Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 22nd December 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

Page unpag
Page 1
1 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • NATIONAL LAND COMPANY.
  • Text (15)
  • Transcript

    • 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.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      6 th . —As I have often predicted ,. I ajri clerk of the weather office , and am responsible for' the wet season of 1848 ; but as " one swallow does not make a summer , " I presume that one wet season does not make a failure . 7 th . —This BOAR saw some goats , that ¦ were fed upon weeds , whereas , when ! visited Griffith's allotment , I could see no food for the animals ; it was in a high state of cultivation , and J never saw a man better pleased with 1 his situation . Well , this critic has dis-** . * . _ _ -

      covered what I have often staged , that a man working from four in the morning till nine at night , cannot sufficientl y cultivate an acre and a half ; and now I will put a clincher upon him . If this man—working at . free labour from four i n the morning till nine at night- ^ - cannot exist and pay rent » how can the agricultural labourer—who .-. works , and not so hard , from six till six , five hours less — pay rent , and make profit fob his employer 1 Now , vis not that a finisher for you , " Mr . Whistler ?"

      8 th . —Think of a man being able lo support himself wife , and three grown up sons , upon two > a < 2 ? es , and hoping to buy . a cow ; and think of two acres giving employment to four men ; and think of the man having a cough that prevented him from working wheft he came from his HEAVEN to my HELL ; arid think of the hard work towhich he is now subjected , curing the cough ; and think of his being able to buy a cow after supporting such a family ; and think of his not being able to pay any rent . Did he pay rent for his house when he was idle from a cough , in his paradise ? Is it not enough to make a sick monkey bite iia mother ?

      9 th . —Now , just think of a cripple occupying two acres , having a cow and some pigs , and being in a prosperous « tate because they are well managed by his wife . Does not this show what management will do , and am I to be charged with the mismanagement of others ? 10 th . —The discontented members are not suing Mr . O'Connor with success . 11 th . —I beg your attention to the three propositions of this practical agriculturalist ;—

      First , not to leave their actual employments and stake everything on a plot of land , but to endeavour and acquire a bit of land as a secondary means of subsistence or for enjoyment ; secondly , to be content with a small and manageable piece ; ana , tlnraiy , to acquire the absolute ownership . Now , what do you think of that ? " The first and second are the same , They never meet but to complain . " while the third tells you that men , Avho are not able to pay four per cent , upon the wholesale price of land and buildings , ought to

      purchase a piece of laud out and out . Suppose an operative purchases a quarter of an acre , or half an acre , within a convenient distance of the town in which he works artificially , he will pay three or four times the price that I have paid for land in the wholesale market ; he would not have much time to spare from his " rattle-box , " and if he is out of employment he must leave his estate , and go to some other factory town to look for work but above , and before all , where is the money to come from to purchase it ?

      12 th—The farm-house and land atDodford has been sold for 1 , 400 / ., and not 2 , 000 / . 13 th . —The Oldham gentleman , Mr . KELSHAW , did not pay 55 / . bonus for his allotment , he had the " pick" of the estate , with the exception of one ntfur-acre allotment ^ and he bought it OUT and OUT for 551 . an acre ; and the house was built by contract the price for labour agreed . to by himself , and materials were furnished to him at the wholesale price . Iith . —The neighbouring farmer who has told our informant that he would not take the

      crops upon the estate , at the expense of taking them to market , is a Mr . Jones , whose farm bounds the estate , and through whose farmyard the road to the estate passes . There never was a greater opponent or enemy of the Land Plan than this gentleman , believingas he gathered from the press—that the Company consisted of Chartist ruffians . But to show that this gentleman does not estimate the depreciation in the value of produce by the Great Dodford estate , he assured me , more than once , that Free Trade would compel him to throw up all his farms , as even HIS OWN

      cropswoULDHOTBEWORTH TAKING TO MARKET ; so you see the valu « of this gentleman ' s testimony as regards the Land Company . loth . —Mr . O'Connor did appear amongst the allottees , until he discovered that their frequent appeals had too great an effect upon his generosity , as regarded his duty to the unlocated members ; and the scheme—that is , of locating occupants upon land charged at four per cent , upon the outlay—will outlive everv

      FREEDOM FOR THE MILLIONS humbug , and flourish as the index of national regeneration , when every bubble scheme is blown into air . All other schemers try to hide their work ; but ia July , 1848 , I took Lord Ingestrienov Earl Talbot — Lord Drumlanrig , Sharman Crawford , Mr . Maunsell , and Mr . Sulxiyan—all members of Parliament , and all members of the Land Committee—to visit the estates of Lowbands and Snig's End : they said , they never saw such crops , they never saw anything that gave them greater delight . That was the second year ' s crop at

      Lowbauds . It rained when Mr . Crawford was inspecting the estate ; he is not one of the best , but the very best landlord in Ireland ; he is a great advocate of the Small Farm system ; he said that he could remain till he was wet through to witness such a sight , that much as he thought of it , he had formed no conception of it . These five gentlemen I submitted as witnesses to the committee , but the HAYTER the chairman , the juggler in English and foreign railroads , and . who for his good services has been elevated to a higher office than he then held , WOULD NOT HEAR ONE OF THEM . Now what think you of that ?

      In conclusion , let me assure you my friends , and also my enemies , that not all the power at the command of my enemies so lavishly displayed by their press , shall ever turn me from my two great objects , namely , the CHARTER AS THE POLITICAL MEANS , and the LAND AS THE SOCIAL END ; for , as I told the men of Stockport in 1835 , when I first opened my commission as a Radical

      missionary ) I would not give you twopence for the suffrage to-day , if the land was locked up to-morrow ; and ere long the Protectionists will discover that their only hope of salvation , is in bringing the land into the retail market , when the Government can interpose no obstacle to the title , and the people , aye , and the shopkeepers too , will shortly discover , that there is no hope of escape from ruin , except by the application of the NATIONAL

      RESOURCES TO NATIONAL PURPOSES . Those Mho arc catering for a little popularity , are nibbling at the Land scheme with their freehold bite , while I tell you that it is moonshine , and I defy the world to base opposition to my plan upon any other grounds , than the DISSATISFACTION OF THE MOST FORTUNATE , and the dread of it entertained by employers . Your Faithful Friend , Feahgus O'Connob .

