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*0 fSE PBODUCERS OF WEALTH, AKD ALL THOSE WHO LITE BY INDUSTBY 0$ IHE LAKD.
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VERBATIM REPORT OF THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT LANCASTER.
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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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THIS DAY IS PUBLISHED , No . A , OF A VERBATIM REPORT OF THE RSC 1 NT TRIALS OP FEARGUS O'CONNOR AND 58 OTHERS , AT LANCASTER , FOR RIOT , SEDITION , TUMULT , AND CONSPIRACY . np HE above Work will be Pnblished in Weekly Numbers of 64 Pages of Royal Octavj > , Edited by ± FEARGUS O'CONNOR , Esq ., Barrister-at-Law , and to which wili be added ; A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE CAUSES OF THE DISTURBANCES OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER LAST , 1 With Notes upon the Trial ; also a Dedication to Baron ROLFB . A SPLENDID PORTRAIT OF THE JUST JUDGE WHO PRESIDED , WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE LAST NUMBER ( GRATIS ) To those who have been Subscribers to the Work . . T * . ? OTt ! w * will be Executed with a view to its being placed as a Frontispiece , and when completed , which mil be in about fonr Numbers } the whole will make a valuable work . Prio ' e 7 d . a Number , in a wrapper . The Portrait gratia . Subscribers and Acentsare reqaeated to give their Orders to Cleave , 1 , Shoe Lane , Fleet Street , Xondo * f : / fJsYW 0 » 0 D , 60 , Oldham Street , Manchester ; and Hobsom , Northern 'Star Office , Market Street , Leeds . :
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AM ) LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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Hi Feiehds , —Tiere is nothing iiat happens ,. Aongh ever so wonderful or nnosnal , which is unnafaCTiL Ihe moment an event takes place it is natural , { S ^ thing ^ nbe more out of the common course of ^ ore , than that * man vrith money should have xin-Kaated power over the Iife , ^ he liberty , and comforts tfalvge po ^ ° ofMi leDowmen ; yet so it is in rtjs oar country , in those oaz days of crriliziiion mth take the life of Mb
A mister cumot - unpnnity « fiiiHian , it is trae ^ neither can be , without Borne m ^ gneA cause , consign him to a prison j but he can _ gjrosha ltiKit labour for me , nor yet far any of Jevr ieTi « d 7 0 D ib * ^ ° * w ^ t , OT go to g&ol jgx iJuetiBg . Sow , throughout the whole of the manufacturing gjgiHts of England , sad reality has taught this lea--an to those who live by labour , and who are liable to be discharged npon a moment' s notice , and against irfc ose forfter employment the fiat of the destroyer « es forth wiUi all the force of an © diet .
^ 5 4 A _^ - ^ Mil ¦ Ml t ^ * — — « b « fe Jl ^^ A ¦ 1 * - ^ _ J * 1 ^ / If you low jour position and are satisfied with ¦ rtsn condition , throw down my letter -with dispEt , but if you are weary of your f $ te , and are ^ jjjj desirous of a better , read on , and say whether $$ jaeasnrei Ipropose for your release from bondage jod serrile dependency , are wise , and % ooa , ana faaile . Remember , aboTe all else , that I am in nowise to be a participator in any benefit which may arise fctaoihe snccess of my plan ; it is no more than an — -gjjjjjent J see well-made mechanics either
gweepm tbe sfcreete , or parading them in groups , as ^ gejsj or skulking into shades from shame of MTertj ; or flying ** * pest-house—a _ BastUe t for HMwar—! £ ee ae best - « m P loJ « d P « alfced by the TaeaiionsiBss ol thisr tenure . To-day at work , tojntaTOWTmhired and pauperisedjWithout any fault of ^ jjrown . I see thepoor street-sweeper looking with gsBijatthe neirij-inTentedsfereet-Bweeperand enyrjss t $ » ioise thai iss deposed Jam . J look to ftriher improvements , and in each and all I recogjjjzs a lash added to the whip by which the labourer j 3 punished .
Before it , then , or sot , my heart sickens at sneh sg&fei , and joj understanding tells me , that I am hound , and every man is called upoa to risk life and personal comforts , and submit to odium , and taunt , mi persecution , to destroy the growing monster . lie . general distress of the working classes is adjsfltied njxm all hands , while each has hi ? peculiar jjastran for their relief . Mete is the Laa-r , 1 am iwsre th&t to talk about pig ? , and potatoes , and cabbages , to men earning 7 s , or Si . or IDs . &-dav , would be arndeness , while lhey could buy them ont of the proceeds of their labour , and what more had they to iotn&fteni ! But now the time has arrived when Jo isre them yon must grow them by your labour ftr jrorsebe ? . Kem ember that a potato is milk
istter , cheese , pori , beef , mutton , eggs , lamb , poulfej , Trod , and fine cloth ; because from the rude potato , etch and every one of those things can be pro&ced is a single season . Therefore , while you ironld attach all importance to money , which yon BBmot get to purchase them , do not despise even the pottto , which you can grow , and by which you preserve them . Ahrsys bear in mind that the great complaint of jpet masters is , that ihe artificial labour market is jiTa-stocked , and thai politicians look to your expurialicm as a remedy . This famishes me with an
irreastsble argnmenl infavonr of xuv plan , because Sbsjboih join in recommending the application of J&giiih labour to the land of foreign ' countries "fflj not then apply it to the land at home More especially when all the expence of transportafem would be thereby sared , and which , if applied fe > k > me colonizinon , -mmid be more ihzn ample , TiBe the anticipated benefit from an increased con-Eczpnou of mxnnfactured articles would be rarely exceeded . 1 will tellyou tlw reason—Because free hlaur , tcovld very speedily lock for iujiut ihare in fte cnerRTRenl of the country .
