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    NATlOlTAIi CONVENTION . Friday , April 22 . Mr . Dnncan in the chair , Mt ieach , vice chairman . Mi . Campbell , Secretary , called the roll , -when Messrs . Btesley , M'Pherson , Slallwood , Harrison , Biirstow . Bartlett , Powell , Themason , Ridley , Leach , Diyle , Morgan Williams , Mason , Moir , Woodward , 0 Connor , Campbell , and Duncan -were present . The fiiinntes -ware re 3 d and confirmed . Mr . O'Connor gave in a report of his jc urney to Northampton , and stated that he had addressed in that town one of tks largest assenihlisB ever known in that district , and gave a most cheering account of the state of feeling in the agricultural districts . Mr . Ridley reported from two meetings he had attended .

    Mr . Morgan Williams reported his ree-ption at a meeting , called for the purpose of forming a committee in aid of Frost , Williams , and Jones , which passed off in an excellent manner . ~ Mr . Doyle reported that he attended a meeting , VhereMr . Sidney Smith lectured , but finding that Mr . Smith , wouli bo * * discuss the question , he and the friends "with him retired and left ilr . Smith lecturing to seven persons . " Mr . Mason reported from the Trades' Delegates ' lleeting , that they were well received , and that a resolution , pledging themselves to assist i : i carrying the Canter and loin in the Nations , proeessioo , w ^ s unanimously adopted . Messrs- AI Dauall , IM'Phersan , Stallwc-oJ , and Woodward , alsor ? Djrt = d on the same subject .

    Mt . Po = reLi r-jpjrDed frjni a mdafiag he had attended . A q ^ intity of Petition Sheets were faen handed in . Mr . Gamaliel ] reported from the Hiij-lisii Eircauye . They iiaa been in existence now a ^ ont twelve months . At the period thsy came into office there W ; va but seventy or eighty towns in the Association , now they had about tart * bundred and fifty Vowr . a in he Association . In the London District , at that period , they had seventssn or eigUtsen localiti- s in London , now they tad about forty . In the Northampton district , at that period , they had not oce , now thry had seven or eight . In Birmingham they had an increase , he believed , in numbers , but not in associations ; they had not contributed much to the snpp-jrt of the Executive . Jn

    Leicester they had at that period only about-one-hundred members , now tbey - had upwards of twelve hundred . In Nottingham they had a large increase of numbers , and they gave good support to the Executive . In the Derby district they had only two localities , now they had twelve ; they did not pay so well . In the Potteries tbty got en well , gave good support to the Executive , and were animated by an excellent spirit . In Cheshire , until lately , within this four or five months , they had scarcely any iocaiitirs ; sitee Mr . Doyle ' s exertions they were progressing well , bnt had not keen in existence long enouga to afford much support to toe Executive . In Lancashire they had thea twenty associations , now they had between forty and fifty in existence , and their numbers were racidly progressing ;

    taken as a whole they paii well to the Executive . In Yorkshire , at that time , there was only twelve 01 fifteen localities , now thu-e were not less than one hundred . Some of the districts , as Huddersfield , Hebden Bridge , and other places ,- were the best paying parts in the kingdom , with the exception or London , -which had paid equally well . In Northumberland , Durham , Cumberland , and Wes t moreland , he could not say much progress had been made . In Dsvonshire and in Corn-Trail , until these last few months Chartism waa almost ¦ unknown ; there had been five or six fresh localities established , tui being : new localities they could not yet

    expect from tatse places much support- In Brichton they had a good association which psid welL In Norfolk , Cambridge , and Suffolk , one year since , only one locality was in existence , now they had eight or ten . O ; ilonmoctaahire he conJd say bnt little . In Wales the Association waa extending itself ; within a short p riod th ^ re had been four ur five localities opened . Of London he could speak very favourably ; within this period iL * j had contributed between £ G 0 or £ 70 . This distric ; , and that of Yorkshire , bad nobly fulfilled its duty , -he other districts had not done their duty in regard to the contribution cf funds ; in some places they tad not even paid for their cards .

    Dr . M'Djuail should , more especially for the information of the Scottish delegates , give them a sketeh of their present organ : zttion with regard to the Executive , It was exclusively formed by the workir ? men . A delegate meeting was called at Manchester . 3 Jany of the delegates now present were then in prison , as he himself was at that period . When he first re-ad the plan , he ihcnght ii was too estensire to be carried out by the waiting classes ; but he was happy to state that it succeeded fii beyond his most sar . guine expt-ctations . They tad not been in Gfiice twelve months , and they had heard from Mr . Campbell the extensive progress they had made . Wtere they were at first met with great -opposition , now they were received ¦ with open arm ? . Mr . Bairstow could corroborate that

    the opposition ha ( Mr . Bairstow ; had met with in Derbysiiire , was not of the most pleasant description . Dead ea ' -s , brick-bats , ic , were plentifully showered npon him—even fire arms were brought into requisition to intimidate him ; hut through all he had persevered ; and when he sTJr . M'D joallj last visiCed Derbyshire , he had splendid meetings ; and , instead of the people Sghtirg against the Chartists , they would now fight for them . He was not for granting any great extension cf power to the Executive , but enly such an extension as would contribute to thtir utility- in . carrying oat tLe organization . He diti not think that the Executive should have the power of appointing lecturers to those places already organized , and capable of supporting them , but only to those districts where

    Chartisv . i it present waa dormant . In the Counties of Devon an > l Conswal . the Chairman and Mr . Powell could hear witness U > the great wish expressed for lecturers , and also to the great good which they would produce ; in Wales also it wa 3 of great and paramount importance that lecturers should be appointed . He ¦ was entirely for local government—he did not wish to have any power over those places which eould appoint their own lecturers . He should oppose any proposition of that description . The . Executive had never interfered in any local business—they had looked only to the general business of the Association . He thought the present organisation would cairy out every object they bad in view ; but he thonght that the plan of paying a Tegular sum for each fifty members wonld be superior

    to tke present method : it would ensure a regular supply of fnnds , and would be less expencs to the localities than even now . They had met with a few pecuniary difiiealiies , but they hfld no reason to complain : they had been better supported than even could be exptcttd considering- the destitution "which prevailed . From the metropolis they ' had met with great pecuniary support ; and though some members might complain of tfeeir meeting in pot-bouses , &c yet if they looked at the manner in which , they had supported the Executive , and the manner in which they had supported this Convention , they would see that they could afford to lo = jk ever any drawbacks in this district They hadprogressed rapidly . There were thirty or forty localities in connection with the council at the Old Bailey ; arid ¦ when the central committee was brought iiito action he had no deubt tbey would have an hundred localities .

    He could give the same good account of Yorkshire awl Lancashire . From the density of the population in this district ; from the sufferings the hand-loom weavers had endured ; and from the moral tone of the people , these districts "were almost unanimously in favour of the Charter . Taking the position of the Executive as a whole they stood ii > a good position—they were not above < £ 5 in debt , including everything ; and by issuing s circular they could raise immediately £ 30 , which « as owing for cards . With regard to his eolleagnea the greatest unanimity prevailed . He believed this was one cause why they had been so well supported . If division had existed among them ; if they had evinced a feeling of hesitation or suspicion against each other , it would have re-acted to their disadvantage in the public mind . He was proud that he had such excellent colleagues .