      Untitled Article

      abandon his native country , in quest of sonic foreign refuge , where he may-save . himself and-lStSlly from . the graspof the tyrant landlord , t ho bloated bigot , and the law ' s ' persecutJori . ' Then you ' would require no bloated buffoons dressed like monkeys at a sljcr . r , . with coal-scuttlc 8 upon their . . heads , paid , by you , ' for shooting or . stabbing yoni' order—uny , perhaps your ' friends ' or family—jib spies , detectives , or tyfornim—no bludgeoiMjhcn , no jailers , no hang men , no Poor Law " bastiles- ^ -not one law for the /¦> .

      rich , and another for the poor , by whoso construe- (\ | ¦; tion there is more danger to the peasant that \ A j shoots the squire ' s hare , than to the squire that \ v i shoots the peasant ' s head . C *^\ Let me , in conclusion , give you the most graphic tfbN \ i illustration of the present system . Many years ago , \ j N when the late Earl Fitzwilliam offered himself as ^ ! candidate for the West Hiding of Yorkshire ; a clod- y i pole in the crowd interrupted him with a question , ^^ The noble Lord ol ' surved —• " What do you know . v * V about-makinglaws ? . . ~ ^ i , " Kout , " replied tho oloupolc ; " I know noufc \ . \\ about-making shoes , either ; but I know ti—d well ^ . \ , \ that 'when , a chap wakes a pair that pinches my \ . N ? '• toes ,, heshaUmake no more for me ; and I know > # \\ th y ¦ laws havo pinched me . " pON

      "Is that all you know nbout it ? " rejoined the - ^ \ nobloLord . A , "No ; " replied the clodpolo ; "Iknow that all k ' tho stuff in the world was made for all the folk , in . I . tho world , and that 1 han ' t my share of it . " i V ! Let me now give you another graphic illustration ^ - ^ of the present system . When Church and State \ . were very much in dread of Chartist principles , in \ 1842 , a itight Reverend Father in God , who stood » i ^ in dreadful awe of Chartism , waited upon a very \ vS > intelligent shoemaker who took an active part in ^ - \ the Chartist movement . The Ri ght Rev . Bishop j \ had been dissipated in youth , and was not blessed " with a family , though he fleeced a large flock . He called upon the shoemaker , and said" Daniel , I understand you are a Chartist . I am

      astonished that so intelligent a man as you could lend yourself to such an agitation . Arc you not awaro that God never created a mouth in this world that he did not create wherewithal * to put into it ? " ¦ ' ¦ ' Danielhad ten children , , nnd replied , "Yea , my ; toi'd ^ know * that well ; "but the . difference lies here ~ . QM . AlMIOHTt 8 Wt , r Al'I ' . THE MOUin . 8 TO .-rMT BTOP /'? AStt ~ Vp 4 « uiMl ! NI .. SEST ALL IHE MEAT -TO «*» : ' -x .- . .. ::: k , - ¦ > - . „ . ; ; JCow let mo ask you , if the'fflan of tvrenty : ono years of age who opposes Universal Suffrage does not vote himself a fool , and does not give an urmistakahle approval of the present system , whlcl makes him a pauper—and , is he not , therefore ; a self-created pauper , and a willing slave , an enemy to his home , to his family , and to his country ' s interest ?

      My countrymen , at the foot of this letter you will voad three le tteis written to me by that glorious young patriot , Mcagher , from that dungeon to which tveachevy , deception , enthusiasm , injustice , aud tyranny consigned him . Your faithful friend and countryman , Fearous O'Connor . London , Dec , 1819 . ;

      Untitled Article

      TO FEAROUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Dear Sir , —I enclose half-a-crown ' s worth of postage stamps , to help you to pay off tho money that you have borrowed to pay Maenamara ' s cost o ' f action . Sir , I am sorry that the Chartists in general did not take your advice ; you have often told us to be prepared with a defence fund ; if wo had done so , we would , by this time , be with a fund tliat would make the government tremble , for money is the strength of the law . Sir , I am sovry that you have to pay so much , and get nothing but abuse for it , from them that you hare served the moat ; but be of good cheer , for you will have your reward . I wish you long life to see your labours crowned with joy . I hope Mr . Duncombe will bo able tc help you this session . I remain , your well-wisher , and old guard , for the " Charter and no Surrender . " Thomas Paris . Hlacksmith . Cold Bath , Greenwich , Doc . 10 , 1840 .

      National Land Company.

      NATIONAL LAND COMPANY .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE ABERDEEN MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Fbiexds , With every sentiment contained in the above letter I most full y and cordially agree . Nearly two hundred thousand pounds more than has heen paid into the Land Fund waa guaranteed , and should have heen paid ; and if the Company is completely registered during the ensuing terra , which commences on the 11 th of next month—and it is set down for hearing in that term—then every shareholder ¦ who has not and does not comply with the rulei and provisions of the Company , will have forfeited his claim ; while , should it he

      out of my power to carry the Company on under provisional registration , Parliament is bound , by the unanimous recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee , to pass an Act of Parliament to wind it up ; and , in that case , every member who has complied with the rules would receive back the full amount that he has paid , even if the properties purchased were to fetch otct 20 , 000 / . less than they cost ; and for this reason , because over the sum of 20 , 000 ? . has been paid in shillings and halfcrowns , the contributors of which have put the Company to as much expense as the paidup shareholders , but who would not he entitled to receive back their driblets .

      As to carrying on the Company , my friends must understand that I mean the location of the working people upon the land under another Company , which is already enrolled ; and opposed as I may be , and persecuted aB I may be , and robbed as I have been , I never ¦ will abandon the Land Project , because it is the social question on which the working classes must be instructed , when th « y achieve the Charter , as the political means for carrying it out nationall y , and when it will not be in the power of tyrant governments , griping employers , and quibbling lawyers , to resist its legal realisation .

