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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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APPREHENSION AN EXAMINATION OF HP- o-tiORGE WHITE , ( From the Birmingham Journal ) On Friday morning , about ten o ' clock , Inspector William Hall proceeded with a warrant to the Fox , in Hnrst-strset , ¦ where he met Mr . White coming out of the door . _ He informed him that he had a warrant against him ; npon which some words ensued , and , a Bcuffld took place , and after some Bl ight resistance , Mr . White surrendered , and was taken to the prison in Moor-street . In the course of an honr after , ths Mayor , Dr . MeLson , Dr . Booth , Dr . Davis , Richard Spooner , T . Beilby , T . Boiton , J . Scholefield , and H . Luckcoek , Esqrs ., the Key . R- Bedford , Commissioner Borgess , Coloael Thorn , and ths magistrates' clerks , came into court , which was densely crowded by the middle and Working classes . The prisoner was placed in the dock ; npon which Mr . Gam proceeded with the examination of
wit-Besses . The first person called was Ebcnezer Pollock , who deposed as follows : —I live in Lord-street . On the 2 nd instant , I was at a meeting in Summer-Iane . I went , on my return from it , into the Britannia Inn , and on going into the front room , I found a party consisting of fifteen or twenty there . George White and John Fnsaell rushed up into the room . O'Neill had been addressing tbe people below , ad White began to speak to them from the window . He told them thiit they had been misled by O'Neill and Stn ge ' s party—that thfcy had been met by an armed foroe , and dispersed , but that he would call a meetiBg on the following night , and he would hold his meeting by forcft . and thpv «> . nu ! d come prepared . They Baid , " He- 6 them in their jao sts . " They cheered him , and he asted them , ii tliey would do as tie did ?—and they cheered him again . Prisoner—Will you oblige me with a little paper ?
Mr . Redfern supplied him with paper , upon which be commencan trying notes . The witness , on resuming , said the prisoner told them he would hold a meeting , and all the police should not prevent them . Prisoner—Now , mind what yon say . Witness—He told theia to come prepare * to meet the police . He asked them , would they come?—and they Bali " We wilL " Prisoner—Did I say anything tbout daggers ? ~ 5 Jr . Spooner—Do not interrupt—became you shall have every opportunity of asking any question you think preper . Prisoner—I am only just trying to help him out .
Witness—The landlord rushed into the room , to turn them out of his house ; upen which ' some of the party called for pen , ink , and paper , and a table , to form a committee . The landlord wcnld net give them anything , and ordered them oat of his house . C- oss-exsnined by the prisoner—Now , nay good efcap . how do yon get your living ?—Witness—By hard work . Prisoner—How does it happen you were employed in this case ? "Witness—I was not employed . Prisoner—Did you take " down what was said In
writing ? Witness—No . Prisoner—Can you report a sentence after a man correctly , without taking it down ? Or are yon quit-: sure that , in fire minutes after I repeat this sent « nce I am now speaking , you will remember it ? Witness made no answer . Prisoner—Did I advise the people to use force ! Witness—You did . Ton told them to come prepared Prisoner—What trade are yeu ?—and how did you come to make this statement ? Witness—I am a gun-barrel filer : and I voluntarily made this statement I am net employed . Prisoner—You are the finest spy I ever knew .
Witness—There was a man in the room who was dresred like a Quaker , and he said that they had brought iintir or four hundred colliers in , but they were deceived by O'Neill and Stnrge . Fossell also spoke . Prisoner—The fsc * is , Fussell never spoke at all ; and this fellow comes to produce his evidence , by truinpiag a lie . My g » od fellow , { turning to the witness . ) yon will never be worth your wages as a spy . What part of Fussell's speech did you hear ?—Witness : I did not hear any part of it . Mr . Gem—I will take that part of his evidence out . P-isoaer—No , you will not ; because this may come into s court cf justice ; and it ¦ will shew what credit he is worth . Did you ( to witness ) see any person heave up the window ? Witness—I did not ; but I distinctly heard the window thrown up .
Prisoner—That shbws what a smart fellow you are . Have you any religion , and what religion are you of ? Witness—I profess to bs a Baptist . Prisoner—Explain what you mean by a Baptist , because I do not beiieve , in my conscience , you know what an osth is . Dr . Booth—It is not necessary that he should explain sny particular doctrine . Mr . Spooner—Your only question ought to Bs , whether he believes in the truth of the Bible—that is FtScitnt to qualify him to take an oath . Prisoner—Have you any political principles ? Witness—No , I have not . Prisoner—Do you believe the present government a good <_ ine or a bad one ? Mr . Spooner—That question is immaterial . He is not bonn-i to answer it Prisoner—He says he has no politieal principles , and I believe him , nor moral ones either .
Mr . Taylor , printer , examined—I live in Steelhousekne . On the night of the 24 th of August . I was at the Chapel public-house , when I saw Mr . White ; he handed me the copy of a placard , now produced , and asked me to print him fifty of them , and get them posted . I did so . Mr . € rem—Have you any question to ask the witnets ? Prisoner—No ; he is not a volunteer witness in this matter Michael Daly , poliee-sergeant , examined—On Mond » y , thelolh inst , I was present at a meeting of . persons in Curwn-street ; there were a good many persons present The prisoner at the bar was there , and
was addressing the people . He called upon them to be snited , and stand fast together . The people ct . the XTorth were out , and were determined not to go to work again until they got their rights , and why not the people of Birmingham do the same ? If they would but be united , they would soen let Government see that they were determined to have theii rights . He thea spoke of a meeting that was to be held on the Tuesday week following . They wonld let the people of Birmingham see that they still had something in Birmingham to be frightened at They wonld walk is procession through the town . That is all I can seeolieet He advised them to Btend fart to each othes , and he called upon them repeatedly to go for nothing less than the Charter .
Dr . ilelson—Did you cot ssy , before Mr . Gem began to take dotra your depesition , that White said the oolliera had struck for the Ctiarter , and why not go with them ? Witness—Yes ; he said If they wonld stick to him , they would have the Charter . Prisoner—It is all repetition an 4 waste of time * Witness—He also told them to conduet themselves in a quiet and peaceable manner , for all the authorities wanted was an opportunity of bludgeoning them , and cutting them up I saw them go off the ground . As
soon as he announced that a procession would take place , I left the meeting . He told them to marshal tbemservtfg , and march in procession through the town , siter a banner which they had got . I then left the ground , and went and gave information to Mr . Burgess . I did not see the prisoner in that procession . I went to the bottom cf Cardigan Street , in company of Mr . Superintendest Atkins ; the procession was then going along , and I saw no more of it Tfeere were upwards of one thonsand persons at the first meeting . They were very quiet
Prisoner—Well , my good fellow , you have risen ninety per cent in my estimation ; I only wish you had been in Slimmer Lane , in place of that volunteer wit-Bess which we have just had . Now , tell me how ling is it sii . ee you have been made a Serjeant ? Witness—Last ApriL Prisoner—Do you know a man named William Martin ? Wi-j . ess—Yea . Prisoner—You were not a sergeant jwhen he was in Birmingham .