In some preTJonsletter on the snbjeet of spade cultintion I plaeed before yon a table , showing the profits from one man's labour upon ten acres of ground . B may be you hare forgotten it , nor shall I tire jot with repetition just here . 1 feel that many * fconerer saw » green field may say , What do I know about farming «• To those I wonld say , * "Whit did yon know about spinning , or shoe-XoHcg , or cabinet makrag , or coat making , until jm h&d paid a premium , and spent seven yeare in laming the art , while the art of farming can be karefcd from your neighbour , and may be practised iff ycuiself withont preminm , or a seven years ' SEnftndBf
But 1 go further j I say that I don't require any Eia who is ignora&fbf ihe blessings of a home , and fee * hy to leare the cellar and ihe fog—I merely taut to open the wide door for all who desire to Eterj and , by taking off tbe surplus , to remote f& OTeisloek from ihe cellar to a £ ood home , when is labour shall h&Te been rendered more Tenable by iso tcmpeJation- Kow , that is my desire . fcur acres being the amount which I propose * 3 £ niBg to each labourer , I shall now proceed to tsrsUs capabilities ; not in the most beneficial wjjiEi from practice and experiment . Hereafter lihau exhibit its real Talne when cultirated to the l ? si » st aflTantage .
Jir . lanton , of Selby , in Yorkshire , a large iron femdfii , and ^ person most anxicus in his desire to better the condition of ihe working classes , has Sfc& a practical experiment , of which ihefollowing Eajbe taken as an outline . He rents three roodE > 01 three quarters of an acre of ground , for which he psjs £ i t or at the rate of £ 5 6 s . 8 d . per acre . He tas kept x correct account of the profits , which 1 irould thank him to submit to you thron&h the tthtnas of tie Star , while 1 \ gire JD 5 t enongh thi 3 iraek to Ehow the Taloe of labeni when applied to ** & "Rbeni&r , Linton commenced hi ? operations , of
^ k 3 bad Dot jjj 0 TB t jian tvro juries surface ; « ? sM lie EDormonB rent in const quence of ^ fllne from its being what is called town land , f e 6 IlTej aBat for a householder . Its yalne ashvnd » sie country wonld not be more than fifteen ®« ng 3 -3 n acre , if so much . By the application « HboEr , he has giren this heretofore barren soil * SErfaee of eighteen inches . And now for tbe rer ^ i * hi 3 -experiment . I " pon this three-quarters au ^ ere he , last yearfed two cows and eight of
, j ^> beades a quantity ponltry , ard had Teger ^ for his table . We trill suppose ihe eight pig 3 ^ snne as much as two cows , in order that we *» J ttffie to something like a calculation of value . *« Ab he ha 3 not cultivated anything near the f ^ e of the three-quarters of an acre , and he gives ^«* onrer ihree sMHiugs a-day for every day ' s ^ r * ^ ere is no great art in growing cabbageE , "" ¦ 93 , iad potatoes , nor is there much in throwing ^* & SO % fWor # ^« . Z ~ . ^ ! ll » 1 _ .- » l- 1 ril _ » a cowin her her milk
^ , or milking , sellicg , a / ~ EI 11 iD 5 j or jaaking cheese . Leafing- ont every J ? ^ eajboi the four cows , see what the profit ^ steen days' labour leaves , for that i =, I nnder-^ % the number of days' work required for all Wfltoa ' s operations nj > to the present time . ^^ ^ peranve can now sell his labour for 15 s . a Se ~ tr TOD ^ deIS nimself a hsppy man ; and let us fJ tlus scale what it would be worth . We jg T * * Expose that Mr- Iinton ' s bad ground pos-^® ^! J char m bejond that which labour « an ^ TT 11236 *^ and the following is the result upon ^ Saarters of an acre . He feeds , or could feed , ^^ Suppose each ccw to give sbt quarts of ^ * a meal for thejsix Btunmer months , at twoper quirt , each cow produces £ 18 4 s . ' s worth
^ J « ad , to be nnder , take £ 3 4 s . from the pro-^ g - * £ & > ** leaTes profit upon the four cows k Wr ftjrtj ^ yg , ^ jj ^ ^ 153 # Tent . foT jjjg «*^ -srortb more than £ 1 the acre , or 15 s . for njg ^^ ew of an acre . Now , four acres lyfarj * «« ne way , wonld leave , after de-^~ ° ^ * 3 _ is . from the above moderate rate ^^ nction and price , the Bum of £ 300 per ~^ J m of whick r&xA &qM ^ ^^ S 5 s . ^^ ^ J say , » O , we are not all milkj » « W coald ve all find a market for milk , * W S ^ SfS % r & l ***> biil l ia ^ e selected iajtaT . ? ^ f * Profitable of all produce , as an **« £ T » T i h * K * a 3 Whm *?? & £ t 0 ^ d , is iae isnd may be made to produce other
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things equally valnable , and all that can be required for the comfort of man . My immediate intention in making the experiment just now , is for the purpose of meeting , combatting , and defeating the unholy project of transporting the surplus poor " to foreign regions , in order "that they may become consumers of English mechanical productions abroad . If the project of Mr . CharleB Buller and the Malthiisians shall once receive the countenance of Government , and backed , as it wonld assuredly be , bj Capitalists » nd owners of machinery , then would commence a new and vigouroua reign of terror ;
then would the Poor Law Bystem be presented in its true colours ; then wonld the prison become a place of refuge for the destitute ; and then would all and every means be used for the purpose of indnoing , provoking , compelling , and forcing the industrious classes to transport themselves . , It is with a view of mee'ing those new crusades that I have undertaken to present to jonr minds , your own land in the shape , the form , and loveliness your own industry could oonfer upon it . It is in order to induce yuu to shake off the bugs , instead of abandoning the bed to them , that I thus lay myself open at once to the assaults of the landed proprietary of the country
and td employers who would still keep you in bondage , that ihey may buy your labour in the cheapest market and sell its prodnce in ihe dearest . In Jims propounQiEg the scheme for your consideration , however , you are not for one moment to suppose that in my most sanguine moments I anticipate from it more than the means of making your teeth water for your Charter . No , for if to-morrow , by chance , or otherwise , yon achieved the posses sion of 4 000 , 000 acres of land whereon to locate IJ&OO . OOO heads of families , or 5 , V 00 , 000 persons at five to a family , without the power of the Charter to preserve it , tyranny woald watch the first fitting opportunity to dispossess you .
