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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN
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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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— ' ' " J ^ - ^ M ¦ - I—— . tv , ( yBBlEN PRESS FUND COMMITTEE OP LONDON . THE RADICALS OF GREAT BRITAIN , ¦ ffTTHOtTT DISTINCTION OF SECT , PARTY , OB OPINION . » rSaineA , cabin'd , cribb'd , confined , t ^ j too much ligh t should bozst on tbe ettierial Biiad . " . —Byron jjiOV-MEN , —Impressed -with a sincere desire to ,,-ote the political freedom lad social happiness of [^ mtry , and to witDfiaa the extirpation ot all syo l , jnd viow-which impede oor moral and political ¦ JL o , Tith a be&jf , tb » fc the chief impattmants in T ^ j of enr political and aoct&l progresBon would . resumed by the spread of knowledge , and with &
pic ^ on that a goood press , advocating sound demo-^ principle * , and conducted by the band of a long-^ » nd talented friend -of Uie people , would go far fir ^ t the diffusion of that knowledge , the "want of adi -ire , it present , somoch deplore . Ife we , therefore , led to addresa ourselves to you , in jgts impress upon your minds the necessity of com-. firir&rd ' ud exercising your ntmost energies to assist a the establishment of a press , for that . noble patriot , Hgjore O'Brien , -whore pen bo boldly and lndefatiyr defended the rights of labour in the Poor Han ' t 0 $ a * , the London IHspaicb , the Operative , < &c , ^ ts&s ruffered both persecution and prosecution , and ^ tas but lately broke forth from the bonds of the yt accursed and brutal faction { calling themselves ^ aj . th » t e ver disgraced the mi rial b of our country ; ^ •* ith the name of liberty upon their lips , persaiU the best friends of freedom , and imprisoned the
jjeit of patriots Need we then to wonder that the jj mas of the people are dissatisfied with the Legisjje—with the Executive—nay , eren with the ) n itself ? when we seethe working men—the pro-50 S of all wealth—labouring - under a distress uniSeled in the history of our country , while a&sumed [ esentatives are wasting the time of the pnblic in Hissing questions in which the mass of the people e so interest , or in Toting away , with a reckless extravagant profusion , that wealth which has been acted from the blood and csen of those wbo are [ mre unrepresented ) famishing unheeded . A line iemarcxtion has been drawn by class legislation , veen the upper and middle , and the working classes , feeling has been engendered , and who but the paris Whig , Tory , and sham-Radical press , have jged calumny upon calumny on the injured people , (' flittered and caressed their oppressors !
frflov countrymen , let us take a brief leaf from our 0 aia ? book , let us at once resolve to have a press . « Jfeir press , " they maintain , even at a great pecuniary ^ Let us , being sensible how great the influence of ^ press is in the direction ( or rather the mis-direction Ipnbtie opinion ) and that no system of government ulong exist in opposition to so formidable a foe , let a iiihdnw out rapport from the interested thick and | ji supporters of those factions who rob the proyw of all wealth of their comforts , trample on their * fcts , and scorn their petitions , and at once rallying od which win and
^ a press - remove ignorance correct ^ misdirection of public opinion by spreading political fcfam&tkm and right principles among the mass of the psfit , which will assist us in hewing down the kuge ^ h tree of corruption , and enable us to replace it with jean from the sacred plant of liberty . Let that press ie to ths Southern counties of England what the Star is b&e North , t faithful sentinel , to watch the motions a £ expose the deformities of the present Tile and se fish ptem , which has hitherto existed , but by the culpable ^ apathetic sufferance of the working class .
Stall we then longer allow ourselves to be led blindfei , u it were , as sacrincers to the great Moloch of Ojjresaen ? Shall we allow the few to wallow in latth and idienes , to gratify their ambition and lust rfpovez , at the expeace of the many ? Shall we qui-» mtfy allow the misrepresentations of the press to better up a system , which has its ramifications in jfcj pulpit , snd among the members of the law , the gej , and the navy , and to disseminate its poison jaasg the masses of the people , perpetuating ignorance , BjasiiiioB , and corruption , at the same time precluding 6 m from that knowledge both political and religious , fiich would open their eyes to their condition ? No ! f we are men and Britons , we shall at once energetiaEj exclaim ; and that euch may be the response to Sa tumble address is the most sincere wish of ear
We remain , Tour sincer Brother Democrats , J . Watis , Jj . s- SmrH , Tae Members of the O"Brien Press Fund Committee , London . William Hogg , Dispatch Coffee House , Secretary . Bride-lane , London .
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JO THE EIGHT HOXOROrBLE THE LORD MATOR OF DUBLIN ' . It Lobd , —As your Lordship has doubtless perused 8 k Star newspaper of the 27 th nit ., and in so doing fare perhaps seen in its columns a letter addressed to jonr lordship , of which I am the humble author , ad having by this time , perhaps , considered the nature « * the questions therein asked , and the objects for which Stm written , and not having seen in any of the public jmii , an attempt to answer or object to its contents , l&ieitfor granted , that the hiLts therein contained , amed conviction to your Lordship ' s heait I shall k * beg to remind your Lordship that it is many years ch sy countrymen , stimulated by your Lordship ' s ample , commenced their great system of moral ipsticn , and long as that period has been , and much 2 * t hare been opposed by the many and mighty
Banks of their country , they have still resolutely attained their position in the ranks of political warte—they have withstood the multitudinous attacks i Toryism and bigctry , and have outlived the fury of Sa contest , and are still resolutely determined to obtain £ x liberty -which they are so devotedly attached to . EsviBg thus given them credit for perseverance and BBaEeEcy , it may be aiked how much have they ttnsd by the struggle , and what is still to be sought & ' : Without entering into a detail of their many wanes , or the consequences resulting from them , ias fey must be familiar to every Irishman ; , I will only ^ , ibit it has evtr been stated by your Lordship , that
"is agitating for Catholic i mancipation , you had iheriar measures in view , the principle of -which was a fefeal of the Legislative Union . " This , then , may be ¦ ic to be the climax of my countrymen ' s hopes—this 8 s main-spiirjg of all their political actions , and the JBtt-iOTed oi' jset bi tbeir unceasing pursuit . Here , too , wiies a question , Wtieh is the best method to rfoia it , or are the people of Ireland convinced that Set sx-de of seeking Repeal is the surest as weil as 2 s no .-t -srise they could adept ? To the latter part of &e ctistitn I will simply say , if it is the surest , it is Moitdly the slowest they could adopt ; for , according ^ r ^ TTLo-dEhip ' sfist , " trey frill have to -wr . il until 2 a 7-:- ^ i £ PriuBe ol Wales will ooen tte Irish
Pariia-E 5 : t as Tictroy of Irfciard , " , in other -words , a Jeiud of tvetry years , before there "will be a chance of Kiiiriig it Verily , my Lord , your measure of Repeal a tUcriz-T indeed ! or so much valuable time -would not wetp ^ ndird talking sbeat a question which might pro-£ i& 7 be spent in action ! _ Sot , ej Lord , to a man like your L 6 rdship , who k * ij ic infniry of ways become possessed of not only ^ J-tc-rssarics , but the Inxnn- s of life , a period xf | * ei 7 jesxs may cot appear long , but to the macj toiflKfi thousand of your countrymen , who are even J »* starving out of existence , it will be a long and Uciccs interval . How msjij thousands of brave spirits
"Ireland will be qnsneh ^ d before the expiration of «* t ctSnite perios ' : Xor can your lordship be cer-« feic rriths-aiiii : Dg your many comfons and honours j-K k = g before that period has txpired . your may not « EM-btred vrith the " tenants of another worlu , " » 4 no : even like Mcses " be blessed -srith a sight of " *_ P ' -n : ised land . " How -wise such a course of pro-^^ S : sl leare to the world to sarpjse , but for niy p * a psjt ; i held i : -wcruld be a greater part of -wisdom 2 et cc-nntryiaen , did they take the trouble to think 5 *^ sr . for themselves , instead of yielding feiicd and EEpiirit obedience to the will of a man , -who , under * u circiiiiiitsxceB , considers his own interest before all Rbrrs .
