the cultivation of land , they are elevatedjnto independent men . There is only one plan propounded that will thus elevate them , and there is only one man of my class , who has thus interested himself in the welfare of the working man . ( Cheers . ) And , my friends , there is no instance in the world ; where a plan so opposed by all , so vilified by all ; and so persecuted by all , has prospered in spite of all . ( Continued cheering . ) There is not a single newspaper—there is not a class of society , that has not abused and thrown odium upon the plan . '

      ( Hear , hear . ) "What then ? The National Land ; Scheme has flourished—it has answered the expec- ^ tations of its origin —it has increased the comforts , ' and elevated the condition of you , and your classand I have established this . ( Cheers . ) It is to me astonishing , tbat men should seek to goto foreign countries , when their own country can provide for them sufficient food , and sufficient em . pteyment . Why is it that emigration is thus encouraged ? I will tell yon . They send you there in order that you may create a market for their manufactures at home . They send you there to perpetuate the system , which gives them wealth , and you

      slavery . ( Cheers . ) And what an insult is this . Can you , thousands of miles off , offer to buy or take more of ? heir manufactures , than , if treated with justice , you could at home ? ( Hear , hear . ) They have now augmented taxation to such an extent that they dread revolution , but they fear to remove the causes which lead to it . They will not r ? mo * e the drones in order to let the working bees eat their own honey . They know that the drones are the law-makers , and they fear the opposition of a noble lord , or a right hon . gentleman , more than they da the murmurs of a disaffected and disheartened people . They fear , to oppose the drones , lest these in return should

      prevent them from finding the way to the Treasury . ( Hear , hear . ) It was left for me to point out a plan , by which working men mi § ht work nut their own salvation . The reason I originated the Land Plan was , because I told vou that Fsee Trade would ruin you , and I was therefore determined to open up a channel so wide that no one could fill it ap again . It may be said that some misfortunes have happened—that the patato blight has come—that the wheat proved a failure , and that in some instances a few drops of rain may have penetrated a man ' s roof . I do not complain of the misfortunes that may overtake men , bnt I have a right to complain of their vices . I understand that by some this plan has been condemned in the moat

      unmitigated spirit of hoitmty , and its usefulness suilkd by others with the breath of slander . 1 understand that it has been attaoked with the most atrocious falsehoods ( hear , - hear ) thatit is posiible i or the mind of man to conceive , I hold in my hand a Worcester Paper , in which there ia a letter from a man at Snig a End , in which he advances , I will not s » y falsehoods , bnt the most ridiculous absutdities . let in the same paper I find an account of an Agricultural Meeting , presided over by the Bishop of Winchester , at which it was stated that a man could afford to pay £ 40 per acre and realise a competency for himself and family . Thenameoftheman who conld do this , and Misplace of residence , is publicly given . Even children made a Drofit nnnn thia nna

      acre of ground . ( Hear , hear . ) If you are told that the fwmer rejects spade husbandry , as too expen . aye , do not you believe it . What ia it tbat enables mm to k ? ep his horses and to follow the hounds , but the profits he exacts from the slaves who work under him . Theman who comes to me and says it is impossible that he can live upon two acres , - mast indeed have a large maw . If that man will not cultivate his ground , then indeed it is not likely that the ground will support him . I have been obliged to bear the odium of the potato blight—I have been obliged to bear the misforhines resulting from the unfavourable weather—in fact I am supposed to hare greater power than Providence . itself , I aoknowledge that we had a partial blight last yearand

      , more tnan a partial blight this year , butam I , or is the Company , to be blamed for these misfortunes ? There are members present representing the press , but I will venture to say that not a word will escape trum laudatory ox the plan , while every expression that may appear to be condemnatory of it will be carefully recorded , and given to the world . I told the chairman of the Select Committee that he was -. onnected with more bubble and juggling schemes ithin Holland , Belgium , and England than any man tis country . This was the judge appointed to vour case , and to deride upon your interesta . think you of your interests being decided upon a man as that ? The Chairman , in reply to

      < e called upon the committee to protect him . « , in addition , that he was a tool and a -if the government , and that were he the -h less the Judge Advocate Genera ] , he the had not a child to deal with in « * b ) person . I was represented to tohave deceived you . Fer three ¦ yed till twelve and one o ' clock in inieg accounts of expenditure -any . My banker ' s books were which contained my transacer Bank , the Joint Stock nk . My accounts wereoom-? ts published from time 2 s . of difference in the

      irman said that could here I will tell you a He writes to Mr nary , to examine writes back that , an error in Mr nan , ' you must Mr Finlai i the Chair * 'Well , now , lain to the ifr' Mr