To show jou that I am not extravagant in my notions , I may here explain tbe extent to which I hope to succeed . I hope by a great exertion to see you possessed of gay 28 , 000 acres of land , or few acres each for 5 . 000 heads of families , making in the aggregate 25 , 000 dispersed over the face of the country , ssy in forty divisions , large and small , according to * he size of the counties , and when the Great National Charter Association is
re-orgamsed , ( as I hope very shortly to see J I hope to be able to say to the tamely starving operatives of Manchester , Oldham , Leeds , or Hnddersfield , go and see the free labour market , and ask what they can get for their labour in it , and then ask how you are to do likewise , and the answer will be , the Chabteb . ; and then , but not till then , will there be a cordial , a nnited , a powerful , an irre 3 iBiible M STBreais * ' for tbe achievement of the Pxople ' s Chapter . "
As long as land beaM the franchise , so long will its owner keep it out of the retail market ; once etop it of that property and thenths plan , which I never hope to see more than experimental , will become general ; then that which should else be done by societies , and which , after all , can be but sectional , will become national from very necessity . Crammed as the public mind has been to surfeiting , with the fallacies of free trade and the anticipations from transportation , we , as a grand
national movement party , must now be prepared with our means of relief , and our arguments in their'favour . Unless we can shorr the good and indnstrions why they should remain at home , they will be drives to savage dimes , to contend against the same savage system under which they have be « n destroyed ; but if we can convince them that system is ihe bug , and that to make home what home ought to be , is in their power , then will all ** unite *' " conspire" xn& combine" to destroy or to muzzle the vermin .
The body , the onlj body by which the agitation for such a purpose can be , or ought to be carried out , is the Chartist body under the name and designation of the National Chartis * Association ; and for that reason and for that purpose , I am more than-ever anxious that each locality should be now thinking of the best means cf giving effect to my plan , or such other plan as shall be submitted to the body when digested in Conference , so that on the whole it may be recommended , not as the plan of Feargas O'Connor , but as the plan founded upon tbe best suggestions of all , who m 3 y be selected for thiB undertaking . It is to the producers of wealth alone that we xaasi . look for tbe means of making the experiment , and the experiment as the means of wedding the public mind more dearly to the Charter , as a further means of making it national .
Now , to show that I am not extravagant in my notions , and to prove that the plan is easy of accomplishment , let ns see how far it can be carried out . Suppose 20 , 000 acres of land at £ 1 per acre , that would "be £ 20 , 000 a year rent , on lease , say of ninetj-nine j « ars- We cotdd , on payment of £ 101 , 000 fine down the rent to £ 55 , 000 or 15 s . per acre ; 100 , 000 subscribers at 6 d . per week would , in one year , pay over £ 125 , 000 , leaving , after payment of £ 100 , 000 , a surplus of more than £ 25 , 000 , andnpon payment of £ 100 , 000 fine , £ 100 , 000 more
may be raised ; thes , at once , there would be a capital of £ 125 , 000 to set the thing in operation , ladeed a very few benefit or trade societies could at ence start it and insure fire per cent , for their capital , while the other funds might be appropriated to starting the colonists so as to give immediate effect to their undertaking . But of this , more in my next , in which 1 hope to be able to lay before you th » whole machinery for working a district comprising 1000 acres occupied by 250 labourers and their families , and what applies to one district will , of course , apply to all .
I have received a number of letters npon the subject all highly approving of the project , and from which I select the following for publication : — ** Bexb Sib , — Tbe joy , the pleasure , and the delight that 1 have felt this evening by reading in the Northern Star the means you propose for the deliverance not only of tie "white slaves in this , but of all the countries in the world , Is such that I cannot get words to express what I feeL May God Almighty spare your life a- ~ d maie you the happy instrument of being the liberator and saviour of tbe human race , which I believe tbe plan yon mean to propose , if followed up , will assuredly effect . " "Until this evening , I bad no hope that the productive classes wonld ever get their freedom , politically or morally , but by violence .
" I ynS . take in hand , oi do the best I can to get £ 00 BubscribtTB of sixpence and upwards per week , for the purpose . of making the working classes proprietors of the land ! . *• Wishing yon « rery success , " 1 am , dear Sir , " yours sincerely , "John Heset . " 7 , Cherry Garden-street , Bermondsey , 15 th April , 1843 *• F . O'Connor , Esq-, Hammersmith . " Now , if a few others were to look as cheeringly upon the project as tbe writer of the above , the work would be speedily completed .
There is only one concluding observation which deem necessary to make here ; it is this : —In the consideration of the subject let it be borne in mind , that Land is the only raw material to which individual labour can be successfully applied . That the single husbandman stands in no danger from competition , combination , or centralization . That come what will , be his prodnce cheap or dear , he cannot starve , nor will he depend for existence , oomfortj 01 labour on the whim or the caprice of another . I am , your faithful Friend , FEAB 8 U 3 O'COKHOB .
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Uppeb Wam , e ? . —Mr . Batterley , of Balifax , will deliver a leerare at this place , on Sunday , ( to-morrow ) , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , fir . Butterley , will abo deiivtr a lectnre in Swan Coppioe , at six o ^ clock in ihe evening .
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MANCHESTER . A public meeting of the inhabitants of this B » roagb was held in the Carpenter ' s Hall , on Friday last , to take into consideration the conduct of Mr . Baron Gar , ney , one of Her Majesty ' s Judges , daring the trial of Wm . Jones , at Leicester Awizia , for sedition . The meeting -was called for one o'clock in the afternoon . On tfca moHon of Mr . D . Donavan , Mr . John Nnttall wag unanimously called to the chair . The Chaihsun opened the business by reading the placard calling the meeting , after which he made a few appropriate remarks upon tne circumstances which had called them together to perform a great public duty , and concluded by calling npon Mr . Wm . Dixon , to move the first rfesolntfon .
Mr . VIXOX , on comtng forward , was loudly cheered . He said , Mr . Chamnan and Fellow-Townsmen , —You are called upon this day to perform a duty which you owe to yourselveB and the public . Ha woald mnch rather that Ihe resolution which he had been called upon to move had been entrusted to tbe care of some person more capable of doing justice to it than himself It -was a resolnrion in which be fully concurred , and in order that they might judge of it * merits or demerits , he would read it before he nude any comment .