    The Chairman then read a note frem Mr . Mason , stating , that in Bibton , where there were only 180 jnembers , there are now 1000 ; that an Association h 3 d l > een raised at Darlaston , and at other places ; and that at Birmingham and at Wolverhampton , their numbers had greatly increased . Mr . Campbell explained that he was very happy to be corrected with respect to the progress in Staffordshire . Mi Leach thought that it would be ptoptr , in order to arrive at their true position , to look to the condition of the body previous to the establishment of an Executive . At the first Delegate meeting held at Manchester , finding that the Cfcartii-fc body waa completely broken up , as Sar as organiZiiion was concerned he " moved that they laid down a plan for the guidar . ee of the Chartist body . Dr . Taylor opposed this on the ground that it might prejudice the trisi of Mr . Frost , and he withdrew his motion . As soon as thai trial was

    concluded he wrote a letter in the 2 \ oiinem i > iar . prebsiLg this subject on She attention of the C : iam > ts . This was responded to , and seventeen towns sent delegates to a conference at Manchester . At this meeting , a p ; aiTof organizition was agreed upon , nearly similar to the pre- ' . stilt . This plan met ¦ with much opp-. isitiOB . Many ; "who had previously been in the Chartist ranks objected to the plan , on the ground of legality and clamoured loudly for them to altar it . and then they ] would join and assist them . They called another dele- . gats meeting at great txpenee , to remove tois sqoabMe , of legality . They in-rited those to attend who bad ob- ' jected to it , but they never attended ; neither when

    they had altered the plan did they join them . The j plan then adopted was their present plan , and it had j ¦ worked so well , that now they had between 3 and 400 ; towns in the Association , and 600 meetings were heid on the same night every -week , to discuss the principles j of Chartism . In some parts of the country the plan I had not been properly -worked out . and the funds ] consequently not raised . He had received letters from all tarts of the kingdom , statics tht-ir

    approval at the conduct of the Executive- - On that morning he had received a letter frem the females of Oldham , containing a vote of thanks and - „ . j £ 1 £ « $ he . Convention , in addition to their full quota . > VVTHrttWtttto& -sraa far superior to that . f the first Con' ^ . 'i Twgjtffy " *** " ** body wa * two or three years in adrance r .. © f thfliintelligence of the country : there was ccrraiuly 1 a Taptaaioant of enthusiasm exhibited , bat it had no foundation , and burst tike a bubble in the day t , f trial . Their ergsnisation was now of , a different cast ; it

    - ¦ ¦ " " * i

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    was characterised by a spirit of steady intelligence . Notwithstanding the vast amoutt of destitution which existed among their "body , there had not been a single act of violence committed—not a single transaction which could jeopardise their causs . During this period they had defeated the WhigB , the Tories , and the Complete Suffrage schema This be attributed te having a head to direct the movement , not to contreul , but dimply to direct public opinion . Had it not been for this , each town would have had a nostrum of its own , and they wou'd have been split into sections . Now , even if the Executive went astray , the eanse would not be ruined , though it would cause a temporary disorganisation ; tbeir place would speedily be supplied . It had been insinuated that the Executive had done

    nothina ; if they bad not exercised an affirmative , they had exercised a negative power , and if they were properly supplied with f unds , they would shortly be in possession of an affirmative power . In Manchester the present pian bad worked well . Manchester , though supposed to be Radical , was the true seat of Whiggery . In that town the anti-Corn Law League bad sr > ent £ " 50 , 000 in one year , tbeir chief object being to taeak up the Chartist oraanisauon . and get the people to follow umvfltetiugly in their wake fer cheap bread , bnt with their poor penny per week they bad so organised the town ; that at every public meeting where they could gttiit them , they defeated their schemes by 3 majority of forty to one . This party issued for about six weeks running , forty or fifty thousand tracts weskly , the Chartists only issued ( me tract which completely ! -roke tne i > ck of all the others . In L-wcashirc , Dctdj , Cheshire , Birmincham , and othe / districts , they had regular lecturers in their employ ; in Yorkshire they

    had three lecturers employed , besides supporting their local exper . cts and the Executive . <» r more properly speaking the organisation , for in some weeks it ha < i cost them £ 20 foi stationery , printing . &c . This micht appear a large sum , but if the present p ; an was carried out , it would enable them to dtiray all expences , to employ thirty talented lecturers , and to carry on successfully the present agitation . He thought that the present Convention had no p' -wer to alter either the plan or the spirit of the orgainzui' < n . He trusted they would carefully peruse it and it defrctive in any point , take measures more fully t ) carry it out . He had derived much pleasure from being a member of the Executive " oooy ; it had procured him much personal friendskip , and be had received from tht- public a character that he should scarce dare to give himself , that of being an honest man . He would sa \ fur his colleagues that they ha-i earned a character which would be transmitted with applause to posterity .

    ilr . Philp gave his support to the present organization . . He belkvcd that , notwithstanding M its difficulties , it had worked well H < - w-. is one of the dtkgates who assisted at its fori .-u . tion in Manchester , ;> . t a period when their r . inks were su broken that they could carce collect any force at auy given point They kavw not what measures to adopt , or to what subject they should next direct their a : tentio ; i . To remedy this ttite of disunion , they had Liul down the present plan , and they could now carry out any given object better than any Association in the kingdom . Messrs . Ltach , Campbell , - and 2 vTD ;> uil had been more active members of the Ex * -cutive tha ;; hitn .-e ! f or . Mr . Williams . By the original plan he did not cmsWer that they were all required to be permane : tiy employed ; but whenever any impjriint busiDesa -was t < - > bebrongbt forward , he always attended their sittings . Hu had been lecturing through a lar » je di .-trict of the kingdom , and he had seen the sood effects of the system ; aiul he trusted

    they wcnld - maks no alteration in it . If they were continually altering or amending it every year , it would give a sort oi unfixedness to their auitation , which it ¦ was very uni ' . esireabie to produce . Hb had not heard any sufficient argument ad'iucni to enable him to consent to an alteration in the mode of collecting the funds . The pre ; ei : t plan only wanted to oe property carried oat . At present many parties not only contributed nothing to the funds , but did not even pay regularly for tb ^ r card ? . This kept tliem short of funds . It w ; . s of great importance that tbe counties of Cornwall had . D ; von should be well agitated . He had promised to attend there , and endeavour to assist in doing this ; but when prepared to start , he found that it was impossiblef r want if funds ; and he was reluctantly -compelled to disapDoint the men of those districts . He thonaht it would be the duty of this Convention to urge npen the people the necessity of weil-sujjponiug the Executive , and of supplying them with funds to employ lecturers in the unakjiUit ^ d counties

    Jir . . Morgan Williams sj . id he shouht make but few remarks , as he had never taken an active part as a mtmbei of the Executive , but on all important occasions he bad promptly attended . The manner in which t"he Executive had transacted their business gave great satisfaction to his condiments . He trusted they would devise some means to employ a larger body of lecturers , more especially in Wales . In hia own district they were nut so much needed , but in others the Want of them was severely felt . He could take but little credit to himself for the good the Executive had effected ; bnt he must stat « that tbey had ever been u'iiinimous , and tbr . t when absent he never had occasion to disapprove of their measures . Mr . O Connor moved , and Mr . Moir seconded , that the report of the Executive be referred to the Committee appointed for that purpose . Carried .