L fe " Repeal of the rnion" is so desirable an * 7 = e : to Irishmen , I &ee not vrhy they should refuse ^ cooperatio n of their Engliib friencs , the Chartist * , t hit to a man desirous to assist them in tbeir effoits * t ^ taiu it , or if your LordBhip is sincerely a Repealer , ^ fc ; , if you -wish to obtain Repeal in the most t j ard effectual macner , you ougtt to join ksue J ^ fe the Chartists , for your LordEhip has often said , ¦ The ^ greater the moral power is , the greater the p ainty of success . " ^ Tonr Lordship knows that Chartists are not the P-FKcal force men" you would make it appear , and 1 HLcertly hoz > e , tizai the izncharitsile assertion tb £ t
? cmi LirdEtip is dtleiring the repeal to continue tlie fcocte' is unfomided . Be that as it may , it is certain ™ t sire years have passed since tie last " premature " ™ cus : cn of the question , and twenty are to come w ?^ there ^^ ** aaotl ! er ' and during th * 1 i ± nii there ¦ w be a coEticual drawing from the pockets of the P «» to swell the coffers and the dignity of your Lord-• IR whiUi by embrecing Xbe principlea of tte Charter , «* I > ecple of Ireland and England would , by their * WXi , be in a very Ehort period able to obtain their "tty object by legal and constitutional means and with ° ftJ 7 a nominal expence . 1 j ^ t ^ that
Kn , my Loj ^ a surprised the » obeit fznzg men of Ireland cannot see that tte prejudicies wratry and sect are passing sway , and that Englishenare capable of being their friends , and are woitby taeir confidence ; and that the malicious reports uzh haTe begjj cirenjat ^ j ^ reference te Chartism , are fo unded as they are vile and contemptible . It is " « the hope that my countrymen will be led to infc «< for themselves , and to adopt a more certain and ™ 7 ffieacs of obtaining their long-lost rights and ^ TUegfes that I thus trespass on jour Lordship ' s « able time , and trusting that my humble efforts will *> iEe measure lead them to do so is tiie sincere wish
v My Lord , 1 tar Lordship * most obedient humble servant W . H , Cliftq >
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- ! TO THE OPERATIVE MASONS OF LONDON . I FELLOW CoUKTaiMEN , —Having read the putiea-I lars reepecting your rtraggie against a oombliMd system > of tyranny , and bettering you to be actuated by rally i honest xaotites , both to youiaelrw and your fallow loan , } is mr reason JvaffdriBg yon mj opinion w to th * tUfpt ! to be adopted in order to aeenre a victory on the aide of { right against might Sappy am 2 that yon hat * main-| tainsd your position like ionourable and br » Tt men , i and nave given , bo reason to be pounced upon by the j servants of the law . From my knowledge of sober , I honest , and indostrioas men , I am oertain that they ) would sooner be employod than seen walking the streets ! Mj object then in this communication is to lay down a
; plan by which you all might be aet to work . Suppose then , that you were to make a call upon your friends in I the ether trades for a loan of raoney towards your sup-; port , and I am very glad to hear they come forward j liberally ; raise , say a thousand pounds , to purchase a . plot of land ; after which you might borrow seven or eight thousand pounds more or interest , With which i yon may set to work immediately ; and build a large ! working-man ' s hall : and , by so deing , you would be 1 enabled to pay your men wages for working for them-; selves , instead of , as now , walking about doing nothing . You would then have a commodious building wherein | to meet for the mutual improvement of each other , ' witnoot being dependant on other parties at times for a t room . When erected , it would pay good interest ; It
would tend to insure victory over your oppressors by : opening a market for labour . The working men and trades would be relieved of their subscriptions , and : would willingly give a loan for such a loadable pnrpsse ; because the men , instead of receiving money for doing i nothing , would be creating wealth for what they ¦ received . Then what man would sooner work for an oppressor than himself ? I merely throw out this hint : to remind you of what might be done . Having had 1 some experience with strikes , I am afraid that the : trades -trill fall off in their subscriptio n * , unless they i see a chance ut success . It yon could Accomplish the above object ysu would give tyranny a mighty shake ; ! and that you may do so is the sincere wish of | Yours , faithfully , i Wm . Gbiffih .
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sib ., —As no doubt many of our friends in Scotland are awaiting in anxious suspense , for communications from Mr . O'Brien , he being unable in consequence of Che bad state of his health , to write them , you Mill greatly oblige the above gentleman and his Scottish friends , by inserting tlie following letter in the Northern & 1 ar . Yours , very sincerely . Duxcaii Nicholson . Aberdeen , December Si- 1841 . P . S . The following h a copy of the letter received by me , from J . B . O'Briea D . N .
Wolverhampton , 1 st Dec . 1841 . Mr Dear Sib ., —In reply to your second letter , ( I have not received your fintl I beg to say , that owing to tte precarious state of my health , I cannot pledge myself to visit Aberdeen , or even the south of Scotland , before next summer , lest I should be obliged to disappoint my Scottish friends , as I have already been to the men of Oldhavo . I have undergone a deal of fatigue since my liberation , having attended not less than sixty meetings , since the 2 lth September , at each of which , I spoke on the average , not less than three honra .
I am now on my way to Manchester , where my family are residing temporarily , and should a week ' s quiet hare the effect of recruiting my health , so ss to enable me to resume the agitation , I shall most likely proceed northward , to Edinburgh and Glasgow , and if the weather be not very inclement , shall endeavour to visit Dundee , Aberdeen , &c ., &c , before ray return to England . But u already observed , I don't like to pledge myself , lest I should be compelled , by ill health , to disappoint my friends , after putting them to the trouble and expense of preparing ior my reception . I am now nearly two years away from my family , who hav 3 suffrred many inconveniences and privations on my account , I must therefore think well on it before I leave faem again , and especially for a tour in the nor : h of Scotland , which at this season of tbe year , might prove fatal to me , owing to my state of health .