      I have struggled for the Charter , and adhered firmly to its principles , against as frightful and dangerous odds as I have had to contend against with respect to this Company ; but I am determined to persevere in both against all and every opposition—thatis for the LAND and the CHARTER—the only reward that I desire being to live frugally , support an unblemished character , and leave the world better than I found it . Your faithful Friend , Feargds O'Connor .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE UNLOCATED LAND MEMBERS . MY PlTJSDEBED FfilETOS , — I invite your strictest attention to the following letter , written by one of the allottees of Minster Lovel to his son . Here it is : — Sovember 2-3 th , 1 S 49 . Deak Son ' , —Yon will Uiiiik me long not answering ; I have been so unwell with a cold and cough , but I am much tetter , and I liave been waiting to send you all I could about rent day ; it has been much talked of here , but the day has gone . The Directors wasto have been here on the 12 th ; M'Grath and a lawyer came on the Mth ; we last M'Grath in the school ; the lawyer sat in a public-house , and every one who wanted to speak tojhto , must go there .

      M"Gratb . said he came here to collect the rent for Jlr . O ' Connor , he was our landlord ; he was told by Jlr . Beattre , that ire had no faith in Mr . O'Connor nor the Directors , neither would tve acknowledge him as our landlord ; there was very few that paid . The next day we heard that the burohs were coming to more that sixty of us ; on Thursday came two bombs to Beanie ' s ; he told " them they had no business there ; a great many came to help Beattie drive tliem off ; they had a scuffle , and gut the big drum and other instrument , and beat them off the estate , and promised them , iftlity came again , they would serve them oat ; the women did their part On Thursdaymet the Justices ot the Peace at Wituey ; Beattie said he owed O'Connor nothing—he never agreed to pay hin £ an \ thing , neither -would he . The Justices said O'Connor had not

      established his claim as luudlord , so they cannot trouble us ; we have since had a letter from Lowbands—their acted just the same way we have . A lawyer in Witney is very good , he gives his advice free , and says he will do all in his power to assist us ; the Witney people generally sympathises with us : we did not come here to pay rent , Lut to pay as according to what was laid out ; if we pay rent we lose the vote ; that is what we came more particular for , and we ttiink they charge too much . There is a builder in Witney , ready any time to build two houses for the same money they charge us for one—tLat is one hundred and fifty pounds—it makes our two acre lot come Very high , that is nine pounds twelve shillings ; there is not one amongst us but that will pay what is just , we are determined not to be imposed on . Tin war is commenced , they

      talk of takmgit to the Queen ' s Bench , were O'Connor has declared that the estates are none of his , but the Company ' s . il'Grath said , there is no Land Company . O'Connor is our legal landlord ; so we shall see how it will turn out , lime will prove . I think you will see nothing of it in the Star ; some of us has sent to the IJitpatch . Why does not O'Connor come amongst us himself and heal our discontents ? ltissuretobr « akoutsomeday . Ithinkifhebehaved himself he would not share the same fate as the bumbs . The cowslips are in full blow in front of iny castle ; what a particular mild season . I am very backward oning to going a threshing ; that time was wanted , I hare not got any of the carrots up , nor sowedany wheat . I have got the mangels up and sold . They were not so good a crop as I expected they would have been a month or two b : ck ; owing to the

      dryness of the season . The Sweeds are still growing ; they have been much injured with the mildew—quite whitewashed over , a great many rotten ones , and others stopped in gronili . XJie potatoes turnrd out three parts rotten , but they are better than last year , for we had not one we could eat ; thisyear what are sound are very good ; what we sell is verv low . I do not mean to sell any more of the crop if I can help it lam going to send two porkers up to London this week , and then Ishall have more stock to eat the crop . We shall never get on till we raise stock to consume the crop . 1 have beeu obliged to throw to the dung--liesp what would have kept more stock . When I complain of the blight , they tdl me that I liave more crop than

      inanv four acres , aud all I want is more stock , and that I hope soon to have , ily farm looks beautifully green , like the middle of the summer . That gentleman called on you , I do not know him ; he came with others to see the estate , aud € ilbert , from Banbury . They came to see my lot ; they -aid I had plenty to keep two cows ; they liked my lot ijettcr than am-tliev saw . lie asked me where I came from "he said he was going through Nuneaton . I asked him to call and give my respects . I hope we shall be getfns-alons better now . Itent day is gone by , and I think to send two wore pigs to London by Christmas . If they could liave forced rent tliev would have made sad slaughter here ; fhev must have sold their little stock and crop , and been turned out this winter . lam heartly glad they cannot

      Untitled Article

      Who steals my purse , Bteals trash ; 'tis something , nothing • Twas mine , 'tis his , und has been slave to thousauds . ' But he that filches from me my good name , Robs me of that which not enriches him , And makes me poor indeed .

      Untitled Article

      TO FEARGUS O'COJINOB * ESQ ., M . P . « £ ! J ^ 3 r" 7 £ "f" * " « f «»«» Aberd ' een branch of tte Kational Land Company , in meeting assem-^ 7 S ^ --Sassi ssmss : nrattsfc SoTof ??; JS TV ? aiet * await the dec { - Sh re « S £ 2 * the Court of Queen ' s E ^ nf ^ fi , the ^ tetion of the Company ; STVS * kf 1 n 6 TCr been mde PuWic throuSh w . i-A ? ^ > our h ° fe * of «>«»» are now Wasted , aid seeing that there is so much trouble reqmred in making some of the located members conform with the rulesand their rentsafter

