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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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AEEEST OF THB HEY . W . HILL , EDITOR OF THE " STAR , " [ Most of the readers of the Northern S-ar will have learned of the arrest of its Editor , though some of them cannot as yet have learned it from the pages of that journal : for the First , and & portion of the Second Edition were printed cS , ere- the fact' wis known at the office itself . When the news did reach us , the rr -s was stopped « sv « ral time 3 during the eovr--. of Friday , and new matter apprizing those of ; ie readers who wera then to Buppiy vrith papers of the new occurrences in connection with the arrest ? , was inserted . Hut this an only hare been seen by a few , comparatively , of the readers : therefore the best course wi 1 be to give all thai has appeared in dne order , so that all the readers may hire the whole facts be-ore them at once , as far as we hare been able to collect them 3 Leeds Police Office , Friday , Ttcelve o'clock This morning , about a quarter past nine , my food Friend , . Mr . Hill , was arrested in the streets of Leeds , by two officers from Manchester , on the authority ' of a warrant issued by Mr . J . F . Foster , J . P . ' and backedbv a Leeds Magistrate . The charge is , as far as I can ascertain , one of " sedition " , " arising out of words spoken at some meeting or other , " tending to exite a "breach of the Peace . " He was on his way to the Star-o&ce , when he was pointed out to the Manchester police officers by one of the Leeds officers , ( who was accompanying them on their search , ) and brought to this place without any of his friends knowing of the arrest . While waiting for his presence at the Star-office , to prepare die second edition of the paper , it was intimated to me by a friend that Mr . Hill Lad been seen to enter the Police-office , accompanied by two strangers ; and it was believed that he was in custody . I instantly repaired to the place , where I now write , to ascertain if such was the fact . After waiting some little time , I saw Mr . Bead , the Chief Constable , and on my puttiD ? the question to him , he at once informed me that the fact was so . I then applied to see > Ir . Hill ; when Mr . Read informed me , that he was in the custody of the Manchester officers , who alone could grant my request ; and that they were then somewhere in the town procuring refreshment . ' "' I therefore determined to await their return , to make the request to them to be permitted to see my friend , before > . e is removed from this place to Manchester , which I expect he will "be in the course' of the day . I have now waited an hour-and-a-half ; but the officers have not made their appearance . I shall irait until they do , and communicate the result of my application as soon as I learn it . Jos . Hobso > " .
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Northern Star Office , Friday , Quarter-past Tico . I have just seen Mr . Hill . He was brought to this ( Jfnce by the Manchester officers , accompanied by a Leeds police sergeant . He had been taken to his own residence , I believe , and hi 3 noa ? e searched . When the party arrived here , Inspector Tatlor addressing me , said , that " they had found on Mr . H ill a number of keys , which he informed them opened certain drawers and boxes at the Northern -Star office , and that he wished to see what was contained in them . " I immediately answered the application by another qnes ' -ion : " Have yoa any authority to come here to search ! Have you a search warrant ? This place
is mine . \ V hatever is here is in mr possession , and unless you have authority to come here and search , I most assuredly shall not psrmit such a search to be made . la this office are a Tast number of papers and documents of all kinds : and I shall not consent to their being exposed to tcie ^ aza of strangers , unless there i 3 authority to compel me . If you have a warrant , show it , and I will not resist you : if you have not , no search shall be made here . " On this , the Inspector said that " the locked drawers and boxes _ here , of which Mr . Hill had the keys , were his ; and it were those he wished to see . " My answer was , " whatever locked drawers or boxes are in
this office , belong to the office ; and Mr . H ill has been entrusted with the keys , because such drawers or boxes are for the reception of those official documents , belonging the office , over which he has charge * But such documents are no more his than the books belonging the establishment are the property of the Clerk there , ( pointing to Mr . Abdill , ) who has the chart e of them . Whatever is in this cffi . ee , or house , is mine . If yoa have any authority to search my house , scow it , and go to work . If you have no authority , it cannot be done . " He then replied , ' I hira no nurriac : aaJ if you object , of course I must refrain . '
I then a = ked if it was likely they wonld depart for Manchester this day ; and received for answer it was possible they might not . I then asked , if such was the case , could bail be accepted for Mr . Hill ' s appearance in the morning ; . for I should not like that he should hare to be kept in the Leeds " Stone Jug" all night ; and the inspector said that he conld nos accept bail , and the Magistrates wonld be gone from the Court . He , however , would endeavour to leave for Manchester to-night ; After shaking hands ^ vith Mr . Hill , and after hearing from him that the alleged charge against him is for attending and speaking at a meeting in Manchester on ths 17 th of August last ; he was con-Teyed back to his quarters iu the " Stone Jug , " under a promise , from the officers , that I should be allowed to see him again before he is taken off to Manchester . Jos . Hobsox .
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The letter also communicates the fact that Mr . Teos . Rxilto . n , Mb . Christopher Dot ' le , and the Rev -James Sholefield have also been arrested on the same charge . Northern Star Office , Friday , half-past Si * . I have just learned that Mr . Hiix sad Mr . Ssith are not to be removed to-night ; but that it is intended tokeep them in the Leeds ' Stone Jug " sll night ; bail being refused . A bed of straw will be their portion ! Never mind 1 ! The fact
will ba treasured tap . Arrests have been made before to-day ! and good men have been incareerated in gaol ! Bnt all the arrests and all . the imprisonments have not put a Btop to the Tnaroh of poveriy through the land : nor will the present ones arrest the progress of national win ! They will not add one hour to the numbered days of faction I The THING is in throes ! It lays about itself most unmercifully befoTe it is utterly prostrate ; but all sirs trnggles and stripes will not prevent or delay the approaching END ! Job . Hobson .
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ARREST OF MR . O'CONNOR , AND OB . .. - •• ¦ MR . JOHN CAMPBELL . Leeds , Saturday morning . Eight o ' clock-The Evening Star of yesterday , contains the foliowing announcement : — " Our readers , and the public generally will learn with surpriEs that Mr . O'Connor was arrested at his residence early this morning , on a warrant for sedition at Manchester . Mr . O'Connor intended to go to Stafford to-morrow , although , his medical advisers would by no means recommend it , for the purpose of defending the nnhappy victims to classlegislation ; and this airest has been made , doubtless , to deprive him of his liberty at this important period , that his political enemies may sustain their character of cowardice . However , if Rifcht can prosper , Mr . O'Connor will not disappoint his friends—he will be upon the spot , prepared to give every service in his power to these who have been arrested .
