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THE SOUTHERN STAR SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1342.
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SPLENDID AND COSTLY PRESENT TO THE READERS OF THE " NORTHERN STAR."
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%ocnl artU General $nfcntous*
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Brother Dehocrxts , —Now that the' bustle attending the presentation of the National Petition is subsided ; now that the thousands upon thousands of individuals have decided on adopting Chariist principles ; now that such facts are plain to every sane man ; permit me to offer what I consider a few plain , common-sense remarks . You have all heard how the petition has been treated j how it has been sneered at ; how it has been mocked at by onr bitterest enemies ; and how it has been
sinisterly supported by onr sham-friends ; yon iaTe heard how Roebnck said the petition was drawn np by a cowardly demagogue ; yon have heard how Mr . O'Cpnnell said he separated him-Belf from the petition in tolo ; you have heard how Macaulay and Bob Peel spurned the demand of ihe millions ; and thus , in conseqnencs of the prayer of the petition being so unfairly treated , thousands have made their minds np not to petition again . Now I wish to pnt a fair question to every man , — M Did he expect better treatment from the misrepresentatives of the people ! " I can only say for myself that I did not , so tiiat on that score 1 was not disappointed . Bui I will tell you how I have been most agreeably disappointed—by the proud display the Londoners made on the occasion j the provinces owe a debs of gratitude to the Lsndon men , for the noble manner in which they came ont on the
day ef the presentation of the Great National . Well ; what are the result of the Petition ! So far , in my j opinion , these are , the results : during the sittings i , of the convention in London , eaeh of its members j was busily engaged in agitating the trades , and I j may Bafely affirm thai more good has been effected 1 in London towards the propagation of Chartism , ! than ever was done before in the same apses of time , j Moreover Mr . Cleave sent copies of the petition i to the Sun , Times , Advertiser \ Herald , Chronicle , <§• . I <§ 'c . It appeared in all the daily and weekly papers . ] 'l'here was not a single newspaper through I the length and breath of the United Kingdom , I that had not something to say on the Na- j tioaal Petition . Thus were our principles laid before ! ihe whole public to a far greater extent than ever I \ expected or anticipated . We have been endeavour-1 ing to bring our opinions prominently before the ] public , and at last we have succeeded .. Mark , -my i 1
- . . _ 1 _ . j » i »_*__ ^ 1 . T " 1 _ . - opinions as regard petitioning are , that I will petition , memorialise , remonstrate , or do any thing that can by any means bring our opinions before the j country . Just look at us now and four yeaTS ago j " ; see the multitudes now , as compared with then , that j openly avow and advocate our principles What j were we then t A despised , contemned party ; pow- j er 3 es 3 as to numbers and disunited , because we did no ; know each other . What we we now ? As far as numbers , and intelligence , and patriotism are con- j cerned , the most powerful political party in the ' state . 1 Why is such the fact ! Because we hire ,, by fearless agitation , at every meeting brought our j views forward , and because our own organ , the ; Nor item Star , has steered the Chartist ship
through rough and smooth weather , amidst troubled waters , beset with Whig and Tory breakers , shoals , and qHicksands , until now the Chartist bc ' dy ; has one mind and one opinion on great firs * rrin- j ciplts : mind you , I am no blind worshiper of the i Star—it , like other papers , must commit errors ; hut _; I look at the good it has done the cause ; ar . d 1 ; despise the man or set of men who ¦ would detract '< from iis merits and usefulness . My advice to the i people is this—to support the press ibas advocates their cause—such press is to be found in ; be Star , ' the Welch Trumpet , edited by Morgan Williams , the ; CommonvseaUhsman , edited by T . Cooper and J . H . R . Bairsiow , and the Chariist Circular . Toe Circular , \ from its cheapness , ought to be widely circulated . — j Every Chartist writing to any other person , oaght io \ enclose the Circular in his letter , and thus extend j our principles In all directions . Poor years ago we '
had only some half dozen Radical Associations— i now we have nearly 400 places united in the Na- tional Charter Association ; and I expect that there will be 4 , 000 votes polled at the forthcoming election for the Executive . See how North Lancashire has been agitated ; where , twelve months ago , ib ere was one association , there are now ten in that district , owing to the exertions of Beesley and others ; see how Yorkshire is organised ; Todmorden with its npwards of 400 members , all good paying members ; the Halifax , Hnddersneld , Bradford , Bindley , and other districts , have done their duty nobly by the Execstive ; so has Lancashire . Observe whai ~ Doyle has doie for Cheshire ; he has propagated Chartism in places in which it was never known before . Mason , j Bairstow , West , Ridlej , Stallwood , and scores ofj others have done the same , but to shew you the morej plainly how our principles have and are extending , in every part of the kingdom , read the following : — i | |
n Coalbrook Dale , 8 th fifth month , 1842 . 4 % Deas Sib , —No doubt thou wilt be well pleased to hear the Bnccess that Chartism has met with here ; our cards are all sold , and I paid £ 1 ' 2 s . lOdrfor cards wa had from thee , to brother Mogg , on 22 nd ef April , which he promised to send to thee in a Post-office order , and order us another hundred cards ; these cards he has not sent yet ; I believe he has not received them . We have Bold every card we had here , and are sadly in want of more . As we could not disappoint them any longer , we actually Bent a poor man to Wolverhampten last night , and he has returned this morning , bringing all the cards and publications he could get there . We will likewise Bend some money to the Executive as
soon as we can , but when thou has heard how we get on , thou will see we have none to spare JEst at present ; we caD hardly help ourselves . We have now about 150 enrolled members ; things are goiDg on prosperously . This morning , I understand there has been , a very large meeeting to hear the Slar read and other publications , and five or six shilling ' s worth of circulars and other cheap publications were sold , which we have just received from Wolverhampton . But the best has got to come ; threa week 3 ago myself and two friends took a walk round Donnington Wood , Old Bask , and Oakea Gates , amongst the colliers ; they wanted a lecturer , so we promised Hogg on Wednesday night following , in the Marketplace , Oaken Gates , and set the crier on . We ex-
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pected to find 7 or 800 there , but when we got there they were obliged to go into the Boll Ring ; there were about 2000 persons present . J . Halford , a young man from the Dale , promised to lecture there last Monday . When he got there , there were about 4 , 000 waiting for him . The Charter has . takennothing else will go down there . The magistrates are alarmed , and are holding meetings to prepare themselves against an outbreak . 1 was in Shrewsbury last Thursday and Friday , and of course eDdeavoured to find out what standing it has cot there .