Witness—No , I was not Prisoner—You have been a companion of both me and Mat tin , and have often walked about with us , linked ann-ia-arm , have you not ? Witcess—Yes . Prisccer—What clothes did you wear then ? " Witness—Coloured clothes . Prisoner—Wens you then in the police ? Witness—Yea . Prisoner—By whose instructions did yon attend our meetings in plain clothes ? Witness—By order of my officer .
Prisener—Had you orders from that officer to insinuate yourself into our company ? Mr . Griffiths—You are not bound to answer that Question . Prisoner—I have a right to ask the question , because I want to show , that the spy system is in this country , jmA tbst no nun's life is safe . Mr . Spooner—You have a right to ask the question , and if the witness refuses to answer , it will appear on the depositions . Prisoner—Were you net directed by your officer to insinuate yourself into our company ? Witness—I will net answer that question . Prisoner —At that time you represented yourself as being kept in business by a relation , to learn the gunf nfahing trade ?
Witaea—I told you I was a gun-finisher , bit I did Bot tell yon I mi kept by my friends . Prisoner—What is your real trade ? Witness—A plasterer and slater . Prisoner—Sow long is it since you worked at that bnsineeB , and where ? Wttnees—Two yeaz ago , at Hindsworth . Prisoner—Yea wore police clothes , I suppose , when 70 s were made Serjeant ? Witness— Not always . Prisoner—What time was it when you used to walk linked arm-in-arm , with me and Martin ? Wss it until yo * were made a serjeant ?
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Witness—I was in their company about twelve months before I was made serjeant Prisoner—Why Martin was in Lancaster gaol then . You say you wore your own clothes then ? Witness—Yes . Prisoner—I think I saw a cloak upon 70 a at that time . Is that a dress usually worn by plasterers ? Witness—Plasterers may wear cloaks as well as other persons . Pr : soner—Who was it supplied yon with the cloak to disguise yourself ? Witness—My own money . Prisoner—I only wish to show that the spy system was carried on . Now , witness , I believe you have attended our meetings at Duddeston Bow very frequently ; and I ask you what was the general character of them ?
Witness—They were quiet and peaceable . Prisoner—In that part of your evidenoe where you refer to the colliers' strike , I ask you , did I use any violent language , or give the people advice to be violent ? Witness—No . Prisoner—Now , I have shown , by a sort of negative evidence , that I did not adviBe violent measures ; and I wish now to show , by direct evidence , which I think I can get out , that I advised the psople to the oontravy . I ask him , therefore , does he not remember me telling the people that the intended meeting of Tuesday was designed for the purpose of taking the unbiassed opinion of the people of Birmingham with respost to the present state of the country ; and did I not also advise that do man should vote against his conscientious belief , as by taking a show of hands the people were often led into error , when they did not mean to carry out what they held up their hands for ?
Witness—I do not recollect that you said so . Yon might have said so , but I do not recollect it Prisoner—Did I not particularly warn the people at every meeting you attended , to be peaceable and not to break the law , lest they should get themselves into the fangs of the authorities ? Witness— you did , Prisoner— DA you not bear me say that the people of England could get all their rights by strictly peaceable means ? Witness—I cannot recollect that you did so . Prisoner—In all the meetings you attended it is a wonder that yeu did not hear this said at any one of them ? Witness—I did not Prisoner—An allusion has been made to the colliers Did you understand me to allude to violent measures , when I talked of their strike ? Witness—I cannot tell your ideas .
Prisoner—Do yon know what was the avowed object of the meeting on Tuesday night ? Witness—I heard it was to memorialise the Qaeen ; but I cannot say . 1 do not know the real object for which the meeting was called . Prisoner—Have you not heard me state , that I oonsidered it to be the duty of every CharfeiBt to act as a peace officer at all public meetings , for that I believed the emissaries of the Government would endeavour to create a disturbance , in order to fix the odium upon the Chartist body , and thereby afford a pretext for imprisoning them ? Witness—Part of that I have heard you say . I have heard you say . it was the duty ef every Chartist to act as peace officer at every public meeting : that the emissaries of the Government would try to create a disturbance and lead the people into error , that isalL
Prisoner—Were you present at the last meeting we held at Daddeston-row , on Friday evening ? Witness—Yss . Prisoner—I then spoke of the groundless fears of the Bhopkeepers ? Witness—I don't recollect it Prisoner—Did yen hear me state that they might make themselves perfectly easy , for it was not our intention to injure the hair of any man ' s head ? Witness—I dont recollect what took piece . Prisoner—D '; d you hear me say that there was no earthly necessity for keeping up sucn a body of police force to preserve the peace of the town ? Witness—I have often heard you Bay so—but cannot recollect having heard you say so that night . Prisoner—Did I not often say , if the magistrates ha * common sense , they would dismiss the ferce , and rely on the good sense of the inhabitants ? Witness—I do not recollect that you did .
Prisoner—Have you not often heard me pledge myself , for myself , and in behalf of the Cliartist body , to assist the magistrates at all times , for the protection of life and property ? Witness—I never , that I can recollect , heard you say any such thir . g . Prisoner—Have you forgotten that you stated something like that in your former evidence ? Did yon not say I advised the Chartists to act as special constables ? Witness—Not as you have just expressed yourself ? Prisoner—Had not the words I used the same effect ? Witness—I never heard you say the words you havo now used .
Prisoner—Did you hear me state that Mr . Burgess and his force could be dispensed with altogether , and that they were a complete nuisance to the town of Birmingham—( laughter )—that nearly all the disturbances were created by tbe»—that I would undertake to state that the Chartists alone would preserve the peace of this town , and save the inhabitants the enormous rates that are now dragged from them ? Witness—I have heard you say the police could be dispensed with , and that they were a nuisance . Prisoner—Ton are the most honest policeman I ever met with in my life .