" We are unable to-day to acknowledge any receipts for the Defence Fund , for while a friend of Mr . O'Connor ' s was opening the letters , eleven in number , at the station-house in Gardener ' s Lane , in which place Mr . O'Connor is at present confined , they were taken by the Inspector . The Pos / -office orders were offered to the party iu question , but he refused to take one part without the other . " No instructions have at present reached the Station at Gardener ' s Lane as to the examination of Mr . O'Connor ; but we shall report progress , step by step , on every occurrence .
" We reeret to stats , also , that at present Mr . John Campbell , one of the Executive , is also confined upon a similar warrant to that against Mr . O'Connor , in the loathsome cell next to the latter . Both are in excellent spirits , though" Mr . O'Connor ' s chest is in such a state of inflammation as to have induced his gaolers to call in medical advice , the result of which ia , that a certificate has been given to the purport that his dungeon should be less circumscribed . "
REMOVAL OF MR . HILL TO MANCHESTER . It is determined npon that the removal of Mr . Hill and Mr . T . B . Smith to Manchester , shall take place to day . They are to depart by the sixteen minutes past ten train . I cannot ascertain whether they will be placed before the Magistrates for examination this day or not ; but I begin to infer from the movements of the officers that such will not be the case ; and that they will not be produced in Court for examination before Monday . Of course bail will be refused !! The plea will be that " bail cannot be accepted till the nature of the charge is known ; and the nature of the charge cannot be known until the parties are examined , " &c . &c . It is easy to see through all this . To keep the parties in prison for four days , even should the charge against them be groundless , is a feat worth some trouble to accomplish !
The Mercury of this morning ha 3 the following announcement of these arrests : it is well worthy of record in these pages , and of deep attention from the Chartist body : —
SEVEN CHARTISTS ARRESTED . " Yesterday the following Chartists were arrested on a charge of being present and utteriDg seditious language at a meeting of Chartist delegates , held at Manchester , on the 16 th day of Angust last : —The Rev . Wm . Hill , T . B . Smith , G . J . Harney , C . D . Doyle , J . Leach , T . Railton , aud the Rev . J . Scholefield . Hill , who is the editor of the Northern Star , was apprehended in Briggate by two policemen , having warrants signed by the Manchester magistrates , and on being arrested , he was forthwith lodged in prison . In the course of the forenoon , the same policemen went in search of T . B . Smith , a kind of Chartist local preacher , residing at the east end of the town , who wa 3 speedily secured and placed along with Hill in the Court-House . G . J . Harney it will bo remembered , is a leading Chartist , who
made a sort of sham-election circuit for the suffrages of the West Riding at the last election ; he was arrested at Sheffield , and his companion , ( J . Leach , ) who also figured before the electors of this Riding on the occasion just alluded to , was arrested at Manchester , along with the three remaining Chartist leader ? , Doyle , Railton , and Scholefield . It is probable that these arrests hare taken place just now in order that the parties may be brought to trial at the opening of the Special Commission at Liverpool , which will take place in a few days . We hear that a warrant has also been issued for the apprehension of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , who now resides in London for the purpose of editing his London _ evening publication—the Evening Star ; he having been present at the meeting of delegates at Manchester . "
" We believe that the meeting of Delegates on the 16 th of August was a private , not a public meeting ; and it is conjectnred that the adoption by the meeting of an inflamatory and seditious placard is one ground of charge against the Delegates who have been arrested . The friends of Mr . Hill allege that he opposed the adoption of the placard . It is conjeetured that there musthaveheen spies at the meetinsr , theproceedings of which were reported very britfly in the Northern Star . Passing over the bad taste evinced by the Editor of the Mercury , in exposing his petty personal spite and malignity , by omitting the usnal courtesies of society in speaking of his brother Editor ; passiug over the paltry exhibiton of wounded false pride at such a time and under such circumstances ;
passing over this , for the present , though not Joryetting it , one is struck with one or two things in this demi-official publication . At a late hour last night , the Mercury did not know what he has this morning published ; for his Reporter was at our office door trying to beg a copy of the Northern Star then printed off , to enable him to state the facts connected with the arrest ; and he was reduced to the necessity of copying our Posting Bill to get the names of these who had , up to that time , been arreEted . The particulars then , so minutely given , were supplied by some one after that time : and those particulars let out the fact that the alledged seditious words were
Httered on the 16 th August last . Yet the Manchester authorities have delayed making the arrests till the 30 th of September , a few days before the sitting of the special commission by which they are to be tried ! 1 No doubt this is done to give the accused plexty of Tins to learn the nature of the charge vamped up against them ; to well weigh the evidence by which that charge is attempted to be supported ; and to prepare their ajiswer in defence ! No doubt , the arrests being delayed till now , is ior this object , —and for this object alone . There are other things deserving of note in this cunous announcement ; but I must for the present refrain . 1 am just off for Manchester , Jos . Hobson .