TJnder the 3 e circumstances , all I can promise is to cemply irith the kind invitation of my Aberdeen friends as soon as my health and circumstances will permit , and to give timely notice when they may expect me , eitier through the Soriher-n Star or by private letter . If I visit Scotland before Christmas or soon after , I shtll have to take Mrs . O'Brien with me , ( which would make the journey more expensive , ! and I dare not leave her for a long absence at this season of the year , —1 am therefore desirous to put off my Scottish tour till next spring or summer ; but nevertheless , should health and
circumstacces permit , I shall be in Scotland before Christmas , accompanied by my -wife , rather than have my Scottish friends suppose for one instant , that I make light of their invitations , or entertain any otker feelings than those of respect and gratitude , for the many disinterested proofs they have given in my abs * mce of theii sympathy and good will towards , Their acd your very obedient servant , And fellow-labourtsr in the good cause , James Bboxtehee O'Bbien . Duncan Nicholson , 37 , East > 'orth-strect , Aberdeen .
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^ TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE . TO THE EDITOK OF THE NORTHER * STAR . Sir , —An anti-Corn Law tea party , was held on Tuesday the 7 th inst , at Stroud , after the baby meeting ; it took place at the Victoria Coffee Rooms . I was anxious to hear the arguments of the speakers and went to the meeting . I assure you , sir , not one of the speakers produced a question to prove the good or evil of the present Corn Laws . After tea , the Rer . W . Tates was appointed chairman . After a few remarks upon the need of union , he sat down , after calling upon the
Kev . B . Parsons , -who rose and said , Sir , I am here this evening to hear and not to speak , 1 know not what to say on the occasion . If I bad been 3 eft until some one had ipoken upon the question , I could have picked up a Epeech . After a time he spoke ; the argumtnts of the gpeaker Tent to prove that of all monopolies , class monopoly wa 3 the most cruel , unjust , and severe , in its operations , and contended that without the destruction of cla $ 3 monopoly , every other monopoly would still exist . Scripture said , " Put not your bope in princes . " And if -we look to Kings , Queens , Dukes , 3 IarquLss £ 3 Earls , Lor .-is , Xobles , or the Commons House of monopolies , vre shall in all be disappointed . 1 contend , £ iid the speaker , tbat Property Qualification is quite as ur . jait , as to EtUct a party of cobblers , ¦ w ho pretended t > be shoemakers , ytt could not ro « id a shoe ; and the patching ot our rulers shows tlie want of knowledge on their parts , and until the people put the question to themselves , who must do the woik , and demand tLeir ri ^ ht ? , nothing would be done .
W . Hop ? on , E-q , nest addressed the meeting , and distinctly laid down the plan of Mr . OConnor , as to KTnfl . ll farms being kt to the poor . He could by manual labour produce thirty bushels of corn per acre , and that upon land which seven years ago , -would yield only fifteen . One thousand fire tundrai acres of land were now lying -waste in the borough of Stroud , and if -we put on = family to captivate an acre , Poor Law Commissioners , Assistant Commissioners , and R-te Collectors would not be needed . I maintain that tte land of England could , by proper cultivation produce corn for more than tiebltita inhabitants , and if put into use , JEng ; ai ; d could , in a few years , export instead of import . This sentence did not meet the apprcba ' . icn of the PJ 2 £ ue , who heg&n to cry '' We do net want to expjrt '' The Speaker said , If you do nut -wish to export , why do you ariiate for free Uide ?
The cry ol " Impoit , Import , " drowned the voice of the Speaker , and he left the roo ; n . Mr . Ftrribee then explained the plan of obtaining mernbsrs by way of collectors going to the factories -with books , and moved " That a meeting be called at the Subscription Rooms , to hear the opinion of the M P . s of tbe Borough upon the question of the Corn Lasa , aud if ntt in accordance with a majority of voters and rate payers , to demand their resicnaticn . " A loDg debate ensued as to tbe plan best to be adopted to exclude the Chabtist » from the meeting . It was at last carried to admit all persons . Chartists , will you go ? The Rev . Xxi . Mound , represented the monopolies to be as pernicious as the Upas tree , and urged upon tlie meeting a netd of union , to destroy the power of all monopolies .
Mr . Paris , Secretary to the Association , was called upon . He thought as he had to work he ought not to speafe , and tendered his service in tbe way of werk , and sat down . Rev . H . Griffith rose , and after reviewing the governmeet plan of erecting barracks and transporting the poor , under cover of emigration , he stated that much had been said against a clas » of persons called Chartists , and he thought if he was placed in the same situation as the Chartists , he should act upon the same plan they did with regard to public meetings . If we look at the difficulties under which they labour , and consider the opposition against which they have to contend , we ought rather to give them an opportunity to be heard in public , than shut tbe doors of public meetings against them . 3 > o we go
to their meetings to bear tbe question of the Charter txpi&med ! No ; noi do we ask ourselves wh&tthe Charter is ; and I therefore think the Chartists are justified in their coming to all public meetings , and urging their questions upon the public attention , persecuted as they have been , and still are , but without whom the monopoly of corn , nor any other monopoly , cannot be destroyed ; and I hope , at your meetings , you will give an opportunity for them to explain ti : e question , as to the grievance under which they ( the Chartists ; have long had to labour . An individual once or twice interrupted the speaker , by exclaiming aloud " Draw me out , draw me out » " This person u an individual of very mean principles , and of smaller understanding ; his name is John Lewis . The Rev . Gentleman proceeded to - ^* uark , ttat the person before
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Mm -was a true evidence « f the opposition the Chartist * had to contend against ; and , in hopes of a union , in place of opposition , the Rev . Gentleman aat down much applauded . The Chairman urged opon all present to bring all they could to tbe meeting , aad show their strength by numbers ; and , after singing two Ten * of the antl-Com Law Rhyme , tbe meeting wm dissolved , and your bumble servant left for bis home . ?
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TO HAMER STANSFELB , ESQ . " AU classes will prey upon all other cl&nea just as much as they can and dare . " —HainerStcaafdd . SIR , —I endeavoured in my last letter to yon to draw the inference from the word * which I bad chosen as my motto , ( and which words I bate taken fairly from your pamphlet , entitled " Monopoly or Machinery , " ) that , as all classes would prey upon all other classes just as much as they can and dare , supposing that all the benefits would flow from a repeal of the Corn Laws which yon talk as if you . anticipate , still
those who had the power would , as you any in another part of your pamphlet , " work underneath , and reap even more than all the advantages" which could be derived from the measure . I also endeavoured to impress upon your mind , and the minds of my readers , that if you were an honest and consistent man—that if you really wished to destroy all monopolies and their effects , you would at once strike at the master monopoly , tbe root from whence all other monopolies spring , the very fountain whence they have their being , the monopoly of legislation .