George Philip Tandy , police-constable , examined—I have been a little more than twelvemonths in tbe force . On Monday evening , the 15 th instant , I was at a meeting on a piece of waste ground in Carson-street I went there at past seven o ' clock . There were some few people assembled there at that time . I remained until near nine o ' clock- Persons continsed to assemble . I should think there were one thousand persons there . Mr . White was then addressing the persons standing round . I heard White say , that he hoped , at the close of the meeting , they would form . a procession , and march through tbe town , and continue to do so every evening . He Bald they would shew the people in Birmingham ; that there was spirit and Btrength left at the time they were sending the military to other parts of tbe conn try . I shall not swear to any more . The streets in that part of the town were in an
excited state , by the people being all up in arms . I mean by np in arms , that the people were coming out of their houses . I do not mean that the people had any arms in their hands . Tke people in the neighbourhood were in expectation of something taking place . During the continuance of these proceedings I should thiuk the erdinary business of some of the inhabitants could not be carried on , and they were calculated to create alarm in the minds of the people . When the meeting broke up , they walked in procession . I should say there were two thousand persons ; they were five or six abreast There was an inscription upon the banner , but I can't Bay what it was . I can't Bay I know who was in the leading file . I should say the effect of such a procession passing through the streets would be to terrify the people . I only saw the procession in Curzon-street and Duddleston-row .
Prisoner—You have stated that these processions were calculated to cause alarm : were you alarmed ? Witness—No . Prisoner—Did you ever see a procession before ? Witness—Yes . Prisoner—Why was that procession calculated to creite alarm ? Witness—By marching through the streets at that hour . Prisoner—You stated it was getting dusk , and now you say it was night , in order to give effect Did you ever see a procession going to lay the foundation stone of a church ? Witness—Yes .
Prisoner—Were you alarmed at them ? Witness—No . Prisoner—Then if you saw one thousand gentlemen going from Dee's Hotel for that purpose , you would not be alarmed ? Witneas—No . Prisoner—If you had heard they were Chartist 3 , would you have been alarmed ? Witness—No . Prisoner—If you saw one thousand rich men walking through the town , should you have bsen alarmed ? Witness—No . Prisoner—Then if yon saw one thousand poor men walking , you would be alarmed ? Witness—The peor are generally ill behaved . ( Hissinr . ) Prisoner—What would you say if you met one thousand bricklajers' labourers , after a hard day ' s work , should you think their appearance calculated to create alarm ?
Witness—I should ascertain the cause of their procession . Prisoner—But if they never said anything ? Has any shopkeeper complained to you in Cardigan-street of the terror ? Witness—Yes . Prisoner—Who are they ? Mr . Spooner—He is not bound to tell the names . Prisoner . —Was there any confusion at the meeting ? Witness—Some pebbles were thrown .
Prisoner—Did the proccBsion do any harm ? Witness—No . Prisoner . —What do you mean by being np in arms ? Witness—I mean coming out of their houses . Prisoner—You beat Dr . Johnson hollow . With regard to the speech ; will you , Mr , Gram , re * 4 the spirit of one part of it ? Mr . Gem did so , and the prisoner said—Now , witness will you repeat tint over again ? Mr . Spooner—He is not obliged to repeat It
Prisoner—It is a parcel of jumbled up nonsense , such as I never used ; although some persons may think me simple , I sever used such words . Now Mr . Spooner , just look at them ; they are quite nonsense . Witness—Your object was to frighten the people , and to to gaia your Charter . Prisoner—Were you in court while Daly was giving his evidenoe ?
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Witness—No . - — - ¦ ' - Prisoner—What clothes had you on that night ? Witness —Plain clothes that night Prisoner—For what object were you disguised ? Witness—I am not obliged to answer that question . Prisoner—Are yon aware that there are a large number of policemen kept in disguise in Birmingham ? Witness—I am not aware of it Mr . Griffiths—Yon are not obliged to answer that question . Prisoner—You have no right to say what questions he will answer . Mr . Spooner—He hai ; and it is for us to decide . Prisoner—Can you write ? Witness—Yes . Prisoner—Why did you not write down that sentenoe ? Witness—My memory was sufficient to recollect what yeu said that night
Prisoner—Can yeu recollect the last sentence I spoke just now ? Mr . Spooner said it was not necessary he should recollect it Prisoner—Yes , but it is , I think ; he might have taken all the wordB delivered over a column of a speech and dove-tailed them together . ' Mr . Spooner—He could recollect those prominent words—spirit , military , and such like , all clearly calculated to show the tendency of the address . Prisoner—I wish to know if I may have some refreshment I have asked Mr . Redfern ; and be says I cannot I hsv « not had any breakfast , and I do not think I ought to be kept starving here . Mr . Spooner said , he did not see any objection to his having refreshment , but he did not think there was any fund for the purpose . If he sent for it himself , he might have it Prisoner—Yea , of course .
Mr . Joseph Johnson , merchant ' s clerk , Garrison Lane , was the next witness examined . He said—I saw the prisoner fix a placard on a wall on the ldth inst , about half-past three o ' clock , at the side of the Green Man , Moor-street There were flva or six persons present I read it , and left it there . On the following day I saw a similar bill . Prisoner—How long have you been merchant ' s clerk ? Witness—Two years . Prisoner—What induced you to give evidence ? Witness—I told a policeman , named Wheeler , because it was exciting the people . Prisoner—I only want to show that this man has been fished up by the police .
Sarah Mann , of LichfieJd Street , examined—My hoBband is a shoemaker . On the night of the 15 th of Aagust , I was at Duddeston Row , & little after seven o ' cloek . Tbe ground was very full—seven or eight hundred were there . Mr . White was there , addressing the people about the Queen ' s proclamation . He told them one had been pnt out at the time of the Bull Ring concern , but that was of no avail . Ho said the people in the North were all out for prices , and they had come to a determination they would not go in until th ? y had gained the Charter . He hoped the Birmingham people would join them ; in a fortnight they would be compelled to do so . He said they would be walking about Birmingham streets clamming , and they would be forced to do so . There was a policeman in
the crowd , and they threatened to stone him , and some of them said he was a spy , and others said stene him . Tbe prisoner said the system of Government must be done away with , or we should continue in the distressed state we were then in . He said if they would take his advice their wives would wear a silk gown before the summer was over . Mr . Griffiths—What was the effect of these meetings ? Witness—I dont know . Prisoner—I protest against this prompting . The last two witnesses came np , told their tale , and Baid nothing agtinst me . Then came tbe prompter—did you hear that ? I object to Buch proceeding . The Mayor—You can objtct to any question . Mr . Griffiths— You ltft the meetings ?