      , pay , so much—in fact , far too much—lenity has beenl shown them ; we therefore maintain ^ , without hesitation , that as the funds have now entirely fallen OH , and the reproduction so small and uncertain * i / f-u , cIini f the whole , the Company a » ver at all likely to become legal , we see no other alternative but to wind up the whole affairs of the Company , and thus prevent it from swamping itself with the liabilities attending directorship , &c But , dear sir , we do not attribute the failure of this scheme unto you , —far from it ; never man did more to elevate our order than you have done - the blame rests with the government and ourselves wlir ^ meilt v ha 9 refased registration simply because the members of this Company have not bv keeping , up thMr contributions , Town that deter to I

      imuaupn cany the thing out , which thlyso enthusmsbcaUy displayed at the commencement Of ^ undertaking . But , sir , we are of opinionthat thera is no chance of any company succeeding that has for its ob ject the amelioration of the workiae f& i » * 2 & f fairfy "Presented in the Commons House of Parliament ; and as-rou have always already done , we trust that you will unswer-Sf M **; " ^ your S" ** abiIi « es , evers 22 MS ** lts end the hastening of that Sfcl ^ ff ' ^^ S ^^ occasionallytodisplay Before their view the whole h > g , bridsandj But , sir , we must confess we are astonished to tear you repeatedly saying in your letters " that-the Xand Company shall go on . " We declare that we see no possibility that it can go on , or that ifc can stand any length of time . without being stamped , the labilities being so very heavy , and nothing coming in to meet them . Dearsir , this our opinion , and wrote in the kindest of spirit towards yon , and we trust that you will seriously consider It , and let us know what grounds you have for maintaining that the Company can , and shall go on , alter the dear-bought experience you have had to the contrarv .

      Signed for behoof of the meeting , David Bcrxs , Chairman . -, •"•—* trasfc that the above , - with your comments , ¦ will appear in the first publication of the Northern 5 far . —D . B , Aberdeen , 15 th December .

      Untitled Article

      ! These castles must be our own , without paying , I entrust ' Accept our thanks for all favours . I remain , your affectionate father , T . Ciajuus . Now , let me ask if the above requires one vtord of comment ; and am I not justified in allowing the mortgagees of this estate—who hold tne title deeds , according to law , and who can make a clear and unexceptionable title—to sell I that estate , to compel those honest voters , who supposed that you were to pay 3 < Ktf . to give them a vote for 5 ? . 4 s ., to return you that money ? - llieSC CafitlpC ITlIief Kn aiih a *» . ~* Zt \ , ** -l . _ - _• * t __* . t

      . Only think of- one of my dupes having enough on two acres to feed two cows , his domain adorned T ^ jh cowslips in November , and hia cottage a castle , built with your labour , and for which he considers it dishonest to be called upon to pay any rent . Will not this show you the difficulties , against which I have hdd to contend ? and will it not convince you of the prudence of gettingrid of such an honest set of tenants ? ' : Now , my friends ,, read the following poor month . It is a resolution adopted by the occupants of the same estate with respect to which Mr , Clabke hag written to his eon . Here it is : -.. ¦ •¦*•¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ " ^¦ : •• - ¦•¦¦

      t Thatfrom the various estimates of the cost of our cotwges , previously given b y Mr . O'Connor in the Sortkem *> tor , and in the Labourer , we are ot opinion that the attempt now made to estimate them at £ 150 is unjust , as we believe that sum tote double the real value thereof—and that in consequence of . the Directors hiving neglected to tuc the value of our allotments , according to the quality of the land—we do hereby pledge ourselves separately and collecurel y , to refuse aud to resist the payment of any rent charge or interest on the capital laid out on our afiotmenU , until the Directors have set an equitable value on the cottages-properly adjusted the value of the respective allotment * , in accordance with the quality of the l an d , aud given us such security of tenure , as is guarantMi by the rules of the Company . " John Sham , Chairman .

      Mr . Glakke , in his letter , tells you that a builder at Witney would build two cottages for what one of those cottages cost . Let me ask him if a builder would get timber cheaper or better than I did at the wholesale price , receiving estimates from several timber merchants ? Ifhowmld get slates cheaper ? If he would quarry stones cheaper ? If he would get masons to build cheaper ? Carpenters to work cheaper ? Ironmongery cheaper ? or painting cheaper , than I did at wholesale

      prices ? Timber merchants , quarrymen , masons , carpenters , ironmongers , and painters , all competing , and I , the trustee of the poor man's fund , being much more niggardly than I would have been of my own . But suppose I had built them by contract with a builder he would have charged nearly double the price , and the roofs would have tumbled in in less than fire years , while now the youngest man that lives the longest life will not outlive their goundness .

      But let me give you a proof of this . "When commencing operations at Lowbands I thought I would try the experiment of building the cottages b y contract ; I met a master builder , by appointment , in the presence of Mr . Culltngham and Mr . King , at the Bell Hotel , Gloucester , and he told me that as he was friendly to the Scheme he would undertake to build the cottages for 320 / . each . Now to the resolution . This is my answer ; the same that I have given many a time before . That every allottee who is prepared to pay

      up the full amount of rent due shall receive a lease at the exact value of his allotment ; but I dare say , as the occupants have a kindhearted solicitor at Witney , who gives his services gratuitously , if they apply to him he will inform them , that a lease to those who have not paid would be a receipt , in full , up to its date , and a legal set-off against rent previously due . Moreover , I am not going to put the Company , or rather myself , to the expense of paying a surveyor for critically examining , and fairly adjusting , the rents of the several allotments , until they are prepared to

      pay . These gentlemen will very speedily find that they have been deceived in their expectation to frighten me by slander and Press denunciation . The mortgagees are now their landlords , and they will very speedily discover the difference of the treatment they will receive from them , as compared with the treatment they have received from me . Now , read the following letter from Salford , relative to the deplorable condition of a man and Ms wife who have been revelling in dissipation upon your property . Here it is : IO THE SIBECTOBS OF THE NATIONAL 1 ASD COMPANY ,

      Salford , Dec . 16 th , 1819 . Gestiemes , —Having noticed in a statement of A . How , that he defied Mr . O'Connor , or any of the Directors , to ftnd * drnnken man on the estate ; it is well known that thero is one < of the occupants at Lowbands here , and has been here eight or nine months out of twelve months , doing nothiup bat drinking ; his wife also doing nothing , and left oue of his family to keep possession of the property , from which they receive the means of subsistence ; and I suppose him to be one of those rascals that refuses to nay the demand of

      theDirectore . If men can do without labour for the time mentioned in this note , it is necessary that steps must be taken to make them pay rent , or to quit their holdings immediately , and do justice to all parties connected with the Land Company . [ am , Gentlemen , Your obedient servant , JonxRoBiNso . N ' , „„ _ , Secretary of the Salford Branch . P . S . —The party ' s name is David Webster , of Lowbands Estate . It js left to jour own option how you act with this note .