      Untitled Article

      Finlaia 6 n theti explained tua&whtta Mi Gray made the Company owe Mr O'Conaor . about £ 2 , 200 , he found that they really owed him £ 3 , 490 . ( Laughter , 'That will do , ' eaidthe Chairman , and Mr Finuisoa was not asked any more question * ' .. My expenses daring the period ef this inquiry were £ 15 a-week , bnt that was not defrayed out of thefundi of / onr Company ; Now , friend ; , did too ever bear Of . mob a joggle as this ? Did yon ever , hear , of mob a swindle as this , from any gentleman to . the working classes ? Ton will find that the hundreds of pounds that I have expended , have never been charged to yon or to the Land Company . " Now , my friends , this ought to inspire yon with some little confidence . ( Cries of 'So it does . ' ) It ought Jo , convince you that m y soul is in'the Land Company ., ( Cheers . ) I

      eay my soul is in this pur , which I am convinced will realise wealth , independence , privilege , and representation to yon all . Communities of happy individuals will , by this plan , replace communities of slavery , and better trade will follow , aa more and more individuals are withdrawn , from the labour market to seek that protection fot their industry on the land which is denied them in the manufactories . ( Cheers . ) Will any man tell me that a surplus pic is not better than a surplus shuttle ? ( Laughter . ) And yet , this has not always been appreciated . Bow many men have come to as who had scarcely a farthing to provide for the future ,. who were nearly without clothing , and altogether without food . Yet , when these , very men have been fed and clothedwhen , by the operation of this planthey have been

      , placed in a comfortable position in society—when the dread of starvation need not , if they posBttssd common industry , stare them longer in the facefrom theaa men we experienced the blackest ingratitude . This is enough to discourage almost any man . Bnt , for all this , I am determined to go on with this plan . I have propounded « plan , which has all the' elements of gucceeB within it —» nd if , in some case ? , individuals have charged it with failure , snd if , in other eases ; Mure has been predicted , perhaps the reason may be found in . the fact , that in England there are many men who scarwly know a cucumber from a hand ' saw . ( l « nghter . )' Many men will tell you they are better agriculturists than 'Feargtu O'Connor-but , when so averted , I take

      leave to deny it . I will juafc tell yon of a letter I received from Mr Sorigmegour , of Crieff . He lays that one of the allottees writes : — 'I have been located since June , and I tell yon' that if a man does not get on it ii his own fault . If he dees not work ne will Hot be able to pay his rent . I folly believe , that in five yean I will be able to pay the fee simple of my four acres . ' ( Hear , hear . ) ' ., That man ' s name is Kinross . Another man told me that he would rather have the Company ' s land ; at their rent , than have £ 3 a-week for remaining idle . I brought four men at my own expense to be examined before the Select Committee , bat the Chairman would not hear them . However , he did , at the request of the Committee , examine one man . who did not belong to the

      Company . That was Mr Sfflett . I alwavs took a number of geatldmen down to the different estates , and offered them . for examinationbut the Chairman would , not bear the evidence of any of them . ( Crier of 'Shame /) John SiUett when examined , said ' , that he was a grocer and draper , and he told the Committee that after paying rent , taxes—paying £ 20 a year for two acres ; after clothing his family , and maintaining them in a comfortable healthy condition ; after doing all this , he had made out of his two acres a dear profit of £ 51 103 . ( Cheats . ) Why should not you and every man do like John SiUett « ( Hear , hear . ) Then you have a positive assurance in this Company , which u not to be had in anv other . If von -were a

      shareholder in the London and North Weitern Railway , the shares that you paid £ 250 for tw » years ago , you would have lost £ 150 , upon last week . ( Bear , hear . ) That cannot be the case here , for your money is sunk in the land , and your own hands pah extract the interest from it . By subscribing £ 5 4 s . to this Company , you may—if fortunate in the ballot—get £ 30 for it immediately after . Is this , therefore , a jaggle ? Is this a humbug ? ( Cries Of'No , no . ' ) 1 know one instance where a nun got £ 120 for his allotment location . Now , I ask yon if this is not a gratifying fact for men who have been joggled but of theirmoney ?( Laughter . ) The Labour QueBtionisnow fixing the attention of all the Courts of Europe . This movement will soon excite the attention of those who

      g overn us , and induce them tb'treat us like free men . Nowthere are some men going about telling infamous calumnies about me .... I never abused a man in my life ; never ill-treated a man ; I , never said an uncivil word to any man in all my life ; bat a ahoit time ago there was a man discharged because there was no work for him . , ^ Now that man thinks me the greatest enemy he has , and he abuses me accordingly . I would have been anxiouB to keep on this man , but the fact is , that I have been always more careful of the Company ' s money than of my own , and if I were not so , the Company would have been broken up long ago . Now , my friends , this is what may be called the soientifio view of the question . Mr Finlaison , the first actuary in the world . ' perhaps , said , that if the

      plan wete legalised , the plan was practicable . Suoh waa the ordeal to which your plan was subjected—1 st . There was a man who had a handle put to his name for some job or other ; and then there waa the Chairman , the Judge Advocate ; and they , having received their instructions , were sent upon the Com-Imittee for the very purpose of damning the plan . ( Hear , hear . ) And the way they sought to do it was , ¦ by first damning the man , and then damning the plan through him . They did-not like the independence that would by this soheme be seoured to the working classes , and therefore before they proceeded to try the case , they had made up their minds to damn the plan , and to damn Feargus O'Connor . They did not do either thou . h . ( Cheers . ) But the ordeal to