    Mr . Djyle moved a resolution calling upon them to Kquest their constituents to send the Xorihern Star and other ¦ emoeratic journals to Ireland . Ttii ? , if carried into general operation , would greatly beni fit the cause in Ireland . It would shew to the Irish people the manner in which they had been calumniated and abused , and that their principles were calculated to do more good fur them than even those promulgated by men whom they had so lont ; looked up to as leaders He had great pleasure in informing them that while in Ireland he had attended six meetings . At Belfast he addrnssed a large Repeal msetins" . They pledge . ! him to keep to the Repeal question , and not to broach the Charter ; but somehow he was compelled to bring in the

    Charter , and on being called to order , promised better bshaviour for the futnre ; but before the close of the meeting he believed he made a considerable impression . He was sure that if properly supplied witk political knowledge in the shape of tracts , &c , they would no longer pin their faith to the sleeve of any political leader , bnt would act and think for themselves . He hoped that in The address they were about to issue they Would recommend the sending of Stars , ic . to that pait of Ireland : most of those at present sent were sent to Dublin . The part he alluded to was the North of Ireland . They had requested him to act as delegate . to the Convention for them , but as the law did net allow it , he could act only as their friend .

    2 Ir . O Cernor would gladly second the resolution , if the words Northern Star was left eut He thought it would bi . ' better worded if they said democratic papers , without nominating one in particular . Mr . Stallwood Beconded Mr . Doyle's motion ; he approved of it as at present worded . Mr . O'Connor stated that , from his peculiar position , he cou ; d not have seconded Mr . Doyle ' s motion consistently with his principles . Daring the whole course o his agitation he had never , at any meeting , even once mentioned the Northern Star . He defied contradiction on that point ; and be would tike that opportunity of replying to a few observations which , during their sitting , had been made respecting the Northern Star . The votes of cen * uxr- in it had been alluded to

    as though they had been concocted by the Editor , or some party connected with tbe paper , instead of which they "eil knew that they were inserted ¦ y order of the people . He well knew that the Northern Star was watchtd by both friend and foe , and tb . it there was a strong desire , on the part of some parties , to put down the " Star . " It had been stated , that his reporters were hired tools , while the reporters of other papers were public spirited individu-ds . He could positively assert that he never wrote a line to Wheeler in his life , that he never wrote a line to White , or any one of hia correspondents ; he had been particularly careful on this point , that he might be enabled to rebut any such charge ; they had been entirely free and unshackled from any restraint ; they had been appointed to the office , not from any acquaintance with him , but at the desire of the body of people where they were labouriDjf . The Editor of the paper he had known many

    years , and had never written a line to him to influence his conduct , during The four years the paper had been in existence . He defied them to point out a single line ¦ where he had denounced any man , or to prove that be had ev «; r attempted to fritter away any man ' s character . Great latitude must always be allowed to a puDhc newspaper , but this should never be extended beyond tbe bounds of propriety . He was glad to think that the paper had been of some service to the cause . Mr . Slallwood could bear him out in stating that several persons , Irishmen , in Hammersmith , had shewn him letters stating the great Service it had done to tte cause , and tbat it had caused the formation " of several Associations in that country . He had , by application to individuals and by public recommendations , endeavoured to send newspapers , tracts , &c , to Ireland , and he was happy that parcels of Stars uf srvvral cwts . each , had been sent to parties who were too poor to purchase them .

    Morgan Williams stated that be believed great advantages would accrue to Ireland from sending a large supply of Stars , &l , it would also be found to act very bectficiall ) in Wales . From Merthyr Tydvil , where a considerable number of Stars were taken in , they sent them through the agricultural districts . If one was sent into a paiish in generally -went the tour of the whole place , and in many instances he had known that it produced a great amount of good . He trusted they would do all that lay in their power not only to send them to Ireland , but likewise to Wales—all would be glad to receive them , and by the truths thus inculcated the good seed would be sewn , and the lecturers would only have to follow and reap the harvest Mr . Moir stated that for some length if time he had appreciated its advantages , and sent those which he ceuidprocure to Ireland .

    Mr Bsesley said tbat for some length of time he had taken six Stars weekly , and that with what he collected from others , he usually sent twelve to Ireland , besides Circulars , tracts , &c . Mr . White had taken a great interest in that subject , and had been enabled to send hundreds of Stars to Ireland . "With regard to the agents of the Northern Star being the paid tools of Feargns O'Connor , as one of those agents , he could assert , that he was in the same position for doing his duty fearlessly as before he accepted that effice : his actions were equally free as

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    before . It was well known that when he was employed in Yorkshire , he wenld never be controlled in his opinions or . his actions by Mb employer , and he should act now in a similar manner . So fat as O'Connor supported tbe cause ha should support him , whether he was called a tool or no ; and , if he ( Mr . O'Connor ) deserted the cause , he would be one of the first to oppose him . He had been sorry te see a certain littleness of feeling prevailing amongst little knots of individuals , which induced them to attempt to put down the Slar , not that the public might be benefitted , but that they might be enabled to raise their own fame upon its ruins . The Star had been tbe main

    cauBe for keeping the agitatioa alive when there were many of them in prison , and when all their prospects were dark and gloomy . When he was in prison , be recollected being asked by thirty or . ' forty ' In the Court yard what would become of the cause ? he asserted that the Northern Star -would keep them together It had done this ; and tfae people owed to it a debt of gratitude . He did not assert tbat ifc bad no faults ; bnt taken as a whole , the good that it had done would amply recompence for any errors that it might have fallen into . He had supported the paper strenuously previouly to his connection with it , and so long as the Xor thcrn Star did its duty , so long should it have his hearty support .

    Mr . Harrison was of opinion that this motion had been in a great measure , anticipated . He had sent off several packets of Stars , weighing ^ cwt . each , to Ireland ; but if it came as a recommendation from the Convention , it would have more weight . Mr . Campbell said there was another little publication , the Evylish Chartist Circular , which would effect great good if well circulated . He thought that instead of sending packages of old Stars to Ireland they should sell them for watte paper , and purchase such tracts as " Wba '' s a Chartist'" Circulars , &c . Irishmen liked to see the news of tbe day much better than old papers . He advised them to send their hew papers by all means .

    Mr . Pow . ll had seen the good produced by the silent working of these agents . He had found them in little isolated villages by tbe sea side ; and as bis occupation led him from door to door , he was often asked how tbe Chartists get on ? Tuey had read a good deal about them in a paper called the Northern Star . Thia opened a dooT for further conversation on the subject , and information -was thus elicited . They formed excellent forerunners , breaking up the grouud , and clearing the prejudices t ut of a lecturer ' s path , and thereby effecting much good .