      You will also read , at foot of my letter , the irrefutable reply of Hr . James Bkows , the Preston secretary , in reply to a fellow who has dared to assume the name of the immortal " A > t > bew Marvel . " You will also read the account of a " WE , " though it does not profess to be the Editor of the Daily News —which appeared in that paper of Wednesday last . I have no doubt that it is the note of tie " WHISTLER , " who has escaped from his cage . I shall make but very few observations , and they Bhall consist in merel y calling your attention to the absurdity of the author : —

      1 st , —From an eighth of an acre , to a quarter , is as much as any prudent man will undertake to occupy ; in other words this is , or would lead to , the retail feudal system ; for , as I have often told you , that so cherished is any portion of land by those who hold it , that the man is completely the slave of his employer for -whom lie works at some other avocation , and to whose reduction of wages he will

      submit rather than leave his plot of ground . 2 nd . —Think of a man requiring 200 / . capital , or 507 . an acre , to work four acres of land—that is , that a farmer renting one hundred acres shoaldhavc 5 , 000 ? . capital , whereas , practical agriculturists consider 500 J . or 5 / . an acre more than enough ; while the occupants of a hundred acres at O'Comiorville , have received 750 / . capital , and had neither horses nor implements to purchase .

      3 rd . —The " Whistler , " if he expects to be credited , should be critical . There are thirtyfive , and not thirty cottages , on the estate , and the occupants were not located early in the spring of 1847 , but in the August of that year . 4 th . —The commentator appears to know nothing of the rules of the Company , as the occupants were not to pay five , but four per cent , upon the outlay . 5 th . —If the land is worth from 15 s . to 25 s . per acre , and if we take the average at 20 s ., it is much more than I paid for it , and more than , deducting cultivation , the allottees arc charged ; but I am glad that so good a judge has set so high a value upon it . I do not think the occupants would wish to select him as one of the appraisers .

      Untitled Article

      SECOND VINDICATION OP THE CHARTISTS ; AND THE LAND SCHEME . v the Editor of tho Preston Guardian . '' - ,, » 77 , In your last Guardian I find that " Andrew Marvel has thought fit to address you again . I did nope for , ; and . doubt ? not that your rentier 8 na turally , expected , some explan ' atiourof ^ . tjKesvgro > B misrepresentations contained in your , corresjtoh-. dent sprevious letter ; but it appears that "Andrew Marvel . has no desiro to grapple with facts . ' He seems destitutp of tlioso principles which . always guide the conduct of an honourable mind in search ot truMi , and desirous of dealing justly with an opponent ; ¦ ¦ ¦<¦¦¦¦¦ >¦ : . * . ;¦; : ¦ ; Before I amjustified in entering into a discussion upon questions altogether foreign to the subieot . iit will be necessary to call your readers attention to

      jruur wn-esponaent ' s original charges and their reiutation . . ' . Mr . Mavvel'loliargea against Mr . O'CounoV ' wer * expressed as follows : —'• Your subscriptions enabled nwter * ^ a ^ ove estates and carry out the Chartist land Scheme , wherein all weri tobecomt frecholdwMfim in the Northern Star Wublie notice demanding . teat from the dupes who / awciM tteylived :, mtkci * , m tend . " Hethen-givesTliat of the . sunis ^ rhich . thf tnUottee ? are to pay ( amount ing » pA ConDorvilksfor a foil- acre allotment to M 3 . lu \ j , oMa . on- . iho othejr ' eitaUs , mUhs amo threatens to tnMp | | j $ ji ^ ejectment . " Mn ' ^ by answer 'it whs clearly proved that npitlier , -. Mr . ^ O'Connor northe Land

      Com-, pany ^ ver . professed it 6 r | iiake the occupants freeholders till they had purchased or redeemed their allotments , and then that ? no notice had ever ' appeared Jin the Northtrn Star stating that £ 43 15 s would have to be paid , or Mr . O Connor would cause a general ciectment ; but that a notice had appeared which said that £ G 15 s . would have to be paidjon the 12 th of November , 1849 . , ¦ I would now wish « Andrew Marvel" to give some explanation of the reason which inducediiim to make the abovo false and apparently malicious statements . Either , he is totally ignorant of what the Land Company is now or ever was , or he is not . If not , then in the abBence of any proof or mention of the same , in support of thoae charges

      in lus last communication , wo can only come to the conclusion that he has delibei-ately made charges against a gentleman which he was entirely unprepared to substantiate . Nay , he had not the manliness to refer to the subject at all , for he felt that he had been detected in a gross misrepresentation . Why , just imagine for a moment tho absurdity of Mr . O'Connor giving four acres of land that cost £ 50 per acre , a good house and the land cultivated , with £ 30 in cash to commenco operations , and the party receiving it not to be called on to pay anything as compensation for all this property and privileges ! Will any sane man believe that such prospects had been held out ? The original rules of the company

      stated that six per cent , should bo paid upon the first £ 100 expended , and five per cent , upon the amount exceeding that sum ; but since that time the members have thought fit to change it to four per cent , upon all the capital expended . If " Andrew Marvel" wants proof , he will find it in the printed rules of the company . But he says that he has been to Redmnrley , and that " not one of the occupants was satisfied ? ' &c , &o . What gurantee have wo that this in more deserving of credibility than tho other statements of this marvellous man ? But admitting that ho has made such visits , I , too , have visited the estates of Lowbands , Snig ' s-End , and the Moat , and was present when the reports of the committee appointed