      which I was subjected in the House of Commons , and the calumnies with which I was assailed by the press , were as nothing compared to the slime with which I have been covered by some of the members of our Company . By them Ihavejbeen charged with not getting on fast enough . I tell you I would have got on with railway speed if , instead of £ 99 , 000 , you had paid up yovw abates , and placed at ay disposal £ 300 , 000 . ( Hear , hear . ) The men who will not pay up , bat who abuse the Company , are the vermin-the lice in the back of the beetle . Mind this . Oar object in coming here is to assist the working classes ; mind this , —that in assisting our plan you benefit yourselves by clearing the labour market . I have been

      offered presents of gold wstohes , of rings , and of other trumperyj by those to whom I have paid large sums of money , but I always said there is nothing I want except a pair of big boots , and I on pay for those myself . ( Laughter . ) I never gave a bill in all my life . Is it so in other companies ? I know one , for instance , where a aoble lord , instead of paying with cash , gave bids which were afterwards dishonoured . You have go £ a fair balance sheet , and the world is welcome to see it . We require for the carrying out of the plan a system of co-operation and self-reliance , and that will lead to representation . Promise me only this , —promise your support to the plan , —give _ that Bupport efficiently , and Feargus

      uuonnor wiuosrryitonwith greater aotivity , than ever . After some further ebservations of a similar kind Mr O'Connor continued : —now let me proceed to read your financial statement , and let us see how this juggle can be explained to your satisfaction . Some men bave said that I get . on slowly . Why the first money came in fa * July , 1846 , and in May , 1847 , when I had £ 5 , 000 in hand I oommenced operations . Every single / arthing that came into the Land Com . pany ia at this moment represented hj a farthing ' s worth cf property . AU that we now require to mate that valuable property reproductive is to legalise the Company . Now to show you what I may call our moral position , and while I do bo , perhaps you will allow me to sit down as I am very tired indeed . Oar moral position iB this : —we have

      in—Bromigrove , Land in hand , 68 acres £ 2 , 480 Kinsterlovel „ J 5 „ 1 , 750 lowbandB , Land and House ... - 600 Jteig'sEnd , ; „ « . ! . ... ... 900 Cash in Hand ( yon will be astonlihed at this item , I think ) ... .. 1 , 000 Honei , Cattle , Buildings , Farming Imple » enu , &o 8 . 000 PaidonMatnon ... ... ... 3 , 000 Rents due ... ... 450 That added together makes ... £ 12 , 180 Bat If you deduct £ 1 , 600 for depreola . tion 1 b Buildings , If tboBe were sold now , and £ 1 , 500 for meney obtained by a swindling lawyer , and rents due , U uttl mate to be deducted , , „ 3000

      ¦ ffhloh wUlitUlrtow £ 9180 Remaining to your credit . ( Cheers . ) Having cone through this statement , I will now conclude , merely saying , tnaVin disoussing the programme , whioh will be our next busineiis . ifc will be your duty to suggest what alterations yoathirilrwUl-develo pe the practicability of the plan , bo thatit may be plaoed ob a footing which will bring safety to its members and satisfaction to the publio . ( Oheere . ) WM ' After some qjestiotm wera ai&ed and satisfactorily answered by Mr O Connob , ^ Mr Skkvingios 1 moved , and Mr AsBHWBDsecondea the "" option of the report , whioh was onanimouiily " i' ^^ A ^ ' ^ ttatthe deputies from the ™

      different estates should give in their reports Mr W epotted f i : ^ SlOo M «'' aie , Mr O'Bhibn andMr KuRTOHKRfrom Lowbands . These reports proceeded tpexplain the . causes whioh had led to the depressionin the condition ofmanyoftheallottees : they aaenbins it to defective drainage , distance from ml ? MtoW . 5 JPS *? P ital « ¦»* ** kw degree , to the blight which had througtout the oountry de ^ sfaoyed thewheat and potato OTOpB . They admitted SSStaSSf ? - !! . *^ raBll . fann system had been im ^ &SS ^ ffJSgSL swaB ^ w ^* ^** sSj ^ & ^^ tfz manure and labour bestowed on eaWara . M allotted a ' ,-. ¦ • . .-. 0 . -

      Untitled Article

      to tke tenants , and wcpmiawding an aative hubsndry , which would soon place them above all diffi ouUies . He illustrated the m « Mweofsucce « that wauld followindustry and peneveranoe by the example of Mr Wheeler , one of thedeputies , who when his neighbours' crops averaged twelve or thirteen bushels on the acre , had realised twenty-four bushels on tue half-acre . Mr O'Connor oonolnded by trusting , that with the to-modelling of the soeioty would cease dis « nates , and arise greater prosperity than ever . The Conference then separated till next aay . WEDNEsi )^ 5 f . ; '' - "' r " , ; . " . . The Conference re-assembled thia moraine at nine o ' clock , and the minutes of the laBt day having been fcftd Hnd confirmed * ¦ ' . - ' MrMi HiirooD , in reference to what had fallen from to that the time