I find they have been holding weekly meetings , and lecturing amongst themselves , but have not attempted to start an Association . I have got them to promise to make a start . A young man , a shoemaker from Bilston , of the name of Moseley ^ has undertaken to be their Secretary , and to begin to enroll names . Last night , I promised to order some cards for them , which you will send as soon as possible , directed to John Batho , Robin Hood , near Old Factory , Shrewsbury . He will see that the money is sent to the Executive for them , and be kind enough to give them what direction you can .
" I have likewise written to Messrs . Mason and O'Connor . We intend to have a grand demonstration on Whitsun-Tuesday . They are coming from all parts , even from Wales . We expect from twenty to thirty thousand there ; and if Mr . O'Connor will come , I dare say there will be 100 , 000 persons present . It is like tho centre of greatest attraction in Shropshire . Use thy influence to persuade him to come ; and Chartism , in one stroke , is planted in every town in Shropshire . " I remain thine respectfully , " John Child . H To Mr . John Campbell , ' Corporation-street , Salford . "
Now , my friends , is not such news gratifying Much has been , much remains to be , done . Lincolnshire , Bedfordshire , Rutlandshire , Oxfordshire , Kent , Essex , Sussex , Surrey , Middlesex , Westmorland , Norfolk , Suffolk , Cambridge , the mountainous parts of Wales , and the Highlands of Scotland , must and shall be agitated . Let us , then , go on more determined than ever , until the citadel of corruption be thrown downby the battering-ram of truth , and the temple of liberty founded on its ruins , inside which will be admitted thft whole family of man .
In conclusion , I must inform my constituents that I will visit the following places after the hurry of the elections for the Executive shall have been overnamely , Norwich , Ipswich , Lynn , Yarmouth , Harleston , Bury St . Edmund's , Wisbeach , and Cambridge , remaining one night in each place to address the people ; and the district must make arrangements where to begin , so as to make the route as convenient for me as possible . I remain , Your brother democrat , John Campbell . Corporation-street , Salford , May 16 th , 1842 .
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We did kot receive Mr . O'Connor ' s reply to ihe Irish Universal Suffrage Association in timb for insertion .
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THE KIDNAPPING SYSTEM . HORRIBLE DESTITUTION OF THE OPERATIVES IN SYDNEY , NEW SOUTH WALES . Some time ago , we directed the attention of tke readers of the Northern Star to the subject of emigration generally , and pointed out to their especial notice the atrocious system of cruelty pursued towards onr fellow-conntrymen in the distant dependencies of the British Crown . We this week call attention to circulars from the Operative Stonemasons and the Boot and Shoemakers , of Sydney New South Wales , addressed to their brethren in
this country , and severally dated October 28 th , 1841 , and which appear in another column . These circulars will enable our readers to perceive the state and condition of the working classeB , who , by false hopes , and delusive promises have been induced to quit their " fatherland" for a settlement in what haB been " a colonial paradise . " Besides the circulars we this day publish , we have others low before us from the labouring classes—the house painters , the journeyman bakers , watch and clock makers , sawyers , and various other trades , varying in their details , but all embodying the most heart-rending statements of destitution and distress .
We see no reason to doubt the trath of the various allegations thus made ; they have been drawn up in compliance with a resolution passed at a meeting of delegates from the trades at Sydney , and are sufficiently varied to warrant us in coming to the conclusion that they are the plain statements of unvarnished truth . These documents have been sent to England for the purpose of publication , by placard , or otherwise , the trades of Sydney guaranteeing the expence ; and the objecJ of them appeare to be the warning of the
operatives at home against the delusions practised by those infernal furies , in the shape of Bounty Emigration agents , who are trying to kidnap the people of this country into a state of bondage worse than death , for the purpose of increasing their illgotten gains by the nefarious traffic . These pitiless wretche 3 appear to be well supported by the master rascab on the other side of the globe . The shoemakers , speaking of a man who had gone out to Sydney in order to belter his condition , and who bad been induced to do so by a statement sent to
England from the master boot and shoemakers , in October , 1840 , say , " On the arrival of Matthews , ha applied for work to Mr . Sloman , who was at that time Secretary to the Society of Master Boot and Shoemakers , but was told by him that he could not find work for the man assigned to him . Matthetvs told Sloman that he brought a statement of the Sydaey wages vrith him . Sloman laughed , and told him that was one of the statements he had sen * , home , and that he had sent them to all the grindery shops he could think of in England ,
Ireland , and Scotland 1 " This certainly needsno comment ; it is strong presumptive evidence of a wenarranged and well-urdtrstood system of fraud and 'delusion concocted between the bounty agents at home and the blood-suckers in the colony ; the one seeking to enrich themselves by kidnapping the people here and dooming them to slavery , while the others are endeavouring to make themselves " respectable" and " powerful" in the Colonies , by reduciig the wage 3 of the operative , and thus securing to themselves a greater aggregate of profit . The
j \ j j j I j ¦ j ! i j ; means resorted to by these bounty agents to seduce !; " their deluded victims , are promises of immediate and j constant employment with high wages . Repre-| sentations , in fact , are put forth which induce the i working man to believe that , in a few years he will i be able to realise a fortune and spend the evening of hi 3 day 3 in ease and comfort . In all these respects , the poor emigrant finds himself miserably disap-: pointed . He arrives in the colony with his wife and j family , he seeks for employment , but can find none ;
he offers to work at any price—the labour market is over-stocked , and the wage 3 of all become reduced in consequence . This is , however , the best side of the picture ; in verj many cases employment cannot be procured at all : hundreds of emigrants on landing , find themselves houseless and hopeless wanderers , at a distance of 16 . 000 miles from their native land , without a friend to sympathise with them , or a heart to feel for their destitution and distress .