Taking this view of tbe matter , and I cannot conceive how , after your declaration as above , you can come to any other , it would appear to be entirely useless to say more upon the matter ; but as you , and those wbo act with you , tell us what great effects would flow from a repeal of the Corn Laws , it perhaps may not be altogether unnecessary to give the subject a further consideration . There is such a discrepancy in the statements of the advocates of Repeal , that it is almost dangerous to fix upon any one . M'Gregor says , in his official examination , the difference which the labourer pays in money is from forty to sixty per cent , more than the foreign consumer . A pretty decent range this , one would think , for men who deal in figures . Dr . Bowring
appears to estimate the rise in price for all kinds of grain at 5 s . per quarter . Tbe two statements appear so preposterous , when placed side by side , that one it almost ready to conclude , that , at the least , one of the parties did not know what he was talking about- But , bowever , as M'Gregor seems to speak more positively than Bowring , I will take his estimate ; and , as put together and divided , they would make the average difference paid by tbe English consumer over the foreign one , to be sixty per oent , I , for the sake of roundness of numbers , will take the average difference to be fifty per cent , and then see what it ameunts to , as compared with tbe taxes ; and then see if it would be possible to carry it into effect under the existing circumstances of the country .
I will only take a few of the leading taxes of the country . Then say gross revenue 60 , 000 , 000 ; tithes , &c . 10 , 009 , 000 ; poor rate , county rate , rural police , &c , saylO 000 , 000 more ; which would , in the gross , amount to 80 , 000 , 000 . Naw then suppose that we consume 16 million quarters of wheat , say at an average of 60 s . per quarter , 50 per cent of which would be 24 millions ; and if we consume SO million quarters of other kind of grain at an average of 25 s . per quarter , 50 per cent of which would be about 19 millions ; these together would amount to 43 millions ; and suppose that the amount of labaur , after paying for the raw material contained in all our exported manufacturers , should amount to 35 , 000 , 000 ; both being put together , 50 percent- upon all the corn consumed and the whole of the labour contained
in our exported manufactures would be less by £ 2 , 000 , 000 than the amount of taxes . Aud if wjb take the average price of grain for the lost twelve years , before tbe deficient harvests , the 16 millions quarters of wheat at 56 s per quarter would be about £ 45 , 000 , 000 ; and the 30 millions qsartera of other grain at 25 s per quarter , would be about £ 37 , 000 , 000 ; or both together , say £ 82 , 000 , 000 ; or the whole cost price of all the grain consumed in the country about 2 , 000 , 008 more than the taxes of the country . And yet these men tell us that the taxen are nothing , and that the Corn Laws are every thing i But now as to the practicability of Repeal with this amount of taxation ; and according to the statements put forward by the leaders of your class .
It vrill be necessary , perhaps , before I proceed farther , to state that the taxes are a fixed monetary amount , and that in none of the plans put forward by Corn Law Repealers is it ever purposed to reduce them . Indeed so far from proposing to reduce them , Lord John Russell said , in his speech to the electors of London , that " it is as absolutely requisite to preserve the pnblic faith as it ia to preserve the power of the country . " And Lord Morpeth said , in his West Riding address , that '' the safety of the nation required that the revenue should
be raised . It must be borne in mind that these men are lotted up to as leaders of tbeir pan 7 ; and therefore , it is completely fair to say , that there is no reduction of our fixed monetary payments in the least contemplated . Nay , Lord Morpeth tells us that the " safety" of the nation requires tbe present gross amount ; and Lord John Russell saya that it is as absolutely necessary to preserve the public faith as it is to preserve the power of tbe country ; and the public faith cannot be kept without the present f ross amount of taxes .
It will also be requisite to state , in the onset , that the price of wheat and all other agricultural produce , is made up of rent , profit , and wages of labour in its production and conveyance to market . The wages of labour are made up partly of the amount of remuneration neeessary t > procure the absolute necessaries of existence during such production ' , and partly of the taxes which are " required by the safety of the nation . " The taxes of all description amount at least to one-third of the sum expended in the wages of labour w , the present priceB of labour ; and the taxes , being fixed menetary amounts , would not be reduced in consequence of the fall of corn . It is granted en all hands , by the most sanguine of those in favour of Repeal , that the farmer and labourer do not leceive too much remuneration ; therefore , the only available resource in the price of corn appears to be in the rent
Let us then , Sir , endeavour to trace , if we can , what would be the effeet of a Repeal of the Corn Laws upon the farmer and labourer , if these consequences followed which are so pertinaciously assserted would be the result , allcwing our fixed monetary payments to remain as they are . I shall not pretend to any very great accuracy in quantity , and will take the load of -wheat at one pound per load , instead of by the quarter , in order that the calcalatien may be more easily followed , just premising that tbe result would have appeared worse if I fca-. l taken the higher price , and by the quarter , but the calculation -would Lave been rather more difficult to follow .
Suppose , then , that an acre of land croduces ten loads of wheat , at three bushels to the load ; aud suppose thai the wheat sells at one pound per load , the produce of an acre will thus raise £ 10 . Now , then , Ut us suppose the rental of the land to be one pGund , to be , of course , taken from the £ 10 raised by the sale cf the -wheat There will then be £ i ) left , to be divided between the farmer and the labourer , for profit , purchasing the necestarks of life , and paying their taxes . Well , then , let us taku from the £ ' J the £ H vrhicli will be required as their share of taxes ; thus leavii-. g £ 6 . or the value of six loads of wheat , aa the net shara Lf the farmer and bis Jabouier , for pruSt and ¦ wages . Ar . d let us always bear in niind that tbe £ ( i . left after the rent and tuxes are paid , will purchase 240 lbs . of American ew . on at sixpence ptr pound .
Suppose then , now , that the Corn Laws are repealed , and that , in consequence , the price of -wheat is reduced one half , or from 20 s . per load to 103 . per load , taiid tbut is only a triils compared with what some of the lecturers talk about ); and , to make tbe best of it , let U 3 suppose that the landlord has reduced his rent from 20 s . psr acre to 10 s . per acre . Well , then , as the acre produces ten loads , and as the price is 10 s per acre , the gross amount raised by the acre will be £ 5 ; from which take tbe IDs . rent , aD < J it will leave £ 4 Us . as the gross amount to be divided between the farmer ana his labourer for profit , -wages , and tbe payment of taxes , instead cf the £ 9 , which they had before the repeal . A pretty decent pull this one -would think ; and it -would appear scarcely possible , even for a political economist , to enable the farmer and his labourer to have as much out of £ 0 10 s . aa they had of the £ 9 before .