      Mr O'Connor yesterday , begged say . when allottees had been put upon the estate was a verv wresg one . Instead of placing persons on their land in May , and getting them to dig and plough at that season , they ought tth boat that season going over their ground ,, Baying ' all a-growing , all vgrowine' and therefore , in order to . amend this error in future , he should propose :, — ' That it is the opinion of the Conference , that all future locations shall take place on or before the 1 st of Maroh , that being the most convenient season for : agricultural pursuits , and that eaoh allottee . have one quarter . of his allotment sown with wheat by the Company , and one quarter well ploughed , so that they may immediately commence planting their potatoes and other crops , the other part ef their land to be dag or ploughed at thealfottees ' own expense . '

      Mr Tobkington Beoonded the resolution . ' Mr . O'ConHOR said . that this was nottha . proper time to bring forward this resolution , and when the proper period came , he would thow that the resolution bore soffioient evidence of want of thought upon the subject . He intended to bring forward a resold , tionwhioh would . me g . t .. alLthaoironmBtances of the case ; Hia resolution would be to the following effect : — « That all the locations lie prepared before the allottee is placed upon it—thatithe expense of this preparation bs borne in the first instance by the Company , the repayment by the allottee to bs taken at future periods , atd in a manner that should not press hardly upon anyone / Ho thought it would be well to proceed with the great object of their assembling , instead of wasting their time upon details which could be considered at a more fitting season . Mr Miilwood , said , that seeing that Mr O'Connor proposed to meet this resolution by another one of a superior character , he begged to withdraw this

      The resolution was then withdrawn . , Mr Kibd suggested , that if they took the items of the programme teriatim , they could dutuss matters of detail that should properly come under the head oftheieitems . , , , , ,, . ' The correapondenw of the day was theu readjto the Conference . - i A report was handed in by the Election . Comrnit tee confirming the electien of Mr Iiherwood . I A letter was read by one of the delegates charging the election at Bristol as being UHooHBtitntiortal , and hoping that the Conference would declare it void . The letter also charged the representative withirre gularities , which / en the suggestion of Mr O'Connor , were disregarded by the Conference , they deeming the allegations contained in a letter to be too slight , ' unless attested by more satisfactory evidence . j Mr Clabk moved , — ' That the report of the committee ba received , and that ihe ease of ihe Bristol election be referred to the committee' . ' ¦ i

      , Mr Kydd seconded 'the resolution , which was carried . ¦ . -: < :. "• •< - ¦; ¦ The Conference then , proceeded to ¦ consider the leconditem in the , programme , which was , — 'That future locations of ' members rehall be decided upon the principle that those who have paid the highest amounts into the funds of the Company Bhull be first located . ' .. < i ' . ; Mr O ' Connor said , ; that the object of this propoii . tion was to bring the Scheme as . near the lav , or rather as much under the law , w possible . What they did now must altogether be done with reference to the law * of the land , and it was no use , for delegates to rise and propose some fasoinating scheme unless thatsoheme came within the scope and mean * ing of the law . As in every other instance , where the

      directors had recommended any alteration , this change from the former constitution of the Company was favourable to the Members . Under any circumstances , their bomt ; must be by . tender , for if they had fifty allotments ready to put up , it was not likely that 16 , 000 persons would come to view them ; their proposition would , ther efore , be made by-letter . In order to ensure the reproductive system—the great point which MessrB Grey and Finlaison insisted upon before the Committee—they suggested that the Company should be registered under the aot which affects Joint-Stock Banks , Friendly Societies , &o ., so th » t ; the parties reoeivingasaiBtanoe from the general fund , would be liable in the repayment of the amount of assistance so rendered , These locations would be given according to the amount of money paid ud

      —members would have the right to send in their tenders to a certain day . The member paying the largest amount would be entitled to the location , and the money of the unsnooesiful members would be placed ia a reserve fwid , the member being paid interest at the rate of four percent , per annum . In like manner the fortunate allottee Vould pay the same rate of interest on the money as sisted with from this fund ; thus the whole adding to the value of the Company ' s property , and on that very ground Ibenefittisg the poorer members . For instance , if a man offered £ 50 for a £ 300 farm he would be assisted with another £ 50 from the fund referred to , he pay . ing four per cent , interest on the sum , and then the estate ( the Company having been legalised ) could be

      mortgaged in the further sum of £ 200 , whioh would , for every purpose , render , this farm a freehold pro * perty . ( Hear , hear . ) This would induce a number of small capitalists to join their Company , who , by advancing gome money in the first instance , would increase the advantages for the poorer members . No matt could have better security than the Land Company would offer , and , in addition , he had the satisfaotion of getting , not as in a bank two or three per cent , but four per cent , upon the capital . ( Hear , hear , ) They proposed also , that in a oertain num . ber of years the allottee should refund another portion of his purchase money , which would also go to the re-production of capital . By this means the words of the actuary , when examined before Sir B . Hall and the Judge Advocate , would be verified , that