Witness—Yes , I left it on account of my daughter , when I heard the conversatiBn about the stones ,. The proceedings of that evening would create alarm amongst timid people . Last night I followed the people through Cardigan-street , to a long distance for about three miles , and there they held a meeting . Mr . Fussell spoke , and an alarm was raised that the police were coming , and they dispersed . When th « y found the police were not coming they returned , White spoke . ' He said he was ashamed at Birmingham men running away at the cry of police . There were men enough there to drive away all the police they couid bring . He said the next meeting he would call would be a meeting of women . He said the women in tbe north were holding the horses' reins while the men were gaining the victory . He said they were getting on well . He said the authorities cf the town were putting them down ; but he would put them at defiance , and would lead them to Manchester , or he would held his meetings .
He spoke of the proceedings throughout the country , and eaid he was sorry that two or three of their men had got hurt , as he thought in the coure of a little time they would be wanted . He advised them to go home peaceably and quietly , and go to bed , telling them be should not hold any other meeting until Monday ntxt The people wished to know what time the meeting would be held , and ha 8 a : d h « wonld placard the town . One or two carried swords over their shoulders , and others bad sticks , and they marched when Mr . White told them . Oae man unscrewed something bright out of a stick , and put it over his shoulder . On leaving tbe place of meeting , Mr . White wanted to go down the road , but some one said six policemen had gone down that road , and others said if he would go Into the town with them they wonld gaard him at the peril of tbeir lives . White and Fussell came back with the procession , the same way as they went
Cross-examined by the Prisoner—I cannot swear that it was a sword , but it was a bright instrument ; it was pulled out I was sot in tbe procession . I was en the footpath . I will swear I saw you in the body coming back . Some came before you and some came behind you with staves over their shoulders . I beard you advise them to give three groans for Mr . Muntz and the magistrates , and three cheers for the Charter . You told the people your object was not to get them hurt , but to benefit them . [ There were two or three more questions and answers to and by this witness , which our reporter lost during a momentary absence from the court ] Her testimony closed the case against the prisoner , upon which Mr . Spooner asked him if he wished to say anything .
Mr . White then said , in a bold firm tone , that he was not aware that there was &ny definite charge against him . He should like to know what was the charge to be brought against him , out of the mass of contradictory stuff which had been sworn to by the witnesses . If he had thought that it was intended to bring any charge against him for sticking up a placard , be might have been prepared . Nobody charged him with violent intentions , except the first witness , who stated that which he knew nothing about There waa no other witness produced who could say he had advised tbe people to any other than peaceable conduct ; and if a man was to be sent to gaol for giving peaceable advice , he knew not what sort of advice ought to be given . His idea was , that he had acted as a man ought to
act ; and he could not bmt think , that in arresting him there had been some motive over and above tbe protection of the public peace . His actions had not tended to endanger property . He had only expressed his opinion publicly and fearlessly ; and , as a man , wherever he might be , he should always insist upon his right to express his opinions . Ho would ask , bad he not a right to bold his opinions as well as a Tory or Whig ? But some men were so foolish , that they imagined if a man did not square his ideaB according to theirs he ought to be put down . But the fact was , every man knew that be had a right to express his opinions openly and fearlessly . He would ask the magistrates whether they would not rather that a man spoke his opinions openly and fearlessly in a publio
meeting , than conceal them , and act privately upon them ? When a man went to a public meeting and stated his opinions , he could be met by those who dissented from him ; and if wrong , there was an opportunity afforded of putting him right He might remark , that that was not the flrat time he had been dragged about for the honest profession of his principles . He had been ruined both in health and substance ; but all the prosecutions which they could inflict would never prevent him from advocating his principles . He wished to state distinctly , that to every individual with whom he was acquainted he had always given the advice not to iBJur « any man . He wished most heartily to see every power of the Government invested in the people , because he believed thit was the only way by
which happiness could be established . Men were naturally so slavish that , whether Tories , Whigs , or Chartists , they would make laws subservient to their own interests . The only way , therefore , to establish happiness , was to allow the whole people to govern themselves . They knew that thousands of poor people were now dying fcr want of the necessaries of life . The Anti-Corn Law League had driven them out ; and when they had driven them out to starve , the Chartists took up tbeir cause , and then these gentleman called Bpon the Government to hunt thesa to deati . Would any man tell him that he had not a right to express his opinions on tbe state of the country ? No man would attempt to deny his right to do so . Ho could assure them that if they wanted to create excitement , and make a disturbance in the town , they would hunt the Chartists about , and in so doing they would , perhaps , cause more uneasiness then they were aware of . Mr .
Hall came to him that morning , and knocked him dowm , as if he was a fellow that had murdered somebody . ( Cries of " Shame' * from tbe working men . ) They had their feelings as men , and their opinions as men ; and they were determined to stand by them until they were kmowa to be unjust Let them be m » t by argument , and not by bludgeons . They might make hypocrites by persecution ; but they could not make men sincere . He denied that the Chartists had any wish to destroy property . Why should they destroy property who produced it ? Bat they had beeb told that they had no right to meet because there had been a disturbance in Nottingham . What had Nottingham to do with Birmingham ? There was no disturbance in Birmingham ; and disturbances in another place ought not to interfere with bis right In conclusion he would say ; whether he was ssnt to prison or not , he ah * uld consider he had done no wrong . He knew tixey
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had prejudices , and he wished they would lay them aaide . If they sent him to gaol , they would increase the hatred of the people against them , and they would cause him to come out with tenfold more determination and hatred against the present system . If they sent him home to his family , men wonld begin to think that they were acting with justice . As fathers of families , he wonld leave it to them to say whether he ought to go to prison or not The question for them to consider was , not whether White was a Chartist , bat whether he had injured tho people ; whether be had committed any crime against society ; and whether he had not a right to walk the streets , and meet in public to declare his sentiments . Tbe prisoner was frequently applauded by his friends during the delivery of hia address .
The Magistrates then retired , and after deliberating for about three quarters of an hoar , they returned into Court at a quarter to six o ' clock , when the Mayor stated that the magistrates , after carefully considering the case , were of opinion that the prisoner had acted illegally . He wished it distinctly to be understood that it was not the right of meeting which the magistrates denied , bat it was the peculiar circumstances of the case , the mode of calling , and the manner of conducting such meetings , that rendered them illegal . Tae prisoner was then ordered to be committed to the next borough sessions upon three separata offences ; one for issuing placards , inciting the people unlawfully to meet , and another was for attending an unlawful assemblage to disturb the public peace .
The prisoner asked if he would be admitted to bail , and was answered in the affirmative ; but was told that he must give forty-ei # ht hoars' notice . Tae bail required was himself in £ 210 for each offence , and two sureties in £ 100 each . Tbe prisoner said the decision was a piece of monstrous tyranny ; they might call it what they pleased . He had his bail then riady . Mr . Spooner said , that they would have a right to consider the nature of the bail . If , for instance , he offered as bail persons who were implicated with him in illegal proceedings , he , for one , would moat certainly object to Bach b » U . Inspector Hall wished to observe , with respect to what the prisoner bad said about his knocking him down , that he had no intention whatever to treat him with any violence , but that ho had offered some resistance , and used strong language to him .