    Mr . M'Pherson—In his district the Aorthern Star had been much blamed by several parties ; but as these had since turned out mere Whigs their olject was plain / and therefore their words were not attended to . The Star as an organ of the society could not be dispensed with : it was an index to the general state of Chartism throughout the kingdom . For general information , tracts and other publications were more adapted . Tracts were excellent auxiliaries in places where Chartism was unknown—they contained information which it was impossible for the Star to give . Mr . Morgan Williams stated that they had translated the tract " What ' s a Chartist ? " into Welch , and it had done much good .

    Mr . Woodward stated , that they had sent one week , 200 back Stars to Ireland , which were duly acknowledged . Tbty had since sest 450 , but bad not received any infeimation of their reception ; this disheartened them , for they were fearful they had fallen into the bands of the Post-office autborites . He thought that a monthly regtate bad ought to be inserted in the Slar , of their reception . Mr . Doyle explained tbat his motion alluded to all democratic papers , the Circular included , but bethought the Northern Star deserved the pre-eminence ; it was the only paper which defended their interests while in prison ; under persecution and prosecution it had never deserted them . His motion did not allude so much to back Stars as to the current numbers of the day . He was well aware that Irishmen liked to see fre&h , in preference to stale news . The motion was . then unanimously passed .

    A letter waa then read by the Secretary from Bronterre O'Brien , in answer to a communication which be had been instructed to make to him ; the purport of the letter was , that be had not taken hiB seat in . the Convention , owing to his not having received from Newcastle or elsewhere in the district , any official notice of his election ; unless Mr . Campbell's letter could be regarded in that light . He had written to the Secretary at Newcastle , Mr . Sinclair , upon the subject , stating that his circumstances would not allow him to devote more than a week or ten days to the Convention ; yet at ¦ whatever injury to himself , he would attend if they furnished him with the necessary credentials ; to this letler he had not , at that period , received any

    answer . The Secretary also read a communication from John I ^ ach , of Rnehda ^ e , in answer to a letter which he had been authorized to send him . The letter slated that the deputation had not an opportunity , owing to the shortness of the time , to communicato with Mr . Snarman Crawford , but from the statement he made to them on the last occasion , he had not the least doubt but he would postpone his motion until after tbe petition had been presented , and that he would also vote for the petition , the on ' y clause to which he objected was that respecting the Repeal of the Union . Mr . J . Leach observed that Mr . Sharman Crawford bad two sets of opinions , one for his constituents at Rochdale , and another fer the lobby of the House of Commons .

    Mr . Lowery brought up , on behalf of the Committee , the address to the Chartists of the Kingdom , ordered to be written on the preceding day . The address having been read , Mr . Bairstow suggested some trifling alterations and the Committee retired for that purpose . On being brought up iu its amended form , it was unanimously agreed to . The members were requested to append their signatures , and the address ordered to be printed . Some discussion took place respecting Btrangers leaving the room while some private business was being transacted . Messrs . O'Connor , Bairstow , and many other members objected to any business being transacted with closed doors . .

    Dr . M'Douall explained that it waa business connected with the Finance Committee , but that the object wou d be answered if the members would stay in the room for a short time after the adjournment . The following resolution being received from Birstal , Mr . O'Connor moved , and Mr . White seconded , tbat it be inserted in the miutes : — - That this meeting having maturely considered the proceedings of the Birmingham Conference are of opinion that the recommendation to establish a new association for Complete Suffrage is only another scheme of our enemies to break up the present powerful organisation of the working classes , and being fully convinced that

    our present association being legal and constitutional is well calculated to effect the object for which it was formed , hereby declare that we have no confidence in any set of men that would cause disunion among our ranks ; and that we . will abide by our Charter in name and substance , and have confidence in our Executive and the honest leaders , who have stood by the people in times of danger and persecution , and will neither countenance nor support any man or set of men who would throw our Charter over board , even though they should affirm the truth and justice of its principles ; and farther , that we have confidence in the present Convention , and will carry out its recommendation Dy all meang in our power . "

    The roll was then called , and tbe Convention sittings adjourned until Monday morning , at nine o ' clock . During the sitting Mr . O'Connor read the debate in the House of CommonB on Mr . Crawford ' s motion , and likewise the editor ' s remarks , but it elicited no

    discussion . Saturday , April 23 . The committees were busily engaged on this day in making arrangements respecting the theatre , and in forwarding the presentation of the petition .

    Monday , April 25-Mr . Duncan was called to tbe chair / and Mr . Leach to the vice-chair . The Secretary called the roil , and Messrs . Beesley , M'Pherson , Harrison , Williams , Powell , Ridley , Leach , Doyle , Philp , Moir , Woodward , Bartlett , Lowery , Duncan , and Campbell were present . Minutes read and confirmed . Mr Meir reported that he had received letters from Glasgow , instructing him to wait on tbeir M . P . ' s : He had written to them , and tbey had requested bis attendance at half-past eleven o'clock that morning . Mr . Bairstow reported a good account of a meeting he and Mr . Stallwood had attended at Twickenham .

    Mr . Harrison reported he bail preached a sermon in tbe Shepherdess Fields , on Sunday morning About sixteen hundred personB were present They obtained 1000 signatures to the petition , sold 5 s . worth of tracts , and collected 9 b . towards the demonstration . Tbey had a similar meeting in the afternoon , at the same place , but not quite so well attended as that in the forenoon . He also attended a large meeting in the evening , at the Albion Coffee House , and many members were enrolled . A discussion then took place respecting the theatre not proving an advantageous speculation . Mr . O'Connor suggested a plan for their adoption . Mr . iowery moved that tbe members of tie Convention write to their constituents for information upon the truck system , and its bearing npon the interests of the working classes .

    Mr . O Connor seconded the motion , and stated it as hia opinion that no man was scarcely aware of the evils inflicted by the system , and he thought it was their duty to render the committee all the evidence which lay in tbeir power . Mr . Leach read a document , showing the scandalous manner in which tbe truck masters overcharged their workmen for goods purchased from them . The resolution was then carried unanimously . Mr . Philp moved the following resolution : — " That , with a view to the most speedy enactment of tbe People's Charter , this Convent ion recommends the people of Great Britain to totally abstain from the use of all intoxicating drinks ; and also to abandon the use of tobacco and snuff , and refrain as much as passible from the use of all exciseable articles—that by these means the revenue may be affected , the people be improved by sobriety , and the luuds of the Chartist As-

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    sociation , be made more ample ; and the Convention cannot refrain frem expressing ita opinion that every man enlisting in the army or the police , whilst the present corrupt institution eaiat , becemies ^ slavish tool in the hands of ; tyrants , ia a disgrace to his country , and a dishonour to the name of inan . " \[ v Mr . Pbilp , in an able manner , supported the resolution , aud instanced many persons who , bad contributed the - . funds thus saved to tne cause of the Charter in Ireland . Thei effect . ' . Bail been ^ entirely to deprive the Government of the power of enlisting soldiers . Not a mail could now be found to enlist in the army . He trusted they would come to a unanimoua vote upon this question . - ¦ - ¦ : ¦ ' •¦ '' . " , - . "' . ¦' ¦¦'' ¦ " ' . ' ... ''¦ , . : ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ Mr . BartlettBeconded the resolution , and instanced a recent casei in which an active member of ¦ : tbeir body bad'irjured tbe cause by not being a total abstainer .