Resolved , " That we the people of Manchester , in publio meeting assembled , do tender our best thanks to Feanrus O'Connor . Eaq , James Leach , Christopher Doyle , and the other brave patriots who so nobly defended themselves and Uia causa o ! Chartism , during tbe recent trials at Lancaster , and we hereby express our unabated confidence in them all , and our determination to co-operate with them in obtaining & redress or t * m amny grievances andar which we * r e suffering , and wearing ft full measure of justice through the enactment of the People's Charter as the law of oar country . "
He ( Mr . Dixon ) was confident that tbe resolution would meet with a hearty response from every lover of freedom . No man eoald be ignorant of tbe fact that tbe cause ef universal liberty bad received an impetus unknown in the history ef Chartism , by the conduct and general deportment of the defendants at Lancaster . He ( Mr- Dixon ) had had the honour of witnessing their conduct in Lancaster , and also tbe mighty change that took place in tbe publio mind in Lancaster , concerning the Charter and the Chartists . Mr . D . then relajed several anecdotes relative to the various conversations which he bad heard upon tbeir first going to Lancaster , as to what the Chartists ought to be done with , and also the mighty change which took place in their opinion before tbe close of trials .
The resolution was seconded by Mr . Mabsden , during whose speech , the Rev . Wm . Hill entered tbe ball , when the entire audienca rese simultaneously , turned round in tbeir seats , and continued cheering , -w&vina of handkerchiefs , and manifesting every possible symptom of delight until the Rev . Gentleman had made nis way to the platform , and for several minutes afterwards . The speaker briefly concluded by seconding the resolution , which , on being put from the chair , -was carried by acclamation , and repeated roundB of applause . Tbe Chaibvak then introdneed the Rev . W . T . Jackson to move the next resolution .
Mr . Jackson on rising , was greeted with rapturous applause . After the cheering had « nbsided , the Rev . Gentlfcman spoke to tbe following effect Tbe resolution which he held in his band was one with which he agreed with his whole heart and soul . He ( Mr . Jackson ; considered that the conduct of Baron Gurney was not only highly improper , but unconstitutional in tbe extreme , during the trial ot Mr . W . Jones at Leicester , and deserved the eensnre of bverj honest man . Of what was Wm . Jonea charged ? Why , sedition !—the nature of which was the calling of the police unboiled , or raw lvbsters . Perhaps he ( Mr . Jackson ) had better be-srare \ rbat he said about the police , for when he Was tried it was for endeavouring to bring the police force into disrepute . He did not call them on this occasion tbe unboiled . But , nevertheless , he believed them to be just what Wm . Jones had called them . He considered that Baron Garney bad acted unfairly to Mr .
Jones , by his frequent interruptions both during tbe cros * -exaniin&tlon of the witnesses , and also when making his defence . Mr . Jones was sent six months to tbe ieloaa' cell for speaking disrespectfully of tbe police , whilst both Whigs and Tories were allowed to make use of language a thousand times stronger , not only against the police when it suited tbeir purpose , but also against tbe bishops , magistrates , her Majety'a ministers , and against the Queen herself , and no notice was taken of them . The praying , canting Bailey might suggest tbe propriety of casting lots who ahonld shoot Sir R , Peel , and go scot free , whilst poor Jones , because he called the police by tbeir proper name , mast be treated in an unlawful manner by tbe Judge who tiled him ; and , after suffaring every iDdiguity and insult at the hands of tfiei modern Jeffries , moat suffer six moDtha imprisonment ' into tbe bargain . The Ret . Gentleman concluded by reading the
resolution—• ' That this meeting declares its entire and unqualified abborrence of tbe conduct of Baron Gurney , upon the trial of William Jones at Leicester , believing it to be unconstitutional ; and that a memorial be presented to her Majesty , signed by tbe Chairman , embodying tbe opinions of this meeting upon the above subject " Mr . C Doyle rose , for the purpose of seconding tbe resolution , and was received with cheers . Mr . Doyle commenced by . saying—Mr . Chairman , and , he might say , Brother Chartists , be felt great pleasure in seconding the resolution which bad been bo ably moved by tbe Bev . Gentleman who had just sat down . They all knew that be ( Mr . Doyle ) Was a particular friend of those scamps that dare not show their faces in day light , dressed in tbeir own garb . He bad the most
profound respect for them 1 In fact , his ( Mr . Doyle ' s ) respect for them -was so great , that if be bad tbe power , he wonld make them all honest men , by making them work for their living , instead of being , as tbey were at present , a burthen npon the public ; and if tbis was not respect for them , he did not know what was . It was always an act of kindness to make & rogue into an honest man . William Jones was an honest and induBtrious Chartist , and an intelligent one , too—one that was endeavouring to make mankind bettor In their social , and political , and domestic condition ; and , not like tbe scamps and vagabonds of policemen , who appeared against Dim on his trial , who live but to prodnce misery and wretchedness amongst a starring and oppressed people . He ( Mr . Doyle )
had told tbe jodge and the jury at Lancaster that be did not hold a very good opinion of those gentlemen in bine ; that be believed them to be unprincipled vagafcondB , that wonld say or swear anything . In fact they were ready , at all times , to take oaths by the hundred , and would swear that black was white , and that blue was no colour . Why , the fact was just this , that Little-Finality Jack , backed by the Tories , found that there were a great many thieves in the country , and fearing that they would be falling foul of their property , thought it best to make a provision for them by gathering them together all over the country , and instead of calling them by their proper names , they gave them the cognomen of—What ? Why , the Rural Police Force . Bat notwithstanding his ( Mi , Doyle ' a ) abborrence of tfce
unboiled , as Mr , Jones called them—bat hu would not toi the world call tkem such ugly names—his disgust at the condnct of Mr . Baron Gurnay was two-fold more strong , for this reason , bis standing in society led as to expect from him s different line Of conduct than that manifested on the trial of Jones . His ( Mr . Doyle ' s ) opinion of his conduct was this , that he had disgraced the sacred office that he had been appointed to fill with ju 8 tic 8 and equity , ' aiiil ought , therefore , never again be allowed to contaminate the judicial bench with Ms polluted person . And if the country did tbeir duty they would send him after bis twin brother , Judge Abinger , for in biBtMr . Doyle ' s ) opinion they were as near twins in iniquity as possible . Ho was sure that if there was anything wanting before , to
convince the people that tbey would neTer have justice done to them until they had the power of appointing all publio sfficers , and holding them responsible to the people for the manner in which tbey did their duty , tbe conduct of Judge Abinger at Chester and Liverpool , and now that of Gurney at Leicester , was sufficient to convince them of tbe necessity of uniting to obtain a full measure of justic « for the whole people . When they eould see every day that one party could say what they pleased , aye , and rob when they thought proper , and no notice was taken of it but if a Chartist even said anything that cffbnded a poltroon of a policeman whom he was compelled to maintain , he must have all the powers of a corrupt Government bounded upon him , and a part ' zin Judge to annoy , and in an unjustifiable manner to interrupt him in defending himself , because cbance had not riven him the means ox
employing counseL He ( Mr . Doyle ) agreed with every word of tne resolution ; its language was just what it ought to be ; it was right tbe people should express their unqualified disgust at the conduct of any Judge that could so far forget Mb duty as to oppress a man like Wm . Jones , becase be was a poor mm . If ( said Mr . Doyle ) it had been Mr . Gisborne , or Finality Jack that had been on their trial , how different would bav * been tho conduct of Baron Goraejr Wonld he have interrapted them ? No ; his language would have been , — " Ob . yea , yen can jwt up what lino of defence you think proper ; yon have a perfect right ; chose your own Una of defending { your owa case . " Mr . Doyle concluded by a few more very pithy remarks , in which tbe Corn law Bepealers came in for their full share of the benefit , and sat down by seconding the motion .