The prisoner was then removed from the deck , encouraged by the applause of his friends , and was immediately after conveyed , under a strong escort of the third dragoons to Warwick gaoL There was a large crowd in Moor Street and che Ball Ring , who sheered as he passed along .
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ARREST OF COOPER . From the Leicester Chronicle . About nine o ' clock yesterday morning , Mr . Cottrill , Superintendent ot the Newcaatle-under-Lyne police , and Mr . Rhodes , Superintendent of the HanJey police , arrived in this town with a warrant for the apprehension of Cooper , for having incited a mob to acts of violence at Hanley and elsewhere , on the 16 th inst . ( Monday ) They immediately sent np to the Btation-house for the superintendent or one of the sergeants of police , on which Bergeant Wright went down to them at the Stag and Pheasant , when he was told what their business was , and askea if they bad such a man in Leicester Wright described Cooper ' s appearance and manner , when they immediately said that he was the man they
were after . The Staffordshire officers then followed Sergeant Wright to the magistrates , who , having heard their statements , backed the warrant , which sergeant Wright and policeman Smith proceeded to execute . Smith remained on the Coal-hill , while Wright went down Church-gate , and seeiftg " - that Cooper was in his shop , crossed over as if to look at some papers . Cooper saw him looking in at the window , and called out to Mm , waving his naud- ^ - " Go away , sergeant Wright ! go away I You aha'n't see any of them , " &c and movel away the papers he supposed Wright was looking at After a minute or ao , Wright beckoned Smith down to him , and they entered Cooper ' s shop , and told him they had a warrant og&inat him . Cooper turned to his wife and said , "My dear I they have come for me at last—it is no more than I expected . I'm done for . " As they were leaving the shop he
turned to the crowd outside ( some forty or fifty ) and said , " My lada ! I ' m going—they have come to fetch me ; but ita all in the cause of truth . " And when going towards the station-house , he told Wright he w » b to mind and never abuse the Chartists or himeelf ( Cooper )—the Caartists had a good cause and he was to let them alone . He was removed to the railway about half-past one , in the custody of the Staffordshire officers , in an omnibus , a guard of police accompanying it ; a large number of his " beloved brigade " of Shaksperean Chartiats , who had heard of what waa going on—men , boys , and girls , the greater part of whom were very active in the lute disturbances—also followed as close as they could : —the women were very angry , and decidedly the most noisy of the lot . The officers and their prisoner left by the twenty minutes to two down-train . '
To tho above statement of the Leicester Chronicle , we give the following as received personally from Mr . Cooper : — Stafford County Gaol , Monday evening , August 2 i ) th , 1842 . My dear Hill , —You will expect some account from me . Tbe warrant for my apprehension was served upon me at my own bouse , 11 , Church Gate , Leicester , last Friday morning , the 26 th of Aagast , by Wright and F . Smith , two of the Leicester " bluebottles . " Tbe men were quite civil tome , and cenducted me ( handcuffed to one of them ) along tie publio street to the lock-up . My beloved little wife parted with me like a heroine . God bless her , and support her ! She is worthy , indeed , to be the wife of the " Shaksperean GaneraL "
Tbe squad of the Whigling papers came on the espial to the lockup , to see how the democrat would conduct himself . I gave them to know that I smelt what they were about , although the Chronicle hypocrite warned me to beware of poor Botterill , a reporter to the Tory press .. ' ' ¦/' . ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ . After waiting some time , and seeing » few of my brigade , I was ushered into the august presence of the Leicester borough authorities ! aad by them finally committed into the bands of the Potteries' officers , who
had brought the warrant for me . An omnibus was brought to the door of the Police-office , and , amidst a guard , and a crowd of my own beloved lads , I had to step into it ( handcuffed again ) , and to be driven off , at & rattling rate . Crowds ran along the streets , and I gave my hand , perhaps for the last time , to many a brave and faithful-hmted , though poor and despised Chartist , who had cleaved to me tbrongh months of evil report and good repert Again , they crowded the bridge above the railway station , and once more I beckoned them "farewelL * .
The two officers who had me in custody were kind to a degree which will cause me to respect them while I have breath . They constantly said , "Yon conduct yourself like a gentleman , and it is not ia oar place to injure you . " a . From Derby we travelled In a kind of double gfg , stopping at Uitoxeter to take tsa , and arrived at
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Hanley , in the Potteries , about ten at night After being allowed some coffee at an inn , I was committed to the care ef the keeper of the lock-up—an ironbrowed , taH man , who put a heavy pair of fetters on my legs . In this uneasy condition , I threw myself on my cloak , which I laid npon a rude kind of bed they bad brought , and stretched upon a bench . I could not sleep ; for , in nddition to the Boreneas of my ancles , from the weight of the fetters , there was a fire in the little place , and the door was closed after two persons had been smoking . I asked , onoe , to have the fetters taken off ; but tbe iron-browed man had laid him down to snore , and he would not take them off to watch over me . Daylight , to my joy , brought one ef the kind officers who had journeyed with me , and he immediately gave orders that the galling fetters shcald be taken off . . . - * m M ' M . *_ Y _ LA Ml
Tde amiable wife of Jeremiah Yates , the Chartiit , ( 0 how my dear little wife will bless her !) came and brought me some breakfast , and the Star . I washed , changed my linen , and felt refreshed . At twelve at noon ( Saturday , August 27 th . ) I was , once more handcuffed , this time to another poor culprit , —a rebel , I suppose , like myself , —was placed again in the double gig or car , and conveyed from Hanley to NewcaBtle-under-Lyme , in the style © f a state-priaoner , guarded by sixteen of the 34 th regiment of foot , with fixed bayonete . As we went slowly , every body waa edified with a sight of the rebel Chartist
Well ; arrived at ths ancient borough of Newcastle ( the town was enfranchised by the second Henry ) , I waa conducted up ataira to the Town Hall , where Captain Mainwariug and other magistrates were on the bench . The warrant was then read , stating that on the 15 th of August ( O'Connor ' s birth-day , and tbe day before the anniversary of Peterloo , ) I " unlawfully and wickedly did incite , stir up , persuade , and induce , a great number of the liege subjects of our Lady the Queen , with force and arms , unlawfully , riotously , and tumultously , to assemble together at the said parish of Stoke-upon-Trent , ( Hanley is in that parish ) , iu order to make a great noise , riet , tumult , and disturbance ,