' Bad as the condition of the working classes in this country is , emigration evidently , under such circumstances , only makes bad worse ; and we beg onr countrymen to pause , and ask themselves how -they can endure to see their wives and children fainting beneath a burning &un , and dying for hunger anpitied and unaidedin a foreignland , before they venture to givethemselve 3 up without hope or remedy into the grasp of the oppressorl We are told that laiid
I is cheap , that it will amply repay the cost of cultij vation , that wages are high , and employment easily ! obtained . Now how stands the fact ? The circulars : of the trades are all dated October or November , ; and they all agree that during the previous six i months many operatives in every branch have been ! unemployed ; that an influx of emigrants has tended J to reduce wages very considerably ; that every new '[ -importation increases the general distress ; that no
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hopes , or very slender ones , are entertained of a change for the better , and that , in the midst of all , provisions are excessively dear , rents most exorbitantly high , fuel and clothing high in proportion , and vegetables not to be procured at any price . There is some variety in the statements of prices , but nothing material . The highest , wages will not amount to more than eight shillings per day , and the average rate of wages will not be more than thirty BhilliDgsper week . This would be reckoned tolerably good wages in England ; it is a mere starvation pittance in New South Wales . In England , the occupant of a honse at ten pounds per annum is
deemed respectable , at least according to the Whig estimate of respectability established by the Reform Bill ; in Sydney , the occupier of a single room not above nine feet square mast pay a rental of eighteen pounds four shillings per annum , or seven shillings per week , and he must pay . it weekly or go about his business ; for a cottage with two rooms , 15 s . per week i 8 charged ; for one with three rooms , £ 1 5 s . ; and a house containing four rooms , we learn from the document before ub , the usual weekly rent is £ 1 15 s . To all this must be added the coBt of fuel , food , and clothing , all which are from one to three hundred per cent , higher than they can be procured in this country .
Looking at these facts , it is plain that the working man , even when in constant employment , and receiving the highest rate of remuneration , will only be able to procure for himself and family the bare neces saries of life : comforts , to say nothing of luxuries must be entirely out of the question . Nor has he the remotest chance of altering his circumstanoes , or of bettering his condition . But if such be the abject condition of the operatives when in full employment , and receiving the highest rate of wages , how deplorable must be their condition when deprived of employment for months together ! •• ¦¦ .
Owing to circumstances , into an examination of which we will not now enter , but the chief of which is unquestionably the bad , ambitious system of government which prevails in all our dependencies , the colonies are not able to provide work for tho existing population . In every branch of trade numbers were out of employment , wandering through the streets in idleness , ready to take work at any price ; and thus , by lowering the rate of wages , bringing upon themselves and the whole working community accumulated and increasing
distress . These things should be deeply pondered and well considered by the operatives at homo who may be induced to look to New South Wales as a land of ease and plenty . We are aware that the country is as yet but thinly peopled : brought into proper cultivation , it might easily be made to yield produce for at least fire times the number of its present ; inhabitants . The fault is not in the land , nor in the people : it is in the system , and is inseparable
from the system . It is said land is cheap , and so it may be nominally ; but cheap and dear are relative terms . Any article iB cheap , -whatever its ostensible price may be , if those who want it possess ample means by which to secure it ; aud every article is dear , even though its actual price may not exceed one penny , if the person wanting it be destitute of the means wherewith to purchase it . The working man in the colonies has no such means ; and hence to become a landed proprietor is to him impossible .
under a system like this how fearful must be the consequences of a continual influx of newcomers from the mother country . On the one hand is suspicion and distrust , and on the other privation and want in their most appalling forms . Multitudes of human beings , who with high hopes and deluded expectations have left their native shores , find themselves , after the privations and hardships of a four or five months voyage , left , with every hope blighted , to perish by the most cruel of deatb 3 as outcasts in a foreign and au inhospitable
clime . And why , we ask , is all this ? Is it for tho honour and interest of England 1 Does this atrocious system of cold-blooded murder in the colonies tend to promote the comfort of the people or to secure the stability of the throne ? Not one of these ends is answered ; not an advantage is secured which can in the remotest degree compen-Eate the country for [ all this guilt and wretchedness . What end then , we again atk , is answered by it 1 It serves to build up despotism ,, to arm tyranny with additional powers , to destroy ,
without the odium of muider , the human machines which have inoreased more rapidly than was consistent with the unhallowed designs of capital . Bad as we are we dare not openly butcher those of our operatives that we find it inconvenient to keep ; the plan , therefore is a system of kidnapping by bounty agents . The poor wretches aTe stowed like cattle into emigrant ships ; in some instances disease and fever consigns them to a watery grave ; or , at all events , they are sure to be got rid of by want and starvation when arrived at the scene of their fearful destiny .
We have thought it right to direct the attention of our readers to this important subject , because it is with the people that the ultimate decision of the question relative to emigration rests . The transportation scheme will still be acted upon , and a system of wholesale murder perpetrated according to Jaw , unless the people with one voice declare that such things shall no longer be . We bavo yet more facts in store . The West Indies and the prosecution of the same horrible slave traffic in Irishmen well meriis an exposure , and shall have it .
If the people must emigrate let them not seek the colonies ; let them look to the free states of North America ; but we again repeat as we have often done before , that emigration is unnecessary . We have ample resources at home for the whole of our population , were it five times greater than it is , and it is bad government alone which prevents their developemenfc . Let the people ponder those things well . Let our march be onward !—our watcUward , union ! ! aud oar determination be , never to quit the land of our birth until its capabilities have been fully drawn forth and found inadequate . Then it will be time to talk of emigration , but not till then .
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leap . It other than suoh men as are proof alike against the calls of Interest , and . " respectability , " and will adhere always , and right ( forward to the old ship , though fifty new sprung butterflies should flatter id the breeze—if other than such men as are capable of being elevated without turning giddyif other than such men as , knowing the grave and responsible character of their position , can bear friendly criticism , or even reproof , if necessary , without losing temper and hazarding our cause by petulance and overbearing—if other than reasonable , modest , clear-Bighted , honest-hearted , hut yet firmly determined men , be elected upon this Committee , the oause will have suffered great injury .