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ARREST CF MR , ARTHUR . Carlisle , Fridau Evening " , half past four o ' clock . We have just received a letter from a correspondent , containing the following announcement : — " I have just time to inform you that Mr . James Arthur , bookseller , has this moment been arrested by an officer from Manchester , who is , at this time , searching Mr . Arthur ' s house . The warrant charges him with exciting the people to riot , &c . "
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EXAMINATION OF THE CHARTIST PRISONERS AT MANCHESTER . Northern Star Office , Saturday Evening , Half past Six . In successive Editions we have noticed the arrests which have been made from amongst the ranks of the people . We now proceed to lay before our readers every particular ve have been able to obtain . At the New Bailej , Manchester , on Friday , ( yesterday ) the Her . James ScholeSeld and his son William ^ James Leach , Bernard Macartney , John Massey-Rpbert Ramsden , Thomas' Railton , Christopher Doyle , John Ellison , John Norman , and John Barrett , were brought before Mr . D . Maude , Esq ., and David Price , Esq ., for examination . The charge against them , as expressed in the warrants , was , " that they did wickedly conspire , combine , confederate , and agree together , to excite her majesty's liege subjects to sedition and disaffection against the laws of this realm , and incited them to riots , tanjults and illegal wjeoblies , and by force ,
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violence , andlgtimidation , prevented certain of Her Majesty ' s iroeota from following their lawful occupation , and to force them to depart therefrom , and to disturb'the peace , of ' par sovereign lady the Queen and the Kingdom of England . " The following prisoners were then placed at the bar : — . John Massey , Robert Ramsden , James Leach , Thomas Railton , Christopher Doyle , James Scholefield Wm . Scholefield , Bernard McCartney , John Ellison , and John Norman . Mr . Gregory , addressing the court , said , —The prisoners at the bar , Sir , stand charged with conspiracy of a rery senoua character ; we are not prepared with the witnesses ; and , under these
circumstances , appearing here on the part of the crown , I hate to apply to the Court to remand the prisoners to Tuesday next . I understand , with respect to one gentleman taken , and now here with his son , that it wopld be a matter of great personal inconvenience to him and to his son , if both of them were to be absent from their pecnliar employment at the same time . They are moving in a more respectable Station of life than the others ; and it would of course , be the wish of the government , as far as is consistent with safety , to afford any indulgence that can be granted previous to trial . Under these circumstances , of course , I Bhould wish a favourable reception to be given to the application that may be made on their behalf .
Mr . Richard Cobbett , attorney—I did not hear that yon were speaking , Sir , before you Btated that under the circumstances you wished the prisoners to be remanded . May I ask what the circumstances are ? Mr . Gregory—There aro various other parties involved in tho same charges , and against whom warrants are issued , and who , 1 suppose , will most probably bo brought up by the time I mentioned ; and it is desirable and convenient for the purpose of public justice , that the charges ehoald not be entered mto till they are taken . Mr . Cobbett—To-day is Friday . Mr . Gregory—To-day is Friday , and I ask for a remand to ' Tuesday .
Mr . Cobbett—to the Bench—But you see , Sir , it ib rather a long time to ask for a remand , when no reason is stated , except that they intend , if they can , to take other parties . Now , under any possible circumstances , the case may be as easily proved against these men , without tho presence of the other parties , as with them . An , if it eyen were not so , I would submit that at all events it is never usual toremand for so long , unless it is intented to take bail in tho meantime ; because five days is something , not merely a joke . I say nothing as to Messrs . Soholefield , fox whom I appear ; because what Mr . Gregory has already said upon that point , meets what we should wish exaotly ; but with respect to Mr . Leach , for whom also I appear , I am bound to make a special application . He is already held to bail , and in very heavy bail , too , to appear at the Special Commission to take his trial . Ho was taken at such a time that he could not traverse at the Special
Commission to a future a ? sizes ; he is now getting up his defence for the trial , which is to take place upon the former charge ; and his beiDg taken here , and now kept in custody , may absolutely prevent the possibility of his defending himself as he might otherwise have done , when the trial comes on . The same observations do not apply to the rest of the prisoners , because , if they please , they may traverse to the following assizes ; but he cannot ; and , therefore , it is a great hardship upon him not to let him be at large on bail ; and I think any reasonable man will say , that the bail he is already under , is quite sufficient to secure his appearance .
Mr . Edward Bent , attorney , said , he appeared for Bernard M'Cartney ; and the very reason which Mr . Gregory had urged on behalf of Mr . Scholefield and his son was applicable with double force to his client . He was a bookseller in Liverpool ; and , in order to maintain himself , his wife , and children , it was requisite that he should be able personally to appear there . If there was a reason for granting the indulgence to Mr . Scholefield , he repeated , the same reason was doubly applicable to M'Cartney , who was the sole provider for his family . Mr . Maude asked the prisoners in turn , who did not appear by advocates , whether they had anything to say , why they should not be remanded , and they all answered in the negative . Mr . Gregory said he had very little to say in reply . With respect to the prisoners already under bail , they were under bail to answer a perfectly distinct charge , and one certainly , serious as it might be , of a less serious nature than the present .
Mr . Cobbett . —Perhaps we might be indulged by Mr . Gregory stating what the present charge is \ Mr . Gregory—It is a charge of conspiraoy . Mr . Cobbett—Then , you see , we are already held over in enormous bail to answer a similar ch ? rge . Mr . Maude—It is stated that is the more serious charge . Mr . Bent—Perhaps , Mr . Gregc-ry , you will state what it is . Mr . Gregory—Certainly I shall not . I have alrt ady stated , that it is a charge of conspiracy . Mr . Bent—But is it of a more serious nature than that already heard against some of the prisoners ? Mr . Gregory—It is certainly a very serious charge .
Wr . Maude said mere were two questions for the consideration of the court . The first was thenq- ; est to have the prisoners remanded , which wa 3 a reasonable one ; and the second , whether the time asked for was a reasonable time . He thought it a reasonable request ; these prisoners had all been taken within a few hours ; and he could not say that it would be reasonable to require the witnesses to attend , and tho ovidence to be goue into , within a few hours after apprehension of the prisoners . Then as to the four day ' s time ; it was clear that the parties must have sometime to make the necessary inquiries , andi to get the witnesses in readiness . All the prisoners had been taken up on warrants ; and the court must assume , that the warrants were granted on sufficient information , for such information was stated on the warrants . He therefore felt that no reason had been shown against remanding the prisoners to Tuesday .
Mr . Bent—Allow me to remark that Mr . Gregory and the other gentlemen employed by government—Mr . Maude—I heard you before , Mr . Bent , and I thought you had done . Mr . Bent—But I had not done , Sir , and I wish to obserTe , that the gentlemen employed by Government are in the meantime preparing their briefs , their evidence , and every thing ; and these aro kept wholly inthedark , while the prisoners havenooppor ; tunity afforded them . We are kept wholly in the dark as to the charge against them , and we are now very cl ; sely upon the eve of the assizes . Mr . Maude ( to Mr . Gregory)—You are not ready with your witnesses , of course . Mr . Gregory—No , Sir . Mr . Maude—Then I think there is no reason why the prisoners should not be remanded to Tuesday . With respect to the . Scholefields , Mr . Cobbetr , have you any application to make ?