in open violation of the laws , good order , and government of this realm , to tho evil and pernicious example of others , and against the peace of our Lady the Qu ; -en ' . " The witnesses against me were seven . I do not wish to say that any of the men spoke wilfnl untruths . Two swore to seeing me in the Btreet at Haiiley , daring tho night of Monday , asseverating that they krew me by my cap , &c . The men , however , laboured under a deceptio visits , for I was not out of ths George and Dragon Inn ( after closing our out-door meeting at dusk ) until midnight , and I then had on a hat and great coat , and was conducted up to Upper Hanley , and from thence to Barslem , Sic ¦
Otherpoor men swore that I had actually said , "I have heard of your day's work , and I approve of it ; " and this , too , in reference to violence and destruction of proporty . In vain I protested my innocence of such a crime : a supercilious smile dwelt on the faces of several around me . I did not shrink from admitting at once that I was at the meetings , and addressed the people , aye , and that I approved of the strike for the Charter , —for I will never shrink from tbe truth , let it cost me what it may . The chief magistrate , —to his honour be ' it spoken , —told me I waa endangering my own case , although now and then he waa a little keen in questioning the witnesses in such a way as to open an answer vary adverse to ma . I protested gently again this , and waa heard . I was committed for the Assucis , to be held here , it is said , very soon , by Special Commission . This was no more than I expected : and I mU 3 t again bear testimony to the handsome conduct of Captain Mainwairing , the magistrate , who told Mr . Cotterill ,
into whose custody I wa 3 committed , to use me well . The Captain is an elderly country gentleman , residing at Whitraore Hall , in the neighbourhood . He is , I believe , of Whig politics ; and in person is not much unlike Paget , of Leicester , but is not quite so tall . I am also informed that he was a midshipman at the Nile , under the gallant Nelson , and has seen considerable service . He certainly conducted my examination in a way that did him credit Now and then he showed an nn legal-like sort of eagerness to get at the truth , without seeming to remember that his tjaestiona would prejudice the prisoner . But when I respectfully urged the impropriety of this , and mentioned my experience in the hearing of evidence , as an old reporter , &c , tho Captain yielded . I should say , that Captain Mainwaring , although evidently a little prejudiced against me ( and no wonder , remembering ho w the papers of the factions aim to slaughter us ) , ia an honest man and a gentleman , in the real sense of the word .
I had a comfortable reception and a comfortable bed at Mr . Cotterill ' s , the chief policeman at Newcastle . S ... W a' few Hanley frienda there , by Captain Mainwariog ' s permission , on Sunday morning ; and at twelve at noon waa placed in an open chaise , and proceeded ( at a devil ef a rate , " aa their officer ' himself said ) accompanied by fifteen of the Queen ' s Bays , or 2 nd Dragoon Guards , to the Whitmore station . This guarding with drawn sabres and aplendid brass helmets , made me feel I was considered a captive ef diatinctisn , more especially when I rtflicted that my poor weak body was offered bail , itself in £ 500 bond , and two auretics in £ 250 each . At the station , ( manacled once more on one wrist ) I got into the railway with Mr . Cotterill , the troops returning . On arriving at Stafford , and finding it was beyond the dinner hour , I was allowed seme refreshment , at the Greyhound Inn , and
was then speedily handed over to my present keepers . The surgeon waa polite in his examination—the turnkeys are all civil and respectful , but remarkably strict and punctual in their determination to enforce order ; and the Governor I saw only en passing fey hia drawing room door , but he seemed to be a very gentlemanly and kind-looking man . Of course , I have slept on tbe prisoner ' s proverbially " hard bed . " Aye , and it ia a hard bed , indeed ! But then I slept on it with aa unstained conscience as to the crime for which I am committed . My meals are supplied at my own cost —( or rather at the cost of my most dearly beloved wife , and of those who are kind enough tor help her )—by Sir . Peplow , an intelligent Chartist of this place My sleeping cell is above several fitaira ; it Is but about eight feet long , and five wide ; but never mind that I will bear it with the cheerfulness of a man and a
patriot At a quarter to six , the bell rings for us to rise : we are in our walking-yard and day-roem till evening- ; and at a is we again are locked up in our sleeping-cells The gaol is so crowded that four men , two a-bed , have to sleep in some of tbe cells , and this cannot be avoided . There are about sixty men in the day-ward , in which I am placed , and they ore poor lads from the Potteries . The charges against many of them , I trust , will not be proven , or it will go hard with them . I have taken the office of chaplain , " a 3 they call it , to our ward , and read the form of prayer , morning and evening . The prayers are really fine ones , and I feel a high pleasure in filling this office .
Now , I might complain , if I were querulous—for who does not know that there is in a prison , mncb to a man of my habits and disposition , especially , which is irksome ? But no : I am a Chartist and an Englishman , and will neither disgrace my political creed , nor the brave spirits of mv forefathers . Yours , a prisoner , but an unchanged and honest Chartist , Thomas Cooper .
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Lectebs pboh Alexandria of the 7 th infantj ^ that the Nilecontinued to rise veryalowiy . and oau s ^ great anxiety for the orops . A board of twei physicians had been appointed to devisejneasu ' against the plague in Lower Egypt . The mugg of cases in Alexandria did not exceed two or wu a day .
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To this we add the following , which though intended as a private letter , gives so strong a , characteristic picture of the mind , habits , and disposition of this suffering patriot , that we venture its publication : — Stafford , County Gasl , Tuesday , Aug . 30 , 1842 . MY Dear Hill , —Last night my writing paper was taken from me , and I was told that , in future , I was only to have one sheet at a time , and I was to ask for it when I wanted it , delivering in the sheet already written npon ! I felt galled at this , but said nothing awry . This morning I have been delayed forhalf-anhour between giving in and receiving a sheet of paper : true , the turnkeys could not help this , for their hands were over full from the coming in of visitors and the calling out of prisoners to see them , for a few minutes each , —and the perpetual unlocking and relocking of doors occasions them much exertion . I hope I shall not be further annoyed in this manner , aa I have not given one cross word to a single human being since I left my own home , and I would not like to feel the spirit of resistance kindled within me . I will bear this persecution with the equanimity of a man and a philosopher—if possible .