      to examine into the condition of the allottees was given in , and publicly read before an assembly comprising most of the allottees and families , the statement of each being read separately ; and if the assertion of " Andrew Marvel" be correct , it would have come out on that occasion , but there was no statement that would justify such a conclusion . He again asks why M . O'Connor is afraid to visit the estates ? My answer is , that I saw Mr . O ' Connor daily during the Conference , traverse tho estate , visit the houses , and . mingle with the allottees , and there was no sign or necessity of fear ulmut him . I have now clearly demonstrated the inaccuracy of Mr . Marvell ' s . letter ,., and shall not "follow him into any extraneous matter till he has answered mv

      first letter , as to the . tvuth or falsity of the charges he made against Mr . O'Connor . But he is not satisfied with these charges ; ho basely insinuates that I am a well-paid agent , an official . If ho had and knowledge of the Land Company , he would have known that the statement was without foundation . I went to tho Conference as the representative of the district , to represent their interest , and as such received from them remuneration for my services , but to talk of O'Connor paying me is a rank absurdity . I have been the secretary for the branch in this town for the' last four years and a half , and who has paid me ? Why , the man of money to be sure—O ' Connor ! No , sir ; I have given my services gratuitously . Although I was entitled , according to rule , to a salary from the members who appointed me as their servant , I never received a farthing , and this is being a " well-paid agent , " is it , " Andrew ? " Poor fellow , you are

      most unfortunate in your attempts to destroy other men ' B characters . You are unable to meet my facts , so you wish to insinuate that I have an interest in the maker . But , sir , I was paid ; my wages were the consolation of knowing that I was labouring in a cause calculated to benefit my country ; and whatever may be the obstacles thrown in the way to impede its progress , the change that is working in the public mind upon this question of the Land convinces me of what will be the ultimate result of the principles we have promulgated , and in their success I shall be amply compensated . If I had been an opponent of Mr . O'Connor , and knowing he facts which I have stated , it would have been my duty to have refuted the unfounded charges brought against him ; but when he happens to be one with many of whose principles I coincide , there was no other course but the one which has been taken , whatever may bo the fiery ordeal of persecution to which it may subject me .

      I now ask " Andrew Marvel" to substantiate the charges he has made , or stand convicted of slander , and then I shall be prepared calmly to discuss othev

      queries . Hoping , sir , that you will givo insertion to this , I remain , yours , &c . James Bxowk , Preston , December 11 th , 1849 . [ We are inclined to think that the present discussion has now been carried to sufficient length ; but still we are not unwilling to afford " Andrew Marvel " another opportunity of meeting the charges fixed upon him by Mr . Brown . We feel called upon , however , to intimate that in doing this , " Andrew Marvel " must adduce fa cts , in lieu of mere aspersions and insinuations . The two latter are not the staple of honourable controversy , Eel

      Untitled Article

      ¦ "¦ ' . "¦ VTT ^ f-. vT-: ' ¦ - Then onward , the green banner rearing , ; , GofleBheveryswbratothetiiU ; On our side is virtue hridErin , ' , On theirs is the Saxon . and guilt . —Mooim . TO THE IRISH PEOPLE . : Friends and Countrymen— Don't start when you read the above quotation , furnished ; by Tommy Moore , the Irish poet . I have given you ' one from Lord . Bolingbroke , a Tory and from ; Byron , a Radical , adopted as the stereotype *! motto of . 0 , 'Conriell , and I now use tho aioye selection ' from Moore , to show you that the language which was formerly not only tolerited but admired , would new be considered high treasoij ' . ~ ^ u j&st tiffpk ' fijfishman there appeared a J |« 1 ^^ ut ( t bef ore m'ititffrom Mr . - -MichSet'S ' e'kt ^ X ^^ & ^ h ^^^ f ^^^ B r ^ ad in

      anannniflchingfatriot ^ bat order-to Bhos £ you the difficulties against which public men have to contend , I must offer a word of comment upon that letter . You are aware that the power of every government has been based upon the antagonism of Celt and Saxon , and you are aware that the principal element of discord was the odium attached t « the bloodthirsty principles of Chartism : and you are also aware that the chief object I had in view ia visiting my native country , and in addressing y ou through a sterling Democratic paper , was to bridee that wide and all but impassable gulf which had jo long separated the English from the Irish people .. •^ A aI ^ e"ie fW ? . ' " ?> b ™ ded * b « phy-HMiiui wini

      ¦ 'iro -Hsra , wnuo l have often told you and the English people that my chief regret was that I had not a sufficient amount of physical force to overthrow tyranny and establish freedom , in its stead ! and believe me when I toll you that nothing so much tends to weaken a party as a silly and impotent attempt to achieve ri ghts with a force which it does not possess , You would infer from Mr . Seagrave ' s letter tha in mine I aimed a blow at John Mitchel the patriot whose portrait I have given with the Northern Star and whose memory I honor . He assails me because I sneak of achieving your ri ghts by moral power which you cannot secure b y physical power and because I wish to seo " thr throne based

      U P ON THE AFFE C TI O NS O P THE P E 0 PM 5 RATHEH THAN WON THE CAPIUCE OF TKE A 1 HST O CIUCY \ OW I repeat those sentiments , and my words used in the House of Commons , that I care not who ia upon the throne , provided the power behind the throne is greater than itself , and capable of hurling from the throne the occupant who would violate the people s rights . Now , if 1 was-to base my letters to you upon those principles which Mr . S . appears to approve , but could not accomplish by tho means m his power , I should weaken the people ' s cause , and lustily the dire antagonism that has been created , and successfully perpetuated , between the English and tho Irish people . With so much of a preface I new come to the consideration of the question of