Mr . Cobbett—My application is , Sir , that they be let out . Mr . Gregory—The grounds upon which the application was made to me were those of private convenience ; and if the release of ono of the prisoners would answer that purpose , I , on the part of the crown , have no objection that the should be held to bail . Mr . Scholefield—May I be allowed by Mr . Cobbett's indulgence to state a few facts . I have engaged Mr . Cobbett to condust ruy case , and I am much obliged to him for his introducing it in the way he has done ; but Mr ; Maude—I will hear any thing you have to say , but I think it will be well if yGu consider whether you had not Better leave your case to the gentleman you have rcia'ved .
Mr . Scholefidd—I am aware that I am in some measure in the hands of Mr . Cobbett ; bu : if I might be allowed to say any thing further in strengthening his suggestion , 1 was disposed to state two or three facts . Mr . Cobbttt—I do not understand that there is objection to your application . Mr . Maud—No , I believe there is no objection ; it is on tno grovmd that you have public duties to perform . ¦ r Mr . Gregory—Of course I must call for security . Mr . Maude-Certainly ; there is a difference between him and other parties . ( To Mr . Cobbett ) Yen will be prepared with securities ? Mr . Scholefield—My son , though I am proud of him , cannot , I am sorry te say , discharge my duties . A part of those duties are medical , and there are my duties on Sunday . fnSwi ? ' ^ - 17 " 1 uadei it : ^ at your son could luinl the duties in vour absence .
» ,, hTv , ? ° - sir ; my duties ¦ " medical and there are my duties as a minister also . What do you charge my ton with ? Jr ' vft tt ( t ? J G 5 * J -Tlw same as ft 6 rest . You have lumped them all in one charge . Mr . Gregory—Pardon me ; there is a separate charge against the son . " * separate h ™^ 0 !^ " ^ t 0 m J " ^ Ishouldlikehim to be examined ; for he is perfectly innocent . He has « J £ Ts £ U ^ ° ^ - 6 ? e « J > You state that there ib a separate charge against him . R 0
m « fl ^ ^ r I Efcate nothin « bufc ' what appears on the face of the warrants . -re Mr . Cobbett-Wm , ou let ns see the warrant ? ^¦ iSJ ? » fy-Tfle warrant , as Mr . Cobbett ought ffi * ffi ^ Iv 1 ! . f . pply - * the warrant . tT , » J ' * v ° v ^* 11 ne ^ l understand that the difference has been made In Mr . Scholefield ' s case , on account of some . public duties he has to per-&es ° for yo u ? anday - ^ S < m P »* r »^ e wiS ne co O u fieId ~ NO ^ * ^ SOrr * canaot ' '
bur CofabeU ~ I nnderstand he has some persons to Mr Bent applied to Mr , Gregory for the warrant agamEt M'Carmey .
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Mr . Gregory—You know as well as I do , that I am not the person to hold the warrant . Mr . Bent then applied to Mr . Beswick for the warrant ; and he said , that that prisoner had been apprehended in Liverpool , and he did not hold the warrant . Mr . Cobbett , having had the warrant against Mr . William Soholefield handed to him , said , the son ' s warrant I see is for publishing that placard , and also for conspiracy . Mr . Scholefield—I beg to say a few words on the part of my son . This son of mine has no more to oo with that placard than auy man in that court . I was surprised , extremely bo , when they took off , not my son only , but I may say the right hand of my family ; for I have no wife , and my house is now left in tho care of a woman servant , with my daughters . The publio duties I have to perform , I am so circumstanced , that he cannot perform for me ; but as to that placard , mv son knows nothing about it .
Mr . Maude—It stands consented to on the part of the crown , that the voung man shall be released till Tuesday , upon giving security for his re-appearance on Tuesday next . Mr . Cobbett—But you see , Sir , the application is on the part of the father . Mr . Maude—I am stating what the consent is . Mr . Cobbett—My application , which I understand was consented to on the part of Mr . Gregory , was for the father ; indeed it was for both , but the material party is the father . Mr . Gregory—Your application to me was made in such a shape , as conveyed to my mind the idea , that the release of the son would anBwer your purpose ; and it was upon those terms , and tho c e terms only , that I was understood to consent . I see no reason now to alter iny determination .
Mr . Maude—So that if the son be released , probably , as the father says , he is his right hand , he will be his representative for most purposes until Tuesday . Mr . Cobbett—I beg to press the case of Mr . Leach , which I put before . Mr . Maude—I cannot say , merely because a parfy is already bailed on a lighter charge , that I should make , on that account , a distinction between him and the other prisoners . I cannot think that that should make any difference .
Mr . Cobbett—The offence , so far as I can judge of it , is precisely the same as the previous charge . He stands differently from the other prisoners , because tho rest may traverse to a subsequent assizes , for the purpose of getting up their defences ; but you have already fixed him so , that he cannot do so . The representative of the crown comes here , takes him up for a similar effenco , and by that means effectually prevents him preparing his defence to the former charge . If it is to be so , it is a complete defeating of justice .
Mr . Maude—We should be very glad to take care that what you state should not necessarily happen . Mr . Cobbett—It makes all the difference to him . Mr . Gregory—It can make no difference . You know that he will have an opportunity of traversing , with respect to this second charge ; he has already had a full moivh and upwards , for the preparation of his defence to the first , with a full knowledge of what the charge was . Mr . Maude—They all-stand remanded to Tuesday , with the exception of the younger Scholefield . What bail are you prepared with ? Mr . Cobbett—It is for me to ask what you demand , Sir . Mr . Maude—Our offer is not a mere nominal one . It would fcot be reasonable to require bail to an amount that you know the prisoner cannot procure Can you find two sureties in £ 100 each ?
Mr . Cobbett—I have no doubt we can , Sir . The principal trouble would be to get some one to examine the bail , and say that it is sufficient . Mr . Maude—Mr . Beswick , I dare say , will give immediate attention to it ; and I shall be very happy , if the sureties are ready while I am in town , to take the recognizances at once . Mr . Beswick—I think Mr . Cobbett has experienced no difficulty in this way before . Mr . Cebbett—lam no judge of the difficulty ; but parties have told me , that they have experienced very great difficulty . Mr . Btswick—I assure you , Sir , they have not indeed . .