But this is not quite * the worst of the matter . It -will be recollected that I stated , at the outset , that the taxes ¦ were a fixed monetary amount , * nd that they -will not lower with the price of corn ; and if we are to take the authority of tbe leaders of the corn repeal party , it is impossible for them to lower . You , Sir , well remember that Lord John Russell said , that "it is as absolutely requisite to preserve the pnblic faith as it is to preserve the power [ by which I suppose be means tbe independence ] of the country ;' and you will also remember that , I « ord Morpeth said , that " the safety of the nation required that the revenue should be raised . " These names , with you , will be high authority ; and if their opinions be correct , will prove that the " taxes are a fixed monetary payment , that will not lower in consequence of the fall in tbe price of corn ; in short , the full amount of the bond must be raised , or Shylock
will have the pound of flesh from enr bosoms . Therefore , as we supposed the amount of taxes to be paid by the farmer and his labourer to be £ 3 ; and as that amount is a fixed one , and will not lower with tbe price of com ; that £ 3 taken from the £ 4 10 s which , after the repeal of the corn laws , the produce of the acre , deducting rent , would amount to , will leave only £ l I 4 b , or tbe value of three loads of wheat , instead of £ 6 , or the value of six loads , which tbe farmer had before the repeal , for prefit and the wages of labour . But , Sir , yon must bear in mind that although the £ l l » s wil purchase half as much wheat as the £ 6 , it will purchase only one-fourth as much American cotton | or as was shewn before , he can now purchase 2 401 bs of cotton after be has paid his rent and taxes ; but after the repeal he could only purchase with his £ l 10 s , 60 ibs of cotton . A very enviable situation truly .
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I dare not trespass farther upon tbe apace of a weekly journal which has such heavy demands upon its columns ; but by tbe kind permission of tbe Editor 1 will resume tbe subject at another time . Youra , &c James Pinht . Millbxidge , Deeember 6 . 1841 .
To The Chartists Of Great Britain
TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN
BKOTHua Democrats , —The Executive have come to the conclusion to publish weekly in the Star , findicatv , and Chartist Circular , tbe weekly receipt * , and by this means the country will be more satisfied aa regards those places that pay and those that do not 1 am glad to find that tbe suggestions I have thrown oat last Saturday , are being acted on ; letters now seat to me have the proper address to tbem , besides I h » ve received several papers from Scotland as well as England , when sneer * have been thrown out against us Two copies of tbe Staffordshire Advertiser have been sent me by some kind friend , in both of which we are attacked . This betokens something good—it clearly proves that our numbers are making the venal and corrupt press of England begin to quake . Look , to tbe two important meetings and triumph for our cause ,
that have lately , taken place in the great metropolis , viz the ene at Soutbwark , and the other at Lambeth . Observe bow Spurr , Ridley , Maynard , and others made tbe immutable principles of truth triumph over cant and humbug . Here waa a meeting called to inquire into the present distress , the returning officer In the chair ; everything was right enough until Mr . Maynard moved the two members be requested to support the Petition , when Alderman Humphrey said that he would not support the Petition , because there were statements in it , with which be did not agree . Then came the storm from tbe toil-worn , til-treated working men , aye , and because it la mentioned that Prince Albert has £ 104 per day , he would not support it . Why realty the Alderman might not be afraid of tbe country , knowing bow much per diem the Prince
However , the Alderman may rest assured that all England , Scotland , Ireland , and Wales snail know how niucu per diem Prince AlVert baa , and not only shall the Chartists tako steps in letting tbe country know this matter alone , but also to inform the people that Queen Adelaide has £ 273 per diem , that the Queen has as much for pocket money in one year , as would pay the entire salary of the President of America for twelve years . Aye , aye , Mr . Alderman , we will ere we end this sort of information , let the people know all these things , and I am sure it will require more logic than Alderman Humphrey possesses , to convince tbe people that such intolerable grievances ought not to be mentioned . Erery praise is due to Messrs . Maynard and Rogers , for the exertions they have been at , to get up the above meeting .
The Doctor made an excellent address but the dailies would not report him . The other meeting at Lambeth was called to pass congratulatory addresses to the Queen , Prince . Albert , and the Duchess of Kent , on tbe auspicious event of a Prince of Wales being born , ( what a sublime happiness to tbe Spitalfields weavers . ' ) Dr . Bedford in tae chair . Addresses were moved and seconded for the above purpose , which were met by counter resolutions , that the addresses be discussed that day nine months . The Chartist amendments were triumphantly carried . I have received letters from London , speaking in very high terms of Dr . Bedford and the High Bailiff of Southwaik .
One of the best features in our agitation is , that the London Trades are beginning to move ; the masons , tbe tailors , the shoemakers , and the battsrs are at the good work in tbeir respective trades . Let tbe trades bat come out for the Charter , and we are sure of success ; lee us be united amongst ourselves , and I defy the united power of Whig and Tory to arrest our progress . It is now past five o ' clock , and I bave to be in Todniorden at half-past seven ; so I bid you good night , by again pressing on you the necessity of union . I remain , Your brother democrat , John Campuell , Secretary
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Amidst some kind and sympathising individuals there were some wbo—. .. " Like the rode Corinthian boer , Against the houseless stranger shut tbe door . " One man of this sort , a parson , living at a , village net many miles from Mansfield , actually slammed his door in tbe face ef five highly respectable working men wbilafc they were respectfully stating their case ; and these men actually returned home with twopence each , after a day ' s exposure to the most inclement weather : they were all married men . ' Working men are often taunted with their immoralities and their ignorance , I should like to know how many of those bewailers of our moral aberations , were they in like circumstances , would be better specimens of human greatness ?
; There has been an immense amount of unseen suffering and ont-of-slgbt misery endured in this neighbourhood , and when the thousand little sympathies that bind a man to ids own fireside , and make life worth living , are br oken ; when the ruddy glow of health forsakes the cheeks of bis half-starved children , when he has to meet the mournful eye of her who has pinched herself in order that her children might know somewhat less of want ; and when the many discomforts , of his wretched cellar-house , where rags and filth and poverty are his lot , instead of the joyous smiles of happy children , and the kindly sympathies of an affectionate wife , with the plenty that nature sent for all , if it surprising under these circumstances that he should resort to the pot-house to drown all remembrance of bis woes , in the most vicious and criminal pursuits .
And yet the distress that now obtains in all oar manufacturing districts , does bat display the sufferings of the useful classes in a little bolder relief . We have been for years but just vegetating , and cold and selfish calculations about how we should get over the next day have
" Repress'd our noble rage , And froze the genial current of tbe aoul " The higher ends of our existence have been forgotten amidst the crime and turmoil that society has forced us into ; but notwithstanding the degradation in which what are called tbe higher classes bare plunged as , we have been visited by some glimmerings of the great and good , and , despite our distresses , nothing can divert us from the pursuit of our fall rights . In answer to the crotcheta of expediency-mongers , tbe people , hi a voice of thunder , demand their Charter , as the first , the only thing they will contend for : and tbe wrongs that crush us , though they are keen to bear , yet even they point oat the ephemeral character of the horrid system that entails them ; and they clearly foreshow the coming—the speedily coining time when tbe present barbaric state of society shall be matter of history , until historians sbail refuse to record its crimes .
I am , Sir , Your obedient servant , J . W . Smith Ratcliffe-gate , Mansfield .