I happen to have a few resources within me for " whiling away" the hoars of my solitariness . You will recollect me once telling you , my dear Hill , that I committed the first three books of Paradise Lost , and the whole of Hamlet to memory , when about two and twenty years of age , These , and ether delightful treasures of the " immoral mind" cannot be stolen from me , —no , tbank Heaven , nor ever annihilated till my poor frame itself is rendered lifeless . Last night when closed up in my sleeping cell , I contrived , -by resorting to this inward wealth to buy some hours of extatic enjoyment , even within the grated prison . I first repeated the opening half-book of Milton , —( in a very low under tone , of course , —for prisoners are not allowed to speak aleud ;)—and then glided from the majesty of " Paradise Lost '; to the witching wildness
of " . Chrifltobel , "—repeating as much as I could call to mind of that sin / pilarly beautiful and mysterious poem of the singular Coleridge . After running over a few sweetly plaintive pieces of Wordsworth—I thanged my enjoyment for music , —and partly in a low vocal strain , and partly in a mock-whistle , called np to my imagination as fully as I was able , the ehorosea in the Dettingen , Te Deum , the gay pastoral music of Acis and Galatea ,, and ended my reminiscence , for the nonce , of tbe magniflcient Handel , by imitating the instrumental and vocal pomp of " From the Censor , ' the grand double chorus in the superb oratorio of Solomon . 2 could easily fancy myself in old Lincoln , and imagine , as in past years , I heard the enthusiastic and skilful voices of tke choral society ( an old subject on which I expended some years of energy ) pealing forth " Live for ever , mighty Solomon . "
These may be trlflaa to talk of , my dear Hill , but some , at least , may feel a little pleasure in learning that one victim of the " powers that be , " { can contrive to turn the hours of lonely confinement into moments of joy , I am , my dear Hill , Yours , aad my fcnwe Brigade ' s , Faithfully , Thomas Coorfia .
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¦ — ¦¦¦¦ ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' ^ — ——a ,, ^ . ^ EXAMINATION AND COMMITTAL OF OTfEIL , THE CHARTIST PREACHER . . Dudley , Monday Night The re-examination of O'Neil , apprehended far sedi . tionat Craley , was appointed to take place in the Town-hall this momisg , and , as might be expected , led to a large assembly of the people . The prisoner was brought into the court about eleven o ' clock . He was loudly cheered as he passed along the streets from the prison to the Court-house . Among the magistrates present were Lord Lyttelton , the Lord-Lieutenant of the county , Mr . T . Badger , the Rev . W . H . Cartwright , and Mr . C . H . Mollinenx . Mr . J . Y . Hunt , the Hon . Colonel Clive , and Captain Bennett , were also in court , bat did not take part is the proceedings . The presecution wa * conducted by Mr . Bourne , and Mr . C . Twamley appeared on the part of the pri-Boner . John Collins also assisted in the defence of the prisoner . . - " -. ^ k . ^ w M ^ * * ^ Wfnfll A ^ ^ VV ^ rf ^ *« M
Among the auditory in court were several females , members of O'Neil ' s congregation , who wept bitterly during the proceedings . O'Neil and Blanchfleld were charged with being im . plicated in the same offence , and npon being placed at the bar refused to take off their hats . They ware immediately removed from tbeir heads by order of the magistrates . The charge , as read by Mr . Bourne , was to the fellow in j effect : — " Being , together with divers other evil-disposed persons , nnlawfnlly assembled together , on Friday last , to the disturbance of the public peace , notwithstanding the proclamation of her Majesty , lately issued , for * bidding all such meetings . "
The confusion and tumult at this period was so great , that Mr . C Mollineux proceeded to read the Riot Act oat of tbe Court-house window , and immediately after the Dragoons proceeded to clear the streets around the hall . O'Neil and BlanchfUld appeared much amused with the proceeding . Mr . J . J . Dransfield , accountant of the British Iron Company's works , was called , and spoke to the attendance of the two prisoners at a meeting held at the Fiveways , in the pariah of Rowley , on Friday last , and described the language used by the prisoner O'Neil on that occasion . In speaking of the House of Commons he inquired of what was it composed ? Of lawyers—Did they care for the people ? Of cat-throat gentlemen—I mean the paid military—Did they care for the people ? Of fox-hunting gentry—Did they care for the people ? He said , I have declared , and do declare , that I twe no
allegiance to the Government It is an usurped Government I am a Christian and a man of peace . Ho went on to say , " I will not pay taxes . I have not drunk any intoxicating liquors for two years , nor have I drunk tea , coffee , or any exciseable articles for many months . " Ha told the meeting that there * ' was once s king of France who attempted to lay a poll-tax . A poll-tax was a tax upon every bead . A countryman of mine resisted this tax , and killed the collector . His name was Wat Tyler ; and from that time to the present no Government has ever dared to impose a tax upon each individual . " Witness considered the meeting calculated to create a great terror in the neighbourhood . There was not much shouting until the military arrived . O'Neil hod then left the field . Before he left he stated that a meeting would take place at half-past two , at Old-hill , which he intended to address . I did not notice the prisoner BlanehfieleL there .
The colliers in the neighbourhood of the place where the meeting was held are now out of work in consequence of intimidation , and the second meeting was to be held near some of oar pits where the men were at work . The country in that neighbourhood is in a state of great excitement The country being so excited , I think the meetings calculated to create terror . Thomas Llewellin ' s evidence spoke to the character of the meeting held at the Five-ways , Old-hill , and identified O'Neil and Blanchfield as the two parties most conspicuous in the proceedings .
Charles Small . —I am a mine agent , and live near Corngreaves . I attended the meeting on Friday at the Fire-ways . When I went , there might be 200 persons present . I afterwards saw the multitude of oollien move into a field near Corngreaves works . A person came up riding through tho crowd ; O'Neil was that person . The mob increased in number to between 300 and 400 , or it might be more . The two prisoners and two other persons were elevated above the rest The chairman waa a person named Forrest He addressed the meeting for . a few minutes , but I could not hear what he said . O'Neil then got up . He commenced by observing that by trade he was a letter-press printer , and had little more time than . themselves to inquire into things . He found by inquiry that trade
waa reviving—that the day before iron had risen £ 1 a ton , and was that a time for masters to reduce men ' s wages ? The next witness could hear was " a rotten and corrupt House of Commons , and that Sir Robert Peel was a robber . " He referred to the income-tax , which would be 7 d . in the pound ; and said , the masters , to meet it , were reducing wages 6 d . a day , which would bs a very profitable thing . He said he was a Christian , and belonged to a Christian society , and would not pay taxss , and that the law bad no command ef him , and that he would not obey the law . The witness here confirmed tbe evidence of Mr , Dransfleld , as to O'Neil ' a reference to the conduct of Wat Tyler and the killing of tbe collector . O'Neil then told them a boat s
canning monkey , who sat by the fire while some chesnnts were roasting . He durst not pnt in his own paws , but put in the cat ' s to pull them out He then put a show of hands to see if they would stand the reduction of wagea . There wero many banda help up , and one I uoticed was the hand of a man who had not worked for th ( last six years . There have been many meetings in the day and night in the neighbourhood , which have put the inhabitants in great fear . The man who I saw put op his hands and who has not worked for six years , is a married mad with a family . I do not know how he has supported himself . The meeting of Friday was calculated to create great alarm . Many of the colliers had sticks . After O'Neil had done , Blanchfiald , the little tailor , addressed the meeting , and I went away .