Mr . Scholefield—I feel very sorry , but I would wish to appeal to the court , and say that I am ready to offer anything I can guarantee for my personal appearance , that , if allowed bail , I shall be forthcoming at any time . Between this aud Tuesday , Sunday will be here ; and on that day duties will devolve upon me personally , and I have no substitute that can perform them . I am sure I will throw no obstacles in the way of the case . I will guarantee my life , if it is spared to me , to be with jou again whenever you want me . Mr . Maude—I think I cannot say anything further at present : your application has been made and considered . Messrs . James Barrow , draper , of 34 , Great Ancoats-slreet , and David Hordern , draper , of 19 , Portland-street , then tendered themselves as sureties for Mr . William Scholefield . Mr . Beswick said , that they were both well known to him ; and he believed them both to be sufficient bail for the amount fixed .
Mr . Maude—Very well ; then I will take the bail now . William Scholefield , teacher and schoolmaster , then entered into his own recognizance in £ 200 , and the two parties named into sureties in £ 100 each , for his appearance at half-past twelve o ' clock on Tuesday next , at the New Bailey Court . Mr . Maude , in answer to applications , said , he would give an order for the admittance of Mr . Cobbett and Mr . Btnt , to see their clients inside the prison . '¦ ''¦¦¦ . '¦' The prisoners were then removed , about a quarter before two o ' clock . New Bailey , Manchester , Saturday , I o ' clock . Mr . James Arthur , of Carlisle , Mr . George Julian Harney , of Sheffield , Mr . Richard Otley , of Sheffield , and Mr . Juhn Campbell , of London , have just been brought up .
The magistrates present were John F . Foster , Esq ., Daniel Maude , Esq ., an 4 G . W . Wood , Esq . Mr . Gregory ( the Government solicitor ) addressing the magistrates , said , that the four prisoners had been apprehended by warrants , and were . charged with the same offence , and in the same manner , as those persons against whom he appeared yesterday . He proposed to take the same step with them , and only applied that they might be remanded until Tuesday . Mr . Bent , solicitor , said he appeared for Mr . Arthur , who waa anxious to know on what charge he had been apprehended . Mr . Gregory—He has heard the warrant read . Mr . Bent—He has had no opportunity of meeting the charge . Of course if you remand him , you will permit me to sea him in the gaol 1 Mr . Foster—Certainly .
The prisoners then , after being cautioned , were told that if they wished to make any statement they were at liberty to do so . Mr . Otley said he had no objection to make to the remand . All he knew of the matter was that he was innocent , and as he had always understood that in the eye of the law every man was considered innocent until ho had been found guity by a jury , he thought he was entitled to ask to be allowed to give bail until Tuesday . Mr . Foster—That point is already decided . Mr . Harney 6 aid he should say nothing until he had heard fully the charge intended to be made apaintt him .
Mr . Campbell—I havo nothing to say . I heard the warrant read over when I was arrested ; and I should not be surprised if , being a Chartist , the Government should hang me . I believe they would do it if they could . Mr . Harney then made application for the use of pen , ink , and paper , in order that he might communicate with his friends and prepare his defence . Mr . Foster—You will have them Eubject to the regulations of the gaol . We cannot interfere in the gaoler ' s rules . Mr . Harney—They may read all I write ; I only want to communicnte with my friends . Mr . Foster—Your application has been answered . It was then arranged that at ten o ' clock on Tuesday morning the charges would be entered upon , and the prisoners were all remanded till that time .
Shortly after these four prisoners had left the dock , Mr . John Thornton , of Bolton , was brought up on the same charge . He made no remark , and was remanded until Tuesday . Quarter to Three o'Clock . This moment the Rev . William Hill , "Mi . T . B Smith , Robert Brooks , of Todmordeu , and William
Fletcher , of —— i were placed at the bar , before J . F . Foster , Esq ., D . Maude , Esq ., and G . W . Wood , Esq . The warrants on which they had been severally arrested were handed up to the Bench . Mr . Foster , addressing the prisoners , said , that they were not prepared to enter into the charge against them then , and that the other parties connected with the case were remauded until Tuesday next , at ten o ' clock in the forenoon ; they also would have to abide by that decision . Mr . Hill asked by what authority he had been confined in the " Stone Jug" at Leeds for twentyfour fcours , and had not been taken before a magistrate ? Mr . Fos ? ter—We have nothing to do with what has been doLie at Leeds ; that will be a question for another place .
Mr . Hill—Then as mine is a bailable case , I not being charged wh . ! felony , you are bound to accept bail until Tuesday . Mr . FoEter . —Wo cair make no difference in your case ; you must remain irx custody . Of course your solicitor or attorney will tave every access to you in prison , in order to assist iu your defence . The prisoners were then rt . moved from the bar , and sent to join their companions in solitude . As soon as Mr . Hill had been i ^ mofed from ihe . Bar , Mr . Hobson , who was in court / XOS » and , ad-
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dressing Mr . Foster , said , Sir , I am a friend of one of the prisoners who has just left that bar . I am deeply interested in his welfare , and am bound in some measure to see after his defence . I mention this as a sort of reason for my application to be permitted to communicate personally , and freely , with him while in prison . Mr . Foster—That cannot be allowed , at least at the present . His solicitor may see him . Mr . Hobson—I am departing again for Leeds this evening . The solicitor to the prisoner I apply for lives in Yorkshire ; and it iB because I apprehend that a message may be needed to that solicitor from his client that I make the application . Mr . Foster—Who do you apply to Ree ? Mr . Hobson—Mr . Hill . > Mr . Foster—We have no objection to send for him back here again , and you can speak to him here . Mr . Hobson—Please do so .
Mr . Hill was accordingly recalled , and on his appearance was informed by Mr . Foster of Mr . Hobson ' s application and readiness to convey a message to his Solicitor , should he have one to entrust him with . Aa Mr . Hobson stood some yards distant from the place where Mr . Hill was , the latter evidently hesitated to speak , from a seemiag conviction that every word he said would be overheard by all in court . " The magistrates thereupon intimated that Mr . Hobson might speak to him in close contact ; and he , acting upon the hint given , had some three or four minutes conversation with Mr . Hill in whispers , and received his instructions . . ; At the close of this conversation , Mr . Hill again addressed the Bench , and said , that though they had determined to remand him till Tuesday , and not to admit of bail , he presumed they would impose no other restraint upon him than what was necessary for safe custody . He expected to be permitted to have books , and to write to his friends .