      UX 1 VEKSAI , SUFFRAGE I have before explained to you that Unirersal Suffrage wag once the la w of tho land ; and lot me now show you the flimsy pretext upon which opposition to this ri ght is based , the partial use that is now made of it , and the beneficial result to which it would lead . O pposition to Universal Suffrage is based upon the ignorance of the people , and upon their incapacity to select fit and proper persons to represent them . To these charges I answer : Firstly—It is their knowled ge and not their ignorance that :, their oppressors dread , aB the i » noranee of . v-people- ia the tyrant ' s best tittle to power ; and , Secondly—if the people arc ienorant . who nvn

      enargeble with the enme-whether those who are willing to learn and greedy to receive knowledge , or thosewho have assigned the fund intended for their maintenance and education to bloated bishops bigoted , parsons , tyrant Poor Law Commissioners ' and jailers ofbastiles ? Whereas , bad the funds assigned to those parties by tyrant class legislation , been appropriated to their just and legitimate purpose—the education of the people—ignorance would be a crime . Many Irishmen who have sprung from the ranks of the people , and who have commenced their

      educational career as poonsciiouns , have been the greatest ornaments of the senate , the pulpit , the bar , and the stage ; and once let the Irish pcoplo be educated , and let education , and not money constitute tho basis of the franchise , and then Ireland , as of yore , would be a free and independent nation , ' My countymen , If knowledge , permanent , knowledge , which must remain with the possessor , and not transitory property that may ebb and flow , gave you the right to vote one of the first Acts of Parliament , elected by the present ignorant mind of the country , would be to educate the peopleas

      , KNOWLEDGE IS POWER . One of the chief objections to Universal Suffrage is , that it would create a ramble House of Commons—that -was the objection to the Reform Bill while , in truth , Idefy you to select a greaterramblu than constitutes the House at the present moment . If a recognised leader or a toadey spouts indescribable and unintelligible rubbish , he is cheered to the echo while , if an independent member delivers a sound and eloquent speeehhe is "ko'd " and "bah'd . " '

      Again , even now , both Whigs and Tories , when an election is about to take place , cater for popular support , by appealing not to the electors only , but to those whom , when they are returned , they " designate the mob . And have you ever reflected upon this strange anomaly , as regards tho present system ? Upon the day of nomination electors and non-electors attend—the show of hands is declared in favour of the popular candidate—the returning officer announces him to be duly elected , and he remains the representative of the majority of tli people until their will and their voice is overpowered , extinguished , and crushed , by an insignificant minority of voters . My countrymen , if you had Universal Suffrage

      to-morrow you would have laws based upon the knowledge , the wisdom , and the discretion of tho majority of a well-educated people . You would have no thieves , no drunkards , no prostitutes—all born with propensities which may be nurtured into virtues , or thwarted into vices , according to their training ; there would then be no sympathy for the criminal convicted of violating laws which ho liad his share in making ; whereas the criminal now —and justly—is looked upon as tho victim of classlegislation . If the tool of a Member of Parliament can secure a situation for his son , as an exciseman , or any other office which requires a certain description of education—and if want of that education is tho only barrior that stands in his way , the father will soon inform the patron that the son can speedil y be educationally qualified , while for seventy long years want of education has been urged as the curso of

      your disqualification . My countrymen , only think of the folly , the absurdity—nay , the injustice , of a highly-intellectual man voting out of a house at this ejection , and from a reverse of fortune , being ousted out of that house at the next election , still possessing his knowledge , but deprived of his vote . If you had Universal Suffrage , all the channels would be so opened , that the reservoir woiild be pure , and no one could attempt bribery or corruption . No theorist could then excite you to madness by a flaming hustings oration , or high-flown pledges of patriotism and nationality . Instead of that antagonism which now exists , instead of legitimate disloyalty which is now manifested towards the present system , every freeman would fly to the cry of '' M y cottage and my couutry is in danger . " Every hamlet would be a sentry-box , and every peasant * a volunteer , when he had ri ghts to defend , and property to protect .

      Then those who create wealth would have a share in its legitimate distribution—then the rich would become richer , and the poor rich , when the owners ofthe raw material—Laxd—which is God ' s gift to man , saw the necessity of measuring its value b y increased produce , by the application of increased labour , instead of by the standard of patronage . Then the resources of the country would be so developed , that nature ' s pap would be opened to nature s children ; there would be peace , plenty , happiness , and prosperity reigning throughout the land ; then the industrious Irishman , foully calumniated as a willing idler , would not be compelled to

      Untitled Article

      considered it my duty to give your able , simple , and irrefutable defence a prominent place in ' ' . thw , weA ' B'I » w | J ^ " / 8 fw , ^^ v ! e % l ^ oju to remain the faithful . Meh ^ of a faithful supi ^ SS S 0 ^ SwS ^ ¥ ¦ ' - - ' ^ fr ^^ ^^ j ^ . rfekf ^ ttn ^ -O'OoiiNOR ; ' ••! ¦ . ' . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ m ~* - ! i- ~ j 2 S ' --3 & \ : '¦ :.- . ¦;'¦'

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE IRISHMAN . [ From the Irishman , Dec . 15 th , 1819 . ] Sir- —Before resuming my correspondence upon the subject of tho People ' s Charter , allow me to express the satisfaction I derived from your letter to Mr . Duffy in last week ' s Irishman . No man is better awaro of the difficulties against which an honest journalist has to contend than I am , and no man more rejoices in the co-operation of such a journalist than I do . The verdict in your case , sirwill not be

      , one of mere acquittal , based upon the insufficiency of the evidence adduced agaiust you ; but as one of the jury I would base my verdict upon the irrefutable refutation of every sentence contained in every count ; and knowing but little of you personally , I felt no Binall excitement after reading the accusation till I read the defence . It ' s neither my wish nor my province to take any part in such squabbles ; but my reason for writing is to

      inform you that , had it ' not been for your honourable and successful defence of your character , I should have abstained from making your paper the channel of communication with my countrymen . Sir—The Irishman . stands high in the estimation not only of the Irish exiles iu England , but also with the English Democratic party ; and as they are a shrewd and sceptical , because an oft-deceived people , especially by journalists pandering for their support , I have