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ADDRESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF SHEFFIELD . " Awake 1 arise 1 or be for ever fallen r Brother Democrats , —Appointed by the National Charter Association to watch over the safety , and do all that in our power lies to promote the success , of the democratic cause in this district , we deem it our duty t » briefly address you , shewing the necessity of immediate exertion on your part to place Sheffield in that position which , as one of tbe principal hives of British industry , it ought to occupy in the glorious movement now extending through tbe length and breadth of the land—a movement for the establishment of the rights of our order , and the restoration of national greatness and prosperity , based upon the equal rights and equal enjoyments of all .
Brothers , the late General Election saw tbe wretched Whig faction driven from power , and for ever destroyed as a party . Their end was just—their doom well-merited : they had betrayed and insulted the people ; and when , in the hour of their need , fie miserable hypocrites appealed for help to those whom in tbe plenitude of their power they had trampled upon , the derisive laugh of a nation's scorn was the only answer given : the tricksters of 1831 perished , and one national shout of exultation hailed their fall . Then was restored to power the Tory faction , the conservators of , because tbe proflters by ,, every abuse . If the Tories imagined that because tbe -people rejected
the Whigs they ( the people ) bad any love for the rival faction , miserably bave they deceived themselves , as tho future will show . No ; had the people possessed legislative power they would bave driven both factions to destruction . Not possessing that power , they destroyed the traitor parts , leaving enly tbe avowed supporters of tyranny to battle with ; tbe party with whom there can be no compromise , who will themselves be crushed striving to uphold the present canibal system : or , conquering as ¦ will being the now arousod millions under a military despotism , from which there will be no escape but by and through a struggle , such as the heart and tbe mind sickens to contemplate , and instinctively prayeth may never coma
Are we mistaken as to the character of the ruling faction ?—No . Without reverting to their former deeds , without rehearsing tbe bloody records of the past , a glance at one or two of tbe leading members of the cabinet , will show the real chatact ; r of the present Government Who is the Duke of Wellington ? Wbo ? . Let tbe tons of thousands of victims of kingcraft and aristocracy who sleep ' neath tbe blood-stained sod of Europe ' s fields , and Asia's plains , answer . Who is Sir Robort Peel ? " One ( to quote a certain writer ) of the most Jesuitical and of heartless men . He hates and despises the people , more cordially than even the vilest ef the vile Whigs . He is a man without heart , without human sympathy , without any political affection in common with the masses of humanity around him . He may bo said to embody all the bad qualities of both factions , and the good of neither . " We need proceed no further with our description of the present Government , save but to remind
you of the Duke of Wellington ' s ignorant and heartless assurtion , that there was no distress in the country ! And that every man who chose to labour might yarn a sufficiency of the necessaries and comforts of life ! The very reverse of this being as notorious as the sun at noonday . To which wemayadd tbe arrogant declaration of the Duke of Richmond , to the effect , that tbe power that made Bbould unmake the present Gojernment , unleas that Government did the work of the landed aristocracy ! Are ye Englishmen , and blush not to hear this aristocratic insult , that it is not ye , tbe people , that make the Gjvernment , tut your lordly oppressors ? And told this , too , by one who o-. vos his titles and wealth , tbe power to starve English paupers , and grind Highland serfs , to ttie fact of the first nubia mother of his line having been t * ie accommodating mistress of a royal debauchee ; to the arrogant tyranny of sucfi shall we patiently submit ? Forbid it , Heaven ! Forbid it , every remembrance of our sires' deeds ;
" We bavo too long Knelt tt » ur proud lords' feet ; - we Lave too long Obeyed their orders , bowed to their caprices—Sweated for them the wearying Bummer ' s day , Wasted for them tho wugts of our toil ; Fought for them , conquered for them , bled for them , Still to be trampled on , and still despised . ' But we will burst our chains . " From snch a Government can we expect ought of good ? No , we turn with loathing di 9 gufct from til ; liberal knaves , who tsll us ti give Sir Robeit Peel a fair trial . We call upon you t > be up ami doing , ami ba ready t > oppose tho measures of tae Governmw . t if
when bronchi before tae country , they are found t > be aa rumoured " national emigration , and the buikiing of more barracks , " tint is , transposition for those who may be driven from home and kindrad aud bulk 14 for those who may not ! But , brotbera , remembering the niimkes and failures of taa past , kt us , reaping wisdom from experience , fail net to combine prudence with dttermination in giving bat : leto the common foe ; we have to coiitjnd with a p -tt ; % crafty as well as cruol , cunning as well as strong . But , brothers , only lc t us be unit-id and energetic , calm aud resyluta , and we may laugh tha power of faction to scorn , and desp-. te the ttrength of tyranny , win the freedom of ourfutuer-Iand .
We deeply regret tbe necessity wo are under of tilling you plainly , that hitherto , the Executive Council have not found that support on the part of tha Chartists of Sheffield they bad a rigbt to expect K- ? meniber , brothers , 'tis not in the power of leaders , no matter how talented , courageous , and incorruptible to acconipiiah of themselves a nation's regeneration . It istbesoverreign people , the mighty masses wbo must will by their apathy or energy , Vhe slavery or freedom of our country . We have to complain that a considerable Dumber ot the association have fallen into arrears with t leir contributionH . We know that this may , in a great measure , be attributed to the want of employment in the
town . But , as it is necessary for the carrying on of the agitation with-vigour , as well as to ascertain the real strength of the association , that tbe said arrears should be obtained , we bave resolved to send a circular to each member indebted to tbe association , statiug the amount by him due , and fixing a limited time for the payment of the same ; where , owing to tbe want of employment or other causes , inability to pay may be shewn , we shall be ready to extend the time specified in the circular . If there is any man whose name is enrolled on our liit , who will neither make good his arrears , ner state why he is unable to do so , we shall consider that man to ba no real Chartist , and as such unworthy to have his name longer-on our rolL
We now turn to those who , professing tbe principles of Chartism , have not as yet joined the ranks of the National Association . Brothers , we appeal to you to shake off your apathy , aad at once eniist under our banner . He wbo is net for us is Bg jnat us . In your countless thousands ye thronged the streets to welcome , and hailed with rapture every word from the lips of your champion , O'Connor y that undaunted advocate of the poor man ' s rights will shortly again visit your town . Come , then , join tbe Association , and prove to O'Connor that bis paat labours hate aot been in yaia .