We have perfect confidence in the people ' s prudence . They are not now to be guided like children . They need little either of admonition or advice . No man can either long or far deceive them by fair seeming . We bid them only toexeroise their prudence and to determine not hastily upon whom to recommend for nomination ; and when the candidates are nominated , not to vote without deep and due consideration .
We abstain from recommending individuals ; because ( among other reasons ) if we did so , every man who was not recommended , and yet thinks himself eligible , would consider himself " denounced , " and would proceed accordingly to denounce us . Now , we hare made up our minds , that neither the spleen , nor the vanity , nor the ambition of individuals shall find in us a weapon wherewith to wound the cause . The people hare the whole race of public men before them ; they know who have been consistent in their adherence to Chartist principle and policy , and
who have not ; they know who have , through the whole movement , exhibited an even and forbearing temper , looking past all minor matters to the one great cause , and who , if any , have seemed to forget all but their own greatness and importance ; they know that a testy , quick , quarrelsome , shore-sighted , headstrong , impatient , or violent man is no man for them ; they know tha ? a man who runs after every " new move" that comes upon the carpet ia no main for them . We have no fear that they will prove their wisdom by the disoretion of their choice .
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Determined to commemorate every great national event connected with the present " movement , " Mr . O'Connor has entered into arrangements for . ' presenting * , the ' Subscribers to the Star with a large and splendid Engraving of the Presentation of
THE GREAT NATIONAL PETITION to the House of Commons . This Plate will be as muoh superior to the Engravings already given with the 5 / ar , as they were to any ever given with any other newspaper . It will be divided , as it were , into three main compartments . The Brst will represent the Dele-GATEsi ' n Conviction AssEMBtED , previous to starting with the Petition toi the House of Commons , The centre and largest compartment will represent the Procession ¦ ¦< ccompanying the * 'Petition to the House , tho Petition itself , the Bearers of it , and the People , when passing Whitehall , and approaching Palace Yard . The third compartment will represent the Petition IN THE ¦
HOUSE , when " laid on the table ?' being a general view of tho Interior of the House of Commons , the Bar and the Speaker's Chair being prominent features . In addition to these main compartments the upper and lower edges of the plate will be divided into sixteen other smaller compartments , each one of which will contain an accurate representation of some great Publi « Building passed in the route from the Convention Rooms to the Parliament House . Views will thus be given of Temple Bar , St . Clement Dane ' s Church , Somerset House , Exeter Hall , St . Mary-le-Strand , Trafalgar Square , Northumberland House , Whitehall , Richmond Terrace , The
Admiralty , The HorBe Guards , Westminster Bridge , The Treasury , Westminster Abbey and St . Margaret ' s Church j Westminster Hall , and the Exterior of the House of Common . There will thus be given , upon one very large sheet , NiNETtB * Splendid Pictures , all harmoniously combined to make the whole an effective and worthy rep ' rcsentalidn of the most important movement ever made by the English people in favour of liberty . Tho terms upon which the Plato will be issued are as follow . :-r-Every Subscriber ( o the Star for Four Months , from tho date of entering hi 3 name with his newsagent , will ' bo . ¦ e ntitled . lo . a Plate . Wo do
not promise to have- it ready at any particular time , for tho work vvill be cue of such a character , and will need such careful attention on- 4 M purf of the Eugtaver , as to defy any : ono to fix an exact time . This , however , we do promise . Every subscriber is at'hbejty to cease his subscription at sho end oi' four months , holding his ticket , and receiving his plate and paper from tho Agent he has . subscribed ' with ., the day U is presented , just as if he ha '' continued to subscribe . Tho Price of the Paper the week the Plate is pre ^ - sciit'd will ba One Shilling . We will try to maktti such arrangf-nieiiis ¦ as will make this tho only charge the Subscribers will have to
pay . Agents , therefore , will Dleaso to open subscription lists , and ia all causes furnish the subscriber with a ticket , which ticket will entitle him to the Plate whenever it is given for subscribing for the Star for four months . As Foon as possible , specimens shall be placed in the hands of the Agents .
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A . K ., of Shrffield , writes in commendation of a plan for an attack itpon the tax chest , proposed by Mr . Moir , who has lately been lecturing in Sheffield . The plan is for every Chartist to take a sheet with the list of all excxseablc articles at the head of it ; if f en let the individual waited upon , if he approve of the , plan , sign his name to those articles that he will abstain from : let one or two millions of signatures be got ; let it be armouitced through the columns of ( he Chartist press that every one that has signed the above will uhsluin for six months ; and then see what the effect uill b 6 . H . D , Gitin'iTHS . —The matter of his communication may be of considerable , local interest ; but has Tiot enough of public interest for our columns . Thomas Francis . —The resolution cannot be
inserted . . : . Jonathan Gipson . —ife have not room . C . M . Williams . — We know nothing of the letter to which the alludes—we think that it has not reached us . ~ :. '' ¦ -..-Northampton Chartists . —JF can have nothing to do with local quarrels , J ., Bristol . —We cannot answer ; but have sent his letter to Mr . O'Connori Poor Law Bastiles . — . 4 correspondent writes us , that about a month ago , a poor woman , upwards of sixty years of age , desired to leave the Macclesfield Union Pom house , of which she was an
inmate . She gave the governor , Mr . liobimon , legal notice to that effect . Mir . Robinson , oh learning the poor creature s desire to go away , told her she miist qive up her clothes , as they belonged to the parish ; and the wretched creature was actually stripped of all her clothing to her veiticpat , and turned out of the house in this situation . If this be true , it is a ' case ' of-gross and shocking brutality . All letters and correspondence for the adult Char--lists ' of Stackport must , for the future , be directed to T ^ homas Clark , news-agent , Heatonlane , as he has removed from Temperance Yard .