Mr . Foster . —Of course , subject to the rules of the prison , affecting prisoners before trial . You will not be permitted to write what you please ; and what you do write must be submitted to examination . But every facility , consistent with the situation you occupy will be afforded . Mr . Hill bowed and thanked the Bench . Mr . Hobsou remarked that perhaps . Mr . Hill ' s application arose from the fact that while in custody yesterday at Leeds , he had applied for pen , ink , and paper to write a letter to the members of the church over whom he has the pastoral care , to apprize them of his situation , and of his probable inability to be present with them in their worship on Sunday ; and that he had been refused .
Mr . Foster was sorry to hear that , but he could not help it . All he could do was to promise that whatever could now be granted or done , consistent with the general rules of the prison , to make Mr . Hill ' s situation as easy as possible , should be done . Mr . Hill again thanked the Bench , and Mr . Foster remarked that his friends might provide him with food if they thought proper . Mr . Hobson then shook hands with the prisoner as he stood at the bar , and the Court broke up ; Mr . Hill returning to his new domicile , the New Bailey Cell ; the magistrates going home to dinner ; and Mr Hobson departing back again for Leeds , after making arrangements to have Mr . Hill supplied with food from some friends in the town .
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' - —* Defendant—Oh ! that ' s impossible ; in fact , it ' s tantamount to saying 1 muBt be sent to prison , for I cannot procure such bail . Mr : Hall said , the only reason why he made any difference in the amount of bau was , that he was in a more humble sphere of life than the other defendant , although the nature of the charge in the warrant , waa the same Mr . Waddington said , it only remained to have the defendant conveyed to Manchester in custody by the officer . The defendant was then removed . In the course of the evening Mr . Cleave , of Shoelane , Fleet-street , and Mr . Oldfield , of Bolt-court , Fleet-street , were accepted as sureties for Mr , O'Connor , and after a description was taken of the several letters which were found upon him , he left the court accompanied by his friends .
The Evening Star of Saturday contains the following account of Mr . O'Connob ' s aireet and appearance at Bow-street . It also contains , as the reader will find , some important corrections of the ekhobsU ) in the Times ' s statement , given above : — Mr . O'Connor waa arrested at his house , No . e , Chapel-place , Hammersmith , at half-past eight o'clock iri the morning , by M ' Mullen , one of the Manchester police , assisted by four of the Metropolitan establishment , and was conveyed to Garder . er ' s-lane Stationhouse , where , after surrendering bis beys , and being asked if be had any other property , he waa locked up in one of the ceils . The want of ventilation , and the circumstance of a flltby privy being in the cell made the atmosphere so offensive , that Mr . O'Connor was obliged to send for his physician , who had been in attendanoe on him for the last ten days . When the physician arrived , he ordered Mr . O'Connor to be instantly removed from the cell , and gave a certificate to the following effect : —
"I certify that I have been in attendance on Mr-Feargus O Connor for the last ten days , that he is labouring under an . " . Section of the heart , not organic bnt functionary , and that his conSnement in the cell where he now is , is calculated to do Wm a serious injury ; and I farther affirm , that although it is not in my district , the said cell is unfitted for the reception of any person / i Notwithstanding this certificate , Mr . O'Connor was still detained in the same cell for more than two hours The proprietor of the Evening Star having received information of Mr . O ' Connor ' s arrest , proceeded to the Station-bouse , taking ¦ with , him some letters which
were addresed to Mr . O'Connor , as Treasurer to the Defence Fund , and which , by Mr . O'Connor ' s direction , he opened iu presence of the Inspector ; wbereupoD M'Mullen instantly seized them , And these were th « letters , not letter , as the Times erroneously states , found on Mr . O'Connor ' s person , which were read hy the Solicitor for the Crown , and subsequently handed to Mr . O'Connor , after the solicitor bad taktn the nam 8 a of the ¦ writers . These letters contained post-office orders , all of which , save one for four pounds , ¦ were returned , acd which four pounds is still missing , no doubt being kept by mistake by Mr , M'Mullen .
¦ When Mr . O'Connor appeared before the sitting magistrate at Bow-street , Mr . Hall , he was asked if lie had any examina ' . iou to make , or any confession to reduce to writing ? Mr . O'Connor replied , " That he had no one to examine ; ami the only confession he had to make was , that it was a very inappropriate reward for the essential services which be had rendered to the state , by using his utmost exertion to preserve the peace of the country during the recent outbreaks , and that he was ready to give bail . " Mr . Hall stated , that he thought it would be better that Mr . O'Connor should go to Manchester , and there bear the charges against him . To this Mr . O'Connor replied , " That in his present state of health , he was very much averse to trust himself to the tender mercies of a ' Liberal bench of Manchester magistrates ; ' that he could expect justice from Mr . Hall , but certainly not at the bands of those who now charge him with all the evil consequences of their own conspiracy and sedition . "
Mr . Hall did not say . as repaited in the Times , that the charge against Mr . O Connor was of a character " very little short of treason . ' He never once mentioned the word , however the Times reporter may have used it to eerve the base purposes of that paper . He simply said , " that he could n <; t be supposed to know more of the charge than was stated in the warrant , as he had not An opportunity of hearing the evidence ; " when Mr . Waddington observed , " that upon the part of the Crown he had no desire to look for excessive bail , and further pressed upon Mr . O'Connor the advantage of bearing the case at Manchester . " Mr . O'Connor replied , " That it might be an advantage certainly ; but for the last ten days he bad been inking ¦ warm baths , and very active medicines , and did not wish
to gain even that advantage , at the risk of his life , as his medical adviser bad banded a certificate to Mr Hall , and was then in attendance , to be sworn , if necessary . " Mr . O'Connor also stated , "that for the last ten days he waa incapable of writing even his private letters , and was ordered not to stoop , therefore , he hoped the Magistrate would throw no obstacle in the way of bail . " Mr . Hall then said he would require ball to the amount of £ 2 . 009 . —Mr . O'Connor himself , in £ 1 , 000 ., and two sureties of £ 500 each , to appear at the next general gaol delivery , to be holden in the county of Lancaster . The bail was speedily procured , and Mr . O'C . nnor was set at liberty . We trust that the evidence of the medical gentleman , as to the unfitness of the cell in which Mr O'Connor was confined , will have its due effect in the proper quarter . It has already produced its effect upon Mr . O'Connor , who , no doubt in consequence cf four
hours' confinement there , had been spitting blood , and otherwise Buffering from the heat and stench of the place . We take this statement from Mr . O'Connor ' s own lips ; and having seen him the day before yesterday , and not ugain till this morning , we do most solemnly declare , that we should have thought it impossible for so great a change to be worked within that time , in the appearance of any individual . Poor Campbell , who was not in a situation to procure the heavy amount of bail required from him as a working man , was conveyed to Manchester by M'Mullen , to add one more to the victims of the Corn Law League . His shop is 180 , High Holbcrn , and we trust that the appearance there of the minions of authority will not scare the honest working classes , to whom he has been a true and faithful servant . Surely , these acts of oppression must cease ; and the sooner the better , m there is a ' point beyond which human endurance will not and ought not to go . —Evening Star .