      the scheme was notimpraotioable if it were legalised . This would induce small capitalists to invest , who would be glad to obtain four per cent , for their money . That was the first part of . the proposition ; the next was-auppoBing that four , three , two . or one , allotments , were ready , and tenders were Bent in , the successful oandidate , the one who offered most , would obtain his allotment , and the unsuccessful candidates would receive from their amounts placed in the funds interest at four per cent ., and in the next allotment falling in they might compete and be successful . Now , by this plan , they expeoted to do a great deal of good to the working classes . This priority fund would be of incalculable good , beoause they would be enabled to locate members so much more quickly . When the final settlement came the

      surplus funds would be divided among the members , and in the meantime they were receiving four per cent , interest for it . He had thus explained , as clearly aa he could , the plan embraced by thia proposition . They had nothing to do with aid money , It was altogether independent of that—quite another thing . This was the investment of money on what was termed the priority fund , payable with interest at' four per cent . Then let them look to the increased value ef their land when the Company should be legalised . Why , at Bromsgrove , he knew a person who had . offered £ 50 premium for the mere liberty of selecting his four-acre allotment ; without asking tor . a houBe upon it , and this was a saving of £ 160 to the company . In his conscience he believed that this was the most reproductive plan that could be devised . When on his tour in Scotland he was laughed at , because he had stated the objection that

      waa urged by many ,. ' that a man could not live upon a four-aore allotment . His friend , Dunean Sherrington , knew this very well .. Something of this kind was imperatively required in order that they should get out of the entanglements of the law , and therefore it was . hia object , aa . it should be the objectof all , to get the thing legalised . Ho therefore proposed that the plan now kid down should be adopted , in order to bring them within the proteotion of the law , and for the purpose of enabling poorer members , by a system of reproduction , to be more speedily located upon the estates . Mr O'Bbibn seconded the proposition . Mr Isherwood wished to know if a peraon offered a premium of £ 100 , and another only of £ 99 , whether as the £ 99 man would be beaten , he could by advancing £ 1 secure the next vacant allotment . Mr O'Connor , unless another man came forward and offered £ 101 .

      Mr IsHKR * oor » thought this was giving the rich an undue advantage over the poorer members . Mr Ktdd said , the question seemed to him as plain as that twelve pence made a shilling . They wanted funds , and they wished to raise them . It was evident the poor could not looate themselves . How then were they to raise the money , unless they offered some inducement to small capitalists to oome forward ? He thought that by this system , the . poor man would be essentially benefatted as he oould be by it located in time , whereas now there was little prospect of his being located at all ... ( Hear , hear . ) Mr AsHpeaiH said , that his constituents in Bolton

      were in iayour of a plan whioh would give the poorer members a better chance than a bonus-MrBsHitKTrose , for thepurpoge of moving an amendment to the proposition , His amendment waa , — That when the allotments were ready for location , the direotors Bhould give notice to the paid'up members of the Company , requesting them to write an-estimate , and forward it to the secretary of the branch to which they belonged , the secretary taking down the estimates in ( the branoh book . He should then make a return of all the estimates he had received , according to instructions issued by the directors . When the direotors should have received

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      th * wtororof the wholi of the branbhea , they eould notify the same to one of the trustees of the Company , who should transmit to tke directors auowa estimate , to which he should affix his seal . To . then the direotors should call meeting of the mem bew , and in ' their presence the' estimate of the trustee should be weak * > by-the chairman and the estimatea'declared , when Ihe estimates that should oome nearest to that of the trustee should be declared eieoted . ' This estimate was intended merely for the purpose of selection , and not for any purpose of payment . ( Laughter . ) The members had tried this plan in his district , and it had given great satisfaction . ¦ .. . ., :. Mr Tubnir seconded the amendment : : A very great . number , of amendments upon the original motion were proposed , but the majority of them died , not being seconded , or were withdrawn .-.

      Ia reply to inquiries , Mr O'Connor ' and Mr Clark reospitulated in substance the first explanation of Mr O'Connor . , Mr Mswir supported the original proposition He could tell the Conference that the persons who had principally paid in his district were the agricultural members . They , notwithstanding the failure in the potato crop , were bound in many cases to pay £ 20 per acre , and they said if they could not pay that rent , they would soen find that other persons were ready to take it . ; He would mention one instance where a gentlenan ' s servant was prepared to put down £ 100 as a bonus on his four-acre allot ment ) if the Company was ever legalised . Mr Edwards would not waste the time of the

      Conference with any resolution * , but he wished to ask one or two questions . He wished to know why the Company should not be enrolled instead f The parties Whom he ' represented—the western branches —thought , and he believed thought Justly , that onehalf of the members joined the Company as speculators , they not intending from the first to join the Land . Now as that waa the ease , would it not be easy to bring the Company under the provisions of the Building Acts , and so divide the Company into two classes—borrowers and lenders ? If a bonus were declared oh this principle five per ceut might be to

      offered , and richer men would ^ induced come forward and help the poor . Mr O'Cohnob explained that efforts had been repeatedly made to get the Company enrolled bnt without suooess , legal difficulties standing in the way . They had even thrown away a sum of £ 2 , 100 in these attempts . He expeoted to get back * portion of this money , but as yet it was . lest to the Company . After some remarks from nearly every Delegate , some opposing and the majority supporting theoriginalproposition , the Conference came to thedeciiion , whentho original proposition was carried by an over * whelming majority . The Conference then adjouned till two o ' clock .