    Mr . O'Connor Btated that nothiDg would give him greater pleasure than to see this carried eut into practice . He acknowledged that "temperance ) , had done much good in Ireland , though at the same time this was not the truereason of their hot enlisting in the army ; it was the eanie line of conduct as they once previously adopted , they would not enlist until they bad attained the measures they were struggling for .: It was with them a matter of policy . ; He could not agree with thtir mixing this up with the agitation of the Charter , be thought it would embirrass their proceedings , He trusted they would form a committee to . consider the subject ;

    Mr Beesley in a long and able address supported Mr . Philp's motion , he thought Mr , O'Connor was acting inconsistent in opposing the motion , ho had recommended the constituents to pledge the delegates to be Teetotallers during the sitting of the Convention ; if it was good during that period it was good at all other periods . Muchjbanu had been done by ' their lectuteia not being Teetotallers , they after their lectures had perhaps taken only a single glass , but thost ! who entered the house with them , perhaps not having equal command over themselves , got intoxicated , and thereby more harm was done than the lecturer had done good ; it would allay the prejudices of ninny of the females agaiust them if tboy came home fwm their meetings entirely sober . Mr . Thomason supported the motion in a lengthy address . His constituents were highly in : favour of it ; it would also allay the prejudices which certain teetotallers entertained against . "them ,

    Mr . O'Connor moved the following amendment : — - " That we the delegates sitting in this Convention , in order to set an example to the people at large , arid to prove our approval of the principle of teniperauco do hereby pledge ourselves to abstain from the use of all intoxicating [ drinks , as well as from the use of snuff and tobacco , and this resolution we adopt in order that we set an example in our persons , which we trust the people generally will consider worthy uf adoption , and that both the recommendation and amendment be submitted . to a committee who shall report to the Convention . "

    Mr . Roberta in a long speech , seconded Mr . O'Connor ' s motion for a committee ; it was a question of principle , expediency , and law ; he was not sure that the latter part of the resolution respecting enlisting wtiuld not subject them to a charge of . sedition , seeing that according to the law an ignorant jury were the judges of what constituted sedition . . He , however , thought for these reasons it had better be referred to a committee ; that it migtn be well considered Headmired the success that attendedi isetotalism , but he believed . the man who took a glass of liquor , was equally as good a man as the one who do did not .

    Mr . M'Pherson thought the motion not called for ; its every object would be obtained by advocating Chartism ' . Thsir lecturers were compelled to be men of high moral habits , and if they made Chartists of them , tbey would speedily be sober men . With respect to the army , the advice to ChartiBta was unnecessary ; they would not enlist ; to those who were not Chartists , the advice would be entirely useless ; they must first make them Chartists . If a man became a Chartist , It was a guarantee to their wives and families that they would become sober moral men . Mr . Lowrey ably supported Mr . Philp ' s motion .

    Mr . Bairstow Bhould be willing to adopt not only the principle of total abstinence , but , if it was practicable , from all taxable articles ; but he should protest against this Convention pasaingthe resolution unless every man was pledged to the principles . He had seen iii Leicester the ill effects of _ separating themselves into Teetotal Chartist Societies distinct from the main body . If the motion had been made to recommend sobriety instead of total abstinence , he should have had no objection to it . ' ; . ' "¦¦ ' " '"¦ ¦¦ . ' " : ' . V . . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦'¦"¦ Mr . White thought the motion was very premature . If the House of Commons rejected j as no doubt they would , the National Petition , it would then be a duty for them to lay down some line of conduct , teetotalism or something else , by which they might operate on the Government .

    Mr . Ridley was surprised at the motion being broughi forward . , He admired enthusiasm , but wsi 3 oppestd to fanaticism ; he thought that it would be calculated to divide rather than to unite . Mr . White moved that the question be deferred . Dr . M'Djuall admired the principle in the ; abstract , but he thought that it would be calculated to raise a prejudice against them in parts where their principles were not at present known . They would be known only as Teetotalers , —as a . Chartist , the only standard to which he would bow should bn the six points of the

    Charter . If their object Was to conciliate the Teetotal body , he believed it would f ; iil . They were more of a religious than a political body . He believed that the part-respecting enlistment would infringe upon the law . Mr . Stallwood was compelled to differ with his two colleagues , and perhaps this was well , as all their constituents would then be represented . Mr . Stallwood then ably defended the principles of total abstinence . Mr . Campbell would never allow his conduct to be regulated by the opinions of any body cf men . If they passed this resolution be should not feel bound to adopt it . ' - ; ¦¦' ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ ' . . . . ; : - - ¦ ¦¦

    Mr . Harrison had two bodies whom he represented , the one teetotal the other not , but they were both good Chartists . His own opinion was against the motion . ¦ . . ¦ ¦ Mr . Mason was willing to adopt any line of conduct which would give a high moral tone to society . He was feaiful that ,, they would be laying themselves open to the charge of sedition , if they recommended the non enlistment proposition ^ The foreign policy of the Government was such that they would immediately pounce upon any body of men who attempted to deprive

    them of the means of raising soldiers , and also they would look with an eye of suspicion upon those who , in addition to . this , recommended them to refrain from exciaeable articles and thus cripple their funds . It would be raising up a new standard of Chartism which would involve , them in difficulties ; he likewise hoped thuy would not lay down any line of conduct which they were not certain would be carried into effect He thought it bad policy to lay down any plan which they were not certain would be very generally adopted .

    Mr . Woodward was opposed to the motion . The mnjority of the Chartists of Brighton were not teetotallers , but he would not ajlow it to be asserted that they were not aa good Chartists as any body of men . He could state the good effect which they had produced in his neighbourhood by recommending the plan of non-cnliatment ; but if it interfered with the law they would bo wrong in recommending it . Mr . Powell thought if thia motion was carried into effect , it would be raising up a spirit of despotism—a feeling towards which was already too prevalent in some parts of the country . Mr . Pitkethly could not support the motion , much as be approved ef the principle of sobriety . If , at a future time , itconldbo shewn that it would advance the cause , then he might be inclined to support the plan . ' ' .- ' , ¦ ' ' . ¦¦ - . " ¦¦ ' ¦ . . " - . ' ; ¦ ' .

    Mr . Bairstow moved that the consideration be postponed sine die . Mr . M'D . ) UalI seconded the niotion . Mr . Leach stated that at the first Manchester delegate meeting a similar plan had been ^ brdught forward , and he had then been told that he was not a good Chartist because he had opposed it . He had since seen those men so drunk that they had run their heads against a lamp-post . This savoured somewhat " of inconsistency . He thought that if they passed it , no good would be effected : the '' Chartist bouy would ; still take a glass of ale if they thought fit .: He as an individual should not feel himself bound by it , even if they passed the resolution . A Paine and a Washington , and other great men , who would be immortalised by their actions , had been none the worse men for taking a Bmall quantity of drink . He thought that the principles of Chartism were of sufficient weight and fqree , without mixing them up with any other question whatever .