The Observer of Sunday has the following notice of these arrests : — In another column of the Observer will be found an account of the arrest and examination of Mr . Fcargos O'Connor on a charge of sedition . It will also bo seen that thirteen other Chartists—ten at Manchester , two at Leeds , and ona at another place—have been apprehended . We have obtained some additional particulars respecting these arrests , the accuracy of which iMy be relied on . The- sedition "with which the partieB are charged , is not , as we understand it , written or spoken sedition ; they have beeD apprehended on a charge cf having , on the 17 th of August last , conspired together , at Manchester , for seditious purposes . The letters , eleven in number , which were found on Mr . O'Connor ' s
person when taken into custody , do not contain anything which could implicate him or any one else . They all relate to contributions being now got up throughout the country in aid of a fund which is raising for the defence of the Chartists about to be triea btf < re the Special Commission . Immediately on Fiarpus being committed to an unhealthy , badly ventilated cull in the station-bouse in Gardener ' fi-lane , he wrote to his medical man at Hammersmith , requesting him to come and examine the cell in which he was c ^ vA ^ A , and to give a certificate of the state of his health . His medical adviser , on bis arrival , gave the following certificate : — " I certify that I have been in attendance on Mr . Feargus O'Connor , for the last ten days , ti . at he is
labouring under an affection of the heart , not or ^ . but functionary , and that bis confinement in tba cell where he now is , is calculated to do him a serl . us injury ; and I farther affirm that , although it is not in my district , the said c « ll is unfitted for the reception of any person . " Yesterday , all day , we learn frum a private source , Feargug wis In a state of extreme ill health , spitting such large quantities of blood as to cause much uneasiness to the friends that were with him . Yet in this state of great physical debility be dictated to another party the following address for The Evening Star , lately established to advocate Chartist principles , and which has , within the laat few weeks , been avowedly under his editorial control
TO THE PEOPLE . Beloved Friends , —I cannot write myself , but I can yet wag my lips ; and though I have but this moment recovered from a fainting fit , under the kind attentions of the amiable and patriotic proprietor , and of the talented sab-editor of the Evening Star , I cannot avoid saying a few words to you . In 1839 I raptured two blood-vessels in my chest , while advocating joat cause against faction . In 1840 I had a severe illness , of which , no doubt , the rupture of those blood-vesseli was the primary cause ; since then I have spent two summers , and one winter , in a loathsome dungeon , always vowing that I wonld break oppression ' bead , or that oppression should break mj heart My isXo sedentary avocation as Editor of the Evening Star newspaper has reminded me of the frequent blows that my conatitntien has received . - .
Nearly every soul calculated to render yonr cawe a service , ia now cut off from you ; and in the coming winter , faction means to fight its battle againit misrnle ; not for the accomplishment of a better ordtx of things , bat tot the acquisition of power . The Editor of the Northern Star , that faithfal pilot and true herald of opinion , is snatched from you . Your Executive are banished or entombed . Will you not from these passing events draw some conclusion ? This day all our letters were stopped ; not a line of news , not a fraction for the defence of the victim ? . Good God ! is this to be borne ? and in a country ( Continued in our Seventh page . J
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ARREST OF T . B . SMITH . Star Office , Fifteert minutes past One . I have just returned from the police office , having learned what was the sort of " refreshment" the Manchester police officers bad gone to procure . They were absent on another arresting expecition ; and have juet returned with Mr . T . B . Smith in custody , he being apprehended on a similar cbar ^ p , indeed included in the same warrant with Mr . Hill . Mr . Smith wa 3 taken at his " own home , and his house was searched by the officers , and all papers or letters fonnd there removed '' in custody "
also . When 31 r . Read had "informed Inspector Tatloh , from M anehester , who I was , 1 made a formal application to be permitted to see Mr . H ill , before ke was removed from Leeds ; and he immediately replied tbat my request should be granted . I then asked " when V and his reply was '' Sometime in the couter of the afternoon . " " Couid it be now "' 1 was my next question ; and the answer to it " no ,- not jus : now : we have some refreshment to get : but yon shall Eee him before we start . " " Will you name a time V " Sometime abou : three o ' clock . If you will be at the Star effice , ¦ we will send on for you . "
From this conversation , and especially from the fact of " refreshment " being -still wanted by the Manchester men , 1 infer that they have more arrests to make in this to ; vn ; and that they were anxious to get them made , and the prisoners all together , before they permit any of them to be seen by their friend ? . Mr . Hill has been kept in the " Stone jag" since Ms arrest . He is not , hotferer , placed amongst the other inmates of the wretched hole used as a prison ; but is considerately placed in the women ' s ward , ( which happened to be empty , ) which he has , ( till just now that Mr . Smith has joined him , ) occupied to himself .
He and Mr . Smith , with any others that may be arrested , will be removed to Manchester this afternoon , I believe ; and be brought up ior examination to-morrow , at the New Bailey Court . I shall go up to Manchester with them , or after them , for the purpeEe of procuring bail , cfec . I shall also attend the examination to-morrow , and communicate the result in an edition of the Star , to be published in Leeds to-morrow evening . Josh . Hobson .