      Untitled Article

      Gas . —The first gas pipe was lighted within those sixty years , and there arc now in England and Wales 500 proprietary gas works , and in Ireland and Scotland 170 . Besides these , there are thirtythree which belong to private individuals , aild twelve the property of municipal bodies or parish officers—in all , 775 distinct establishments for the manufacture and sale of gas . In these works a capital of £ 10 , 500 , 000 is said to be invested . The quantity of gas annually produced is about ninu thousand millions of cubic feet , and the coal consumed in making it weighs 1 , 125 , 000 tons . The number of persons employed iu its production is about 20 , 000 ; and probably an equal number find

      employment in tha preparatory work in the mines , ironworks , and other processes connected with it . After allowing for waste and leakage , the quantity of gas actually sold to the public in tho yeari ' s about 7 , 200 , 000 , 006 feet—producing a li ght equal to what would be given out by 33 , 133 , 640 gallons , of sperm oil , which , at 8 s . a ' gallon , would cost tho customers £ 13 , 233 , 456 . The gas itself is charged by the companies about , £ l , (> 20 , ' 000 . —Mr . flutter on Gas Lvjhtiwj , Imputation of Poumrt . —Very largo importations of poultry are taking place from the Bel gian ports at the present time , tho produce of that

      country . Tho steamer Sir Edward Banks , from Ostend , has brought ninety-four packages , and the steamer Triton , arrived from tho samo port , fius brought 130 cases of poultry , of various kinds , tho produce of Belgium . Another arrival of 103 cases has taken place from the same port , and one of llu cases , also of Belg ian produce . These supplies from Belgium comprise large quantities ot rabbits , with which that country greatly abounds ; and tho importations of them from Bel g ium , pavticulavlv towards t ! io close of the week , arc eagerly looked for , and regularly purchased , by the humbler portion of the community in various parts of flic Metropolis .

      liiii utf . Epidemic—From returns just pullished , it appears that the number of deaths from . cholera in Paris amounted to 10 , 050 , or , including those dying in the citil and military hospitals , ' to 20 , 000 . The most fatal month was June , when o , TGO perished . In London the most fatal month was Scpt « mher , when 6 , 014 fell victims . > The Exhibition of Manufactures at Birmingham closed on Saturday . It was opened on the 2 ndiof September , and has during the time been visited by more than 100 , 000 persons . In the last week there were 19 , 000 admissions . ** Oilfl ? M *» t

      Untitled Article

      Richmond Prison , July 5 th , ISM . My Deah Feaiigbs O'Connor , —I have this moment re . ceived your very kind letters , and feel most grateful to you fur these , as for your former proofs of interest in my welfare , and the affectionate sympathy with which you regard my fate . I have hardly time enn \ iph to write these lines—few as they are , and must conclude with the assurance that n » y esteem and friendship fur you , will he ; is enduring as the lore I cherish for my couutry and the darling hope I entertain of her eventual happiness anil independence . Believe me , my dear Fenrgiis O'Connor , Erer to remain your faithful , warm friend , Thomas 1 ' bancis Meagher . To Fcargus O'Connor , Esq ., M P .

      Untitled Article

      Richmond Prison , June 6 , 1849 . My dear 1 ' eaiigus O'Connor , —You will have sewi before these few lines rciicli you that uui fate lias been decided . We are to leave the country ( probably to-morrow night ) as convicts for Tan Diemen ' s Lund . I wish to bid you un affectionate farewell , and to thank you , as 1 sincerely and most gratefully do , for the deep sympathy you have felt for me , ; md the efforts to defend my name and conduct you have a » generously and bravelv made . May the good God , in whose justice all oppressed nations repose tlicir trust , protect , aid , and , with his Almighty arm , exalt . the cause of Freedom , which you have served so long and faithfully ; and may you live to witness in its triumph the reward of the sacrifices you have made in its behalf . This , my dear , excellent friend , is the sincere prayer of one who ploriesiu the proud thought that the first days of his youth have been devoted to the struggle of his country ; and that , failing in that struggle , he was doomed to be . removed far , far from bis old home in testimony of the love with which he clung to it . and the sincerity with which he strove to render her honourable before all nations—a benefactress and a glory to humanity .

      13 c so good as to hand the enclosed to that noble-hearted Englishman , Mr . . And ever believe me to remain , ' My dear Feargus O'Connor , Wheresoever my lot may be east , Your sincere and affectionate young friend , ' Thomas Fbancis MEAcnun . To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P .

      Untitled Article

      LETTERS OF T . P . MEAGIIER , ESQ . ' , Richmond Prison , Dublin , April 23 , 1849 . Mv Beak Fsabgcs O'Coksmi , —1 have been a long time promising myself the pleasure of writing you a few lines , to thank you for the very kind interest you have taken in me , and the generous zeal you have manifested iu behalf of the tate Prisoners of' 48 . To many claims , however , upon my grateful esteem , you have lately added one move , which to my mind possesses a peculiar weight and value ; you have ' brought out' th « very host likeness that has yet appeared Of me . All my

      friends are delighted with it . The execution of it , too , is very beatiful , and has been greatly admired . We are all quite well here , and in ri ^ ht guoil spirits , for it will always be to us a source of happiness to feel that we are undergoing some slight punishment for our love of the old country , should a heavier punishment be in store for us , we shall meet it not only with light , but with proud hearts . Next to battling for the right , the best thing is suffering for it , ami next to fi victory , a sacrifice conduces most to the progress and the glory of any great cause . When you see Mr . , aud Mr . — ' - — , both of ivliom

      I had the pleasure of meeting on Patrick ' s Day twelvemonth , at the house of the former , being introduced there by you , will you kindly remember me to them ? As a little JOtieemV of my esteem and friendship , I enclose for each of them a copy of tho words I spolie in Clonmel , and you must accept one for jourself . Bolieve me , my dear Feargus O'Connor , your sincere and much esteemed Friend , Thomas Viuncis Meaghek , To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P .

      Untitled Article

      1 . AND NATIONAL TRlDErJilrtP ^

      Untitled Article

      | VOL . ML P . 635 . LOHDQN , SATHDAY , DECEMBER 22 . 1849 . JSSZSZSZ ; ^ ' ' ¦ ¦ - — . ^— . « . —¦

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 22, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1553/page/1/