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H . B . Mauley and James Hoppjsy . —7 % « r commu nications came too late for this week . BnOMPTON AND KNipHTSBBlbOB CfifABTiSTS ttlUSi send their resolution to Mr . Stallwood , prir valely . \ - ¦ ¦ . - ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦•' ¦ . ' ¦ " - . ' ; ^ . ¦ .. ¦ ¦ '¦ ' .. ; . : '' *' Oua Newcastle Correspondent must phase only \ to write dn one side . Sheffield Chabtists . —WV have not room for the letter of Mr . Ward . Job Plant . —r / f he wishes Feargus O'Connor to see
Ms letter he mastsend it to him : theNorthern Star w no post-office . Will any Chartist beverage manufacturer who withes to forward the cause communicate as soon as possible withMr . Crockford , No . 3 , Clevelandstreet , Middlesex Hospital , London , who wishes to become agent for London , and will give one penny in the shilling to the Marylebone Association . All Communications for the National Charier Ass « - ciation of Birmingham are requested to be sent to E . P . Mead , No . 1 , Hatchet-street , Newtown
row . Glasgow . —The report of the adjourned meeting in St . Ann ' s Church came too late for insertion .
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Mr . Micklethwaite can receive his plate froih Mr . Heyuiood , by calling . "W-DRY dsd ale . —All right . . James Arthur . —Yes . X- H . B . —We have not one copy at tbe office . Mr . Richard Morgan , Newhnan . —The parcel was sent on April 23 rd , by Pickforda . fOR THE CONVENTION . : - " ¦ . * , ' ¦ ¦ . ' - . ' ¦ " . : a " * ' . " " From a few friends in Falkland . 5 0
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HUDDEBSFZEXiD . —A Runaway Boy . —On the 6 th of May last , James Graham , a boy about twelve years of age , ran away from his uncle's home ^ John Jessop , Paddock . He had on his working clothes as no left the mill / He stands about four feet two inches ; rather stout made ; a pleasant looking boy ; darkish hair . Any person having seen the boy , will confer a great favour on his friends by writing to Mr . John Jessop , Paddock , near Huddersfield . - ' "¦ . ' ¦ ""¦' . "' .. ' - ' ¦ :. '¦¦ . . ¦' :. ; :
To thk Public .- ^—Messbs . Wood and Co . 's Weavers . —— Friends , —We present you with this short address for the purpose of informing you that the strike against Messrs . Jacob Wood , IVjlliam Norton , and Co . still continues . How long such a state of things is to remain depends upon the disposition manifested by Messrs . Jacob Wood and Co . who up to the present time have shewn no inclination to settle so unpleasant a dispute . We have written to them to ascertain the price they really intend to give , but they refuse to furnish us with a statement , although we furnished them with the price we required them to give , therefore the enly course left for us to pursue is to request a continu e ance of support from our numerous friends , while
they may Tely upon the strike being conducted with ' that economy , vigour , and determination which has already characterised its proceedings ; Not one of the turnouts has returned to the employment of Messrs . J . Wood and Co ., which speaks volumes for the justice of the cause in which they are engaged , while a large number of the turn-outs have found employment at those manufacturers who are disposed to give us a helping hand , a course we strongly recommend to those who are inclined to benefit the trade upon which we depend for support . As the strike is likely to continue for an indefinite period , we hope our friends will make renewed exertions on behalf of the turn-outs , as we are determ med to strain every nerve ; rather than surrender one iota of the just cause in which we are engaged , for the manufacturers have repeatedly
informed us " that whatever wages the strike is settled at , the same wages will be the standard throughout the West Riding . " If Messrs . J , Wood and Co . are disposed to give the same wages as the other manufacturers , the present dispute may be amicably settled , but if they are determined to encroach upon their workmen ' ^ labour , and depreciate the value of the manufacturers' capital , they may expect determined opposition from your faithful servants , The Central Committee , George Frankland , David Armitaqe , John Smith . Committee Room , Woodsome Mill , May 17 , 1842 . P . S . The news from Bolton is highly gratifying , as the weavers there are determined not to weave at a lower price than tho other manufacturers are giving in Yorkshire . __
-HE VWOOD . —Tyranny of the Cotton Lords , —During the last few weeks , the millownerBof this place have shown their sympathy for the working class by reduoiDg their wages in some instances as much as fifteen or twenty per cent . ; aud , not satisfied with this mode of robbing their hands , they compel them to take houses belonging to them ( the millocrats , ) and to pay higher rents than they otherwise would have to pay . There are instances in this village where young men , not married , have to pay rent for houses that they did not live in , having no furniture ; the houBe has been locked up empty , and the rent stopt out of the man's wages on the Friday night . They have now discovered another mode of screwing the money out of the pockets of the labourer : they ( the
millowners ) take a number of houses on persons who have no mills ; and , consequently , cannot get their houses tenanted , and force their hands into them , paying thei owner of the houses Is . 6 d . and Is . 9 d . per week , and stopping their hands 2 s . and 2 s . 9 < i . tor living hi them . Having found put that what they Btop in tho shape of abatements may be recovered by law , they have in some ¦• mills in this village drawn up a document , which states that the hands are not to prosecute the master for any abatement or deductions he may make from their wages ! The poor hands have been compelled to sign their names to this infamous document , or leave their employment ; and , knowing that there were hundreds out of employment , willing to get work upon any conditions , they have , with few exceptions , complied .
STOCKPOkT . —The unfortunate poor of this once prosperous town are now suffering the extreme of human misery ; the streets are thronged with unwilling' idlers , wliose woe-worn coHntenanoes speak volumes against the accursed system . The tales of distress that these men tell would draw a tear from theeye , or moisten the heart of any save an English griping capitalist . It has become quite common now for men to have two meals of oatmeal and wat 3 r in forty-eight hours . The question invariably put from one of these poor fellows to another is , "Well , Bill , when had you anything to eat last !" ¦ The answer in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred is , " Not sin yesterday morn , nor 1 munna have while night , and then it will be nought but a mess of water-porridge and Bait . " On Friday last , a poor
man came into the house of your correspondent , who questioned him as to tho reason of his being in s * uch good spirits , as he had for two days previous noticediiim being particularly dejected . He saidit was owing to his having met a friend who gave him sixpence : this he hurried homo with to a wife and three starving children ; he expended the money in bread and buttermilk , and although neither he nor her had eaten anything for two days previous , save "boiled potatoe piilings ; " he could not think of tasting himself , for , said he , with a sigh , "My days are to be few , and the fewer the better , for I would bail death this moment as a God-send ; " though he is quite a young man , who , twelvemonths ago , was receiving thirty shillings a week for spinning . What will be the end , God only knows .