      Afternoon Silting : The Conference having re-assambled at half-pfeat two o ' olook , the following proposition was submitted to them : — ' That the paid-up capital of unlocated members , not inoluding the original amount of shares , shall bear interest at the rate of £ 4 per cent , per annum . ' This proposition , was also discussed with considerable animation , the opposition being led by Messrs Dtjhcan SniBRiHeros , Edwibdb , and Ktito , but a verbal compromise on the motion of Mr Shir-BrsGToswas agreed to , and the proposition was then passed unanimously . , ; , i The Conference then adjourned till to-morrow . ; . . ( Continual to tkt EtgMK p < tgt . ) '

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      NAPOLEON'S PROPHECT . ; NOW IN COTJRSE OF fULflLHENT . Before fifty years , ' said Napoleon to ' Las Cases , one day at St Helena , ? Europe will be Republicaa or Cossack . ' Then , if my son is alive , he will be called to the throne ' amidrt the acclamations of the people . If he iB no more , France will become a ripcblic again ; for no hand would dare to grasp a scentre which it could not wield . The Branch of Orleans , though agreeable . is too weak ; it clings too much to the other Bourbons , and it will have the same fate , if it does not prefer living as simple citizens , whatever changes arrive .

      ' Once again France will be a republic , and he other countries will follow its example . —Germans , Prussians , Poles , Italians , Danes , Swedes , ana Russians , will join her in a crusade in favour of liberty . They will arm against their sovereigns , who ¦ will hasten to make them concessions , ia order to retain a part of their ancient authority ; they will call themselves constitutional Kings , pO 8 » sessing limited powers . Thus the feudal syatea will receive its deathblow ; like the ocean-mist , it ' will vanish before the first ray of the sun of liberty .

      , 'But things will not rest there ; the wheel of-Revolution will not stop at that point ; its impetuosity ' will increase five-fold , and its rapidity iii proportion ; When a people recovers part of its rights , it becomes enthusiastic from victory , and , having tasted the sweats of liberty , becomes more enterprising in order to obtain more . The States of Europe will be , perhaps , for some years , in a continual slate of agtation , like the ground the moment before aa earthquake ; but at last the lava breaks forth , and the explosion ends all .

      ' The Bankruptcy of England will be the lava which will shake the world , devour kings and Aristocracies , but cement by its outbreak the interests of democracy , Believe me , Las-Cases , as the vines planted in the ashes which cover the feet of iEtna and Vesuvius produce the most delicious wines , so the tree of HBERiY vi ill become immovable when it has its roots in the revolutionary lava which will overflow ; all the monarches . May it flourish for ages I These sentiments may perhaps appear strange to you in my mouth ; they are mine , however . ' I was born a republican ; but destiny and the opposition of Europe made me Emperor . I now await the future . '

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      Davis' Sihaits Whai , ers .--Sir James Ross . —A correspondent in Stromness informs us that on Saturday evening the ships Lord Gambier of Hull , with seven fish , and the Pacific , of Aberdeen , with three fish , anchored in Stromness harbour , where they are still detained by contrary winds . We learn that the greater number of whalers at Davis' Straits were for some weeks ice-bound , and that the crews had uttle hope of escaping shipwreck , or of spending a dreary and desolate winter in the frozen regions . Many of the seamen , under this impression , left their ships , and crossed the ice to thesWe , and during three nights were subjected to great privations , owing to a severe gale of wind which arose , accompmed with snow , which swept their clothes into tne sea ; but happily , while the storm denrived

      wem of the greater part of their clothing , it broke up the ice , and allowed the vessels to go free , which S uT , erVnabledt 0 reach without l »« of life . 5 o ^ the , Lord ^ mbier , saw Sir James Ross on the 25 th July , at the Thumb , Darts' Straits , where the gallant captain and his crew were in neaitn , and in good spirits , ardently pursuing their benevolent enterprise to discover Sir John Franklin . Ihe whalers left the ice on the 1 st October .

      —Witness . . ,-, .,.. The Whaiers ,- On Thursday week the Alexander , Captain James Sturrock , junior , arrived in our harbour , with six fish , averaging between fiftyfive and sKty tons of oil . In the afternoon the Horn . Captain Sturrock , senbr ; arrived with four fish SZS f'if " eight ° r fifty t 0 M ' ^ ftfaS Charlotte , followed in her wake , with four fish SfSi ^ ° " five t 0 fo W-eighttuS Iu ^ ES ?? I ' Alexander lost two men , ir ?* f : dwUh **<* previous to leaving , the 2 L -r ^ bemg afflictedwith ach ™ fc disease ; otherwise , the crews of all the vessels were healthy . The Advice , is expected every tide , as Captain Sturrock 01 the Horn spoke her on Sunday last .-Dundee Advertiser .