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During tbe week of the Christmas boiidayi , we ihaQ take active and energetfo measurea for obtaining signatures to the National Petition . In the meantime , the names of persons holding sheets for signatures will be found in another column of theSfetr . Lectures are delivered every Sunday evening at halfput six odock , in tbe Association Room , Fig Treelane . Meetings are also held in the same place eve-y Monday and Tuesday evenings , when new members are enrolled , and every Information as to the rales of the Association given . : y . ; Upon tbe necessity of signing the National Petition snd supporting the forthcoming Convention , we shall hereafter address you . By order of the Committee , GBOBGE JULIAN HAENEY , Sob-Secretary . Sheffield , Dec 13 , 1841 . mi " .,. i ^^ Bj ^^^^ 1 « . 1 nVjj-ijvj ¦
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BRUTAL MURDER AT ST . HELEN'S . It is our painful duty to record the facts of a most diabolical and barbarous murder which bns been committed on a highly-respectable farmer residing at Rainford , about two miles from St Helen ' s , whose name was Henry Oraysoo . ' - About five o ' clock on Sunday morning , a man , employed as ostler by the Denton ' s-green Brewery Company , was proceeding to his stables , when he discovered the body of a man lying in the centre of the highway , and his suspicion was that he was drunk and asleep . He , however , raised him up ; and , finding him incapable of either speaking or helping himself , carried him into a barn immediately adjoining , which belongs to the landlord of the Gerard ' s Arras public-house , Danton ' screen . There tbe man left him , supposing he waa still
asleep , but returned some time after with a ianthern , when he found that he bad been dreadfully wonded hi his bead and other parts of bis body , and if not then dead , was utterly insensible . He immediately gave the alarm , and assistance was procured ; but the unfortunate gentleman was dead before it could be of any avail . A report of the transaction was speedily conveyed to Captain Woodford , the Commander of the County Constabulary Force , whose head * ua * teza are at Preston , and who lost no time in repairing to the scene of murder and outrage , for the purpose of rendering advice and direction . The result of his exertions , together with those of Superintendent Storey , of the St . Helen ' s division , is , that six persons , who are supposed to be implicated in tbe inhuman and bloodthirsty deed , are in custody .
The following are the particulars of this dreadful deed : —The deceased , Mr . Henry Grayaon , was a highly respectable farmer , residing at Rainford , a Village about four miles from St Helen ' s . He was about sixty-four years of age , and was reputed t » be worth considerable property , some say to the amount of £ 200 a year . Part of this property consisted of cottages in St . Helen's , the rents of which be was in tbe habit of collecting weekly , and for that purpose hegenerallyattendedevery Saturday . On Saturday he was in St . Helen ' s , and had called on several of his tenants , but so far as it is at present ascertained he bad only received , in the course of the day , the sum of 12 s . id . Between eight and nine o ' clock he was-seen in a beer house in the town , and in the course of conversation with some persons who were
aware of his residence aud the road be had to traverse , knowing also of a gang of poachers , reputed bad characters , who were in the habit of frequenting that park of the country , he was cautioned to desist from his common practice of returning home at such late hours , as , in all probability , On some occasion the " long company , " as the gang in question are generally designated , would attick and rob him ; but 80 little suspicion had he of such an occurrence taking place , that , in reply to the caution , his . observation waa , " Oh , so ; I know them all ; they'll hot meddle with me . " He left tbe beer-house between eight and nine o ' clock , and called on a respectable tradesman , with whose family he remained until about midnight , and partook of supper with them . He was seen about one o ' clock at the
door of the King a Head public house , in the company of a friend , knocking for admission , by a policeman on bis beat Tbe policeman went to tbe place , but , seeing who they were , left them , without addressing them atali As he was geing away he beard some one belonging to the house say that unless they wished to stay all night they could not be admitted . Shortly afterwards he was observed on tbe highway , leading towards Rainford , apparently sober . This is supposed to have been the last time he was seen alive , except , perhaps , by the assassin or assassins ; for , about half-past four in the morning , the body was found lying in the middle of the road , in such a dreadfully mangled state that it could not be recognised , even by those who knew him . The place where the horrid crime was committed is
called Denton' 8 Green , about a mile from St Helen's , almost in the centre of the village , and within fifty yards of the Garard's Arms Ins . It is evident that either the deceased bad been instantaneously deprived of utt -ranee , or the storm , which was raging at the time , had prevented his cries fr « m . being beard , for no one in the neighbourhood was disturbed until tbe corpse was discovered . It was found that on tae forehead , immediately above the nose , a wound was inflicted with some blunt instrument , which had broken the skull and penetrated the brain . On the back part of the bead was another wound which had also broken the bone of the skull and penetrated the brain , and the right eye was burst and forced from its position by another blow of the assassin . But as if tbe demons in human shape , for less one could hardly suppose them ,
were not satisfied with taking away tbe life of their victim , they proceeded to farther violence , for bis right shoulder was dislocated , and six of his ribs on the right side , and four on the left side , were broken , and forced into the lungs . Tbe deceased , it would appear , from the state of the road , and the filth which covered him , must have had a fearful straggle with bia ranrilerera , and it is supposed was acquainted with , all or some of them . His pockets were all rifled , and the right hand breeches pocket was turned inside out , and the lower part of it cutoff , but it is known that they could not have obtained more than 10 s or 12 s . booty , in silver and copper , and this is all the property that was takes away , so that there is nothing which , can be identified as belonging to him . So exceedingly cautious bad the murderers been in thair conduct to
the dead , that bis pocket-handkerchief , which probably might bave been recognised , was found thrown into the ditch at the road side , a few yards from where the body was found-In the course of Sunday morning , Mr . Storey succeeded in apprending two men on suspicion , named Thomas Meadowcroft and Isaac Jacques , within a short distance of deceased ' s residence . On the small clothes of the former were marks of blood about tho knees , which had evidently bwn attempted to be obliterated by scraping with a knife or some such instrument , and in his pocket
was found a large clasp knife on which were marks of blood . When they were about to be conveyed to prison , Jacques was about to csmmumc > te something , but was prevented by his companion , and he afterwards declined inafting any statement at present , although he said he had something important to communicate . Since then , four other persons have been apprehended , whoso names rtre Hobert Wood , Ubarles Wood , William Jacques , aud JVitriek M'Caddon , all part of the gang of poachers above teftrred to . Th _ -y have all been identified as being in the neighbourhood within a short time of the murder .
As a proof of the psrftctly reckless character of the <^ ang mentioned above , the following particulars , which have since coma to our knowledge , are given , and will afford a melaucho ' . y illustration . On Sunday evening Superintendent Storey met three of them on the road between fa't . Helen ' s , and the pface where the murder was committed , vpl ; om he stepped and searched , but finding nothing on them except some gins , which they f . dn . itted they were going to set for hnres . he al ' . owed them to depart . Within two honrs after this a poor . abourer was knocked down on the road by three men , robbed of his little ' all—half a sovereign—which he waa conveying home to his family , and thrown into the ditch . It happened , however , that the party robbed was well acquainted with one of the robbers , whom ha has sinco identified , and who proves to be part of the same gans;—a person named Peter Woods , brother to one of the prisoners in custody , on suspicion cf the murder .