LOUGHBOSOUGH , —The employers of the starving stocking makers seem determined to drive them to desperation , for ono of them , notwithstanding the low price at which they labour , has bqeh attempting to advance their frame rent from 9 d . to Is . ; Is . to la . 6 'd . ; and from 2 s . to 2 s . 6 d . per week , —some say , to pay the income tax . This led to their assembling at Sheepshead on Monday , and appointing a deputation to wait on one of the masters . They then came in a body to this place , to the number of 300 or 4 00 . The deputation got it deferred
for a month , but it is understood that the pressers are to go in . So that those who hid taken out at the advance rent will have nothing to do . The coming of these poor fellow ? was sufficient to alarm the conservators of the peace , for , notwithstanding we have forty soldiers in the town , fourteen , of the rural blue-bottles , with their commander at their head , arrived by the train and marched into the Red Lion jard . But the birds had flown , with the exception of a few stragglers ) ; so they had no use for their truncheons , nor had they an opportunity to show their valour .
WIGAlSr . —The Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows . —The A . M . C . of this Order is held in Wiga , n this year . The number of delegates assembled is 700 . In consequence of this meeting of the Brethren from all parts of the country , the Lodges in the district agreed to have a procession on Monday last . At two o ' clock the various Lodges had formed themselves in the Market-place , and after leaving thence paraded through the prinoipal streets of the town , accompanied by bands of music , banners . See . . The procession was the largest ever seea in Wigan .
LEEDS—Ancient Romans . —On Tuesday last tho ^ Prosperity Senate of this Order , held its Anniversary at the Saracen ' s Head Inn , Boar-lane , when the members and Visiting Brethren were regaled with' an excellent dinner , which reflected the greatest credit on the worthy host , Mr . James , and proved him , in the estimation of the company , a caterer of the first order . On the removal of the cloth , the Seal was formally opened , when : the accounts , ' &e ., of the Senate ( for the pa it year ) were carefully examined , and gave to the members the utmost sati £ fa 3 tion .
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Odd Fellows . —On Monday last , the members of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd FellowB . Nor 303 , of the Manchester Unity , held their tweaty-foarth anniversary at the house of Mr . Thomas Haxgrave , ; Malt Shorel Inn , Armley , when upwards of 150 eat down to a real substantial dinner , furnished up in the first-rate style by Mr . and Mrs . Hargraves , which reflected the utmost credit on them . Afite * the Lodge was opened , Mr . Joseph Haywood being called to the chair , the business being brought forward , ifc was stated in the report that the Lodge new numbered 168 free members , and that they had lost two during the last year , one by death and the other for non-pay ment , and their funds had increased mori p the lasyear than in any former year for some time ; aftefc which , the remainder of the evening was spent in a Very friendly manner . ; J C
> Ancien * Ordero ? Gaudesbhs . —On- Ttwsday , the Lily of the Valley Lodge of this flourishing Order , held its anniversary at the house of Mr . John Hamilton , the Fox Inn , Wheeler-street , Bank . The members and visiting Gardeners sat down to a sumptuous dinner provided for the obcasion , and was served up in that style of elegance aad plenty so characteristic of Mr . and Mrs . ^ Hamilton . The evening was spent in the most convivial manner , and the company peacefully separated at half-past ten O ' clock . ' .. . ' . . ¦¦ . ¦ ¦' ¦ '¦'"¦ ¦ . ¦'¦ : •"' ' ; . . : ' . . ¦ ' ' ¦ ' _;¦ ' ' ¦" ' ' ' . '"¦¦¦" Cricket Match . —Otley against Leeds *—on Monday last a match at cricket was played at Otley in the presence of a large concourse of people , between the Otley and Leeds ( Cobourg ) clubs , which was won by the former , with ten wieket 3 to fall . Otley , 141 ; Leeds , 140 . A dance on the green and other entertainments concluded the day ' s sports .
SU 3 in > EBIiANl > . —Sxbaybd pbom HoMB .--On Saturday week , a young man named Joseph Dodd * belonging to Sunderlsnd , ( evidently under the influence of insanity ^) rose from his bed about three in the morning , and having dressed himself ran out of the house followed by hiB mother , but unfortunately he succeeded in making his escape . Hia friends have been in search of him ever since , but have not got him yet . He has been discovered to have been at Ferry Hill , near Durham . Since then he has been seen near Boroughbridge , when he stated that he was going to Leeds . He stands 5 ft . 10 in . hieh : was dressed in fustian jacket and trowsere .
black waistcoat and neckerchief . He is of fair complexion ; had a prayer book in his hand , and appeared to be labouring under great religious excitement . Should this meet the eye of any who may have seen a person answering this description , they are most urgently requested to communicate particulars to his father , George Dodd , Nile-streetj Bishopwearmouth , Sunderland . ; ¦ -. '¦ ¦¦ ' ...: '¦ ¦'" ' ' XiOND ON . —Determined Suicide . —On Thursday morning last , a female , dressed in the first style of fashion , threw herself into the river Thames near Vauxhall Bridge . She was instantly Carried away with the tide .
The Murder at Highbury— ( Latest particu lars . J—The wretched man , Cooper , although much better , still continues in a very low state , and it is the general opinion that he will not survive until the next sessions . The two men , Mott and MosSj are daily getting better .