      Old Srocery and Baking Association . —At the annual meeting of this prosperous Association ately held , n the Mason Lodge , Brechin , Scotland , fiSU' ? A ^ lr affairs for the Past year * m brought « TmW USUa routine bu 8 iness tranaBcted-Mr Middleton occupied the chair . Mr Mather , manager ,, and the other salesmen , were re-apS and a committee of management chosen for the ensumg year . After which the profits from stock were declared to be for each share ' 451 l ? s Thus every member will receive £ l 12 s of profit for the yearfrom his capital of £ 2 , and Us added to his w ? > ? ¥ 2 123 - * percentageS * . th will surely mduce every person who has the opportunit y and means to lose no time in joining this KKS £ r * - * - * - » i ! HS

      Pfw «^ S SftES ' °° <* 1 » V which ap Led mfeveral 0 haB £° npaper 8 J . u rnBont to be a hoax There as « & ° f B « ctt BQi P . . with the master ' s name 5 LK 1 Broomielaw Bince the month of

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      MR G . THOMPSON , M . P ., AND THE TOWER HAMLETS . n * ; On Wedetday , a large meeting , called by the committee who conducted Mr 6 . Thompson's election for the Tower Hamlets , -was held at the Royal British Institution , Cowper Street , City Road , for the purpose Of affording that hon . gentleman an op ' , portunity of rendering to his jconstituents an account of his parliamentary conduct during the last session , and giving such explanations as might be demanded . After a few preliminary remark ' s from Mr Fry , who was called'to the chair , Mr G . Thompson presented himself amidst loud cheers , not , he said , to make any apology ! to conciliate any party , :

      or to prepare the ' way for re-election in the ^ borough , but to express his regret that he had not ' rendered more service to his constituents and the country , either from want of opportunity or ability ; but this at least he could say—that he had not betrayed them nor neglected his duty as their representative , for , although the session had been a very long one , he was ever amongst the first to enter and the last to leave the house , without regard to his personal comfort , his health , or his pleasure . After recapitulating his votes he said lie was a foe to all violence —to all physical force—to all conspiracy—to all resistance to law , except when it infringed on the rights of conscience , and then he was only for a passive resistance . Milton truly said , who would bo

      free ' must first be wise arid good ; ' and his own conviction was , that the people of England had moral power enough to make the Government whatever they would . They were weak only when they were violent ; and unjust and wicked governments knew this so well , that whenever they wished to retard the progress of the cause of freedom—what did they do ? Just what the present Government had done . They had taken ignorant and weak mindsunsuspecting , ardent , and , in some cases , perhaps , criminally disposed persons—they had worked upon them through the medium of secret agents , and they had 'frightened the isle from its propriety' by tales of a conspiracy hatched at the Lord Denman ' s Head , some low public house near the Blackfriarg Road . He must say honestly—whatever offence it

      might give—that he never believed in the farce of the 10 th of April , when the nation was told , on the authority of the Home Secretary , that a series of machinations were entertained to overthrow her Majesty ' s Government—machinations pointing at the life of the Sovereign herself—machinations for the sack of Buckingham Palace , the taking of the Tower , the pillage of the Bank , the lighting up , iu one conflagration , of the whole of the city of London . On this all the old women in every place , not excepting those in Sr Stephen ' s Chapel , were frightened at the shape of this phantom— l ( . ' If ehspe it might be called , whioh ihape had none Distinguishable inmember , joint , or Hmb , : Where eaoh seemed either # # *

      Black it stood aa night , Fierce as ten furies , terrible us hell , ' The House of Commons stood aghast—the special constables were called put . Oh ! how they turned out . ( Laughter and hisses . ) He must confess , he for one was not soared . ( Cheers . ) He did go out with a heavy heart on the morning of that day—with feelings whioh he had scarcely experienced at any former time ; bnt his fear waa , not that the multitude would break the peace , or that they would injure life , limb , or property ; but he feared that there would be a conflict between them and those who paraded the streets , and the mote numerous bodies who were concealed in every part of this great

      metropoha , which would make the streets flew with the orimaon fluid that represented the lives of their fellow . oreatureS' He stood up in the home and denounced the government that thuB deluded the people . ' ( Cheers . ) He returned thankB to God when he rose , at five o ' olook that evening in that place , that peace reigned in every part of this vast city ; but he did not omit the opportunity of attempting to show that . it ! was with a bad graoe these measures prooeeded from men , who in former times had held the same views , and who had reoommended the same assemblages whioh they now sought to put down . On that occasion he quoted to Sir John Hobhouse the following verse of a song , which he used to sing before he got on the Treasury bench : —

      • Togeothe corn npon the rlgg , ' ' A gallows built to bang the Whlgi , " And the right restored where the right should be , Oh I tbat is the sight that would wanton me . ' ( Hear , and laughter . ) Bat while he vindicated the rights of the working classes , and while he vindicated —as he would continue to vindioate them to his death —the honesty of the great body of the Chartiata of this country , he felt that he could do eo all the better , because he would be one of the first to rebuke any measure of a violent charaoterto whioh theymieht bs tempted to resort . And why did he deprecate such measures ? Beoause nothing would be gained by inch a conflict that would not . be ten thousand times outweighed by the evils the orimesand the miserwhich