    Mr . Doyle ,,- in a humourous speech , oppossd the resolution . Mr . O'Connor withdrew his amendment . Mr . Philp , in an eloquent manner , replied . It was not for the purpose of raising up any new teBt for Chartism ; it was only for the purpose of giving a high moral tone to the people ; it would give them a wish for intellectual pursuits it would teach them to think ; and if rec » gniz « d by such an important body aa this Convention , it would greatly tend to promote its adop tion . It had been said . -, that Sir Robert Peel would pounce upon them if they adopted this resolution . He

    was rather surprised to heat this from men who bad weathered the battle and the breeza . He thought that the Whigs had so far proved the inefficiency of imprisonment , that it would not again be adopted . They bad by those trials spread far and wide the principles of Chartism , and he knew that , if necessary , they would again dare all that a government could do against them . Mr . Philp then stated , that seeing the names of Messrs . Leach and Bairstow attached to a paper as pledged teetotallers , he trusted they would support the resolution .: . ¦ -.. 1 " - . - ' . ,, ;¦ . . ' ¦ ' - : ¦' .: : ; ,: ¦ : ¦¦ :: ' . ¦ ; ,. . ,. ' ';¦ Mr . Leach explained that his name was a forgery .

    Mr . Bairstow stated that bio name had been sent by a teetotaller , without his consent Mr . Bairstow ' s amendment was then put , and seven persons voted for it . - Mr . White's motion , that the subject be adjourned until after the presentation of the Petition , received nine votes . ¦ The resolution was then put , and five persons voted for it , and sixteen against it . The subjt-ct was , according to this decision , deferred until alter the presentation of the Petition .

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    A deputation from the Tower Hamlets was then received . ¦¦ - ' . ¦ : ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' ¦¦ . •¦ - ¦ : ;¦ > . . ¦" . ¦ . ¦ ¦' = ¦ ¦ .- ¦'¦ . - - Mr . Treadwellhaving explained tbeir views to the Convention , : Mr . O'Connor moved a vote of thanks to the deputation ; and that the subject be referred to the agitation committee . : Mr > Powell seconded the motion . Mr . Stallwood moved that the Convention recommend the formation of Chartist Registration Societies throughout England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales * for the purpose of placing all persons holding our opinions on the botough and county registries , with thei view of returning as many Chartists as possible to the next Parliament . Mr . White seconded the motion . He was in favour of either having a sure friend or an open foe ; and not a quantity of ha . f and half men , like Messrs . Warburton , Hume , and Cv . :: /¦ -.:

    Mr . Pitk 6 thly perfectly agreed with the resolution , but they had failed in carrying it out at the last election , and he was fearful they would now . Public opinion had not progressed much during that period , Mr . Woodward supported the motion , and showed the good effect it had produced in Brighton . . ¦;•¦ Mr , O'Connor thought the present a very important motion ; they might date their present position from their conduct at the lasf election . He agreed with Mr . Stallwood that thirty , twenty , or twelve persons in the House of Commons , -and backed by the pressure from without , would do much to gain the Charter , There was but two ways of acting upon the Government—by moral and by physical force—they had denounced physical force , and determined to carry it

    by moral means . He believed that not withstanding the manner in which they h a d been denounced , that they were the true safety valve , of the nation . Tbe strength of the people should always be : directed against the party in power—their battle must now be directed against the party in power . He thought that n » w they were in a much better position as regarded organisation than they ever had been previously . Ireland , as at present situated , weuld be an efficient ally to them * There was not a Repealer in Ireland who was not a ; Chartist ; and they would sooner unite with them than with the Tories . It was the opinion of some that it was necessary to have upwards of . half the House in their favour to constitute a majority- If thirty Chartis | 8 were in that House , and banded firmly together , they could so paralyse the Government that it would be impossible for the business to be transacted . If the forty-two Repealers had lemaineo firmly banded together they would long ere now have placed that

    question in a prominent position . They Bhould always look to their locai position . Government might be con- ' Buiered as a wheel within a wheel ; They must look to the machinery of the corporate bodies , and they w « uld Snd that the Whigs would sooner coalesce with them than with the Tories . Once get possession of this machinery , and they would tben be able to influence the jurymen and the magistrates . They would not then bu enabled , as they had done previously , to call out the militia , and to imprison and convict you frpm the jurybox . They would then be enabled to make a general attack upon the citadel of corruption . ; We recognise no difference between Whigs or Tories , but between them and the Chartists . They were now bound to make their grand attack upon the Tories , as they were the party who now occupied the garrison of corruption . If they carried out this plan , instead of being compelled to attack the enemy in an undisciplined stae , they would be able to attack them , well disciplined and marshalled , and then they would be certain of

    success . Mr . Biirstow seconded the motion ; he thought that if carried out , even by the present limited constituencies , they would fee able to return thirty or forty Chartist members to the House of Commons . Mr Thoraasou thought with Mr , O'Connor , that if they intended to carry out the object , they ought to array themselves in an organized form ; if they had been fully organized they would have been enabled to place themselves in a much higher position at the last election , and yet , at the last election , he believed , they had done greater good to the cause than they would by two years of agitation . If the Convention decided upon this stop , they had many honest electors who would come forward and support them , and they would be enabled to return men of tbeir own ranks , who would devote their talents to the cause of the people

    Dr . M'Dv-uall admired the spirit of the resolution ; but after tbuy had formed these Electoral Committees they must leiVe it entirely to their own judgment , and not trammel them with any : recommendations as to whether they should coalesce with Whig or Tory , if be again stood for Northampton , as most probably he should , he should stand on Chartist ,, principles alone , discarding both Whig and Tory ; and from the manner in which tbeir representatives had . acted , and from Peel ' s tariff scheme , he had no doubt he would be supported by the great majority of the Northampton tradesmen . The motion was eventually deferred until after the presentation of the National Petition . Mr . O'Connor stated that he received a letter , from Loughrea , ( the place which could no where be found in the map , ) and they stated that their petition wasaigned by 600 persons . : ¦

    Mr . Pitkethly presented a petition from Hull with 7 , 400 signatures . He requested tbat the report of Hebden Bridge signatures should be corrected . It stated in the . Star 3 , 400 signatures ; it it had onght to have been 5 , 400 . Mr . Moir reported that he had had an interview with Mr . Dcnistown , M . p . for Glasgow , but could get no satis ' actory answer from him as to whether he would support the National Petition . He stated that he had no objection to every man having a vote , but those who possessed property should be entitled to more than one vote . , A letter was received by Mr . Morgan Williams , from Wales , with an inclosurefor the use of the Convention , on the condition tbat not one farthing should go to any one who was not a wholfe-hog Chartist . Mr . Betsley moved the following resolution : —

    " That the Convention recommends to the country the necessity of bringing forward Chartist candidates at the ntxt ' general election ; and if there is no possibility of carrying them by votes , that they be carried by a show of hands ; and that they take their seats in tbe House of Commons , and only be ejected from there by forc « . . ' ¦ ¦ . . ' . ; ¦ . ¦ , ¦ ¦ ' . ;¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ ¦ . . ' ' Mr . Beesley ably supported this motion . Let them take their seats in that House , and let them be ejected by force ; and if they theught proper , carried to tbe Tower ; they would then se « whether the people would allow them to be quietly in prison . It was useless td carry their candidates by a show cf hands , unless they were prepared to go farther . If they did this , they would place the Government in a very awkward position ; they weuld then see that the men were determined upon attaining their rights , and they , as leaders , would know who they . could rely upon .