The Chairman then put the resolntion to tbe meeting , and it was armed without a dissentient . Mr . 2 > ixon rose for the purpose of moving a memorial to her Majesty ; and in doing so , he would | not occupy
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any great length of their time , as there was a gentleman or two who had yet to address them . He would content himself witb reading tbe memorial ;—To Heir Most Gracious Majesty , Ficloria , Queen of Great Britain and Ireland . Tbe Memorial of the Inhabitants of the BoTtmgh of Manchester , in publio meeting assembled , on Friday tke 14 th of April , 1843 ,
Humbly , Sheweth , —That William Jones , eordwainer , was arrested on a charge of tuing sertitieus language , at Leicester , on the 29 th of August , 1842 , and , after an examination before the Magistrates of Leicester , was beld to bail , to appear and take bis trial at the enauing aHaices beld at Leicester . Tbat on Friday , March 24 th , 18 i 3 , the aforesaid William Jones did so appear , and was arraigned before Mr . Baron Gurney , one of your Majesty ' s Judges , and pleaded not guilty , and , was consequently put upon hia trial . That tbe said William Jones , being undefended by Council , was necessitated to conduct bis own defence .
Tbat during the cioss-examinations by the said Wm . Jones , of the witnesses brought forward to substantiate the charge against him , he was repeatedly and shamefully interrupted by Mr . Baron Gurney , with a view , as your Memorialists firmly believe , of preventing tbe said William Jones from eliciting facts connected with the case , tbat would b . ive a tendency to remove ar > y pre-conceived prejudice existing in the minds of the jury against tbe said William Jones And your Memorialists farther believe , that by these unjustifiable interruptions on tbe part of Baron Gurney , tbe said Wm . Jones was materially injured , by being prevented from shewing to the satisfaction of tbe jury tbat those portions of the speech for which he was arraigned at the bar , were garbled and mutilated so as to serve the purpose ef the Council for the prosecution .
Tbat daring the time tbe said Wm Jones was addressing the Jury in his defence he was frequently interrupted by Mr , Baren Gurney in an insulting , savage , and dictatorial tone , which was anything but creditable to tbe Learned Bnron , and tetally at variance with tbe true administration of justice and the Spirit of the British Constitution ; That your memorialists are of opinion that such unjust conduct as that evinced by Mr . Baron Gurney is pre-eminently calculated to bring the judicial functions and tbe proceedings of what uught to be courts of justice and equity Into disrepute , and ultimately into contempt
That youx memorialists are convinced tbat the said Wm . Jones has not bad a fair and impartial trial , swing to his not being allowed to cross-examine tbe witnesses against bim or follow that line of defence , he thought best calculated to disprove the crime of which he stood charged , and npon these grounds your memorialist * believe tbat tbe verdict ot Guilty returned against bim by tbe Jury and tbe consigning him to prison for six months by the Judge , are both cruel and unjust .
Your memorialists , therefore , beseech your Majesty to exercise your rojal prerogative , and give orders for the immediate liberation of the aaid William Jones , and also that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to inflict such mark of your displeasure upon Mr . Baron Gurney , ns wili have a tendency to prevent him and others ot your Majesty ' s Judges from making tbe Courts ot Justice into mere perversions of tbat sacred
name . And your memorialists will , as in duty bound , ever pray , ic Mr . DiXON said he quite agreed with the memorial which be bad read to them ; and , therefore , begged leave to mov * it Mr . J . Lane seconded the memorial in a neat speech . Tbe Rev . Mr . H ill was then introduced to support 1
tbe memorial , when tbe immense audienceagain continued cheering in like style with tbat which greeted him on his first entrance , for some minutes . Mr . Hill spoke strongly iu support of the memorial , denounced tbe conduct of Baron Gurney as un-Englisb , unjust , end unconstitutional—as taking a mean advantage of the position he occupied for party purposes , instead of being , as be ought to be , the undefended prisoner ' s counsel .
Mr . Leach also spoke in support of tbe memorial , adducing several instances of petty local tyranny equally disgusting in character with the atrocity referred to by tbe memorial as evidence that the whole system of class domination generated a oneness of practice among all its minions , which , left no hope to the people but from its utter extinction . Mr . Leach was rapturously applauded on bis appearance , and at tbe conclusion of his speech . On tbe memorial being put to the meeting , it was carried unanimously . ; Mr . D . DonavaN , in an able and talented speech , moved the following
resolution" Tbat the best thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev . Wm . Hill , fcditor of the Northern Star , for the obliging manner in which he complied-witb the invitation to visit Manchester , at great inconvenience to himself . And we hereby express our entire confidence in him as a talented and able advocate of those sacred principles wbicb , as Cbartists , we believe can alone secure the happiness and prosperity of all classes of the community . *' Mr . Lane briefly , bat ably and cordially , seconded the motion , which on being pnt to tbe meeting , was carried with an enthusiasm which makes all effort ftt description vain .