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PUBLIC DINNER , AT HIGHBURY BARN . On Whit-Monday , tho grand annual dinner of tho United Societies of Carpenters was held at Highbury-Barn , the profits of which , and of the ball in the evenings were to be devoted to the benevolent purpose of erecting alma houses for their aged and inarm brethren . Upwards of three hundred sat down to a most excellent dinner ,: got up in fli 8 t > rate style . The gallery was crowded with ladies , and an excellent military band added much to the hilarity of the scene . ' . At the conclusion of the repast the company adjourned to the beauteous gardens attached to the house , and reassem bled at four o ' clock , when Mr . Jeseph Butler * who had been previously elected , again presided over the assem bly , and commenced by assuring them that though be
had presided over larger meetings , he never felt more deeply the responsibility attached to the situation on previous dinners connected with these societies . They had confined their attention to social harmony , and to matters connected with the trade ; but , on this occasionthey had still higher objects to bring under their notice . The profits of the dinner were te be devoted to the purpose of raising a fund for the support of the aged and infirm . ( Cheers . ) He would confidently appeal to both sexes for support In carrying out that great object . Was it not a disgrace , that the aged and infirm members of their trade should be Wandering through their streets in poverty ; should be scouted and treated with contempt ? He was convinced that the young members of the trade would sympathise
with them , and appreciate this effort to provide au asylum for them , not knowing how soon they might be reduced to a similar state . Another new feature in that day ' s proceedings was , that while , on other occasions * they had confined their attention to the mere surface of things , and had not looked to the cause of the evils and the distress which had existed , they had now seen the folly of this , they were determined to be misled no longer , but would take their affairs into their own bands , and see if they could pot better their condition by having the power of legislation vested in themselves . The first toast to which , their attention would be directed was— " The working classes , and may the ; speedily obtain a just reward for their labour . " The steps taken by tae working classes , within the last year ,
would , he believed , ultimately secure this object . By adopting this toast they would show to the world ; he hoped , that as a trade they were at length alive to the importance of looking to their political con dition . Was not trade in a most depressed condition t Pid they receive a just reward for their labour ? They were well aware they did not , and unless they looked to the cause of this they would become more and more degraded—their situation would daily become worse and worse . The next toast that would be proposed went to remove the cause of the evils which oppressed them ; it struck at the root of bad legislation , which had created all the mistry and degradation which existed in the whole world . He knew not whether it might be palatable to the whole body , bat he thought that it would . Thjs toast was—The Charter . The House of Commons had treated their petition with contumely and insult ; it bad solemnly declared that the working classes bad no right to a share in the legislation of the country ;
that they were to be regarded only as slaves and beasts of burden . Tke question for them to consider was , would they any longer submit , to this state of things ? It had been said by an excellent authority , that for a nation to be free it was Sufficient that she willed it ; they had not this freedom , and if they did not will it they were not deserving of it . The subject of the Charter being broached in this public manner would show it did not emanate from a party , but from the whole body . It would declare to the world that the aristocracy had at length forced them to become politicians . As that worthy advocate of the Charter Dr . WDouali was present he should not say mora upon the BubjtiCit v and the other toasta also ; ¦ w ere in JtaMs that would do justice to them . He was well ' ' aware that they . Would give a fair hearing to all persons who might address them , eithar for or against the toasts , and he also . trusted that the toasts would give , universal satisfaction , and that their liberal example would speedily be tolfosred by other trades : ( Great cheering . )
Mr . Tapprell stated that he had the honour to be entrasttid witd the first toast , " The working classes of the United Kingdom of ( Jreat Britain and Ireland , 'may th , ey . speedily receive a just reward for their labour . " H \ j need not go at . length intp the subject , whether they did receive a jost reward for their ' . laboar ; They had sufficient evidence to prove tha contrary , but b . 3 trusted that his trade would have : sufficient spirit to stay the torrent of dowuward degradation into which they were c ' ertiinly going ; that they would evince that : power of intelligence , that moral courage which would enable them to achieve a reform greater than any other which had taken pi ice in the world . ; Reforms , hitherto , had not generally been for the benefit of the working classes , but for the upper ranks ef society . To achieve
this great measure of Reform they needed no physical force , a ! l they required was union and "detenuinafcioff . A . mighty power-. lay in the possession of the trade societies of Britain which had nayer yet been exercised as it ought upon these great national questions—( hear , hear ) . He trusted they would determine to make such use of passing events as to turn them to the benefit of the wording populationi It remained wita thstti to say whether tb . oy w » ald go forward with the mighty power they possesssd , concentrating tha intelligencs and the industry of their body to the reforms now in content * platioii . They had been told that they were not fit to exercise the power of legislation ; that if they had a Bhare in the making of the laws they would destroy property and produce anatchy and confusion
throughout the land . What ! the men who produce all then weilth— -all ; the property ia ext « fcenc 9—destroy the fruit of their own labour ! It was a base calumny —a foul libel upon the working man to 3 ssert such an opinion— ( hear , hear ) . It was the basa cumberers of the earth—it was those who took all from them and gave them nothing in return , that were the dastroyers of property- He felt bitterly indignant at heating such assertions from men who must know they were false . They knew too well the value of property to conspire for its destruction ; they had taken too much care and pains to produce it to ba guilty of such insanity ; they Wanted to preserve property , to enact good laws , that the produce of the earth might be more equitably distributed . All they desired to destroy was class
legislation—( hear , hear ) . They wanted to attain their just position in the Legislature ; and until this was effected , he could Bee no prospect of their condition being bene fited . He had ever been the advocate of trade societies , yet they were far from being so formidable a * they mfght be rendered . They saw one trade after another driven into the very earth . It m » de his Very heart bleed to see men involved in poverty and wretchedness , by causes which they could not control : wbat was the cause that . poverty and intelligence seemed to progress together ; that surrounded by the elements of wealth , they should be involved in destitution ? Would they allow this slate tif things to continue ? Would they not press onward With the great body of their fellowworking men , until they had attained their political rights ? It was for them as a trade to answer this