    Mr . Ridley seconded the motion , he thought it idle to have anymore child ' s play , petitioning was a mere farce —( "No ")—a person said ho , it was useful for creating public opinion , but it was a mere farce upon the part of the Government ; this would be a test whether they were longer determined to be contented slaves , or whether they were determinedtd be free ; it would show whether the Government would longer be allowed to ride rough-shod over tifeni ; he expected they would have to endure prosecution and perscution for the principles he advocated . Mr . White entirely agreed in the spirit of the resolution , but thought it best to postpone it until after the presentatioa of the petition .

    Mr . O'Connor entirely agreed with the resolution ; it was necessary that they should adopt this species of passive resistance , it might appear a wild scheme to some , but he hau spent sixteen months in a stone cell , and he was not daunted , but would for one carry it out even at the risk cf again meeting that fate ; there was no prospect of their being ejected from that House ; for they would never be able to obtain admission , but he trusted Mr . Beesley would postpone his motion , and after the fate of the petition had been decided he should be happy to support it . Mr . Beesley then withdrew his motion . Several notices of motions were given , and the Convention adjourned .

    Tuesdayi April 26 . Mr . Duncan in the chair , Mr . Leach in the vice chair . Present : —Messrs . Beesley , M'Pherson , Harrison , Bairatow , Thouiason , Powell , Ridley , Roberts , Leach , Doyle , . rbilp , Williams , Mason , Moir , Wh « te , Wood-Ward , O'Connor , Campbell , Pitkethly , and Duncan . Minutes read and confirmed . Mr . Thomason reported that he had attended a trade meeting , and tbey were unanimous in coming out to support the procession . Mr . Bairstow reported that he had attended a large and enthusustic meeting en Stephey-Gfeen .

    Mr . Ptiilp wished to have a mi .-take corrected which occurred in the report of his speecn in the Northern Spar . It appeared from the statement in thai journal , that be resetted that divisions existed in tbe Deverilis ; he had stated that the greateat unanimity prevailed in those Tillages , and that theywere raora united than the older towns in the association . The reporter asserted that 0 e scill belieyed the repprt in the Star to be correct . ¦ . . ' : ¦ .- . / . ¦ - . ¦ . ¦¦¦ . '¦¦¦ . ¦ - , ¦¦¦¦' - . ¦ Mr . Ridley affirmed the same . Mr . O Connor stated that an error might easily occur . Mr . Roberts bore testimony to the general correctness and fairness of the London reporter to the Star .

    A deputation was heard from the locality of Stepney Green , respecting the attendance of deiegates at public meetings , which gave rise to considerable discussion . The deputation also requested the Convention , according to a suggestion thrown out by them , that they would take means to procure banners for the ensuing procession . - . ' -, •' .. ' ;' .. -: ¦ .-.. ¦ . ¦ ¦ - . ¦ ' ¦ ¦ .. ¦ : ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ,: : . -: ¦ . . ¦¦ The thanks of the Convention was then given to the deputation . ; i Mr . White reported that he had attended a meeting of shoemakers at the Pitt ' s Head , Old Bailey , and was favourably received . Mr . Woodward repotted that he had attended a meeting of BhoemakexB , at the Golden Lion , and that they were unanimous in joining the procession , and gave orders to their Secretary to warn al their body to attend . . :, . . -: . ' - . - .-. ; ' . ¦ - . ;¦ : - ¦ : ¦ ' ' Mr . Mason reported in a similar Banner from a body of joinert

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    Mr . Doyle gave a satisfactory report from a body of bricklayers they intended to form a Chartiat locality . A considerable number of sheets of petitions werfl received from various places , but we did not ascertain their correct namber . ' ' ¦ . ¦ ¦ ; A petition was presented by Mr . Stallwood , from Oreat Marlbw , containing 400 signatures . Mr . Wnite stated that he had received accounts that the people around Stqurbrldge were going in masses of twenty or thirty , taking" food where they could find ifc / arid that they were in the greatest diatres ? .

    .. 'Petition ' s : were presented from Liverpool , with 3 . 2 ; 000 signatures ; from Cheltenham , Wolverhampton , Dunfermline , Staleybridge , Cirencester , Darlington , Bindley , Wotton-under-Edge , Bury , Bradford , Newcastle-under-Lyne ; Norwich , London , Harleston , Bury St Edmonds , Bath , Woolwich , and various other places , from the agriculturists of the North and East Hiding © f Yorkshire , with 14 . 840 signatures Northampton 2 500 ; Kettering 2 066 ; Davontry 1 , 052 ; Oundle 350 ; Long Buckby 800 ; Eye 200 ; PiUford 400 . ¦ ' . ¦' ¦ ' ¦ . ¦ ,. ' ¦ .. . ; : ;•;¦ . : :: ¦¦¦ . /[¦ ¦ " . ; " . ' ¦; . ; -. " ¦ ¦' ' ' •; - : ;' . : ' - ; : . ' ¦ ¦ Mr . O'Connor read a letter respecting the East and Tiorth Riding of TTbrkshire , explaining the separate districts , and stating the petitions came from placeB where no signatures had previously been obtained .

    Mr . Mason read a letter from the Council at Coventry stating that they felt greatly dissatisfied with the statement made by Mr . Mason , that the men of Coventry were desirous to * ect him as a delegate to the Sturge Conference . The letter was directed , to the' secretary of the Convention . They were desirous for hini to call upon Mr . Mason to state the names of the parties who . had been desirous of electing him , as no such subject was ever , brought before them . Mr Masun explained in connection with , that letter that ; he had been in conversation with six of the most

    inflaential persons in Cpventry : he could , if uecessary , state their names ; but he would simply statethat they considered it would be no violation . of : pTincijple ; but that , by attending at that Conference they would be enabled to effect much good , He thought there could be no violation of duty in so doing ; they had elected six men in Birmingnam for a similar purpose . The reporter would niost probably 3 tate to ; the country , this explanation . He had not been invited to attend the Conference by a public meeting or by the Council of Cbveniry . r : ; ' .. ;' - -

    Letters were read from Salfordi expressing a desire that they should procure copies of the People's Charter , and furnish tbe members of Parliament with thern ^ that they might not be ab \ e to plead ignorance of what the Charter really was . Also from Bradford , stating , that they had sent the petition sheets to Mr . Duncombe ; and likewise Btating that the W bigs in the town had now deserted Mr . Sturge on the plea tbat he went teb far for them ; that the Chartists were determined upon adhering to their principles , and standing by the Charter name and all . Also from Newton , enclosing £ 1 for the use of tho Convention ; and from Ddwsbnry , enclosing ; £ 2 . - . ' •" . ; .