Order being restored , Mr . Hill returned them bis thanks for the compliment which the men of Manchester had tbat day given him , and he hoped tbat be would ever deserve tbeir confidence , by steering & straightforward course of principle . He would give them the same advice concerning himself that he always had given them of others—that the moment they found bim squinting across tbe path of principle , that tUey would send him to the right about . The Rev Gentleman then addressed them for some time on their duties as Chartists , and sat down amid thundering rounds of applause . Oa the motion of Mr . Dixon , the thanks of the meeting were given to tbe chairman , and tbe meeting separated to make preparations for tbe tea party tbat was to take place in the Hall in the evening .
GRAND TEA PARTY AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS . A Chartist tea party was held in the Carpenters ' Hall , Gurett Road , Manchester , on Friday evening . Tke Cbartists of Manchester , ever willing to provide for the recreation and amusement of those parties who attend their Hall , knewing that Good Friday was a holiday , determined to give them a treat They , therefore , announced by placard that they would have a tea party on tbat day . The announcement was responded to by the public in that Bpirlted manner which Is aVw&yB tbe case wben the committee call upon their fellow townsmen for tbeir assistance and support .
Tbe placards announcing tbe meeting stand that tea wonld be on the table at half-put six o ' clock ; and in a few minutes after that time , upwards of five hnndred persons eat down to enjoy " the feast of reason aad the flow of soul" by partaking together of tbe cup which cheers but will not inebriate . A few minutes before severn o ' clock , tbe Rev . Wm . Hill , editor of the Northern Star , accompanied by Mr . Hargraves , entered tbe Hall . Tbe people , notwithstanding tbey were discussing the good things of this life at the time , all rose up from the tables , and greeted him witb every mark of esteem and regard . Cheering , clapping of bands waving of hats and handkerchiefs , and every demonstration of joy , which lasted for several minutes after Mr . Hill had mounted the platform , —the splendid brass baud playing
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" See tbe conquering hero comes . " Tbe tea being over , and the tables removed , Mr Dixon was called upon to preside . The Chairman tben gave out a Chartist hymn , which was sung by the whole company , accompanied by the band , —at tbe conclusion of which , The Chairman said , tbat they bad finished tbe first part of tbe business for which they had assembled in a manner which did them credit . | He was very proud to see so great a number of persons congregated
together conduct themselves in so orderly and respectable a manner . They had been engaged for the last hour in supplying the body with those things without which it could not exist But it waa equally important that they should supply the mind with that intellectual food without which it would be a sterile and barren waste . He hoped , therefore , that-tbey would attend to what each of the speakers had to say , who would addreBS them in the course of the evening . The first toast foe tbe evening was : —
" The people , the only legitimate source of all power . May that power speedily be recognised by the abolition of class-legislation , and the adoption of the People ' s Charter as a legislative enactment " .
Air , — " Scota wha hae . " The sentiment was responded to by Mr . Doyle in an efficient and talented manner . The Chairman then said the next toast ia one in which he felt confident that they , ! along with himself , would moat cordially agree . It was : — " Feargus O'Connor , Esq . and Ti S . Daneombe , Esq ., may tbeir disinterested exertions in the cause of suffering humanity be duly appreciated by a grateful people . " i Band—Air— " With Henry Hunt " Mr . Rams . in responded to the toast ia a suoit and neat speech . ¦ Tbe CHAIRMAN , with a few prefatory remarks , introduced tke next sentiment , which was : —
" Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis ; may the people ' s tff > rta fox tbeir restoration be speedily crowned with success . " Responded to by the whole andlence , singing : — God save the patriot J ' rost , " accompanied by tbe band , which ( had a moat solemn and imposing effect j Toe Chairman then gave— "James Leach , Christopher Doyle , and our other persecuted friends , may the sympathy of the people , for wh ' om they are Buffering , and tbe consciousness of the justice of those principles tbey have so fearlessly advocated , console them amidst tbeir unmerited persecutions , and may the efforts about to be made in tbeir behalf be the meanB of restoring them unscathed to tbeir familea aad friends . "
Band—Air , Nature's ©> y Day . " Mr . D . Dona van responded to the toast in a speech replete with impassioned eloquence . The Chairman then rose for the purpose of giviDg the Hf th and last toast for the evening , — " The Northern Star , and its Editor , may the sacred ; principles promulgated by tbat luminary irradiate the i minds of the whole people , till , like a refulgent beaoon ) towering above the sable clouds of despotism , it shall remove the mists of ignorance from our political hemisphere , and finally conduct the world to freedom .