      , , y i » . would oooaaioa . Every one engaged in suoh a conttiofc would become demoralised , and by the very aotu whioh he oommitted to obtain liberty be would ba stamped with reprobation as unworthy to enjoy it . Could but the unenfranchised , olasaea know the strength—the moral strength—whioh they possessed , they would repudiate all the doctrines preached by that wretched misoreaht the government spy . ( Loud cheers . ) When he thought of such a man ! and of the government that employed him , he could not restrain hia indignation . Thus it happened : A man would go to the inspector of police , and would say , I will betray oertain parties into your hands . He then went to Milton Street or to Bonner ' s Fields , enjoying perfeot

      immunity , for the police were told , you are not to take notioeof the ] procsedings of Powell or Johnson , or whatever hia name may be . He went , therefore , to the meeting under the direct protection if not the patronage of the government . He showed tha hilt ot a sword—he showed pistola—he said to his neighbours ' You don't mean to put up with this . I am goine to propose a reaolutioa , and I hope you will moondV His neighbours , perhaps his fellow workmen , animated by a chivalrous feeling , ; not to ba ouie ? n £ Wk ¥ S ? find then" « l ™> in Bridewell-the next day before the magistrate—and the next at tk « bar of of the Old BaUey * where $ S £$ S * d&

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      P 8 ^ P ?*** Ufc- tHew » nwup «) H « could dm but Sink there waa a better way ef doing tH than this ; and he eould not but hope tbat the mmS and religious working daises of the Tow « HamlS would display no sympathy for the informer i 2 l I the government Bpy . Bat they might Itun ! lesson fr o * th « . ft was fitted to teach thenT& nutyofsachmeasures . Therefu mmhuim & men , and they ought never to lolloVthe advice iS meft . which prompted to violence , be he spy or nVm ? ' Afterpronouncing a strong condemnation noonS : \ t government , as the real oause of the so-calffiS I spiraoiw , anddenonnoiDgthem 8 ihatine . inthe fa 5 B 1 ^ . ^ ti ! ' ! > ntmmi > tarried round and perpetrated acts of tyranny which even : the « Z

      hn » . M owum would have shrunk-from , tie fMaasrasarsiSS i its affwrB . He had gone there with th «; ul " * '¦ tion todohis duty I ^ TSI !? A Sjffi the commission 1 of injustice to a man against whomJ popular outcry had been raued-but to judgeS * his actsalone . In that spirit he had : aoted | throu g So ? H * had carefully and rigidly lorutinised $ H £ & affairs of that Company ., and the conductT of M ? O'Connor with reference to it-and no amount « j obloquy that he might have incurre d for aX : ° accordance with his own conscientious convicS could deter him from doing justice to an KISSS however unpopulsr he might be among the intW tial cas . es . The ChairnVof the ComUfe the close of the investiraiion , drew nn . SiS

      strongly conduaoatory . of the planofthe Corapan ? and of its proceedings . That report was notlHi in accordance with the evidence given b 7 foratS Committee . He , therefore , opposedSit , ajtpronJS a- report which was striotly in accordanceT witffi evidence , and with the facts of the Ca 7 e ? aDTheh 2 the 1 Mtisfaotion of seeing it adopted by the-r ^ mittee , and he should bs ready , at . 11 Hmo . 1 " , ' Places , to defend that report ?* un acoSate fmo ^ tial , and unbiassed statement « f . E 2 » ffi ! W- "W that he *" 8 S 5 r * 8 . A . resolution was then moved by Mr Scobsll tn cbS-nS ^ T ! ha ' 4 ^ fard fr ° oK SSS ' iIJrrP VJ * 16111611 ' hiB Parliamentary proceedings , desired to record it * ant ** / «««« . { ot

      ; , SSZJ-T fMt ^ ' ** *» * be judgment the meeting , the general election of 18 « and the pro ! ceedings of the present House of Csmmow \ i& ih- k" * T ^ ' again fnrni 8 n imfragabTproH the great fundamental prinopes upon whioh th » borough triumphantly returned MrG . SSpSj to Parhament-a thorough reform of this miioaJJed tS&ttS 11 " *" and politicaI ^ . A ? :. 81190 . * "econdedthe resolution , and nro .

      mnu TOBirongiy censure Mr , Hume ' s motion fo * an extension of the suffrage asan unworthy K a ba ^ compromisiBgef the rights of the ChaJfi Heabiodenonnced Mr RichardOobden fot hisattaok on Mr Feargus O'Connor , which he said came ™ 3 anill grace from a man who had just battonedhS breeches pocket over . £ 80 , 000 of the people ' s money ! ( Oheere and uproar . ) J Several other speakers addressed the meetingiall of them advocating Chartist principles , and evidently commanding the sympathies of the great body of the meeting . In faot , the whole affair was a great triumph f g the . cauee of Chartism . The resolution was unanimously carried . Mr G . Thommok letarned thanks j and thanks navmg bees voted to the chairman , the meeting separated , giving three cheers fer Mr O'Connor , and three groans for Mr Cobden . '

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      ^ THE NORTHERN STAR bNoyBaBEB ^ 184 ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 4, 1848, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1495/page/6/