Cross-examined by Mr . TwauLET . —I expected the persons who attended the meeting would visit me and my men , who were at work , about half a mile distant Just as the meeting broka up , the ; soldiers arrived . There was some little shouting , but not much . As soon as the sermon was over , the soldiers came up . By Mr . Boubne . —The tendency of O'Neil ' s speeeh was to induce the people not to pay taxes , and to disobey tbe law . By O'Neil—I was afraid of the consequences of tbe meeting , because of the threats ; I had heard of the colliers being forced out of the pits ; but I never heard of these threat * , until you gentlemen came preaching abeut the country .
Isaiah Northall deposed that he lived at Craley-heatb , and attended on Wednesday evening , the 24 th of August , and saw Blanchfield there . I heard him ssy , that they had had a meeting at Westbromwich , and the colliers had all agreed not to go to work nntil they bad got 4 s . for eight hours . He gave notice of tie meeting at the Five-ways on Friday morning , and aid ONeii would be present , and also a meeting on the ground on which he stood the same day . ' That was the case against the prisoners . Mr . Twamley said , be presumed there was no neces sity for him to make many observations , as there was no charge against bis clients . The workmen had now a clear right to combine fur the purpose of supporting the present rate of wages . This could not be denied There was a dispute between the masters and the men , and , in tho present case , the latter had held a peaceablfe and perfectly legal meeting for the assertion of what they considered their rights . He did net deny
that illegal meetings hart been held in various parts of the country , bat it waB most extraordinary that , with one exception , the witnesses for the prosecution bad all declared that they had no apprehension of danger . He contended , then , that his client * had only attended a perfectly legal meeting , and Which , throughout , Was conducted in a peaceable manner . With regard to the prisoner Blanchfleld , unquestionably there was not the slightest evidence to affect him in a criminatory manner ; and the warrant against him must be dismissed . With respect to ONeil , he felt that the case against him rested npon the testimony of Mr . Dransfield , which had been given in » fair , clear , and impartial manner . He ( Mr . T wamlej ) confessed that some isolated expressions attributed to Mr . ONeil did not meet with his ( Mr . Twaniley'B ) approbation , but nevertheless their genera ! scope and bearing would be justified by a large minority of reformers . Lord Lyttleton said , the magistrates were of opinion that Mr . Twamley need not address biuisslf to tbe points to which he referred . They should , however ,. be happy to hear him upon the point whether O'tfe " was or waa not guilty of an offence in attending a meeting after the publication of the Queen ' s proclamation . ¦ ' . - . « . Mr . Twamley wonld do so . He contended that « je Queen ' s proclamation did not make a law . That i » only effect was to give notice of an existing law ,. w » notifying to the public that the authorities intended w apply its provisions rigidly . The proclamation left uw law where it found it , but it prevented the public ft « pj being taken by surprise . This meeting was publlcij called , and held in the face of day , for a legal purpose , and conducted i « a peaceable manner . Mr . Bourne said , Mr . Twamley ' s observations applied merely to » case « f riot The natttre « , . 'X racter of the meeting in ierrorem poptdi , at which u » prisoners attended after the proclamation of the Qoeen , in his opinion rendered it illegal . He apprehended . tw magistrates would deem it tbeir duty to commit them . Mr . Caldecotb—The attendance at the meeting w question aftej the ( Jaeen ' s proclamation was not " statuable offence , b » t o » e at common law . The Magistrates , after being absent for an wf'VZ turned and committed both prisoners to take wWJf . JLi at Stafford . They would , however , taka bail , U « £ » himself in £ 200 , and two sureties of jglOO each i »*» chard in £ 100 , and two sureties im £ i 0 each . The prisoners were then removed .
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ii 1 ¦ ¦ g THE NORTHERN STAR , .. ' ¦ ¦ ~ ~ I
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As every thing about White must now be interesting , we give in addition to the above from the Birmingham Journal tho following letter from himself : — Warwick County Gaol , August 29 th , 1842 .
Dear Mr . Hill , —You will perhaps have received Birmingham reports forwarded by me lost week , which would shew yon the stato ef the town np to that time . Previous to writing them , I understand that a warrant was issued for my apprehension on some charge connected with the meetings which I attended , and on Friday morning I was taken into custody whilst having a look at the Times paper in Hurst-atreet . I was escorted to tho Public-Office by a number of policemen , and in a short time was brought before the flUgis trates . The evidence against me was of a mostpalty descrip . tion . The main part being furnished by two spies in pay of the police .
I cross-examined the parties at great length , and exposed a most infamous system of espionage which exists in Birmingham . The examination lasted for five hours , after which the magistrates , ( eleven in number , ) retired for nearly an hour , and returned with the Mayor at their head , who informed me that they had resolved to prefer two indictments against me—one for inflammatory language , made use of in the borough of Birmingham at two public meetings , and another for language mad * use of at a village called Loz ^ lls , out of the borough , bat in the county of Warwick , for whieh I wouK be tried at Warwick . I then applied for bail , and waa informed that it would be granted uader the following conditions-. —Myself in £ 20 ft , and two sureties in £ 100 each , to give forty-eight hours notice . Several very respectable persons came forward in the morning and immediately . entered their names as ball without any solicitation on my part This was well understood by the magistrates , and the forty-eight hoars shuffld was thereupon invented .
I was then removed from the bar to the prison whioh is under the Court , much the same as at Leeds , but was not there ten minutes before I was ordered oat , and marched through about twe hundred policemen armed with cutlasses . After passing the raw lobsters , I was brought to a carriage and pair , which was drawn up ia Moon-street for my reception , and surrounded by a troop of dragoons . An immense concourse of people were present in Moor-street , and the Bullring , who cheered loudly as the carriage drove towards the Warwick-road . We arrived here at ten o ' clock on Friday night , and I was immediately oenveyed to my cell . . ' . I have had a yard to myself since I have been here and a day-room , and am allowed to purchase one shilling's worth of food daily ; of course not having the prison diet at the same time .
The charge is the old story , violent placards , exciting language , and sedition . I am to be tried for one part of it at Birmingham sessions , but if i cannot remove my trial from the sessions there is no earthly chance of escape , for the magistrates who preside , hate me most cordially . I am , yours truly , Geokge White . Rev . Mr . Hill .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 3, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct446/page/6/
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