Band—Air " Bonnie Breast Knots . " At this part of the proceedings tbe Rev . W . V . JackBon , accompanied by bis goad lady , entered the hall and was hailed with every mark of friendship and egteem by the whole assembly . \ Tbe Chairman had great pleasure in introducing the Rev . Mr . Jackson to respond to tbe sentiment—( hear , bear , and cheers . ) The Rev . Mr . Jackson said it was With no ordinary degree of pleasure , that he responded to the sentiment just read by the Chairman . He had long ago formed bis opinion of the Editor of the Star , and also of the Star itself . In bis , Mr . Jackson ' s opinion , it would
bave been difficult , nay , be believed impossible to have found A man so pre-eminently calculated to fill the office of conducting a really democratic j newspaper . The Rev . Mr . Hill was not only a man of talent , but also was in possession of a great amount of shrewdness and forethought , that seldom if ever was fonnd combined in one and tbe same individual . He had conducted the Star in a manner which did him credit , and at the same time ably and fearlessly exposed the tricks and intrigues of the factions to lead the ) people astray by false promises and pledges , made but to be broken and deceive their con&ding dupes . And j it was to him we might attribute tbe present position of the Chartist
movement It ia the Star and the point of Mr . Hill ' s pen that is dispelling tbat gloom and ignorance that blackened and darkened our political hemisphere . It was with no ordinary feelings of pleasure that be ( Mr . Jackson ) called tbeir attention to what bad been accomplished by tbe Star since it began to bhine in our political firmament , its rays had penetrated and established the principles of democracy in every part of this country , and be might say every part of the world ; and might the gracious truth which it promulgated be Bounded from every hill top , and through every valley , and continue its onward course from river to river , from shore to shore , until finally its refulgent
rays should light tbe world to freedom —( load and long continued cheers ) . It had required no ordinary degree of watchfulness on tbe part of its Editor to keep it still shining . They and he ( Mr . Jackson ) were not ignorant of the various means tbat had been employed to destroy Mr . Hill , Mr . O'Connor , and the Star ; in fact they were not ignorant of the means that were in operation in this town at the present moment for tbat purpose . But all their puny efforts would not prevail , ao long as the Editor and Proprietor , maintained that unpurchaseable adherence to principle that bad marked their conduct up to the present . Many papers had sprung up professing to advocate tbe people ' s rights
and for some time contiauad to do so , but no longer than it waa necessary < aa they thought ) to get hold of public favour , and then came out tbejr real objectthey began to fire from their masked batteries at the Star , its Kditor , and Proprietor , and finally the mask was pulled off the pretended friends , and tben their papers rank ; and whilst tbey were sinking , the Star was rising and shining brighter and brighter . There was one other remark which lie ( Mr . Jackson ) had to make concerning Mr . Hill , and that tran with respect to the independent and
straightforward manner in which be bad ] conducted the Northern Star , not regarding the proprietor nor t ! ae people ; but speaking bis mind fearlessly and in a straightforward and manly manner , j He might be call « d an O'Connorite ; but he waa neither an O'Connorite , nor an Hillite , nor any other ite , but he was a Chartist , and he did not blush to own it ; he was wedded to the principles of the Charter , and so long as the Star , witb its Editor , and Mr . O'Connor , stood by those principles he wonld stand by them , but not a moment longer . ( Loud cheers . ) ;
The Rev . Wm . Hltt then « ame forward amid the most vociferous cheers . He said hta friends , he was sure , would not expect him so far to outrage good taste as to inflict •• a speech * upon them under present drcumatanaea . Should he even be iil-adyiwd enough to attempt It , it would be impossible for bim to find words in which to convey to thtm his feelings . He would merely thank them for the kind reception the people of Manchester had given him , tad hoped that his future conduct wonld be such as always to secure bim the good opinion of his fellow-coantrymen . So far as the Star was concerned ; all that be could say was , that so long as he had anything to do with its management , it should vigorously and manfully advocate tbe principles of universal liberty . So n » ch as it regarded himself * But in reference to the glorious truths which they were engaged in promulgating , here was a subject
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6 £ ^ ^^ w -4 w fc y ^^^/ uci h ( JV&b f . 7 &V */* , £ ^ 4 ^ " that the tongue of eloque-ee might feet upon forever ? These were principles which , as a Christian minister , he was b ? nnd to support ; and , not only so , but he was wedded to them , and nothing could withdraw him from their advocacy . No pecuniary reward that it was possible to give him would induce him to Twite or apeak for any other principles than thosa which were laid
down by the founder ef the Christian religion , who said " One is your Master , even Christ , and all ye are brethren . " He believed in the univwsa ! jty of ( ha Christian religion , and also in the catholicity of the principles of democracy and truth . He stood before them as one connected witb the truth , and he blushed not for that avowal . The Rev . Gentleman returned his thanks to the audience for the kind manner they had received him , and , in a Taost impressive manner , urged upon them tbe necessity of perseverance ¦ and energy in the great work of a nation ' s freedom , and sat down amid repeated rounds of applause .
The Rev . Mr . Hill tben administered the solemn rite of baptism to the undermentioned hrfants , vjz . : — Feargas Thomas Clegg , infant son of William and Mary Clegg . Mary Ana Frost Stainfleld , daughter of William S'talnfleld . James Feargas Bennefc , infant son of Thomas and Sarah Bennet , ot Pendletoa . After twelve o ' clock , tbe young people were allowed to commence dancing , which was kept np with great spirit , and the greatest harmony , until five o'clock oa Saturday morning .
Carpenter's Hall . —On Sunday , the Rev . Wm Hill preached the anniversary sermons of the opening of the above Hall for Chartist purposes . The afternoon discourse was founded upon that beautiful portion of holy writ fonnd in the 15 th verse of the 13 th chapter of St John ' s Gospel , t ? For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done . " The audience , which was numerous and respectable , were delighted with the manner in which the Rev . Gentlemen elucidated his subject ; , by contrasting the conduct of pro fessedChristians with tke example of him they call their Master . They Rev . Gentleman having occupied a short time upon tbis portion of bis subject , proceeded to show the absurdity of tbe charge of infidelity being
attributed to the advocates of Chartism ; and after a masterly refutation of the base calumnies of its enemies and a triumphant defence of its principles , he concluded by making an appeal to his audience to contri bute according to their means towards meeting the expenditure which must be very considerable for Buch a splendid hail as this for the working men to meet in . This appeal was very liberally responded to , and a very handsome collection was made . —* In the evening , tbe Hall was literally crammed ia every part There could be ne less than from four to flva thousand persons assembled , and numbers had to go
away who could not procure admission . Tbe Bar Gentleman ' s subject in the evening was , tbe Chartism ef the Old Testament ; and was a masterly exposition of various texts of Scripture beating upon the principles of Chartism . The discourse , which occupied nearly anhour and a half in the delivery , was listened to throughout with the most serious attention . Notwithstanding the crowded atate of the Hall , and the almost intolerable heat arising therefrom , the collection was again very good . After the service was concluded , the Rev . Mr . Hill adjourned to one of the anti-rooms in connexion with the Hall , and baptised eight infants and an adult person . .