Voracious Pike . —A singular instance of the voracity of the pike occurred on the subsiding of tha flood from . the footpath adjoining Mr . Oidhatn ' a mill , a few days since . Some lads were engaged in play , and dabbling wich their naked feet in the waters ovei flowing the banks of the Learn , when one of the juvenile parfy was seized by the foot b y a pike of about 4 lb . weight ; and such was the tenacity with which this tyrant of the watery element kept its hold , that it waa with no little difficulty the boy succeeded in shakitg it off , which having at length accomplished , he carried it to the domicile of his parents , where it formed part of the family meal a few hours afterwards . —Manchester paper .
Coming to the Point . —A . joung gentleman , whose extreme bash-fulness might otherwise cause serious embarrassment to the fair , takes the following very modest means of breathing hid sighs through the columns of the Carmarthen Journal : — " 1 Open to all South Wales . —Wanted , by a hand Some young gentleman of nineteen ( whose bashfulness has caused him to adopt this mode of courtship ) , an object of affection . She must be pretty , not very tall , accomplished , fond of music , and have a good voice of her own ; her age from seventeen to twenty-five . Money of no consideration . Address ( postpaid ) to .. ' The utmost secrecy observed , F . S . —Any lady wishing to embrace the present opportunity will meet with an affectionate lover , and , perhaps , wealthy husband . "
Melancholy and Fatal Accident . —On Thursday evening the master of the Kirkcaldy packet , Failing between Leitb and that place , fell into KirkcaMy harbour , between eight and nine o ' clock , and as the night was very dark , no one saw tho accident , but his cries for assistance brought David Hogg , one of the men belonging to the fiory boat , to the spot , whose endeavours , we regret to say , in rendering assistance , terminated in both , being drowned .- The captain ' s body was found the same evening , and that of Hogg the next morning . The captain , whose name is Robert Graham * perished within 200 yards of his own house , and we understand has left a widow and three children to deolore bis loss . Hogg has left ft widow and eight children , Caledonian Mercury ,
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MEETING OF THE DISTRESSED SPITALFIELDS WEAVERS ., Last Saturday night , a numerous meeting of the distressed Spitalfields weavers was held at tbe Crown and Anchor , Waterloo-town , Bethnal-green , by adjournment from the previous Saturday , to receive the report of the deputation which waited upon the Lord Mayor , for the purpose of hearing from his Lordship his intentions as 10 the appropriation of the funds in his hands for the relief of the SpitalflsUls weavers . Mr . Boddington having , about nine o ' clock , been appointed to preside ,
Mr . Fox , on the part of the committse , said , that he and two of the committee waited upon the Lord Mayor , on Thursday lost . The committee were aware that a meeting had been held in the vestry-room of the church , at which meeting several clergymen of the district , and some gentlemen connected with the Adelaide Society , attended . The committee were informed that an intention was then expressed to devote the monies raised for the relief of the Spitalfields weavers to the support of all persons in distress , of whatever trade . Tbe committee recolved , in consequence , that a deputation should wait upon the Lord Mayor . The deputation saw bis Lordship at the Mansion-bouse , and his Lordship expressed his surprise that there Bhould be an attempt to appropriate money in any other way than the donors intended . They observed , that they called to express their desire that tbe money should not be
parted with by the Lord Mayor until a proper committee bad been appointed . His Lordship said that such was his inttntlon . While they were in conversation , Mr . Wenwood , from the Adelaide Committee , and Mr . Brydges , entered the room , when they stated what had been done at tbe vestry , and what were their intentions as to the disposition of the funds . The Lord Mayor having stated his objections , recommended the deputation to get up a district meeting , when , if they had a responsible chairman and an efficient committee , who would apply the funds judiciously , he would then Rive the money out of his bands . He stated that be had about £ 1 , 000 ., but which , he observed , he knew was not near sufficient to supply their urgent necessities . The committee had since waited on Mr . R . Hanbury , who had declared his willingness to become their chairman at the district meeting . { Hear , hear . )
Mr . Clajsse , tbe Secretary , said , that he was bappy to find that they were in a course to obtain some assistance for the starving Spitalfields' weavers . It was iuw out of the hands of the Committee . He assured them , that in the City and at the West-end the best disposition waa evinced on their behalf by all parties , and he believed that now that tbe opinion of the Lerd Mayor was known , that many of the gentlemen who met at the church had fallen in with his view ? . Tho distress , he was sorry to say , was incrtasing to an alarming exteut .
Since their last meeting , the Committee had had abave 300 personal applications ; while the landlord of the Knave of Clubs , where the Committee meet , is called upon all day to know when the money will be distributed A few daya ago he eaw Mr . Brutton . tho vestry cierk , who stated that there were about 1 , 000 in tho house , and 1 , 300 who receive out-door relief . ( Several exclaimed , " Nearly 3 , 000 ; " ) and a weaver said that Barton , tbe relieving officer , informed him a few weeks ago that there were above 2 , 000 receiving out-deor relief .
Mr . Fox said , that a fortnight ago there were 854 in the house . He believed the out-door relief was about
3 , 000 . Ssveral weavers addressed the chair , after which the report was unanimously received ; when , thanks bting passed to the Chairman , who replied , the meeting broke up .
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STATE OF THE COUNTRY . Gentlemen , —Since I last wrote about the distress at Mansfield , some of tho operatives have returned to work or rather half employment . Others are etill employed at the Bflsttlo whither their necessitiesplaced them . And now 1 will glance at the sufferings endured by my fellow townsmen during the last seven or eight months . The Guardians as I before asserted refused to allow outdoor relief to any but married men with families , aud the relief allowed was utterly insufficient for the support of their families . Very many refused to go at all , and endured all the miseries of their fate at home .
Some have cultivated small plots of Forest ground and have grown crops of potatoes , and this has been the fare of many families to every meal for many a day . I shall never forget a scene that I was made the spectator of : —A family of six persons had had the swinish fare above noticed , for four days successively , when one day they were at dinner ; after the meal , the mother fetched the remnant of a small loaf out and shared it amongst her children , reserving the smallest share for herself . I am personally acquainted with a man and his wife , wbo have haji only a quarter of A stone of flour per week , for a many weeks past .
Begging has been the order of the day ; scores of parties of from two to six , or seven , have distributed themselves up and down the country , humbly asking for a trifle to just spin out life , upon whom , if brigand laws had not interposed betwixt tbem and nature ' s ordinations , themselves and their starving families might be living in health and plenty upon the uneultivated park , and thinly-manned farms , through which they passed in their amateur mendicant excursions . I cannot refrain from expressing niy surprise at the of the
almost entire absence of sympathy on tbe part wealthier portion of our towns people . At a meeting of a few benevolent and influential gentlemen , ( last noticed ) a deputation from themselves waited upon those public functionaries whose especial duty it is to manage towns' meetings ; , and wished to call a public meeting for the purpose of devising some means for meeting the exigencies of the ease ; but they refused to call the meeting . ' A requisition , got up by some working men , and signed by a Magistrate , for the same purpose , bad no better BucctM ,
Untitled Article
_ THE NORTHERN STAR . ' - .. - ' , . /• , . ' .. , . 7
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 18, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct578/page/7/
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