question . The celebrated Bentham said it was only by keeping the ruling few uneasy , that they could hope for success . Be hopsd they would act upoa that aiaxua
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AS ADDRESS FROM THE MALE AND FEMALE CHARTISTS OF BIRMINGHAM TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ . TO rEASGTJS O ' CONKOB , Esq ., THE CHAMPIOH OP THB - TOILI > G K 1 LLIONS . HaiKjnred and noble-minded patriot , —At a time like this , when , the ej es of the working classes of the whcJfBritish empire arc fixed upon you , as the eyes of the tempest-beaten sailor are fixed upon the beacon wHcli directs him to a safe harbour—when those upon -whom we have looked as our best and ablest advocates have deserted our ranks , and are now serving in the ranks of your calumniators and enemies— -when money and talents of no mean order are lavishly employed to cheat and delude the
working classes into a belief that you are unworthy of the confidence that they hare reposed in yon—at a time when your energetic mind has most need . of support , these people ^ have conspired to rob yon of the palm of merit which you have so nobly won and so justly deserve to wear—when the meretricious glare of respectability , and the specious pretences of middleclass hypocricy , are thrown out as lures to entrap our fellow while slaves , and to destroy , by disunion , the mighty movemenvs they dread , and to lower and dishononr in our estimation the man who has borne with unflinching firmness the battle and the breeze of their fiercest persecution—the man whose talents excite their envy , and whose honesty has acted as a foil to expose their trickery : —at sach a time as this ,
Sir , we , the male and female members of the National Charter Association , resident in the borough of Birmingham , deem it meet and right to set an example of grateful and faithful attachment to'you , and by this public address , to shew that our firm confidence in your patriotism is unabated , and onr opinion of your honour and honesty unchanged . Our love and friendship ig not diminished one iota towards yoo—the man of our choice ^—the only chief npon ^ whose giant energies we can firmly rely—the enly individual whom we consider to be eminently calculated to direct the energies of the sovereign people in the attainment of perfect emancipation from the shackles of clas 3 tyranny . By your foresight , tact , and wisdom—by your
deep legal knowledge—by your patriotic zeal , ever in active operation , we have been enabled to go on i from victory to victory , and at length to obtain a ] glorious triumph over middle-clas 3 expediency , and ! compelled onr persecutors to acknowledge the justice j of those divine principles which we have , nnder your j auspices , firmly maintained and disseminated at alii hazards , through evil and throngh good report ; yes ,, noble O'Connor , we owe our present proud position to you mainly , and ire will not forsake the victorious = ( chief any more than we did the imprisoned victim of patriotism . Maagre all the enmity and scandal of j jealous and ambitious upstarts , we , the men andi women of Birmingham , pledge ourselves still to ! Sght the moral battle of right against might , nnder the banner of the National Charter Association alone . "
Under this banner , you , Sir , and nearly five bun- ! dred other brave patriots , have saSered the treat- i meet of felons . Our persecutors now patronize our ; principles , and they must adopt the name also and become reconciled to oar organization and leaders . You shall not be robbed of your hard-won laurels j whilst the chartists of Birmingham have a heart to \ beat with gratitude , or a tongue to tell yon how j mncb they love , respect , and venerate the champion - of their righte and liberties . May God preserve yon , honoured Sir , till all the people ' s enemies are put nuder their feet ; and when old time shall lead ; you to yonr end , may goodness and you fill up one monument . ^ ] This , Sir , is tke sincere and heartfelt wish' of your j brother and sister Chartists , the members of the I National Charter Association , resident in Binninghaas . Presented to Mr . O'Connor , at a public dinner , held at the Black Horse Inn , Prospect Row , Bir- ~ ; mingbanij on the 17 ih of May , 1842 . , - " ¦ ¦ . I
The Southern Star Saturday, May 21, 1342.
THE SOUTHERN STAR SATURDAY , MAY 21 , 1342 .
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THE NEW EXECUTIVE . We call attention , ia a most especial manner , to the letter of the Executive to the members of the National Charter Association throughout the empire The prudence of the people and their fitness for the discharge of the electoral duties of freemen will be now tested , and we cannot doubt proved abundantly , by ths discreet exercise of their right in choosing men to guide and steer the vessel of Chartism at the most critical period of its voyage .
Much of the future success or failure of the efforts of the people after right depends on the character of the men chosen to this important office . Sotmd judgment , calmness and firmness of purpose , and the most unflinching integrity , should , in the members of this body , be linked with untiring energy and prudent zeal . Let every man , therefore , before nominatinga candidate , ponder well and seriously upon hia character , and consider that he is in a great measure confiding to that man ' s courage , honesty , and temper , the destinies of the whole movement . Let none , then , be nominated for this office who are not well known , and whose
character for clear-sighted intelligence and stern honesty stands not " above suspicion . " Of all men in tho world the Executive must be out-and-out men . They must be such as enjoy the entire confix deuce of the entire country—not merely of a section or of a cabal . They must be backbone Chartists ; wedded to the whole Charter ; wedded to the u-orfting men , the architects of their own fortunes , the Baviours of themselves . No half-and-half man , no " new-move" progressive-advancement man , no " complete-suffrage" O'Connellite , no short-sighted simpleton ( however honest and sincere a Chartist he may be ) with his eyes full of middle-class snuff ia fit for nomination on this committee . There never was a time when it was more necessary for the Chartist body to look well before they
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SLAVERY . We purposed saying something on the awful revelations of the report of the " Childreus' Employment Commission , " given elsewhere . We have not room this Week for it , but shall yet make some comparison between the amount of guilt " which may be reasonably deemed" to appertain respectively to the ' infernal , " ¦ , * ' iron-hearted , "' .. " bloody" planters of the West Indies , and the " respectable , " "benevolent , " " Christian , " " religious" owners of some of our mines and manufactories , as well as of onr colonial lands .
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THE "COMMONS" HOUSE . We commend to our readers the speech of Mr . Duncombe on the Bribery Committee . It is refreshing to find one man among such a gang honest enough to make confession of the character of all . Not of course that any body is surprised at Mr . Duncombe ' s statements , since the character of the " Honourable" (!) House is pretty well and generally known ; but it is pleasing to find one among them honest enough to own it .
Splendid And Costly Present To The Readers Of The " Northern Star."
SPLENDID AND COSTLY PRESENT TO THE READERS OF THE " NORTHERN STAR . "
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_ 4 THE NORTHERN STAR . /¦ ¦ ' ' ' ^ ^^ LlI ^ -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 21, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct431/page/4/
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