The CHARTrsr Painters of this town provided a good substantial dinner ot good old English fare ia honour of Mr . J , Leach , Christopher Doyle , and Thomas RaiHon . The dinner was on tbe table at eight o ' clock in tbe evening , when between forty and fifty of the Chartist Painters , witb tbe above-named individuals , sat down . After the cloth was removed , one of their own men was called to tbe chair , who said that they bad opened that room for a two-fold purpose , namely to endeavour to create a better feeling amongst tha painters generally ; and , in the second place , to promulgate tbe glorious principles contained in that document , cailed ~ tbe People ' s Charter . He hope J , therefore , that they would listen with attention to the gentlemen
that he should call upon in the course of the evening to address them . The first toast for the evening waa " The people , the source of all legitimate power . " Mr . Cooper responded to the sentiment in a neat and appropriate speech . . The chairman then gave " The People ' s Charter , and may it soon become the law of the land . ** Mr . James Leach , on rising to respond to this toast , was loudly applauded . Mr . Leach ' s speech did honour to the worktDg classes of this country , and was a clear and concise exposition of that document , which , if made into a legislative enactment , would place in the hands of the people the power of amending their social and
political condition . The cbairman then gave the ' * Northern Star , and the whole of the democratic press . " Mr . Dixon responded . The cbairman then gave " The health of the painters' friend , Mr . White , " of the Rait way Inn , which waa drunk with the usual honours , and waa responded to by Dr . flnlley . The chairman then said there was another gentleman that the ; ought net to overlook , although he was not present He then gave " The health of Mr . Christopher Doyle . " The toast was drunk with every mark of respect to their absent friend with loud applause . Mr . Dixon responded . Other toasts wete gwea , and the oompanj separated at a late hour . ~ HalshaW Moor . —On Thursday evening last , Mr Dixoa , from Manchester , delivered a lectnre in the National Charter Association Room in this place , being the first there has been here since the strike . After the lecture , several questions were asked , which Mr Dixon answered to the entire satisfaatiou of the audience .
ITCCNTBOSE . —Mr . Peddie , of Edinburgh , entertained the lads of this place , with the history of his prison adventures on Good Friday . GLASGOW . —At a meeting of the committee appointed by the directory of the Glasgow Chartist Association , to take measares for the liquidation of the debt due to Mr . George Boss , as General Treasurer off
the Chartists of Scotland , it was unanimously resolved to engage a talented company sow in Glasgow to viaifc the most poplous and patriotic districts throughout tbe country , and give a correct representation of the trial ot tbat distinguished gentleman , Robert Emmett , Esq ., on a charge of high treason , at Dublin , in the year 1803 , the whole proceeds , after defraying expences , to be devoted t& the above purpose . The committee would most earnestly solicit the co-operation of the various Associations in this undertaking , by giving tbeir countenance and support to the company on their arrival in each locality . The debt now sought ; to be cleared off" , by tbis representation , is not tbat of G'asgow alone , bat Scotland generally , through the delegates assembled ia
Glasgow onr three several occasions , and the generous individual who so kindly epened his private purse la support of our holy cause , has every claim , in point of right and justice , on all true lovers of democracy , when the treacherous Whigs siezed the defenders of the poor , and crowded the dungeons of England with her best and bravest sons , when the peaceable , legal , and consti tutional meetings of the people were dispersed at the point of the bayonet—when our exchequer was low , and to be a Chartist was the well known signal for the ribaldry , tyranny , and persecution of all tbe imbecile factions , who live and fatten on our industry , Georga Ross was at his post , presiding over the assembled thouaands of his fellow citisens npon all occasions when called o&—giving bis money to the Central Committee
and for the support of our newspapers and periodicals : The following are the towns proposed to be visited , before which , an official letter , signed by our chairman , Mr . Thomas Ancott , and our Secretary , Mr . Wm . Brown , will be transmitted to the respective committees : —Hamilton , Airdie , Campsie , Kilmarnock , Ayr , Falkirk , Sterling , Edinburgh , Dnndee , Aberdeen , Coalsnaughton , Alloa , TUlicoultry , Arbroath , Kilmarnock , Kirkcudbright , Lanark , Barhead , Stratbaven , and Perth , Irvine . —P . S . —All other towns omitted in this list , by forwarding a letter to Mr . Q . Ross , 83 , Trongate , will receive attention . N . B . —The gentleman who acts as manager for tbe company , and takes charge of the constitution of the court will also be furnished with ant official letter from the Committee .
ABERDEEN . —On Saturday evening last , Mr . R . Peddie , of Edinburgh , lately released from his three years confinement and torture in Beverley Hell , lec tured in the Chartist Hall , to a respectable and crowded audience . The lecturer gave a very distinct account of the manner in which fee was ensnared by the hired spies of Bradford , as also of his trial and condemnation by the foulest perjury which waa ever committed in any court of justice , and proved to the entire satisfac tion of every one , by the written declarations in hi posseasion , that the Whig authorities then in Bradford did not give him any opportunity of btinging forward that evidence -which would at once have detected the cursed plot aimed at his life or liberty . Had Mr . Peddie been tried in Scotland , we know the result woald have been quite different , for with as there is something in the shape of fair dealing ; whereas is England , if we
take Mr . Peddie ' s case as a sample , as well as many more of tbe Chartists , which have come under our notice , tbe English Courts of Law appear to be a mere mockery of justice , calculated to impress npon every intelligent , thinking , and unprejudiced mind , the absolute necessity of the people being awakened to a lively sense of their danger , in tamely submitting their lives and property , and every thing that is virtuous , noble , and patriotic , to be sacrificed at the unholy shrine of aristocratic ignorance and wealth . —Mr . Peddie lectured also on Sunday evening , on Priestcraft ; and the way in which hia subject has been appreciated , evinces in ft very striking point ef view , that the community at large are rapidly unfettering their minds fiom the thraldom of superstition , and approaching that standard of ra tional and philosophic judgment which is bo devosfcly to be wished .
COVENTRY . —Mr . Brown delivered an address Ia the Charter Association Room , on the caases sf tho present distress , showing to the satisfaction of an attentive audience that there Is no remedy except hi the People ' s Charter . Ashton-tjndeb-Ltne . —Mr . Jeremiah Lane , of Manchester , delivered an able lecture on Sunday evening last , in the Chartist Room , Cbarlestown , Ashton . „ , A publio ball and concert was beld on Monday night last . About 400 persons attended , and after enjoying a good evening ' s amusement , separated about twelve o ' oloek .
*0 Fse Pboducers Of Wealth, Akd All Those Who Lite By Industby 0$ Ihe Lakd.
* 0 fSE PBODUCERS OF WEALTH , AKD ALL THOSE WHO LITE BY INDUSTBY 0 $ IHE LAKD .
Verbatim Report Of The Chartist Trials At Lancaster.
VERBATIM REPORT OF THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT LANCASTER .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 22, 1843, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct647/page/1/
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