    Letters were , read ; from Yorkshire showing that the greatest excitement prevailed , owing to a report that Government intend interfering with the Convention ; from Rippohdale requesting information respecting the bill-poster who hati . been arrested' and fined for posting Chartistjbills , and wishiDgto know- whether he waB the only victim ; from Nottingham , stating that they had divided the town into twelve districts , and were pro ? curing signatures to a requisition of" electors calling upon the Members for the borough to support Mr . Duncombe ' s motion , that a deputation frpini the working classes be heard at the . bar of the House of Commons :

    from Worcester , sttting that they had forwarded their petition to London ; from Ashton , stating that the Rev Mr . Stephens had been grossly libelling them , and that they appointed a deputation to wait upon him respecting she calumniesi in the Manchester and Salford Advertiser—he avowed being the author of them , and said if they wanted their principles ridiculed , he could do it for them : he also stated in his sernion , that if the holding up of his little finger would obtain the Charter he would not do it : the Convention , he asserted , was not composed of working men ; and that these statements of Mr Stephens had doue them great injury in the obtaining of signatures .

    A petition was received from Mr . John HindtB , of Shoreham : stating that owing to his having taken the chair at a Chartist meeting , which was conducted with the greatest decorum , he ^ had been deprived of a pension , which he had well earned in facing the battle and the breeze . Hii had applied to the Lordis of the Admiralty on this sdbjecfc , but had receiTed an answer from the secretary that he was not a fit person to receive a government pension . He had presented a petition to Parliament on the Bnbject , but it had been laid on the table , and no notice taken of it . He had a wife abd nin 6 children , and was entirely deprived of procuring a livelihoou for them . He hoped the Convemion would enter into a subscription , for the purpose of procuring him the means of purchasing a boat , nets , &c , that he miffht , by this method , gain a living .

    Mr . O'Connor moved the following resolution , " That the Convention take into consideration the best means for protecting labour against those employers who apply it to artificial productien , and for ensuring to the working classes a supply of all the necessaries of lifej independent of foreign conntries or mercantile speculation . " He did not wish to infringe upon the rule laid down with regard to the length of time allowed to speakers . When they thought he was infringing on their time , he hoped they would call him to time . He thought that the motion was one of great importance , and that at this period it was more than ever necessary .: ' The Charter was a new system of government . It was nectS sary te secure the continued approbation of the publiOi that they should produce before them , in a tangibla

    shape , thebeneflts fcoba derived from the adoption , of the Charter . The public mind was now prepared for great changes the Charter would be . the means of giving them a power of increasing the productive resources of the empire ; and secondly , the Chaiter would give them the means of more equitably ^ distributing that // wealth ; . The representation of the ^ cp untry as at present constitued , was a : mere-nullity ; ¦' .. it waa confined almost exclusively to the landed proprietors . The feudal system was still practically carried into effect in the laws of the country ; he considered the lajid to be the raw material of England ; they had tiftun been told that the land ef . Eogland was not sunlcieht to afford the means of subsistence to its population ; but he could show to that Convention , and

    through them to the ¦ country , that the land of this country was sufficient to support in presperity one hundred pillions of inhabitants ; arid here he could not help adverting to the Corn Law Repealers ; their plan was a bad substitute for the removal of all restrictions on the land . The country had been divided into two great parties , the landholders and the newly sprung up manufacturing interest . The manufacturers in the large towns had combined ; and , by the aid of money , had obtained a toleration , and now they were struggling for the ascendency . They united air their forces for the attainment of the Reform Bill , and , aided by the masses , they produced such a pressure from without as enabled' them to carry : that measure ; but it had bsen useless to the great mass of the people , and

    would continue to be so unless they removed all restrictions on the cultiyation of the land , let them consider the number of acres in Great Britain , and ask themselves why they should be dependant upon other countries for a supply of food ? This was the most fertile country in the world , and yet we were by these restrictions compelled to purchase food from fo . eign lands . In the Celestial Empire ( China ) , with ita immense population , they had for the last fifteen years , only six millions of acres of ground in cultivation for grain ; there the Princeslof the land , the Nobles of . ' . the country were engaged in the pursuit of agriculture They considered this occupation as one of the most honourable to which the labour and the mind of man could be devoted . Lord Monfeagle , the other niebtm

    the House of Lords , dilated on the old exploded doctrine of the political economists , that our population pressed npon the means of subsisteuce ; never was there a completer fallacy uttered ; it was the restrictions upon land ; it was the old feudal powe * which landlords possessed over tenants ; it was the pewer of distress which they possessed , and the system of granting leases which pressed hardly on the mtaris of subsistence , and not the incapability of the land to produce a sufficiency of food . Lord Monteagle atated that it was the increase of our population which caused us to be dependent on other nations for a supply of corn . Withiia thei last fifteen years , our population had increased two millions , yet the same restriction as ever was . imposed upon the land . It had been the custom

    When a tenant rented a firm , that he was bound by the lease only to break up two acr s , the remainder was to be laid down in grass which he considered only to be the chief weed of creation ; if this restriction was adequate to the production of a tufliciency of food at that period , it was net so at the present period ; suppose for instance that America , with a population of suventeen miljions / passed a law prohibiting the exportation of foreign grain they would only break up such a quantity of land for the growth of wheat as would be sufficient for their present population , bat if the population : of America increased to one hundred millions of the inhabitants , the demand would consequently be greater ; and if their laws prohibited the breaking up of more land , they would be placed in a similar situaiioh te ourselves . They could not interfere with the power of machinery , every man was affected by its working ; if it displaced manufacturing labourers in the country , ; they immediately worked their way up to Londonand

    , thus created a surplus population for the masters to fall back upon , they were not aiming for therestriction of machinery , it would be » violAtionof reaaon and of justice if they did bo . The land waa the only resource the working man had capital sufficient to engage in profitably working upon it himself . It had been stated that they were employing their energies on the waste landsi of the country ; thia was not correct . Ho considered the waste land te be the Cpld meat in the larder , which might be left in reserve for a century to come . The lands already in cultivation would be amply sufficient for : our population , if cultivated in an improved manner ; they might be br « ught to a degree of fertility equal in comparison to the finest linen ^ ver the undressed flax . The land waa not cultivated to one-fifth of its power ef prouuetion . Land was the only raw material which appeared from their conduct not to be yrorthy pf an improved cultivation , and yet this was the only raw material on which they could rely for all the necessaries ( Continued in out fifth page- )

    Untitled Article

    6 THE NORTHERN STAR . .. ., ¦ . ... . •; .- . _ ' ; . : . : ,, ; . V-. ; ' .: ; , ;; v ^ ., :- , j . ¦ —¦ ' ' " . . ' . - . . ' . '¦ ' ¦ " . ' ' ' . ¦''"' ... '¦¦ - ¦'¦ — ¦ ¦¦ ' ' ' " ¦ . . " .. -- .. '" . : —*~ ; ' - •" - - " -i ¦

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 30, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct752/page/6/