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AKREST OF G . J . HARNEY . Star Office , Friday , Three o'Clock . I have just seen one of the guards of the North Midland Kail way , and he informed me that Mr . G . J . Hjlbket , of Sheffield , had been brought in the custody of a Manchester officer , by the last Derby train , to the Normanton Station , whence he wonld be taken to Manchester . Jos . Hobsok . Northern Star OJice , Friday , Half-past Three . Thb afternoon ' s post haB brought a letter from Manchester , communicating the information that the house of Mr . James Leach , was entered this morning at" two o ' clock , bj Mr . Superintendent Beswick and a number -of the poliee force , who arrested Mr . Lsach , on a warrant charging him with having attended an illegal meeting at Manchester , on the 17 th of August .
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APPREHENSION OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR ON A CHARGE OF SEDITION . From the London Times . Feargua O'Connor , who had hitherto steered clear of the meshes of the law in any part he might have taken in the recent Chartist disturbances , has at length been apprehended by tho polics authorities , and lodged in custody on a charge of sedition . It appears , that in consequence of certain discoveries recently made by tho magistracy of Manchester , it was determined by that body to issue a warrant for the apprehension of Mr . O'Connor , and tho warrant was placed in the hands of an officer , who came to town for the purpose of effecting his capture , in which he succeeded this morning at an early hour . Mr . O'Connor wa 3 taken at his own residence , at Hammersmith , at nine o ' clock , and conveyed to the police station-house in Gardeners-lane , Westminster .
Information of the fact of his apprehension having been given at the Home-office , a messenger was despatched to request the presence of the Solicitor- ^ General , Sir Wm . Follctt . Mr . Hall , the chief magistrate of Bow-street policeoourt , attended b y Mr . Burnaby , his clerk , ai rived at the Home-office shortly afterwards , for the purpose of taking a private examination of the prisoner ; he was , however , removed to Bow-street , where , shortly after one o ' clock , he and John Campbell , who keeps a shop for the sale of Chartist publications , No . 180 , High Holborn , were brought up in the custody of Inspector Hughes , A division , and M'Mullen , of the Manchester Police , for the purpose of entering into recognizances on a charge of sedition at Manchester in the month of August last . The case was disposed of in the magistrate ' s-private room , Mr . Hall not being the sitting magistrate of the day .
Mr . Waddington , barrister , and Mr . Faulkner , solicitor , attended on the part of the Crown to watch the proceedings , and Mr . Con cannon , a solicitor , appeared on the part of Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Henry , tho magistrate of Lambeth-street , and Mr . Wray , the receiver-general of the police force , were also present . Mr . O'Connor boing conducted into the room , Mr . Burnaby , the chief clerk , proceeded to read the warrant of Mr . John Frederick Foster , a magistrate of Manchester , which charged Mr . O'Connor
with "having on tho 17 th of August , with divers others persons , unlawfully aud wickedly conspired , confederated , and agreed to excite Her Majisty ' s liege subjects to sedition and disaffection against * the laws of thiB realm , and to cause insurrections , riots , tumultuous and illegal assemblies , and by force , violence , and intimidation , to prevent certain of Her Majesty ' s subjeots from following their lawful occupations , and to force them to depart therefrom , and to disturb the peace of our said Lady tho Queen , and the kingdom of England . "
Mr . Waddington said , he had the honour to appear on the part of the Crown , and he was willing to hear what answer the defendant had to make to the charge . The defendant replied , ho had performed a most magnanimous act , in preventing the people from committing outrages , aad he never considered he should be called upon to account for such conduct . ¦ Mr . Hall said , that whatever confessions the defendant had to make , or whatever examinations he had to undergo , should be taken in the regular coarse before the magistrates at Manchester , it being his duty merely to apportion the amount of bail after a plea had been put in to the charge . •¦ . ••
The defendant replied he had no answer to make except that he was not guilty of the charge , but he wished the examination of his physician tj be taken aa to the state of his health . He would in a short time be prepared with bail if required ; and , as to tbe charge , he had no more to say , except that in consequence of the active measures he had adopted to prevent serious outrages taking place upon the Corn Law question , he had been charged by the press with being in the pay of the Tory party .. Mr . Hall—Then I am to understand you moan to put in bail ? The defendant replied in the affirmative . Mr . Waddington observed , that if bail was procured in London , the defendant could not know the nature of the depositions ; but if that was not donehe should be forthwith conveyed to Manchester , where the case would begone into .
The defcndent said , he would prefer putting ' . in bail before Mr . Hall , from whom he would moot with every kindness ; but if he was compelled to apppar before the bench in Manchester , he was sure to meet with insult , although he had done much good , which tho magistrates there would not readily admit . Mr . Hall—Then you are ready and willing at present to put in bail ? The defendant said he would before the rising of the Court . Mr . Hall—Are you under other recognizances at present ? Defeadent—Yes ; to keep the peace . Mr . Hall—Was that upon a Government prosecution ? Defendant—Yes ; I was obliged to find bail after I was discharged from York Castle .
_ Mr . WaddiDgton begged to observe that the Government did not wish to press for excessive bail , although the charge waB of a very serious nature . Mr . Hall said , the charge in the warrant was of a character very little short of treason , and the public would naturally expect that the amount of bail required would be commensurate with the offence , and in case it was procured within a reasonable time , tho defendant might be saved the trouble of being sent to Manchester . The amount of bail he should call upon the defendant to enter into would be , himself in the Bum of £ 1 , 000 , and two sureties in £ 500 each , to answer to the charge at the next gaol delivery at Liverpool . ¦ ; The defendant thanked the magistrate , and he wag conducted by the officer into an adjoining
room . The other defendant was then bronght in , and having admitted he was the person charged in the warrant , said , that having been only a few hours in custody , he had had no time to communicate with his friends , who would procure thereqnired securities . Mr . Waddington told him the same time would be allowed him to find bail as if the offence was committed in London , which was until the rising of the Court . , Mr . Hall told the defendant he had time enough to send to his friends , "g . the amount of bail he should require would be , himself ft /^ ™ J * 7 « sureties in £ 400 . e * cb , to answer the charge at the next gaol delivery at Manchester . <
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n THE NORTHERN STAR - . . ¦ , . ¦ : : .. ' ,- ¦/ / . ' . '• .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 8, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct451/page/6/
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